ValleyGirl

I have to say, I have slowly been eating more and more (quite a bit in fact) and even tolerating foods I couldn't before (a bit of pasta, rice etc) but I continue to have steady weight loss so I think I'm going to forget about having a fill and just keep doing what I am doing. Is there any logical reason I should have a fill besides losing the weight faster? I'm okay staying at this rate of loss despite having "loosened up" considerably. Sabrina:)

Me with all my skinny friends! I really don't think I stand out that much any more. I used to hate being in pics with them because I was twice the size as everyone else. I honestly don't think I would have had the confidence to go a few months ago. I had SO much fun! Sabrina:) h

Come to think of it, I was skipping breakfast and not losing so I started having a protein shake again in the morning and now I"m losing again. I've taken all the junk out of the house too! Sabrina:)

Well, I don't know what I've done differently but my weight is coming off quickly again. I just about fell over when I saw the scale this morning. I re-weighed twice to make sure it wasn't a mistake.....191!!!!! I was SURE I'd get to 200 ad then stay there since that seems to be where I always end up after every diet. I haven't been below 200 in years. I just want to say thanks. I really believe having this forum (and you guys) keeps me focused and positive. My next goal is to be at goal by the end of the summer! Sabrina:)

I've heard many stories of people with bands getting the flu and being really sick but not able to throw up. I know it's not good to throw up with a band but when you are so sick to your stomach, it would be nice to get it out and get some relief. I can't blame the flu, but this happened to me last night. I went on a boat crusie for my high school reunion and between the cocktails (I rarely drink), being on the water, being up 24-hours straight and the worry that went along with putting this event on by myself, I was in bed with head spins at 2am, praying for a little relief. I'm certain I wasn't vomitting because of the band being there. Before the band I would throw up VERY easily. I had all the feelings that go along with getting sick but just couldn't get sick...I just kept gagging. I know, gross. I don't plan to drink again any time soon. It's not good for you banded or not and it's just not something I enjoy anyways so I'm done. Sabrina:)

Oh no Julie, what happened? Are you not able to eat because you are too tight? Have you ever ad a complete unfill? What makes you think it will have to be removed instead of unfilled? I've never heard of bands being removed for any other reason than slips or erosion. Please fill us in. We are here to support you any time....and especially through the difficult times. Sabrina:)

Holy hot stuff! Great photo- your confidence is oozing out of it and confidence is so sexy. Have fun dating and may the best man win, haha! Sabrina:) ps- I joined "onederland" a few weeks ago!

Since it won't update, I just made a new one! Problem solved. I've changed to a turtle as a reminder that "slow and steady wins the race"!

I can't seem to update my ticker today. Anybody else having troubles?

Just wanted to share some happy news. There is an annual Ladies in Media Golf tournament in my area every year and even though I've always really wanted to go, I have not because I didn't think the golf course was a place for "fat girls". Besides, being on the radio, nobody has to know what I actually look like but if I go out in public, my "dirty little secret" is out. I have missed SO many fun events in the past five or six yeras because I felt too fat to participate. I just didn't want anybody to see how big I had become...I was so embarassed. I know this is vain and you should feel good about yourself no matter what size you are, but that's my truth- vain or not. Well, I went yesterday. I had a ball, and I hardly recognize myself in this photo. I'm so used to being the big girl in the pic but I blend right in!!! I'm wearing the red tank top and ball cap....not bad for almost 200 pounds still. I actually like how I look! I haven't been able to say that for a very long time. Sabrina:)

My 20-year high school reunion is on Saturday night and months ago I bought a "goal dress". It's size 14 and just a tiny bit too small still. Since my weight has been coming off super slow lately, I thought it was highly unlikely it would fit by Saturday so I went shopping for something else....... What a pick-me-up. I started with a bunch of size 18's and 16's cause they looked about my size but they were all HUGE! I ended up going back to the racks looking for 14's and some of them fit (and actually looked pretty good) and some were a bit loose still!!! I could not believe it...I ended up buying a size 12 dress!!! The 14 is too small but the 12 fits. Go figure! Also this past couple weeks (now that I'm NOT losing weight on the scale) everybody keeps asking if I'm losing weight, lol! I lost over sixty and nobody noticed and now that I'm not losing, they are all noticing! Sabrina:)

I have given up on restaurants....I rarely get stuck at home but the minute I order an expensive meal at a restaurant I am cursed!!! I'm trying to think of other ways to "celebrate" other than going out to eat....it's what I have always done to celebrate everything from graduations to birthdays to relatives coming to town. Now we will have to celebrate in other ways. Sabrina:)

If you ever want to vent in person, I live in Vancouver too and would be happy to meet for coffee. I started out losing pretty fast but now you are losing faster than me....I'm only losing about a half pound per week now....if that. It is different for everyone, but I bet after a year we will all have about the same amount of weight loss. My cell is 604-908-4615 if you want to talk. Sabrina:)

Does anybody have one and have any tips? I HATE HATE HATE exercize more than anyone I have ever met...so what hurts the least? Are there any "exercize for dummies" programs it comes with? I'd like to start slow. Sabrina:)

Just checking in to report on my seven day no-junk plan! I was good every day except day three- that was my cheat day, although it wasn'ta big cheat. Regardless, my weight hasn't moved this week. I usually go days and days without a loss and then suddenly drop four or five pounds- I'm hoping that will happen soon! How is everybody else? Sabrina:)

I've never heard of having to get stitches removed either.

I really enjoyed beef broth with Franks Red Hot hot sauce in it when I was on liquids! I found some healthier lower sodium broths at my health food store that were really good....chicken, beef and tomato. I still drink them when I want something warm! I know the Americans on here like Special K protein water (can't get it in Canada) but recently I have discovered a new Crystal Light flavour here that is to die for!!! It's the Roobios Mandarin flavour- yum! Sabrina:)

Both my kids got really sick right after my surgery and I had to lift them (both about 40 pounds) and I was so worried but I recently had my band checked and it looked perfect!!! Just limit the lifting as much as you can. Sabrina:)

I got a second part-time job and saved every penny. It took me more than three years to save. The good thing about that was I had LOTS of time to research and be sure this was the right decision for me. The bad part is that I gained a good 30 pounds more in that three years and I was miserable!!! If you can do it sooner rather than later, you are better off. Sabrina:)

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ROBBYN! I am SO SO SO bored. I feel ashamed admitting it cause I don't want to sound like a bad mom (I really do love them so much) but I had a pretty busy career/ life with lots of perks before becoming a (mostly) stay-at-home mom and these weekdays are killing me....day after day after day of them fighting with each other all day long and crying out for me every five minutes, I'm losing my mind. This is always my bad time of day, the time I head straight to the pantry!!! My husband is out of the house 12 plus hours per day and also travels a lot so there's not a lot of "me" time. That said, I'm going to need to find some hobbies that we can all do together- like maybe go buy a bike and ride it with them. I took them fishing this week just so we could get out of the house and that didn't go over very well....my son was so upset that we were killing living creatures and my daughter had nightmares that fish were coming in her room attacking her! We also tried bowling and my son and I loved it but my daughter complained that she was bored the whole time. I have been putting off exercise for six months but a new gym just opened with childcare so no more excuses! It's hard `cause if I go out every day, my housework never gets done, but if I stay home they drive me mental and I graze all afternoon! I could really use some adult conversation now and then so it's nice to have this forum- even if it's not face to face. If anybody has other ideas of "hobbies" I can take up either with the kids or on my own, please chime in. All my life I've been asked what my hobbies are and it's very sad, but I don't really have any. I was never involved in anything as a kid, but I was (and still am) very social. I'm always the party-planner, organizer ,fundraiser, the one that "gets the ball rolling" if you know what I mean. I was voted student council rep every year in school but, outside of that, we didn't have the money for extra-ciricular activites like sports or music or dancing so I'm not very good at anything physical and I hate looking like an un-coordinated fool! Kids are up, gotta go! Sabrina:)

Hi Linda! That sounds like a blast but I work every Sat/Sun and can't book any more weekends off since I already have days off booked in June, July and August. I'd love to come down during the week some time. Or you are always welcome to call me when you're coming here...my cell is 604-908-4615. Put it in your speed dial in case you find yourself on this side of the border. I live in Surrey and we're always around and doing fun stuff in the summer- Stanley Park, various outdoor pools, White Rock beach, walking at the zoo. Let's make a date! Sabrina:)

Welcome home!!! Can't wait to see pics. I'm trying to figure out how to post some new ones of me right now. I need all the motivation I can get so I pulled out the "before and after's". Sabrina:)

That's too funny. I actually just noticed this about my stomach this morning...and then logged on and saw your post. Yes, one side of my stomach is fatter (the roll hangs lower too) and one boob is way bigger! Sabrina:)

I'm having such a hard time sticking to the rules right now.....I just want to EAT all the time! I'm not really hungry ever, and I can't figure out what it going on emotionally, but this is bloody hard some days. I'm SO afraid this is going to be like every other time I have lost a bunch of weight and then just gave up and went back to my old ways. I'm only losing about half a pound per week which is not very motivating. I'm totally sabotaging myself. Any tips to get my head in the right space again? I don't think this is about needing a fill (although I could use a bit) it's more about staying motivated after all these months. Sabrina:)

Robbyn, Make sure you check that your card says 10 cc and not 10 cm because the 4 cc band is 10 cm's and you may actually have a 4 cc band. I knew someoene that thought there's was 10 cc cause of the 10 cm note on card and got 3 cc's at her first fill by accident! Sabrina:)