DonnaMarie

Thanks! Yes it is taking a bit of time. My doctor only sees patients on Wednesdays and does the radiographs on Thursdays and that was when there was an opening. It's ok.. I can wait.. I waited this long!

Hello everyone. I have been missing from LapBandTalk for 2 years. In my lapband journey, I have lost 100 lbs. I have about 60 more to go. I have not been able to restart the weight loss so decided to go and see my surgeon as I haven't been in a LONG time. To my surprise, he moved out of state! So, I now have his colleague who is very very experienced. My surgeon was fairly new to lapband. Well, the good news is, I did not gain ANY weight back. I kept it off for 2 years. Bad news, I either have a leak, OR the initial band that was put in is too large. I had been complaining to my old doc that I was always able to eat more than the average bandster. Even at full fill and he even told me he thought he put too large a size. Sooo next step is I am going on June 3rd to have a radiograph done. They are going to fill me under an xray to check for leaks. I am more than likely going to have surgery again to change it out. I am not looking forward to another surgery but I am determined to finish what I started. I got rid of my diabetes by the inital weight loss and want to continue. Being more active is a goal of mine and becoming more fit. Just thought I would update myself. Most of you probably don't even know me but it feels good to be back! DonnaMarie

Congrats on the surgery Indigo! We are all doing well.. Slow for some, quicker for others.. everyone is different. I got stuck recently the scale is starting to move again. Good luck to you and thanks for asking! ~Donnamarie~

YAY STEPH!!! :clap2::whoo: Over 100 lbs! I am proud of you!! Leona, girlfriend, I felt that way for YEARS when I was younger. Finally, even before my surgery, I decided that I was good enough and deserved only the best. I set mini goals for myself and followed thru. First was I bought my house. On my own, in my name. That happened a year ago. I was dating my hubby but he was draggin his feet a bit. I told him, "Look, I don't know if you are ready, but I know I am ready for something long term and lasting.. you have to decide if you want to be with me and build a life or if you want to stay on your own. I cannot wait for you forever".. With that, I started going out with friends, going hiking, doing volunteer work and even dating other people. My now hubby didn't like that too much so one night he knocked on my door, told me he was in love with me, can't take me going out with others, and would I marry him? You KNOW I said yes! We dated 2 1/2 years off and on and finally the man asked! SOOOOOO don't know why I went on that tangent.. Just wanted to say, Leona, good for you and you do deserve the best and only you can make it happen!!! :biggrin1: Quicky update on me... I was filled to max this past friday. 10cc in my 10cc band. My doc said that he felt like he put too large a band in me and that is why my weight loss was slower. He said if this fill didn't do it, then I may need another surgery to put a smaller band in. Let me just tell you. I am FINALLY restricted. I am actually having a hard time. I have wicked acid reflux. I called the doc to see if I needed an unfill and the nurse said that it sounded like the reflux inflammed my pouch and I was having swelling issues. I mean, I couldn't keep anything down! So now I am on prilosec and taking Mayloxx before bed and upon waking. The coating is supposed to help my stomach and it has! I am doing much better. Final able to keep some food down. Ok, my long post is now over! This weekend is supposed to be nice here in Connecticut so I am going to take advantage and get together with some friends and also bike ride with the hubby. Take care everyone and thanks for reading! ~DonnaMarie~

Hey everyone! Its me! Donnamarie.. you know, the newlywed.. *grin*.. I am doing alright. I have kinda been stuck but the scale is starting to move again. I am down to almost a size 18.. started at size 28 so I am very happy. My hubby and I have been having a blast. He is a great support. In fact, he bought me a mountain bike. (and himself one too!) I cannot go very far yet but I am trying real hard and he is encouraging me. Right now I have sore thighs and a sore arse but am getting there and working thru it. Congrats steph on the knees! Glad you are doing well and lost so much weight! We had surgery the same day. I have lost about 75 since my highest weight. Kudos to you!! I had a doc's appointment this past week and he told me he thinks he put too large of a band in me. (gee thanks) I am maxed at 10cc in a 10cc band and I can still eat over 1/4 of a cup at a time. Granted it is WAY less than what I used to eat. I can eat about 3/4 to a cup at a time now. He said if I wanted, I could have another surgery next year and put a smaller band in. Ummm no.. I will just work on my exercise and see what happens. I don't want another surgery. I am going to be 34 in December and Mike and I want to start our family soon so I am gonna work on being fit and getting out there with my wonderful husband. That is the update on me! I missed you all so much! ~Donnamarie~

It took me almost 8.5cc in my 10cc band before I felt any restriction.. now, OMG, I can't eat much at all.. I am finally at the point where I eat only 3/4 cup of food at a time. I was banded almost a year ago and had to have SO many fills.. Finally I am done. The weight definately has slowed down.. I have lost a total of 74 lbs in a year. Have about 68 more to go but I just keep trucking along. You will definately get used to the restriction.. it has taken me a year! But I am sure I am the exception. And for the drinking while eating thing, that is SO hard to quit!!! good luck and congrats on the restriction! finally! ~donnamarie~

Hey everyone! Happy Sunday.. I am down 3 more lbs this week! woo hoo! Not bad from coming back from my honeymoon. I was so sure I would be up a couple but I actually did well and didnt overeat and did alot of walking. Not doing much today. Mike and I went and bought a new storm door for the front door. We had a bunch of Home Depot gift cards. Well better go and help him! Hugz, Donna Marie

Hey everyone! I am back and am now officially a Mrs! I had a few wonderful things happen to me besides getting married on my trip. First, was able to lock the seatbelt on the air plane and pull on it to tighten it!!! OMG! Also.. I wore shorts and tank tops for the first time in YEARS! And my hubby said I was looking good. I still have about 71 pounds to go but it is so nice to be a 22 almost 20 when I used to be 28 (and wont EVER be again!) The wedding was very laid back. I had a dress all picked out and he had a suit but it was 104 so we decided on shorts and tshirts. but it was still a nice quick ceremony and had a religious aspect with blessing of the rings and stuff. The vows were lovely and the minister was great. Vegas is a nice city but not for us. We went and probably wont again. We are New England country folk and like our seasons and green trees! Everything in the desert is flat and dusty and brown.. we were amazed when we got home how lush and green the trees were. Hope everyone is well.. I am doing better with my band although today I had a day where everything gets stuck.. anyone ever had days like that? Hugz, MRS Donnamarie *grin*

Hey everyone! I was surprized with a bridal shower at work yesterday. You should have seen the food! Luckily, there were healthy choices so I was able to eat something with everyone else. But it wasn't much I tell ya! We had a double shower because another gal is getting married about 3 days before me. She is getting married on friday night and I am getting married on Memorial Day.. I am droppin weight like crazy.. Mike gave me a hug yesterday and said, "aww my skinny wife" lol I am finally below a BMI of 40.. started at 50! :omg: I weighed in sunday at 259. I wanted to be 250 for Vegas but I think I will take what I can get! Hope everyone is doing well.. seems it from the posts.. Congrats Edie on the goal and thanks for offering support.. Hugz to all! DonnaMarie :eek:

Hey everyone! I am having kinda a little of trouble with the latest fill.. I just think I am not used to being filled and am eating too fast.. but I have noticed it getting better over the past couple of days so I am thinking I am ok. Things I was normally able to eat, I cant etc... I am just checking in.. my clothes are getting so big! My friend and I are going out to dinner tomorrow night and I am shopping for new summer clothes! Yippee! I need the new duds for Vegas baby! Can't wait to be a MRS!! Love, DonnaMarie

I am b12 deficient so it can happen to lapband people too. But my doc thinks maybe I just am one of those people who have a hard time absorbing it from food and I was that way before surgery. I am anemic too. I take B12 pills and my levels have come up so I don't need shots yet. Fun fun.. Iron pills are the pits when you have a band!!! Grrrrr ~DonnaMarie~

Hang in there.. you are still healing! You could be retaining Water, or still be swollen.. It took me 8 weeks for the swelling to completely get down. You are not going to really lose weight until you are completely healed and have that first fill.. It is early.. dont give up or get upset yet!!! Hugz, ~DonnaMarie~