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Tomorrow will be my week bandiversary. Over this past week Ive felt good, Ive felt like crap. Ive cried, Ive laughed (while holding my stomach!) Ive RUN To the bathroom, and Ive come to this site alot. Ive walked to the end of my road and back so much that I think my neighbors think Im stalking them. Several of the recent January Bandsters said "hang in there, come day 6 or 7 you will turn the corner. Boy where they right! I feel amazing today!!!! Still having left sided pain when i breath in too deep but I can live with that. At my 1ST follow up, my scale matched the doctors, so 16lbs down (11 from surgery date). It was nice to review things with the nurse educator after I saw the Dr. I keep reading over my material to make sure im on track. Today I graduated to mushies! And I have to say 1/2 c. Cottage cheese never tasted so good to chew. Im finding creative ways to get my protein in without drinking a protein drink. My yogurt was 8g protein so i added 12g protein powder giving my plain yogurt some flavor all while getting in 20g protein! I think another imperative spirit lifter was seeing my co-workers today. Everyone knows i had surgery so Im not in the "fat closet". It was great having everyone tell me how great i look and how my boobs have shrunk! ( guess that was a compliment?) Lol. Today was a beautiful day! Im looking forward to many many more!

Went to the doctor today. Sick as a dog (not due to lapband)...Anyway I got on the scale and realized I am now 162lbs, a total of 90 lbs lost since surgery 2/8/11!

Living in a 2 story has it's perks for kids - for example, they run around upstairs and have pretty much gotten use to US parents yelling orders to them which they never obey. Sometimes I've been met with challenges such as a child shouting back and running up the stairs knowing that I will not be behind them. Well not anymore. At 20 lbs lighter - I shocked the heck out of my 4 year old when I told him to go brush his teeth. He proceeded to run up the stairs shouting "NO MONNA, YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH". The look on his face was priceless when he got to the top stair, turned around and was face to face with MOMMA. LOL His tune changed quickly. Needless to say I was sweating and possibly on the verge of passing out but I managed to insight fear where there use to be none. Team MOM 1 Kids O. (LOL)

See that gal on the left? Yeah, that’s me. Oh – NOT the big gal in the picture, per se’. The vixen on the t-shirt that the big gal is wearing. Yeah. Vixen. That’s me! Ok, so…I’m lying a little bit. They’re both me. Actually…all three (Left, t-shirt, Right) are…me. *duh* As if you didn’t know… Now, under normal circumstance, I would never post a pic of myself in my skivvy’s. (note: the obvious photo editing was to make it a little less tacky, and a little more artsy *lol*) But I was going thru some clothes this weekend and came across my very favorite t-shirt – which is the one pictured – and remembered exactly WHY I bought it, and why I love it so…and why I will HATE not being able to wear it this summer b/c it’s now 10 sizes too big. (But I digress – as usual) When I purchased this shirt approximately 14 years ago, I immediately fell in love with the woman on the shirt. She was OWNING her $h!t! Every bit of who she was…beautiful, obviously sexy, unapologetic…ALL OF IT. I felt that She was Me…on the inside, at least. What I realized while primping and preening in the mirror getting dressed yesterday, was that I am truly becoming her. In every sense. Like, WHOA! Now, I’m not so high on my own supply that I can’t see my obviously flaws like my belly flap & cheezy thighs in the aforementioned posted pic…but upon closer inspection, I’m like DAMN, Gina….that is…YOU! Every day, one step closer to my overall goal of getting to & maintaining a healthy weight (for me 165-170#)…but also to have a figure that is obvious, and not cammoflauged by the “[fat] suit” I was wearing in the picture on the left. Now, for those who might be offended by the term “[fat] suit” – please don’t be. It’s no dis to anyone, or even myself. But the more I start coming out of denial about where I was with my health, that term really accurately describes how I FEEL/FELT when seeing “pre” pictures of myself. Like my inner vixen - or the true essence of who I have always thought myself to be/look – was being hidden…like I was wearing a suit. Might not make sense to some, but that’s the best way to describe it. I mean, WTF am I thinking by even posting a pic of me in my drawls, anyway?!?!? I’ll tell you what. This day…it’s about acceptance. And re-learning to love what I see in the mirror. Because even though what I see is no where near perfect, it’s real… A real woman. With stretchmarks, cellulite, saggy skin, and… determination. I see a woman with curves. I see a woman with courage. I see a woman who I done being afraid to take off the “[fat]suit”. Hell, one day, I might even be bold enough to post a pic of myself in something and not have it so blurry! Or not… *shrug* The jury’s still out on what is T.M.I. for me *chuckle* So, anyway… here I am. Love me, or hate me (or a little of both) – it is what it is…I am who I am…and gonna be who I’m gon’ be. I’m ever thankful for this journey, and those I’ve met along the way who help me keep my course. I would NOT have been able to make it this far without the support system I’ve had. Even hoping to meet a few of you in person in 2012! Here’s to progress, realizations, determination…and HEALTH. Healthy mind, healthy body, healthy spirit. *cheers* P.S. Yup! Never in a GRILLION years would I have dreampt it could be. ME – running!!!!

I had my first fill on the 12th also. I had to lower my calories to 800 to lose any.The scale hasnt moved much but I can tell that I have lost inches. I am told that my body is losing the fat and gaining the muscle from the excersize, muscle weighs more than fat and thats why no decrease in scale. I walk 3 miles every day with hills and 5 miles on sat and sun. I know how it affects your motivation, so Im right there with ya! maybe try to drop the calories down to 900 and see if that helps. I know if I eat 1000 I cant lose. Good luck!

The surgeon told me that I don't look like what I weigh. Guess that can be a good and bad thing cuz looks can definitely be deceiving. Either way...he explained the whole process...then I scheduled my first nutritionist appointment. Next up sleep study! I have never had an issue with my sleep...so I'm not sure what the results will be. Just hoping that this will aid in my insurance approval... *keeping fingers crossed*

Today was post op appointment after the banding ......i stepped up on the scale.......i have dropped 25 pounds since my weigh in before pre-op and surgery....and also got the ok from dr to go back to the gym....i'm so ecited i havent been in a couple months, so tonight i can get back in the pool again .....

i cant wait for this Thursday my last appointment for my insurance with my nutritionist!.. can not wait for my list woop woop

Thank you for posting, very interesting. I will be sleeved on Feb 4th, excited, not quite nervous.... yet lol. I noticed you haven't posted on the boards yet. Hope you stay around, it would be nice to follow your journey considering you experiences are fresh and I am sleeved right behind you. Glad you are doing better.

I am right there with ya, I have told the truth, once someone notices and ask how, I tell them. Most of the time I get positive responses, and for those who give me grief...WELL.....POO on them, I did this for me and my health. All of my family and friends have been very supportive. I have no secrets. Good Luck to everyone