topazz

Well, here I am on my one year anniversary, 71 pounds lighter 4-5 sizes smaller, and healthier than I was a year ago. It has been the best experience of my life!! I do not regret my decision one bit!! It has not been easy, but it has been successful. Had I not done this surgery, I probably would have gained another 10 pounds this year! I have learned a lot and made so many changes for the better in my eating habits. Yes, I do slip from time to time, but I get right back on track and try not to look back! To everyone here, I want to thank you for your support this past year. Hearing all of your inspirational stories and getting such great advice has really helped me tremendously. Cheers to all of us!!

Cat, I only saw Dr. Geiss once since my surgery. He is a nice man. I have gotten a fill almost everytime I have gone. I still do not have much restriction a year later, but some people just never do. I have been very happy with the staff there. They have all been supportive and helpful. However, there is one secretary I do not like there. She is a bit on the snooty side! LOL! But for the most part, I have been very pleased with the office. You are doing great with your loss!! Maybe we'll bump into each other at the office one day!! LOL!!

What you ate does not sound bad. But be careful. Your body is still healing and adjusting to the band. Just make sure to puree and eat really soft, mushy foods. If you have to, add chicken broth to the foods to really soften them up. But really try to stick to liquids as much as you can. Good luck on your journey!! It'll be the best decision you ever made!

I went to Dr. Kremin in East Meadow for the Psychological clearance. The nutritionist works in my surgeon's office, so I saw her. I am surprised your surgeon does not have a list of participant to help get you clearance. The total for both was about $400.00.

199.2!! I finally did it!! I'm feeling good today!!!

Dave, this great news!!! What an inspiration you are!!! What fab weight loss!!! Congrats!!

mabinrty, Are you posting the entire link? Maybe there is just a glitch in the site. Yes, I totally agree that we are all in the same boat now, and it's like climbing up that big hill, and we are slowing down!! It is so frustrating!! I have been trying to make it under 200, and I keep teetering back and forth between 199.8 and 200.5. Unbelievable!! Such a freakin' tease!! I am doing what I am supposed to do, but I am stuck! JaGo, I'm glad to know that we are in norm according to your dr. It does make me feel better somewhat, but now I wonder what the norm is for the second year! I think I'll as my dr when I go back on the 30th. LowPSI, Interestig that you go every 3 months to yoru dr. My dr requires me to go every month. I guess it is a good thing, since I have needed a fill every single time! I am at 7.5 cc's right now, and I am getting nervous. Almost a year later and I just want restriction already!! GRRRR!!!!

JaGo, count me in!! We do need the support!! And I need all the encouragement I can get!! Do you guys go to support groups? My dr. runs one every month. I can never go though, since hubs works evenings, and I have no one to watch my son. So I am doing this solo!! Not sure how I inspired you, but hey, I'm glad to help!! G Rose, you went to Dr. Geiss too, right? When is your next appt? I have mine on 9/30. Maybe we'll bump into each other one day!! LOL!! I looked at your tickers, and it seems like we are all doing great!! I guess now is the plateau for all of us, and it is hitting us physically and mentally! I get so frustrated not watching that scale move!! I figure, "What's the point if I am not losing weight?" Then I jump on the Oreo wagon, and feel so guilty!! One thing I have learned is that I learned not to deny myself. If I want a cookie or a piece of chocolate, I have it. Otherwise, I'll eat everything else around it and and end up eating it in the end. I find chocolate covered raisins and cocoa almonds help curb my sweet cravings. Anyway, I'm glad we are back in touch, and hope others join us!! Have a great night!

If you like Buffalo wings, try this...chicken, hot sauce, fat free mozz or cheddar cheese, fat free blue cheese dressing. I just mix it up and warm it in the microwave. YUM! I also mush or cut up meatballs and mix it with fat free ricotta, sauce and fat free mozz.

Deb, hang in there!! You are doing great!! I am at 7.5 cc's now and will probably get another .5 at my next visit. I struggle too. We all do!! it's a long lasting battle that we have to win! I am struggling to break the 200 mark. But I am convinced it will be this week! M weight this morning was 200.8, so I know I will get there this week! I am determined! I ahve been yo-yo'ing between 202 and 200 for the past 4 weeks, and I have to step it up!! i have not found much that I cannot tolerate. I find bread can be tough, but as long as it is tiny pieces, I can do it. Oh, and hard boiled eggs are difficult too. Weird, right?? Glad you are back. I have been away for a bit too, but I am trying to get back here to get some support as well. But I have to say that the compliments, new clothes and energy really have given me postivie vibes!!

So, I ventured out to buy clothing. I went to Kohl's and Avenue (sales and coupons!! LOL!!). I did not buy any tops because I am waitng for Fall clothing to come out. But I did try a few on, and it looks like I am about an 18/20. I also bought 4 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs in size 14 and 1 pair in size 16. This is the first time I bought jeans that do not have an elastic waitband, faux fly, or and X after the size!! They are real jeans!! Yes, 3 of the pairs have stretch in them, but stretch is always a good thing! So, this was a good outing. I went from a 26/28 or 3x to an 18/20 in tops and down to a 16 pants! Thanks for your encouragement!

I just realized that I am a little more than half way!! It took me 9 moths to get here!! I can only hope I get to my goal in the next 9 months!!

That is great news!! The PA at the office told me that women especially go through losing inches, but not the weight. I am going throuugh that now. For the past two months, I have only lost about 7 lbs. But I certainly do feel a difference in my clothing. It does get frustrating for me, but iI jsut have to remember it is a step in the right direction!!

Wow, thanks so much for your help! I was thining a 2x for on top, definitely for the chest area. But still confused for the bottoms. I guess I just really have to get my measurements and go from there. I really should just venture out and try clothes on. I just really hate that!! And it is so hard to focus since I have my 4 year old son with me, and it's difficult to focus and keep an eye on him. Thanks so much!

I was looking for one like we did for the Memorial Day Challenge. Did anyone start one? I thought there was talk of it beginning. If anyone knows, can you please share the link?? Thanks!

I hope you don't find me rude, and I apologize if you do. I am asking because i just do not have any clue what size I would wear! I am 203 lbs, 44DD chest 5'4" tall. My weight is mostly in my belly and chest and my legs are not heavy at all. It is really tough for me to get out and just go try on clothing. I still am very shy about doing that. If I was to order clothes online, what size do you think I would be? 1X-2X? 18-20-22??? I realize all clothing runs differently and I know I have to try things on, but I was wondering what your experiences have been. I used to be a 3X and easily a 26-28. I know I can wear a 2X, but wondering if a 1x is pushing it. Again, I am sorry if you think I am being forward, but I just need some help! Thanks!

So far, I am 8 months out. I've been getting fills, and never really felt any kind of difference in eating except for the last fill. When I got the last fill about a month ago, I could feel that I had to take smaller bites than before and chew my food more carefully, as I felt a possible "stuck" situation coming on. However, once it goes down, I feel like I can eat on and on. The only difference is that I feel restriction going down, but I feel like my stomach is not filled. In other words, as long as I take the samller bites, I can whatever i want and as much as I want. For example, if I wanted, I could eat a huge salad, with chicken with no problem as long as I take the small bites and chew carefully. Or even if I wanted to eat a large chicken cutlet, veggies and some rice, that goes down fine as well with the small bites. I guess my question is, even though I don't feel full, but feel restictin as it goes down, do I get another fill? Is this a common feeling? I hope this makes sense!

I am about 9 months out and am just finally starting to feel the band work. Up till now it has been nostly will power, and not much band. But for the first time, I am starting to feel fuller longer. I can now go about 3 hours solid without feeling hungry. When I felt hungry, I would eat a healthy snack like a Protein bar, yogurt or cheese stick. But i have noticed the past few days that I am not as hungry now. I know the key is to eat protein, but it gets tricky sometimes. But I am constantly reminding myself to decided it I am stomach hungry or head hungry before I reach for sometihng to eat. I also drink a lot of Water to give myself a temporary fullness to stretch it out for the next meal. I actually have another appointment on Wednesday, so I wonder if the PA will give me another fill.

That is "Onederful" news!! So proud of you!!! Keep up the great work!! I am about 5 lbs away, and it has been a struggle lately. But I am pushing along!!

People have noticed that I have been losing weight for a while now. But it was not until I wore a certain outfit about a month ago, that people really turned their heads and really noticed!! That was my "WOW" outfit! It is a black pullover sem-fitted top (which was new for me since everything I always wore was full cut to hide my body!!) I wore it with black stretch capris and a pair of heels. Whenever I wear this outfit, I always get huge compliments about how good I look. Makes me feel a little proud! :biggrin3:

My insurance required 6 consecutive months of weigh-ins by a dr before they would allow approval of surgery. I also had a battery of tests that i had to do as well. I think there were about 8 tests, including a sleep test. Fortunately, I was exempt from that, since I did not have any snoring or sleep issues. All the testing was covered by insurance. The only out of pocket payment I had to make was to the nutritionist and for the psychological eval, which were also required. Good luck~!

Time, I have the Ninja that I use and love! It is super easy, but I like to wash it right away, being that it has such a sharp blade and don't want it left in the sink. Hence which is why I'd prefer to prepare it at night to cut down on time in the morning.

I guess maybe I could make the milk, PB and banana the night before and add the CIB in the morning. That seems pretty easy. Could I do that?? I have one on those shaker bottles to use and drink right out of. Thanks!

For Breakfast, I like to make a shake from sugar free CIB, Peanut Butter and a banana. Can I make it the night before and keep it in the fridge? It gets tough in the mornings lately, and I want to try and save a little time. Any suggestions??

Breakfast is a shake, greek yougurt mixed with a packet of oatmeal or 2 hard boiled eggs and a fruit. lunch is salad with chicken, soup, tuna with fat free saltines or a Protein like turkey meatballs or leftover chicken from dinner Dinner is a protein and vegetable like turkey meatloaf, piece of chicken, hamburger patty or something like chili.