sld21

I am happy...happy and healthy...thank you..appreciate your compliments. Still have work to do but satisfied with progress so far. The band is a great tool but a hammer only works with the power behind it. I still have to eat right and sweat my butt off , the band just makes it not feel like a diet so much:)

thank you...but you know..when I look at it, it looks just a little different, not a lot (I was a 22/24 now 12/14) Though I felt just as cute then;) I just wanted to be healthier and have kids!

Just this past Saturday

January 1, 2010 (a week before band on New Years)

Mine was similiar to couch to 5k...I walk fast on the treadmill for 2-3 minutes to get my heart beat up and then I jog/run for another 3 minutes, back and forth. I figure 30 minutes of that I at least run 15 or more of those minutes. I also do the same thing when I am walking the dog for miles. He's a pit and loves the job. He's my workout buddy and pulls me along:)

Jan 8 will me my one year out and I am only 30 lbs till goal. I will be 160 then. 100 off if I make it. I hope so too!

It's weird buying size 12 dress pants when all your life(well at least as far as I can remember), I have bought size 18-24. It was honestly a joke with myself (my 14's were comfy) when I picked them up. I figured they seemed to have a little stretch in the band. I tryed them on, snug but fit well. I showed my husband (my chair critic). I said guess, he guessed right. I said this is a fluke, he said whatever. So I went and got another pair of 12's (ones with no "give") Sure enough they buttoned though they stole my breath. It seems so close yet so weird. I still wander around the plus size section because its what I know and where I am comfortable. I am still a "fat chick", my belly is proof. But I no longer belong there. I almost feel as if my friends have left me. That I have been kicked out of their department. Even my shoes have deserted me for a lower size. I have never worn a large shirt in my life until now(well maybe in the 4th grade). Funny though, in all of these clothing changes, I have yet to upgrade the "draws", they have elastic anyways. But everything else, 22-24 to a 12-14, 2x-3x to a large. 42C to a 38 D (who knew I was wearing the wrong size all along, Dillard's measures:) It is almost an out of body experience, literally and it feels weird but almost amazing. With 30 more pounds to go, I will have lost 100 and January is my one year bandiversay. I hope to make it. The doctor said my results were what he sees in 4 years. But he doesn't see where I eat healthy (well most of the time) and bust my behind on the elliptical or treadmill. This tool does not work alone, it just makes the battle a little easier. All I can say is that I am grateful for the good and the bad, but nonetheless, grateful. But it still feels weird, like its not even really happened.

cool..I get to be the first teacher on this post then. I am 33, live in Louisville, KY (Home of the Derby), happily married, no kids yet(but will soon thanks to my band)...68 off. I am a special education teacher in middle school(7th graders). I was formerly in high school. I am working on my second masters/last rank change. I guess I love school too!

fill fill fill...tools don't work unless you use them.

you are all welcome! I love to write and read especially if its the truth. I don't get to eat a lot of fast food because it seems like a waste to me since I can't eat that much, I would much rather portion control it for myself, but still, there are times when it is necessary. I don't always approve of my own choices but overall, I try to be observant and consistent. The band is not my mind tool but my portion control. Moderation when you are starving all the time was difficult for me when I was obese, especially with diabetes and emotions attached to food. Now, my emotions can be attached all they want but my band won't let it happen, which I am good with. This automatically kind of adjusts my attitude, emotions and ultimately I end up choosing the food that is nutritionally rich instead of dense. It's kind of intimidating that I am 34 lbs away from my goal. I did this so my husband and I could have children and I could live a long time for them and myself, if not, the diabetes and high cholesterol would have eventually caught up with me and killed me one day, and at 33, I am too young and way too hot :thumbup: to die.

I am 8 months or so out (Jan 8) 64 down from 260lbs. Blood sugar normal, cholesterol lower, 5 or so sizes smaller (14's and I just bought 2 large shirts today compared to my usual 2x or 3x) I am 6 pounds away from my BMI no longer being "obese" and just overweight (which hey I am cool with that). My goal is 160 and I am 36 away (doesn't seem like much) Sometimes I think I am not going to make it (while I eat my Tostito with a hint of lime, but now I eat 4 chips instead of the whole bag) I eat two chicken nuggets instead of 10 or more. I eat 2-3 chicken wingettes compared to an 18 piece and some wedges. Life hasn't changed much, it is just more balanced and not full of excess. Excess weight, excess baggage, cheaper grocery bills. I no longer dwell in the thought of food, though I will always love it. But now I consider quality versus quanity. If I am going to eat, make it good but allow a bit or two of junk so I don't feel left out. My former physical self is melting and I would be lying to myself if it hadn't changed me. Sure it has. It's weird to look at pictures just 8 months ago, I have shed almost a 1/3 of me, which was not just fat but insecurity, negative feelings, hurtful people. I feel lighter in so many ways and it is now starting to internalize....I am not the same person as I was but its not that bad getting to know me again.

I wouldnt do mushies/liquid to just reach your goal of onderland because it wont last once you eat the solids and you will be starving. I would stick to solid proteins, low carbs and exercise...you will get there and be satisfied. I know I sat at 200 for like 3 weeks...I am finally down 4 more pounds this week, but I do have a tighter fill and a bunch of restriction so I try to stick with protein.

I have never been told no except once and that was right after surgery for about three months; not that it can stretch the pouch but they were researcing possible band erosion due to the carbonation. My dr states this is only critical the first few months after. He gave me the okay to drink a diet pop but let it sit out for a bit to die it down some. But although he doesn't recommend it it had nothing to do with the band it was because diet soda had artificial sweetners in it which have been linked in increasing the appetite. He advised one or two a week. It has been 8 months since I have let a soda pass through and although I have dreams about one...what's the point now having gone so long. I have had a beer once or twice since surgery and perhaps might have my fizzy one day when I decide to let matter win over my mind. To me right now its a game, a challenge and I am winning.:wub:

I am at sweet spot and losing regularly but very tight(which is the way it should truly be) I did just have an adjustment on Monday though but prior was still pretty tight but could eat more than I can today. I had a cup if tea this morning because I have a cold, but usually a cup of low carb yogurt with a sprinkle of something in it and I usually cant finish it all I had a muscle milk light for lunch because I was in a rush (I teach) I came back when I could actually concentrate on eating so I wouldnt fast and get stuck.....I had a cheese stick and a pepperoni stick as a snack I had a banana a few hours later(hungrier in the afternoon) plus I hadnt had many carbs today. I went to a grad class this evening and had a small bag of baked lays I just ate dinner which was 2 teaspoons of homemade hummus with a couple of wheat thins. That's it. B:Yesterday a half cup of yogurt with a sprinkle of cheerios L:chicken broth and a piece of ham lunchmeat D: Homemade chicken Soup, maybe a half cup. 1/2 cup of ice cream My doctor said that I should not be eating over 4 oz at any time at goof restriction which is the equivalent of 2 Dixie cups..and right now I am bloated at that, so I am happy Im not as hungry. I have 9cc in my Realize. I have lost 62 in 8 months or 48.8 of my excess. Prior to Monday though, I was eating way more but still losing, but I worked out hard. I still work out but I have a new dr who seems to be more aggressive(which I actually appreciate) My other dr though the best was way more conservative and I was ready to kick it up a notch.

you need way more protein than this..liquid or mushie stage....this is a lot of carbs...sure there is protein in the yogurt and milk but not that much. I would find a protein powder/drink that you like and at least supplement until you can eat solid protein. The only way you will feel full once you are restricted is solid food...if you want to lose weight...majority protein.

Now that made me LOL....a deep belly laugh.... and hookah is NOT necessarily pot....it could definitely be flavored tobacco,,, but in college, I was really good at rigging a 2 liter bottle. But that was a long time ago and not any more.

well I teach at a different school and a different grade level and I was eating a snack and one of the 7th graders asked, "why you eat so healthy?" I told them I was working on my weight and I had lost 62lbs in the last 7 months. They said wow, you must have weighed like 300 lbs! I laughed...never have I weighed that much at my highest 260 and I am now in onederland. But I laughed it off but sure was thinking...he must really think I am huge now:) I haven't told this staff because it was not necessary. They didnt know me prior anyways. My previous school though knew. I was shrinking before their eyes.

I also eat a couple of spoonfuls of frozen coolwhip...its even lower in calories and carbs(though the hydrogenated oil is prob not good for anyone) but I do get the light kind, hoping that helps. Two spoons is like 25 calories.

oh come on guys! True ice cream is "liquid carbs" but geeze, I didn't get the band to zero out everything in my life. It is a moderation tool. Ice cream on the other hand is a "slider food" and usually won't hang there to keep you satisfied. But geez a small cup every once in a while and not everyday is not bad and its summer time. Although I usually get the Breyers Low carb almond crunch bars but if you are still early in, a smooth ice cream won't kill you. And every now and then, and I stress rarely, Dairy Queen does the trick for me. I have lost 60lbs since my surgery in January.

or I could see the Friday or Monday after having it as the earliest, at least Friday.

I am sure it is different for everyone but to go back the next day to teaching, I couldn't do it. I'm a teacher and a special ed at that. What if someone got into a fight or got mad and kicked you. You would have just had major trauma to your body and put yourself at risk like that and I doubt your surgeon will sign off that you return. I was required to take my ten days or until my two week follow up. If you were to get hurt and they found out you had surgery they would not cover it in workman's comp. You need to let your body heal. It's not an office visit. I was sore and shuffling around and sleeping uncomfortably for a few days but by day five, I was walking the track at the YMCA comfortably. I don't know what grade, specialty, etc but IMHO, I wouldn't risk it but I am not a doctor.

I was teaching at one school last year and everyone noticed. I have lost 60lbs off a 5'6 frame. Sure people notice but they were aware of what I did as I told a few select people plus I had taken 10 days off. They had been nothing but supportive. But I am at a new school now and I have told no one about my operation and if they see an old pic on my desk, I just tell them I have lost a lot of weight. The only thing that kills me is "what's your secret". I have told them weight loss and exercise because its the truth but still feel like a liar when I dont mention the band, but still feel its personal, if I choose to keep it that way. Family or friends is different; if they haven't seen me or know anything about it and remark, I usually tell them diet and exercise but that I couldn't do it alone without the help from my band. My colleagues don't need to know especially since they are new and its not necessary. So does it make me a liar?

I am pretty tight with 9cc in my Realize band and popcorn is not an issue, a small one at the theatre especially if I havent had dinner and we catch a matinee....then I have a really light dinner, mostly protein. I just dont do it often because of the fat or calories unless you are only getting the microwave 100 cal kind. I would much rather have it every now and then at the theatre or a few bites of my husbands.

WOW...a D cup to an A cup...that is a big difference...(and I thought mine were deflating) I have lost 60lbs but just still dealing with the old bras though they are really loose in the cup(I can always tighten them up) I had went to the flea market last time they were in town and got some dirt cheap ones that were too tight but went to the fabric store and bought bra extenders for like $2 to help loosen the tightness and that seems to help. I figure when I get down this last 40 or so then I will go to a department store and get measured properly and invest in a $50 bra.

I would honestly steer clear of the mashed potato...they are a slippery slope and a gateway "drug".