MeredithMcFee

LOL Chrissy, I have no idea how it's supposed to be pronounced but he is in the heart of Hudson County, NJ {close to NYC} where there is a strong accent that most people from out of state think all New Jerseyan's "tawk". LOL My step daugher and her dad went a year ago last Easter to Carlos' bakery. It was cold and nasty and they waited in line 5 hrs to get into the small store. It was crowded and you couldn't see the baked goods. They just yelled out a few things they thought they might have. Trust me, I'm not looking forward to going and standing in line in the heat of the summer. I told her we can leave at 4.30am and get there at 5.30am and help them bake the damn cannolis'! I'm half Italian. My mom use to make them by scratch. {the reason why I had weight issues, she was a great cook and baker}. LOL

Hi Gals, Long time, no talk. I had a crazy week here with relatives visiting for a few days, then two picnics yesterday and dinner and a show last night. Saw Diana Krall nearby in Ocean Grove. The perfect end to a long, fun week. Sounds like all of us in bandster world for most of us going into our six month bandiversary are continuing to see positive results. Ups and downs, stucks, PB's, NSV's, wieght fluctuations {hopefully Water more then fat} and scale numbers' going lower and lower. Amica, congratulations on your Old Navy buys. It's a wonderful feeling we can all relate to and love to hear that other's are experiencing it. Chrissy, you are someone to be reckoned with. 70lbs! You're melting away! Despite all the food around me this week, I have to say, I have been good. Not by choice, but by band. I've been fighting going back to the dr's to get an unfill. I'm only at 3cc's and I seem to get stuck more then not. I chew, I don't drink fluids, I take my time but I still have a problem a few times a week. My food of choice is mainly SanteFe Rice and Beans Lean Cuisine and some turkey chili, and tuna fish, which are safe foods, my hair is falling out, and I'm seeing major acne on my forehead when I didn't even have it as a teen! My DH thinks the acne is also due to lack of nutrients. Who knows but it's not pleasant. I just started back having my Protein drinks for Breakfast {yesterday} and think I should continue since I don't eat my breakfast until lunch time. This coming week is pretty quiet and I need to focus on eating, journaling in MFP and working out, getting back on track. My 16 yr old step daughter is visiting us from SC. She asked me if I would bring she and her girlfriend to the Cake Boss' {TLC} store in Hoboken, NJ next Sunday to buy cannoli's and other Italian pastries. Ugh! That will be an accident waiting to happen!! LOL Everyone have a good day. Stay cool, be cool and just laugh at what ever life brings today.

Welcome to the FitBit groupies! I was banded in late January and heard about the Fitbit here. A group of the January Bandsters and other's following in February found out about it as well. I think their stock went up big time in February!! We all felt the same way you did when we got it, and I still do. Any chance I get when someone asks me what it is I have on my shorts, I can't wait to tell them. The sleep feature is fun too. I agree, don't know how it works but it's cool! Enjoy, and good luck.

LOL it's an addiction for sure! I got mine after my surgery in late January. If I forgot to wear it, I was upset too! It truly encourages you to go the extra step{s} when you are too tired and don't feel like it! It's the greatest little gadget that's come along for me. Enjoy.

Hey Gals, looks like we're all still in it to win it and struggling with our demons from time to time. It's natural I guess. My demons have reared their ugly heads the past few nights, bingeing with fruit thin cookies, buffalo wings flavored almonds and last night added weight watcher chocolate caramel candies to the mix and I can't blame anything or anyone but moi! It's not my time of the month although I had all my parts removed 20 yrs ago, however, still get the monthly cravings at the end of the month. Hmmm, perhaps, being that it's the beginning of the month, I am now realizing, I didn't have the cravings last week so perhaps my TOM was off a few days! I also haven't been exercising as much as I have in the past because I'm working outside in my backyard and thinking that's exercise. WRONG! I'm being active but I am realizing that I still need to get my butt in the gym. I pulled out my old FIRM video tape, yes, I did say video tape for those of you old enough to know what they are. LOL Circa 2002 Cardio Scupt. I did it yesterday and I have to say, it kicked my butt and thighs which need to be strengthened more then my upper torso. I even felt stronger this morning walking and bending , albeit, sore but a good sore. I can't believe how bad my lower half has taken a toll over the past few years of no exercising. It's amazing. I can now go up the stairs without holding onto the railing and not puffing. I use to run up stairs on my toes in shoes when I was at a healthier weight, the past few year's I was just lucky to get up them at all! So, yes, even though I hear and read it here all the time, exercise, exercise, exercise + lapband= toning, losing and being healthy! I will work on Savannah's birthday goal too. Trying for 55lbs. I have a fill next week so we'll see.

Mags, you look awesome! What a beautiful smile. I agree with Jerseygirl82, take progress photos. I too, shied away from the camera prior to lapband surgery like so many other's. Shame on us.

Most surgeons who use an assistant, typically will bill the ins co. hoping they pay. If they don't pay, then most surgeons write it off. I would speak to a supervisor or the original surgeon's billing dept. Like Patty above, my surgeon has 3 other surgeons in the group and yes, they always need a surgical assistant. I would start with your surgeon's office first by saying you were never told of an assist nor a charge.Good luck.

Chrissy, You've got a beautiful voice! I'm not sure if things have changed since losing weight, however, it's beautiful. You are blessed. Loved the video! AND you look GREAT! Savannah: you're a much better person then me. We went out to dinner the other night and I had a stuck at the table with my DH. Fortunately, we were almost finished with dinner and 15 min from home. It's an awful feeling. Actually, I only have about 3cc's in my 10cc band and think I need some fill taken out. The only thing I can eat without any problems at all are Lean Cusine's Sante Fe Rice and Beans, some tuna salad and not much else. Not good. Wondering why I can't use that much fill.

I still get them and I'm 5 mths out. I don't mind them unless I get a "stuck" which then I can hiccup for a whole hour! Those I despise but only happened once, thank goodness. Those who know I have had the surgery and are around me when I'm eating, knows when I'm full with those two hicups! It's ok, it helps me to be good. :-)

Hi Gals, It's me again. DH & I just came back from having dinner out. He was in the mood for lobster and living at the Jersey Shore, like any other shore, there's plenty of choices to eat. Just don't want to pay the market price if we don't have to. So, he found a special at OutBack nearby. It was perfect for the two of us. A six oz NY strip and a 4oz lobster tail for $14.99! With a delicious baked potato or choice of veggies. Mind you, I only had 4 little bites of the lobster swimming in butter and lemon before I felt that good ol' feeling. Ended up taking everything home with me and PB'd when I got home. :-( Not sure what it was that did it, me not chewing properly, the bite of baked potato, or just the lobster in general but I'm feeling better now. Never touched the meat. But to think one can find such a small meal like that {if you can eat it} without wasting any food or money shocked me! DH even mentioned that we would've ordered an appetizer, a drink and a big meal and even go for dessert and coffee before WLS. Now I watch other's doing it and just smile to myself. Not only are we saving on food and calories, we're saving big time on money. Good night everyone. Going to have my sugar free ice pop.

today by accident. I had it clipped to the bottoms of my tankini {yes, my size 14 that I wore 4+ yrs ago} while I was cleaning the pool, pavers, etc. Note to self: DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR FITBIT OFF WHEN YOU GO IN THE POOL {for the first time since it's 98 deg here}. Well, I forgot. I was in for a good 10 minutes when I realized I still had it on and quickly took it off and laid it in the hot sun to dry knowing full well it had to be a goner. Brought it in the house and put it on it's base and I saw nothing. Walked away to get a ziplock bag of rice hoping for that to bring it back to life. Came back and Walla, it was working and synced up to my laptop!!! I thought for sure it was dead. Note to self: Never put your Fitbit on your bathing suit while cleaning the pool, eventually you'll be taking a dip to cool off..... On top of that, lost another 3lbs. Two more lbs until I hit a loss of 50lbs!!!! It's all good.

Nicole: The bathing suit website is www.Alwaysforme.com. Great suits and quality. I'm now wearing my 14's tankini's from there from years ago and they still look like new. Nicole, you all know how I wanted to burn my Lane B. credit card when I lost 30lbs, but went back due to their bras. Having said that, I think I need a change of mind, and get back out in the world, formerly known as smaller sizes. LB is not the end all and be all of bras!!! I have yet to really go out and buy clothes as I, like many other's here still have skinny/thin clothes we were all holding onto when we lost weight in closets, drawers, bins, attics, etc. However, it's been a good 4 years that I've been shopping out in the stores I have no idea where to begin so I went back to what was comfortable, LB, BUT just for the bra's. I still have 3 I bought there that still have tags on that I might return and head over to Macy's. Thanks for that.

Hi Gals, Glad to see most of you on here. Where's that Kymie girl and Horsegirl? I know, it's summer and everyone is just so busy. I'm hoping to meet the July 4th goal of 50lbs or close to it as I have 4 lbs to go. Chrissylu: congrats on Onederland and not bouncing back up. I feared that too when I hit 199, however, I kept going lower on the scale. Great feeling. I agree with you re: the mirror. I learned along time ago gaining and losing weight, that I was never going to lose the saddlebags or the derriere although they diminished in size. Prior to that I thought when you lost weight, the troubled areas would be GONE! Ok, I was young and dumb then! haha Keep up whatever you're doing because it's working for you! Nicole1: Sorry to hear you were so sick but glad to hear you're back and feeling better. We missed you. You are my hero when it comes to your post re: stress and walking, literally, away from the hershey kisses. I'm an old "saltie dog" who would have a very hard time while under stress not to keep my hands out of the biggest costco bag of cheese doodles!!! And even maybe looking for something else to "satisfy" the demons! Looking back, since surgery, haven't been under too much stress to test it out, thank goodness. Also glad to see someone here has only a few cc's in the band. I thought I was the only one. I'm literally on my 2nd fill since surgery the end of Jan. {the initial 2nd fill was taken out days later} and have approx. 3cc's in my 10 cc band. I'm pretty restricted I must say so I'm not complaining. Not sure that I like or feel the gurgle sound myself but it's getting better. :-) Erica: I won't repeat what the other's have said, but just be patient. Wishing you good choices and hoping for you to see some positive changes soon. JDI/Nicki: LOL I'll stay with my bags of mulch, they're easier to keep track of then so many sticks of butter. My brain is slowing down at this age!!! Besides, I can carry a bag of mulch, not sure I could carry all those sticks of butter, I might eat them!!! Mulch tastes awful!!! LOL NJ2NC: Hopefully the other's here gave you good advice. I never logged food while being on WW year's ago, as I thought I knew what I was doing. Wrong! I try my best to log most foods but there are days I don't. I think between the Fitbit and MFP, and of course the band, it's helped me take control of my {new} life for the most part. Love your husband's remark re: your confidence. That's the best NSV a loved one can give you. :-) Speaking of MFP, the other night I needed my once a week beef fix. I grilled Trader Joe's Kobe burgers' for my husband & I. The next morning I tracked them on MFP and found out that one burger was 660 cal 35 carbs and 25 g of protein!!!! Yes, I know I could've looked on the box and read the nutrition, yes, I know burgers can be fattening but really???? We've been eating them every so often since TJ's opened up in our area last summer. And it was the first time since my fill weeks ago that I had no problems getting it down and it tasted so good! Bubba burgers are less but not by alot. But I'm not going to stop having my med rare burgers once a week or twice a month when I crave one. I'm still eating alot less then ever before and making better choices due to the band and my head. Well, it's after noon, on the Jersey Shore, the heat index being 96 right now I'm going to try and do some mulching if I can stand it. Stay cool everyone!

Djbryan51: My cousin had her band surgery in Atlanta around 2000. She recently told me she's fluctuated 20-25lbs from an initial loss of 100lbs and she was comfortable with that. She hasn't gone for any fills in sometime but she she's ready to lose a few more pounds and is scheduled for a fill. So far, she said she hasn't had any problems all these years with the port or band.

My DH bought a 30 Tube pack from Costco I believe called ZipFizz. Zero sugar, high electrolytes. B12 energy drink you put into you water and supposedly lasts between 4-6 hrs. I feel like other's here re: the jitters and was afraid to try it. I've used them from time to time, actually this past Saturday, and although I don't find they make you jittery, can't say it gives me the energy they say it does. If so, it's gradual at best.

Oh no, Lovely Bandette, you said the magic word here. For me and many other's here. The FitBit is the bomb! I had my surgery in late Jan, and heard about this after my surgery. If you go to the forums- Fitness and pull up Fitbit, you will see so many of us who have it and love it! I know there are other worthy pedometer's mentioned, I believe Body Bugg or something like that but for me, it's definitely the FitBit. Having it and knowing I have it on me gives me the incentive to go that extra step, mile, whatever to see the steps, the activity and calories burned and able to download very easily on your computer and cell. If you do decide to get it, you won't be sorry. Money well spent.

Congratulations for making your decision on changing you life in a healthy manner. I'm also sorry you have those who are not supportive of your decision. I read it and hear it alot from those on this website and people I personally know who have had the lapband. All I can say is chalk it up to ignorance, jealousy, fear & care for us, and who knows what else. Hopefully you've researched your surgeon and staff and have found the right mix for you. You will also learn so much here on LBT. I'm sorry I found this after my surgery but better late then never. I'm still learning from everyone on here on a daily basis. My husband & I had the surgery earlier this year and we've had nothing but support from loved ones, co-workers, clients, etc. And if someone thinks differently about our choice of "taking the easy way out", that's their opinion as they're entitled to it. I'm 57 and at the stage of my life that I can't worry what people think about me. I still have a good 25 lbs to lose and feel so much energy and confidence then I have in the past years of putting on a good 60+ lbs and not being able to walk up or down the stairs without holding on to the railing, enjoying gardening, and just getting out of my car to food shop was a problem with my knees and back. At this point I can do it all and then some! Have there been compromises along the way, absolutely. Like any other addiction, I'm learning to change people {moi} places and things that caused my weight gain. In the beginning it was an everyday challenge and right up there in my conscious mind, As time goes on, with the help of the lapband being a tool, it's helped us to be just a part of our everyday life and reminding us to make better choices. So far so good. I wish you the best on your journey. Hopefully, as time goes on, your loved ones will see you made the right choice and change their minds. If you need support, we're all here for you on LBT 24-7.

Hi Everyone! Hope all is well with y'all! I'm a southern wannabe, JDI! Hope you're having a nice time at the beach and the weather is good for you. I live at the beach all year round here in NJ. So, to answer your queston, JDI about me gardening, I took a break what with the rainy weather we've been having. Finally today, I got back out there for four hours tilling, planting and mulching. Why I'm writing, I am a pound away from losing 45lbs {yeah}. I bought 4 bags of mulch and carried them out to my car and then into the back yard. I wondered how much one weighed let alone 4, and found out one bag weighs 40lbs!!! I know someone mentioned on here awhile back, each 5lbs you lose, that relates to 5lb bags each of potatoes, etc. I was amazed at how heavy it was. No wonder why I had so much problems with my knees, back, legs, etc carrying around almost "2 bags of mulch" the past few years. Reminds me when Oprah lost all that weight and carried out all the fat in the wagon!!! LOL These days I don't mind carrying a bag of mulch or two,but now only from the car to the yard. :-)

Scrambled eggs for me, lo mein, chicken, cucumbers. Hmm, what else? Right now I'm down to eating hormel 99% FF turkey chili, Refried beans, Boca Burgers and Lean Cusine Sante Fe Rice and Beans. I'm in a 10cc band and only 3cc's since late January.

I agree with Grandma3. Sugarfree ice pops pre-op and post op! My husband & I {both banded} love our SF FF ice pops a few times a day even now. Going out to the store now to buy 2 big boxes for the week! And yes, move, move, move.....

Ironically, prior to lapband surgery, I never was hungry as I always had food in my stomach! I only learned the feeling after surgery and realized what it was and I actually like it as it tells me that it's time to eat for sustenance, not any other reason.

Scroll up and hit photos and you'll see all before and after from there.

Congratulations. It's a Onederful feeling isn't it? Keep it going.

Meridy, My husband & I bother were banded this year approx 8 weeks apart. Originally they were scheduled a week apart but he needed arm & wrist surgery first. We are both elated that we took the plunge and did it. The surgery for us was not a problem at all. Our doctor requires us to stay overnight to make sure there are no blook clots after surgery. Other then that, we got into the post op liquid diet, then mushies and then onto solids. It's a life changing journey that must be well thought out beforehand. Many changes from old habits to new habits. We're learning to find other things that take place of food being the end all to everything. {we dropped our daughter off at the airport yesterday and my husband wanted to know since we were near Atlantic City did we want to stop there and or get something to eat.Just something to do to kill the time since it was 4pm. #1 we don't gamble, ever, and #2, no need to go out for dinner for steak right now. So we came home and just hung out, read, then walked the dogs. We would do it all over again!

Chrissy, get that little black dress we should all have hanging in our closets. LOL Good luck! I don't have a Sear's outlet around me so I'm off to Lowe's {not the supermarket} for more hydrangea plants that are on sale. Can't wear them but can loose some calories by planting them!