amylovescookies

So I did it!!! When I was banded my doctor said the average person losses between 40-50 pounds. I thought that was fantastic! I was 255 pounds and the thought of loosing 50 pounds was amazing. But it after I got the surgery I decided that I wanted to go all the way. I wanted to lose everything. It's been 9 1/2 years and I am 103 pounds!! I went from a size 22 to a size 0, from a 2x to a XXS. I went from, 'Sorry nothing fits you in this store because you're too big.' to 'Sorry nothing fits you in this store because you're too small.' I went from 52% body fat to 13% body fat. Am I happy? It took me a long time to be happy to be honest. I fought happiness every step of the way. I thought that I didn't deserve to be successful and thin. I stil had a mental image of my former self so it was a challenge accepting the new image in the mirror. It took a long time but I have accepted myself as I am now. I'm no longer afraid of being thin. (I was very afraid of becoming thin when I started this process. I used my fat to protect myself from the world. I felt safe being overweight- not happy, but safe.) But today I am very safe, because I am strong and accomplished! I realize now I worked hard for this outcome. For the the record I lost the weight walking every day, portion sizes, cutting out bread and sugar That's it, that's all. I have maintained the weight all this time doing the same things: I eat small meals and snacks often, and I drink tons of water. I never skip exercising either. I get up everyday at 5:30 and hit the road. It's not complicated, it just takes dedication. I didn't post this sooner because I have been waiting to see if this was just a fluke. Was I going to go back to my old ways in a few years? Plus for the past couple of years the feedback that I have received hasn't always been positive. Most people tell me to eat more instead of congratulations. Some people think that I have an eating disorder and they say really nasty things to me. But I figure those are the people that said nasty things about me when I was bigger; it's just that they said it behind my back instead of to my face. When you go from the biggest personin the room to the smallest person in the room things can get a little weird for other people, sometimes they flip out. I was the fat friend and the fat family member. I made people feel better about themselves. 'Oh, at least I'm not as bad off as Amy. Whew!' Where is their touch point now? But now I feel strong enough to post because damn it I worked really hard to accomplish my goal. I keep working hard to maintain it. I'm the one who passes up on the cake, cookies, and ice cream. I am the one who is up at the crack of dawn to exercise. I deserve to be proud of my accomplishments now. I did it! Yes, I reached my goal and more importantly I have been maintaining it for years. I did what I first thought was impossible. If you've done it too, then great job! If you're reading this for inspiration then please know this: I fell on my face so many times. I cheated and sabotaged myself but I always kept on trying. I never gave up. It was not easy. I used every support tool there was to get this done. I just kept being honest with myself and I kept going. I found the easiest thing to do for me and then just stuck with it. I also leaned a lot on my husband and daughter. Use everything you have to to get this done. You are worth it!

My daily eating plan! Thats easy, because it hardly varies. Mocha made with skim milk, half sweet, no whip. 16 oz. (I have sugar in the chocolate but a very tiny amount.) I have my own high end Espresso machine so I can make my drinks everyday. I haven't had a solid food in the morning since I was banded. Strawberries and blueberries for morning snack A few pieces of watermelon if I'm hungry A low calorie frozen dinner for lunch- 300 calories or less. (I only have this meal because it's small and fast. If I didn't have this everyday I probably would skip lunch often and that wouldn't be good either.) A handful of goldfish crackers for afternoon snack- I'm craving something crunchy and salty. An hour later a small apple I eat whatever the family has for dinner. However, we only eat chicken as our protein. I haven't eaten a steak in almost 10 years. I eat cheese like it's disappearing the next day. (I weigh a lot less if it wasn't for my cheese addiction. I put that stuff on everything.) We eat: tacos, fajitas, (no shells for me.) spaghetti, tons of casseroles, chilli, stir fry, roast chicken and in the summer tons of chicken barbecue. My portions at dinner are a little larger because my band has opened up slightly. Dinners are never ever diet foods but they are never 'junk' foods either. I try not to night eat. I drink peppermint tea with skim milk and Splenda instead. But if I'm dying of hunger I usually eat chicken. It's not a comfort food I get no pleasure from it. It just gets the job done. I find that if I'm really warm in the summer I make strong Crystal Lite and add fine crushed ice to make a homemade slurpee. It's really fun to drink, takes care of your sweet tooth, cools you off, and fills your tummy. I rarely eat out. I can't control what's in the food plus it's really expensive, plus they never give you enough cheese! I NEVER go to a fast food restaurant. That's non-negotiable. I will go to a supermarket for whole foods before I will go to a fast food restaurant. I haven't had pizza or a cheeseburger in years. Not because I'm on a diet but because they are not band friendly foods. That's why bread is off the menu as well. My band is old and I have to baby it. I'm not loosing it because I wanted a cheeseburger. Note: I choose not to eat sugar but I will have it sometimes. I never deny myself of anything. It turns out that when you give up sugar most things that have huge amounts of sugar in them taste bad. Very bad. I drink crystal lite and eat fruit instead. okay so I fall down on my veggies. My husband does cook some every night but it's not enough if I'm being honest. I find vegetables too fiberous for my band. I take chewable vitamins and I know that that isn't enough but I'm trying. That's why I eat a lot of fruit. im not perfect but I'm good for me. I am not on a diet whatsoever that's why I can do this long term. I'm also never hungry because if I am hungry I eat. I always eat what makes me happy- except the stupid chicken at night. I hope this helps!

Here are my pictures: (You can see my lap band port in my 'after pictures'. I love my port belly!

Have you ever noticed that most of us in our 'before pictures' look so sad? Or is it tired? I can't tell...In our 'after photos' we look more full of life, and vitality. The lapband and my hard work gave me my life back. I feel sexier, I can walk through small places, oh and I can move through the movie isles without having to apologize to other patrons because I banged into them with my girth. That is a really good feeling. I like the little things. I like to rest my head on my husband's shoulder when he hugs me. Those things are the sucesses. Hey I have other news as well...I am gearing up to get my tummy tuck after my weight loss. I write a blog called ‘I really want a cookie’ (I wonder how I got so large in the first place?) I like to blog. I was thinking that I would join the masses and blog about my tummy tuck on youtube. With the help of my family and friends we are going to do our best to make a ‘blog-umentary’ that captures a lot more than what you normally find on youtube currently. I want to give people a true look at the whole experience from the lead up, the beginning, the middle, and the follow-up. I want to leave no stone unturned. As it stands now I am three weeks away from my consultation; I have posted my introduction video. If you want to check it out here is the link to my video, and make sure you subscribe to me, so you can catch all of my future videos! http://www.youtube.com/user/acdane I am so proud of my success that I am ready for the next chapter...well really it's the final chapter in this forever battle with my effort to LOSE weight. From now on it will be about acceptance, loving myself, and maintaining. I have already been able to do it for a year and half...it's been an easy lifestyle change, and very worth it. That right there is my true success. (LOVING MYSELF:wub:)

Hi Guys, We did it. we lost the weight, and now its time to get a tummy tuck. If you are getting a tummy tuck, or considering getting a tummy tuck please PM me. I'm not trying to sell you anything. I just have some stellar information for you.

36 hours to go, and I'm going insane. I'm still v-logging on youtube, and blogging on my blog, but as the moment I have really lost my mind, and it's really starting to show. This is like winning the lottery. I mean I'm finally going to be free of my belly flab. I want to again say thank you. I'm all emotional...

I have taken a lot of preop pics. There is no way I'm forgetting what this belly looks like.

It's been 2.5 years since I had my lapband installed, and I can't be happier. The time has come to raise it to the next level. In three days I will no longer have a flabby belly, or muffin top. YAY! I'm posting my progress on youtube. Yes, I'm going for a full tummy tuck, muscle repair, and lipo on the flanks. So far I have 5 pre-op videos. This is going to be the ride of my life. I wish I would have done this with my lapband op. I couldn't have survived my lapband journey without this site, and all of your support. XXOOXX Cookielover

Bipolar here! The meds I take have made my weight loss slower but not impossible.

Keep working the program, make sure your not cutting your calories too much, and relax plateaus happen. (I stayed at 185 for six months.)

Awww...sweety...I'm giving you a great big hug right now. Give yourself a few moments to catch your breathe. Take it one step at a time. (I know its easy for me to say, and a very difficult thing for you to do.) When you stablize out from moving, changing doctors, and losing your father your weight loss will come back on track. (The worse thing you can do now is feel guilt.) Sending you love and prayers...

I met my husband when I was sixteen. I married him when I was 21. He is the only one I have ever been with. He has never strayed from me either. We spend every waking moment together, also he is crazy in love with me. (I feel the same way about him too!):frown:

Long time watcher- first time poster. I love BL. 1. I'm sick of the ad placements. 2. I admit it; I love the drama, however I am not a Melissa fan. I believed the producers rigged the challenge to give her an edge. 3. I can't wait for the day that Michael is voted off. Did you hear how he welcomed Victoria to the campus last night? "I want to be the first one to welcome to welcome you MY team." Yeah I guess it is your show Michael; after all you did stack the teams.

I was banded in October of 2007. Lost 30 pounds out of the gate. Went to a size 16. Still a size 16. Sometimes a 14. Total weight loss 83 pounds. I carry all of my weight in my tummy. Hence why I can't change sizes 'belly apron'. But that's nothing plastic surgery cant handle!

I have this friend- I don't know how much longer I will have her, because she has so many health issues that are related to her weight. She can't walk now because she is too heavy, and it puts too much of a strain on her. It scares me. My friend is amazed with the results that I have achieved with my band. We have sat down many times and talked about the possibility of her getting one too. She refuses because she believes that she won't be able to stay away from food, she doesn't want to get 'stuck', and she doesn't want her diet restricted even more than it is now. (She's a diabetic.) ...even as I write this I'm pulling out my hair! In the end she isn't going to get a lapband instead she has opted for a casket. She said so herself. If you get a lapband what will you fail? Are you afraid that you won't get 'thin', or your life won't be saved? Because I'm betting that the lapband is going to save your life no matter what. As far as thin goes...I have no idea. Keep your eyes on whats most important. Everything else falls into place:lol:

First of all let me say congratulations from going from morbidly obese to just overweight. Some people would die for that opportunity. This site has so many benefits and it's the perfect place for lapbanders to go when we need information, and support. Having said that sometimes this site motivates me, or it can bring me down because I find myself comparing my successes to other people. Losing weight even with a lapband isn't a race. You will go through highs and lows. Some days we will be motivated and some days we won't be as much. My advice is lose the weight pound by pound, and Celebrate your success past, present, and future.

:tt1: I named my band Bob

Welcome to your new life. Enjoy your new band, and body. (Oh, and most important- enjoy buying new clothes!!!)

I know EXACTLY what you are going throught at this very moment. I have the band, and I love it- wouldn't change a thing. However I'm now in line for a tummy tuck and I am scared.:smile2: I totally want the flat stomach- but the recovery is a different story. Oh my goodness- I hate pain. As for your 110 weight loss goal; I wouldn't think of it in such a large number. Instead lose the weight in small thoughts. Don't stress. I think that if you go through with the LAP-BAND® you will be very glad you did. Let's do this together. I have a feeling that neither one of us will have regrets. (But make sure you have your head on right- this is a life changing decision.) :eek: I put my tummy tuck adventure on youtube so I wouldnt chicken out. Feel free to follow me.:tt1: Good luck. I'm rooting for you:thumbup: I'll be here for you if you need me!!!

I gurgle too. When I gurgle it sounds like I have an alien living in my stomach. I love it, because it freaks out people out. (I'm fun at parties.)

This is your recovery time. Don't worry about losing weight. It's not uncommon for people to gain weight during recovery. Don't stress. The first thing my doctor told me was: Don't compare your weight loss to anyone else. Everyone goes at their own speed. Good luck you will be just fine- I promise.:tt1:

My doctor told me he has to do band removals from time to time. What? Who would remove their band??? He told me that some people don't get the results that they were hoping for, and the band is too restrictive for their dietary needs. Personally for me, the doctor is going to have to drag me kicking and screaming on to the operating table to remove my band. But don't feel bad about your choice, there are other options that may work better for you.

This site is so crazy...I used to be known as COOKIELOVER, but I forgot my password, and my email account, so now I'm Amylovescookies. I wrote this entry the day before my surgery, and I thought you might like it. I might help you get though this transformation, as it did me. "I was lying in bed with my husband today and it occured to me that I would be breaking up with my lover tomorrow...my lover being food! Sure we can still be friends, as I will eat differently: smaller portions and paying more attention to what I am eating. But there is no more passionate eating! No more careless late night romps with ice cream! No more eat now and think later episodes. I will not be able to hide behind my fearless fork and spoon for comfort. I have had to admit that this relationship has been dangerous and harmful, and we should have broken it off sooner. But in all honesty he is so sweet at times and spicy at other times. He was always there when I needed him, and he always gave me what I thought I needed. It really wasn't FOODS fault it was my own. I am the one who took the relationship too far-I am the one who got into bed with FOOD. To be honest we should have just been friends from the start; I think I would have been happier that way. So at mid-night tonight I will tell FOOD that we can just be friends; no longer lovers...I know that FOOD will totally understand, but it will be me that will have the problem. I will have to fight the urge to call (or as some call it "drunk dial"...or we might call it "visiting the fridge"). I will have to stick to my resolution to stay strong and know that it was not a healthly relationship. When FOOD passes me on the street in such forms as chocolate, Cookies, tacos, cheese burgers, and hot wings I will have to resist the temption to run back into the arms of FOOD. I will just wave and say, "hello" as I drink my Protein shake. "I am sorry that we have to break up FOOD, I think it is better for me that we just stay friends..."

I name everything! I never thought of naming my band. OMG now I'm going to spend the rest of the night thinking of a name. Shoot.