ABC 2006~March Chat

[StephM 0]

Here's Jessica (clarityseeker)......

*********1 week before Surgery - July 2006**********************January 2007************

Great job! Lookin' good!

[libra 13]

Looking good Jessica!!!!!

[RLittman 4]

Hey Jessica,

I have a Rachel, too, who was Bat Mitzvah last year. Good luck with all that.

I do think we have low profile ports but I am not 100% certain.

Libra,

thanks for the info -- I'm going to check into a low-profile port.

Robin,

I thought Spivak used "low profile ports" as a general rule? Do you know?

Rachel's Bat Mitzvah is at Emanu El in two weeks! Where do y'all go to temple? This is number 2 of 4 -- yikes. I was going to do a bunch of shopping for the open house we are having and for Rachel's kid party this weekend, but I came down with some kind of flu -- and I did have the flu shot!:sick

So far, hanging skin is not as bad as I thought it would be -- after 4 kids, I thought I would have more tummy skin, but it seems to be not too bad. I could definitely use a breast lift!! I have a friend who had the band in 12/2005 and lost 90+ lbs. She was about my size to begin with. She had a Tummy Tuck and breast implants/lift in 12/2006. She is happy with the results.

Jessica

[RLittman 4]

Oh my gosh, you look incredible. I am having a hard time finding picture mostly because I always made sure I was the one taking the pictures!!!!

Here's Jessica (clarityseeker)......

[ATTACH]7827[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]7828[/ATTACH]

*********1 week before Surgery - July 2006**********************January 2007************

Great job! Lookin' good!

[RLittman 4]

I don't know the answer to that. I just happen to be snooping around the Dr. Spivak site under Doctors forum and saw the new policy for self pays. I am not even sure who the new policy applies to: all of us or just self pays banded in 2007? I will miss seeing Betrice at Surgicenter, but last time she seemed to hint that there were changes coming. I guess if folks like us go to our doctors rather than the Surgicenter than she might be out of a job!

I cannot believe I have 34 pounds to go. I have none of my old clothes and the few older, smaller pieces I have fit now. What is weird is that 10 years ago I did not fit into a 14 until I was down in low 170's. I guess I have less mass and more hanging fat!! When all of us hit 50 we said we'd meet. Jessica is almost there but I am not sure who else - faybie, you, myself? Anybody else?

Robin, What About Ins Paid Fills, Are We To Stay Where We Are? I Wonder If They Are Doing This Because It Might Be Cheaper For Non Ins To Do In The Dr Office. I Hope So For Your Sake! I Really Like The Thought Of Maybe Running Into You, Like Last Time. We Still Need To Get Together Soon.

I Can't Wait Until My Port Moves Down A Bit. Can You Believe You Only Have 35 Lbs To Go? I Can't Wait Until I Can Say That!!

Diane

[jekbird 0]

Hey Robin,

If ya'll get together let me know and I'll see if I can make it. I would love to meet you all!:clap2:

[hummer3 0]

I am at six months also, and am discouraged at the slow down of weight loss. For two months, I stayed the same and then got a fill that was too tight. Caught a stomach virus and had to let the whole fill out. Gained 5 pounds while unfilled. Got a new fill and lost some went to add a little more and couldn't keep solids down. I am filled to 1.2cc and still get stuck alot. I am trying to remember to eat smaller bites and chew longer. I have only lost 51 pounds in six months. Any advice????????????

[Constance 0]

karen, I've only losy 40 lbs in 6 months! I try not to beat myself up over the numbers. At least you have some actual events (unfilling, etc.) to explain your stall. I have nothing to blame but ME and my bad eating habits. I'm trying to focus on each meal as a choice and not get caught up in the "what do I have to show for 6 months!?" mentality. It's the choices and patterns every day that help us lose, right? I totally get stuck a lot, too. And yet I feel like overall I really need a fill. Weird, right? One minute I'm golfballing on salad, the next I'm stuffing my face.

You are not alone! It is confusing and frustrating and not losing weight sucks. But I know I CAN do it and I WILL do it. Sometimes the 'planets aren't in alignment' if you know what I mean. Like there is junk food around, AND I feel lazy, AND I don't feel restriction...and before I know it I'm in this bad binge mentality. So I have to try and put all the pieces together. Keep good foods around, motivate myself to move my butt more, and have proper restriuction. Sometimes that is a lot of crap to work on when you're trying to live your life, too!

I totally feel for you -- hang in there!

[RLittman 4]

Hey I have lost 51 pounds in 7 1/2 months and I am so thrilled I can't scream it enough. I've gone from a size 18-20 to a size 14, from a 42DD bra to a 36DD, from shoe size 9 to a size 8 1/2, from flat shoes to high heels, from ring size 7 to 5 1/2 from pre-diabetic and high cholesterol to normal blood test results, from lazy to active, from tired to energetic, from plus size clothing to normal sizes, from sweating all the time to feeling great!

51 pounds is no drop in the bucket no matter whether you have another 20 pounds to lose or 80 pounds to lose.

Healthy weight loss without the band is averaged at 2 pounds a week. That is what I have achieved but with the added bonus of it and my bad eating habits never coming back to haunt me ever again. I have also gone for over a month without losing any weight - just maintaining - then got a fill and lost pounds quickly.

Dr. Spivak told me that it could take up to 18 months to lose all my excess weight. That is the time frame I have in mine - any sooner is just icing on the proverbial cake.

Get active if you have not already, get a fill if you need another, but whatever you do, work this thing to its full potential! Hang in there and be proud of what you have accomplished!!!

I am at six months also, and am discouraged at the slow down of weight loss. For two months, I stayed the same and then got a fill that was too tight. Caught a stomach virus and had to let the whole fill out. Gained 5 pounds while unfilled. Got a new fill and lost some went to add a little more and couldn't keep solids down. I am filled to 1.2cc and still get stuck alot. I am trying to remember to eat smaller bites and chew longer. I have only lost 51 pounds in six months. Any advice????????????

[RLittman 4]

Hey Houston ladies,

I think there are several of us who are at or have passed the 50 pound mark!!! Where and when she would meet? I live in Memorial, west Houston area, but can go anywhere. How about West University area? When? This Saturday for lunch????? Robin

[Constance 0]

Hey peeps, anyone around tonight? I am getting a fill tomorrow morning. I can ask for what I'd like -- within reason, of course. Is going up .5 too much as I am getting closer to the 'sweet spot'. Any thoughts? I have to pay rough 200$ and I've been pretty cautious along the way. But now I feel like I'm ready to just get there, know what I mean?

[clarityseeker 1]

I decided on my last fill that I would ask for what I wanted. I told the PA to "get serious" and fill that sucker up. She added .5 cc I think and it made a big difference in restriction. So, I say, go for it -- ask for what you want. You're paying for it. If it's too tight, you'll know when you drink the Water or they will see in on the fluoroscope.

Robin,

I am so proud of you -- you are doing so awesome. You have so much to be proud of. All those NSV's to go along with your great weight loss!! Especially, the health-related ones. Those are truly the best. I may be able to do lunch on Saturday -- I have a busy weekend since this last one was a total bust with being sick, but I'd love to see you and anyone else that is available. Otherwise, after the end of this month, my schedule frees up a lot.

I am finally feeling like I'm going to survive -- I'm even going to get into the office tomorrow even though I worked 10+hours today, I did it from my bed, which is a lot easier!

Take care!! P.S. I'm totally excited that I am now classified as "slightly overweight!!"

[Josette 2]

At 7 months out I'm at 42 pounds lost. some of the clothes I own are getting loser but I went shopping a few weeks ago and I still can't fit in the smaller sizes. It's very discouraging. I haven't lost any clothing sizes. I've vowed to just stay away from clothing stores from now on.

You guys have all done great and I'm proud of you!

[Constance 0]

I decided to go for .5 and for the first time the nurse had a hard time finding my port. Now I see what everyone is talking about. Wow, having somebody first puncture you and THEN dig around in there...ick! And you can vaguely feel the needle skidding on the port. **Shudder** Hopefully this will kick starrt some loss.

You guys are doing great! I want to get to 50lbs too!

[Serendipity4124 1]

Okay I like the idea of listing the good stuff lol I've lost 69 lbs and gone from a 24 to a 16 in pants a XXXL to XL on top, a 42DDD to a 38DD in bra and a 9 to an 8 on ring size! I am right at my sweet spot, I'm thinking they took too much back out because I've gained a few lbs back of the 12 in 9 days I lost when I was too tight. I'm thinking it was mostly Water weight because I was dehydrated though....dunno You guys are great, I wish I lived in TX so I could do lunch lol