Littledog

Just have to tell. I made it. I made it!! I'm at my goal weight! It took 2 and 7 months to lose 178 lbs. I'm not skinny by anyone's standard. I'm normal. Normal! HOORAY!! I can shop in the front of the store, I can walk great distances. I can leap tall buildings with a single bound.. oh wait. Can't do that just yet. But give me a couple of months! Haha! You guys helped me all along the way. Thank you so much for all the support.

Oh please don't beat yourself up so much! No one is perfect. I am 2.5 years out and have lost 178 lbs. This is what I've learned, and it took me a loooonnnng time to learn this. 1. Working with your band to lose weight is a mind game. At least it was for me. It took me over a year to understand this. You can not eat what you used to and in the way you used to and lose weight. 2. Keep your focus on your goal(s). I hope that you have written down specific, managable goals. 3. Everyone's weight loss journey is different. People will post huge weight losses in the first 6 months, but let's see, in the first 6 months, I only lost about 50 lbs. So, I guess everything goes back to #1 if you read carefully. Get tough, don't let anyone (including yourself!) stand in your way. You can do this.

How nice to hear from fellow Oct. bandsters! I was banded on Oct. 4, 2010. I've lost 148 lbs. with about 20 more pounds to go. I can't tell you how happy I am. I went for lunch to a buffet the other day. I have not been there in a long time, but I know the owner. She seated us and I said, Thanks, Angie. She later came up to me and said, "I don't think I know you, are you from the college (where I work)?" She didn't recognize me!! Of course, I only have my own experience for reference, but here's what I know for sure. 1. Everyone's lapband journey is so different! From the Doctors, to the surgery, post-surgery, and on.. everyone has a different experience. 2. People don't generally know what the lapband is all about. They'll say.. "she took the easy way", or "how come you haven't lost more?" and they really don't understand how hard this is. 3. It took me a long time to figure this lapband thing out.(No, you can't overeat, yes you have to Chew, chew Chew.) Good luck to my fellow Oct bandsters! Love hearing from all of you!

Oh how great is that!! Good for you! My husband told me one time.. "I'm the luckiest man in the world" when I asked him why, he told me that he gets to have all different women. (meaning me as fat, skinny,fat, skinny, fat and SKINNY). Of course I smucked him!

This is what I've learned in my 22 months of being banded. 1. Everyone's journey is different. I didnt lose all that much at first. In the first 6 months I think I lost 50 lbs. and that was including the 20 I lost pre-surgery. 2. Other people do not understand. Heck it took me awhile to figure it all out. People expect you to lose weight immediately or they think the lapband is this miracle cure for overweight people. They say.. oh well, she had lap band surgery- like I didn't fight like the devil to lose this weight, even with the lapband! 2. We are all in this for the long haul. Give yourself a break, you're doing great and it will only get better! HooRay for you!

Oh how I love the little things! My surgery was a little more than a year and a half ago. I've lost considerable weight (down 133#!) and the little things still tickle me! I walked up two flights of stairs the other day with both hands full. I didnt use the banister!! oh.. and last Sat. night, hubby and I went to the movies.... and the seat didn't touch either side of my thighs! How great is that! Oh please keep posting your little things! Good for you!

Wow! this sounds great.. How did it taste? I could really use the extra protein too.

Good for you, Guitar! I love the small changes, and am still tickled everytime I can do something new. After losing 130 lbs, I still worry about fitting into things.. dumb I know, but my mind must still be trained to my pre-lapband thoughts! This summer it was those stupid cheap white lawn chairs. I FIT!! I was going to suggest Goodwill and I see sHELLaBee has beat me to it! Keep up the good work and good job writing down the positive changes!

Thanks for sharing! I love the little changes that are BIG changes to us! My recent favorite things lately are fitting in plastic lawn chairs and being able to ride the ferris wheel (I was afraid the safety bar wouldnt close over my stomach) at the County Fair! So Congratulations, and Keep Posting!

This worries me a bit too. I have this fear of gaining it all back. I'm only 1 yr, 9 mo since surgery, but can't help worrying about the future. In your 8 years with the band, have you personally had any problems?

Good Luck tomorrow! Will be anxious to hear how it goes. I'm also being banded tomorrow!

SoulSis- How did your surgery go? Anxious to hear because mine is scheduled for tomorrow! Thinking of you!

Good luck. I'll be thinking of you! I get banded next Tuesday, so am anxious to hear how it goes for you!

I also get banded on the 5th! yes, I've already stocked up on the foods you mentioned plus liquid vitamins and protein shakes... I am so ready!

thanks for the reply! Nice to know we are in this together. Let me know how your surg goes...

upper GI? I didn't have to have that... at least I don't think I read anything about it. I've been poked, proded, examined, tested, but nothing down my throat!

Hey All! I'm so excited to find you all here! My surgery date is Oct. 5th and NONE of my co-workers has had the surgery or is really in favor of me having the surgery. My husband is totally in my corner on this... we are in this life together, but sometimes a girl needs a girlfriend! I'm hoping I can "spill my guts" about how this is really going to you folks.. I am *excited *scared *overwhelmed Thanks for listening...