Skinny_Jill

Thanks for sharing. What a beautiful post. My grandmother had Parkinson's so I understand how hard it is to see someone you love in this condition. I am so glad you are getting to spend time with your dad and your son. How has your family reacted to your weight loss?

Hi Kendra, What a great idea! I am definitely going to check it out. It sounds like you are doing great. Good for you for getting into a 16 and 14. I know that isn't your main focus at the moment but getting that weight of probably gives you more energy to help with the kickin' and stompin'. I am still stompin' for you too. Take care, Jill

Bandpal. I'm so happy that your flight went so well. Was your band tight during or after the flight? Some have reported increased restriction on due to flying. I will be flying to Vegas on May 15 and I can't wait. I am very excited. I hope you have a blast while your in the states!

One more thing. I think the reason you are so hungry at night is that you aren't eating enough during the day. You need to eat solid food for the band to work. Try eating at lunch instead of the SlimFast. The band is designed to work with solid food. liquids go through the band and won't keep you satisified. I can't imagine that you are eating very many calories on your current diet. You may need to eat more to lose. If I eat less than 1200 dal per day my loss slows down. Good luck!

You really should eat breakfast. Eating increases your metabolism so the sooner you eat the faster it will kick in. If you are tight in the mornings then drink a Protein shake. I usually eat one ounce of cheese and 5 crackers in the morning. Be sure to get in all your protein. That is probably harder being a vegetarian but you can eat Beans and there are other good sources of protein that aren't meat. If you don't eat enough protein your body will burn muscle.

My calorie intake was up to about 1000 cal a day within a couple of weeks of being banded. I now eat 1200 - 1300 cal a day. Please don't be alarmed if you gain a little when you increase your calories. That is normal and the weight will start to drop again. Your body needs to adjust when you make changes like that. I was lucky and it didn't happen to me but I was only on liquids for 2 days and then mushies for 4 weeks (probably only 3 weeks) and my calories increased quickly so my body never really adjusted to the super low calories. As a matter of fact my body didn't like that one little bit and I don't lose much my first week. Good luck!

I'm so sorry that you had a bad fill experience. I've had 3 and the 1st 2 weren't pleasant but they weren't bad. The 3rd was a breeze. My fills have been done by nurses. The 1st 2 were done by 1 nurse and she struggled to find the port. The 3rd was a more experienced nurse and I didn't feel anything except for the Water that didn't go down because I was too tight. Those not banded do not let this scare you. It is worth it!

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI Foofy..............37.5..................14%.................38 Sades.............31.5..................14%.................36 Shalee04.........61.....................24...................31.1 Bandpal...........66.8..................24%................36 Skinny_Jill....48.....................22%..................32.7

Amy, I am still in my 1st year so my fills are covered for now but the last time I was there I heard someone checking out and it was $150. Not sure if that was under fluro or not. I have followed your plastic surgery posts and I am so impressed with your loss and how wonderful you look. You are very inspiring. You give me hope that maybe I can look as good as you someday. Thanks for sharing your journey.

I just gave 5 pair of pants to my best friend. I had a hard time because I am still scared this isn't real. I am changing how I eat and am exercising and I do believe I will do this and keep it off but every once in a while that little fat voice pops up. GO AWAY FAT VOICE!!! :biggrin:

I'm so sorry you are sliming so much. I've never slimed or PB'd but I have a question. Do you switch to liquids for 24 hours after you slime? If not, maybe you should try it. Maybe you're stoma is really irritated and needs time to settle. Just a suggestion. If it doesn't get better you probably need to get a small unfill. I really hope it gets better soon. Get luck!

I was self-pay and it is the best money I've ever spent. My grocery bill is less than half what it used to be so those savings help me with the note payment. When I eat out I have left overs for the next couple of days. Life is so much better with the band!

Things like chocolate, ice cream, chips and dips go down easily for most. Most bandsters have problems with bread, rice and Pasta. The food that is best for bandsters to eat is lean meat, veggies and healthy carbs. It is good that you don't have a sweet tooth. That tends to be a weakness for anyone trying to lose weight. Good luck.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. I hate to ask this but are you taking very small bites, chewing well and waiting between bites? Are you doing liquids for at least 24 hours after you PB. It is important to heal after each episode. I agree that you must trust your doc and your doc must trust you or it won't work. Find another surgeon or find a fill center and get unfilled and let your stomach heal.

Barb, It sounds like you 2 are very close. The next time she makes a comment I would pull her aside and nicely tell her that it bothers you. Tell her you know that she doesn't mean anything negative by it but it really gets to you. Talk to her openly about it. That is the best way if you want to save the friendship. Explain to her that it isn't easy. Keep in mind that she is probably having a hard time with it too. She is probably a little jealous which is normal. Good luck!

I use protein shakes occasionally. As with anything else look at the nutritional info. Some are high calorie. Find one that is low calorie and low fat. I use Unjury and it has 80 calories and no fat.

I just had a WW chocolate fudge brownie ice cream cup and it was very good. The best part is the nutritional info. 140 cal 1.5 fat 7 gr Fiber 5 gr Protein I definitely need the fiber.

I bought some of those at the store today. I can't wait to try one later.

Refried beans are great and healthy. I buy Rosarita fat free refried beans and I put them in a skillet (spray with pam) and I chop up some jalepenos for extra flavor. I like to cook mine until they dry out a little and get a little crispy on the edges. During the mushy stage I didn't cook them as long since they need to be mushier than I like. I put a little low fat or fat free cheese on them and they are great.

That is great to hear. I always feel guily when I drink it. If I have any discomfort then I don't drink it but it usually goes down fine.

My doctor said no carbonated drinks at all. coffee and tea were fine with him. I was given tea and coffee immediately after surgery. I felt the same way about Diet Coke. I gave it up for a few months after surgery but I drink it occasionally now. I have to drink it over ice. It is too carbonated right out of the can and burns a little. If you try to drink after surgery or right after a fill you won't be able to. It hurts pretty bad. If you really only have 1 a day it won't be hard to give up. I used to drink 6 or so a day and I gave it up for a few months with no problems. As for caffeine, each doctor is different.

I usually have an ounce of cheese and 5 crackers. You don't have to eat breakfast food for breakfast. Have a sandwich or some lunch meat. Growing up I never ate breakfast food. I used to eat chicken noodle Soup for breakfast. My mother would put milk in it because I would not drink milk at all. I bought some bacon today so I am going to throw a couple of slices in the microwave the next few days for breakfast.

Tracy, Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. You are very inspiring. Just imagine what year 2 will bring. Jill

What are you eating? You need to track your calories, fat, Fiber and Protein and see where you are. You also need to follow the band rules. Protein first, veggies and then carbs if you have room. Do not drink while eating or for at least 30 minutes after you eat. The band is a tool and if we don't follow the rules and eat healthier we won't lose weight. If you are doing all of these things and are still hungry and not losing then you probably need a fill. It is also possible that you aren't eating enough. I had to evaluate what I was doing and when I was honest with myself I know I wasn't using the band the way it was intended. After I adjusted my eating and added exercise the weight started coming off again. Remember just having the band won't make you lose weight. Come here everyday. The stories are inspirational and really help me. You can do it! Good luck!

Debbie, That is a great weight loss. Be proud of what you've accomplished. You have reached that point in this journey where you need to re-evaluate what you are doing. I believe the 1st step is to get a fill. I was struggling a while back and had to re-evaluate. I bit the bullet and bought sessions with a personal trainer. I started logging my food and found that I was eating too much fat. I changed what I was eating and the weight started coming off. Good luck! You can do it!!!!!