georgia girl

I think we can lose just as much weight as the next person. It may come off a little slower, but hey, my doc says "slower is healthier". I know there are some on this site who have lost 100% of their excess weight, and they have PCOS. I hope these posts haven't discouraged you. I've lost 51lbs and that is better than any of the other diets I have ever done. Please don't get discouraged. You're not doomed. We can do this!

> I'm glad you can tell a difference. She put half as much as she usually does, since the holidays are so close, she didn't want to risk an overfill and it be Christmas. I now have 5cc in my 10cc band. Good luck to you.

Welcome Amy! I had the same thoughts before my surgery. But this was a last resort for me. I have lost weight several times in the past and just couldn't keep it off. Having this band is the best thing I've ever done. It is wonderful that you are an active person. I was very active in high school, but got lazy after marriage. I can't wait to have the energy I used to have. Keep in mind, that everyone loses at different rates. I started out at 330lbs and I lost pretty fast to begin with, but now it has really slowed down. Are you getting banded? Do you have a date set yet? As far as calories or carbs go, you just have to choose whichever works best for you. So far, I haven't really been tracking calories or carbs religously. My pre-op diet was the "Sugar Busters Diet" and I did really well with this. I have been kind of following that lately. I don't know if I have been much help for you, but I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out for you.

I absolutely love my elliptical too. I pop in a "Friends" disc (I have all 10 seasons) and watch while I exercise. I always dread doing it, but once I get started, it is really fun. I have already warned my husband that once I get to my goal weight, my reward will be laser hair removal. I can't wait, all this hair is so aggravating.

I was hoping a woman would claim the title this year, but they all looked amazing. Julie was so thin and toned. I can't wait until the couples show comes on in January. On the preview, I saw Jillian and Bob, but didn't see Kim. Anyway, I think it will be very interesting to see how the relationships stand up during the process.

We had our trash can stolen a few months ago. Luckily it was empty, so I didn't have to worry about anyone having any personal information. It was a city issued can, so it wasn't a big deal to have it replaced. Who the heck would want an empty trash can? My best friend and I both had our purses stolen from her car once. It is the creepiest feeling to know that someone has all your personal belongings. I felt so violated. I'm sure they were disappointed when they looked into mine, there was no money or credit cards in there, just a bunch of personal junk.

I FINALLY got my 3rd fill today. Hopefully it will give me the restriction I need. I'll be on liquids for 3 days. Thank you to everyone for all the support. It's so great that we've all become friends. Kissmygrits, I'm praying you have a speedy recovery.

That's a lot of NSV's. Everyone loses at different rates. If you can start excercising, that will make a big difference. I really have to force myself to do it because I hate it as well. Good luck to you.

Mandi I started out at 330lbs. Mine came off rather quickly at first, but it has really slowed down in the last few weeks. I just had my 3rd fill today. After my 2nd fill, I felt restriction for about a week and then it was gone. For me, it feels like a tightness in my chest. My doc said that is normally how it feels for most people. Most of my weight loss was right after surgery. I lost 15lbs the first week (I was on clear liquids), 10lbs the 2nd week (full liquids), 10 lbs the 3rd week (still full liquids), and 16lbs since starting mushies. I really haven't lost very much since starting solids. Hang in there, you can do this. Hope things get better for you soon. ((HUGS))

Kissmygrits Good luck with your surgery today! You are in my prayers. Please let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it. Take it easy.

Good luck Julie, my prayers are with you.

I love Rachael Ray (I watch the Rachael Ray show just about everyday) and I like Paula Deen okay, even though I can't eat her food. She made a brownie recipe that had 4 STICKS of butter in it. I don't care too much for Barefoot Contessa, her food is too sophisticated for me. I like to keep food simple. I like the Semi-Homemade show. Most of her recipes are pretty simple.

I don't know if I qualify as being successful, yet, but I'm definitely on my way! Yesterday Breakfast- Protein shake (I'm not a big "Breakfast eater" either) Lunch- 1 veggie burger pattie w/ a slice of cheese and about 1/2 cup frozen veggies (black Beans, edamame, carrots, and sugar snap peas. Dinner- 1/2 cup lasagna (I don't normally eat Pasta, but my husband was craving so I had a little.) Late evening snack- 1 cup sugar free Spiced Apple Cider (or sometimes I have a cup of chai tea)

The original recipe: 1 pkg frozen home-style meatballs 2 bottles of Heinz chili sauce 1 jar grape jelly (small or large- the large makes it a little sweeter) Cook in crock-pot on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. I tweaked it a little. To make it healthier, use ground turkey or chicken and make homemade meatballs. I also use a small jar of LOW SUGAR grape jelly. This is really easy and really tasty. I also thought about using Jenni-O turkey Breakfast sausage links by cutting them into bite-size pieces, instead of meatballs. If I try it, I'll let you know how it is. Jenni-O turkey is what they use on the Biggest Loser, it's supposed to be really healthy.

Jfran, You look so beautiful.......what an accomplishment. Keep up the good work!

Thanks. Awwww. I bet that was the best Christmas gift ever!!! My due date was Valentine's Day, but my son decided he wanted to come out a little earlier than that.

That's sounds strange to me. I know insurance companies are all different. I have BCBS Fed and I was submitted and approved before I had to do all the pre-op testing. Maybe you could call your insurance company and make sure the testing will be covered, just to give you peace of mind. I certainly understand the financial aspect of your concerns, especially this time of year. Hope everything works out for you.

4jin, I love your new avatar............so cute

LOL. I know what you mean. I did most of my shopping online this year and it was great, I love that I didn't have to fight the crowd. I hope you get an approval soon. Maybe you'll get it before Christmas, that would be an awesome gift.

Bandster 1007 I can definitely relate to you about the finances. When my son was born, DH and I decided that I would stay home with him, so we live off of his paycheck alone (paycheck to paycheck). It's rough, but we have been able to get everything we need, and that's all that matter's right now. It's especially hard this time of year. I'm sorry you are having such a rough time right now. I truly hope things get better for you soon. I felt the same way as you, right after I was banded, and it has gotten so much better. Hang in there. ((HUGS))

That's a great attitude to have! Good luck to you!

Hey Kissmygrits, glad you're back. Good luck with your surgery, you will be in my prayers. Wow, Buttercup, you are doing great.........keep up the good work! I will be praying that you get approved and have a speedy process! Haven't heard from some of you others lately (Jeannie, Renewedhope....) How's it going? Hope you are all doing well! Merry Christmas everyone!

I live in Moultrie. Not all that exciting, but it's home. My DH is the only man I've ever dated. I didn't plan it that way, it just happened. It's funny how life turns out, not what I expected at 14 years old, but I'm very happy with him. He's great!

Did anyone see the second segment of the Today Show today? They interviewed this lady that lost over 200 lbs. She looked amazing! My problem is, they made it a point to say that they were looking for weight loss stories about people who lost it the "old fashioned" way. Don't get me wrong, I think it is amazing when someone can lose it on their own. Why does everyone assume we are taking the "easy way out"? I never had a problem losing weight, my problem was that I couldn't keep it off. That's why I think the band is going to work for me. Yes, we have this amazing tool to help us, but we still have to make good food choices and exercise. It just makes me so mad when people think that just because we had WLS, we aren't making as good of an effort as those who do it the "old fashioned" way. My husband's parents were not supportive of my surgery at all. They haven't asked how I'm doing or anything. They think I should have done it the "old fashioned" way, too. I have a really good support system with my husband and my parents, I just wish people would see it for what is really is.............hard work!

Seems like the star idea is popular. My DH and I have been together since I was 14 years old. On one of our first dates, we laid on my trampoline, and just looked at the stars for hours. We both enjoy astronomy. Does anyone remember that movie, "A Walk to Remember"? We watched that movie together and both thought it was cool that he gave her a star. On our anniversary that year, we both gave each other a star. We just laughed and said, "great minds think alike".