Pat-rice

I guess it's that time of year because I went to my Pcp & they said I had lost 13 more lbs since I seen them a couple of months ago & I noticed even with my belt holding up my pants that they were getting loose , so I thought let me stop by & check out some pants for work , I also took in different sizes started with a size 18 on down to a 12 & I fit in the 12 ,however I don't like my pants real tight because I am scared because I used to have Major I. B. S. SO I settled for the 14 , Yes I start crying in the dressing room every time this happens it's been a while , but I am happy so even though the scale doesn't more quick enough for me , I guess the inches do because I don't feel or see what everyone one else sees until they bring it up, I am loving that I went from a size 26_28 W to a 12_14 depends on the make .

It is amazing how everyone is different in regards to the fills. I've had four fills and I think I am finally at the sweet spot. For some reason when I get a cold my band seems to be tighter and I really feel the restriction. That's what I wanted to feel so that's what I aimed for with my fills. A feeling of restriction is hard to describe to a person. Once we feel it, it is like a light bulb came on and we understand! We also have to keep in mind that not everyone has the same size band so we can't compare our fill amounts to somebody else's. Drink plenty of fluids to help with the hunger until your next fill. Before you know it you will be at your green zone

Congrats!! Way to take control of your life. I am 5 months out and have lost 53 pounds so far. Hoping I am in your position at my year bandaversary. Keep up the good work. Very motivating

Keeper you will shrink out of them before you know it. Congrats

Love it. Nice quote and oh so true!

Love it. Nice quote and oh so true!

Wow wow wow!!! You look fantastic. Some days I look in the mirror and can't believe that it's me in there! Congrats on your transformation!

Love this thread!
Ok so I have two...last week at my appt my doc said that if I was to walk into his office today I would "no longer be a candidate for WLS, and I should be proud of my self"'
And this a.m.....my favorite "old" pair of silver jeans fit!! 34x32...still need to work on the muffin top tho.....but I didn't have to lay down or jump up and down for them to fit!
I am a jean hoarder...you know the type who always says "someday I will wear these again"...lol

Keeper you will shrink out of them before you know it. Congrats

Keeper you will shrink out of them before you know it. Congrats

With my first two fills I didn't feel much restriction. I had my third fill four weeks ago. At first I didn't really notice any difference. About 2 weeks into it I started listening to my band and realized I was feeling more restriction than I had thought. I had heard of people listening to their band but never really understood it. The band does not work by itself, it is your partner on this journey. I don't think I am quite to the green zone but feel that I am on the brink of it. Everyone is different. Be patient with your fills and listen to your band. You will get there eventually. Best of luck to you

I know!
I work with some great people and they have been very complimentary about my weight loss. Only 3 people where I work know I had WLS and they have kept it private.
But even the sweetest people are now asking the numbers questions.
Nope. Not going there folks.
I decided long ago I was not going to give ANYONE outside of my circle of trust the numbers ever.
So my reply to these questions is as follows:
How much have you lost?
A lot.
Wow I know. Like how much?
A real lot.
How much more do you want to lose?
I don't know really. It's slowing down and getting harder so I need to bump up my exercise.
Well you look great. How much more do you want to lose?
A couple more sizes if I can.
A couple more sizes? Really?
Yeah, if it works out that way. If I exercise more it will eventually happen. I'm not in a race.
This was a conversation in the office bathroom this week. I smiled and walked away as I answered.
People will treat me as I allow them to treat me. That includes how they speak to me. I take charge of the conversation and divert it as I can. If I can't then my fall back answer is:
Come on now. You KNOW I'm never going to tell you that number, don't you?

just wanted everyone to know that I have lost 7 lbs this month. I am so glad I had him lay me down and keep me down when he did the injection the last time I went. I feel so much better now that I am losing again. Thank you everyone for telling me how yours was done.

We be dainty!

I sold some of my old clothes on a local swap site on Facebook so I had some money to buy a few new things. Before I could loose 20-30 pounds and not really go down in sizes. Now when I loose 10 lbs i can go down at least a full size. Was wearing a 3x shirt in summer and am now down to a large so I understand where you are coming from. It can get pretty expensive.

I've gone through about 4 people's life time wardrobe:-) It's very expensive but it's also VERY rewarding! I went a smidge overboard though because I was so excited to be able to buy whatever I wanted. I still have things in my closet with tags on them that I never got to wear that are now too big.
Another great resource (not sure if they have these exact stores where you live) are stores like Plato's closet, or Clothes Mentor, they sell name brand gently used clothes at a fraction of the retail store price, some with the price tags still on them:-) They also will buy the clothes you can no longer wear as long as they are in good condition and still trendy. Another thing to look for are swap and shop sites through Facebook in your area. I bought a lot of clothes locally and then resold them when I wasn't able to wear them any more so essentially just traded my way through. It's a great resource.
Like @@gowalking I've pretty much stabled off and know what size I'm going to stay in, so now I'm really spending a ton of money because I'm buying the higher end clothes, because they are made to last. So what may be more upfront will save you in the long run, or at least that's how I'm justifying it:-)

See your doctor, your band is much too tight. It is very common for scar tissue to build up over time causing the band to tighten. This has happened to me twice. I am paranoid about being too tight and so both times I went to my doctor at the first sign of mild heartburn. Both times a tiny amount of saline out solved the orobkem and still left me with enough restriction.
The build up of scar tissue is one of the things we were not waened about when I was banded in 2006, maybe doctors simply didn't know about it. But it seems to be one of the most common issues.

My doc said to avoid a lot of coffee as it can tear up your stomach. He said no more than one a day. I love coffee but only with lots of cream and sugar so I stay away from it. But I will admit that I do stop for a Starbucks after I have a full. Seems to really hit the spot on those days. I try to lighten it up any way I can though

Thanks so much!! It's been a long journey but worth it!! 

I also didn't tell people about my surgery. Some people can be so judgmental and I didn't want to hear it from them. When people at work asked why I was on restriction I just told them I hurt my back. I healed very quickly and was back to work in 3 days. Congrats on taking control of your life and best of luck to you

I also didn't tell people about my surgery. Some people can be so judgmental and I didn't want to hear it from them. When people at work asked why I was on restriction I just told them I hurt my back. I healed very quickly and was back to work in 3 days. Congrats on taking control of your life and best of luck to you

I am so glad to read this! I have been eating Wendy's chili (making sure I chew really good before swallowing) !
I might just stop and get some after work too!

I recently had the same thing happen to me. Put on my husbands size large shirt and it fit. Was so exciting. My son bought me a shirt for Christmas and I said I didn't know if it would fit (thought it would be too small). My husband laughed at me and said if anything it would probably be too big. Actually it was a little loose on my. What a great feeling

Just had a NSV today. Only 4 weeks post op. Went to Dress Barn and automatically went to the plus side of the store. The sales lady came over to me and said that I am on the wrong side of the store, the misses sizes are on the other side of the store. I just about cried. I had never even thought to try on misses sizes. It's been 25 years, at least, since I've been able to wear a misses size. On cloud 9 today

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jim. What an inspiration you are. I am in bandster hell right now patiently awaiting my first fill on December 2. I wish you continued success!!!