Emmersglue

I have the same feelings. I was banded March 2008 and have lost over 130lbs. When I look in the mirror I don't see it, even when I look at before and after. Then some days I will see a slight difference. I still buy clothes that are big for me too. When people say I am looking good or anything, I smile and say thanks. In my mind I am wondering why are they lying and what is they want. I am hoping I will snap out of it soon. One of the support groups we were told it usually takes a year and half after the weight loss for the self image to boost. So I am watching the clock.

So I have been doing Krav Maga, since doing it I have lost more inches, so someone at worked asked me if I was on crackhead diet since I lost so much. I told him no, that I was in training to be a cage fighter and he better look out.

I did it for both reasons. I had sleep apena, arthritis in my knees, high blood pressure. But I was also tired of getting the looks from people, the heart breaks, and yes the clothing. Now the problem is that I don't know how to handle the positive attention (from guys). Do we have a thread about? If not we need one haha.

I am starting to notice the differences. Guys are starting to notice me. I'm afraid that anytime a guy talks to me, I will always wonder if they would talked to me pre-lapband.

I don't volunteer the information but if someone asks how I lost so much weight I tell them. Usually I get a "wow that's great" or "oh I know someone who is considering having the lapband, how was the recovery..."

I would do it all over again, this time sooner. I feel 100 times better. I plan on going to Arizona for my Birthday this year and do some hiking. I would have nver done that before the surgery.

Mine went from a 9-9 1/2 to an 8. I can also wear 7 1/2W. So it's possible. I also feel like I've gotten shorter.

Chips are my downfall. I really don't miss bread, its the chips! Put some Funyons in front of me and I might lose control. But on the bright side, I don't eat a lot of them when I give in and have some. Use to, I would eat a whole bag (the family size 9oz or larger) of funyons or any other chips in one sitting. Now if I buy like $1 grab bag of them, it last for days.

I had my lapband placed in March. I had one fill after that with no problem (besides trying to feel for it through all the fat layers). The second time I went for a fill late May/early June my port had rotated downward and it was impossible to get a needle to it. Can't specifically say what caused it but earlier in May I was at a wedding in heel and stepped in a pebble bed and fell right on the side the port was on. Just imagine 300lbs falling on the port. So it is highly likely that did it. I had my port revision June 12th. This time he put mesh in to hold the port in place. I've only had one fill after the revision and it was still in place.

I don't do ground beef either. Ground turkey is fine. I think the problem is the fat mixed in with the ground beef doesn't go down well (I believe this why I can't do sausage either). I've had roast and steaks (tender lean and juicy) go down perfect. So maybe you can get down that free beef tenderloin (yum).

I think it also depends on your body type. I started out in a size 34, but now in 24 pant and 5/6x top to 2x. My clothes sizes have gone down slowly for me but it is going down and that's ok. I find that if I don't focus on clothes sizes I won't get so frustrated.

I had my third fill 9/8/08. I am now up to 5.2. My doc told me that is tight and to be careful. So far no problems. I was able to eat refried beans (fat free) yesterday. This morning felt restricted after trying to drink some water. May have been too cold. So I heated up some apple juice and it went down fine. It's hard to tell so soon after a fill though, I will probably find out if I am where I need to in the next couple of days.

Congrats!!! I can't wait till I hit the onederland. Untill then I'll just be excited for you!!

NAME.........................surgery date.....todays date....Lbs lost 1. SpecialK ...................3/17/08.........9/7/08............53.9 lbs 2. scrappy_friend ..........3/17/08.........9/4/08............54.0 lbs 3. aJoneen....................3/04/08.........9/4/08............31.0 lbs 4. WestCoastMom..........3/27/08.........9/4/08.............60.0 lbs 5. julietj1970.................3/3/08...........9/4/08.............40 lbs 6. SugarBean.................3/24/08.........9/4/08.............88 lbs (30 before surgery) 7. Tess415.....................3/10/08.........9/4/08.............60 lbs (23 before surgery) 8.jegtlf.............................3/24/08.........9/5/08..............56lbs 9. emmersglue ................3/18/08............9/5/08..............48lbs

I'm down 63lbs. I am scheduled for my third fill Sept 8th. I think I went too long without a fill. My second was June 12th. So hopefully third times a charm and can get to the smaller clothes in my closet.