Chickie

I think most people are designed to be volume eaters. The trouble is, when we eat massive amounts of totally processed junk, there are just way too many calories in there for our bodies to use. But when we eat good whole nutritious foods, our bodies are fed the volume they crave, along with the nutrition they need. It might sound like I am over simplifying it, but basically you can eat more broccoli than you can chocolate without gaining weight.

Knowing then, what I know now? Sleeve. I didn't know if this was going to work. If I could work. If I could live with it. The "what ifs" got me. I need to know that if I was having a hard time, I could have it removed. Now, three years and 190 odd lbs later, the ability to remove the band (and potentially regain the weight) isn't as attractive. The band is fantastic, and if it was the only option I had besides the DS or RNY, it would be my first choice. But throw the option of the sleeve in there...

I understand why you are going to talk to your doc about it. If I was to lose my band for whatever reason, I would be asking for a sleeve rather than a new band.

Yep. Things change. At my very first goal of 75kg, at my height, I was still pretty big (dare I say it - Fat?). At my second goal of 63kg I was ok, but I could have really dropped a few kilos still. At my third goal of "where ever my body ends up is fine with me" I feel and look fantastic.

That has to be the funniest visual I have ever had. In all honesty, maintenance is so much like losing, it's pretty much the same. I still exercise daily, and I still make the best food choices I can, the only difference is, that with my unfill, I can eat a little more now than I could before. I was very careful not to put my whole self into losing weight. Not to make it my identity. So when I got to goal (almost 2 years ago now) it was exciting, but I had other goals to move onto (personal goals and exercise goals) I wasn't let down that it was all over, if you get what I mean? So, my life is exactly the same now as it was the day I got to goal. I created a lifestyle I could live with for the rest of my life. Boring, huh? :tongue_smilie:

It depends on what you fill that half cup with. If it's a less than stellar choice, yep, you are only going to be able to eat a half a cup. But if it's veggies, fruit and lean Proteins, you are going to get more bang for your buck, and be able to eat more than the 1/2 cup. It comes down to choice. Some people like to be able to eat a half cup of pizza / burger / chocolate / chips /whatever. Some other people like to be able to eat the likes of fruit and veg freely. I picked the second option, and it worked well for me. Granted, I also exercise, so maybe that has something to do with it too, but all in all, I still don't buy that you HAVE TO eat only a half a cup. If good choices are made, more than half a cup can be consumed. I know that's not a popular opinion, but its mine (and since when was anything I said popular! LMAO)

It's scary that she is giving advice when her 50lb loss is due to starvation. Very scary indeed.

I am more than happy with the amount I eat, although I don't concentrate on quantity, I just make sure I eat right (protein, lots of veggies and a few complex carbs if I have room) Personally, I don't buy the 1/2 cup theory. I always ate way more than that, and lost just fine. Provided you are eating right, and exercising, losing weight on more than half a cup is totally possible.

Hi Clover! Most Aussie surgeons don't have too much of a problem banding popele with lower BMI's. Best of luck! Sam (who's also in Brisbane!)

I don't avoid cheese or nuts. I eat them on a daily basis (I have a zip lock bag with nuts in my handbag actually)

I didn't "Diet" didn't starve, but I did exercise daily, and rather than relying on super restriction, I ate healthy, whole foods as often as I could. I lost the 190lbs in about 16 months. I still do so, and have maintained without effort for close to two years now.

I can think of three. And it's funny how they always appear to be up each other's asses. Kinda like those Russian nesting dolls.

Turler, I think I might know what thread you are talking about. And I may, or may not have made a half arsed, yet successful, attempt at hijacking that thread. It may, or may not be why the OP of that thread now thinks that people who are smaller than a size 6 are unattractive.

After you "spit up" after every meal, did you at any point go on liquids for 24 hours or so after to allow the swelling to go down? I ask this because, every time we PB, it is a small trauma to the stomach, and it can cause swelling around the band site. Swelling makes the band tighter, resulting in more PB's. Usually 24 hours or so on liquids is enough time to allow the swelling to go down, and when we try to eat the next time, there is just the usual restriction, not the usual plus swelling making us extra tight. Perhaps, if you are still hungry after eating good solid food, are exercising an not losing weight you could go back to your fill provider for a 0.1 cc fill?

I just love the word snort. Sounds like snot. Snot reminds me of picking my nose. Picking my nose reminds me of bing a kid, that reminds me of when I could run in the yard naked through the sprinkler. I wish I could still run naked through the sprinkler. Damm those water restrictions.

Hi Stacey, I don't know that I will be a great deal of help regarding post op foods, (because I became Veggie at about 6 months post op) but I wanted to let you know that there are plenty of Veggies on the board (we are around). As a Semi-Vegetarian you will have an easier time finding protein than Vegans or Vegetarians because you eat fish. Best of luck to you.

No. It's not just you. I feel the same way.

Since we are all sharing... I had DH convinced for at least 6 months into our marriage that women don't fart. That I didn't fart. I swear to whatever you worship. I had him snowed. He looked horrified when I finally farted in front of him. I just wish it had smelled like a spring day!

If a secret is told in PM, it's still secret, right?

Any time I have been nauseated I took some anti-nausea medication, and I was ok. I make sure that I have some on hand at all times.

Ok, I am happy with my band, and grateful for the assistance it gave me to lose the weight, but I can't say it was the best thing I ever did with my life (That would be having my son, and marrying my DH) It's high up there, but not at the top, if you get my meaning. So I didn't vot. But I 1) I can't address red meat, because I am a Veggie, but I am pretty sure, if I wanted to, and I chewed well enough, I could eat red meat. I can eat Pasta, rice and bread too. I can eat just about anything anyone else can at this stage. I eat a little less of it, and take it slower, but I eat what I like, so there is no frustration. 2) I refuse to be embarrassed or carry any shame about the band. Do people who go to Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers feel shame or guilt? Hell no. This is no different. You are getting help for a weight issue. It's simple, and nothing to be ashamed of at all. Best of luck to you.

LMAO - That is not me. It's Vicky Pollard from Little Brittan (an actor named Matt Lucas dressed as a woman) Babe. If you fill your band to bursting point, and puke everything that you eat up, you too can lose weight without exercising. It's easy really. The only draw back is that pesky malnutrition. But who needs to be nourished? It's highly over rated :thumbup:

No worries. And Congratulations on getting to your goal (I missed that part in the op somehow)

I am green Sades! I LOVE Mikey Robbins. Have since his Triple J days.

Just re reading your posts (I think you edited while I was replying the first time) I don't think a BMI of 35 will be an issue. But like She Smiles said, you will be hard pressed to find a surgeon who will see you without a referral. Add to that there is no Medicare rebate if you don't have a referral.