meschultz

Hey everyone.. HAPPY bandiversary :thumbup: Sorry I am a few days late into October, but I have been busy.. I hope everyone had a successful year .. I have lost 122lbs and am loving it.. I have taken up a new hobby.. ICE SKATING..something I never ever dreamed I would do.. and thanks to this band I have been able to live my life a whole new way I have always live my life to the fullest, but now I can live even fuller.. and I plan to continue to make it better.. I wish everyone the best and congratulate you all on making it to this point in our journey.. we are rocking it

SpecialK thanks so much I will look into the other boards.. congrats on your weightloss it is awesome.

Thanks everyone.. I felt much better after my exercise and shower and venting and sleeping ha ha :frown: I woke up this morning as the same me.. who cares about Mrs. Olsen .. I have a fantastic life and a supportive family and a loving son so I don't have to worry about what some little old lady thinks of me :w00t: We all rock.. We have all come a long way.. Just choosing our journey is a difficult one and that fact that we are so successful on it shows what amazing people we are :tt1: Thanks again everyone.. I hope you all have a good weekend!!

Well.. I just need to vent and I know that people here will understand what I am talking about. So here it goes.. Why is it ok for a skinny person to call someone fat and NO one see anything wrong with this??? But, if I called that same skinny person UGLY I would be a horrible person.. Now I am not saying anyone is ugly that is just my example.. Here is the situation..For a year and a half I worked at a retail store and NEVER once had anyone comment to me about being fat and I was at my fattest of 431 lbs... Now that I have finally taken action and work my butt off on a daily basis to loose weight and have gotten down to 320 in less then a year I have people make more comments about me being fat then before and it is REALLY annoying. I have worked in a hospital for over a year now and during this time I have changed my life and the way i look at my life and the way I live my life...I love every minute of every day now. I look forward to working out.. I don't crave going out to my OLD favorite restaurants .. I NEVER eat fast food.. 98% of my meals are made in my home and walk 4.5 miles or more every day of the week and use the total gym every other day if not more.. So I am dedicated.. and I think my weightloss shows that.. Anyways, I got a new position at the hospital and I am working one on one with patients more often and in the past month I have had 3 patients refer to me as fat.. WELL YES i know I am fat.. obviously that I WHY i am doing something about it, but why do they have to comment and why do they feel they have a RIGHT to judge me.. They don't know what I do every night.. SO this older lady today decided to tell me how she works at a local theme park and Fat people will come to the park wearing a bikini top with their fat hanging out and she thinks it is gross.. I was just like "UMMMM OK" Now In all my time being fat I just want to set the record straight I have ALWAYS work respectable clothing. Just like I don't want to look at someone's muffin top I am sure they don't want to look at my rolls...So I have ALWAYS made sure to look nice and dress appropriately.. Back to the story.. I took this lady over to the area she was suppose to be in so that she was no longer in my face and as I went to leave I politely said "Mrs. Olson you have a lovely weekend" and she said .. "Oh wait, I want to say one more thing to you" and she comes up to me and says "please don't ever go to a theme park with a bikini top on" I WAS LIKE WHAT???? and just said Thank you and have a good day.. Being the better person I just walked away from the situation.. however, I was thinking later if I did not need to job that lady would have gotten a face full of fat ha ha.. If she only knew the things I did to change my weight.. and one day I will be skinny, but she will always be ugly.. and when I am skinny you can be assured I will go to that theme park with a bikini top on and walk right up to her and say " Oh hi Mrs. Olson, remember me? I am that "fat" girl you told not to wear an outfit like this.. SO BLAH!! I was mad at myself for allowing this lady to bother me so much that I almost did not work out tonight.. I took every ounce of my energy to get my a$$ outside and walking and by the end of my 6.5 miles I did tonight I was thankful I had the will power to not allow someone so rude to ruin my routine and bring me down to her level. I will use her comments as a will and drive to keep going.. Along with the few others who have said something to me... I hope to all of you who have experienced a similar situation that you just take strength from those experiences and know you are doing better for yourself... Best wishes everyone :w00t:

I have lost over 100 lbs and still have SOOOOO much more to go.. I think I am at a stand still right now and it is breaking my heart ha ha... I AM BETTER THEN THIS.. I can get past the mean plateau.. WISH ME LUCK :w00t: best wishes to everyone else.. you are doing great :w00t:

ah clothes they are so much fun :tongue_smilie: but I have a ways to go until they are really fun ha ha... Goal 150 you are doing awesome keep up the good work!! We have all be very blessed and we rock it with the strength we show to keep going :frown: thanks for all the congrats

Thanks everyone!! We all can do this :thumbup:

Molly.. I hit a plateau for over a month .. Sadly I posted on here on May 30th that I was two lbs from my 100 lb goal and it took me until now to loose those two lbs.. Sometimes your body just need to recover..the excercising will help A LOT... I was not doing anything but trying to make sure I was eating right and I finally started exercising again this week and BOOM!! 2 lbs plus the 2 I had gain GONE!! so it is possible.. However, I would talk to someone about throwing up that is totally not good and if you are doing it A lot your body maybe unable to heal.. Yes it would stink to have your band unfilled for a month, but it would be better then slippage which can be cause from throwing up and or erosion and both of those things would require your band be removed.. So look at the big picture and for sure talk to your Doctor.. I hope everything goes well for you.. Remember you are doing this for you to help you not hurt you... :thumbup: we will always have down days maybe even weeks, but that is why we come here to be reminded of what we are doing and what we need to do to accomplish it.. i wish you the best :drool:

100 LBS LOST :thumbup: WOO HOO!!! THANK YOU all October Bandsters for your support over the past months... Hope everyone is well!!

Today.. I succeeded at meeting my first goal!! I have officially lost 100 lbs :thumbup: I am less then a year out from surgery and have accomplished such an amazing thing.. I just wanted to share and let everyone know this goal is possible.. I still have A LOT of weight to loose, but I never would have dreamed I would be posting my 100lb loss already.. This is a pretty fantastic feeling :drool: There are many people on here I have spoken to off and on during this journey and I want to think everyone who contributes to this site.. Even if I have never spoken to you before I have probably read something you have posted that has helped and I just want to thank everyone.. Also, to those who are struggling.. Keep truckin' on... This is not the easy way you.. It is just a useful tool WE still have to WANT IT My best wishes to everyone

MollyJO... I am in Tampa.. But I am a state traveler on the weekends ha ha :thumbup: we go everywhere to keep busy and enjoy the summer months.. Awesome job on your weightloss.. You are doing fantastic..

and it will be NRPNRP :party: you rock...

NRPNRP, Thanks.. I will for sure try to keep checking in when I am at work is when I have my most free time.. shhhhh don't tell anyone ha ha..Thank you for your comments.. I am certainly hoping by the my next weight in I will be posting my meeting of that goal ha ha.. But we will see.. I actually bought two bathing suits this summer. It is nice to have options ha ha.. I am sure you will find a reason for your soon.. and yes just hanging out and doing nothing is no longer as much fun ha ha.. LINRO123... Thank you... So your surg date on 10/01 as well.. Congrats on your weightloss and don't ever say ONLY 50lbs I am sure you have heard that before.. because 50LBS is fantastic and a great weight loss.. You are doing awesome... I have lost a lot, but I still have a whole bunch more to go..we are all going to make our goals because we have the will and the drive .. You are doing great and will do great :party: thank you for your kind words... I hope everyone has a good day.. take care :thumbup:

Hey SmashingPumpkins... how is everyone doing?? I am fantastic.. I have been enjoying life so much since surgery I find myself not having much time for the computer and I am so sorry I have not checked in.. I hope everyone is doing well and being successful.. This journey is very challenging and rewarding.. There are ups and downs, but in the long run it has been one of the most fantastic decisions I have ever made for myself.. I am very close to reaching my first goal of losing 100lbs.. WOO HOO.. I am truly hoping I reach and surpass that goal this week.. I was so excited when I stepped on the scale and saw I was at 98lbs lost.. I really am not sure what I will do when I hit 100 lost.. once I hit that my next goals is to get below 300lbs for the first time in I DONT HAVE A CLUE WHEN.. ha ha.. But it is nice to know that day will be here sooner then later.. I just wanted to share some exciting things My hubby and I have been up to since surgery. We have become annual pass holders to all the Disney parks and Water parks.. We spend EVERY weekend living life up to its fullest.. Usually a day at the beach or a water park or a theme park.. Typically we try to involve water because it is soooooo hot in Florida ha ha.. We also went tubing down the Rainbow River.. Floating for 5 hours was a bit long, but it was so beautiful.. We snorkeled and saw many beautiful things it was pretty awesome and I look forward to going back. We are both in school and our college offers a scuba certification so we have decided to become scuba certified with some friends this fall so we can go down to the Caribbean next summer. I can tell you this is just amazing to me because it is the first time i have had a tan in like 10 years.. before this surgery I would have spent my weekends probably on my butt at a family members house.. and not that I don't love spending time with my family, but I LOVE being this active and so I keep making all my family join me when possible.. which benefits us all.. We are all being active and all being happy which relieves stress and adds years to your life.. It is fantastic.. Well thanks for listening to me babble.. I just wanted to share to great things and hope to hear some others from my fellow pumpkins :party: take care and best wishes..

Joe, welcome to the forum.. First I wanna say all insurances are different.. I would recommend contacting BCBS for your specific policy and just ask them if they cover weight-loss surgery of any type and if so what are the guidelines for getting it..they will tell you what the requirements are set for by your employers plan.. As for your second question I am unsure. i would recommend finding a surgeon and asking that question.. they should be able to let you know for sure.. best wishes on your journey..

so I have read the blog.. and i have a few comments..Just a question?? Have you told your Doctor that you are choking on your on saliva after a fill?? because you should have ZERO problems drinking after a fill. If you are it means your band is to tight and you could be causing damage by allowing it to stay that tight.. I have had 5 fills and never once i have I choked on water or anything I drink for that matter.. My doctor puts you on a liquid diet for the day of this feel. this is strictly so your body can recover from the actual tightening of the band. and the second day he moves you to soft foods for 24 hours again to help you heal.. and finally on the 3rd day you can begin eating normal foods again. once filled you should be able to consume 1 full cup of food 3 times a day.. If you are unable to do all of this with ease I would SERIOUSLY considered speaking with your doctor about what you are experiencing.. The band is by no means an easy out, but you should not be comfortable. Yes there are times you may take to big of a bite and it may get stuck, but typically that is a mistake we and bandsters make by not chewing our food well enough.. Remember SMALL SMALL bites and chew chew chew.. then when you think you have chewed enough chew some more.. this tool is an amazing thing. we are lucky to have gotten in. Make sure you treat it right so it can treat you right.. Good luck on your journey and please discuss the problems you are having with your doctor..

HEY EVERYONE... My birthday is July 20th and I would LOVE to see below 300 lbs by that day.. I seem to have hit a plateau and can't seem to beat it.. I walk 2 miles a day and use the elliptical about 20 minutes plus weights about 5 times a week. I make sure to eat only 1 cup of food per meal per my Dr. Orders and I am hovering at the same weight for like a month now.. It is really starting to get discouraging. Any time I try to talk to someone about it they say, but look you have lost 95 lbs so far you are doing great.. this I know, but WHY and for how long will it stop?? when I am working so hard it is annoying to accept what I have done so far.. it almost seems like the harder I work the less it falls off..I know my goal is not IMPOSSIBLE and I know I MIGHT not reach it, but it is just that a goal, a hope, and it would be an awesome birthday present to myself.. SO, if anyone has any hints or clues please let me in on the secret ha ha .. anyway, I wish EVERYONE luck on their goals and birthday wishes.. Hopefully we will all succeed and reach them together.. Take care.. and hope to talk to you soon..

Congrats to both of you.. You are doing great.. I need a scale aholics meeting.. I love my scale but I hate it at the same time.. I do so good and then the fat girl in me craves something sweet and even thought it is just one cookie it feels like it comes on with a vengence and then i HATE my scale.. ha ha that is how I am feeling this morning.. Anyway, my non scale victories... My back no longer feels like it is going to split in two .. My feet are smaller... I have been able to shop in Lane Bryant, JCpenney, ect.. Instead of catherines... I handled 3 days in a row at Disney theme parks where before I would be complaining after about 3 hours that my feet hurt.. I climbed EVERY FREAKING step up to those Water slides.. I am not saying it was the easiest thing ever, but I DID IT.....and at the end I was not out of breath just felt a little weak in the knees ha ha I work out 1-2 times a day for at least a total of 45 min each time.. I feel guilty if I miss my work out where before I did not care.. I feel GREAT after I work out.. I enjoy sweating when I am working out.. My husband and I can get closer... I love to go outside and be with my family on new adventures.. I still have a very long way to go, but I remind myself EVERYDAY I have come this far. I am only 7 months out and sustained a weight loss of 95lbs which I know is A LOT, but when the scale stops it gets very discouraging exspecially when you are working out and working out.. HOWEVER, I just keep reminding myself 175lbs left to go ha ha.. I WILL DO IT... I WILL BE HEALTHY... So far these are just a few of my non scale victories.. I love them, but I love the scale victories too ha ha. I am serious there needs to be a scale aholics group ha ha Best wishes everyone

I gotta tell ya.. my son is 7 and I know that is someone older, but I told him the honest truth and keep telling him the honest truth and I let him know how hard I work every day to loose every pound.. because even though we have a band we still work hard to loose all our weight. I don't ever want my son to be in the position I am so I make sure he understands how important it is to keep active and eat right. I also make sure he understand their is NOTHING wrong with people who are over weight and he understand it is 100% not appropriate to make fun or ridicule someone for being different.. I just say as parents who were probably lied to as children we owe it to our children to be honest to them. We are not doing anything that could harm our children or shame them.. we are only improving our lifestyle and health and they should be proud and supportive of it.. best wishes

PSJ thanks.. it has been worth it.. i love my band.. JAFFA... I dont agree with you comment that all people only do what they do for the money.. GOSH I hope not because that means the guy who opens up your chest to do bypass surgery on you later in life could care less if you live or die because either way he is getting paid for that surgery...You have an odd view of things.. I am sure yes people do go into jobs because ultimately we all need to make money to survive on this planet, but there are doctors and nurse and lawyers and others who generally love what they do and want to make a difference in this world and in peoples lives... I think maybe you need a check on humanity and just learn to find something good and something ordinary.. My best wishes to your future life I truly hope you can find a better view of the world and the people in it.. Savannahsmommie.. dont give up hope.. there are doctors out there who truly do care and want the best for their patients... Make sure you have one and DO NOT just rush out and get gastric bypass or the sleeve just because that is what the DR you work for does.. Get what you feel comfortable with what you are ok with because as PSJ said you are the one who has to live with this decision. YOu have to be ok with it.. and about the only thing Jaffa said I agree with is you wont be able to hide the band forever.. when you do have restriction it is likely that you will get stuck once and people even without the band will know something is not right.. You will make the right decision.. do what is in your heart ...you have to feel comfortable with this..

I think you are overly concerned with what he thinks.. He is your employer not your family.. You are not required to answer to him on personal health decisions.. he sounds like a very conflicted surgeon. he believes a women should not get a tummy tuck or breast augmentation to feel comfortable in her skin as you put it, but it is ok to re route someone bodies organs... He sounds ODD... I think you need to involve your family more and him less... best wishes to you

I guess I just dont understand why a WLS would tell a person not to have WLS???? that makes no sense in agreement with PSJ that is how he is making a living.. If he does not agree with it please let me know his name I want to make sure to tell everyone I know to steer clear of that surgeon as obviously he is in the business for strictly money and not because he has any ability to care or believe his patients have a new chance at a healthier life..I honestly would not even be able to work for a person who seems to have little to no moral values... I believe lap band has given me a chance to live my life longer and healthier.. It is not a fix all.. it requires a lot of dedication on your part.. some people get the wrong idea about lapband and believe it is just an easy way out... but it is not.. I have had my band for a little over 6 months and have lost 88lbs. and I have worked my butt of to loose those pounds.. we did not become heavy for no reason at .. and just like with out the band there are ways with it to not loose weight and even potentially gain weight..basically you are dieting and exercising just like you would with out the band the only difference here is you have something to help control your hunger.. I love my band and I love my surgeon because when I did not believe I could do this he reminded me WHY I DID .. and he reminded me that I TOO COULD loose weight.. and I am doing it 1 lbs at a time as are many many of folks out there.. so best wishes to you and I hope you will be up front and honest with everyone you encounter.. this journey is nothing to be ashamed of ONLY PROUD.. because we all earn every new breath we are blessed to take :cool2: