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Congratulations! This is a wonderful success story. I am less than 15 lbs away from goal and I too feel very good! I hope to be at goal by my bandiversary in Nov. Thanks for sharing!

Congratulations! You are definitely an inspiration:)

Thanks for sharing...I pray that the worst is behind you and the best is yet to come!

4 holes and 1 port incision

My TOM is miserable too....you're not alone!

I never heard of the three minute expectation, but I am going to try it. Thanks for sharing!

About a week ago, I was convinced I needed an unfil too. On this forum somewhere, someone was talking about dehydration...and how it can make the band tighter. To make a long story short, I realized that I was concentrating so much on not drinking 30 minutes before or 45 minutes after that I wasn't drinking anything at all. Prior to my band, I am pretty sure that I only drank while eating. Anyway, I have made a concerted effort to drink more Water and juice and consequently I can eat more and I haven't had nearly as many episodes as I was experiencing. Please discuss what you're experiencing with your doctor, but while you're waiting for an appointment, increase your liquid intake and see if it helps. It helped me.

Initially, I only told my husband and his parents because I needed their support immediately after the surgery. My husband understood my struggle and although he didn't agree at first...after attending the seminar, he supported my decision. Because my eating changed, there have been a lot of awkward moments at work. I have been questioned, "Why aren't you eating more?" and I have had to leave suddenly to make a dash to restroom when I made the wrong choice --- eating too much or too fast. I have never lied about it. When anyone asks me privately, I am very open about the surgery. I have told several people in private. When someone asks me in public (in front of a lot of people), I just respond that I had to take drastic measures and it's been a long journey. Another lady in my office had the lapband and she was very open from the beginning. In some respects, I wish I had been as open.

August 1, 2009 Then(Now) = Amt. Lost Chest 40.5(36) = 4.5 inches :biggrin: Waist 41(30.5) = 10.5 inches :thumbup: WOW Hips 47.5(41.5) = 6 inches :eek: Arm 14 (12.5) = 1.5 inches :thumbup: Thigh 28(23.5) = 4.5 inches :thumbup: Total inches lost = 27 inches:thumbup: Weight 213(169) = 44 lbs:thumbup: Starting size 16/18 (XL) Current Size 8/10 (M) I am so excited about my progress. The journey has been rough and there were times when I was disappointed, but I definitely am thankful for the life that the lapband has helped me to attain. I feel good about my physical self again. I can dress with confidence. At this point, I know I have to reevaluate my goal. I want to be able to wear size 8's. I have no desire to be smaller; however, I haven't been smaller in a very long time, so I don't know how I would look at a smaller size. I guess I will take it 10 lbs. at a time. I will evaluate how I look at 160 lbs. and then 155 lbs.

August 1, 2009 Then(Now) = Amt. Lost Chest 40.5(36) = 4.5 inches :sneaky: Waist 41(30.5) = 10.5 inches :thumbup: WOW Hips 47.5(41.5) = 6 inches :tt1: Arm 14 (12.5) = 1.5 inches Thigh 28(23.5) = 4.5 inches :thumbup: Total inches lost = 27 inches:thumbup: Weight 213(169) = 44 lbs:thumbup: Starting size 16/18 (XL) Current Size 8/10 (M) I am so excited about my progress. The journey has been rough and there were times when I was disappointed, but I definitely am thankful for the life that the lapband has helped me to attain. I feel good about my physical self again. I can dress with confidence. At this point, I know I have to reevaluate my goal. I want to be able to wear size 8's. I have no desire to be smaller; however, I haven't been smaller in a very long time, so I don't know how I would look at a smaller size. I guess I will take it 10 lbs. at a time. I will evaluate how I look at 160 lbs. and then 155 lbs.

August 1, 2009 169 July 1st Aug. 1st 175 lbs. 169 lbs. -6 lbs.:biggrin: Chest - 36.5" 36" -1" Waist - 31" 30.5" -.5" Hips - 42" 41.5" -.5" Arms - 12.5" 12.5" 0 Thigh - 24" 23.5" -.5"

August 1, 2009 169 July 1st Aug. 1st 175 lbs. 169 lbs. -6 lbs.:sneaky: Chest - 36.5" 36" -1" Waist - 31" 30.5" -.5" Hips - 42" 41.5" -.5" Arms - 12.5" 12.5" 0 Thigh - 24" 23.5" -.5"

It's different for everyone, but you know it when you have it. I hope you find your happy spot soon because I know from experience that it's frustrating.

This has been an informative thread.

This has happened to me too. People whom I thought were my friends are now giving me "jealous/hater" looks. Also, I am not used to the male attention...they actually insist on opening doors for me. It's amazing. People would be surprised to know that when I look in the mirror, I see the same overweight person.

July 27, 2009 171.6 Yesterday evening, I played Volleyball and this morning at 5:30 a.m., I went walking 2.6 miles. I am striving to get 10,000 steps per day. I have also been drinking more liquids. This has helped me in two ways. First and foremost, I read on the forum that dehydration may cause the band to be tighter than usual, so I have increased my water intake and this has enabled me to eat more. In addition, increasing my water intake has helped me to break the plateau. I definitely can see the results of my weight loss. I can wear my "old" clothes and I feel much better. The compliments have been extraordinary. I am constantly getting positive feedback everywhere I go, so either I looked very bad before or I look much better now.

July 27, 2009 171.6 Yesterday evening, I played Volleyball and this morning at 5:30 a.m., I went walking 2.6 miles. I am striving to get 10,000 steps per day. I have also been drinking more liquids. This has helped me in two ways. First and foremost, I read on the forum that dehydration may cause the band to be tighter than usual, so I have increased my water intake and this has enabled me to eat more. In addition, increasing my water intake has helped me to break the plateau. I definitely can see the results of my weight loss. I can wear my "old" clothes and I feel much better. The compliments have been extraordinary. I am constantly getting positive feedback everywhere I go, so either I looked very bad before or I look much better now.

My friend also has this question. Thanks for posting.

Congratulations on your weight loss...KUTGW:)

I am definitely tighter during my TOM. I actually lose weight every month during that time. It's the weirdest thing...

The band has helped me to live my best life...let me count the ways: 1. I can shop in the misses session of department stores. 2. I don't have to shop at Lane Bryant. 3. I can wear all of my clothes that are in my closet. 4. My five year old daughter doesn't make comments that unintentionally hurt my feelings, "Mommy can't fit in my bathtub" is an example. 5. My thighs don't rub together when I walk or run. 6. I am not having trouble breathing (shouldn't this be number 1?) 7. I am more confident when speaking in front of staff. 8. I am more confident when presenting ideas to colleagues. 9. I don't have to make excuses or jokes about my weight issues. 10. I believe my husband when he says that I look good:)

I weigh several times per day. I don't know why, but it keeps me focused. In the past, when I avoided the scale it was because "I couldn't handle the truth" and face the reality of my situation. Weighing everyday keeps me accountable and focused.

I totally understand. I refer to my band as bipolar because it's moody without warning.

I love my band and hated being overweight! I can now live my best life.

July 24, 2009 172 lbs. I was excited this morning when I stepped on the scale and it read an even 172 lbs. I increased my exercise by getting in my 10,000 steps with steps, treadmill, and walking more. In addition, I have been drinking the protein water. I am excited that I am getting closer to my goal. I don't think I want to get all the way down to 150 lbs. Currently, I am 172 and wear sizes 8 and 10's. I really just want to be a fit size 8. I think 155 - 160 lbs. will allow that comfort, so I am less than 20 lbs away from my goal. It's a slow journey, but a worthwhile one. I struggled at the beginning and wondered what had I done, but I am very glad I did it.