rachnett

So i was banded 8/21/09. Up until 5/3/10 (so not quite 9 months) i had lost 57 lbs. I've gone from a size 20 jean to a 14. From a 2x or 3x t-shirt to an off the rack xl (you have no idea how thrilled i am with that!). I have no idea how many fills i've had, i know i had one slight de-fill in DEC. but i pretty much was just going in every three to four weeks. i had my last fill 2/17/10 and between 2/17 and 5/3 i lost about 6lbs. Admittedly i was kind of tired of all of it and just wanted a break. I didn't want to be poked with a gigantic needle. i didn't want to sit in the doctor's office forever (he's always running behind but on the flip side he always gives you the time you need). I was tired of analyzing everything that went into my mouth and feeling guilty about not exercising. i was tired of never having anything that fit without having to spend money (I've been buying new clothes all along because i can't stand ill fitting clothes. chock that up to ocd, lol). Thankfully during this time i did still drop a few lbs. i never gained. Which i credit to the lifestyle changes that the band has forced me to make. And i was pleased to know that i could at least maintain at this point. So i finally decided i needed to kick it back into gear and i scheduled a fill for 5/4. Since Tuesday I've steadily dropped from 220 to 214 (6 lbs in 5 days!). my diet has been very soft and mushy. Lots of fat free re-fried Beans and cheese to get my Protein in (i totally enjoyed about a half a cup of hamburger/spaghetti sauce and mozzarella all baked together at my mom's (everyone else at lasagna, i reduced it to that)). But i have to say i am NOT hungry. I actually have to make sure i eat a little something before i leave the house because i know i will need something and i absolutely can not eat anywhere other than home right now. I know my limits (they make themselves very apparent) as I'm very tight in the morning. I've not actually vomited but i get the slimmy-ies when i take too big of a bite/don't chew well enough/eat something i shouldn't. You know the point where i can not swallow my own saliva for a few minutes. (although as i was in the bathroom at work Friday, leaning over the toilet, getting rid of the excess saliva, I was noticing how nice and thin my legs look, which made me giggle!) Gotta love negative reinforcement though!!! anyway my question is, is this it? I'm i finally at my "sweet spot"? i keep thinking it's going to loosen up like it normally does but it doesn't seem to be. and i must say I'm feeling great and feeling really accomplished! So far today everything is the same. I don't know if this has just renewed my good attitude but i'm also finding it easier to get out of the house and get some exercise! maybe all my moons have just finally aligned!

i can not remember the last time i bought a loaf of bread. i wasn't a big bun eater before surgery so i don't miss bread in that form at all. and it's true you lose your taste for bread/pasta. i do not do pasta. the other day i thought oh maybe i'll try a little. it's not that it went badly it just tastes so HEAVY. there is no enjoyment in it. that's the only way i can explain it. and i can do potatoes i just don't very often. i'm all about the meat!!!!

if my weight loss stopped right now it would still be worth it. after every fill i feel like i have to re learn what and how i can eat. and yeah i've gotten stuck and yeah that is horrible. but it's enough to remind me next time what not to do (negative reinforcement). i never gave gastric bypass a thought. i knew what i needed was a tool to help me learn to eat correctly. i don't ever deprive myself and i don't have to. if i need a little bowl of ice cream i have that. but never in excess and i always keep it in my daily calorie count. that helps to keep me sane and i am continuing to lose, slowly but surely. the band is the best thing that i've done for myself!

every morning. after going to the bathroom and before getting in the shower. i'm big on consistency!!

I've been thinking about doing something about the vertical grooves between my eyebrows. When i squint they are more pronounced but now it seems like they never relax and are pretty noticeable. i have yet to make an appointment. What was the cost? and did you go to your dermatologist or a plastic surgeon?

i'm going out tonight to find a ring snuggie! You guys are the greatest. I've been so disappointed that i've not been able to wear my bands and i won't re size them for at least another 6 months. i've gone from a ring size 10 to an 8 1/2 at the moment. and i'm about 3 weeks away from my 6 month mark. 50 lbs lost officially as of this morning!

my doctor did my first fill 3 weeks after surgery and then he said to come back in a month. but i felt like i was really struggling so i called after a couple weeks and he had me come in for my 2nd fill. after that i went every two to three weeks for my next couple fills. i really like that his approach is so tailored my individual needs. he also does all his fills in his office. the other doctor in that same office, i've heard, does all of his fills in xray under fluoroscope and he does them 4 weeks apart. i would not want to drink barium every time i needed a fill, YUCK!

oh you are cracking me up!!! that is so something i will do when i get out of these 14's and into 12's. I can't wait!