neverB4

I enjoy this thread more than the "how much have you lost" one!!!!

I've been too afraid to try leafy salads...just reminds me of same texture as cereal!! Treat the candy bowl this way....whomever picks a pc from it, look at them and think how happy you are you're not them!! There are some nice protein snack bars and treats that are sweet to taste. My doc recommends them for my sweet tooth.

WHA-HOO GALS!!!! I fit nicely into my tub yesterday!!!!!!!!!

I'm still 3cc's in a 10cc's. My doc likes a slow and strict fill plan. Today I hit 192...64lbs gone!!!! My DH told me my capris were a little too big yesterday...well, size 16 misses!!!

Girl, way to go!! Now, you know you'll want to dance even more on the cruise so if possible, I'd return for smaller size too! We're going on a 7day cruise week of Christmas. I'll need new clothes too because mine right now are getting big. Since I'm paying a lot for the cruise, I want to look good!! I was looking at Coldwater Creek online at their outlet stuff. I'm just now getting into 16's and sicne we're talking 3mos away, I'm ordering 14's!!

I won't say what you're doing wrong, but I'll tell you what was strongly implied in my pre-op training and is working for me! You have to work the band first. This can take up to 6-8mos, until you reach your sweet spot. You're sweet spot is when you FINALLY feel restriction. Until then, it is up to YOU to eat only 2-4oz per meal, sensible meals. I do not eat high caloric foods. High proteins and complex carbs are it for me. 4oz per meal is my max. And I sit at the kitchen table for all meals so I can actually concentrate on each bite, savor each one, and learn my new sense of becomming satisfied, not over-stuffed. I have 3cc's in a 10cc band. I was told it can take 5-8cc's before I hit that "sweet spot". So right now for me, it takes self-discipline on my part to have the restriction I need at present. Don't get discouraged. Evaluate what YOU are really working at, then what you feel your BAND should be doing!

Night times are difficult for me. I was encouraged to drinka protein shake in the evenings, if needed. I try to eat supper no lter than 6p, then do the shake around 7-8p. It has helped.

Kdog, have you down on my prayer calendar...may God bless and welcome aboard!!

I just don't understand how some people here say he's overcontrolling without knowing how informed he was to begin with! Nor what a jerk he's being. To give him some credit, we should know about this before assumptions are made. My hope is that he's so much in love with you, that it's only concern and a lack of communication. My DH couldn't understand why i couldn't do it on my own without spending 14k. But he continues to support and encourage me. he's the 1st to pick up on if I'm eating what I shouldn't be. But he's also the second one in line to reap the rewards of my weight loss! As far as the children go, I have always been up front with mine. My two know what surgery I had, why and now the do's and dont's for mommy. And honestly, it does encourage them to control their appetite better too. they've both lost since my banding and they love exercising with me too!

That's what we talked about in our "eating around it" discussion!! Even though you eat smaller protions, if you ate whoppers all the time, well, you just won't lose!! Point truelly valued. Good luck on your journey too. We ARE beautiful pelple because we decided to take a more substantial step to weight loss, not an easy way out!

My mom always had to flour then fry her meats, use fatback and butter in her veggies, then serve with mashed white potatoes. Oh, after she added mayo to them! Bless her though, she still cooks wonderfully (except her increased salt taste buds!!) i was never encouraged to do "outside" activities, meaning school sports, etc. So exercise was never a value to me. I hated PE at school because I was always last to do those timed tasks. And doing them in jeans was harder because of my fear of wearing shorts on my chubby-ridiculed figure at the time. What young girl who was starting to like boys wanted them looking at her blubber butt and legs!! I learned to love the taste of foods and not learn portion control. After 40yrs, I decided it was time to finally learn!!

I had the choice too but went with what my doc preferred. he likes and uses both but he told me due to me being overweight majority of my life, he wanted to use the original Lapband AP. Since he doesn't do any fills at time of surgery, he said it provides a tighter restriction. I did like the smaller port of the Realize, but from what I heard of concerns, the clips that suture it down can possibly slip or break and come undone. I wanted to actual suture to hold it in. Just like the concern of a wider band...less slipage.

When i let my protein intake per day drop, less than 60gms per day, I get in a slump..BIG time. I eat larger portions and crave sweets. My support grp last Weds night helped. We were reminded that the band is a tool. it will not lose the weight for us. Then our nutritionist reminded us, "It doesn't fix this problem" while pointing to her head. She reminded us it doesn't cure our decision of what to eat and how to eat. She said that's how people "eat around the band" and allow it to fail. I'm not bashing the band. i love my band and what it has helped me do so far with my weight loss. When I get in my slumps, it's only my mind's thinking fault...not my band! If we want our band to help us with our goals, we have to help ourseleves first!! Congrats on your weight loss, SUPERB job!! The last 22lbs will be difficult. i fear when I get to that point. And I already have people telling me negative comments when I tell them I want to lose about 40lbs more....it does get aggrevating more than discouraging. it helps boost my motivation though!

Hi annE!! Welcome aboard and we're here when you need us! god bless!!

This is funny! I just got telling my DH and kids that my tailbone now hurts in the driver's seat!! No more fat padding. I have also noticed a harder time getting used to my boney knees and hips while sleeping on my side. I need to get one of those tiny travel pillows.

I'm 4mos out and only con is the hair loss. But it didn't last long. Oh, and that I didn't do this sooner!

Hi guys and welcome aboard!! Dr. Antonetti is my surgeon. Good luck and best wishes!

Meekie...WELCOME, congrats and God Bless!! You're doing great!

Marylin, my prayers also are with you!

I too was not told to count cals per day. I am to have 3 meals, no snacks. 1/2cup per meal, 60-70 gms protein each day. If any carbs, then only complex but limit white potatoes. They are worst complex carbs to turn to sugar, hence fat!! Sweet potatoes are now my family's fave! I was also told NOT to get used to measuring forever.

Luv the soup one...happens to me all the time! When friends and family know you have the band, but still ask.."is that all you're going to eat?" kills me every time!

I'm almost 4mos out and my drastic hair loss just stopped overnight. i was so worried, I started taking 2000mcg of Biotin each day. Now I only take 1000. It will stop so hang in there!

When I get in a slump, I take a trip to my closet. I have old clothes that are still a little tight on me. tring them on to size up gets me motivated and back on tract!

I lost 2lbs this week despite my impending monthly!! I tend to hold extra water weight around that time...DAH!!! Anyways, I don't go for my possible 3rd fill until Oct. 13th!! I've started to keep a journal because I'm restricted in the am and early pm, but then get loose and famished in late pm's. Plus I'm adding a 2nd protein shake when needed as instructed by my PA. I still remain proud though, I'm not hitting the 1cup per meal yet!!