MandaMom23

Yikes, sorry you're dealing with this, but it sounds like you're getting on the right track to healing! Hopefully, this is it, and before you know it, you'll be good as new and well on your way!! Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear he said that! It sounds to me like he's stressed out, and taking it out on you! If he's typically supportive, I wouldn't think he'd say that to intentionally hurt you.

You lost 20lbs in 2 weeks?? That's pretty darn amazing!!! Sounds to me like you're doing great, and right on track!! You can't expect to lose those big numbers every single week, as long as you keep following the rules and doing what you're supposed to, the weight will continue to come off!

I researched all the options for a long time before finally deciding on the band. For me, the other options were just too invasive. I also liked that the band is removable if absolutely necessary, and I can have it adjusted as needed for the rest of my life. With the sleeve/bypass, if you stretch your stomach back out there's no simple adjustment to fix that, and once you're insides are cut out/ and or rerouted, you can't just put that back. It's obviously a very personal decision for each individual. Just keep doing your research to find which tool you feel will work best for you...for both the short and long term. Wishing you the best of luck with your decision!

35lbs is amazing! Congrats!! Try not to put all your focus on the scale, as it can play mind games sometimes! If you know you're doing everything right, and following the band rules, the weight will come off!

Congrats on your 50lb loss! That's great! For me, I don't really follow any specific 'diet' other than making sure I get my 60g of Protein each day. I do track my calories and protein daily, because, for me, it helps to stay accountable. I don't have any foods that are off limits, except bread...my band doesn't seem to like bread! I'm in the green zone, so if find as long as I follow the protein first rule, I stay satisfied, and rarely ever see over 1200 calories each day. I also try to have a least 64oz of Water.

So exciting, CONGRATS! I love American Eagle, Maurices, and Old Navy! It's so nice to be able to walk in to any store I want, and KNOW they'll have my size!

Hi Lisa! Congrats to you for taking control of your health! Remember, our journey's (and bodies) are all different, so it's really difficult to compare loses. I can tell you that if you put your focus on your new, healthy lifestyle, and follow the band rules from your surgeon, you'll do great! The weight will come off, and your body will change at the pace it's supposed to for YOU! Wishing you all the best!

I too work the night shift, so I know how difficult it can be! I sit in a room alone all night, and food is always creeping into my mind! The thing I've found to be most helpful is making sure I take along good, high Protein Snacks to help me through. I have things like hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt, string cheese, little turkey sausage links...etc. I'll usually cut up my string cheese, and turkey links into little pieces, and mix them together in a little ziploc bag. That way I can grab those when I get tired, and feel the need to mindlessly snack on something...lots of protein and very little calories. Also, keeping Water nearby at all times is helpful! I know it's tough at times, but you can do this!

I know for me flavored jellos were fine, as long as they were sugar free. Don't hesitate to call your surgeon's office, if you have any questions about your diet, though! Good luck to you!

As the others have stated, you can't compare yourself to anyone! As long as you're following the rules your surgeon gave you, you're doing great!!!! Good luck!

Looking good! Keep up the great work!

I think it's important to remember this journey is different for everyone!! While you might find this journey easy and stress free, others may not. For me, the band does it's job beautifully, but (and I can only speak for myself), *I* still have to have self control!! I still deal with emotional eating, and eating out of stress. I still have to stop myself from having a second, or even a third cookie, because even properly adjusted, I find those Cookies to slide right down (and they taste so darn good!). I'm so happy for you that you don't have to worry anymore. That's great!! I hope someday I can be 100% worry free. Until then, I will continue to do what working for me, which is listen carefully to my band, stop eating when I feel satisfied, and I'll continue tracking my calories. I'm not on a diet either, but I'm learning a whole new lifestyle when it comes to eating. I'll do whatever it takes to make it work, even if it isn't always easy peasy!

Do you track your calories? I've been having treats, but I always track everything, and make sure I stay within my calories. I find that the easiest way for me to snack on holiday goodies, without feeling guilty and over doing it.

Good luck! It WILL be worth it!

I eat on the go a lot. I still do fast food, I just had to learn how. One thing that helps is always knowing what I'm going to order before getting up to the menu. Some examples of things I eat on the go...at McDonalds i'll get an oatmeal (they serve it all day) and an Iced coffee, or a southwest salad, at Wendy's I'll get the chili, or a half size salad, at subway you can have any of their sandwiches made into a salad and they're delicious! I'm not saying that fast food is the best choice, but I know for myself and my busy life it's just too difficult to cut out completely. When I cook things at home, I always make sure I have a Protein and make my meal around that. That seems obvious, but I used to make so many meatless meals, because they were easier and more convenient. For example, I made spaghetti for dinner one night. My family had it with Pasta (obviously! haha), but I just put sauce over meatballs and topped it with some parmesan cheese. Yummy, filling, and gave me my pasta fix without eating the noodles. When you're struggling with what to eat, just remember the protein first rule! That rule alone helps me so much when making food choices on a whim! You can do this!

This is SUCH a great reminder, and BELEIVING in yourself is a huge part of being successful!!! I always see people say "you have to want it", and while that's true, you can 'want' it all you want, but you have to BELIEVE you actually can!!!

Yup, very possible! I was 296lbs at my first consultation, and the dr asked me what my goal was with the band. I told her 175 by the 2 year mark. She sort of chuckled and said that I needed a more reasonable goal. She said that I could realistically expect to lose about 40lbs the first year, and 20lbs the following. Well, I'm 10.5 months out, and I weigh 163lbs!! As long as you follow the rules, and do your part, anything's possible!

My dr's scale is always a bit higher than my home scale. It used to bother me, but now I expect it. Don't let it discourage you! Looks to me like you're doing great!!!

Beautiful! You look amazing! Congrats!

Always having healthy Snacks available, and keeping them visible always helps me when I find myself mindlessly searching for something to snack on. Pre measuring serving sizes for my snack foods is also a huge help to me (such as almonds). I also record every single thing that goes into my mouth, and I'm very honest about it. I need the accountability.

10 1/2 months out, 126lbs gone, now just a few lbs away from being a normal BMI for the first time in my adult life!

If you're struggling to get healthy foods down, like lean Proteins, perhaps your band is too tight? Also, when you say you feel restriction, but can eat again 5-10 minutes later...are you eating simply because you can, or are you actually physically hungry after 5-10 minutes? Remember, the point of restriction isn't to feel full, it's to feel satisfied. Maybe try tracking your food and calories for awhile, if you don't already do so. That can be really eye opening! If you're eating mainly carby foods like you listed, that could be why you're not losing weight! Those calories add up FAST! I would suggest you go talk to your nutritionist, and see if they can help you get your eating habits back on track! Don't give up on yourself, and remember it's never too late to get yourself back on the wagon!

I have not only been dealing with heavier periods, but I went from getting it every 37 days to every 2.5 weeks! It's crazy!

I had glue on the 3 smallest, and stitches (the kind that dissolve) for the largest incision where they placed the port. I can't even see the small ones anymore. The big one has faded nicely as well, though I can still easily see it.