Brandy~

Hi Lukesmom and welcome to LBT! Congrats on your band :wink2: I wish you a very speedy recovery.

You all are doing great with your weight loss 18-20 pounds is right on par for the average weigh loss. I lose about 8-10 pounds a month and I am at my sweet spot. Keep it up you're all doing well!

Awesome job on the weight loss It will get slower but you will get there so don't get discouraged. I wish you lots of luck!

I am very sorry that you had this experience. We have a center of Excellence here in Eugene, Oregon and I love it. They do bypass and LB. When you go to support groups you're seperated into the different surgeries that you have had so you do not feel ousted from the group like this. Our center schedules guest speakers once a month to come in and speak specifically on the LB... Sometimes theres the surgeons themselves to answer questions, dietitians, nutritionists, plastic surgeons, physcologists... all kinds of helpful information. The surgeons from the center of excellence attend the meetings and sit through Q & A plus they take suggestions. Last year our surgeons switched from staples to internal stitches and exterior glue to provide less scaring because the support groups were asking for this and they were able to accomodate. Sorry to be long winded I just hate for someone to have a bad experience. Please do not take this one time as a general consencus. Keep looking there's lots of wonderful centers and support groups out there.

How exciting. I am not a marine wife so I really don't have pics to post. This sounds really neat... I will be keeping an eye on this thread I have one as well where I am posting month by month pics till my wedding.. Have had a slight plateau last couple weeks and need to kick it in gear too.

I eat about 800-1000 on days that I do minimal exercise. When I do exercise I usually take in about 1200. The extra is because I take protein shots after workout that are around 170 calories for 29 grams of protein.

I am sorry to hear such a train of events But today is a new day. Just make today the day you start over! I feel for you about the quitting smoking... I am only 32 but smoked for 18 years and when I quit (Before being banded) I gained 42 pounds :biggrin: But here I am... I have actually lost 43 pounds since banding on 4/23 so I have lost the ciggarette weight and working on a healthier me. Start over is the best solution in my opinion.

Weclome Suzanne! What a great way to have a support person... Have your hubby banded too :tongue_smilie: I wish you lost of luck in your journey to the band.

Hi Karin, Welcome to LBT! Sounds like you're doing great :tongue_smilie:

I lost almost all interest in food after being banded. I mostly only eat because the clock says it's time. Doesn't happen to all. But for me it was like night and day when it came to food after surgery.

Welcome to LBT :tongue_smilie: Wish you lots of luck in your journey to the band.

Welcome to LBT!

Losing just hit the nail on the head. Most if not all of us are here because our weights yo yo'd and we never kept the weight off. I lost 52 pounds 2 years ago on my own and then started eating again..

Welcome to LBT. If you click on UserCP and then Edit signature you should be able to just paste in the HTML or code for your tracker.

Welcome to LBT :tongue_smilie: Congratulations on the approval. I wish you a very speedy recovery!

Its easy as pie... pardon the pun! The poke is next ot nothing and you don't feel the actual fill.. it's over in seconds.

Your fine. Todays the day to start over.. especially with the fill! :Banane37: You will probably be on liquids for a day or so then a little bit of mushies that will smack you back to reality :sleep2: Oh man I love my wine though.

Alot of the people that get the band are to get healthy not become a super model. As much as I would love to be a super model with perfect skin and such... I won't be. So the point of losing the weight is to get healthy, live longer, have more time with your family, enjoy life, I cant think of better reasons.

Weird.. My doctor told me to avoid fruit for the most part.

It is a life changing experience. However, for me it's definetly for the best. If you're unsure just take your time researching and reading of their success and if it may be the case their failure. The band is a tool... If you're motivated and willing to work for what you want you will lose the weight. The weight will come off without trying I am sure but very slowly. The more you work the band and exercise the greater potential it has.

Congrats on the weight loss and the 'overweight' BMI I can't wait to be there too!

Oh man I love Almonds, pistatchio, peanuts, cashew, pecan.. I don't care what kind just any kind! But I too have to remember a handful is all it takes and walk away haha. I have been buying unsalted peanuts to curb me from wanting so many.

Has anyone found a place online that gives an approximation for calories being burned playing Wii Fit?

I just got my Wii Fit 2 days ago... So I haven't had a chance to try this activity I will let you know once I do though. I am only 5' 2" so that would give you something to compare it too. Is it one that has to be unlocked? If not then I will try it when I get home after work. I am loving the Fit though! I am doing pretty good with the Yoga so far. I was trying to work through one at a time to unlock it all. Fun having something to work towards

I have never had a problem really with Water retention and bloating during my period till this month...... Oh man. I went to bed and woke up iin the middle of the night and my rings were digging into my fingers! I had to take them off which I never do. I weighed myself in the morning and I gained 7 lbs overnight LOL..... So now the question is... Does anyone know of anything over the counter that helps fast with this problem? My work clothes are digging in and I just feel crappy.