mari12524

I also notice a change. I started at 267(banded April 22, 2008) and am now 192. I was a size 20-22 and am now a size 14. I work as a receiving clerk lifting cartons that can average 50 plus pounds. When I have had to lift these boxes in the past in front of my male co-workers I did so solo. Now I don't even need to try, someone is there to do it. I also share an office with a female co-worker/friend and she has been very open about the fact she does not want me to get skinnier then her. I wish as a culture that we would promote educational programs in our schools, starting in kindergarten and continuing throught high school, that teach the next generation how to have a healthy body and mind. Well I can dream.

Hey all, Just thought I would pop in a quick april avengers update. I was banded on April 22 weighing 267. 6 months out and I am finally in One-derland 197. Oh yea!!! I love my Band!!!! Continued Best wishes to everyone.

Happy Monday all!!, I was banded April 22. I started at 267 and now weight 201. I am just dancing at the door of One-derland. I am finding it hard to deside if I want anouther fill this month or wether I should put it off for a month and see how it plays out. I just don't want to go down the fill / unfill road. Best of luck to everyone. Enjoy the Day, Mari

So I was banded on April 22 of this year and was very fortunate to lose 45 pounds relative quickly and easily, with-in the first 2 1/2 months. I then found that I have come to a near stand still. I have continued to lose, I am now 4 months out and have lost 52 pounds. The reason I am writing is the quick drop of weight was awesome but it delayed the really important lesson. It is so often spoken of but can be so easily dismissed. That lesson is small portions and chew chew chew. I know you here that on this web site all the time. We are all relearning basic eating skills. I have always been a stuffer. I would not even be done chewing what was in my mouth and I would be stuffing more food in. I would eat my fill and beyond ( because it was so good or there was only a little left) The time just after getting banded was a great time. But I was not consistently sticking with the "correct" way of eating. I recently gained back a couple (6) pounds and it scared me. I refuse to fail again. This is going to be a forever change for me. I have started to measure out servings, what should I really be eating ( if I let my eyes be the judge they are to often seduced by my mind into adding just a little more to my plate) and to chew and really enjoy what I am eating. I have a long way to go. I am a self confessed emotional eater. But this change is a forever change and I will need to forgive myself when my mind wins a battle or two. I am developing the skills to win the war. Good luck to us all.

Good Morning, Does anyone have a good granola recipe? I am looking for something nutty and crunchy. Bars are ok I am looking to make them more bite size. I would like to include nuts, fruit and seeds. Thanks

Hi Famirika, I think finding this web site already puts you ahead of the game. I found it after my surgury. I think so often when I amagine the surgury I saw myself the thin person at the end. I failed to picture the healing period after my surgury. That being said now that I am 7 wks out I can hardly remember all the discomfort. There is a healing period and there is the period of "fills" that (as you can read on this site) goes so differently for everyone. Some folks lose quit a bit right off the bat, some find this period frustrating. Be patient you are about to become reacquainted with yourself after a long time of neglect and you can do this. I hope that your road is smooth and positive but if it is not consider how much more we learn fron the "not pefect' situations and become stronger through it! Enjoy the Day, Mari

Flying high on the same feeling. Not long ago I was staring at my closet nothing fit, to small, to tight. Now 7 weeks later I am staring at my closet and nothing fits, to big, to loose, falling off. From a tight 20 to size 16. I feel Great!! Lets here it for Losers!!! Enjoy the Day

My start weight was 267 and I am currently 223 (stuck here for a few days now). I just joined a Gym and hope to get things moving again. I will get my 2nd fill on the 25th of June. I have a 4cc band with 1cc in. I was getting kind of uncomfortable in my size 22 jeans and now I am wearing size 16. I Love My Band!!!!

I think it also helps not to load up your fork. I was suprized at how bad I was at eating till my surgery. I would shovle way to much food in my mouth and then try to chew it effectivly and would wind up eating to much and feeling sick. Now I try to think of what I would put on fork for 2 or 4 year old and chew the heck out of it. It seems to help me. Enjoy the Day, Mari

Started this journy in Jan. with my 1st Doc. apt. Banded April 22, 2008. Total pounds lost to date: 36lbs Thank goodness for 2nd chances!

I am at 1 month and I would recommend getting a large drink container and putting something sugar free in it Like SF Grape kool aide. I make the drink a little stong (sweet) fill a my container with ice and always keep it with me. The sweetness helps me "Trick" my mind. I would also suggest sf pudding and sf whipped topping. The single serving size is awsome at allowing a tasty treat and is reteaching me what a portion size is. Enjoy the Day

Banded 4/22/08, 1. I had become a train wreck with my weight and fitness. I now taking back control. 2. I have slowly stopped buying nice things for myself as my weight kept rising. As I lose the weight I am rediscovering a whole wardrobe in my own closet. 3. My husband can "see me" again. I am not just a wife or a Mom. I can also be so much more... In my short time "banded" I have lost 33 lbs, am working on my relationship with food and have given up caffine and sugar. **** And this is only the begining******:confused_smile:

Name:Mari Date you were banded: 04/22/08 Weight loss to date:30lbs How are you feeling? Good...hungry but good. I go to see my Doc. on the 21st. I am hoping for my 1st fill. I am now caffine free. I had given it up 2 days before my surgery and now my body will not except it, Bonus. I have gone SF and Caffine free and nobody has gotting hurt...LOL. Enjoy the Day.

Hi, Just thought I would share a thought. I am 3 weeks out, feeling preety good and am in love with SF Grape Koolaide:tt1:. I have no problems getting in the required fluids. My concern is that I should be preparing my self to not drink before, during and just after meals. How??:thumbup: I have been tring and I still reach for a sip. Has the drinking during a meal or even before or immediatly afterward impact your full feeling. I know it is just a knew habit I need to form, I just was wondering if the full feeling was really "washed" away with every sip. Enjoy the Day.

Thank you all. Great advice. Enjoy the Day

I would suggest that you get a reusable plastic container and put your water/ juice in it. I found that it help me see how much I consumed over the day. Instead of just guessing. PS I Love SF Grape Koolaide!!

I would recommend movement. I put in a call to my MOM about 4 days after my surgery and I was paceing the floor unloading all my frustration and The next day I felt better. My back continued to hurt for a good week but that too passed. I think it was the gas they fill the body cavity with to do the surgery. It took a while to pass.

Hi I also am newly banded (4/22/08). I was on clear liq. the first week and I am currently on thicker liq (sf jello, soup...). I think that the healing of the stomache is one of the primary reasons my Doc has me on liq. still. That and I love the fact that I am losing so quickly. I have lost 17.5 lbs in 10 days. When I get hungery I eat another sugar free ice pop and think how wonderful it is that this is only going to get better. Enjoy the Day!