♕ajtexas♕

The lab band was the best thing I did for myself. I was banded 10 months ago, down 73 lbs, no longer need high blood pressure meds and I feel great! My only regret is waiting so long to do it. My advise would be do your research. Read this forum, read about the successes and the failures. Learn about the rules and the work you will have to do. The band isn't a quick fix. It is a lot of hard work, weight loss can be slow, it can be frustrating. It is a tool and used correctly it will give you the results you want. Good luck on you decision.

Be patient. 15 lbs is a great loss. We didn't gain all our weight overnight and it's not going to come off overnight. Patients is the hardest part of this journey. You are doing great and you will get there! Good luck!

Don't worry about the scale right now. Gas, fluids, swelling, etc will affect the scale. Focus on rest. You'll be back on your journey before long. Take care.

I love eggs so I have scrambled eggs in a morning. Usually about 2 hours after I'm awake. I have coffee first, the warm liquid relaxes my band so I don't have issues eating.

Welcome Fairy Kitty & ChangingMyLife. This site is full of wonderful people who offer love, support and their experiences, they are dear friends. Read uo and ask questions, we are here to help. Good luck on your journey.

Be careful in your selection do not choose too young and take only such as have been reared in a good moral atmosphere. Some wives insist on keeping husbands in a pickle, while others put them in hot water. This only makes them sour, hard, and sometimes bitter. Even poor varieties may be made sweet and good by garnishing them with patience, well-sweetened with smiles and flavored with kisses to taste. Keep warm in a steady fire of domestic devotion and serve with peaches and cream. When thus preserved, they will keep for years. This is from Carla Emery’s book The Encyclopedia of Country Living.

Yesterday my husband & I were at an extended family gathering and a few of the relatives commented on my weight loss (they had not seen me since my surgery). I was sitting at a table with one of the cousins and she was asking me about it. I told her I had the Lap Band surgery and she said her daughter was thinking about doing that. Her daughter was also at the table and said either that or the sleeve. We started talking about WLS and I expressed that it didn’t matter which WLS a person does, they have to change their eating habits in order to be successful. They have to eat a lot of protein and veggies, no junk food, etc. She said oh I don’t know if weight loss is worth all that……. WHAT?????? Is losing almost 75 pounds in 9 months’ worth it? YES Is going down 6 pant sizes worth it? YES Is being off all prescription medicines for high blood pressure worth it? YES Is not being pre-diabetic worth it? YES Is being able to walk up the stairs to the 8th floor of my office building every morning worth it? YES Is being able to push the lawn mower around my house worth it? YES Is hearing friends & family say how wonderful I look worth it? YES IS IT WORTH IT? HELL YES!!!!!

At work today I overheard two coworkers talking. They were talking about ME and my weight loss. Now these two ladies are quite overweight themselves. Just saying so you get the picture… “I can’t believe her” “She is always bragging about it to everyone who walks by” I casually walk over to them. “Ladies I couldn't help but hear you talking about my weight loss. I have lost a lot of weight over the last 9 months and people notice that. Often people will ask me what’s your secrete? or How did you do it? When they ask I tell them my story, and if telling my story is bragging then guilty as charged!” I then turned and walked away with my head held high and a big huge smile on my face. Now I happened to be wearing my new fuchsia pink skinny pants and my grey high heal boots that hubby said made me look sexy! (Fashion note) I though should I be pissed? Nah, I’m happy!!! If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)

I chew gum all the time too. Haven't swallowed gum since I was a kid. Lol. I did ask my doctor & he has no problems with gum chewing.

Silly nsv are the best! Love the socks! Work it girlfriend!!

Tmf, happy bandiversary! And congrats on your success! You are an inspiration to everyone on this forum. You offer us all live, support and a couple of good jokes! Luv ya!

So my doctor wants me to change my mindset, think maintenance instead of weight loss… What does that mean? I am finally comfortable with my portion sizes and my band. I don’t get stuck or pb, I can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, I can eat any foods, I eat 1200 calories a day and I don’t feel hungry between meals. For me, it means nothing changes. I lost my weight with my band more on the loose side than the tight side and therefore my body will settle and I’ll stop loosing (that’s what my doctor says). Probably around the weight of 170-175 lbs. That’s the physical part, but what about the mental part? How does the head handle maintenance?? What if I can’t keep the weight off? What if I fail and gain weight back? I can’t fail; I've worked too hard to get here. But, what if??? Man, the head is my biggest obstacle. I have to get a hold of my thoughts. I know I can do this. Per my doctor, nothing has changed. I still have the same fill; I still eat my cup of food, 3-4 ozs protein, ½ cup veggies. I still drink my water. I still exercise. I am at goal and it’s just another number on the scale. I'm just at the next chapter in my banded lifestyle.

I try to measure my food all the time. Not a problem when I'm at home, I use my food scale. But what to do when eating out like at family and friends? I was given this chart by my nutritionist, I find it very handy and wanted to share it with anyone interested servingcard7.pdf

Congratulations! you look fabulous!!!!

My first thought is are you eating too fast? If I don't wait a minute between each bit I get a full/sick feeling. Don't get sick, just miserable for a few hours.

Peace with food does change lives. It changed mine. Great article, I couldn't agree more.

I also rely heavily on my doctor and staff. Not only are they my source for questions, but several staff have bands and they hold a monthly support group meeting. Having a doctor that guides you through the process it vital to me. I can't imagine doing this without them.

You are on your way, enjoy the journey!