trs893

Unfortunately, I didn't read this post before I tried to read the PM. What a great way to start my day... --TRS

Congratulations, and great job! It's truly inspiring. Good luck with the rest of your journey, and hope to hear more good from you soon!!!! --TRS

Hooray! Congrats--if you have any q's please feel free to ask (I am a teen who was banded). Good luck! --TRS

WOWWWW! You look wonderful! Keep up the great work! --TRS

It sounds like a great idea! But I'm just wondering: what is it about a liquid diet that boosts weight loss? I mean, don't you still have to be getting in a certain amt of calories anyways? Thanks, and good luck! --TRS

Wow!!!!! It must feel wonderful. Keep it up! --TRS

AWESOME! You are so beautiful! You have done a wonderful job--and it'll hopefully get even better from here. Good luck, --TRS

Hi! Welcome--Congrats! Just look around all the different threads and posts, I guess, and ask any q's you don't see answered. And...HANG IN THERE!!! --TRS

Nicole, Wow! You're such an inspiration! I, too, am working on the last 15 or so pounds--and it is TOUGH AS HECK!!!!!! I'm finally working with a personal trainer in weight training so maybe that will work. You have done and AMAZING job, and you look great. Keep up your work--you can finish this!!! --TRS

MSK, hi! I don't actually know the answer to your question, but I can tell you that the same thing happens to me. I'm not sure why, really, but at least now I know I'm not alone! I'm also interested in finding out... Good luck, --TRS

Congrats on the success!! I'm sure it's really important for your daughter to have such support from her mother--not everyone has support like that. I was lucky to have had my parents complete support. I'm sure it's wonderful to see your daughter so happy and healthy. Good luck!! --TRS

Zeph, Hi! Congrats!! I'm 15 (I was banded January of 2008). Look forward to hearing more from you. I'm here for any questions you have. --TRS

Angelica, I can't provide you with so much information, as I was not banded at the OCC. But I can tell you that I was 14 when I was banded (I'm 15 now), and I too was not covered by insurance, but I'm extremely glad that I did not wait till I was 18 to do it. I was even rejected by a certain medical center that said I was too young, but another place agreed to let the surgeon do the surgery there. I'm here for any other questions you may have. Good luck! --TRS

hooray!!! you must feel ONEderful keep up the great work, --TRS

Hooray! You deserve it Keep up the great work, and look forward to hearing more success from you soon! --TRS

Sabrina, Getting something stuck SUCKS! Like you, when things get stuck, I don't ever slime or pbing. It's just an intense pain that's there for, well I think my longest was about an hour. I don't know why some pb and slime and others don't. I know someone else with the band that slimes like crazy when something's stuck, but doesn't get pain anywhere near the intensity that I do. It's just one of those weird things. Also, I don't think that you have to be at your sweet spot to have things getting stuck. I've gotten things stuck over the course of the last year I've been banded but it happened when I wasn't at my sweet spot. I wish you luck! Good job! --TRS

Wow. This was a really great post. What you wrote was really interesting. If being called "fat" really was the final straw, then you're right--this is a sad world. And to think of all the times I was called fat--I never laid a finger on anyone! If I had heard this story before I might have dealt out a few punches (just kidding!). Thanks, --TRS

Ali, Wow--AMAZING job!!!!!!!! It's times like this that make the whole thing worth it. You're truly and inspiration--keep up the great work. Again, WOW! Good luck, --TRS

Sue, WOW! Great job--you're doing an amazing job! Restriction is different for everyone. When I feel good restriction, I can eat a relatively small amount and then feel that I am comfortably full. Right after a fill, when I feel most restricted, I'll feel a sort of light pressure in the back of my throat and that if I eat anything else, well let's just say things won't be so good . It's not an uncomfortable feeling, just a feeling of "Oh. I'm done eating for now, I'm gonna wait until I consider picking up the fork again"--and you may very well be finished with your meal. Good luck! --TRS

Thanks for this update--you seem to be doing very well. > Yes, head hunger is one of the hardest things to deal with, but you are an example of someone who really has the power to control themselves. Good work!! --TRS

Thanks everyone! It feels great to know that there's so much support out there. For anyone who asked, I follow a low carb lifestyle--low carb Slimfast shakes everyday for breakfast, cheese, nuts, turkey, low carb chocolate, eggs etc. Not so calorie friendly I have to add, but that's what's easiest for me to follow. I also drink at least 100 oz. of water/non-calorie drinks a day to keep hydrated and flush out my system. Good luck, everybody!! --TRS

Unfortunately--cake's a piece of cake!

Hello all, Today is my one year anniversary. I can't believe that and entire year has gone by. It certainly was not an easy year by any means--but it's all worth it in the end. I can't believe that I was almost 300 pounds at one point--I had trouble walking up the stairs and was short of breath all the time. Today, I can run on the treadmill and feel great. It's been quite the emotional journey. The hardest part was the not being able to eat a lot of food part. I still struggle with that today--I always miss food. Thankfully, all the work I've put in has paid off, and will hopefully continue paying off. I really encourage anybody that's thinking about having the band to do it. It's changed my life. I'm only 15, so I'll be able to be healthy for the rest of my life (hopefully ) As someone two seasons ago on the Biggest Loser said, "I'm fat. I'm a statistic." How true that was. I was part of the --% of American teenagers who are severely overweight. Well, I am no longer! I may still be part of a statistic, but now it's a good one. I used to feel like the odd one out--the one who was wearing 3x's and 24w's, the one who needed a seatbelt extension on the plane, the one who waited in line for a roller coaster ride only to find out that I was too big to fit on it. Now I feel like a normal person. I am beautiful, I am healthier, and I am happy. Thanks to the forum for providing lots of useful information. I really hope that everyone here continues their hard work (I plan on staying here!) I wish everyone good luck and much health, --TRS

Karen, You can make it--one more week! I'm glad that you're getting filled again soon. It's amazing, though, that you are trying hard to eat right even with no fill--something that not everyone would be able to do. Good luck, --TRS

Thank you guys so much for your time and your replies. I'm actually scheduled for a well visit to the doctor on Thursday, so I'll be sure to bring this up when I go. I'll keep you posted! --TRS P.S. Thanks, Karen! You guys are all doing so well, too.