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This is great. I will tell you. Weight loss does change you and everyone you connect with. For me it has been for the better. I am not hiding from the world anymore. I spend more time being active with my family and they love it. I am not embarassed at my size anymore, even though I am still obese. I am proud because I earned this size. I am still very compassianate but also accomplished and fullfilled. I am proud of where I am at cause I know the hard work it took to get here. I love what you had to say here.

I love going to Helen GA, Did you eat at the BBQ place? By the water slides.

Sounds like your doing fine. I never blended anything but a margarita. Always do what your doc says. Some people do blend but my doc didn't instruct me to and I did fine.

Bandster hell is the hunger period before your first fill. DON'T try to wash the food down by drinking. It will backup just like a clogged pipe. I use to lay down. Not much else you can do. You feeling of fullness will be much faster and very differnt from before. It took me awhile to realize what the feeling was. Eat slowly and you will notice the feeling and learn to look for it. If you start feeling alot of saliva being produced better get in the bathroom.

Does your doc want you countin protein yet? In the begining it is hard to get it in. Tuna is great for protein. You sound like your doing great except for the hip. I didn't have hip problems so I can't offer any advice.

Great job. You have made so much progress.

I have seen a few ppl talk about this and they end up benifiting from a slight unfill. It makes sense that you are hungry in the afternoon because your on liquids all morning. It takes hard protein to fill your pouch and give you the full signal. If you can't eat just a bit of something solid in the morning you may want to back off your fill level a bit. Slider foods have more calories and you can get more in which in turn prevents you from losing. Don't just tell your doc what you want. Get his advice. You pay alot of money for his time get your moneys worth. You don't have to eat a full breakfast. I eat about half an egg just to get my pouch full. By evening I can eat more. Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

I am so glad you are not just looking good but FEELING it too. I have started feeling this way lately too. Use this time to really get those habits developed. Take advantage of that awesome feeling. Congrats I know you will reach 2derville soon cause you are doing some hard work.

I love my band and I am sure you will too. It totally change my life and my family's life. I was so tired before I had the band. I had to take a prescription for narcalepsy to keep me awake while driving. I am now 4 months out and no longer need my medicine. I get up at 7 during the week with no problem and I even find the energy to excercise. I no longer take naps during the day. I feel great. I even think I lokk great too which is a great feeling.

As far as drinks go I drink propel water, my doc also allows me to drink diet soda. You'll learn all the little tips that help us get through our day. Good luck to you.

I do it too. Lately though I am feeling more normal as far as size. I have reached 216 and this past week have taken inventory. Looked over old pics and videos. Sometimes I am the biggest sometimes not. It's the not times that I try to focus on. It's a good feeling.

I am flying in April. I was nervous about it but now with the band I know it will be manageable. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your blogs.

Thanks for doing the spread sheet for us. I gained this week Boo hoo. Hopefully it's water.

Congrats on getting that scale to move. When you are feeling down you really should post. That is when you need support the most. We all get that way and understand your frustration.

You are doing great! I lost about the same as you at that stage. My Doc tells me to limit my carbs to less than 30 a day. It is hard but I feel so much better when I do it and the weight comes off.

I think 56 pounds is pretty good. We cannot expect this journey to be perfect. We are gonna mess up and life is going to happen causing us to mess up. Just keep trucking. Also at age 18 I think your skin has more of a chance of bouncing back than most of us. Glad you came back here for support. The only way to get out of this slump you feel your in is to keep on fighting and eventually you will realize you've come out of it. Good luck to you.

It actually depends on if the company you work for has choosen to offer this to it's employees. I have uhc through my husbands job but his company is so small they opted out of this coverage. If by chance your company does offer it I believe you have a good chance. You may be able to get more info at myuhc.com. I am 28, my BMI was 43, and I have PCOS and was prediabetic. I qualified through my medicare. Some insurance companies require a 6 month doctor supervised diet before they will approve. Pick a surgeon and talk to his staff about it. Good luck.

I am taking my first postop flight in April. I am hoping to be where you are by then. COngrats and thanks for the encouragement.

I had the same thought this morning. I din't struggle to get my socks on. Maybe now I can get shoes that tie.

I also feel presured by my family to lose fast. I didn't even want anyone to know. I told my mother in law(MIL) because she lives with us and she told the whole family. Now when ever they see me I feel like they are judging wether or not the band is doing it's job.

I have lost 33 pounds since Nov, -21 since surgery Jan 4th. I have gained a new attitude. When I first wore my new jeans to class I felt a little uncomfortable because I was no longer hiding in my baggy jeans and shirts. Now, I am proud to wear them. I wear them every other day. The new slacks I bought are already feeling lose after a week of wear. My confidence is building as I succeed with weightloss and with school. Even though I am the biggest chick in the room I don't feel like I stand out anymore. I can see the change in the mirror. I can't believe these are my legs and my chin has returned. My husband says he can feel the difference when he hugs me. I am aiming for 17 more pounds by easter. That is when I will be visiting my brother. Oh how surprised he will be when he sees a third of me is missing.

I also went to orlando a little while ago and met some friends from LBT. We had a blast talking with each other and I got some great advice. Feels like I have a few new moms and sisters.

I am also going to return to volunteering in my son's karate class. They need a little help with all those 4 and 5 year olds. My son kept getting hurt in there because they don't have enough teachers.

I have a fill appt next friday. I hope to be down 5 more pounds by then. I always get so nervous to see my doc cause he gives it to you straight. If I lose 5 more pounds by then I won't have to worry about it.

I have decided to resume therapy. The only reason I stopped going was because we no longer had insurance. Now that I have it again I think I need to go back. I stopped taking my psych meds for awhile and I think I need someone to keep me accountable for them. I got so caught up in the magic of the band I forgot about my issues. I even missed an appt. My therapist really challenges me. She has helped me tremendously with my social anxiety and PTSD. Helped me set goals and then follow through. Taking I can't out of my voc. After I was diagnosed with psych issues I felt so helpless and weak. She showed me I can still have a happy fulfilling life. Having psych issues doesn't make me stupid. It makes me human.

Your doing great. I also don't bring a drink to the table. I got my appt right away but I think some docs wait for insurance approval.

I hate not being 15 minutes early too. In fact, I just made and appt with my doc and she said don't come early because she knows it is a habit of mine. Good luck on your surgery today.

Chew gum while you cook or brush your teeth just before cooking. It makes food taste nasty for a little while. If I start craving something I will brush my teeth.

You can do it. Start just like you did when you first got the band. Journal your food. Start with a little excersise and build from there. How long has it been since you have seen your lapband doc? Consider scheduling with him and getting back on track. It is not too late. Sounds like you know what to do because you have done it before. Good luck.

I weigh myself daily too. I just can't help myself. It has become a routine. I love getting on the scale and seeing I am not 260 anymore. Even if I gain a pound or 2 or 3. It is just a great motivator for me.

When I first started back on solids I did throw up many times. It took me a few days to learn the new full feeling, to eat small bites, chew well and eat slow. The band is wide open post op but the swelling of the stomach in the area makes it feel tight. Once the swelling goes down you are hungry again and praying your first fill will come sooner. I just had my first fill tuesday. I can see a difference in how much I am eatting but the full feeling isn't lasting long. I know I will need another one. Good luck on your surgery.