JustDoIt130

Nikol- it will come. With your job you should wear a pedometer and sew how many steps you take. I'll bet its a lot!

I agree. I totally don't want to lose weight in my bosoms!! Take it from my a$$, LOL.

If you're getting in all your protein, I don't think you need to worry about it. I think it's better to do it through solid protein if you can!

I had 5 cc's put in during surgery. I do think it's normal. I hope you feel better!!!

When I had my initial consultation, they said that average lap band patient loses 50-60% of their excess weight. When I had my first fill this past Monday I had already lost 17% of my excess weight in about 7 weeks (including the pre-op diet). I told them that I had not done this to be average, I was going to be way above average. I think it's about motivation, and as B-52 says- letting go of the old stuff that kept me fat. I am bound and determined to make this work, to lose the weight and to keep it off!!

Nicole, that's great! Luckily I really like water and drink a lot of it. I have problems remembering the not drinking while eating rule. I've been pretty consistent with my exercise, and I have to say I do think it really helps. I believe it's 90% about the food, but exercise is an added boost! I do need to add in some strength training too, I hear that toning really helps the skin rebound.

That's amazing!! 125 lbs in a year is AWESOME!! Congratulations!!

Nope, I never think that. I KNOW I am going to be successful. I KNOW I now have the tools I need to be successful, and I KNOW I will have the gumption and the willpower and the desire to see this thru to success. In fact, I named my band Magic, because although I know it's not a magic fix, it is the magic I needed to get serious about my health and do something about it! If you believe in it, it will happen. If you visualize YOURSELF as a success, you will achieve it! Don't be a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom and gloom, be a self- fulfilling prophecy of success!!! I am going to do this, and so will you!!!

Hi Ready- anytime! That's what we're here for, LOL. I feel for you with your dad being sick, that must be so hard. Even if you can eat like you used to, still try not to- this is the time before fills and restrictions that we have to "white-knuckle" it and just commit to losing weight the old fashioned way. How do you like the Zumba for the Wii? I have that, but haven't tried it. I love Zumba at the Y, but haven't been in awhile, I've been doing the elliptical at home. I should break it out and give it a whirl!

I don't remember if I posted, too lazy to go back- I lost 3 obs last week- from 261 now 258. It's been a looooong time since I've seen that decade, LOL.

Hi there! Horsegirl, that is awesome!!!! I have noticed that my necklaces look better on me now, LOL. NJ2NC- 29 lbs, that is awesome! I wish I were a stress non-eater!!!! I lost 3 lbs last week! Total of 26 lbs lost forever, never to be found again. The exercise is really helping, and I'm loving logging all my food, then getting to subtract calories burned, LOL. I actually treated myself to a small brownie last night, logged it, and was still way under calories! I wish I felt some better restriction, I have 6 cc's in a 14 cc band, so I'm psyching myself up for at least 2-3 more fills before I really have it- but so far so good!!

I just had my first fill yesterday, it was easy! No issues at all. I have a 14 cc band, 5 in at surgery, 1 cc in at my fill yesterday. I don't feel restriction at all yet- I'm telling you this so you don't worry if you don't either. It can take several fills to reach restriction!! I am just going to schedule mine as close together as possible, LOL. I too have real hunger (as opposed to head hunger) but only eat what I'm supposed to. It's a process- someone on here said the first few weeks are for healing, then a few months to get to restriction, then it's to the weight loss- of course trying to lose weight on the way. Congrats, I know for me it feels good to be on a journey to lose weight that I will be successful at!!

Hey Ladybug- you asked about aspartame- try looking for things sweetened with Splenda.

No, I don't think so- I've seen other say that pain in the shoulder is their "signal" that they're full, and if they eat past it, things don't work out well, LOL. Remember, we're not supposed to eat the amount we ate before. SOme things might not work as well after a fill. This may be what restriction feels like for you- as long as you can eat the 3 oz protein and some veg- and not overeat. It is all personal, but for this to be a good tool you will need to feel that restriction.

Oh, and for the just want a treat- pick things that will satisfy you that aren't high in calories, or good substitutions- or just eat what you really want and log the calories. I don't believe we need to deprive ourselves, just eat within calorie range.

Hi All!! I got my first fill this morning- it was a breeze! I got 1 cc- I have a 14 cc band, and he had put 5 cc's in during surgery, so total of 6. The PA who did the fill said with a 14 cc band the sweet spot was usually between 7-9 cc's but different for everyone. They do 1 cc at a time there, so my next appointment is April 2nd. Right now (about 2 hours after), I don't feel any different. On full liquids today, mushies tomorrow, then full foods Wednesday. It was super easy, I was so glad! Nicole- some suggestions- I've been thinking of taking up crocheting or cross stitch- journaling helps me. Go to the park, read a book, get on the treadmill (or do crunches or jumping jacks, etc)- even if you've already worked out, a little more won't hurt, LOL. Stress eating- just think about why you shouldn't- how much weight you've already lost, the NSV's you've already experienced, how much better you feel- that is head hunger, not real hunger. Journaling about your stress might help with that too! I'll post more if I think of any. Kymie- that's a bummer, but you're not a week behind, you're still going to lose weight!! You're doing great. 32 lbs is awesome! And about the skin- cross that bridge when you come to it. It will rebound some, I think, especially with exercise. And someone on the boards- I think it was SHirley54 or something- said something about talking to the head surgeon at a burn unit- they need skin there- who sometimes will do it if you donate the skin! Whoda thunk it? But don't borrow trouble- lose the weight! Maybe you'll win the powerball and can get all kinds of plastic surgery (remember who your friends are, LOL). Tell us any good recipes you come across. Hi Otaknam! Slow and steady DOWN is waaaay better than going up, LOL. Someone on these forums reminded me that the first little while is for surgery and healing, then comes the several months of fills to get to your sweet spot, then comes the losing!! So you're doing awesome!!!! It 's a marathon, not a sprint. Mags- weekends are hard for me too- I do a LOT of talking myself out of eating things. I too am a card carrying member of the clean plate club- let's tear those membership cards up together!!!!! Let's be a member of the "Leave a bite (or lots more) for Miss Manners" club, LOL. Journaling will help you be aware, for sure. I think it just takes several fills to get to where we feel like it's not such a struggle always. We are doing awesome! It's been only a month or two for all of us, depending on surgery date!!!!

DH and I went out to eat AGAIN last night. I swear he's testing me. We went to red robin- there's pretty much nothing healthy there. I got their ago-Cobb-o salad- 734 calories without dressing according to their website!! I ate only the chicken and avocado and some lettuce and tomatoes- probably a little more than half. But the bigger victory was I didn't have the foicaccia bread it comes with, nor did I have any of DH fries!!! Tonight we are having a bunch of people over for dinner! Sigh, sometimes its hard to deal with. Oh well, I'm in this for the long haul!!! Can't wait for my first fill Monday!!

I really like the unjury- I drink a chocolate splendor with skim milk, or a scoop of their vanilla mixed with trop 50 orange juice (tastes like an orange julius) every morning for Breakfast. Try the sampler packet- i think you have to order online, I didn't see that brand in stores. I tried one from Wal-mart my dr's office recommended, and it was so gross. I do think I'll try a few from GNC too, but will stick with the unjury if I don't find something at the store I like. I would recommend some type of blender/mixer thing, it really helps with the grittiness. I use an immersion blender,and just bought a blender ball container from amazon- it's a container with a little metal mixing ball- I thought it might be good for travel. Good luck, as someone else said it truly is a personal thing!

Hi Startswithme, we were banded on the same day and started about the same weight, I was 284 pre-op, about 277 day of banding! I too am down about 23 lbs. That is cool you got a fill so quickly- my first fill isn't until Monday. I have a 14cc band, what is yours? I am hoping for a bigger first fill, right now although I can deal with it I'm still hungry between meals. I'm logging everything I eat into my fitness pal, and working out. Isn't it great to feel like you're doing something that will actually stick this time? We have a little January bandsters group in the introduction part, if you'd want to post there too. Nice to "meet" you!

Good to know, mine has started shedding like crazy too- I thought I had avoided it, I'm about 5 weeks post op and it just started happening. I'm taking biotin, but will definitely up the amount!

Rockon- it's a little local place with no online presence! I just ordered what I usually order- me and DH split something usually- and I just ate what I felt like eating, but NO french fries and NO hush puppies, which is HUGE for me, LOL. I logged it as best I could, hopefully over-estimated (I used the long john silver's info in my fitness pal, I figured what I did eat wouldn't be any worse than them, LOL). I also came home and worked out. It's the first time I've eaten more like I "used to," and I did way better than I would have pre-band. So I consider it a win! Val- yep, I know what you mean- I'm trying to make a concerted effort to not be crabby at home- that was one of DH's worries, that I got crabby when I was hungry and if this made me hungry all the time he wasn't going to want to deal, LOL. I think it's true that hormones go wacky- I heard that it takes some time for hormone levels to adjust to making levels appropriate for the weight loss (does that make sense?) in other words, they're still thinking we weigh what we used to, it takes awhile for the body to realize that it needs to make less since you're not as heavy. Just try to be aware, try to do something for yourself (non-food related).

I've heard good things about Lose It- I use my fitness pal, it's got a great calorie finder, place to log exercise and every bite that goes into my mouth, LOL On another note, DH wants to take the kids to my most favorite fried seafood restaurant. I'll let you know how it goes- have a good amount of calories to use, LOL

That's a good valentine's day for yourself! Congrats- how's it going so far? I was banded 1/26/12, so just a couple weeks ahead of you.

I won't go into details, but I just want to scream today- a bad night with kids up, a freezer that unfroze everything (mostly meat, too) and just a cranky DH- and now I'm losing my hair! I thought I'd missed that, but it started a couple days ago. I've been taking a multi-vit with biotin, but started more yesterday. I know it's probably an after effect of the surgery, and I know I'm getting in all my protein, but still! Luckily my hair is really thick, and as long as this is just temporary I should be fine, but dang it! Just one more thing........

My doc said that the way he does surgery he places it so it won't be seen/felt, but said that it's harder to do with men as they tend to ultimately have less subcutaneous (sp) fat (meaning fat between the skin and the muscle). It just depends, ask your Dr where he places the port. I can't feel mine at all- not even sure where it is yet, I'll find out Monday when I get my first fill!!