outdoorfriends

Carol1951...yes I'm the same way. I was able to eat a small quiznos sub last Friday. I just got another fill on Monday and I'm now up to 3.5 in my band. I'm no where near eating only 1/2 cup. But as long as I'm still slowing losing and I'm eating the right foods, then I won't worry about it.:hungry:

Hi Marchies! Its been at least 3 weeks since I've been here. I'm sorry some of you are not losing as quickly. I don't know if you are keeping a log of what you eat, Calories, Protien, Fat, Fiber, and Sugar. I started doing this and its helping. Also, according to my doctor, you should lose a pound a week. So if you're not dropping 5-10lbs a month, then thats okay. Try setting mini goals. Like lose 30lbs. When you hit that goal you will feel great. Then set another mini goal. And yes...you can eat just about anything you used to. And sometimes you should treat yourself. But I find the band has helped me want to eat healthier. It takes forever to shop since I'm really looking at labels. Don't give up and keep on trying. Remember...any amount lost is still a LOSS! As long as it goes down then that is your ultimate goal.

Banded 3/20/07 2 fills for a total of 2.5cc Going in on the 23rd for my 3rd. 9.75 band Feel some restriction, but I'm wondering if I've stretched my pouch. I feel like I can eat too much, but not nearly what I could before surgery.

Cowgirldreams, Are you writing down EVERYTHING you eat and drink? I know that's a royal pain the the butt, but its easy to eat more than you think you are. I haven't been and I'm staying the same. I just started back to writing and for right now, its keeping me from snacking. Also, are you trying to stay away from high fat and high sugar content foods? I realized last week that i was snacking too much even though it way on far more healthier items than I did before banding. Keep trying and dont give up!

Hi Marchies! First off...A NSV....I finally gave away my size 32-28s to a thrift store that gives their proceeds to various local charities. That made me feel good. I was hoping they would have clothes in my current size that I could buy and later give back. No such luck. Their selection sux! They needed what I gave them. Now for the bad news....I've been so very bad this past week. I drank 8 beers...Can you believe 8?!?!? on the 4th. I can count on 1 hand how often I drink in a years time. And then I think I've eaten everything in site. It may be healthier foods, but I'm eating way too much. I can't seem to make myself write down and measure what I'm sticking in my mouth. I have no idea how many calories a day I'm eating. I think I've even gained 5 lbs. But I'm not going to give up. I should be able to start walking again and maybe riding my recumbent bike soon. At least I hope the Dr will release me. Have a good week.

Cindy...WELCOME! I don't know about the rest, but I find this forum to be a big help. I've learned about a lot of things I have not experience nor do I want to. And when I'm worried about something, I find out others have or had the same thing and its really nothing at all. Plus the support is wonderful. Everyone is so nice. I was banded 3-20 and have 2.5cc's in my band now. I have some restriction, but I still think I eat more than I should. But on the other hand, I don't eat what I used to and 3 meals a day pretty much keep me full. I was eating 3 squares and 2-3 snacks. Now I have fruit in the fridge that I'm not hungry to eat anymore. At least I'm thinking about eating something healthy! HAH! Update to the group....Went to the Orthopedic Surgeon. He still won't release me to exercise yet. Not even my recumbant bike. I'll go back in 2 weeks. Its really only been a not even a whole week that I have not experienced some pain in my calf. What bothers me now is the redness below the calf all the way around my leg. It sometimes has heat and feels like someone is ripping the skin off if clothing touches it wrong. Doesn't that bite. I want to exercise but I can't. When I can again I probably won't want to. GO FIGURE! If I can't get online tomorrow....I hope y'all have a great weekend! And be careful with the fireworks next week!

Hey Lara, I had some slight pain if I drink too quickly. Usually a little burp will make me happy. So far, no probs with meat. I have not tried a steak, but I have had chicken breast, pork chop (grilled) and fajitas which went down well. I think once I was so hungry I ate too fast and I walked around the house with my arms over my head. After a few minutes, the pain went away. Felt like someone was sitting on my chest.

Felicia, I know you're counting the days. Good luck. You sound like you already have a good attitude about it. I think you will do well.

First off... for those of you who have lost over 100lbs...WAY TO GO! I love to see those kind of stats. Now for the topic. If you have done the research, looked at your options and feel that the lapband is the way to go then do it. It took me 2 years to decide to do this surgery. I personally know two people who did the same thing with the same doctor and they were doing fine. I kept telling myself I could do this on my own. But I kept failing on my own. I finally decided to do it and was not going to tell anyone but my husband. I was afraid my parents and sisters would try to talk me out of it. Instead to my surprise they were all very supportive and excited that I chose to do this. I am glad I had their support. But I would have done it anyway with out it. What I dont understand is why society thinks its okay for people to have cosmetic surgery every day. Its okay to have a face lift or a tummy tuck because you are not happy with what age is doing to your body. But if you make that hard decision to have WLS, then your doing something wrong. You're copping out. BULL!!! This is a tool to help you get back on track. This is a tool to help you feel full when you make healthier choices in your diet. That is all this is. JUST A TOOL. It is not a majic pill that make the fat fall off. We all can't afford private chefs and trainers to force us to eat right and exercise. So if we have chosen something that can help us, then be happy for us and back off! Okay...I'm done venting for now. Sorry, but this is a sore subject with me.

Oh yeah...I've only had 2 fills. The first was 1.5 cc's and the second was another 1.0 cc's for a total of 2.5cc's. Will I have more restriction later?

Okay...I know its only been 3 months, but I've never PB'd. I had to look it up the other day to know what everyone was talking about. What I am concerned with though is I seem to eat more than what a lot of you say you are eating. I can eat a whole hamburger, bun and all if its well toasted. That's a homemade burger. It may take an hour, but I can eat it with no problems. I keep wondering if I'm eating too much. But I've lost 53.5lbs so I think maybe I'm okay. Then I wonder if I'm stretching out my stomach somehow. I don't want to PB, but I don't want to do other damage either.

Sophie...Way to go! Nothing like hitting your goals. I made my first goal. Lose 50 lbs by my Birthday. Since its not till September, I've already done it. I'm thinking about trying for another 25. Instead of being Fat at 40 I'll be closer to Fit at 40! Well...not quite. But I'm well on my way! Y'all have a great weekend! Marchies Rock!

I agree that the band is a tool. It helps control how much I eat. And after going through the surgery and all, I am more aware of what I am eating. Why do this and not try? In the past I would really try to cut back and make healthier choices. But when I was hungry within an hour of eating, it became very frustrating. And since I have to eat slower, take smaller bites, and chew-chew-chew, it satisfies me where as the same thing that I scarfed down in 15 minutes did not. I realize I'm only 3 months into this. But in the past, I'm usually bored by the 2nd week and would have given up by the 2nd month if I lasted that long. Now I'm like...what's next? How's my next fill going to affect me? What else in my closet can I fit into now?!?!? I hope the newness never wears off!

I was diagnosed with a fatty liver several years ago. I didn't have to do anything special prior to surgery. And I'm happy to report that my bloodwork last month showed my liver count to be within the normal range for the first time in 5 years.

Laralynn86 I agree with Julie. Just get right back on that weight loss horse and don't worry about what you did. Just keep taking it one day at a time and don't let a slip ruin it all for you. You're doing great!

Hi Y'all! I have 2 NSV!!!!!!! First...I'm off the crutches!! Yay! It will be another month before I can start walking for exercise again. Second...I'm having to go thru my closet and dig out all those items I haven't been able to wear for a VERY long time. And of course, bag up the stuff that's too big. Also...I finally made it in for my second fill. Thank goodness. I feel like I've been eating like a pig. OINK OINK. I'll find out tomorrow how a total of 2.5 cc's is doing. I don't think I've ever PB'd yet. Only an occasional feeling like someone was sitting on my chest if I eat or drink too fast. Let out a good burp and the feeling passes. I wish I had time to read Marchies every day. Y'all crack me up and I'm proud of how well you are all doing. Keep up the good work!

Hi Marchies. I responded to the May thread before I realized ya'll had moved. I can't seem to make time to check this daily. Update on my leg. they think I tore the Plantaris Muscle. If you're going to tear something in your calf...that's the one to tear. I'm walking pretty good on both legs with crutches and hobble along on just one or none. I'll find out tomorrow if I can drive again or not. The down side to all of this is I'm eating too much (boredom!) and I can't exercise. Well I did wheel myself around walmart on Saturday in a wheelchair. Talk about sore arms the next day. I'm wondering...It seems like I'm eating more and it does not keep me full as long. Do you think my band has slipped. I've never thrown-up since the surgery so I don't know what I could have done to make that happen. I've only had the 1 fill. I miss my 2nd fill due to my injury and they had to postpone my latest appointment so now I wont go back until the 18th. I'm staying within the same 5 lbs, but this is getting frustrating. I need to get a small notepad to write everything down again and start keeping track. This was too much to go through to stop at 35-40 lbs.

Hi Marchies! I wish I could get on this site everyday. I'm still bummed about not being able to walk or exercise. I'll find out what I actually tore in my calf and see how much longer before I can drive again. And I don't know if my band has slipped or its because I've only had the one fill. But I'm hungry all the time now. what used to satisfy me no longer does. I can eat a whole hamburger (homemade) in about 1 hour. It seems like I'm eating too much and my weight is staying the same. Oh well. For all of you who are doing so great....CONGRATS!!!!!

Oh yeah!....happy birthday Denise. You're looking great!

Hey Ya'll! I've had a bit of a setback. I partially tore my right calf muscle on Saturday. So I've been sitting on my butt and I'm tired of it. At least my doctor said I can start putting weight on my leg. BUT NO EXERCISE! I had lost a total of 40lbs, but I've gained 5 since I've been sitting around all day. And I've been very depressed about it all. My appetite has increased and I'm not drinking enough since its a major pain to hobble to the bathroom on crutches. Oh well...enough complaining. It could have been worse...I could have completely tore the muscle. And we're going to New Braunfels for Memorial Day weekend and now all I can do is sit around the camp and watch everyone else have fun. Yeah I know...welcome to the pitty party. I just need a little encouragement. Thanks.

Jeni 85 The other day I had the veggie patty and all the fixin's for a burger. But instead of placing them on a bun I rolled it in low fat wheat tortilla. Got the taste of a burger, but much easier to eat. And I never thought in a million years I would eat a veggie patty. I really liked it. And thanks for the tip! I'm new to the site so I'm fumbling my way around and finding all kinds of good info. You're doing great!

I've only had the 1 fill and it seems like if I eat slow...like 1 hour...I can eat a veggie burger..bun and all. And I find I want to snack more right now. But I have my second fill scheduled for the 30th so I'm hoping I will start to feel some restriction. I mean I don't eat nearly what I used to eat. But I still feel like I'm eating too much. And I'm picking up back habits like not chewing as much as I should. I still try to take small bites...but... I'm afraid I'm going to be hurting if I don't slow it down a little more and chew...chew...chew. Hang in there...I think we're in the same boat.

That's what my dietician says too. To give it 2 years and give your body time to go back into shape before contemplating surgery. We'll see when I get there. HAH!

kuebel J, It may be the bun from the hamburger thats killing you. Unless its extremly toasted, I can't eat bread that thick. Hope that helps!

Conrats to all the March Banders! I had mine March 20th. The first day of my new life. And it has been a challenge. Especially if its something that really tastes good and I feel full but theres more left on my plate. That will be a hard habit to break. No more "clean your plate"! Here's the the next few months as we learn to adapt to the changes in our lives, habits, and bodies! Go MARCHIES!