kimk1999

Wow! 60 lbs is very impressive!

5 months post op and I've been stuck for about 1-2 months with the scale not really budging. Ive been stuck shy of 50 lb mark for too long now. I've gotten frustrated enough to jump off the cliff of the plateau and to push myself more. I've reduced my calories (esp random snacking), reducing the alcohol and increasing exercise. This morning my scale had said I lost 2.7 lbs! I am excited and noticed again. I question myself if I'm really hungry or bored. A 3 mile walk on the beach with gorgeous weather definitely helped today. I'm in Florida. Hope everyone is doing well. How'd you get over your plateau's?

What do you guys think of our gorgeous weather? We had the air off today and tonight we had a nice 3 mile walk along Clearwater beach. Florida is great!!

Many different factors going on here... How much (qty of cc's) did your doc give you? My doc was pretty aggressive at first and then tapered off. She still wouldn't do any sooner than 4 weeks. I was filled to 4.8cc with the first fill and then it has been much slower. I definitely felt like some of the fills were pointless and could still eat way too much. I felt like there was no restriction at all and I was frustrated. Just be patient and trust the docs schedule. It's good to go slow to understand how to eat with this device. Good luck and just take a deep breath. It sucks. It is still more of a diet at this point but it will get better.

I love doing those things on a Sunday and make them for the week. Makes breakfast fast for work a no brainer and very quick. Usually I just do eggs, cheese and bacon or diced ham.

I'm 5 months out

This is definitely one of those - varies by surgeon questions. [lap-band patient here] I had no restrictions on coffee except the day of surgery that morning but I wasn't allowed to eat or drink period that morning. I have no restrictions about caffeine except from a generic do not over do it (but that might be more from my primary or ob since I'm trying to conceive). I really didn't have any restrictions on alcohol. I'm definitely a lightweight. I limit my beer due to carbonation. I can drink hard liquor or wine no problem (as long as it's not bubbly wine). Well I still drink bubbly wine but try to let the bubbles dissipate some, drink it slowly and don't drink too much. Carbonation - between beer, bubbly wine, or soda - I just try my best to limit it. I have the lap band. The bubbles tends to expand my pouch which in turn seems to push on that vagus (I think that's the one) nerve which in turn makes my shoulder hurt. I wasn't much of a soda drinker to begin with, but I loved beer. Being in pain from drinking is not that relaxing. I'll have a few sips of my fiancé's and that's about it. Now keep in mind that most surgeons recommend about 800-1000 calories per day, so if you're having a 100-200-400 calorie drink that's a significant chunk of your calories that you drank. My weight loss had stalled for a while, I cut out alcohol and it's moving again. It's empty calories but it is such an enjoyable part of life. You'll need to find a balance for what works for you, your goals, and your surgeons requests.

When the late night munchies hit, I try to go to bed. My work has been super stressful so unfortunately my snacking and alcohol went up. I'm somewhat happy it didn't increase yet frustrated that I've plateaued. I plateaued prior to the workload increase and that frustration just kind of 'enforced' it a bit more. I've been considering doing liquids again to try to jump start the scale to move again

I've been able to get fills with 10lbs of weight loss in either 4 or 6 weeks (can't remember). They have not denied me a fill yet when I've asked for it... They will ask (at least mine does): How often do you get stuck/vomit/slime? How much are you eating per meal (oz)? How often do you eat / feel hungry? They use that and ask me if I want another fill to gauge if they should do a fill. You should determine if you're getting stuck - is it you (I.e. Not chewing enough / eating wrong food) or is the band too tight. Qty at each meal - my surgeon likes between 4-6 oz. I was able to eat more before feeling full or I'd have to stop myself (dieting). Often - my surgeons goal is for us to get to 4+ hrs between meals. As usual, it may vary per surgeon. Hope this helps.

I'm exactly right there with you... About 5 months out and plateaued at about 47 lbs. I'm trying to increase my water. I know I should increase my exercise but just been too busy (bad excuse I know). Do you track every calorie? Are you accounting for all the condiments/sauces? Are you measuring your food?

I know I'm not hungry. I've tried drinking Water. I've tried distractions - cleaning, watching movies, tv, going for a walk, going shopping... but I just want to eat. This has been a super stressful week. Major milestone / presentation at work. I live in Florida and my ac stopped working. I'm trying my best to avoid the kitchen but it is calling my name louder and louder. I gave in yesterday and the scale showed this morning. What do you guys do when the munchies strike?

I'm near Tampa. I picked the blue/gray version.

That does sounds yummy. Thanks for the suggestions. I vary between sweet and creamy to salty and crunchy. Lol.

You need to understand and figure out how much each fill actually is. Some surgeons only fill about half a cc each time. Mine was more aggressive and stated with 5cc on the first fill (but at surgery was zero). Some surgeons will fill the band with a few cc's during surgery. I'm at 6.5ish in a 10cc band. It took me three fills. Some people are perfect with 3 cc's and I've read of other that it took up to 8 or 9 cc's. Everyone is different. You can't compare the number of fills or quantity of fills. It sucks but yeah it sounds like bandster hell. It'll get better with more fills. Try to stay positive and stay within your doctor's eating guidelines. Congrats on being banded and congrats on the 1 lbs loss. A loss is still a loss. Just try to be patient. I know that's definitely easier said than done.

Depends on your surgeon... For me, post op was 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks puréed and then slowly start into solids easily. I've seen others with 4 weeks liquids, etc. My surgeon went through my belly button so I really don't have any significant scars. I think my belly was bruised for about 4-6 weeks after surgery. If I remember, I wasn't cleared for swimming for about 4 weeks post op. Did you have other types of concerns? I'd suggest to go before a fill and not immediately after a fill in case you have any issues.

I'm 5'4" I'd be happy in an 8 (currently 12) My goal is 6 I'd be thrilled if I got back to a 4 but not really pushing for that

Went to Red Lobster tonight with my fiancé. I ordered the kids meal of broiled flounder with green beans. It was still a large portion I was surprised. I also ordered a glass of Chardonnay. My wine was more calories and was more expensive than my meal ($5.99 vs. $5.50). Also, I must say that I feel silly ordering alcohol and a kids meal. Do you order kids meals when you go out? It was just a funny observation to me and I wanted to share. $5.50 for a meal at Red Lobster with leftovers is awesome!

I actually have the fitbit force (which was recalled). I like the display too much and the stairs feature to have given it back. Shhh. Lol. I wash my hands with it on, wear it while doing dishes or laundry, wear it in the rain (I park pretty far out and it rains a lot in Florida). I don't worry about it getting wet but I try not to submerge it.

I think a good starting point is to compare what all myfitnesspal will sync with. I know they work with a lot of different brands. I researched and debated for a couple of months. One down side to the bracelets is that they are not that pretty to wear to a wedding or other dress up event. Sometimes I wish I got the kind that will clip onto my bra. But I love my display and the constant reminder on my wrist to move. I saw on FB the other day an ad for a new one that would be a magnetic clasp (pretty button thing on the front of your shirt, device on the back) and it would also help remind you not to slouch. But I'm not sure if I'd always remember to put that on. Need to determine if you want it water proof. Not that I swim or shower with it but I liked the flexibility. I wore my fitbit when I was washing my car the other day.

That's a great list!

I don't have that long of a torso and I've always felt like I was wearing something too short / small too when I'd wear the sweaters for dresses. Glad I'm not the only one. They do look so cute on others, I just don't think it feels right on me either.

I still have the recalled force. I like the display too much to give it back. I put a bandaid to cover the area where they said people were getting rashes (one of the metallic contacts) and I've been ok. Lol. Been debating about trading it in for the fitbit force or one of the other devices.

It is part of the newer pedometers. It's a little 'bracelet' that you wear to track your steps. It will sync wirelessly with myfitnesspal and some other programs to record your steps/fitness.

Mikee57 - congrats on the new job! are you able to call the restaurant a head of time to work out something? I had actually emailed Chipotle a while back (right after surgery) to see what kind of compromise we could have. The kids meal was a great portion but limited in options. They suggested an off the menu option - the single taco. I can still get whatever toppings I want and still excellent small portion. Maybe this Mexican restaurant will have a small portion. I also try to avoid the shell. I love Mexican food! Maybe order a cup of Soup? I can't do sandwiches. When we go out for lunch to Panera I just order a cup of soup. I agree that at most places the kids meals are junk food too. I was so happy when I found out they had a kids portion of broiled fish. Now if it was grilled I would have been in heaven!!

I usually don't get any push back when I order off the kids meal. My surgeons office did give me a key chain saying I've had surgery and can eat in limited portions, but I haven't had to use it. I try to order with confidence as if I've done it before at a particular place so they won't question me. Chickfila is one of the other places that I order from the kid menu often. I like to order regular meals to have leftovers for work lunches or split a meal with my fiancé. I really don't like leftover fish. Tonight, originally we were going to split a combo plate but I really wanted grilled fish. Most places around here only have fried options for appetizers or just are just as big/more calories than some of the entree options.