I'll kick us off for May. I have been absent again. My world was rocked when I found out I had been laid off, so I have been looking for a new job. The silver lining is that exercising has been extremely helpful in keeping my spirits up, so I have been doing it. I only started exercising about a month ago -- around the 50 lb mark. It's amazing how much easier it is to exercise without the extra weight. I don't hurt all over like I did when I exercised at my heaviest weight.

I also got a fill recently. Interestingly I had lost a couple of cc's, and when she re-filled me, I actually have less than my last fill. Go figure! My band has its own personality -- sometimes it lets me eat a particular food one day, but not another. I feel tighter sometimes and looser others. I am at 2.4 in a 4 cc band. I am hoping this fill will be the one that gets me to my goal.

When anyone asks if I would do it again, I say "in a New York minute!" Even with the PB's, no sodas, a very shallow port now, and the few other inconveniences, I am so happy I did this for myself. It was the best money I ever spent on myself.

Robin, I have lots of time now -- I'm calling you!!

Best,

Jessica

P.S. I'm a slow loser also. I still have about 100 pounds to lose. Hang in there. I'm right with ya!

hey.. can I ask you guys.. What is ABC???

Um... Already Banded Club? Ample Bottoms Club (probably not :-) ??

August Band Crew. We were all banded in August of 2006:)

Doesn't it mean August Band Club? We started the group when we were all banded in Aug. 2006. Of course, we welcome anyone to join our discussions, but that's the origin of the name.

Pelo,

First of all, we all lose at different rates and as long as the scale/clothes size, etc. are going the right direction overall, I try to stay happy with my progress. I went almost 2 months only losing a couple of pounds. Maybe it is because my BMI was on the "low" side to begin with. Maybe my body liked that weight.

Right now I'm starting to think that my scale is "stuck" because I have been doing a LOT of exercise and the pounds are not coming off even though I am not eating more than I used to. But again, my body is smaller, needs less calories at rest (apparently I have NO metabolism because I swear I eat less than 1000 calories per day and based on my weight, I should need about 1,400 if I didn't even get out of bed all day!!!).

I know I shouldn't complain b/c I am very close to goal and really very happy with my band. But, I do understand your frustration.

I'm going to start writing down everything I eat and drink to make sure I'm not "losing" calories during the day.

Hang in there -- eventually it will come off. Like others have said -- re-evaluate what you are eating. Damn that self-honesty thing! I found it helpful to have a pretty standard eating plan during most of my weight loss -- a Protein shake for Breakfast, Soup for lunch, and either a small meal or even just some cheese and yogurt for dinner. It was LOW calorie!!

Hope this helps some.

J-

Pelo,

I have to agree with Josette. I think your making some bad food choices. My surgeon had told me that that ice cream, lattes and stuff like that are the WORST things you can eat with a band. They are loaded with calories and fat and go down WAY too easily.

I PB several times a week too. But I've started to realize what causes it with me. If I'm stressed or rushed in any way, I take larger bites and don't chew well. I also refuse to give up trying to eat foods I know don't work for me such as Pasta and rice. I swear that sometimes I need a kick in the pants about it because I know I'm going to get stuck and I don it anyway. I think what we need to learn to do is listen to our bodies and pay attention to what works for us.

AND STAY AWAY FROM THE ICE CREAM!!!!!

Oooh.. August Band Crew.. Thanks :-)

Thanks for the tips you guys! It really means a lot to hear from you and get your personal take. I am going to record what I'm eating and really focus on slowing down. Sometimes I really get emotional, like, "This is so unfair I want to eat"...and the ice cream is like me punsihing the band...RIDICULOUS! So I need to work on my attitude. The band IS doing what it was designed to do! I have to let that happen.

You can do it Pelo...mind over matter, or in this case....ice cream!

From my experience, I think you need an unfill. I was unfilled only .3cc and it made all the difference in the world. When I could hardly eat, was eating way too slow (an hour to eat 1/2 cup of solid food), was relying way too much on soft foods, had too many small meals, and was pbing everyday on anything including solids, I was too restricted. Interestingly I was not losing weight either. I was slowing down due to poor calorie intake. When I told the surgicenter that I was pbing that often, they considered my unfill an emergency and got me in the next morning. Their fear was pouch dilation if I continued to pb. I have only lost about 3-4 pounds since the beginning of March, but I am losing inches due to exercise. Consider an unfill, keep up the exercise, increase your calorie intake and eventually you will start losing. An unfill might improve your food choices, it did mine.

You guys are all close to goal...I feel like such a slow poke. HELP!

I haven't lost a pound in MONTHS. Truthfully, I have sucked at choices. I eat too much ice cream and soft crap. But you'd think it would balance out with how much trouble I have with solids sometimes.

Since the last fill, I have PB'd with some frequency...a few times a week. It's more of a stuck issue than a fullness issue --- but are those the same? I don't know!

I can eat 1/2 cup and sometimes a cup. But I have to go super slow. Once I get past the initial stuck-ness, I can't eat a decent, satisfying amount. But if I CAN'T get past the first few bites and I PB, I get super bummed and feel deprived. Then...I eat ice cream. I know, bad girl.

THE AGE OLD QUESTION:

So, do I need another fill? Is the logic that if you're PBing *at all* then you are fine? Or am I PBing b/c I am slacking on the supersmall bites? (Since the PB is almost always within the first 5 bites. Is that how it is for eveybody?)

I feel like this is so new to me (!!) -- even though I've been banded since Aug 06 - only in the last few months have a really felt what every one is talking about.

Help, you guys! More fill, less, about right? At one point in a meal do you guys PB?

PS. Oh AND my port is all 'wonky' and tilted towards my feet as opposed to flush on my abdomen. That's freaking me out, too. They can still give me a fill but I have to get all Yoga for them to access my port. Anyone have wonky port issues, too. I press on it all the time and say "PLease, port, no flipping over!"

Hey guys, I haven't posted in awhile but I'm doing well, I've cut out some of my ice cream habbits and I lost a couple pounds yay! It really is mind over matter pelo, get some frozen yogurt and keep it in the freezer for when you get a major craving, it worked for me....

I went to try on my maid of honor dress for my best friends wedding yesterday and when I got sized in Jan they wanted to order me a size 20 and I was like NO WAY, order me a 16! They thought I couldnt do it but when I slipped it on last night I was able to clasp the top and zip almost all the way up! I think about 10 more lbs and a body shaper thingy and it would be perfect! YAY Anway, I thought I'd share lol Keep up the good work girls!!!

Congrats Serendipity! I'm wearing a 16 dress for my brother's wedding in June too! Woo Hoo!!

Hello everyone!!!! I see you all seem to be doing GREAT.. Sorry Ive been out of the loop for awhile I have been so busy. I do income taxes and its been hectic but I am starting to have more time on my hands Thank GOD!!! So i'm back and I am gonna try and get with it here. Ive missed all the support you all offer. Hope everyone is having a great beginning to their summer!

Welcome back pebbles!!!

That's great news Jamie! You're doing awesome!

I finally posted before and current pic's on the before and afters thread. I can't believe I looked that bad before!!!!

Josette,

I felt the same way...I had no idea that I looked that bad! No one can accuse us of having a poor self image. LOL!