Irish76

Hi Everyone has done so well!! I too am rather slow at losing---but I did hit my personal 1 yr goal of 60 lbs. Then I went nuts and haven't lost since early Aug but now I am geting back on track. My blood work was WONDERFUL! Cholesterol is 119 (down from 230), A1C is 5.2 (don't from over 7), BP is 117/72 (down from an average of 145/89). ANd so far no abmornal heart rates. I do feel much better than this time last year. I have gone from size 24 to 16 pants (albeit they are a little stretch---that's ok they are still size 16). Keep up the great work--EVERYONE! Take it one day at a time, right?

I met with the pharmacist recently and feel blown away with all the crushing of pills that I will need to do post op. Some of my current pills are extended release and I will have to go back to taking several a day instead of the one extended release. This means crushing pills while away from home (at work, on travel etc). All the food restrictions and rules about pills and not doing this or that is starting to get to me. How do others manage?? I need advice on what to take to work for each meal, how to get the pills in during the day if I am not supposed to snack (only 3 meals a day is mandatory). Especially post op, I can only have 2-3 ounces of food for each meal but I will still be taking around 8 pills a day. Right now thisis getting to be too much and I want to scrap the whole idea of this surgery. Any suggestions?? Does anyone know if the vertical sleeve procedure requires you to crush pills? Maybe that is an option?:confused2:

Thanks, I am afraid to step on the scales. I think that I will just wait until Wed and get the news at the Dr Office when I go for my fill.

Ok I started using the Dailyplate site and right away realized that I probably need a fill. I had not realized how much I was consuming at any given meal. I'm eating the right things just way too much. Back to weighing and measuring everything in addition to journaling. Then a couple of days ago my daughter looked at my plate and said, "Mom, I think you need to go for a fill..." my plate was practically empty and I usually take 3/4 home with me. My appt is 5 Aug. Thanks for all the words of wisdom and encouragement...this is hard some days. But we CAN do it.:thumbup:

MistyD65 Thanks for the words of wisdom. I am going to go to the DailyPlate and track using that for a while and see what happens. I think that I'll double check my salt intake too. heartfire mentioned it in an earlier post. Slipping back into old habits is so easy to do--I am practically a PRO at it.

Someone please give me a swift kick in the xxx. I was on a plateau for about 5 months (Jan -May) finally got a fill that felt like it was doing something and lost some more weight, was feeling pretty good about myself. But lately I haven't met any short-term goals and I am stuck at about 6-8 lbs short of my 1 yr goal (anniversary is 26 Aug so still have a little time but not much). I don't understand why my losing has slowed so much AGAIN. I log, I exercise, I think that I am eating the right things--mostly chicken, turkey, low-fat cheese sticks, some fruits (peeled of course) and Water. Lezlie, how are you losing 1/2 lb a day??? I need some hints, please!:bored:

In the afternoon at work I brew Camomille Tea in my regular tea cup--let it steep for several minutes. Then I add cold water and ice. Sometimes I add honey or sweetener. This is really refreshing and relaxing.

barbarrito I was banded on 20 Aug 08 too. I lost quickly initially and was "over filled" in Dec. He took some out and I went through Jan - Mar eating all soft foods and not losing anything---bouncing up and down about 4-6 lbs. I finally went back and he said that I was still too full and took some out. The in early May I went back because I was eating too much and gaining. He gave me a fill and right now I am still eating alot at each sitting and not losing but don't feel hungry either. So am a little confused with hte volume----espcially if I look at the "what did you eat today" site. Anyway, my total weight loss is about 50 lbs, basically the same since Dec and I am not a real happy camper. My goal for my 1 yr bandiversary is another 18 lbs and I am hoping to get there. I do work out but probably not as much as I should. But the real thing is that: 1) I am wearing smaller clothes; 2) my bloodwork is much better than a year ago; and I can at least workout now without my knees hurting. I consider those all "wins". However, I am not seeing the improvements physically. People tell me that I look great but I still see all the multiple chins, the chubby cheeks, the large arms, tight watch/rings, etc. I "see" no difference. With the stress that you are under I think that you are doing great! Think about where you'd be if you hadn't had the surgery...something is helping you not over eat and to be able to exercise. Just double check what you are eating and make sure that it is solid enough to be staying with you for a good long time and not so soft that it is oozing through and then you are looking for more food too soon. I was doing that for 3 months--all soft foods (and watery foods--yogurt, chili, cottage cheese, puddings, etc). Hang in there and keep trying...I believe that you'll suddenly get results. But also, you paid your Dr and his staff a LOT of $$$$ go back and get some help from them. We all need help doing this, we cannot do it on our own. Virtual friends are great support but the Dr is the primary support. Please keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.

I too have been on a plateau--since Jan. I am not gaining just bouncing between about 4 lbs. I got upset and quit logging food and haven't been to the gym for a couple of weeks. Now I am back to logging and hitting the gym at least a couple of times a week...no loss yet but am down one more pant size. That's good. I also have move my scale to the kitchen...now I see it everytime I go to snack on something or think that I will have just a little taste of something "bad".

I was banded in Aug and have slept on my stomach since day 1--even on the hospital bed. If I am not on my stomach, I don't sleep. Have had no problems or pain. I did have what I called a twinge on the left side and the Dr. said that it was probably because the muscle was bruised when inserting the instruments. It did go away in about 2 weeks. Hang in there, you'll find the perfect position for you.

Count me in! I have always been the hot, sweaty person. In the middle of winter everyone else is walking around in layers upon layers of clothes and coats and I was in my T-shirt or short sleeve blouse. now, I keep a heavy sweater at my desk, wear my coat everywhere and always have flannels, socks, sweatshirt and blanket on in the house---with the fireplace blasting. But I love it! I can always put more layers on, I can only take off some many layers before someone calls the authorities.

OMG! I thought that I was just getting old or something. My Grandmother always had a tissue in her hand and now I have to have a tissue with me at every meal for my drippy nose. My hiccups are kind of a combination of hiccups and a little burp at the same time. Strange

I too have this problem. Can't eat much all day long and then eat way more than I should and things that I shouldn't eat in the evening. I have been bouncing around about 4 lbs---up and down, up and down. I went for my 6 mos check up and the Dr thought that I was too tight. So he loosened me up a bit and things aren't getting stuck as much...but I still have the same routine. Only coffee in the a.m. at first. Then by mid=morning something soft, yogart, cottage cheese etc. Lunch is small and intermittenly sticks. Then by the time I get home...I am like an empty vat. Everythings goes in just fine. Still bouncing around with those 4 lbs too. I work out several times a week and could do a better job there but all in all I am quite frustrated.

I hate seeing Dr's and needles but it was worse having to see a family Dr, a cardiologist, pulmonary specialist, internist etc. Now I see the specialist once a year, have stopped some meds, and my CPAP machine has been set at a lower level and is much more comfortable and I sleep so much better. Please reconsider when things settle down a little at home and when you are feeling better...you have to be dedicated to this, it is a lifetime change that you will have to work at. I wish you the best--regardless of what you decide.

i had to go off all extended release meds post surgery because to get the pills to go down I have to split them in half (some in quarters). I can't handle them crushed--way too nasty. Check with your pharmacist first but the pill spliter costs about $5-$7 and is very worth it. I have one on my bedtable, one at work and one in my purse since I now have to take them several times a day. Good luck!

Me too! I have been bouncing between a loss of 46-49 lbs since 3 Jan 09. I am so disgusted. I started working out in Jan, stationary bike and weight machines---no weight lost. Although many people have commented on the change in me, I don't see it. I had to have a picture taken recently and I see no difference between the one 4 yrs ago and now. I don't really feel it in my clothes either. I can still wear many of my old tops and pants. I don't think a fill is the answer because a lot of different food stick---my last fill was a nighmare and I had to go back and get some taken out.

Brad 2100 calories???? My "nut" has a conniption if I go over 600 a day.

Everyone has done great!!!!! I get anxious about my progress until I write it down...then it looks better. The Band is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. My Bandiversary is tomorrow 20 Feb. I have lost 47 lbs (struggling to hit the 50 lb mark) 13 lbs to lose in order to meet my one year goal I am totally confused by clothing sizes...in some pants I am down 2 sizes in others I am down 1 size (barely). I am down only one size in tops (3XL to 2XL). But my shoes are really loose..haven't tried on news ones yet so am not really sure about my "new" shoe size.

Gary, I too cannot hit (let alone pass) the 50lb mark. I have been on this plateau since the holidays. WHhch is strange because I only started sorking out after the holidays--believe me it's not because of muscle development either. How can you drink beer? I would think that the bubbles would hurt.

Reheated chicken is a real problem with me. Any kind--dark meat, white meat, sauced or not sauced, cooked in crockpot, BBQ or any other way---it is not going to go down. Some days I can eat something and the next time I try it, it'll get stuck. Normally I have been able toeat eggs cooked any way. Today, I mushed up a hardoiled one and now 4 hours later it is still hurting and feels like it is not going to move. Haven't tried pork yet (DH doesn't like it so we don't fix it) but I am almost totally off red meat. Steaks and roasts are out--I knew that going into this but even finely ground beef is hard to get down and isnt' worth a potential episode of it sticking so I am cutting a lot of that out. As for the sweet tooth, I hear ya. In some ways mine has grown much larger but in other ways some sweets are not as attractive as before--mostly those with flour, they just stick. Hang in there, I am learning to eat fish---never thought that I'd say that.

Have you tried Tyson's Tequila Lime Chicken Wings? OMG! I love them. 4 pieces is 20 grams of protein and only 200 calories. Don't get the kind with the breading though. I prefer these baked until crispy but when in a hurry, they are great from my friend the microwave. Try them and let me know if you like them.

I was told no pills larger than a pencil eraser (in diameter). I take several different pills a day and won't take them crushed---way to gross. I cut them in quarters or smaller if I am having a tighter than usual day. Sometimes it'll take me an hour to get all my morning pills down. Nighttime can be shorter or longer depending on how close to dinner I take them.

I'll acept that challenge! I'd like to lose another 10 by 1 Jan. Current 246 Goal 236

Rob, I started with the frequent diarrhea (not just loose) about 3 days after surgery (which was 20 Aug 08). At first, we thought that I had developed lactose intolerance post-op and or drinking too much Water. I am not convinced those are causing the problem--I drink much less water than before and don't do milk anymore and still have a serious problem. I suspected the ingredients in sugar-free popsicles and Splenda (although I have eaten them for years with no problems) but I quite eating them and still have the problem. My Dr seems to think that it will correct itself...I am not convinced of that either. Good luck, try some Lactaid that helps a little.

Have you tried Isopure? It comes in 20 oz bottles (in the health food seciton of grocery stores) but packs a whopping 40 grams of protein with zero calories. I drink one a day on the way home from work and it really helps me. Good luck.