Kristi

Thank you too. I know what you mean about never dreaming the current weight. I feel very blessed and so fortunate for my Doc that banded me and the personal trainer that made me work harder than I ever had at the gym before.

Traci, Congrats on your accomplishment! You have done an amazing job and cannot wait to see the before and after pics. Keep us updated. Kristi PS, just went back to look at your pics, Wow, can I say Wow again! You look great!

Thank you Crazycoolbutterfly. Lisa, Let me tell you, you know the phrase, it takes one to know one. The reason, I am saying this is because when I first started on this forum, there were several people who totally inspired me. You have blown me away with all that you have accomplished. When I would be stressed over plateaus or down on myself, I would come here and read the messages that you, Shelby, Sabrina, Carrie, Angie would post to my threads and others. It really is amazing how far you can go when you have support, even when it is through the internet. And along the way, there were a few more that inspired me too like Debbie, Ashley, Robbyn and quite a few others, so if I forgot to include your name, sorry. When I went through the process and classes to become banded, they told me that a support group was a necessity and let me just say, it truly is. Thank you for being you. Debbie, you are one of the people that has awe inspired me. When you came on here, you were a woman on a mission and Wow, Wow, Wow. You have really just taken the bull by the horns, or so to say, and with your hard work and determination, you have transformed yourself into this strong, athletic woman and one hot mama. By the way, I would love to see a new pic of you, your last one was last year. I absolutely love this forum and thank all of you for being my inspirations. (PS, I finally remembered how to update my pic so I added an updated picture that was taken last weekend.) Hugs, Kristi

Hello All, I am here on my 2 year Bandaversary thinking back on the changes from when I first started this journey. Wow, things have changed so greatly. 2 years ago, I was 238 pounds. Wearing, or should I say pushing out of a size 18 jeans and a 2x top. Life was hard. I was depressed because of the weight, uncomfortable with myself, no energy, hid myself from friends and family because I didn't want anyone to see how I had ballooned. I wasn't me anymore. In the first year, I was down to a size 2 jeans and x-small/small top. I have maintained that in the 2nd year. After being blessed with my band, life changed. The workouts I used to do and not lose weight, I was losing weight, working hard and losing more weight. In less than a years time I had lost over a hundred pounds, infact about 108-113. I even got down to 124 in July of last year and surprisingly did not think I looked good at that weight, so I gained a few pounds. I did have plateaus here and there, but worked through them. In the 2nd year, I have been able to maintain, even after a bad car accident. There was a bit of a struggle, earlier this year with gaining 9-11 pounds after getting steroid injections in my neck and back. However, after going to Physical Therapy, because they have had me exercising to rehabilitate, I am down to 127-130 again. I also have been finally released to go back to the gym, which means I get to tone up again and I am thrilled. It has been a long road. I still need to be cautious and if there is any pain, I need to stop, but both the physical therapist and the chiropractor agree, by the way, that was yesterdays news. Very happy. I have learned that exercise is serious Key to weight-loss, eating healthy is crucial and being true to yourself is an absolute necessity. My band has been a true life saver. It is only a tool and if you try to cheat it, your are cheating yourself. Whether you paid out of pocket or was able to have insurance pay for it, I fully believe it is a gift of life. Who knows where my weight would have gone to, if not for this gift. One last thing, I am me again. I don't hide myself. I love life! Kristi

Linda, Congrats on your awesome Success! That's really exciting that you have become a flight attendant. What a great new chapter in your life! Kristi

Thanks for posting this Dolittle! Positive Attitude, Healthy Eating and Daily Exercise is what will help with SUCCESS. I fully believe in this!

Hi Feather, I was banded in May of 09. I love it. In most of the 1st year with mine, I worked hard at the gym with a Trainer and went from 238 to 130 by March. Then last year in the end of April, I was in a pretty bad car accident that has not let me return to the gym. I still eat all my proteins first and watch the my intakes, but I have been able to maintain for the most part. In October, I did get another fill to help maintain, but so far so good. (My goal now is to get back into the gym and tone up again. Soon though, they are going to be sending me back through Physical Therapy once more and hopefully after that, I will be able to get back and on track.) My mom was banded in April 2010, and she has done very well overall. She has gone from a 22w/24w to a 14w. She has Rheumatoid Arthritis and hadn't/hasn't worked out yet, but was still able to lose quite a bit. And the weight-loss has been helping with less flare ups, which is great. Good luck. Keep us updated. Kristi

Angie, I just read that your newly Pregnant too. Congrats. When are you due? I haven't seen you around here in a while and missed you. Kristi

Congrats on your decision for the plication. I am a Banded gal myself. Starting this journey, is very scary and exciting all at the same time. I wish you lots of luck and look forward to hearing all about your experiences and progress.

Congrats on getting back on track. I agree, 10 pounds in s few weeks is awesome! Keep up the goof work.

Well, regarding hairloss, I seemed to shed constantly when I was in active weight-loss mode. Once I started stabilizing with my weight, the hairloss seems back to normal. As for restriction, I currently have 6cc's in a 10cc band. I have days that I get so full so fast, and those are usually the days I have not a a couple cups of coffee. I am definitely tight in the mornings. Every now and then my band just says "Haha sucker, you cannot forget that I am here." I have been banded for nearly two years, since May 2009, it still seems a day to day thing. Also I know that whenever I am stressed out, even the slightest bit, the restriction can really put a damper on my day. Then, of course, I am a little more stressed out and cannot eat more than a few bites before I am hurting. Some days it seems like a battle.

Welcome to Bandland, How have you been doing since being banded?

Melissa, Welcome to Bandland. You are on a wonderful journey and I wish you lots of luck and look forward to updates on your progress. Kristi Ashley, wow, you are so beautiful & tiny. Love the new pic. Debbie, Can't wait to see a new pic of you now. I also need to update my after pic, I just forgot how to. lol...

Hi Michelle, Wow, you are absolutely glowing! Congrats on the weight-loss and maintenance. It is hard to maintain, so kuddos to you for that. Also CONGRATS, CONGRATS, CONGRATS to you and your husband on the wonderful news of expecting a baby. What a great way to start 2011! Kristi

Ohmigoodness Cindy, She is so beautiful. Congrats to you and your family on your newest edition. Also congrats on getting back to pre-pregnancy weight. Hugs, Kristi

Welcome and Congrats for scheduling your surgery. Its very exciting. I had my band done though the military and live too far to drive to their support groups and my Doc said to look online. I found this website forum and LOVE it. Looking forward to hearing about your surgery next month.

I agree, foaming is not good. Also, though all the fills I have had, all of mine have been considerably small compared to others. Feel better soon.

Hi Stormy, in the mornings I have issues with everything including water until I have at least a cup of coffee. I hope you feel better soon. Hugs, Kristi

I lost during the liquid phase, didn't gain back and then nothing till I got to the gym. I had to wait until the Doc cleared me to go back and get on a routine. Through the months, I found that if I didn't workout, I didn't lose. I wanted to lose so as soon as I got below 200, I hired a personal trainer at the gym and saw him 2x a month & he kept me on a muscle confusion program. Best money I have ever spent. Even my Husband was skeptical until he saw that I was at my heaviest @ 238 on 4/24/09 and @ 161 in October 09. I was sick a few times and wasn't at the gym, I didn't lose either. Some people can lose weight without exercise, actually my mom had her lap-band done this year in April and with fills and without exercise, she has been able to lose over 100 pounds. Heck, even from the same gene pool, I couldn't lose without working out. It just goes to show, that everyone is different. Water is also important and so is eating right (proteins first then veggies, I still keep to that). Good Luck.

Thank you Sparkplug. My Thanksgiving was wonderful. I hope you had a wonderful long weekend too.

Cindy, Congrats! Time really has flown by. Hope all is well and look forward to the pics too. Hugs, Kristi

To all my OCC friends, I just want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday. Whether you are surrounded by family, friends, or friends that are more your family, Enjoy your weekend and keep smiling. Hugs, Kristi Also I want to start something, what you are thankful for? * This year I am thankful all the wonderful people that have entered into my life. I am blessed.

I get a hiccup or two and that tells me, no more food....or else.... That is, I guess what could be considered as my soft-stop.