Goanna's News Thread

[Goannabanda]

Hi gang,
Here's a place for me to post bits and pieces of news about my journey and also about our local lapbanding support / issues / news in general. Hope you like it.

For starters, I have three items of REALLY COOL NEWS.

ONE: I have the new AP band - don't know if it's the APS (small) or APL (large) band yet. Apparently they are softer and more concentric when filled than the VG bands. They may be less likely to slip. That's all I know about it for now.

TWO: For the first time in five years, I WEIGH LESS THAN 130KG!!!! I was 128.5 kg this morning, down from surgery weight of 132.5 kg and highest ever of 138 kg. YAY!!! YAY!!! YAY!!! I realise that it might pop back up and over the magic mark before the post-op diet is done, but I'm taking it as a victory anyway!!! LOL!!!

THREE: I had a "letter to the editor" about my lapbanding decision published in November's NOTEBOOK: magazine!!!!!!!! I wrote (for the first time in my life) in response to the article about Anissa Levy, a bandster, which helped me to decide about lapbanding. A copy of the text is attached below. Just wish they gave me a prize... LOL!

----------------------------------------------
Thank you so much to Anissa Levy (August Notebook: ) for sharing her life changing decision to have adjustable gastric banding (lapband) surgery.
I am 34, and since age 16, have dieted my way to being morbidly obese. With each failed attempt, I lost just a little bit more hope, energy or resolve to try again. Lately I had started to feel that I was spent. I have been contemplating weight loss surgery for the past year or more, however didn’t think that it would be a possibility for someone like me who didn’t also have other medical problems such as diabetes. Also, until recently I have not had the necessary acceptance of my condition, nor the energy or resolve to take any further action. I felt too ashamed to talk about my struggles with my husband or family, and barely had the courage to talk (yet again) with my GP about it. He had suggested lapbanding, and given me a referral to a surgeon just the day before I bought my copy of August Notebook:. Anissa’s story hit me like a thunderbolt. In her story, I found many similarities to myself, and was very comforted that other smart, young women like me have had success with this surgery. In the past few weeks, I have finally found relief in finally accepting my condition, and also a new hope, courage and determination to fight for my healthier future. With these revelations, making the decision to go ahead with surgery was easy.
Anna C (via email)

[Goannabanda]

FOUR: Today I bought myself a banding gift - a brand spanking new crosstrainer!!!! I got it at Aldi of all places!!! For just $399 - heaps cheaper than comparable models I've seen elsewhere. I'll edit later to post the specs and pics - I left that on my work 'puter.

I figured that I didn't go through the pain and expense of getting this band in me, if I can't get out for three days of the week (work days) to do a cardio workout. Now I have no excuse to get in a cardio session every day (well, once I've worked out how to use it, that its! hehehe:heh: )

It looks lovely amidst the junk in what is about to be transformed into my home gym studio, once I have got rid of the post-renovation storage / junk out of there, and colected all our exercise equipment up from around the house. I'm also going to pinch the little TV and spare video player from our bedroom, but DH and DS don't know that part yet... hehehe. The studio transformation's one job I tried to do before banding, but life was just too crazy. This week is it.

-------------------Edit--------------------------
I couldn't work out the posting photos in messages thing. but I can do it in the gallery, so here's the link to my baby's picture, and it's vital statistics: http://band2gether.net/gallery/index.php?n=129

[Kathy]

Go Anna! I'll love keeping updated with you on this thread. Keep posting, I'm reading! Aaaahhh, you go, girl!!!!

[Goannabanda]

Hi Kathy! Thanks!

[JDru]

I'm reading too!

[Goannabanda]

Hiya Jess! Love ya work bab-ey!

[mrs_christy]

You're doing so good! Congrats on your work out machine. I need one of those, but first I need somewhere to put it! I guess I'll stick to the gym til I buy a home. Hope all is well!!!

[JDru]

How's the cross trainer going? And things in general??

[Goannabanda]

Hiya gang!

GUESS WHAT!!! ANOTHER NSV TODAY!!! I had to wear a BELT with my oldest baggiest work pants today, to keep them from falling down! I had to borrow one of DH's belts, as it's been so long since I gave up wearing them that I'd chucked all of mine out!!! hehehe!!! Goanna's gotta go BELT shopping!!! (If I'd suddenly needed a girdle I would have been all set... ...my undies drawer is overflowing with them! hehehe!)

In other lizard news: The cross trainer's still an instrument of torture Jess, but we are on better terms now. This week I have to knuckle down, as the weight loss is slowed right down, and I am feeling ready to ramp up the exercise. Hope your recovery is going along fine too.

That's if from the Goanna news channel for now!

[JDru]

That's an awesome NSV Anna! Good luck with the cross trainer this week.

My recovery is going fairly well. The first 3 days were really, really rough. I wasn't quite prepared for the pain. But I'm starting to feel better today...I get to have full liquids tomorrow!

[Goannabanda]

Latest Breaking News from Network Goanna...

I track my measurements using the Excel "Fitness Progress Chart for Women" from Microsoft Office Templates (www.microsoft.com (http://www.microsoft.com/), follow the links to the template downloads). I added extra columns for the additional measurements I like to keep. I updated my charts today, and was surprised to find out how many centimetres I have lost - in the weirdest places! :eek: I was expecting that some "obvious" parts (eg. waist, hips) would have lost more than they have so far, and was surprised at how much I have lost on "obscure" places like neck, wrist and ankle! Here's the details (2.5cm = about 1 inch):

NECK -2.5cm
CHEST -2cm
BUST -3cm
WAIST -1cm
HIPS -3cm
THIGH -5cm
CALF -1cm
ANKLE -2cm
UPPER ARM -4cm
FOREARM -1.5cm
WRIST -0.5cm

[Kathy]

Excellent! Keep measuring, you are shrinking! How cool is that?!

[JDru]

That is so awesome!! I'm waiting until Nov 26 (one month) to do my measurements. That's about when you have your fill right? My first fill is scheduled for Dec 4!!

[Momotrips]

I didn't see this thread before. I'll be keeping an eye on it to keep abreast of my favorite "lizard" friend's progress. Keep up the good work - you keep me motivated.

[Goannabanda]

I was playing around with the virtual model site (www.mvm.com (http://www.mvm.com)) tonight. Here's what I look like to start with, now, halfway and at goal. Looks like I get to stay the same until one night, just as a reach goal, pfft! I magically morph into the 'new' me! LOL!

1029103010311032

I'll take some new measurements and photos soon and post them for a 'real' update.

Network Goanna, signing off!

[Goannabanda]

Back view (warning: wide load! LOL)
1034103510361037

[Goannabanda]

and finally, the side view.

[tarajane]

Hi Goanna and Jachut, my first posting here and hi to you all, I am another Melbourne Victorian, Australian and met goanna thru the websites. I will try and figure my way around this board and so post soon.

[Goannabanda]

G'day tarajane! Great to see you here! Looking forward to chating with you here (as well as at the other place...) as we continue on our journeys to gawwwgeousness!
Hugs!

[Stitchy]

Hi Goanna and Jachut, my first posting here and hi to you all, I am another Melbourne Victorian, Australian and met goanna thru the websites. I will try and figure my way around this board and so post soon.

Welcome, Tarajane. It's nice to meet you. Do visit the welcome section for newbies.

http://band2gether.net/forumdisplay.php?f=9

And helpful hints.

http://band2gether.net/forumdisplay.php?f=26

The sticky's are a good read, too.l

[Goannabanda]

Thanks Stitchy - you're much more organised and more thoughtful than I am. :heh:

Judy - looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night! cheers!

[Goannabanda]

Here's some updated pics, taken tonight. also posted to the "Losers Gallery" section.

Left hand images taken the night before surgery (5 Oct 2006), at 132.5 kg (292 pounds).
right hand images taken tonight (20 Feb 2007), about 4 1/2 months post op. Currently at 122.9 kg (271 pounds).

The clothes don't really show the changes very well, but for what it's worth I thought I'd wear the same things. They were just about the only things that fitted me pre-surgery. Now the pants and top are quite loose, although the pics don't show that well. But you can see some changes in how low the top now sits, as well as the legs of the pants are much lower to ankles now than in the before pic. I wish my arms looked better - they are starting to get flappy underneath. At least I like that I now have one chin again. DH likes that my girls nearly stick out more than my guts. LOL! :heh:

[Idahobeauty]

You look spectacular!!! You have about 1/2 the booty you used to!!!! GoANNA, GoAnna!!!!!

[JDru]

You look great Anna! I can definitely see a difference, especially in your face. Keep up the great work!

[Neal R.]

:happy2: :party0018:
Awesome progress Anna!
(had to try out P'Nut's new smiley's)

["Just Jess"]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOAH!!! I hope you don't mind me saying so, but where'd that junk in the trunk go?????????

Girl, you are looking FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!! :) :eyebrows: :)

[Goannabanda]

Thanks everyone - until I made the comparison, I didn't feel like I'd lost all that much around my back end - outta sight outta mind I guess. I'd been noticing my face and belly, because they're the bits I can see.

And Jameeza - the junk in the trunk is still there :hissyfit:- just getting flappier and saggier around my belly and hips. So far my thighs and butt still look and feel firm, which is why I hadn't noticed the weight loss there. I'm gonna fund some luck plastic surgeon's retirement someday. :ohwell: LOL!

[kebsa]

Hi Goanna

NIce to put your face to the name too! There is a significant difference in the 2 sets of photo's. I noticed immediately that your neck looks longer, your hem lines are lower- even your eyes look brighter. the "booty shelf" is definately smaller!
I beginning to think it should be a requirement to post progress pictures on these sorts of forums- it seems that the majority of us have real trouble seeing the changes we have made, but we can see them easily in others! I think it proves jsut how much head work there is involved in weightloss- not only is there headhunger, but we need to learn to see oursleves accurately too!

Way to Go Anna!

[paula]

Hi Anna :wave:

I think this is the first time Ive seen a pix of you... you hot little momma!!! I didnt realize how PRETTY you are!



Good job, Gf!

[Stitchy]

WOW!! This girlies losin' back!

[Goannabanda]

Thanks everyone - I'm going to take these pics with me to the docs on Thursday when I see him for a follow up / fill. And my trainer wants to see too. After a lifetime of no success, this is so much fun!

This Thursday is also our 10th wedding anniversary - sadly I think that I'll miss being able to wear my wedding dress by about 15kg - but that won't stop me from unpacking it and trying to put it on anyway! LOL! When I set out on this journey, a mini-goal was to wear it to Church next Sunday for an anniversary blessing, and to model it for the family at our celebration lunch. Oh well, maybe I can wear it for Easter Sunday instead. If by some miracle it fits, I'll post a pic.

[Goannabanda]

Today was a really great day.

Firstly, it was our 10th wedding anniversary today :wedding:- with all that's happened in the past 10 years, sometimes I can't believe that we made it here. We had a lovely dinner out with our son:romantic::feedme:, and are looking forward to having the family and bridal party over for lunch at the weekend. We've also booked a special weekend hotel / day spa retreat for the two of us in April - and are counting the days until we go there!!! Hubby had a lovely box of flowers and a mushy card waiting for me when I got home tonight. aaawwwww! He's such a sweetie!:love6::flowers:

Today I also went to see my surgeon for a follow up. He was happy with my progress, and was comfortable with my level of restriction, so no extra fill for me today:shot:. Hooray!! I was also happy as it meant that I could enjoy our special night out without having to stick with soup, and also that I don't have to worry about any too-tight issues with our busy celebration weekend ahead.

And to cap it all off, I went clothes shopping with my mum today - to buy a dress for me to wear to my cousin's wedding at the end of March. We went to a plus sized chain ("Big City Chic"), where they often have really cool party dresses for big girls. So I march into the change room with an armful of the usual sized 24's, 26's and XL items. ALL TOO BIG!!! Most of the dresses and tops I grabbed off the rack were too small!! One strapless size 24 top FELL OFF TO MY WAIST!!!! ROFL!!! HOORAY!!! YIPPEE!!!:whoo: I ended up buying a dress (size 22, AND it needs taking in a bit around the top), a top (both size 22), a second top (SIZE 20!!!), and the best bit - a bolero cardigan - SIZE M!!! That's right, M for MEDIUM!!! WTF!!! HOOOPLA!!!! :toot:GOTTA LOVE THIS LAPBAND!!!

[JDru]

That is so awesome Anna!! I hope you enjoy your anniversary weekend. :) Keep up the good work!!

[Neal R.]

Awesome new avatar Anna!

[Momotrips]

Awesome, Anna. You look great. Glad you had fun for your anniversary and have more fun planned for the weekend.

[Goannabanda]

I had a nice surprise today - I got my wedding dress unpacked ready to try on... ...it's a let-out 18, not a let-out 16 as I was thinking (I was sort of sure it wasn't that small, but 10 years does fog the brain a bit...LOL!).

Finally being able to touch the fabric and hold it again after only looking at it throught the plastic window on the box every now and then for 10 years was like saying hello to an old friend.

Anyway, there's hope yet. I think I need someone to help strap me into the corset and help get the dress on, and there's nobody else home just now. Oh well, I've waited this long, I can live in hope for a miracle when I try it on tomorrow with my mum's help.

...and yes, just so it's clear for the guys, I did say that I'll be wearing a corset!!!:lustslow::dribble:

[Alicia521]

Anna, just wanted to pop in and tell you how great you look - you are really shrinkin' and I love your new avatar!

[Glo]

Please take a picture in the wedding dress. You have made amazing progress and I know your anniversary was romantic. It's unreal how much better we feel about sex when we've lost some weight.

You look great. I also like your hair shoulder length. Congratulations and thanks so much for sharing!

[tarajane]

Anna, how did the anniversary celebrations go? I am surprised you havent posted about it - please tell all.
looking forward to seeing you saturday.

[Goannabanda]

Thanks for the good wishes everyone.

I have been snowed under with work - I have a major project on at the moment that is at a very critical stage - so only just got a chance to update you tonight.

The anniversary party was great - with the weather being so warm I did cold roast meats and salads for lunch - which meant that I wasn't kitchen-bound for the whole party. Everyone laughed at the wedding video - we only just got it 3 weeks ago, after 10 years of frustration trying to get it from the friend who made it!

I didn't try the dress on yet - I chickened out. I think I'll wait until I've lost another 10kg, as my belly and ribs still feel too pudgy to me. I am a different shape since having a baby, then gaining and losing almost 20 kg since then! I will post a pic as soon as it fits. It is a major motivator for me to wear that thing again - and SOON!

I am looking forward to my "halfway to 70" party this weekend (and to seeing tarajane and hopefully Jachut there too) - it's to be a "Almost Famous (because we're all divas underneath)" party with karaoke, lots of dancing, and NO KIDS!!! All I have to do now is find a costume to wear...

[tarajane]

Oh Goanna - where are you??? dont tell me you still have a hang-over from 2 nights ago!!!!!!!! great party, great food, thanks for the invite.

[Jachut]

Hope the party went well Anna, we were already committed to another party of a distant friend, so couldnt make it. I felt sick anyway, got a bit of a cold, so we didnt have much fun, sob sob. And it was all the way in frigging Northcote, why does everything I do lately seem to be in the part of Melbourne most difficult to get to from here!

[Goannabanda]

Okay girls, here's the update, I copied it from another thread, so that it's here with my comings and goings...

Glad you had a good time tarajane. We'll have to organise us an Aussie weekend / party so that we can all have fun together!

---------------------------------------------------------

WOW! My head is still spinning... ...my feet are killing me... ...my voice left the house at about 3:30am this morning with our last guests and still hasn't come back home yet... ...my husband finally surfaced out of bed around mid-afternoon:tequila::puke:... ...and our recycling bin is overflowing with bottles... ...but what a great party!!!

The night kicked off at about 8pm when fellow bandeds tarajane (Judy) and tolmc (Lisa) arrived, armed with an awesome band friendly apricot cheesecake, and a whole lotta fun!:thankyoub: (I NEED that recepie) It wasn't long before other guests poured in, ready to go. We had about 40 in all.
:party3:
Mike and I went all glamourous - he in black, and me in black and silver. :mandance::dancer:tarajane had dressed as Maria from the Sound of Music, some neigbours arrived as Pink and Meatloaf, one friend was a roady, and many of the gals were glamourous Divas! We had a dress up basket filled with Diva gear - boas, beads, glow sticks that also got a great workout.

By 9:30pm the party was in full swing, and we were ready to fire up the karaoke machine, and once that got going, the closet rock stars came crawling out of the woodwork.:love0067: They were still at it until almost 3am! Lucky we only have neighbours on one side, and they were away for the long weekend. Half of the rest of our neighbourhood was at our place anyway, so that was one way to be sure they wouldn't be disturbed by the noise! LOL!
:party4:
We had Diva prizes - it was to be a reward for those who sang the most (1 ticket per song you sing, the person with the most tickets could choose their prize first), but by the time we got around to doing it, everyone had had a go at the microphone, so we ended up doing it as door prizes. For prizes I made up some Diva pamper packs (mini beauty products, girlie notebooks, picture frames etc), bottles of "Almost Famous" Diva Vino (relabelled cleanskins), cocktail shaker sets etc. The booby prize (which was actually just one water filled plastic booby) went to our policeman friend Phil:mod: - we couldn't have chosen a more worthy recipient!

I now know that I have to relearn how to cater a party - I did the food as if I wasnt banded - waaaay to much. Yet more headwork to be done. Oh well, I have a couple of gorgeous tiramisu's in the fridge that need some people to eat them, and won't need to go and buy any party foods for my son's birthday in May.

But at least I've now learnt why bandeds always have so much fun at parties - it's because we only need a couple of glasses of wine rather than the couple of bottles we'd have if we were also eating at unbanded rates.:drunk2: I think I must have only eaten about 4 things all night - what a difference from my old life!:party12: Consequently, I had a great night, and apart from a sore throat and a slight headache:compress: from the late and loud night, was feeling pretty good this morning to face the clean up... ...and THAT's a whole 'nuther story! :rockon2:

We didn't get many photos, but here's a pic of me all ready to get down to that funky Diva sound on the "Almost Famous" Diva Sound Stage. :photo2:
http://band2gether.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1372&d=1173617787

[tarajane]

Glad you finally surfaced anna.

[JDru]

Anna that sounds SO fun!! I might have to make my way Down Under for one of your parties. :) And you look fabulous in your silver and black. Hot mama!

[Goannabanda]

Glad you finally surfaced anna.
I was fine - unlike a certain husband of mine...LOL!:faint:

BTW - your cheescake is still going well - we're going to finish it tonight!

Anna that sounds SO fun!! I might have to make my way Down Under for one of your parties. :) And you look fabulous in your silver and black. Hot mama!
Thanks Jess - you can come any time! :nod: And thanks for sayin' I'm a hot mama!:wink2:

[Alicia521]

Great picture Anna! I love the outfit. You look fantastic!

[Jachut]

Oh my, I would definitely have won the prize for singing the most. Last time I went to a Karaoke party nobody could get the microphone off me, lol. I comandeered the machine too and it played nothing but Chisels all night while I sat backwards on a chair and belted out Khe Sanh, lol.

I ran out of champagne, so I just drank whatever else I could find in the bath, lol.

[Goannabanda]

Great picture Anna! I love the outfit. You look fantastic!
Thanks Alicia!

Oh my, I would definitely have won the prize for singing the most. Last time I went to a Karaoke party nobody could get the microphone off me, lol. I comandeered the machine too and it played nothing but Chisels all night while I sat backwards on a chair and belted out Khe Sanh, lol.

I ran out of champagne, so I just drank whatever else I could find in the bath, lol.
Sounds like you would have melded into the crowd really well Jacqui! LOL!

**wanders off singing - "...and she was like so many more from that time on... ...yeah yeaaah!**

[Goannabanda]

I was kinda lonely and out of place in my local support section, so I moved my testimonial thread here so that I can play with more friends! :heh:

[Goannabanda]

Here's some SV's / NSV's to update my thread:

1. For the first time in about 8 years, I AM BELOW 120kg!!!!! I've been skirting around this mini-goal for a couple of weeks now, one day just over, the next just below, but given that I've weighed in at 119.5kg for over a week now, I finally feel ready to claim this SV!!!

2. I spent the weekend at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, which is an annual tradition. My DH is a fire & rescue marshall, so we get free tickets to go. Anyway, we don't get free SEATS, just free entry, so the day is constant walking and going up and down stairs to cross the track. With a 5yo in tow, it's hard work. It was heaps easier this weekend, now I have lost almost 20kg! The weekend was heaps cheaper too - for the first time I felt free of the lure of the take-out stands, and their $4 soft drinks and $10 burgers.

3. I had to wear a belt on my jeans - can't remember when that last happened!!! I've stolen back my old brown leather belt from DH. Time to go shopping - I chucked out all my other belts years ago! LOL!

4. I can fit 4 (almost 5) fingers between my belly and the steering wheel - before surgery my belly used to grab onto it and try to steer! LOL!

[JDru]

Congrats Anna!! Those are great accomplishments.

PS: I love your new avatar btw. :)

[DebbieChoos]

Congrats Anna on all your latest accomplishments!! Hot avatar...something about a women in camoflage...

Debbie

[Tricia K.]

Goanna, you've come so far already and I'm so proud of you! :hug:

[A1ikou]

Why oh why have I missed all this? Better late than never! Goanna you are doing a sterling job and I love seeing your pics. Keep up the good work and keep those pictures coming.

[kebsa]

hi goanna

that must have been a wonderful weekend- its great not to feel the need to pay for the overpriced junkfood without feeling deprived, isn't it!
it must feel really great to have the nergy to keep up wth you fve year old too- that is a really big victory!!
to need to buy belts for support rather than jsut accessorzing is fantastic. the closest I can relate is being able to wear jenas with a real waist band rather than pull ups ( felt really good!) i can't magine needing a belt at the moment!!

BTW - we still miss the grand prix here in Adelaide, the Clipsal Race is not the same!!

[Goannabanda]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes!

Oh Karen, give me the Clipsal race any day - I love the V8's, and 'the kid' (Craig Lowndes) is our kid's idol.

Fingers crossed as we head into the Chocolate season... ...not one of my best times of year!:smileyeatingchoc:

[kebsa]

now are you ar ford or a holden girl or is it naythng with a V8.

second you about easter choc season, I have a thing about really good quality easter egg choc- the thinner the better! so far I have been good and I think that total abstinence is the only thing that will save me- t would be so hard with kids in the house- i would have to do a reverse easter egg hunt- pay the kids for every egg they hide that mum can't find!!

[kebsa]

i jsut realised I am the only one on ths page that has not cahged my avatar to a pic of my butt- at the moment it would take up more than one avatar but ts getting closer- have not quite figured out how to take a pic of my own butt at the moment

[Jachut]

My butt's not on there either. The camera's stuffed. I really must get it fixed, as I need it to do a multimodal assignment for uni.

When its fixed, I will photograph my arse. That's a promise. Or a threat, lol.

[503-250]

Lets get your asses in gear here....

Meantime...the older Holden's are so sweet.

[Goannabanda]

I'm a bit of a Holden girl - it would be D-I-V-O-R-C-E if I didn't. LOL. Fords are either "Found On Rubbish Dumps" or "Fixed Or Repaired Daily" around our house. Mike is a dyed-in-the-wool Holden boy, so we have to follow along - it's worse than in some footy families! LOL! James is not allowed to support Ford, just Lowndes and his 888 Racing team. Lowndes is great ambassador for the kids (we know most of the V8 drivers quite well through the fire & rescue club). James knows that one day he'll have to barrack for Holden again... LOL!

Karen - I like you pair of asses - if you could get a pic of your own, it would definitely be the only one with a wheelchair in it! Your avatar line could be soemthing funny about wheelin', rollin' or haulin' ass... LOL! Can't wait till both of you girls have your asses up here too!

And now end of hijack, and back to the Goanna Channel News:

YESTERDAY, my mum and I had some fun clearing out my wardrobe - I am exhausted from trying on (mostly too big) clothes all day long. I ended up with a garbage bag full of things to throw away, one of things (some with tags still on!) to give away, and two large bags of things to be altered. However, at the rate I am going maybe I should just give that lot away too... I put a few things away in the maternity box, just in case I end up preggers in the next couple of months (fingers crossed). Mike got into the spirit and cleared out his stuff too - and has ended up with a bag of rubbish, and a bag to give away too.

It was so exciting to find that things I had thought were too small were now far too big - and also to find that some old friends were still in fashion enough to come out of storage to wear again. I am hoping that the weather is hot and cold lots of different times over the next month, just so I can wear everything before it's all too big! I am starting to discover I DO have the fashion gene in me after all! LOL!!

I am now very definitely an 18 to 20 top!!! Woo Hoo! And a 20-24 bottoms WOO!!!! HOOOOOO!!!!!! I was a 24-26 top, and 26+ bottoms before surgery. Sadly my hips and butt are shrinking the slowest, but I am hoping that the weight starts coming off there more over the next couple of months - it would be nice having to go out and get a new spring wardrobe early in the season! As it is, I will have to buy 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of black dress pants and a couple of cardigans to get through the winter. For the first time in years, clothes shopping is going to be fun, because I KNOW that I will be able to get something to wear, even if it is still in the fat girl's section. I have cried in the change rooms more than once when even size 26 pants didn't fit - that is a humiliating experience, and one which I am so GLAD to be done with!

[okielapgirl]

WOOHOOOO!! Anna. I am so happy for you. I can feel your excitement through your posts. The clothes thing is such a big deal. I myself was just able to get rid of SO many of my old fat clothes. I love that feeling. I totally can relate to crying in dressing rooms and isn't it nice to get up and have things loose vs to tight? I will NEVER get sick of that feeling. Anyway, keep up the great work!

[kebsa]

Goanna- my wheelchair has now been renamed "the Haul-i-nator", it has done some heavy duty hauling over the years! still trying to figure out how to take a picture of my own arse- I think I need a longer time delay for that! I note we have moved on to boobatars and that has been easy to accomodate! not sure which body part will be next

I can relate to the crying when even the fat chick clothes are too small. I now fit ( just) into size 26 zip up jeans and it feels good! for the past few years it has been mail order pull ups in size 32! I am finding that I would be a size smaller by waist measure and it is my spare tyre, converting rapidly to apron that is costing the larger size. will have to go back to home alterations- a skill I am glad I learnt from mum! I have jsut bought myself an overlocker after having sold my old one a few years back much to my regret! I used to make a lot of my own clothes and might have a go at that again at least while I am losng weght- at least withmulti size patterns it s not too hard to get a good fit for us non standard folk!

I guessed you were a Holden Girl- good Choice! never could get all that excited about fords- no style!

[JDru]

Anna that is so awesome!! I just cleaned out my closet too...6 bags worth of clothes that are too big. It's a great feeling. But now my closet is almost empty. Darn, I guess that means I have to go shopping. :) You are doing great!!

[NotSoFunny]

ugh, we just cleaned out the closet. but not of clothes. we did the picture boxes. over 3000 pics. can you believe it? we categorized them all, threw out the copies, snagged some for framing, and bought 7 albums that hold 500 pics each in them. all are filled but one. LOL its insane. but i tell ya, all those boxes gone ut of my closet makes me really happy.

[Goannabanda]

It's been a while since I updated this thread, so here is some more news from the Goanna Channel...

I haven't been online much lately, as I've been working late finishing projects off before I leave my old job. Plus I haven't been feeling well with a gastro type bug, and am finding family life a little busy right now. The weight loss has been in a bit of a rut for the past couple of weeks, as I haven't had time to focus on myself, or to get plugged into my support here at b2g. gggrrrrrr!

Anyway, just after Easter I had a 1 ml parital unfill after my band got too tight. I was back to normal eating, although not quite as much as pre-op days. Scary how much I could eat again. I got a 0.5 ml partial refill last Friday, which has improved things a little, and reduced my intake a bit. I think I still need another 0.25 ml or so to get to the "sweet spot", and am booked in to go for that in two more weeks. While unfilled I managed to maintain my weight, so I guess it wasn't too bad considering that I wasn't concentrating on diet etc during that time.

Now I've got a refill, it's time to refocus and get going along the weight loss road again. Over the next few days I'll be looking at our family menu and my exercise plans, and improving these where I can. Once I am in my new job in June, more positive changes will be possible, as I will have more time in the afternoons & evenings for training etc. I am hanging out for June!!!

Something exciting that did happen to me, was that my trainer asked me for my profile to put into her monthly newsletter - she thinks I've got a great story and have made excellent progress since I returned to her training sessions earlier this year (at 4 months post-op). Here is what I wrote, which just got published this week:


I first heard about Step Into Life Chelsea from a friend, Sharyn (still a current member), who had just joined up. We had been moaning about moving the post-baby flab (and in my case a lot of pre-baby flab too!), and I wasn’t being very successful at motivating myself to do anything much about it. The fact that the sessions were 1) outdoors, 2) in a group, and 3) had an element of personal training really appealed to me. Sharyn gave me a voucher for 3 free sessions, and by the end of the first session I was hooked!

I never enjoyed exercise classes (think mid-eighties, too much lycra and unco-aerobics), so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the SIL sessions. There was so much variety in the activities, and it was also so easy to adapt any activity to suit my own level of (un)fitness. I really liked Lisa too – at no time have I ever felt too unfit or ungainly (as I had often felt in the past) to give something a go, and I also liked how she always made sure that each person in the group was working out at their own level of challenge.

Before long, I found that I was doing things that I had never done as an adult – like running, and losing weight!!!! I was having so much fun that I didn’t even mind when it was freezing cold, blowing a gale or raining (I am a fresh air junkie!). I was fine - after all, I had my trusty SIL beanie and vest to keep me warm!

In late 2002, I had to stop coming to SIL, due to a combination of personal, work and logistical challenges. I tried to keep up with exercise at the gym, pool, and by walking on my own, but it wasn’t the same. Since my late teens I have had a weight problem, and by this time I had “dieted my way” to being morbidly obese. Eventually, in mid-2006 I hit rock-bottom over my weight. With the help of my GP and a wonderful surgeon, I had “Lap-band” surgery in October.

My surgery has helped me in so many ways, but I knew that this was only part of the answer. I had to find ways to complete the picture – after all, there’s no point being slim if you’re not fit enough to enjoy it! I knew that SIL was going to be a key part of my “new life”. As I healed from the surgery I began exercising on my own again, and by Feb 2007 felt ready to join SIL classes again. Lisa welcomed me back with open arms, and I feel right at home and keener than ever to get stuck into it. I’ve still got a long way to go, but six months down the track I’ve lost over 25 kg, due to the combined help of my Lap-band and SIL training. I am now more motivated to do extra training at home on my own, with the help of the SIL homework sheets. For the first time in my life, I am setting long-term exercise goals – such as running a marathon, and taking up long-distance hiking again (something I miss from my Scouting days).

In the shorter-term, I am planning to join in some cardio training sessions soon – including my all-time favourite session which is the kickboxing!!! I never knew that I could be so aggressive and laugh so hard at the same time!!! I loved doing that class when I first joined up, and am looking forward to dusting off the gloves again very soon.

See you out on the field!

[Goannabanda]

Oh how things have changes since I last posted in this thread!

My issues with restriction have continued, with various cycles of fill / unfill, culminating in a complete unfill in July, followed by a gastrograffin x-ray, then a partial refill earlier this month after about 4 weeks with an empty band

I had thought I was being a good bandster, but obviously not good enough, especially after managing to let my head go on holiday along with my empty band, and gaining 5kg while my band was empty as a result. I feel so stupid.

My band has now been paritally refilled (4ml), and I am keeping a food diary to take back with me when I go for a review in Sep 5th. So far with this fill, I haven't got much by way of restriction, although given my previous problems, and the fact that I don't think I am back on track with diet or exercise at present, I am not keen to rush for a further fill just yet.

Funny how writing about something in a public forum forces you to have an honest look at yourself, and also brings accountability. I had written out in this post more of what amounted to be a pity-party about how I am struggling, but have deleted it in favour of a committment to get back on track. So here it is. Starting right now, I am ruling off the past, and signing on as a brand-new-just-back-to-solid-foods bandster.

To make sure I am back on track, I am going to join the committment thread with the following list:

keep that food diary
follow the bandster's 10 commandments: http://www.band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=891
take a 30 minute walk every day
do 30 minutes of additional exercise every day
take all my vitamins, every day
limit caffeine to 1 coffee and 1 diet soda per daySee you next time!

[Goannabanda]

In my reflections and postings elsewhere, I was reminded how great it feels to have lost 25kg already.

I could never have got this far without my band. I realised the other day that I am already about 1/3 the way to what I imagine where my goal might finally be. It doesn't feel like it's been any effort or time to get this far. But it does seem to be taking time to get past this stage and get on with losing weight. However, on reflection, as frustrating and depressing as all of these challenges have been, they have served as a much needed break to learn about some other things about being a bandster that might otherwise have been glossed over - at the end of they day, I hope that this means I will be a better bandster for it.

I am prepared for this journey to take as long as it takes, it's just that sometimes, like now, when I am feeling a little lost, and also at that "low" time of my cycle, I start feeling like such a failure, and a waste of people's time. In the logical part of my brain I know that these things are not true, but try telling the emotional part of me that when I am feeling this way!

I just don't want to feel like I am wasting anyone's time, or like I am insulting the skills of the experts around me as a result of my own failings to keep up my side of the "Lap-Band Bargain" (as I like to think of it). Feeling like I am failing to "do my bit" makes me feel the worst.

I didn't go into this surgery with expectations of losing all my weight within a year, or even two. I don't care two hoots how long it takes, as long as I get there in the end. The journey is as important to me as the weight loss itself. It's times like these when things aren't going as well as planned that I find that I am really learning (at last) how to be a bandster, and ultimately, how to live as a thin person. I guess that's the silver lining inside these clouds.

Having struggled with mild depression in the past, I find that these moments usually pass within a few days. I have learned that making myself get up and do things, and forcing myself to get organised helps me to break my low mood, and to get back on track and avoid slipping like I did these past few weeks. Doing these things also help me to become more motivated to put in other quality "inputs" to further boost my mood (I sound like my weight loss counsellor!).

I am continuing on with the food and exercise log, and a list of other committments that I have made to help me, and already find that today I am feeling happier and back "on my game" than yesterday when I posted.

LOL, finding a 3kg loss on the scales yesterday morning helped too - I hadn't weighed in the fortnight since I was refilled, and could have sworn I'd have gained since then. Huh! So much for going by how I feel! Sometimes I just wish they'd band my brain as well as my belly! LOL!

[Goannabanda]

In coming back to update my thread, I am glad that posted that last reflection - putting all of those thoughts into a post really helps. I feel that I am much more back on track now, even if I haven't followed through with all of the tracking and committments that I made.

Today I went back to the surgeon (Chris) - my weight had not changed from the last visit. So much for the 3kg loss early on in the month. Anway, I got another 0.5ml fill, and some much needed encouragement from Chris and the nurse (Di). I expressed my thoughts and frustration that I didn't want to feel like I am wasting anybody's time because my progress has been slow these last few months. They did not see it my way, and Chris said straight away that I am not wasting anybody's time. That was nice to hear, as I respect his and Di's skill and care so much.

I also had a visit to the ob-gyn, to investigate fertility issues, and recieved further encouragement there. Lionel is a fantastic doctor, and very supportive. I am going to have some testing, blood, HSG / ultrasound, and DH is going to be tested too, and depending on the outcomes, start on fertility treatment. Fingers crossed that there is another baby on it's way in our family sometime very soon.

So, while these events might not sound like much, to me they are very uplfting and encouraging. I am a quietly comforted Goanna tonight.

[A1ikou]

Reading through these posts was like reading some of my own reflections about surgery and how long the road is. I feel exactly the way you do at times, the highs and the lows and it always reassures me that others feel the same.
I'm glad you have supportive doctors around you and Im sending you hugs and best wishes that everything you are hoping for comes to fruition really soon.

[Goannabanda]

Thanks Ali - you are such a special part of my online life - thanks for your kind thoughts.

[Goannabanda]

I've been a bit quiet around here lately, so here's a bit of an update as to what I've been up to.

My life has been a blur of work - for the paid job, and at home. Also, DH and I have been going through fertility testing, and we are preparing our DS for a surgery that he's having later this week. So, unfortunately I've let my own needs slip - not made time to exercise, not eating properly and not getting back to see my surgeon for another fill when I knew I really needed one. No surprise that I've gained 5kg over the last 2 months as a result. Grrrr!

I'm posting following reflections in a bandiversarry thread, but want to keep a copy here as part of my story too...

October 5th was my 1st bandiversary. What a roller coaster ride the past year has been! I've tried to write my bandivesarry thread for ages, but it's taken me until now to be able to reflect and put down what the past year means to me and to be able to express just where I am at after 1 year in.

I've gone from fat, desperately unhappy and without hope, to banded, a little less fat, and a lot more hopeful and happy. There's been plenty of ups and downs along the way to make the journey interesting and challenging - particularly in dealing with over-restriction issues over the last 6 months. It would seem that I am over these issues now, and therefore ready to move forward into my second year of banded life a better educated, more effective and more successful bandster for having had these experiences.

I can't say that is exactly where I wanted to be around the time of my 1-year bandiversarry. I've not been a screaming success in terms of weight lost in the first year.

HOWEVER, I do feel very strongly that I have suceeded in my first banded year.

Since my journey to banding began, I have learned many lessons about myself, I have reached a new understanding as to how strong I really am (both mentally and physically), and I have a new perspective as to the things in my life that are important to me, namely my Lord, my family and my health.

I am thankful for the opportunity to have been banded, and feel privileged to have expert surgeons, dieticians, psychologists, nurses, and other lap banders guiding and supporting me. I feel blessed for the many friends that I have made during my banding journey, and will be forever grateful to Susan and Paul for making this lovely place where we can band2gether. I feel honoured that by being invited to become a moderator, that I can help to keep this place that I love a welcoming and warm home for all of us.

I am grateful for the weight that I have lost to date. I know that with continued focus and effort, that the rest will go with time, so that someday soon, that skinny girl who lives within my heart will finally be free.

So here's wishng all of my beloved b2g family many thanks, and raising a glass to that skinny girl for making me get banded in the frst place... :thirsty: ...cheers! :thankyoub:

[JDru]

I posted on your other thread, but I just wanted to say Happy Bandiversary!

[MoOrLess]

What a wonderful reflection...thank you for sharing your experience over the past year. Success is in the eye of the beholder, much the same as beauty is - you are beautiful inside and out! and successful!

[MartinaM]

Just read this thread for the first time. Happy bandiversary! And as Maurine said thanks for sharing. It's inspiring, motivating and comforting to hear other peoples testimonials who are on this journey.
Good luck on year #2!!!! ~Martina

[Kim G]

Anna - you are very special to me. You alone made me realize how special my child is, with your saying. So to be completely honest w/ you I think of you daily now.

I think your 1 year was succesfull over all. You are amazing...I know what the life stressors can do your eating habits, exercise, and just taking care you in general.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you get your for you DS's surgery. I know this is easier said then done but please take care of you.

Congrats on a GREAT year...and I can't wait to see what the next year brings you!

[Goannabanda]

Oh, I am crying as I read your thoughts - thank you so much!

Jess (my almost-band sister!), Maurine and Kim - you are all very special to me too, and have supported me so much over the past year. When I get to the US I have to meet all of you so I can give you all lots of big hugs! (Plus, I want to go to dinner on demand twith Kim, but that's another story... hehehe!). Thanks for thinking of James Kim, he is sure to be fine, it's only a day procedure, and we are preparing ourselves for a quiet recovery long-weekend (Melbourne Cup holiday the Tuuesday after).

I haven't got to know you yet Martina, but congratulations on your surgery - hope that you get as much out of it as I have!

Hugs,
Anna.

[Goannabanda]

I haven't posted here in a while, so thought it was time for a quick update.

I'm back on track, finally having restriction in my band, and doing a bit more exercise than I was back when I last updated my thread in October. I've lost the weight I regained, and am on track to lose a few more lkilos before my next review in five week's time.

We're pressing on with the fertility assessment and treatment - so far no luck, but we are looking at ramping it up a notch to IVF sometime very soon. A very powerful motivator to keep on with the weight loss!

I'll have to ask DH to do some update pics for me, and post some comparisons here soon, but for now, check out me new avatar pic! I think I look different!

[Dustbunny]

I've been thinking that all day as I've been looking at your avatar! You look so good and healthy! i can't wait to see the new pictures your face really shows your hard work is paying off. You look wonderful Anna! DB

Ok edit here, of course I haven't been staring at your avatar all day, just seeing it when I pop in and out of threads. Does that sound less creepy? You look great.

[JDru]

Well done Anna! I'm wishing happy baby thoughts your way. :)

[Goannabanda]

Ok edit here, of course I haven't been staring at your avatar all day, just seeing it when I pop in and out of threads. Does that sound less creepy? You look great.
D*mn! I thougt I finally had a stalker...LOL! :wink2:

Thanks for your lovin' DB! And yours too Jess! :bigarmhug:

[Neal R.]

Well done Anna!

[503-250]

Did someone say stalker?

Of course you are stalked, you're getting your sexy on, you have that amazing ozzie accent...be sure you know you are being stalked.

Keep up the great work and get us some more updates (and a new pic of you in your military gear).

[Goannabanda]

Bear, you've made my day. And baby, you have NO idea how sexy my accent is... PMSL!

I'll work on some new military pics for your stalker wall - the Melb F1 Grand Prix is on next week, that's where I got the last ones from.

But seeing as how you love photos of hot b2g chickas (esp. if they are wearing camos and holding really big guns), here's a couple from last year to keep you going in the interim:
4027

4028

[Goannabanda]

By way of a quick comparison, here's a pic from the night before surgery (4 Oct 2006): (OMFG That was me!!!)
4031

Here's the full pic from my avatar (mid-Jan 2008):
4030

[DebbieChoos]

But seeing as how you love photos of hot b2g chickas (esp. if they are wearing camos and holding really big guns), here's a couple from last year to keep you going in the interim:

Boots???? OMG Anna have you rescued him?????

[JDru]

Anna I can definitely see the changes! Keep up the good work...you look great! :)

[PhotoNut]

w00t! You grew a neck! And look at that sexy front tooth gap thing ya got goin' on. You look awesome Goannabannafannabodanna!! :sun_smiley:

Great job on getting back in charge of your weight loss. I'm very envious right now.

Best wishes and prayers for success with your baby making efforts. Just be careful and try not to end up on one of these reality tv shows about couples who have 12 babies at once!

[Goannabanda]

w00t! You grew a neck! And look at that sexy front tooth gap thing ya got goin' on. You look awesome Goannabannafannabodanna!! :sun_smiley:

Great job on getting back in charge of your weight loss. I'm very envious right now.

Best wishes and prayers for success with your baby making efforts. Just be careful and try not to end up on one of these reality tv shows about couples who have 12 babies at once!
12 babies at once!!! OMFG!!! I am complete nutter with the one I've already got! :heh:

Thanks for your love P'Nut - and thanks (sort of) for the reminder about my gap-toothed grin. I'm just like my daddy. :)

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

You've done well in your lap band journey. Looking at your pictures I can really see the weight you've lost. I love your smile, you look very happy, and it also shows in your eyes.

I'll be praying for you in the baby department. One of our family members has also had to do invitro, with very happy results. Good luck .. ;o)

[Goannabanda]

Just a quick Goanna News update:
All is well with my band and health, apart from a slight bit of heartburn / reflux that a couple of days 'rest' on liquids should fix (if that doesn't work, maybe time for a slight unfill), see how it goes.

We had a follow up appointment with our FS today, at which DH & I had a really good chat with the FS. We both came away feeling quite calm and determined to go further with the Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) pathway.

He thinks that:
1) I am not too old
2) I am not too fat
3) A lap wouldn’t help much apart from rule out endo, of which he is not worried about as there is no sign, symptoms or history of that
4) I may have luteal phase / lining issues, but doesn’t think that we should waste time investigating them, when the end result would be to head for ART, which would resolve these anyway
5) We have a really good chance of success with ART, given our test results and previous uncomplicated natural pregnancy.
6) He thinks that if we are going to go with ART that we should jump in with both feet, and get going ASAP.

We of course, as mere mortals, hope that he is right. LOL!

So, he is sending a copy of our file to the ART clinic (City Fertility Centre), and I have an appointment booked with the FS there for March 28th. That’s only 16 sleeps! http://www.birth.com.au/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif (but who’s counting.. LOL!)

It sounds like we could have got into the IVF clinic before Easter, but I wanted to leave it until after then, as that’s when I am going back to part time work again, so I won’t have to ask for another half day off work.

…plus I’ve got the small issue of the big machines in our yard, and an Easter holiday to think about before then, LOL! Our yard is coming along, although the existing soil / fill is worse than we were hoping for, which means that extra will have to go out, and more good stuff brought back. Lucky I am a soil scientist / geologist, so they can’t pull the wool over my eyes with tales of crappy soil, LOL. I think this stage (the big dig & fill part, covering 1/3 of our yard) should be finished tomorrow, with more work to be done next week to finish the rest (top-dressing, smaller garden bed excavations / fill, mulching the big dig area). I am getting excited about finally being able to plant my native garden and potter about in it!

While all of that is going on, I would be due for AF anyway, so there’s still a remote chance that we won’t need to appointment. Yeah. Right. Like that’s REALLY going to happen. More chance of hell freezing over if you ask me. Geez, I am so funny that I even crack myself up. http://www.birth.com.au/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Dustbunny]

Well that sounds pretty good to me!
Sending you good wishes for a baby soon. DB

[JDru]

That's exciting news Anna! I can't wait to hear what happens.

[Goannabanda]

Goanna update:

I have started my first IVF cycle - a long down regulation protocol. Apoligies in advance if I am a litle more scattered than normal, or a little bewbie and/or whoo-haa obsessed for the next few weeks, LOL Apart from rushing to and fro for all the tests etc, the meds I am taking are making me very tired and grumpy, and more than the normal bit wierd, LOL.

Basically, here's a not-so-serious take on how it works:

You take a pile of seriously strong drugs to turn off your own hormone sytem. You get to swallow these and snort them up your nose too for added fun.
Wait for AF to show up and leave again. Keep snorting the drugs.
Have an ultrasound up your whoo-haa to see if the drugs are working.
Take some more seriously strong drugs to turn on the egg factory and send it into overdrive. This time you get to inject them as well as snort them. Oh fun.
Enjoy another blood test and whoo-haa ultrasound every few days for the next two weeks, while you start to feel more and more like an overgrown hen.
When there's enough eggs, inject yet more drugs to mature them.
Enjoy 36 hours without taking any drugs.
Let the doctor go on an egg hunt - with a really, really seriously long needle up your whoo-haa :eek: Thankfully, they promise that there will be sleepy drugs for that bit, LOL.
Enjoy another 38 or 36 hours without taking any drugs while your eggs party in the lab with DH's sperm.
Lie back and enjoy another procedure up you whoo-haa - this time it's home-delivery for one lucky embryo. The unlucky ones get shoved into the freezer for later.
Start taking more drugs, this time as pessaries in your whoo-haa for the next two weeks.
Chew your fingers to the bone waiting to see if you pass the final blood test. :ohwell:

[JDru]

Good luck Anna!! Keep us updated...

[Goannabanda]

**Cough, cough** Geez, it's a bit dusty and cobwebby in here....

I can hardly believe that it's been over 2 1/2 years since I updated my "home" thread! eek!

Reflecting back on where my life went since my last couple of posts makes me feel like I hardly know the person I was back then. I've earned a few more battle scars (and a fair few more scars on my poor old belly, LOL) since then. I went through a slipped lapband and surgery to replace it, two full IVF cycles, a further 7 embryo transfers, and a difficult pregnancy culminating in the birth of our beautiful but initially unwell baby girl in May last year. Since her birth I've battled post-natal depression, and I am only just starting to feel like I am beginning the process of pulling myself back together after our quest for our precious second baby.

Looking back on all that, I am hardly surprised that I am almost back to where I started from with my weight loss.

So, with the new year, and the blessing of our new little life in our midst, I feel that I am ready to close the book on all that sadness and heartache and begin again to build the healthier and simpler life that I crave for myself and my family.

But where to begin? The goal seems so far away that's an almost impossible dream....

However, I am not going to let myself fall at the first hurdle by staying focussed on that far-off goal. Cue self-pep-talk: (LOL) To my advantage, I realise that I am now well-seasoned in working towards seemingly impossible goals, as that's how I felt about ever having another baby. I realise that I need to use the lessons I learned while trying to concieve and transfer them to me quest to be healthier and fitter. The biggest lessons that I really learned during the last couple of years were to:
1) Never give up, stay strong
2) Be patient
3) Take one baby-step at a time
Sure, these lessons are nothing new to anybody who has ever worked on a goal. I just have to find ways in which I can make them work for me in my journey to my diminished self.

So as a first step, it's back to the lapband diet and exercise basics for me. Time to dust off the old bandster's rule book and start running after the bandster's bus again. (I'd jump on the bus, but I need the exercise, LOL).

Let's hit it!!! :thumb:

[chrispygal]

LOVE it Anna! It is amazing to me how much time has passed and how much life has changed since I was first banded as well. I had some issues, some depression, and some weight gain. I put half of the weight I lost back on, and am now feeling like I am finally ready to get it back off. It's not easy though, that's for sure! I love your 3 lessons learned and that is truly how I feel about my personal lap band journey. It is all about those baby steps!

P.S. I am hoping to conceive my own little band baby next fall. :)

[Goannabanda]

LOVE it Anna! It is amazing to me how much time has passed and how much life has changed since I was first banded as well. I had some issues, some depression, and some weight gain. I put half of the weight I lost back on, and am now feeling like I am finally ready to get it back off. It's not easy though, that's for sure! I love your 3 lessons learned and that is truly how I feel about my personal lap band journey. It is all about those baby steps!

P.S. I am hoping to conceive my own little band baby next fall. :)

TAG! Maybe we should buddy up and keep each other honest?

DOUBLE TAG! We always wanted 3 babies... ...thinking of lining up for band baby number two in our spring (your fall). It just better not take another 9 years this time! LOL

PS: Hope that you were able to find help with your depression and make peace with yourself. xoxoxo

[nightnurse]

welcome back and good luck to you!

[chrispygal]

TAG! Maybe we should buddy up and keep each other honest?

DOUBLE TAG! We always wanted 3 babies... ...thinking of lining up for band baby number two in our spring (your fall). It just better not take another 9 years this time! LOL

PS: Hope that you were able to find help with your depression and make peace with yourself. xoxoxo

You bet! It's always good to have a motivating "buddy". :) I've actually joined Weight Watchers to help me get back on track. Looong story, but I don't have a ton of fluid in my band so I can eat just about anything. I used to be very careful about what I ate, but I have been just so darn HAPPY that I stopped putting the effort in. I hate that, but it's reality I suppose. I'm ready to start using my band again in preparation for my big day (getting married on 9/4) and hopefully the baby that follows. :)

P.S. I am doing GREAT, and actually didn't realize I was in a depression until I was out of it. Depression runs rampant in my family (mom and both sisters) but mine was completely different from theirs so I didn't identify it. It was triggered by a job change and a mix up with my band on behalf of an intern (he accidentially unfilled me, and I was convinced I had slipped). I spiraled and just ate, ate, ate. BAD girl. lol. I've learned a lot though and now know "my" signs to look for in the future. :)

[Goannabanda]

OK, Chrispy, you're ON!!!! :)

I haven't yet got my band fully tightened, and can pretty much eat anything too. I'll be going back for another fill in the next few weeks. However, I'm eating far too much for my current level of fill, and to be honest, I'm eating plenty of the "wrong" things too. Also, although I've been getting some exercise in, I've not been regular enough with it for it to have any significant impact.

I've been enjoying being a stay-at-home mum, however have become lazy despite all the extra time I theoretically have while home with the baby for working out. As of this week, I've started back at work, part time for now, moving to full time in mid-March. Seeing as we'll be setting whole new family routines anyway, I'm using this a big chance to program my workouts in, kick-start my weight loss, and to get moving and lose this weight.

I'm thinking that I need a mental and pysical jolt to break my current bad habits and get me going on the right track again. To help me focus, I'm joining in on the B2G exercise challenges to get me going properly physically. I'm heading back to my gym every night after work. It's one of those Curves-type gyms where you can call in and do your circuit at any time of day. I'm also trying to slot in a minimum half hour walk every day - either during lunch time, or else after work with the dogs or while I wait for my son at his sports etc.

To get me going again diet-wise, I think a bigger shock is called for. As much as I'm not looking forward to it, I'm going to do a few intense weeks on Optifast so that I can break some of these bad food / eating habits I've found myself in and give my poor old stomach a bit of a rest. I'm planning to stay on the intense phase for 8 weeks, then gradually come off it back to a normal bandster diet. I'll slot in a fill appointment in the next few weeks as well, to make sure my band is working to it's optimum level for me.

Writing down my plan has made it more real. OK, time to hit the gym!

[chrispygal]

Awesome! Great job with the gym!!! I have to say, exercise did not become a real habit for me until just over a year ago. I had the best intentions to exercise, but I could never get a regular routine down. What finally stuck for me is going before work. It sucks, and I now go to bed around 9:30 every night because I get up around 5am and workout before I get to the office. The first few weeks I wanted to fall asleep by 9am. Now, I am more awake on the days I exercise than those I choose to stay home and sleep in. Winter is the toughest, when it is freezing cold and dark in the morning, but I've been able to stick with it. This is my biggest NSV by far! In that year of working out I only lost 5 pounds. Yep, 5 pounds and those didn't come for 6 months. That blows my mind and is just bizzare to me. I know I've gained a lot of muscle and my body shpae is different, so it's definitely been well worth it, but you would think someone who needs to lose a LOT of weight still would see more of a change on the scale. That is why I've now added the food piece. The exercise is habit (and WOW does it feel great to say that!) so now I need to do the same with the food. I did ok on my first week with WW, and lost 1.6 pounds. My goal is to lose the 35 I gained. It may take me a while, but I know I will get there. :)

[MommaStone]

Chris,

Great job. Like you, I have to do the up at 5, hit the gym before work or it just does NOT happen! I am also falling asleep before the 10 pm news. Thankfully, my yorkie comes down and wakes me up about midnight to go up and go to bed :neener:

[Neal R.]

You bet! It's always good to have a motivating "buddy". :) I've actually joined Weight Watchers to help me get back on track. Looong story, but I don't have a ton of fluid in my band so I can eat just about anything. I used to be very careful about what I ate, but I have been just so darn HAPPY that I stopped putting the effort in. I hate that, but it's reality I suppose. I'm ready to start using my band again in preparation for my big day (getting married on 9/4) and hopefully the baby that follows. :)

P.S. I am doing GREAT, and actually didn't realize I was in a depression until I was out of it. Depression runs rampant in my family (mom and both sisters) but mine was completely different from theirs so I didn't identify it. It was triggered by a job change and a mix up with my band on behalf of an intern (he accidentially unfilled me, and I was convinced I had slipped). I spiraled and just ate, ate, ate. BAD girl. lol. I've learned a lot though and now know "my" signs to look for in the future. :)

I'm doing the weight watchers thing too. My wife joined like 6 months ago and has lost about 65 pounds. I didn't officially join, but downloded and unofficial app to calculate and track points to keep me in line. I lost 5 pounds last week on my first week. WW plus the band is great. WW helps me with the types of food and the band helps me not feel hungry. its a win/win situation. Good luck with yours.

[chrispygal]

Thanks Neal. I hope I can do as well as your wife! :) It is a great combination!

[Goannabanda]

Weight Watchers is awesome, kudos to you and your wife Neal! I am already an online member, although have been very slack since having my baby. Once I start transitioning off the Optifast I will move back onto tracking with WW.

As for the exercise, you are right, the morning would be best - get it over and done with for the day. I'm thinking of trying to get out for a walk before my hubby goes to work, but will wait and see if this is feasible once we have settled into our back-to-work routine.

[chrispygal]

Hey Goanna! Just checking in on you and seeing how you are doing? I had a tough weekend with lots of tempting food, but managed ok. I had a loss last week of 2.6 pounds. I have stepped on the scale this week already (I know, big no-no) and am showing a gain so I am trying to work extra hard to be good - especially since I have dinner out on Saturday and I want to splurge a bit. Exercise has been good too. I'm doing all I can to keep things moving in the right direction! How have things been with you?