brbm6

I chose the band because I wanted a less invasive and reversible alternitive. I started at 318 and have lost 83 lbs. as of today. Lapband is by no means the easy route. I count calories, excersise, have my band adjusted monthly if needed and watch my water intake. But, I wanted to say I did it..........there is something very special about knowing I did the work. I have several friends that have had RNY and while they have lost a lot intially they have gained some back because they have not learned good eating habits. I am sure that is not the way everyones jouney is. But, I know now that if for some reason my band has to be removed down the road I will have ingrained good eating habits and excersise into my life. Good luck on your decision!

Congratulations!!!! It is people like you that inspire me.

Congratulations!!!! I have to say not being one of the largest people in a room anymore is a GREAT feeling! Keep up the good work!

I normally don't eat pickles but as soon as I hit solids that is all I wanted. Weird! Good to know about the calcium overdose. It makes sense now!

Mine sounds like a gurgling drain sometimes. I just laugh!

My nutritionist said 1200 per day. I try to stay between 1000 to 1200 which keeps me loosing.

Just make sure you log the calories. I don't eat a lot of bread but if we go to dinner I may eat a few bites of toasted bread. I choose to not say anything is off limits as long as I count the calories.

My surgeon said no water 30 minutes before a meal and 30 minutes after. I have a bottle that holds 32 oz. (4 servings) of water. I drink 1 before breakfast first thing in the morning. One between breakfast and lunch. One between lunch and dinner. And the last one between dinner and bed. So, that gives me at least 100 oz. of water per day. And by drinking water between meals I do not snack. Water is the only way to keep the scale moving down. I find it I do not get my water intake in..........I plateau. I agree with the others..............2 hours is too long to wait.

I second what TKW says. I too am a calorie counter. As long as I stay in my 1200 range I consider it okay too. So, if I want a cookie or chips it is okay as long as I calculate it in. To me this makes it not a diet but a true lifestyle change. I think I would fail if I never let myself have my favorites again. I am learning moderation.

I second the What the.....................you can not live forever on 3 bites of food. My doc wants me counting total calories. Between 1000 to 1200 per day.

Did you know that a "plus size" model is anyone a size 10 and over? How crazy is that? And the average plus size model is a 10/12 (and probably 6' tall). So, in my book that is not plus size................just humiliating for us normal people!

I had 2 weeks of shakes pre-op and 2 weeks of shakes post-op. It sucked! Glad not everyone is as miserable as I was.

I agree. The pain of being stuck is nothing compared to the pain of being fat. Maybe your stuck episode just scared her a bit. The first time I got stuck my kids were really upset.

My regret is not getting it done sooner too!

You had your surgery on 4/8/11 it is 7/18/11. Your ticker says down 20 lbs. That is a little more than 1 lb. per week. The band only helps you take offf 1-2 pounds per week. 1-2 pounds per week is a very realistic healthy weight loss. Have you talked to your surgeon about how hunger you are? Maybe he/she can adjust your band.

I have been thinking about this quite a bit. But am sorry to say I have no answer. I guess we will just have to learn a new normal. As for the lifting up your shirt, hilarious!!!!!

I am brbm6672. I have been using myfitness pal since pre-op. I credit it for my success this far! I am very accountable with my food now.

I am currently having my TOM and I have noticed my band is tighter. Very interesting.

It happened to me. I had to increase my water intake to at least 100 oz. per day. For some reason my weight will not budge unless I drink tons of water.

I understand the heat! I live in Texas and it has been in the 100's for a month. I do drink coffee (decaf if you don't want the caffeine) or you could drink tea first then try a cold beverage. I would be miserable without my ice cold water!

My nutritionist said 1,200 a day also. She said they (nutritionists) do not like to talk about any diet under 1,200. I try to average between 1,000 and 1,200 a day. What about cottage cheese? It is packed with protein.

Drink water at room temp. Is food going down okay?

Fill number 3 did the same thing to me. I figured out I was still taking too big of bites, not chewing enough and not waiting between bites. It was a total change! I have since gotten used to it. Try cutting things up into pea sized bites, chew it until it is liquified and wait a minute between bites. Hopefully that will help. My doc says solids after 48 hrs. but I know all docs are different.

Yeah! Congratulations it is a huge victory!

I think I tended to just chew a few times and swallow because they are so soft. I do not have a problem if I make sure to chew them really well.