Laurieloo

Krissyjean - It's hard to tell what's happening - - I'm not sure what you're eating. Many people try to eat those things that "go down easy" like mashed potatoes, but those are often the kinds of things that make you gain weight. Are you able to eat dense Proteins at all? That will make a huge difference. I know we're supposed to be out of the "diet mode" but maybe it would be helpful to count your calories for a few days and see what a "normal" day is for you. I know that if I start eating the "easy" things, then I'll hit 1000-1200 calories, and I don't lose weight at all there - the scale won't move unless I'm around 700 calories/day. I think there is a forum here somewhere for "Slow Losers" so you might be able to find some good advice in that forum. I'm heading there myself. :-) Learn what you can from everyone, try to see what works for you, and hang in there!! You WILL lose! :cool2:

Hello! I got my Realize band in February and my loss has been slow but steady. As of this morning I've lost 49 pounds and 34 to go! I'm 8 months out, so figure I'll hit my goal (or more) by the time my 1 year anniversary comes around. I used to worry about the end of a diet, you know, those "last 10 pounds" but not so this time. Because I'm feeling so much better, I'm adding exercise to the mix starting this month, and feel pretty confident that the final pounds will melt away. Like many of you, I wish I had done it ages ago. I have a very aggressive doctor and currently have 8 mls in my band.

Just wanted to jump in and say "Hello!" I'm scheduled to be banded on January 17th. It looks like this forum will be a great support! Right now, I need to get out of the "holidays mode" and get serious about losing a few pounds before my pre-op on 1/11! :-)

Hi! I just cleaned a few things out of my closet that I can't wear and was going to eBay them...but first I want to see if any of my LDS bandster friends can use them! We're all at different sizes on our little "band journey" and never stay at one size for very long! I have some nice tops from Lane Bryant/Dress Barn that I consider very "lightly" worn (some only worn a few times.) A few of them are a little low (v-neck) so I always wear a cammie underneath. I also have a few nice church dresses with appropriate necklines/sleeves. Most are around size 20W. If anyone here is in that range, let me know and I'll be happy to send them to you. :-) :thumbup:

Hi, there, Brother Miztrniceguy! :-) I'm glad you are happy with your band. I'm just thrilled with mine. So far, it's been relatively easy and not too life changing, as far as what I can eat goes. But, I had another fill yesterday, and know that I will have to have really good habits this month, like eating slowly and chewing carefully. Like you, I've told the whole world about my band. I wanted the accountability factor. If I tell people that I'm going to lose, then I want to make sure they can see it! I'm glad that you are happy and doing well.

Hi! I'll do the formal introduction, too. :-) I'm Laurie and live in Mesa, Arizona. I saw the thread about wards/branches, and I live in the extreme opposite of a branch. My ward in Mesa is less than 1/2 square mile. I do love my ward, although it's true that we aren't nearly as busy as I'd like to be, calling-wise. Oh well. More time to count my calories, right? :-) My weight has been a yo-yo for years and I finally just got tired of it all. My back hurt, my hips hurt....ugh. I finally purposely gained a little weight so that I could qualify for surgery. I'm so happy with my decision. Weight loss has been a little slower than I like, but that's okay -- it's consistently moving in the right direction - finally! I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Life is great and I'm a happy camper. :-) It's nice to meet you all.

Does it really matter if we drink plain water or if flavoriing, such as Crystal Light, is added? Any thoughts?

Well, this is one of the fastest growing churches in the world, so I think we deserve our very own subheading! :-) One's religion, sexual preference, maritial status, etc. really doesn't change the way the band works, but it certainly promotes responses to "other" issues that are in-line with our own beliefs. I don't write a lot, but when I do, it's nice to know you all are here.

Does anyone know how we can move this thread under the main heading of Religious Bandsters? More people would find us that way.

Welcome to both of you! I'm Susan and live in Mesa. You'll love your band, Lotzasunshine. It'll make Fast Sunday a breeze. :-)

Thanks for the responses! I'm turning into a Crystal Light Fruit Punch addict and carry the little pouches in my purse. :-) I used to drink Diet Coke 24x7, so getting off of the caffeine, and then the "bubbles" was a huge victory for me. I'm sure I'll get burned out on my fruit punch at some point ("red juice" as my grandson says!) but for now, it's enjoyable and I'm not quite to the point of having a deep appreciation for plain water yet. (I live in Phoenix, so when it hits 118 degrees this summer, I'll probably change my mind real fast!)

You'll get it! My BCBS Federal was approved within a few days. If it's taking longer, maybe it's the office staff and your Dr.'s office hasn't forwarded it yet. The office I go to is really busy with so many band patients, so that's usually where the bottleneck is. :-)

I must be a mutant, too, because I'm experiencing the same thing. Sometimes I feel like I eat too much, and other times I have pain and have to stop after a few bites.

Hi, there! I didn't feel anything after the first fill. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for the scars and feeling the port, I had no way to know I even had a band. Yesterday, I had a second fill and feel like I will be on my way. I took the advice of most people on this board who said it took a few fills to get it right....and they were right. :-)

Since I found this fun little thread, I'd love to share what is motivating me this month. :-) I'm part of a choir in Mesa that has performed Joseph the Prophet, Jesus the Christ, and Saints and Pioneers. This is the most beautiful music in the world! "Joseph the Prophet" is being performed at the end of this month in the tabernacle on Temple Square, and those of us who sing in Mesa were invited to come perform. So, I'm heading up there in two weeks and get to see what it's like to sit in the Tabernacle Choir's seat and have that unique view of the tabernacle. What a joy! Being in that setting, I'll probably just cry instead of sing. :-) My motivation is that we all wear black, and I need to be down about 10 more pounds to wear the dress I want. I think I'll be there!

Yes - this was a great thread to start! Thank you! Previously, I looked under the "Religious Bandsters" heading but didn't see any LDS threads. Maybe there are others out there looking in that area, too. So sorry about your knee. I will keep you in my prayers, but must admit that it will bring a smile to my face when I ask for a special blessing for Miztrniceguy. :-) I understand about the problems that holidays bring. I didn't do so well during the Easter holiday. See, the marching band (I have two kids in band) sold those yummy See's eggs as a fundraiser. I just HAD to support the band! I also bough extras to take to those I visit teach, etc., but they never made it out of the house. Ooops! :-) I've really been dealing with hunger and just yesterday afternoon, I said my second fill. She pumped it WAY up there, so I'm sure that huger will be a thing of the past - at least for a while. Thank goodness! I want this to work! Take care, everyone.

I'm on the same soapbox with you!

You are so right, and having been raised in the midwest when the church was not very understood, I understand what you're going though. Someday, maybe your son will be surrounded by other LDS kids like him, or off on a mission, and will laugh about being asked that. It might turn into one of his favorite stories. :-) As far as the FLDSers go, maybe it's a good thing that they are children. Kids can be resiliant, and therapy is getting better at dealing with these things. In the long run, they are probably much better off than their young moms who have a much harder road ahead. They'll be okay.

Hello, and welcome! I just discovered the thread this morning and am happy to find new friends here. There is no need for you to tell anyone if you don't want - and you're not lying! If someone says, "Wow - you look great! How did you do it?" you smile and say, "I watched what I ate and controlled my portions." That's true! You'll watch what you eat and the band will help you control portions. I believe in honesty, but don't think it extends to giving a medical discloser about such personal things.

I get very irritable about this subject and wish that the group had a name other than FLDS. It's bad enough that the television anchors barefly get that part in - "oh yeah, they're an off-shoot of the LDS church..." With that said, I've been a touch more sympathetic lately. I'm wondering about some of these guys and wondering how much contact they've had with the outside world and how intense their own brainwashing has been. If there's a guy out there who has been raised in that population all of this life, it would be very sad to see him end up in jail for something he truly didn't know. This morning, the news is reporting findings of a "temple bed," which made me pretty nauseous. (A good thing, since I weigh in tomorrow!) :-)

Whata fun thread to stumble upon this morning! Just in case anyone's still around, I thought I'd jump in. I was banded mid-Feb and had one fill that didn't seem to do anything. I'll have another tomorrow and will hopefully start seeing a faster loss. I've decided that the only way I'll succeed, restricted or not, is to "pray myself thin." I know I need that extra help every day!

Add me to the list with February 15 as the day! I'm Laurieloo, which is a "bit" of a fictitious name. I've always teeterd on the border for having a band, so this fall I went and gained 20 pounds so I could qualify. To me, it was worth it becase for a short-term "hurt" I can finally get the long-term result of being healthy! I'm 46 and have 4 kids and 4 grandkids. I work as a college professor. My teenage kids and hubby are very supportive. I'm so happy to finally get this done. I started yo-yo dieting when I was in Jr. High, and now I'm a grandmother. It's time to stop the madness! I'm here to learn, gain knowledge and support, and share what I learn to help others around me.

Hello, friends! I'm excited about this message board and happy to find another group of people who will be going through the process at the same time I do. I'm scheduled for January 17th, and can hardly wait! Now, the job is to lose a quick 9 pounds before my pre-op appt on January 11th! I just threw all of the "Christmas Carbs" in the trash, so it shouldn't be too hard. I look forward to getting to know you all!

My doctor does both inpatient and outpatient. Medically, I qualify for outpatient by my insurance company requires me to spend the night. Imagine that! Usually, they try to get away with paying as little as possible. So, I'll just enjoy a night's sleep at the hospital. My doctor gives all her patients a gift certificate for one hour at the hospital's spa, too. How nice!

Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianegoe Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx, tweenwaters, Laurieloo Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen) Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Noni(Mary) Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb