Alicia521

Wow, it looks different over here. I like the new look. I just noticed it today.

Hey Maysters, I've been crazy busy lately. I got down to 168 but I have been fluctuating 5 lbs over the past 2 weeks and it is driving me crazy. Easter was rough for me because I had a bit of an unfill a few weeks ago so I could pretty much eat what I wanted. I really hoped to be 100 down by my 1 yr bandiversary but seeing how that is 3 weeks away, I know it won't happen. Heck, I'd just like to be 90 lb down which is attainable if I could stop battling this stubborn 5 that keeps going up and down. Neal I love your hair. Kim, maybe you aren't eating enough. Here is what I use to gauge my calorie intake. http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Thank you Myra! Myra and Marci you both are doing great! I suspect Drews will post soon with an update on Roller Derby and possibly to make our new thread. Oh yeah, by the way - I found out my insurance covers a version of tummy tucks!

Checking in everyone. My unfill still going well. I've dropped 2.4 lbs. However it is now my TOM so I am hoping I don't eat the house this week. I am pretty loose right now. Hope you all are enjoying April so far. We are so close to our bandiversary!

The unfill has been great so far. I've lost 1.8 lbs!

Good job Myra! I am getting a little bit of an unfill tomorrow. I've been having problems with losing weight and as much as I am working out, I think I need to up my intake. I am also having a lot of trouble getting good solid Protein down. I've been getting a lot of my calories through liquids here lately. The nurse agreed an unfill will probably help. I've always heard the last 20 are hard to get off..wow that is the truth. I'll try to get an updated pic to post this week. Ok, my 1 year bandiversary is 5/8/07. I'm in for 162. That is 9.2 lbs to lose in 6 weeks....

Just checking in for March. I missed my St Patty's Day goal but I was pretty close. I've just come to the conclusion my weight loss is going to be super slow now that I am less than 20 from my goal. Ugh! Drews I agree...I just hardly log onto LBT lately. The rants and raves get old and I just don't feel much support...other than here with you May folks. The May thread is about the only place I post anymore. You guys still ROCK!

Awesome news Drews!

I love coolrunning! I am doing the couch to 5k. I can actually jog about 16 minutes now. WOW!

Lengthy post ahead…. Hey guys checking in for March. I was getting pretty discouraged there for awhile because the weight has been really coming off slowly. Since my 4th fill on 2/13 I’ve dropped 5ish lbs and most of that was last week. I’m very close to the 85 lb mark! I think I am going to have to fight for these last 18 lbs to come off. I’m really focused on getting my daily water intake now and that seems to be helping. I can now jog for 16 minutes too! It’s amazing to think of where we were this time last year. Over the weekend I was going through my box of skinny clothes which was about half full. Almost everything fit me! Just about everything in there is a size 12…my main size during college. A friend of mine gave me some of her pants and jeans that she is too small for…they range from 10-14. Well just for fun, I tried on a pair of the size 10 pants. Much to my amazement they slid up over my hips, zipped and buttoned! Now I think I have a muffin top with them, so I won’t wear them until I lose another 5 lbs or so, but I actually slid into a pair of size 10 pants. Honestly when I started this journey I felt that if I got to 12-14, I’d be content. I never really thought I’d get into a 10! I’ve decided to postpone spring shopping until April. I can make do with what I have until then and I really would like to buy all 10’s when I go shopping. My husband and I have decided to start doing something active together as a family at least once a week. This weekend I think we are going to buy a toddler seat for our bikes and take Harrison on a bike ride. It’s amazing how this surgery has benefited my entire family. 1 year ago this would not have happened because I wouldn’t be able to ride a bike. WOW! To answer the questions about menstrual cycles…yes! Mine has been complete out of whack. Prior to banding I was every 28 days and it lasted about 1 week. Right after surgery it was coming every 21 days and lasting nearly 2 weeks. I went to my OB/GYN and he did an ultrasound to check for cysts and put me on progesterone – which did not help. He felt that it was due to the weight loss because evidently fat stores hormones so losing weight can knock your system out of whack. This month it was 26 days and right now it’s light but that could change. I think I am working my way back to normal.

great pic Neal!

Hey Maysters, Got a question for you. Now that most of us are around 3 months out from our 1 year bandiversary (give or take), what are some things you are going to do to Celebrate your success? What non scale aspirations do you have? Is anyone planning on doing somthing special...like a trip, massage, pedicure, etc? For me, I hope to be somewhat close to my goal weight at that time. I want to go hanggliding and kayaking. I haven't really put much thought into it but we all deserve a reward for our hard work. I'm going to have to do something special to celebrate my weightloss but most importantly my new improved health.

I started out at 9'7. I was average toddler and young child and a stocky elementary age kid. I got chubby when I was about 11 and stayed that way through age 14. I slimmed down and spent most of my highschool years between 125-140ish and I was bigger than most so I did feel fat. I starting packing on pounds in college and averaged between 165-185. After I got married is when the weight gain really started and never got better. So I had brief times in my life when I was thin or at least healthy but nothing that has stuck. I can't wait to get to my goal and stay there.

Wow, you definitely have an unusual situation. What incredible weightloss! Do you sip hot liquids prior to eating a meal? My doctor recommends and I have found that it helps to drink hot tea, coffee, etc to help loosen the mucus and open the band. I am too tight to eat the morning but if I drink a cup of coffee I can usually get something down. Best of luck to you!

Congrats Janey! That has to feel amazing!

Ok here goes w/ my most recent. The first two - 255-265ish and the last one is 175ish.

Hey Maysters! Marci - your pics are great! You look terrific! Kim - my fill isi good. Tight but not so tight that I am miserable. I am eating mushies right now with no problem. I've only lost a .5 lb but that's better than what I have been losing. Marz - I am glad to hear your nephew is doing better. Let us know how it goes when you visit him. 3Loaves - Good to see you back. I wasn't very active on the boards when you were posting so I look forward to getting to know you better. Missy - I missed my V-day goal too. You are doing a great job with the exercise. Drews - Can't wait to see the Derby Girl pics. I'm hoping to get down to 175.5 this week as that will take me down to an 80 lb loss. I've been back on track for the most part with this new fill. We are going to dinner tonight with friends. I know I won't be able to eat very much so I am hoping I don't sabotage my efforts this week. Well I better get going. My son is ready to play!

Kim - Cool. I work at Unum so my lunch is flexible as well. Let me know when you are tolerating food and we can go from there. I would love to get to meet Betsy as well.

Marci - I wonder if you got some food stuck when you ate chinese. I would probably do clear liquids and try some aloe vera juice to see if that soothes it. Also stress can cause you to be tight...so if you have been feeling more stress, that may be the culprit. Kim - It was so great to finally meet you. Maybe we can try to meet for lunch one day after we progress to more interesting foods. You look great!! I got my fill in the office. It goes by so much faster. I was out of there by 3:30! He got 2.75 CC out of me so I don't have a leak either! I am up to 3 CC now. I can definitely feel it but it's not super tight. I think once you hit 2.5 in your band he only increases them by .25 which is fine with me! I'm probably going to do thick Soups today. I missed my Valentine's day goal by a LONG shot! (7 lbs). I am setting my next goal for St Patty's Day for 168, which is 9 lbs in 8.5 weeks. Hopefully with this new fill I'll be there!

Kim - I am SO ready for this fill! I can't wait to see you there!

Myra – I am glad to hear your dental work is coming along. When you get your website finished, PM your link. I love to support my fellow bandsters. Drews- that sucks about your injury! I hope everything is okay! LapBandit – Way to go on the weightloss! Marz – I am glad to hear your nephew is doing well. I totally know what you mean about the bathroom stalls. I used to always automatically go the handicap stall because it was so hard fitting into a smaller one. Now I go in and out with no problem..unless my son is with me (he’s 21 months).

Marci I am also getting my house organized. I am using the methods from the Fly Lady and taking baby steps. My goal is to have it done by June. I have more energy to work on it now. We are also trying to get our finances in order so we can be out of debt by the time we have a 2nd baby and I can stay at home. We did the Dave Ramsey class a few years back and we are just using those methods again.

I'm going to do a St Patty's Day Challenge and then probably one for my 1 year bandiversary.

Thanks for the thread Drews. I'm so glad to hear your derby practice is going well. My next fill is 2/13 and boy do I need it. Been stalled for about a month. I have lost some inches but nothing major. I've been pretty bummed but trying to hang in there. As far as things I am doing since banding - hmm. Well for starters, I can keep up with my active son. I play in the floor with him. I act goofy and dance, jump, chase him...all that stuff I never had the energy to do before. I am gaining more and more confidence with each inch/pound I lose. I am rediscovering the old Alicia that I lost in the fat girl. I am running now...slowly but surely. My main goal is to run a 5K in the Race for the Cure in September but there is another one I might do in June. As soon as weather permits, I am going to learn to kayak! Other than being bummed about my stall, my entire outlook on life has changed. My hubby and I have also developed a plan and I should be able to be a stay at home mom after we have a second baby. We plan on trying for #2 late summer/early fall. I am super excited about that! I plan on buying myself this dress when I can wear it in a 10...I have about 2-3 inches to go before a 10 will fit! http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?rcid=womens&scid=cat90036&navroot=womens&productId=1396_9853_tea

Wow - you all are doing so well! I am stalled and have been for about a month. I hope my fill on 2/13 will get me back to losing!