Cindy C

Gee.....and I was happy just being overweight (as opposed to being morbidly obese then obese)
Congrats! I hope to be there soon.

Congrats!! I am so happy for you and can't wait to be there with you!!

all I can say is congrats and please God give me her patience

Just like every morning for the last 3 1/2 years, I weighed myself when I got up. My little friend, Mr. scale, smiled up at me and said, "You weigh 169 pounds!" Really? 169?! I had to step off and try again. It had to have malfunctioned! Nope...169! That gives me a BMI within the normal range for the first time since...I don't know...potty training? It may sound stupid but I actually broke into tears! I've been fat my entire life. When I started this journey in 2008 I was a whopping 324 pounds with a BMI around 48. Look at me now! I've gone from a size 4X to a 10-12. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I don't even recognize the woman looking back at me. Is that really the same girl who could single-handedly bankrupt the all-you-can-eat joints? Anyway, I just wanted to share this with all of you, my LBT friends and let you know that if I can do this ANYONE can. If you're afraid of failure or frustrated over a plateau just persevere. Keep following the plan no matter how long it takes. Eventually the weight loss will come. I plateaued for almost 2 years only losing an average of 1 pound a month. Success is within your grasp...just reach out and grab it!

In the beginning I told EVERYBODY!!! Now that I've lost my weight I still don't keep it a secret. If someone asks I tell them. Sometimes I tell people that don't ask! I'm proud of my band and my success and I don't really care who knows or what they think about it. I had a young, skinny girl (21) criticize recently "Why couldn't you just do it without cheating?" (or something to that effect). My response was, "spoken like a true Barbie Doll!" The only time I don't mention it is when I date someone new. I've scared off a couple men. Not sure if it was because I can't pig out with them or if they're afraid I'll get fat again. Their loss, not mine!

Every single morning - no matter if i know it will be up or down - it's the thing that has always kept me accountable. Not weighing is what led me to get morbidly obese - the weight was out of sight out of mind. I know that the scale moves up sometimes through no fault of my own (i.e., Water weight at ovulation or time of month) but i still do it.

That's great. Congrats! I went shopping today and tried on a pair of size 12 jeans. Amazingly, they were slightly baggy so just for the heck of it I tried a 10. THEY FIT!!!!! I didn't really need them but you can bet your sweet *** I bought them!

Everyone know I had the surgery, and if anyone asks I gladly tell them. I am proud to be banded and losing weight.

a sexy man right about now would be a life saver

Sure, diet and exercise are easier. I've done it for years, and I've lost the same 20 pounds about a dozen times! Losing the weight is not the issue. It's keeping the weight off that is so hard. For me, banding was the end result of years of weight struggles, failing on every diet I ever tried, and realizing the clock was ticking. I'm not a young man, and how many more years of life would I have before chronic gross obesity finally killed me? Bandng was a fantastic option for me, and allowed me to finally get my weight under control. I will never look back, nor will I go back to being obese.
Now, nearly a year after surgery, I've lost 125 pounds. I have had ZERO reflux, slippage, vomiting, Hair loss, not enjoying alcohol, Water not going down, or pills not going down. I've been stuck a few times, and each time it was because I ate wrong. If I pay attention and eat as a bandster should, I do not get stuck, and I can eat anything I want. I've had seven fills, the last three of which were very small, to tweak my "green zone" so my band works properly. Fills are no worse than getting a shot. It's a non-issue. Constipation is related to what I'm eating, and how much Fiber I'm taking in. My digestion has slowed down because of my diet, but it's another non-issue. I take Fiber as part of my daily diet, and when it's time to visit the bathroom, there are no issues on that score. It's a small price to pay for being over a hundred pounds lighter.
The decision you need to make is how many more years (and times) are you going to "get serious about diet?" If you could do it that way, you wouldn't be obese now, right? My honest advice is that if you have any doubts of being able to "get serious about diet," then have the surgery. If it doesn't work for you, then have it removed, and go back to chronic dieting. You have nothing to lose but your excess weight, right?
Good luck!
Dave

I have also had this type of response from my dad, friends, and co-workers. Depending on the relationship I have with the person saying the comment is how I judge my response. Usually it goes something like this....I have lost hundreds, if not thousands of pounds in my lifetime. Losing weight is not the problem. Keeping it off after I lose it is. If you have never been morbidly obese, you could never began to understand what it is like. This is my decision. Your approval is not neccessary.
Good luck! It is only your journey to take. You decide how to take it.

You are not alone!! I have been a night eater for as long as I can remember. That was one of the main reasons as to why I couldn't lose weight in the first place. Once I had surgery about 3 1/2 months ago all of my cravings stopped because my body completely changed how it craved food. Well once I started eating "real foods" again, it was game over lol. I work second shift so Breakfast isn't until 11am lunch around 3pm and dinner, anywhere from 9-1am!!! I did this for quite awhile and realized I wasn't losing weight. After two weeks I decided it was time to switch it up. I started eating a Protein Bar for breakfast after the gym at 9am then I would snack all day long! Veggies, peanuts, a salad, etc. Then I would eat a decent dinner around 7:30 at work then when I get home from work at 11pm I will munch on chips and salsa. I started losing again thankfully. Just remember to eat small meals all day long to keep your metabolism up and you shouldn't crave as much at night! Good luck

Best gift you could give yourself! Congrats and good luck!

I have a new Thanksgiving tradition. Since I live on the Canadian border, every year I cross over and spend the day shopping! It's not a holiday there!!

If that were true, he wouldn't be promoting himself on Leno. He's trying to make a name for himself so all the obese people of the world will flock to him for help and he can become rich and famous!

You're going to want broth and all of the store bought ones are nasty. Since your surgery is still a week or so away make some now. Put a chicken (or beef if you prefer it) and some veggies and seasonings in the crock pot and cook the heck out of it. When its done, strain it and throw away the hunks. Freeze the broth in small containers so all you have to do is nuke it when you want it. I froze it in ice cube trays and then cracked them into a freezer bag so I could have as much or as little as I wanted. I also mixed my Protein powder with a pkg of Carnation Instant Breakfast. It has lots of Vitamins and makes the shakes taste a whole much better. I don't think I would have made it through the first week or so without Emetrol. It's cherry flavored anti nausea liquid. Works great. After a few days of liquid diet you will find that you have a horrible taste in your mouth and all the tooth brushing and mouthwash in the world won't touch it. Get something lemon flavored...lemon drops or lemonade. Minute Maid Light lemonade is really good and only has 5 or 10 calories per serving. They have it half gallons in the dairy or in 12 pks in the pop aisle. (It's non-carbonated.) Take your favorite pillow with you to the hospital. The ones they have are like cardboard...at least they were at my hospital.

The pb'ing episode probably caused some swelling. You need a slight unfill. Either get into the doctor right away or go on liquids until your appointment.

You Look Marvelous Darling!!!! Way to go!!:Dancing_furious:

Go Tigers!!

Unfortunately, negativity seems to be the theme of this site. People who are frustrated come here looking for answers and help. The vast majority of us are thrilled with our results but don't necessarily post the positives. Maybe we don't want to appear to be bragging or rubbing others noses in our success. You can't be afraid of failure. Follow your doctors instructions, use your common sense and set reasonable goals and you will more than likely reach them. If you want a positive story to help you not change your mind, here goes:

I struggled with my weight since I was about 3 years old. The day I graduated from high school (in 1978) I weighed 180 pounds. Not too bad for 5'9". I wore a 13. In the next few years I gained a little and was hovering around 205-210 by the time I married at 27. I became pregnant and ballooned to 280 the day my daughter was born. I got down to 217 when I discovered that I was preggers again. This time I was more careful and weighed 250 the day my son was born. This time the weight never came off. My marriage ended shortly after and the weight piled on from there. By the time by son graduated from high school I was 324 pounds and 48 years old. I had lapband surgery a week after his graduation. The weight fell off faster than I could have ever imagined. By my first bandiversary, I had lost 115 pounds. After that, the weight loss slowed down. I averaged about 1 pound a month for the next 2 years. This April I left my high stress job and, lo and behold, the weight loss sped up again. I have lost another 13 pounds since then for a grand total (so far) of 149 pounds. I currently weigh 175...5 pounds less than I did on my graduation day. I would like to lose another 13 which would bring me to 162 or 50% of what I was 3 years ago. If it happens, I'll be thrilled. If it doesn't, I'm still thrilled! I haven't felt healthier or more energetic....EVER!!!!

It's not an easy journey. In fact it's a very difficult one but is so worth it. You just have to persevere and not let the set backs get in your way. I know how I was before and I know how I am now. I honestly believe that if I can do this ANYBODY can. Good luck to you. You can do this!

OMG if the band can get in the way orally all I have to say is....

I WANNA MEET HIM!!!!!

OMG if the band can get in the way orally all I have to say is....

I WANNA MEET HIM!!!!!

I've been losing inches waaaay faster than pounds. It's strange! I'm down 3 pants sizes but only 20-22 lbs since surgery. Yes, it's frustrating to not see the numbers on the scale move... But at least the numbers on your tags are going down! Here's my logic- I don't walk around with a big 263 on my forehead telling the world how much I weigh. But they do see my ass in my jeans and they can tell that it's 3 sizes smaller! I'll take what I can get.
Just stick to what you're doing. It will show :-)

I havent started a lot of discussions on here but I had to share this one! I have been doing very well with this band so far. I was banded on August 8, so just a little over 8 weeks ago and I have lost 51 pounds so far(that includes my pre-op preparation), I have had so much more energy and feel so much better! I am playing volleyball on an adult league at the Y. I suck at it but I sure am having fun. I have been riding my bike usually about 10 miles a few days a week. I am simply enjoying life.

But heres the kicker! I went shopping with my 17 year old daughter (who has a perfect body btw) last weekend. I have been putting off buying clothes as long as I could since I still want to lose 60 more pounds but my clothes (even the smaller sizes that I have been saving for years) are getting too big for me to keep wearing. I decided i would buy a couple of outfits to keep me going till I lose more. When I went into the mall, of course I immediately went to the big girl stores that I always had to shop at. But guess what! Nothing would fit me there. I had to go to the stores that I have always dreamed of shopping at and shop on the NON-plus side of the store. Not only did I have a great time trying on clothes because they actually looked good, but my daughter had a blast. She was acting like Stacy and Clinton on "What not to wear". She kept bringing me trendy outfits to the dressing room saying "Try this on Mom! This is gonna look great on you! I was in heaven!

That really motivated me! Now the only problem is I am gonna go broke because for once, I love shopping! My daughter and I are going to the mall again today! lol!

When you are tempted to eat something you shouldnt or you just dont feel like going to the gym, think about moments like these. Which is better? The couple of minutes I would enjoy that piece of chocolate cake or that whole day that I am going to spend bonding with my daughter and enjoying some great time with her. We are going to Busch Gardens in a couple of weeks and I will ride every roller coaster with her without fear of emabarrassment for not fitting on the ride. We are also planning a trip to the mountains and are going to go ziplining and horseback riding and I dont have to worry about exceeding weight limits. My job requires me to stand in front of a lot of people facilitating training sessions and doing a lot of public speaking. Now I proudly move around the room as I speak instead of trying to find a podium or table to hide behind. Boy, life sure is different when you feel confident about the way you look and when you have the energy to get moving!

So People- Put down that popcorn or piece of cake and get off the couch and start living!!!!

OMG if the band can get in the way orally all I have to say is....

I WANNA MEET HIM!!!!!

I always order Soup when I go out with other people. I don't want to take the chance. My closest friends know what happens but I don't really give them all the gorey details, except for one friend who is also banded. We always know when it happens to each other. We've even gone into the bathroom together and held each others hair!