Joel

Thank you all for the kind words:)

To be totally honest, Your weight loss is really determined by your level of dedication to a life style change. You can lose as much as you want (healthy levels of course) If you stick to the doctors orders. I started at 356 pounds Sept 1st 2011, today I am 236. My surgery date was Oct 25th 2011.

Yup Water only, I use Gold standard Whey, it is great.

For everyone out there that is feeling down about the choice to be banded, The band is a true blessing, IF, you work with it. Follow your diet, and lots of excersize and you will see amazing results. I was banded October 25th 2011. Started my pre surgery diet Sept 1st, and as of today I have lost 119 pounds. I have followed my diet to a "T" and work out at the gym 4 days a week, with 10 miles a week in cardio at my local track rain or shine. My starting weight was 356, today I am 237. My goal is 180 and I hope I make it;) Keep your heads up out there and focus on the big picture!

Thanks a lot guys, Keep up the good work!!

My secret is pure dedication, and sacrifice:) That is truly it. I stick to the rules without fail.

As far a"Liquid diet" Mine was protein shakes 100% 3 or 4 of them a day.

My meals consist of 2 oz. I eat a small egg in the morning or a small packet of oatmeal, sugar free of course, Then I will have a protein shake, then lunch will consist of chili or a baked potato, and then I will have another protein shake a couple hours l;ater. Finally I will have Dinner, consisting of maybe clam chowder, or some type of thicker soup. I like the thicker stuff as it sits better. But.... It is always 2 ounces. I have about 5 cc'c in my 10 cc band so far, and it seems to be doing well, but i am scheduled for another fill today.

As far as my Protein goes, I use gold standard 100% whey. It is 120 calories per scoop. I double my scoops so one shake is 220 calories. I drink two double scoop shapes per day, one in the morning, and one around 230-3 pm. I did a lot of reading on Proteins, gold standard whey is the best in my opinion. They is no sugars, and tastes great.

Great job Meredith!!

After surgery I was liquids for 1 month. Then I went to mushies for a month. I ate only mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, cream of chicken, crime of mushroom etc..... NO soda. No milk, no juice, I drink only water. The hard part is shutting the door to your past life. I pictured a door closing and that was it. I was done

2 oz has been my meal size since day 1, and will be for the rest of my life.

I had surgery oct 25th. I am down 119 pounds. Feel great!

Hi Byrd. My days consist of roughly 1000 calories absolutely never exceed 1200. 440 of which are my Protein shakes. I eat 3 mini meals, Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 2 ounces per meal and this is measured. I keep ALL sugars out of my diet, with Low calories. Sugar is the devil! I go to the Gym for weightlifting only 4 days a week. One day in between for rest. I run 1.5 -2 miles a day minimum of 5 days a week. My weekly goal is 5 pounds lost, I have hit it very consistently. I drink Gold standard whey protein, it is hands down the best for losing weight. As far as food, I eat a lot of Soups, Potatos, eggs, Salsa, Very low calorie food, NO breads, pastas, ect... And I drink nothing but Water. In december alone I lost 33 pounds!!, My doctors were amazed. They actually asked me to be a speaker at their seminars! The best gift is motivating others.

Yup!, you got the right idea. I started walking 1 mile every day of the week. I made myself do it no matter what. I got a good distance tracker on my phone that tracked the exact distance I was doing so i could visually see my progress. Then I gave myself a weekly goal of a certain amount I wanted to cover for the week. I did that for a month. Then I slowly started upping my goals per week. Now I can actually run! If you ever need any guidance, you got my name.

Oh yeah it took me baby steps to actually be able to work out like I am now. Don't push to hard:) Your body will let you know when to much is to much.

I'm at 101 as of today! My surgery date was 10-25-11

Like title says, I'm down 88 pounds already, from 356 to 268, feels amazing! I have followed my doctors diet to a T, hit the gym 4 days a week to weight train, and walk/jog 8+ miles a week. I feel amazing and would like to thank everyone encouraging words and advice here on this forum. Here's to my upcoming season of semi pro football! Without God and this life altering choice I have made I know it would not be possible. 176 pounds down here I come!!!!

Beauty.... Keep your head up and stay focused! It just takes time:) and dedication!!

I agree with oldie, you want your calories to be at or over 1000 at a minimum, but regimen sets me there daily, I'm not supposed to go over 1200. If your only hitting 7-800 to get more calories go with another protein shake, some days I will drink 3 to get me where I need to be. Protein shakes are always my 1st choice.

Ohhh and I have a 10cc band with no restriction yet, I have about 4.5 cc's so far, this weight loss I'm experiencing is all diet and excersize so far. I'm waiting for the band to kick in to help me keep the weight off.

Hey army girl, this is what I do on a daily basis. I stick to 2 ounces per mini meal and no more. 2 ounces is 4 tablespoons. I eat 3 mini meals per day. My mini meals never have any sugar and low caloric intake. Examples I eat per mini meals are *turkey chili/2 ounces *1 egg *1 packet of no sugar oatmeal *campbells soups with no sugar and low sodium/2 ounces *1 small potato And I have 2 protein shakes a day, my protein intake is about 125 grams. My protein shakes are about 220 calories each. Again no sugar. Sugar in anything you eat inhibits weight loss as your body begins using the sugar as fuel and not the fat. Stay away from it. I during nothing but water. No milk, no juice etc.... Just water. And I excersize a lot, running/ walking and weight training. I'm extremely dedicated to this and no not leave my plan ever. It is working as I have been losing 5-6 pounds a week. I hit one plateu but just changed my workout routine and in a week blasted through it. Any questions let me know!

Hey Fat2flat! Thank your for your kind words. I just make sure I do at least 30 minutes of walking/ jogging 5 days a week. I do not miss a beat here. I go to my local stadium and hit the oval track, I run the 100 yards straight always on each side of the football field, and walk the corners. It ends up being about 2 miles in about 32 minutes. I also weight train 4 days a week, I do not miss this either. It is truly been an "iron will" mentality. In fact I'm sitting here at burger king with me wife and daughter, and have not touched a single piece of food, I just won't do it, simple as that. I'm sticking to this 100% and it works:) good luck to you and all who have replied to this:) this is a life changing experience and one I do not regret. God bless. Only 83 pounds more to go!!!

Thank you all, if I can inspire one person with my success it is all worth it. As of today I am now down 93 pounds. Losing 5 pounds a week very steadily. Lots of gym time, and track time. Every week I change up my routine and it seems to be working.

Amen! The band does work, as long as you work with it! Im down 92 pounds! Surgery was oct 25 2011. Its the mentality that the band is supposed to do ALL the work and eat what you want....... sad. Great job to all who stick with this lifestyle change. It is truly worth every second.