Bklynike

You go girl. Doesn't it feel good to shop and not feel like running from the store because nothing fit? I am starting to like my body now, so I know how you feel. Keep up the good work.

It is Friday night and I am excited to say I am down to 213.2:thumbup:. I wasn't in the gym last weekend because of our trip to Orlando, but from a week ago Sunday I lost 2.2 lbs. I have my 2nd fill scheduled for October 25th. I am losing an average of a pound a week. I wish it were more, but I don't know if it should be more? I have always heard 1-1.5 lbs a week is a healthy way to lose and keep it off. But with my band I thought it might be more:confused:. I have to remind myself that it took many, many years to put on the pudge and it will take time to get it off. Back in January I was 268 lbs. I started watching what I was eating, cutting out most of the carbs and started losing some weight. In May I joined the gym. By my surgery in June I was down to 251.4 lbs. Monday starts week 17 and I'm down, since surgery, 38.2 lbs. I feel really good and I am doing what I know I should be doing. I don't eat any carbs, unless they are naturally in the food I am eating. No bread, no pasta (this one hurts, I love pasta), no potatoes, no rice. I have gotten used to eating hamburgers without the bread and french fries! What has your average weight loss been like? Check out my photo album and my new tattoo!

Hey girlfriend. So glad you are now getting back on track. Don't worry about the gain - you are a fighter and will lose it quickly. Remember, without the lapband we are naturally going to eat more - there is no two ways about it. Your stomach is larger and it takes more to fill it up. Don't get down on yourself. Get it together and you will start losing again. I hope you start feeling better, soon.

At work on Friday the woman I have given all of my over sized clothes to handed me 2 coupons for the Avenue. They are having a huge sale this weekend - 31% off everything in the store, off your total purchase, including sale items. This will probably be the last time I have to shop in a big-girl's store. I went yesterday to the Avenue near my father-in-law's place and got 3 tops in an 18/20. I really liked the tops and especially the price, so today I went to a different Avenue near my house and got 3 additional tops in an 18/20 and 2 in 14/16. I figured, why not? I'll eventually fit into them, right?:thumbup: I had just finished at the gym, so I was all sweaty and couldn't try anything on, but I am a firm 18/20 right now. I remember just a short time ago being a 26-28. I weighed in today at 212.2:thumbup:. Just 2.3 to get out of the double digits. I can't wait. I count 10 lbs at a time, so 209, here I come! You can get your own coupon at www.avenue.com. Today is the last day of the 31% sale, so if you need some new things at a really great price, check it out. Have a great day everyone. :smile:

Congrats - you are now on your way to a healthier, happier life. The lapband is a tool, so make the best of it by kicking old habits and learning new ones. Take advantage of any group meetings and ask questions. It is not easy, but it was the best thing I ever did and I hope you feel the same way.

Congrats! Welcome to the journey. It is a great trip. Listen to your doctors and take their advise. Exercise is very important when you are up to it. YOU GO GIRL.

Best of luck on your upcoming sugery. It is the best gift you could give yourself. I tell people that all the time, because it is the truth. Make sure you do a lot of walking after the surgery to rid yourself of the gas, which can be painful in the upper back and neck. Some people used GasX, I just walked and it helped. Good luck

That is so great! You will now become addicted to 5Ks and you will be surprised at how well you do. Don't under estimate yourself. I am hoping to do one in the coming months. Let us know how you did - we are all pulling for you.

This is the best thing you could possibly do for yourself. I wish you the best of luck. I am 17 weeks out and have lost almost 39 lbs so far. Work of advice, after surgery walk, walk, walk, even if you don't feel like it. You will have some gas in your shoulder and neck area and walking will help it dissipate more quickly. Best of luck. Check back and let your fellow bandsters know how you are doing. WE LOVE OUR LAPBAND! You will too.

YOU GO GIRL - YOU ARE SOOOOOO AWESOME. I am so proud of you and know you will keep up the good work.

Congrats on reaching the Onderland. I can't wait to join you - I have 13.2 lbs to go. Keep up the good work - proud of you girlfriend.

I am a breast cancer survivor, so I appreciate your accomplishment and I know your mom does too. You go girl. Could you have done this a year ago? The LB has made a difference in all of us. Keep up the good work.

I am sure you look fabulous. We are all so hard on ourselves. I have my hair cut super short and it is so much easier to get ready in the morning. I will never grow it long again. I am sure in a very short amount of time you will be happy you did it. Great weight loss, as well.

You are a lucky dog! You have worked hard to make your journey work for you and I would say you are succeeding. 110 lbs is an amazing feat. I am so proud of you.

How wonderful! Thank goodness you are alright. I can hear the excitement in your writing and you deserve it. Keep up the good work and know we are all so happy for you.

Hello fellow bandsters! My husband and I were away this weekend in Orlando, which is about 3 1/2 hours from our home. There was a horror convention going on for my husband and shopping with my girlfrieds for me. I cannot wear any of my old clothes, so I have given almost everything away to a co-worker for her and her daughter to share. So when the opportunity came up to hit some of the outlet stores with 2 friends who live up in Orlando, I jumped at the chance. I never knew the Gap carried larger sizes. Most stores will go up to a 14, the Gap goes up to a 20. I am now wearing an 18-20, so I was able to get 3 pairs of jeans and 3 sweaters for my vacation in November. We walked and walked and walked and tried on shoes, pants, tops, and had a blast. A year ago I wouldn't have been able to do the amount of walking I did this weekend. The weight loss has certainly made such a huge difference in my life. On Sunday I had a 1 hour massage at the spa while my husband was at the horror convention. I was resting/reading by the pool when he called that I should meet him for lunch. As we were walking around looking at all of the costumed people, I noticed a room with all tattoo artists doing tattoos. I have thought about getting a tattoo for a while, but never really had the opportunity - until seeing what was going on. I went into the huge room and walked around viewing some of the artist's work and found a young woman who I thought would be really good. So I actually got a tattoo. I am a breast cancer survivor. Anyone who has read my blog knows I had a mastectomy on January 5th of this year. October is breast cancer month and the month I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago. So, I have uploaded a picture of the tattoo that is now on the side of my left calf. Cancer certainly changed how I look at a lot of things. Losing weight and getting healthier has also made things look brighter and clearer for me. I have a better chance of keeping cancer at bay by losing weight and exercising, which is exactly what I am doing. For those of us who have had breast cancer, for anyone who knows someone who has or had breast cancer and for those of us who struggle everyday with weight, I am here to say there is hope. I am a survivor. I will succeed and I will continue fighting until I have reached my goal. I hope you all have a great evening.

I have not been this happy in years. I am down from a 26 to a pant size of 18-20 and top size of XL. I can walk without gasping for air or stopping every 10 feet. People have noticed how good I am looking and have made comments about it. My husband did not have surgery and is working hard to lose weight, but with the band I am doing better than he is. Remember, the band is just a tool so if you are not prepared to follow your doctor's diet and exercise plan, you should reconsider not having the surgery. But if you are willing to work hard at it, you will have success. I love my lap-band and am so happy I had it done. Good luck to you.