♕ajtexas♕

Love it! I had to buy new pjs this weekend, kept falling out of the old ones as I slept.... Congrats, princess!!

You will do great. You know what to do and you'll do it. It's the mental part that's a b****. If only we could band our head! Good luck to you!

Adkins for 2 weeks.

What a beautiful couple. Congrats on your success!

Congrats & happy 2nd Banniversary!!!

I was banded on February 7, 2012, ten months ago. So what has changed? Ten Months Ago Today Weight 250lbs Weight 175lbs BMI 37 BMI 25 Pant size 22 Pant size 10 3 different meds for high blood pressure Don’t take any meds for high blood pressure Diagnosed pre-diabetic All blood work is NORMAL Hated myself, depressed Very happy with myself! Isolated myself, no friends Love all my new friends (especially the Banded Bs) Couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath Walk up 8 floors of stairs to my office every morning When I started this journey I knew I would have to change a lot of things (food I ate, volume I ate, exercise, etc…), I knew it would be a long hard journey and I hoped I would have the strength to be successful. Now here I am ten months later, at goal and starting the next chapter of my journey (maintaining). I make it sound easy, but I have to say IT’S NOT! I struggled many times. I got frustrated and wished I didn’t have to follow the rules. I had weight gains and plateaus. BUT, I didn’t give up. I kept plugging along and it worked. Here I am happier than I have been in 30 years. Now, I am focused on maintaining my weight and hopefully saving enough money for a tummy tuck next year. Lol To all the newly banded or about to be banded, success is a wonderful thing. It takes hard work, dedication and wantpower (CG I love your term). I love my band!!!!

We can put "BB" on the side if you want!

I chew gum everyday. Never had a problem, but if you swallow your gum it could be a problem!

amq1976, The band will not take away any food cravings, it doesn't help with the mental side. I wrote a blog on this a while back: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blog/7232/entry-24778-my-banded-brain-tool/ If you want something bad enough you will get it!

It will get better, I promise! In time you will be able to mentally handle going to lunch with your friends, you will make good band friendly choices and you will be fine. It takes time to adjust to this lifestyle. The hardest part of this journey is the mental part (if only we could band our heads!). Just keep your eye on the goal and you will see results. Those results will motivate you to stay the course and before you know it you will be looking at your goal face to face! You will get there, one day at a time! Good luck!!

Congrats on the 75lbs, that is great. I focus on protein first. My meals are 3-4oz of protein (fish, chicken, cheese, greek yogart), 1/4c of veggies and sometimes if I'm still hungry 1/4 cup of carbs. Protein will make you feel full longer. I log all my food on an app called myfitnesspal, if you use it you can friend me (ajtexas0) and see my daily logs.

If anyone tries to oust you let me know..... I have a wabbit gun (you might of read that on a few posts) & I'll hunt them down! lol

We use the term lap band as a general term not a specific brand.... no one will oust you!!

You will get there. It isn't easy but it is doable! Find what works for you and go with that, you are right no one is perfect. The best part about this journey is it doesn't require perfection.....80% will give you results. Do your best and that is all anyone can ask. Good luck to you!

To me there is no difference, 2 different manufactures that's all. The rules and lifestyle is still the same.

MsRhonda, you can do this, you are almost there! 2 more days and yo will be on the other side! Good luck to you!

I have a 'lap band' which is manufactured by Allergan. Why?

before you know it those 16s will be too big!

Such great ideas. We have become so lazy! It is time to Move It!!!

Floridays, you are one of my favorite friends here. You tell it like it is & I love that!!!! You helped me get to my goal and now that I enter the maintenance chapter of my journey I will be looking to you for guidance. I look forward to your blogs!

Swelling is totally normal. Take your meds and rest. You will get better soon.

I was self pay here in Texas. Cost me 10K.

My advise.... If you cut them out completely you will be miserable. Work one a day into your menu. I like wine and I drink wine every night, have since day one. I count the calories in my menu and stay around 1200 calories a day with my glass of wine. This is a life style change and not a diet (for me) and so I don't restrict myself from anything I truly enjoy. I just ask myself is it worth having today and if the answer is yes I have it. Simple as that (for me). Good luck on your journey, do what works best for you to succeed.

Oh I will try the insurance route first, but I am not holding my breath (I work for the state.....)