Paulax

I'll chime in here. I guess in the perfect world, we should all be happy with who we are, and love ourselves as we come. But we live in a world where surgery is accessabe and more affordable than ever before. Perhaps if this surgery was around when I was only 45 pound overweight, I might have saved myself years, decades actually, of illhealth and unhappiness. Sometimes I am shocked when young people get the band, but again, if it were available to me 15 years ago, I might have been a lot healthier and saved myself a lot of anguish.

I don't know, but I couldn't even get in here for a week or so. It seems to me as though as some kinks are ironed out, new kinks form. With regard to the editing posts, hit the "Go Advanced" button and you can edit properly. AND THANKS KIM, I CAN JUST ABOUT TASTE IT.....

So far, just getting into smaller clothes has been reward enough, but I shall think of a goody for when I reach goal. LOL! @ Pacomomma who bought herself a Ford Escape. Wow now THAT'S sum kina reward.

So nice to see someone 3 years out coming back and sharing your successes. It gives us all hope. And look how stunning and beautiful you are. I see your height, maybe 1/4 inch taller than me. I look good around 200 so yes, I agree with your dh that you musy be perfect the way you are. Sometimes I don't know where these numbers come from. You say you could lose another 50, I can't see it unless you are very petite in frame. I think at our height our BONES weigh 140 pounds.....lol! Anyway, just wanted to say hello to a fellow 6 ft woman and congratulations on your tremendous success. I am about to tip the scales into onederland and am so excited to do so. I can't even tell ya....

201 And today i am going to the gym, I am giving up on the ice cream for a week, I am focusing on fruit and veggies and lean proteins. I AM GONNA GET THERE NEXT WEEK.:cheer2:

Interesting the head games we play. When I was almost 280 pounds, I swear I don't know what I looked like, never looked at myself in the mirror below the neckline and NEVER allowed myself to be photographed. I am almost 80 pounds lighter now and I look at myself in the mirror and see me fat. I don't see me 280 pounds, but I am looking and not appreciating where I am. I am focused on what I have left to lose. I think this is sad. Intellectually, I know it is all in my head, I feel fabulous and feel attractive again. I guess it will take a while to adjust and be kind to my image. But I am calling it "the new I'm fat". I guess I need to work on positive affirmations. Because man, does it feel good!:clap2: And that probably didn't make any sense at all did it?

I am tight in the morning, so I sometimes have an Atkin's Shake or Slim Fast, or the bar meal replacements. then at least I know I am getting my vitamins.

KIMMMMMMM CONGRATULATIONS! MARIMARU, YOU TOO! WHO HOOO! You deserve you name in LIGHTS for reaching onderland. It must feel so good.

I still mourn food, but I love the size 14 pants I just bought MUCH BETTER. I quit smoking nearly 20 years years ago. I still miss that too, but would never even consider smoking, so I hope it is the same with food. Congratulations, I want you to know that as I come closer to my own one year anniversary, I am so proud of myself for going through with this surgery. If I hadn't I'd still be 280 pounds, I just know it. I feel so much lighter and brighter, I am happier. This has been an awesome thing for me. Miracle really. Good luck and yes, the summer will pass quickly. Paula

203 Whoh hoooo! Today I seriously need new pants.....I have waited as long as I possibly could, but now they just look rediculous..... KEEP UP THE DOWNHILL SLIDES EVERYONE!

Phew, I barely got in here today. Is it just me?

Cascadian, that happened to me my last fill. I was so worried, I was in a panic. BUT one week later the fill kicked in and whoooooooooweeee, it was tight. Sometimes there is no making sense of this band and fills, but I promise there will be restriction. Take care and keep us up on what's happening.

I am here for ya! When I was on the clear liquid diet for WEEKS after my surgery, I was here whining about it every day. Funny as that is when I got addicted to the food Network, I watched every single cooking show that was on. anyway, i got a lot of support here so do feel as though you can come and whine, cry, complain here.... Hugs and I must say that I am really glad I stayed on that clear liquid diet as long as I did. I lost a ton of weight. good luck hugs, I can surely feel your pain.....

204 Where are all my counts and countesses? I am keeping an eye on this thread and am thrilled to report another pound lost 4 pounds to onederland!

Checking in my July Crew! I am down almost 75 pounds, feeling great, exercising and usually making the right food choices. Some days, I can't even believe I actually went through with this surgery and that it is coming up to a year....I am greatful though. I am sure I'd be looking at another summer, worrying about the heat, the bathing suit, hiding from family and friends. This year I am looking forward to swim weather, BBQ's and feeling more confident in summer garb. I am however fighting this urge to try to lose as much weight as I can before that anniversary. I don't know why, I guess I want to be one of those people who reach goal within their first year. But if I think about it, if I take the last 35 pounds off before Christmas, I will be fine with that. I'll try not to feel I have failed if I don't reach goal by my 1 year anniversary. Anyone else feeling that way or is it just me? Anyhoo, feeling awesome......just got back from the gym, so off to start my busy day.

So stinkin' exciting. Congratulations, You are an inspiration. Please post to the goal thread http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=21986&page=5 And of course we'd love to see pictures........

I am no longer an XL.

I am sure we all thought about this very same issue. For ME, whether this is the answer that will take me to the grave or not, I just don't know. But what I do know is that until something better comes along, this is the best long term solution for me. Good luck with your decision. Good for you for thinking this through carefully.

206.........

I'd like to know what is considered a band at the limit of capacity. Some doctors will only fill the 4cc band to 4, others I have heard go above 4. Does anyone know what the band company says is 'full' or the limit? Thanks in advance.

Hi Judy, I am just shy of 6 ft. My start weight was 280, I am now 207. I look good around 200. Height is a wonderful thing. But according to my BMI, to be in the average weight zone, I should weigh 175. I will by happy with anything below 190. The 175 number came from googling "BMI calculator". Good luck with your weightloss.

A friend had the band placed, and I have to admit that at the time I thought she was nuts. I had a preconceived notion that weight loss surgery was only for the rich and famous. But as the year went by, she got thinner and thinner and happier and healthier, and I started to see the true benefit in her life. One year later, I was banded by the same surgeon. In Canada, there was VERY little information about it, especially in the West. I thank the Heavens every day for this band. Without it, I'd be right where I was last July 28.....

I don't know why it happens either, but I have experienced the very same thing. I read that it is quite common, so be rest assured.

And I am checking in with my July'sters. I can report a 73 pounds weight loss to date. So proud of that, I can't tell ya. I have a mere 35 pounds to goal and that sounds like music to my ears. I am at a 3.0 fill now. It seems as though I only lose when I am 'tight' and exercising. I think some of us are just weight loss resistent. I try to stay low carb, but the homemade cookies I make are just really too hard to resist sometimes. But I can't complain about my loss so I won't. Hope you are all big time losers this month. And can you even believe that in 2-3 short months it will have been a YEAR??? I sure can't, but I feel BLESSED that I did this life saving surgery. cheers Paula

kacee, I love your attitude. My dear friend who was banded a year before me is just like you. She tells everyone who will listen and I love her for it. But not all of us are like that. She is an extrovert, I am an introvert. As much as I admire her for her open honestly, I just can't be like that. I do feel as though if someone were to ask me and I felt that they would benefit from my experience, I would most certainly tell them. I guess it comes down to personality and comfort zone. We are all different. But hugs and cheers for all of you who can be open about your weight loss surgery. It is because of my open friend that I came to know about this life saving surgery. And for that I honour her for being my mentor.