TracieR

I decided to have the surgery for my son, so I totally get your motivation! I had no issues with insurance because my bmi was so high (i guess it is good for something ) I had no other medical issues. I am six months out from surgery and loving life! I have found the blogging a good way for me to organize my thoughts and get my feelings out. It helps me tremendously. Good Luck to you!

09/08/11 - 282

That is so great! So exciting! But I totally know how you feel! I was just telling a coworker that sometimes I feel so good after losing 90lbs that I forget i'm still fat. I wanted to where a sign around my neck that says - I used to be fatter! HAHA!! Seriously, great job! Such an accomplishment to lose so much weight! Great job!

After my pre-op and post-op diets I couldn't even look at a protein shake! I just started again with the Unjury Chocolate Splendor in the mornings. I put it in a glass of milk and it tastes just like chocolate milk. 20 grams of protein per scoop. It is really the only one I like.

Happy Birthday! Glad to hear it was a great day! My birthday is the 22nd! Virgos Rule!

Name, real or screen~ Tracie Age~ 35 Weight on September 1st~ 283 Goal Weight for September 29th~ 271 Exercise Goal for September~ do some kind of cardio daily! Dietary Goal for September~ up my protein Personal Goal for September~ to declutter my garage Date Banded~ 03/08/2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 90lbs

90lbs gone - never to be seen again! It is like losing a super skinny celebrity. Not having to carry around that skinny b--ch anymore!! WOOHOO! Almost halfway there. I want to be under 200 and then I'll decide my final goal. I went yesterday for my monthly appointment. I was down 10.5 lbs since my last appointment on 8/4. I am happy with that but I know it could have been better because I've been slacking a little bit this summer. I'm trying to be happy with that loss becuase I know it is fantastic! On the other hand I worry about old habits slipping back so I am trying to stay on top of it. I am excited for fall to start. I feel like it is a new season to get on the right track and stay there. I worked out last night and I am feeling it today! My legs are so sore but I feel great. At my appointment yesterday I did not to get a fill. I have been so tight since my last one on 8/4. Last night ate the toppings off of a veggie slice of whole wheat pizza and was stuck all night. Stuck while working out = not fun! It did help it pass though. When I got home I made myself a glass of milk with some chocolate protein powder and 3 sips in I had the stuck feeling again. Today I will do soft foods and hope that helps! I have the day off, my mother in law is spending the day with my son and I have an appointment to get a massage and facial later on (gift certificate from Mother's Day). What a perfect day! Hope you all enjoy the last weekend of summer!

So we are all coming up on our 6 months. Can you believe it has been 6 months already? I have a brand new life! I am so happy I did this. It has been very hard work. Lately my bad habits are trying to sneak back in to my life. I am trying so hard to keep them away. Some days are better than others. I eat healthy and I continuously try to be a good bandster! One thing that has helped me so much is working out. I know it is pretty straight forward - work out lose more weight! But I feel the difference in myself when I miss a night (like last night ). Summer has been hard, so I am looking forward to fall getting back into a regular schedule where everything doesn't revolve around bbq's and parties. I figure I have a little more than 2 months before the holidays kick off! What has worked for you? What do you need help with? Let's help each other and Celebrate together!

I had surgery with Dr. Garber and see his PA Donna monthly. I am very happy. They are very nice to me and pretty aggresive with fills. Never had an issue with money or anything like that. I guess it all depends on our personal preferences and experience. Good Luck finding a new fill doctor!

Try online dating sites that are geared towards big beautiful or curvy women. I'm sure they are out there. Just google it! Good Luck!

That is so exciting! My clothes being smaller is one of the only ways I notice my weight loss (when I look in the mirror I still can't see it)! So happy for you!

I use the Unjury Chocolate Splendor in milk every morning. It tastes just like chocolate milk. It is about 30 grams of protein. If I don't hit my protein requirements for the day I also have another one before bed after I work out. Good Luck!

Good for you! It makes you feel so good after working out. Keep at it! It gets addictive!

We live on the water on Long Island. Our house and property made it through with little damage. My diet on the other hand was trashed. I used the storm and having to stay inside as an excuse to eat such junk all weekend! What a mess. I am beginning over today. Back to real life... It is a sunny, cool day today. I am going to clean up all the tree branches, go for a walk, and make healthy food choices. Have a great week everyone!

If you didn't want to see more about the hurricane don't read this thread. I know I found this thread helpful because I want to make sure I have healthy options in case we lose power!

We are in West Islip, by Good Sam. I am going to try to go out today and get propane for our grill. I hope I can find some. The stores are a little scary around here! BE SAFE!!!!

Good Luck to you! Please keep sharing - it definitely helps me be more acocuntable as well! You can do it! You derserve to be healthy! YAY!

I'm hoping it fizzles out too! We are right on the water on Long Island. Up untl today I was thinking it wasn't going to be a big deal but now I guess I should do some preparation. Stay safe everyone!

Before picture - On cruise February 3, 2011 (one month pre-op) ^This is my most hated before picture. But it does show the most difference, so I am sharing it. During Pictures - Aprill 11 - Almost 1 month post-op (25 lbs gone) June 26 - almost 3 months post op (65 lbs gone) August 2 - almost 5 months post op (75 lbs gone)

I had surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work the following Monday. I felt okay. My incisions and stomach were sore after surgery but the real pain that I had was the gas. I had severe shoulder pain for a couple of weeks after - still get it now if I eat or drink too much - it was referred pain from the phrenic nerve. I went away to a wedding for the weekend 2 weeks after and I had a great time. My doctor made me wait six weeks to exercise but every dr. is different. I worked out with a trainer at 6 weeks and it was intense and I had no trouble at all. Good Luck!

I had surgery when my son was about 20 months. He stayed with my parents the night of my surgery and the night after. After that I tried to let him climb into things himself - they're usually little climbers by then anyway. The hardest thing for me was getting him in and out of the crib. I got some help for the first week or so and then back to normal. Just take it slow and easy and you will figure out ways to handle it! Good Luck to you!

Last night I made steamed shrimp and steamed veggies with a black bean sauce. It tasted delicious! I had 2 shrimp and 2 snowpeas. I thought I ate slowly and chewed well but it got stuck and after about an hour I threw up. I thought I felt better but still had some pressure in my chest. I went to bed with the pressure and woke up this morning and felt fine. I then made my Protein shake and decided to take my Vitamins, which I do every morning. Well, almost three hours later and I am still having the pressure in my chest. They are definitely stuck in there. I know I shouldn't have taken them this morning. My last fill was 8/4 and for the last few days I have been so tight. Any one have any insight on why that could be? I've never had anything stuck this long - What is the longest you have had something stuck? Anything I can do to help it pass? Should I stay on soft foods/ liquids today? Thanks in advance for your help!!!

I can't wait for that! I started out 26/28 3X and I haven't really bought much but I did try on a sundress last month that was a size 18/20 that actually fit! WOOHOO! I can only imagine how I will feel when I get to the "normal" store sizes!

I tell everyone. I think it definitely gives me more accountability. It also helps at work, people tend to not offer me sweet stuff too much. No one has made any rude comments to me about it - not to my face anyway

I had a great weekend! I took the day off on Friday and went upstate to visit a friend. We took our kids for a walk. It was an uphill 3 mile walk. I am still feeling it today,my calves are killin! I had to go into work on Saturday early for a few hours and then went food shopping and stocked up on tons of healthy stuff for the week. Then I went home and enjoyed some free time. Watched a movie. Sunday morning I took my son and we went on a 4 mile walk. I happened upon a garage sale halfway through and picked up a couple of things for a great deal! I picked up my pace a lot too. I definitely sweated it out! Then we went home cleaned up our backyard, ran some errands and enjoyed the rest of the day together! I feel like I got so much accomplished around the house this weekend, spent some quality family time and got my exercise in too! My husband and I challenged ourselves to not spend any money on eating out during the week. Not a cent - no coffee out, no fast food, no restaurants. Our house is stocked up with healthy choices and we will just have to plan our days to make it work. It is tough for me because I usually eat out during the work week a few times. I try to make healthy choices but I spend too much! So far today has been great, granted it is only 1:20pm but I am off to a good start. Today I had a protein shake before I left the house. When I got to work I had coffee and then my cottage cheese 100 calorie pack. For lunch I am having chicken chili. Tonight for dinner I think I will be making some scallops with couscous. Scallops have become a staple in my life. Love them - high protein, low fat and super easy to cook! So hopefully I have started the week off on the right foot and will keep it up. I'm also really tight yesterday and today. My last fill was on August 4th. I wonder what that is about. I am eating slowly and chew, chew, chewing. Tryng to make sure I get enough protein in. I also have been doing great with my vitamins and pills. I haven't missed a day in over a week! I take a prenatal (my obgyn prescribed because I told him I want to get pregnant within the next year), vit d, biotin, and my protonix (for reflux). I've been taking them in the morning with my protein shake and that seems to work well! I wish you all a great week and to get out there and get movin! It makes all the difference in the world!