Numbrgirl

Thanks for the encouragement! I am so glad to have found the lap band procedure and feel like this time it will actually be a permanent solution to this constant roller coaster ride!! Want to start enjoying life again. I saw a sign once that I have never forgotten...it read: "Don't give yourself an excuse not to live life." That is what obesity does, it gives you permission to sit on the sidelines and watch the world go by. But NO MORE!!!

Froggi ~ That was such an honest response. I share that same sentiment. Not that I don't do it thoroughly now but it would be nice if it was a little easier....things fit people never think about!!

Thanks Sue I have been watching carbs and when I do I see the weight loss. When I don't nothing moves. I have been having Muscle Milk which has 11g carbs, 11g fat and 22 grams of protein in each one. I have always tried to keep them at 60g carb per day. I don't feel as sluggish when I don't take so many in. This seems low compared to what you have said.

I love your list!!!

Honestly, at first I thought it was Feb 2008 but even at 2007 time frame that is still good!! I have been wanting to take up some exercise and have been walking more - my doctor's office just told me to take it easy for another week or so. I like to inquire from everyone about their success to see if there is anything I can learn.

Tory - I am so glad my surgery story touched you. It was a real blessing to me and something I will NEVER forget. I am wanting to use this band as a tool to become the best woman of God I can be. I am the leader of our Women's Group at our church and also sing on the worship team every other Sunday and my weight just inhibits me on a lot of things and I think it really restricts my personality in many ways. I know God loves us all fat or thin - I have just been dealing with this issue for so long, I am looking forward to using the band as a necessary tool and giving God the glory for the stamina, strength and tenacity to make it work for me!! So many people judge by weight and appearance and there are those who will never relate or want to relate to a heavy person. It is really sad to me but I know that I feel better when I am not heavy and my personality becomes much more extroverted when I have more confidence in this area. Not trying to sound shallow - just truthful. I live in So California where the pressure to be Barbie is overwhelming. Now I will never be Barbie again (I was in my 20's and had no clue....) but I will be healthy and more outgoing throughout this journey!!

I know it is something to look at a huge pile of bread and butter (which I usually attack with great abandon......) and just decide not to deal with it. I think in my current stage I could get it down with lots of chewing and water but it is more work than I want to do over a stinkin' piece of bread and besides it is a huge reason for my weight issues. I have not had bread, soda or fast food since I was banded and I think that it where the majority of my weight loss to date has come from. Funny thing, I just don't miss it. Thank God!!

For me the pysch evaluation was an enjoyable experience. My doctor (Dr Solomon - how cool is that?) was a nice, professional man. He asked me a variety of questions about my weight, history, who my support would come from etc. He then asked me to look at a series of "ink spots" to tell him what I saw in each card and then I had to look at some real pictures and give him a story line, plot and outcome. It was a very interesting experience. I am sure everyone's technique and procedures are different but I left feeling like I wouldn't mind seeing him again!!! Before I left he gave me some personal feedback from my interaction with him which was very comforting and encouraging to me. I don't even think he knew how much it meant to me. But I did walk back to my car with big smile on my face!!

Thank you so much. I was struggling with the whole ticker thing as well - but these directions made it so easy!! Thanks again.

Banded: 4/30/08 Weight Loss: 16 lbs Feeling: Hopeful; Encouraged. Just waiting for the first fill to see some more weight loss and restriction!!

Only banded since 4/30 but there are already positive things coming my way - 1) losing weight is encouraging. 2)Having a true restriction from bread and Pasta which has always been a problem 3) Hope - to look towards the future and know that loss is on the horizon. To look at a particular food and then just look away because your brain tells you it is not possible to "shove" it down it much easier to deal with then being on a "regular diet". Hope this makes sense to everyone else!!

You will be fine. It is overwhelming at first but your body will adjust and your mind will come along too........If you have 150 lbs to lose (like I do) what other logical choice is there? That is what keeps me going. Best wishes to you!!

KVONBE -Wow you have really done well!! Congrats. I was banded on 4/30 and will not have my first fill until 6/10. What have you been doing to keep the weight coming off? I am taking a trip in late November and would really love to see some major improvements on the scale!! God Bless!!

So sweet to find this group. I was banded 4/30 and have lost about 16 lbs so far. I have my first fill on 6/10. I want to start exercising again but get conflicting answers as to when it is the appropriate time to start. Any feedback from anyone? I have to share a sweet story. When I was going into the operating room I was suddenly overwhelmed by emotions and the tears started streaming down my face. My OR nurse bent down and whispered in my ear "would you like me to pray for you?" I whispered a weak "yes". She prayed for me - I mean really prayed - not just a "now I lay me down to sleep..." When she was done I said "thank you, that was really unexpected." She then replied "it is to let you know that God knows where you are all the time." Those are the last words I heard as I drifted off to sleep......... So precious to me.

What is the proper amount of carbs/protein/fat to have each day and still be in a losing mode??

Thanks so much IndioGirl.......I lived in Indio as a young girl!!! I am anxious to start exercise but don't want to begin too soon or do any damage, etc. We are going on a vacation to Costa Rica in December and would like to see a significant amount of weight loss by then - you give me inspiration to just use the tool as it was intended. Thanks again!!

I have lost a total of 16 lbs and today is the start of my 3rd week. Quite a bit of it must be water weight but my jeans are getting loose It is a comfort to see the scale going down, down, down.

Can someone give me some pointers on getting the ticker to show up on your signature? I have the ticker ready but everytime I try to add it, it reads "invalid file" - what am I doing wrong?

Congrats on getting under 300. I am so looking forward to that morning when it happens to me!! Hopefully soon!!

Banded 4/30 - first fill 6/10 !!

14 lbs in 13 days........I will take that!! Glad to have all the side-by-side encouragement!!

I was banded 4/30 and have had little complications - just trying to find out if anyone started exercising before the 6 week healing period?

Congratulations!! Thanks so much for sharing. I was banded 4/30 and would like to know how soon you started exercising and also what type of exercise......I decided to get the band because nothing else worked (everyone knows that story) but also because my knees had begun to really hurt. So I have to take the exercise slow. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks for the inspiration.

It seems I just made the group by one day!! Banded April 30. I am been on Soups and Clear liquids but today I tried some runny mashed potatoes but they just made me feel blah. I thought they would be a little more comforting but no such luck. I am thinking of starting some light exercise this week - although I have had conflicting advice about this. It will be the start of week 3 and I would really like to start making some effort to tone - but don't want to hurt myself or impede anything. any advice?

Thanks so much for this information. I was concerned that I was just sleeping wrong - since after surgery I was on my back and normally sleep on the left side and stomach. I did use a heating pad but trying to position it where the pain is proves to be kind of difficult. It is feeling better today but this is extremely interesting to know. Thank You!!