Cindy C

108 pounds in 4 months? HOLY CRAP!!!! That is incredible! You are bound to plateau for a while. I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep yourself on track. If you feel yourself slipping just stand on the scale and look at the number or take a good long look at your before picture and then the mirror. That should be all the inspiration you need!!

Live dangerously....buy a 12!

Makes perfect sense to me too!

Obesity is a disease just like alcoholism or drug abuse. Unfortunately, you can't help someone until they're ready to help themselves. Go have your surgery and work your ass off (pun intended!). When she sees how successful you are she'll probably change her mind. By then, you'll be an old pro and will be able to help her be successful too.

Definitely a great NSV!

Critenton is an awesome hospital! You'll be in great hands! I had mine done at Port Huron. They are great there too. And thanks.

A few times a year isn't going to hurt you, just stay away from the carbonation. Life doesn't stop just because you are banded. In fact, done properly, it begins! I used to have such a high tolerance for alcohol. My father was a construction worker and my step-father was a sailor. They were both alcoholics. There was a time when I could drink either one of them under the table. Now, with the minimal amount of food in my system at any given time, it doesn't take much for me to start feeling it.

I use Muscle Milk vanilla creme and mix it with chocolate carnation instant breakfast. I love it...tastes like a chocolate malt!

Just curious, why did you choose a doctor so far away?

It's a good feeling, isn't it? I went garage saling with my neighbor this weekend. She showed me a shirt she thought I would like. I looked at it and said it's a extra large. She said, it won't be too big, it's stretchy. As I set it back down I said "I don't care....I am NOT buying anything with an X on the label!"

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

Right now I'm right around 180 and a snug 12 at 5'9".

Onederland is a great place to be. Congrats!

3 1/2 weeks. Consultation was May 15. Surgery was June 10.

Coke is great for dissolving rust!

You're right about waist size. I was on the verge of all the same things you're concerned about. My waist was also 51" when I started this journey. Now it's about 34" and all my health issues are under control.

Solid in solid out! If you aren't eating anything then you aren't gonna go.

Get the junk food out of the house! Replace it with guilt free snacks. Cut up carrots, celery etc and have it in the fridge so it's available when you want it. I found some awesome chips recently. They're called Pop Chips. They're air popped potato chips and only have 5 calories each. I dip them is salsa which has virtually no calories. I can pig out on them til I'm stuffed and only consume 100 calories or so. Make rules for yourself that you can live with. One of mine is the kitchen is off limits if the TV is on. Another one is I can eat that but I have to eat it naked in front of the mirror! Try and find yourself a new obsession...one that doesn't have to do with food. Mine is my beloved Detroit Tigers. If they're playing, I'm watching. Therefore, the TV is on and I stay out of the kitchen.

Welcome and good luck. Where in Michigan are you having your surgery. Had mine at Port Huron Hospital and couldn't have asked for a better experience.

LOL!!!

My doctor's rule is NO CARBONATION~PERIOD!!! According to him, it has nothing to do with stretching the pouch. Unless you have something stuck, beverages go right through. The problem is...your stomach fills up with carbonated drinks and the bubbles pop which can cause the band to slip from the pressure. While, small amounts aren't likely to cause a problem, his thought process is this....Most of us in our obese days drank a crap ton of pop and telling us that it's ok in moderation most will start drinking more and more and eventually work our way back up to 3 or 4 2-liters a day.

Awesome Job. Keep up the good work!

My doctor suggested drinking them from the beginning.

You can make it ahead and put it in small containers in the freezer.

You need a slight unfill!