enjoythetime

When you go into a store try on a shirt and the store associate starts throwing jeans over the door because she thinks they will look cute with the shirt you picked out and looks to be my style she says. I look at the size and said wow, how did you know what size I needed and she says oh well that's what size I am and you look to be the same. You walk out and see she's a tiny little thing..... SMILES for MILES!!!

You look amazing, fit and healthy! From the looks of things you could probably kick that a$$holes a$$:-) You;re rocking it! You should be very happy and proud of yourself!

What an awesome accomplishment! Way to go!

I know what's going on you're dehydrated!! This will definitely make you gain weight! If you "can't" do water afd some crystal light to it or add some lemon to it. There are also great recipies on pintetest where you add fruit and let it set overnight so ypu get some flavor. Any way you decide, you have to get your fluids in, not just for weight liss but for proper kidney function.

I ask this question because a co-worker commented on how great I look. My response was thanks, I feel great and feel like people take me more seriously now. She looked at me kind of strange and I said yeah people just treat you differently once you lose weight, it seems that they take you more seriously, she said really I don't think so I think people still look at you as the same person . I have to disagree. I've noticed a hugh difference in the way people treat me now that I've lost weight, not necissarily people that know me but more so from complete strangers. The people who know me have complimented me along my journey and have been kind enough to recognize the changes but when it comes to complete strangers, they just treat you like a totally different person. When I was heavy people didn't see me (not sure how they could miss me) but it was like I was always overlooked, now people are holding doors open, smiling warmly and speaking to me as they walk by. It feels strange almost like I'm in a different world. Isn't it sad the way people judge based upon apperances? I mean I'm the same person I've always been, there's just less of me, but if those same strangers would have said Hi, or opened the door for me, or started a random conversation, my responses would have been the same then as they are now. What has your experience been with how people treat you since you lost or are losing weight.

Great job on your loss so far you're doing great! What I'm about to say has taken me a year to come to grips with but one of the most important things we have to do is come to realization that this is NOT a diet. There are no such things as "cheats". It's all about moderation and balance, eating ribs and fries once in a while won't hurt you, I'm assuming you aren't able to eat the same amount of food you were prior to being banded right, this is the moderation side? That's why this tool is so wonderful. Now on for the balance side of what I've said you can't eat like this all the time, you still have to make sure you're making healthy choics 90% of the time. So regarding the additional cravings following your meal, yes that's normal, that's what food does to people who love it. That's why when I signed up to get this surgery I knew there were some foods that I had to give up forever not because I couldn't eat them but because they aren't good for me and they're trigger foods for me, I accepted that and moved on and honestly I don't miss them. I notice when I do have a treat that most of the time it doesnt taste nearly as good as I thought it would. Not sure if this is due to my concious or if I have just changed what I crave now. For instance I would rather have greek yogurt now with trail mix than a cookie or candy bar any day. I never would have said that before. So just strengthen your mind, keep your eyes on the prize and you will get through those cravings. Good luck to you!

I'm a mix of all the options listed above. In the beginning I was very much against giving in, I walked away from my own bday cake, I delt with these cravings by drinking something or finding something to do until the craving passed. Then I started to realize this isn't a diet. A piece of cake OCCASSIONALY isn't going to make me gain 5lbs., that handful of chips, it's ok, it's all about finding that balance. You can't give into your cravings all the time but it is ok to treat yourself. You can't go through life with deprivation if you do your following a diet not a making a lifestyle change and isn't that we're all looking for when we get this surgery, to get away from the vicious cycle of dietis that never worked and to trade all that in for something that offers balance with permanent results. There are also times when I'm having a serious craving for ice cream and instead of hitting the Baskin Robbins I will run to the store and buy some Skinny Cow ice creams or I will go Yogurtini so I fall into just about all of these categories.

I see the biggest motivation of all setting next to you. Take this motivation and run with it, you will be a success story!!

You're doing a wonderful job! The best part of this journey is when you start feeling good about yourself again! Congrats!

These are just my initial thoughts and recommendations. The most important thing to always make sure youre getting your protein in. It helps you stay fuller longer and is the most important. You did that today so great job. My doctor recommends 60-80g per day. So make sure you fall in this range everday. Try skipping the mcmuffin. I've given up all bread except for the ocassional slice of wheat toast. You don't have to but one thing to remember is when you're properly adjusted you may find it doesn't go down so well. Some people do fine others have issues it all depends on the person. If you eliminated that you're calories will be lower and you'll get rid of the empty carbs which will help move you along quicker. Maybe instead of a large banana do some watermelon, grapes or strawberries etc. The resson: Bananas contain the highest amount of calories and carbs of any fruit. Some alternatives for snacks: 100 cal dannon light greek yogurt (13g p), or 1-2 oz of cheese approx (7g p per oz), or if you're short on protein Quest makes awesome Protein Bars approx 160 cal and 20g p. Dinner looks great! Some additional pointers: Make sure each meal contains 3-4oz of protein, 1/2 c veggies and 1 serving of starch (if you still have room) Always always eat your protein first, then your veggies and if you do this I bet you'll find most of the time you don't have room for the starch. Make sure you're not drinking while you eat and wait 1 hour after eating before drinking. Make sure yoyre not drinking your calories. Watrr, crystal light and iced tea is what I live on. Make sure ypure getting 80oz a day of fluids. I think if you make these small modifications you'll find that your calories are in the 1200 range, your carb intake will be lower and you'll be able to hit your protein range everday. These are just suggestions. I also have recipies I can send you if you're interested let me know and ill message you. Hope this helps!

Your doctor is seriously falling flat on their end of the deal!!! If it were me I wouldn't give them another dime or day of my life, I would find a doctor who's going to work with you to achieve your desired success!! You deserve it! Based on what you've said I think your body needs more calories, maybe you do need a fill but before you get one I would consider bumping your calories up a little in the form of more Protein and monitor how you're feeling. In the meantime find a new doctor!! This seriously infuriates me! Can I ask you what a typical day looks like for you in regards to food intake? What are you eating for Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Snacks? How much protein are you getting? What are your portion sizes? I'm by no means a doctor but would like to help if I can.

@@chrissy10 you're absolutely right. I have-had "friends" that treat me differently now too and I'm ok with that I don't want or need people like that in my life any way, they will only bring you down. I've also seen the other side of this coin which I forgot about. My husband took me to a small get together at a co-workers propbaly 4 couples and the rest singles. When I was over weight generally the women would be really nice to me and start a conversation, this time not so much I tried to join in a couple of times and litterally I never felt more out of place they all just stopped talking and looked at me. When we were leaving I was still trying to be on my best behavior so I said bye it was nice to meet everyone and litterally only 2 of the 6 responded and they were ALL looking right at me. I just laughed and went on. We're talking about "grown" women. Women I have never met before in my life. would NEVER treat someone like this, but oh well I made sure I struted my new smaller ass right past them....haha:-)

Have they always told you to eat 800-1,000 calories or have they lowered it with your weight loss? I started at 289lbs, and I was being yelled out because I was only able to eat 800 calories in the beginning and that's if I was lucky. They told me if I didn't beef it up to 1200 then I would hit a serious stall so I took their words to heart and have been averaging 1200 calories per day since about two months post-op. Some days I may only get 1,000 but other days I may eat 1300 so it all balances but I agree 800-1000 seems really low. In fact I'm still losing on 1200 cal. Maybe you shoud call them and just reconfirm. If you're excercising at all I would think your body would need more than this. Good luck and congrats!

YAY!! This is awesome! So happy for you! I'm glad things are working the way they should and that you're working this terrific tool! Much success to you!

Yes, these last few lbs. are the toughest. Do you eat the same things consistantly? Do you do the same exercise routine everyday? Do you eat the same amount of calories every day? My reason for all the questions to encourage you to shake things up if you haven't done so already. I've found this really helps to get things back into the go zone! If you typically swim walk if you typically eat 1200 calories do 1100 one day, 1200 the next, etc. If you eat the same things shelf all of those items for a while and completely change it up. Also another thing that helps me is I do a Water flush so to speak it's 88oz the first day, 96oz the next and 88oz the last day, add in some lemon and this will assist if you're holding onto water weight. I hope this helps! I know it's frustrating but the scale will start moving again!! It doesn't have a choice:)

Yeah this is a tough one and I completely see where you're coming from. I guess I would have to agree, buy her the TV only because $500 is not worth an arguement between you and your husband or hard feelings between your MIL. Life is way to short, if you have it, then do it joyfully and you will feel good about it.

Oh gotcha, sorry I miss understood what you were asking. Every morning I fill up a 32 oz cup and I drink half by the time I get to work, then I get to work and will eat breakfast which is typically greek yogurt with trail mix (17 p) 250 cal or a Protein Bar (20p) (160 cal), then as soon as that hour is up I will start drinking again and finish the remaining 16oz by lunch. Eat lunch which is typically a salad with chicken or turkey rolled up with cheese approx. and (250-300 cal) (approx. 17-20 g p) an hour later I will fill my 32oz cup up again and will have finished it by the time I get home. When get home I will have a snack tyically a skinny cow ice cream (2g p) (160 cal) then dinner, typically chicken breast, turkey burger and a veggie like caluiflower (approx. 30-40 g p) (approx 350-400 cal)or a weight watchers meal (varies in cal and p). an hour later again with the Water 16oz (i've now hit my Fluid intake for the day) I will have an evening snack sometimes that's 2oz of cheese (14g p) (220 cal) or if I'm running low on Protein a Quest protein bar (20g p) (160 cal) etc. By this time I've roughly hit my 1200 cal target (some days a littel shy some days a little over) and my 60-80 grams of protein for the day. Oh no, I didn't just start having the issue and I can't truly say that it is an issue because it has worked for me all these years that I have long since accepted it as my "new lifestyle". I was just curious as to how everyone else get it all in (eats/drinks) on a daily basis.

This is just my opinion but because the 2 week liquid diet is very important, I would run any specific questions you have regarding what's acceptable and isn't accepable by your doctor. The answers you're going to receive on here are going to based on everyone's personal exp and their doctor's preferences which may or may not be the same for you. Good luck on the start of your journey! Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

You're 3 years post-op and have been extremely successful, so I guess my question so I can understand is did you just starting having the issues of gettting all of your food and liquids in after your last fill? If so and it wasn't a problem before maybe you need a slight unfill to ensure you're getting the proper nutrition? How many calories, Protein, oz. of Fluid, per day would you say you consume now? How does this compare with the last 3 years?

Congrats on your fantastic loss so far! I think it's important to follow the rules YOUR doctor laid out for YOU. Every doctor is different which is why you will hear some say they eat no more than 1 cup at a meal and others like you who state they were told to eat 3-4oz Protein, 1/2 cup veggies and 1 starch (if you still have room) per meal. Do what your doctor says not someone else's doctor has instructed them to do. My doctor gave me the exact same instructions you've been given. In the begining I was just like you , confused and really unsure which one was correct because you're right the amount we've been given unless packed is more than a cup, so I dug out my instructions again and just verified I was doing what he told me and ignored everyone elses instructions. It seems to have worked for me, so don't stress yourself over it because it's working for you as well:-) As far as sliders go, these are considered foods that go straight through the band opening without stopping to fill the new small pouch the band has created so you don't ever get that satisfied feeling. Some people get in trouble with these because obviously they're foods that have no nutritional value and are also things most people crave so they can eat them without ever feeling full, much like you don't have a band at all. These foods can be ice cream, cake, Cookies, chips, crackers, popcorn, some say yogurt and Protein Bars are sliders for them but honestly I've not had any food that has acted like a slider for me so again everyone is different.

JustWatchMe, I'm terribly sorry that you're going through all of this! My thought as to the two main questions you asked: "Was my band tighter-feeling all month because of the constant stress level every day?" Yes, definitely! I know when I'm stressed even just slightly over a bad day the amount I'm able to eat is drastically reduced. I have no appetite and so when eating something as small as yogurt can make it feel like the old days of hitting a buffet and eating until I was about to pop. The amount of stress your under right now is definitely the cause of the band tightness and in my opinion also the culpret of the cold sores and arthritis flare-ups! You are SOOOO strong and you've come so far! You can and will make it through this. In the same way your weight isn't gong to come off overnight, the stress can't be gone in a day so give yourself a llttle break and try to just take time for yourself. To tell you not to stress isn't going to happen, it's a process in life (or atleast in mind) get it all out so that you aren't hanging on to anything and then when it's over it's over!!!! Regarding another fill, if this were me I would definitely hold off! With that said though I would still keep your appointment at the end of this month just to check in but I'm just afraid that if you were to get another fill at this point and the stress spikes back up you won't be able to eat anything and then you'll have to schedule an additional appointment to have some taken ut, probably causing even more stress. Don't worry about the 3lbs that found you, they're likely just Water weight or just another side effect of all the stress! Just try to keep yourself as busy as possible! it will help you keep your mind off things and off of eating and as silly as this sounds drink alot of Fluid. Again, I'm sorry that you're going through this stressful time but you are strong, look at how far you've come there's nothing or no one that can stop you! Keep your head up lady!!

This is one of my favorite quotes and one that I can live by every day now because of the decision I made to have the lapband. I'm almost 15 months post-op and because of this amazing tool my life has changed dramatically and I know it will only continue to get better with each passing day of maintenance. I've learned so much from my doctor, the wonderful people on this forum and through my own mistakes. 15 months ago I was absolutely miserable! I couldn't enjoy life because of the fear of bringing attention to myself, I didn't want to go to functions in fear of what people were saying or thinking, I was embarrased for my husband and kids to be seen with me (even though they love me regardless), but I didn't like myself. My attitude was anything by optomistic, the weight had completely taken over and I became someone I didn't recognize or like anymore and that's when I decide to make a change. I've always been a very happy, glass half-full kind of person but being obese took all that away from me. Today my life has done a complete 360, I'm the able to be the person I always was on the inside and now my outside matches. I've grown so much as a person and can honestly say I love who I am today. I'm stronger, happier and healthier than ever. Last week I turned 35 and I can honestly say I haven't felt as good as I do now since I was 16. I spent way too many years with my head buried. When I went in yesterday for my check-up with my surgeon I had lost another 5lbs, for a total loss of 154lbs. I'm trying to level out and I'm getting there. I'm working on letting go of the control issues and listening more to my band than to my head, which for me is a strugle. Yesterday my doctor asked me if I would be interested in being a spokesperson for his surgical center by sharing my weightloss story on a local rock radio station, along with being on on their new website. I'm thrilled to be able to share my journey with others in hopes that someone out there will be able to relate to my story and find hope in their current situation. One thing I've learned is there is always HOPE! If you're just starting out and you're questioning your decision, don't, it's all worth it, if you've hit a rough patch just keep pushing through, you'll get over the hump and what awaits for you on the other side is all worth it!!!

I had the same thing and actually just last night after 15 months post op I bent the wrong way and my port didn't like it much, honestly it kind of freaked me out too because it really hurt but like Betty_s said it's always better to be safe then sorry so if you're concered call your doctor! It will ease your mind more than what anyone could tell you here:)

Oh gosh, sorry to hear about your stuck episode!!! Here are a couple I tried when I was in this stage: It was ricotta cheese, spaghetti sauce, mozz. cheese and you microwave it until warm. I layered the bowl with the ricotta, then the sauce and then the mozz. You could also use cottage cheese to get more Protein in place of the ricotta. It sounds weird but it was actually very good, but that av only been because I was sick of Soup myself:-) I always loved refried Beans pureed and then topped with shredded cheddar cheese and taco sauce, you could even add some avocado to it. Loaded smashed cauliflower. Cauliflower steamed and mashed, mix in Some shredded cheddar cheese (I eye ball mine) A couple cloves of garlic A splash of milk to thin it out salt and pepper Okios non-fat Plain greek yogurt (again I eye ball) I typically add bacon and green onion to mine but since you don't want to chew anything I would leave these out unless you wanted to add it all to a blender and puree it before eating? Mash your steamed cauliflower and add in the yogurt and milk, and garlic and then stir in the cheese. I hope you feel better soon!

This may not be the answer you were hoping for but I don't believe in "stalls", yes the number on the scale may not be budging but during this time it's important to realize that you're losing inches, this is the cycle your body goes through. You lose and then slow down or stop on the scale but during this time your body is just catching up to itself by shedding inches, which in my opinion is way more important than the number on the scale. The most important thing to do during these times is to monitor how your clothes are fitting if they're getting loser you're still losing, a loss whether it's in lbs or in inches is still a loss and are equally important. If you stay the course and keep making healthy choices and exercising you'll see that scale start to move again, it doesn't have a choice:-). The important thing is not to get discouraged! You're going to get there!