hopetolose

the best I got out my hubby was " wow, you look like a bean pole". I took that as a compliment from he of few words... congrats!! I still get a kick when I look at a size 10 and think there is no way that is going over my butt and they slide right up and no muffin top.... lol

I started at 18/20 and am now down to an 8/10 depending on the pants. I really need to get tones up though. have really slacked off on working out. I have maintained for about 9 months now.

I couldnt believe when I saw this picture. Not sure if it was just how my niece was sitting next to me, but when I first opened it up on my phone, I couldnt believe that it was me. I thought to myself that I actually looked kinda skinny. I still dont feel like a skinny person, just a person that has lost some weight and that I look ok now. I thanked my sister in law for making me look skinny

Congrats! start getting used to all those compliments. They keep coming!!!

Thank you! I replaced my updated photo with this one, cause im sitting in my previous photo. It gives a better indication of a before and after pic... I'm still kinda struggling with maintinance as I am playing around with the same 5 lbs that I gained on vacation... It seems harder when you are not in losing mode anymore. Thanks again for the kind words!!

I would say "yup, I did take the easy way" and then give one of those sinester laughs while walking away... Hehe, or you could ask her why she prefers the hard way? see what she says then

I've noticed a huge difference. I used to come home and strip down and sit in front of the fan during the summer. Now I Barely notice the heat.

I had a small unfill back at the beginning of the summer because I all of a sudden got really tight. Well I was doing pretty well with maintaining up until 4th of July. Went on vacation and gained a few pounds. 5 to be exact. Well went in for a fill today and spoke with the nutritionist and we spoke about getting back on track. So I am going back to the basics of a 3/4 cup of food every there or four hours. And cutting out the sliders that I was getting into for the past two months... Im getting out my massive notebook from my surgery says and rereading some of it. Hopefully that will get me some motivation... I really want to rid of the 5 pounds... Don't like them...

I went in at the beginning of the summer with same issues. They removed .5 and it made a big difference. I have stopped losing, but have not really gained anything either. Just keep playing with the same two or so lbs. I can also eat a lot more. I can eat more than the the one cup. I am thinking of going in for my check up and get a little bit put in again.

I am fluctuating between 168 and 172 and can wear anywhere between 8 and 12 depending on the fit. I am pretty happy with that and im not even at my goal yet which was 164 (normal bmi). But I also had a goal to wear size 10 and I have met that... I may try to get down to 160. Not sure yet. I am trying to see if I can maintain this weight for awhile. I have been this since about February.

Nope, before a 10 now a 10... But shoes fit better now and I can fit into different kinds now. Before I only wore tennis shoes and sandals.

I just got back from vacation and have unfortunately gained 5 pounds. But I think most of that might be from Water retention as I can barely move my ankles around. Anyone have a good trick that will work. I am definitely getting back to the basics this week. Feel yucky!!

I just got back also and gained about 5 lbs. But I think alot of it is Water retention because I can really feel it in my ankles. I think I might be starting my period as well. Hopefully in a week I will be back

Last summer I got a couple of things on clearance that I thought I might be able to wear this summer. I got some 10/12 and now this summer they fit perfect. Although the 12s are a little big, but still wearable. I did the same thing for the winter stuff. So I should be pretty set come fall. Congrats!!

I keep my fat picture on my desk at work to remind me of what i don't want to go back to. I show it off sometimes when people ask how much I've lost. I let the picture do the talking. I think of it as an accomplishment not as embarrassment.

That's a great story and congrats to your new life. I feel very sad that you didn't have love in your life for all those years. It's amazing how something so trivial as weight can have on someones life. Im sure that your guy would have loved you no matter what if he knew you that well. Good luck on your move and new life!!

Last summer I was size 18 and 16, this summer size 8/10. Have restocked my whole closet. Summer is much cheaper than winter to redo a wardrobe.

Got my band on 4/14/11 and am completely happy with it. I have about 3 lbs to goal and go between 8s and 10s. I recently got an until and happy to report that I am holding my own and not gaining.

I was addicted to fast food, sometimes had it at every meal. Most says it was McDonalds for Breakfast and lunch. I have it once in awhile now. Went there yesterday and had there chicken nuggets and threw the rest away cause I couldn't finish. I have saved so much money on not doing fast food, that it now pays for my shopping addiction. :-) Just follow the program as much as u can and you will soon learn how to reprogram yourself. I had a small infill about a month ago and have very little restriction now, but I have not gained any weight. I still feel pretty full after a small amount, but I can eat pretty much anything and I might even be able to do a hamburger with bread. But I don't want to start down that road. The chicken nuggets was about as far as I am willing to push it. Good luck to you!!

Im a shopaholic now. Not really, but sometimes it feels like it. But you gotta figure I have to buy a whole new wardrobe now... I have pretty much stopped drinking since my surgery (maybe 5 in the last year). And haven't done any kind of drugs since I was about 20. And I don't smoke and I stopped carbonation drinks. So I only have shopping left as a bad vise. I'll take it!!!

I've heard that the amount you eat makes you hit a nerve at the top of your stomach that sends a signal to your brain that you are full. So the concept of the band is to make you eat a smaller portion to reach this nerve to send the signal. I was told only waiting a half hour to drink and that way that nerve has time to get working before you drink anything. This seemed logical, so I stick with that thinking. That's why it so important to listen to your body. You need to be able to tell when u hit that limit. If the portion of your smaller stomach can only hold 1/2 cup, then it will hit that nerve and you need to stop. that is what my doctors office has explained to me. :-)

I am 5'8" and I am about 168 and wearing mostly size 10 (depending on the clothes, sometimes 8 sometimes 12). I am about 4 lbs from a normal bmI. I find it kind of crazy that a size 10 is overweight so im not sure how much stock I put in the calculator.

I've been drinking from straws everyday for the past year and have never had a problem. I avoided it the first couple of weeks while I had the gas pains from the surgery.but after that no problems.