SimSim

So - I haven't checked in for some time - the great thing is, I am almost under 200! That's 85 pounds lost! That's 8.5 bags of 10 lbs of potatoes. That's a small child. That's going from a size 26ish to a size 18 and now even the size 18 is loose. I haven't had a fill since my last (which is almost a year ago)... and I'm still really tight. I can't say that I'm always good about what I eat, but the weight is coming off so much faster since I've started excercising more. I now walk about 3 miles a day minimum and sometimes I walk four or more hours a day. I'm really excited about the possiblity of being under 200 by Memorial Day weekend, that is when my oldest daughter graduates. The hardest part of this surgery is being committed - not to the surgery - but to myself. I fell off the horse in the beginning and then dusted myself off and got back on. YOU CAN DO THIS! I CAN DO THIS! I'M DOING IT!! Wishes to all of you - success, happiness and health! - Simone

Okay - so I figured something out - and I know this will have some "duh!" factor to it. I really pay attention to what I put in my mouth and to how much I'm exercising if I keep track of it. Again, I know this isn't ground breaking or anything, but I can't stress how important this is! After working on a lot of different websites I've decided that I like www.livestrong.com the best. Mostly because I can track everything quickly and it seems to have so many of the items I eat (lots of organic stuff) on the lists. I can track exercise (woot! I've been walking a mile + every single day) and how much water I'm drinking. So one day I notice I've eaten 800 calories - the next day I realize I ate 1400... I can actually see WHERE and make the adjustments and try to find substitutions for the items that I could have done better with. Also - it tells me how much protein I've eaten... now I look for food with lots of protein. So - I know you all know about writing down what you're eating... just wanted to share this website as an option. - Simone (feeling mighty good!!)

So I seem to crave various things but I've discovered the helper for my sweet tooth. Dark chocolate covered espresso beans. Five of them are thirty calories, they have a GREAT crunch and are sweet enough to stop me from wanting anything else that is sweet. On top of all of that - I'm finding that if I crunch on a few of this when I have that mid-morning or mid-afternoon drag time it gives me a great boost. You can find these at Starbucks. Probably other places but that's where I've found them right now! - Simone

Seriously doing a happy dance for you. This is VERY exciting!!

Sabrina, Thank you. I really needed to read your post and stats today. Even though I was banded almost two years ago, I really count July 2nd at my 'band date' - after broken ankle and more I couldn't focus on my road to health as much as my road to healing... So... thanks for posting... you were just the perfect pick-me-up today. - Simone

Yay for solids(ish!) Slowly but surely... glad you're feeling strong! - Simone

I haven't posted in awhile, everyone is so helpful and encouraging... I need help with this one. I had strep throat and then bronchitis - what is left is this upper nasal drip and allergy issue because the Texas weather has been so back and forth lately. I'm making so much ... well, mucus, that I'm PBing like crazy. Tried allergy meds and more but I'm either spitting it out, PBing or trying to figure out how to get over this quickly! I can't even attempt to eat a solid today because of this. Ideas? Anyone know any good home remedy for all this mucus? THANKS! - Simone

Same here. Lisa's right - staying focused on portions and your general food intake is ideal. Also, it took me three fills to finally feel restricted. You can do this - we're all cheering for you.

... and Carrie - holy smokes, you're looking GREAT!!

Hi, Revy. Can't help you much on the Canadian front, however - I too have more than 100lbs to lose and what I've learned so far in this process is you have to really make a commitment to change your life. I had the surgery, didn't really make the commitment and it took almost a year and a half for me to get back to where I was going to the doctor again. I would encourage anyone who has dealt with weight issues to consider this - I think if you have over 100 lbs to lose it's an ideal, safe way to do it. - Simone (GOOD LUCK!!)

So the last fill I got seems to be my 'sweet spot' - This is good. I can see a physical difference in my body and I've lost about 22 pounds since I started back on this journey. I want to be a poster child for the people who fell off the band-wagon. ::that was kinda' funny:: Anyway - I have lots of stress right now with work. I work in the education field and obviously the pace has picked up - so after texting a lapband mate (Thanks, Angie!) I realized that I'll be needing to do the Maalox, liquid diet for awhile - nothing will go down. It's not that I'm even PBing... no matter how soft the food seems to be, no matter how much I chew, it comes right back up. It's like I've closed up like a steel trap. I can get clear fluids down, but that's it. I had read about this happening to others here on the boards, but had never experienced it until now - WHEW, it's awful. All of that aside, here is my question: Like I said before, I can see the physical spots where the weight has left - SO COOL! It seems, however, to be leaving my chest area - and not my stomach area where I would really like to see some gone. Now, I'm not complaining, it's also leaving around my waist - I have a defined waist now - that's awesome! Are there any exercises that will help with this tummy thing I have going on? You know, there's something wonderful about child-birth that seems to give us this wonderful tummy that's difficult to get rid of. How did everyone else work on the tummy part of things? Thanks to everyone for being on these Boards - I've never met any of you, but I watch your progress and I'm constantly awed by our fierce grace to be healthy and well people. - Simone

I am officially down 17 pounds from where I started. I'm really excited about this. I went Thursday and had a fill - the doctor decided to fill more because I wasn't progressing as he would like. I was game. He filled with one cc and then added another half. I left drinking my water (because I haven't had one problem with a fill so far) and was back in the office in less than thirty minutes - I couldn't even swallow spit I was so tight. I couldn't drink the water - it was an AWFUL feeling. Back on the patient table, he took out about .5 cc and I could swallow. He told me that I would be much tighter than I ever have - be gentle with myself. Boy have I!! Most days I don't think I'm even consuming more than 700 calories - but I'm not hungry. I'm taking my vitamins and really noticing what my choices are when it comes to eating. The calories I do consume HAVE to count. So - I go back in two weeks just so we can weigh again and see where we stand. I really do like having a doctor who is so involved. He had the lapband surgery 3 years ago and I just really appreciate his enthusiasm for my well being too. So - band is doing well - I am doing well - it is all wonderful! Hope all of you are healthy and happy and rocking your way to the healthy yous that you're hoping for! - Simone OH! I forgot to add - some friends of mine and I have joined this site called fatbet.net where you bet each other to see who can lose more weight. I'm going to win this and consider that money clothes money for the clothes I'll have to buy soon!

A great post - and I surely needed to read this today. There are surgeons close to here that do a two-for-one on plastic surgery. A friend of mine had gastric bypass and she and I have decided to do this together. Thanks so much for sharing.

I always love looking for things here that inspire me - tonight it was going through all of the member's galleries. The before and after pics are AMAZING. Which is why I'm going to have a picture taken of me today.... because I want to show off my rockin' bod after I carefully mold this one into what it can be. Thank you to everyone who has posted before and after pictures. It really helps people... like me!! - Simone

So I'm reading a book on 'thinking thin' - it goes through different exercises (not physical) on how to change your thinking. One of the big things it talks about is accepting when you make a 'mistake' (eat something you know you shouldn't) and then rewiring your brain from 'failure' to picking yourself up and moving forward. I think many people who have worked on their weight have dealt with this. You have a day where you have totally eaten the whole quart of icecream, or three brownies, that whole plate of enchiladas, the work potluck and more... and then figured we've already 'messed up' so the next chocolate chip cookie (or four) won't matter. But you see - because we want healthy bodies, it does matter. And a huge turning point for me is realizing that the occasional trip doesn't mean failure. More often than not - it means I get to work on my muscle building in the area of controlling myself. So - today's fill went fantastically. I've lost five pounds, the doctor was pleased, the nurse and I had an interesting chat and the fill was simple. The talk with the nurse was interesting - she told me that protein shakes are not ideal for banders. Also she had the opinion that milk isn't good for banders - in any form. I am a fan of low-fat cheese - and boost protein shakes. I have such hectic mornings that it's really hard to find time for breakfast, and I've learned that if I don't make time for breakfast ... well, then I over eat the rest of the day. So in as much as I appreciated her opinion, what I'm doing now seems to be working for me. Feeling good... ... feeling accomplished. Much love. - Simone

I went for my 'second' fill today. It was easy and the doctor was pleased with how I'm progressing. Even better - the fill didn't cost anything. Any fill that he does within one week of the other fill is free. We've set up an appointment for July 30th - for another fill if needed - or if I'm doing well, just for a weigh in. I'm feeling good - clear liquids today. I kinda' overdid it this morning, so I'm feeling a bit weak and ick now - have to remember to take it easy on clear liquid day. YAY for five pounds gone! - Simone

Slow and steady, indeed! All of you are GREAT motivation. Congratulations, Christy. You look fantastic.

My 2nd fill is tomorrow. Really it's my third - but my second fill since I took control and started to use this band for what it was intended. This week I've done pretty well. I've had lots of situations where I went out to eat. Today I had 1/2 a taco and maybe three-quarter of a cup of beans - a boost - a stick of cheese - and for dinner four bites of a beef and blue cheese sandwich. Maybe 1200 calories today. That's the most I've eaten all week - the point is, I really need this fill. I'm hungry. I'll be interested to see what my weigh-in is tomorrow - I'm excited - I'm nervous. I'm ready. Much love, - Simone

:lb21: :lb10: :lb21: :lb10: :lb21: :lb10: :lb21: :lb10: :lb21: Angie - I am so excited for you. Yay for mommies who handle dropping off their children well - and yay for working so well with your band!

I asked that. He only added .7 for this fill and said since it had been a year and a half since my last fill (and my only fill) he didn't believe that it would give me much restriction. Normally he waits two weeks or more before another fill, but we are going to address it again on Thursday, July 9th to see if another fill was needed. I'm okay with spending the money right now. I waited so long to take the full benefit of this band - I feel great today. I will absolutely need the fill on Thursday, but I'm really encouraged.

Wow. I wish all of you could see what the forum looks like on my cell. pretty cool! (okay, shiny object) I got my fill. I had literally made myself sick worried that the doctor would turn me away for failing so far - or if we couldn't find the port... or for many other reasons.... all rediculous. the nurse was super sweet and the doctor was fantastic. he asked what had been going on and I told him about the numerous falls, the delay, the fear. he asked what brought me around and I told him about this forum. you see, he also is banded and has lost lots of weight and has even put together a book of band friendly recipes. he found the port so easily, pulled some out to see where I was and then put about .7 in. now the interesting part - he wants to see me next week for another fill. truth be told I don't feel much of a restriction, but I do seem to have more gas. ick. i'm excited!!!