mrspopeye

I just have to share, 50 pounds lost!! Surgery date 12/30/11. Next goal to be under 200 pounds.

Just a note to say that this morning I hit 145.0 pounds - which means I've lost 131 pounds in just over 11 months from surgery - And I finally hit a normal BMI!!!! (i'm on the high end of normal - but normal nonetheless!!!!). I'm so excited. From tight size 22/24 to loose size 8 and size 6 - with medium and small shirts!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!! BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!!!

Hi~
I have not been on in awhile but had to come back on my 1 YEAR BAND-ANNIVERSARY!
As an update I have lost 95 pounds in the year. It has been a HARD journey, this is definitely not easy but it is achievable.
Much luck to all the newbies and I came on to say YOU CAN DO IT!

1. Losing more weight then I ever thought I would.
2. Wearing smaller sizes then I ever thought Il would.
3. No more medications.
4. Eating out and leaving food on my plate like a normal person.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE
5. Being called a skinny bit-h

Here's a great diagram of what the Green Zone is:

I think a big misconception people have is that the band will fix all their food issues. Believe me, it won't. It can make you full faster and longer, and it can control how much you're physically able to eat, but it won't stop head hunger and it won't stop you from eating around it. I have lost over 100 pounds since being banded in January 2012, and I'm very much in the Green Zone, but I still have ask myself at least a half dozen times a day "Am I physically hungry or head hungry?".
Something else to keep in mind, just because you can eat a lot of food doesn't mean you should. Very often if you stop eating after only a cup of food, you will find that while you still can eat more you're satisfied and no longer hungry. Too many of us bandsters are also binge eaters and we try to eat until we have that bloated full feeling we used to. That band won't make you feel that way, so stop expecting it. I'm discovering a lot of people say "I have no restriction" but really they do. They just assume because they physically can eat more that should and do, rather than stopping when their stomach feels satisfied at 1/2cup to 1cup food.
This is also why my surgeon recommends not eating more than a cup of food at a time (total, for the whole meal) and stopping when it's gone because it teaches you what satisfied feels like and keeps you from eating more than you should. I have measured out a cup of food to eat since I got back on soft foods after surgery. At the beginning, it was rough, I was still physically hungry after my food was gone. But, I stuck to it. Now, because I have good restriction, a lot of the time I realize I'm satisfied way before the cup of food is gone and stop eating.
Just my experience.

I told my parents, my husband and 2 daughters and 1 trusted co-worker. That's it and I am happy with this decision. Like someone said, I dont need the food police watching me everytime I eat and others snarking that you only lost weight because of the band. This is highly personal for me and I dont feel compelled to share my private business. I feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster anyway with this life altering process anyway and I will only surround myself with positive people. I live in a small town and I think that makes it worse. It is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong answer. Talk it over with people you trust first, then decide for yourself.

Honesty is just fine. No one said this was easy. But look at you- almost reached your goal anyway. Good for you!

Welcome Trina! You will find a lot of support here. Good luck on your journey.

Great job! I always tell myself" I'm still lapping everyone on the couch!"
dionaw

I just love reading these boards and hearing about everyones success. I applaud you all
I also love the fact that we all share so many of the same feelings and experiences (good and bad). These boards really are a great way to embrace the whole banded life experience. I am down 66 pounds as of today, with 45 more to go. I feel great, and I am back into clothes from my own closet that I haven't worn in years. Little things that have made me smile lately are streatching at my desk at work, seeing my reflection and noticing that I have collar bones again, who knew.....and my necklaces are getting longer, I can atually see my pendant when I look down now.....so strange.
I just went through a copule of difficult band weeks...I was a little tight through pms, then got stuck so was even tighter so I went to all liquids for about a week and half. During that time I dropped 6 more pounds and I've got to say it made it all worth while. I love love love how the band is helping me reach my goal, and for holding me accountable. My one year band-a-versary is July 22 and while I know I still won't be at my goal weight by then, I sure am happy about how this past year has changed me.

Excellent news. I've lost 65 pounds and I carried (more like dragged) in a 40 pound container of cat litter the other day...I couldn't believe that I carried that much weight and more on my body! Keep up the good work, it is worth it.

That's great, keep up the good work. I'm down 63lbs and trying to reach that 100lb goal also. Good luck!!!!

Welcome! The liquid diet to me was harder than post-op, but I kept focusing on the fact it is temporary and it too will pass. You will get to eat again. This will all be worth it in the end. I looked at a lot of success stories while I was on pre-op and that helped me. I also stayed out of the kitchen.

Welcome! It's is great place. You will always find someone who is going through what you are going through.

You are going to do great. It will be easier than you think. I'm 2 wks post op and I feel pretty normal now.

You are going to do fabulous! Keep the faith.

My surgeon asked me to be the poster girl for the hospital's weight management program. That sorta outed me to the community. 99.9% of the feedback has been positive and I don't give a rip about the.1% that disapprove for some reason.

Banded for 6 years now. My rule was that I would only tell people if I thought it would help them.
I agree that everyone is different.

I can totally relate to this. My husband is a fast eater and then in 15 minutes he is asking for the check if we are in a restaurant and I'm just getting started. I'm thinking about getting a baby fork and spoon. Also, someone mentioned putting the fork down between bites and I think that helps.

Wow! Way to go! I hope to be in your shoes soon! Thanks for the inspiring post.

I think the week before surgery was almost as bad as the week after- I was on Protein Shakes, no real food for 7 days prior to surgery and 3 days after, so I went 10 full days without a bite of real food. But I did it. It will be worth it.

Good for you! I wished I had done this earlier in life. I was probably your size when I was 29. 10 years later, I packed on another 70lbs when I finally had surgery this year at 39. You will not regret it.

LOL. Too funny. I am day 8 post-op and boy did my appetite totally return. I can eat normal bites now and about a cup of food. I totally understand. I try to look at all of this as phases: 2 wks of pre-op diet phase, then surgery was a phase, and bandster hell will be a phase too. I helps me to focus because it will all be temporary till I get restriction.
Same theory that some coaches use, like basketball- let's not focus our attention on the score right now or the outcome of the game at the end- for the next 4 minutes focus only on rebounding, etc and the rest will come. Same with weight loss. Use your energy to focus on the things you can control TODAY.

All checked in at the hospital. Surgery in about an hour.thanks for all the good wishes.

Yay! very exciting! It will go by quickly.