danaclark2

I know how you feel. Sometimes I wish I had not told anyone about the band, so they wouldn't watch me on this journey. But--I thought if I told them I'd be motivated even more to lose the weight BECAUSE they'd be watching... Some people have commented on my 20+lb weight loss but not many. It'll probably take about 20 or more so pounds for me to look very different. Don't worry about your friend--know you are doing this for yourself--no one else. In time, all will be able to see the new you!!!

I met my husband at Gold's Gym--he was my trainer--back when I was about 70 lbs thinner but still a little chunky. He's been great through all my weight ups and downs. I certainly was not looking--in fact, I was at the place in my life where I just wanted to focus on myself--physically, mentally, etc. Five months after his weight training me, we went on a date--ice skating--and have been together ever since. That's when the weight started creeping up on me though--we went out to eat almost every night--to buffets mainly. He's happy for me now--that I've been banded and am working towards a healthier me...

Sorry, Tricia-- Just couldn't resist! By the way, you're kicking a$% on your weight loss! I believe you started about the same weight I did--how long have you been banded? I can't wait to be under 200 again.

Elliott is gone.

Sarah, Thanks for the post and your experience. I hope the fills will help with my hunger! I'm going to ride it out as long as I can w/o a fill, but if I start to gain, I'm going...

Hi, all! I'm about 4 weeks post-op. First two weeks--no hunger--lost about 22 lbs so far. Now--the hunger's back--even with eating/drinking protien first. Big Question for those filled: When I get at the right "spot," will I feel like I did when I was first banded? It was really easy for me to resist temptation when I did not feel the pounding hunger in my tum. I hope my fills get me back there...

When I was in college (about 10 yrs. ago and about 80 lbs ago), I jogged about 5 miles at a time--about 4-5 times/week. I completed a 5K in about 28 minutes. Now, at 248 lbs., I can jog about 1-2 miles without stopping--in about 18-20 minutes (9-10 minute miles). I'm hoping as the pounds melt away, I'll be up to my five miles again. I love to jog/run!

Alexandra, I think that is what she was talking about--she said that once your band is filled to the max, that's it. So, if you can lose weight without a fill, do it. Anyway, you explained it how I think she was trying to explain it to me. I'm going to do my best to wait--BUT if I start gaining, I'll go at 6-9 weeks for my fill. Good luck, Audra!

My doc. will give me a fill at 6 weeks post-op; however, his nurse is really encouraging me to wait until 12 weeks post-op. She says that the longer you can wait, the better. Do you all think this is true? I'm really getting hungry these days--almost one month out.

Thank you, dear Joe! How sweet. Looking good, by the way.

21 lbs. now!!! Yes! Closer to 200 than 300 now. Go April Bandsters! 4-3: JenRN - 4-3: Picardy3 - 4-3: Mom2Blak - 4-4: Angelu - 4-4: brneyezz - 4-4: judyc - 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/268/150 - 43 total 4-5: Boo ffice<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype class=inlineimg id=_x0000_t75 title="" alt="" src="images/smilies/silly.gif" border="0" stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o<img></v:shapetype>referrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><V:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></V:path>ffice:office" /><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/embarrassed.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage001.gif"></v:imagedata>ffice" /><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O<v /><O<v:shape id=_x0000_i1026 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""> <v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata>></O<v:shape> <v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata>> - 4-6: Klsame - 4-6: Disneynut - 4-10: little one - 4-10: Nissi69 - 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/209/135 - 31 total 4-11: tlj - 4-11: Reyna - 4-11: Vickie1177 - ?/297/267/137 - 30 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 4-12: Infaith - 4-12: JenWillwin - <O<v:shape id=_x0000_i1028 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata></O<v:shape><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata> 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/338/175 - 20 total 4-13: NJgirl - 247/230/220/140 - 27 total<O<v:shape id=_x0000_i1030 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""> <v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata></O<v:shape><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata> 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total kdog - 4 -17: Amourette - 4 -17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total<O<v:shape id=_x0000_i1032 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""> <v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata></O<v:shape><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata> 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/249/150 - 21 total 4 -19: Kathi - <O<v:shape id=_x0000_i1034 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata></O<v:shape><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata> 4-20: Omamoon - 4-20: Indababy - 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/246/150 - 27 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/284/150 - 26 total<O<v:shape id=_x0000_i1036 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""> <v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata></O<v:shape><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata> 4-22: Alisonb - 4-24: Eficka - 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/255/170 -15.5 total 4-24: Kat - 4-24: hlj25950 - 15.5 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/255/145 - 11 total <O<v:shape id=_x0000_i1038 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata></O<v:shape><v:imagedata o:href="http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/silly.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_i mage002.gif"></v:imagedata>4-25: nofattipatti - 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/233/150 - 31 total 4-26:Tracylou - 4-26: K@t - 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-28: Jellibeanz - 4-28: Susan4794 - 4-28: msheavensent - 4-29: Scneaux -<O:p></O:p> <O:p<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Macy, You'll be there before you know it!!!

Shortly after my surgery, I went from 255 to 259 like in one day. I was eating/drinking only 800 or so calories per day, too. I was, however, very near my period. A few days past my period, I woke up and weighed 251. I also retained fluids from swelling--caused by the surgery. Whatever you do, don't lose heart. The weight WILL start dropping again. I'm so, so, so sure it's just Water weight.

Bless you, dear Audra! :Banane13:

Lisa-- Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Feels great! Thanks, Diane!

Just had to share this wonderful, exciting thing that happened to me this morning-- I'm officially closer to 200 lbs than 300 lbs. Weighed in at 249.5 1bs. Haven't been this low in over 6 years!!! Love and success to all, Dana

alisonb, Are you exercising? If so, something I read in Oprah Winfrey's book--Making the Connection--said that when you start to exercise, you can gain up to 8 lbs. in Water weight because your body holds on to the water as you heat up during exercise (your body thinks you're trying to dehydrate).The water weight will go down as you keep the excercise program. Also, I think our bodies just go through phases. When I was on my period, I went from 255 to 259 in one day. A week later, I was at 251.5. Give it time--eat your Protein, watch your calories, and exercise, and it will come off. Don't lose heart.

Ahhh! Positive stories!! Success...now that's the kind of lap band talk I like. Thanks, man! You're awesome!!! You'll get that 19 lbs. off in no time. Go Brad! Go Brad! Go Brad!

1st appt./day of surgery/current/goal 270/260.5/250/150 Total Lost: 20 lbs.

1. Liquids to Mushies--almost three weeks out. I make a really good Protein Drink (Vanilla whey Protein Powder from GNC; 1 banana; skim milk; ice; sometimes I add a sugar-free hot choc. packet to give it some choc. flavor) 2. Found some really good Soups at Kroger's: organic sweet potato, cream of broc., potato leak, and butter-nut squash. They come in cartons--you just pour into pan and heat--no adding Water or milk. I usually put a little bit of sour cream in with some tasteless Protein powder---mmmmm-delicious! Oh, and I be lovin' my sugar-free choc. pudding AND sugar-free tropical flavor popsicles. 3. I really am missing Papa John's pizza! Ironically enough, I'm not missing sweets, which used to be my biggest problem! Love and peace to all, Dana

I've heard/read that the average is 50 to 60 lbs./year. Or 1-2 lbs. per week. Could be a lot more--or a lot less depending on a lot of different factors.

I probably wouldn't have been recommended by most doctors to get the band because I do--did--have a big sweet tooth. That being said, almost three weeks out and almost 20 lbs down--my cravings have really changed. Having this band has helped me realize that my problem with food wasn't all emotional eating--it really was a great deal a physical hunger problem. I don't know what the future holds--I hope I don't sound like a silly, unrealistic newbie--but, I'm thrilled with this band so far--I'm so happy to have stopped thinking and obsessing about food--and sweets for that matter. Have not had sugar in over three weeks and I feel great! Go with you "gut" instinct. Don't let anyone discourage you. You can succeed at this!

Ok--I have a little bit of a disadvantage--my period. On Thursday Morning, I weighed in at 255 lbs. I started my period on Friday Morning. Sunday morning, I weighed in at 258.5 lbs. A gain of 3.5 lbs. I have been doing really well on my liquid diet--and I have watched my calories. I even worked in the garden for two hours yesterday, burning lots of calories, I'm sure. I may have to take this challenge beyond the weekend and weigh when "my little friend" leaves. Hope you all make it to 2 lbs lost or more!!! You can do it!

I think it'd be great if we could get a definitive list of all the April names and their banding dates. I have a hard time keeping up with who is who. How many of us are there, any way? Me? Banded on the 18th. Doing ok. I'm on my period and have gained 3.5 lbs since Thursday morning. That's really depressing. I was 255 lbs. in Thurs. Now? 258.5. I know it's just water weight--because I have been doing really, really well with the liquid diet and with calories. I even worked in the garden for two hours yesterday. I was sweating quite a bit--I know I burned a lot of calories there. I hope in a few days the weight will drop off me. We'll see. Hope you all are doing well!!!