kim2bhealthy

Thanks for the responses guys! My eyelids are almost finished peeling now.. but they look like they may peel again. I see tweezers in my future instead of the waxing... myabe I'll get brae enough to try it, but I don't think so. Thanks again!

dotofoz - Sounds like you need a fill sister! Are you eating good solid protein? Typically the first fill doesn't do much restriction wise. I see you had your first one a couple of weeks ago.. do you know how many cc's are in there? If I've learned anything in the last year, it is that my band is very fickle! Seems like it varies in restriction from day to day and sometimes hourly! Schedule another fill sister and don't worry you will get restriction and Onederland will be here before you know it. YOU CAN DO IT!

It infuriates me that insurance companies have the final say on OUR HEALTH! This surgery could save your life! I am a self pay because my insurance has an exclusion against any kind of weight loss surgery. In less that a year I am down 110 lbs, no longer use blood pressure meds or acid reflux meds or my CPAP machine. My insurance company is now benefitting from my weight loss! They are saving thousands of dollars a year (in prescriptions, CPAP supplies, etc) and I am still paying my 401K back the $18,000 grand that I had to borrow from it in order to be banded. INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE EVIL! Can you believe I'm still this pissed after almost a year?:girl_hug: I wish you nothing but luck! YOU LOSE THAT WEIGHT AND MAKE THEM PAY FOR THAT BAND!! YOU CAN DO IT!! I promise you that the weight loss and improvement in your overall health, appearance and self-esteem will be more that worth what they are putting you through right now! Go get'em ladies!:clap2: Please keep us posted on your progress! ***OK, I'm climbing down from my soap box now***

Hey everyone! I am approaching ONEDERLAND (199) on the scale! My one year bandaversary is coming up on May 26th and I WANT TO BE IN ONEDERLAND!!! I thought I would start this thread for those of us who are nearing this wonderful milestone! I know I haven't been in Onederland since elementary school ! How sad is that?:omg: This is a thread for supprt, for cheering and a little butt-kicking (if needed). Anyone who would like to post on here, please do so, we need all the support we can get! You can be 5 pounds away or 50 pounds away... it doesn't matter! I'll be checking in at least once a week to update you guys on my current weight. I know that their are bunches of us out there trying to reach this milestone.. so come on guys, lets cheer each other into Onederland! My weight today is 207! :clap2: I know I can do this, but I have got to kick the chocolate habit!:faint: Come on peeps, drink that Water and get to moving! We've come soooo far!

Thanks for the help guys! I'll evaluate my diet and make sure to take more vitamins!

Awesome dress Drews! You look B_E_A_U_T_I_F_U_L!! Wow a size 12! Amazing! You are gonna have so much fun at the Doll Ball! What kind of surgery are you having? You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Does this mean you are out for the season or is the season over?

Hey everyone! Just wanted to find out if what I'm experiencing is unusual... I'm coming up on my one year bandaversary on May 26th and am down 110 lbs! I'm thrilled with this, but my skin is driving me CRAZY! I noticed my face tingling and burning and itching and decided to go to a dermatologist. I was diagnosed with Rosacea.. giving Metrogel and another prescription topical med. These meds made my face worse... dry, flakey, red, etc.. But finally I think I have the Rosacea under control (by using Cetaphil cleanser and Aveeno moisturizers - after years of using expensive spa products, who knew?). Now I am experiencing another issue. I had my eyebrows waxed on Saturday by my hair stylist (who has done my brows for years). Well... MY SKIN CAME OFF with the wax and hair. YEOWWW~ that hurt! Now my skin under my eyebrows is all puckered and is definietly gonna peel.. the pain and tenderness and REDNESS is over, but now everyone is asking about my eyelids because it looks BAD. Have you guys noticed any "thinning of the skin" or anything? Could this be a lack of some vitamin or mineral? Could it be related to the Rosacea? My stylist used wax for sensitve skin and it wasn't hot. She went to the wax for sensitive skin after I lost a little bit of skin the last time she waxed them(nothing like Saturday.. I have racing stripes under my brows!). I've been waxing for years and have never had a problem.. Thoughts?! Right now I'm afraid to ever wax again... Are my skin issues weight-loss related? Hormone related? Nutritional issues? Any insight would be great!

Hey Maysters! Hope you all had a great weekend! I'm eeking ever closer to my goal... but still struggling to avoid the junk food! chocolate is evil! Must resist must resist! Thanks so much Paladin! I san smell Onderland and can't wait to get there. Congrats again on finding a new home, sounds like Yukon will be a great place for your family! Have a great week Maysters! BTW - one month and three days until my one year bandaversary, can you guys believe it? This year has FLOWN by! Those of you banded at the beginning of May 06 only have a few days until your bandaversary, that is amazing!

Hey Maysters! Lapbandit - Nice to hear from you! Congrats on the smaller clothes, and don't worry, you'll get to that 100 lbs mark in no time! Keep up the great work! Hey Drews - Yep that's me! Not the best pic in the world, but it will do for now. I hope to post some pics around my one year bandaversary at the end of May. Sounds like the Doll Ball will be tons of fun! Definitely take pics so we can admire you in your dress!

What's going on Maysters? I now am 9 lbs away from Onderland! Can you believe it? The weight is S_L_O_W_L_Y coming off. I think that reducing my carb count and upping my calories a little is gonna work. Thanks for the advice everyone. Hey Paladin! great to hear from you! Congrats to 3loves on the 12 pounds lost. Congrats also on finding the house in OK. I hope things will settle down for you guys soon. Best of luck in selling the house and the move. Glad that the body image info will be helpful. Tell 3loves to keep up the good work. Like the new look of LBT!

Hey Alicia ! Great to hear from you. Sorry about those 5 pounds, I can relate... Man the scales get frustratig sometimes don't they? Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. You may be right in that I'm not eating enough... I pigged out on Saturday (okay..if you can call 1700 calories, "pigging out"), and dropped another pound! This stuff is crazy. I think I'll try the zig-zagging my calories thing. I'll keep you posted and thanks again. Keep up the great work Maysters! Our bandivrsary month is rapidly approaching!

Thanks Drews! I'll give it a try!

Myra - I can relate! I HAVE GOT TO STOP EATING CHOCOLATE!! I am very frustrated right now! I'm averaging around 1200-1350 calories daily, drinking at least 80 ounces of Water daily and exercising at least 6 hours a week(3 cardio, 3 weight training), and I"M STILL AT 211! I can't figure it out... here is my average calories, carbs, fat and Protein for this week (from fitday.com)...Calories:1342 Fat: 53 Carbs:155 Protein:65. Am I really skewed somewhere? Too much fat or carbs? Not enough protein? Help! What do you guys think? My clothes seem to be getting a little looser.. Any advice or constructive criticism is welcome! I gotta get moving to meet or even come close to my May goal!

Hey Alex! So happy to hear that your surgery went well. Keep us posted!

Hey Neal! Yep, it is wierd. Wow 175! That is great! Do you think you will be able to maintain with your current fill level for a while. I'm so proud of you and happy for you!

Hello Shelly! Welcome to LBT! As far as focus and motivation... give us some background info... how much weight have you lost, do you exercise, count calories, protein intake? Hope all is well and again welcome!

Happy April everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Mine was good. Amy - Thanks for starting the new thread. Congrats on being 35 lbs from goal, that is awesome! April kinda snuck up on me, how about you guys? Neal - looking great! I like the hair, and your smile isn't cheesy! How is life at goal? Are you maintaining or still losing? Well... I went to a support group meeting for bandsters yesterday. I hadn't been in a few months, but I'm so glad that I went yesterday. The topic was "Body Image". This is something that I am currently struggling with. I still see and feel really fat even though I get comments daily about how different I look. I have run in to a few people who didn't recognize me. This is weird... I do feel better after the support group, though. Below is some literature that our support group leader handed out. I thought it might be helpful to some of you guys who may be struggling with Body Image as well.... Looking fat…developing a healthy body Image. If asked to describe yourself, what would you say? Would you talk of the twinkle in your eye or the color of your hair or the way your mouth turns up on one side when you smile? Would you mention how you carry yourself? Would you describe your stature as being petite or average or tall? When or if you talk about your weight, would you mention a number or make a joke, and excuse or in some way explain or justify your weight? How would you describe yourself? Your personal body image is based on your feelings, thoughts and beliefs. You have had and continue to have many influences which shape you body image. Your family's value system, how well they managed to consistently accept you and how functional they were all played a part. Also, your peers through school and other activities and the society in which you grew up each impacted your self view. From these influences, you have (most of the time) unknowingly framed your body image. Please know that disparaging comments, parents holding expectations that the children are to make them happy and media images about the "ideal" male or female body contribute to the development of a negative body image. Do you know what your body image is? Take a moment and write down two feelings, two thoughts and two beliefs you hold about your body. To further enhance your awareness of your body image, choose a day and make a log of the thoughts you have about yourself. Put the thoughts in columns of positive and negative. Look for thoughts about your body and take note of how many are in each column. Do you have more affirming or degrading thoughts about your body? If you have discovered that you need to develop a consistently positive body image, consider the following: · Limit time watching television · Challenge Negative Self Talk · Use Affirmations · Connect with your body through movement (exercise) · Seek counseling, if needed, to confront old shame and hurts · Acknowledge and accept all of yourself · Eat in front of a mirror · Choose to be your own defender and advocate against assaults on your body image 10 “Will-Powers” for Improving Body Image 1. Twice a day, everyday, I WILL ask myself ”Am I benefiting from focusing on what I believe are the flaws in my body weight or shape?” 2. I WILL think of three reasons why it is ridiculous for me to believe that thinner people are happier or “better”. I will repeat these reasons to myself whenever I feel the urge to compare my body shape to someone. 3. I WILL spend less and less time in front of mirrors – especially when they are making me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about my body. 4. I WILL exercise for the joy of feeling my body move and grow stronger. I will not exercise simply to lose weight, purge fat from my body, or to “make-up” for calories I have eaten. 5. I WILL participate in activities that I enjoy, even if they call attention to my weight and shape. I will constantly remind myself that I deserve to do things I enjoy, like dancing, swimming, etc., no matter what my shape or size is! 6. I WILL refuse to wear clothes that are uncomfortable or that I do not like but wear simply because they divert attention from my weight or shape. I will wear clothes that are comfortable and that make me feel comfortable in my body. 7. I WILL list 5-10 good qualities that I have such as understanding, intelligence, or creativity. I will repeat these to myself whenever I start to feel bad about my body. 8. I WILL practice taking people seriously for what they say, feel, and do. Not for how slender or “well put together” they appear. 9. I WILL surround myself with people and things that make me feel good about myself and my abilities. When I am around people and things that support me and make me feel good, I will be less likely to base my self-esteem on the way my body looks. 10. I WILL treat my body with respect and kindness. I will feed it, keep it active, and listen to its needs. I will remember that my body is the vehicle that will carry me to my dreams! I WILL CHOOSE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF AND MY BODY! Ten Steps To Positive Body Image One list can not automatically tell you how to turn negative body thoughts into positive body image, but it can help you think about new ways of looking more healthfully and happily at yourself and your body. The more you do that, the more likely you are to feel good about whom you are and the body you naturally have. Appreciate all that your body can do. Every day your body carries you closer to your dreams. Celebrate all of the amazing things your body does for you – running, dancing breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc. Keep a top – 10 list of things you like about yourself – things that aren’t related to how much you weigh or what you look like. Read your list often. Add to it as you become aware of more things to like about you. Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep. When you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness that makes you beautiful regardless of whether you physically look like a supermodel. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body. Look at yourself as a whole person. When you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, choose not to focus on specific body parts. See yourself as you want others to see you – as a whole person. Surround yourself with positive people. It is easier to feel good about yourself and your body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of liking yourself just as you naturally are. Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a “bad” person. You can overpower those negative thoughts with positive ones. The next time you start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up with a few quick affirmations that work for you. Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body. Work with your body, not against it. Become a critical viewer of social and media messages. Pay attention to images, slogans, or attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Protest these messages: write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message. Do something nice for yourself – something that lets your body know you appreciate it. Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, and find a peaceful place outside to relax. Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your weight to do something to help others. Sometimes reaching out to other people can help you feel better about yourself and can make a positive change in our world.

I did okay.. Too many desserts! Too much macaroni and cheese! I'm back on track today... refused to bring fattening Easter leftovers for lunch. Don't fret over it Myra.. today is a NEW day!

So sorry to hear this Alexandra! I will be thinking of you on Monday. Best of luck!

Blue - I wouldn't feel comfortable being very far from my surgeon/fill doctor immediatley following a fill. Not to mention the fact that I wouldn't want to be on liquids(my surgeon requires it, yours may not) during vacation. If it were me, I would re-schedule. Vacations in my family mean eating out alot, so I wouldn't want to deal with being unpredictable as far as pb-ing either. Just my 2 cents worth! If you can't re-schedule, I would make sure that the fill is VERY small... and depending on if you are self-pay on your fills or not, you may not get your money's worth. Have fun in Mejico.

Hey Duckie! Great to hear from you! Wow, I've never been to Wyoming or Montana, but I bet it is beautiful after the winter season is over. Everything here has bloomed.. dogwood trees, tulips, buttercups, etc. Now our weather is supposed to turn off cold again. Mother Nature can't make her mind up here in Tennessee. Duckie- Congrats on finding an outfit for the Wedding! I love the theme! Congrats on the XL being too large, that is awesome! Good luck with the chicken coup, that would be a major undertaking for me, I wouldn't know where to begin to build it! I admire your abilities. Good luck on the Bandaversary Challenge, I know you can do it! BTW - 3 HOURS AWAY FROM A MALL?!?! I WOULD DIE!! I live about 7 minutes from a small mall and about 25 from the largest mall in Tennessee/Northern Georgia area. I would have a lot more money if I didn't live so close, though. Have a great day!

Good going Alicia! I can relate to TOM! I'm about to start so my band is VERY TIGHT today, but come tomorrow and the next few days it will be WIDE OPEN! Whats up with that?:omg: Myra - keep up the great work, you are doing awesome!:clap2: Paladin!!!! 3loves!!! Where are you guys?

Looks like you guys are newly banded? The first fill is when you should start losing more weight. Are you eating enough solid protein? Drinking water? Are you hungry in-between meals? Are you exercising at least 30 minutes a day? It may take several fills or adjustments to find your sweet spot. If you are still in the healing phase, you aren't expected to lose! Things change when you start getting fills and get restriction! Good luck and please don't get discouraged! It will happen!

Marz - Sooo happy to hear from you. Congrats on the weight loss. I'm very proud of you for handling everything that you have gone through in the last few months so well! You are an inspiration! Congrats also on getting the fill. I can totally relate to the grazing thing, it is a constant battle for me to avoid doing that. For example.. yesterday we had a very late lunch.. like 4:30. So I was hungry by 8:00 pm. Instead of having a small meal, I ate Funyuns(fake fried onion-ring chip things), part of a piece of pecan pie, and some raisinettes. Well that lasted about 30 minutes and then I was hungry again.. so I ate a small bowl of chili. If I had just eaten the chili to start with, I could have saved myself a few hundred calories! Geesh! When will I learn? In my defense I am PMSing! Marz- good luck getting started on your biking, you can do it! Marci - great to hear from you. Sorry about the blizzard thing, I hadn't heard about that. What part of the country are you in? We have been experiencing extremely mild weather here in the southeast.. several days have been in the mid to upper 80's. Seems like we skipped right over Spring and went directly to Summer! So sorry about the PB, I've only had that happen once, but I am definitely not looking forward to another one. STRESS will do it! Mine happened during a stressful eating situation! Hope the snow melts soon. Have a great week Maysters!

YEAH!! I'm sooo glad that you are feeling better! Congrats on getting those scales to moving!