lizrbit

all the moves are done. Im now living alone in Tennessee and its gorgeous here. Im currently looking for work. Ive got the steps for reenrolling at my alma mater lined up and ready. things are good. okay, lets see. started at 330. got down to 140. (too thin for me). and got an unfil in ..august? maybe september? of 2009, and gained twenty lbs back which...was a good thing. of course i prefer it to have been ten to fifteen instead and i can live with that constant range. Im currently at 160, and im VERY comfortable here. I eat well. i cook everything myself and I dont eat out much (very tight budget). Im happy. Happier than ive been in a while. i turn 42 in a week.:tongue_smilie:

all the moves are done. Im now living alone in Tennessee and its gorgeous here. Im currently looking for work. Ive got the steps for reenrolling at my alma mater lined up and ready. things are good. okay, lets see. started at 330. got down to 140. (too thin for me). and got an unfil in ..august? maybe september? of 2009, and gained twenty lbs back which...was a good thing. of course i prefer it to have been ten to fifteen instead and i can live with that constant range. Im currently at 160, and im VERY comfortable here. I eat well. i cook everything myself and I dont eat out much (very tight budget). Im happy. Happier than ive been in a while. i turn 42 in a week.:w00t:

Much has happened. I think i lost too much wieght, and had an adjustment before i left the island with my surgeon and had some fill taken out. Ive left the state, and in transition. Im preparing to move to even yet another state and resume studies in a program i left 7 years ago and finish this time. On the island, i got down to 140 lbs (down from orig 330). much of it was poverty and stress, and the inability to see where i was supposed to stop. Ive since put back on fifteen lbs and feel significantly better, and back to eating more healthier as well. Losing great amounts of wieght significantly impacts the lives of the people around you...the people in your life. I never recieved any councelling that addressed this. Ive seen a couple of therapists, and they address depression, but ive not been able to find anyone that will address the issues surrounding the weightloss, and it does matter. Outside of my children, this was the best thing to happen to me in my adult life..a second chance at living better. But, i had issues outside of my wieght that were keeping me not only at a higher wieght, but at a specific way of living, and people involved fought back very hard against the change. Instead of support, i found...not so much support. Im still struggling with that, but making progress and choices moving in good directions, but the changes necessary are very, very difficult and ive had to make choices that i never forsaw or even imagined. EVEN knowing this..even if i knew before the band, what would happen, i would STILL have done it, and im grateful every single day that i get to walk in these shoes instead of the ones i had spent so many years wearing.

Much has happened. I think i lost too much wieght, and had an adjustment before i left the island with my surgeon and had some fill taken out. Ive left the state, and in transition. Im preparing to move to even yet another state and resume studies in a program i left 7 years ago and finish this time. On the island, i got down to 140 lbs (down from orig 330). much of it was poverty and stress, and the inability to see where i was supposed to stop. Ive since put back on fifteen lbs and feel significantly better, and back to eating more healthier as well. Losing great amounts of wieght significantly impacts the lives of the people around you...the people in your life. I never recieved any councelling that addressed this. Ive seen a couple of therapists, and they address depression, but ive not been able to find anyone that will address the issues surrounding the weightloss, and it does matter. Outside of my children, this was the best thing to happen to me in my adult life..a second chance at living better. But, i had issues outside of my wieght that were keeping me not only at a higher wieght, but at a specific way of living, and people involved fought back very hard against the change. Instead of support, i found...not so much support. Im still struggling with that, but making progress and choices moving in good directions, but the changes necessary are very, very difficult and ive had to make choices that i never forsaw or even imagined. EVEN knowing this..even if i knew before the band, what would happen, i would STILL have done it, and im grateful every single day that i get to walk in these shoes instead of the ones i had spent so many years wearing.

i currently weigh 159 lbs. i started out at 330 lbs. i dont have a car down here, and i ride my bike everywhere i go. I am currently waiting tables and still paint, but shows these days are far and few between, so i wait tables. Im also back in college. Prealgebra is kicking my tail. but ...im plugging along. im happy. Im very close to my surgeons goal, and to be honest, i was thrilled even twenty lbs ago. Skin is an issue, but not as bad as i thought it would be. I dont know if im going to pursue plastic surgery at this point. probably not (since im waiting tables). I love being this size. I never once thought, before the band, or even when banded, that id actually see this. live this, you know? I have a list of things im grateful for, and the band is one of them. Id love to talk to others whove been banded a while and compare experiences. its been a while since ive spoken to anyone about it. I love that more people are doing it.

i currently weigh 159 lbs. i started out at 330 lbs. i dont have a car down here, and i ride my bike everywhere i go. I am currently waiting tables and still paint, but shows these days are far and few between, so i wait tables. Im also back in college. Prealgebra is kicking my tail. but ...im plugging along. im happy. Im very close to my surgeons goal, and to be honest, i was thrilled even twenty lbs ago. Skin is an issue, but not as bad as i thought it would be. I dont know if im going to pursue plastic surgery at this point. probably not (since im waiting tables). I love being this size. I never once thought, before the band, or even when banded, that id actually see this. live this, you know? I have a list of things im grateful for, and the band is one of them. Id love to talk to others whove been banded a while and compare experiences. its been a while since ive spoken to anyone about it. I love that more people are doing it. :thumbup:

sue, i can SO relate to the dysmorphia. I go through that too, as well as the feelings of ?? and anger regarding attractiveness and husband issues. I cant even go into how absolutely lonely the last several years have been and the struggles there, but i bet there are a LOT of us that can relate to it directly too. Im seeing a therapist, and taking things slowly in terms of my internal dialog about the subject...but yes there is resentment. I try to keep thinking that at least i HAVE this second chance at living, and to have it on my own terms (thank you so much lapband and my incredibly talented surgeon) . If HE (husband) wants to become more attractive and put in some effort then hey, im all eyes. That attractive thing runs two ways and WE are worth the effort too.

hi krite, thanks for commenting! I know i know...its a bad discusting habit. i do replace them often with those losenges and that helps. I am concerned about it too. I do promise ill get a handle on it soon. When i work out in the mornings, and if its a good aerobic one, i find i can go without them for long stretches during the day. I still have my eye on the problem there. Thanks for looking out for me. :thumbup: I mean that. sometimes it feels kinda lonely on this journey and knowing someone cared enough to post means alot.

mantee! you look fantastic! I got forty left to go and its slowed down a LOT since ive been back in maine and eating with the boys. I cook for three grown men when im here, and its VERY difficult to stay the line. even though im not seeing the scale move very much these days im still working out and trying to maintain activity and solid proteins. Twin, im with you on the plastics. Ive taken SOME photos for my own reference but im just not ready to do bathing suit pics for public consumption yet. I keep telling myself "its all relative".

I left my life for seven glorious months. I rode a bicycle everywhere i went, if not, walked. I ate protien when i could because i knew it was important and ...this is important...if you have a bp episode...and you will....go to liquids for the rest of the day, let your stomach recover. I go to a gym three times a week with a work out buddy in the mornings, and we do coffee after. as far as liquid protien: slim fast low carb shakes. twenty grams protien and four carbs. i only use them as meal replacements. i eat like a normal person pretty much but i stay clear of sticky carbs that i know will just get stuck...except for every now and then, and then i take it small and slow. i love this band. it really has changed my entire life. this is by far the healthiest approach to weight loss ive explored to this date. I only wish my father could have known about it before he passed.

hey, just chimin in ... I was here a year ago this time too.This last year was one of the best in my life. I still have some to go, and im really enjoying this new lease on things. One hundred thirty seven lbs down.

i'm 199.5 today. Tom too. I have found that when its TOM i swell up and cant do food very well at all for a day or two. Its okay, because two days before i was eating everything in the house. I shop well so its not a huge problem. Whew...what ive found..i can eat BREAD sometimes without much problem, even a quarter to a half of a sandwich sometimes. it comes and goes and i can tell when its going to be okay. Best advice my surgeon gave me was that if i had a pb or threw up, liquids for the rest of the day. No excuses just baby the band if you throw up and let your stomach get right. Since following that advice i have not had any trouble. I also am taking biotin periodically along with my vitamin supplements. Ive cut WAY back on the milk. i love cheese, i love yogurt, but i found eliminating as much milk as i had been taking in has helped many things as well as plateaus. I eat enough yogurt to replace the calcium benefit and i take extra calcium and Vit d too. I love my life these days. the problems i have are not problems id have at 330. the whole kit and caboodle isnt what my life was like at 330. I turned forty this week and ive been a little reflective on several issues. I wish my dad could have had this procedure done. i think it would have changed his life. So im at Onederland. 199.5, i currently wear a size 14 perfectly, and havent lost TOO much in the boobs. :rolleyes2: well..i expected it to be much worse. I belong to a gym, and i do okay there. some weeks im right on, some weeks not so much. life is pretty good.

i'm 199.5 today. Tom too. I have found that when its TOM i swell up and cant do food very well at all for a day or two. Its okay, because two days before i was eating everything in the house. I shop well so its not a huge problem. Whew...what ive found..i can eat BREAD sometimes without much problem, even a quarter to a half of a sandwich sometimes. it comes and goes and i can tell when its going to be okay. Best advice my surgeon gave me was that if i had a pb or threw up, liquids for the rest of the day. No excuses just baby the band if you throw up and let your stomach get right. Since following that advice i have not had any trouble. I also am taking biotin periodically along with my vitamin supplements. Ive cut WAY back on the milk. i love cheese, i love yogurt, but i found eliminating as much milk as i had been taking in has helped many things as well as plateaus. I eat enough yogurt to replace the calcium benefit and i take extra calcium and Vit d too. I love my life these days. the problems i have are not problems id have at 330. the whole kit and caboodle isnt what my life was like at 330. I turned forty this week and ive been a little reflective on several issues. I wish my dad could have had this procedure done. i think it would have changed his life. So im at Onederland. 199.5, i currently wear a size 14 perfectly, and havent lost TOO much in the boobs. :w00t: well..i expected it to be much worse. I belong to a gym, and i do okay there. some weeks im right on, some weeks not so much. life is pretty good.

yeah i do the protien shakes too, especially in the beginning and at times when i get tight from swelling. I like high protein slim fast (or is it low carb slim fast) but just remember to GO BY THE INFO ON THE BACK, the nutritional info, you want to find one that has the least carbs and sugars, and the highest protein available. Be careful about the really high protein shakes though because their caloric intake and carb intake can be really high. Foods like Cottage Cheese with a little honey in it is good, salads with seasoned ground turkey is good, roasted lamb shank at a good greek restraunt is good. even jello has a little protein i think. A good way to keep track of your daily protien intake is FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal you can get a free account and journal EVERYTHING you put in the mouth, as well as track your wieght and excercise if you like. I love the program. It really has helped me a great deal.

Hi Tween, maine is gorgeous spring and summer...and i look forward to returning in April. I had my surgery in Houston. I found a surgeon who had done like 4k of them with good record. The reason i went down here has two folds to it. One because it really was a 'new' surgery when i could find it in maine and two because i was angling to have a reason to get down here to galveston for the winter to ride out the temps. worked out pretty good, but im very excited to see people doing it in Maine and hearing their stories, (and seeing the successes!) right on Mainiacs!

hey I have a house in Presque Isle Maine...but when i had my surgery it was really new up there. I had it done through a surgeon in Houston. Glad to hear its picking up, up there. Im currently hanging out for the winter in Galveston Texas.

Yesterday morning: 228 im so broke. im feeling thin and pretty. got my hair done, eyebrows and something else waxed, last night was the artwalk and my opening reception for the show here, and im exhausted. Ive been out there schmoozing and socializing and im ready to go back into seclusion now before i get into any more trouble. You know, no one ever really talks about, or maybe they just feel like they cant because there is always someone to chastize, but the way things in life change when you start to get to a 'normal' size. LIfe is completely different. some ways better, some ways worse. its hard to say. whats the expression, "the upside of down and the downside of up"? i think im starting to understand that better. when i lost with phenphen back in 1999 i thought the changes were due to the drug and it making me insane. Its more than that though, its the way you see things through thinner eyes. some of its very scary. we replace behaviors with other ones but they really arent any better for you, the results can be horrible. I worry for myself. I think i will be okay if i can reel it in now. Ive let things start to get out of hand.

Yesterday morning: 228 im so broke. im feeling thin and pretty. got my hair done, eyebrows and something else waxed, last night was the artwalk and my opening reception for the show here, and im exhausted. Ive been out there schmoozing and socializing and im ready to go back into seclusion now before i get into any more trouble. You know, no one ever really talks about, or maybe they just feel like they cant because there is always someone to chastize, but the way things in life change when you start to get to a 'normal' size. LIfe is completely different. some ways better, some ways worse. its hard to say. whats the expression, "the upside of down and the downside of up"? i think im starting to understand that better. when i lost with phenphen back in 1999 i thought the changes were due to the drug and it making me insane. Its more than that though, its the way you see things through thinner eyes. some of its very scary. we replace behaviors with other ones but they really arent any better for you, the results can be horrible. I worry for myself. I think i will be okay if i can reel it in now. Ive let things start to get out of hand.

Hi BigBaby, i had a leak in my band. My surgeon does my fills, and on the third fill (may 23) when he tested me with drinking water, i could get a great deal of water in. So much i had to go pee, but still felt no restriction. He immediately tested me and found a bad leak in the top of the band. He got me into surgery the next day and rebanded me with a new AP band, and by two or three fills after that i found my 'sweet spot' and started losing faster. Im doing well so far. Im about halfway to there.

Oh Juli! i just saw your response... My birthday is April 23. Not sure how i feel about turning 40. Ive seen 40 yr olds that are jaw dropping knockouts, but im starting to have age related "signs" that im so totally not okay with. I mean, i didnt sign an approval form for the lines under my eyes! and whats going on with the 'girls'? they became...tired? so they just laid down and took a nap? :wink: on the other hand, i would say that ive got a LOT less anxiety than i did at half this age. How about you? any thoughts about turning the big 40?

wow you guys all sound like you are doing so fantastic!

Hi! LOVE THIS!!! im 39 until April. I live in Northern Maine as well as Galveston Texas. (summer in Maine, winter in Texas). im about halfway to my last goal so far.

Yesterday morning: 235 and im in my TOM too! woo! my clothes are dropping off me. I was a size 24 in the stretchy jeans and now, i can wear a 18 or 20. I need new clothes and a haircut, badly. Im a little concerned though, and i hate to admit this having been smoke free for three years (after 23 years of smoking) but ive picked it back up again. I KNOW its not good. I dont know how it complicates the band, but im sure it does somehow. Also drinking a good chunk of wine a few times a week! i know these arent good. but i am riding the loaner bike now (mine got stolen the day after xmas) and walking a lot. People are noticing. When i got on the plane to come out to come to Dr St Laruent's seminar, i weighed a hundred lbs more than i do now. im only about fifty lbs since rebanding in may though. I do supplements. multivitamin is chewable centrum, bcomplex drops, chewable calcium, biotin and i take these daily. im LIKING ALL THIS very much.

Yesterday morning: 235 and im in my TOM too! woo! my clothes are dropping off me. I was a size 24 in the stretchy jeans and now, i can wear a 18 or 20. I need new clothes and a haircut, badly. Im a little concerned though, and i hate to admit this having been smoke free for three years (after 23 years of smoking) but ive picked it back up again. I KNOW its not good. I dont know how it complicates the band, but im sure it does somehow. Also drinking a good chunk of wine a few times a week! i know these arent good. but i am riding the loaner bike now (mine got stolen the day after xmas) and walking a lot. People are noticing. When i got on the plane to come out to come to Dr St Laruent's seminar, i weighed a hundred lbs more than i do now. im only about fifty lbs since rebanding in may though. I do supplements. multivitamin is chewable centrum, bcomplex drops, chewable calcium, biotin and i take these daily. im LIKING ALL THIS very much.