kgloverii

Try the yoga move downward facing dog... Works for me every time.

YES. Size 9 to 7 1/2. I have petite feet now! :smile2:

Yes. There is discrimination. I have always been one who has a great super-friendly attitude and that has gotten me far in life. BUT, I AM treated differently since losing weight. People hold doors for me if I am going into a store, they look at me in the eyes, they TALK to me more now. Yes. Talk to me. In my retail job, I am treated with more respect. It is an odd thing, the obese discrimination. Even in my obesity, I'd sometimes think to myself, "That person is fatter. At least I have more self control" type mentality. But since the band, and with my change in perception, and in my KNOWING that my obesity was due to being hungry and not being out of control, I no longer see people that way. I hope more science comes out that will wipe those thoughts out of people's heads. It is a sad, sad thing.

Did you do your research before you chose him? I hope that you are not going in 'blind.' Do a search for him on the board. There are tons of threads...

It sounds like you just got stuck. You're fine. You probably feel less restricted cause you've healed more. As time went on post-op, I got my appetite back.

Started at 235 5'3.5" -size 18/20 Currently 162, size 10

I had 1/2 of an Orchard Harvest Salad and some black bean soup for lunch yesterday. Panera Bread is delicious and their salads are scrumptious.

I cannot agree with you said more. I DO NOT count calories. I DO NOT count fat, weigh my food, or anything like that. I JUST GAVE YOUR SERMON TO ANOTHER BANDSTER! LOL! I am all about eating healthy... but counting just creates a food obsession. And with my band, I NO LONGER HAVE THAT OBSESSION. I think about food... when I am HUNGRY. I don't plan out my meals and think about what my next meal is going to be. I got off work and was starving, and went to Panera Bread and got some black bean Soup and a salad. I didn't stand there and obsess about fat or calories... I got what sounded good. I eat better, more organic, less processed than I ever have... because THAT IS WHAT I CRAVE. 99.9% of bandsters outside of the US subscribe to the belief that Aubrie and I speak of. You lose by eating less. Not by counting what you eat. I am no longer on a 'diet.' I got the band so I would no longer have to diet. I finally have a healthy mindset.

This is the position... It works... you can google the way you do it... There is a 'method' and WOW! It is a lifesaver!

PLEASE call your doc just to check in. Maybe they will have suggestions... Are you drinking a lot? I don't want you to be dehydrated...

I was self-pay. Paid for my surgery with Mastercard. :thumbup: Best decision I ever made. It is an investment I made in my health. Best return I could've gotten.

Think of this as an opportunity. An opportunity to heal, to maintain and continue to lose weight. And focus on the future weight loss you are going to have because of your new friend. It will ALL be worth it. Remind yourself of that. I had the head hunger, and focused on what I just told you. That is now just a distant memory and I am so glad I stuck with it.

I was fat because I was hungry. All the time. No food addiction or psychological reason except for I was never satisfied. And now I am. My whole perspective on life has changed because I am not thinking about my hunger 24/7.

Amen to that... My perspective is: people will see my success will know there are options for long term weight loss. We all see Bob go on a diet, lose a bunch of weight and gain it all back in a year. There are options, there are successes, and I know one of the 'secrets.' They can see me and go, 'WOW. That is something I could do', or 'WOW. That is something my brother could take advantage of.' Whatever. Judge me however you want, but I still got my butt in some size 10 jeans. :thumbup:

Don't EVER be embarrassed. In my VG, .3ccs made a HUGE difference. Your doctor is there to make sure you are successful. Utilize them so you can make the most of your band.

I go every 2 sizes... I went from a 14 and didn't buy till I was a 10... and the 10 was TIGHT when I bought them. Now, I am a perfect 10 and will be for awhile... If I ever get the the elusive 8, I will buy in 8's, cause it is a SINGLE DIGIT! LOL. I work for Kohl's and pick up stuff on clearance with my discount all the time and REALLY clean up. Got my size 10 jeans and pants for like $9/each. Also find lots of clearance stuff for $5 or less. That's my kind of deal!

$5500? That's a little ummm... low. I am the queen of the bargain shoppers... but you get what you pay for, too... Some guy you've never heard of, with one heck of a deal... It sounds like buying the generic black and white box of ice cream out of the grocer's freezer: no clue what you're gonna get... and for $5500, you can be almost guaranteed it will NOT be an Inamed Band or a Realize... probably some high pressure midband or something. And those bands have worked for some, but getting aftercare for that kind of band would be nearly impossible... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK and don't just pick the cheapest guy, or some guy whose had some nice, gushing testimonials from a LapBand board. People who are overweight will do almost anything to get themselves healthier, but killing yourself or putting yourself at risk is not an extreme we should be willing to go to, in order to save a few dollars and get into a size 8. Seriously. Think about it rationally.

Yes, I eat it... Can't eat much, but it sure is delicious... Katy's Bandster Rule #1: Throw out the rule book. Once you have proper restriction, eat what you want. I do. And I feel no deprivation and continue to lose... cause I only eat a tiny bit.

AM: Sm Steamer (Can't eat in the AM) Lunch: 1/3 A&W Coney Dog without Bun, 2 french fries Dinner: 1/3 Cup Homemade Turkey Lasagna PM Snack: 1/4 Cup Edy's Slow Churned Pumpkin Ice Cream and 1/2 Slice of Stollen (Fruit and Nut Bread) Ok, not the 'healthiest day' but it was a weekend day and we were on a day trip... :thumbup:

BCN is a total PITA. If you have continued issues with them, I'd contact one of the lawyers through obesityhelp.

Have you tried the 'hot' liquids like coffee or tea? That might help loosen something that is stuck...

I have 7 in a 10 cc band. I can eat 1/4 of a chicken sandwich, with only 1/4 of the bread... with a few veggies. That's dinner. It is not much. but I am ALWAYS satisfied! :thumbup: Do you have the head hunger? If so, you might need a tweak. That's how I know if I need a tweak. If I'm mindlessly munching, I need a tweak.

Gas X is a lifesaver. I always used Phazyme cause it is a bit stronger. Do you eat yogurt? That will help with gas too... Walk around, get moving. The more you move, the quicker that gas will dissipate. Promise.

I have been banded for just over a year. I agree with the old timers above. We are here. I post a bit, but sometimes, people get irritated. Cause I say it like it is. If I think you are being dumb, I'll tell you. A lot of the 'newbies' cry and moan about their problems, but when you 'call them on it' they get ticked off. We are here. But we don't post as much, and we don't have many questions cause we've learned how banded life is. Anytime you have a question, ask. We'll be more than happy to chime in... Us oldies love our bands... :thumbup:

One word..., PLATEAU. I have had a couple plateaus last for 3-4 WEEKS. As a lower BMI person, my weight loss has been slower, but if I go 3-4 weeks, I start to think that this might be the 'end.' BUT, I keep doing the right things and get on the scale one day and... BAM! Movement. I say this in my success story: The band is NOT a perfect fix. It is NOT an easy fix. YOU MUST WORK THE BAND. You MUST be conscious about what you eat and the exercise you get. You must have a dialogue and consistent follow-up with your doctor. YOU MUST REMAIN POSITIVE. You will plateau. Over and over. You'll go up and down. BUT, you must remind yourself that as long as you keep doing the right things, you will have success. You WILL PLATEAU! Keep your chin up! Hugs!