KarenK

Good luck getting back on track. My weight loss has recently slowed almost to a stop. I have faith that if I keep trying with the food and going to the gym, that I'll lose the last 30 I want to lose. Somehow. Hope the change in support helps you.

I was told I could drive as soon as I was off the hard stuff and using Tylenol only.

I would not have been ready on Saturday, but then I had more pain than a lot of the posters on the site have described and was still on narcotic pain relievers until Sunday evening. If you're one of those lucky ones you could be back on Saturday with no problem. Hope you're one!

I'm down 70 and have a few friends who have said nothing. I'm sure they just don't know what to say. It's fine. Funny, though, that I always hated the comments about previous weight loss attempts because they made me feel I was the center of attention and wasn't comfortable with it. Now I wouldn't mind hearing it, and they don't know how to say it. I've taken to quietly taking photos of myself in a full-length mirror and living on my own affirmations and those I get from the ones brave enough to comment.

I had surgery on a Thursday, and was back at work the following Wednesday. I probably could have gone back on Monday, but really needed the break.

Hi - I'm currently in Pocatello, and have decided to have EIRMC in Idaho Falls do my surgery. I had planned on going to Dr. Avila at Blackfoot, but he left and the new guy is VERY new. I'm wondering if anyone out there knows anything about the three I.F. surgeons? I am to the point of having to choose one, and don't know any of them: Dr. Eric Baird, Dr. David Chamberlain D.O., and Dr. Brian O'Byrne. Any opinions?

Hi Rosie - I'll be thinking about you on Tuesday. Hope it goes really well for you. I didn't really have a problem with the pre-op diet - lost 12 lbs. I still eat the same lunch some days as I did when I was on it. The surgery was pretty easy - some pain afterwards mostly from the CO2 gas they use (settled in my back - others say it hurts in the shoulder), and at the site where they put in the port. Otherwise, I was up and walking in a few hours. Take care of yourself. Karen

Hi Rosie - I'm glad to hear from you. I was hoping everything was going well for you. How exciting that you've got a date! I'm doing really well. I lost really well on the pre-op diet and the first 3 months after. I've slowed down considerably since then, but am still losing. I go back up to see them next week, actually, for another saline fill. I've lost 70, and am within 30 of my initial goal. I've gone from a size 26 to a 16, which is pretty darned exciting for me! Now if I could only make it through a visit to I.F. without hitting the mall. This site has actually helped provide support quite well. There is at least one "thread" out there for people having their surgery in March - http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/calling-all-march-09-bandsters-we-need-name-86511/ Good luck on the pre-op diet - at least it's not all liquid like some doctors require. I'll be thinking about you as you get closer to your Band-day. Take care, and let me know how things go. Karen

LoveIsLovely - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. I'm still trying to get used to my new "slow loser" status. I should get another small fill middle of next week. Hopefully that will jump start me a bit. In the meantime, I am fitting better into those size 16s and shopping far too much! cattoy71 - I do 45-60 minutes 4/5 days a week. I'm thinking of trying for 7 days a week for a couple of weeks to see if I can get off this damned plateau.

Crystal - You are so right. I lost really well on the pre-op diet and the first few months after the surgery. Last month I was beating myself up for only losing 4 lbs in 3 weeks. Only. When was the last time I lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks before the band? When was the last time I lost 4 lbs period! We all need to learn to cut ourselves a break and go easier on ourselves. Keep working with it, and it will happen.

Mollyjo - Thanks. The unfill sounds like the best plan. I was worried when I read the troubles you were having - yikes. Be careful with yourself - we're supposed to come out of this healthier in the end!

I am amazed at how long this thread has gone on. I'm so glad we haven't given up on keeping up with each other. It really helps. My weight loss has slowed considerably the last month or so, but I did hit 70 lbs lost. I'm attaching a before & current photo. Let's see if it works. Everyone take good care of yourselves. I'm proud of all of us.

I should really have had the picture taken earlier in the day before the make-up goes to pieces! At any rate, here is me before (279 lbs) and down 70 today - assuming the picture works.

I wish I had been told this. I ended up losing, but was giving myself a pretty hard time about how slowly it was happening. I would have cut myself a break if they had told me before I went in for that first fill. As it was they told me at my first fill that they were surprised I didn't gain.

We had better be able to! I'm surprised by the number of people who list "riding the rollercoaster" to be on their to do lists after weight loss. Mine included! No more watching from the sidelines for me!

Hi all - Just checking in. My small fill last week seems to be helping with the hunger quite a bit. Still doesn't take care of all of the cravings, but then those aren't necessarily due to hunger - mostly boredom. I took a huge step today. I ordered a swimsuit! Yikes! I told my daughter when her dance competitions started up this Spring, that I would go swimming with her at the hotels we stay at - one of her favorite things. So, today I bucked up & bought a swimsuit. I didn't spend much money. I'm still losing weight and refuse to spend lots of money on a swimsuit I hopefully won't be wearing too long, but a big step for me nonetheless! Have a good day, all.

LoveIsLovely - I actually weighed less after I had Emma than I did before since I ate right. Obviously, it didn't last or I wouldn't be in this position. I hope you do wonderfully. I am working on setting a small goal for myself. I am thinking down a total of 75 lbs before my parents get back from Arizona April 1st would be a good one. Or I might try something less scale oriented since I'm trying to avoid using it so often and try for fitting well into a 16 (they're quite tight right now). Hope everyone is having a good day.

I decided I wanted one in 2006. Two weeks before surgery, I was told it needed to be put off because of anemia. I ended up with a hysterectomy. I put it off for two more years - then I hit the point where I couldn't deal with being me any longer. In August 2008 I attended another informational seminar. I did the paperwork, jumped through all the hoops, and was banded in October. I was a self-pay, so didn't have to wait for insurance which helped speed things along. Good luck, and have fun backpacking.

I am in the same boat. I got spoiled by losing 8-12 lbs a month at the beginning. Now I'm down to 1 lb/wk and am trying to find new ways of staying motivated as well. First of all, I'm swearing off the scale. It is now to be used at dr appts only! I put too much pressure on myself by stepping on it far too often. I'm still trying to figure out what the other motivation will be. I'm thinking the fact that my parents are leaving for a month - I'd like to have them see a difference when they get back - might be one. Another might be the use of the bike I bought. Hope you figure it out. Just know you're obviously not alone!

Had an appointment with the dr yesterday. Lost 4 lbs in the last 3 weeks. They were pleased. Did give me a small fill, and I go back the last week in March for a check-up and possible additional small fill. They think I'm close to the sweet spot, and are afraid of overfilling, so we're taking it a little slower now. My weight loss has slowed considerably, but I keep plugging away. Glad to hear everyone doing so well.

I told two people at work: my assistant who has been great, and my boss. I told her I was keeping it quiet. She proceeded to tell a number of people. She's very lucky I decided against taking it to HR. I tell those people who haven't been clued in that I'm counting every calorie and going to the gym 5 times a week. Both very true.

Yes, you can. Try a full-service pharmacy if you're having problems finding it at places like WalMart.

How much of a discount do you get? Just kidding. Sort of. I had the choice of going to a new guy who had done 20 or so during a fellowship, or going an extra 45 minutes away from home and getting someone who had done hundreds. I spent the gas money, and got back peace of mind.

I got scale crazy. I was stepping on every single day. I've had to put myself on rations. I am forcing myself to step on only once every other week. Maybe it's because I'm at a slow point right now, but I was starting to beat myself up about my lack of progress losing weight almost as badly as I used to about putting it on. I was starting to feel like I should start a "Scale Addicts Anonymous" group.

I am swearing off stepping on the scale for the rest of the month (I've become obsessed and it's not a good thing), so won't be weighing in, but just had to post. LoveIsLovely - Congratulations! Is this to be your first? Motherhood is an amazing thing. My little "oops" (now 11) came along at a time when I'd lost weight - it really does make one more fertile.