Nikki

Small changes? Those are some MAJOR MILESTONES!!! Congratulations!! BTW- I too have experienced some weight loss on my chibby "Fred Flinstone" feet. I was wearing a 10W and am down to a 9W, I am guessing that it will coninue because before I got fat I was about a 7 1/2 or 8; and that was as an adult so I don't think my feet grew THAT much.. LOL YAY to you, go get those ladies sizes!!!

Hello everyone- Keep up the good work! I go for my second fill in the morning. Hopefully my wieght will come off a little easire, at 217, I'm hoping to be under 200 by x-mas as a gift to myseld, and heck, if it comes sooner, which I secretly (not so secret huh?) wish, then I'll just se a new goal!!! Have a great week everyone!!

Thank you everyone!!!

Hey Tammy- You can do it! What a wonderfu gift to you!!! My daughter shares a bday with you, she's great so you must be too!!! I went to the doc the other day and he said that I was doing great. Now I know that he wants to be encouraging but I really don't feel like I am doing so great. Tomorrow is my 6 month bandiversarry and I have lost 41 lbs, 17 of them were the 1st two weeks after surgery. I feel like it's been very slow but my doc says that it's ok and good to loose slowly. He says that people that are smaller in stature tend to loose more slowly. Has anyone else heard this? Also, how tall are you? I'm 5'2".

speaking of victories- I finaly met my first persoanl goal!!! I am down 40 lbs. weel 41 now haha I am so exited!! My next goal is to get down below 200!! 17 more lbs to go for that!! Wish me luck!! I've also met another personal goal not realted to my weight, well directly anyway. I got rid of my "not so DH"!!!! Yay for me!! I am so much happier, but we'll leave that story for some other website, maybe I'll make a post on dontdatehimgirl.com LOL

NOW THAT IS A NSV!!!! YAY for you!!!!!! I actually bought a dress last weekend that was XL but it was a little to tight around by belly - just not very sexy looking. LOL I decided to keep it anyway since I love it so much!!! BTW that's my new thing, I will not buy or "settle" for anything just because I can get into it. It has to make me look damn good!!!!

has anyone gone back on liquids. it seems that my band gets annoyed at anthing i try to eat lately but im still hungry. thinking of going back to isopure protein drinks and other liquids. has anyone done this?

I find that I'm getting frustrated with eating. I really don't enjoy it anymore. It seems that no mater what I try I PB. Now of course, this only happens when I eat things that are good for me. Meats, veggies. It's especially bad with bread, rice and potatoes (unless they are mashed).. BUT . . . I can eat ice cream and chips with the best of 'em. What the heck is going on? I got a fill back in July 1.5 in my 4cc band and I was doing just fine until a couple of weeks ago. I've been thinking of going on liquids for now to make sure that I get the calcium and protein that I need. I have an appointment with my doc at the end of the month.

WOW AZPETE! CONGRATS YOU HAVE ALMOST REACHED YOUR GOAL!!! What are your tips for staying so focussed?

I have not been on the borad and am catching up. I totally understand what you're saying. I haven't been "thin" for almost 20 years and when I look at those pictures I don't even like my face, I liked my self more when I was slightly overweight and when I discuss this with freinds they think I'm crazy. I think that I looked and felt my best with my curves, perhaps 20 lbs more than what the charts say I should be. It makes me feel more feminine and I identify with that. It's good that you are acknowledging yuor fears, it's a good way, facing them head on. This wonderful milestone is one more step towrd a healthier YOU!!!!

Tammy- I wish I had the drive to work out like you do!!! I was just talking to my daughter this morning about how I can't wait to get back into the 100s. LOL

Hey Sophie- Have you tried davids bridal? or JC Penny? I've found some great separates at both - I know davids bridal sounds formal but mixing it up makes it less so and not so expensive

Hello:) Sorry for the multiple posts at once. It's the only way that I can respond, otherwise by the time I get ready to respond my head is so full I can't remember who I wanted to say what to.:car: Anyway, I just realized that it's been more than 10 days since I checked in. WOW:embarassed: I've been very busy dealing with life. I've been good and I thank God that I made the decision to get banded when I did. If not for the band I would be 30 lbs heavier than I was in March instaed of 30 lbs less. I am definetely an emotional eater. So here's and update . . . My daughter has moved back home, she moved out when she was 18 two years ago (2 hours from home!!) I hated it and missed her so much. I'm so glad that she is home, she came home because she and her bf have decided to start a family and she didn't want to be so far away from the family to do this. I told them that I wanted them to stay with me (time frame for about a year) to save up enough money to buy a home in our area. He found a new job right away, he is in the construction business, and is making great pay. They are remodeling my basement (which is only partially finished right now) into a litlle apartment for themselves. I love having my daughter near, especially now that she is so sick. The new baby is due to arrive on Jan 24th, 3 days before my own b-day! There are so many other things going on but this by far is the most life changing and "news-worthy"! In the meantime, I have not gained a lb. :whoo:(nor have I lost one either) . I really don't understand why I am not loosing more? I am excersing, I am being soooooo good with my food intake. I have only had one fill of 1.5 in my 4 band but I defeinetely feel the restriction. It taked me 45 minutes to at the small portion that I do eat. Could the stress just be causeing me to retain the weight for defense purposes? Any ideas on what I can do to jumpstart my metabolism again? By the way, I printed my 10 rules. THANKS!!!

julia- you are loosing steadily. don't be discouraged.

Are you havaing enough protein and vitamins? Make sure that you are not missing out on importnat nutrients while eating less. If you can, make an appointment with a nutritionist or stopin at your local health food store. The mom and pop stores that is, they are more likely to know what they are talking about than a chain store with employees. Good luck.

You're post really touched me. Thank you for saying that. I know that very often I just read and don't post. I also sometimes don't check in for days and by the time I read from the last time I have so many things to say I can't remember who I wanted to reply to. I'll try to be better.

What are the 10 band rules? Please tell me I'm feeling terrible about my behavior lately.

Hang in there Paula!!! I've only lost 34 and I think I've atually gained a couple in past week! When I speak with my doctor about it he says that I need to remember that this is not a race, it's a life change. He says that it will all come together in the end.

WOW!!!! Way to put things into perspective!!! Thank you sooo much!

Sophie what wonderful news! Congrats on meeting your goal!!! Very inspirational, thank you!

Janine - Don't feel guilty for doing something good for yourself. I know that as caretakers women tend to "devalue" our own needs to meet the needs of others. It's ok to do something good for you too! But, if it's too much to handle at once and something you need to ease into then think of it this way . . . You have children, so think of it that you are getting healthy so that you can enjoy them and be there for them. :scalesno: About the mom being smaller, listen to this LOL. I'm 5'2". My mom is taller than I am at 5'6" but "normal sized?" she is a 14-16. My sisters are both 4'11" haha and ver petite. To top it off they both have thyroid disease (the one that slows your metabolizm and makes you gain) but I got the fat jean!!! We joke about it alot, my sis and mom are great - they are so suuportive of my journey.

Hazelbunny – I love your comments. You answered Sophie’s questions just as I would have. As a native New Yorker turned “suburban mom” I try my best to keep up. I have three daughters ages 19, 17, and 10 – they are definite fashionistas and do not let me walk out of the house looking like the “suburban mom”. Not for my own sake but because people know that I am their mom. LOL. As a side note - - - not really. I am down 34 lbs with 88 more to go!!!! I am so excited! My BMI has gone from 47 to 40.08. I have a lot of serious things going on in my life right now; normally I would try to make it all go away with food. I am so happy to have my band, it keeps me in check and reminds me that if I want to be here for years to come to enjoy my loved ones then I need to get down to a healthy weight. I renewed my driver’s license yesterday and I am pleased to say that compared to my old picture taken 4 years ago, it looked like it could have been taken yesterday. June of 2003 was when I broke my leg (severely- requiring 2 surgeries) and started my long road to being able to walk again and gaining more weight then ever. YAY ME!!

Sophie- Your instincts were right. You are right on the money to think that these things are outdated. They are. I have to agree with Hazelbunny's assesment. There is nothing wrong with being a suburban mom ( I'm a suburban mom LOL); I don't think that is the main reason not to wear these things. The main reason, in my humble opinion is that these otems are ok for children but not for an adult. #1 - two tone multi shorts not ok. #2 - overalls of any kind not ok - unless your a farmer #3 - mini skirts-not ok if you are over 30, try a more flattering length, like right below the knee or right above it -depending on fabric and cut Hurrah for you! Congrats on your weight loss! Treat yourself to a couple of new "staple items" you deserve it!!!! Ilove watching shows on TLC like What not to wear, etc. They have real people, with real shapes on the show. They show them what types of things look best with their shape, size, coloring, etc. Also, a freind of mine at work said that Oprah had a great show about what looks best on what body types, maybe you can find some tips on her site. Thanks for being so brave!!

Wow that sounds scary. Thank God that you handled it the way you did! What did he think? that he was picking up some hoochie? Good for you!!!

This was my first episode of PBing. I don't think that it is because I am too tight. I think that it's because I ate too quickly and too much like OhJuli said. I didn't feel any restriction before and now it feels just right.