jfran

Well, I weighed this morning 1 week since starting to log on DP and I haven't lost...still maintaining. However, I am a few days from my TOM, so I am attributing the "no loss" to TOM. I feel thinner and my clothing seems to fit better and my energy is definitely better, so i am going to give it a few more weeks before I readjust (again) what I am doing. I am afraid my body has just decided that this weight is where I am supposed to be and I can't accept that. I'll update later after the TOM and see if it makes a difference. In the past I would generally drop consistently for 2 weeks and gain or stay the same for the other 2 weeks. Damn hormones!

Thanks for everyones input. I will let you know later this week how the first week went on the scale. I am really hoping for a loss. I really like the Daily Plate and like being able to track my nutrition.

I am not your size or shape,but.... 5'3.5" started at 262 wearing size 24/26. my stretchmarks aren't that bad, but I do have a lot of loose skin in my arms and stomach(s). I have the upper and lower pooch. Mine is not as bad as some I have seen, but it is enough to really bother me. I have lost nearly 100 lbs and I am about 15 lbs from goal, so it is safe to say that it is not bouncing back. I am planning to have PS sometime early next year. Good Luck!

Heating Pad is a must!! I also loved having SONIC Ice pellets. They were great to munch on especially in the beginning when I wasn't feeling like drinking, plus you can use it to make slushies with the crystal light. Gas X strips are great too. Comfy pjs and robe!

I am getting pretty frustrated because I haven't been able to lose for the past 2 months. I eat very healthy and only indulge on occasion the majority of the time. I exercise 7 days a week sometimes in excess of 3 hours at a time. I know that I am exercising too much, but I don't know what to do. I have tried cutting calories or increasing calories; I've tried it all. Fills DON'T HELP. It's like my body is tired of losing and just wants to stay where I am at. I still need to lose about 15lbs before I have some PS. I feel like I am doing everything right and my body is just not responding. Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be great. Has anyone else experienced this??

Thanks Tracey!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, advice, and kind words. I am really going to take them to heart. I did some research and it is like a light bulb has gone on in my head. I AM exercising TOO much and not eating enough to sustain my body because of the strain I am putting on it when I work out 3 hours a day. DUHHH!!! No wonder I am sluggish, craving sweets, and starving all the time. I am going to starting eating a few more calories (good quality foods) and exercising less. I have enrolled on My Daily Plate and I am tracking my food and exercise and maintaing a net 1200+ calories. I am going to see if this helps me start losing again, at the very least it will give my body and mind a bit of a break. Thanks again and I will keep you all updated.

Great job! Before you know it that dress is going to zip up all the way and you are going to be gorgeous!

Make Instant sugar free Fat Free Pudding: chocolate or vanilla (Really any flavor you like) Add in a few frozen berries like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries.... Put in individual size containers and FREEZE. When frozen top with fat free coolwhip and a little granola. It is a cross between icecream and frozen cheesecake in flavor. Great and has less than 100 calories by the time you add fruit, coolwhip, and granola. Very satisfying.

The rice cake recipe sounds good, but I have a problem stopping at one serving. I LOVE the chocolate mint rice cakes but I find myself eating the whole box in a few days.

So, up until tonight, I had been one of the lucky ones that has never experienced any band problems such as PBing or sliming, but not anymore. I had 2 eggs this morning for Breakfast and initially I was fine and then the pressure started builing and building. Two hours later I was in the bathroom sliming, but it wasn't easy I was having to force myself to slime because the pressure was that bad. I tried drinking a hot liquid and that didn't help but after a couple of hours the pressure was mostly gone. I thought it had passed and I would be fine, well by then it had been 6-7 hours since I had eaten and I was hungry so I ate half a Protein bar and then the pressure starting building again. By 7pm it was so bad I couldn't take it anymore. I could barely even swallow my spit. My mom called my doc and he met me at the ER. He took all of the Fluid out and it was INSTANT relief. I feel so much better now. I go back to see him next week and he will start adding back the fluid a bit at a time. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before today. I guess I am on liquids for the next few days but oh well at least the pressure is gone. For those of you that get stuck/pb/slime regularly, I don't know how you do it. I couldn't stand this. I am definitely going to have my doc add back the fluid very slowly. PS I think my stress level had a lot to do with todays incident. Just thought I would share.

He didn't really have much of an explanation, but this past couple of weeks I have been super stressed out and I think it all contributed. Today was a particularly rough day because I had a test (which I did very badly on in part because I was having all of this pressure and couldn't concentrate), I also had a student meeting with the Dean of my college because he is "trying" to ax our program of study. So I think all of this plus the food getting stuck contributed. I am feeling much better though. Thanks for everyone's concern.

I have been experiencing the same pains for the past couple of months. It is like pressure/pain from your breast bone all the way up to your throat. I believe it is food getting stuck. If it doesn't cause a pb/slime episode then it eventually passes. Today it did not pass for me at all. I went almost 10 hours in terrible pain and then decided to go to the ER for an unfill. It was instant relief and I am so glad I went. Be careful and talk to your surgeon.

I eat 5-6 small meals a day keeping my calories around 1500. I exercise approximately an hour and a half 6-7 times a week, including 3, 30 min weight sessions. b:2 eggs,maybe 1 slice turkey bacon s: 4 pack Peanut Butter crackers and fruit l:Lil'Lunchable- turkey, fruit or Jello s:peanuts and fruit D:chicken and salad S: yogurt fruit and granola

I was eating mushies by day 5. Everyone is different, don't beat yourself up, you will be fine.

So here are my latest pics from Easter sunday!

I eat anything and don't have too much trouble with any kind of food as long as I chew and slow down. I haven't told anyone accept my mom, dad, and a couple of really close friends/neighbors. The rest of my family and friends don't know at all and they never even question it. I have completely changed my life from what I eat to how I eat to the exercise I do daily, so it is not surprising that I am losing the weight and my friends and family don't question me about whether I had surgery or not, because they see how hard I am working. Definitely do it now, I am 24 and I wish I had done it years ago, but it has truly been a blessing. Best of luck to you!

I hope to be joining you soon! Congrats!

I, too, am always cold ESPECIALLY my FEET. My feet get SO COLD that they burn almost like I have icy hot on them and the toes turn blue. My docs are kinda concerned and are running some tests, but so far it has all come back okay or inconclusive. Anyone else experience this?

I am getting close to goal, and I am realizing that I do have quite a bit of excess skin that is not going away and it really bothers me. I am at least a year away from having the time or money to have any PS, but I was wondering how soon I should consult a plastic surgeon and how long is the process from consult to surgery? Any advice is welcomed. I think I am going to need a tummy tuck, upper arm tuck/reduction, and a breast augmentation (this one is optional, but I would really like to have it done).

I began my journey in Feb 2007 with my first seminar and consult. I was finally banded May 31, 2007 after my insurance denied me and I had to appeal which they finally approved. Like the others have said, self pay goes quick. Insurance usually takes 3-9 months especially if you have to do a 6 month suprevised weight loss plan. Good luck!

Tim: You are such a hottie, before and especially now. Congrats on your amazing weight loss! I wish you continued success.

Thanks for all your advice. I could possibly have the time for surgery and recovery as early as december, so I am definitely going to start researching the docs in my area. I got some amazing news today that I am inheriting a large amount of money from my step grandfathers estate, so the expense of the PS is no longer a concern and I should have enough left over to pay off my student loans. So now it is all a matter of time! I definitely want to lose a little more before surgery though. Thanks again.

I am definitely going to need a brachioplasty. Name....... Start (in)....Now (in).....lbs lost.......lbs to go Foofy ....... 16 ........ 14.5 ......... 31 ........... 86 Zannie ...... 23 ........ 18 .......... 100 ........... 84 Nurseamy..... 15 ......... 9.5 ......... 82 ............ 0 Sweethot..... ? ........ 12&13.5 ....... 81 ........... 26 Jachut....... ? ......... 10.5 ......... ? ............. 0 Luluc........ 15.5 ...... 11.9 ......... 38 ........... 37 Steph_co..... 16 ........ 14.5 ......... 45 ........... 58 JulieNYC .... 19.5 ....... 9.75*....... 217 ............ 5 xxlaneyxx.... 17 ........ ? ............ ? ........... 127.9 Shalee04..... ? ......... 15 ........... 43 ........... 60 wombat712.... ? ......... 13 ........... 62 ........... 24 Gkeyt (Gwen). 16.5 .......13.5 ......... 52 ........... 22 jfran................21................14....................97......................15

Thanks! I am hoping to get to goal by my 1 year anniversary, and then I think I might go for another 5-10lbs. We'll see when I get there. Good job on your weight loss too.