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Our mini holiday went gr8.Fabulous beach,I have a tan for the first time ever.Dont know why but I tanned brown.I am of the pink kind with blond hair and have never tanned.I use a factor 50 and it wasnt even that hot anymore,but Im tanned.The kids say it looks gr8. The hotel was really super,got bumped up to their grand suite.If I knew that in advance I would have packed some food as it has a lounge dining room and kitchen (the rich locals take their housekeepers with to cook) It was a pleasant surprise though and we thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of it.I think it was because we phoned and asked if there was a freezer compartment in the minibar as I had some special dietary needs..lol.Dont know why else we go the grand treatment. The hotel food was soooo boring.Not really in line with the rest of the hotel at all.So I just didnt eat a lot at all.A bite from my friends plate or my kids. Now,unfortunately I came back with serious PMS.I am one of these sleevers that become a bottomless pitt when I have my TOM.It is crazy that I can eat double my usual portions and I can eat way more frequently as well.And I have been very undisciplined for the past 2 days.I even had a small chocolate two nights in a row and found out what caused the candida in my mouth for the first 3 months post surgery.I use to have small amout of honey in my tea once a day then.I couldnt get rid of this white stuff on my toungue and in my throat for 3 months and just as I was losing hope,it went away.But the honey was finished and I decided to start using sweetener. After the first chocolate I did find my tongue had an irritating coating didnt think much of it but had to brush it off this morning.Well,2 hours after I ate the chocolate tonight I felt it again.And it must be aggressive overgrowth to appear that fast. I cannot use sugar.Isnt that amazing?For the rest of my days I will be sugarfree as I absolutely hate the feeling on my tongue.Get obsessed with it it bothers me so much.This must be a blessing from the Lord as I can see it,better altogether to have a reason to be sugarfree than just a choice to be sugarfree...lol Tomorrow I will try to go and play squash.Need the exercise as I have been skipping exercise a lot.Did play yesterday though. My weight is still the same and I have decided to make a mini goal for myself.Ideally I would want to weigh under 180 before our December holiday but I will have to start woking a bit harder for that.A friend that is a personal trainer has been burning to work with me to help me tone.Might take him up on it as I have 7 weeks before the holiday.That might make a significant difference before I go. The heat is gone and everyone is out running in the evening.Might start that up again as well, a bit slower this time as to not lose all my energy with over exercizing again. Well,I still love my sleeve and will eat protein pancakes one meal a day again from tomorrow to help the weight loss again. My hairloss seems to have slowed down a lot as well.I still dont see too much regrowth yet but that will come.Might even go for highlights for the first time since surgery.I was scared one would be able to see my scalp if I made the hair lighter so I just let it grow out since surgery.I also wish I knew what I would look like with short hair as I really feel like cutting it quite short but havent had short hair in 25 years.A bit scared I will look terrible.Older or fatter or just plain uglier. Thats me for now!Will push the water and good clean eating for the next 7 weeks for great results.

now girl - hang in there.......it's been a big change with Mum headed home and you not running around busy sightseeing --- yes the band is working, the diet is working - and yeah we also just have those I want to eat everything kind of moments -- don't be so hard on yourself -- Monday starts a new week just like you said -- mostly just big HUGS for you! Mo

Monday- yep again. Come round every week it seems! I had a busy day doing all kinds of bits and bobs. When I went to do my lessons this afternoon hubby bought me a treadmill :clap2: to be delivered Friday all being well. Now down to some serious walking! That's all really...2nd fill day tomorrow. Will report back on that on Wednesday.

Monday- yep again. Come round every week it seems! :confused: I had a busy day doing all kinds of bits and bobs. When I went to do my lessons this afternoon hubby bought me a treadmill :clap2: to be delivered Friday all being well. Now down to some serious walking! That's all really...2nd fill day tomorrow. Will report back on that on Wednesday.

I joined the Gone for Good club...was "persuaded" LOL! They post their weightloss on a Wednesday but I'm used to Sundays. Anyway it works out Ok cos I always have a peek day and that can now be Sundays. Plus, this week I really got going again on Wednesday after my fill so weighing in next Wednesday will make it a good week. The scale is moving in a downwards direction again :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: but then with what I've eaten this week and the work I've put in, I'd be real disappointed if it didn't. I'm gonna wait until Wednesday to see if I lose anymore...watch this space (or the GFG!) I'm doing well with my walking and building up my time. I'm at a good heart rate when walking and build up a sweat by the time I finish. Once I get to a happy walking time, I'll work on increasing the speed a little. Some days this week I haven't taken any insulin and when I have had to it's been minimal...10units most (from 90 before band). I'll chat with my doc next week to see what general revisions he wants to do. My BP has been great except for now..it's my TOM and each month it goes up? It can be 110/68 in the morning and get to 146/80by night. I dunno why other than my gyni said it happens because of hormones. So for now I still need help with this periodically (no pun intended! :cool: ) I'm doing well and feel really upbeat and positive about just about everything I can think of :clap2: Not much more to ask for really!

Well my weight stayed off until the magical Wednesday weigh in and so now I'm 55lbs down and 9 of them accredited to last week:clap2: :clap2: (very useful little icon that!). Today the weather was cloudy and cooler and so I actually went outside to take my exercise. I walked down to the shops, strolled around, bought some socks and some bright pink holiday flip floppy things and then began to walk back. Then the rain began so I ducked into a cafe and had a frappe. I'll still do a walk on my treadmill later too! I have not peeked at the scale since Wednesday but after such a big loss, I'll be happy as long as I don't gain anything (don't see why should but you never do know with these things). I'll peek on Sunday and then wait 'til the next weigh in. Food is going pretty good too. I am eating loads of fish which I love and my fav. veg peas....many more and I'll turn into one:rolleyes: I'm also eating more salads than I have in my life but am enjoying them too, so that's good. I went to the periptero (little kiosks we have in abundance here) to get a couple of beers for a friend who was coming. On the way there I was thinking....should I get myself a treat? Haven't had one for weeks and weeks...a small packet of chips or a no sugar, fat free ice cream? Then I just thought...nah, don't really want, so I got the beers and left. When I REALLY want something I will have it so that I don't deny myself anything but it was good to know how easy it was to refuse myself something I knew I didn't really want too :nervous .

Well my weight stayed off until the magical Wednesday weigh in and so now I'm 55lbs down and 9 of them accredited to last week:clap2: :clap2: (very useful little icon that!). Today the weather was cloudy and cooler and so I actually went outside to take my exercise. I walked down to the shops, strolled around, bought some socks and some bright pink holiday flip floppy things and then began to walk back. Then the rain began so I ducked into a cafe and had a frappe. I'll still do a walk on my treadmill later too! I have not peeked at the scale since Wednesday but after such a big loss, I'll be happy as long as I don't gain anything (don't see why should but you never do know with these things). I'll peek on Sunday and then wait 'til the next weigh in. Food is going pretty good too. I am eating loads of fish which I love and my fav. veg peas....many more and I'll turn into one:rolleyes: I'm also eating more salads than I have in my life but am enjoying them too, so that's good. I went to the periptero (little kiosks we have in abundance here) to get a couple of beers for a friend who was coming. On the way there I was thinking....should I get myself a treat? Haven't had one for weeks and weeks...a small packet of chips or a no sugar, fat free ice cream? Then I just thought...nah, don't really want, so I got the beers and left. When I REALLY want something I will have it so that I don't deny myself anything but it was good to know how easy it was to refuse myself something I knew I didn't really want too :nervous .

Haven't lost any weight this week...wasn't surprised after 9lbs last week figured my body might still be in shock. I have been walking and eating well but STILL I felt disappointed and in a moment of weakness I succumbed to some chips....felt bad as soon as I'd eaten them and they cost me my bonus on an almost perfect week with the Gone for Good club :phanvan Am really mad at myself now:mad: Oh well..lets start another week of trying! Going away for the weekend and so lots of swimming. I won't eat badly either cos if nothing else...Im determined! The one good from this "bad" moment is my attitude. Before my band I would have immediately thought...oh well diet blown now might as well eat...and now all I want to do is get back to feeling good! :clap2: So not a -complete- disaster then!?!?!??!

I have Lupus and sometimes when it acts up I have arthitis in parts of my body or sometimes my entire body. Today its in my knees and I dont feel like I can walk hardly at all. Plus I have been sleeping almost all day long this last week because I get really tierd. So I havent been getting much exercize at all. I wonder if I should try to suck it up and gimp my way through my walks or if that it anti-productive really. I am sure alot of people have arthitis and try to exercize anyway. Am I being a wimp? lol

I lost 15lb in 1 week with glandular fever. I couldnt exercise for 3 months as I was so sick and was hospitalized twice for severe dehydration. I lost all of my weight REALLY quickly because of it and the only real side effect I'm suffering now because of it is HEAPS of saggy skin. It just didn't have time to contract. Focus on getting better, not on the weight.

I have had 3 fills so far and my 14cc band has 4.5cc's in it right now. In between my second and third fills, I felt less hungry and more satisfied with 4 ounces and 4 ounces only. Now, after my third fill I am starving most of the time and 4 ounces just makes me angry. :thumbup: I am still eating very healthy, except for the sundae I let myself indulge in today. However, I am training with a PT and exercising on my own, so hopefully that will help me continue to lose. Oh well, let's hope that I can get in for a fourth fill next week and get even closer to the ever elusive sweet spot!

I think everyone has a different threshold for discomfort. My surgery was a week ago. I've been trying for the last 10 hours to drink my three 4 oz Protein shakes and my 64 oz of Fluid. I have 8 more ozs to go. I cannot take two sips back to back or my stomach will spasm. I cannot take a large swallow. It takes me 1 hour to get that damn 4 oz of protein down. Not everyone spasms. I do. The doctor said it will go away. I can say that I honestly do not want to eat or drink one bite because it is uncomfortable. However, I am a wimp. I don't tolerate pain very well. You all might just have a higher pain threshold than me and can tolerate more fluids. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Good luck!

Well, Im a week back in full force after 4 yrs of unfilled complications and Im happy to report that after having a fill, talking to an RD, and doing things exactly how Im supposed to with measuring and weighing everything, Ive had no complications AND lost 7 lbs!!! YAY!!!

I have been a bit down in the dumps lately because the past few weeks' weight loss has been really slow. But this week was great -- over 3.5 lbs. lost! I am now down to 192.2, very close to being in the 180s and so excited about that! I had a NSV today, too. About a month ago I went shopping for some new jeans, since my size 22's were getting pretty loose. I was really happy to find out I could fit into size 18WP jeans, even though they were a little snug. I bought two pairs of jeans. I am very short and the jeans were still a couple of inches too long, so I needed to get them hemmed (I can't sew at all!). I had a lot going on the past few weekends, so kept putting off taking the jeans to get hemmed, but today I finally did it, because the size 22s are so loose they are going to fall off any day now, and just *have* to go. So I went to the seamstress to get the jeans hemmed, and put on the size 18s for the seamstress to measure, and I was quite gratified to notice that they were looser than I remembered when I bought them. The seamstress made me stand on a little dias so she could get the length right and I was facing a large full-length mirror. At that point I noticed the new size 18's were actually already pretty darn loose in the legs, and comfortably loose around the torso. I started wondering if maybe I was getting close to fitting into a size 16WP. So, after I finished with the seamstress, I headed on over to Macy's and decided to try on some new jeans. I picked up a pair of Levi's size 16 short, the Macy's house brand of jeans, and a pair of size 16 capris. When I got to the fitting room, I picked up the Levi's first and was aghast because the size 16s looked really, really small. I didn't think I could even get them up over my thighs ... but I did. I even got them buttoned and zipped up, to my amazement. OK, I have to admit, they were tight, and I wouldn't have felt really comfortable wearing them, so off they went. I nearly bought them just to measure my weight loss progress, but decided to hold off for a few weeks and come back and try again in a month or so. The Macy's jeans, however, fit perfectly and so did the capris. I took my new size 16 jeans to the seamstress and had her swap out one of the size 18 jeans (which I will hem using that magic hem stuff I bought from Walgreens). So, I am officially able to wear size 16! Woo hoo! I ended up buying a couple of new bras this weekend too -- the balconette style from Lane Bryant, size 42DDD. I was pleasantly surprised at the nice shaping they provide. My girls are hangin' low, so to speak, so they need a strong support and shaping bra! Now I will be brutally honest -- I look like total crap with clothes off. I have horrendous cottage cheese thighs right now -- not just the normal cellulite area, but everywhere down to my knees, front and back -- ick. And as I mentioned, I pretty much have the breasts of an 80 year old woman. And I still have a big old gut and butt. And, I am sporting a rather nasty wattle on my chin, making me look years older. Every day I put bio-oil on my chin hoping to moisturize and firm the loose skin, but it doesn't seem to be working that great. My body is definitely smaller than it was, but by no means is it a body I would be willing to parade a bathing suit around in! But, all in all, I am totally thrilled with my sleeve and feeling better and more confident every day. I am really looking forward to the summer, when hopefully I will be down in the normal size clothes range, and will look and feel even better. I talked to my husband and we are going to try the couch to 5K program this spring, and sign up for a local 5K race this summer. That will be a HUGE NSV for me, to finish a 5K! I am really excited about the future!

If only the endocrinologist who monitors my thyroid were also affiliated with my health plan as a primary, I'd be thrilled. As he doesn't, I asked if he'd recommend someone. He erred in giving me four names, each of which looked good on paper. When I saw him again several weeks ago, I asked him to simplify the field and mentioned some of the qualities that I want in a PCP. He named one of the four, but I can't recall which. He hasn't responded to the email I sent the other day. It's one of two of the original four. Both meet my major concerns according to Yelp reviews by patients who give high ratings to their medical skills and attentiveness. Both are board-certified internists. One is also a board-certified geriatrician (gads) who, among other things, does EKG's in his office. The other is a board certified gastroenterologist. I have need for the basic EKG/heart-watch and I have some gastro issues for which I have seen a gastropod. I think I've gotten past my horror at the word "geriatrics." After all, I'm 67, past the pediatrician stage, and he's really an internist with some extra knowledge that I'm heading toward. The internist/geriatrician is 51; the internist/gastropod is 62. It is on my mind that I'd prefer someone less likely to retire during my reign as his patient. The gastro is said to have a good sense of humor. The geriatrician-with-EKG-machine has appeal for the machine as well as his age; the PCP I want to quit is also a Board-certified cardiologist. If I go with the gastropod, I'd stlll need a new cardio doctor. He also has knowledge that pertains to WLS. If I go with the geriatician, he'd refer me to one should there be need. Each has his pros in my estimation and I'm not sure that the cons and differences are especially significant. Shall I simply flip a coin? I hate that I'm making this so complicated for myself.

I think you still need to rest as much as you can. Your body is expending all of its energy to heal. (-: I was tired for the first couple of weeks with each day getting progressively better. Remember this is a major surgery.

Had my follow up appt. with surgeon's NP. She could quickly see how exhausted I was. I had a temp of 100.5. She said if it went over 101.5 I was to head for the ER. We ran tests for white cell count, etc. She also noted I was impacted. I have take Benifiber and Muralax but sadly they have to been effective. So, next step was the dreaded E word. Luckily my daughter is a NP and came over last night to do the honors. That helped a bit, but she said most is still to high up so she put me on Duralax to get more movement. With all this mess I am in, it is clear I am not getting enough fluids in. Keep in mind that for every softener you take you need to compensate with MORE liquid! Today I feel a bit better but certainly not where I was a week after surgery. I am supposed to be progressing not regressing! Just don't want to end up in the hospital!

So how does one start a blog? I suppose I should just jump in... I'm 27 years old, and I live in Ohio with my longtime boyfriend and our adorable three-year-old son. I am a licensed massage therapist, but my physical condition makes it near impossible for me to practice anymore, so mostly I am a mommy. My boyfriend is back and forth between driving a van for Amish construction crews and taking care of his grandfather, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Our son is adorable, very friendly and smart. My journey up to this point in my life has been long and fairly painful, both physically and emotionally. I have always been overweight, so far as I can remember. I can very clearly recall being called an elephant in the third grade by another boy at school. My mom taught me to medicate myself with food, albeit unknowingly. My grandmother would go on and on about how I should lose weight, then offer me a plate of cookies. I remember tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night, being very careful not to wake my family, and sneaking food back to my room to eat. I can't remember if I was actually hungry, but the food filled some longing that I had within me, so I ate. The next period in my life was very difficult, full of lots of emotional trauma that is better saved for some other time. In any case, it all served to encourage me to pack on the pounds. I had done many different diet and exercise plans over the years, oftentimes losing quite a bit of weight only to have it creep back on. Fast forward to 2007, when I began school for massage therapy. I had finally found my calling, and was on my way to getting paid to do it. I lost weight fairly quickly then, being so much more active because of the massages and hauling around my portable massage table. Everyone was commenting on how good I looked, and I was sooooo happy. In February 2008, almost exactly halfway through my schooling, I found out I was pregnant. It was almost a shock, because my boyfriend and I had been taking precautions. I immediately quit smoking and found a good OB doctor. The pregnancy was borderline high-risk because of my weight (I was obese then) and the low levels of amniotic fluid around my baby. Then, in August, I fell while I was at school. I had been going to extra classes, creating my own "maternity leave" because I knew my due date was right around graduation. It was fairly early in the morning, and I was walking through the hallway to get a drink. The school had recently stripped and waxed the floors, and the mats and rugs were still piled up along the wall. I stepped on the edge of a mat and my feet came out from under me, and I sat down HARD. Two maintenance guys, who had been standing down the hall the whole time, stood there and watched me as I tested myself to see what hurt. After what seemed like forever, a lady in the main office stuck her head out the window, saw me sitting on the floor, and asked me if I was ok. The only thing I could get out of my mouth was "I'm pregnant!" Within minutes, the ambulance was there. They took me to the hospital, where they strapped me in to a fetal monitor and told me that I had to wait until their OB doc showed up and cleared me. Shortly after, a representative from the school came by to apologize and smooth things over. Long story short, I sat in the bed for 7 hours waiting to be checked out, and the OB never showed up. Finally they told me that everything looked fine, so I could go home. When I got up from the bed I could hardly walk. The school rep took me back to the school building and I headed home. In October 2008, I had my sweet baby boy. He was happy and healthy, with a full head of dark hair. I had a c-section, and was in a lot of pain afterwards, but I pressed on and graduated from school with an A average. Unfortunately for me, the pain never really went away. It would get better or worse depending on the day, but not ever actually go away. I would wake up in the morning feeling like I had steel rods fused to my spine, and I wouldn't be able to bend over for up to two hours after I got up. The pain would keep me up at night and wake me up in the morning. My primary care doc didn't seem to think it was anything, so I just tried to push through it. In 2009, we bought a house with a room in it for my home massage office, and I was overjoyed. I started getting clients and was doing fairly well. I had almost lost the 70 pounds that I had put on during my pregnancy. But instead of getting easier, each massage was more and more painful for me. I bought a TENS unit, and I would place the pads on my back before I would do the massage; then immediately after my client left, I would hook it up to the unit and turn it on so I could get some relief. In December 2010, I started having problems with my gallbladder. I had surgery scheduled to remove it in January, and referred my clients to other therapists in the area so I could have some time to recover. It was about a week before the surgery that another healthcare professional told me that she thought I might have fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, she turned out to be right. My surgery went smoothly, but the recovery took about two months instead of two weeks. At that point I was referred to a rheumatologist. Thus began the downward weight spiral. I hurt badly, so I wasn't as active as I had been before. I also tended to use food to comfort myself, since none of my doctors at that point were doing anything for my pain. Add to that several different medications that can cause weight gain and fluid retention, and an MRI that revealed 3 herniated discs, and you end up where I am today. I have been doing pool exercise, which is the most I can do at this point, and had even done several months of Medifast, and I have still managed to gain weight. My rheumatologist was the one who suggested the lap-band, saying that she thought it would definitely help my back if I could get some weight off, plus it might even help my fibromyalgia symptoms. I am praying that she is right. I was shocked to see the scale say that I weigh almost 400 pounds. FOUR. HUNDRED. POUNDS. How could that be? I know I have to do something to get my weight down. Not only am I physically miserable, but the emotional effects of chronic pain and supermorbid obesity can really get a girl down. I have been struggling with depression all my life also, and feeling like a disgusting excuse for a woman doesn't help the situation. Medication has helped lift it somewhat, but I just plain need to lose the weight. If I don't, I will follow in my dad's footsteps. He was nearly 800 pounds when he died of heart failure at the age of 52. He had already had 3 heart attacks, bad cellulitis in both of his legs, and he walked with a cane if he walked at all. I don't want to do that to my family. I want to live to see my son grow up. I want to meet my grandchildren. I have so much to live for, and I feel like this is the step that will help me extend my life and improve my health. I have my informational seminar with my surgeon in January. In the meantime, I am doing all the research I can to try and prepare for the journey that lies ahead. I know it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. So here's to the journey.

I really love Lily Pulitzer clothing and a few years back they stopped making size 16. I was upset, but went ahead and bought a dress in a 14 at the end of one season (when it was like 60% off) with the goal of being able to wear it after whatever diet I was on at the time. I never once have been able to get it zipped, when I got really heavy last year, I couldn't get it around my hips. Well, this dress sort of served as my carrot. Every weekend since I started my pre-op diet I have tried it on. This weekend I had another big closet clean out where I try everything on in my closets, dresser, and under bed bins. I got to this dress and told myself that maybe in another couple of weeks it would fit perfect, but guess what...IT ZIPPED! I was so ecstatic!!! I had told myself that it would eventually fit, but to actually be able to zip it up was WONDERFUL. I had my husband take some pictures, I'm going to try to post one here and in my profile. The funny thing is, I don't really like the dress that much now that it fits, but it is such an accomplishment that I will always keep it. Edited: cannot figure out how to put a picture here, so it's just in my album.

This has been one of the worst weeks I have had post VSG-not related to surgery, just with stress. Due to this stress my eating has not been what it should be (not planned out at all, skipping meals, stopped at Subway twice, lots of peanuts) and although I've managed to keep up with daily exercise, I am just not losing (fluctuating one pound up then one pound down). I've heard and read that stress can cause us to hold onto weight, and I'm sure coupled with poor food/eating habits has not helped in the weight loss department. So today is a new day and the week is not yet over. I took the day off for a physical and plan to hit the grocery store and get back to planning my meals. My husband and I had a heart to heart last night, so I think those issues are pretty much resolved. I hope I'm back on track to meet my next weight loss goal of weighing 165 lbs on my next follow-up visit with my surgeon on 12/2. That's 3-4 pounds I have to shed in 2.5 weeks. I think it's doable, if I just get back on track. On a positive note, I found out yesterday that I passed the movement screening for Jazzercise and can now begin preparing for the audition in February. I was so very excited!

Just a thought it could be RHG reactive hypoglycemia. I was having problems starting out a few months ago. I was banded in Oct 2011 i also have fibro but my sugar started dropping i went through 3 weeks of checking my sugar to really see what was going on. Sometimes what happens is our sugar goes crazy post surgery (not just lap band any abdominal) what we need to do is eat regularly never eat A carb on its own always follow with a protein. Google RHG it will give some good tips to ask your dr. HTH

I was at 50-60 for the first two weeks and now im almost 1 month and Im at 70-90, but I'm a guy which increases my totals automatically. I'm struggling right now to get the 70 in though.

Thank you ladies ! Feeling blessed . I'm about 40 lbs frm my goal last I checked my scale battery has been out for 3 weeks... So I am n a boot cp fitness class 3 days a week so I think when I complete that I will weight again. I really want to know but I want to b surprised .. Have a blessed day ????????

Hey yall. So my underarms are icky and flabby. I work out everyday and do pilates 3 days a week and can see that the fat is visibly being lost in them but they still have that not attractive left over skin. How can I make that skin tighten up and be more attractive? My mom offered to get me surgery (she is the best) but I want to try everything else first. Its almost bathing suit season and tank season so I wanna be not embarrassed by them anymore. Thanks!!!!!!!!!