amaltha

Hey Everyone. It has been far past anniversaries and goals and dates. I hope everyone's journey is going well and checking in to say howdy. My progress has been pretty good for the most part. I definately feel a great deal better with 80# off. Cheers to you!!! Amaltha

Ok good I am not the only one...so any ideas what causes it?

yeah about the wardrobe...so since I got laid off the funds I was going to use for new wardrobe went bye bye. Soon enough I will get some things that fit pretty awesome. Thank you all for your well wishes... Question...does anyone else have this feeling: Sometimes if I am hungry and have a pretty empty stomach my port tends to be a little sore...but as soon as I eat that goes away...anyone else have that?

Just what I wrote on your page (and from my blog)...it was a trip for sure. Again you can contact me any time you like. Good luck!

almost in my thirties...had my band for a year. Today I just crossed into the normal BMI which I haven't been since my teens. No more overweight or obese!!! so I am doing pretty good. I would do it again in a heart beat

For me I tell them off the bat. Typically, we are eating dinner at a restaurant and they are staring at how much I take home in a doggie bag. I am the type of person who wears my heart on my sleeve if they can't handle who I am with or with out lappy the lap band then they probably are someone I shouldn't be dating anyway. Those are just my thoughts though...

So today was my biggest milestone yet...I think. Today for the first time since the 1990's I am in a "normal" BMI range and not in the "overweight" or "obese" category!!!! YAY. I am not quite to goal but now I think I am in fine tune mode instead of drop drop drop mode. I am so excited. Thanks to everyone who is on here and so supportive!

Hey congrats on hitting your goal...I am only about 10 pounds off...=) excited and it is so hard the same...but not gaining which is good too.

That is awesome...I have had similar reflections. A year ago there was a completely different me in energy. I am very thankful for this site as at first I had many questions and there were lots of people here willing to listen or give some good advice. Good luck and I know you will be in a bikini!!!! (PS we went down the exact same amount...70 in a year...GREAT for you!)

I hope everyone is doing well in their journey's and life has improved for everyone through this challenge. I can't believe it has been a year since I made the trek down to TJ but I am very glad I did and would again in a heart beat. Great job and good luck on continued success! Love, Cheriene

truckee is about 2.5-3 hours... I have friends that live in Tahoe currently so I use it as an excuse to go up and see them and get checked out as well. If you google Helmut Billy you will find his number. The office itself has crazy hours. I think they are only taking calls tues through thursday. And I almost gave up on him but glad I didn't because he was SO much better than the dude down in SF. I will dig up his number and try and get it to you

Hi! I know nothing about support groups here...don't go to them but would be willing to meet with bandsters. I go to Dr. Helmut Billy up in Truckee...he is the best! His practice is in Ventura but comes up to Truckee one weekend a month and is just a really really cool doctor. He is more reasonable in price than any of the others (which the next closest is SF btw) I forget the name of the doctor down in SF but he was a real jerk and I will never go back to their center. Let me know if you want Dr. Billy's information. Good luck!

How did it go? Everything ok?

I flew a couple days after my band and maybe times since then. (not for 30 hours though) You will be fine. Be sure to get up and walk around and stretch a lot though. My coworker just flew to China and had to get sent home because of some nerve damage during flight. Apparently, it is recommended that after a LONG flight like that you should A) go lay down and sleep (I imagine to open up all the veins and blood flow???) or Go work out (again to open the blood flow I am guessing????) But she went to a business dinner right off the flight and then started with the sharp pains in her leg. Then they told her drink lots of Water which she overdosed on and ended up low on salt...it was a mess and very scary with international travel. She is fine now. Bottom line the band is a non issue with flying...enjoy your trip!!!

I was self pay in Mexico. Currently I am saving more money on food than ever so it is paying for itself in the long run. My problem with if I had done it in the US is that if I move (which is a HUGE possibility) I have to go around finding yet another new doctor to take care of my fills just as though I had done it outside the US. And it would have been about double the cost. So I just opted for the cheaper route. You can read my blog or thread about the experience in Mexico as it is a little different than in the US. The hospitals are far cleaner but the service was completely different. Good luck!

I ran a 5K today WOOOOO!

oooh those are great! mine would be to track on livestrong (very similar to fitday) exercise more sleep more regular hours And you are correct support is the best way!

I volunteer at a place that houses a variety of exotic animals and we are constantly cleaning crates when there are babys or small animals around. Anyway, someone took a photo of me and another girl cleaning side by side crates for the coatimundis and it was just awful. My ass was the entire opening to the large crate and the dainty little thing next to me you could hardly see. Now how many people walking by everyday I was cleaning said in their heads, "WOW fat ass!" who knows but it was rather embarrassing once I saw in. :cool: WOOOT for a new beginning and new journey!

Happy New Year NorCal! Been a while since I have been to this thread. how is everyone's journey coming?

I use my daily plate on livestrong.com and love it. Calculates EVERYTHING including exercise all in one. Working really well for me too. You can have it calculate what your daily intake should be if you want to loose or maintain at the weight you give them. :confused: My likey!

I like mixing Gensoy chocolate Protein mix with Light vanilla Soy milk. (silk) It is like having a chocolate fix all the time. And I only drink them if I think I am low on my protein count at the end or beginning of the day. Those bullets I used in the very beginning with I was on liquids still. I think the fruit one was my favorite flavor and I got them at GNC also.

See it is comments like this that just tear me up...Don't get me wrong I have thought that about plenty of people (including myself) my whole life. But you NEVER say that to someone in public. When I was little if I said something rude to someone I had hell to pay when I got home. What ever happened to "if you can't say something nice don't say anything nice at all" (to quote Thumper from Bambie) ??? I won't even say that to family members, because I know if they are anything like me, they are well aware of how big they are and who tight their clothes are getting and don't need the world pointing it out in public! The people I do joke around with we have a standing agreement and they dish it and I take it and dish it back...but that is behind closed doors and for our own humor. oops that ended up a rant. hehehe

YAY someone else who struggles like me!!!! I am plateau city! I know I am suppose to be loosing around 1.5-2 pounds a week and it just isn't happening. I snack on stupid crap sometimes and I work at a place that makes yummy fruit juices...which as we all know is an occupational hazard and wasted calories. A support group is a great idea. Here is how I track calories and protein: I found this great website from someone on here... LIVESTRONG.COM - Health, Fitness, Lifestyle (not the lance site) I love it because for the most part it calculates EVERYTHING for you. and I love that. Best wishes to all in this new year!

I know I am late... But a snotty woman at work (who works out 2 hours a day, has new boobs, some work on the face and I understand a small tummy tuck) was inquiring about the lap band. She is one of those little itty bitty petite women who really is gorgeous. However, she cut me off to demand why I couldn't do it with out the band. "I don't understand why you needed a band, why couldn't you do it?" In which case I swore never to discuss my weight or personal well being with her ever again. Too bad. She seemed like she could have been fun. You all are right it makes no sense to hurt people the way they do but the best defense is to not breed it.