MeredithMcFee

I had my thyroid removed due to Thyroid Ca back in 2004 and I'm also on replacement meds. When thinking of doing this surgery I wasn't sure if I would be able to lose weight but so far, {8 weeks ago had surgery I'm losing at a nice pace and am in my late 50's. I mix up my exercise from powerwalking, jogging and walking on treadmill and doing the Leslie Sansone video workouts as well as lifting hand weights. Perhaps you need to lower your calorie intake and up your exercise. Having said that, the good thing is you seem to be stabilizing, not going up more then the 3-4 lbs. I would die to be in a size 10. Right now I'm between a 16 & 18 and my weight is in my hips, butt and thighs with a smaller top. It's all relative isn't? Good luck to you

I probaby can too but won't allow myself. I make sure I always have protein in my meals as protein is also known for holding your appetite hours longer. My DH and I went out to dinner the other night { his 1st week PO from having his lapband surgery} to one of our favorite family places. I typically order a crock of their french onion soup and a 10 oz cheddar burger with fries and use to eat everything and sometimes even had dessert! I ordered the soup and the cheddar burger without bun or fries. I ate the soup and was full. The burger came and I had two little bites and took the rest home for lunch and dinner yesterday. I'm sure I was always full after having the crock of soup beforehand but my mindset was set to eat everything!

I typically use the powder protein and add water, not milk, #1. I but the other pre-made one's that I'll grab when I know I'm going to be out for a few hours and I get hungry. I sometimes just eat a hardboiled egg with some hummus for breakfast. Sometimes I can only eat a half one, and save the other half for my mid morning snack. I have a few teaspoons of tuna fish with REAL Mayo {there are just some things that I will not compromise on} with a few wheat thin crackers from Trader Joe's or Nabisco. Dinner might be a cup or so of Hormel Turkey chili. Since having my first fill I no longer can eat steamed chicken from the Chinese restaurant which I enjoyed. However, like steamed shrimp and broccoli in it's place. I then have another powdered protein drink at night which has 27 gms of protein for one scoop. And drink lots of water. So far, so good for me.

You're not dumb, it's a whole new learning experience on here. It's a great website www.fitnesspal.com that many of us are on here. It keeps track of food, weight, journaling, calories, activities, etc. For me, I've find it's fun and keeps me REAL. I love to see the daily progress when I enter the information. Look it up and check it out.

I've been using the Fitness Pal since surgery in late January. Like Corilinn, I never journaled food for any diet over the years. Did it maybe a few days then found it to be a bother. For some reason, I have been faithful journaling my food and love all the tools Fitness Pal offers us. I have modified the calorie intake to 800 cals a day. When I exercise, typically every other day in the gym, I will eat more calories. On the alternate days I'm less active, although my FitBit tells me I've been active, I try to eat between 800-900 calories a day. So far it's been working for me. Sorry to hear that a few of you here don't have the support from your nutrionist. I've shared a few things with my nutritionist who works in conjunction with the WLS center I go to, and she was fine with it. Yes, I too, put a Tblsp of natural peanut butter and a half of a small bananna in my protein chocolate shake after a good workout. Yes, I have a cup of coffe every morning. And yes, I eat hummus everyday with a hardboiled egg, wheat thins or celery. Of course, it's all in moderation. But it's a hell of a lot better then what & how much I was eating prior to the surgery. And being 100% more active to boot!

Shanda, you are too funny. I feel the same way about my BFF, the fitbit. I finally found it in the pocket of my robe where I left it before taking my shower but forgot I left it in there. Yeah! The Fitbit is my world. My DH doesn't understand the extent of my love for the fitbit as he mentioned to me this morning. He bought one but it's still in the package with the receipt. Don't think he's going to get into it. It's like music to me. I lived near the ocean and would powerwalk the boardwalk for exercise with my cassette and earphones. Once I forgot to check the batteries and half way through my walk to Thriller, it died on me. I was paralyzed! I couldn't do the walk without my music and had to walk home without finishing. Never again did I do that. Like my music, I was lost without my fitbit last night. I know, a little dramatic but you get the point. Thank you for the advise on the on the premium feature. Might have to look into that.

Kymie, that's a great feeling isn't it? I too have in network docs, hospital, anes. etc and have zero balance. I like the way you think re: showing the ins co.s' your proving to them that they did the right thing by you. Whether we pay out of pocket or ins pays, I think everyone on this website for the most part are on the right path of changing our way of thinking, eating and becoming more active. I know I couldn't do it without all your ideas, and support.

I should of clairfied my question. I have the fitbit,{ or shall I say, did have, but think I lost it this afternoon and am very upset about} and love it but was wondering if it was worth the extra money to buy the premium feature. Skkcs, you have it and use the trainer feature? I love everything about the fitbit but wasn't sure if I should go and buy the premium feature for the year. Hoping I find my fitbit,{ my BFF} in the laundry basket when I do the laundry in the a.m.

I was diagnosed with ADD about 15 yrs ago in my early 40's.I never took any medications, however, for me, I think it was more a matter of self esteem,or lack thereof, and not beating myself up. Understanding it, and going on as best I could. I have my moments of not focusing but I have to agree with Wineguyd, you overcome many obstacleswhen making the choice to have lap band surgery. Being healthy, active and feeling good about one's self, is focus enough. Good luck. You will do fine as long as you go into this being dedicated and using lap band as a tool.

perhaps because there's vinegar in mustard. Who knows....

I had my 1st fill on March 8th and realized I cannot eat steamed chicken {Chinese} but can eat the broccoli. Go figure.

Kudo's Justdoit! It's a nice sound, 30lbs lost! Keep it going. I love my fitness pal and Fit Bit. They definitely keep me real by journaling the food as well as seeing my daily activity. Prior to surgery and having the Fit Bit, I would put things that needed to go down the hall or upstairs in one place until I was ready to go, now, I don't accumulate them, when I see something needs to go in their proper places, I just do it and see the steps I take on my Fit Bit soar! It's just not a pedometer which I've had in the past, it's fun to see the graphs, badges, reports and all the wonderful progress on this journey. Did I forget to mention how much I enjoy this site? The only site I go on for lap band advice and encouragement by all!

Thanks for the info, Cyndie, re: Macy's. L.B. has been my "go to" store for jeans for the past 5 years and forget there are other stores to shop. :-) Something that I am looking forward to re-programming my mind to in the future. A wise woman taught me year's ago that no body is perfect and most women can not just buy clothes off a rack, especially slacks, jeans, pants... and have them perfectly fit our bodies thin or heavy. Because I was blessed with a bodacious booty and thighs, and a small waist, I typically have to have my slacks tailored so I have no gaps in the back or don't have to wear a belt if I don't care to. The reason why I liked the Right Fit {blue} at Lane Bryant. I agree, L.B. is definitely not cheap! I can't wait to go shopping at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Target etc. where the clothes are cheaper the more I lose.

Congrats Cyndie, I'm right behind you. Had my NSV last Friday night. Had to break down and get a pair of jeans as my size 18 from Lane Bryant were just too big. Went to a consignment shop 1st but no luck. Found a great pair of Seven jeans at Lane Bryant in size 16! I typically have to buy the Right Fit so I don't have to pay a tailor but I broke the bank and went for the Seven jeans as they fit just right. When I get down to a size 14W, I'll put the money out for a tailor to take them in and get more wear out of them. I wore them yesterday and I felt like a million bucks!

Speaking of hardboiled eggs, I take the yoke out and put a teaspoon of hummus [any and all kinds from Trader Joe's} in the cavity. Great for breakfast. I can only eat half and save the other half for a late afternoon snack.

Thank you Jaydee for educating me on this. I greatly appreciate it.

Think I missed something here as I'm seeing some posts {Jaydee} and others' mention we can't take ibuprofen. My doctor never mentioned this. Why not? I've been taking advil and or tylenol a few times a week for knee pain.

I had my fat girl devil sitting on my shoulder Friday night but my thinner Angel knocked her off her pedestal. A slight fight took place, but I resisted. My DH had his lapband surgery Friday and we were in the hospital around 10am. I didn't get home until close to 7pm seeing him up in his room and settled in for the night. Friday's were always our pizza nights and and drink or two. Since my routine was totally off all day, although I was good, the old self wanted to be rewarded. Pizza and a drink.... hmmm, Decided to stop at my old haunt, Lane Bryant {yes, I swore I would never go again and plan on cutting my card up soon} but I needed a pr of jeans as my old ones were falling off me. NSV for sure. Bought some cute cropped pants and tops too. On the half hr ride home, decided having the tuna salad I had in fridge and salad to go with it. Passed my favorite pizza place and passed up on the drink which would ultimately have the munchies..... After spending money on new thinner clothes, why sabotage myself? The moral of the story.... I lost another pound the next morning when I woke up! Phew! Dodged that bullet, but know there will be many more to come. Keeping strong.

Erica, wishing you a speedy recovery. You'll be back to feeling good in no time.

Welcome aboard Colleen. This is a great support group filled with so much information and positive re-enforcement here. One of our own here, Jean McMillan wrote a book called Bandwagon which you can find on the ads here. It's a great "bible" if you will, to have on hand before, during and after having the lapband. I would highly suggest you buy it as there's so much information in it that we all can relate to. Good luck on your journey.

Congrats to you Jason. Happy Birthday. That's awesome for a birthday present. I got my 1st fill on my birthday last week and that was a great gift.

Hi Elizabeth, not sure what time your appt is today. I had mine done on Thursday evening. They took me to the x-ray dept. stood me up on the fluoro table, he stuck me in the port, added saline, checked it on the fluoro and realized he put in a little too much, took some out, checked it again, of course, while I drank some barium. That was it. 24 hrs of liquids. I did feel some restriction for the first time but from what I'm hearing, it's due to the procedure and being a little swollen {?}. Other then that, nothing more. I feel good. I'm sure you'll do fine. Congrats on your great loss.

There are days after a good workout{hour of cardio and weights} I feel I need more then just a protein shake, my breakfast consists of a chocolate shake made with skim plus milk, a tablespoon of peanut butter and a half of a very small bananna with crushed ice blended. I mentioned this to my nutritionist and she was fine with it. I don't do it every day but it's a nice treat as the FF milk, bananna & PB adds calories. Only when my FitBit tells me I've gone over the amount of my daily intake, I'll do it. :-)

Happy Birthday. My birthay was Thursday and I turned 57. Decided to do the surgery a few months back so I can hopefully enjoy the next 30+ years with more energy. As other's have said, I am tired of being tired. I am tired of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else having fun and I'm tired of food always my priority in life. With this tool,this website, I am hoping to learn to Eat to live, and no longer living to EAT! It's a new year and hopefully a new me!

I'm on a roll. After getting the Fit Bit that became a hot topic here this past week, I decided to treat myself to a good pr of sneakers. Someone here mentioned due to the fact of being overweight, alot of us are over pronated when walking. I am one of those people. Not sure if and how much will change as I lose the weight, however, I went to a running store yesterday that evaluates your feet, jogging, etc. They fit me with my personal insoles to assist in alleviating my problem, as well as getting the right fit of sneaker for the exercises I'm doing. and also suggested what sneaker would be best for me. After all, when your feet ache, the rest of your body does too. I ended up leaving with two prs of sneakers. Afterall, I've saved so much money in a month's time doing "drive bys' at fast food {not drive in windows} places and not buying junk food for home I could justify the second pair, and, they were on sale. Like I said, I can justify.....