lessnless

Yep, I quit with the patch back in 1997. Can't even picture myself as a smoker now. I remember how much energy I had. You'll be DOUBLY amazed at how much better you feel with less weight AND more oxygen! I think the patch is a good analogy for the LapBand. It works on the addiction, so you can work on the habit.

OK, I'm in... I'm just getting started, so I think I'll count my miles, not my minutes. 3 workouts, total 9.72 miles so far.

Just a quick note--I have hypothyroidism which is controlled by meds, and it did not prevent me from having surgery OR losing weight successfully with the LapBand.

You sound like me! It took me a week to get up to 500 calories a day, and I never went through bandster hell. I wasn't even excited about my first fill--I was afraid it would change things, and I was perfectly happy! Here's wishing you the same success...

There is a distinct difference in the way we view food pre-op and post-op. Pre-op, our vision is still clouded by the disease of obesity, which (for me) manifested itself as hyperfocusing on food-related issues and fear of deprivation. The actual surgery risks were of less concern to me than the lifestyle changes. Pre-op, everyone wants assurances that we can eat "normally", i.e., still have dinner with the family in public without drawing attention to ourselves. Everyone is concerned about our "one food" that we can't live without, etc. And calorie counting, do we really have to eat ONLY 1200 calories a day for the rest of our life? Post-op, I read about 1200 calories and I just feel tired--that's SO MUCH FOOD. Before surgery, a 1200-calorie day was a great day in diet-land. Now, it's a (very) rare splurge. I average around 1000 calories a day (I'm VERY active), and I'm never hungry. I'm actually satisfied on much less food, but I find I have to eat to keep my energy levels up and it requires some planning on my part that I never anticipated. I wish someone had reassured me pre-op, how HARD I would have to work to get enough calories in now that I have good restriction. I'm like a 5yo again, you can't tempt me with food if I'm not hungry at that exact moment. My best (thin) friend has bowls of chocolate sitting around in every room of her house, and I have no trouble resisting now. I actually eat BETTER than I did before, because I've given up on low-calorie diet foods in favor of organic/fresh fare. I can't say it often enough: THIS IS EASIER THAN ANY DIET YOU'VE EVER BEEN ON. THIS IS A LIFE-ALTERING TOOL, THE LIFE YOU BUILD WITH IT DEPENDS ON YOU.

Congrats on your first day back! The worst is behind you... I think you'll be fine. It would be hard to get enough liquid pressure built up to stretch your pouch (hubby's an engineer--does it show?!?!). If I drink too quickly I can feel the liquid sitting in my esophagus on top of my pouch, not in it. Of all the things you COULD be tempted with, I think you're safe with herbal tea! I was never much for hot tea before surgery but I'm addicted now. I actually look forward to my 0-calorie afternoon treat, bending my daily routine around my "cuppa". Whodathunk?!?!

I have absolutely no fear of flying. I had a beau in my late teens who owned his own plane, and we would take off for the horizon at a moment's notice. The first time, I was apprehensive (it was a SMALL plane), and here's what he told me: Picture the salt flats--you know, where they do the land speed tests at 100s of mph. Imagine you're lying all alone in the middle of that perfectly flat, miles-wide, white expanse. Now imagine you're afraid to fall asleep because you might roll over and hit something. He caught me off guard with that, and I burst out laughing. Never been afraid since, and I've flow through some BAD turbulence. I just stick my hands up and enjoy the miles-high roller-coaster.

I don't have any big numbers to report, except that I've lost 87% of my excess weight in six months. I learn something new EVERY day, and band life just gets easier and easier as time goes by...

Hehehehehe.... Last week we went out to dinner with friends. After the 4th or 5th time he corrected me, I lovingly reached over and brushed the hair off his forhead. I touched a spot right over his eyebrow and told everyone, "THAT'S where the bullet's going...." All I need is a female judge...

THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!!:thumbup: I've lost SEVEN pounds in 16 days, and I'm now under 20 pounds from goal! It's ALL from the extra exercise since I joined the gym. I haven't had a stiff/sore day yet, hard to see that I'm actually burning that many calories, and yet I'm shrinking. I've always said that the hardest part of working out is tying my shoes. Once I've made the commitment the actual exercise is easy, and I feel so good afterwards. So after I get home, while I'm still buzzed from the gym, I set everything out for my NEXT workout: shoes/socks/bra/etc. That seems to be the key--I feel like I'm halfway there before I even start.

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........202.5......197..........5.5 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 destiny79.......255...........250........240.........10 Foofy...........242.5.........241.5......234.........7.5 Jackie..........164...........164........154.........10 Jill............220...........220........210.........10 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........186........181..........5 kjl315..........227...........227........217.........10 kristin1031.....240...........238........225.........13 legster.........209...........206........196.........10 LessnLess.......164...........159........157..........2 Linda Lu........228...........221........215..........6 Longhorn........204...........199.4......195..........4.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195.........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........224........215..........9 Renewedhope.....213...........208........199..........9 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........184........178..........6 Stacy73.........222...........222........212.........10 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........225........220..........5

I wanted to recommend a website I came across some time ago: Hillbilly Housewife. In addition to recipes, there's a section with a week's menu/shopping for...like...$50. Hope this helps.

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........202.5......197..........5.5 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 destiny79.......255...........252........240.........12 Foofy...........242.5.........241.5......234.........7.5 Jill............220...........220........210.........10 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........186........181..........5 kjl315..........227...........221........217..........4 kristin1031.....240...........238........225.........13 legster.........209...........206........196.........10 LessnLess.......164...........160........157..........3 Linda Lu........228...........226.7......215.........11.7 Longhorn........204...........197.4......195..........2.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195.........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........224........215..........9 Renewedhope.....213...........208........199..........9 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........184........178..........6 Stacy73.........222...........222........212.........10 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........225........220..........5

Just an update: had my annual physical last week, and I just received my test results. Blood Pressure: 100/70 Resting Pulse Rate: 52 Fasting Blood Glucose: 89 << First time it's been below 110 in years... Total Cholesterol: 178 >>LDL: 121 >>HDL: 57 My urinalysis shows that I'm in ketosis (burning body fat for energy). My BUN is very low (shows extreme calorie restriction). There was a handwritten note on the test: EAT MORE! First time a doctor's EVER said that to me...

I got the sample pack from Bariatric Eating - Protein, Vitamins, Gastric Bypass & Lap Band Info, Post-op Recipes, and Help. They also carry AchievOne, excellent protein supplement if you like coffee-based drinks.

Count me in--I'm flexible, but prefer a weekend meet. I'm in far SW Fort Worth.

I'm exactly the opposite--I 'm tight to COLD liquids, but warmth helps open me up. If cold works for you, try eating a sugar-free popsicle using a 1/4 teaspoon. Take a tiny bite every 2-3 minutes (I know, it melts!). That's really the size "sip" you need to take, and the slow timeframe helps keep you from irritating your pouch any more than it already is.

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........202.5......197..........5.5 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 destiny79.......255...........255........240.........15 Foofy...........242.5.........242.5......234.........8.5 Jill............220...........220........210.........10 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........189........181..........8 kjl315..........227...........227........217.........10 kristin1031.....240...........238........225.........13 legster.........209...........209........196.........13 LessnLess.......164...........162........157..........5 Linda Lu........228...........226.7......215.........11.7 Longhorn........204...........199.4......195..........4.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........206........195.........11 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........224........215..........9 Renewedhope.....213...........210........199.........11 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........184........178..........6 Stacy73.........222...........222........212.........10 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9

Here's my two cents: 1) You're right about your wedding hair. Most girls start growing it out at the engagement party, you're just a couple of inches ahead of them. 2) You just started your weight-loss journey. In a couple of months, you'll look completely different--and maybe need a different hair style than what you'd pick today. 3) You're at that "I want to see a change" 25lb mark. I'd start with some new hair "toys", maybe sweep it back off your face with some bright accessories.

I'm joining you guys--what a group of cards... "Elipto-kill"... Toooooo cute... I joined a gym last week. This is my first gym experience--I'm a big hulking girl with lots of muscle under my fat, and I've always hated the idea of standing next to all those willowy size-nothing chicks you see in the commercials. So I joined a women's gym, and guess what?--it's all bigger/older/slower gals, just regular people. No makeup, grunt/sweat away to your heart's content. If they'd shown THIS on the commercials, I'd have joined years ago. I'm addicted to the treadmill--it's like a video game for your feet! I thought I was doing GREAT, until I read about you guys doing 1.5 hours or 10K. I'm not nearly ready for that yet! I'm trying to increase my cardiac endurance so that I can run consistently, so here's my 55-minute routine. I'm never sore after, but I AM breathing hard after each running interval. Any advice from you "gym-rats" would be appreciated... Treadmill: 15 minutes/3 rounds of: walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile) run 2 min @ 5mph (12 min mile) 5 minutes/1 round of: walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile) run 2 min @ 6mph (10 min mile) Strength Training for 15 minutes, alternating upper and lower Treadmill: 15 minutes/3 rounds of: walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile) run 2 min @ 5mph (12 min mile) 5 minutes/1 round of: walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile) run 2 min/ @ 6mph (10 min mile)

I second the AchievOne. Best-tasting protein drink EVER, if you like coffee drinks. The only drawback is that it comes in glass bottles--hard to stuff in your purse...

Name...........Start........Current.......Goal.........To Go Candle..........205...........205........197..........8 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 Foofy...........242.5.........242.5......234........8.5 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 kjl315..........227...........227........217.........10 legster.........209...........209........196.........13 LessnLess.......164...........164........157..........7 Linda Lu........228...........228........215.........13 Longhorn........204...........201........195..........6 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........225........215.........10 Renewedhope.....213...........213........199.........14 Sades...........201...........201........190.........11 wombat712.......145...........145........135.........10 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11

I never thought of doing it that way--thanks!! I'm the worst about "first-bite syndrome". One big bite, and I'm miserable. I told someone today that I couldn't have a celery stick because it would "spoil my appetite". She said, "What are you--FIVE?" Yup, turnin' back the clock a little each day...

I remember the same arguments when birth-control first came out in the 60s-70s. "If you don't want to get pregnant, just don't have sex. Find something else to occupy your time. Why take hormones that aren't tested, that could ruin your health." It's not about removing all the consequences for our actions, it's about having new tools to shape our lives. I'm guilty of the same initial reaction to my husband's LASIK surgery. "Your vision is correctable with glasses. Why risk your eyesight just for a little convenience." Best money he ever spent, by the way.

I made it!! I got another fill on Wednesday, and apparently I'm melting! Four pounds in four days... Name............starting#......current#.......goal#.....to go Anitak33...........245............218..........199.......19 Anna2766____.......232............226..........220.......6 TxArcher...........360............346..........345.......1 Candle.............218............207..........207.......0 chickatee..........188............179..........175.......4 Cookielover........202............202..........192.......10 cQQlgirl...........220............217..........210.......7 Faithmd............306............301.2........296.......5.2 georgiagirl........275............264..........261.......3 Hollyberries.......298............298..........285.......13 Hoppingto..........350............314..........294.......20 Irishmae11.........233.8..........230.4........219.......11.4 Jennie1976.........290............251..........235.......16 jfran..............187............181..........177.......4 Jillrn.............176............171..........166.......5 Jsrico.............255............178..........165.......13 juliegeraci........220............220..........210.......8 KarenG.............207............189..........189.......0 keekahari..........220............217..........205.......12 kjl315.............237.5..........228..........220.......8 legster............223.5..........210..........199.......11 LessnLess..........172............163.75.......164.......(.25) liz_hager..........202............198..........190.......8 Manatee............188............175..........175.......0 Mandyjo............191............179..........180.......-1 metawnny...........252............252..........240.......12 MJRouse84..........274............233..........218.......15 nip50..............250............235..........238.......-3 Rainer.............264............250..........248.......2 Redtulips3.........248............228..........226.......2 RenewedHope........228............213.5........210.......3.5 rharriet...........367............256..........248.......8 Sades..............199.7..........198.4........189.......9.4 Skinny_Jill........195............187..........180.......7 Stacy73............230............222..........222.......0 SueMagoo...........230............219..........220......-1 Sunny112...........145............145..........140.......5 Susan4794..........240............240..........225.......15 Suzzzie............303............294..........290.......4 SWEETY.............180............174..........170.......4 Trystelle..........219............209..........205.......4 Twilight...........206............194..........185.......9 uxbus5.............240............240..........230.......10 want2lose..........236............236..........225.......11 wombat712..........154.8..........146.8........140.......6.8