DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I've currently been carb cycling to break a plateau, but when I'm not or on a high carb day, I don't count carbs at all. I love bread, Pasta, potatoes, rice, etc and I refuse to deprive myself and live without them.

You're doing awesome! Congratulations!

I agree totally with Floridays. I have counted calories since the day I got from the hospital and I never eat more than a cup of food per meal. If you're restricting your calories and burning more than you consume, you will lose.

I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day

I'm totally trying this!

Oh my goodness, that sounds awful! Was it your surgeon or a PA that did your fill? Considering how badly this went this time, I'd insisted on only your surgeon doing your fills from now on.

You look amazing! Congratulations!

You're very welcome! I've never had a problem with any kinds of potatoes, which is good because I eat baked or mashed potatoes a lot with my dinner. For mushies, tuna or chicken salad that's really mushed up works great. Or, a chicken breast chopped up then put in a blender with a little chicken broth isn't bad either. Egg salad, again mushed up well, is another good one on the mushy phase. For a sweet tooth, I liked the different sugar free puddings or even applesauce.

Truth is, mashed potatoes are a slider food for me. They go down very easy and if I'm not careful to measure my portions, I could easily over-eat them. Just start with very small bites and go slow to see how you do with them. I'll bet you're fine.

Yes, my band definitely gets tighter the week before my period. It usually goes back to normal by the 2nd or 3rd day after I start. Here's an interesting (but crappy lol) fact- when you're peri-menopausal, you can go through all the PMS symptoms without actually getting your period. I know, it sucks right? It's because your hormones are still doing some fluctuating, even though your ovulation is slowing down or stopping. So, you can have all the symptoms of PMS without actually getting your period. Don't ya love being a woman?

You need to follow your surgeons instructions during your post op diet, whether you like it or not. It's not for weight loss, it's for healing, and it's crucial your stomach is allowed time to heal so you don't end up with a slip or other complications. As far as calories, find a nutritionist and go see them. It's really important so you know how and what to eat so you can be successful with your band. Best wishes.

Yes, in fact my periods have been messed up ever since my surgery in January. Sometimes it's early, sometimes it's late. sometimes it's just plan weird. Weight loss can cause that, too.

It all depends on your insurance and how quickly your surgeon's office works. A lot of insurance companies require a 6 month doctor supervised diet before surgery, but I got lucky and wasn't required to. Check with your insurance company's requirement to be sure.

It was less than a month. I had my seminar the second week of December and had my surgery on January 6.

I've actually surpassed all my goals for 2012. I wanted to lose 100 pounds by my one year band anniversary coming in January, I've lost 168. I was way over 400 pounds last Christmas. This Christmas, I'll be thrilled if I can be under 250, so that's my last goal of the year. Lose 4 more pounds by Christmas.

Twice I was filled and immediately had to have some taken back out because I couldn't swallow Water. Once I went back 3 days later for a slight unfill because eating was next to impossible. How long ago was your last fill?

See a nutritionist that deals specifically with bariatric patients and together set up food guidelines that are specific to your physical needs and lifestyle. I've lost almost 168 pounds in 10 months and a BIG part of that success is due to the invaluable information I learned from my nutritionist.

It all depends on your insurance. Your best chance of getting approved is having at least 100 pound weight loss and 6 months of doctor documented rashes due to the excess skin.

Thank you so much for the insight. I'm going to cross my fingers and pray!

http://www.seatguru.com/ This site lists the seat sizes for pretty much all airlines. They do range from 17"-19" for economy. The airline I'm flying is 18"

I read the exact same thing on multiple websites and it stressed me right out lol

I have a male friend who's over 400 lbs and he wasn't forced to buy another seat, so I'm not sure.

That is correct. I am flying in 5 days and am nervous as heck about the same thing.

I'm so sorry you're struggling. I think a big part of the problem is, you were mislead about what the band is supposed to do. It's not supposed to make you feel full nor is it supposed to stop you from eating anything. In fact, that's part of the reason it's so important for banded people not exceed a cup of food per meal, so you don't overeat. If you're eating until you have that "stuff full" feeling, then you're eating too much. Here's a really great link that I think explains it all very well and may help you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html The band is an amazing tool when used properly and with realistic expectations. The work will always be ours to do and the lifestyle changes will always be ours to make. Best wishes to you. Don't give up.

I actually think for the mushie stage, a blender is preferred. It will get rid of all the chunks, whereas a food processor can leave chunks.