daisydoodle

As for the bows, the nurses did the red one the day she was born. I asked them the same question: How do you get them to stick? Don't laugh. KY Jelly. A big glob, stick on the bow, and it dries like glue. But Water washes it right out. I don't even want to know how they thought that one up!

OK, so it's taken me a bit longer than it should have to post the picutes of my perfect little angel. But anyone that's a mother, certainly understands that I have been pretty occupied with this little one. Stats: Natalie Claire Williams Born on August 31st at 1:04 PM 6 lbs, 15 oz. 19 1/2 inches I had a NVD, with no complications during pregnancy. I gained a total of 22 lbs, and today (3 weeks after delivery) I am 3 lbs. heavier than I was pre-pregnancy. I got a partial unfill in my first trimester, and by my second trimester I had thrown all of the band rules out the window. I pretty much ate whatever I wanted, just couldn't eat as much of it. But I have to admit, I gave into whatever cravings I had. I don't regret it. I know that I would have gained at least 60 lbs if I didn't have this glorious band. The hard part will be getting back on the wagon of making good food choices again. I look at my beautiful daughter and that's all the inspiration I need. I want to be the best, healthiest Mom I can be. I've had a million mothers tell me what a miraculous experience this would be.....but you really don't "get it" until it happens to you. I've never felt so complete in all of my life. And now for those pics....

I've done well so far with my pregnancy. Headed into my 5th month and still have maintained my weight. Here's my question: Since my baby has started taking over some of my belly, I definitely notice my port more. It's not really "sticking out" but it seems so much closer to the surface than before. I mean, you can run your fingers over that area and feel it distinctly. Granted, I used to have more "insulation" around this area. But I was just wondering if others experienced the same thing as they lost weight, or were pregnant. Thanks

Feb 28th was my magical one year mark. I used to hang out on this board with great regularity, and now I'm doing good if I lurk once or twice a month. What's the difference? Well, I'm free. I'm living my life. I feel great. I've forgotten all about my struggles with just wanting to be "normal." You see, I think that I AM normal. You may look at my stats and think that I really haven't lost as much weight as one would expect after a year....why do I feel like I have accomplished so much? Well, that's because I finally GET it. It took me almost 9 months post-op to get there...but I'm there. What I'm talking about is "working with my band, developing lifetime habits that are GOOD for me," and now it comes natural. Originally, my doc was conservative with his fills in my whopping Vanguard band. I didn't feel real restriction until somewhere around Oct.-Nov. Never even experienced the dreaded PB until then. (Lucky me.) And then it happened. I felt this thing working. The weight started coming off, and I started feeling great. I WANTED to exercise. I WANTED to go shopping. I WANTED people to see me. That's been an incredible gift. Another snag in my weightloss came late last summer when I got pregnant for the first time.....sadly, it resulted in miscarriage in Sept of '05 and that was a few months of no weightloss. After that, was when things changed for me. I begged my doc to get more aggressive, and he did. I started feeling like someone with a band. Frustrating at times, and I even mourned the portions and foods I used to enjoy...but it was worth it. I found out I was pregnant again (We are so excited) on Christmas Eve. My OB and Band surgeon have been taking extra special care of me to make sure all is well this go around. I actually had an unfill because I was still dropping about a pound a week and I wasn't comfortable with that. (Although they assure me my baby is developing superbly!) Now I'm well into my 4th month, feeling confident about this pregnancy and grateful for my band. My goal will be to be healthy and possibly maintain my weight throughout the next 5 months. But if I start gaining, I'm am perfectly OK with that. I wouldn't have been six months ago. But now I have confidence in how this process works. I know what my role is in working with my band, and I know how to do it. This board was a great source of support for me when I was researching and when I was struggling with my slow loss. The only reason why I don't spend more time here now, is because I feel like I got what I needed when I needed it. Should I stumble again, I'll be right back. I wanted to share with others that need inspiration that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That just because you aren't one of those that loses a great deal of weight in the first 6 months, doesn't mean that it won't happen for you. It's been said so many times, but this is a JOURNEY. And one that I'm so happy that I made.

I have been banded a little less than a year and I'm proud to say that I'm 3 1/2 months prego. I did have a SLIGHT unfill. Not a complete one. It was just enough to help me get down more protein... Doc says that later on, we can take more out if I'd like...but for now, I feel great.

I got real "restriction" at my 5th-6th fill......8+ months after surgery.

Date Banded: 2/28/05 Country: US State: Louisiana Doc: George Merriman Erosion: Nope

Today's food so far: 1 glass of crystal light 1 small bowl of cheerios w/ skim milk 10 oz of Water coffee w/ splenda but it's not noon yet and I'm about to go to lunch! I have turned my nose up to a tootsie roll though...and that's an accomplishment. My co-worker just offered me one!

I've gotten lazy and I've started picking up bad habits. It ends today. My band is a gift. I am so lucky that my insurance has paid for this valuable tool and I have not been making the most of it. I've been on a plateau too long, and it's my fault. Goodbye Halloween candy, poptarts, and 9 PM popcorn. I'm going back to the bandster rules. The rules that I have been ignoring. I haven't been posting lately because I know that I have been sliding. I need for you guys to help me stick to this. Remind me that I'm not alone and that others have "re-started" this process after falling off the wagon. Tell me that I can still succeed. Thanks in advance for you support.

Look at my fill history below. I never felt restriction until 5 months into the game. I probably could be a bit tighter but I prefer the "sneak-up" method rather than the "oh my gosh, I'm too tight!" I definitely eat less now, but you wouldn't know I was banded unless I told you. My doc takes my fill out each time, so I know that I don't have a leak. I was a lower BMI than most patients, so it has taken me quite a while to get to restriction. I try to stay positive in knowing that I'd definitely not gaining. I'm only dropping about 1-2 lbs a month now though. If I exercised more, I know that would help. Excuses, excuses. Anyway, hang in there. You are not alone. My doc tells me I'm still doing great. He insists that this is a LIFE change and that I've got plenty of time to reach my goal. When I go back in six weeks, I'll probably get a tweak. I feel like I'm getting close to my sweetspot. I can still eat almost any food, I just have to be careful. I don't ever want to get so tight that I can't enjoy a variety of food. My doc says that it's important not to get too tight or you could slip into a soft food habit and then the band can't do it's job. I hope this helps. Proud Member of the Slow Losers Club.

Dang...TWO birthday threads. You REALLY ARE FAMOUS! You are entitled to one large piece of chocolate cake today. Along with MANY adult beverages. Have fun!

I hope you have a wonderful year filled with much happiness. You deserve it, my friend. Love, Daisypooh

Thank you for accepting my application. Maybe now I won't feel so left out as to be one of the few who still hasn't posted a before/after pic on that awesome thread because the only major difference you will see is my haircut! (Does that count as weightloss?) I think that it's important to have this thread to show all of us slow, creeping bandsters that we are not alone. I think we all get discouraged when we see someone that was banded months after us and already passing us up in weightloss. So should we start our own little challenge? OF COURSE it should be an attainable one. Anybody got any ideas?