sherilynn

That's what I said at 22. Then at 30... Before I knew it; the weight went on and on...the belly got bigger too. Fat knows no age limit.

Coming from a girl who has two cats named Martini and Cosmopolitan.... I was concerned about this as well. Cocktails has always played a big part in my social life. However, a funny thing happened after the band. After all the pain from surgery, after seeing the weight come off, seeing the body change to a smaller size, seeing my blood sugars come down along with my blood pressure - I didn't have much of a desire for the empty 'bad' calories or sugar. That's not without saying I haven't had a few cocktails!! I actually even 'tied one on' about a month ago; don't even remember getting out of the pool!!! And that was on just 1 large glass of sangria. My tolerance is different. The last thing you want to do is upset your stomach; for fear of slipping the band. You'll still be able to enjoy a cocktail without a doubt. Just no bubbles!

Good Morning Everyone, I'm 6 months out like all of you. I had some insurance issues where I had to wait 90 days for my first fill. So now, I have the 'bigger' band (not sure which)...but I've had two fills. Can you please let me know where you all are in terms of how many fills you've had? My restriction is there, but certainly less that most of what I hear you guys talking about; being full on 1/2 cup of food, etc. Are most of you beyond 2 fills?

I have all my pics up on Kodakgallery.com Is there any way to share the link?

So I lost 5 more at my Dr. visit last week. But THIS weekend (Not even a PMS week)…I was just craving JUNK food. Friday Night: Jambalaya with andoille sausage (about a cup). Saturday: Tyson chicken strips (2) some left over jambalaya Sunday: Boneless ribs (frozen food aisle), 1/3 cup jambalaya, some creamed spinich Mind you, I also had on Sunday during the race - torillia chips with lime(My weakness). Ok, ok - so PRE band, these quantities would have been MUCH more. But I feel like such a looser, like I was totally out of control. I'm definitely in need of a fill; that's coming in 4 weeks from now. Not feeling hungry; just battling the head hunger. As long as I keep it in check. And BOY - fitday helps to keep me honest!!! Any one ever come up with the cottage cheese test??

SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look amazing! Healthy and STRONG! Wow.....You have come so, so, so far! I'm in tears right now; tears of just total joy for you!!! What an inspiration!!!!!

I was recently told that adding calcium can help speed weightloss? Is this true? Otherwise, what are the advantages of me taking MORE than my multi and having some milk?

You kidding girl????????????????????? 80 pounds is a tremendous amount of weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You lost a WHOLE Nicole Richie!!!!!!!!

How do I rid myself of that smirk, with my User CP???

Actually, I've been to the derm dr. for this, 'Intertrigo'. It's a fungus, I got it three years ago when I hit my heaviest...and each spring, the first sign of heat/humidity - HERE IT COMES. You can treat this with Lotrimin Spray/Powder is the best version I find. Be sure to totally dry under your breasts after a shower, and even under arms (I get the weeping, rash there sometimes too). Been doing this for years. Best part now; I work for the company who makes it!!! HEHEHEHE The NSV for me with regard to this; after my current weight loss (which is recommended to get rid of this) - I didn't have one outbreak this whole summer. Yet. Now watch, I've just cursed myself! lol :faint:

Hey JordansMom! WELCOME. You're in the BEST place to gain insider information, advice and encouragement. Without this board, I don't know what I would have done. You're getting educated about this 'tool'...which is the best thing you could be doing for yourself. I don't know about self-pay; I'm sure there are other Bandsters that will reply to you. I can tell you that reading this forum, new and old posts, there is a wealth of information and experiences with self pay. Months of past medical history usually is required. So gathering this information ahead of time is key. I went to my OBGYN, my Gen. Practice Doctor, Cardiologist, etc...(any doc visits you can think of)...and obtain records from them. Especially anything that shows or documents your obesity history and/or medical conditions associated. In the end, all of this will help with getting you approved. Good luck!!!! :clap2:

All these months now on this forum, and I see 'Bump' on a few threads here and there. Can you please tell me what this is all about? Thanks!

Not to brag...but...(ok, maybe a little bit proud!) Last night we went to see Kenny Chesney in concert. I can PROUDLY say I sat in the seat with ROOM TO SPARE! Walked the steps up and down to concession - never lost my breath once! :whoo: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I love my band! :kiss2: These NSV's are more important than what that scale says. hehehe :clap2:

From one Sheri to another... GOOD FOR YOU! 8 months; 40 pounds - WHAT an incredible accomplishment! I find that following the rules is much easier than I originally thought. I think right now; almost 6 months out - I'm doing more 'testing of the waters' than anything else. Heck, learned how to eat around the band, etc. The band doesn't fix our heads. Once you do that for yourself, we're well on our way. What a great tool we have!!!

I've been taking Ambien for years. I'm a diagnosed insomniac. No apnea, etc.; did all the sleep studies. I still use my ambien when needed.

Hey all, did my 1 month post fill with my doctor day, and I'm SO happy to report I'm down another 5 pounds. But what is even better, my blood work is fabulous. And my blood sugars have been in GREAT check - so I'm getting HEALTHY!!! :whoo: The way my Doc works is Fill, wait a month, visit, another month for a fill. So that's where I am; next fill August 30. But I think it's perfectly fine, b/c I think by then, I'll feel no restriction. Right now (last night infact) I am still getting 'stuck' on some things. But after my fabulous cardiologist check up last week - all good news, and now this all good news visit - I'm just thrilled to tears. Oh…and I 'gave away' a HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE bag of clothes to someone in need. Seems that every week now, I'm ridding myself of something too big. Now, to hit the lottery to prepare my closets for the spree I'm going to do when I get into a size 10!!!! ***I can dream, can't I??????????????? Have a great day all!!! xoxo

For those who are fans of calamari… I'm sure many folks have found it hard to be able to eat it small enough after surgery. I have been cooking it the following way, and it's so tender, I don't even need a knife to cut it into pieces: In a pot (not a fry pan) I put in 1/2 stick butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste, up to a boil. I throw in 1 - 2 lbs of calamari whole tubes and/or legs. Stir, to get the flavors all over the calamari. Put the lid on, bring it down to a simmer for 1/2 hour. Last 5 minutes, take the lid off, to boil off some of the water and the sauce can thicken. Let me tell you; my family RAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a necklace that I wear all of the time; it's my zodiac. It's my 'staple' necklace, weekends, etc. Anyway, today I went to grab it (habit)...and noticed it was quite a bit LOWER on my breast bone. It's an 18" chain. It's always hung up in the soft 'hole' in front of my lower neck. Now it's below that! WHOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO :whoo:

Julie, You once again have inspired me. Pre-band, your posts were a driving force. Post-band, they are priceless. Thank you.

Don't fret - you have US!!!! Trust me, every day for me was up or down or up or down. As hard as it is for me; I stay off the scales completely - for months at a time, b/c I get nuts over the numbers! For instance, I weighed in on the scale here at work yesterday in the a.m. Then after I pee'd. Then after lunch. Then after I pee'd again - HOW insane is that??? The Scale is an evil thing for some of us. Others find it to be helpful, I do not. It can be very discouraging. The scale is only a 'guide', not to be confused with a 'measure' of weight loss. Are you clothes fitting better? Do you have more energy? See…things like that are measurable - and no scale in the world can take that all away from me. I've been gaining and loosing the same 5 pounds for the last two months. But you know what: I've lost 5 inches off my hips, 6 off my waist , my blood sugars are fantastic - and I feel GOOD!!! Please, don't let this get you down. The band is a funny 'tool'. Events and experiences will change each day. Please don’t feel like a failure. You're not taking a step backwards by any means. Perhaps just a 'side step'…your body has to catch up with all the adjustment it's been going through. My weight loss is very slow. But I am certain that some day (and I know it's soon)…the scale will catch up with my body's shrinking size. Chin up!!!

....Or you could have replied..."I may be fat, but you're ugly. I can go on a diet...What are you gonna do"? AHHHHHHHHHH, that makes me so mad!!!!! There was a thread "What was your last straw" for getting the band. I will NEVER forget last September (band was already decided, so it wasn't my last straw…but this STICKS in my mind) and I was driving my Jeep. I guy cut me off, I cut him off. He pulled up along side of me, and I looked right at him. He said to me "OMG, look at you - you're so fat. Didn't you ever hear of Weight Watchers?" I started to scream about how ugly he was…but damage was done - to me. For a total stranger to 'see' how fat I was in the next car. I felt so small and belittled. It was a commerical vehicle…and I really hope that some day I come across the same van in town. I have a gesture for him. You're getting healthy...he's not.

I am glad this question was asked, b/c I find myself in the same boat. I know I definitely have restriction; but just don't think it's enough. Caesar salad is exactly what I had yesterday and today. 1/2 of the small tin from a pizzeria each day. So, 1/2 breast, plus the lettuce (and a few anchovies). I'm seeing my doctor for my 1 month follow up visit after my 2nd fill, on Thursday. At that point, I'm going to tell him that I have 'some' restriction, but can certainly eat more than 1/4 cup….more than 1 cup. Albeit slow and chewed well.

...one we've all heard before... "Nothing tastes as good as being thin/healthy feels"!!

I was very, VERY concerned about hair loss...who wouldn't be, right? I started taking 5000 iu Biotin months before surgery. The plus is that my hair was GREAT pre surgery, as was my skin and nails! I'm 6 months out now, and my hair is still great. But protein intake is key I believe. I take protein supplements as well.

I don't have any tattoos, never really thought of getting one. But a bullseye right at my port WOULD be pretty funny!