Mrs. Bubba

Well, I'm still on the same path, but handling it better. I've been on this site more the last few days looking for the encouragement I need... My husband has been so good about things, but he still doesn't get it. He's one of these guys who can eat anything and never look any different. He usually puts on a few pounds over the winter only to get very skinny in the summer.. He eats non-stop some days... comes in at a whopping 168... God, I wish.... Anyway.. I'm trying some things to get myself on track and I did schedule my 4th fill for next Tuesday.. I'm a bit nervous about that, but we'll see how it goes... I'll be smarter this time than the last, so hopefully no problems.. Thanks for all the encouragement.. I know we all can do this.. But it takes more time than we want it to take.. I keep thinking that if I lost 10 pounds a month that by next year I'll be at my goal.... WOW... what a thought... and I'm sure it's an urealistic one, but I can't help myself... Julie

Apples2, I'm from a small town 36 miles north of Bismarck...Washburn.. It's a nice little community and my husband and I have a very good life here. I'm a retired accountant and business owner. Most recently I owned and operated a fitness center!!!! It's a long story and I'll share it one day... Anyway, my husband is retired, too.. We do daycare for our little 22 month old granddaughter 5 days a week... We love that... Right now we are really hoping the stock market comes around before we run out of money!!!! Being retired is easy to get used to!!!! Don't care to go back to regular work ever again.. I see a lot of you gals have already lost to your goal or at least 100 + pounds.. How long did it take you to do that??? My first 78 went pretty fast, but I can see that I am slowing down and it depresses me even though I know this is normal... I do need more exercise, but it's hard here when we can't get outside yet... We don't have inches of snow, we have "feet"!!!! It ain't going away any time soon!!!!!! I need to find some way to get out of the funk I'm in and get moving again... Thanks for listening.. You all seem so easy to talk to.. Julie

Sharon, I'm kind of where you are right now.. I'm stuck at my current weight and haven't moved in days.. I'm craving things I shouldn't eat, and then scouring the cupboards for something I can... But that's not good either if you do too much... I don't really have any candy in the house, but if I did I'd be in trouble..... Janet, I read everything you said to her and I know that is the right thing.. I don't do much sugar free... I feel all the aspartame and splenda are as bad for you as the sugar.. I try to limit my sugar intake to very little and my sf intake as well.. I do use Crystal Light for my drinking... I hate drinking Water, but try to get some in... The other helps me get what I need... Anyway, it's very hard to stop yourself when you get on an eating track... I've had my calories for the day and it's only 4:20 pm!!!! what do I do the rest of the day/!! Suffer I guess.... Of course I'll probably have to have something... Hopefully my husband won't be in a big snacking mood tonight.. That never helps me....

Janet, I totally empathize with your feelings about responsibilty in your family... We must be going through similar things.. I have 3 brothers, but seem to be almost totally responsible for my mother and for keeping the peace between all of them.. We have issues over a Trust that my father made before his passing.. I get so tired of being the go-between.... I'm working on a plan to try to heal things right now.. We have a "farm" to make decisions about.. Not fun... Anyway, I told someone once that I was so stressed out from all this that the fact that I haven't gained weight and have actually lost 78 pounds is a freaking miracle..... I'm an emotional eater since the age of 5........ So, hang in.... it has to get better, right??!!!! Julie

Hi there, I, too, notice that some foods are more difficult than others. I seem to be able to do beef of any type, but chicken is a problem.. Especially if I just do a breast on the George Foreman grill... We made Kung Pau chicken the other night and the pieces were cut small before cooking and then cooked in a sauce.. It was good and it went down fine... Haven't had much pork other than occassional ham.. That is one time yes and another time no.... don't really understand this restriction thing. It changes all the time... I'm tighter in the mornings and feel little hunger at all until after 10:00.... like about now.. But then I eat now and am ready to eat again by noon... I'm still trying to figure this out and it's six months tomorrow for me.. I believe I need a fill and have one scheduled for Tuesday next..... I'm a bit fearful after a bad experience a month ago... But we must push on.... Take care everyone... Julie

My opinion is that you are not too young.... I wish I could have had a band when I was 29 instead of spending the last 27 years being fat and miserable most of the time... Go for it and get healthy so you can live your life instead of watching it pass you by.... Best of luck...... Julie

Hello to all......... Is there room for me here? I see a good portion of the posters here are in my age group... You seem to all know each other so well.... I'm 56 years old and hail from the North where the snow is deep and the weather still very cold. Exercise is not my strong suit, but I try.. Water aerobics is what I'm doing now. After not being able to even hardly walk 6 months ago, I'm feeling good about doing this.. It's enjoyable and good for me at the same time... I'm having some issues with food right now.. I've lost 78 pounds in about 6 months.. I know that's pretty good, but I'm feeling a bit shakey right now and worried I'll fail and go backwards.. My restriction isn't good. More in the mornings than later in the day.. My last fill was a tough one and am a bit "fill-shy" right now.. May get one next week.. I have 7 cc's in my 14 cc band... Don't know why I seem to have the blahs these last few days... something needs to give... maybe talking to all of you will help.. Hope you have time for me.. Looking forward to getting to know you.. Thanks........... Julie

Hey WBTA, thanks for giving us a little insight on you.. You have made a great decision for yourself. Although I'm 20 years older than you and my weight has been from a different culprit, I do understand what you are feeling. I'm six months out and still have days that I need support from my new friends here.. I'm sure you are going to do fine and I'm hoping I can be a good source of help to you along with all the other fine folks who are on this site... Just give a holler if you need us... You can even send me a personal e-mail if you like. I'll be happy to help you through this uncertain time.. but you'll be doing so well before long you'll be amazed. Keep the faith.... Julie

I have no belly button!!!!! In 2004 after a major weight loss, I had to have a panniculectomy to remove a very large roll of fat that hung down from my stomach. It was really causing serious back problems for me... It was wonderful to have that horrible thing removed.... I gained some weight back after that and where I am now, but not having that roll was so wonderful that I never even missed the naval.... At 56 years old, I never plan to wear a 2 piece swimsuit anyway. The only person who is confused is my little granndaughter, who keeps looking for Gramma's button!!!!! Cheer up, dear, I think this will all work out for you.. It is very unfortunate, and I really understand why you are crying, but try to remember all the good stuff.... Look what you went through to get to this point.... A little old belly button can't stop you now!!!!! Best wishes for a speedy recovery........ Julie

Hey there Wannabethinagain.... Tell us a little about yourself.. We are glad you're here and will be as much support as we can.. It helps to know who we are talking to.... Best wishes for your surgery...

It also usually doesn't start right away after surgery... It's usually at 3-4 months out that it starts to happen.. "They" say that by the time you start to notice it your body has already started to fix it... Thank goodness I have lots of hair and have no worries about going bald... This has happened to me before after a major surgery and it stopped after a while and came back strong again... I wouldn't worry too much... Just make sure to eat healthy and you'll be fine.... Julie

Hey, thanks all..... I'm glad to hear all your positive comments. I know in my head that this is silly and I am proud of what I have accomplished so far, but................. I can't even blame PMS or any such thing.. It's just me..... I've been waiting all of my life to be normal.... I've been fat since I was 5 years old... The only times I haven't been fat I almost died from some sort of complication... It's quite a head thing to get around all of this.. Glad to have all of you to bounce things off of occassionally... Thanks very much... Onward and downward..... Julie

I was banded on 8-21-08 and have done quite well...78 pounds gone..forever, I hope!!! BUT the last few days have been hard..... I can't really describe how I feel, but it isn't good.... My husband and I had a special event on Sunday and I saw myself in some pictures... It was upsetting... I had lulled myself into thinking I was doing so great and looking better, but when I saw those pictures I realized I'm still very fat.... I think it was just a serious slap in the face that this is a long walk and I'm just getting started... I would like to magically be at my goal, like next week!!! I know that is unrealistic, but it's where my emotions are right now... I've been eating too much the last couple of days and right now I'm over full and feel miserable. Anyone else encounter these blues along the road??? Please tell me this is only a phase that will pass........ I've had three fills, but still no real restriction and after the last one that was very difficult to get, I'm afraid to go in for another fill.... It took 10 days to get over the last one... Sorry to sound like a downer, but I'd love to hear from any who have some good advice... Thanks........ Julie

From Dec 2003 to Feb 2005, my husband and my son were both in Iraq at the same time. I wasn't banded and I was just at a huge loss about how I would handle this as I am an emotional/bored eater, too... I made a decision to take this deployment time to wage my own war on my weight problem... Things went very well for me and I lost a bunch of weight.... My war was successful.... I lost the battle, though, after they came home again and I got back in my comfortable eating zone.. Wish I had been banded then, maybe I wouldn't have gained most of the weight back and I'd be way closer to my goal than I am now.... ANYWAY, my point is that you can use this deployment in one of two ways....negatively, by eating and gaining and hurting yourself and your soldier in the process, or positively, by working your band and being a big success so your soldier will be amazed when she gets home again at what a brave person her mother is...... I vote that you choose the positive way!!!!! I'm so glad to have my soldiers home and out of harm's way.. I pray for all soldiers everyday and wish you all the best... Julie

IMB315...I'm curious what amount of weight loss you accomplished and are you at goal and have kept it off for any period of time..???? I would love to be in your position, but I think I understand what you mean.... I can relate a bit with the difference between now and the time right after my surgery... It's very different... All the hubbub is over...all the wondering and hoping... and now there is the every day to day workings of losing the weight one pound at a time.. One can feel a little let down I think.... I'm guessing that a lot of the previous responses were right.... you need to find something else to spend your time on.. I'm hoping that for me that will be doing so many of the things I could never do at 350+ pounds.... I'm not there yet, but I'm headed that way and I think about it... Just today I looked at a bike seat to replace the skinny little thing that is on the bike my husband bought me a couple years ago.. I need a little better "understanding" to ride my bike yet, but I'm looking forward to spring so I can try it out..... Think about those kinds of things............ and try on lots of skinny clothes.... I'm looking forward to that, too.... Congratulations on getting skinny.... It's a dream that the rest of us are patiently (or rather unpatiently) waiting for... You'll find something that is right for you... Best of luck.... Julie

My goodness, we have a lot of horse lovers out there!!!!! It used to be one of my wishes, but I think I'm getting too old now.. I might fall off and break something that won't mend anymore!! So....... Go dancing with my husband and dance all night. Never again stop to study a room to find the best place for me to sit without getting in someone else's way. Go biking with my granddaughter.....

Congratulations............. That is a marvelous job... I share your ideas about the journey.. I'm coming up on 80 pounds and hope for 100 by Easter (or therabouts).... I don't count calories or go low-fat or sugar free... I want only healthy foods in my body.. I eat what I want when I want, but have made mostly good decisions so far. If I get off track, it seems to help to go back to basics.. I do the liquids for a couple days and then slowly add in proteins. It seems to be doing the trick.. So the old theory of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" works for me.. If it ever breaks I'll work on a new plan... Thanks for sharing and best of luck on the rest of your journey... Julie

I'm so sorry for your incredible loss.. I can't imagine your pain and despair..... At a funeral for a set of twins who were born to my uncle and aunt, a priest said something I will never forget.. He said that the two little boys had the perfect life. They were born, they were loved, and they died and are now in God's hands. That was incredibly comforting to me.... My wish is that it brings you just a smidgeon....... God bless you and your family as you try to move forward from this very sad time.. You are in my prayers... Julie

I, too, think drinking all that water isn't as necessary as they try to make you think.. I've had more than one major weight loss in my life and I never was able to get all that water down... I definitely try to get what I can down, but I don't force it. We do get liquids from so many sources that adds up in that total, but not all doctors will concede to that theory. I do think that drinking something when I'm in that "gotta have it" frame of mind will help me get past it without eating something I don't really want or need. I try to use my liquids as another tool in my arsenal in this war againt the fat!!! I agree that if it works, don't change it!!! Take care. Julie

I mostly hate to exercise...but I think that's because I've never really been able to do it.. I started at 387 and couldn't hardly walk anymore without stopping to rest.. So, this is a slow process. Now at 313, I know I can do a little more, so I walk on my treadmill and have started water aerobics.. I love the water and I can move constantly for an hour in the water doing things I couldn't do for an hour on dry land!!!! It's great and fun, too..... I'm from North Dakota and this year we are definitly snow covered....80 inches on the ground..... So no outside activities for me.. Just trying to get to the car and back without falling on the ice is a challenge... But when the snow leaves us, I'm looking forward to walking and riding bike with my husband and granddaughter. These will be new experiences for me and I'm hoping my body will handle it well... Good luck to all.... I know how hard it is to do things when your heart isn't in it... It will get easier as we go, I'm sure.... Julie

Hey, don't feel like the Lone Ranger!!!! I'm a few months behind you, but am having the same thing, especially today.. It's why I logged in now... I've had a piece of french toast with butter and syrup and a piece of chocolate cake and a few almonds today... That's it..... the almonds I eat regularly for a protein snack, but the rest is waaaaaaayyy out of my norm..... I don't eat bread at all these days.... sweets once in a while I have a bite or two...... So what's the deal???? I do think it's stress and a little boredom on my part... My mother had a very big surgery on Wed and lots going on with that... now she's home and things are winding down and I am just hanging out today.. Just finished cleaning my bathroom to have something to do... the cake is gone(thank goodness) so maybe the day won't be a complete disaster, but I still carry the guilt now.. Not a good thing... BUT.........it isn't the end of the world either.. I have been losing well and getting good reports from my medical people, so I'm going to count my blessings and move forward.. I'll bet you can do that, too... Yoy've done so very well and this little bump won't stop you... Good work and keep the faith.... your band wagon is still moving and you're still on it!!!! Your band friend, Julie

Dear Workingsahm, Unfortunately, your perceptions are correct as far as I can tell... Those people who know me, personally and professionally, treat me like a person and not like a blob... But strangers who gawk and point or make snide remards are all around.. I don't ever remember doing that to another human being, but have had it done to me inumberable times.... I've learned to shake it off... Interestingly, after a major weight loss I can feel those things stopping... I have never really paid attention to just what stage things start to change, but they do.. I'm now in the "accepted" stage again and glad of it..... but not for them... I could give a ____!!!!! I'm glad for me because I don't have to think about that anymore... I can just be myself... I can feel normal... That's a good thing to be normal after being abnormal so many years.. I've a long ways to go yet, but I'm so thankful for the good changes... So, you're in good company here, and we'll be thankful not to be one of those unsensitive people out there.. I pity them..... Best of luck to you on your journey!!!! Julie (Yup, I'm one, too)

I was banded on 8-21-08 and didn't get my first fill until October. I was losing well and my head was in the right place. I also found out that I had 3cc's put in at the time of surgery. That could be a factor for you, too... No matter what, if you are losing and you are feeling "good".....mind and body....... don't worry....be happy!!!!! Congrats......... Julie

In my opinion, a little sugar (in moderation) is a whole lot better for you than all that aspartame or splenda will ever be.... I DO NOT do any "sugar or fat free" foods, except a little Cystal Light... I'm not going through all of this to get fit and healthy only to give my body up to those questionable substances.. It might mean it will take a little longer to get to my goal, but I'm fine with that.... I'm doing great so far with 76 pounds gone in 5 months... I'm not changing things unless they quit working.. I think the most important thing here is to find out what works for you and keep doing it... Good luck on your journey.... Julie

I weigh myself most every day.. I miss occassionally. I like to do this in the morning, after a BM, naked, and after I feel the puffiness leaving my body. I always retain fluids overnight.. I test my rings.. If I can't get them off, then I don't weigh!!! I know that sounds weird...but I think of my scale as my friend. It tells me what I need to know.... I do try very hard to not let what it says upset me if it isn't favorable.. I try to remember that we weigh different at different times.. with clothes, with constipation, with a cold... But not knowing or waiting a week or more would drive me nuts.. Just make it your friend and let it be a tool just like the band is... Julie