FeliciaLevy75

I want to put that on a t-shirt.

Grats, Bunkeye! As of Friday, I was down 3lbs since I last posted. Name.............StartingWeight....Current......Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965........220.................203............189...........14 CQQlgirl..............200.................198............190...........8 Cadets71............239.................226.5..........219...........7.5 Dreamsize8.........216.................216............190...........26 FeliciaLevy75......286.................246............240........... 6 Gayle21..............190.......... ......190............175...........15 Jeni 85................189.................183............169...........14 Laura bough........215.................205............190...........15 Liz_hager............172.................165............150...........15 MMarg.................220.................214............199...........21 Newhope4me......163.6...............163.6..........150..........13.6 NukeChik.............227.................227............197...........30 Scrappy_friend....222.................222.............200..........22 TexGirl................202.................198............180...........18 Thininside28........271.5..............271.5..........245...........26.5 Wannabthin.........199................199.............179...........20

Ceradad - Still a huge accomplishment; very proud! Great job!! Updating my list: 8/1 - 35 minutes walking at 3+mph and 2.0 incline; AND 15 minutes bicycling @ 20+mph (5.5 miles in 15 minutes); AND 1 mile walking around the block (approx. 20 minutes). Total - 70 minutes 8/2 - 25 minutes walking at 3+mph and 2.0 incline; AND 15 minutes bicycling @ 20+mph (5.5 miles in 15 minutes); AND 10 minutes on the elliptical at home after a day on my ass playing cards. Total - 50 minutes 8/3 - 30 minutes bicycling @ 22mph (11 miles in 30 minutess) + 1.5 mile cool down; AND 15 or so minutes treading Water, moderate; AND 25 minutes (1 mile) walking around Town Square in Las Vegas. Will also do 30 minutes of light stability ball work tonight. Total - 45 vigorous + 25 minutes light to moderate (ball not included)

8/1 - 35 minutes walking at 3+mph and 2.0 incline; AND 15 minutes bicycling @ 20+mph (5.5 miles in 15 minutes); AND 1 mile walking around the block (approx. 20 minutes). Total - 70 minutes 8/2 - 25 minutes walking at 3+mph and 2.0 incline; AND 15 minutes bicycling @ 20+mph (5.5 miles in 15 minutes); AND 10 minutes on the elliptical at home after a day on my ass playing cards. Total - 50 minutes

I had my first fill on July 3. Then two weeks later I had #2. 2 weeks later I had #3. I have an appointment for 2 weeks from that for #4, if needed (it was 2 days ago, so I need to give it about a week to see how it's working out). If I need to change it, I just call and push it back 2 weeks for a follow up visit during which I may or may not get a fill, but I will get to see someone and get an update on how I am doing overall. My timing is just as Nana described. It's not about volume as much as it is about feeling fuller faster and staying that way.

Count me in. I did... OK.... in July. I walked about a mile and a half every day in July, but the good, focused exercise sessions were more sporadic than I had hoped. The weekend in Chicago was amazing, 22 miles in three days, but while it was in the heat and humidity and carrying things around, it wasn't necessarily aerobic. I count it as good, but not as good as it could have been. I am starting this month on the right foot and have workout plans for each of the first three days of the month. My goals is to work out - not just throw some walking in - at least 3 days a week on a treadmill, bike, or elliptical. Walking every day will be additional, instead of the only exercise I get. I will also add some yoga or pilates or weights at least 2 days a week.

I am going to Ecuador to see a friend while she works at an eco lodge for a while. From there, I am taking about 4 friends and we're going to go DIVING IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS! I am getting certified now so I can get practice and experience before that time.

16 days is too early to gauge anything. For the first 6 weeks or so, focus on healing. Make healthy choices and let your body get used to having the band placed. Take it slow, follow the rules. Once you have your first fill, then focus on restriction.

I was banded by Dr. Soong at SWWC (Atkinson's partner) and I loved him, the office and staff... the whole experience. I chose them because a friend of a friend had it done with him. I am a cash patient and all follow up for a year is included. I have had three fills so far, and everyone has been amazing. Absolutely supportive, great attitudes and a willingness to be involved in the process. I even get emails from Dr. Soong after I am in the office, whether I see him or not, acknowledging my visit and offering support through "atta boys" - those messages that say, "Great Job, Felicia! I see you were in the office and you are doing so well! Keep it up!" I admit that I am a fairly demanding patient (hence three fills in a month) - I take a very active role in my band care, I watch everything and discuss it in detail with the PAs when I am in the office. I like to know what's going on and I like to learn. I am sure their term for it is "pain the ass." =) Anyway, I am a SWWC Atkinson/Soong supporter all the way! Everything about them has been such a positive experience for me. So good, in fact, I have made a few successful referrals!

You could still have swelling, you could have a lot of restriction with the band alone. There are many reasons. When you say a piece of egg, though, I have to think of how easy it is to mash up egg... remember to chew, chew, chew. And take very small, small bites - the size of a pencil eraser. If you do that, eat slow, and let the first bite go down and relax before you take the next, you'll be able to gauge what goes down easier than other things. Take the time to heal. If you are constantly stuck - a very bad idea anytime, but especially when healing - try eating smaller (and possibly softer) things until you can eat without getting stuck. And always call your doctor if you are unsure of how to proceed.

Exactly! I was told the same thing and while I am not drawn to snacking as I once was, I avoid it to avoid the temptation of "just one more." If I am hungry, and it's close to meal time, I will just eat my meal. If I feel I just can't wait, I try and deflect it with Water, a distraction, etc. There have been a few times when I just had to eat something.... and I made sure that I had only a single serving of something healthy and small - just enough to not be starving.

I flew the same night of my first two fills and was I was fine.

AWESOME!!! Great job!

As of today, I am in the 240s!!! AND - I figured out how to fix the tickers. Use the following link, substituting the text in red for the code for your ticker (a gobbledygook of letters for each ticker is found in the URL): http://www.tickerfactory.com/weight-loss/CODEGOESHERE/ Name.............StartingWeight....Current......Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965........220.................205............189...........16 CQQlgirl..............200.................198............180...........18 Cadets71............239.................229............219...........10 Dreamsize8.........216.................216............190...........26 FeliciaLevy75......286.................249............240........... 9 Gayle21..............190.......... ......190............175...........15 Jeni 85................189.................183............169...........14 Laura bough........215.................205............190...........15 Liz_hager............172.................165............150...........15 MMarg.................220.................214............199...........21 Newhope4me......163.6...............163.6..........150..........13.6 NukeChik.............227.................227............197...........30 Scrappy_friend....222.................222.............200..........22 TexGirl................202.................198............180...........18 Thininside28........271.5..............271.5..........245...........26.5 Wannabthin.........199................199.............179...........20

Remember, too, that the band is only a tool. Watch your calories, eat healthier (not just less), move around, and don't rely on the restriction to do it *all* for you. Easier said than done for some, I know, but recognizing what you should eat versus what you can eat will help you moving forward. Know your portion sizes; waiting until you feel full is too late... Depending on how fast you eat, even feeling satisfied can be too late. You can do this.

And what the hell is up with TickerFactory all of a sudden. I can only get pics to show up, I can't get the link to update my info. Double UGH!

I am ditching my freaking specs and going back to contacts. UGH!

Hey guys, count me in. I talked to my friend tonight and he and I decided to put off our NYC trip until it was cooler (humidity + me = no thanks!). So I will be at PF Chang's with bells on!

Awesome job, everyone!! I can't seem to open my tickers to fix them - it only wants me to view the pictures. Hmmm..... Still, happy to report another 2 lbs gone! One more and I am into the 240s!! Name.............StartingWeight....Current......Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965........220.................205............189...........16 CQQlgirl..............200.................198............180...........18 Cadets71............239.................229............219...........10 Dreamsize8.........216.................216............190...........26 FeliciaLevy75......286.................250............240...........10 Gayle21..............190.......... ......190............175...........15 Jeni 85................189.................183............169...........14 Laura bough........215.................205............190...........15 Liz_hager............172.................165............150...........15 MMarg.................220.................214............199...........21 Newhope4me......163.6...............163.6..........150..........13.6 NukeChik.............227.................227............197...........30 Scrappy_friend....222.................222.............200..........22 TexGirl................202.................198............180...........18 Thininside28........271.5..............271.5..........245...........26.5 Wannabthin.........199................199.............179...........20

OK, had to post a progress pic of sorts. They are all lined up along the same edge on the left so you can see the difference on the right. 26 to a 20 in just over -50lbs and 2 months.

Doing great! Walking on a daily basis. Today I did 15 mins or so on the elliptical at home and then 30 mins on the treadmill and 10 mins on various weights.

Awesome! I have also read that you can eyeball proteins by imagining a deck of cards - a portion the size of a deck of cards is approximately 3oz (give or take, depending on the protein).

My doc suggested a Multivitamin twice a day. I also take Biotin - not proven, but said to help with hair loss. Unfortunately, I, too, have PCOS and thinning hair. I have noticed that it has gotten worse, but everything I read and the people in my docs office say that it is temporary. Once your body adjusts and the weight is less and less of an issue on PCOS and related symptoms, you should start to normalize. The good news is, after losing only 50lbs, I have had regular periods two months in a row. That's a small time span, I know, but I haven't had two back to back in almost a decade. That's a step in the right direction!

Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market is where I get it.

I like 6oz (single serve) Fage Yogurt (greek style, yum!) and Syntrax's Nectar in Cappuccino flavor. I throw in ice to make it smoothie-like. Less than 200 cals, over 30 grams protein all together, and under 10 carbs.