Karen H.
I'm 1 1/2 years post op and still losing
Aug 22, 2008
If anyone ever reads this, I want to say that I would encourage you to have the lapband surgery. Life is so much easier now. Walking, working, tying shoes, crossing my legs, feeling healthier, less meds, looking so different.
I am far from my own goal but I've lost 88 lbs and I'm not going to ever find them-lol!
The weight loss has slowed down but I've not gained anything and I'm still going down. My body shape has changed and suddenly everyone is noticing that I've lost alot.
I've gone from a 30/32 to an 18/20 top and a 20/22 bottom.
My next goal is to get into a 16/14 and an 18/20 bottom. Is it possible? My head tells me no but my heart (and my history) tell me yes.
I still haven't made regular exercise a part of my life. I know it's important too.
I've been able to meet all the goals I set for myself on this website!
Now, I'm going to make some new ones.
The band is great because I don't get hungry. The head hunger is gone. My stomach has shrunk. I've basically become a vegetarian too, so my eating habits have radically changed. I LOVE foods that I never thought I would (can you say hummus)?
I don't miss or crave breads (like I thought I would) and I don't miss the fast foods at all. I still go to drive throughs but I order refried beans, or baked beans, or yogurt, or soup. There's a ton of healthier protein-packed options.
Yes, yes, yes. This is so neat. And I feel so proud of myself. I don't know that I believed it would really happen but it's happening.
Love it. You will too.
I am far from my own goal but I've lost 88 lbs and I'm not going to ever find them-lol!
The weight loss has slowed down but I've not gained anything and I'm still going down. My body shape has changed and suddenly everyone is noticing that I've lost alot.
I've gone from a 30/32 to an 18/20 top and a 20/22 bottom.
My next goal is to get into a 16/14 and an 18/20 bottom. Is it possible? My head tells me no but my heart (and my history) tell me yes.
I still haven't made regular exercise a part of my life. I know it's important too.
I've been able to meet all the goals I set for myself on this website!
Now, I'm going to make some new ones.
The band is great because I don't get hungry. The head hunger is gone. My stomach has shrunk. I've basically become a vegetarian too, so my eating habits have radically changed. I LOVE foods that I never thought I would (can you say hummus)?
I don't miss or crave breads (like I thought I would) and I don't miss the fast foods at all. I still go to drive throughs but I order refried beans, or baked beans, or yogurt, or soup. There's a ton of healthier protein-packed options.
Yes, yes, yes. This is so neat. And I feel so proud of myself. I don't know that I believed it would really happen but it's happening.
Love it. You will too.
50 lbs lost
Dec 26, 2007
Hard to believe I'm coming up on 11 months on 1/2/08. I've lost 50 lbs since 2/2/07. And I've lost 64 since the summer of 2006.
I'm not losing very fast but it's still coming off. I don't have any complaints.
I went for six weeks and didn't lose anything.
My last fill was last week. It was so tight that I had couldn't even keep water in. I had to drive back to Louisville two days after the fill and met the on call surgeon at Norton's. He removed 1.0 cc and I instantly felt intense thirst, hunger, and I felt much better!
I can drink and eat again.
It's given me a jump start as I'm beginning to lose weight again.
I've gone from size 30/32 to size 20/22. My entire body shape looks different.
In spite of my set backs, I'm still very glad I had the lap band surgery. It's great to be able to eat healthy. My energy level is completely different.
Onward and downward (lol).
I'm not losing very fast but it's still coming off. I don't have any complaints.
I went for six weeks and didn't lose anything.
My last fill was last week. It was so tight that I had couldn't even keep water in. I had to drive back to Louisville two days after the fill and met the on call surgeon at Norton's. He removed 1.0 cc and I instantly felt intense thirst, hunger, and I felt much better!
I can drink and eat again.
It's given me a jump start as I'm beginning to lose weight again.
I've gone from size 30/32 to size 20/22. My entire body shape looks different.
In spite of my set backs, I'm still very glad I had the lap band surgery. It's great to be able to eat healthy. My energy level is completely different.
Onward and downward (lol).
Not losing
Jul 22, 2007
It's July 22nd and I've just returned from vacation. It's been over a month since I've posted.
I've only lost 2 lbs in a month. Frankly, I've been up and down.
It seems like every day is different. One day I can't eat meat. The next day I don't have a problem.
I'm due for a six week follow-up but I had to cancel it because we went out of state for vacation.
I've lost 36 lbs since 2/5/07 which is an average of @1 1/2 lbs a week.
My new clothes are a bit lose. I need to get back to the basics (water, exercise, more protein).
At least I'm not gaining!
And, I'm still going down!!!!!!
I'll be glad when school starts in August. I'll be walking again once I get back to work.
I've only lost 2 lbs in a month. Frankly, I've been up and down.
It seems like every day is different. One day I can't eat meat. The next day I don't have a problem.
I'm due for a six week follow-up but I had to cancel it because we went out of state for vacation.
I've lost 36 lbs since 2/5/07 which is an average of @1 1/2 lbs a week.
My new clothes are a bit lose. I need to get back to the basics (water, exercise, more protein).
At least I'm not gaining!
And, I'm still going down!!!!!!
I'll be glad when school starts in August. I'll be walking again once I get back to work.
THIRD FILL-I'm off all my diabetes meds!
Jun 19, 2007
June 20, 2007
Yes, it's true. My blood sugars have taken another nose dive and I got the okay from my doc. to discontinue all diabetes meds. I am still taking one pill for my cholesterol, which he will check at my next visit! To me, this is better than losing weight.
And, speaking of that subject, I've discovered the "secret" to losing with this band. Eat A LOT of protein. I hard a difficult time with this at first and I think my body was in starvation mode. I only lost 5 lbs in six weeks. Then, I had my 3rd fill and I decided to really increase the protein in my diet. Maybe I had just hit a plateau, but the scales are really showing losses!!!
Since last June, I've lost 49 lbs. Since my surgery on 2/5/07, I've lost 34 lbs!
LOVIN THE BAND!!
Yes, it's true. My blood sugars have taken another nose dive and I got the okay from my doc. to discontinue all diabetes meds. I am still taking one pill for my cholesterol, which he will check at my next visit! To me, this is better than losing weight.
And, speaking of that subject, I've discovered the "secret" to losing with this band. Eat A LOT of protein. I hard a difficult time with this at first and I think my body was in starvation mode. I only lost 5 lbs in six weeks. Then, I had my 3rd fill and I decided to really increase the protein in my diet. Maybe I had just hit a plateau, but the scales are really showing losses!!!
Since last June, I've lost 49 lbs. Since my surgery on 2/5/07, I've lost 34 lbs!
LOVIN THE BAND!!
Derby Day Winner-May 5, 2007
May 04, 2007
Okay, so I've only lived in Kentucky for 15 years. My blood STILL runs blue!
It's Derby Day 2007, and I am feeling like the winner of the race. No, not the Derby, but my own personal weight loss race!
I have lost 41 lbs since last summer (27 since the date of my surgery). Every week someone says something about how much thinner I look! People are kind, aren't they? I mean really. I'm 5'6 and I weigh283 lbs! Skinny is not an adjective for someone of my "stature." But, considering I was 324 last year, I realize people are "seeing" the difference.
I bought a size 24 swimming suit online from Fashion Bug, and amazingly, IT'S TOO BIG! I'll have to send it back and get a 22.
My second fill has been a lot different than the first. It's been almost like starting over. I've had to learn what stays down and what doesn't. Eating fast or when I'm under stress will not work at all!!!
The last week, I've been craving vegetables. I actually ate an entire package of frozen creamed spinach for dinner one night! A good friend said (when I was "confessing"), "Well, doesn't that have some protein in it?" I guess it might since it's "creamed," but, normally, I'm eating oatmeal with peanut butter and a cup of coffee for breakfast, chicken salad or grilled chicken for lunch, a few pretzels as a snack mid-day, and a protein and vegie and sometimes a bite of fruit for dinner.
I've finally conquered (at least the last three days) eating that "fourth meal" as Taco Bell calls it, which for me was a second bowl of oatmeal a few hours after dinner (we eat dinner about 4 PM). Instead, I'm loading up on water. It's really made the scales drop!
As summer approaches, my goal is to start exercising more, drink more water, and read more books on weight loss (they are excellent motivators for me).
I'm so happy. I bet on the band, and I'm winning! What a lucky horse I am!
It's Derby Day 2007, and I am feeling like the winner of the race. No, not the Derby, but my own personal weight loss race!
I have lost 41 lbs since last summer (27 since the date of my surgery). Every week someone says something about how much thinner I look! People are kind, aren't they? I mean really. I'm 5'6 and I weigh283 lbs! Skinny is not an adjective for someone of my "stature." But, considering I was 324 last year, I realize people are "seeing" the difference.
I bought a size 24 swimming suit online from Fashion Bug, and amazingly, IT'S TOO BIG! I'll have to send it back and get a 22.
My second fill has been a lot different than the first. It's been almost like starting over. I've had to learn what stays down and what doesn't. Eating fast or when I'm under stress will not work at all!!!
The last week, I've been craving vegetables. I actually ate an entire package of frozen creamed spinach for dinner one night! A good friend said (when I was "confessing"), "Well, doesn't that have some protein in it?" I guess it might since it's "creamed," but, normally, I'm eating oatmeal with peanut butter and a cup of coffee for breakfast, chicken salad or grilled chicken for lunch, a few pretzels as a snack mid-day, and a protein and vegie and sometimes a bite of fruit for dinner.
I've finally conquered (at least the last three days) eating that "fourth meal" as Taco Bell calls it, which for me was a second bowl of oatmeal a few hours after dinner (we eat dinner about 4 PM). Instead, I'm loading up on water. It's really made the scales drop!
As summer approaches, my goal is to start exercising more, drink more water, and read more books on weight loss (they are excellent motivators for me).
I'm so happy. I bet on the band, and I'm winning! What a lucky horse I am!
Second Fill
Apr 26, 2007
Today, I had my second fill. The hardest part was the traffic, the rain, and the wait in the waiting room (over an hour). The fill was quick and simple. I hope this one will help me to eat less. Towards the end of the six weeks after my first fill I could easily eat an entire piece of chicken, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes, and a few bites of vegetables. I've been bouncing around with my weight loss, losing and gaining 3-4 lbs. I've lost a total of 21 lbs in 10 weeks as of today. My doc. was very pleased with the loss and he says I'm losing at the right speed.
Personally, I'd like to be losing faster but I'll take anything. I don't mean this to sound like an excuse, but I can tell I've lost a lot in inches. I'm down four dress sizes (from a 30/32 to an 18/20 in tops). My body seems to be shrinking even though the scales don't reflect a lot of weight loss.
Last summer, my highest recorded weight was 324 lbs. I'm down to 289. I'm feeling proud of that accomplishment! That's 35 lbs! Here's hoping and praying I lose faster and more! Summer is right around the corner.
I took all of my larger sizes to the consignment store and bought 4 pair of capris and six or seven tops for the summer! I'm hoping they'll be too big by the end of summer!!!
Later. KJ
Personally, I'd like to be losing faster but I'll take anything. I don't mean this to sound like an excuse, but I can tell I've lost a lot in inches. I'm down four dress sizes (from a 30/32 to an 18/20 in tops). My body seems to be shrinking even though the scales don't reflect a lot of weight loss.
Last summer, my highest recorded weight was 324 lbs. I'm down to 289. I'm feeling proud of that accomplishment! That's 35 lbs! Here's hoping and praying I lose faster and more! Summer is right around the corner.
I took all of my larger sizes to the consignment store and bought 4 pair of capris and six or seven tops for the summer! I'm hoping they'll be too big by the end of summer!!!
Later. KJ
Continuing to Lose
Apr 01, 2007
Gosh, I've lost 24 lbs in 8 weeks. I had a very depressing week. The scales didn't move. I ate candy two or three times and the guilt was overwhelming. But I've kept on trying.
Today I got on the scales and I was shocked!
Then, I tried on a pair of stretchy 22/24 pants my aunt gave me and they fit!!!! I am amazed at how my body is changing. Just 8 weeks ago I was in 30/32!!!
I am very encouraged to keep on.
Today's challenge: Lunch at Tumbleweed's. I'm going to have fish.
Yumm.
Today I got on the scales and I was shocked!
Then, I tried on a pair of stretchy 22/24 pants my aunt gave me and they fit!!!! I am amazed at how my body is changing. Just 8 weeks ago I was in 30/32!!!
I am very encouraged to keep on.
Today's challenge: Lunch at Tumbleweed's. I'm going to have fish.
Yumm.
