boos02

Great idea on 2009 goal - Mine primary goals are to make better food choices and to exercise 5 days a week. My secondary goal is to loose 1 -2 lbs a week. I guess they all go hand in hand. Thanks for all the support everyone!

Hi everyone - back from the holidays. Haven't had time to read through past posts, but I'll try to get to that. I'm glad the holidays are over. Way too many temptations, etc. I hope everyone had a great holiday. It's good to be back. Kathy

Hi everyone - Just digging out of over 2 feet of snow this weekend. It's going to warm up today to the 20's. Brrrr..... Janet, thanks for the "check-in" on Friday. I didn't have a chance to look at LBT over the weekend. I am recording my food. I do eat a lot! I definitely want a fill when I see the doc again. As Phly said on an earlier post, I need to find the right mix of good food and tight band. Sliders can't be in the picture. Glad to hear everyone is getting ready for the holidays. Don't know about where you are, but it will be white in Vermont! Kathy

Here's my experience and opinion: DO NOT BUY via internet advertising. I did it for one that touted Oprah's endorsement. It's a scam. They charge your credit card lots of $$ even though it's a "free trial". Getting your $$ back takes a lot of time and frustration. Some of these same products are sold at health food and Vitamin stores. Also, I did try it for one week. Made absolutly no difference. Save yourself time and frustration!

Joann - I am so sorry. I know this is hard for you. Our pets are our lives and loosing them is just so terrible. Abbie was a beautiful dog.

Phyll - CONGRATULATIONS!! What a great achievement! We are so proud of you. I can see the diamonds glistening all the way here in VT! Kathy

Long - Yes, the band and fill are to help with better eating habits, but only if you change them! As you know there are ways to eat around the band (sliders) and I may be doing that sometimes. So, for the next couple of weeks I'll log everything, and try to only eat three meals, keep to 1200 calories and no exceptions! If during this time I feel hungry and no restriction then I'll get another fill. I think that's a reasonable compromise for right now. Kathy

Hi everyone! Janet, wish I could have seen the snow on the mtns during my visit. It would have been fun sitting by the pool looking at snow!! Went to the doc today and no fill. I was a little disappointed, but he wants me to work on better eating habits before he does the next fill. He's not sure I'm eating correctly - and he may be right. It's easy to get the wrong foods down so that's what I tend to gravitate to. I'm seeing him in three weeks and we'll decide then. Oh well, off to lunch... Kathy

Orea - Great recommendations. I cannot eat anything solid until about 11:00am. I usually start the day with a protein drink. Hot tea sometimes helps "open me up". I feel like the band is always a work in progress!

Welcome - Good luck with your journey. After you get started with Dr. F you'll be able to log onto the yahoo blog going for Vermonters there as well. Weight loss with the band is tough (or even tougher!) It's not a magic cure. Fortunately there are enough people in the Burlington area who you can rely on for support. Even with the band you need to watch calories and exercise. The band is only a tool. Check back in after you have your first visit and if you have a chance to get to the support group meeting the first Tuesday of every month you'll find lots of support.

Hey everyone - I'm back from my business trip to Palm Springs. I have a week's worth of thread to read, but I don't have the energy right now. Phyl and Janet - Thought of you both the rest of the week. It was so great to meet you. I know you were cold, but for me the weather was ideal. I had a little bit of time on Tues to sit by the pool. Now I'm back tot he old routine. I see the doc on Thursday and I'm going to beg for a fill before the end of the year. I can still eat way too much. I'm sending out vibe that the fourth fill will be the charm. Well, got to get back to work. Good to be back to LBT! Kathy

Hi everyone - First, Joann great to hear that all is going well. I know you'll be successful! I've been out of touch the past few days. I'm in Palm Springs for a business meeting, and as Janet said I met with her and Phyl for lunch on Sunday. It was so great to meet our mentor!! She looks absolutely great and is a true inspiration. I had a great gab with both she and Phyl (who by they way has lost almost 100 lbs!!). I'm hoping to connect with Janet again on Tuesday. What the meeting meant for me was the opportunity to meet "friends" who have gone through the process successfully. It did give me renewed energy! Thanks so much to both of you. Well, I'm off to meetings. It's gorgeous here. I wish I could spend more time outside! Kathy PS - We should all try to unite at some point next year. It would be great to connect faces to the friends we've become on line.

I agree with the fickle band, amount of fill, etc. I am at 6.5 cc's in a 10cc band and can still eat anything and any amount I want. It's frustrating but I know it's a process. The doc's schedule is full until Jan so I can't get a fill until then. Bummer! I keep losing and gaining the same three pounds. Joann - I'll be away for a couple of days, but just wanted to say good luck on your surgery Thursday. Check back in when you can. - Kathy

Good morning everyone! Thanksgiving is over and I am so thankful. I thought of everyone yesterday. I was so nervous about this first big holiday being banded, but I was able to eat normally. It was great not having the old feelings of being over-stuffed and guilty about eating too much. I was thoughtful about what I ate, no pb'ing and eating very slowly and small amounts. And, several people complimented me on my progress. It felt so good. How did everyone else do? Kathy

Hey everyone - Thanksgiving is over and I am so thankful. I was so nervous about this first big holiday being banded, but I was able to eat normally. It was great not feeling stuffed, not pb'ing and not beating myself up for overeating. And, several people complimented me on my progress. It felt so good. How did everyone else do?

So... First, you can't beat yourself up. This is a hard journey, but the rewards are great. You have four days to stick with your pre-op program. You must do it. It will be worth it. Good luck and hang in there. You are doing this for YOU. - Kathy

Joan - I'm sorry to hear about your dog. It's hard to see our loving pets suffer. I have two cats and they are my children!

Charlene - Stress is a big one for me. Almost anything can get stuck when I eat fast and don't chew well. And, I also can't seem to eat anything solid in the morning so I usually have a protein shake. I hope everyone has a happy, less than stressful Thanksgiving!

Ellen - Warm cyber hugs to you. Hang in there. Stress is one of my big eating triggers. I know it's easier said than done but I try to step back and be thankful for all I have. Everyone's turkey day prep is making me envious. I am going out this year with mom and dad. It's really the best since the place we're going to is having a buffet so I can control what I eat better. And, no leftovers at home. I had my 3rd fill this week so I supposed to be on mushie foods. I'll be thinking of all you. I'm thankful I've found you all! Kathy

Kimaly - Congrats on onederland! How exciting!!

Lori - Safe travels. I'm back from the doc and my 3rd fill. I now have 6.5 cc's. I hope this is the sweet spot, we'll see. I'm on liquids for a few days, leading up to Thanksgiving. I'm thankful that I have an excuse not to "test the band" since I'll be on soft food Turkey day. Kathy

Great pics of Janet and Phyl. Can't wait to meet you gals in a couple of weeks! Kathy

Orea - Sorry to hear your news. There are so many lay-offs going on. Try to be good to yourself and not panic too much. Long - I continue to be amazed at your weight loss! I gain and lose the same 5 lbs. Can't wait for my 3rd fill on Monday. I hope it helps with portion control. I know I need to be the one to make the right food choices. Rose - You can really see the difference in the pics. Good going. Katy - I'm sorry for your struggles. We'll be here to provide support. TGIF - it's so cold here I just want to snuggle up under the covers!!

Hi Tamra - Not many people get to this site. Good luck with your pre-op appt. A little weight gain should be ok if you've hit the target they asked for. I see you post on the pats_laps site too. I hope we can get a support group going.

Yahoo Becky - 50lbs gone forever!!!