Inner_me

I didn't change my weight when I came back from my vacation. Because it went up...LOL...but, the good news is I'm back to within 2 lbs of the weight I do have listed. Which means I've lost 7lbs since last Monday. Yes, I gained 9lbs...but I had no restriction on vacation. In a way, I feel that it was a good waste of 7lbs... On the other hand, I've learned that mistakes can be corrected...and this will work even when I lose my mind for a while. I can always jump back on the band wagon!

Tonya, I just thought of something...you said that they completely filled you up, then removed some. You could be like me. Any change causes immediate swelling with me that only lasts for a day or two. The first time I got a fill, I thought that it was perfect, and then in about 24 hours, I was completely open again. Then with the second fill, I knew immediately it wasn't enough. This last time, was better, I actually think I'm getting closer to the correct amount of restriction I need. My surgeon is sneaking up on it, rather then trying to hit it from the start. (Two more lbs to go, before I'm back to my pre-vacation loss...whew...)

Okay... I completely missed an entire discussion. LOL That's a good question about Tonya's band. I do know that you can lose restriction based upon fat loss around the stomach area. But, Tonya had just received her fill, and it was gone immediately. For a second, Tonya, I thought you had the larger band size, like me. Without a proper fill, that definitely will leave you alot of room to get bread and other items down. Trust me, I know from experience. Hopefully they will try the omnipaque (sp)....I heard that it is a more dense fill then the regular saline, and should provide you with some restriction.

Hey everyone! Thanks Juno!!! I'm trying. It's great hearing everyone's recap on their first 6 months. Which is one of the reasons I added mine...how about everyone else? How are you doing? I look forward to reading the next month in review... Shawn, you added what I needed to...goals to work on. I need to get back to excercising. I can honestly say that other then changes in life style...such as parking further out, taking the elevator, and all of the work around the house (that thank goodness, I know have energy for...) I've completely fallen off of my excercise plan. And, then I wonder why I'm having problems... *sarcasm*. I did come to say that I finally have restriction! Whoo hoo!!! Unfortunately, I found out the hard way. I've also had my first PB...twas turkey bacon and eggs w/cheese. I've yet to decide which is the culprit. I'm leaning towards the bacon. Oh, and I've knocked off another 2lbs of that extra gain. Things are looking up. I'm now 3 lbs from my loss of 50lbs. Pretty soon, my ticker will start moving again.

Hey everyone! So, yesterday was my 6 month anniversary since surgery. I'm doing okay. Not has good as I would like, but better then before. I spent an entire month and a few weeks knowing that I needed to up my fill level, but not doing it because of vacation plans that included a cruise and my fear that if anything went wrong, I wouldn't be able to have it fixed until I got back. Well, sometime in early June when I plateaued at 50 lbs lost, I figured that I didn't care anymore and I'd get a fill immediately. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't get in until the day I returned from vacation. Long story short, gained 9 lbs, which I've since lost 5 of. YEAH!!! Now, I'm just fighting to get back to the 50lbs lost, so I can move forward. This fill seems to be going okay for now, but I'm not leaving it up to chance. I've already set up an appointment for next month to get my 4th fill just in case I need it. At this moment in time, I think I will. I'm restricted, but not like I would like to be. Granted, I haven't really tried "real" solid food yet. I'm still trying to stick to soft until tomorrow. I'll probably do some fish or chicken. If it holds steady for a week or two, then I might reschedule my appointment for a later date. So, that's my 6 month update. I'll have to do my measurements tomorrow and update you on how far I've come in 6 months. I know that I've dropped from a very tight 28, to a comfortable 24. I've gone from wearing 4x and 5x t-shirts to a 2x (I am still amazed about this, seeing that I'm lugging around DDD's... My energy has increased, and I'm receiving tons of compliments regarding my weight loss. (Part of me is going...was I THAT big before...then the other part of me goes...YES.)

JULY, 2007 CHALLENGE Name...............................Starting…....Current…......Goal…..........To Go losingjusme..(Christine).........293.............. 294... ..........276.................17 tann.............(Tammy)...........224............ . 223..............212.................11 Josette.................................322....... .......322..............307.................15 RidinMyHDDream.(Carol).. .....267..............267..............256........ .........11 FaithMD............................... 312..............310..............299............. ....11 Elisabethsew..(Elisabeth).. ....275....... .......273 .............265..................8 Libra..(Angela)...................... 218...........;...216..............208............ . ....8 glindab..................................286...... ........286..............275.................11 juliegeraci..............................232...... ....... 226 Inner_me.....(Chris).............. ..295...............295.............280..................15 Waterlily1072...(Nicole).......... 272..... .......;.272 Lapbandit……...............….... .206……….....206 Hi Ladies! I'm back. Was on vacation, way to much vacation, and my scale has taken a trip back to the dark side. *rolling eyes* I got a fill yesterday, though. My first day back from vacation...and so far, its looking like some of it may have just been water gain, because I'm already down 2lbs, and I know it wasn't because of the fill. Since I didn't get the fill until late last night. My surgeon holds appts up to 9pm. Anyway....I'm here, and ready to get started back to losing.

Hi Everyone! I know I've been missing in action. Partially because I wasn't doing to well. I reached a 50 lb loss, and then was stuck. Then I started yo-yoing back and forth. So, I decided enough was enough and that I needed a fill. If you remember, I knew that I needed one, but was trying to hold off until after my vacation which was last week. Unfortunately, my surgeon was booked up until yesterday. Which was my first day back from vacation. I went ahead and went in...especially after I came home yesterday morning, got on the scale, and realized that my two lb yo-yoing had blossomed into a 7 lb gain. Although I didn't get my fill until late last night (they have appointments up to 9pm), I still was down 2 lbs this morning. Hopefully after being on liquids for a day or two, I can shake most of the gain I picked up on my cruise, family reunion, and added on trip to Orlando. Yes, I was traveling for a while. LOL So, I've spent the past several hours trying to catch up on everything. I've been absent for almost a month now, and hadn't realized it. Just really busy with family, friends, birthdays (mine included) and then the vacation. So, I just want to thank all of you who are continuing to check in, through your good moments, as well as your bad. It is very encouraging, and it helps the rest of us to know that we are not alone. Sue, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. My prayers are with you and your family. RMS, my band day buddy, I was waiting to see if you checked back in about what your situation. How are you doing? Did you have to get a slight unfil? Is everything okay? Let us know. To everyone else, I'll try and do better about checking in myself...I actually fill some restriction now, hopefully my weight loss will get back on track.

July 4th Challenge Week 8 Name.............................Starting….Current…...Goal….....To Go losingjusme..(Christine)......317...........305 .............295...........10 tann.............(Tammy)........257.......... 231..............232......... ..0 juliegeraci..........................232.......... 232..............220...........12 Josette..............................340.......... 329..............315...........14 Inner_me.....(Chris).......... ..306...........295 .............280...........15 Elisabethsew..(Elisabeth).. .281....... ...271 .............260...........10 Waterlily1072...(Nicole)...... 278..... .....272 .............252...........20 Libra..(Angela)................... 230...........219........... ..205...........14 Lapbandit……...............… .208………..206……..…..185…….....21 RidinMyHDDream.(Carol).. ..281...........269 .............256...........13 FaithMD............................ 341.5........322..............310.. ........12 Hi, I'm still here...late check-in. Congratulations to all that are doing well. I'm in the midst of a rock and a hard place. Vacation, Birthdays, and PMS...but I have to look at the bright side. I still lost a pound. Two down, and one more birthday to get through...MINE...and then the cruise to the Bahamas over the 4th. I can do this...

Thanks for the suggestions Molly!

I hate to say it Dee, but you sound like me. And, we both need fills.

I was okay, coasting along. I've got to pick up my excercise routine. As another poster mentioned, I've been going when I could fit it in. Partially because of my schedule. I'm on my way to work before the gym opens up, and then most evenings I'm either teaching, singing, or at a meeting. It's been crazy, but it changes next week. Other then that, I'm not at a good fill. I was putting off getting another fill until after my trip at the end of June, but I might not make it that long. I can eat way more then I should, not that it's anywhere near what I was eating before...but everything goes down without much of a problem. The only thing I have problems with is my first bite in the mornings. I've never slimed or had a PB. From time to time, I feel a little pressure around my mid section, but that's usually when I'm not eating. I've yet to really feel that "satisfied" feeling that I had right after surgery. Even with the two fills I had, within 24-36 hrs it was gone.

I had to do a quick reply off of this one... Renee!, my band-day buddy, I was just wondering how you were doing. I had to laugh when I saw that we are currently at the same amount of weight loss...although, I'm just getting closer to where you actually started out. You're doing great.

July 4th Challenge Week 7 Name.............................Starting….Current…...Goal….....To Go losingjusme..(Christine)......317...........305 .............295...........10 tann.............(Tammy)........257.......... 236..............232......... ..04 juliegeraci..........................232.......... 232..............220...........12 Josette..............................340.......... 329..............315...........14 Inner_me.....(Chris).......... ..306...........296 .............280...........16 Elisabethsew..(Elisabeth).. .281....... ...273 .............260...........13 Waterlily1072...(Nicole)..... 278..... .....272 .............252...........20 Libra..(Angela)................... 230...........222........... ..205...........17 Lapbandit……...............… 208……….206……..…..185…….....21 RidinMyHDDream.(Carol).. ..281..........276 .............256............20 FaithMD........................ .. 341.5........327..............310.. .........17 Okay, I'm down 2lbs, which means that I've lost a total of 10 since this challenge has started. I'm trying to encourage myself that way. It seems like I'm not losing fast enough, and I want to complain about it...but then I remember that I AM losing. I also think I'm wide open. Okay, in reality, I'm not WIDE open, but I can and unfortunately do eat more then I should be able to. I'm no where near what I use to be able to eat in one sitting or even all day, but it is more then I think I should in one sitting. I also think I'm not eating enough solid foods. For instance, and I know that I have to stop this, I've started eating Cereal for Breakfast. The thought of Protein drinks completely turns me off...and makes me THINK I'm still hungry. However, with the milk, the cereal just slides on through and I'm hungry again in a short time period. However, while I've yet to slime or have a PB, I have noticed that I have first bite syndrome with breakfast. A little bit of liquid goes along way towards relieving that though. Then by lunch time, everything goes down without a problem. I can even guzzle Water. Bread, I am noticing - not that I eat alot of it, or even try - fills me up quickly. One or two bites, and whatever else I was eating along with it I can give up on. But salads go down like water. Unfortunately, they are also my downfall. Any suggestions are extremely welcomed (Yes, I do know I need a fill...just was trying to drag it out until after my trip at the end of June. But the way things have been going lately, I don't know if I'll make it...). I'm glad everyone else, for the most part, is getting back on track. For those who are plateuing, I completely understand. I'm starting to notice that I'm like that right after my TOM...which is weird...

Okay ladies, I'm skipping this week's weigh in. It's my TOM, and I'd probably cry if I got on the scale and it was back up in the 3's... LOL

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. Now, if only I can get my weight loss to be more consistent. I know that excercising will help. Just have to get fully motivated. I'm hitting and missing right now. NExt week my schedule will smooth out some, so it should be better. Tonya!!! What can I say, you are doing fantastic. So are many others of you. Great motivation to keep going....

Oh, you'll get there and soon. Your already catching up to me...pretty soon I'll be chasing you down... Thanks everyone!!!

Hi Molly, I agree...hang in there. All of you are such an inspiration to me. I'm trying to get where you are. It also helps to know that even as successful as you are, you have some rough Patches along the way. It makes the journey "realistic" to me. If you never had bad days, or never had slip ups, then I (or others like me) would probably think that they could never do this... So thanks for being in inspiration, and keep trucking along...you'll bounce back. Oh yeah, before I forget...Tann and Molly, thanks for opening the door to Twoterville, too!!! I'm still bouncing off the walls...LOL. If I can express to you how shocked I was when I got on the scale. I must have looked at the number a couple of times before I realized it wasn't changing... July 4th Challenge Week 5 Name...................Starting…...…..Current….…......Goal….......To Go losingjusme............317....................30 5 ..................295.............10 tann.......................257.................. ..245..................232...............13 juliegeraci...............232................... 232..................220...............12 Josette...................340................... 333..................315...............18 Inner_me................306....................298...................280..............18 Elisabethsew..........281....................275 ..................260...............15 Waterlily1072........ .278................ ...269 ..................252...............17 Libra.......................230................. ..223...................205...............18 Lapbandit……… .…208………....…...206……..…..... .185…… ...….21 RidinMyHDDream... .281....................276 ..................256..............20 FaithMD................ 341.5..................328...................310.. ............18

I'm with everyone else, on the restriction that likes to come and go. So far, knocking on wood, I haven't pb'd or slimed. Although, today, oh boy, it felt like something went down the wrong way. I figure I had first bite syndrome. I grabbed a glass of water (which you aren't supposed to do if you're pbing or sliming, but my throat felt like it was on fire) and everything smoothed out. Nothing came up, and no sliming. I guess, I'm getting restricted to the point that I probably need to start drinking something warm before I begin eating in the morning. Now, for my good news!!! I've got a SV (scale victory)!!! I'm out of the 300's. This was my first mini goal, and when I woke up this morning my scale read 298.8. I was in shock. In fact, it took me a while to realize that the scale had stopped and wasn't still bouncing around the numbers. I was amazed...and scared to move, because I knew it was going to bounce back up. But I did it. I got off, and got right back on, and it still read 298.8. That's when the party began...LOL

Okay, my turn. I'm sitting pretty at 300. Somebody puhleeaazzzeee open the door to twoterville and let me in.... Name...................Starting…...…..Current….…......Goal….......To Go losingjusme..............317...................310 ..................295...............15 tann.........................257.................. .247...................232...............15 juliegeraci.................232................... 232...................220...............12 Josette.....................340................... 333...................315...............18 Inner_me..................306....................300...................280................20 Elisabethsew............281...................277 ..................260................17 Waterlily1072............278...................274 ..................252................22 Libra.........................230................. ..226...................205................21 Lapbandit…………..…208………...…...206……..…..... .185……. ...….21 RidinMyHDDream..... .281..................278 ..................256................22 FaithMD................... ???...................328...................???... .............??

Hey Tonya, I was missing in action, but I wanted to say that you are doing real well. Also, thanks to those who gave me advice regarding the friend's of my family, and what I should tell them about how I'm losing weight. Now, regarding the body re-adjusting to fills. Per the information booklets and my surgeon, the stomach is padded with fat. As we lose the fat around the stomach, our band will loosen. Which is why adjustments are a constant in banding. As for me, finally came off my plateau long enough to drop 1 lb. One more to go before I reach my first mini-goal. I think I'll run around the house, too...uh, but Tonya, I may put on my housecoat first. Don't want to scare myself if I happen to pass the mirror. LOL.

I'm facing a similiar problem. I haven't told anyone either. Other then my parents, my two sisters, my sister's daughter, and one person at work who also had the surgery and was my inspiration for getting it, no one else knows. Not my brothers, their wives, my sister's husband, or any of my other nieces and nephews. Although, I do have one other niece that I should tell for her benefit. I just know that the more people that know, the more likely it will get around to others - which I don't want. I'm suprised my family has managed to keep this secret for as long as they have. Normally it goes in one ear and right out the mouth to the nearest family member. I'll admit, that at least they keep it within the family. But typically, if one knows...we all know. Anyway, my mother's good friend has consistently complimented me on my weight loss. She was the first person, outside of those who know, to even mention that she noticed a difference. Her daughter is as heavy, if not heavier then me and she wants me to talk to her about what I'm doing to lose weight. Personally, I know that it irritated me when my parents constantly discussed my weight with me...it would have really ticked me off to know that they were discussing it with their friends. Either way, she keeps asking me if her daughter calls me, will I tell her what I'm doing. I've told her yes, and then I spend the rest of the time alternating between hoping that she won't call me to hoping that she does for her own sake.

Sheila! You are doing fantastic, too! I'm sure your fill will go well, too. You know, I'm starting to feel this 2nd fill. It's been a week now. I see, what people say about them possibly getting tighter as you go. Although, I am getting closer to the fun part of the month for me. Who knows, maybe this fill will be okay for a while. Oh, and Tonya, I'm going on a cruise, too. Mine is with family, also. We're following up our family reunion, which is in the backwoods of Georgia...LOL..with a four day cruise to the Bahamas. Several of my relatives - besides the immediate ones - are going...Uncles, Aunts, cousins, etc... I can't wait for mine either. What I want to do is plan a 7 day cruise. I do a lot of traveling, and I've quickly realized that cruising is one of the best ways you can spend your vacation time.

Tonya! You are doing great! I know it's going slower for some. I'm in the middle... Just remember, any lose is great, and the slower it comes off the better. In the end it will completely be worth it. Granted it may take some of us longer to get there. I know I'll be one of them, because I started at a much higher bmi then most of you.

JULY 4th Challenge! Name...................Starting…...…..Current….…..Goal….....To Go losingjusme....................317.25............. ..313.25.............295.............18.25 tann...............................257........... ..........257..................232.............25 juliegeraci......................232.............. .......232..................220.............12 Josette..........................340............ .........340............... ..315..............25 Inner_me................... ...306............... .....301..................280..............21 Elisabethsew..................278................ ....278..................255..............23 Waterlily1072................278.................. ...270..................252..............18 Libra.............................230............ .........229.................205...............24 Lapbandit……………..208……………..208……..…...185……..….23 RidinMyHDDream.........281.....................281 .................256..............25 Hi everyone, once again I must mention how well everyone is doing! Congratulations to those who are reaching milestones. I've hit one, this is the lowest I've weighed in over 7 years. My minigoal was to get out of the 300's, but being here at 301 - when I couldn't get past 303 the last two times I've tried to lose weight - is FANTASTIC! My goal for this challenge is my second mini-goal. 280 was the next weight down that I hung around for years. I joke around that I'm working my way back through school... I was 200 when I graduated from jr high, 230 from high school, 250 from undergrad, 280 from grad. Well, it's time to head back down the chain...and I actually believe it's going to happen this time!

Kimi, I understand what you're saying. I've had my second fill, and can still eat normal bites. Although, I've been alot more careful with them. I am feeling fuller quicker, which is a good thing. However, everything, for the most part, is still going down the same. I've yet to have anything get stuck...knock on wood...and if I want (which unfortunately sometimes I do) I can still eat bread. Other then the above, I'm doing great. I've made it down to 301lbs. That's 2 lbs from my first mini goal!!! I can't tell you the last time I weighed around this weight. Probably 7 or so years ago. I'm excited and can see that this will really work. I do think I'm starting to retain some water, though. But that's fine with me, because I know in a couple of days it will all disappear and so will several pounds with it! So, by the end of this week, or at the minimum, no later then the end of next week, I'll be at my first mini-goal and it will be time to set another.