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My surgeon suggested a goal weight and we came to an agreement what it should be based on BMI. I did struggle once I met goal for a few weeks to find the amount of calories it would take for me to maintain my goal weight. My doc is very strict in that he wants all his patients to eat 1/2 cup meals 3xdaily and no snacks. I needed to throw in two healthy snacks a day in order to keep my weight at goal and not lose. I usually have a snack of Greek yogurt (15gr protein) or some high fiber cereal and low fat milk. My food plan has been working for me.

Welcome Mimi...the more the merrier! Also, congrats on your weight loss success. This is a very friendly and helpful group. Wishing you continued success!

I lost 54# on my 6 mo diet pre-op. I think the reason I was successful in losing was because I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I knew the band was going to help me for the rest of my life. I could take weight off but could never keep it off because of constantly being hungry. All that is under control with the band and I am loving the fact that I can be a normal weight and not have the HUNGER ALL THE TIME.

Well, Janet, I am lucky because I have NEVER been a sweet eater. My downfall was always snacky/salty things. My one 100 cal bag of popcorn a day takes care of that craving. I have not buckled to temptation even once in my year of doing this. I have treated myself on special occasion but I do not see that as cheating. I see that as something deserved. But, not like it used to be. As I have seen so many others post, b/4 this process I would have eaten a huge bowl of buttered popcorn. Now I'm full on my little bag. I could just cry every time I think of how well my band has worked for me.

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that it makes a lot of difference when it comes to harvest. We just keep it up until we get it done every day of the week. We'll get there. Just seems like a really long fall this year. Running at 2/3 capacity because of the dryer fire the other night. Will get it back to 100% after the new unit is put in later today. Think I finally have this maintenance thing figured out. I think I have stressed more in the last month than I did the entire 11 months of losing. I dropped 7lbs below goal but slowly getting back to where I should be. Had to defy my doc's orders and add a couple of Snacks (he really advised against it but no way to maintain on 1/2 cup meals 3x daily). 600 cals a day that doc recommends was not cutting it for me. I'm at 1200 cals and it feels right. I don't want to come across as "bragging" about being below what I want to be. I almost went into panic mode over it all. I am an extremely active person and now know that I was burning more than I was taking in. All I can say is that life is GOOD. Did a little internet shopping on the Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic site last night. I got totally great deals on some shorts, t shirts and capris. $9 capris and $6 t shirts. That even included two pair of denims. I love a good deal. New York and Co had some good deals also but their site was not working. I should be all set for our FL trip and for next summer. Better get back to it. Haven't done my daily baking yet. Making whole wheat/honey/cottage cheese bread this afternoon. Love the smell in the house when bread is baking. Heading to karoke with friends tonight. Think DS will be joining us. He's this kid that is 27, usually listens to alternative music but sings Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Jr. songs. He can really get a crowd going. Hope everyone is having a good day and will have a great weekend!!!!!

I noticed that the gas subsided about three months after surgery. Gassy days are rare now. I am eating the same diet as back then. Not sure what happened but I'm much happier now. GasX really didn't help much that I could tell.

It would be great to include other groups! We might even get a cut rate on a block of rooms!:thumbdown:

That's five to six months and you could easily be at goal or close to goal. What about a June date to meet. I know it's pretty warm in Vegas that time of the year. Maybe the others would be willing to go then so that it would be easier for you to make it. Just a thought.

Let's see who steps up and wants to plan our "Girls Getaway". I would love to help plan but don't have a lot time time right now. After Jan 1 I can dig in and find some rates, etc. Anyone care if we see a show while in Vegas? Something to think about. I am so excited that we are considering this.

Sorry you had such a rotten evening, Janet. Computers can be sooooooooooooo frustrating. We have a neighbor kid that works for a computer service business in town and he just swings by on his way home when I am having trouble. So nice....I hope he never moves away. I am up for anything and anyplace to meet. My Vegas trip in March is now off. The volunteering I am doing does not allow me to leave that week. We are having a huge community send off with a meal,(serving 1500) appetizers, dance, govenor and others speaking at the ceremony. It falls smack in the middle of when my trip was to be. I am co chair for the group that is planning, etc. so I have to be here. I don't feel too bad about it though cuz want to do what we do for our boys and their families. I guess my point is...anytime after March would work for me. I think we should elect a committee of two to look into it and plan. How about that??

Now I remember you talking about growing up is Wisconsin. That's a lot of people to cook for. Our Thanksgiving is up in the air now with our son moving and not having time to come home because of his new job. He is not sure about Christmas either. I think we will be just taking our oldest son out for Thanksgiving dinner or invite him here for turkey. I will let him choose either one. When I have my husband's family here for Christmas (not my turn this year) I usually have over 50 to cook for. Of course, cooking is my favorite activity but I wouldn't want to cook for that many every year. Well, off to get my baking done for the day. It's apple muffins and caramel bars today for the guys. Have two roasts in the oven, potatoes peeled and ready to boil and mash and spiced carrots ready to put in the oven and banana bars with cream cheese frosting. Thank God for great restriction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JBFlorida...congrats on being so close to goal and everyone else for their successes! Long...are you originally from South Dakota? It's turning into a LONG COLD harvest here. We are all getting edgy and nipping at each other's butts. This too shall pass.

Already committed to a trip to Vegas with my girlfriends during the date chosen. Hopefully can make it to one (or more) of the other conferences in 2009.

I'd go anywhere to be able to meet and get to know you girls!!!!!!!!!!!

You made a good point, Janet. I would be somewhat disappointed if I traveled to meet people and really didn't have the time to sit and visit. Maybe us girls should do a camping trip somewhere. Maybe Colorado (central location)...rent a cabin or something for a long weekend. Just something to think about. Winter storm warnings here all day until 6pm. Slid into town this morning and sleeting on the way home. Doing my favorite snow day activity...baking and cooking. Have my Body Armour on under my clothes and the heat turned up. No...I am not wishing for my insulation back!

Yep, still planning on spending about a month or more in FL. I'll PM or email you with my cell# in a couple of weeks so that you can contact me when you get down there (or a few days b/4 so we can work out a plan to meet. We will not be there until Jan 15 though. We rented our cabin through Feb 15 and plan on taking a month just for travel b/4 and after that time. I am sooooo excited and looking forward to meeting you. We should all plan a summer meeting to the Mall of America. By that time most will be close to goal and we can all get to know each other and do some power shopping. Wouldn't that be great? If anyone else have a better place to meet, I would be open to that also. I would love it if we could stay a close knit group for years. We could also invite the 50's group and "I'm here to help" group. :tt1: Good attitude about the size thing, Long. I know it's difficult to get our heads around and accept a size larger than what we are wearing. That's when I just rip that tag off and appreciate the fact that I got a good price.

Didn't hear the Discovery Health network thing. I wonder if she will carryover her attitude on her new network and continue to bash weight loss surgery?

Allie...I lost over 50# b/4 band and the rest after. I started last Nov when I was on my 6 mo med supervised diet. I am happy I did it that way. I think I had an easier time adjusting after surgery. I live in MN and went to a casino on the Western side of the state. I am heading to Las Vegas the end of March for a 50th birthday trip for one of my friend. I have been going to Vegas every year for 16 years (except last yr) with a bunch of friends. Always a fun time. This next March will be a new group of friends. We had an exciting evening. We farm and are in the middle of corn harvest. We have dryer bins that take the moisture out of the corn. I was just heading to bed about 10pm and decided to have a cup of tea first. Good thing I did. Looked out the window and one of the dryer bins was flaming. Called 911. We live 15 miles from the closest fire station. DH flew out of his recliner, ran out to bins, turned off gas. We lost a dryer but could have lost so much more. Happy 29th Anniversary to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long...I was in New York and Company a week ago. To make you feel better about buying a size 16 instead of 14...I noticed that their slacks run smaller than most places. If it helps, tear the tags off that pair you bought and put it out of your mind. Try to just appreciate how they fit you and not worry about the size. I notice that sizes can be all over the place. I found two pair of really cute capris (they are ankle pants but my legs are so long that they are just below the knee on me). I was able to hit some sales this fall for next summer clothing. I think I saved myself a ton of money instead of waiting till next summer. I should also be able to pick up some summer stuff while vacationing in FL. So, we have had this two month trip to FL planned for close to a year now. We spend almost every day with our 27 yr old son and thought it would be great to have some quality and quantity time with our 25 yr old. Well, he called last week and said he took a job in Atlanta as a flight school manager. There goes our time with him. He starts Dec 1 and will be moved by the time we get there. BUMMER

Hi Strike, Good to see you back and posting. I usually don't count my calories but check once in awhile just to make sure I am getting what I should. My doc insists on 600 cal a day but that's not going to work for me. I made goal about a month ago and I am 5# below goal and want to get back to where I should be. I know I need at least 1000 cals (I'm very active) so defied doc's orders and throw in a couple of healthy Snacks so that I can maintain the weight I want to be at. Nuts and soynuts help me to add the needed cals besides the 3 1/2 cup meals per day. How are all the rest of the June Bandsters? Was MIA over the weekend. Went to a casino with a bunch of girlfriends and stayed the night. Was a great time. My husband is so understanding and actually encourages me to go on trips with friends. I obey him and go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He doesn't have to say it twice.:eek:

I eat a container of Oikos Greek yogurt every morning and once in awhile during the day. I put a couple of TBLS of DiVinci syrup in it and add a few soynuts for added protein and variety. Our Walmart (65 miles away) only carries the vanilla and plain. I always buy the plain. Also good with SF jam. It's good plain on chili or a topping on veggies.

Congrats, Long, on hitting your 80# mark. Fun to see you so excited about it. I have had a crazy week so have not had a lot of time to even read posts. We started our corn harvest on Monday. Got rained out yesterday and had snow last night. Raining here today and expecting snow again tonight. Saw my doc on Tuesday. Am down 5# from my goal weight but he did not seemed concerned about it. He released me until March. Said didn't need to come back for a monthly visit unless I start gaining and want a fill. He still insists on 1/2 cup 3xdaily. I have been adding in healthy snack or two a day to see if I can just maintain. Don't think it will be a problem but it makes me a little nervous. I feel so darned good in my new clothes and I physically feel great. Heading out tonight with DH to celebrate out 29th anniversary. (It's Monday). Have a new Jones New York sweater (red and black...my fav) and new black slacks to go with it. Bought it for DH since he loves me in red. Meeting up with friends after dinner for a drink or two. That's about all it takes anymore to make me cross-eyed! Hope everyone has a good weekend. Mine will be busy with organizing. My favorite thing to do. Went through the kitchen like a white tornado today. Rearranged the pantry and every cupboard. Now I'm off to make some pumpkin muffins and maybe some apple/cinnamon muffins if I have time. I have not slowed down on my baking at all since the band. It's something I enjoy so much. I just end up giving it away to friends and neighbors.

Congrats on the weight loss, Maggies. Keep going, girl!!!!!!. The port area can be tender for awhile. But, if you think it's infected, red or rashy, check with your doc.

Ok...I love beef jerky and keep it in my truck at all times just in case I am in a situation where I need a snack or as a meal replacement. I usually buy the 1.8 oz snack pack. Very satisfying and 25g of protein. My question is: Does anyone know if eating jerky is any different than eating 1.8 oz of fresh cooked meat? Does it take on moisture in the pouch and expand?

Thanks for the advice, Lulac. I will give them a try is I can get past the fact that they are "ostrich". I get so weird about certain types of meat. But worth a try.:tongue: