BikeCincy

I'm in the Under 200 Club now! Not by much, but even reaching that point is a huge success for me. I had set a goal to be 190 lbs by the end of April and even though I didn't achieve that goal, I came very close - and I'm very proud of myself. I'm on average losing around 5 lbs. a month and hope that over summer with more activity I can increase the amount. I had another fill on April 24 and am feeling great. Dr. Curry said I'm at my "sweet spot" and should be able to stay without a fill until August. At the beginning of April I joined a gym for the first time in my life. I on average go 3 times a week for 30 - 45 minutes and I feel great! I'm wearing a size 14 or 16 now and can fit in size large shirts! I still have about 40 lbs I want to lose, and hope to be down 15 more lbs by the next time I see the doctor. I started at 257 lbs and now am 194 lbs - that's 63 lbs lost in 9 months!! (7 lbs a month on average). I've uploaded some more photos to my albums and hope to update again soon with more photos showing even more progress. I'm getting married October 9, 2010 and hope to be looking slender and beautiful in my wedding gown! It's a size 16 and it's got lots of wiggle room... alterations, here I come! Thanks to everyone for all your support, encouragement, and sharing your successes and tips/tricks!

I can't believe it's been six months since my surgery! Things are going great. I've lost over 55 lbs and am still working. Only a few more lbs and I'll be under 200! The holidays were difficult for me and I ate a lot of high carbs food, but got back on track pretty quickly and am starting to put more effort into my workouts. I just bought a game for the Wii called My Fitness Coach and it's really a lot of fun and provides great exercise. My birthday is at the end of April and I hope to be 190 lbs by then... I hope everyone else is having the success they wish for and that you are enjoying 2010!

I can't believe it's been six months since my surgery! Things are going great. I've lost over 55 lbs and am still working. Only a few more lbs and I'll be under 200! The holidays were difficult for me and I ate a lot of high carbs food, but got back on track pretty quickly and am starting to put more effort into my workouts. I just bought a game for the Wii called My Fitness Coach and it's really a lot of fun and provides great exercise. My birthday is at the end of April and I hope to be 190 lbs by then... I hope everyone else is having the success they wish for and that you are enjoying 2010!

I had my third fill on November 5. I am really now feeling restriction! The weight is starting to speed up dropping off and I'm feeling confident. I've become a lot more committed to eating healthy and not relying on food to occupy my time. With the weather getting cold I'm working out indoors on an elliptical machine. I've only been doing it a week and can only manage about 20 minutes (2 miles) 4 times a week. It's a lot harder than just walking or biking!! It's a great feeling to reach that 20 minute goal, though. I hope maybe next month I can work my way up to 30 minutes - then maybe 45 minutes! My 4th fill is scheduled for December 10. I'm really nervous about Thanksgiving on Thursday. It's going to be a challenge to not dig into mashed potatoes and pie. I'm confident I can do well, though. I hope all of you other August bandsters are doing well! It's really encouraging to read your success - and it really makes me want to try harder to keep up or do better!

I had my third fill on November 5. I am really now feeling restriction! The weight is starting to speed up dropping off and I'm feeling confident. I've become a lot more committed to eating healthy and not relying on food to occupy my time. With the weather getting cold I'm working out indoors on an elliptical machine. I've only been doing it a week and can only manage about 20 minutes (2 miles) 4 times a week. It's a lot harder than just walking or biking!! It's a great feeling to reach that 20 minute goal, though. I hope maybe next month I can work my way up to 30 minutes - then maybe 45 minutes! My 4th fill is scheduled for December 10. I'm really nervous about Thanksgiving on Thursday. It's going to be a challenge to not dig into mashed potatoes and pie. I'm confident I can do well, though. I hope all of you other August bandsters are doing well! It's really encouraging to read your success - and it really makes me want to try harder to keep up or do better!

I've been a vegetarian since 2004 and have really been happy with my choice. However, since surgery I'm finding it difficult to find foods that are high protein/low carb for vegetarians. Obviously there's fresh veggies and fruit and tofu, but sometimes I just want a comforting snack (potato chips, grilled cheese...) I'm searching for some good suggestions of easy to make meals or snacks for someone who is a vegetarian. I am looking for high protein/low carb... and have lots of things I make, but am getting tired of the same old things!

I've been a vegetarian since 2004 and have really been happy with my choice. However, since surgery I'm finding it difficult to find foods that are high protein/low carb for vegetarians. Obviously there's fresh veggies and fruit and tofu, but sometimes I just want a comforting snack (potato chips, grilled cheese...) I'm searching for some good suggestions of easy to make meals or snacks for someone who is a vegetarian. I am looking for high protein/low carb... and have lots of things I make, but am getting tired of the same old things!

Today is the official 1 month mark since my surgery, and it was also my first fill. I am really surprised at how quick and painless the fill was. It took only 10 minutes for the whole visit and I was able to watch the process on the xray monitor. Really an interesting thing to see in action! I have 3.4 cc's right now, and am scheduled for my second fill on Oct. 1. I still haven't told a lot of people about my surgery... including work, some friends, and some family. I just told them I had to have stomach surgery. I guess I am still living with the mind set that when I diet I fail and I don't want to tell people about it in case I fail. Also, the fear about the questions I would be asked. So far I've lost 17 lbs. and I'm feeling great. I know once some restriction comes from the band, I will really start to lose. Until next time!

Today is the official 1 month mark since my surgery, and it was also my first fill. I am really surprised at how quick and painless the fill was. It took only 10 minutes for the whole visit and I was able to watch the process on the xray monitor. Really an interesting thing to see in action! I have 3.4 cc's right now, and am scheduled for my second fill on Oct. 1. I still haven't told a lot of people about my surgery... including work, some friends, and some family. I just told them I had to have stomach surgery. I guess I am still living with the mind set that when I diet I fail and I don't want to tell people about it in case I fail. Also, the fear about the questions I would be asked. So far I've lost 17 lbs. and I'm feeling great. I know once some restriction comes from the band, I will really start to lose. Until next time!

Just wanted to follow up and say I had my first fill today. It went great! No pain, and the dr. let me watch the fill process on x-ray. The needle didn't hurt thanks to the cold spray they used, but it felt strange once it was stuck in the port. I am feeling really excited/confident right now and ready to start making some real progress and feeling some tightness from the band. How is everyone else doing? Anyone struggling with the diet? I'm curious if anyone is a vegetarian and if so, can you recommend some high Protein meals? Thanks and good luck everyone!! Keep us posted on your progress!

I've been on the regular diet for a little while and am having no problems. Been eating pretty much anything. I've noticed I can eat a lot more than I'm probably supposed to, but I haven't been gaining any weight. I have a protein shake for breakfast, a normal sized lunch and dinner, and then an after dinner snack. I get my first fill on Friday, so maybe then I will notice a little restriction and won't be eating full meals.