wombat712

Manatee - that's a tough place to be in. Have they done their psych eval yet? Maybe that would give you an objective view of their abilities to handle the band. If I could afford it I would make the offer for my family members that need it. (my mom). It's a beautiful gift and shows how beautiful you are on the inside as well. Hugs for you! wombat

well that's weird. I'm baptist and most definitely believe and worship Christ! Wonder why they would separate that group out? Where did you see this map?

Phyllser - you are lookin good!! You look so much younger and happier :party: I see the RV in the back ground. Is that yours? Do you get to travel a lot? My DH wants one really bad but I'm not much of a nature girl. I must have creature comforts :thumbup: and I hate bugs (all bugs) w/ a passion!!!!

That is absolutely awesome!! Congrats to you!!!!!!!

Thank you all for the sweet comments!! I thank God everyday for this band. I am truly blessed that we were able to work out the ability to get this band. I am forever grateful to my Savior. I don't exercise much. A few weeks ago I started the couch to 5k jogging program. I'm on hiatus cause it is stinkin cold here!! I have done cardio I think 3 times, I've done a few of pushups here and there - really haven't done anything on a regular basis. I'm a HUGE slacker in this area. We're all busy right? I work full time, have a child in high-school and all the stuff he's into, my daughter's in elementary school and her stuff, I'm in the community band so I have rehearsals and my own practicing to do; I'm in school to finish my degree in accounting, I do the books for my church, and I'm the treasurer for the high school band boosters. I need a nap lol. Welcome Jackie!!! God bless you! Ooh Candy - we should start a new thread for pictures :party: I would love to "see" everyone. geez - that was long winded and fairly random - sorry y'all wombat

I think I spent 5 minutes with a NUT. I was told to eat Protein first, then veggies, and last starches if I'm still hungry. I think just following the basic guidelines of good eating will do wonders. Good luck to you! wombat

Yes!! I do :frown: I've had 3 barium swallows with mine. If you can eat that much then there should be concern as to whether or not the pouch is dilated. You're not in pain so that's good but a dilation would need attention as well. Even without that possibility, you should be able to have your request honored. This has gone on for 9 months?? How much quantity can you eat at one meal? Do you ever get stuck, PB, get the golfball in the chest feeling? You said you're not drinking Water so you aren't washing food through. How many calories are you eating on an average day? wombat

My doc thinks the goal is too low as well. They said I should go for 130. I know that I don't want to be skinny or boney looking so if I'm happy at 130 then I will stay there. 120 is just a number that I picked because it was higher on the "normal" range for our height according to the charts. Last time I saw 120 was when I was 17. I had my tonsils taken out and then gained 50 pounds within a year. My weight has only gone up from there 5-10 pounds a year. I remember getting down to 125 when I was dating my husband and I was wearing a size 7-9. wombat

OMG we must be the same shape :frown: What I wouldn't give to be proportionate. Thank God I am chesty so that does help even it out. I never had hips when I was younger. I have had two kids since then and well I have know idea what my hips will be like when I get to goal - maybe bigger I hope. I hate the 'mom' jeans. I do like the low rise but I can't wear them tight or I get the muffin top. Even still I get a bit of baggy booty syndrome. I may just have to learn how to love my spanx. I keep wondering if I bought it too small - oh well; I'll shrink into it. Booboo - you are amazing. You look fantastic :frown: Thank you for sharing your journey and continuing to be on here giving support and encouragement! wombat

Oooh - I had one!! It was a white button down shirt that my sister bought me over 3 years ago for my birthday. It never fit. I put it on last Sunday to wear to church and it finally fit!! Not tugging over my chest or nothing!! And, wouldn't you know it, the top button popped off before I left the house so I didn't actually get to where it :frown: wombat

Thanks shortgal :frown: BTW - how short are you? I'm 5'0" :frown: wombat

I would go to another doc that will use a fluroscope. They can see the placement of the band, they can see how your pouch is; and they can see how quickly the Fluid goes through your band. This doc sounds like a quack that he won't even look to make sure everything is ok. Granted the diet is important. We have to make better attempts. My doc told me this wouldn't do me any good if was going to suck down milkshakes and eat cheesecake all day long. I don't do this and I'm not saying that you do. If you are following the rules of Protein first and all of that and it's not working, then you need a fill or something else is wrong. Find another doc!! {{hugs}} to you wombat

Really? Not even the tiniest bit? I am very sensitive to tastes. I cannot drink tap water because of the taste. I can't drink filtered water in the Summer in my city because the lakes get low and it tastes funky. Even worse than the taste is the smell. If I can smell it and it's wonky then it won't go in. I guess I could mix it with Crystal Lite; that would cover up any little flavor adjustments. wombat

Thanks Laura - you too!!! It looks like we both have about the same amount to go. It is very exciting that people are noticing how we look now rather than being the invisible fat person (or unisex!). I am very happily married yet it is nice to be noticed :frown: May we both experience many more NSV's!!! wombat

can't wait to see the pics!! I'm such a slacker :frown: Still not running. Another stinkin' cold front came through and it's like 20 degrees outside!! Nope not going out there. My arthritis just throbs when it gets this cold. Where is Spring? I want to run again!!!!!!! wombat (aka slacker)

welcome missionary!!! I pray that the good Lord will direct you to a fill doctor :frown: Hugs & Prayers wombat

2bmeagain they are on the before/after pics. Well, mines really a "during" pic. I don't know what page it is so I'll post them here .... My beginning pic is at 206.6 pounds :frown: My second set is at 158 pounds. I've lost 10 more since then :frown:

Manatee - your pics are awesome!!! Such an amazing transformation - you should be proud of what you've accomplished :frown: wombat

Woohooo Shandra!! Glad to hear you are home safe and sound from surgery. It sounds like you are doing great though. I know it's cold here so just putz around the house. Make sure to drink Water too!! {{hugs}} wombat

Being able to reach the pedals in my Jeep!! I got to move the seat forward about 3 1/2 inches all the way up. My tummy does NOT touch the steering wheel anymore and my feet touch the ground. I was driving w/ my tip toe. wombat

Foofy - I have the same stomach!! I haven't tried the assets from Target. What is their price range? I bought the spanx in the pantyhose section - they are $25-35 rather than the $50-80 of regular spanx. I still break a sweat getting into it so I think it still provides some good support. There's lots of hopping, tugging, stuffing, etc. I even have to get DH to grab the back and PULL!!!! Can you see why I don't wear it every day? wombat

I'm with you Mindy. When I get that little bit of food it doesn't look like enough. So I get more. Well I chew well but I don't always eat slow enough. Because there's more on my plate then I usually end up with an OMG that last bite was tooooooo much feeling. My head is definitely messed up. I WANT more but I can't eat more. I don't actually feel hungry between meals but feel like I should eat something. I devoured an entire bag of butter popcorn - I don't know how!!! So, I bought the 100cal bags. If I can't control how much then the bag will :frown: Someday the head will get under control - someday - don't know when that is though - sigh. wombat

Thanks Candy :hurray: It's very hard to post pics. I am so critical of myself and I just cringe when I hit the button to post. I guess I expect everyone else to be as critical as I am about how I look. :biggrin: wombat

I need spring to get here!! I'm too cold these days to get outside and do my jogging :biggrin: I was losing faster when I was exercising (which I haven't done a lot of) I plan on joining my gym again once my daughter turns 12 (1 1/2 years to go). There's just nothing she can do there except go to daycare and swim in the pool w/ an adult. My son loves it cause he has free reign of the place. sigh wombat

I've been wondering how everyone goes about their maintenance? I know that I'm on the scale at least once a day. Do you still weigh every day after goal? Do you base it on clothes fit? Do you always have to get a slight unfill to stop losing? I'm afraid that if I don't weigh obsessively like I currently do, then I could creep back up the scale. I'm not at goal yet - my doc says 18 pounds, I say 28 pounds - we shall see who wins. hugs to all! wombat