tonya66

Maria, I think moving would be great - I tried to start a thread awhile back, but no takers. lol.

Hello all, I finally was able to weigh, and I was up 5 lbs. I was thinking, for the last 2 months I have been eating whatever and whenever I wanted. I have had nothing but bad stuff for 2 whole months, since August 5th. The beauty of the band is I'm only up 5 lbs!!!! Pre band I would have been up at least 20 lbs by now. I am so happy with the band, I love my band! I still don't even have the propper restriction. I'm at 3.4 cc's and still can eat whatever I want, I don't have to take small bites or eat slow. I go for another fill Monday October 8th, so this should help jump start me. Even though I'm up 5 lbs and have not lost 1 single pound in 2 months, I know that with the band I can maintain and I never have to be 200+ lbs again. Well, I can't wait to start exercising again. I can't wait to be able to walk again and get back on the tredmill or elliptical. Today is 6 weeks since my surgery and I see the physical therapist today, I am hoping they will start helping me walk again....... Well, will check in later.........

Hello all!!!! I just wanted to pop in and say I'm still alive. Things have been really hectic for me, I had surgery on my knee 8/22, my house flooded and then last week my grandmother passed away. This has been a lot for me to endure and I really went into a selp pitty mode and ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and how much I wanted. Life has not been that great for me lately. I'm trying to re-focus on my eating healthy and its hard to get back in the mode of eating right. I know I have gained some weight, but not sure how much. My scales got ruined in the flood, so I will have to purchase some more. I think I"m up around 8 lbs. I get another fill next week so that will help. I am hoping to be able to start putting some weight on my knee next week and once that happens, I can start walking on the treadmill again, I will just have to walk slow at it. The therapy for my knee is a killer, its very rough and painful, but I want to have full use of my knee again, so I'm doing exactly as they tell me. I will try and check back more often now that I am back at work 1/2 days.

Shawn good for you! I miss walking on the treadmill, I miss walking period! I am hoping next week I can start driving and maybe get to the gym to do some upper body workouts, the doc keeps telling me stay off my feet period and I cannot drive, but I think I can, I would just have to use my left foot for the brakes (my right knee is what had the surgery). Well, keep up you dedication!

Hi all, still stuck in bed with my knee so I can't get to the computer like I want to, man, I need a laptop! Anyhow, I have 4 more weeks to go before I can walk again! I tell you - I'm going CRAZY. I can't stand it. Everyone is feeding me FAT too. I can't wait to be able to get up and cook for myself. I still am having therapy 2 x a week, and am on a CPM machine 6 hours a day to keep my knee from building so much scar tissue. I miss the gym horribly, I miss work, I miss my life, I miss Lap-band talk.com too! I just want to get back to normal again! Hopefully soon I will. I weighed the other day and the scales show I'm up to 180lbs - i'm so bummed! I will check back when I can.....not sure when it will be, its about 3:20 am in Oklahoma and everyone is asleep, and I'm wide awake, lol. I think I have my days & nights mixed up now.

Its good to be back! The tubing in the back of the refridge (the one for the ice maker and water), it cracked and leaked everywhere. You wouldn't think that little tube could do that much damage, but let me tell you, it sure did! Buy oh well, it could have been worse. My house is still salvagable, its just a complete mess right now. My surgery is tomorrow afternoon, so I'm sure I'll be on drugs for the next few days and be knocked out, but I'll check in as soon as I'm up to it. I miss my exercise! I haven't been able to exercise in 2 weeks now, sucks. I am at a stand still with my weightloss!

sorry for the HUGE picture, I tried to go back and edit the post and make the picture smaller, but it wouldn't let me. I also had a fill last Friday I'm up to 3.4 cc's and finally feeling a little restriction, I'm going to schedule another fill and hopefully I will hit my sweet spot!

Hello all, life is hectic right now so I haven't even been able to get on the computer - here is what is going on. I went on my cruise and on the 2nd day of the cruise, I slipped and fell, I tore my ACL legament and my MCL, and ripped my cartledge (sp?). Anyhow, I'm off work on medical leave and having surgery tomorrow to repair it, or replace it, I'm using a donor ACL. Also, when we returned last Sunday, we found our house had completely flooded, EVERY ROOM. But, besides all this, we had a good time on the cruise. I'm attaching our family portrait. This was taken the night before I got hurt.

Kim, feel free to email me anytime or PM me! My email tonyathescrapperaddict@hotmail.com. Yes, everyone is different with the band, I am learning that. Terri - great link, I missed it before, but I have posted in it now. love it!

ahhhh, Tracey, I got you beat..... I posted a picture of my before picture in a bikini - lol, we are brave souls aren't we. I can't post them here because I'm at work at they are on my hardrive at home. But, I'm brave enough to post my link http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/january-bandsters-25717/index215.html I'm proud of what I've accomplished, and even though it is a little shameful to look back at my "old me" - things have changed dramtically! I can cross my legs I have colar bones I wear a size 12 (and some 10's) I weigh less than my husband I no longer have high cholesteral I am off my diabetes medicine I am comfortable in the bedroom now, with the lights on. :Banane20: I like myself I have more energy I feel good I have better relationship with my kids/DH (because I am happier) I love life I no longer dread walking I love to exercise I love healthy foods I am committed to myself I know that I deserve to be healthy & fit I will no longer be a quitter! I know that I will NEVER go back to 248 lbs again!

Kim, I remember when I was first beginning my journey, I wanted to read all the success stories out there. I suggested to the web master that we should have a section just for Success Stories. This way people can share their story, what they ate, how they did it, what exercises they did, etc. I was banded 1/18/07, and I was scared, and worried. I wondered if I was making the right decision. I also worried how I would handle giving up my food? Food has been my friend, who would I turn to? These are common fears and thoughts I later learned, so I was not abnormal after all. I read so many post where people said that it was hardly no pain, they were up and walking that day. So needless to say, I was quite in shock when I awoke in pain. I wasn't expecting to feel pain, after all, I had had 2 babies completely natural and I have a high pain threshold. So, I wasn't expecting to hurt like I did. I ended up spending the night in the hospital and the next evening I was released. The ride home was very unpleasant. I found it difficult to sleep, My DH propped pillows up on the couch to elevate me so I could sleep. The bed was too unbearable. It hurt to breath. It was at this point I began to think "What in the world have I don't to myself?". I started feeling the "buyers remorse", I wanted to go back to pre-band. I found out again, all these feelings were normal, and again I was abnormal at all. Luckily, I had taken off work for 3 weeks vs most people request just a week off. By the end of the week, I was feeling better, and could get up on my own without the help. By the 10th day, I went to the gym. This started my new life! I could only walk 10 min on the treadmill and then I would hurt on my port side so I got off. The next day, I did the same thing, back to the gym and walked just 10 min. I did this everyday until I reached 30 min. By my 3 mos out, I was released by the doc to start strength training, so I began that journey as well. Exercise has played a major part in my weightloss, I've become a lover of exercise. Weird for me to think that, but its true. My eating is clean 90% of the time. I stil have binging episodes, where I want to eat everything in sight. But my little friend the Band won't let me. The only downfall I see with the band is - it doesn't fix your brain. Head hunger is an ongoing problem. Oh, sometimes I eat more than I should of the wrong stuff, and the band gives me the signal that I've over done it. I get a sharp pain that runs all the way up my left shoulder. Very sharp pains sometimes. So, I'm learning my lesson but I still "test" it at times. The band is tricky, some days I'm tighter than most. I've PB'd 1 x I think, I really don't know if I did or not? I did slime, but food never came up. I just remember it was a horrible feeling. That was at about 3 mos post op. I am now 6 mos post op and wonder what it feels like to have really good restriction. I don't have to take small bites of food, I don't have to sip on Water, and I don't have to even eat slow. I eat regular bites of food, I gulp down water (not while eating of course). I try and follow the bandster rules, but sometimes I do get away from them. But the important things is, this is now a way of life. No more diets. How does it feel to be skinny? Well, not there yet, but let me tell you after losing over 70 lbs now (getting close to 80), my life has changed. I have energy, I can do things I haven't done in years. I am starting to feel beautiful again, it takes a lot of work, but it is so well worth it. Getting the band is the best gift I could have given myself. I'm now 6 mos post op and this morning I stepped on the scales it it read 170lbs. I'm getting closer and closer everyday to my goal weight. I get called skinny all the time, I don't feel that way. I still don't see myself as skinny. Or as smaller. I still grab the XL shirts off the clothes rack, because the L or M look way to small for me, but when I try the XL on, its always too big. I can wear a M sometimes, and sometims I have to go to a L. Its hard changing our self image. I still look in the mirror and see all my imperfections. My sagging butt, my cellulite, my wrinkles, etc. I don't see the skinny person people call me. But other times, I walk by and catch my reflection in the glass, and I think Wow, is that me? I look so thin? I also catch things that I have never notice before, for example my colar bones - I stare at myself in the mirror because I have not seen colar bones in years. I look at my hands and see bones in them and I watch myself type because I'm so amazed at how skinny my hands are.

Sounds like a great workout!!!! I love doing interval training, I think it really gets that matabolism reved up! Your August Challenge is a lot of miles - but you can do it!

Pre band I was able to drink 1 gallon a day, not problem, but now I am down to about 60 oz, I'm working to getting up to at least 100 oz which is almost a gallon. But you are right, we need our water! And our weight does varry all the time, one book I read states you should weigh yourself everyday, and then at the end of the week calculate the average weekly weight, the next week, you do the same thing, and then you subtract the two to give you your weightloss. I just weigh every other day.

The scales sounds like a good one. I paid $50 for mine from Avon Healths, and I do like it, it shows every ounce I lose vs. just 1/2 pounds like most. But I would like to upgrade to a better scale when this one plays out. So, I'll keep yours in mind for sure.

I've been waiting on you to get back!!! I posted a few days ago that I couldn't wait for you to get back so you could tell us about your trip. Tell me all about it! What nights are formal nights? What did you do in Jamaica? My DH & I had our honeymoon there 19 years ago, and this will be the first time my kids are there, but I hear its so much more dangerous now to go off on your own, so just curious what you did? We're doing Stingray Island in Grand Cayman, and in Cozumel we're just hanging out at the beach and shop. Any tips, pointers about the ship? This will be my 10th cruise, my DH's 5th, and my kids' 2nd cruise. But I love all cruises, and it is the only way to vacation in my books. Looking forward to hearing all about your cruise....did you have any problems getting anything stuck? What was the food menu like?

Yep, sounds like your too tight. Man, I wish I could experience that. lol. I can't get tight at all these days. grrrrr. Did you think you were too lose at 1.7 cc's? Maybe just .2 cc's would do the trick, if he just took a little out it might help. Does he do his fills with flouro? I'm hoping I can get some good restriciton when I go for my next fill. I have a little right now, but not enough. Good-luck with your visit today, let us know what happened.

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome bugfather! I am holding steady at my weight from 171 to 174. This morning the scales were 172. But sometimes they bounce up a few pounds then back down. What I've noticed is I will bounce back & forth for a few weeks,then suddenly drop a few pounds, so I'm hoping that will happen soon for me. Its been almost 2 weeks since my last fill and I can tell i'm a little tighter today, not much, but a litter. No problems with eating, but can feel the food going thru the band, and usually I cannot. I got full very quickly on a few stips of smoked chicken - about 2 oz of food. I will be leaving town Saturday morning, but will try and post until then. I won't be able to get online again until I return from my cruise (8/13/07), so you guys don't forget about me. lol. I will be thinking of all of you while I'm watching the sunrise over the ocean, watching the beautiful blue carribean sea, and feeling the cool fresh carribean air brush my face, laying out by the pool, sipping on my umbrella drink, and listening to the band play the carribean music. ahhhh, yes,life will be good the next 8 days. No work, no phone calls, no computer, only fun and play. . But again, I will be thinking about all of you! Well, I'm about to leave work, go home and grill some fish with some cajun seasoning, do a load of laundry and head to the gym, then to wal-mart to pick up some last minute things I need, then pack some more of my bags. Busy evening tonight - talk to everyone later.

Dee - yes, its a good thing you went back, you would have been miserable had you not! Saliva is usually a sign something is stuck I hear. I've only slimed 1 x, actually I might have done a few times. I remember it was not fun and nasty.

Yes, I'm so excited about my cruise, even though its my 10th cruise, each cruise is still so exciting to me. I love them. Thanks for your compliments too. I have not tried the cottage cheese test yet, but will. I probably will do it after my cruise. Hopefully I wont stretch my pouch.

Shawn, your doing so good with your exercising!

Sheri, For the most part, people need to be at least 1/2 of their fill level to even fill the slightest bit of restriction. This all depends on each of us though. I've got the smaller cc band, which holds 4cc's (actually 5 cc's) I'm 3/4 way full and still need more. Some are totally restricted at 2.0 cc's, or even less. You must have the 10 cc's band that I hear actually will hold 13cc's? But not sure. Anyhow, the slightest bit could make a difference, just .2cc's could put you to your sweet spot. I've actually had 4 fills, and will be going for my 5th fill 8/17. Hopefully he will get me to restriction because last night, I was a mad cow! I really didn't eat most of the day yesterday, I had a handful of nuts, a slice of laughing cow low fat cheese, a cup of coffee and thats about it for the day. I got home last night HUNGRY. I had to go to a viewing of my friends mother, by the time I got home last night it was around 7:30 pm. I was a starvin marvin. I ate about 3 oz of filet mingion steak, 2 or 3 slices of tomatoe (home grown), a few slices of cucumber (home grown) and some corn on the cob (cut it off the cob). Now, that was a big meal for me. I usually can't eat that much, but last night I did. I then went and tanned, I worked out, and came home STARVIN AGAIN! So, I ate 1/2 sandwhich with ham salad on it - on whole wheat bread. Then ate a 1/4 cup of flan. I was out of control last night. I think it was all the stress, I felt like I was WIDE OPEN. I guess I was, because I ate like I was and had no problems what so ever. Usually, I will get full pretty quick, but not last night. grrrrrr. I didn't dare step on the scales this morning, I just said I will be back on track today and eat right.

Debbie, You have done great too! 70 lbs you have lost. Tell us what you do? Do you exercise? Do you eat low carb/low fat or just smaller protions? My stomach has shrunk but I know that it probably never really will go flat, I've had 2 kids, I'm over 40, and I've been fat a looooong time, so the chances of my skin bouncing back is slim. I noticed last night that I have a little sagging skin around my lower butt area and upper thigh. This is the place I've carried all my weight, so I imagine I will need a lower body lift when its said and done, whether or not I will get one is another story. I'm sure they are very pricey. It all depends how I feel when I lose all my weight. I've already warned my DH that if I feel like I have to have one, I will get one. Even if I have to take a loan out of my 401K!

Thank you for your kinds words! I don't live too far from you, one of these days I would like to take a road trip to Worlds of Fun, if I do, I'll let you know and maybe we could do lunch. 70 lbs are gone forever! You should be so proud of yourself, and I know what you mean about doing things you would have not done 70 lbs ago. Isn't life so wonderful! Keep up the good work!

Gigi, 57 pounds is GREAT! 57 lbs gone forever! Thank you for the compliments. I am no where near where I want to be, but I know that I am improving everyday, its just going to take some time. I agree with you, the band is the greatest gift I could have given myself.

Your my new best friends for saying I look younger!!! lol. Thank you!