HarleyNana

I never felt I was taking the easy way out. From the first moment I heard of the band I knew it was for me. I'm a slow loser of weight and at times get frustrated, but I couldn't be happier with the new me. Good Luck

I couldn't even imagine getting a fill..standing up, OMG. I'm such a wuss I have to pretreat my port area with a topical lanacane something, cover it with plastic wrap, take 1/2 a valium before going, then I'm so tense the port practically sticks out on its own. They laugh now because I use different colors of saran wrap to match what ever I'm wearing, last time it was green. Needles are no laughing matter in my book, I think I'm getting faint just talking about it, gotta go lie down now.

My mom was banded in April, this year, she's lost around 30 lbs, and she will be 74 next month. She's doing great. Heck I'm 55, not far from her.

It's been slow for me, but I've also gained 15 lbs of muscle, on top of the 48 lbs lost, but I'm happier now and that's what counts for me, not to mention healthier too.

That's my only complaint with Sillhouettes catalog, all their models are size 3, LOL. Amazing how important proper nutrition is after banding, prior to banding, we obviously didn't know the word nutrition. Not to mention prior to banding, my objective was what item on the menu was gonna give me the most food for my $$$$$$$.

Hard candy helped me, along with s/f Jello, which I hope not to ever have to eat again. Also s/f popcicles. Hang in there, you can do it.

I tend to get the regular salad and soup. No need getting the salad bar, won't be able to eat much of anything on it. I ususally have the dark greens, a little cheese and some dressing. I'm too afraid I'll have to spit. Fast food...chili from Wendys on a regular garden salad or pintos and cheese from Taco Bell. Take your time and try different things, if you're not sure, have your lunch or dinner date give you a spoon full and test the waters so to speak. Good Luck.

I have those same thoughts every day, how could I NOT be losing weight every day. When I compare what I use to eat for a meal or just the Snacks and starches alone, OMG, I should have lost twice as much weight by now. I was starting to get super depressed and down, then went in and had the nutritionist do the weight vs fat vs muscle test and I had gained 12 of muscle, then 3 lbs another time, so just because you're not losing lbs, you could be losing fat and gaining muscle. It's easy to say don't get discouraged, but.....don't get discouraged, hang in there.

I wish you the best!

My band is 8 months old and I'm not 1/2 way yet...1.75, haven't had a fill since April and still have restriction. I probably could use a little fill, but I easily pb, so I'll settle for the slow loss for a bit longer, trying to reserve that band, lol.

"I'm HAPPY" That is the key! That was one of my main goals with my band is to be happy about me. You go girl!

Haven't had any problems with my diet soda replacement....vodka doesn't bubble at all, and the vitamins in the oj are good for me too.

Zone bars are awesome, but require a lot of chewing and very small bites. 16grms of protein and they have lots of great flavors, specially the choc-peanut-graham.

I order a garden salad from Wendys and add the small chili, stir, add a tiny bit of dressing, yummmmm. You not only save a $ from ordering the salad with grilled chicken, you get fiber and protein. I also order a regular or soft taco from Taco Bell, then mix the contents of the taco with the pintos and cheese in a larger bowl and bingo, a meal in a bowl. Obv, I'm not a big cook and I can not do the protein drinks, yukkkkkk.

I wouldn't use the relish unless you blend it first. You're using my three favorites. I just squished them up really well before eating. I don't know if you have a WAWA near you, but OMG, they have the very best of all three. I just order 2-3 of the 1/4 containers of each, then you know how much you're eating. My doctor said to use the real mayonnaise, since you're not eating that much of it anyway. I drove on my 3rd day, I didn't need the pain pills either. Wish ya luck!

When were you banded? DEC 6, 2004 What was your weight ON DAY OF SURGERY? 215 lbs What is your weight now? 167 lbs (Includes 15 lb of gained MUSCLE) What size do you wear? Now 14 How tall are you? 5'2 <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Welcome Lisa, I was banded by a doctor in Newport News. I can only say great, positive things about he and staff. Good Luck.

Beautiful smile too. (Ouch that made me hurt looking at those pictures of you all bruised and stringy).

I used ooops paint remover, VERY CAREFULLY, LOL. I tried polish remover, alcohol, peanut butter, olive oil, finally got tired of the tread marks on the tummy and got out the oops, put it on a q-tip and gone with the first swipe. WARNING-DO NOT GET ON OR NEAR THE INCISION.

I was so afraid to try salads, I finally did and actually do better on salads than most other solids. I don't do well with chicken or olives. I usually ask for dark leaf salads, and leave off the cucumbers and olives. It's gonna be trial and error, because what works for one of us or 10 of us may not work for you. My band doesn't like ANY kind of potatoes or bread. Have a safe trip.

I grab a choc viactiv Calcium or viactiv multi-vitamin chew. Really helps with the sweet tooth and I'm taking care of my calcium/vitamin needs at the same time. There's also s/f popcicles. STAY AWAY FROM THE ICE CREAM!!! It's easy to get down and a poor choice for comfort food, trust me, you will be sorry, just a warning. ( I know from experience after a week of every other day stopping at Sonic and eating a lil ol blaster...954 calories, yikes, and I couldn't figure out why I wasn't losing weight)

I was partially unfilled back in May I think, I've just gotten in the last couple of weeks that I don't pb EVERYday, which has been so wonderful, I think I'll enjoy it a few weeks and then go for another fill, but if I start gaining, I'll go right away.

I've convinced myself if I drink before or during, I'll cause a pb episode, because it did/does happen, nothing worse than having to rush to restroom while everyone else is eating. I do push it as far as waiting 30-45 minutes after the meal, sometimes I'll get my glass of water to go, it's like desert.

Good luck, hope all goes well, let us know as soon as you're up to it.

The wrinkles must be under those pink glasses. I love the concept of the red under the blonde, I'll be taking a copy of that to my girl.