Great2BThin

Not from Greeley but wanted to say good luck to you on thurs!! Bikini, how are you doing?? have there been any more Red Robin meetings? I know we aren't Dr K patients but it was fun to meet other Denver area banders the time I did go.

It's our 30th in April so this cruise is for that too, as well as my 100 lbs, and my birthday too! Apples, hope all is well now with the band. I've had the ideal band life too and it freaks me out to read of complications and that is my biggest fear being self pay and all.

Becky, what is unjury that you have for breakfast?? It does not matter if you are losing as fast as someone else, we are all going for the same destination and all that matters is we get there. 64 lbs is great! I bet you feel so much better than you did in June!

I hit onderland today!!!! Name___________StartWeight___CurrentWeight___Goal______ToGo AmethystJade.......231.8..........212.........150.......62.0 Babe...............308............294.........199.......95 Bellaperdente......196............189.........150.......43 Bklyn1984..........317............261.........165.......96 Brandy.............198............189.........166.......21 Cappy..............240............235.5.......130.......105.5 Chocolate_Snaps....244............224.........175.......49 CubsGirl17.........147............139.........130.......9 Clarebear08........192............176.5.......160.......16.5 Donna113...........183............177.........126.......51 Ebonie.............307............307.........200.......107 FalloutGirl........282............278.........165.......112 FeliciaLevy75......200............194.........140.......54 FlordiaPete........413............397.........300.......97 GratefulHeart......226............211.........135.......76 health4life........279............239.........150.......89 janesays...........225............214.8.......160.......54.8 kimaly.............194............191.........160.......31 Lindar172..........246............229.4.......150.......79.4 Linksmom...........234............234.........145.......89 LocomotiveEngineer.311............311.........220.......91 Long2BThin.........216............199.5.......169.......30.5 lotzasunshine......270............262.........180.......82 Loveislovely.......216............210.........175.......35 ltgordon...........284.8..........250.5.......185.......65.5 lucyavery..........205............205.........140.......65 Mair...............231............222.........140.......83 Mamanmidwife.......264............260.........200.......60 mdgarcia31665......220............220.........165.......55 MissNilsa..........180............180.........132.......48 Rhea2d.............283............233.........185.......58 Sandra267..........220............220.........165.......55 Tabithan...........240............240.........200.......40 Tuger..............192............192.........130.......62 Under200...........242............199.........155.......44 vzghj3.............202............202.........150.......52 Wendy_Wo...........242............218.........142.......76 WOWOX7.............173............161.........125.......36

Several folks in my support group told me I wouldn't lose as well as them with bypass, and this was 2 days before my surgery. Well it's 8 1/2 mos later and I am surpassing them. I have the so called 'slower' band the AP-L (14cc's) and as of today I am down 105 lbs in 8 1/2 mos. I don't buy into the stats that were posted too much as my belief it isn't really the size of the band that is giving better results but it's how well the owner of the band is following the rules of the band. There's too many variables to credit one's success or lack there of to just the size of the band. Someone who is committed, follows the bandster rules is going to have the best success regardless if they have a 10cc or a 14cc band. I do like the AP bands though because they are wider and have the cushions all the way around them. But that's not to say someone with the smooth, Realize band who follows the rules won't have the same success. Just my opinion, of course. I know stats are stats but I didn't want someone to be scared of the 14cc band thinking they couldn't be as successful.

Name...........Start lbs..........Current..........Goal.......To Go Barb12590..........176.................176...............170.........6 Bklyn1984...........263.0..............261.0............253..........8 Bobbie155...........255.8..............255.8............245.........10 .8 Burgygirl.............230.2..............230.2............220........1 0.2 coloradobanding...236.................236...............220........16 crzytchr..............239.................238...............229....... 9 CubsGirl17...........139.................139...............134........ 5 fordgal88...........202.................202...............195........ ..7 gingerbug...........179.8...............179.8............167.8......12 irishgal...............197.................197...............185...... ..12 Janesays.............214.8..............213.6............202.........1 1.6 JuneAct2.............198.6.............169.5.............155........14 .5 KikiVal315...........212.5..............212.5............206.......... 6.5 Kristilaw.............264.................264..............250........ .14.0 lcwils01..............223.................223..............215........ ...8 lindar172............229.4..............229.4............219.......... 10 Long2BThin.........202.4..............199.4............192.4.........7 ltgordon.............250.5..............250.5............240.......... .10.5 mair...................225................222...............215....... ..7 Merda................270.................270...............260........ .10 mljalways...........215.................215...............200......... 15 MsNickelback......179.................179...............167..........1 2 pvtash61............228..................218.............200......... ..18 sue in ne...........257 ................256.............. 245............ 12 ValJean..............266................266...............254........ .12

I hit Onederland today!!! WOO HOO!! It's been 25+ yrs since I had a one in front of my weight. It was a major milestone for me. Also that puts me 20 to 30 lbs from goal. I can't believe that. 30 lbs will give me the normal BMI at 169 but my doc said he'd be happy with anything under 180. So guess I will shoot for 20 and go from there. I'd love to make goal by my bandiversary date which is June 5th. Phyl, hope you are feeling better. When I had a head cold it seemed my band was tighter. or maybe it's all the crud draining down the back of your throat clogging up the band. GROSS!!

Guess who hit Onederland today!!!! THAT WOULD BE ME!!! WOOHOO!!!! I've not weighed in the 100's since I had my son, he'll be 26 in May, so it's been awhile and was a very emotional experience for me this morning. I sobbed as DH hugged me. I've not heard of having to do liquids or mushies after a PB before and have never done it. Usually when the food has cleared I'm fine, but it's never been stuck real bad. PJ, are you stressed or anything right now? I know stress seems to tighten the band so maybe that's why it suddenly got tighter. Though these bands do seem to be fickle and have a mind of their own. I have to eat way less on some days more than others.

ONEDERLAND!!!! It finally happened this morning, I stepped on the scale 3 times to be sure and it said 199.5. I should've stopped there but I got on 2 more times and it said 200.3 but I'm going with 3 out of 5!! I'm owning it as of today. I'd been stuck for over 2 weeks so was very happy to be down 2 lbs this morning. I broke down and cried and cried on hubbies shoulder, I've not weighed in the 100's since I had my baby, he'll be 26 in May. I can't believe I have only 20 - 30 lbs to go to reach goal. My ultimate goal per my surgeon is 169 that gives me the 'Normal' BMI, however he said anything under 180 he'd be happy with so that's only 20 to 30 more. WOOHOO!! I would love to reach that by my bandiversary date in June. Addy, sounds like you scored on shopping!! WOO HOO!!

Yum, popcorn on the stove top is my favorite way to make it. Popped in oil with lots of butter and salt on it, it's what put at least half my excess weight on, my major red light food! I had a great day shopping at Goodwill today. Remember I went last weekend and got some JonesNy capri's? Well they told me that this Sat. everything was 50% off, so I went back to check it out. I got another pair of Jones capris, an Ann Taylor pair and a Liz pair, plus a pair of Dillards dress pants and hubby bought 3 Nordstrom's sport shirts, all for $18.99!! I scored!! Now I just need a swimsuit and tops for my cruise. A few pairs of the pants were snug but I am planning on them fitting by cruise time.

Angel, so glad you are able to get those fills now. That will help tremendously. I don't think they make a 12cc band so it's probably the 14cc. If it's the LapBand brand they are 10cc or 14cc I believe. I have the 14cc. It took me lots of fills to get great restriction and now I am debating about getting another one in 2 weeks when I go in for my 9 mos post op visit. Good luck with the fills.

Janet, I would harldy know that was the same person in those photos. Looking good!! MrsBubba, I am 5'9 as well. Trouble is with being tall, it takes longer for our losses to show to other people. If a 5'9 person and a 5'0 person both lost 25lbs, you'd notice it much quicker on the 5'0. But hang in there it will happen! I am at 201 and desperately want that 199, I haven't been in Onederland since my 'baby' was born, he's almost 26 yrs old. I am bad at tracking too, I tracked faithfully the first several months, but now I just do it when I need to do a check up on myself and make sure I am still in my limits. I only looked at the calories (usually about 700-900 with a higher calorie day about once a week) and my protein grams (trying to be sure I hit 60 at least). It helps a lot, I use www.mydailyplate.com

Katy, good luck to you. That's awful about the 1st surgeon, don't think he was worth saving a few bucks on. Glad you aren't going back to him. I hope you get a speedy resolution. Can you get help with your parents?

Conference? I'm game, though Oct seems a long ways away.

First off, want to say a Happy Belated Birthday to Rose!!! Hope it was a good one! Secondly, welcome to Mrs Bubba and Kristen. Kristen, sorry I'm not much help on the pain issues, I really had very little pain, just felt like I did 1000 situps. It did hurt lying down and getting up from bed a few days, what helped is my husband held his arm out really tight and I grabbed on and he slowly raised me up. Talking about caregivers, my life is about to change dramatically. My 99 yr old grandma (100 on May 1st) is moving to town and an assisted living type place about 8 miles from me. She will be in the independent care wing. But my mom is not moving with her so a lot of the responsibilities are going to fall on my sisters and I. We tried divving up the responsibilities but I feel I got the biggies. I am in charge of her prescriptions and banking and am also the one that is home most of the day since I get off work at 830 to do a lot of the running. We don't have to do tons of care right now but that is going to change I am sure. My other sisters are going to visit and took things like turning her phone on and other one time jobs. We shall see how it goes. I pick up her key a week from today and she is staying with me starting on the 4th until her furniture arrives the next week.

Good afternoon! It's Friday!! And we are supposed to have a beautiful weekend weather wise or so I thought, now I am hearing rumblings of snow tonight. But they are saying 60's on Sunday. We have casinos not too far, in Blackhawk and Central City in the mountains. I've gone about once or twice a year. They had an awesome buffet but guess I won't be visiting that anytime soon. funny how I remember places by the food. No wonder I needed the band. At work we got new 'work shirts' in today. I didnt' have any before since I just started working there in Dec. so had no idea what size to order. They are mostly either polo type shirts and sweatshirts. So I got larges in the shirts and XL in the hoody sweatshirt. The hoody is huge! I love it! I can't return it though due to the logo being embroidered on, but it will do, I like them big anyway, but the Large probably would've been big. I was so nervous to try on the polo shirts, the gal I work with got XL and I got L's and I still see myself as bigger. I was so relieved they fit and not even snug. I am doing better guessing sizes and then trying on in the stores, but when it comes to ordering off the internet or something I tend to want to go way too big. Allie, now that DH retired from the Navy are you settled or still on the move? We moved 11 or 12 times I think over the years, but I think we are settled now. At least that is our wish, I have learned to never say never, but we HOPE to never move again. But when I say move I mean leave the state, I am sure we will move houses after DH retires in several more years. I'd like to live in or closer to the mountains, but still close to Denver.

Ich, welcome home and congrats on getting your band. I was way up when I got home too. I was lucky and didn't have much pain either afterwards, just felt like I did 1000 sit ups. Where is everyone? this is the quietest I've seen this thread! Busy out enjoying their new lifestyles??? Shopping?? doing good here, been busy myself. Still going strong on the workouts. I have noticed however, I am eating more than normal so am going to keep tabs on myself and see if it continues and why that is. I have an appt in 2 weeks and may see about a fill, unless it's head hunger that I have fooled myself into thinking is real hunger. So I need to really watch myself and ask myself if I am really hungry etc. as I've been at my sweet spot for a few months now so not so sure it is fill related this time.

Exactly, Allie!! I think sometimes it's easier to bring down another than it is to examine oneself to see how to improve. One of the things we talked about this week was eating out. When I said I ate out a lot and worked it out, one just rolled her eyes as she was saying how you can't eat out after WLS. My husband came to that meeting with me and was funny, he said I wish I could keep her home. Now that she's lost weight she is so much more outgoing and wants to go out all the time. Hubby is a real homebody most of the time, but is a trooper. But for many of their negative "I can't" comments I said how I was and they didn't like it. I was more vocal at this last one as one gal there was new and pre op and I was so afraid they were scaring her away like they almost did me. And, yes, I have talked to the person in charge of support groups and vented my grievances.

This is why I love this place. I come here with serious 'calve issues' and you guys make me feel better and even laugh at myself. Thank you so much. I love that they are normal, and also appreciate them for all the weight they have had to carry for so many years and for hanging in there with me. I heard a WW lecture once upon a time talking about when you get closer to goal and it gets tougher to lose, because until now you've been losing fluff, now all you have left is the 'hard lard'. That would be my calves! They are super hard. And I think another reason I was so senstive about them is because, DH has shared many times that my legs were the first thing he noticed about me many moons ago, so I want those smokin' hot legs back. I know the boobs ain't going back unless they get some surgical lift, but maybe my legs! LOL Lucy, congrats on Onederland. I am so close I can taste it, yet the scale isn't budging. I've been stuck for almost 2 weeks so any day now!! Also, if I were honest with myself the past couple days my food choices could've been much better. VZ, good luck on the job search! I recently took a few Zumba classes at my gym. They were fun, I couldn't wiggle and jiggle my butt like that but it was fun trying. I stopped going however as they charged so much for the Zumba classes. All the other aerobic classes were $3, but Zumba was $6 and if I wanted to take more than one a week it added up. Then my friend got this Power90 DVD and we've been doing that as our workout. But it was fun. You'd think they'd give me an employee discount since I worked there, but didn't because Zumba is a licensed product/class and the instructor was contracted and paid according to the number in her class. Army, congrats on signing up for the bball. What an awesome workout you are going to get and have fun doing it. Allie, my support group is kindda like that too. It's gotten to the point now that it's not as supportive and I'm almost afraid to say what I've lost. There's some comments made and what not. This is a group of band and bypass and deep down the part I get the biggest chuckle out of is when I've lost more than some bypass. See when I started this group 2 days before my surgery, the bypass folks all bashed the band, saying how bypass was better, they'd never get the band as you lose too slow etc. and now I've surpassed a couple of those same folks! I know that's mean spirited in me, but they almost had me convinced to cancel my surgery. I'm so glad I didn't listen to those old gals though. And one of them is now our leader, which makes it tougher to go.

Thanks for posting that about the fat catepillar legs vs butterfly legs. That is it exactly. I am still seeing the catepillar. It's about time I look for the butterfly as I know she's there!! On a happy note, I put on my size 16 'dress' (this means they aren't jeans LOL) to wear to the hospital for my volunteering today and they are huge!!! I can remember how excited I was to buy them, I got them shopping with my daughter on a clearance rack at NY & Co and it was my first purchase in that store. Never in a million years did I think I would ever be able to shop in a 'normal store' again, much less have something for a 'normal' store be too big!! That was a butterfly moment!! (of course the pants have wide legs LOL)

I've been dropped again, please when you are adding yourself to the challenge use the most recent post to copy. Since about post #36 some folks are dropped. Just adding myself back in. Name.............Start Lbs..........Current..........Goal.......To Go Bklyn1984...........263.0..............263.0............253.........10 .0 Bobbie155...........255.8..............255.8............245.........10 .8 Burgygirl.............230.2..............230.2............220........ 10.2 coloradobanding...236................236...............220..........16 crzytchr.............239................238...............229...........9 gingerbug...........179.8..............179.8............167.8........1 2 irishgal...............197................197...............185....... ...12 Janesays............214.8..............214.8............202..........1 2.8 Kristilaw.............264.................264..............250........ ..14.0 lcwils01..............223.................223..............215........ ...8 lindar172............229.4..............229.4............219.......... 10 Long2BThin.........202.4..............202.4...........192.4..........10 mair...................225................225...............215....... ..10 Merda................270................270...............260......... .10 mljalways...........215................215...............200.......... 15 MsNickelback......179.................179..............167...........1 2 sue in ne...........257 ................257............. 245............ 12 pvtash61............228................218...............200......... 18 ValJean..............266................266...............254......... .12

I like the tankini, I like the diagonal strips. I tried that one on as well. I do like that one, it's not the same one but might have to consider it. But silly question, how do I get bottoms to match it, seeing as how it is on overstocks? I suppose I should be able to find black ones but I kindda like a few of the colors as well. Well gals, I certainly didn't mean to give anyone a complex about their calves. I have had so much trouble fitting into capris especially, but jeans as well. I have to make sure the jeans are wider leg styles, or they will be tight on the calves or I can't pull them up. And every pair of capris I tried on Sat. until I found those at Goodwill I had the trouble with. Before surgery they were 21" so have gone down some. The thing is they aren't flabby, they are rock hard, must be muscle from carrying around 305 lbs. You know how we get hang ups about parts of our body, and I think my calves are my issue right now. Even the upper arm jiggle doesn't bother me as much as my calves. But I am sorry to have insinuated anyone else had big calves or that measurement was huge. I just know I am having issues with mine. Cause, Allie, your's don't look big in your tankini! I also have a hard time seeing my loss in myself so maybe I'm still envisioning them as before as well.

Yes I posted photos when I hit 100 lbs lost the last week of Jan. I posted them on this thread and on Janet's "I'm here to help" thread. I hope you can find them.

I'd love a trip. Just have to be sure I can get off work for it. I fly free so would just have the hotel/food cost. I think if you put your photo here, Apples for a few days you'd be fine. You could always delete it again in a few days or something. I was leary of it too but finally did it. Nothing bad has happened yet. LOL

Speaking of photos, when are we going to see one of you Apples??? thanks for the kind words about my calves issue. I did get some Jones NY capris, at Goodwill!! My kind of deal! They are white, I've never worn white before either. What stores do you find Jones in? I've seen that brand in Dillards but they never have much. Didn't see it at Macy's.