Apologies for not posting for so long - as I recall, my last post had me vowing to post more often - so much for that!

Just wanted to update anyone who's interested, in my progress...

Yesterday was exactly 30 weeks since my surgery, and my loss to date is about 62lbs - mind you, this morning that was more like -59lbs but being an optimist, I always go by the lowest ever

I am still really happy with my decision to have the surgery and feel absolutely 500% better, both physically and mentally since. Having said that, I don't think the band is a no-brainer, and will do all the work for you, but it is a brilliant tool, which i almost forget I have most of the time. I have the 9cc Inamed band, which my surgeon filled to 4cc during surgery, and I haven't had a fill since. This is for a few reasons - firstly I have to fly to France to get the fill, which at the moment I haven't either the money or time to do - secondly, I have a level of restriction that I am relatively happy with right now - if I want to have a really nice meal out or lunch with my girlfriends or whatever, I can pretty much eat what everyone else does, if I drink with my meal, which is really nice. For the rest of the time, i try to eat healthily - while still trying to appease the screaming food addict inside me... The magic of the band for me is, that once I eat, whatever I eat, I feel full and the cravings are gone. So mostly, my inner demon is begging me for icecream or cookies or pringles or whatever - my brain is soothingly saying "yes of course we will have all of that, once you eat some pumpkin seeds and turkey - I eat the healthy protein and *poof*, the craving for the rubbish is gone, and I am full. But then, it's all about habits, and once I "break out" of my healthy pattern, it's very hard to get back in. My husband and I and another couple just had a great long weekend in Barcelona for our anniversary - and while, I stayed away from bread, I did have way too many cosmopolitans (well, it's hard to find non-fizzy drinks;) and white wine. I had put up 3lbs by the time I got home, and another 2lbs during the week after, trying to get back on track. This sounds like I "diet" - which I don't really - I just found that sugar triggers cravings so I try to avoid white bread, rice, um, sugar! and am much happier for it. I don't eat any low-fat or diet products and have lots of treats - probably too many! Also I am proud to say that I haven't eaten in McDonalds, kfc or any of those fast food joints since being banded. Also I rarely drink alcohol, and try to get the bloody required 2.5 litres of water in per day - I go to the gym (which shock, horror, I now love!) three or four (or sometimes two!) times a week. I eat pumpkin seeds, nuts, prunes, rocket and spinach very frequently as they are brilliant "fuel" and *oh my god*, I ran UP a hill with my kids the other day, and it felt better than anything else in the world! I am down to a european size 22/24 (think that's american 18/20) on top and a size 24/26 on bottom (again think that's american size 20/22) - I feel way better than "only" -60lbs - I feel like the scales should say -479lbs - I have plateaued here for almost a month and I am getting kinda frustrated with the numbers - but it's not all about numbers, right?! I still often eat "emotionally" - when I'm not hungry, just feel like eating - after all it was pretty much my only "hobby" for over ten years!

Hope this isn't all too long and boring - I am now going to try to attach some photos of befores and durings.....

I have been thinking about you, girl!!! How fabulous that you are doing and feeling so well!!! Whoo HOOO!!!

Plus, you're gorgeous, so you've got it all happening.

Congrats again on your anniversary, and don't be such a stranger!! We miss you!!

Oh Bright, You look so Amazing!

So, what size flip-flop are you wearing now?

Marsha

Bright

You look great! Just yesterday I was going to post "Where's Bright"

Great pics

I still tell your wasabi (on everything) story when people ask me how I'm loosing.

Happy Anniversary and Congrats.

You look so good. You should be very proud of your self..

Those pictures are great:}

WOOOOOWWWWEEEEEEWWWWOOOOOWWWWWW BRIGHT!!!!!

you look AWSOME!!!! your doing great!!!!

i cant wait to see the next round of photos!!!

So mostly, my inner demon is begging me for icecream or Cookies or pringles or whatever - my brain is soothingly saying "yes of course we will have all of that, once you eat some pumpkin seeds and turkey - I eat the healthy Protein and *poof*, the craving for the rubbish is gone, and I am full.

i notice that too!!!

Bright,

You look so wonderful! You are doing so well...I'm so happy to see it and see and hear from you...but I'm disappointed your not wearing the flip flops in your after pic...

thanks for the compliments - I'm blushin here! Shelley, can't believe how amazing you are doing - i am hereby demanding full list of your hints and tips! You must feel fantastic! So wish I was where you and Donali are - big congrats hugs from me xx

And Jennye - HELLO!!!! Check out my (v badly fake tanned!) feet in the photo where I'm wearing hubby's Ireland shirt, and you will see my fave pink flower flip flops! And in answer to Marsha's jokey query, I have actually gone down two shoe sizes - you can see the flip flops are big on me - my feet are all the way " in", but they are still huge - I have had such fun buying shoes since I've lost some weight - I used to take an european 42 and now take a 38 (think that's an american 10 to an 8!)

And Vera, I have my super critical mother-in-law eating bags of prunes a day - the poor woman can't be more than ten feet from a bathroom - me bad!

Briht, wow, how wonderful you look!! (And sound, too!) It's wonderful to see such success. Yahooooo!!

Bright,

You are doing such a wonderful job. Congratulations on your progress. You look fantastic.

Keep up the great work!

Hey Bright,

You are looking fantastic. Your husband is a stud muffin. Cute as a button. I missed you here. I havent been posting as much. I am going on vacation on the 1st of June through the middle of June. I need a fill, but I am going to wait until I get back . I hear that the hospitals in 3rd world Domincan Republic leave a lot to be desired and I dont want to be too tight during my vacation.

Come to the states and stay with me!!! We would have a blast.

Babs in TX

334/218/180

-116 pounds in less than 11 months!!!

6/23/03

So good to hear from you - thanks for all your nice comments - yup, hubby is kinda adorable, even after 15 years! Wow, I can't believe your weight loss so far, it's really amazing - I am feeling so frustrated with my "plateau" (ie my period of non-weight loss due to veering wildly off course )

Enjoy your vacation - we are off to France for a few weeks in July/Aug - and hey, watch out, I'll definitely be knocking on your door one of these days - should be easy to find you, I hear Texas is a compact bijoux kinda place???!!!! :D

Congrats on the loss Bright. I have been around the same weight for more then 2 months. And your right, it's not at all about the numbers. Well not weight wise. Other numbers matter also, my waist is now size 34 instead of 40. I fit into medium size shirts depending on brand. All in all, I feel the same as you do.. Happy!