jtejada

I still drink Diet Coke. Somedays I have one and other days none at all. The key for me is letting it go flat first. Sounds gross, but it's not too bad.

Hello, Sounds like you are doimg great! Keep up the good work. Three weeks out I was down 24 pounds. I'm now 3 1/2 months out and am down 55 pounds. Good luck to you and congrats on your upcomming wedding!

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. I guess I need to try to work on how I think about myself and ignore the mirror. Turns out this journey for me is about more than just weight loss. It's about learning how to appreciate myself too. Good luck to everyone!

Today I stepped on the scale and it said 199. I have not been under 200 pounds for 10+ years. I thought I would be jumping for joy once I reached this point, but I still feel gross. I realize that I'm getting smaller and losing weight, but I still see the fat girl in the mirror. Are any of you experiencing the same thing? How can I get out of this slump and start to love myself?

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Hang in there and continue to stay positive. Please let us know how everyone is doing.

Name********Starting weight*****Current*******Goal******To go 1RockinMom.........254............220.........145.......75 Alleycia...........255............220.........152.......68 ALuv82.............280.5..........259.........200......59 AmethystJade.......231.8..........212.........150.......62.0 Babe...............308............272.........199.......73 Bellaperdente......196............177.........150.......27 Bklyn1984..........317............227.........165.......62 Bostongurl.........190............186.........133.......53 Brandy.............198............181.........166.......15 Cappy..............240............223.5.......130.......93.5 Chocolate_Snaps....244............216.........175.......41 CubsGirl17.........147............135.........130.......5 Clarebear08........192............166.........160.......6 Donna113...........183............172.5.......126.......46.5 dublingirl.........224............209.........145.......64 Ebonie.............307............298.8.......200.......98.8 EmmaWang...........241............195.........140.......55 FalloutGirl........282............278.........165.......112 FeliciaLevy75......200............194.........140.......54 FlordiaPete........413............364.........300.......64 GratefulHeart......226............187.........135.......52 GuyMontag..........325............276.........200.......76 health4life........279............239.........150.......89 inri09.............287............254.........185.......69 janesays...........225............183.6.......160.......23.6 jtejada............249............201.........170.......31 kaninag............210............202.........170.......32 kimaly.............194............180.........160.......20 Lindar172..........246............218.6.......150.......68.4 Linksmom...........234............234.........145.......89 LocomotiveEngineer.311............311.........220.......91 Long2BThin.........216............178.........169........9 lotzasunshine......270............240.........199.......41 Loveislovely.......216............170.........165.......5 ltgordon...........284.8..........229.4.......185.......44.4 lucyavery..........205............205.........140.......65 Mair...............231............222.........140.......83 Mamanmidwife.......264............260.........200.......60 mdgarcia31665......220............220.........165.......55 MissNilsa..........180............180.........132.......48 nicolerose.........365............288.........258.......30 Pink...............230............152.........145........7 Rhea2d.............283............233.........185.......58 Sandra267..........220............220.........165.......55 Sistergrl25........359............246.5.......170.......76.5 Snow...............227............167.........141.......26 stacy73............285............214.........160.......54 Tabithan...........240............240.........200.......40 Tuger..............217............178.........130.......48 Under200...........242............199.........155.......44 vzghj3.............202............202.........150.......52 Wendy_Wo...........242............218.........142.......76 WOWOX7.............173............147.........125.......22

Only us plus-size folks can understand the excitement around my shopping trip today. I need a dress for an upcoming event and dreaded shopping for one. I tried on several 1X dresses that felt just a little too loose so I figured...what the heck. I ventured into the "normal size" section of Macys never imagining that one would actually fit me. So I was completely shocked that an XL fit and looked good on me. I can't wait until I'm out of the plus-size section for good! :thumbup:

I walked A LOT and I only had the pain for 2 days max. I wasn't just walking around the house, but walked my neighborhood several times each day. I also couldn't have done it without a heating pad on my stomach when I was laying down. Hang in there. You will feel much better very soon.

I was told they puy 3-4 cc's in my band at time of surgery. I've since had one fill of 1 cc. That takes me to a total of 4-5 cc's in a 10 cc band. Still not enough though. Can't wait til my next fill.

CONGRATULATIONS!! What a wonderful accomplishment. You should treat yourself to something nice. Maybe a piece of jewelry. Something that will always remind you of your hard work and success. :thumbup:

Hi, I graduated from mushies to regular food about a week and a half ago, although I still limit myself to only a few regular foods. I'm scared to venture out. Don't want to get anything stuck. I think what has been helping me is really weighing all of my food before I eat it. I'm only allowed 2 oz. at each meal. If I'm starving I allow myself 3 oz. but no more. This combined with walking has been working well for me. GOOD LUCK! I know it's hard, but we can do this. :thumbup:

I'm with you. Except I'm only allowed to eat 2 ounce meals. NO WAY to drag that out for 30 minutes. I just try my best to eat slowly.

Thanks Ladies for your words of encouragement! I wish I could blame it on my need for a fill, but I just had my first one last week. This was a total craving (all in my head) issue. I wasn't even hungry, but the cookies got me. Like you all said, I'm just going to move past it and make a better choice next time I feel the urge.

Why did I just eat 5 Oreo cookies? I hate myself right now. I just couldn't say no. I've been so good, but right now I feel so discouraged. Will I be strong enough to make this lifestyle change permanent? :thumbdown:

I was banded on 6/2/09 with the Lap Band and have lost 33 pounds. The nurse told me the construction of the Lap Band was superior to that of the Realize Band. I haven't done enough research on my own to say for sure. GOOD LUCK!

You look FABULOUS! Great job. I hope that I will be as successful as you have been. I'm 3 weeks post-op. I lost 20lbs in the first 10 days and only 1-2 lbs since then. I'm only eating 500 calories a day. Sounds like I need to up my calories a bit to actually loose wight. What are your secrets?

I'm so glad this question and answer came up. I've been having the same TERRIBLE taste in my mouth for two days now and was wondering what it could be. THANKS!!

Good morning Linda, I would love a pdf of your guidelines. My email address is jenn_tejada@yahoo.com. 26 pounds...that's FABULOUS! Good job! I haven't weighed in a few days. I decided I will weigh in every Saturday morning. Hopefully I will have lost a little more. Thank you very much!!!!! Jennifer

Sarah, Thank you so much for your advice. It's very helpful. I'm sure I'll have a handle on all of this soon. It's still so new.

Hello Malissa, Thanks for your response, it's really helpful. I forgot to mention that I have 3 - 4 ozs. of a Protein shake as well, but that is included in the 500 calories a day. I think I will contact my doctor tomorrow. CONGRATS on your weight loss. Awesome job!

My surgery was on 6/2. To date I have lost 20 pounds. After having my surgery I found out at my 1 week post-op visit that all of the reference materials/diet guidelines given to me were for bypass NOT the Lap Band. I was told they didn't have any materials yet, but are working on it. So frustrating. Everything I thought I knew may or may not apply to me now. The surgeon told me I can have soft foods. I've been living off of yogurt, cottage cheese, thinly sliced lunch meat and the occasional piece of fruit or cheese. My daily caloric intake is less than 500 calories. Each of my three meals weighs 2-3 oz. My 2 daily snacks are also 2-3oz each. Am I eating correctly? Am I eating enough? I feel very confused. I want to do this the right way. HELP! Jennifer :blushing:

Thanks. Good luck to you!!

LindaD, I'm sure you are right. I knew it wouldn't be easy when I decided to do this, but today was such a challenge as the office was filled with pastries and I was hungry. I was a good girl though and I'm sure tomorrow will be better. THANKS!

Hello, I was banded on 6/2 and have already lost 20 pounds. I'm so glad that I made the decision to do this. One question....will it get easier?