sixtythreenova

I'm still here too!! Started at 237 now at 157! Total of 80 pounds.. I'd like to take off an additional 10 to 15 but it's tough and while i like to have the goal, i wouldn't be heartbroken if I didn't. I wear a size 8 and feel great!! LapBand is the best decision i've ever made for myself! Has never been an easy trek, but i can truly say its so rewarding and I'm so proud of myself for sticking to it and getting there.

I have lost a total of 81 pounds since my surgery June 4, 2010... I'm 10 pounds to my goal weight.... weight loss has crawled to a stop and I admit that I have gotten a little lazy in my eating a high quality diet. But still working at it!!

Great Post... No one should be embarassed of sex or their bodies, no matter what they look like, aspire to look like or feel like.... It's the way we were made... I'm going to go find mine! THanks much!

Hello everyone! I cant' find anything on this site anymore so i just don't pop in as much. At least today i found the June bugs! Yay! I'm doing well, but haven't lost any weight since Thanksgiving booooo! But it's all my fault i've decided. I've gotten lazy and while i don't eat bread, rice Pasta or stuff ike that, i do munch when not mealtime and stuff i have no business eating, chips, Cookies and chocolate. I have to up my Water and get back on protien shakes to fill me up. Time for me to get back on the horse. I've lost a total of 66 lbs since starting the journey and 51 since surgery. I'm a size 8 to 10 but really need to take off the last 20 to 30 pounds. I'm frustrated with myself for not being at goal already, but at least i survived the holidays without any gain... well maybe a pound or 2 up and down.... I think i need to get a fill. I exercise 3 to 4 times a week by running 3 to 4 miles each time. Good luck everyone!

WOW I'm so excited and I had to share... I checked my BMI Today and I'm now in the OVERWEIGHT Catagory! Coming from a 42.3 BMI when i started this path 7 months ago to now being 29.9! I also checked my Body Fat Mass by measurements and I'm a 31.2% where acceptable is between 25 and 31% !!! YAY.... I"M GETTING THERE!!! I'm still on the top side of all the catagories but i Just have to keep working hard and not give in!!

I've been banded for almost 4 months now and lost a total of 60 pounds pre and post op (237 start weight, today 177). The majority of the weight was post band. I"ve had 3 fills and have good (almost too good) restriction. It's only been the last couple of days where i haven't slimed up all the food i am able to get down. However, for the past 4 weeks I have lost NO weight. Been playing with the same 1 pound up and down. I exercise, I'm a runner, (but probably need more time or distance) and i eat 1000 to a max of 1200 calories a day. Typically in the past when i've not lost weight i was losing size, but now neither. I'm in a size 10 to 12 but am not done with weight loss, although my body seems happy I'm not intending to stay here. The other problem (for women only) I've not had a period for 3 months now ... I'm 44 years old and have had times of hot flashes in the past, but not for at least 2 months... I'm very confused and not sure what's going on... Anyone have any advice?

I don't drink alcohol with any regularity, not because i'm against it, i just haven't. As far as calories I do seem to vary from 800 to 1200, but again not with any regularity. I do log my food and try to be a good tracker so i can keep a hold on my intake. I'm thinking i need to do really low carbs for a few days and see what happens. I've been considering the Plateau buster diet to get a fresh start. As far as exercise, Mariasha, I run at least 4 days a week for 35 to 45 minutes and when the weather isn't wet I throw in Cycling of at least 25 miles on an alternate day. I again probably need to increase the intensity of my workouts. I'm trying to remain positive, but am also worried about the "flying squirrel" arms that i now have! AHHH :thumbup:

I'm doing terrible. I lost a bit 4 weeks ago but now NOTHING in the past month.... SO FRUSTRATED.... :huh2:

I too loves clothes and shopping...! But I am restraining myself on purchasing too much and getting comfortable at any weight until i'm where i know i need to be permanently. But what i've started doing is buying from thrift stores. I purchase a couple pair of jeans or work pants at a time and then donate back when they get too big. I'm fortunate that i dont have to wear suits to work, but for now it's a cheap way to get by. Tops are a bit easier and i can usually seem to get good deals on the clearance racks but for me pants have always been a bit of a challenge.

I was regular month one post surgery... now missed for two months with no signs or symptoms of it coming any time soon.... I even began having hot flashes for several weeks. Not sure if it's weight loss or menopause?? :puke:

Congratulations!!!! I too have been at a plateau for a month now, i'm stuck at 181 to 182 and the scale is NOT budging since my last fill... i think i'm too tight, But... like you i think i'm losing inches... I am also in a size 10!!! It's strange how weight and body sizes can vary so much between people... i'm almost 20 pounds heavier than you but wear the same size....!! I want so badly to be at your weight!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!!!!

I'm from Ventura County, California.. I'm a commercial real estate appraiser and property manager.

I've had 3 fills in total. I lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks between fill 2 and 3. Fill 3 was just about 2 weeks ago and I've lost NOTHING (not even inches)... i'm eating right and exercising. I run 45 minutes at least 4 days a week. No weight loss no matter what. Eating has been a real challenge. I can hardly get a single scrambled egg down without sliming it all back up. No matter what i eat it's a challenge. I know there can be re-adjustment periods and plateaus but I'm just wondering what others have experienced. Thanks!

Silly of me to admit this... But i miss BEER... i also miss seltzer Water, rice and bread sometimes, but mostly i miss beer. Oh well, the weight loss is worth giving it up :biggrin:

I don't notice my face looking older as much as my skin everywhere else... I feel like i'm sagging and my skin is becoming like crepe paper. Some of it may be hormones too because the hot flashes keep happening... I guess i should have done this 5 years ago and maybe it would be easier on my skin.. For now i've purchased more skin lotion with Q10 for it's skin tightening properties, i'm hoping that will help smooth things out!

I'm a terrible slimer... It's rare that i eat a meal where i don't start sliming and have to get rid of something. For me PB'ing is basically spitting the slime and i just like Btreiger, kind of push from my abs and squeeze my throat and up comes more slime and often some of what i just ate. My band isn't that full, although I don't know how full it is, i've only had 2 fills. But i think i take too big of bites and i'm tired of living in uncomfort because of it, so i have to get better and stop this bad behavior. If i just keep spitting slime and not swallowing it helps relieve the fullness. :cursing:

Your nut is a nut.... 10 minutes between bites... no way... i eat too fast no doubt, but you should be finishing your meal in 30 minutes or less. My doctor told me that after 45 minutes you lose the process and overeat. Do what's comfortable for YOU... there is lots of bad information out there.

I love hearing this... CONgratuations!!! I am now 50 pounds down and beginning to run again... I'm only running 3 miles at a time though but am training for a duathalon in November. It's 2 mile run a 15 mile bike and a 2 mile run... Thanks for posting, this is very encouraging to me!!!

crazy question, but are you on your time of month? I have found twice now that while i'm ON i am so tight, i can hardly eat anything and the pbing and slime are horrible so that i don't even want to eat. But then low and behold it just gets better when im over. I was in the same boat thinking of a slight unfill, but just held out and now today i feel much better.

Strange follow up question.... are you on your time of month? I got a fill a week ago yesterday and i can do water or liquid fine, but food is a problem. If i take 30 minutes or more to eat, i can get maybe 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food down but it's challenging. However, its that time of month for me and i'm waiting to see if it gets better... I've heard you can be tighter during your cycle.. Right now, eating is just plain no fun..

Which one is better and what is the actual difference? I think my doc said to take Citrate, but i found the BESTEST ever Calcium Carbonate at Trader Joes... soft, chocolately and chewey!! HA... Any suggestions?

Well, don't feel bad, i got my bill through Blue Shield of CA and it's $49,500!! That's just the hospital bill and they say i'm responsible for 25% at a max out of pocket of $3,500. But they included alot of stuff on there i'm questioning.. They included the band alone at a cost of $10,000 and the anethesiologist charges too... This is just crazy!

Congratulations!!! I"m ONE Pound away.... I'm gonna get there this week.... I must!!! I Will!!! I've lost 37 pounds so far and feel amazing so it's only going to get better!!!!

I use Isopure Zero Carb Vanilla mix... I LOVE IT! It tastes kind of like the the mexican Horchata you get from the fountain at mexican restaurants. It mixes perfectly with water without a blender and tastes really great. 50 G of protien. It was the ONLY one my surgeon (Cedar Sinai) would allow us to use for at least the first 30 days. I'll definately continue with this one though. It's my protien for life.

When i originally researched the band and spoke with the surgeon and told him my enthusiasm for riding, his response was simple "you'll just do it better." But he wasn't able to give me any other details regarding nutrition or hydration. So i knew it would be okay, but it's still re-assuring to hear from someone whos a testatment to the same. I don't currently run, but once i drop at least another 10 pounds i may begin running again. The first time i dropped 80 pounds i was an avid runner and mountain bike racer. But age, availability of time and knee injuries stopped me from continuing... therefore MORE WEIGHT!! I drink alot of FRS for the vitamins and have used some hammer nutrition products like endurolytes for long rides. My last century was something like 8,000 feet of climbing and it took me 7.5 hours. It was grueling and I didn't enjoy much of the experience, so i know coming into future events with less weight on my frame will be a huge improvement. I'll look for the mixes you suggested and let you know how they work for me. Keep posting or do you have a facebook to keep in better touch? Have a great weekend!