HeatherA

I am hoping to hit 60 pounds by my 5 month bandiversary on the 18th. That's only 4.3 left to lose in 10 days. I can do it! LOL Actually, I'd love to have it gone by the end of the month in time for my daughter's graduation from HS. Even if it's not gone, I'm very pleased with my progress. (P.S. I have not lost the total since surgery, but since starting my pre-op diet in October)

You are a great inspiration. Thanks for sharing with us!

Niki, I hope you can make it! It seems like ages since I've seen you!!!

SpecialK, Are you going to bring the balloon again this month? Or should I stop and get one? Thanks! -H

Only two more days! See you all on Saturday!!!

Kathy, that's crazy! You're doing awesome... so many patients don't lose a thing until they have restriction, yet here you are losing above the 1-2 pound average... she should be telling you how proud she is of you. Since she didn't I will... I am so proud of you! You are doing awesome :-)

Niki, I will bring the suit to our next meeting... I have to try it on but I'm pretty sure it won't fit. :-)

Before being banded I had decided on the band due to all of the reasons listed above. After being banded I've decided I'm the most happy about knowing that if I ever feel myself start to slip and the pounds start to creep up all I have to do is go to the Dr. and have a fill... problem solved. Prior to surgery if I lost I'd regain and have no control over myself... it could take me years to get back on the losing bandwagon. I don't ever want to face that again. Unfortunately, a number of the people I know that have had RNY and are more than 2-3 years out are on the way back up. Their only option for losing is to diet or have more surgery. It breaks my heart to see them struggle after all they've gone through!

That was a great post. Thanks for sharing! You are on the right track by watching what you eat during this time that you don't have restriction. I did the same thing and have happily been losing weight even when I was in "bandster" hell. Truthfully, now I can hardly remember how bad those first few weeks were. Keep it up and in no time you'll be in the same place! -H

Speaking of clothes... I just finished going through my boxed up things and have filled another entire box for our next get together. What I'm wondering is... would anyone be up for a size 24 swimsuit? I haven't tried it on yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be way too big. If it is, I'd love to bring it in too... I just wasn't sure if it was too personal of an item to share.

I lost 12 pounds the first week after surgery and then nothing for three weeks.

Here are my before pics: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/before-after-pictures-pix-only-4642/index18.html#post605980 I will have DH take some pictures of me this weekend and post some durings... I think I posted some a few months ago, but I'm not sure where they are. Thanks for the encouragement!

I am so excited today! The scale registers 233.7 and that makes me down a total of 50.3 pounds in 6 months and 1 day! OMG!!!! The last time I lost 50 pounds it took me ages... I just love my lap-band! In two days I will be at my 4 month bandiversary. So this milestone encompasses several things, initial weightloss was due to me following the nutritionists plans pre-surgery. Following surgery I took my surgeon's advice and dieted until I had restriction, following that advice kept me losing the first month or two. Since my second fill I've had decent restriction, enough to help me feel satisfied on less and keep me on track with my 1200 calorie daily goal. One thing I've done since October was journal nearly every bite that went into my mouth. I use a free tracker at Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate and track my calories, weight and exercise on a daily basis. I find it helps keep me on track and it's fun to use. The other thing I've done differently this time around is to actually add exercise into my life. I'm not quite as fanatical as I was back in January/February but I do get a good walk in 2-3 times a week and last week I started going to the gym to take advantage of my 3 month membership that came with my surgery. Last night I actually "thought" about getting out my "brand new" 5 year old rollerblades that I've worn one time and trying to learn how to stay up on the darn things. Who am I??? LOL

I'm always up for that Carole! The meetings are currently set for the second Saturday of each month. However, we can always add a second meeting and anyone that can make it can join us... The month between meetings seems so long for me... I miss everyone!

Hey y'all! Just bumping this up so it doesn't get lost. I can't wait to see you all again next month!

I'm so glad it went well for you Courtenay! I only regret that I didn't get the chance to spend more time talking with you. I hope you'll join us for another gathering... even with the long commute! Hi Darla, I posted a separate thread with the new date and info. I'll bump it up so that you can find it. I believe it's scheduled for May 10. I enjoyed speaking with your husband. I look forward to getting to know both of you better!

Hi MamaT! Congratulations on the great loss! I'm sorry that you can't make the meetings, but would love to invite you to join us LBT's at our Saturday meetings at Polaris. Our next one is scheduled for May 10. There's another thread here in the Ohio section with the details. We have a blast and it's a great way to network with other lap-banders.

Columbus Support Group 4/15 - Riverside Just a heads up for you Columbus bandsters there is a support group meeting next Tuesday at 5:30 at Riverside. It's located at the building at 500 Thomas Rooms H&I (Next to Riverside). This is a combined 2hr meeting with RNY and LB patients because there will be a special guest dr. attending to discuss plastic surgery for bariatric patients following successful weight loss efforts. Hope to see you there!

How are all you Riverside bandsters doing? Are any of you planning on attending the support group meeting on Tuesday? Special guest is a plastic surgeon that will be talking about plastic surgery following bariatric surgery. I hope to see you there!

What a great turnout today!!!! It was awesome meeting all of the new members that joined us and the fashion show was so inspiring! I can't wait to see you all next month!

Hi everyone! The fashion show today was a great success and much fun! I'm glad so many of you were able to join us. We'll be meeting again next month and I would like to invite anyone that'd like to join us! Whether you are pre-band, newly banded or an old band pro. Everyone is welcome! Where: Polaris Mall food Court When: Saturday May 10, 2008 Time: 2 p.m. Look for us near the entrance to the Great Indoors store. We will have a helium balloon marking our group. All you have to bring is your smile... but if you want to you are welcome to bring outgrown clothes to share with those that might need/want them as well as a "before" picture to add to our group photo album. I hope to see you there!!!!

Welcome home Carol! I'm glad you were able to get out of the hospital regardless of the scales. I'm thinking our next meeting will be on the 10th... we tend to do the meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month... unless we have a blizzard :-) I'll post a thread after today's get together. Hope to see you there!

I've lost about 35 pounds since my banding in December... I can't open my spreadsheet to double check at the moment so I'm questimating based on my memory... so I'm sitting right around at the 2 pounds a week average mark. I am extremely pleased and feel that the pace is perfect and allows me to have time to adjust to each new change.

Kathy, I'll try to be there by one also to help you save seats! See ya soon!

We have a monthly support group meeting at a local mall and I take mine to give away there. I just packed up my box for tomorrow tonight... it's kind of freaking me out to have all of my "old faithfuls" going away. There are still some in my closet I can't bear to part with... but I'm working on it :-)