lellow

My Dr thinks my initial goal weight of 65kgs (BMI of 24.8) was too low. He thinks for my frame, I should be aiming for a goal of 70kgs (BMI of almost 27). I have tentatively taken his advice, but I reserve the right to change my mind when I get to 70kgs if I think I would look better with a little less weight on.

Hi folks! It's been a good week for me. The first part of the week was fab for weight loss, but now I'm sitting on 80kgs exactly, and have been for 3 days. One of my major milestones is to be under 80kgs, and I'm soooooo close but not quite there! Okay here are my stats for the week: Loss this week: 1.6kgs (3.5lbs) Exercise: 3 X 35kms on the stationary bike 1 X 28kms on the stationary bike 2 X one hour walks

I will add you both to the list, mumx5 and mumof2. gilta, I think if we'd like to come in and check in more, it would be great too! I have lost 5.5lbs since the start of the challenge, and still have just over 4 weeks to go, so my new goal is 12lbs instead of 10lbs, which means I have to get to 169lbs by 1/1/09 now! Will be changing my goal in the list too.

my pleasure tutornmum! No Thanksgiving here in Australia, so no turkey temptations for me! Though loads and loads of Christmas lunches and functions starting up from the 1st Dec. But I will be good, I promise. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone over in the US!

So was wondering - when should we check in on each other? Do we want to make it that on 30th November we all weigh in and see how we're going? Maybe we can then give each other a bit of a push or some encouragement to keep up the good work! Then again on the 15th Dec and then final weigh in 31st Dec (or thereabouts)? What do you all think?

Okay so here's our list (had some time on my hands tutornmon!) Rachelle-----------Start 237--------New Year's Goal 225 Gilta---------------Start 178--------New Year's Goal 166 GaryB-------------Start 276--------New Year’s Goal 266 MistyD65----------Start 258-------New Year’s Goal 248 Krtork-------------Start 212--------New Year’s Goal 202 *wnt2lose*--------Start 189--------New Year’s Goal 180 Lellow-------------Start 181--------New Year’s Goal 169 ShamrockGirl60----Start 183--------New Year’s Goal 173 Liquidbluegal------Start 213.8------New Year’s Goal 203.8 Fleminld-----------Start 237--------New Year’s Goal 225 Kaytaree----------Start ??----------New Year’s Goal: loss of 12 lbs Kathyq------------Start 222--------New Year’s Goal 210 Irsh76-------------Start 246--------New Year’s Goal 236 Lanakila-----------Start 276--------New Year’s Goal 260 Bambam31-------Start 224---------New Year’s Goal 214 Accountess-------Start 244.5-------New Year’s Goal 234.5 USAGoosie-------Start 281----------New Year’s Goal 269 Carramia---------Start 231----------New Year’s Goal 220 Grievous Angel---Start 295----------New Year’s Goal 280 mumof2---------Start 212-----------New Year's Goal 200 mumx5----------Start 254-----------New Year's Goal 246

Lack of Iron is definitely something that can make you feel exhausted. Here in Australia, you can buy iron tablets over the counter, and can get iron in liquid form too, so don't be scared to try that - all it is is yet another supplement. I have always suffered from a low blood count, and have a low-ish BP at 100/60, and reach for the iron everytime I'm starting to feel 'washed out'. I also take b12 supps. If the iron doesn't help, and you're exercising regularly (this helps with your energy levels too) I'd go get a check up and some blood work done. You may be deficient in something. Like Shamrockgirl60 I've never had so much energy in my life as I do now.

Lol you guys are hilarious! And the best supporters a chick could ask for!! I'm on my way! Already 1.4kgs (3.1lbs) down, only 3.6kg (7.9lbs) to go!! Have said to hubby that I'm on the lookout for that knockout dress already! TVgen, I know what you mean about wanting motivation. When I don't have any, I tend to be a bit slack about eating and exercising. This has really kicked my butt into gear! But I think Lizzy's suggestion is a really good one - go buy something in one size smaller for you to wear on Christmas Day, and work towards it! You can do it, and I want to see pictures too of you looking amazing in that outfit.

Damn, the last two days I've been 81.1kgs, and then this morning I was 81.6kgs (tho TOM is due soon. Sorry TMI) So I'll go with the heavier weight. Last week 82.2kgs (180.8lbs) This week 81.6kgs (179.5lbs) So loss of 1.3lbs. Exercise 2 X 1 hour walks 2 X 30kms on the stationary bike

My BMI was 37 when I made the call to the surgeon, and 35 by the time I had the surgery. I'm 3.5 months out now and have lost almost 17kgs, with another 13 kgs to lose. I too thought it was best for me to do it before my BMI started to go up even more. I had no doubts I was heading to a BMI of 40 and beyond at the rate I was eating. I never really ate fattening foods, I just ate A LOT. Now I eat a fraction of what I used to.

Michelle, have you thought of exercising after your DD is in bed? I put my son to bed at 8.30pm, and two minutes later I'm on my spin bike. If he's around when I'm exercising on the bike, he wants to get involved too, so I don't bother trying as long as he's awake.

I try not to wait until my stomache is growling to eat, because that's kinda what happens, you're feeling 'full' because you can't eat anymore, but your tummy is still empty because all the food is above the band. It takes a while for the food to pass through into your lower tummy, and when it does your tum will stop growling. If you're feeling like it's all stuck in your throat it may well be that it's not passing through easily and it may take longer than 20 mins. After my first fill, I found some foods got stuck, even if it's soft. I can't have rice at all, even if it's been boiled to the consistency of porridge. It just sits above the band making me feel like it's all going to come out, even after a couple of bites. Fish is anotehr thing that makes me very full very fast, but I still eat quite a lot of fish. So try to eat before you get too hungry, and experiment with different foods as this one thing may be more difficult for you to digest compared to something else. Hopefully you're starting to feel better by now though.

I'm still a work in progress but have found so much motivation from the thread in the past few months that I wanted to contribute to it too. I'm only 3 and a half months out from surgery and still have 13kgs or so to lose (just over 28lbs) but am so happy with how the band has changed my life that I'm biting the bullet and sharing my progress pics. 3 weeks pre-op: 97.9kgs (about 215lbs) today 3.4 months post op: 81.1kgs (about 178lbs) And before anyone asks, I do have tattoos but I carefully photoshopped them out of my pre-op photos. But now I can't be bothered! Lol!

I am an at-home exerciser. I have two kids at home with me (a 2yo and a 14yo), I work full-time plus I'm at university part-time, so going off to a gym really isn't feasible with my schedule. BUT I do cycle on my spin bike at least 4 times a week (between 25-35kms at a time) and that raises a good sweat. I can do it in my regular clothes, too. And the bike cost me about $200 on sale. I also walk twice a week for an hour at a time. On Sundays I power-walk pushing my baby in a pram. On Wednesdays I walk with him (about 15kgs or 30+lbs) on my back in a sling. Now that raises a sweat! I agree that exercising at home requires motivation, but it can be done. So if anyone's reading and they're thinking 'I can't get to a gym/I can't afford a gym' then I want you to know that it's no excuse. You CAN still exercise if you wanted to.

I'm 3.5months post op and I want to let you know that I mourned food too. I looked longingly at fried chicken and ice cream and coke and wondered about the sacrifice I was making, and if I really wanted to make that sacrifice. Then someone said something to me that changed the way I looked at it: You don't have to give up the things you love, you just eat less of it. That means I even now still have fried chicken, but only one piece, and only once in a while. I find that because I get full faster, I don't crave deep fried stuff as often as I did before. But if I want it, I have it. I haven't had a coke since my op. I didn't realise it until recently. I just reach for Water everytime I'm thirsty, and not coke because I worry that the bubbles will make me feel gassy (and gassiness is always a problem) Next thing I know I haven't touched the stuff in months. I don't eat ice cream anymore either. Ice cream is a dessert, and I'm usually full after dinner, so have no room for ice cream. But if I really wanted some, I'd have some. I just don't want it anymore. I do eat chocolate. I have a little bit instead of a whole bar. I have some, savour it, then put it aside and tell myself I can have some more another day. There's always another day, and I keep the option open. The bar I started on a month after my op is still on my bedside table now, less than 1/4 eaten. I don't feel deprived because I don't deprive myself. And yet, I'm not craving anything sweet or fattening most of the time. And by allowing myself a little bit of naughtiness sometimes, it means I don't feel like I need to fight myself all the time. So you don't have to 'mourn' anything. You're not losing anything. You're gaining a whole lot!

I have now lost over 70% of my excess weight, and I'm only 3 and a half months out of surgery. I think 60% of your excess weight is the average, but losing more than that is definitely something that can be done, but I suspect you will have to exercise and watch what you eat to get there. I don't count calories, I don't restrict carbs (though I can't stomache a lot of carbs now) and I exercise 3-4 times a week (up to a full sweat, not just gentle walking) and I'm still losing. So yes I don't think lapband surgery means you will ONLY lose 60% of your excess weight, it means that it's currently what most patients lose on average. Good luck, I think you're making a great decision. The only regret I have is that I didn't do this sooner.

I can eat 2 fried eggs but only about 3/4 of a hard boiled egg. Some foods are just natural 'sliders', so even at your sweet spot, you'll be able to consume some foods more easily as it slides past the band and doesn't give you that 'full' feeling. Other foods are the kind that get stuck (chicken breast, and anything made of rice for me) so it's about learning which ones will make you full but won't get stuck. I'm still in that learning process myself.

I've already pledged to lose 10lbs before my brother's wedding on the 29th of Dec, so I'm in. I've lost .5lbs since I made the pledge 3 days ago! So only 9.5lbs to go! Starting weight 181lbs ---> 171lbs

It sounds like for a lot of us, the weight loss has either slowed or we're plateauing. That it's happening to so many of us at the same time, you have to wonder if it's a stage that happens 4 months or so out of surgery. I've gained up to 3lbs for two or three days at a time too. It's so depressing. And I use one of those digital, gives-you-your-BMI-and-fat-percentage, really expensive ones too. I guess if you're eating well and exercising (even moderately) you'll eventually shift it. I usually do. If you're bloating or retaining Water for a few days, it may explain why your scales are reflecting that, too. All in all, on a month by month basis, the overall trend is for me to lose, so those days of gaining, while depressing, hopefully IS just a fluctuation. I know that for me, the weight loss is definitely starting to slow down, too. I think I'm going to have to increase my exercise and really watch my eating to ensure I keep losing.

my first fill I had a numbing needle, but the last two I didn't have any numbing beforehand and personally I think not having a numbing needle is actually less painful! And considering all three times weren't really painful at all, I think you'll be fine, nina. :tongue2:

I'm going to join in the Friday weigh ins again until my brothers wedding in December! Lol! Last Friday 82.9kgs This Friday 82.2kgs Loss 700grams (1.5lbs) Exercise: 2 x 1 hour walks 2 X 30min bike rides

I never have tried to cover up and be modest about it. I don't flash it to all and sundry, but I just as I don't cover my head with a blanket when I eat, I don't expect someone to expect me to throw a blanket over my child when he eats. I think part of the attitude that says women should be modest stems from society thinking breastfeeding is somehow an issue of modesty, when IMO it isn't. If breastfeeding was more normalised, it wouldn't be considered immodest. There used to be a time when showing one's ankles was considered immodest, but attitudes change, why can't this one? Anyhow, as they say, if my breastfeeding offends you, you should feel free to throw a blanket over your own head, because let's face it, I'm not the one who has a problem with it.

Because I have a wedding to go to in 6 weeks!! My brother is getting married in Singapore and I have decided to go. So while up til now, I've generally eaten whatever I like within reason, and allowed my restriction and my 3-times a week exercise routine to sort-of guide how much weight I've lost, that tactic is now not good enough! I've been averaging 3 kilos a month, but this month hasn't been as productive. I wasn't fussed at the time, but now I am going to be be super vigilant about watching what I eat and exercising regularly because I want to wear a knockout dress and completely surprise my family with how I now look! I feel shallow as all hell just writing what I just did, but at the same time I feel motivated like I've not been since my pre-op diet. The band helps me lose weight, and while I used to be happy even if I lost 2 kilos a month, now it's different! I have a deadline and a dress to buy. So it's time to get serious. This is it: I WILL lose 5kgs (11lbs) before the wedding on the 29th of December!

I think it must happen to a lot of us. After my last fill, I could have sworn he accidentally took some OUT because I felt less restricted than I did before I went in. Then this last two days, I'm back to feeling restricted and have lost another 1/2 kilo. Go figure!

OMG Gary I'm sooooo glad I'm not the only person who does that!! I usually move it around the bathroom floor and weigh myself a few times and then only accept the lowest displayed weight! Lol!