Jacklynrae

Ok well my one year bandiversary is Friday and since I have been stuck at my current weight for about 6 weeks now I think I am going to need a fill, I can tell I'm eating more or at least wanting to and the last fill I had was September so not too shabby? However, last time I went to the Fill Center Location In Thornton, Colorado because I am a needle phobe and wanted the security of having fluro and that was the closest location at the time. But when I got there, even though they specifically said if I wanted fluoro I would have to be the last appointment of the day yadda yadda so I literally went all day without eating and he said they don't do fluoro unless he could not find the port! Even though I asked for it! So after all that time they spent assuring me he could do it no problems, sure enough he couldn't find my port and left my entire stomach bloody and a huge hole in it (well huge compared to the needle) because all he did was dig around to try to find it! So I did get my fluoro but after I had to endure all of the pain that I wanted to avoid with the fluoro. So my question is for those who have gone to Mexico recently have you had any trouble as far as Marshall Law being declared? I know that with the package they will pick you up and set up the hotel and that will be no problem, but what about crossing the border or any violence close to the hotel etc. I would really like for the guys in TJ to do my fill because they were wonderful the first time, but am just worried about all that political stuff on both sides, especially while crossing the border. If this is not possible how many of you have been filled in Vegas? Do they let you choose fluoro and actually do it before they butcher you? I live in the Texas Panhandle so my choices are pretty limited as far as center close that offer fluoro but any suggestions would be very helpful!

Thank you all for your support and I know that deep down all of you are totally right. I am going to just hide my scale and put a focus on feeling good and doing what is right instead of the numbers. It's very hard not to compare myself to all of you wonderfully successful people on the forum but I know that maybe my change in attitude will help me stop stressing over the number and get back to living. Thanks for all your words of wisdom! Jacklyn

I am 2 weeks away from my one year bandiversary and am sooo confused/frustrated/grateful, so an entire mesh of emotions. I have lost 48 pounds in my year of having the band (but have been stuck at my current weight for about a month) and have really been able to transform my life and put more of a focus on eating much better and exercising more. I have grown to love exercise and hate fast food and see these as all positive effects of my band, however I am soooo frustrated and confused with all the hard work and good choices I am making only got me down 48 pounds. I have gained muscle and am doing everything to keep my days consistent on the calorie front but just wanted to make a much bigger dent in my weight loss. While after visiting with my trainer and doing body composition testing I have decided to only lose about 30 more pounds but I just want to see the results I wanted when I started this journey and don't understand why I can't be one of the "lucky" ones who lost so much weight in the first year. I don't mean to be such a negative nelly but I'm just so frustrated and need a little encouragement and/or advice. I'm trying to change my attitude and live my life making better choices but just want to see the results by now, especially with summer coming up! Thanks for listening to me whine, Jacklyn

Your positive attitude is contagious! Thanks for this wonderful post and great job on your accomplishments so far. I too struggled with the exercise at first and now I feel just yucky if I miss my morning work out, NEVER thought I would say that but it is true! Good luck and thanks for this great post! Jacklyn

Wow, I am so sorry. This is the toughest time in the band journey and its sad that you are in this situation. I chose for this reason to only tell my husband and my parents about my band. However, after losing almost 50 pounds I too have lost old friends. Because I am not going to the bar and not going to restaurants every night and instead fill my time with working out or focusing more on productive behaviors like school, I am not invited as many places and they don't seem to want to hang out. While yes it does hurt my feelings at some point and they did tell me I looked great last time I saw them, it is hard to handle. It sucks! But you are not alone in this at all, I'm sorry you are going through this so soon though, keep hanging in there!

I might have missed the point of the "happy weight" post but I have to get on my soap box haha! This is just my biggest concern with the whole BMI thing that not everybody is the same and I hate putting people in a box so sorry if I missed the point but I just start rambling when I start thinking about it.

Man I guess I need to start shopping there for them I normally get them at United for almost 4 bucks so that is a HUGE difference.....thanks for the tip I might try Target instead!!! I don't get too may, but one or two a week could really add up.

I have not eaten a Lean Cuisine, but every so often I do eat an Amy frozen meal because they are USDA certified organic for almost the same price and offer less sodium and comparable calories on some of their choices, if you can find these in your grocery store try one or two, not all of them are completely healthy so be sure to read the label. Some days I can eat it all some days I can't it really just depends don't beat yourself up about it, it is all about calories in calories out and your progress seems amazing so you must be doing something right!! Good Job!!

You look amazing. After seeing how you have stuck with it you have inspired me to keep going, I am approaching my one year and you have helped me see that it may not all happen in that time frame! Thank you!! Keep up the great work.

I would also suggest that those of you who belong to a gym or are thinking about it take advantage of that fitness assessment many gyms offer for free, if not for a small fee. I thought I was suppose to be a minimum of 160 but when I had my assessment I found out my lean body mass (my muscles, bones, vital organs all the good stuff) was 168 so there was NO way I would ever be able to get down to my "goal". Granted I was an athlete who lifted a lot of weights until I stopped playing sports and tend to be on the more muscular side for a women, but we all have different body structures and I hate the fact that you can plug in a number a height and fit into a box when life is not that simple. I honestly suggest to get a real assessment by a trainer because while it is awkward for a couple of minutes (only a couple) it saves a lot of heart ache and pain because you know exactly where your body will stand. I know now that even though I am at 222 and the BMI indicator considers this to be high for my muscle mass I am exactly where I should be. I may seem to be going off on this subject I just hate to see anybody struggle to fit in a box that some just aren't meant to fit into!

Wow it sounds like you have a lot on your plate and none of it is easy! I truly hope that the forum will be able to help you to get some of the stress off of your chest and deal with all of the craziness. But just like BandDiva said you might need to monitor you calorie intake, it sounds like you are not eating ENOUGH!! I use my Lose It app on the iphone, but in the past I used the Daily Plate and Live Strong.com which have every food imaginable and exercises, they are great sites also. Try tracking how many calories you are taking in, never going below that 1200 mark because as I have been learning recently it can make a huge difference. I hope things get better with you and know you will always have the forum!! Good Luck! Don't get discouraged! Jacklyn!

This may be of some help to you, I was banded in April and have since been experiencing this sharp pain in my left shoulder up my neck and occasionally down my arm. I have found that when I am hungry this is what triggers the pain. And while I at first thought this was silly because I truly thought it was gas pain, a fill dr told me that is was absolutely possible because there is a muscle or tendon that runs differently after your surgery which tends to rus when your stomach is flat and empty. I obviously don't know or remember the specifics or even great detail but I have found that this is my problem with the sharp neck pain. If I eat something even something small it helps the pain tremendously. If you are months off of surgery and still experiencing this problem I suggest having just a small snack and see if that helps! Hope this stops your pain even if I can't explain it!! Jacklyn

Like most of you I was so excited to get my band because of the huge change I expected to happen. I thought in 6 months time I would be over half the way to a hot sexy new me. But during this time I have struggled and been down and hard on my self. In 6 months I have lost only 30 lbs and almost 2 sizes. While this fails to even make a dent in my hopes to lose or even in comparison to many of you I have learned to be proud of what I have done. Now it is true in the beginning I didn't have the best diet figuring the band would do most of it for me, which like we ALL know is not true....it is a tool that we must use, not rely upon. But once I saw I wasn't losing I changed my diet, limiting all kinds of eating out and focusing on lean protein, keeping only whole grains in my diet and of course no sodas and lots of water. But perhaps the biggest change I have committed too is that of exercise. Countless times I started an exercise program only to quit a few weeks later, but I am proud to say that I have steadily, and consistently been doing both cardio and strength training for 2 months. The point is for all of us to remember especially to those that are struggling is that this is a life style change not a diet, not another gimmick, it is a way to improve health in ALL aspects not just fat % or BMI. I want everybody to remember that you should be proud of the effort that is being put in to being healthy, I make a conscience effort to do at least 2 things that are health related everyday, including exercise, skipping dessert, or even having that one extra glass of water. If you are struggling with the scale don't be discouraged, I know it is easy to do especially seeing the amazing results that some of the people of the forum have gotten just remember that everybody is different, I am 21 years old, if I could have lost weight on my own I wouldn't have needed or wanted this surgery. Be true to yourself and make the best decisions possible results will come even if some of us have to be more patient then others. good luck and God Bless!! Jacklyn

I agree...gas x strips it didn't really help me it but it does help many. I took liquid tylenol with me and that helped sooo much. Definitely stock up on water and juices for when you get back and lots of popsicles, they made me feel much better. Other than that you will be very very happy with your choice to have this life changing procedure done at the OCC. They are wonderful people and truly care. Just personal message me with any more questions! Don't be nervous everything will be better than ok.

Glad I am not the only one guilty of the Flinstone's chewable vitamins! I think they are pretty good....nothing spectacular but much better than an ordinary vitamin.

Saturday 45 minutes on the elliptical. Sunday 30 minutes of weights and 30 minutes of walking.

May 8, I did 1 hour on the elliptical at a 10 degree incline.

May 7, walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill at 3.2 and did 30 minute of intervals on the treadmill from 3.2 to 4.6, also did 45 minutes of total body weights.

That cracks me up!! Maybe I need to do that for motivation. But I think you look beautiful anyway.....so good look!!!!

I had a 4 hour drive from the airport we flew into and our home at the time. I think that was the easiest way to do it, I was much more comfortable. Maybe because it was later in the day so pain was very minimal, or maybe just knowing I am not scrunched in between two big guys. I think that if you take the extra day after surgery driving will be fine. I live in Texas so I know it will take hours and hours, my husband was stationed in San Diego and it took him 17 hours to get here from there. But it will be fun, more relaxing and a great opportunity to bond. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Yes but I think they all do a wonderful job. I can't complain because I am such a chicken that whoever is on rotation will put up with me haha. I am hoping I can get some restriction in a few days, I haven't been bad but I don't know just yet....waiting for solids. Let me know how you are doing!

You crack me up!! Yes they are very handsome. hehe! And I relate to you about the nervous feeling of being successful. I am so desperate to know if I will be ok, if I am strong enough, but with all of my band buddies on this AMAZING forum I know where to turn for help!

I am keeping mine private. I have only told my husband of course, and my parents because they need to watch my two babies (actually dogs but I consider them my babies haha). I think that I am keeping mine a secret because I am so young, I don't want the pressure, the constant questions, or the judgment. It is hard for me to expect all my rail thin friends to understand the pain and inner turmoil that all that extra weight and rollercoaster dieting adds. Maybe one day I will tell them, for now we just don't mention it and eating little around skinny people doesn't make them notice (Hello....its normal to them, thats why there skinny). I have been tempted to tell but for now this is the decision that I feel is right, after all once it is out it is out...and in a town like mine once one person knows EVERYBODY knows haha. I can't wait to see how everybody deals with their family and friends during this time and hope to learn a few things from all of you.

You will be totally taken care of! Can't wait for you to join us in bandland, and just like Blazn said.....don't over pack you can truly get by with very little. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

That might be a good idea, have been feeling a little "yucky" lately. Good idea!