NewMechelle

Each year I start off New Years Eve with a list of goals that I hope to achieve with in the year. Some of them are met, some are not, some get "partially" met. This year will be different. I have been banded for 7 months. I have 40 pounds to reach my goal. I had truely wanted to be there by the time I hit my one year bandiversary however I am learning with each month that this is not a race or a contest. The goal should be my health. I have lost an average of 10 pounds a month untill December then I found myself upset on the 28th when I realized I had only lost about 4 pounds this month. Most years in the past I would have gained like crazy. How in the world can I be upset? So I am off of most of my bloodpressure medications. I feel better than I have in years, I have lost about four pant sizes, I can breath again. Life is good. So what if i dont reach my goal by May 28th? Will life end? Realistically if I continue to do well, I am healthier all the time and working towards my goals is THAT urgent to get there by a certain day? I believe it is good to have a goal to shoot for but it seems when we put so much pressure on ourselves that failure becomes overwhelming. I am so blessed to have this band. I am 200% better off than I was last year and cant wait to see what the future holds. Watch out 2010, here I come....God bless each of you lap band family. Here we come new year.

I had my surgery on May 28th 2009.It was one of the smartest things I have ever done in my life. I wish I had done it sooner. I was also private pay. We too are not rich by any means. My husband took money out of his 401k so that I could have the surgery. I felt guilty and was so afraid it woulld not be a success and then all that money would be for nothing. I have lost an average of ten pounds a month except for December. The holidays were a little rough but except for that I have lost 64 pounds. I feel better than I have in years. I would do it again in a minute. It is sooo worth it. Good luck and God bless.

I havent blogged for a while but I read every day to see how others are doing. The last few days have been rough. I was banded may 28th. Bye Thanksgiving I had lost 63 pounds and felt like I was doing pretty good. I have gained and lost 3.5 pounds since Thanksgiving several times. This morning I weighed 197. I try not to compare myself to others but I read earlier about some one who had been banded a week before me who is down 90 plus pounds already. It makes me feel like I am really not doing well. I can say the food temptations have been awful I have not "pigged out" but i have not been great either. There are m and m's and candies, fudge and cake every where at work this time of year and it is hard to pass it up every time. I just want the rest of this weight off. I havent been drinking my protien either. I just hate to take in the extra calories even though I know it is important. I just want this weight off! I have already had four fills. am up to 8 cc's in my 14 cc band I think. I should be pretty tight but it still takes more than I would like to make me full. It makes it harder to push the food away. Just feeling sad and a little defeated. Hope every one is well. God bless.:confused:

I havent blogged for a while but I read every day to see how others are doing. The last few days have been rough. I was banded may 28th. Bye Thanksgiving I had lost 63 pounds and felt like I was doing pretty good. I have gained and lost 3.5 pounds since Thanksgiving several times. This morning I weighed 197. I try not to compare myself to others but I read earlier about some one who had been banded a week before me who is down 90 plus pounds already. It makes me feel like I am really not doing well. I can say the food temptations have been awful I have not "pigged out" but i have not been great either. There are m and m's and candies, fudge and cake every where at work this time of year and it is hard to pass it up every time. I just want the rest of this weight off. I havent been drinking my protien either. I just hate to take in the extra calories even though I know it is important. I just want this weight off! I have already had four fills. am up to 8 cc's in my 14 cc band I think. I should be pretty tight but it still takes more than I would like to make me full. It makes it harder to push the food away. Just feeling sad and a little defeated. Hope every one is well. God bless.

Congratulations on one of the best decision you will ever make in your life. I have been banded for 6 months. Men generally lose quicker that women but I am down 62 pound. About 40 to go. I saw my general practioner today and she said "oh my gosh you look like a rock star, you look amazing" I know my clothes are falling off but I still see myself as the fat girl. I feel wonderful though. I can breathe again. I am just over all so much better I wish I had done this years ago. I still enjoy almost all of my favorite foods. Once you get passed the liquid and mushies stage, there may be some foods that dont work well with your band, every one is different. I cant eat bread, rice and salads any more. I still eat out. I eat pretty much what I want only in tiny amounts (compared to what I ate before) I cant finish an entire appetizer most of the time. I usually take the meal home if I order one. If i get a meal at a restaraunt, it ussually makes 2-3 meals for me. Dont expect it to happen over night. The fills is what gets you to that point. Dont be upset when you first get banded and you are still starving all the time. It will change in time. I have had c-sections, and gallbladder removal. My lap band was the easiest of my surgeries. You feel like you have had the hardest work out in your life (sore abdomonal muscles) but if you take your meds and ask for an abdominal binder to give yousupport it will help alot. Also gas x strips. They are your friend. The gas is so bad after surgery you cant tell if you are absolutely starving or if it is gas. Use the gas x. You will be glad you did. Some days are rough but over all you will be so thankful for the new life this provides. Just remember:absolutely nothing tastes as good as skinny will feel. Good luck and God bless.

I was 258 when I started my journey six months ago. It was very hard at first. I too said to myself "hello if i could NOT eat, i wouldnt need a band!" I am down 63 pounds and feel better than I have in many many years. I am only 5'3 and now am 195. You have the advantage of starting out much lighter. I was also private pay. It is hard no doubt. Not a magic bullit but it is worth every bit of it I promise. Tell yourself. No matter how hungry you are, nothing tastes as good as skinny will feel. Drink as much as you can it really helps. Good luck and God bless.

Sounds like you are doing awesome. I am just now six months banded and am so thankful for this opportunity to live again not just exist. I am down 63, got about 40 to go. Good luck and God bless. keep up the good work.

Congrats. We have to celebrate the little victories as we go along. I was so happy yesterday to be able to cross my legs like a real lady should. My daughter thought that was too funny. Good luck and God bless.

I don't know why some doctors are so leary of fills while others like mine are much more aggressive. I just had my forth fill last Thursday. I have 8cc's in my band now. I am not sure (too early to tell) but I believe this may be my sweet spot. I had a dinner at church this weekend and after eating a half of cup of food or so I was very full and wanted no more. I am private pay which means my fills are free for a year. Do you pay for yours each time you go? makes you wonder if the docs are bleeding some people by giving them a half cc every time they go. I would definately ask. Good luck and God bless.

As I look back at the year, I realize just how blessed I have been.For my parents who have always been loving and supportive, my husband who is my rock and made a withdrawl out of his 401k so that I may have a second chance at life(lap band surgery) My beautiful healthy children, for a home a job and most importantly to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who made all of this possible. I know without him I would have nothing and be nothing. On the 28th I will have my band for six months. This morning I am 199. Though not skinny by any stretch of the imagination, I thought I would never ever see the ONEDERLAND again. Now I vow to never be in the two hundreds again. Not just because of the way I felt but for my health. My bloodpressure meds have been cut in half. I feel better than I have in years, I had a fill last week of just one half a cc but I am now up to 8cc's in a 14 cc band. This weekend after just a few bites of my favorite foods, I was satisfied. I LOVE THIS BAND!! I love my new life. I have lost 59 pounds. Thanks to my new friends here in this support group, Thanks to my family for their love and support and thank you God for loving me enough to send your son.God bless all and Happy Thanksgiving. Mechelle:smile:

As I look back at the year, I realize just how blessed I have been.For my parents who have always been loving and supportive, my husband who is my rock and made a withdrawl out of his 401k so that I may have a second chance at life(lap band surgery) My beautiful healthy children, for a home a job and most importantly to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who made all of this possible. I know without him I would have nothing and be nothing. On the 28th I will have my band for six months. This morning I am 199. Though not skinny by any stretch of the imagination, I thought I would never ever see the ONEDERLAND again. Now I vow to never be in the two hundreds again. Not just because of the way I felt but for my health. My bloodpressure meds have been cut in half. I feel better than I have in years, I had a fill last week of just one half a cc but I am now up to 8cc's in a 14 cc band. This weekend after just a few bites of my favorite foods, I was satisfied. I LOVE THIS BAND!! I love my new life. I have lost 59 pounds. Thanks to my new friends here in this support group, Thanks to my family for their love and support and thank you God for loving me enough to send your son.God bless all and Happy Thanksgiving. Mechelle:smile:

That is incredible!!!! I want to be there with you SOOOOO bad. Still at 201 cursed scale. lol. You look great Hope I will be right behind you girl.Mechelle

Dont feel alone. Food is the one thing we can all count on whenver we are lonely or down and most of us have used food like some people use a drug. That is what got us all in this shape to begin with. There are days that are very hard. Some worse than others. Overall I just feel blessed. Blessed to have this second chance to straighten out my life, to be healther etc. NOTHING I MEAN NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY WILL FEEL. Knowing there are many many others with the same struggles you have does help. This websight is awesome and comforting. I have been banded for almost six months. I cant believe how fast it has gone. I wouldnt trade it for nothing and am so glad I had it done. Good luck and God bless. Mechelle

Thanks girl I always appreciate your feed back. You will be happy to know I am drinking a protien shake as i type. YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!lol. I know it will help. I havent had one in weeks. Cant be helping my hungr to not get them in. We can do this. I wish you lived closer, I would drag you to the park to walk with me tonight. lol Thanks again.

I had heard horror stories and was scared to death. For me it was nothing. My doc did my fill under the flueroscopy and he literally was in and out before I felt a thing. He said a good doc will go thru the incision site because the nerves are already severed there. I did not feel a thing. I got home and had a migraine from how stressed out I got. I took a pill and got stuck for the first time. I freaked out. It would not go up or down. DO NOT try and "wash"things down. If you are stuck you cant wash it down. The liquid makes it worse. Do whatever your doc tells you to do. Some do 24 hour liquid only some do a week to two (mine does) of liquids only before you start on mushies again. It is not bad at all I promise. I about had a stroke for nothing. lol God bless and good luck.

lol that is supposed to say STICKTOITNESS I AM REALLY HAVING A BAD DAY.

I need some of your "ticktoitness" I am not doing well today. Not sure why. I have not really struggled like this yet (I will be banded six months the 28th of November) I am hungry, depressed and mad at myself. I have had three reeces cups and a bag of Dorittos (the little bag you get in a maching) I dont know what is wrong with me. This is the first time since my surgery I have a screw it attitude. I gotta stop and quick. Holidays are around the corner and to add I am still at 201. GOTTA GET UNDER THAT! Good luck with your goals. I am just hoping I can behave the rest of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck. You will be so glad you did this. I am almost 6 months post op and wouldnt change it for nothing. I feel so blessed every day for a new chance at life. Yes there are days that you think "what the heck did I do?" BUt honestly over all it is awesome. God bless and good luck.

You crack me up. It has to be water.I can honestly vary 3-5 pounds each day. I know this because I am the unofficial VP of SWA. lol Any way next week will be better. You inspire us all. Hey I am 201 this morning. SUCH A TEASE THAT SCALE IS..................... have a great weekend Mechelle

I am starting to fear something is wrong. When I first had my surgery, I religiously took prevacid each day as my doctor told me I would need to for at least a year. I did so for about two months. It is SOOOO expensive. Even with insurance, it was almost $90. SO I decided to skip it. Maybe not forever but there was just not an extra $100 laying around for this medicine all the time. Any way I also take daily meds for headaches. I have for years. Some over the counter excedrin migraine tylenon, some prescription 800 ibuprofen, Some narcotics etc. Dont get me wrong I am not a crack head but I take something daily. Now out of the blue the last few days, my stomach is absolutely killing me. It burns and hurts so bad. I am scared to death I may have an ulcer or something now. Bad part is I dont have the money or time to take off work to have tests done. I have an appointment with my surgeon in a few weeks for my bi-monthly check up. I am wondering if i get a small fill if he would be able to see any problems (he does it under the flueroscopic machine I think they call it.) I have started taking prilosec OTC in the mean time and hope I have not waited to late. To boot I am under alot of stress personal and work related, the holidays divorcing parents (after 45 years of marriage just insane) on and on. My weight is the same. I am bouncing back and forth from 202 to 203. Have been there several weeks and not moved. How long does it take for an ulcer to develop? I have seen on this site numerous people who have problems and had to have their bands removed. I would die absolutely die. I was private pay for my band and not sure what the heck would happen if I had complications, I am pretty sure my insurance would cover the complications but not to be re-banded. I have lost 56 pounds and do not wanna start going backward. I feel like I need to throw up. My nerves are shot my stomach hurts and I have a head ache. CALGON...TAKE ME AWAY:frown:

I am starting to fear something is wrong. When I first had my surgery, I religiously took prevacid each day as my doctor told me I would need to for at least a year. I did so for about two months. It is SOOOO expensive. Even with insurance, it was almost $90. SO I decided to skip it. Maybe not forever but there was just not an extra $100 laying around for this medicine all the time. Any way I also take daily meds for headaches. I have for years. Some over the counter excedrin migraine tylenon, some prescription 800 ibuprofen, Some narcotics etc. Dont get me wrong I am not a crack head but I take something daily. Now out of the blue the last few days, my stomach is absolutely killing me. It burns and hurts so bad. I am scared to death I may have an ulcer or something now. Bad part is I dont have the money or time to take off work to have tests done. I have an appointment with my surgeon in a few weeks for my bi-monthly check up. I am wondering if i get a small fill if he would be able to see any problems (he does it under the flueroscopic machine I think they call it.) I have started taking prilosec OTC in the mean time and hope I have not waited to late. To boot I am under alot of stress personal and work related, the holidays divorcing parents (after 45 years of marriage just insane) on and on. My weight is the same. I am bouncing back and forth from 202 to 203. Have been there several weeks and not moved. How long does it take for an ulcer to develop? I have seen on this site numerous people who have problems and had to have their bands removed. I would die absolutely die. I was private pay for my band and not sure what the heck would happen if I had complications, I am pretty sure my insurance would cover the complications but not to be re-banded. I have lost 56 pounds and do not wanna start going backward. I feel like I need to throw up. My nerves are shot my stomach hurts and I have a head ache. CALGON...TAKE ME AWAY:frown:

You go girl. Say good bye to the old you and hello to the sexier new you and the best part..... it was there all along. You were just there dying to get out. Me too. God bless you on your journey and get shopping girl

lol. I really wasnt done with my blog but the boss walked in. Tee hee. Seriously, i appreciate your feed back advice and everything you are to the lap band world out here. Your like "mom" to me and alot of others only I am way too old to be your daughter lol. God bless and congrats on your journey and accomplishments. I am still hovering at 203. Cursed scale.........

I have told you before, All hail queen band groupie... the holder of all knowledge about lap bands lol. I love and appreciate you much and havent even met you.

Great job. You are doing awesome. I am right behind you.I was 203 this morning. Cant wait to get under 200. See you there. God bless.