Woodys

Karla: exercise was key to fast and successful weight loss for me.....and keeping on top of my fills. As soon as I noticed that I could consume more than usual I marched right back to the clinic for another .5 or 1 cc fill....this kept me losing on a regular basis. And yes, everything is different. I feel like a very different person....in a very positive way. I haven't planned anything to "reward" myself. LOL.....all along the way I set mini goals for myself and rewarded myself for each one reached.....now, its just kinda old hat and not so exciting....LOL However, I have learned one thing.....it totally defeats the purpose of everything we are doing and everything we are learning about adapting to a new healthier lifestyle.....so, I refuse to reward myself with food. My biggest reward is my size 8 jeans......and having my husband compliment on how great my ass looks in them. Carol

I was told too that I would lose only 60% of my excess weight......however....I lost it all and in one year reached my goal. The band certainly did 75% of the work but I did the rest. If you focus more on losing 100% of your excess weight rather than on what someone else's expectations are, then for sure you can do it. Good luck. Carol

Don't worry Yenken, you'll get there! And yes, I did lose it quick. I lost a significant amount 2 weeks pre-op and 2 months post-op. The last 25 lbs were tough but I was determined. Carol

Not unusual at all, I've had 7 fills.....all for the same reason. Carol

For me the worst came after I lost all the weight. I have almost reached goal and am enjoying the compliments and comments. I am short, have long blond/grey hair and now pretty tiny. Last month I was wearing a baret and I have to admit that from the rear with the hat and the long hair I may have looked like a little girl but believe me, from the front (at 55) I look my age. This person said to me......"Now I get it....you lost all that weight just to look 16 again.....do you really think that is such a good idea at your age?".....I couldn't believe my ears. I spouted back " I lost the weight to save my life......No matter how you think I look now, it sure is better than looking fat and sick". When I should have been enjoying my weight loss and the compliments I became very self conscious again and hacked my hair off....now its a mess, and I loved my long hair. I still can't believe that I allowed her to affect me in that way. Carol

I have nothing to compare food bills to because we own a restaurant and usually ate leftovers....but, I am saving a tremendous amount on fast food and alcohol. Carol

There are a lot of members posting on this board....someone is bound to disagree with you.....stand up to them. Carol

LOL.....LOL.....LOL....LOL.....Wheetsin....your response was so funny. I didn't worry about no panties because my inner thighs had such huge rolls that it didn't matter how far apart I spread them there was no way anyone would have been able to sneak a peek of my hootchie for the rolls of fat in the way. :embarassed: Carol

Poodles.....ditch the caftan idea. Why not try a uniform place for the hospitality or restaurant industry...they sell serving tunics and cobbler aprons...very suitable and much more flattering than a caftan. http://www.bauniforms.com/restaurant_uniforms.html Good luck, Carol

How silly! Like Argon said.....most of us experience a problem with gas in the beginning but it passes....pardon the pun. Go to the seminar and get info from the professionals.....don't listen to people who don't know any better. Carol

So happy that you made the decision to be banded. I don't know what criteria your doctor has used to measure the % of successful bandsters. I can tell you this though....I was an ice cream eater, creamed Soup eater, milk shake drinker and so far.....since early June of 2006 I have lost 89% of my excess weight and still going strong. I still have a few to go to goal and they seem to be tougher than the first 85....but I'm satisfied that, even though its taking time, the scale is still moving in the downward direction. Good luck....you will be a success. Carol

If change of image doesn't start with the front line people such as advertisers, then how will the perception of beauty ever change? If the advertisers persist and show the rest of the world that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, methods, areas, whatever.....then maybe we would have a chance to change this perception for the youngsters. Carol

I am 55 and went through this with a breeze. I wish I could have done this sooner but I will be 56 in Sept and if I had to do it all over again I would in a heartbeat. Outside of marrying my husband, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I do not feel my age, I feel like a kid again....it has opened up a whole new world for me. Carol

I am 55 and went through this with a breeze. I wish I had done it sooner but wasn't aware that it even existed until I saw a tv commercial. I had explored gastric bypass a few years ago but the wait and expense was so overwhelming....too expensive at the time and too long of a wait that it seemed hopeless so I abandoned the idea all together. I will be 56 in Sept and if I had to do this all over again I would in a heartbeat....outside of marrying my husband it is the best thing has ever happened to me. Carol

I am very private about my band. Only two friends and 3 family members know. I wish I had never told my MIL. I am a self payer and she has a real problem justifying the expense for something she thinks I should have been able to handle myself.....she won't let it end. The others are respectful with my wish to keep it private and they support me well. I own two businesses and live in a small village. Everyone in this town knows enough about me, I don't want them knowing this too. Even though I'm very proud of my accomplishments with the band and have no regrets I still don't want the world to know and If I told just one wrong person in this village that is exactly what would happen. Carol

I'd like to be 5 lbs closer to my ultimate goal by the end of Feb.....anxious to get the last few off once and for all. Carol

I have heard this comment several times and just don't understand it......I am 5' and pre band I weighed over 218...but many people told me that I carried (or hid) the weight very well...????? So, for me.....I didn't start receiving comments or compliments until I had lost at least 20 lbs....now, over 83 lbs lost a lot of people don't recognize me who haven't seen me in 6 months. Carol

I paid $16,000 Canadian, this covers all pre and post-op. Don't regret one single cent of it and would not hesitate to make this decision again if I had to. Carol

Most days I'm averaging 1,000 to 1,200 per day but my band is fickle...so some days I can only consume 600 to 800......and NO, I'm not losing my hair, and YES, I have lots of energy to run two businesses and work out 6 times per week. I do the best to eat high density low calorie...which gives me adequate nutrition and keeps me feeling full and on a steady moderately low losing phase. Carol

I own a small lady's fitness centre based on the Curves concept, not one of their franchises but it is based on the 30 minute circuit. There are two differences with mine vs Curves.....the equipment is heavier and sturdier.....and unlike Curves policy, I have other equipment such as a treadmill, exercycle, ab-roller, gazelle, etc. How unfortunate that those who have tried Curves or a similar gym got bored and did not experience results. Your workout is only as good as what YOU put into it. My members are constantly learning new moves for the steppers and jogging boards to shake up their routine and they get quite aerobic. The owners and managers should also be implementing strategies to shake up your routine as well....every Wednesday I make the members do the circuit in the opposite direction.....this really makes them think of what they are to do next. Every month I rotate the equipment moving them to different spots so that the circuit isn't always the same. Two days / week they work out to a 40 second cue CD instead of the 30 second one....this really makes a difference in the intensity of their workout. Also, I watch them...if I see that they aren't giving the workout the best I know they can then I remind them of that and workout right along side them and instruct them to keep up with me....the faster you go, the harder and more intense the workout. I have lost a few members because of the "excuse" of boredom.....for the most part I saw these individuals only going through the motions and expecting my so called "miracle" machines to turn them into Marilyn Monroe overnight with not much effort from them....it doesn't work that way. I have about 15 members who are under 30....I have a mix of CD's that satisfy everyone's taste and make sure that my 5 bay CD exchanger has a variety that shuffles all day long so that sooner or later you will hear a few tunes that you will enjoy working out to. I also have a small TV that overlooks the entire circuit...no sound so it doesn't compete with the stereo and cue CD but it constantly plays workout videos that shows the members new moves that they can be doing on the joggers and steppers....this really helps. I have members of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels. The majority of my members have proven results and enjoy their experience at my gym....these are the ones with drive, imagination, and who give their workout everything they got with no expectations of a machine or trainer doing it for them. Carol

I eat a lot of sushi, have never had a problem with it. We usually order more sashimi than sushi but the rice doesn't bother me. Sometimes if the Nori is tough and I can't break it down I hesitate to swallow it because I worry about it getting stuck...but so far so good. Carol

I stayed at the Howard Johnson's on Avenue Road just north of Yorkville, it is very close. I have stayed there several nights since....its a little bit "rough" but I have always been comfortable and the price is right....between $80 & 120 depending on what discount you might be eligible for. I'm 55 and qualify for their senior rate...they also have the CARP, AARP, and CAA rates as well. Carol

Yep Green,I was there on the 7th. I always wear black, probably had on black jeans and a black v-neck sweater with a shirt underneath....long blond hair and only 5' tall.....I remember have a chat with a good looking tall guy who had just had a beer and was on his way for another. Carol

Green.....I think I met your husband in the waiting room at TLBC. I'm pretty sure, during a fill appointment. I remember a husband waiting for his wife, came back twice from drinking beer to see if it was time to visit his wife yet.....LOL. What was the date of surgery? Carol

I have always been great at losing with little effort....have done it twice, almost 100 lbs once. But, gradually it all came back and then some so.....I agree.....don't put too much credit on the here and now, lets see what happens in a few years. The main reason I chose the band was to help me keep the weight off once it was gone. Carol