Melissa41

I walked this morning and we did a few large hills. It felt great afterwards but hard at the time! I am back to work today and have to drive to Seattle fo rmeetings and a dinner. It will be a challenge staying on plan and still eating. Pray for me. And I think I am going to look at clothes and pick out a fabulous "after" outfit so I can have something to aim for. Today I am still at the same weight. Actually up about half a pound but I think that's normal- but soon I will be in the 180's and that's exciting. Best to everyone. Keep up the good work. Melissa

All is well in WA. I lost one more pound and now have 56 to go. I know its a lot but I am feeling encouraged today. The second fill has been fabulous for me. I definately feel restricted and have to eat slowly. I am trying to eat healthy and follow all the rules. But the band is helping me feel full. Yesterday I had a couple glasses of wine instead of dinner (not good I know). But I am right back on track today. I went shopping and the loss of this initial weight has me down one size. It was so nice! I just bought a few inexpensive items because I don't want to waste money. Tonight I am BBQing for my family. I just started walking with friends on M, W, and F so tomorrow morning I have my exercise group! Kim- keep on going! You are so encouraging. Thank you!!

Thank you, Kim! I am thinking about a good goal for vacation in January. I want to set something challenging and realistic so I can make it. 20 more lbs might be the right number. This is my second time losing weight. I lost about 80 before on weight watchers. I even maintained for five years or so. But I went back to work full time and disrupted my eating and work out schedule and I gained it all back within about a six month period of time. My career has been a great success but my health has suffered. I have had the weight on for the last three years or so. And I remember how good I felt when I was at my goal. I wasn't super skinny but I was a perfectly fine and healthy. I am soooo ready to be back at that place. I am sorry you are hungry. I wonder if you can ask for more of a fill? Or try lots of Water. Or any distraction. It is so difficult. But you can do it. If you'd like to see pictures I am on facebook at Melissa McCabe Gombosky. I am just too lazy to upload them here!!

I am so sorry to hear the fills have been such a struggle. I had my second one yesterday and it seems to be okay. But I am feeling like it is pretty tight. I couldn't even eat yogurt this morning. So i am back on the Protein Shakes (yum, I know!). I am trying some that are in the refrigerator section and have more calories. They are more expensive but are much better than what I had before and its only for two days. I lost 3 more lbs since my last fill three weeks ago. So getting close to the 20 lb mark. I also read a very inspirational book called Lapband and Laughter. The author went through all of the ups and downs of her 3 year experince. I would recommend it for anyone needing motivation. Here's the link: http://lapbandsandlaughter.com.au/ All the best, Melissa PS I am going to the Bahamas in January and think that is a good goal for a little more weight loss.

Hang in there! I have been on vacation for the last week and there is food everywhere in sight. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday and am scared to see the scale. But I did buy a new kindle book about how to succeed with lap band. Hope to get motivated! Best of luck everyone.

That is fabulous news! Congrats to you. WOW. That is a significant amount. Keep up the good work.

Lucy, Congrats on your 10 lbs. I think that is a good start. I am feeling so much better today. its the first time I think I can even begin to imagine exercise. I am signed up for a half marathon on Oct 13. I won't be running all of it. But I'll run a bit and walk most of the time. I am mostly doing it to support one of my friends. I'm over a month out from surgery now and feel back to normal again!!

Congrats on the two pounds!! That is fabulous. Sorry it didn't go well. Let me know how it goes over the next week or so.

You all may want to check out the before and after album of Nyla Stars. It is pretty inspirational.

Hi Kim, I have tried canned chicken as well as scrambled eggs and a few other soft solids. I can eat them but it is very slow and uncomfortable. So I am sticking to Soups now. I have been buying the premade kind from a local grocery store, Safeway. They are about 300 calories for a cup which is kind of a lot of calories but they are good and I am keeping track of calories and staying under 1200 or so. I love Beans and cheese so I will try the Taco Time kind- or maybe try something like that at home. Earlier in the process I used refried beans in a mixer with salsa and heated it up. It was yummy. The fill wasn't bad at all. I had liquids only for 48 hours which helped focus me again. And I didn't really need extra time for recovery. Just the food adjustment. I am finding the need for some will power because I know I can eat ice cream or a milkshake and it is calling me. So far I am dong good. But I do need to watch the calorie intake. Even on soup and yogurt its easy to get to 1200 calories. And I am a little hungry from time to time. I miss eating what I love. But I am pleased with the 15 lbs and look foward to the next 5. Looks like you are doing well. Congrats on that. Let me know how the fill goes. Melissa

I had my first feel last Wednesday so today is day five since the fill. I can't eat much other than yogurt and Soup. I can get a few bites of solids down but then it starts to hurt and I get the stuck feeling. Not fun! But I have lost another pound and am going to focus on eating well today to get going on the next 10 lbs. I leave for a big family trip on the 29th and would like to see another 5 lbs gone by then! Hope all are well. Melissa

Here's an interesting article from the Seattle paper today. I had always thought my metabolism had slowed down because of yo-yo dieting. This is encouraging to hear reseach is showing that isn't the case: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018926404_yoyodieting16m.html

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Did they use the machine to see the inside of your stomach? I could actually see the band and they had me drink some type of liquid they could see going into my stomach and could see how much to restrict. I would imagine your weight loss will slow down a bit. But jeesh you are doing somethig right. I think you will be successful. Keep going!!

Hi Taylor- No swelling so far. I feel a tiny bit sick to my stomach but not too bad. I was really having a hard time eating well the last couple of days and I can tell the fill will be helpful. And oh my goodness! Look at your weight. 34 lbs is fabulous. I bet you feel wonderful. Keep up the good work. And pray I can move beyond the 15 lbs I have lost! I feel like the fill will help. Keep me posted on your progress. Melissa

Ok! I had my first fill. It was rather uneventful and I was able to see the band on an xray like machine. They had me drink some liquid that showed up on the screen and I could see the inflation of the band. It enabled the nurse to fill to the correct level. I am back on liquids for 48 hours but not clear liquids so I can have soup and anything I can swallow without chewing and without chunks of anything. I was really hungry when i got to the appointment because I wasn't able to eat for 6 hours before the fill. But since then just a cup of soup has filled me up! I am ready for the next weight loss. Down abou 15lbs and ready for some more!!

Any idea how long you will be on liquids again? I have my first fill today and I am just dreading the liquids part. UGH.

Believe me- hear you when you say family is watching. I love my family and am blessed to have them. But ALL the women in my family are perfectly fit and appearance is a big deal for them all. For example- we all spent the weekend at the lake and my mother complained all weekend about putting on weight. She is a size 6 now (oh no!!) from a size 4. My sister-in-law is always very happy to report she has lost the final bit of weight from her pregnancy and is now back to 125lbs. Its just a nightmare. Only my parents know about the surgery and they are just so relieved to know I will finally be healthy. its not exactly the most affirming place to be trying to lose weight. But the good news is I have my first fill on Wednesday. Has anyone who has had surgery in July had one yet? I'm down 15 lbs or so and am pretty hungry now. I feel like I need the extra help of the fill. I think I have to go back to liquids? Yuck. I hate that!! But if I lose another 10 llbs that will be the thinner I have been in years. So...I am excited. All the best to everyone. I so enjoy reading the encouragment and am looking forward to when our group is the group of people who have lost the 50 and 100 llbs. Melissa

I think it just takes time. I was at 10 lbs for a while and then all of a sudden I dropped about 4 more. And now I am just staying the same. I have no idea when I will get a fill but my surgery was July 16. I am still pretty sore in my stomach area but most of my energy has come back. And I am hungry!! Keep up the good work. Hang in there!

Christine, Congrats to you for making a decision to put your health first. Only five more pounds and you will put the 200's behind you. keep going!! Best of luck. Melissa

Hello All! I was banded on July 16 and have lost about 15 lbs. I am really anxious for the next 10 because that will be the thinnest I have been in years. This first 20 I have gained and lost about 3 times over the past two years. So it doesn't feel like an accomplishment but the next ten are significant for me. I love the Soups you find in the organic sections of the grocry store. They come in a box and are a little pricey but yummy. I have been getting hungry around dinner, too. And I have no idea when I will get my first fill but I can tell I am going to nee the help pretty soon. I have a wedding coming up in four weeks and am hoping to lose another 6 lbs before that time. I am still pretty tired from the surgery and have pain in my side which I think is the port itself. Thank you for all the posts. I read them and feel connected to you all and encouraged. I am praying for success for everyone. Best to you all! Melissa

Linda, So glad you are feeling better! And I agree a good bra is worth every penny. You're doctor said you can eat anything? So you're not restricted to liquid or mushy food? I am two weeks since surgery and I am not suppose to eat anything I have to chew. And I am dreaming of french fries and hamburgers! But I am loosing weight and feeling better already. Very best of luck to you. Keep up the good work.

Thank you for sharing. I am only 2 weeks in so it is wonderful to hear such a good report. Congrats on your success!

I experienced the same thing! It is hard to not worry about weight but what everyone else is saying is accurate. Just focus on healing and the weight loss will come later. All the best to you.

Dawn, It will get better. Please keep us posted. You are in my prayers today!