jhansen71

I never achieved that kind of success with the band. I think I lost 30 lbs and gained all of it back and then some. So you are already ahead of the game.

Yes, losing weight is such a pain in the booty. I'm 5 months out and 72 lbs down and here are the top 10 things that really I really miss: 1. I miss pulling on my pant leg when I attempt to cross my leg. Now I cross them with no hands and they actually stay crossed. 2. I miss shaving my netherlands blindly. Now I see everything. 3. I miss being invisible. Now everyone sees me and gives me compliments all day long-so annoying. 4. I miss people avoiding me on planes because they don't want to sit next to me (because I spill into their seat). Now, the seat next to me always fills up quickly. 5. I miss plus size stores. One small place to find everything. Now I go into large department stores and it's all so overwhelming. So much to try on. 6. I miss being out of breath to put my shoes one, wipe my own tush, climb stairs, walk fast, take a shower or anything else that requires energy. Now I actually work out 5 times a week. 7. I miss the fat in my stomach pushing up on my heart when I have sex with my husband and he's on top. Now, we can do any position and everything feels comfortable-really annoying too! 8. I miss cleaning off my plates and feeling miserable after every meal. 9. I miss my double chin and my size 20 clothes. I'm now a 10. 10. I miss avoiding pictures at all costs and now I have to pose for them. I miss many more things (not), but that's it for now.

I didn't go to Mexico, but had a band to sleeve revision on March 13th. Best decision I ever made. I should never have gotten that horrible band. I'm happily the lightest I have been in 14 years. Over 70 lbs down and feeling so alive. You will be saying the same thing a few months out from surgery. Good luck!

You look so handsome, confident and happy. Congrats!!!

Thanks Lissa! I'm going for the smaller size.

It seems so silly to me to be bothered by this. I mean in the grand scheme of things this is a great problem to have, right? I'm sorry if I sound whiny, but needed assurance. You guys have helpe. Thanks! Actually the mediums fit, but a little snug. So I think they are fitting true to size. It's winter clothes so maybe by winter they will fit better. Yikes! In the past (presleeve) if I've ever bought smaller clothes hoping to get in them, I never made it down to the size. I don't want to jinx myself. Thoughts? These clothes won't be around in a few months so I'll need to get them now if I want them. Do I get the smaller size?

I'm having such a difficult time with clothes right now. I'm in between sizes and just know in my heart that I will make it to the smaller size next month. So, for motivation today I went to a normal clothing store (not plus) in the mall. I just wanted to shop by myself and have some self discovery because I'm feeling crappy about myself (stalled for 2 weeks), clothes I have are too big, next size down is a little snug. I digress, anyway this pushy sales clerk comes over and starts pulling clothes for me to try. She eyes me up and down and starts pulling sizes. I figured I wasn't getting away from her unless I left the store and she must know what she's doing since she does this all day long. I didn't leave because I have been dreaming about shopping in this store for the last 3 years. So I decide to humor her. When I get to the dressing room, I discover that she pulls a size bigger than I am now (and remember I am close to the next size down) so technically she grabbed things 2 sizes too big. I stood in the fitting room crying, pissed off and deflated. I already have this internal struggle with my mind catching up to my smaller body. I'm working on convincing myself I am getting smaller and deserve to buy smaller clothes and then this happens. Has this ever happened to anyone or is anyone else feeling out of sorts because you are in between sizes? I'm in a funk and shopping didn't help so maybe your words of wisdom or similar stories will. Help!

You made it to Onederland!!! Congrats!!!

SW: 243.6 Challenge Starting Weight: 190.4 Last weigh-in: 175 Today: 173.6 Lost this week: 1.4 Total lost in challenge: 16.8 Labor Day Challenge Goal: met goal of 175, revised to 169 Pounds to go for challenge: 4.6 Weeks left in challenge: 3

Glad to see you are doing so well. Can you believe a size 12? Crazy isn't it? Congrats on all the success!

I think it's about the same. However, you do get pain inside from drinking too fast or too much and this pain you obviously don't have when you have a c-section. Pain meds are probably better or stronger too since they usually don't prescribe the good stuff if you're nursing. So if you did okay with a c-section, you will be fine with this surgery too in my own opinion.

Welcome to our challenge. Good luck!

I weighed yesterday, but forgot to post. I was a bit under the weather. SW: 243.6 Challenge Starting Weight: 190.4 Last weigh-in: 178.6 Yesterday: 175 Lost this week: 3.6 Total lost in challenge: 15.4 Labor Day Challenge Goal: met goal of 175, revised to 169 Pounds to go for challenge: 6 Weeks left in challenge: 4

I took off 2 weeks and was glad I did. I had no pain by week 3, but I was EXHAUSTED and mean bone crushing weak. Everything physically was an effort week 3. If I had it to do over, I would have worked half days on week 3. good luck to you!

The reason why not everyone has tickers or updated information for that matter is because the mobile apps do not provide this information. I primarily use my iPad to use this site so I can never view anyone's ticker, profile, etc. This is why I always ask people about their SW, CW, height etc. They probably think I'm being lazy and not checking out their profile, but I just can't see it in the mobile apps. I also cannot update my own ticker either. I sure wish they'd update this app, it would make life in VST easier for all of us.

Me too!

"I feel thin and beautiful and love wearing new clothes.". Isn't this part of the reason why we have surgery (plus good health of course)? To get to the point where you love yourself again tells me you need to revise your goal and be so proud of your success. I think you look amazing. A size 12 is now considered average so an 8 means you are smaller than most of the general population. I understand feeling disappointed because you didn't reach a certain number, but I say you revise it, keep doing what you are doing and when ounces or pounds drop off here and there, consider it bonus weight. Congrats on all of your success!

I am almost 5 months post op and was averaging 8 lbs per month for a few months and then all of a sudden I dropped 11 lbs in 3 weeks. It was crazy! I'm back to losing at a slower rate and would be ecstatic with 8 lbs per month. I guess my point is that you never know what your body will or can do; quick loss, slow loss, stalls, no stalls we are all so different and every journey is like a fingerprint (unique to each of us). It's easy to get down, but if you just stick with it crazy things can happen, like just living again! Congrats to everyone for every ounce and sticking to your journey. Hugs!

Surgery Date: 3/13/12 SW: 243.6 Challenge Starting Weight: 190.4 Last weigh-in: 183 Today: 178.6 Lost this week: 4.4 Total lost in challenge: 11.8 Labor Day Challenge Goal: 175 Pounds to go for challenge: 3.6 Weeks left in challenge: 5 I am determined to make a challenge so I refuse to adjust my goal until I officially make the first one. Other Goals: 1. Log food every day into MFP-religiously logging 2. Exercise 4-5 a week-5 times 3. Make it to week 10 on Couch to 5 K. I might just skip ahead. Ran 24 minutes without stopping (2 miles). Congrats to everyone else on their weight loss!!