Foofy

I have lost an average of 2 pounds a week, but a lot of that was in the liquid diet phase. However, none of that rapid loss (which was probably a lot of water) has come back. So, although it doesn't look impressive on those low loss weeks, I know there is fat loss that is being overshadowed by some of the original Water loss coming back. It's all good. I am not in a giant rush. I started in size 24W jeans three months ago and am now wearing 18W. No more elastic waistbands - EVER! Check out my signature line, and you can see how much I lost each week. My advice is don't drive yourself crazy. Just eat right, exercise, drink water, relax, and have some splurges now and then so you shake up wour metabolism and stay sane.

Frost, I just started going back to the gym again after 5 months off (three since surgery). I haven't had any problems. Of course, I probably lift less (being a woman in my 40s). Still, I bench 100 and leg press 275. I did hurt myself a little on the bicep curls. I didn't have my reading glasses on and used the 25 pound dumbbell insted of the 15 pounder. I thougt it was hard because I'd been gone so long. My mistake - ouch, ouch, ouch. But, no pain related to WLS. You will be tossing Iron around in a few months....

Wow, you are a good son Manatee to have such thoughts of self sacrifice for your parents. But, you raise a valid concern - how serious are they? food issues run deep; and, as we see all the time on these boards, the band is not a miracle, but a tool. Also, the band is not a guarantee of longer life - anything could happen to us at any time. It's not a direct trade off of xx dollars for xx years of extra life. I would hate for you to be eating cat food in retirement because you cleaned out your 401K at a crucial time. Now is also especially bad timing with the markets being depressed. I offer a few questions for additional thought: * What would it do to your relationship with your parents if you made this gift, and they did not follow the band rules and did not lose weight? Whould you be resentful? (I would be) * How would you feel if one of your parents died on the operating table in surgery (remote - but possible)? Would you feel it was somehow your fault? * Could you pay for ONE parent and see how it went before committing to the other? Good luck.

Yep I always keep my sodium under 2000 (I have high BP) and try to keep my potassium near 3000. I never take laxatives. There's nothing wrong with your muscles holding water. It's their response to stimulus. You just have to wait it out and not freak out over the temporary weight gain. It's not fat.

I feel your pain (look at my signature line - I gained, too). I will tell you that Bob Greene's book says that when you start exercising your muscles hang onto Water for a while. He says that he doesn't even let his clients weigh themselves for a month after they start a vigorous exercise program, because the y get all freaked out and quit. So, I'm hoping for the best and staying on track. My calories vary between 900 and 1300 a day, with an average of about 1100. I KNOW I CANNOT gain fat doing that. Whatever is going on with the water, etc. is just going to have to sort itself out. Also, although I am not losing pounds right now, people are noticing a change and I am losing inches. So, who cares about the scale (other than as a science project)? Hang in there and expect a big drop soon.

Yay for the apple-shaped gals! Wombat - the Assetts are really not too expensive. I can't remember exactly, but I am going to say that the ones I bought at Target were either less than or veeeeery close to $20. Personally, as an "apple" I love the lower cut jeans. The traditional "mom" jeans have waists that are 6 to 8 inches smaller than the hips. That is definately not me (maybe someday). If I get a pair that fits my waist, my butt and thighs are swimming in excess fabric. I'd rather wear low jeans with a longish shirt.

Man, exercise is the greatest laxative ever invented - in large part because it makes you drink more water. When you think of the incredibly long journey that your poo has to travel to work its way out, it's no wonder that a bunch of water and some vigorous shaking and flexing of muscles makes the whole process easier. Add a little more fiber and you can't fail. FYI - the eliptical trainer is my instrument of choice!

I wear the Assets one from Target. It's made by the gal that created Spanx. Mine goes up to my bra. If I want to hide it, I wear a camisole over it and tuck the cami into my pants. I don't know about anyone else, but it just amazes me how much I can change my stomach now - either by pulling it in (during exercise or breath holding) or by squishing it in (compression garment). When I started, I had a huge, firm, beach ball of a stomach that didn't move no matter what. It was an enormous obstacle for shoe tying, yoga, sitting up straight, whatever. I'll take the smaller floppy stomach any day. :biggrin:)

Sadly, I'm afraid the calorie damage from that "normal" pit stop would have been much higher that 500-600 calories. Sausage biscuit 550 Cal 36 gms fat Hash round 230 Cal 14 gms fat OJ 140 Cal 1 gm fat Total 920 Cal 51 gms fat That's about what you'll be eating in calories in a whole day after you get the band. Your body will thank you!!!! Good luck.

MimIn, Gosh. Glad you have recovered from your infection. I was reading your PS thread. Then, you got an infection and dropped off the site. It sounds silly (believe me I know) but I was worried about you. Heck - I don't even know you, but this site is sooooo easy to get wrapped up in. Anyway, I am glad you are okay. Whew. Maybe you should post on you PS thread to let folks know? There are probably some other people out there bitting their fingernails over whether or not you are okay!

I live in Montana and there are thousands of beautiful places to hike and camp. My husband really wants me to go camping with him, but I WON'T because I can't poop in the woods without falling backwards!!! Trust me, I've tried. So, that's MY tres glamourous goal. I have others, but that's the one that will bring tears to my DH's eyes.

Yesterday, I was making my weekly visit to my mother's assisted living facility. She has dementia and is in her own world 75% of the time. Even when she was well, she wasn't one to toss compliments around. When she moved into assisted living and I would come and visit, an old lady named Bertha would go on and on about "how could someone so big come from someone so small?" My mom is 5'2" and 120 pounds. She would just mutter to Bertha "I don't know WHAT happened to her." I just had to put it out of my mind. Yesterday, out of NOWHERE, she looks at me and says "You look so pretty". I just about fell over. I think the last time she told me that was at my wedding in 1990. I said "Thanks mom, I lost 30 pounds." It made HER very happy (she worries about my health). It really shook me (I'm crying while I'm typing this the next day). Whew, weight and family issues sure run deep. I've never been particularily "sensitive" about what others thought of how I looked, but this was something to make note of. On with the rest of the journey.

name ............starting# ......current#.........goal#.......togo# 1. Momto1plus1.......241...............238..............229...........9 2. TxArcher...........360........Last week, 357......???...........12 3. Hungryforchange...227.5..........225...............215.5.......10 4 shortgal ............. 198............195................192...........3 5. Hollyberries.........298............293................285........... 8 6. Tyman311..........167...........168................150............17 7. Trixie.................264...............255..............244......... .11 8. plump_princess.....237.............233..............227........... 6 9. Foofy ................249............244...............237............7 Checking in.

Snappy, That tummy grumbling is music to my ears. I think of it as my body slamming the empty cupboards in that big ol' pink pantry (my stomach) and finding out it has to go elsewhere for food. That means it has to fuel my activities from my mounds of stored fat, not from today's meals. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the growling! It is the sound of success!

Oh thanks for THAT image. I am grinning from ear to ear and wiping tears from my eyes. I will remember that for a long time. Sorry for your flaps, Melissa, but you have a GREAT sense of humor. That's better than skinny arms....

Twiggy, let me get this straight, you are unhappy that you have lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks!?!? That's 5 pounds a week!!!How much did you THINK you were going to lose? The Lap Band literature says to expect 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss a week. You are waaaaaaaaaay beyond that. I was told that the band was NOT a miricle, but that it would help me lose weight, IF I followed the rules. I eat meat and vegetables first, chew slowly, wait between bites, track my calories, and don't drink with meals. I wish I didn't have to do all that, but I also with I'd win the lottery -and that isn't going to happen either. I was also told that you should feel "satisfied" with the reduced amount of food - not "full". My stomach growls like a freakin BEAR about an hour before meal times, but I don't care, that's just a sign that my body has to pull fat from the storage areas instead of from my empty stomach. I am eating 1000 calories a day and losing an average of 2.7 pounds a week - and I am thrilled. You CAN do this. You CAN follow the rules. You have to take responsibility for what you put in your mouth. If you are hungry, distract yourself. Always put good things in your mouth, not junk.

Good thread. There is a great website called "43 Things" where you list 43 things you'd like to do. They need to be acheivable not just totally wishful thinking things. You write about your experiences in getting there, read other people's experiences, and cheer people on. It's really cool. People have some very crazy, sweet, touching, and wonderful goals. Plus, if you have a goal like "learn to speak Chinese" you can search for other people who have the same goal and read how they did it or chat with them. It's definately worth checking out. What is 43 Things? on 43 Things

Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I just stumbled on this and read all at once. I am sorry, but I jsut have to get this out of my system. It makes me sad that people are worried about what other people will think of how little they are eating. This is the kind of behavior that gets us fat in the first place. Trying to "please" everyone or "fit in" or not look "wierd". Who gives a damn what other people think? They probably want to see you eat more so they don't feel bad for overeating. Don't worry about what YOU think THEY think. Maybe it's because I was a vegetarian in Montana for many years (THAT is a fish out of Water - believe me), but I don't pay the slightest attention to people's reaction to what I eat. I am proud of my weight loss and am not jeopordizing it for anyone. If someone rides you about it they are either insecure, ignorant, jealous, or all three. Be a shining example for the people you are with. Eat sensibly and live a wonderful life!!!!!

All my measurements are less than 50 inches!!! It has been a veeeery long time since that happened. The belly just squeaked under the line!

1. Hollyberries...........298.............295..............285.........10 2. TxArcher..............360.............357..............345.........12 3. Longhorn..............211.............209..............199.........10 4. Momto1(Wendy)....241.............242...............229........13 5. Steph..................203.5..........199...............188.5......10.5 6. Hungryforchange...227.5..........225...............215.5.......10 7. shortgal Goal for challenge lose 6 ........ 5.5 to go. 8. Trixie..................264.............257.5............244.........1 3.5 9.plump_princess.......237...........236...............227.........9 10. Foofy.................248...........245.5............236..........9.5 11. Tyman ..............167..........167.................150.........17 I'm down 2.5 lbs. Yay! Tyman, I added yours to the list.

Hi ladies, Just thought I'd pop in here as another Montanian. I live in Helena - far from the High Line. I was banded by Dr. Rohrer in Great Falls in November. Things are going really well and I have high hopes that this is going to be successful. I wish the best for you all!

Good advice Kago. I log everything on FitDay. It's great. Just one correction - cutting 500 cals gives you a 7 day deficit of 3,500 cals (1 pound). Cutting cals AND adding 500 cals a day gives yiou a 7,000 cal deficit for the week (2 pounds). Once you start exercising, your muscles initially hang on to water, so you may be losing fat without seeing any appreciable loss on the scale. It will eventually come off, especially if you stay hydrated. I weigh daily, but more as a science experiemnt. I like to see the ups and downs, but never let them freak me out. It will all work out in the end.

So when do we update? My weigh in is on Monday, so I updated below. But, I am wondering if I was supposed to, or if I should wait until next week (I think this thread started mid week)? Hollyberries...........298.............298..............285.........13 Momto1(Wendy)....241.............241..............229.........12 Hungryforchange...227.............227..............215.........12 Cagstorm (Craig)...360.............360..............345.........15 Teresajo..............252.............212..............205..........7 Skinny_Jill............195.............195..............180..........1 5 Foofy .................249.......... 248...............237 ........11 want2lose............236.8..........236.8............225.........11. 8 sades..................229............199.7............189..........10 .7 chiqui..................246............231...............220.......... 11 MarieGabrielle........268............268...............256..........12 Trixie...................264.............264..............244......... .20 Firebolt................243.............224..............212.......... 12 Kristin1031...........287.............256..............240...........1 6 Longhorn..............211............211..............199...........12 BarbBee...............302.............284..............272...........1 2 Jen.....................296.............264...............249......... .15 Steph.................203.5..........203.5.............188.5........15 Goldie1109...........228............228.................213..........1 5 Shalee04/Kelly......248............218.................206..........12 Pattypoo1............202............202.................192.........10 Shortgal ..............216...........198..................192 ........6