JulieNYC

It took me 3 years of research to get banded because I was worried about the possibility of having to have a revision surgery. It's a legitimate risk and I understand your concern -- revision surgeries are sometimes required with the band. But in those 3 years, I gained another 75 lbs. and I became worried enough about my health to have that outweigh my concerns about potentially needing a revision surgery. Now, post-band, what I can tell you is if I have a regret, it's that I didn't get the band in year 1 of research rather than year 3. The surgery was so minimally invasive and such an easy recovery compared to carrying around the extra weight I was (and still am) carrying. I can seriously tell you that if I had to have surgery every year for the rest of my life to maintain the health of my band (which is absurd -- of course I won't need surgery that often -- I probably won't need it at all), I would STILL do it in a flash. I feel like a new person and I'm only 1/2 way to goal. My advice is get banded. If you need a revision (and you probably won't), so be it. It'll just be one day out of your new thin life. I wish someone had said that to me 3 years ago. Then again, maybe they did and it just didn't resonate. Maybe it's part of getting ready to accept the change that you'll go through emotionally and physically. I don't know. Good luck on your journey!

((((((Spydr))))))) You're going to do GREAT. It's going to feel wonderful when you realize you can ride any ride you want to -- I have no doubt you'll be able to. I can't wait to hear all about it on Sunday! Please come back and post. We've all been there, whether on rollercoasters, airplane seats or movie theaters. But at your current size, there's no issue. I can't wait for you to believe that too! Congratulations on your weight loss.

The definitely don't cancel your surgery over it. These are medical professionals and they're not even going to blink over it. I think Chrispygal gave you the perfect advice. Congrats on getting banded!

Tami and Malice, I talked to the nutritionist at my doc's office about this and she said not to fight it. As long as I was getting in enough Protein most days, she said not to worry if I was only taking in a few hundred cals (some days I don't want more than 4-500). She doesn't believe in "starvation mode" (though there's no medical evidence one way or another on that and there are certainly different views) and believes that the less you eat, the quicker you lose, period (again, as long as you keep protein levels high enough to prevent muscle loss). I track my calories, even on bad days. Some days (maybe 4 per month) I eat 1400-1800 cals, most days I eat 800-1000 (18-20 days per month) and a few days I only eat 400-500 (6-8 days). It's working ok so far and I feel great on all the days (except sometimes on the 1800 cal days when I feel like the old days), so I'm not chaning my ways until it quits working for me. I think a lot of bandsters worry about this problem. I'm interested to hear what others think about it. Tami, I'm from AL too (though I've been living in NYC for a long time)!

Hi Julie, Yes, definitely check out the food forums. Just as a teaser though, my favorite fat free item is fat free black Beans with salsa and fat free sour cream with a little fat free cheese on top. It's good for the mushy stage too. YUM! You're going to do great. Congratulations on making the decision to get banded.

You look SO FABULOUS! I'm with everyone else in that you were gorgeous before and now you're an awe-inspiring, head-turning knockout! I'm so, so happy for you.

My doc says you can't stretch a pouch with liquids. They don't stay in the pouch long enough. You might get that too full signal if you drink too quickly, but some say that's actually a good thing -- something to try to do to turn your hunger off -- not a bad thing. My opinion is that your pouch can't hold 3 cups. It's draining before you can drink the full 2 cups. Particularly true since you don't have a fill yet, so your stoma is still large enough for liquid to really drain straight through. No worries! Congratulations on getting banded and here's to a speedy recovery.

Good for you, Susan, for getting on your treadmill even when you're feeling yucky about your diet. That's GREAT. I've thought I'd lost my fill twice only to find that in 3-4 days I was fine again. I've started charting on my calendar how food obsessed I am every day on a scale of 1-10. I'm hoping, that way, I'll be able to tell better when I need a fill versus when I'm just having a bad couple of days. I don't know if it'll work or not, but I'm trying it out. So I did my "new and different" activity today. I finally got my turn at the "wave" cardio machine. I kind of liked it. It's the same motion as roller skating, so I felt a bit like a kid, which is fun. What I didn't like about it was that since it was more challenging strength-wise and less challenging cardio-wise, I couldn't get my heart rate up to where I like it to be for maximum calorie burning. I'm sure it's great for tush-firming, abs and inner thighs, but it doesn't burn the overall calories of my beloved elliptical machine. Anwyway, so I did it for 20 minutes then moved over to the treadmill and alternated 1 minute of walking and 1 minute of running for 20 more minutes (I only ran 7 minutes because towards the end I needed 1.30 recoveries instead of 60 seconds). I think I might alternate this routine with my elliptical because I think overall it was just as good a workout, but different muscles. I go to the band doctor tomorrow for my monthly checkup. I don't think I'm getting a fill (but I probably will next month). That's all my news!

Sherilynn, I eat out for dinner about 3 times a week, and I eat with my work colleagues (none of whom know I'm banded) at lunch usually 5 days a week. if you eat slowly and order knowns, you'll be fine eating under any circumstances. I PBd at a restaurant on Saturday, which was the first time I'd thrown up in public. It came on quickly (it was TOM for me and I wasn't paying attention) and even under those circumstances I was able to excuse myself to the ladies' room, where I had to wait in line for a stall and was able to keep it under control until one was available. I know this sounds scary, but it's really not. It was a worst case scenario and it was still not a big deal.

That's PHENOMENAL! Congratulations!!

I made it to the gym today with every intention of trying the "wave" but there are only 2 of them and they were both taken. Ahhh, my beloved elliptical won out again....

Eficka, 80 consecutive minutes on the treadmill gives you great bragging rights when you come here to log it, but it just counts as one of your 17. I think our focus is just getting ourselves to the gym (or moving outside, or whatever) at least 17 times during the month. We have to move for 35 minutes for it to count, but we all try to move for longer when we can. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on how you're doing. Your pictures are such an inspiration to me!

Yea Indianlight!!! Come on across the border!!

Name...............Christmas…...To Go A1ikou...............240...............XX Aza.....................299..............XX BPM..................230...............XX candy444..........299................XX Elisabeth...........275................XX Ericsmom.........250.................XX Indianlight........280.................XX Josette...............340................XX JulieNYC..........235................32 LapBandit.........250.................28 Libra.................270................25.2 Mariguita..........290................XX NatesMommy...275................XX Waterlily1072...275................XX

Goooooooooo Boo! Go! 8/10 -- ahhh, that sounds fabulous. I just bought my first XLs in "normal" stores yesterday (Ann Taylor, the Gap and banana Repulic all fit -- even one L in Ann Taylor). That felt good too.

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/238/150 - 25 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/178/130 - 30 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/136/110 - 44 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/190.5/134 - 43.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/267/150 - 91 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/207/140 - 35 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298 - 94 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/225/150 - 48 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/248/150 - 62 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/104/69 - 21 kgs/46.2 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/225/170 - 45 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/228.5/165 - 60.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/204/145 - 60 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/247.8/140 - 35.2 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/258/140 - 75 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/170/135 - 55 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

Sherilynn, It doesn't unfill on its own unless there's a problem, i.e. a leak. (For accuracy I should tell you that it can lose a very little bit on its own without being a problem because the membrane is semi-permeable, but it really doesn't lose much on its own without there being at least a slow leak). That said, periodic fills are still required because as you lose weight, the circumference of your stomach often shrinks (organs hold fat). So, to stay at the same level of restriction, you often need a fill from time to time as you shed weight. Also, the longer you're banded, the better you become at knowing what a bandster can and cannot tolerate. Some people need to be tighter later in the journey to get to goal because they get very efficient with their eating. That's the beauty of the lap-band. It's adjustible to our needs.

Well, I just got back from the gym. One down, 16 to go. I had planned to try something new today -- the "wave" cardio machine, which is similar to my beloved elliptical, but is more of a roller skating action (i.e. you push out and work the thighs), but I didn't make it. I've had a sour stomach for about 3 days (I'm tighter with TOM and always had a sour stomach during that time, even pre-band, though it's worse now) and I wasn't up for it. So, I did 36 minutes on the elliptical and called it a day. Again, but for this challenge, I wouldn't have gone at all, so I'm enjoying checking in with you all. I'd been "paused" in my WL for about 10 days but I'm back on the losing side again as of this morning. I'm aiming for a very good exercise and diet month in October. I might join the century club this month (9 lbs to go)!

(1) Research the band, but don't spend 3 years researching it like I did. I'd be at goal now if I had just gone on and pulled the trigger. (2) The WL journey is very rewarding. Even if you have 200+ lbs to lose, it's not very long until you start having NSVs and start feeling a whole lot better about yourself. I thought, at 358, that I'd have to get to 199 before I felt better. That's just not true. Every step of the journey teaches me something.

OK April Bandits, here we go, it's OCTOBER! This month's challenge is as follows: (1) Complete at least 17 workouts that are 35 minutes in duration or longer. (2) For one or more of your workouts, try something (anything!) new that takes you out of your exercise comfort zone (A new class? Why not fencing! :fencing:Or boxing? :boxing:Go for a walk in the rain? :rain: Sign up for your first race? ). Report back to us on what new activity you tried. We can do it! The holidays are around the corner -- sign up for the challenge and meet your goals! Woohoo!!

Thanks again, everyone. I talked to the new job and they don't need me to start immediately. So, I'm going to stay where I am through at least Christmas and transition over in the late winter/early Spring. It's the best of both worlds for me because I can stay focused on my weight loss (exclusively) for a few more months, which is what I really want. And, since they extended the offer to me in writing, valid for 6 months, there's nothing to worry about. I'm happy!

Libra, I was off the boards for a few days, so please forgive me for the delay. CONGRATULATIONS ON REACHING TWOTERVILLE... ...and blowing through the 290s!!! :not_ripe::confused::not_ripe::confused::not_ripe::confused: Unfortunately, the dancing bananas drank all the Margarita Isopure (hence why they're green). Woohoo, Libra!

I met the challenge on Tuesday with exactly 30 min on the elliptical. 30 min and zero seconds. I was really not into it. I've been in trial all week since then, but I hope to get to the gym on Friday. I feel sluggish because of not working out for a couple of days, plus I've not been eating well. Boooooo.

I don't have the same "too hungry" signals post band that I had pre-band. I used to feel light headed and dizzy if I didn't eat. I don't feel that at all now, even if I only eat 300 calories in a day (which happens if I don't plan my meals better). I feel completely fine on almost no food. If I didn't think we needed to eat, I'd just avoid it altogether. You'll be fine. If you do feel bad due to hunger and you can't eat solids (which shouldn't happen on a regular basis), there are always liquid calories that will go down and pull you out of a low blood sugar moment if you truly need them.

Ok, let's make October's challenge 17 workouts, 35 minutes, PLUS making an effort in just ONE of those 17 workouts to try something new (a new class, a new machine -- anything that gets us out of our comfort zone). let's specifically remember to report in on what our "new" workout was and whether we think we'll do it again. Sound good? My "ultimate" goal is to workout about 20 times a month for 45 minutes each time, but if it takes me 6 months to work up to that, that's fine with me. I want something doable, not something that's a chore.