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At the end of 21 days, I was ravenous. I jumped in head first from the top diving board and had bbq ribs and all the fixins!! I ate very slowly, chewed, chewed, chewed and I was fine. The funny thing is I haven't had a meal like that since.

Goodness, that would suck. You are already, in my book, skinny minny!!!!! At least my hubby weighs 230. I don't have far to go to get below him. You are still a champion as far as I am concerned!!!

Thanks, you are so sweet!! It does suck at times.....but the competition between us keeps me going. DH wants to compete in mountain bike racing next year, so he is on a mission to get as fit and lean as he can. I don't think he wants to get smaller than 150, so I still have a chance. But, I still could work harder at my efforts to sabotage him with food......hehehehe.

Karen,

Congrats, that is awesome. I am so happy for you! Wish I did too....

Right now I weigh 3 lbs more than my husband. It seems like everytime I come close to catching up to him, he loses more weight. He has lost 45 pounds since I have been banded, while I have only lost 36. I just don't get it?? He is like less than 10% body fat!!

Well, at least he keeps me motivated and exercises with me.

Great for you Kittycat!!!

I am planning for a TT and boob job as well once I lose the rest of my weight and stabilize. I want to tone up as much as possible on my own before surgery and give my skin a chance to catch up to my weight loss.

I have the same question as Jessica, if you get TT now, will you have to go in for a "touch up" later? And, will your abdomen be as flat and tight as if you waited to have it done when you reach your goal?

I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear details......

My NSV for today........

Today I bought a new pair of shorts in a size --get ready for this-- a junior's size 5 (still a 8/10 on top)!!! I haven't fit into that size since I was 6 years old!!

I am only a little past half way to my goal, and according to Dr. Miranda, I have about 30 more pounds to lose. Wonder what size I will end up in??? I guess I will have to re-evaluate with her on my next visit to OCC. Although.... I really wouldn't mind being that small if I were healthy....

No, a fill does not hurt. You feel a slight pinch when the needle goes in, but not very painful at all. Don't worry, its a breeze!!

Congrats on your progress, that is incredible!!!! We were banded the same month and I have only lost a fraction of what you have. I know what you mean about the restriction, I am on my 3rd fill as well and don't have any right now and relying on sheer willpower. I decided that I am going to wait a few more month until I attempt another fill as its has only been about three weeks. I am waitin' and hopin' that it will kick in soon. :lb12:

Keep up the great work and you will be at goal in no time at all!! I am right behind you....well, in the distance that is.

Hi Kimmy,

I have struggled with the same thing from the beginning and you know I am an exercise junkie (usually workout in day and run in evenings, 5 days a week, and hike on Saturdays)........in the last 4 months the only thing that has broken my plateaus (and I have had several) has been to decrease my calories. I have tried exercising more, then less, eating more calories/protein, more cardio, more weight training, interval training, but still, decreasing my calories was the most effective for me. I know others may not agree, but when all else fails......

And, really keep track of your measurements. I didn't keep track of them too much when I started out, but now when the scale doesn't move, I usually see a difference in my inches and it makes me feel much better. It does make sense that as you are building muscle that you didn't have before, you would not lose weight. Your legs and arms will probably become more muscular and get bigger....mine did.

I have been at this for 4 long months now, and I am just starting to reap the benefits of all my effort. I feel much healthier and stronger. Just a few minutes ago, I ran 5K which I would never of dreamed of doing just a few months ago. I bought a 50lb bag of dog food today and, without any effort, tossed it in my trunk (surprised me!!), and last Saturday I did a 12 mile hike that was labeled "strenuous"....so just hang in there--the weight will eventually come off and, in the meantime, you will become much healthier and stronger!!!!

Mona,

The blouse that you are wearing is way too big!! that should be the first indication of the progress you have made so far!!!

Be proud!!! :lb13: :lb16: :cheerleader: You are doing awesome!!

Don't worry, you are not alone, I am on the "slow loser" team with you!!!

I agree that my experience is not typical. Usually I have no problem at all and don't even feel it as I am getting the fill.

It seems that due to exercising and the way my body heals, I have a significant amount of scar tissue that has built up around my port. The scar tissue is very dense and vascular thus making it hard to penetrate and easy to bleed.

Again, this is not typical so don't let it scare you or make you anxious. You will be just fine. I just happen to be one of the lucky ones!!!

I always have this problem after a fill. Right now I have a pretty large bruise around my port from my unfill last week. Doc missed port on first try, took needle out and tried again with a new needle, had trouble but finally manuvered it in. There was a bit of blood, I got a little squeamish, a little light headed.......ended with immediate bruise and tenderness around port area.

Usually doesn't hurt, but this time arrrggggghhhhh!!!!

Way to go brave, brave girl!!!!! :lb24: :lb21:

I think they do fills until 2pm on Saturday.

It all adds up, doesn't it......hehehehe. I started using myfitnesspal.com and I know what you mean. It is amazing what those seemingly innocent bites can add up to.

I am a fan of a Subway turkey or chicken breast on whole wheat, no mayo and lots of veggies. I eat the insides first, and eat only a portion of the top bun last if still hungry.

I didn't tell anyone besides my hubby, friend that went with me to surgery and mom in law (banded 9 days before me).

I have a dark complexion and tend to scar easy, so my scars are still very red and raised. Unfortunately, mine will probably will never be cat scratches (in spite of applying Mederma several times a day for 3 months). Anyway, my brother had his gallbladder removed laproscopically a while ago, and I just noticed this weekend that his scars resemble mine. I think that will be my "cover" story.

Julie,

How are you doing today? Any better?

It's a secret. Only ones that know are hubby, friend (accompanied me to surgery), mother-in-law (banded 9 days before me) and of course all of you! I am a essentially a private person, and feel more comfortable keeping it to myself.

It has been a little difficult around my family. They all probably think I have an eating disorder.....

I am so happy for you Mona!! Exactly what you have been waiting for!!

HOOOOOOORAYYYYY!!!!!

I rarely eat them anymore. I try to cook fish/chicken and veggies for dinner everyday, so I just take the leftovers for lunch if I don't go out.

I could definately finish a whole one if I wanted to. After my last fill, I wasn't hungry in between meals until about 3-4 weeks into it.

Congrats on your progress!!! 57 pounds, wow, that is amazing!!

:lb4: Don't give up!

Could it be water weight from TOM??

You WILL lose if you follow the diet, it's just a matter of time. So be strong and stick with it, we are all rooting for you.

I'm with BeBe, I miss booze.....I used to look forward to my Friday Grey Goose and Tonics...I miss buffalo wings and chugging water

I remember this passage about Splenda from the "Skinny Bitch" book:

"Because we're having so much fun, let's bash the s$#& out of Splenda, one of the newer sweetners. Splenda is made by chlorinating sugar, changing its molecular structure. The finished product is called sucralose. The makers of this poison tout its lack of calories and claim it's safe for diabetics. The FDA calls sucralose 98 percent pure. The other 2 percent contains small amounts of heavy metals, methanol, and arsenic. Well, gee, at least it doesn't have calories. So what if it has a little arsenic? Sucralose has been found to cause diarrhea; organ, genetic, immune system, and reproductive damage; swelling of the liver and kidneys; and a decrease in fetal body weight. What a splendid product! According to Dr. Joseph Mercola in Consumer Research magazine's article 'The Potential Dangers of Sucralose,' 'There is no clear-cut evidence that sugar substitutes are useful in weight reduction. On the contrary, there is some evidence that these substances may stimulate appetite.'"

, is Equal or Sweet n Low any better for you?

I will also be at OCC tomorrow for my 3rd fill. My appointment is at 11 am so I probably will not see you.

Good luck and congrats on deciding to get banded. You will love OCC and Dr. Oritz!!

See you in Band Land!!! and don't forget to share your pics.

I love the gym. If you are committed to going, it is a deal for your money. I go almost everyday and if you average it out, it cost me less than a buck a day. I am member of 24 fitness, and love the versatility of the membership. I can use the machines, weights, swim and even go to a class. With my membership I can go to any club, so I can go the one closer to work, or when I am away from home on business.

It's a great investment but only if you go on a regular basis.