Shamrockgirl60

Hey one pound this week. I don't know if I will make my Valentine's Day goal. But I am happy to be still losing. Going for my 4th fill on the 11th of Feb. So I may be at goal....for the 14th. I am more than half way to my goal weight so I am happy. Glad everyone is doing so well.

It's PBing. I get in once in a while, just remember small bites and slow eating and chew, chew and chew. Personally I call it sliming. LOL

I have BCBS blue care elect. and Last year had the surgery in August. I had to complete all the stuff at the hospital and also a note from my PCP and my surgeon. The rules may have changed but I didn't need a 6 month diet. Just a letter from my PCP that I had tried to lose and kept gaining it back over the years and my co-morbidity's were Sleep Apnea and Type II diabetes. My BMI was 39 not the 40 that you need to get permission for surgery without the co-morbidity's. I hope this helps

Now that I am halfway to my goal weight. I sure do not miss....going down the stairs and being winded, and going up the stairs and being winded. Now I run up and down the stairs with a full laundry basket and I am not out of breath. Being able to sit comfortably in restaurants with booths, The table does not cut me under the boobs. There are now inches to spare. Crossing my legs like a guy. I can now cross my legs like a lady and sit for long periods. Finally wearing a normal sized "johnny" at the doctor's last week for my annual exam. The nurse didn't even hand me a big one. Same when I had my mammogram earlier in the week, I got to wear one of those "cute" pink johnnys LOL Getting into L and XL and no more XXL and XXXL clothing. Wearing size 14 pants and jeans again Getting a normal bra, not a big old ugly one. Getting into a dress I got a few years ago that was my inspiration for losing weight before, but didn't. Another 10 lbs. and I will fit perfectly. It's a tad tight in the bust area. It's a 13 Petite. People are now not staring at the fat chick in the room any more. And even guys are smiling at me like I am areal person. Sales people not giving me that "look" when I am in the store looking at normal clothing. LOL Having a few people not recognize me at a function I went to a few weeks ago. They had not seen me in a year. Now that was great. LOL I am hoping by August I am down to my goal weight and can really enjoy my pool and wear a cute tankini.

Gilta 63 pounds is amazing. It's best to lose slow and steady. I am just happy not to have gained anything over the holidays, I did a very small amount of cheating. I think the last 40 lbs. or so are harder to lose. But I take it one day at a time and one weight in per week so I don't get discouraged. Your doing fine and so is everyone else.

Not cut open? You are cut in several small areas and a longer incision where the port it abut 4 inches or so. I would take a week off and use that to recuperate. Some may only need a few days. With me a week was good.

Well I would have to lose 6 lbs. by Feb. 14th. It's only two weeks, so I don't think I will make it. But I will sure try. So far losing now 1-2 lbs. per week, getting my 4th fill Feb. 5th. That should help. Everyone is doing so well congratulations. I sometimes think the last half..of the weight you want to lose is the hardest to lose. Like those dreaded "last 10 pounds" they are stubborn little suckers.

Well I lost a pound this past week. Bummer. But I am having my 4th fill in early Feb. So that will help I'm sure. Guess it's better than gaining weight LOL I don't know if I will make my Valentine's Goal though. I'll keep trying. Good luck everyone

Had my six month physical from my PCP the other day, and he is totally thrilled with my progress. My Blood pressure is normal, my Cholesterol was 130. My Blood sugars are perfect. My mammogram was normal. Now just waiting for my pap smear. He said that he knew I was the "perfect" candidate for LapBand Surgery. He's the best. He's now head of Lahey Clinic Northshore in Peabody MA. But he has kept a few of his patients like me and my husband. Just overall a very very nice guy. And a good doctor also.

Walk, don't do anything else you are healing internally. don't do anything that might cause the band to slip or your port to tear from your muscle wall. Just walk and walk and walk. We all have plateaus and get over them. Just take it one day at a time and don't over worry about things. Chew everything as much as you can. Make good choices and you will be fine. Stay on schedule don't go ahead of it. Attend support groups when you can it does help to talk to others.

Down 1.4 pounds this week, well at least I am not gaining LOL. Have to do a day or two on liquids to jump start this thing. Slow and steady I keep telling myself.

Too funny on the dumpster diving in the closet. I have a few things that were too tight. I can now wear them and do. I usually clean my closet out once a year. I will have a huge pile of clothing to get rid of. Some of my stuff I just love...I may have a few things taken in. But I am loving checking out new clothing in normal sizes. My favorite store is having a huge sale and I got a red suede jacket for $39 which was originally $139. I can't wait to wear it to my new granddaughter's Christening. Good luck with your band. I just love mine.

I would do this over in a heartbeat, I feel 10 no 20 years younger. I can run up and down my stairs at home now with a full laundry basket or my 8 month old Granddaughter in my arms. I don't huff and puff is I walk around the mall a few times. I am wearing "normal" sized clothing now. I am giving away all my plus sized stuff. Even after a few miserable days, with gas and nausea I am thrilled. I feel terrific now. I am slowely reaching my goal weight, I am halfway there......I may never wear a bikini again, due to my age and the tiny scars and a bit of tummy sag, I will wear a one piece that is cute and normal. Maybe a tankini LOL Good luck with this, I hope you attend the meetings where you are thinking of getting banded. Take care Pati Check my album for my photos before and after and my progress photos. Of course some will fail, and some will hate having to change their lifestyle. That's what this is a total lifestyle change, the band is not magic. It's a wonderful aid to losing weight. Use it wisely and follow the rules. You won't fail. Eat around the band (ice cream and other soft fattening foods) and you won't lose you will start to gain back what you have lost.

30 pounds in one month is terrific. What you have to do is remember this is really not a diet per say, even though you watch your calories and eat the proper foods. Protein, then veggies and if you have room a bit of starch. It's a lifestyle change. You will have to eat totally different than you ever did in your life before banding. For one thing don't weigh yourself too much. Once a week is fine at the same time best in the early morning and naked. You have to consume enough calories to not make your body go into starvation mode which will shut your metabolism down somewhat. I was told 1200-1500 was good. Depending on your size. I take in abut 1200 a day. The doctors and nurses told me 2 lbs. a week is ideal. It's more likely they stay off. Fills are great, they tighten up the band. As you lose weight it gets loose. So about every 5-6 weeks you may need a fill. It's time for me to get one. When you find there is little restriction it's time for a fill. No one wants Bandster Hell when you can't eat or drink anything that is dangerous and it's not fun. I just take it one day at a time. I finally fit into normal sized clothing which is wonderful. I hope to reach my goal by my anniversary date in August. Good luck hope this helps. Pati

I use it on my hardwood floor in the living room. I slip it under the couch when not in use. I only weight myself early morning after I pee, and naked. It's the best real weight.

I am from Wilmington, banded at Lahey Clinic last August. I had a reaction to the Whey protein also. Get to Wal-Mart and get the Edge Advantage Soy Protein powder in chocolate. It's very good. I use it when I don't have time for Breakfast or I'm doing a 3 day "fast" to jump start me and after a fill. I add 3 ice cubes, and a good shot of Hersey's sugar free Chocolate syrup and non-fat milk. Blend and blend till the ice is totally gone, it's really tasty. Take care and congratulations.:scared2:

I agree, chew, chew, chew till it hurts LOL. Also if that does not work just go back to mushies for a few days and rest the pouch. It's common when you first start eating before you train yourself to take smaller bites and chew a lot.

I finally broke the plateau. But not enough. Just over a pound this week. I have to call and set up for another fill. My 4th. I think my sweet spot will take a while to find LOL

Well I need a kick in the rear also. So I will shoot for 10 lbs. and be down to 165 by Valentine's Day. I have been the same weight now for almost 4 weeks. So I need to get another fill soon and get back on track. Good luck to everyone.

I am having almost no restriction so I did not lose a thing this week. At least I didn't gain anything. I would like to be 165 by Valentine's Day. I have to set up another fill in a few weeks.

Yikes I don't know about you but my doctors and nurses said NO GUM EVER, if it gets stuck in the pouch it's terrible.

That does seem low and may put your body in starvation mode. I find 1200 is better for me. If I get into a platueau will do this trick my body a bit. Eat maybe 1500 for a few days then back down to 100-1200 for a few days. It sometimes works. Right now in a real plateau and not going down much. I had a fill in December and need another one the end of Jan or early Feb. It takes time......and patience to get through all of this but it's worth it.

Well I feel more like my "old" skinny self whom I have not seen in 25 years. I feel younger and more energetic. Happier and more confident. I don't really miss the fat me at all. I don't see the fat person in the mirror. Actually I never did even when fat, it was photos that I saw when I said "holy ####" I am fat. Now as I see my photos of the old and new me I feel wonderful. I take each day one at a time. Yes I fall off the wagon occasionally we all do but I don't beat myself up over it. I just start over again. I probably am different than a lot of people here because I used to be thin, for most of my youth and only got fat when I was in my 40's and 50's. Now that I am approaching 61 I decided to get going and do something about my health. I had sleep apnea, diabetes II luckily no high blood pressure. Pain from my joints and could hardly get up and down the stairs. Now I can run up and down the stairs. Feel better than I did 20 years ago. All in all this is the best decision I have ever made. You will change your outlook. Don't hesitate to get counseling it does help. I think the 2 years prior to this I was in counseling helped me decide to do this and do it so far successfully. I go to my monthly support meetings also. For me they are a must to keeping me on track. Good luck and best wishes for successful weight loss.