gowalking

1800 calories is too much. Your NUT is a nut. He/she should be giving you alot more input than 'eat healthy'. That's just stupid. Get more info or at least follow a diet similar to WW...3 oz protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. Track you food intake on myfitnesspal. It's a great app. As for exercising...my knee is shot and I'll need a replacement most likely. I can't walk or run. Find a Y or gym with a pool and exercise in there. The Water will keep you buoyant and you'll be able to move around in there much easier. Swim or walk, doesn't matter. It will get you going. Oh, and I'm 5' 1" and topped out at 267 just prior to going on my pre-op diet on January 1st. Today, I weighed in as I do every Sunday and the scale said 212.8. If I can do it, so can you. You'll do great on this journey, you're already going about it the right way with information gathering and asking for feedback.

Hi all. I have a question about something I don't quite understand. I'm fairly new to being banded...nearly four months. I see folks on this forum who've been banded for years so maybe it's just because I'm new but can someone explain how you can overeat with the band? My understanding is that if you eat too much, you will feel sick and likely throw up. I stick to around 1,000 calories daily...3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. I find this amount of food is basically satisfying...I never feel full but I know I'm not supposed to. I also get hungry regularly but not between meals as much as just before it's time to eat my next meal. There are times when I would love to have a big bowl of spaghetti but I truly fear getting sick and that is often my motivation for sticking to the rules. How is it then that people 'slip back' into old habits and gain much if not all their weight back? When I read about folks gaining it all back, I think this being banded is no better than all the other diets we've tried..and failed at. I'm really concerned that while I'm currently successful, anything could get me off track, and I'll put the weight back on. I say this because I've been there before. I lost 80 lbs many years ago and kept it off for about six years. Then a second marriage went sour and before I knew it, I had put it all back on and then after stopping smoking, I put on another 50 lbs. on top of what I gained back. I currently have no fills but have not felt the need for any since I'm not grazing or overeating. I wonder if I should get a fill at my next appointment just to dampen down the hunger even though I'm able to control it so far. Any insight from my fellow bandsters would be really appreciated.

I'm 54. I like reading your posts and dylanmiles. I suspected you two were around my age. I also went from two hypertensive meds to one...and at a much lower dosage to boot. Except for my knee, the rest of me is doing much better since I started dropping the weight. If I eventually need a knee replacement, at least I'll have a better chance that it will be successful without all the extra weight. Step104....it's normal to feel like you might fail. I just posted a topic earlier today about the fear of failing even though I'm doing very well at 3 1/2 months post banding having lost 53 lbs. so far. Listen to the other folks who replied. Work the program and you will see results.

Thanks all. I really appreciate the feedback.

me too, me too!! Heading to the spa in two weeks. Can't wait to try on the robe and not have to worry about anything falling out or showing while waiting for the masseuse in the relaxation room.

Thanks for suggesting the read. I guess I'm right where I'm supposed to be. It's just confusing because people talk about restriction, feeling full, not being hungry and that's what I'm not understanding. Even reading some of these responses, I see that Missy noted 'it's not about restriction' and B-52 says 'it's all about restriction'...LOL And I do see that I can walk away from a fraction of the amount of food I ate prior to surgery. It's just not an automatic response though. I still think about food an awful lot and I track everything I eat so as not to get into trouble. I already checked the menu of the restaurant I'm going to tonight to make sure when I'm actually sitting at the table, I chose from the better options. I guess for us food addicts, it doesn't really become second nature, does it? I think B-52 is an anomaly. I'm happy for him, but I think most people do not have that same experience. Thanks again for some feedback. I think I'm just like any other addict....fearful that I will fall off the wagon.

I agree with Spaness...500 calories is pretty low and your body may be in starvation mode. I eat around 1,000-1,100 calories a day and I've dropped 53 lbs in four months. Talk to your nutritionist but I bet you need to increase your intake.. Good luck!

Are you kidding?? You are doing awesome. I was banded on January 14th and I'm down 52 lbs. and I know that's faster than alot of folks. You should be losing 1-2 lbs. a week so don't worry about a thing and be happy that it's coming off as fast as it is.

wow...nearly at goal already. that's great. unfortunately, I can't exercise much. I've got very bad arthritis and it keeps me from doing much. I exercise in the pool 3 days a week because that's the once place where I can exercise without pain, but it's more for leg strength at this juncture, and not for weight loss.

Just saw your post. Sounds like you are doing very well so far. I also was banded on January 14th. I hope to lose 120 lbs. total and as of today I'm down 51 so far. I've tossed an awful lot of clothes...some of them I've had for years and I just know I won't need to hold onto them anymore...especially as many of them were suits and everyone dresses much more casual at the office these days... How about you band twin? How are you doing so far? Have you had any fills? None for me so far.

I have such a similar story. Also put on major pounds after stopping the smoking. Also have a very bad right knee due to arthritis and all the extra weight. I'm 54 and have three grandchildren who I cannot keep up with between the extra weight and the knee pain. I also have hypertension and my first 'intervention' was at the age of 13 with my first attempt at Weight Watchers. I also got control of my weight at certain times in my life but could never keep it off. I came close in the early '90s but a bad second marriage sent me right back to eating badly and it's been downhill ever since. Now for the good news....I was banded on January 14th and as of today (I weight in once a week each Sunday) I'm down 51 lbs. My knee is still giving me trouble, it may be beyond rehab at this point but even if I get a replacement, the lower weight will help me have a successful outcome. As far as the hypertension, I went from 90 mgs. of nifedipine and 300/25 mgs. of Avalide to only 1 med daily....20 mgs. of lisinopril. Good luck on your journey, I know you will be a success.

Can't wait to shop. Thank goodness I had so many items in the back of the closet that were too small so I didn't have to spend a lot of money, but I'm getting to the point where those items are starting to get big as well. Funny enough, I'm waiting till I visit the folks in Florida to shop as there are no Walmart, Target, or even Avenue stores in Manhattan (there's one Avenue left in Harlem since the midtown store shut, but I live downtown and it's a pain to get up there and drag clothes home on the subway or bus. I have plenty of weight to lose yet so I'm not looking to spend big bucks right now for 'interim' clothes so I'm trying to be fairly selective with what I need and what it costs. That's why I'm staying away from Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, Saks, etc. I loved your post CG....you have to make it up to Arlene in Boston, or me here in The Big Apple so we can go major shopping!

good for you. sounds like you are being positive regardless of the scale. the trainer sounds like something right up your alley as it's a bike and elliptical. I feel your pain litterally and figuratively. I don't have fibromyalgia (or at least it's not been diagnosed) but I do have alot of knee and hip pain due to arthritis and possibly an underlying auto-immune issue. I'm headed to the rheumatologist next week for further testing. The only exercise I can do at the moment is in the pool and right now, I'm not even doing that as my inflammation is so bad that the physical therapist wants me to just rest for several days. I know at some point my weight loss will plateau and without exercise, I don't know if I can lose all the weight. I hope you feel better soon and can use the trainer ASAP.

I've been banded since mid January and have not had any fills. I track my food and stay around 1,000 calories daily to make sure I'm not over or undereating. I do get hungry but I am almost always satisfied after I eat and can usually keep the head hunger at bay as well. I've dropped 50 1/2 lbs including the 17 I lost pre-op. My doctor does not insist on a fill as long as I am doing well without one. They won't give you a fill against your wishes and it sounds like you don't need one so don't stress it.

good luck Wendy. you'll do great!

double check with your dr. on that water thing. I have to wait five minutes before eating after drinking and 20 minutes after eating. I know alot of the docs have different guidelines but an hour before and after makes me wonder how you can get in all your water in a day...which for most of us is 64 ounces. I can't even get in half that though I try.

Same here Arlene. Reg manicure is $10. And waxing also $7. Not sure about the pedicure...my knees make it hard to get them. I'm in NYC so you're talking about millions of people living here but there is a nail salon on virtually every block, and often more than one. There are six I can go to within a two block span of my apartment. Yes, also either Vietnamese or Korean owned.

Must be a big city thing. Arlene (Dylanmiles) is in the Boston area and I'm in NYC. Everything in this town is unbelievably expensive except for mani/pedis and massages....but in low end type salons. Not Elizabeth Arden....LOL!

I have Cigna. I cannot for the life of me, remember how long it took but I know it was more than a few days. I even called them after not hearing anything from the surgical coordinator. It was a great phone call because the automated response told me that I had been approved. Then....after everything was set, I had to wait three more months because the hospital was damaged by Sandy and I didn't want to have the surgery at another hospital..

I tore the meniscus in both knees and have very bad arthritis in my right knee. I exercise in the pool...it's the only place where I can move around and not be in terrible pain. Try it....I always feel better even when my knee hurts bad just because it's good to feel like you are doing something positive in terms of having more mobility. Good luck, you'll do great with the band.

your readings will be good and you'll have your surgery..... know it. keep us posted.

unfortunately it's very common with the 'new' way of eating. I take a stool softener every day and eat salad fairly regularly as that is what my dr. said would help me to 'keep regular'. the salad must be fiber I guess....

I've been reading your posts Omfgmelly and I knew this was going to be a good reading just based on your topic. I manage data for clinical trials for diabetes meds and while I don't suffer from the illness, I know too well how dangerous it is and I also know that this surgery will make your type II, which I assume you have, go away. I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope that all goes well.

Oh Lordy Barb...we all love to eat..LOL! It's why we're all here and on this site. I think that you have done great so far losing all that weight. It sounds to me like you just need to make a few changes by tracking your intake so you know what's going in, and also to get the bad stuff out of the house. If it's not readily available, you can work on pushing the craving away. You can do it...you're not new to this banded way of life so just take yourself in hand and find the success you've already experienced.

Welcome sp70. Glad to have you aboard. You've taken the first and hardest steps in this process but the rewards will be great as you see the weight drop and your need for meds start to lessen. I was taking 90 mgs. of Nifedipine and and 12.5 mgs. of Avalide when I was banded in January. Am nearly 50 lbs. down now and I'm off the Avalide and was switched to only 20 mgs. of Lisinopril. My sugars are perfect and cholesterol also in the normal range. Good luck to you!