Dontondan

1. I am 49 years young 2. I really started gaining weight after high school, marriage, divorce, infertility, stress and lack of the ability to exercise without feeling like I was dying! 3. Tried every diet out there and they would work short term, however rarely lost more than 20 pounds and then I would gain it back plus an extra 20 each time. 4. I don't know if the weight is coming off any easier after the lapband....I still have to work at it, but my appetite is better and I can't eat the things or the volume that I used to. It has been a challenge, but I feel more successful than I ever have before and feel that the weight is gone for good this time. I stopped "dieting" about 5-6 years ago and my weight was stable, but too much, during that time. 5. I lost a lot of weight initially, around 15-20 pre-op and then lost another 20 pounds during the post op and then was at a standstill for several months (this was the worst....I couldn't get the weight to move) then I got the second fill and it is now good restriction and I am starting to drop weight again. 50 pounds since last November!

You have done a fine job, WAY TO GO, girl! Let's hope those pounds just keep rolling off.

Thanks for all your support, everyone! I am just still bouncing off the walls!!! Feefee and MamaMichelle, you are next! >

You will not only be able to wear it, but it will be too big for you! :pleasantry:

I want to learn to scuba dive when I get to my goal weight! I would be mistaken for a walrus if I tried to do it now!

Wow! You are looking great! :lb13:

That is too funny!

Hey Mikey, :lb14: Glad to see your post, I want to see the ones who struggle and their experiences as well as those who are doing great. You have a healthy attitude and with time I am sure the band will be a bit more helpful for you. I am so glad that you are keeping at it and knowing the weight won't come back is the best part!

My 17 year old son was staring at me the other day and said "Mom, I really need to take you shopping for some new jeans, the ones you have are all baggy". These were my "new" size 18's......I used to wear a 24!

The scars are barely noticeable after a few months, I had 4 and 3 of them you can't even see now and my surgery was in December. The only visible one is over the port and it is only about 1/2 inch long and fading away now, looks like a cat scratch on my tummy!

Mackenzie, Hang in there, I went for 2 months without losing anything, but my clothes felt looser and was continuing working out and everything was tightening up, I finally started losing again recently and lost about 7 pounds in the past month. Just keep trying and don't give up. :lb4:

Wow, weighed myself this morning and I have finally lost 50 pounds!!! I am so ecstatic!!!! I was stuck at a plateau for several months and now with my new fill I was able to do it. I have never lost this much weight before.....and this is just the beginning.....I would love another 50 by December (going on a cruise with the hubby and he can show me off!) I have been having difficulty getting pictures posted, but what a difference! I will have to have the kids take a full body shot now and get them on the computer. :lb21: :lb21: :lb21: :lb21: :lb21: :lb21:

I can really sympathize with you on this one, I have the same problem, always have! I have a routine now to get me to not drink with my meals. First while I am preparing my meal I drink a nice big glass of water or crystal light and when that is done, I refill and then I have my water.......if I get stuck during dinner and am dying for a drink of something, Dr. Miranda told me to suck on an ice chip....I also order just a glass of ice chips with my meal in restaurants so that I have "something". I bought a small pocket timer that I set for my hour after I eat and then I have to wait for it to go off before I drink anything, otherwise I feel like I am dying for something to drink. This has been one of my hardest obstacles to overcome, but I have to force myself to comply or else! Hopefully this will give you some ideas that can help you with the problem. Donna

Welcome!!! :lb9: Glad to hear all went well, now you are on your way to a new you.

Wow Lisa, you look Great!!! I hope to post pictures like that on here someday soon.

Hi all! I am Dontondan, AKA Chiplicker, AKA Donna. I live in the beautiful town of Bremerton in Washington State. I am married to a wonderful man, Tony, for the past 26 years and we have 2 adopted children ages 31 and 17 and many, many foster kids that consider us their family. I work out of my home as a Theraputic Foster Care Specialist and foster primarily troubled teen girls. It is very rewarding and most days very challenging work. I also volunteer for a local animal shelter fostering hundreds of kittens prior to adoption in my home. I have 5 cats and 1 dog (pomeranian), who is very, very spoiled, and a house bunny. I am 49 years old and came to the conclusion that I didn't want to be fat and fifty, so therefore I got my Lapband in December 2007. So far I am down about 48 pounds and am incredibly happy as I have never had any success with any diet in all my life though I tried them all. I have several hobbies, the biggest one is rubber stamping. I am looking forward to having my "first" grandchild from one of my foster girls (we are still very, very close) next month. which is so exciting for me. As you can tell I am a huge animal and kid lover! I also enjoy traveling, but only can do that once a year and we usually go on cruises to the Carribean, my favorite place on earth! :lb5:

I am usually tight in the mornings and am lucky to get just a packet of oatmeal, or a scrambled egg in!

Whoa!!! I hope I enjoyed that position with those cute docs!!! Too bad I was asleep!

So sorry about the accident, I hope that you are feeling a bit better now. I imagine you would know if the band slipped. I guess you should just call Dr. Ortiz and check with them if you should be concerned. It could be the stress from the tragedy also. Hope your feeling better. Donna

Wow! What a treat Hannah!!! I will watch tonight on the news to actually "see" you.

As you reduce your weight and food intake your body will "heal" itself. I am looking forward to the day when my Dr. says that I can go off my Diabetes medications (I am hoping this is very soon). My fasting sugar levels have been around 120's consistently and now they average around 90! These are well within the normal range. Plus being able to finally exercise without killing myself is also helping. My goal is to be able to stop all my medications eventually. I also have Hypertension, Diabetes, GERD (already stopped this), plus my Cholestrol is normal now and was able to stop that medication. Whoooopppppeeeee! The band is wonderful, I love my band and have no regrets, ever, whatsoever!

You sound a lot like me, can pass on chocolate cake, but can't pass on the chips....I love them! Still do, and that is why I am now a chip-licker! It seems that nothing can replace the chips...but chips! Well, with your band you should be able to resist the whole bag now. A small snack bag is enough for me now if I really get the urge, but it is darned hard at times. I try not to buy them anymore, but there are times during the month (you know what I talk about) that I can't resist. Lick-Lick!

Wow Maggie! You are doing great! I was stalled for about 2 months (after my first fill) and got another fill last week and am doing so much better. I am down 3 pounds since the second fill so I think that did the trick. I really don't feel "full" much, but I don't feel "hungry" either, so I can manage myself better. I hope to be down another 20 pounds by July! That is some goal for me, but I am determined. Donna

Well, I truly don't see a fat girl in the pictures! You are looking good girl, just bask in the glory of it! Keep up the good work and you too will see the skinny young thing that we see.

Glad everything went so PERFECT! YOu are doing great so far and keep up the positive attitude. This forum helps so much, just continue to monitor and keep us posted with your progress.