November Bandsters!

[Betsyjane 2]

Yes, it is hard. I don't envy others for being thin though. I figure everybody has their cross to bear. Mine just happens to be visible. Everybody has to live life and get sick, rejected, embarrassed, ill, grieve...you name it. I figure I can have empathy for their pain because I have my own. Besides, if I am trying so hard to spend my energy on me instead of on bitterness. Not trying to be preachy---just trying to remind myself to take the high road when I can. It's too easy for me to be sad or angry about it...and then eat about it.

Right now, I just don't want a fill. I want to work on me. I rankly think I HAVE enough of a fill....... But I'll keep it in mind if I keep screwing up on the other stuff......

[Betsyjane 2]

I just joined OA in order to work on the behaviors and thinking stuff. I'm not going to tell them I'm banded. That's not the stuff I want to work on with them. Also joining a Tai Chi class next week for more exercise and for peace.

[Vikki 2]

Wow you have lost 63 pounds...........that is GREAT!!!!! I am so close to getting into Onderland and it seems impossible when I have worked this hard to only drop 33 pounds. I know it is 33 less than 8 months ago but it still feels soo sooooo far away to my goal. Once I get the Onderland how do I stay there. I just don't understand what to do for my body to react the way I want it too. I know that I did not do this to be a thin model but to just be at a healthy average size. But being overweight is not just physical and that is what is the truely hard thing to manage and struggle with every day. Patients is not my strong point either. Thanks for the compliment on the picture. I hope to look at a picture some day soon and actually be happy with what I see. We are our hardest critict.

[Betsyjane 2]

I guess I'm remembering Dr. Spivak saying that on average banded people lose half of their excess weight. I want to beat the average, so I guess now is when the harder work comes in. Whatever problems I have to tackle, the effect right now is that I can eat exactly the right amount at each meal, feel full, and then have an urge to snack within 2 hours. A BIG urge. So I figure it has to be habit that I have to tackle. I get the fullness feeling during a meal, right on schedule, and it's strong. Does that sound like it must be a habit problem?

[AngelaT 2]

Wow you have lost 63 pounds...........that is GREAT!!!!! I am so close to getting into Onderland and it seems impossible when I have worked this hard to only drop 33 pounds. I know it is 33 less than 8 months ago but it still feels soo sooooo far away to my goal. Once I get the Onderland how do I stay there. I just don't understand what to do for my body to react the way I want it too. I know that I did not do this to be a thin model but to just be at a healthy average size. But being overweight is not just physical and that is what is the truely hard thing to manage and struggle with every day. Patients is not my strong point either. Thanks for the compliment on the picture. I hope to look at a picture some day soon and actually be happy with what I see. We are our hardest critict.

Vikki you are beautiful inside and out and remember muscle eighs more than fat!!! Really....I saw you in person and you look good!!!!!!!! now that you feel restriction take advantage of eating higher Protein even id it is protein shakes...it builds muscle and keeps away fat. I am back on track today...I hope it lasts. I do need a fill, and I think I might have to do it here in SF instead of MX just because it is easier. the last couple of minths I have not lost weight... time to buckle down again!

[marni 0]

Now that I look at it. Im not that happy with my results. That is only 13 lbs and thus 3.25 per month.....That is less then a lb a week. Hmmm, I think I need to step this up a bit! I am not happy!

Okay, so I had some time to think about this and make some sense out of it. So, I was 231 on 12/27 apparently. (I hd surgery on 11/29 @255) So I lost a lot of weght fast. Then I know I was 224 3/25 So for January, February & March I lost onlty 7 lbs......For April I lost 6. SO is it safe to say that I didn't lose as much during those months becuase my adjustments weren't right? I hope I am on a faster track now. Wow, Im glad I didn't realize I only lost 7 lbs in 3 months. I guess it is better then gaining tho!

[Oberhasli 1]

Okay, so I had some time to think about this and make some sense out of it. So, I was 231 on 12/27 apparently. (I hd surgery on 11/29 @255) So I lost a lot of weght fast. Then I know I was 224 3/25 So for January, February & March I lost onlty 7 lbs......For April I lost 6. SO is it safe to say that I didn't lose as much during those months becuase my adjustments weren't right? I hope I am on a faster track now. Wow, Im glad I didn't realize I only lost 7 lbs in 3 months. I guess it is better then gaining tho!

Repeat after me. One pound a week ON AVERAGE is good! One pound a week!

The difference between 255 (surgery weight) and 225 (3/25 weight) is 31 pounds. You are NOT 31 weeks post surgery. You're doing fine. You'll have good weeks and you'll have less than ideal weeks but if you're averaging greater than 1 pound a week, you're doing a good think. Think back over the years. When was the last time you lost over 30 pounds in less than 6 months?

Losing weight at a steady, slow pace gives your body a chance to adapt to the changes. You'll likely have far less flab and loose skin than if you dropped it quickly. I don't know about you, but I want to look good with or without clothes! <G> (Now, just to find someone to look!)

Happy 6-month anniversary to my fellow bandsters. I have my 6-month follow-up in a couple of weeks. Can't believe that it's been 6 months already.

Tom

[marni 0]

I absolutely do understand. I just got another fill last week because I only lost 3 lbs last mth and feeling hungry. So got a fill and I don't feel like I did. I have gained 2 lbs since then. Could be Water weight from period but ugh. This is not suppose to feel this way. I took a month off from Curves though. I went on vacation then got sick and better, but broke a toe. Hopefully the exercise will be the trick. I'm going back again today. What a difference a month makes. Yester was the first day back and ooohhh, it was hard to get around the circuit the second time.

Loved seeing the pictures by the way. I wish I could come meet you all at Disney. Maybe next time.

What Pics? Who met at Disney?

[marni 0]

Happy 6-month anniversary to my fellow bandsters. I have my 6-month follow-up in a couple of weeks. Can't believe that it's been 6 months already.

Tom

WOW! You are right! 6 months! I can't believe it! Well, my anniversary is at the end of the month so Im just passed 5 months!

I hear ya Tom. Thanks for your support.

[Vikki 2]

Thank you Anglea for your compliment. I am just struggling right now with just wanting to reach my goal NOW and I need to remember I am 33 pounds less than I was last year. Your mind plays tricks on you and I look at pictures of myself of when I was thinner and just can't believe I had let myself get so heavy. I am going to tackle this demon of being overweight and keep the weight off for good.

Now that we are at the 6 mth mark (congrat's to everyone) what do you guys feel has been your most beneficial exercise to loose inches. I have been trying to keep up jogging and climbing up hill at my park. My butt is showing a big (smaller) difference. My pants are looser in the butt (thank goodness). What has made a difference for you guys!! Do you recomend any exercise tapes you have found or exercise routine to share.

Have a great day you guys!!!!!

[randa8218 0]

I'm new to the site, but I was banded on 11/20/06. I am down 30 lbs. Starting weight was 355 now at 325. I am wondering if 30lbs is average in 5 months or not.

[Vikki 2]

I'm new to the site, but I was banded on 11/20/06. I am down 30 lbs. Starting weight was 355 now at 325. I am wondering if 30lbs is average in 5 months or not.

30 pounds is great for 5 mths. Have you had a fill yet? That can help speed it up. The slower you loose the more your skin will have time to catch up. That is what happens with a lot of bypass patients is they loose fast but end up with saggy skin. Welcome to this site and hope to hear from you again.

[conniesueb 1]

Hi guys--it sounds like a few of you are struggling. I know we all struggle from time to time, but just remember that you have this wonderful tool to work with. BetsyJane--I think joing OA is a great idea for working on the mental aspect of all this. So much of our eating habits are mental. But like Tom said, slowly is the safest way to go--with the best chance of not having all that sagging skin. I have just started working with a personal trainer at my gym because i felt like I needed a little extra push. I have been doing the 30 minute circuit 5 or 6 days a week for a few months, but felt like I needed a little something more. And with the strength training i am learning< i will start to burn more calories naturally. I have also slowed a little in my weight loss, but I knew that was bound to happen. I am just happy to still be losing! I can shop in the misses dept. instead of the plus sizes for the first time in years, and that feels great. Hang in there everyone, we will get through this! And happy 6 month bandiversary to everyone!

[Betsyjane 2]

Happy Anniversary back at you all. I may grumble, but I'm so happy to be banded!

[Vikki 2]

Quick question for you girls. I was thinking of getting the Slim n Lift which is a girdle that is from right under your bra down to your knee. It is suppose to help those bulges in your back. It is 60.00 and is AS Seen on TV product. Have any of you ordered this and is it worth paying that much. I want to show off my weight loss but can't stand the rolls under my bra line on my back...........

Thanks girls!:fish: