Ladybandito

Thank you for the responses. I was trying to get an idea before having a consult. Got it in my head that a plastics doctor would say "oh heavens no, you need to lose about 50 pounds more before we can do anything!" My issue is not medical, and I may not even ever get it done, it's just that if I find pants sizes that fit, all the loose fat from my lower ab gets pushed up to my waist and hangs over the top... A lot. It's frustrating to wear baggy pants all the time, especially when I'm pleased with my weight loss results. Now that I'm writing this, I'm amazed at how different my appearance concerns are than they were two years ago, hahaha! I think I'm turning into a diva... Lol. No, but really, it is nice to care about looking good again.

May sound like a silly question, but I am serious. How can you tell when you've lost enough and you are ready for a tummy tuck? My band surgeon, who was looking at me clothed, said my belly is probably extra skin. I told him there was a still good amount of fat inside that skin, but he said there always is. For those of you who have TT'd is that correct? How did you know it was time to reconstruct, and that losing more weight wasn't and working out wasn't going to do the trick?

Good info. And hilarious! Thank you for this.

Beautiful!

Wow! You look great!!

Nicki, you and I are in the same boat. I actually had the scale go up a pound ... You know that's not right when I've been sticking so well to plan. But I do know that I ate some rather salty foods yesterday, so I'm thinking it will even out tomorrow ( it better!!) But I did even better today with eating. I'm super sleepy for some reason tonight, got a lot going on this weekend so I guess I'm thinking about that... So I will just say goodnight to all and wish you a great day tomorrow.

Hello everyone. Just waking up here, and thinking that Chrissy has been at the gym since 3 hours ago. Sheesh! The early morning workouts are such a great way to start the day... When I was younger...much...I used to do a 5:30 am and I felt so awake for the rest of the day. Nowadays I seem to need every extra minute in the morning cuz what used to take 10 minutes now takes an hour to get "presentable" with hair and makeup, LOL. SueBee, nice that retirement is close for you and you've found a fun and interesting way to continue work! I know many travel agents and they all love their jobs... Lots of travel perks. Where are you cruising to? Our next trip is to Mexico in the fall.. Already booked and paid, though, and one of the reasons I'm on a push to lose my last bit of weight (I want to feel relaxed on the beach), Nicki, you've got it going on and it's so great that you and Chrissy are working together on MFP. Things like that and this forum makes it seem like we are all in the same room together! I feel a great week continuing for all of us. My weigh-in is 161. Xx

What a great feeling! Savor it, hold on to it, and I'm sure you will find it seeping into every area of your life! I've never done a 5k, 1k for that matter, I am totally in awe of you! Xx

Nicki-- heck yeah! That's what we're talk in' about!! :-) SueBee, it probably seems like forever, but you'll be on no restrictions soon, soon. :-) I'm hang in in there, will post weight Tuesday. (my accountability tool)

Wear the CPAP mask!! If nothing else makes sense to you here, know that it will help with hunger and weight loss if you are properly oxygenated. I got to stop wearing mine after about 6 months. I don't even snore anymore. Heck, the goal of not wearing that mask forever was one of the reasons I GOT the band! It's really a serious issue.

Great job! Congrats to you!!

Please do not be discouraged. Many, many slow losers on this forum did not reach goal until 2 or even 3 years out. Although band loss is slower than RNY or sleeve, many studies show that 5 year loss reports show the results to be about equal. Keep plugging on, and the suggestions about limiting carbs and eating solid proteins are worthy of your consideration. I personally, started strength training instead of cardio and I believe it is increasing my metabolism while tightening me up into smaller sizes while the scale remains the same!

Great job everyone! I'll be weighing in on Tuesday, should have a loss to post cuz I'm workin my butt off and staying on task like everyone else. SueBee, you are so encouraging and it's inspiring to have "one of us" at goal and in maintenance. Xx

Yay, Nicki! I can feel the determination in your posts, and that's so cool! I checked for your post Sunday and Monday, so know that I am totally supporting you and cheering you on! Sorry to hear about the DH, but men, who can figure them out? My hubs STILL asks if I want something to drink with my dinner at home ... And we're what, 18 months out? I just say no thanks every blasted time! I mean, really? Oh, well, bless his soul, he's great in lots of other areas. Wonder where everyone else is at lately? Chrissylu, rkimom, NJ, Nicole, Meredith?

Busy weekend for me, so not much time to post. SueBee, glad recovery is moving full steam ahead! Nicki, so proud of you!! My focus this week will be to increase protein. With my workouts and light eating, I've been feeling more tired than usual, and weight is steady. Also increasing the H2o, if that's at all possible, lol.

Breast feeding uses up to 500 cals per day ... It is no wonder that you are hungry. I would try making healthy choices with your band as-is. Good solid protein to help you feel full longer. Just MO.

Prayers and love your way. Xx

I believe it is both, with emphasis on the swallowing process causing you to feel satisfied on less food. Like Mis73, I agree that it is not a good practice to wait for the band to tell you are full (physically), because by then you are often too full. "Satisfied" is the word I see most successful bandsters use. Just my 2 cents, though!

Great plan, Nicki! I'll try to log on with you each day.

Nice! Thank you for a heartfelt post!

Love it!

Dhoff, I also do best with a low carb diet AND my wonderful band! The difference I see now is that I don't immediately put weight back on when I do eat carbs. Your thread could have been better-named, but I can appreciate your message. Some of us get a little touchy on here (could be the sugar, lol!)

Hi Everyone. Crissylu and Nicki, I hear ya! Unlike the two of you who started out the gate gang-busters, I've been a slow, slow loser and just recently felt close to the green zone with my last fill to 3.8 a month ago. Today, I don't feel so green again and I'm hungry. Yet a couple days ago when I went in to the doc, I had lost 6 pounds from last month... That's huge for me. He said, "keep doing what you're doing." So tonight, since I'm so "hungry," I thought about that. What have I done differently the past 2 days that make me feel "not satisfied?" And I know. Last month, I got all of my water in every day, and then some. I focused on meals with solid protein ... Chicken mostly, and fish. I avoided most carbs and sweets. Today I ate a sandwich, with half of the white bread, a few candies, and a couple (small) pieces of cake with frosting. Nothing is going to satisfy me tonight except going to bed so I don't mindlessly keep trying to fill that 'hole' that I truly believe is a sugar addiction. Green zone or not, carbs seem to get me. Not sure if either of you are carb sensitive too, but boy, it sure does help me to avoid them at all cost. And if I fill up on solid protein, like chicken breast, I have a better chance of not being tempted by them. My BMI is 26, which doc says is normal, but I'm really hoping to get closer to 24. (I should probably figure out what weight that is, lol) Keep at it, one foot forward, we're all in this together. No, it's not easy by any means, but it is so, so, so much better than where we were! Love you guys. LB

I also eat a lot of beans. Great protein and nutrients, and they fill you up. Fiber, too.

Yes you are! Great job!