nu2ywg

Have you ever lost 42 lb in 3 months before? I think that's a great weightloss! I have done really well when I look at the big picture but I sometimes get discouraged from time to time after I have made some particularily bad choices. What the band has helped me do is get back on track MUCH quicker than I have with previous diets or weightloss plans. I think I've had about 4 fills now (I'm at 5.5cc in a 10cc band) and while I'm still on mushies after that fill, I suspect this will be the one that makes the big difference. You just have to hang on until that band starts helping you out. You can do it!

I still remember waking up during my tonsillectomy as a young child...remember very clearly my mouth being held extremely wide open with some device. It was very brief and I went back under very quickly but I have not forgotten all these years later.

I wouldn't feel bad about it either but hopefully your hubby will soon find other ways to surprise you that don't involve food...like flowers Happy Mother's Day!

I guess I should have expected not to feel restriction on the first fill but I'm still a bit disappointed. So now I will wait for the second fill and hope my willpower will continue to help me along. I hope everyone is doing well...it's kind of sad to see the January board so inactive. Where is everyone? How are you all making out?

I get that sensation occasionally and it's almost always because I have eaten too quickly.

I would agree with the thrift type stores or the clearance racks of other stores. I just donated 3 garbage bags full of clothes that don't fit (the stuff I've been wearing for years). But also, I bought myself a bathing suit about a month ago because we were going to be in a hotel and I wanted to go swimming with my kids for the first time in many years and also because I was starting a mother-daughter aquafitness class with my 10yo...well today my suit was too loose...I will still wear it for a while but if I wasn't so darn excited about the weightloss I'd be really peeved because bathing suits are really expensive!!!

ElfiePoo, you are making me hungry That roasted asparagus sounds lovely, I'll have to try that! I was on my pre-op diet for Christmas AND nobody but my husband knew I was about to have surgery (they still don't know that I had it). I felt a little deprived but it was the first Christmas that I ever lost weight. What I learned, though, was to focus on the other parts of it than food...,the family, providing good hospitality, my kids, etc. For once Christmas was not about getting so stuffed I would have to roll away from the table! And it wasn't so bad. I guess it kind of depends what headspace you are in but if you teach yourself to focus and enjoy the other aspects, even while you're out at the restaurant, you can get through it. And of course, have a little bit of the good stuff too, just set a reasonable limit.

Julie (nu2ywg) down 4lb to 248 This is just my second challenge and I'm wondering if I make my goal early should I revise the goal? My original goal was 249 so maybe I should aim for 246 for next week or if you don't think I should change it, I'll just be happy with doing better than goal.

Yay for a supportive family! That's great for you I still haven't told anyone but my husband and father (who lives far away). My mom is coming to visit in just about 3 weeks and I'm over 70lbs lighter than when she last saw me in October. I haven't even told her that I'm losing. I'm not sure if I'll tell her or not but I might.

Wow! 13 incisions??? Why didn't they just make one big one, lol. I haven't done a lot of jogging, just a little bit in one of the fitness classes that I do but I know what you mean. Those binders sound great and I'm going to look for one!

I never thought that my feet would get smaller, that's great news to me! I have a pair of super cute shoes that I have never worn because they are a bit too narrow (bought them online) but didn't want to return them so they've been sitting in my closet for about two years! I think now after 70 lb I may have to go give them a second chance!

I think that coworker is just jealous...she probably knew exactly what she was doing when she said that. Congratulations to you, I long for the day to fit into a size 12! And way to go on that kind student who brightened your day.

I have never done this before but it was an "order" from the nutritionist and so I started on Jan 20th when I was still on mushies. I aim for 1200calories a day and actually find that keeping a food record is REALLY useful. Anyone else doing this?

I didn't take it (wasn't offered it) but kind of wish I had. I'm having gall bladder problems (at least that's what we think it is) right now. I'm in Canada though and so my wait time for an ultrasound is long...had my first "attack" in February, ultrasound scheduled May 19th. Definitely not a process you want to go through so if you can avoid it, do it. When I have an attack, I am pretty much incapacitated for anywhere from 45 minutes to 4-5 hours. EXTREMELY PAINFUL!!!!

Are we weighing in on Fridays? If so, I'm at 252, that's down 4 lb (had a fill this week). Julie (nu2ywg)

Thanks Connie! I'm still doing well, approaching 70 lb lost. The liquid diet is actually not all liquid, it was 2 shakes and 1 bar per day and 2 cups of vegetables (there were some no-no's on the vegetable choices). It was tough, particularily because mine was over Christmas but there were a few things that helped me keep going at it: awesome weightloss and the fear that if I cheated, my liver wouldn't be good enough and they wouldn't put the band in. In the grand scheme of things, it's only two weeks and most people get through it just fine.The website is launched by the way, but you only get access once you are a member of the program which is I think when you start your pre-op diet. It is a great resource!

I have the exact same feelings as you. I quit artificial sweeteners over a year ago but when I had my surgery I decided to drink Crystal Light because I really wanted to have some flavour in my water. I actually haven't heard anything in the media about it but I'm in Canada so maybe that's why. I really like the vitamin waters with 10 calories because they are sweetened with stevia but unfortunately they cost $2 a bottle here so I only get about 4 per week. I would eventually like to get off the Crystal light because of the sweetener but for now I figure getting liquid into me to help my weight loss is more important. I know exactly how you feel though, I kind of cringe everytime I make myself one.

Good luck on starting over! Did they ever figure out what caused the chest pain?

Good for you! It's really good to hear of people who've had their bands for years still working it and maintaining their success. I hope things get less stressful for you soon.

Julie (nu2ywg) checking in at 256, that's down 2lb. Congrats on the 100 lb Sara!!! Way to go

My surgery was at 5pm and I was home by 9pm... if you can't stay, you will be okay.

Good luck! I was excited to start my pre-op diet because I knew it meant that things were finally happening. That and the weight loss I saw every day were real motivators to getting through that phase. I did have some days that were difficult, especially since my pre-op diet started a few days before Christmas! You can do it! Just think of this exciting journey now beginning for you

Love, love, love this post. Congratulations to you! And I bet you're able to do a lot more activities with that 9yo daughter too! One of the reasons I got the band was to be able to really play with my kids and I'm so looking forward to this summer for that.

I'll join in! The last one really helped me keep on track. Name, real or screen~ Julie (nu2ywg) Age~40 Weight on April1st~ 258 Goal Weight for April 29th~ 249 Exercise Goal for April~ More frequent trips to the gym Dietary Goal for April~Try to find more variety so I don't get bored and cheat! Personal Goal for April~ start working in the yard when the snow is gone Date Banded~ January 5, 2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 61 lb

Hi Connie, The surgeons are Dr. Andrew and Dr. Bracken, they worked as a team on me and I assume they work together for all the surgeries. They also work in a typical hospital (I think they have to to maintain their licences) so they have specific days at Maples. I think that also impacts their schedules at Maples...if they get stuck in emergencies or whatever. So my surgery was actually the day after the original date set. At the time it was frustrating but I'm over that now. The consultation was $150 when I did mine (December 2010). They went over the details of the surgery, had an actual lap band to look at, mentioned their rate of complications (right in line with normal, includes infection, erosion, slippage). Of course they assessed me by asking a number of questions too. I would like to lose about 140 lb but would be happy with 120 lb. So far, I've lost 60 lb! But everyone is different so you should spend some time reading here and elsewhere...it is possible to cheat with the lapband by eating what they call "slider" foods, foods that will slip right through the band that are bad for you. You'll see it over and over again on here that the band is a tool... I chose it because it's much less invasive than gastric bypass. I had considered flying to Toronto for the sugery but that was only because I didn't realize I could get it done right here in Winnipeg. I'm so glad I didn't have to travel! Anyway, no clinic is perfect but I've been happy with my experience at Maples. They are gearing up to launch a lapband website in April that will have a lot more info, recipes, maybe a forum. I'm looking forward to that. If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask. Also, if you look a little further down in this Canada forum, there is a Manitoba thread and some people there have posted about Maples. They haven't posted much lately, most of them had their surgeries quite a long time ago but you might get some info there. Take care and good luck with your choice!