Zoe

Everyone's depression is different. I wish mine were like juju's, and that losing weight would make it disappear. Not so in my case. I've been on Prozac for nearly 11 years now and have tried to go off the stuff several times, with disastrous results. I've also tried switching to Wellbutrin (clouded my thinking), Celexa (didn't help much), Lexapro (ditto), to name just a few that my doctor and I have experimented with in an attempt to keep depression at bay, not to mention every possible natural cure from St. John's Wort to manic exercise. I finally admit that I have a mental illness and that medication, however undesirable the side effects (sex? huh?), keeps it under control and lets me have a life. Yes, Prozac helped me gain weight; I know several people who've had the same experience. I have mentioned this to my doctor several times, and his response is always the same: He's heard the same complaint from patients for ages, so he believes it's true, but no medical study has yet documented the connection. There's a dissertation waiting to be written! Anyway, years ago I decided I would rather be fat than suicidal, so I stayed on the meds. Now I'm thinner but still medicated. In my case I'm not sure if it really was the Prozac triggering my increased appetite or just a general relaxation of vigilance and obsessiveness brought on by the drug that made me care less about my food intake. I haven't tried Paxil, but one of my brothers is on it (plus, recently, Wellbutrin); he's developed a rabid sweet tooth and has put on about 50 lbs. in the last two years. On the other hand, he's alive.

Aaaagh! I'm back to 202. Sure, it's PMS bloating, but I'm still mad.

Babs, I'm glad you can see the end in sight for your MIL's visit. Sounds as if she can't focus on anyone except herself right now -- understandable, I guess, after such a loss. I hope your husband is coping well. She might have lost a husband, but her son lost someone he's known his entire life. Good luck next week.

The tactless but funny friend who told me that I "looked like a normal person" after I lost 30-some pounds left a message last week after seeing me in one of the new bras: "Wow, you have big tits! I guess I never noticed them before because of your girth." I'm just glad I didn't play this message while I was at work. And, by the way, it's not true -- just an illusion courtesy of Lane Bryant's bra department.

Flipping? That won't work if you have one of the legged versions. Especially for many of us over 40, removal speed must be much greater than bladder speed. I got one of the Lipo in a Box long-line numbers, XL. It works just fine, and did wonders for my saddlebags. Unfortunately it seems to compress my protruding disc in a bad way, so I can't wear it for a while.

Thanks for telling us this moving story. How great that you had a chance to see your extended family. Hope you find the picture of your mother at your age (late 20s, right?) that you're looking for.

Penni, I couldn't help but notice your self-description. Are you OK? Dumb question, I know. . . I'm a full-time legal translator (Spanish/Portuguese) and part-time grad student (English).

That's fantastic, Crystal. Sounds as if you are shrinking fast. As for me, I just came back from a doctor's appointment. My blood pressure was -- wait for it -- 120/80! Without medication! Mind you, I am still more than capable of causing high blood pressure in others.

Thanks, everyone! Alex, there's a place waiting for you. . . and for anyone else who wants to make the trip. Luckily there's no immigration restriction in Onederland, although Twonesia certainly likes to hold on to its citizens as long as possible. It took me 12 years to get my visa! Mind you, for many people in the higher latitudes, Twonesia is a sought-after destination in itself, or at least well worth a stopover on the way to Onederland.

Those trashy girls must think the world wants to see their aft cleavage. No thanks!

I finally made a run for the border this last week, and while at 199 I'm not safely in the depths of Onederland (the Twonesia patrol is in clear view), I just wanted to say that it feels effing wonderful! I'm still big. I'd like to lose another 30-40 pounds; the next 20 will make a huge difference in the way I look, and we'll see where I end up. I finally feel that, yes, I can do it! When I got banded last August, the prospect of losing 100 pounds seemed totally daunting, especially for an impatient soul like me. Well, I may not make my goal weight of 160 -- I haven't weighed that since junior high -- but I feel that my goal is in view, and if I get pretty close, that's fine. My blood pressure's way down. I have back trouble, but not nearly as bad as it would have been 65 lbs. ago. I haven't bought a new wardrobe because I'm in that murky transition stage that most of us inhabit: too small for most (but not all) of my old clothes, but not yet what I hope will be my final size. I hope to be ready for some new clothes by December 31. I'm (slowly) getting there. And you are too. So, thanks, LBT. You all have been a great support on my continuing journey. And for those of you early in your band life, please know that if I can get this far, with my imperfect bandster habits, so can you!

LMAO, Crystal. That's just more evidence that there are a lot of wack jobs in this world! As for me, I'd just like to be able to wear shorts sometime before Labor Day without having my knees rub together. We aren't talking hot pants here -- just baggy Bermudas like the 90-year-old shuffleboard players wear in Florida. Is that asking too much?

Good for you! I just broke a plateau myself. It's weird -- even though our good eating and exercise habits don't change, sometimes our bodies just like resting at a certain weight, then - BOOM! - down we go. Trish, you've got the right attitude to your early banding weeks: heal first. Still, it's nice to see those pounds gone! You'll be safely in the 200s in no time -- and the 100s are within sight.

Fantastic news! Congratulations. June 3 is just days away. I think it's wonderful that you did so much research on the band that you wouldn't let your doctor persuade you to go with the RNY. (I think you made the right choice, but then I'm biased. ) Let the countdown begin -- you're on your way to Bandland! Yippee!

Not to rain on your parade, but you may be losing a lot of water weight. Still, a pound is a pound, right? Congratulations!

I confess, too. I don't drink as much water with my meals as I used to, but I often sip -- and not just a little. Maybe I should be ashamed of this bad habit, but I'm not! I figure I've managed to lose 65 lbs. without losing my sanity, so a little water ain't gonna kill me. BTW, I don't drink sodas or anything caffeinated or alcoholic -- but those habits predate my band. I know there are a lot of people who can't lose weight without scrupulously adhering to the bandster rules, but for those of us who are less than perfect (and you know who you are), it's good to know that success is still possible.

Well, Caramel, you may be learning a life lesson from your current BF, but if you don't like how it feels, you don't have to stay with the guy as if he were a difficult but required course at school! You say you love your BF. If that's enough, do what you need to work things out. But count me in with Jack as another one who's "far too old and weary" for petty arguments and insecurity. When I want drama, I go to the theater. Give yourself credit for recognizing that BF is doing what you did to other men; that's a huge, painful insight, and hard won. What do you want in your life? Whatever your next steps, good luck to you.

You are an inspiration to the sedentary set who are now ready to get a move on. I see a triathlon in your future!

You can do it, Jonathan! If next week doesn't bring the magic number, the following week surely will. Funny how these milestones mean so much. Going from, say, 256 to 253 didn't seem like a big deal, but 202 to 199 has me elated, and 304 to 299 will be a thrill for you. Congratulations Jamie, JQ, Debby, Paula, Jonathan, and all other recent losers -- you too, Crystal. Losing inches is even better!

Fantastic! Show off those legs, girl. You should add this photo to your before & after set.

Wow! Wonderful NSV! I hope some former MO athletes come out of the woodwork and share their secrets with you. Meanwhile, you're probably wise not to push yourself too much. But I bet you can go beyond 90 seconds next time. How exciting to be able to run at all -- and look at you, you've lost over 100 lbs.!

Lost three important pounds this week after a very long plateau. I'd like to put more distance between me and 200, but for now I'm happily 199.

Thanks, Gail. You are absolutely right about how easy it is to bypass the band. For ice cream lovers (like me), it's a real danger. I wrote my original post just a few weeks after surgery. It's been almost nine months now, and I'm down 65 lbs., occasionally frustrated by the band (PB after chewing a piece of salmon 50 times!) but generally loving it. Since this thread was started in 2004, many people have raised questions about whether or not to tell people about their bands. I thought your original post was so thoughtful, and the responses so interesting, that newbies should have a chance to read this thread.

At last -- 199! I haven't seen this side of 200 for years. Hope it wasn't just a scale malfunction.

Way to go, Teresa! You are an animal hero. Ordinary citizens call in complaints to the sheriff and ASPCA offices featured on "Animal Cops" and "Animal Precinct"; often, that's the only way authorities find out about abusive situations. Lives are saved by action. Somewhere a horse is dancing because of you!