rharriet62

NOT A FAILURE!!! Thank goodness you have your depression under control! Now, you can focus on YOU again! YAHOO!!! I have been banded 3.5 years, and I went through a year last year where I wasn't losing much at all. I got into the mode of deciding I was going to lose and really USE my band again...even tho I had been working out like crazy, I wasn't eating right and so wasn't losing. Anyway, I got a body bugg and started using it to log my food and MAGICALLY I started losing again! I've lost the 10 lbs I gained back plus about 15 more since Jan 1 and I am thrilled! That is more than I lost in all of 2007. My point is to let you know you are not the only one to have these issues...and it's all there when you are ready to use it!!! Let us know how you are doing!!!

I've been banded 3.5 years and have lost a good amount of weight so far. I have lost slowly, as you can see from my ticker, but it's coming off faster right now because I'm really focusing on calories and using my Body Bugg. ANYWAY, I started off a size 34 and am now an 18, close to a 16. I live in a really small town in Wyoming. Didn't really tell people other than 2 friends and family that I was getting banded. Well, after 3.5 years, the rumor is going around town that I "had something done like a bypass" because I've gotten so skinny SO FAST! When I asked someone why this was going on now, the answer was ... "well, now it's noticeable!" WHAT??? People continue to amaze me. Does anyone else think this is sort of BIZARRE??? Because I sure do!!! LOL!!! Gosh, and I thought you could tell when I had lost 75 lbs...guess I wasn't looking so good! HAHA.

Hi, You sound like me, so I am responding to your question! I have a dieting history like you. At first, I got the band because I just had an issue getting healthy organs bypassed...just a personal deal for me. WHAT I LEARNED from having my band for 3.5 years now, is that it was the BEST choice FOR ME. WHY? Because I honestly think I would have lost all my weight fast with a bypass and then gained it back. The band has taught me (and teaches me daily) that I may not be perfect at my eating, but with the restriction I can make choices that help me lose weight or not. It has taken me years to modify the way I eat, the way I think of eating, and I think with the bypass, I would have reverted back to "non-dieting me" and gained it back. The band is much more forgiving (I think) and I can "start" take a break "start" up again and not gain weight back. I am still losing and loving my band. It was the best choice for me! I hope you can make a good decision for you!

I am wondering if you are still too tight. The drinking thing is just a habit you need to get into. Drink 30-45 mins before your meal...so it takes some planning. I think everyone has times, foods, days when they are tighter than others, but if it's happening all the time, I'd say you might be too tight still. You might want to go to your appt and discuss this with your doc and get some educated help in making your decision. Good luck!

I've been banded 3.5 years. I may go up and down a few lbs (like 5) but NEVER the wild 100+ then lose it all swings I used to do! During those "down times" the others describe, I would basically stay the same. I might eat crap but do not gain like I did in the past. It's a life saver! I LOVE MY BAND! It will be the best investment you ever make.

Hi! I use a great recipe from Rachael Ray. My family and guests LOVE this soup and of course, it's 30 minutes! Go to foodtv.com and do a search for Why The Chicken Crossed The Road Tortilla Soup. Stupid Name, but super good soup! You roast the corn and peppers ... in the summer, I roast about 36 ears and bag them up and freeze them in 3-ear batches just for this soup all winter! Do all the toppings...it really makes it delish!

Hey Bunny! Thanks! Yeah, when I started out on the elliptical, I did about 1 minute and was done. I would catch my breath and try to get in one more minute. I would do this up to a 10 min total and then stop. I just kept working up and up and I still remember the day I came home SO HAPPY because I went 5 minutes straight! Of course, I chuckle about that now because I have to power it up hard for at least 12 minutes to even start a light sweat! But, this has built me up so now I run inside and out and bike outside when the weather is nice. It's a great whole body exercise!!!

Hi. This happens to me, too. You retain fluid when you are having your period and now I get a few days of retention 2 weeks after. Lucky me. Anyway, I really cut the salt down and it has helped a lot! I thought I was eating lower sodium but cut even more out. I try to add more liquids every day and drink at least one cup of hot green tea (decaf) in the evenings. For some reason, this mix has really helped. Now, I still get a little tight but I can eat softer foods for those few days. Also, do you exercise? That helps me out a lot, too.

Yes! I think its the alcohol itself that causing the burning sensation. I have felt it with other types of liquor, too. Sometimes, I feel nothing and sometimes it stops me cold. I don't drink much as a rule, but have experienced this. I also get this sometimes with salsa or other spicy foods and it never happened before the band. I can feel it hit the band because it burns and is irritable.

Congrats to you! WOW. That is AMAZING. It took me 3 years to lose that much weight. Nice work!

I worked on getting my head into the NEW game of ME! I started living like I was going to change my life. If you behave that way, it will BE that way! It was a whole shift for me. I started drinking a gallon of water a day. I ate more salads and worked on cooking more healthfully. I started working out. The working out put me in decent shape for surgery and my doc was super impressed because my lung capacity and oxygen saturation was so good ... and I weighed 367! BUT, for a solid 4 months, I was lifting, walking, doing elliptical (and I started doing elliptical ONE MINUTE at a time because I was so out of shape!). Now, I stop myself after basically running on it for 60 minutes! LIVE LIKE YOU WANT TO BE...band or not! When the band comes, it will be so much easier!!!

Unlike my friend Marla in the other post, I don't have a problem under eating! HAHA. When I was stuck on the scale, I was eating TOO much! If you eat a "reasonable" meal at night, how many calories do you think it is? I suggest you log all your calories every day for a while and check it out. Also, what is the intensity of your walking> Are you sweating like crazy or is it a "stroll"? That makes a HUGE difference. I think you should also do some weight training to build muscle and get that metabolism going. One more thing....make an effort to double your water. SO MANY PEOPLE say they stop losing when their water is low. Shoot for a quart and then two quarts a day and so on...I'll bet you are dehydrated, too! That can really stop the loss.

Hmmm. I think you need a fill based on how you say you can eat. The NUBER in your band is not important...what is important is HOW you can eat! I have a 4cc band and I have 3ccs in my band. That is the highest fill I've ever had ... I've been banded 3.5 years...and I just got to this level about 2 weeks ago with my last fill. I am losing right along and can eat a few bites and I'm done. I think it's the best fill I've ever had because I feel great, too. I also work out a lot...nearly an hour every day. Are you exercising? Are you getting your water and protein? Are you REALLY counting your calories? I didn't lose much last year at all and so in Jan I started counting my calories and logging ALL my food. I was eating too much! SO, I worked on my fills and quit eating too much and the scale started moving. Most people underestimate the food they eat by 40% (a stat I read) and so I suggest you log it all for a while and see what you find out! GOOD LUCK!!!

The BONUS is that you KNOW you are sabotaging yourself!!! When you are eating the bad foods at night or overeating, that is the time to stop and ask WHAT AM I FEELING RIGHT NOW? Think about your goals. Have your meal to your comfort level and say, "I'm going to set this down and will eat it when I'm hungry again." Now, that is NOT easy, but it is one way I manage myself when I catch myself eating crap I don't need to eat. There is some comfort knowing it's there for later and about 95% of the time, I don't eat it later. I also think some counseling would be great (not just because I'm a counselor!) but I think there is a FEAR of losing weight and size. There was for me and sometimes it still flares up! Also, give yourself a break! You just got banded (from my view of over 3.5 years) and there is LOTS to learn. Some of it will just work itself out and some of it is learned the hard way. Get some help. It won't be forever. You'd be surprised how much 6-8 sessions can help you!

Julie! That is FANTASTIC!!! I can't believe you are so close to your goal. How inspiring!!! And, what a joy to be in 16s!! I started out a 34 and just bought my first skirt in a 16, but other 16s are still too tight and my 18s are getting pretty loose...I'm CLOSE! I have a lot of lbs left to lose, tho! UNLIKE YOU!!! NICE!:thumbup::thumbup:

This is very interesting! My bottle says it is Whey Protein. They say there is research on their website about it, so I think I'm going to read that, too. Thanks for the info! My doc is always so up on her info...I'm a little surprised she would suggest it if it was a bad thing. Hmmm. MORE RESEARCH FOR ME!

I may have a drink from time to time...maybe once a month or less...but if I drink, I stop losing weight. A few times, I felt the booze immediately "burn" when it hit my band, so I quit. They say alcohol can cause swelling and erosion around the band site and that's why it is also suggested you don't drink. I guess it's up to you to decide if it's OK for you!

IT HAPPENED TO ME and I'm doing great now...YOU CAN, TOO!!! I was swollen and my band was so tight, I didn't even realize that I WAS throwing up and not eating right because it became NORMAL. The day I freaked out because I only had about 4 bottles of Zantac and was in WalMart buying more that it hit me! I went back to the doc, got a complete unfill, took Prevacid for 30 days, and let my stomach heal. Then, headed back for 4 fills over a period of 2 months and am now at perfect restriction. It's EASY to eat right now, I don't throw up, and it's a whole new me! I am losing about 4 lbs a week and I have NEVER had that weight loss before. When you are swollen, I think your body shuts down and you do not lose. I didn't lose for almost a year because of the swelling. GET AN UNFILL and heal yourself. You will be fine! I want to hear how it goes. PLEASE LET ME KNOW! You can do it!!! PM me if you have any questions!

Yep..I am the same as justlosingme. I vary it up and down. But hang right around 1000 as a rule of thumb. I also work out at least 1 hour a day and according to my body bugg am burning about 600-800 cals in that time depending on what I do. That allows me to sneak in some chocolate now and again!

HAHA! Yeah, the lead FRONT PAGE story a few weeks ago was about a girl who was having a real birthday because it was LEAP YEAR and she was born on the 29th! So, my running at the gym was probably up for an award or something! HAHA. And you're right...I'll bet I'm cheating on DH and don't even know it. At least I haven't heard I'm on drugs (yet) like our other thread said!!!

Hey! Nice to hear this conversation...something different. Don't you think Mark is so emotional now because he IS dealing with his weight...and his fat just covered up his emotions (is that the therapist in me coming out?) HAHAHA. Yeah, he bugs the crap out of me, too! Yes you pay for Jillian's workout. It's $52 for 3 months, but you can cancel after 5 weeks and get a refund. I like it. However, I will say this (In my opinion)...I have workout out for 4 years steadily and have had two trainers. I felt it was time for me to wean off and try it on my own. I have the motivation to work out 5-6 days a week and to push it. SO, in that regard, her plan is doable for me. I could see someone not at that point yet of going...yeah, not so much doing this part now! HAHA. I think it's a good workout. If you have more specific questions, you can PM me or send an email to rharriet@gmail.com. My name is Rose.

WOW! Onderland will be FANTASTIC!!! I cannot wait. And, that is my goal... SOON, I hope! LOL

My body seems to do its own thinking and gets VERY used to an exercise fast. SO, I have to shake it up a lot. I will do hills, change speed, walk backwards on the treadmill and RUN. It seems that running is something my body does not adjust to as fast as other exercises, but I am constantly varying the speed up and down as I am hoping to become a faster runner. I like to do elliptical, outside bike, I lift, and I recently started doing the workouts in circuits from JillianMichaels.com. I think they are good. You do five circuits at each workout. Each circuit has two strength moves and then a cardio component. You do it three times and move to the next circuit. I run outside, too for variety when it's warm.

Bergdorfblonde, your response almost made me faint...NO JOKE. I read it and got instantly hot and sweaty. NORMAL SIZE? I have NEVER thought of myself as a normal size! I think you could be right, tho, in the way that fat is fat and then they noticed I was not as fat. Of course, to me, I weigh 239 now and while it's a long ways from 367, I'm still pretty fat! Of course, being in a small town, everyone knows I work out all the time because that is also a topic of conversation. There was even a freaking article in the paper about it last year! Yeah, I know...crazy. BUT, people know I'm working at it and see me running outside, etc. I'm a therapist, so I think people like to know what I'm doing! HAHA. Then they can talk about it! TOO FUNNY. The rumors don't bother me. I'd tell someone if they asked, and they have. I can't wait for the next rumor...do you think that since I've lost weight, I've gotten to be "all that" and am leaving my husband or cheating on him???? LOL!

Kate! You are my kindred spirit! HAHA. We were banded close to each other. I was in Sept 2004 and I am hoping to get off the rest of my weight this year, too, and get PS in 2009 when my weight stabilizes. I eat like you and am also "taking my time" at this venture...but I am confident it's FOREVER!!!