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One of the most humbling things, I think, that one can experience is for someone to tell you that you've inspired them to do or be something. Wow! What an impact. Having struggled with my weight most of my life, I never really thought about the possibility of being an inspiration to anyone in the area of being healthy. Sure, I try to inspire my son to be a child of God, to work, and go after things the focus on the talents God gave Him. I try to inspire my husband to see the positive side of life and encourage him that he is a good father and husband. I've tried to inspire people in faith and that God is an awesome God. But that's not really happened much in the health arena. Until now. Since I've been posting about my procedure, my success AND my failures on facebook and in my blog at www.chrissyluther.wordpress.com, I've had two people say that to me and have wanted to know more about the surgery, my doctor, the band itself, the diet, the food, excercise...everything. I feel so blessed that God would give me this opportunity to share what I'm experiencing and learning as I go. I understand what these particular people are going through...I've been there. Its not fun. Its not easy. People look at you weird and judge you without ever knowing you...and most times don't take the time to get to know you. I think that's one reason God give us trials to go through. So that from that experience, we can learn, move forward and then on to helping someone else who is going through the same thing; letting His love for that person flow through us, into them. I want to encourage you today, that if you've not made that step to get healthy...branch out and take it now. It doesn't have to be LAP-band. It doesn't have to be surgery at all. It might not even be about losing weight. But trust that God has a solution in mind for you, and He will show if you ask Him to and listen for Him to do so. I'm praying for you. Blessings, ChrissyLu

I agree. It's frustrating but the simple answer is = we're not made up of math. Our metabolism is affected by lower calories, our BMR is not stagnant, you retain water more in certain environments than others. So the short answer is, if you keep up what you're doing, you will lose weight. It's not going to necessarily happen in a week. It's not going to happen in a month, maybe. But when you look at your weight loss over the course of a few months, you will see that you've been losing if you stick to this plan. The thing is, this irregularity is why people fall off the wagon. They do all the right things and yet they plateau. It doesn't seem fair. But your body is changing, even if you can't see it on the scales. So don't give in to emotional you and listen to rational me. The band works. Look at my pictures. It works.

I found these ideas online. I thought I'd share! *Toast a muffin, spread Laughing Cow cheese on it, add some lettuce, a tomato slice, and a couple slices of turkey bacon for a low point BLT. *put it in a bowl and get it nice and soft. Add in a tiny bit of brown sugar splenda and mix. Spread it on an english muffin or a bagel...It’s like sweetened cream cheese. *Put it in a bowl and add some chopped broccoli thats room temp and season to taste. Spread it on boneless skinless chicken breast that have been flattened. Roll up to resemble chicken cordon blu. seanson chicken and bake OR you roll in egg beaters and crushed garlic melba toast and bake for crispy baked chicken with broccoli and cheese filling..YUMMMYYYYY *steam cauliflower in microwave with small amount of ff chicken broth and garlic salt and pepper. Then add the lcl (flavored is great) and kind of mush it up. It is awesome for 1 point! *sliced open chicken breasts and stuffed them with mushrooms, spinach, and a wedge of garlic & herb laughing cow cheese. * Low-Fat Alfredo Sauce 12 Wedges Laughing Cow Light Cheese 2 Cups Skim Milk 2 Tablespoons Butter Bud Granules 1/4 Cup Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Style Grated Topping 1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients and cook over medium low heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Serve immediately. Serves: 9 (1/3 cup each) Per Serving: 85 Calories; 3g Fat (39.4% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 16mg Cholesterol; 471mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 0 Non-Fat Milk; 0 Other Carbohydrates. Points: 2 *Crab Dip a few wedges of light laughing cow cheese mayo (i use the low fat kind) lemon juice garlic, pepper, salt articokes diced up onion parmasan cheese mix all together, scoop mixture into muffin tins, and sprinkle parmasan cheese on top, pop into 350 oven until tops are browned. *Cauliflower Cheese Soup 14 oz. fat free chicken broth 1 head of cauliflower, split into rough pieces 1/4 cup of minced onion or shallots 2 or 3 wedges of Laughing Cow cheese or 2 or 3 TBSP of low fat cream cheese 1 or 2 cups of fat free milk salt and pepper to taste Sauté onion in a Pam sprayed pot. When soft, add cauliflower chunks and broth. Simmer until cauliflower is soft. Remove from heat and in batches, blend in food processor with fat free milk and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. *Stuffed Mushrooms Serving Size : 16 3 cup mushrooms 12 wedges Laughing Cow Cheese — Light – Garlic & Herb flavored 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs Clean mushrooms and remove stems. Chop stems. Unwrap cheeses and place in microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute to soften. Combine crumbs, mushroom stems and cheese. Take spoonfuls and fill mushroom caps. Place mushroom caps filling side up on ungreased cookie sheet. Cook 20 minutes at 400 degrees Farenheit or until stuffing is lightly browned on top. Let cool, then serve. Mushrooms will be juicy. Source: WW Boards / Poster Unknown Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 55 Calories; 3g Fat (52.9% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 4g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 11mg Cholesterol; 287mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Vegetable; 0 Fat.

Thank you sooooooo much. I recieve that! I beleive that might just been intended for me. That is my all time favorite passage in the Bible. I do trust in Him! Have a blessed day!!!!

I honestly just tried to keep busy between work family and working out. When I first found out I was like nooooo I'm never gonna make it lol but I used the time to read up on different things about the surgery and I also worked out a lot and tried to eat healthier. I failed a few times..this past month I gained 4 lbs :-( I was so ashamed but I got back on track this month and dropped 6. I joined a Zumba fitness class so I think that helped a lot (love it) it's super fun and I forget im working out...kinda lol. You sweat like crazy and burn about 1000 calories doing and hour session...also I have a kinect for Xbox and I've been doing dance central everyday it makes u sweat also. It wasn't easy but it also wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be ull be at ur last app in no time watch

My mantra has always been if you want different results, you've got to do something different. This is exactly why I chose to get the band in the first place. So when the scale gets stuck, I tend to decrease consumption and or increase exercise. There is only so much of that you can do before you just have to accept that you just have to wait 'till it gets unstuck. I definitely have trouble not accepting the fact that there is nothing more I can do. Next month I will ask him about the possibility of leaks. He does back out what's in there before adding more, and he did confirm that I'm up to 5.5cc. I have no idea how much tubing there is that leads to the band, so I don't know how much is in the tubes vs how much is in the band - I just know that I don't have enough! I had done some research last month, and found some documentation from Allergan that they recommend 4cc for the first fill, and another 3cc for the second fill. I showed it to him, and told him that leads me to believe that the majority of people will need 7cc to feel anything. He said I was wrong, and that I could do a lot of harm by filling to fast. I do trust him and his practice very much, and would absolutely recommend him to others, though I do have to admit, that I sometimes wonder if he's not padding his income by doing a dozen small fills instead of two or three larger fills. And Holly you look FABULOUS! I won't allow a picture to be taken of me let alone post it because I hate the way I look. I long for the day I can look like you so I can post a picture!

congrats on meeting your first goal! too bad about the fitbit! i love it...

November 21st 2011. 14 of those 51 pounds were pre op. So technically, I've lost 37 pounds since surgery.

...Did you find the book you mentioned here?? is it this title?? i would like to try and buy it . im new here, i live in southern TAsmania, im due for my first visit with my specialist 7th march. i have a referral and i would say that im definately having surgery. i have bad arthritis in both knees..(replacements in both), heaps of surgeries since i was a teen, arthritic feet and hips are now getting bad. also hypertensive. so, i think i qualify. my gp thinks so. im reading these posts and they are so supportive so thanks everyone for sharing. its important for me, im in an isolated area with no support groups. it means a lot to be able to share, and online is as good as any place i find. so much information here.. so once again, thanks to you all. i hope to make some friends here who will help me in answering questions. im keeping a book and writing down those things ive learned from reading. ive been on the american forum but i know that its a bit different there. most patients there go on a diet before hand. it sounds like high Protein low carb and one day of just fluids. something to do with the liver?? is that right?/ my question is.. is there a diet involved here in Australia pre op??. Do drs here differ very much in their approach to pre op ?? ive just started making inquiries about the expense involved with my surgery... fortunately for me i have private insurance so hospital is covered. it seems that my Specialist is no gap so thats encouraging. Also.. talking about post op diet... what is the best gadget to buy for juicing and smoothies?? i dont have one at the moment and need to buy one. Living in the country i dont have access to window shop. Lastly.. does anyone here know about the benefits of Barley Green in post op diets?? Every bit of information is gratefully received.

Supporting your wife is already awesome! I was banded 1/26/12. My husband would eat out or fix his own food so I could not see him eat when I was on liquids. When your wife begins solid food, don't say "are you sure you should be eating that?" Her Doctor and her body will let her know what she can tolerate. When she starts her exercise program, do it with her. Many people think this is a "quick fix" and it is not. It is a journey, even if her progress is slow. Remind friends and family of this. For example, I have a friend who keeps asking how much I have lost and my first fill is not till 3/7/12. For now in the immediate post op period, the common sense things that are suggested are a big help. Help her in and out of chairs, bed, etc. Put her socks on for her. Go to the grocery store, buy the best sugar free popsicles you can find! Above all, just remind her how proud you are of her, that she is getting healthier. Myra