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Im 10 months post op and i LOVE my band... i have had no issues with it... i was too tight at 1 point and needed an unfill but that was my fault cuz i asked the DR to fill me more...I will never remove my band.... I have lost over 100 pnds in 10 months... so its been good to me!!

Hmph! I was in therapy for 2 years and gained 10 more pounds during that period. I'm not out of therapy and into a lapband...unfortunately I'm still an emotional eater. Guess we just gotta find our happy place. I don't need food to f il t he void when I'm happy. Hopefully you wont need food then too.

I want to know all about it when you are feeling better! I have 10 more days to go and I am anxiously waiting!!! Good luck

miss phobia, I wish I could afford to pay for your surgery. I just know how difficult it must be for you. My doctor banded his youngest patient at 16. She is a sweetheart. I wish you the best of luck trying to save the money. It is well worth it. You have many years ahead of you and I wish I had found lapband at least 10 years ago. Good luck.

I did an experiment with making a Protein shake and it was a real winner. 1 scoop strawberry Champion Whey (low carb) 120 cal, 1.5g fat, 3.5 carbs, 23g protein, 3.5 fiber 8 oz skim milk 1 individual container Fiber One Strawberry yogurt (optional) 80 cal, 4g protein, 19 carbs, 5g fiber frozen strawberries (4) 1/2 banana (optional) It was very good and tastes like a Strawberry smoothie without the banana yet filled with protein. With the banana taste like a Strawberry/Banana smoothie. :thumbup:

Protein packed fruit smoothie/shake: I have fruits like strawberries, raspberries, peaches, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, pineapple and mango on hand in the freezer so I use whatever sounds good that day. 1/2 cup frozen fruit 1/2 cup of skim milk 2 - 3 tablespoons of plain fat free yogurt 1 scoop of protein powder (I use Pure Nutrition's pure vanilla bean whey protein...1 scoop has 115 cal, 0 fat, 2 carb, 26 g protein) It only takes 10 - 15 seconds in a magic bullet blender to blend. You can also add honey or a sugar substitute/sweetner if you like it extra sweet. You can also use flavored yogurt if you don't like plain yogurt.

WTG! My husband has been my biggest cheerleader and supporter on my journey and it means so much to me. I am sure that your wife will appreciate your support as well. Things my hubby does that support and encourage me.....exercise. He is NOT a morning person but he has decided to get up early each morning to walk or cycle with me. Tonight he starts his adult swim classes because he also wants to be able to come swimming with me. (My chance to show him some great support!) And we go dancing together. He doesn't tell me what to eat or not eat, but when he does the grocery shopping, he doesn't buy crap. He had a go at myfitnesspal.com because I use it for logging my food and exercise. Although he hasn't continued with it, he now understands why I use it and how important it is. The benefits for him - our love and friendship is continuing to grow stronger even after 30 years together. I am healthier, happier and fitter and will be around for a long time. Possibly the only real disadvantage is that I have had to buy a complete new wardrobe of clothes over the last 10 months! But that is a small price to pay for my life. Become a hero for your wife. She will appreciate you for it.

You guys are ALL so great! I really do appreciate all your encouragemnt. I think I may be coming around, slowly but surely. Lila, what you said about blaming yourself I can totally relate too. I keep running over and over in my head. Was it the time I yelled at her before school? or Was it the time I was too busy talking on the phone? etc, etc...I keep re-living all the things I can remember that I wish I did different, thinking maybe that's why she's doing this. I am thinking this 'teenage thing' is kinda like childbirth. Everyone tells you how hard it will be, then when labour starts you think, it couldnt possibly be this painful. I just thought out of all my kids, this one would have been the last that I thought would do this. So, I'm slowly climbing out of this hole. It is definatley a 'guilt thing', that my husband dosent feel. He dosent like the situation, but he has no guilt. Thank-you to everyone, HONESTLY, it really helps to talk, and I would hope to be able to re-pay the favour anytime in the future. So, relating this to the band......if this had of happened last year, I would be in a food coma right now. I would weight about 10 lbs more, and I would be deeper in the hole. So, alas, I LOVE MY BAND.......and you guys!!

Here's some hope for u: I got my band 2 1/2 yrs ago Nd the first 5time mths (till my 3rdlast fill) I lost about 5the lbs. I could eat like I could before the band. After the 3rd fill, I literally started melting the pounds off. I've now lost 102 lbs with about 10 left I thought I had failed yet another weight loss attempt and regretted my decision to even have it. Then it started working and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Yes, there's lots of us out there that it took a while to see results. Good luck to u Marci

Hey mandymoo, I'm sistercin and you have made my day. I've been reading such negative post that I told my husband this morning that I didn't think I could do the band....mine set for April 19...I've been waiting to hear someone with great news and you've done it for me. I'm sooo glad you're doing well. I've gotta think positive and do this for me and my family. Please keep me and others like me updated on your success. Keep doing what you're doing!!!!

I completely agree!! I'm freaking out big time. I'm able to get everything down really well... And I was bad on Saturday night. I had a sour cream and chicken enchilada and like 10 chips and salsa. I promised myself I wouldn't do that, but I did. Sure enough, I gained a pound the next day. I worked hard yesterday to lose it and I did this morning, but with all my up and down, I'm still stuck on the same exact number~!! During the week I keep on a strict plan and I follow it very well. I just need to get back into that... I have zero restriction right now... :mad2: I can't wait till the 25th when I get my first fill, even though it will be so little I doubt I will feel anything.

Oh don't get me wrong I am happy they are willing to cover most the surgery. When I had the band done 4 1/2yrs ago my insurance wouldn't cover it and I had to take a 13,000 loan out. Still paying it back. Just frustrated that the doctor is requiring me to spend the $450 with his people before he will allow me to have the surgery, then at that point will have to pay 10% of the surgery. Also I was hoping to be able to have it removed sooner, I'm just so sick of throwing up, the GI issues and pain.

i was banded on 12/30/10, i too was on a liquid diet 2 weeks post op, at first it was kinda easy, but if i had to eat one more Jello i would have puked! They want u to be on liquids so the swelling will go down and so you dont throw up, thorwing up is bad, it might happen but they dont want it to be an ongoing thing to help prevent slippage. Try your hardest to stay on the diet that your doctor gave you, he knows what he is talking about. I know its hard, but this is a life changing tool that you have, i have fallen off the wagon a few times, and then i have to say to myself you didnt go thru all this and put your family thru this to go back to the way you were. Keep in mind the BIG picture, and i wish you lots of luck.

There was an interesting article in the New York Times about a young woman who had a Lap-Band weight loss surgery after years of suffering the emotional journey of an overweight kid. The story was very honest about what to expect with this type of surgery, and it also tracked the journey of the young woman. The story is of interest to many as more and more teens and adults are turning toward the option of weight loss surgery. The latest number of weight loss surgeries performed in the United States is 220,000 per year. That is a seven-fold increase over the past 10 years according to the New York Times article. Weight loss surgeries do save lives and also improve quality of lives for sure, but they aren’t for everyone. The surgeons do the surgery and are skilled at centers of excellence, but unless the patients come back, join support groups and stay in contact with dieticians, falling off track is way too easy and, unfortunately, many of them do, including the young woman in the NYT story. I run several food addiction groups in Houston, and was featured as the psychotherapist for TLC’s show “Big Medicine.” On the show, I worked closely with Drs. Robert and Garth Davis. We tried to give the viewer an honest look at what happened with the weight loss surgery and the journey after. My work now is primarily with revisions. Revisions are the surgery done when the first weight loss surgery failed. My office is full, as are my support groups. What happened to the patients that so eagerly came into our offices feeling empowered and ready to give up their morbid obesity forever? They are replaced with patients who hang their head feeling like they failed. Even though they feel defeated, the ones I see are the fortunate ones who were able to step out of their shame cycle, call their insurance company and ask for a second chance. They need a second chance because neither they nor we (the health team) had a full picture of what was underneath their weight. They couldn’t see it prior to surgery, and since they are their own historians telling us their story, we are blinded also. I believe in weight loss surgery, but I believe more in the knowledge we impart to the patient prior to and after the surgery. Performing an alteration, such as a weight loss surgery, is a huge decision, but in the case of a minor I think the whole bariatric medicine team must be on board. There has to be a built-in safety net to handle the transformation of the child as well as their family. Everyone who loves the patient must change when someone they love has weight loss surgery. The counselor, dietician, and surgeon must know all of the family members. We must know who is sabotaging and enabling that patient on an emotional level. Enablers are the people still giving the patient food as a source of love. Our bariatric treatment teams must also understand if simply making better food and lifestyle choices worked, it would have worked 20 diets ago. It did not. Obesity has an addictive component, and addictions are kept in place by denial. Most patients will tell you they are not addicted to food exactly the same as an alcoholic will tell you they aren’t addicted to alcohol. The question is: “Do you use food to comfort yourself?” If the patient says “YES,” then treat them for a food addiction. Do this because they are telling you they have a relationship with food that is emotionally based and most likely they are choosing food with high fat or high carbohydrates (not one of my patients has ever had an addiction/emotional relationship to steamed or raw vegetables). Whenever a patient feels like a failure after going through the process of weight loss surgery and everything it entails, it is heart wrenching not only to them, but to me and anyone working in this field. If insurance companies won’t cover patient care for years to come after the surgery, then we in the field are going to have to put these measures in place and make them affordable to the patients. We cannot tell a patient they need to continue in groups and follow-ups if they can no longer afford the cost. Whoever said, “Weight loss surgery is a quick fix” truly never had weight loss surgery or worked with my patients. There is nothing quick about it. Obesity is a disease and once you have it, losing the weight is the easy part, managing that loss is a life long journey.

Best wishes tomorrow to the following people! 2/10/11-JMH80 (Jackie) 2/10/11-Elle23 (I'm not sure what Elle23's status is right now but I didn't want to delete just in case) 2/10/11-Trns4md 2/10/11-TexasNurseMom 2/10/11-bigtom1948 I cannot wait to hear your surgery reports but I don't know when I will get to read them as I get banded the next morning! '

I'll be 4 years this April too. I can eat way more than I could at one year, but I don't think I can eat too much. If I think I can eat more, and try, I am really very uncomfortable and I hate that feeling. I hate being too full. So I have learned where to stop. I have regained about 10 lbs over my lowest weight but I have been this weight for a year. I don't seem to gain or lose, even if I try to lose. I am a pretty happy sleever.

I'm on day 2 of my liquid diet, my surgery is May 27th. I only had to do it for 10 days, so I'm feeling for you!! I actually got some cream of Chicken Soup in Hand from Campbell's which only has 150 calories. Although it only has 3g of protein, I saved some calories for my dinner so that I could do this soup last night. It really filled me up and I had one today for lunch, so I'll just do a shake tonight. Wish you lots of luck!!

From what I understand from my nutritionist, people react differently to Meridia. Has to do with brain chemistry. A woman at my office lost tons of weight using it. When I had my fill removed b/c of slipped band and started gaining weight, I tried it and it didn't do a thing. But, it's worth a shot. It's expensive ($100+ for 30-day supply) and my insurance didn't cover it. I am VERY glad it works for you because you're flying solo, if I recall correctly. (I haven't posted in awhile b/c I'm too busy eating everything in sight while I'm un-filled! Missed ya'll.) Elizabeth 8-28-03 -60 w/three fills unfilled 6-04 due to slippage +20 re-positioning 3/10/05 A second chance!

When I first started talking about getting the band, my husband was skeptical and worried. He initially said, "No!" I talked him into letting me go to the seminar for it to find out more info. My Mom was visiting at the time, so he insisted she come with. Mom's a very well respected nurse and he trusts her opinion. She too was skeptical when she first heard about it. After the seminar though, she was impressed with the surgeon and the facts. The whole percentage of diets that don't work thing was a shock to her. Mom of course, knows I've struggled with my weight my whole life. She remembers taking me to stuff like weight watchers when I was 10 and being on diet pills almost all of my teenage years. She also knows that for quite a few years I was bulimic, so she knows what desperation over weight issues can lead to. She came home from the seminar and told him that she thought it was a good idea. That's all he needed to hear. Since then, the whole family has been mega supportive.

Hi Suzanne! The seminar is in Ashburn Va, and I will jsut cut and paste the info here. It's sponsored by Obesity help (dot) com another GREAT resource. 2008 - Ashburn, VA ObesityHelp Event ObesityHelp Regional Conference Quick Links: Purchase Tickets Topic List Schedule Sponsors 0.5 km0.5 mi Data ©Navteq,TeleAtlas ©2006 Yahoo! Inc. When: May 3, 2008, All day. Where: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY Lodging: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY About the area: The newly built Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel is located only three miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport, near the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Ashburn Ice House, Old Dominion Brewing Company, Dulles Indoor Sportsplex, Dulles Town Center, Washington Redskins Park and the corporate headquarters of AOL, Verizon Business, Airbus and Orbital Sciences. This full-service upscale all-suite hotel is just minutes from the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Reston Town Center and Tysons Corner. Guests of the Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel stay in spacious two-room suites and receive a complimentary cooked-to-order Breakfast and a nightly manager's reception. Wireless and high-speed Internet access is available in all guest suites and public areas of the Embassy Suites hotel (daily surcharge applies). The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the Washington Dulles International Airport. Announcements: HOTEL RESERVATIONS To make your reservations, please call 1-800-EMBASSY and give them the code "OBH". Room rates are $109 per night and prices are valid on the nights of May 2-4. Reservations must be made by April 11th, 2008. For ease, you can CLICK HERE to reserve your room! Event Host Jackie Thodos is a Gastric bypass post-op, ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and co-founder of Obesity Freedom. Since her surgery, she has been very committed to the bariatric community, and helps people succeed everyday in her successful support group in Fredericksburg, VA and beyond. A Motivational speaker, Certified Back on Track facilitator and Life Coach, Jackie has inspired audiences large and small on transforming your life through weight loss surgery. Jackie combines her true passion for coaching fellow weight loss surgery patients with years of event organization and staff development. Her latest book, Idle Hands = Active Mouth: A Grazer's Journey to Weight Loss Success, will be available in early 2009. Jackie lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia with her husband and son, her greatest supporters. For more information on Jackie, visit Bringing Freedom from the Restrictions Associated with Obesity. Schedule: General Schedule for Saturday7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Vendor Setup Time8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Registration and Time to visit with the Vendors8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Opening statements and introductions9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Dr. Mitchel Krieger9:55 AM - 10:40 AM Dr. Andrew Goldberg10:50 AM - 11:35 AM Dr. Denis Halmi & Dr.Daniel Tran11:35 AM - 12:15 PM Break - Visit the Vendors12:15 PM - 1:15 PM lunch & Schedule Update1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker2:25 PM - 3:10 PM Jeremy Gentles, BS, CSCS3:20 PM - 4:05 PM Speaker 4 - TBA4:15 PM - 5:00 PM Closing Statements and Prize Giveaways Speakers / Topics Special Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker - from ABC's Extreme Makeover "Laugh it Off: Tales of a 100 Pound Weight Loss" -from ABC Extreme Makeover Cast Member Heidi Ecker Join Heidi as she takes you for a speedwalk on her awesome journey as an always-overweight 270 pound 32 year old woman who one day decides to transform her life by eating healthy and exercising and loses over 100 pounds and six feet of fat in less than a year! Heidi will take you on a hilarious review of five a.m. curtain calls at the gym, eating enough eggs to lay one, and being so sore from working out just sitting on the toilet felt like competing in the Iron Man! You won't want to miss this exciting review of how she exchanged Washington's scales of justice for the scales at the gym going from a size 24 to a size 4, a story ABC believed in so much she was then selected for an Extreme Makeover that aired last year. She's launched a website community to bring her vision to others in the battle against obesity. Her website, Heidi Hype - Heidi Ecker, is where America is laughing together and losing together! Dr. Mitchel Krieger, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Krieger is a plastic surgeon specializing in the art of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He prides himself on the excellent care he and his staff provide their patients. A former military surgeon, Dr. Krieger completed surgical training in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. He brings nearly 20 years worth of experience in treating bariatric patients. Dr. Krieger offers a full range of cosmetic surgery services with an emphasis on plastic surgery for post bariatric weight loss patients. He is a skilled surgeon sensitive to the needs of patients who have lost considerable weight. He is currently co-authoring a new book on plastic surgery following massive weight loss. It is expected to be released this summer. Providing body recontouring surgery options to patients who have recently undergone bariatric procedures, he is able to help people more fully enjoy their new, slimmed-down bodies. His involvement with Fair Oaks Hospital has given Dr. Krieger unique experience to help optimize your surgical results. Adroit in a wide array of available procedures for patients, Dr. Krieger readily consults with patients to bring them the latest techniques suitable to their needs and desires. He looks forward to the opportunity to meet with you. Dr. Krieger's presentation will include: -Mid and Lower Body Recontouring After Weight Loss -Bodylift and Thighlift Surgery -Answers to common questions related to recovery afer plastic surgery Dr. Krieger will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Andrew Goldberg, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Goldberg is an accomplished cosmetic surgeon trained in both aesthetic and complex reconstructive surgical procedures. Washington Checkbook and Northern Virginia magazines along with multiple other groups have consistently listed him as a Top Physician. He is fervent in his belief that plastic surgery can improve one's self-esteem and confidence. He hopes you will give him the opportunity to help you reach your goals. Dr. Goldberg's cosmetic surgery practice covers a broad range - from facelift, breast enhancement, and body contouring to laser and minimally invasive procedures. His colleagues trust of his experience and knowledge are evident by his position as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at FairOaks Hospital and by his membership on the Board of the Medical Society of Virginia. Dr. Goldberg's Presentation will include: -Breast/Arms/Facial Rejuvenation After Weight Loss -Answers to common questions regarding plastic surgery Dr. Goldberg will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Denis Halmi, Bariatric Surgeon Denis J. Halmi, M.D., F.A.C.S. is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr. Halmi has performed over 1,500 gastric bypass surgeries and over 150 laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands. He is one of the pioneers in the field of weight loss surgery with more than 15 years of experience in treating overweight patients. He is well known nationally and internationally for his clinical and scientific work; he has contributed numerous research papers in this area. Dr Halmi regularly attends professional meetings as a speaker on the surgical treatment of obesity. Dr. Halmi has special interest in long term weight management after bariatric surgery and in minimally invasive revisional weight loss surgery utilizing the latest technologies. Currently, Dr. Halmi is the Medical Director of the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center – a multi-specialty medical center dedicated to provide physician supervised services in weight loss, diet education, exercise, behavior modification and plastic and cosmetic surgery. He is also the Medical Director of the Weight Loss Surgery Center at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, Virginia, a designated Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Halmi will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Daniel Tran, Bariatric Surgeon Daniel D. Tran, MD, FACS Bariatric Surgeon, is a board certified general surgeon who completed his residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. He received subspecialty training in trauma and surgical critical care medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Tran has special interest and expertise in minimally invasive weight loss surgery. Prior to relocating to Virginia, Dr. Tran was the medical director of the Bridgeport-Yale New Haven Health Weight Loss Surgery Center in Connecticut. He has performed over 300 laparoscopic gastric bypasses and over 200 laparoscopic gastric bands. Dr. Tran has special interest in the latest surgical technologies: endoluminal surgery and robotic assisted surgery. Dr. Tran is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr Tran is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center performing a high volume of laparoscopic weight loss surgery procedures. Topics being presented: -Key factors of success in long term weight loss after bariatric surgery -Long term side effects/risks of different weight loss procedures -Latest surgical options if all else fail (weight regain, complications) Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles, CSCS, is ObesityHelp's staff health and fitness expert. Jeremy studied Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). In his presentation, Jeremy will arm you with the knowledge to safely participate in a self-guided exercise program to assist you in achieving long-term success after weight loss surgery. He'll offer solutions for overcoming a multitude of obstacles that can get in the way of enjoy a full, active life. By helping you understand the why's and how's of exercise, Jeremy will empower you to knock down those obstacles, allowing you to become healthier through exercise. Come explore the benefits of having a healthy focus and learn how to properly and safely implement a weight/resistance training program. It's your journey....Train for it! I know the registration was getting close to being full, i registered for two spots, but am not sure if my friend will be there or not, so once i find out, if you are interested in going I can give you one of my slots.

Ok so we'll go with the bad news first....I am asking for many many prayers because my family is having a VERY bad week. My 22 year old cousin was just diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gherig's Disease (sp?) The whole family is taking it very hard and the poor thing can't even go outside or walk up and down the stairs do to all of his complications...please say some prayers for my best friend...he hasn't been given a time line, usually 3-5 years but some people live as long as 10 i've heard...If you guys have any information anything is useful at this time...we are all searching the net high and low for any information, treatments, that kind of thing...he has great doctors and we're being very optimistic!! Ok now for my good news..i took my 4 month measurements just to see how I have been doing...I've been a little down cause i've lost 22lbs so far but feel like things arent going so well...anyway i've lost 15 INCHES!!!!!!!! Holy crap that's a bright spot in the darkness of the family crisis for sure! Seems kinda petty to be happy about something like that when we have such a big deal on our hands but hey, be happy where you can right?? OK thanks for letting me get it all out there, I appreciate it more than you know! Katie

I attend a lap band support group at a local hospital, but had my band surgery performed by a surgeon that is located a few hours from here. Most of the ladies that are in the support group had a local surgeon do their surgery. My surgeon wants his patients to be on a low (under 30 carbs a day) carb diet and wants us to focus on Protein, the local program only focuses on getting enough protein, other than that you can eat what you want. Every time I go to a meeting and talk about how I am working out 4-5 hours a week and staying low carb and losing weight, someone always chimes in to tell the entire group that to remember that I am younger and it is easier for me (I am 31). I know that they are trying to make everyone else feel better for not having the same success... but it just seems to discount how hard I have been working. I know I am probably being to sensitive... but if it was so easy for someone my age to lose weight I wouldn't have had to have the band. I am literaly working working my ass off and trying to change my bad behaviors and everytime I share my success someone wants to credit it to me being younger. It has very little to do with my age, it is because I am following the bandster rules and trying to change my life. It is not even like I have lost an incredible amount of weight since my surgery (28 lbs in 10 weeks). I just wish I could share my progress like everyone else and not have it contributed to something that I am not controlling. I like my support group and I enjoy the meetings, but I am just not sure what I should say to stop the comments. Any ideas?

I'm 29, was banded 2/5/10 and have lost 26lbs to date. I am very happy with my decision. The social aspect was difficult at first because I wasn't eating solid foods but after that, everything is back to normal.. I just can't eat as much.

Now that I am truly in the maintenance phase of my journey, I constantly look for ways to find motivation to stay on track. I weigh myself not for results, but to make sure the numbers stay constant. Without looking for weight loss, what is the motivation? I know how easy it is to fall back into bad habits. I found myself just a couple of weeks ago, realizing I was grazing too much and it showed on the scale. I have my own limits in terms of heading into the red zone. Above 115, I have to get my act in gear...above or even close to 120, that's a real problem. So far, I'm bouncing around between 112 and 116 but in order to stay in that range, I have to constantly remind myself of how it used to be with me. I make sure to keep myself aware of all the NSVs I have day in and day out and never to take them for granted. That means anything from buying clothes in the petite department instead of the women's department to walking around the city with minimal pain instead of struggling each and every step as I used to do. Even just this morning...starting my day by stretching my hamstrings and lower back as the physical therapist has recommended, I paid attention to how I could easily bring my bent leg to my chest because my leg, belly and thigh are normal sized. I went to JC Penney's yesterday because they were having a sale on fashion jewelry. I already have lots of clothes and don't need more, so I'm changing it up with accessories. I treat myself like I'm a real life Barbie doll and after years of buying clothes based on if they fit, it's wonderful to now buy based on how they look on me. I try to reward myself with things other than food. It's not always about purchasing things....I reward myself for getting to the pool to exercise by spending ten minutes in the sauna. Or I reward myself with a movie I really want to see, or an afternoon with a good book, a glass of wine, and a wedge of low fat Laughing Cow cheese. I know that I will have to be vigilant the rest of my life. Food will never be something I can take for granted or have a normal relationship with. It is my drug and I have to respect that addiction and always plan ahead to keep myself safe. I know that alot of folks on the site are in the losing weight stage and when they are maintaining, they drift away. I'm going to do my best to hang around and comment on this part of the journey. I daydream sometimes about my 5 or 10 year anniversary at a normal weight. My fervent hope is that my family and friends forget what I used to look like and think of me at this size like I was always this way. I think that's a good goal to reach for now that my weight goal has been met.