jfran

I am "dieting" or at least counting calories and my doc just put me on phentermine for a little added help since I have been on a hump for a while. It seems to be helping. In my eyes, I truly believe the band is for maintenance and it is my job to lose the weight. Don't feel bad about the slip up or using medifast, we are all human. All that matters is that you are getting healthy. I am sure your husband is very proud of you and knows he has a real and beautiful wife and that is something to be thankful for. Good luck with the weight loss to you both!

Hope to be joining everyone very soon!

First of all, your weight loss is amazing for 3 months!!!! Wow! your dedication to healthy eating and exercise is great. I have heard of a few on the boards that haven't had a fill or have only had one or so. I fit into that category for several months after my surgery, but now my body needs the extra help to continue to lose. Congrats on the loss and keep up the good work!

My mom has an esphogeal stricture and has to drink small sips with her meals in order to get things to go down. Wonder why it doesn't come back up with the water she is drinking? I guess everyone is different.

I am around 20lbs from goal and I am pretty sure I am going to need some PS. I think in the next year or so I will get a tummy tuck and arm tuck and maybe breast augmentation. It all depends on the money and if I can come up with it. It sucks to have worked this hard and still not be happy with your body.

I know exactly how you feel. I went to Ross Dress for Less and bought 6 dresses (they were 11/12s) and 3 shirts that were Mediums. It felt great! Congrats on the NSV and keep up the good work.

For me the band has been the ultimate motivator. Knowing I have it inside me helping control my portions is what keeps me on track with eating healthy and exercising. Unlike before, I am actually enjoying eating healthy and exercising (it has become a social activity for me). Of course, occassionally I have an urge to splurge and I will indulge on occassion but I know that the next day I will get back to the healthy eating and exercise and I will maintain and continue losing my weight. I am soooooo happy I have made this decision and I truly believe the band will help me to maintain this loss and control my weight forever. We ALL can do this!

So I turn 24 in about 10 days and I am getting cut off from my parents medical insurance. I have been checking into getting new coverage and no one will cover me because of the PCOS. I always figured I would have trouble because of the band, but never thought PCOS would be a problem. I am really starting to worry because I can't afford my prescription meds or doctors visits without insurance. Anyone else had this problem?

Maybe a challenge is what I need to get the scale moving again...... Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope................210...........195...........0................15... georgia girl.....................254...........244...........0............... 10.... darr5380.......................176...........160...........0......... .......16... KarenG..........................181...........173..........0......... ........8 Chocolate_Snaps............274...........260...........0.............. ...14 Wannabthin...................197.5........187.5.........0............. .....10.... OH Juli...........................201..............190..........0.................11 jfran.............................168...........160..........0......................8

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I chew gum. I have become a hot tea addict and I add cinnamon because it helps the metabolism. This is a food, but when I am dying I eat a sugar free jello cup.

You will be surprised how normal you can eat after you get through the initial post op diet of liquids and mushies. I eat normal foods and a good quantity of them. Try not to see this as a mistake because if you are willing to give it a chance and work with your band, a year from now you are going to be much thinner and happier and SOOOO GLAD you did this. Who cares about a scar we all have them. I hope you feel better soon.

Up until this past month, my restriction level has been little to none. I just had my fourth fill and I am getting stuck quite often. I have lost the majority of my weight with diet and exercise. I am a firm believer in 5-6 small meals a day and exercise everyday for at least an hour.

a friend asked if they inserted the band through my belly button...

Mtnpainter: I emailed you with some tips that have helped me. Good Luck!

I drink at least a gallon of water a day sometimes more. That and tea or milk are the only things I do drink.

I am on a plateau right now and I am really close to goal. I get "stuck" often so I don't want to get another fill. I am going to ask for a prescription from my Doc tomorrow when I go for a check up. I hope this will get me over my hump and on my way to goal. I only have 20-30lbs to go, I want this so bad I am getting a little impatient.

So I was on a plateau for 6 weeks. Then I got a fill and simultaneously got the flu. I dropped 10 or so pounds and then it was back to the plateau. I haven't lost any in 2 weeks. I am getting frustrated again especially because I am SOOOO close to goal I can taste it, but I guess I need to learn patience.

Congrats! and Good Luck with surgery! You are starting a new life in less than 24 hours.

If this is the "easy" way then why do I have to spend 2 hours everyday at the gym and watch every morsel that goes in my mouth??? I have lost this weight NOT the band. The band only helps motivate me and keep me accountable, but this is definitely ALL me and there is NOTHING easy about it.

try steve and barry's- everything under $20, thrift stores, raid your friends closets

I lost a little prior to banding but it was mostly because i gave up soda and fastfood. other than that i didn't change my diet or start exercising until after surgery. I have consciously made the choice to eat healthy foods instead of crap and i avoid it 98% of the time. I exercise like crazy and I self motivate. I just got to a point where i said enough is enough and i am going to lose this weight and the band has been a major source of motivation for me and I know it is going to help me keep the weight off. Don't beat yourself up. I know you can do this if you want it bad enough. Good luck!

That is awesome! I am trying to be more outgoing now to. Keep up the good work!

I have had 4 fills and I am just now filling any kind of restriction, but I am not losing 1-2lbs a week. I am kind of on a plateau, sucks!

I would do it a million times over!