March... our 6 month bandiversary... where are we now?

[Gus-Gus 0]

Teri,

It's good to hear that things with your band are a-ok. I am sorry to hear about all the other stuff. A few years back I found myself in a position where I had to go on anti-depressants for a while and so I know things are going tough for you right now, but hang in there. Things can only go up right? Just keep thinking about those beautiful babies you got with you. I hope the pain eases up soon. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I know how hard it is when the pain is constant so I'm praying for you girl. I know it's hard right now but hopefully things will start to get better soon.

[terilynn112 1]

Thank you for the encouragement all. It's an emotional time in my family, not a lot I can say about it right now. But I've lost my babysitters. So I'm not sure what I'll be doing with the situation. But I do know this. I can do it. I will do it. I will make due. Somehow. In September the twins will start Preschool and hopefully then things will get better. Then maybe I can make time specifically to get this weight off. It's hard with them around lately. They don't wanna nap. They're under foot when I'm trying to do the wii fit, and leslie sansone's walk slim. Or whining to be held. I should eb out the door, but haven't even gotten the one dressed. Guess I gotta move.

Teri

[Angie919 0]

I can't believe it's been 6 mos already and most of us are either at halfway goal or close to it, you are all an inspiration to me.. thank you all!

[Mommie_of_4 0]

Wow, six months!! I've lost 40 pounds and am officially in ONEderland!! I've still been wearing my big clothes because I haven't wanted to buy any clothes yet and too scared to try on any of my old clothes that I could no longer wear because of my weight gain. Well I tried on some size 16 pants and they were too BIG!!! So I ventured to try on a pair of 14 pants that I had buried in the back of my closet...I could get into them but they were a little snug. But SOON!!

I think the working out will take me to the next level and push me into losing more weight. I've been working out but no consistently. So I need to plan on working out at 3 to 4 days a week minimum...but finding the time is so hard. With 4 kids, working, husband out of town 90% of the time...but I have to find a way!!

[Niecey 0]

Wow, six months!! I've lost 40 pounds and am officially in ONEderland!! I've still been wearing my big clothes because I haven't wanted to buy any clothes yet and too scared to try on any of my old clothes that I could no longer wear because of my weight gain. Well I tried on some size 16 pants and they were too BIG!!! So I ventured to try on a pair of 14 pants that I had buried in the back of my closet...I could get into them but they were a little snug. But SOON!!

I think the working out will take me to the next level and push me into losing more weight. I've been working out but no consistently. So I need to plan on working out at 3 to 4 days a week minimum...but finding the time is so hard. With 4 kids, working, husband out of town 90% of the time...but I have to find a way!!

Mommie you have your hands full. Maybe you can join the Y with "childcare" so you can get your work outs in.

Denise

[debbieperez55 0]

It is so nice to hear that everyone is doing so good.

Teri, hang in there, things will get better and we are all there for you!

Mommie of 4 - I hear you! I went shopping in a "normal" store and I wear a 16, a long way from that 28. Thank goodness for those skinny clothes in the back of closets, not sure about you, but I almost got rid of all the smaller stuff. I had given up and thought I would never get into them again, and now THEY ARE TOO BIG.

Got my third fill today. Different Dr and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! He listened to me, my insurance is changing and I am so afraid they will not pay for my fill. Today was the last day of the old insurance, they double booked for me, thank goodness. This Dr hit the port the first time and was more agressive than the other Dr. When I explained how the restriction lasted such a short time, he listened. He told me my tummy adjusts to the band very quickly and that is why I get so loose feeling. He was more agressive, but made me promise, SWEAR actually Clear liquids only for 24 hrs and then a few days of protien drink. He actually over filled me and now I know what that feels like, but I am glad he did. Now I know. I asked if my band was leaking and he laughed. Seems EVERYONE has that fear. But he said usually twice or three times is the charm. 5.8 CC. I knew something was weird when the first was 5.5 and the second 5. I never did feel restriction on the second fill and I have been in hell. I have made it this far by will power - didnt know I still had it.

Hope this one is the "charm". My insurance is going to SUCK and already I am having problems. They keep telling me my GP is not part of a group, AND HE IS -- WAS WITH THE OLD INSURANCE!!!

6 months - now comes the tearing up - I saw my surgeon. I told him I would have died if not for this surgery, I was a heart attack waiting to happen and since I didn't feel the first one, you know I would have been in trouble. I thanked him and we took a picture together. He was speachless.

I owe not only him, but all of you a lot. I would not have gotten to where I am if now for you all.

THANK YOU!!! Deb

[Mommie_of_4 0]

Mommie of 4 - I hear you! I went shopping in a "normal" store and I wear a 16, a long way from that 28. Thank goodness for those skinny clothes in the back of closets, not sure about you, but I almost got rid of all the smaller stuff. I had given up and thought I would never get into them again, and now THEY ARE TOO BIG.

THANK YOU!!! Deb

Thanks Deb!! I'm working on it. I actually bought clothes today that didn't have the big 'W' behind the size. I bought two outfits 1 for Easter and another just because it was TOOO cute. The Easter suit is a size 18 (but a normal 18 - which I could never get it before) because 16 skirt was a little more snug than I would like for church. And the other pants set (denim look) is a size 16!! The pants are a bit snug but in about 2 weeks they will be perfect.

You keep up the good work...and congrats on hitting your sweet-spot!

Mommie you have your hands full. Maybe you can join the Y with "childcare" so you can get your work outs in.

Denise

I actually have a membership at 24 hour fitness. They let you bring all the kids without having to pay an extra fee. I was a member at LA fitness but you only get 1 childcare spot and then it's $10 per month per child. So I cancelled that membership quick...fast...and in a hurry!!

[obtech89117 0]

I was banded on 9/12/08 and so far I am down 36lbs! I have gone down from a size 16 to a size 12, however my pysche still feels like a size 16. I rewarded:thumbup: myself with a personal trainer for christmas and try to go to the gym 3-4 times a week. I feel that the exercise has definitely made a huge difference in my body shape! I hope we all continue on our path to success and we will catch up on our 1year bandiversary! Good Luck to All! :wink:

[Niecey 0]

Got my third fill today. Different Dr and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! He listened to me, my insurance is changing and I am so afraid they will not pay for my fill. Today was the last day of the old insurance, they double booked for me, thank goodness. This Dr hit the port the first time and was more agressive than the other Dr. When I explained how the restriction lasted such a short time, he listened. He told me my tummy adjusts to the band very quickly and that is why I get so loose feeling. He was more agressive, but made me promise, SWEAR actually Clear Liquids only for 24 hrs and then a few days of protien drink. He actually over filled me and now I know what that feels like, but I am glad he did. Now I know. I asked if my band was leaking and he laughed. Seems EVERYONE has that fear. But he said usually twice or three times is the charm. 5.8 CC. I knew something was weird when the first was 5.5 and the second 5. I never did feel restriction on the second fill and I have been in hell. I have made it this far by will power - didnt know I still had it.

Deb

Deb, congrats on your new doc. That will make a huge difference. You'll be at goal in no time because you did so awesome on your own already.

Niecey

[simone 0]

Hello everyone. I just found this thread and am glad to see that everyone is doing so well. My journey has gone mostly smoothly. Took 6 month pictures today and what a difference from September. I now have 7.6 in a 10cc band and have good restriction. Was over filled at one point and sure don't want to do that again. I'm having trouble eating most kinds of meat now and eggs are a definite thing of the past. Dr. thought maybe taking 1/10 cc out of my band could help with the meat thing but I decided to ride it out for another month to see if it gets better. My next monthly visit is at the end of April and then I'll decide. I am loving this band! Am now at at size 14/16 pants and a large top. Having trouble shopping because I've not yet wrapped my mind around the fact that I can shop in the regular size clothes section. Of course, I exercise my butt off 5-7 times per week to get there but believe it or not I'm not minding the exercise like I used to. Off all asthma meds, my blood pressure is normal and my arthritis is so much less painful. Keep up the good work eveyone. :welldoneclap:

[debbieperez55 0]

Hello everyone. I just found this thread and am glad to see that everyone is doing so well. My journey has gone mostly smoothly. Took 6 month pictures today and what a difference from September. I now have 7.6 in a 10cc band and have good restriction. Was over filled at one point and sure don't want to do that again. I'm having trouble eating most kinds of meat now and eggs are a definite thing of the past. Dr. thought maybe taking 1/10 cc out of my band could help with the meat thing but I decided to ride it out for another month to see if it gets better. My next monthly visit is at the end of April and then I'll decide. I am loving this band! Am now at at size 14/16 pants and a large top. Having trouble shopping because I've not yet wrapped my mind around the fact that I can shop in the regular size clothes section. Of course, I exercise my butt off 5-7 times per week to get there but believe it or not I'm not minding the exercise like I used to. Off all asthma meds, my blood pressure is normal and my arthritis is so much less painful. Keep up the good work eveyone. :welldoneclap:

Congradulations on your progress. Yes it is hard to transition from the "Lane Giant" stores to the "Normal" stores. Also, way to go with the exercising. THAT is the best thing you can do! WAY TO GO.

[Cassy 0]

Hi all! I haven't been around in a while. I've been stuck in a plateau for almost a month and I finally figured out that my new doctor told me to eat more Protein and maybe that is causing my problem. He told me to eat one gram of Protein per half pound of body weight...so I did...any my loss stopped. As soon as I stopped shoveling the protein then I started losing again. I have no idea if I should be following it or not. I guess maybe I'll go for a quarter per pound and see how that works.

Other than that, I am amazed that I am solidly in a size 16 from LB and fit into a size 14 jacket yesterday. I have no idea what I'm going to do when I have to go into a skinny girl store. I'll probably freak out and have a panic attack. Whenever I go into those stores I always feel like they're looking at me and thinking why is she here? None of that will fit her. I don't see myself as smaller even though I know I am.

Anyone else feeling this way? I was happy also to get into a plane seat and have 4 extra inches on the belt. I used to try to kill myself getting into the buckle because I didn't want to ask for an extender. That was a nice surprise!

Aside from that...I am plugging along.

[*slim* 2]

Hi all! I haven't been around in a while. I've been stuck in a plateau for almost a month and I finally figured out that my new doctor told me to eat more Protein and maybe that is causing my problem. He told me to eat one gram of Protein per half pound of body weight...so I did...any my loss stopped. As soon as I stopped shoveling the protein then I started losing again. I have no idea if I should be following it or not. I guess maybe I'll go for a quarter per pound and see how that works.

Other than that, I am amazed that I am solidly in a size 16 from LB and fit into a size 14 jacket yesterday. I have no idea what I'm going to do when I have to go into a skinny girl store. I'll probably freak out and have a panic attack. Whenever I go into those stores I always feel like they're looking at me and thinking why is she here? None of that will fit her. I don't see myself as smaller even though I know I am.

Anyone else feeling this way? I was happy also to get into a plane seat and have 4 extra inches on the belt. I used to try to kill myself getting into the buckle because I didn't want to ask for an extender. That was a nice surprise!

Aside from that...I am plugging along.

You are not alone. I don't see myself as smaller. I look in the mirror and see the same fat girl that was there before surgery. I don't look any different to myself. I know I am smaller since my son (he's 11) was able to hug me and put his arms all of the way around me. That shocked me. As far as the protein, although my doc stresses a protein first diet, he never actually gave me a number to strive for. I try to eat my protein first, then veggies. I will admit that I eat too many carbs. When I do that, my weight loss stalls. Since you are working out so much, maybe it is that you are gaining muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, so as long as you are losing inches, you are losing. Measure yourself and go by that for a while.

Debbie, I like the new picture. I keep saying that I am going to be brave enough to take one, but I am still camera shy.

Take care everyone!

[simone 0]

I agree. One of the hardest parts of this journey is seeing ourselves as smaller size people. Most of us have been large for so long that I think it will take awhile to mentally adjust. I can look in the mirror and be thrilled by what I see but then I react to things unconsciously as still a fat person.

One of the funny ones is when I use a public bathroom. Automatically, I head for the handicapped stall because I know it's larger. I have fit into a regular stall for some time now, no longer having to almost stand on the toilet seat to close the door. It's little things like that and looking for the largest seat in a room that are so subconscious reactions. Have a great day. It's snowing here today so no walking outside. :welldoneclap:

[Niecey 0]

LOL, I noticed as I was walking the other day that something felt different and it took me a second to realize what it was...my arms were not touching my sides as I walked. Isn't that strange???

On a more serious note...I'm having problems at home. I have 2 daughters, 12 and 14, and they are having a hard time with me losing the weight now that it's really showing. It's strange to them and they are not comfortably with this. I have talked to them but does anyone have any suggestions how to help them with this?

Niecey