chloes_countdown

So true!! I was having the same problem - glad I'm not the only one I was using Benefiber to help with the constipation that also comes along with the band. Lets just say....there was a lot of noise but not a lot of action. if you know what I mean.... I tried some probiotic pearls. they are nice because they don't have to be refrigerated. within a day or two - i noticed the noise level dropped almost to nothing (just the occasional squeak) and other things started moving along more regularly. if you know what I mean..... good luck! cheers, chloe

think about this period as "band bootcamp" a time for you to learn to be a successful bandster-in-training. Restriction probably won't happen at that first fill & you'll have a much easier time handling restriction (i.e. less stuck & pbs) if you pick up all the good bandster habits now. protein first? smal bites? lots of chewing? getting your supplements? tracking food in & exercise out?

these pics are SO great!!!!! thank you for sharing

Chloe here. sorry didn't check in last week - I've been traveling for work. Glad to be home! Checking in today at 176.2lbs......about 2lbs down from 2 weeks ago. not a bug numbers but Ill take it cheers, chloe

no weigh for me this time. I'm in Singapore this week for business & far from my "official" scale...... cheers, chloe

I'm in for another round!!!! Name, real or screen~ chloe Age~ 39 (eek!) Weight on May1st~ 178.2 Goal Weight for May 29th~ 170 Exercise Goal for May~ 5x per week Dietary Goal for May~ Water, water, water! Personal Goal for May~ stop spending so much $$ on cute clothes Date Banded~ 12/20/10 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 47lbs

Heating pad!

chloe here at 179.6lbs. 170s -yeah! only down .6 - boo However, I've noticed other changes. I have one of those scales that also does body fat %. I started my journey at 42% & was hanging steady around 37% but today was a new lowest low...33%! I'll take that progress have a great weekend cheers, chloe

Hi - I fly a lot for work & have found it best to control as much as possible about the experience. Just takes more planning now. Some things are easy to get thru security - Protein powders, string cheese, Protein Bars, trial mix & empty Water bottle. Yogurt - not so much. I always get dehydrated so I fill up the water bottle after security. Helps me stay away from high-calorie drinks on the plane. I live in Denver & find when I go down in altitude my restriction lessens. Usually works out for the better since there are so many lunches, drinks & looooong business dinners/events when I'm on the road. If I'm going overseas or will be in one place for a few days, I'll stop by a grocery store & pick up some favs that'll keep me from ordering chocolate cake from room service at 11pm (its been known to happen!) good luck! chloe

How many fills have you all had? 3 fills & 1 unfill How many cc's are in your band? just shy of 7cc What kind of band & what size is it? lapband 10cc Do you feel like you are at your sweet spot? close. If I eat good, solid proteins I can only eat very small bites, get full pretty fast & am not hungry for hours. If I eat too fast or don't chew well, I'll PB. If I eat soft foods, then I get hungry relatively quickly. I do consider all of this to be 100% within my control & the outcome is all dependent on my behavior....i.e. I'm working the band rather than expecting the band to do all the work. I do an fill appt next week but decided to cancel it since success is now more about my behavior modification that the band itself. does any of this make sense??? congrats on everyone's success! cheers, chloe

TKW is spot-on! I especially like the bit about the band being only 1/3 of the equation. I, too, was very hungry after that first fill. Welcome to bandster hell! I regarded that phase as kinda like bootcamp to learn & train how to be a bandster.....lots of Protein, small bites, lots of chewing, Water, etc, etc. The restriction will eventually come but you may find that your habits have already changed for the better even before hitting a sweet spot. One last thing....exercise, exercise, exercise. I do a combo of cardio & strength training. It has been absolutely essential for me. Best of luck! chloe

chloe here. weighed in at 180.2 this morning. down 3.2!!!

I love MFP! Definitely helps keep me on track. We can buddy up if you like...I'm on there as chloes_countdown. just send me an invite to connect. I find the whole thing very motivational

Amber - I'm soooo right there with you! I think we were banded about the same time in December & I also hit a plateau when I hit 40lbs down.....but I just busted through it & you can, too. Change your routine is the best advice. I was doing 1100-1200 calories/day & I upped to 1400-1500/day. This was actually harder than I thought it would be. Make sure the additional calories are quality - no crap or junk food. Also, I changed up my workouts a bit. I switched out a Body Pump class for Pilates and added another cardio class. If this hadn't worked for me, I was going to start working out in the morning instead of after work like I do now. It took me about 2 weeks but I'm losing again & down 5lbs since making the adjustments. Good luck to you! chloe

breakfast: protein shake snack: greek yogurt with 1T honey lunch: asparagus & goat cheese souffle (leftovers from last night) snack: string cheese or trial mix dinner: husband is cooking so its a steak, blue cheese, onion sandwich. I'll do it w/o bread

chloe checking in ....183.4lbs down 2.0

yippee!!! I loooooooove these so much - thank you to Joan & Vicky. Name, real or screen~ Chloe Age~ 38 (but turn 39 this month. eek!) Weight on April1st~ 185.4 Goal Weight for April 29th~ 175 Exercise Goal for April~ try out Pilates 2x/wk & add another cardio Dietary Goal for April~ increase calories to 1400-1500/day Personal Goal for April~ blow past this plateau as quick as possible! Date Banded~ 12/20/10 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 40lbs (halfway home already)

I'd love to buddy up with all you guys on MFP! I'm on there as chloes_countdown. I think I've hit a plateau...oh no......

Hello, my December Divas! I am so impressed with everyone's progress. I love this thread because it shows the evolution we're making from nervous newbies to confident champions. Big news on my side...I'm now down 40lbs. This is my halfway point. yippee!!!! I started out a 16/almost 18 & am now a perfect 12 but starting to eyeball those 10s. Pretty much everything in my closet had to go because it was just too huge. Right now, I'm a smidge under 7ccs in 10cc band. I've had 3 fills & 1 unfill. My doc is pretty aggressive so I was up to 7ccs in just 2 fills. That 2nd fill sent me over the edge & I was just too miserable but a small .25cc unfill was amazing. Big changes in my lifestyle, too. I now plan out the week's menu, do the shopping & cook a couple of times a week. This really helps me stay on track with the right bandster foods. I'm also hitting the gym a lot. Kickboxing, spinning & body pump. I love all the inches I've lost. I also love that my husband is completely with me on this journey. He eats anything I cook - even when its a total disaster like the chicken with quinoa I made last night! He is even hitting the gym, too! I'm losing inches & he's gaining muscles. me-ow! cheers, chloe

hello all! Sorry I was MIA last Monday but I've been in Europe the entire week for business. Ah, Munich...the land of beer, schnitzel & big, doughy pretzels. I did manage to weigh myself last weekend before I got on the plane. I was at 185.8lbs. I did another "unofficial" weigh-in when I got back home. Lets just say it was not pretty. Which all makes me downright shocked with this morning's weigh-in: 185.4lbs. yippee!!! Goal for March Madness! Down 40lbs from start! Halfway to final goal! 3 month bandiversary!!! I'm looking forward to the April challenge...... cheers, chloe

chloe here weighing in at 188.4 down 1.8lbs. another week in the right direction.....

I use myfitnesspal & love it! All my Protein powders, Vitamins & exercises are all in there. so easy - and like others have posted - tracking food everyday is a major reality check. Having the app on my phone makes it really quick to record everything. I consider this to be one my keys to success. good luck! chloe

Chloe checking in here. weighing in today at 190.2lbs down 3.4lbs from last week. had a little bitty unfill last week & am feeling SO much better! 180s here I come..... cheers, chloe

B: IDS Multi pro Protein powder with 1c. light vanilla soy milk L: 1/2 ham & swiss wrap on whole wheat tortilla with lettuce snack: apple with 2T Peanut Butter D: 3oz smoked turkey breast with 1/2 yam no specific diet. just trying to get in protein & pay attention to low glycemic cheers, chloe

Check out Title Nine Title Nine sports bras They have a great selection & I love, love, LOVE my "Last Resort" bra!! I have big boobs & don't like them to move, jiggle or bounce one iota no matter what I am doing. It may not be sexy but its very comfortable & it WORKS. All the hooks are in front - so no breaking my arms. I know its kinda pricey but considering how much time I'm spending in the gym - its worth it! Last Resort Bra cheers, chloe