Just wondering where everyone is now. Wondering if we're all following some natural course of weight loss or if it's very personal.

Thanks for the encouragement, Jaime. I feel like my surgeonr doesn't listen to a word a say so I'm going to try with my regular physician.

By the way, I read about your great news on MySpace. Congratulations! =)

Thanks!

Is there a nutritionist who works with your surgeon that you can talk to? Hopefully your primary doctor can help you out.

Gibson - I missed you. Where the heck have you been? Never, never, never feel like you have to avoid this site please. We're here for you when you're losing and especially when you aren't. Frustration seems to be a partner of the band. You know there's bound to be someone here that has been or is going thru the same thing you are, sometimes they are just quiet about it. Let it out and let us help if we can. Come back little Gibson. You're doing good by the way. With all the frustration you had, all the time without any restriction and you still managed to keep from gaining it all back. Way to go!!!!!! :thumbup:

Gibson - I concur with Jamie...demand a metabolic rate test. And for that matter any other test. As illogical as it sounds, maybe your calorie intake is TOO low.

And as Ezma said, we really have missed you!

Yikes ladies! I haven't been on here in months! It's great to see all of your faces and signatures again! Luckily it hasn't been depression that's kept me away (although I'm sorry that it has hit some of you.) I guess life with the band has just gotten to be my new "normal". I lost the first 60 pounds right away, and then kind of took a break over the summer - just enjoying life, riding rollercoasters I now fit in - running around with my kids and yes... eating a little ice cream now and then. So I did maintain, but no loss over the summer. I got back on the wagon this fall and it seems that the pattern is losing a few pounds a month. Slow, but steady.

So I'm at a total loss of 70 lbs and the goal is to hit a 75 lb loss by the end of this calendar year and a 80 lb loss by my "bandiversary".

Still lovin' my band and the freedom it's given me from a lifetime of food addiction.

Good luck ladies!

Becca - good to see you back again. I went and got caught up on your blogs too. Sorry to hear you were having trouble with your band. Did you get back to a good restriction yet?

WElcome back Becca! 'Tis grand to see you post and wonderful that you have been enjoying your life. But pop back every once in a while - we miss our VVs.

It's good to feel missed! I know I do better when I am connecting with the community - it helps keep me accountable.

Ezma - I did get back to a good restriction level. Luckily the problems didn't last long - just a hiccup in the journey. It did make me SO appreciative of my band. Being unfilled for even a few weeks was really hard!

Well my 9th month has been interesting I did lose a total of 44 lbs, but I have gained a little here and there..now I believe I am at -37 lbs so wow, I haven't logged on in a while. I haven't had a fill since august, only because I owe my surgeon over $800 :-/ I am making payments because I really need a fill. I am disappointed in myself but oh well I am hoping to get back on track....I'm glad I logged back on, I missed my fellow lap banders!

Welcome back Nikki. We can't give you a fill, though I wish I could, but we can help you stay motivated until you can get it. I really need to get back on track myself. I've gained 3 pounds, 5 from my lowest weight and I want them back off.

HI Gibson!!!!! Hi all,

Well let me just say I had a fill Nov 14 and a long talk with my doc who gave a stern talking to. Needless to say I have recommitted myself to this entire process and the clouds of depression are starting to clear(thank GOD).

I dont know if I mentioned it here before but I have started taking a yoga/pilates class and its hard as all hell but I feel better. I am focusing on the weekly class and trying to do some practice at home.

Thank you ladies for all the support!

Gibs PM me

Welcome back Taismommy...Can you send me your doctor's 'stern lecture', because man, I have been needing something! A lecture or a kick in the rear, whatever works!

Keep up the good work.

I'll take a lecture or kick in the butt too please. Everyone has been so nice and said it's understandable that I'm eating crappy. Well, it is but that doesn't change the fact that it's still self-destructive and I really need to get a grip. I keep trying to use the "Your son needs you to be healthy" one but it's not been completely effective yet.

Yet another double V here who's been away for a long while . . . I'm so sorry! I really miss all the friendly faces & names here, and everyone's support and advice has always helped me so much. I just had to stop by and wish my valentine sisters a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Band land has been mostly quiet for me, except for about two weeks ago. I had some really intense pain in that area of my stomach/chest where the band is, plus I was vomiting. Scared that I might have slipped, I went directly to the ER. X-Rays showed no slip, my band was just too tight (I had 6cc's in a 10 cc band). They removed ALL the Fluid ( eek - I'd never thought I'd miss 6 cc's of saline so much!) to let my stomach rest. Once the fluid was out, I felt so much better. I've been back for an office visit with my surgeon, and he put back 4cc's already. If that works out ok, I return in one week after Thanksgiving to get more saline back into the band, but not up to 6cc's of course. I guess that was my "overfill" spot :sad:

So that's the only exciting thing I have to offer for now - losing has been very slow but steady for me. With very little restriction in my band right now, I'm gonna be able to eat on Thanksgiving (and I'm gonna enjoy it, but watch it at the same time, lol). I'll be making all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes for my family this year, with lots of help from my hubby & sister.

So everyone, it really is good to hear from you! I see some names I've missed so much. I need a stern kick in the behind to keep closer contact here. Before you know it, we'll all be celebrating our one year band-anniversary I'm not making any "number" goals for myself - I'm just gonna keep on trying my best to lose, even if slowly, and see where I'm at by one year.

I probably need to change that fish avatar picture - I just haven't had any pictures of me that I like (girls I'm just so camera shy, lol). Although I've grown somewhat attached to the fish picture - it's been with me since I started all this! =) Still swimming here, against the current, but hanging strong! :crying:

I wish everyone a very blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving! No matter where we are in our journeys, we are all winners, we have each other, and that is something to be truly Thankful for! :cool2:

(where's my sister-from-another-mister Marathinner? I miss you!)

Rhapsody - It's great to see you around again. Sorry to hear about your overfill problem. That doesn't sound fun at all. Keep on swimming.

I've been away for a couple days. We had my husband's mother and his brother here for Thanksgiving and I couldn't get to my computer at all. That's a first.