losangelesislovely

Banded 11/9/2012 Weight at Surgery: 172 Current Weight:165 Goal Weight: 125 Goals: Lose 5lbs/month Exercise: C25k Age: 26 Location: Michigan for now, LA in the near future I'm not so much looking for a mentor as someone at the same point in the journey with a relatively similar amount of weight to lose (40-50lbs). I'm 6 weeks post-op. I've found that daily weighing keeps me on track like nothing else, so I'm looking for someone to-without excuses--email each other our weights every morning and also talk about our ongoing progress and struggles.

Hi there, Banded 11/9/12 A few years ago I was put on Adderall for a few months, but discontinued after some unpleasant side effects. I hated the experience overall (it didn't help my concentration issues), but it was the only time in my life I was close to a healthy weight, because I was almost never hungry--except in the morning and after going all day forgetting to eat. For those who have been prescribed Adderall or similiar, I wonder--is the feeling of being in the Green Zone similar to that feeling of not being hungry? Or how would you compare the two feelings? I realize this is a silly question. I am curious about what the green zone feels like because I can't really imagine it now, so I'm comparing it to the only other time I remember being consistently not hungry. To be clear, I've already had the lapband done and am not considering going back on Adderall. Thanks for any insight.

Also it's kind of rude to come into a topic and give unsolicited advice that has nothing to do with what the OP was looking for.

Thanks for the advice but I'm aware of fluctuations and this is what works for me. It doesn't drive me nuts and it helps keep me on track. We're all individuals and your way isn't the only right way. In fact studies have shown that people who keep close track of their weight are more likely to keep it off.

I have the realize-c 11cc band, and I was just wondering--to others that have the same band, how many CCs did it take you to get to the Green Zone?I know everyone is different, but I thought I'd ask anyway. I am at 5 CCs and don't feel anything at all...like, not even a bit of restriction. I am kind of discouraged.

I have the realize-c 11cc band, and I was just wondering--to others that have the same band, how many CCs did it take you to get to the Green Zone?I know everyone is different, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Banded 11/9/2012 Weight at Surgery: 172 Current Weight:165 Goal Weight: 125 Goals: Lose 5lbs/month Exercise: C25k Age: 26 Location: Michigan for now, LA in the near future I'm not so much looking for a mentor as someone at the same point in the journey with a relatively similar amount of weight to lose (40-50lbs). I'm 6 weeks post-op. I've found that daily weighing keeps me on track like nothing else, so I'm looking for someone to-without excuses--email each other our weights every morning and also talk about our ongoing progress and struggles.

I don't think I am small; I am medically obese. I was banned in Mexico by Ortiz.

So, I'm actually pretty good at losing weight. I'm sure a lot of us, like me, are just really bad at keeping it off. I'm prone to yo-yo dieting and massive regains. It just so happens that I'll be out of the country for 3 months smack in what I hope to be in the middle of my weight loss journey. I have 40-50 pounds to lose, and I go abroad in 5 months. I aim to be 20-25 pounds down by then (losing 4-5 pounds a month, fingers crossed). Meanwhile, I'll be working on the emotional side, but I do best when I have a routine and traveling might really throw a wrench in the works. So, I'm looking for advice for people who have successfully traveled and kept it off? Joining a gym won't be possible, as we're going to 3 different countries in 3 months (Ghana, Spain, and Morocco). Furthermore, I doubt I'll ever be going back to these places for a very long time as I'm not rich and am going on a research grant, so I know I'll have the mindset "when am I ever going to eat this (local food) again?! And indulge over and over. I'm HOPING I'll be in the Green Zone by then, so that will at least help with hunger. Will be doing lots of walking as exercise. I'm worried about not drinking for 30 minutes to an hour after eating since it will be hot and we will be doing lots of walking. But I really want to maintain the weight I do lose and not get knocked off course so I'm already dreading it and trying to mentally prepare myself. What are some habits I should be trying to build NOW that might be well-ingrained by then? (besides the monster I'm already dealing with--eating when I'm not hungry). Any tips/advice would be much appreciated.

I'm only 5'1"....and yes, I paid out of pocket.

I had the surgery about 7 weeks ago. I lost 14lbs on the liquid diet. When I could start eating again, I was ravenous and felt no restriction. As of now, I'm only down 5lbs. I don't feel discouraged, because I do place the blame squarely on myself. What I am wondering is how exactly the band is supposed to be helping me at this point--if at all. Because I know it's not a magic pill. I'm kicking myself because it seems like the most significant weight loss is in the beginning. But I'm wondering how does that happen for other people--going from a liquid diet to being able to eat solids again? At this point, it just feels like any other liquid diet, which I've done in the past and always gained back. So--did anyone else gain back the weight after going off liquids and not feeling any restriction? Did the weight loss come after more fills? I'm just really angry at myself right now because I feel that after something as drastic as weight loss surgery, the scale should be steadily trending downwards.

I'm gonna be honest, savoring one glass of wine is not how I drink. I like wine a lot, whiskey a lot and I like getting drunk, too, sometimes. Since I'e been banded however, I've cut back drastically, mostly because of the liquid diet--I can't drink on an empty stomach. In the six weeks since I've been banded, I think I've had some wine (about 2 glasses) on 4 occasions. I make no apologies for liking to drink. I'm young and an English graduate student and writer. My social circle consists mostly of writers who enjoy drinking Scotch in dark bars after grueling, hours-long workshops. Buts...sigh...I know I have to cut back if I want to lose weight.

I agree that a lot of people here are unncessarily rude and judgmental. It's really annoying. Like in the 20s forum when someone asked about smoking pot or with the band several "helpful" posters wanted to point out that pot is illegal (which isn't even true in many, many cases and it's not like people are unaware). and there were a lot of high-and-mighty responses. A lot of high horses here, it seems. But a lot of people are also really helpful. I guess this is just a microcosm of the real world. There will always be assholes.

I read 2 interesting articles about willpower that came to opposite conclusions based on some behavioral studies: A, that willpower is a mucle and the more you use it the stronger it becomes and B, that willpower is finite, so if you use your willpower to turn down (for example) an appetizer, you might have depleted that store of will and be more likely to cave and order dessert. Based on your own life/personality (before or after the band), which school of thought is more true for you?

God, some people here are so judgmental. Weed has actually been decriminalized in many states. and just bc something is illegal doesn't make it morally wrong. you need to look at the historic reasons weed was banned while alcohol was not.

I would not have gotten the band if I could not drink on it. The thought of never having a glass of whiskey while I'm cooking or some wine with friends is upsetting...that's how I relax! Cutting out beer has not been too hard, but I miss it. Also, it can be the cheaper alternative to wine, so that's a bummer.

Are you near me?

A friend and I are looking to join a support group in this area. Even if it's just a few people meeting for coffee...we really need this! We are struggling quite a bit. We are both mobile and can meet anywhere near these two areas. Please let me know if you'd like to join or if you know of an existing group. Thanks a lot.

Thanks for the input

I'm really going to try to change the way I look at food before going on the trip. I'm just afraid because usually, I can do pretty well when I have a fixed routine, but go off the rails when that is disrupted. But that's life, so I need to figure out why and how to stop that. I will be doing two major things differently-I won't have access to my gym and I won't have access to a kitchen, so I won't be able to cook for myself. Additionally, I won't be able to go to a doctor if I need a fill. I know that I can still exercise without a gym and still try to eat healthily eating out every meal, but I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the troubles that can arise from breaking away from a routine.

age/starting weight/surgery date/goal weight?

Hey KMA, How many CCs do you have in your band?

As far as seminars and nutrition meetings, I had none (self-pay/Mexico). What I did do was a lot of research. One bit of info that stuck in my mind and contributed to my discouragement was a statistic about how most people lose most of the weight in the first 12 months, after which there is a noticeable drop-off. So, in my head--and I know my thinking might be warped, I've already "lost" 2 of those months and was starting to panic a little bit, because I'm also traveling out of the country for several months next summer and may or may not be in the Green Zone by then and have always gained weight when traveling in the past. So my goal was to maintain for those 4 months, essentially "losing" 6 of the 12 months I was supposed to be having the most weight loss, which just discouraged me and made me feel very behind. Then, in the next 5 months before I leave--who's to say I will even be in the green zone for most or any of them? Leaving me a couple of "dood" months in the year. Well, I already know how f***ed up my thinking is (there's no reason I can't lose weight in the next 5 months, and also while traveling, and well beyond--I've lost weight without the band before). I'm just trying to give insight into the mentality behind a panicked question that's already been asked and answered. Really, I'm looking for some kind of support and reassurance and your response gave me that, so thank you.

How did you resolve that slip?

Hi there, Banded 11/9/12 A few years ago I was put on Adderall for a few months, but discontinued after some unpleasant side effects. I hated the experience overall (it didn't help my concentration issues), but it was the only time in my life I was close to a healthy weight, because I was almost never hungry--except in the morning and after going all day forgetting to eat. For those who have been prescribed Adderall or similiar, I wonder--is the feeling of being in the Green Zone similar to that feeling of not being hungry? Or how would you compare the two feelings? I realize this is a silly question. Thanks for any insight.