Thrills with No Fills! (Pics)

Hey OH family!  It's been quite a while since I posted here and I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that I am doing very well.  I've actually grown to LOVE MY BAND!  I think that aside from being down 52lbs, the most exciting part is that I've been able to do it with NO FILLS!! 

When I started my journey, I just assumed that getting fills were a part of the plan...period.  But as I started losing, and learning what foods my band did and did not like, I found that fills are so totally optional, and in some cases, for some people, completely unnecessary.  As it turns out, I'm one of the some!   

I did hit a stall around my 3rd month, but got over that in about 3 weeks.  During my stall, I did contemplate getting a fill...but I used that time as an opportunity to really try to master portion control and exercise.  I will admit that I've been more successful with portion control.  

It truly is amazing how the band differs from one person to the next.  My boss and I actually had our bands placed within 3 days of each other by the same surgeon, and she has found that fills are in fact necessary for her success with the band.  She recently had a 4th fill and says that she finally feels like it's working.  I on the other hand, felt that it worked from day one and has continued to do so with no fills for me.  WOOT WOOT!! 

I'm not a big picture person, but I decided to post a few before and afters.  Enjoy!


Before Surgery





After Surgery

You look fantastic !!! I'm so jealous Bahamas to boot :o) .  You have done very well without fills and you are right some people just dont need them and I'm like you also I have done all this without a fill and some days its much harder and some days I dont even think about it :o)


I have hit a stall also and I really thought about going in this week to get my first fill and then I started to go back and reflect on what I was doing and it came back down to me doing everything wrong,. Wrong food choices, getting extremely lazy in exercise so regrouped and started fresh yesterday and see where I go from there.

Those are great pictures I can see changes in your face its alot slimmer .  Keep up that awesome work you are doing !!!!

Bahamas dang Im so jealous !!!! 

Thank you Steeler!!  It's been a few months since I've been on OH, but your journey has been such an inspiration to me!!  It was after reading about your success with no fills, that I realized not getting fills was even an option!!  I love my surgeon, but sometimes I feel that his staff can be a little pushy with fills.  I think my second follow up appointment, I was offered a fill.  But it was because of your story that I knew I didn't have to get a fill to be successful.  So thank you for your compliments and thank you for sharing so much of your journey with us!!

You are very welcome and your story is a inspiration to :o) It will help others out to .

My doc's assistant is kinda pushy on fills also .  To her its like you cant be successful unless I fill you up and she gets pushy with me also especially if I dont lose alot in a month then she gets really pushy and I have to stand my ground .

My doc is the total opposite he keeps telling me keep doing what you are doing he dont push and I like him alot better then his assistant .

I came very very close getting my first fill yesterday, that was the closest I have ever came to getting one since my surgery.  I had the phone number out and everything. The doc told me he would see me at anytime when I needed one since I have went so long without one so I knew he could get me in , and then I started to look back at my food and I saw why I was stalling it was my fault. You cant eat chips, Ice Cream, fried foods  and no exercise and expect to lose weight so I backed off calling him. 

I hardly ever went over my one cup of food , I was just eating all the wrong type of foods.I went from eating healthy to eating junk again .

I'm regrouping and will see him Sept 26Th and if I am still not losing I will consider getting one then :o)  Hopefully with my change of diet again and back to exercising 5 days a week will help .

WOW!!! Work it girl!  You look amazing!  I'm going in for my band on 9/6.  I hope I have as much success as you 2 ladies!

 

Thank you Jrzy!!  You will do wonderful and be a Rock Star!!  Just remember to own your wls journey.  Things that work for others may not work for you, and vice versa.  There were times when my boss got fills, and it sucked because I was stalling and not listening.  But I stayed steadfast and continued to listen to my own body.  And I'm glad I did.  I'll be praying for you lady and I'll see you on the loser's bench!!

That is fabulous - keep up the good work! And know that if you ever do need a fill somewhere down the road, you've got a tool that's going to go on working for you!

Jean

Wow, what an inspiration!  Both you gals have done so well.  I have come to the conclusion that even though we all get, basically, the same surgery, what happens with each of us is so very individual.  At this point, I feel better than I have in quite a while, due to the weight loss and exercise.  I may even go for painting my own toenails this winter, something I definately couldn't do 7 months ago:)

Debbie,

And if you really think about it , that is all it comes down to is how much better you feel with just the weight off that we have lost so far :o)

There are so many things I couldn't do before when I weighed in at 350 pounds and just losing 64 pounds makes a huge difference especially my attitude .

I never wanted to wear the fashion clothes or the cute fashion jewelry I didn't want to stand out in the crowd but now I'm starting to adventure a little more into fashion and having fun lol.

Its the little things just like you said wanting to paint your toe nails that really make us feel successful in this journey :o)

A number is just a number its the attitude and the self confidence is what matters in the long run !!