gilta

I thought it would be fun to share how much us August bandsters have lost so far. Start process to now (22 wks) - 52 lbs; 20/22W Surgery to now (12 wks) - 41 lbs; 14/16 regular I feel so much better than I started 22 wks ago!

Oh no. I have been so afraid of what you went through I have only had 1 fill and asked to only put in 1/2 of what he normally does. Thanks for sharing your experience. I am glad you are doing better.

Last week - 184 This week - 182 I am happy with another 2 lb loss! I have not been able to exercise too much, but I hope to change that next week. Have a good one!

What a great feeling!

Hi - I know you said you have been eating "well" but what is that? I have also only had 1 fill, but have not tried any bread for fear of PB or stuck. I know my metabolism is as slow as a snail. I had a previous medical history where I needed to consult with a endocrinologist. He said that after evaluating me, I should eat between 900 and 1100 calories in order to lose weight. I know he is right because, like all of you, I have tried every diet. I did WW and would lose the first few weeks and then would stop. They would tell me that I wasn't eating enough so I would go up to around 1400 calories and then I would gain! I work out with a trainer as well and we have been working on what I eat as well as working out. I find that when I stay around 1000 with my exercise days and 900 without exercising works the best for me. I also make sure I get in around 60 gm of Protein. I wish there was miracle button to get the weight off all of us! Good luck

I agree. I am looking forward to being able to fit comfortably in an airline seat when I travel next week.

Glad to hear the fill was uneventful. Gilta

Hi All, I put together an album so you can see the pictures of before and now. I did go to the gala saturday and you will not believe it. The dress was a bit too big! I put it on without undoing the zipper with no problem and then found that the top was too big so I had to find a strapless bra. Before it was tight enough that I did not need one. Everytime I took a step, the dress kept dropping down a bit. It drove me nuts but I was happy to be in a regular 16. We won a few gift certificates for Bon Ton and Lord & Taylor. I think I will need them. Gilta

Hi - Melody - glad this fill went better Barbie - you will fit in the dress! I am so glad I went and had the fill last week. I am down 4 lbs this week and hit 50 lbs gone since starting and 39 since the surgery! I am very happy that I did this and I feel so much better. I decided after the gala/charity my DH and I are involved in that I had to do something. Last year I had to order a dress online and get a 22w. I was so disgusted with myself so I decided to do this. I bougth a dress off the rack - a 16 that fits perfectly! I will take pictures and show you next week so you can see the difference. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hi - Glad I got my first fill last week! Last week - 187 This week - 184 I have officially lost 50 lbs since starting this process and 39 since surgery. I am so happy I had this done. Now I can hardly wait until my lbs lost are more than the lbs I have to lose!

I noticed my clothes falling off before I saw much movement on the scale. You are doing everything right, it will work out!

Barbie, Oh boy - don't pressure yourself too much! I know a few days before I went into get the final weigh in for approval, I did protein shakes 2 times a day and a light meal. I made sure it was under 1000 calories. That got me in the right place! All, Oh yeah - I gave Carol all of my clothes that have gotten too large for me. I told her when she is done with them, to pass them onto the rest of the crew here. I love knowing they are going to a good home! Gilta

I went in for my first fill today. It was not bad at all! They just poked me and got in right away. They did the fluro and decided to only put in 1/2 of what they normally do. It was amazing when they took out the 2cc's I had in there, you really could tell the difference. I now have 3.5 cc's. I am happy I did this now instead of waiting until I got back from the convention in November. Melissa - Ah - now I know you are the bride! You will be very happy with the practice. They have been very understanding about different situations, so it will help you to explain to them what is going on. Teri - sounds like you are doing pretty well Melody - Thanks for the info on Nectar. I am trying very hard not use protein drinks often. It is a great idea though. Barbie - way to go! You will get those last 5 lbs off soon. Gilta

Last week: 190 This week: 187 I am working very hard at keeping the weight off, but still hungry all the time. I am having the worst cravings as well! The scale is moving, but the last few weeks it had not. I looked and I need to lose 30 more lbs just to get out of the "obese" category! That is just too much to think about. Gilta

Well - Congratulations! You must be very excited about the wedding. I know you said you got in real quick to the information meeting, but which group are you going to? Once you decide which practice you want to use, I would talk with someone about your upcomming wedding and explain the situation. If they can, they will be as receptive as possible. I think March is fairly doable, you just need to get the practice on board with you. You just have to work your butt off (Literally) to get that 5% off within the 6 weeks. That is what I did. The only reason I had to wait a bit was the MD I originally was going with went out on disability and I had to wait for an opening with one of the other docs. We all have different experiences so feel free to ask all of your questions. Gilta

Hi, Oh boy has it been a frustrating week for everyone! I go on Friday for my fill, my first one. I will let you know how it goes. Teri - sorry about the issues. Carol - let me know if you get through to his secretary. that is really frustrating. Melody - I have not heard of Nectar, what is that? Barbie - I had TOM this week as well and the same thing happens to me. mmich - welcome to the group! I have BC/BS. I went to Highland's information meeting Dec 07. I had my first appt in January. I had my surgery 8/1/08, so it took me about 8 months to go through everything. I had to lose 5% before they would qualify me for insurance. Feel free to ask us any questions - we probably have asked them too! Gilta

Last week - 192 This week - 190 I have not exercised all that much this week, actually only 2 times! It is TOM and I was exhausted. I am hoping I can finally get a fill for the first time next week. It looked like I stopped for 2 weeks, but saw some loss this week. Maybe I will wear a heavy sweater! I feel like I can eat anything and get hungry every few hours. My will power is ok, but it is tough. Gilta

I am scheduled to go next friday for my fill. If it isn't better by Monday I will call and see what they want to do. It is strange as in the morning it is ok and it is by evening when it gets sore. Good news is I am down another 2 lbs!

I don't really have any secrets. I eat about 800-900 calories a day and work out 2-3 times per week. I know the exercise has helped me out a lot. In the beginning I could only get about 300 calories in a day so that is where I lost a lot of my weight. I have slowed down a lot since I can eat more. Hopefully someone will let me know why this is happening! Hang in there, you will lose! Gilta

Hi, I have not had a fill yet, so that isn't it. I exercised on Monday and this started Wed am so I don't think it was related to that. I have lost 43 since I started and about 30 since surgery. Gilta

I had the same thing happen to me! I am now 4 weeks later and only lost 4 lbs. I scheduled my fill for next Friday. I hope this jump starts me! Gilta

I am in the same place as you are! I have only lost 4 lbs this past month. I am scheduled for a fill late next week. It will be my first so hopefully this will help! Gilta

Hi, I had my surgery about 2 months ago and I am having port pain. This is the first for me. It feels like it is just so sore like I hit it on something. I think I read that during TOM, it can be sore but I don't know if that is true or not. Anyone know? Thanks! Gilta

Teri - I had a friend who also had the bypass and is at a stand still after 1 year. She lost 105 lbs in the first year, but still has another 70 to go. She wishes now she had the band as she does not know what to do. Congrats on the weightloss! I remember those early days watching the scale drop every day. It does slow down and that is where I am at right now. I have only lost 4 lbs in the past month and 3 of them were in the first week so nothing in the last 2! Carol - How did the protein increase go? Did it help? I was having a bit of a problem with hunger in the am, so I tried turkey sausage this am. I will let you know if that works! Melody - Wow - great job on the loss! I did not puree my meats, I just ate really slow and chewed the heck out of it. My first meal was grilled sea bass and it was wonderful. I only had 2 oz, but loved it. The fish is very soft so you don't have to puree it. I also used canned chicken, but ate it very slow and chewed, chewed and chewed some more. Let us know how it goes. Barbie - Which Sephora do you work at? Heather - Loved the pics! I ended up calling for a fill as I have only lost a few pounds in a month and not losing anymore. I hope the fill helps. I have had pain in my port site the past few days. I heard when you get your period that happens, so maybe that is it. Hope all is well. Gilta

Gary, I have to agree that I can eat more in the evening than during the day. I just don't think I could do that much. I guess I should be happy about that! I have not had a fill yet, but just scheduled one. I go on the 10th. They refused doing it back in Sept since I was losing 2lbs/week. Now I am lucky if it is 1/2 lb. I am sure we will figure this thing out! Gilta