Congratulations to all bandsters! May we all have continued success this 2008.:tongue:

It is a happy new year for me... I am down 100 pounds! There are many of us who have met this mark, and we continue on our journey.

Cheers- here's to us, and the many "losers" that came before us, and to those who shall follow. :wink:

IF YOU ARE EVEN THINKING ABOUT GETTING A BAND, GO GET INFO NOW NOT LATER..

My Mom was scheduled to get her band Dec.19th 2007- she instead had a triple bypass heart surgery, followed by many complications, blood clots, bad reactions to meds, etc.. and results are that the triple/bypass needs to be completely redone when/if she gains enough strength back to make it through such an ordeal -again.

I will continue to count my blessing, I have had the opportunity to lose 100 pounds... before her story, became mine.

Keeping you all in my thoughts daily, Kimberly

Angelyco,

LivingXL.com. Accessories for larger individuals. offers large, comfortable bike seats.

Thanks for offering, but unfortunately, my bike was stolen while I was in college! (Figures, right?)

I'm glad the subject of bikes came up because I need to get mine set up and get it ready to ride. Often there are bike trails in metropolitin areas that will give you a great challenge or just a leisurly ride. Google in your geography for bike trails and check them out.

Thanks for posting to remind me to get that bike out and ride!

Cheers,

Mary

OOOH I love google. lol

My bike is so pretty! it is all clean and they put the great seat on it.

I am going to take it for a test ride this weekend. lol

Hi all. I'm about 11 days now post-op from my banding and I can't wait to eat some mushies on Monday! I miss chewing. Actually I came to this thread because I'm still feeling like the biggest bandster amongst my group of March bandsters and local to Ohio but I'm sure I'll get losing more soon. I was weighing almost every day after I first came home from the hospital and then I was warned maybe not to do that because I could get discouraged if I had a gain or didn't lose so I'm trying to hold out until Monday to weigh myself again. For now, I'm thrilled with what I have lost.

Special K, that is a good strategy. Try weighing only when you go to the doctor's or the fluctuations will drive you crazy.

I think we can all relate to 'being the biggest' everywhere we go but it's kind of disheartening when you are the biggest in the doctor's office. Rest assured, you are not the biggest person in the world. Not even close.

I've lost 80 pounds and met with an old friend last night whom I hadn't seen since pre-banding and he didn't even notice, though he did ask me whether I'd had my haircut.

I was in a service school this week for work... I was so happy with my progress...then they took a group picture...man I hate group pictures. Whu am I always the biggest in the group. it sucks. I see the picture and I get all fed up with my progress.

Well I'm in the mushies stages now and it sure feels good to have a variety of foods to taste. I still have some mental image problems with only putting a 1/2Cup in a bowl and thinking it will be enough to satisfy. I've caught myself doing 1 Cup instead but then as I'm eating very slowly, thinking, I might have been able to just do 1/2Cup if I was 'trusting' myself more. Interesting mental journey here but I'm thankful to be down about another 1.5 lbs since the last weigh in. See my surgeon for my first post op appt this coming Friday.

I did get to the gym 3 times in the past week. Started with just 15 minutes on a recumbent exercise bike, felt embarrassed and gave up. Then went back 2 days later, did a treadmill for 20 minutes and the recumbent bike for 10 minutes and was so proud of myself. Then overnight, felt sore and was going to give myself an excuse not to go back but said, I need to keep going, I need the exercise and was able to do 25 minutes on the treadmill at a little slower speed and 10 minutes on the recumbent bike so that is a big victory to me more than the 1.5 lbs is getting my butt into the gym three times this week.

So for all of us big BMI folks, we just have to hold our head up and not worry about all those crazy fitness skinnies and weight lifters in the gym, those running on the treadmill, etc. and just start slow and do what we can and maybe one day we'll be the envy of the others in the gym! LOL

Special K:

Good for you! I started with a BMI of 50.7 and I know what you're talking about with the exercise. It does get easier as the weight comes down. I've gotta go because my Daughter and I are walking in a 5 mile charity walk.

Keep up the good work. I think it's especially important for us folks with the higher bmi's to exercise with our bands.

Take care.

Sue

I've been getting a lot of great info from the sight which have made my decisions much MUCH easier.

It is very encouraging to find a forum for other people like me.

I'm not yet banded but my loan has gone through so now I just have to make the appointment and get the process started. Doctors love it when you don't have to go through an insurance company...too bad they don't offer discounts !! :tt1:

Edited April 6, 200818 yr by BanTam

My BMI finally dipped

below 50

this week!!

Big accomplishment for me!

I've been waiting anxiously to see that happen!

I was in a service school this week for work... I was so happy with my progress...then they took a group picture...man I hate group pictures. Whu am I always the biggest in the group. it sucks. I see the picture and I get all fed up with my progress.

Hi Cerrin,

I had to learn this lesson over and over again. I had to stop comparing myself to others and only look at my progress. Look at the fact I was moving down the scale instead of up. I was eating much less than I was preband. I was making better choices on food and I am exercising regularly. The reality was that the changes were coming fast (just not fast enough at times:rolleyes2:).

I can't tell you just how happy it makes me to look averagly fat now. I love having my picture taken becasue you can see my face, not all the excess face I allowed to happen.

You will get there and you can do it. Be patient and kind to yourself. Treat yourself the way you treat your friends. Stay encouraged and keep a positive attitude (this expecially can take you very far).

Hang in there, soon you will see the you on the outside that lives on the inside.

Best wishes,

Mary

My BMI finally dipped

below 50

this week!!

Big accomplishment for me!

I've been waiting anxiously to see that happen!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are doing GREAT!

:Dancing_wub:

Way to go!

Cheers,

Mary

Hi Cerrin,

I had to learn this lesson over and over again. I had to stop comparing myself to others and only look at my progress. Look at the fact I was moving down the scale instead of up. I was eating much less than I was preband. I was making better choices on food and I am exercising regularly. The reality was that the changes were coming fast (just not fast enough at times:rolleyes2:).

I can't tell you just how happy it makes me to look averagly fat now. I love having my picture taken becasue you can see my face, not all the excess face I allowed to happen.

You will get there and you can do it. Be patient and kind to yourself. Treat yourself the way you treat your friends. Stay encouraged and keep a positive attitude (this expecially can take you very far).

Hang in there, soon you will see the you on the outside that lives on the inside.

Best wishes,

Mary

Thank you Mary, that was the nicest thing I have heard in a long time.

I am TRYING to be nice to myself. but when lbs dont move and your not losing inches but working out like crazy and you think your eatting less. It is just hard.

I finally have SOME restriction. So I am getting fuller quicker. and I now have some foods I cant eat. So I think I am getting to the point where I should start losing the weight.

It is just hard being nice when you dont FEEL nice

But thanks for the thoughts I DO apreciate them:smile2:

Hello All,

I haven't been on for awhile. Good to see everyone doing so well! I just hit the half way mark! 7 months, 60 lbs, I ain't complainin'!:huh2::thumbup:

As soon as the weather breaks, I'm going to get my bike out also. I really liked biking when I was younger and smaller. I think my kids (7 and 12) will get a kick out of biking with mom!

Take care!

Val