Nicki H.

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When I started this whole process in May 08, I weighed well over 289, that was my DOS weight.  I never would get on the scale because no matter how good I told myself I was doing, I was eating like shit, and was sitting in my arse too much despite working out.  I had no self esteem, I thought I deserved to be living a life I was just satisfied with.  Aug 08 my mom and I flew to Puerto Vallarta, Mx for what would be my new birthday and the beginning of the path to my new me.  I know everyone around me was nervous for me to do this.  I even had some nay sayers...and even months after surgery when things slowed way down some said are you done?  I just kept plugging away.  I knew I picked the LapBand because it was a slow weight loss and I would be able to control it (I have a little bit of a Type A in me).  If I want to lose more, I buckle down, get a fill if needed and eat for my band which is for survival not pleasure.  I am now SO close I can taste it and see it!
I am now 2lbs from my "160ish" goal.  Will that be where I will stop?  I don't know.  I have never been this small as an adult.  What I can tell is this, I really enjoy working out now.  It is a challenge but it is one I welcome.  I see the results.  I know that EVERYONE is proud of me, and those that are jealous even comment and want to "know my secret" well, anyone who has watched me through this knows I have struggled and that once I put my mind to it, I have lost and lost not only pounds but inches as well.  I have gained more self confidence than I ever thought possible.  Now my "just satisfied" life isn't enough.  I have taken life by the horns and am creating an adventure.  Am I always making the right choices?  Probably not, but am I happy?  You bet my small ass I am.  And in the end I am the only one who is in control of my happiness. 
So, for those of you out there struggling to work your band...stick with it.  Those of you who have fallen off the wagon, get back on....work it, and it will work. And those of us who are here in the "almost goal spot" hang on.....it's  SWEET ride!

I just have to share with you all that will totally know where I am at.  Those who aren't there just wait you will be!!!  It is very sureal to think that I have lost 100 lbs!!!

I did it!!!!Today is my 36th birthday and I hit just over 100 pound loss today~~~~Never never never did I think this would be a success for me!!!!

I am finally here!!!!!!!!!

I just have to say, getting back on track feels GREAT!  I have begun to really watch everything I am eating and tracking calories.  And it's paid off.  I started 4 days ago at 220.  I am today down to 217!!!  I am hungry, but I know it will soon get better.  I don't think my pouch has stretched, and I know I have good restriction, but I think I was starting to get a little...ok a lot out of control. 

I have given most of my 2x pants away, and I think most 2x tops. I know I shouldn't be wearing them anymore, but sometimes too big is comfy especially in scrubs.  I bought 2 pair of jeans back in January.  Now only one of them fits and even those I have to wear a belt for because they keep falling down:)  Not a bad thing.

I just love my band and how accountable it makes me be!!

I am back to work yesterday after just about 2 weeks off.  I stayed active at home painting and other stuff, but didn't do my normal workout regime.  When I came in every single person who saw me commented on how great I looked!  "Wow it's really working, huh" said a couple people.  Then today I am working in a different area and one guy said, "well you have looked like a shadow of yourself for awhile, but now you have truly lost another person"!!!!!

I am now about 4 lbs from a 70lb loss.  I am so excited!  One thing that is strange though.....I get a sweet tooth at night again.  What is up with that?  For the last 4 nights, my 4 yr old and I will sit and share a small kids bowl of 1/2 the calorie ice cream.  I really don't need it and I know that it's making WL slower....grrrr.

On the flip side though I have gone from a size 26 capri to a size 16 skort this am!  I thought maybe I shouldn't wear it as it's only the 2nd time I have worn it.  BUT I have gotten TONS of compliments on it

I need to really get away from the sweets in the evening times.  EVeryone in my house loves them, otherwise I wouldn't buy them because I know they are too much of a temptation for me.

I have been at a stand still on the scale for longer than I can remember.  2 weeks ago I went to see a new doctor, because I had my surgery out of the country I chose to have my ND follow me which he was ok with.  But nothing he was doing for me was making any difference at all.  All sorts of blood work...no changes anywhere.  I just kept buying supplements from him.  So, on to find a new doc.  This Thursday marks 3 weeks ago I went to see me new doc.  No he isn't a band doc BUT his is a Naturopathic, Aryuvedic and an MD...this man is SMART!  And doesn't move too fast.  He thinks about things before he initiates them.  My liver is inflamed, my Thiamine is really low, Vit D low.  So he has started me on supps to fix those things along with a good MVI.  I have stopped drinking coffee as of last Friday, no sugar unless it is in fruits.  LOTS of fruits and vegs(my band has no problems with any vegs so far).  My main protein was pork of any kind and chicken.  Well he wants me to have more fish.....yuck but I will try.  And he wants me to cut back on the pork.

I have seen many NSV without the scale moving, I am able to run about 1/2 mile now...never have been a runner.  I am at the gym every day I work (I work FT and we have gym and PT at work) I have gone down 5 pants sizes!!!  AND no longer own any 2 or 3x scrubs, unless they're sized wierd.  When I lay on my bed my hip bones have come to the surface again....something I haven't seen for quite some time!   My friend at work one day (she's about 100lbs soaking wet) pats my butt and said WOW...it's come back!  I laughed and said what  do you mean.  She said well I was afraid it would sag or go away, but yours is just spinging back to life..(In HS I was known to have a "ghetto bootie") then that same night my husband did and said the same thing!)

I am getting used to the attention, even though I still have 1/2 way to go, but slow and steady wins the race, right and this is a lifestyle change so it can't be drastic or it won't stick....I have to keep telling myself those things.

I have a friend of mine from HS who called me a couple weeks ago to share with me that she is going to be starting this WL journey and is giving me the honors of being by her side while she does it!  It is such a personal journey I am so excited for her.  We attended Senior Ball together back in 1992 when we were very good friends.  I can't  wait to start this part of our lives together!

Today I got my "new" haircut!  My lady has been wanting to cut my hair short for a long time, unknown to me.  So, awhile ago, I agreed that once I had lost a decent amount of weight I would let her do whatever she wanted.  I have gone to her for years and she wouldn't do wrong by me:)

So, today I got a shorter cut...color and highlights!  I have never been "foiled"  it looks really pretty:) 

When I got home Dh and I were outside talking...freezing my but off, and he said I looked younger and that he could see me loosing the weight in my arms and upper body face....I said well maybe it's the hair too.  He is such a guy even after I took him in the garage where there is light he still didn't notice.

So...he noticed more weight loss, but not the hair:)

I only lost 2 lbs this last week.  But, hey a loss is a loss right.  I am getting to the point where I don't have any jeans that fit properly...doesn't really hurt my feelings, but just means I will have to wear scrubs or my capris through the winter.  Good thing I have lots of coats. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

So, I almost went today for another fill.  I felt like I was eating too much still.  Maybe my perception isn't reality.  One day I can eat more than the next.  BUT, when I got on the scale last Sun I was down 10lbs since my fill!  So, obviously my band is in a happy placeI am at 245 as of last Sun, and hope to be at 240 by Thanksgiving.  I went out drinking last night, so I won't be getting on the scale.  I didn't do too bad, and ate in preperation for drinking.

My family and I are going out of town for Thanksgiving this year.  We are going to spend it with my mom and dads side of the family.  Seperate celebrations.  None of them have seen me since 2 weeks post op so it will be fun to see their reactions.  I haven't been there for the holidays for about 25 yrs!  It will be nice.  Let's see how much self control I will have then, they are all AWESOME cooks.....send me a big ole restriction vibe:)  I may need it.

I am loving my band!  I still don't see as many changes as everyone else does, but I know it is happening:)  I need to get back into the gym, and find a good lap support meeting and I think maybe that will help.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I am going for another fill on Wednesday, had one about 1.5 weeks ago, but didn't do any difference.  I have a 10cc band and had 3 cc put in it.  Why don't I notice anything?  Not even initially.  I know things are working as they should.  I am going to have to go buy new britches...they keep falling off of me.  There are worse things in life.

On another note....the finance company that I used to finance my surgery, still has yet to pay Dr Joya.  My surgery was in Aug!!  I have made one payment to them, they keep giving me the run-a-round...well we have a freeze on all payments, and we sent your refund out on the 15th....I know the market sucks right now, but one would think that payment would have been made long ago.  And for them to bill me and not have funded my loan!!  But they still keep my money~!~ughhh.  Thank God Dr joya is being patient.

I am going to have my first fill on Friday!  Very excited.  I really haven't felt a lot of restriction the past couple weeks and so I have been having to be on my best behavior.  I hope that this will make a difference.  I think I am still losing b/c my clothes are getting bigger, but I have made a couple of not so good food choices in the past 2 weeks.  All in all I have been doing good though.  People at work call me "skinny minnie" it feels funny now, only because I am so not...YET:)  But everyone from co workers to people I take care of to care givers that we associate with have been sooo supportive.  It is great!  Oh my family too