Sula

I check this site a couple of times a day for the simple reason that it motivates me. And I also think it is part of my pay it forward to help motivate others. It also provides some humor at times! And this is my support group, which helps keep me on track. Someone said here, that a suport group enhances your success at WL. So, I'm going to use this to get to my goals. It think it would be great for all the january bandsters to post on their six month anniversary. I recall the one year for a group last year and it was very inspiring. Shawn

I had gas pain for about a week to a week and a half. And it does settle in your shoulder..mine was right by my collar bone on the left side. I still get twinges there but they do go away. All the above suggestions do work and then you do just have to suffer through them as well. I think that was the worst part. Did you get any pain meds? I had some for a week, along with some gas meds and antibiotics. Shawn

Hey Guys, Remember, this first six weeks or so is about healing and adjusting to the band. It isn't really about losing weight, altho many people do. Most all of us have gone through it and have to adjust a lot in that time frame. Also, remember, Protein first...curbs hunger pains. You can eat several small meals and of course, drink your water! Give it time...patience! Shawn

Okay, I just had an eye opener. I stated before that I was going to start my food jounal and write down every thing that goes in my mouth. Well, for yesterday, I wrote it all down and just tallies up the calories, as best as I could figure, using an online calorie counter. I couldn't get my protein powder online but I will check when I get home. I am at 1100...and I thought I was sooooo low in my calories. I was in the appropriate range of protein and drank my water like a good girl. So, maybe that explains why my weight has been up and down the last four pounds....I am eating the proper things...but I think I need to come down bit more in my calories... Just for now. I know that 1100 isn't bad...but I just thought I was hovering around 800 a day. DUH. Shawn

Yes, January Bandsters, we need to get back to the first page. And we need to communicate to support and boost each other along the way. I'm walking three miles in the morning and I started a food journal yesterday. I need to get a good calorie counter book so I can track carbs and protein. I also have focused on my water consumption trying to get my appropriate amount in. I've not been good on changing the eating dinner late. I work until 7 on Monday and Tuesday and then have about 35-45 minute drive home. I could snack at 4-4:30 but that just doesn't seem to inspire me! Suggestions, anyone? Shawn

Hi Sophie, Sorry to hear about your filly. I guess I wouldn't count her out yet...they do adapt. As long as she can nurse now and is adapting to the eating/grazing. I have a little colt that was born about two weeks ago. He is a pistol! I just got back from town buying some more corral panels so I can built a round pen and start my 2 year old. I went in for a fill on wednesday..got 2 cc's in the 10cc band. I stalled out for the past six weeks...but did manage to lose 4 pounds in that time. I figure any number down is better than going up! I'm sporadic with my exercise...gotta get my rear in gear. How is everyone else doing? Shawn

I went in for my fill and my dr discussed with me putting in 2 cc's rather than the 1 he has been doing. So, I said lets go for it...and I'm telling myself, after I'm off liquids again, that I'll need to really slow down in my eating and chew! I fall into old habits but I have to say, its not as bad as it was, pre-band. Anyway, according to the dr. I've lost 4 pounds over the past 6 weeks and am a "little behind" in their tally of 1-2 #per week.

I have read some other threads on this site and have heard people talk about plateaus, as well as having experienced them myself over my dieting life. I feel stuck right now, and am going in for a fill today. I am just going to keep with the program, make some adjustments in my eating/drinking as well as stepping up the workouts. I certainly have room for improvement in the workout area..as well as consuming my water! I also am a late night eater...dinner after 7 as I work till 7 a couple of nights a week. I think that may need to change. So, after some food shopping this weekend, I'll be ready to tackle that issue. Oprah says, via her exercise guru...calories in needs to be less that energy out. It has got to work...simple physics. You guys all stick with it and I think it will come for all of us! Shawn

Well, you are to be commended for your determination and success. I'm going to use this to further my motivation and determination. I couldn't stand that much jarring three weeks post surgery..too tender and if I recall, the dr said no strenous exercise for 6 weeks...I did start sooner, but it has been hit and miss until recently. This weekend I spend climbing up and down ladders, does that count? We were painting the facia board and soffits on the house. shawn

Same here 5jacks....irrigation on our little acreage and all the chores you can't get done in the winter. But I'm trying. I made a committment to get up at 6 to work out. I'm an early to bed kinda gal so I get my sleep. Don't you think that this is what part of our problems are...everything else comes first...and with others, they make exercise the first priority MOST of the time and I make it the priority when nothing else gets in the way. And I do enjoy my walks or the elipitical. I recorded Dancing with the stars while it was on and it makes the elipital time go fast. Shawn

whew, I just read a post by AZPete...he has lost 80 pounds in 2 1/2 months. He eats proper and is running two miles a day. I just find it astounding. I know men tend to loose quicker, but his weight loss is really something. Shawn

I want to congratulate you on your astounding weight loss. I'm truly amaze and impressed. In my almost 5 months post surgery, I've lost 36 pounds. So, whatever your doing is really working for you!! I cannot imagine running so soon after your surgery, when did you start? You certainly are a motivator. I have been thinking about your post since I read it last night. Keep up the great work. Shawn

I see that I need to get my mind into this project. I'm down 36, but it goes up and down 4 pounds from there. I started back exercising but think I need to kick it up a notch. I'm walking 3 miles a day. What are you guys doing for exercise? How long, how often? I will do this, just need a little more motivation! I find myself so pleased with the weight loss so far, that I sort of get settled with that..but I have about 60 more to lose! Shawn

Just FYI, Dr. Sanchez was killed last year..early November. I still went thru his office for my surgery with Dr. Chapa. Dr. Sanchez' son was my liason when I was down there and took very good care of me, after they figured out when I arrived ( on time by my schedule, but they were expecting me four days later--an error on their part. But all went well. Shawn

Okay, I posted a reply and it disappeared! Just wanted to say to Gigi and 5Jacks that it is terrific your workout schedule and weight loss. Keep up the good work you two. Shawn

Gigi-your workout schedule is awesome! Keep up the good work. Great job on the weightloss. 5jacks--60 #'s is terrific. You can share your weightloss with us here! Nope, no long weekend fun for me. The DH and I have been scraping and painting the facia and sofits (or is it sophits) on the house. Fortunately, or unfortunately...it started to rain, so we are delayed at finishing!! Lots of up and down ladders and arm exercise! I hope it amounts to something tomorrow at weigh-in time. Shawn

Plateau here as well, about two months worth. Up down, up down. I'm going in for a fill next week. But I'm not discouraged...I've always had plateaus on any kind of weigh loss program and know that it is indeed part of the process. I anticipate a drop in weight. I've also stepped up the exercise. I'm thinking about the 5-6 small meals....that might shake things up about. And you are right about the NSV...I keep losing fractions of inches inspite of what the scale says. Patience! Kept after it, everyone! Shawn

Ginger, what is you typically calorie intake and breakdown of Protein and Water? I've stalled out for about 5 weeks and have just been sticking to the program. I've lost some fraction of inches but no ##'s. Last week it finally moved 2 pounds. I've been sick with a cold so I didn't work out for about a week and a half, but hit it this morning..2 1/2 miles of walking. Sometimes we consume too few calories....and need to change it up a bit. Change your eating a bit..I second the solid Proteins. Shawn

I didn't have much pain, except in my throat where they intubated me. That lasted for about a week...rough. I woke up in the middle of the nite and started walking around, doing laps in the hallway. I had pain meds, upon my request because of a headache..the gas generally gives me one. My surgery was at 8 at night and I went to my motel at about noon...just walked the hallways to relieve the gas (that part does hurt, but isn't unbearable) and took lots of Gas X and chewable tylenol. I was able to sleep on my side which many people say they can't. The next day I had a 12 hour trip home via plane and directly to bed..was out the next day to retrieve my car from the airport. The next day my DH and I (mostly him) drove to ND and back (over two days). I slept about three hours in the truck at first and then felt about normal..so it did take a few days. Surgery on Tueday night and full time work on the following Monday. Horseback riding about three weeks later. I did have pain meds for about a week along with gas pills and antibiotics. Other that my current cold, I've felt terrific with lots of energy and just motivated most of the time. My surgery was Jan 16 and I've lost 36 pounds..two fills. Fills are a easy and basically only a poke in the side. Shawn

Hey Bandsters, Just reading and getting motivated! Thanks for being here! Shawn

HI All, I'm suffering a cold! My second this year...no fair. I went to a graduation party over the weekend and stepped on the scale before I left and it showed a total of 36 down, then when I weighed in on Monday...up 6 pounds...same on Tuesday!!! What the heck is up with that..I ate normal for me now! Anyway, yesterday I went back to a liquid diet and planned on keeping that up for a few days but this morning I was back down. I just can't figure out the jump and lemme tell you, it was discouraging because I'm eating like I'm supposed to!! On a positive note, I ws in bed this morning trying to sleep through some of this cold whereas I typically get up and workout then feed the animal menagerie that we have. I hear this bellow from the DH and knew immediately...my new filly had arrived. That darn old mare (not so old) was not looking like it was time when I went to bed last night...I have NEVER caught the birth of one of my foals...and not this time either. Beautiful sorrel filly, up, nursed, pooped, and all dry. Blaze face and three white socks. A good day! Shawn

Enterprise, That is a great weight loss and for your height, I don't know how ppl can not notice. Way to go on your success. I say we just keep losing until they do notice! HA. My dad told me at the graduation shindig that we'd celebrat a 50 pound loss! I had promised myself some smaller reward as I went along...30 pounds was going to be a massage, but when I got there, it didn't seem like such a big deal at that time and so I promised myself a treat (non-food) at another milestone. Maybe 40 for me! Sad, tho, there never seems to be enough time in my schedule right now for a couple of hours of pampering, of that sort. I pamper myself with my animals, yardwork, riding my horse, etc. I'm certainly not deprived! Just massages seem so decadent! I bet I haven't had one for about two years...maybe a bit longer. I had one on cruise and it was like they could hardly wait to get you out of there for the next customer. And it cost around 100 bucks for that 50 minutes. Soured me. But when you get a good one, ohhh la la. Shawn

Hi All, Just stopping by. Seems the days are so busy I can hardly get to my group here, let alone get back a few pages and catch up. It seems on this page that all is well with the exception of the dang band having a mind of its own..and I'll second that! Day to day, morning to night, I can be different. I was stalled out for about a month (maybe longer) with a 34 pound loss and just this week dropped two. I just kept doing the program and exercising intermittently. Trying to get that more consistent! I'm going to a family gather where it is a celebration for my nephew who graduated college and the other enlisted (not too happy about that) in the army. Only my mom has seen me since I was banded so I'm hoping it will just knock their socks off but in reality, very few people even notice I've lost. I have one pair of pants that are new and a size smaller so I'm wearing them. My older brother is quite obese and I've been hoping he will be inspired by my journey. Anyway, it will be great to be with my family even if they don't see a difference. Love it when the weather changes and travel is safer!! You all have a marvelous weekend and keep up the good work. Isn't this trip amazing? Shawn

My mother, who is a very wise woman, gave me a perfect line to say when people cross my boundaries and ask things that are too personal. So, your sis-in-law says, "Did you get the lapband" or something like that...your response is "What makes you say that?" Which puts the burden back on her to explain why she would ask such a personal questions...then when she stutters and stammers..you must wait patiently for her to come up with whatever...you then respond with "hmmmmmmm, thats interesting..." and walk away or change the subject. It puts people off. I use it all the time with clients who are needing to learn to set boundaries with other people. It works. Shawn

Hi January Bandsters, Just checking in. I've been stuck without a loss in weight for about 2 1/2 weeks. I started working out more seriously last week and keeping going with incremental increases. It is also my TOM but I'm also thinking that my body is adjusting and hanging on for dear life. I hope it gets moving... I did go in for a fill two weeks ago and that has helped with eating too much altho I usually do make good food choices. Anybody else been stuck for so long? Any suggestions to bust it open again? Sunshine...I think it is your story to tell OR not to tell. I don't think your sis-in-law needs any more details that what you've shared. Your workout routine alone would account for the weight loss success you've had thus far. If the family is going to be judgemental, I don't think I'd say anything. I'm still very picky on who I tell. Family and a few close friends and none have given me any grief or judgemental attitudes. Keep up the good work all of you. I get inspired by your successes! Shawn