MikeC1977

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**THANKS MickATL for the nudge to post an update**

Well today is my 10 month and 22 day update!  :-)  It has been a while.  I have averaged about 6lbs loss per month since my last fill.  I may need another adjustment but I am very comfortable with that loss right now.

Gary and I did a 5k "Walk for the Homeless" in DC in November.  I raised nearly $2,000 for the charity I work for (in my free time).  I never thought I would walk a mile and a 5k never!  It was a lot of fun!

My energy level is very high.  I take the stairs or walk the escalator most of the time now.  Overall, I am very happy with my progress!

I am not fitting in department store size 46 (one pair of 44's a bit snug) and almost every shirt is XXL with some old XL sweaters I can fit into!

My size goal would be a 36/38 with a size L shirt or I am guessing around 240lbs.  I honestly have no desire to be 'super thin'.  My Doctor will probably disagree but I don't want to be skinny, if that makes sense?  :-)  I want to be happy and healthy!

Speaking of healthy-- my blood pressure has really dropped from about 165/95 to 140/78 (still dropping).  No cholesterol or sugar issues!

We did find out last month that Gary has Type 1 diabetes, insulin dependant.  So now we have to be very cautious about sugar, carbs, etc. which has only been helping me!  Most of the latest weight loss was in the past month or so.

A new picture posted as well.  I personally don't care for it but my Mom, Gary and others liked it.  It wasn't 'posed' so I probably am reading too much into it. :)

Just a quick update on my weight loss:

WEIGHT LOSS:

12/31/2006:  408.0
3/31/2007:    361.8
6/30/2007:    343.0
9/11/2007:    328.0
12/6/2007:    311.0

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: - 97

We just returned from vacation.  We went to St. John, USVI to celebrate my big 30 (8/31)!  

**Update two pictures from St. John, USVI.

Everything is going very well and I am SO looking forward to the fall!!!

I have been slammed with my new job!  I left my former company of nearly 8 years, so I am making lots of adjustments (including lack of internet during the day- most of the time).

Just a quick update on my weight loss:

WEIGHT LOSS:

12/31/2006:  408
3/31/2007:  361.8
6/30/2007:  343.0
9/11/2007:  328.0

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: - 80

Just a quick blog update.... I received another fill yesterday (.5).  I believe this was my 3rd fill? 

The PA was able to pull out 7.1 cc's but said I had great pressure (which is good).  I had thought I was up to 7.8 but now I really have no idea!  :-)   I believe my fill is now in the upper 7 range. 

I am on my progressive diet again-- clear, full, soft and regular foods.

I have worked with Rox and we are planning our first DC area get together on Sunday at the Cheesecake Factory in McLean, VA (Tysons Corner).   It will be nice to finally meet up with some of the bandsters face to face!  I hope to get some pictures posted after!

Well here is my update for the end of June.  I feel great but I can't imagine the energy I will have after losing another 50 or so pounds.

I am much more active now.  Based on some of the numbers below (i.e. upper arms), I know that I need to get more active and join a gym.  I have been doing walking, situps, etc.  However, I haven't focused much on the legs and arms.

This has been an incredible journey so far!

I might get another small adjustment in the next couple of weeks.  However, at this point I feel I am almost near that 'sweet spot'.

I also need to focus on cutting back on sweets!  I have done great by cutting out high sugar/high calorie drinks (never was a fan of soda).  I do have a glass of lemonade once in a while.  But I have always LOVED dessert and grew up on dessert after every dinner.  I need to replace that with some more fruit or no/low sugar pudding, etc.

WEIGHT LOSS:

12/31/2006:  408
3/31/2007:  361.8
6/30/2007:  343.0

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: - 65

BMI

12/31/2006:  55.3
3/31/2007:    49
6/30/2007:    46.5

MEASUREMENTS:

Neck-                  1/1/07: 19.5 "        3/31/2007: 18.5"     6/30/07:  17 3/4"

Chest-                1/1/07:  60"            3/31/2007:  57"      6/30/07:   53 3/4"

Stomach            1/1/07:  63"            3/31/2007:  59"       6/30/07:   57"

Waist-                 1/1/07:  54.5"        3/31/2007:  51"       6/30/07:   48"

Upper Arm-        1/1/07:  16.5"        3/31/2007: 16.5"     6/30/07:  16.5"

Thigh                   1/1/07:  31.5"        3/31/2007: 30"       6/30/07:   29"


CLOTHING SIZES

Pants: 
1/1/07-  56"    
3/31/2007:  50"
6/30/2007:  46/48"

Shirts:  
1/1/07- 21" neck/XXXXLT (4xTall)   
3/31/2007: 18.5" neck/XXLT or XXXLT 
(2x or 3x Tall depending on cut of the shirt)
6/30/2007-  17.5/18" neck/XXLT

Yesterday (5/22/07) I had fill #3!  I was surprised she wanted to give me another full CC.  I am now up to around 7.6/7.7cc's and the PA said from this point forward it will only be very small adjustments.

I weighed in this morning at 350lbs.  I am sure because all I had yesterday was water and some broth!! :-)  But I have a feeling I will be in the 340's VERY soon!

If there was anyway I could be in the "TWO's" by my brothers wedding on August 4th, I would be thrilled!  No one in NY (my family) has really seen me since Christmas!  What a great surprise to show up 100+ lbs lighter!!! :-)  Only my Mom and Stepdad and Dad and stepmom and a few others really know (I haven't shared with my other siblings).

I really need to focus on exercise!  I will say I am much more active and have a lot more energy but I am not dedicating as much to exercise as I should.

I am losing 8-10lbs per month which is 'average' per the Dr's.  I am sure if I worked out and made some healthier choices I could easily double that.

So if I post in August that I have hit my 100+ lbs lost mark, you will know I started exercising!   :-)

My real problem has been sweets!  Everything else I am managing just great!!!  But DAMN chocolate!!!!  Of course ice cream doesn't help either.  I do admit I eat a lot LESS then I used to!  i.e. the other night I bought a candy bar--- I ate only HALF and threw the rest out.  I would NEVER have done that before.

So progress is happening...... slow and steady wins the race--- right?  :-)

Measurements, etc. to be posted in June.

Until next time.....
Mike

What a beautiful morning in the DC area!!!  I am looking forward to going to DC with Gary, my sister and friends shortly to walk around and enjoy this great weather!!!

I feel GREAT!  I know I still have a while to go, however, I haven't felt this good in a LONG time!!!

I weighed in this morning at 354.8 for a total loss so far of -53.2 lbs since January!  Not bad!

I am down to size 48/50 pants and a few of the shirts I am wearing now our XXL.  It is funny that whenever I wear some of my older clothes they look SO baggy!  Whenever I wear the newer clothes I get tons of compliments!

The biggest issue has been new clothes!!!  Luckily I have found some great deals at stores like Marshall's/TJ Maxx, etc.  I don't want to spend a fortune until I am near a weight I plan on sustaining aka 'goal weight'.

My 'goal' weight I believe will be in the lower 200's maybe even 198!!  I will determine that as I get closer to those numbers.

I am doing well and I really hope after this last fill a couple of weeks ago I will continue to drop more weight.  

April 17th- I had a fill and I am up to 6.6cc's.

I am planning to call and schedule another fill this week for May 17th.  I really believe one more small fill will get me to that 'sweet spot' that everyone talks about.  I can currently eat about 5-6oz of protein with a small amount of starch/veggies after.  I heard the 'sweet spot' is 3-4oz protein. 

I need to start exercising more as well as eating breakfast EVERY day!  I have been much better about it- even if I have to just grab a protein bar.

Until next time.....................................

Mike

Updated weight loss data below.  WOW!  It certainly puts my progress into perspective.  I honestly feel much better!  I have been hanging out with friends more and getting out of the house more often.  I never realized how much I stayed in the house!!!

I can't wait until the weather gets warmer!  I am actually looking foward to walking and getting more active on the weekends!

As always, thanks to everyone for their continued support!

WEIGHT LOSS:

12/31/2006:  408
3/31/2007:  361.8
TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: - 46.2

BMI

12/31/2006:  55.3
3/31/2007:  49

MEASUREMENTS:

Neck-                     1/1/07: 19.5 "        3/31/2007: 18.5" 
Chest-                    1/1/07:  60"            3/31/2007:  57"  
Stomach               1/1/07:  63"            3/31/2007:  59"
Waist-                    1/1/07:  54.5"        3/31/2007:  51"
Upper Arm-          1/1/07:  16.5"        3/31/2007: 16.5"
Thigh                      1/1/07:  31.5"        3/31/2007: 30"

CLOTHING SIZES

Pants: 
1/1/07-  56"    
3/31/2007:  50"

Shirts:  
1/1/07- 21" neck/XXXXLT (4xTall)   
3/31/2007: 18.5" neck/XXLT or XXXLT 
(2x or 3x Tall depending on cut of the shirt)

What a crazy journey it has been!  A good one though! :-)

I had my latest fill this week, after our cruise on Tuesday, 3/6.  I didn't realize I already had 2.1cc's from surgery and I received another 3cc's (up to 5.1cc's).  

I did the liquid progression diet this week.  I had my first slime on Friday night after having a couple vodka & cranberry juice and I decided I wanted KFC.  It was my first 'fast food' since December 31st.  I ate too fast and ICK--- slimed for 10-15 minutes!

I am posting my 'full body' picture from 12/31 and then one from 3/7 on the cruise.

Thanks for your continued support!

Mike

Where has the time gone?!?  I can't believe over one month ago (New Years Eve) I had my 'final' meal.  It was a very pleasant dinner with Gary, my sister Susan and a couple we are good friends with.  We ate at a Brazillian restaurant in DC called "Fogo de Chao".  The food was outstanding and had a couple drinks to!  Enjoyed ice cream cake later and champagne at midnight.

Well again that was one month ago!  I have been in a 'band' mindset ever since.  One month ago my two week pre-op liquid diet began as well as some exercise.

As of today I am officially down 38.2 lbs!!!  I started at 408 and today I weighed in at 369.8!

My Valentines Day OH Goal is down 10% (41lbs).  I have 2 weeks to lose 2.8 lbs!!  I am confident I can make it!

Here are my measurements (I hope to update monthly)
Neck-           1/1/07:  19.5"       NOW:  18.5"
Chest-          1/1/07:   60"         NOW: 57"  
Stomach     1/1/07:  63"          NOW:  61" 
Waist-          1/1/07:  54.5"       NOW:  52.5" 
Upper Arm-  1/1/07:  16.5"      NOW:  16.5"
Thigh             1/1/07:  31.5"      NOW:  31" 

CLOTHING SIZES
Pants- 52/54 (54's are VERY loose- belt buckle on 2nd/3rd notch)  50 another 10-15lbs?
Shirt- 19" Dress Shirt and XXXL- WOW!  My old shirts feel HUGE on me!  I can now fit into some 'old' clothing or all the stuff I bought I thought would fit me.  It all seems to fit now!

GOAL- I can't wait to be in the 40's and eventually 36/38!  Plus an XL shirt (maybe even a L)!!!!


I feel 98% today (still some soreness around my port).  My energy level is really starting to rise.  I do need to get some more exercise!!!!

I am eating 'soft' foods now.  Things are going well.  I would guess I am eating about 1/4 of what I used to. I am getting the protein in through chicken, tuna, beef, etc. and once in a while a protein shake.

That is all for now!  Good luck to all of the new bandsters and the old ones to!

Well it was last Tuesday that I was banded.  I will be honest and admit the recovery process took much longer then I had initially anticipated!!  I was not expecting the pain- well more the soreness that I did and still have around the port area.

I returned to work today.  I am sore but surviving.  I have a 'desk' job as a software consultant.  I attend meetings, work in our software, etc.  So not a 'heavy lifting' kind of job.  I HIGHLY recommend that anyone take a minimum of one FULL week off from work.  If you have a more labor intensive job probably 2-3 weeks I would guess.

It is one week late and this morning I weighed in at 372.  I am down 36lbs since I started this journey.  AMAZING!

Last night, Gary was getting clothes ready for work today.  He came across a few nice shirts I had bought (3XLT- tall).  They never fit.  Always way too tight in the stomach.  He asked me to try one on and it fit-- actually with some room to spare!!  I tried on a few more things and I was amazed that they fit!  So right now, I have a nice 'new' wardrobe for a while!  I have a feeling that won't last too long!

Tomorrow is my follow up with the PA at the clinic that performed the surgery.  I am also having to do a food journal for the first month out.

I am NOT getting my protein in yet!  I have only sipped a 1/4 of bottle of water today.  I haven't been hungry and all.  Last night, I did manage a small bowl and 1/2 of pureed chili.  I started pureed food yesterday which is great!  Next week I start 'soft' foods and then the following week a 'trial' of regular food.  No crunchy, fried, soda, etc.  Actually they don't ever want me having soda.  Any other kinds of food at least 3 months.  I can do that.

I am craving broiled fish for next week!  A nice white fish would be delicious!  WOW I am craving FISH and not PIZZA! haha

Well off to go get my lunch-- some yogurt, pudding and SF jello.  Tonight I will have a protein shake and maybe some leftover pureed chili!