Oregondaisy

I have insomnia as well. I have had it for years. If I didn't take Ambien, I would never sleep. It saves my life. I am still tired all the time because I usually take it around 12:30 and I am usually awake by 5 am. My dr. will only allow 14 per month, so the rest of the time I am just plain miserable.

Sunshine, it's really your decision. I personally do not like my band very tight. I could probably eat way more than I do, but I don't. If you stop losing and feel hungry soon after eating, it's time to get a fill.

You are so welcome! People like you are the reason I stay on this thread. I think losing was harder for me because our metabolisms slow down as we get older. I was so sure I would be one of the only people the band wouldn't work for. I continue to be surprised how perfectly it works. Tonight I had a pretty small piece of meatloaf. Now that's really not a "hard" protein but for some reason, I was so full all evening, I couldn't even think about an evening snack. I love it when my band controls my snacking! I have tried not to take my celebrex the last few days because it's so expensive and my back is very painful tonight. I agree, celebrex works like nothing else. Don't worry. You can take it. Warm things keep the band open. Just take it with lots of warm water. Janet, you're in my prayers! Phyl, I loved that article. I wish I could take credit for it. If anyone else doesn't know about hungry girl it's hungrygirl.com and they send great emails about new foods to try, and interesting articles to read about weight loss. It's a great web site. Anyone else I have missed, I am with Janet. It's late at night and it's getting harder for me to fit in computer time but stay encouraged that the band will change your life!

One day at a time. sometimes one minute at a time. You can do this. You did it before and you know what it takes. I don't know how big of an area you live in. Getting a good sponsor is important and sometimes it takes going to a lot of meetings in other areas to find someone. There are AA meetings online too. Somebody really important in my life who died from this disease, but died clean and sober used to say "work the steps or die"

Froggie, you don't look like you weigh as much as you say you do. I love your page. I never knew you could make it in color!

Chickie, thanks so much for posting the links to your before and after pictures! You look amazing. You should be so proud! I would love to read that entire article but the print is so small for my old eyes. Maybe I can read it earlier in the day when my eyes aren't so blurry. Is there anywhere it's printed in a larger font?

Oh really? What do I need to do to get rid of his? I don't want to have that come back. It was awful!

This is ridiculous. I know exactly who you are all talking about. Let me just say for the record, I haven't pbed or thrown up in months. I never get food stuck anymore. There is no reason to live like that. She should not be in chat making that seem NORMAL! It makes me angry. I can eat chicken, steak, pork chops, with no trouble. That is how the band is meant to work. good food in small portions!

I take celebrex and lots of other capsules. I take them one at a time with a lot of warm Water. It's pretty easy to feel them pass through the band and into the stomach. My dr. has said over and over that our pouch is not the same as a gastric bypass pouch. As long as you flush it through the band, you can take any medication that you need. I switched to a smaller size Calcium pill. My Vitamins are pretty big and I don't have a problem taking them at all. I did when my fill was really tight, and then I had to break them in half.

A lot of factors that influence your metabolism can’t be changed -- a few of those are age, genetics and gender (well, gender can be changed, but not easily!). However, there are some things you can do to rev up your metabolism. First of all, drink lots of Water. Research suggests staying hydrated speeds up your metabolic rate. And lack of water can slow your metabolic rate. Exercise also gets your metabolism going. Cardio -- exercises that raise your heart rate to a target level, like jogging or aerobics -- ups your metabolism for several hours following your workout. And don't forget about flexing your muscles -- head to the weight room next time you hit the gym. If you increase your lean muscle mass, you increase your resting metabolic rate. That means you'll burn more calories throughout the entire day... even while you sleep! Another tip is to eat often during the day (just don't overdo it, of course!) -- frequent mini-meals keep your metabolism at peak performance. As for eating specific foods to raise it? Spicy foods, green tea, and high-protein foods are said to give your metabolism a little (but not significant) boost. One more thing -- EAT BREAKFAST! That will kick your metabolism into gear for the rest of the day. P.S. The less you weigh, the slower your metabolism. (This doesn't include metabolism-boosting factors like exercise.) Think about it -- the more weight you carry, the harder your body has to work. So if you're heading toward a weight-loss goal and hit a plateau, use these tips to get your metabolism working faster for you (sure beats eating less!). I copied this from an article on hungrygirl.com that comes in my email every day. I found it interesting to read. My resting metabolic rate was 1200. It would be interesting to do it again and see if if has changed. I really don't even count calories anymore. I just watch my portion sizes. I know the size of portion I can eat according to the amount of restriction I have. I am basically on cruise control these days. I never lost weight quickly, but slow and steady. It was frustrating at first, but making up my mind that I wasn't going to lose anything if I ate junk was a break through. I was always surprised when the scale moved after doing nothing differently. Best of luck to all the new bandsters. It's a great way of life!

As far as weights vs. cardio goes, I was weight lifting and doing cardio for 3 years 6 days a week before banding. I never lost one ounce. I did build a lot of muscle in my thighs and lost a lot of inches though. I love the way my thighs are smaller and don't stick out farther than my hips for the first time in my life. That is from weight lifting, not cardio. I can't pinch any skin on my thighs from all the muscle. I really think that both are important to get your body to look the way you want it to. Having muscle helps burn more calories and speeds up your metabolism. However, people need to go at their own pace. Some people are happy and losing fine with just walking. Do whatever makes you happy! I am 5 lbs below my goal and seem to be continuing to lose now without really even trying, just from following bandster rules. If you can't eat solid protein, you'll get hungry sooner and it will be harder to lose weight. I am at a place now where I can eat anything I want. I think my fill has loosened over the last 6 months but I hope I never need another one. There is no point in messing with a good thing. I don't get hungry and still get full on small portions. I hope everyone finds their sweet spot because it's fabulous to be able to eat the way the band was intended-small portions - but not having food get stuck and having to eliminate certain foods from your diet. I only wish I had found out about the band a lot sooner!

I have been eating badly and just lost another lb. I don't get it. I remember when I was busting my butt and complaining that I wasn't losing. The band has got to be the best invention ever known to man/woman!

Honestly, you can do whatever you feel up to doing. I was back at the gym fairly quickly. I was used to exercising daily so it wasn't hard for me to get back to the gym as soon as possible. Listen to your body. If you over do it, you'll be able to tell. Until you get your fill, eat a lot of protein and stay away from white carbs. Rice noodles potatoes, etc. If you do that, you should be able to lose even before you get a fill.

That's great Rugman. I always lost well after a fill too.

Yes, I take probiotics. My main problem is that I get a UTI every time I have sex and that brings on the yeast infection from the antibiotics. I am disgusted.

I posted yesterday that I ate candy on the way home from work. Today I got on the scale and was down 1 more lb. I am now 5 lbs below goal and I am really surprised I keep losing. Gotta love the band!

You're very welcome. As far as I am concerned anyone who has a band needs Lap Band Talk!

People don't start losing well until after a couple of fills. You could at least start walking if you can't do any other exercise.

I finally had to get a pill from the dr. I did all the over the counter yeast medications which helped, but not enough. The pill (don't know how to spell it) dyflucan got rid of it. I'll probably get another one cause I will more than likely get another UTI. I have an appointment at the beginning for Aug. to see a Urologist.

Way to go Manatee! You did great for being unfilled! I am sure you look fabulous!

I did really good all day with low carbs and then on the way home from work I needed to stop to get some groceries for dinner. I ended up buying some chocolate. Sometimes that chocolate craving takes over and there is no stopping me. Luckily, I am 4 lbs under goal so I will get back on track tomorrow.

I hate to say it, but left shoulder pain is very common with some lap band patients. I know someone who had her band removed because of it. I talked to Dr. Tersigni about it and he said it had nothing to do with the lap band. However, I have been on this board and another one so much since being banded, I know it's band related. Mine went away after about 4 months.There are way too many people who talk about it for it not to be band related. It seems to get worse if you get really full, or after a fill, but for some people it comes and goes for no apparent reason. It has something to do with the vagus nerve, but I don't really understand it. I am glad you found lap band talk! You will like it better here than Obesity Help. This place has organization and everyone here is so supportive. I will see you if you come next month to support group!

Are you the man I was talking to and told about Lap Band Talk? Are you the 6'5" guy? You'll love lap band talk. This is a great place!

AudricIan, I am glad to hear you got that unfill. It's so much nicer not to be sliming and pbing. I really can't even remember the last time I had to pb. I am still losing a little bit once in awhile, but if I don't it's because I eat junk.

I have read all the pages. Not all at once though. I started when this thread started and check it every day. It's similar to the thread killer thread that finally died. That thread was hilarious!