GREATFUL

I started a new job about 6 weeks ago. These people I work with know nothing about my band, so they only know me the way I am now, 50lbs lighter that I was 6 months ago. It is so funny, there is all of this christmas candy and cookie and goodies here at the office. I refuse to even start eating them. This one lady brought in these great looking cookie, she offered me one, I said "Thank you but I just can't" she said, "Why? Someone as thin as you does'nt have to worry about what they eat" I almost busted out laughing. First of all I have never been called thin, second..... if they only knew what a blubber butt I was just a few months ago. I just told her, "I am borderline diabetic and trying real hard to not eat sweets", She said, "That is great, I wish I was as strong as you." I just love my band. Laura

I have been trying to keep my daily food intake on Fit Day. It has been going real good so far. Just wondering, How may carbs do you consume in a day on average? Thanks Laura

Weazer, I have heard of Braums, Love Them. But we do not have them here in TN. I did live in TX and we had them there. I have a 2.7 in a 4cc band. I feel restriction in the AM and I am as loose as a goose in the PM. I hate it. Find myself going to the Kitchen and just looking for things to eat. I think alot of it is head hunder and habit. Thanks for the encouraging words. Take care.... Laura

NWV - It might not seem like one to anyone else but me. But it is something that I have had trouble overcoming. I went to WalMart and did NOT, repeat, DID NOT buy any Ice Cream. I wanted to, I looked at it, I even open the freezer and touched it. But I walked away. I went to my support meeting last week and that seems to have helped me. There a some people that I had met before and they had surgery about the same time I did. We all seemed to be struggling with the same issues. I also have an appointment with the Doc this Friday for a fill. I am so trying to stick to the bandster rules this week so I can truly judge if a fill is need or a swift kick to my back side, lol. I have found that I can eat about 5 oz of fish and a few veggie at one time. And I am hungry again in about 3 hours. So I dont know, maybe a small fill might be needed. I hate it that the bad stuff sure is easy to eat. But I am determined to be a model bandster this week. I will work on next week when it gets here. Scales have not moved in over 2 months. Mostly my falt. BAD BAD..... But I am determined to pick myself up and dust myself off and stay the course. Started taking Yoga, anyone else tried it? I just love it so far. Take Care All LAURA

Hello Everyone Melissa - you look so wonderful. Many Blessings on your marrage. Sue - Congrats on your 6 month mark. You are doing great ITTAKS2 - Thanks for your kind words. We all experience a few bad moments with this band. But I would get it again in a heart beat. Let us know if you decide to get banded. This is a great place and the people are wonderful and you will find them to be your greatest support. Hoosier - Yeeeee Haaaaa, great job on the size 22. I bet you feel great......I am so proud for you. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Laura

THANKS Guys for everything BIG Hugs (((( ))))) Together we will make it, right!!!

Hello Everyone, I have not been posting much, but I have been reading and checking in on all of you guys. I have to admit that the reason I have not been posting is because I have not been doing very well. Why is that when I am not "behaving" it is hard to come here and talk about it? When I know, that it is just what I should be doing. I have had alot of job and family stress the past month. I eat when I am stressed. I have not gain any weight (thanks to my band) but I have not lost anything. Ice Cream is my biggest down fall. I am dreading the holidays this year. My Mom died last year on Dec 27 and this will be my first holiday season without her. Just makes me a little sad. So I eat when I am sad. So it has not been good for me, I have not learned new way of dealing with things besides turning to food. What are some of the things you guys have found that help? walking, talking to a friend etc. "HELP ME" I have committed today to get back on track. I did not get this band to fail. I can do this. And, I do need you guy to help me. I have called the Doc and made an appointment for another fill, I can eat way to much and get hungry about an hour after eating. They cant get me in until Dec. 7th. I am going to the support meeting next Thursday and I am going to post here everyday, even if it is just to say HOWDY. Just want to say, I love my band, and I love this place. Laura

I just have to say "Thank You" for this thread. I am just past my 6 month mark. I have been feeling like a real looser, and not in a good way. My head hunger is out of control. I have fairly good restriction and could be doing alot better if I could get my head screwed back on straight. I realise that it is time to face my demons. The wonderful "Food Demons" that have been stalking me all of my life. Ice Cream is one of them, junk food is its twin. I thought it would be like you said "set it and forget it", no such luck. I think about food alot, have great restriction in the AM and very loose in the PM. So, I still have to face the things that made me fat and deal with them. Like they told me.............the band is just a tool, not a magic wand.

Hey Everyone, I have been busy with my new job an have not been able to check in here. I have missed you guys so much. Sandra, I am so sorry to hear about your struggles. I can't even begin to think how I would behave if I did not have my band to reign me in. Just take it one day at a time, this too shall pass. My scales are stuck at the moment. I have not been exercising like I should. It is funny though, I opted to not get a fill because I am doing some traveling with my work and worried that if the fill gave me troubles I would be over 4 hours away from my Doc. There is a little bit of stress for me right now (like anytime you start a new job) and my band is tighter that it was when I started. So I am so very glad I did not get that fill. I can tell a change in my clothes but would love to see the numbers change on the scales. Take care all........... Laura

:clap2: WAY TO GO :clap2:

Way to go! You are doing Great :clap2:

Do you guy realise that next month will be 6th months since we were banded? I can't belive it. Are you were you thought you would be at this 1/2 year mark? Sure makes me want to kick it in gear and see how much more I can get off this month. Food for thought! Laura

I knew that I was experiencing hair loss. I have very thick hair so I did not realise just how bad it was until this weekend. All of the plumming back up and we had to rent a snake, take up one of the commodes and run it down. When we pulled it back out it had hair all wrapped around it. Lots of hair. So my fellow bandsters who are experiencing hair loss, just a word of advise, go to you local hardware store and get some drain cleaner now before it becomes a big clog. LOL

Hey, what do you al eat for Breakfast? I am having a hard time with it. Do you just do a shake, or a protein bar? I don't have the problem of being too tight in the morning like I have hear some talk about. I am just bored. Also the scales have not moved in over a week. I know that it is all my fault. I have been snacking and not exercising. I am trying to cut myself some slack, packing to move and the job change has been a little stressful. So I am telling myself that "after I move I will get back on the wagon, and tow the line". Kinda remindes me of that old voice I used to hear when I was dieting and trying to lose, "I can alway start over tomorrow" and tomorrow never came and that is why I am in the shape I am in now. I need a swif kick in the pants. Laura

THANK YOU Cindy I thing I like grammy, but if it is like when my kids were born, they named their granny. All I want is for the baby to be healthy. I can't wait to see my son holding his own baby. I get all teary eyed when I thing about that.

Sandra- OH MY GOD.... I hope your son is going to be okay. Melissa - Not long until the big day. I bet you are excited and very busy. BIG NEW FOR ME....... I found out Monday that I am going to be a Grandma. My oldest son and his wife are expecting late May/first of June. This will be my first grand baby. I am so excited. This baby is going to have a thin/fit/hip granny. LOL Hope everyone else is doing well...........

Ragdoll you look MARVELOUS!!!! How is everyone doing? I have been out for a few days. Things have been really busy here. I applied for a new job about a month ago, had an interview last week and found out Friday that I was selected for the position. All very exciting. This is a big promotion for me and my dream job. It is a new positons with the agency I work for, and they have stared this new training/intern program. The big downside to it is that it will require for me to live away from my DH for almost a year. The training site is a little over 3 hours from our house. I will be able to come home on weekend, and it is only tempory. And I start on Oct. 15th. So two week to move and start training. I have very mixed emotions, but DH is very supportive. OH, remeber I had been having heartburn issurs.... Well, when I went to the Doc. last week I was real worried he would insist on giveing me a un-fill. Well, he didnt and we discovered that my problem was from taking my Zyrtec (allergy Med) on an empty tummy. So I stopped doing that and have not had anymore heartburn issues. YEA scales have not moved in the past week. All my fault, stress eating. I know that it will be better after the move. I have resolved TODAY to do better. Take care all, Laura

What causes excessive hair loss? A number of things can cause excessive hair loss. For example, about 3 or 4 months after an illness or a major surgery, you may suddenly lose a large amount of hair. This hair loss is related to the stress of the illness and is temporary. Hormonal problems may cause hair loss. If your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive, your hair may fall out. This hair loss usually can be helped by treatment thyroid disease. Hair loss may occur if male or female hormones, known as androgens and estrogens, are out of balance. Correcting the hormone imbalance may stop your hair loss. Many women notice hair loss about 3 months after they've had a baby. This loss is also related to hormones. During pregnancy, high levels of certain hormones cause the body to keep hair that would normally fall out. When the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels, that hair falls out and the normal cycle of growth and loss starts again. Some medicines can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss improves when you stop taking the medicine. Medicines that can cause hair loss include blood thinners (also called anticoagulants), medicines used for gout, medicines used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, vitamin A (if too much is taken), birth control pills and antidepressants. Certain infections can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss in children. The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines. Finally, hair loss may occur as part of an underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. Since hair loss may be an early sign of a disease, it is important to find the cause so that it can be treated. I found this on the web, it is very interesting. Lap-Band is major surgery, I was given blood thinners after my surgery, and it can be a stressful time. And as you loose weight your hormone levels can change. So the weight loss or the lack of protein might not be the only cause for the hair loss.

THE SCALES MOVED!!! YEEE HAAA I was starting to think they were broke. I get on them and down 2lbs. I am excited again. Was getting old not seeing any change in them. But Sue, you are so right, it is not only about the scales. I do feel and see a big diffrence in my clothes. Oh, just got to tell you guys what my DH said. It was Saturday and I was helping him in the yard, I had put on these capies,(that uses to be way to small) and this cute little tee. He came up to me and he said "Honey, you do know that I always thought you were beautiful, and that I always found you attractive, right? And I don't want you to take this the wrong way but .... You are HOT now, down right sexy looking" I was blow away. If was funny, he thought I would get mad because I would think he didnt want me when I was "Bigger". It was so sweet......... Sandra, So sorry about the dress, that has just got to suck. Deb - Welcome to the group. This is a wonderful place to be. I go to the Doc today, we will see if what he decides to do about my heartburn issue. I really do not want to have any removed. But, I do trust him to do what is right. And if he says it needs to come out, then I will just have to be tuff and watch what I eat until this gets better. Take care everyone Laura

Weazer, When was your last fill? You could be experiencing delayed restriction. That happened to me. When I got my fill I couldnt tell much diffrence. But a week later, boy it was a world of diffrence. Hope you get to feeling better! Laura

Hey Everyone, Melissa - way to go on the size 16. YEA you are doing so great. Cindyluhu - Med PJs-- way to go with the NSV. Sue - thanks for your comments conserning the reflux. Doc appt on thursday. Will see what he has to say about it. I have been takeing notice the past few days, when does the heartburn start, what did I eat before etc. I have found that I get it most in the morning. After I take my allergy meds. I have been taking them on an empty stomach. Wonder if that is what is some of the cause? Will try in the morning taking it with food and see. Ragdoll - I can fully relate to you with the funk issue. I have been in this funny place lately. Even my DH has noticed. It is not that I am doing real bad, but I have not been doing real good either. What do they say "This too shall pass!" We have started down the road of a very long journey. It will not happen overnight, there will be pitfalls and downfalls, we will get side tracked. But, we have our band to keep us on this road to a better us. And, we have each other to see us along this journey. Hang in there! Oh, I am having to sweep up hair also. It has slowed down a little, also noticed while I was blow drying my hair yesterday, little new hair growing out. Take Care All Laura

A few weeks ago we went to visit my FIL and his wife. They do not know anything about my surgery, only my DH. I have lost around 45 pounds, droped 6 sizes in my clothes, and they dont even say a word about it. My DH knows I dont like making a big deal about it so he didnt say anythig to them about it. A few days after we got back home we get a phone call from my SIL and she is talking to my DH and tell him "Dad told me that Laura has lost alot of weight and just looks great", now why couldnt he say something to me about it. OH well I do like the fact that he bragged to my SIL about it anyway...........LOL. I he thought I looked great then, just wait till they see me at Christmas. Motivation Baby, Motivation!!

I am with you Girl!!! #4 is my down fall........ Today I will not eat ice cream. I will not stop by my favorite frozen custard place and buy a half gallon of praline pecan and go straight home and grab a spoon, take of the lid a start eating. (I dont even bother with a bowl). Maybe this is why my scales have not moved in the past two weeks. YA THINK!!

Hey Everyone, I have an appointment for a fill thursday. I have been able to eat a little more than I should. I have experience a little heartburn the past few weeks. Noting real bad, and not every day, zantac takes care of it. Well, my doc said to tell him if I experienced any heartburn, reflux etc. So when I was making my appointment for the fill I told the nurse about the heartburn. Well she told the doc and they called me today and said that I was to come in at my appontment time and he would talk to me and looks like he might be doing a slight un-fill. Oh well, not what I wanted to hear. But I love my band, and would do almost anything to protect it. I have heard that heartburn and reflux can cause your band to erode, has anyone else heard that? Do not want that to happen.