gowalking

Well first of all, that is a spectacular weight loss in just a little over a year. If this is your first plateau, you are way ahead of the game. I noticed you said that you don't take in the amount of calories you should. I know it sounds odd, but if you go up a bit on the calories and mix it up some, it can work to get the weight moving down again. Also...how much more do you need to lose? If you're a few pounds away from goal, those are the hardest to lose.

Oh boy do I love reading about NSVs. This is a great one and you should be so proud of yourself. Enjoy your shopping!

Just pay attention to the sodium levels. During preop and postop liquid phases, not so much of an issue but once you are on solids and eating 'normally', keep an eye on that kind of stuff. Sodium means water weight and that means the scale doesn't move like we want it to. I loved soup and now consume is sparingly for that reason.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging posts. Positive reinforcement is a truly wonderful thing. .

My primary care doctor wanted me to get a bypass. Same reason...the band doesn't work as well as bypass and I needed to lose about 120 lbs. Well...I made her eat her words and I'm down 78 lbs. in 7 months and expect to lose it all eventually. She said I was the only real success story with her banded patients and I think it's like alot of posters say...you get out of it what you put into it. It's not a easy fix and you have to work at it. The rewards however can be great. Take a look at my post I put up a little while ago...I put pictures of myself before and after up for the first time and you can see what 78 lbs. down really looks like.

yeah...lol. it was either my face or my body and I wanted to get the body in there to give the newbies some inspiration. Oh...and I see that I'll need to get rid of the 'turkey neck' for sure. Plastic surgery here I come...lol!!

thanks Shirley. No..no replacement yet. I see the surgeon on Monday and find out at that time when he'll do it. Hoping for as soon as possible now that I've lost enough weight to go ahead with it.

I hope I did this right. If yes, pics of me at 267 lbs. and today at 189 lbs. Not done yet, but on my way.

You are still very much a success my dear. Especially as you are looking to stop the slide now and not after you gained it all back. Good luck and know that we are all rooting for you.

Hi nursejen. take a breath and think for a minute how you will deal with plateaus and even weight gains. If this will discourage you, no need to broadcast it and make it worse. I see too many people on this forum focus on the scale and the number. If you can deal with it, great. If you think this tactic will keep you accountable, then go for it girl. Just remember it's only a number and there are so many other successes that have nothing to do with the scale. For me, there was nothing better than the first time in years that I could sit in a plane seat and not request the seatbelt extenter, and I could put the armrest and tray down without any issues. If I could have, I'd have told everyone on that darm plane about it, I was so excited. Don't get me wrong, do whatever works for you...just remember it's alot more than a number on the scale. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

super duper!!

Agree with Missy. Count your calories my dear. I use Myfitnesspal but there are plenty of other aps. I was horrified to find out how much sodium and sugar are in things like dressings and marinades and just how much caloires there are in even healthy foods. Check with your doctor for a daily caloire amount but so you know, I am almost always between 950 and 1,150 calories daily and have lost 78 lbs. in seven months.

Hi Cwal. I have not had any fills. I was banded mid January of this year, am down 78 lbs. and get hungry usually around 4 or 5 hours between meals. Band sized portions satisfy me almost all the time and the doctor does not feel that I need a fill nor do I. Believe me, if I was hungry and this was a real struggle, I'd get a fill or several fills as needed. If you are losing weight and not having an issue with hunger and overeating/grazing, you may be one of the lucky ones like me. Talk to the doctor but don't rush to get a fill if you really don't need one. Good luck next week and let us know what happens.

You can ask the doctor to explain it more thoroughly but what I can tell you is that the band interacts with the vagus nerve and that is what suppresses the hunger.

I agree 100% with you. I've said many times that this site has been a godsend to me. The advice and encouragment has made this journey so much easier because I feel as though I've got the support of so many people behind me. I was such a mess before being banded. I was terrified and worried and acting like a crazy person between starving to death and being off my pain meds, never mind what was coming after being banded. I imagined the worse... And that's why I'm on here and try to post as much as possible the positives to being banded and how it's changed my life. I hope to connect to folks the same way I felt connected when I was so afraid of what was going to happen to me. Just trying to pay it forward and so glad that this site helping you on your weight loss journey.

I find that I become aware of things after the fact...sort of like what PrettyThick posted. I'm very limited physically because I need a knee replacement but I can still notice how much easier it is to move around even while depending more on my upper body because my knee gives me so much trouble. I dream about being able to keep up with the grandkids all the time and after my surgery, and recuperation, I'm hoping it will all take place. Because of the physical limitations, it's the clothing that I notice. I posted earlier today that I just got into a size 16 pant size yesterday. When I started this journey I was wearing a 26/28. I'm actually thinking I might wind up in at 12 at the end of all this. That's almost more than I could hope for. As far as a grand unveiling....you will have it with folks who don't see you regularly. For those who do, it will be a constant stream of remarks concerning your shrinking size...especially as you wear clothes that fit you better. Most of us wear things that are way too big until we go down a couple of sizes so that also makes a big difference. Good luck!

thanks for the positive feedback everyone. You are all awesome!

Hi all. When I post my successes, I am hoping to inspire and have it not seem like I am bragging because I’m not. I just remember well what it feels like when just starting this journey…needing to lose so much weight, it seems like an impossible task. Also, not knowing what it will be like living with the band, and dealing with bumps in the road, plateaus, etc. can be very challenging. Seeing as how I’m not ‘finished’ with this journey, I thought my little success stories can help the newbies and for the vets, remind them of their goals and successes as well. So…this weekend, I was in the Pocono Mountains with my son and his family at their summer home. No Myfitnesspal readily available to track food/calories but 7 months out, I have a pretty good idea of what band sized portions are and what is good to eat and what should be avoided. I plugged in all my food today and per the ap, did just fine staying in the 1,000 or so calorie range. I am also learning to embrace good choices rather than mourn food that is not good for me anymore. We were at the mall on Saturday because it was raining and we figured we’d do some shopping for the girls for back to school. We went to the food court for lunch…they all had the Chinese food….General Tso chicken and lo mein. I made the choice to have a half a tuna sandwich from Subway. It was very good and I could walk away from lunch with my head high. What a great feeling. And then to top it off, while they were in the children’s department, I went into the women’s section and did a little looking. I found Alfred Dunner work slacks on sale….size 16 short. My size 20’s are pretty loose so I figured I’d see how close I was to fitting into them and if close enough, I’d buy a few pair since they were on sale. Well…..suffice to say that I’m wearing a pair right now as they fit just fine. Hooray! Now I just need to buy some blouses that fit because the 1X and 2X sized ones I currently own are definitely too big. What a thrill all this is for me and so worth it. Hope these kinds of everyday NSVs helps to inspire you good folks on this forum.

I live in New York City so eating out is the norm here. Stick with easy foods....fish is a great go to meal and it's surprising how delicious the fish can be now that I order that instead of the hi carb/hi fat meals. Pay attention also to the sauces, dressings, etc. There's alot of calories in that stuff so ask for as much on the side as possible so you can control the amount. You can be very successful with the band while eating out...I'm proof of that....6 1/2 months banded and down 78 lbs. Good luck!

If you're not hungry, don't get a fill. If you are eating too much, the scale will tell you so. If you are losing weight consistently, again you may not need a fill. I'm banded 6 1/2 months and have had no fills....and have lost 78 lbs. without starving myself.

I was a huge diet soda and all types of carbonation fan. Honestly the only time I miss not being able to drink it is if I have a hankering for an alcoholic drink that has Persecco in it or a carbonated mixer. All I drink now is water and coffee and never imagined I'd be OK with that, but I am.

sounds wonderful! I think it's a personal preference. I don't particularly like either but the wet heat is better for me than the dry..so steam room it is....though my Y also offers a steam room and I never use it once I'm out of the pool.

awwww...hang in there Donna. I haven't had to do this yet but I will soon enough. Not looking forward to it for sure.

so sorry that the doctor's office let you down. I know it won't help with this delay but I bet nothing like this ever happens to you again. I'm sure it's been a lesson learned.

Any of the 'creamed' soups worked well for me and filled me up more than clear broth. For example, pumpkin or squash soup, split pea (make sure you put it in the blender to puree the peas) or anything else that you like and can puree to smooth out. Good luck with your weight loss journey.