Hi! New to this board!!!

Hi!  I didn't know this board existed.  Someone e-mailed me and told me about it.  I am so glad to be here.  I am 14 months out and still have 25 lbs. to loose and need support desperately!  I haven't lost as fast as other members but of course there are reasons why.  My mom passed away the 1st of December.....a lot of complications with diabeties...amputations, diaylsis, etc.  For me it was the longest 18 months of my life.  She was in a nursing home and had to be transported all over the place.  It was a horrible experience for me.  Anyways...........I did good the first 6 months after my lapband surgery, but when my mom got bad I didn't feel that I needed to have more fills at that time. Last Monday I had .25 cc in my band...........so I am up to 3.25 cc in my 4 cc band and I finally have restriction.  THANK GOD!!  This week I lost 4 lbs. that is the first time since last June that I have lost weight.  Now..........don't misunderstand I didn't loose but I didn't gain, thanks to the LAPBAND!!  So it did its job!  That I am grateful for. Now I want to get busy and loose the last 25 lbs.  I am back on track and I just need the right forum to be successful.  I hope I can find that support here with other vetern bansters!! -Holly (Bradenton, Fl)

Hi Holly ~  Welcome aboard!  I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's passing.  That must have been really hard for you, but just think, now you have  ALL OF US!  We can't take the place of your mother, but everyone here is extremely helpful.  I myself had lap RNY in August of 2006.  I have lost close to 200 lbs.  My highest weight was 359 and now I am 168.  My doctors recommended weight for me was 185, so I surpassed that.  Since Christmas, or a little before I have been on a sweet eating spree.  I know I need to get ahold of myself and I am doing it slowly.  I started in again with protein shakes, which is good.  I wasn't eating enough food or protein.  Not sure why my doctor told me to stop them in the first place.  Anyway, glad to see you are here and again welcome.  This board and these people here are a lifesaver. Biggest Hugs, *Carol* in California

Hi Carol, Thanks so much for your warm welcome!  I was very close to my mom so that was a "huge" loss in my life.  But she was very supportive of the weight loss surgery.  She was a very bad diabetic and she doesn't want me to follow that path.  My blood work is perfectly normal thanks to the lapband.  My blood sugar levels are considered "normal" so I am grateful! I know what you mean about the "sweet tooth" thing.  Man that stuff slips right pass the band.  I try to stay away.  Yesterday someone gave me a box of candy as a sympathy gift.  Didn't I open them....yup....sabatoged myself.  I can't eat even just one....I ate 9 of them then threw them down the garbage shoot!  I was so upset with myself.  But today is a new day.........so I am back on the bandwagon.  Lesson learned...........don't even eat just one!! Anyways I am trying and I am so grateful I had my lapband adjusted last week.  That has helped a lot.  The protein shakes do help a lot.....keep trying and again thanks for the help. -Holly

Hi Holly, I think you'll find lots of good information and support from this board.   Sorry to hear of your mom's passing, I can understand the stress you've been through.  Congratulations on maintaining during that time, as we know stress can trigger eating and cause regain, kuddos to you on being diligent with your choices. You'll get to your goal, stay focused and work your tool. Welcome!

Hi Dana, Thank you so much for your support!  Believe you me...I was glad I had the band...I could of done a lot of damage because I am a stress eater, you know! Take care and thanks again for your kind words!  -Holly

Hi Holly... I'm new here too and I have learned SOOOOO much in the last few days...OMIGOD!  These people know more about my surgery than I do!  FOR REAL!!! I feel like a little kid here, and I have a lot to still learn...but I think I have a lot to offer too;  as do you and so pull up a chair and read and post...These people are just awesome..It's so great to see all these people transform into divas, and stud muffins...LOL  (I am serious!)  I'm another one trying to get back on track and lose a ten pound weight gain.  I haven't had too much trouble with much of anything over my last 4 year Post OP...My biggest problem is the fear of gaining and continue gaining. (And taking my vitamins and suppiments...I'm naughty)   I'm not going fret over 10 lbs...but I'm also not going to let that 10 lbs grow to 20 and 30 and on...I just cannot go back there. This is the place to be for support. I have a whole new confidence in one week!  Good luck and I look forward to seeing your continued progress! So sorry to hear about your mom...hugs Anita 

Welcome Holly!!! I am so sorry to hear about all that you've been thru recently. I hope that you will find the grad's board as friendly and helpful as I have!

Thanks guys for making me feel so welcome!  I am doing well and am losing weight again.  Over the last 2 weeks I am down 6 lbs. so I know I am back on track since my last fill.  I hadn't had a fill in my lapband since last June................so it was long overdue!!  -Holly