SpideyMom

I'm not getting my email alerts like I used to, so I'm sorry that my responses are delayed. Stajin22, I have the same feeling, when am I ever going to get good restriction? I have about 7 cc in a 10 cc band, and that makes me nervous. I don't have far to go! But, a couple of times I have come close, and when you do feel good restriction, it is great. It will come. Keep the faith! And just do what you can with your back. I understand physical limitations. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis and it is a daily struggle. The best exercise I have found is in the Water, but it is so hard for me to get motivated to go the rec center when there is 3 feet of snow outside! Hang in there! :smile: Sarah, yes I can relate! Does your arthritis hurt more when it is really cold outside? Mine does! And my fibro flares up like crazy, so all my muscles in my whole body are cramping up. I want to get a electric blanket, because I think it might act as an total body heating pad. And, I hear ya about those migraines. I also get migraines if I get too hungry. I found out that one of the most common triggers for migraines is low blood sugar! So, I too, end up snacking. I also need to get back on the exercise band wagon. I wish I was one of those people who enjoyed it. Well, the good thing is, we're all hanging in there and not throwing in the towel! :smile: And we have each other to commiserate with! :smile:

Sounds like most of us are experiencing the same thing. I stayed the same. I was supposed to get a fill this week, but then the Blizzard of 2010 hit, and I had to reschedule. I am supposed to get a fill on Tuesday. I'm anxious to get it because I am h-u-n-g-r-y and eating big amounts. And I'm tired of the seeing the same two pounds go up and down. LaDawn, congrats on two weeks of loss! I know that is a great feeling! And Lisa, good job on the 1.5! :smile: Good luck to all of us! :smile:

I agree, Mamadot, finding those brands that are a bit roomier is wonderful! I've found that Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gloria Vanderbilt are all a bit roomier. And, of course, like I said, Chicos.

LoriLeeAnne, congratulations on losing 8 lbs -- that's great! My doctor is very conservative about fills, also. I don't believe I've ever gotten more than .25 ccs at one time, except maybe my very first fill. Considering I've had to be unfilled twice, I think that's a good idea. Keep up the good work!

Hey, Sarah! Good to see you again. I'm having the same problem. I'm waiting for my fill next Tuesday. I can eat a LOT right now, plus I get really hungry between meals. *sigh* This is not easy! But, let's hang in there together!

Thanks, everyone!

Keep up the great work, everyone! You're all doing great, even if your weight is just staying still. :thumbup::bored:

I think you're right about the logging, Elaine. I just starting logging again this week and was surprised at how far off track I had gotten. It paid off with a 2.5 lb. loss this week!

Well, I took a new picture yesterday. This is 9 months after my first picture was taken. Sorry I couldn't crop it to the same size, but I think you get the idea. I'm down 95.5 lbs. here. I'm very happy!

Looks like we are on a roll so far! I am down 2.5 this week!

Here's a link to the bandtastic meal website: Bandtastic Meals They sound delicious! I'm thinking of ordering a half package to try them. I'm often in a hurry in the morning and don't know what to pack for lunch. I also don't get in enough veggies some days. If anyone has already tried them, let us know which ones are good. Thanks!

Congratulations! Glad you took that step! :thumbup::bored:

I know -- I love the giddy feeling!!! :smile2: I was a 22, and I should have saved a pair of those jeans to compare, but in a fit of closet cleaning, I gave everything away right before new year's. I buy most of my clothes at the thrift store still, because I don't want to spend a lot of money on things I'm outgrowing. (Plus, this thrift store has a lot of nice things -- many with the tags still on!) But, this thrift store won't let you try on things, so I am always guessing if something will fit. I have often bought something that I like, knowing that I will get to it eventually, and it is so exciting when that day comes! :tongue: One day I bought something in the thrift store that was from Chicos, which has different sizing. I had no idea what their sizing chart is, so I just eyeballed it and brought home these nice black slacks in a size 1. Well, turns out a Chicos size 1 is an 8! :w00t: They are snug around my hips (I'm a classic pear), but I was able to wear them to a party recently with a long sweater that covered up the tight spots. :tongue: I think I'll tell people now that I can fit into a size 1. LOL:wink:

Way to go, Jennifer! I gave up sugar and Diet Coke cold turkey back in May when I had my surgery. One day I accidentally had a sip of Diet Coke and it tasted awful! For me, I can't eat all the same things that "normal" people can. I've tried for years. That's what I did on Weight Watchers and it never worked. So, when I decided to get banded, I also decided I had to change the foods I ate. It's been tough! But, I'm also glad that I did it. Keep up the great work! You're doing an awesome job! :thumbup::thumbup:

I didn't gain any weight back with my first unfill, but with my second unfill (obviously didn't learn my lesson :thumbup:) I gained one pound. Don't worry about gaining. The more important thing is to worry about the inflammation going down and your stomach getting back to normal. Hope you're feeling better soon! :thumbup: That reflux is no fun.

You look awesome!! :thumbup:

Welcome to the Mayo Banditos, LaDawn! And congratulations on your awesome weight loss!!! :thumbup: I also have started noticing the wrinkles -- ack! :thumbup: No one told me about that. I sure hope the 18-month thing is true. Glad to have you with us. The Mayo Banditos are a great group of people! :scared2:

I totally agree, HG. I was thinking about it more this morning as I was walking in the freezing cold. Back when I was losing 10 lbs. a month, the PA didn't question my need for a fill when I said I was hungry all the time and eating more than I should be able to. Now that I've lost a bunch of weight, she's questioning me. Yet, my weight loss has slowed to nothing. She has said several times, maybe your body is just plateauing where it wants to be. Well, maybe, but that's not the issue here. :thumbup: The issue is, I'm hungry and I'm eating 2-3 cups of food at a meal and still hungry in between! Ugh. I'm definitely calling back on Monday to make an appointment for a fill. Thanks, everyone! :thumbup:

Jennifer, 7 lbs. in 2 weeks is awesome! :confused: I don't eat refined sugar or white carbs, so that's not it, but I probably could drink more Water. John, I couldn't agree with you more. My doc is cool, but to get in to see him, I have to go through the PA. This is the first time she has acted like this with me. I don't know what's up with her, but I will give her one week before I put my foot down and insist on seeing the surgeon. I haven't come this far to let them say that I've done "well enough." Heck, I'm still in the overweight category, despite all the weight loss. Thanks for listening, friends. You all are great support! :smile2:

I asked my PA yesterday what quantity my surgeon thinks I should be able to eat, and he said 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food. When I told my PA that I can regularly eat 2+ cups of food before getting full, and that maybe I need a fill, she replied, maybe you need to exercise more. Huh? What happened to the LapBand is supposed to be a tool to keep you from getting hungry and eating too much? That frustrated me. But, I agreed to up my exercise this week and get back to her again next week to see if it changed anything for me. *sigh* I'm so frustrated. The past two months have been nothing but up and down the same two pounds or so. And I'm *this* close to hitting the 100 lb. mark. :confused:

LOM, that is so awesome!!! :thumbup::tongue: I can't even imagine running nowadays, let alone a 1/2 marathon. I did run one back when I was in high school, and I remember it being sooo long. Ugh. So, kudos to you. You are an inspiration!! :biggrin:

You look great, Minx!! :biggrin: Keep up the excellent work!

Mamadot, skinny jeans? WOOOOOHOOO!!! :biggrin: Did you sleep in them?? :wink: That is awesome. My latest NSV is that I'm in a size 10, even though the scale isn't moving. :tongue: Yipee!

Ugh... how confusing and frustrating! Well, I'm going to take it for what it's worth and call it a 10 no matter what. I'm happy to be down from a 22 to a 10! Now, if I can just get this emotional eating back in check, I'll be good. HG, I tend to want yummy stuff when I feel sad or angry or stressed. That's what I meant. And lately, my life is on OVERLOAD with stress.:biggrin:

I'm also doing the little up, little down routine. I'm up a pound this week. It's really frustrating after losing quite steadily for the first 8 months. *sigh*