Drake alp

Wow - amazing day!! I can relate to all your experiences - the arm rest, the seat belt, the tray table, being tired...how we feel we look...it goes on and on. You are doing great --- you are bringing your health and your confidence back. GO YOU!!! Congratulations on your hard work and your successes! There are more to come!

I will be thinking about you and waiting to hear the news. I am crossing my fingers that you are right - you were irritated and needed the unfill. I pray it is not a slippage. As hard as it is, try to not stress. That makes the situation worse and it's hurt my stomach for almost the past week. I was positive I had a slippage and couldn't ignore it. You sound like you've been doing all the right things and this came on all at once. I think there's a good chance that this isn't a slippage and I will continue to hope that is the case. Good luck!! We will be there with you either way!

No surgeons response today - will update you tomorrow if I hear from him. Thanks again for your support.

Thanks for your note on my blog. I loved reading yours -- happy bandiversary! You sound fantastic - keep it going girl!! You will be surprised when folks don't recognize you. Seems like they don't notice for awhile and then all of the sudden they do. I know YOU can tell the difference --- and it's awesome when we can see it in ourselves, after all we're the best/worst critics of ourselves!! Good luck...and will be looking forward to the kayak picture when you reach that goal!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. The virtual support is awesome - I've spent more time on here this weekend than I have since the liquid diet. You will never know exactly how much your encouragement and sharing your own stories means.

fire girl --- it's nice to talk with someone who had an obstruction before. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. When you swallowed the meat, did you know right away there was a problem? I was fine for a little over 4 hours and then this came on suddenly which is hard for me to get my mind around. Also curious what the process was for replacing the band --- is it like the first surgery? Did it take 2 to fix yours?

@J_BandRanger - you are so encouraging - thank you so much for your support. I will let you know!

Love you Rose - you're a blessing. Thank you so much:)

@finallyncontrol - thank you so much for the encouragement! I have really appreciated your support - you lifted me up tremendously when things were going well so it's hard to put into words what your confience means in the down times. I will let you know. Thanks for your prayers - He is great and in the big scope of things like my friends who are fighting cancer, it makes me want to hang on and not question my ability to fight. You look fantastic -- keep being an inspiration and congrats on your hard work and results!!

@seanamw - i'm interested how you struggled with chicken - what does that mean. i haven't had any trouble with anything and that's why this situation is such a shock to me.

I can totally relate to what you are saying about how everything has changed for you. Me too.

I am so scared --- I don't want to gain weight or go back to the ugly, fat, shut in person I was just 3 months ago.

Best of luck to you. Keep up the great work - it's paying off and I bet you are looking more beautiful every day!

@imaluckydog -- I didn't know you had to have unfills. What caused that? I have so many friends on here like you that I look up to. It seems yall have figured it out. Thank you for being open and honest. It does help to know those that I admire have struggled too. I am so amazed at where you are. I hoped to be there too. Keep it going!! You have it figured out -- you have a recipe for success that not everyone can achieve. I'm rooting for you.

Debi - you are doing great - keep it up. I hope your spine pressure subsides as you continue to lose weight - I have every confidence it will. My heaviest was 266 and now I'm at 198 today. It is a world of difference. "If it is to be, it's up to me" as they say. YOU can do it!

Thanks for your encouragement. I can tell from your post that state of mind is important. I couldn't agree more. You are doing great by getting your exercise. Keep it going!! And don't worry about how you respond to folks. go with your gut --- what you said sounds just fine. Good luck to you in this journey! What is your end goal by the way?

Everyone is different in what they are comfortable with. I was nervous but I did tell folks who work for me directly as well as close friends and family. I did not tell those in my family who are judgmental or would be waiting for me to fail. Also, I didn't ask work folks to keep it confidential. I said "I'm not advertising it, but I'm not going to lie about it." When folks comment how great I'm doing and ask how, I say eating smaller portions, eating protein first and exercising. All that is true. My advice is do what you feel comfortable with. It doesn't matter what others do. If you want it for you and few, keep it private. It's no one's right and no one's business to know. Take care and be strong. You can't go wrong - for once, you are putting yourself first. God speed my friend.

Sounds like you are doing great! Congrats - that's 20# you won't need to see again.

Way to go Sandy!! Very proud of you for taking these actions. It's so easy to fall into old bad habits but you aren't. Congratulations!! Good luck getting the job to a better place. I'll be thinking about you!

Now I know why I haven't seen you lately - you've been busy taking in waistbands!! Good for you! You're doing great. Tomorrow will not slow you down --- hope it all goes well for you.

Absolutely I'm here in your corner. You have done amazing. I love the soon to be svelte and sassy comment. I'm interested in your metabolism test to figure out how many calories you burn....where did you do that and what is it?

And likewise - you are an inspiration to me also. That's what I love about this site - keeping each other going and being able to share and talk openly. I've never shared my weight and I love posting it here! Go figure!! Have a great week!

Exciting! I'm in to 18's also - even bought 16's last week that fit. Let's shrink together!

Wow - the first thing that comes to mind is You Are Courageous. You have faced that voice in your head and you are WINNING. You're winning against the voice AND against the weight. 60# - way to go!!!! Exhibiting self-control when you're a lb up and your mom is laughing - way to go!!! (I'm ashamed to admit I could hear my own mom laughing and feel myself hanging up the phone. And you're right - that's crazy.) Way to not 'assign stories' to reality in life - I can so appreciate what you said about the woman making everything about her and everyone's against her. Thanks for sharing all of this blog. I'm touched by how genuine it is. I'm touched by your courage. I'm touched by your success. And just wanted to say thanks.

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!

Congratulations on all you have acccomplished! Enjoy today and ROCK that suit!

junibug - good to know another person that got banded so close to the same time. Sorry you're struggling with hunger too. Let's keep in touch as we figure this out ... and yes, count me in for skinny-minnie!

So glad to hear you are feeling better! Sounds like you are giving yourself a break. That's good news. I found my body didn't do as much as I wanted right away either. I was on the pain meds 5 days I think. Sleeping really helped too. I was bored by the time I could move around the way I wanted to. Hang in there!!

Thanks Bklynike. I'll be anxious to hear how to goes Thursday and if you get a fill or not. Also maybe we can help each other through as we go through the process to find the 'green zone.' It's so nice to know someone who had surgery so close to mine and we can really relate to one another. I haven't gotten sick or felt over-indulged. My main struggle is hunger, but I'm holding strong. Nope - not gym yet. Am not allowed to do anything strenuous before my 4 week appt. I'm doing walking and resistance bands for my arms right now. Some stretching too. I met with a trainer (works with my drs office) before surgery and he gave me the exercises. You keep up the great work too! Go "US"

No it didn't. My insurance covers BMI of 40 or higher, or BMI of 35 with a co-morbidity (I had diabetes II). I was approved for pre-certification in 24 hours --- definitely not the norm from the stories others have shared with me. Good luck!