sistasassy

Okay guys and gals, it is not perfect but it is up and I will keep it updated. If there comes a time when I cannot, I will pass the information on to someone who can keep it updated. Start posting so I can get everyone updated that needs updated. Here is the link: Notorious Novembers 2008 Weightloss Spreadsheet - Google Docs If you are new, post the following information to this thread. Surgery date Highest Weight Preop diet starting weight Surgery weight (Your weight the day of surgery) Current weight Goal weight If you are just needing updated, please post the following: Current weight: (whatever your current weight is) Then whatever else you want to say. Thanks a bunch, peeps!

I would try switching to all liquids for a couple of weeeks. Learn that you CAN keep those down. Then go to mushies for a couple of weeks and learn that you CAN keep those down. Then on to soft foods the same. The regular. I had to do that. I had to retrain not only my body and my band but my mind that it did not have to come up. That I was not always as stuck as I perhaps felt I was. I still get carried away and will eat too fast or not chew well enough and end up in the bathroom. If I notice I am doing this routinely, I have to force myself to go back to square one and start over. Kind of a "time out" for me to get myself back in line.

Exercise is great for stress. Find the method best for you. This will destress you, shrink you, and keep your mind off of it all at the same time.

Plateaus are going to come and go on the entire journey. Good days and bad days as well. This is now a life long process. The best thing is get moving and get your mind off of it. Keep your protein high and your bad carbs in check. Ignore the plateau and it will pass.

I also find it at Starbucks. It is awesome! I have those for breakfast a lot of times since my band is so very snug in the mornings. That and a latte and I am good to go!

I just got back from a week long cruise in April. It was awesome! I ate what I wanted but because I am banded, I ate less. I had frozen yogurt every day and as many times a day as I wanted. You get so much exercise while onboard that I would not worry. You walk everywhere. I had Mongolian stirfry for lunch everyday and formal dining fantastic menus for supper. I did not skimp. I did not worry. Just remember that you will be eating less. I lost four pounds during the nine days I was gone and I ate the most fantastic food onboard and in every port.

I have flown twice and traveled to the Caribbean and had no trouble. I think it really depends on each person.

Ok, my doc is one who does allow soda as long as you don't go nuts with it. Soooo.... A couple of weeks ago I was having a funky day eating. You know, one of those days where it seems that everything gets stuck no matter how much it is chewed and how "mushie" it is. Felt almost like something was lodged and would not let things through. So, I, not being the patient type, tried sips of this or that over a few hours to see if my band was open but was just not sure since a "sip" can sit there forever and you not know it. Then, I happened to sip my hubby's coke and darned if I didn't feel and hear it gurgle/bubble through my band! It was so weird! Anyway, I now reserve soda for "band testing" moments and am living to tell about it! Disclaimer: I am not sitting around chugging Big Gulps of pop. IF I have a soda, I have a sip and then don't have another one until I feel the "gurgle through"....so, please, NEWBIES, don't hit the soda fountain and, SEASONED BANDSTERS, don't start chewing me out.

ROFL@"Start the launch sequence!" Love it! I believe we are all right. All docs are different in their guidelines. I will tell you this, I have tried the walking around. I have tried the burping. I have prayed. I have pleaded. I have done the downward dog deal. I have all but stood on my head. Water and soda and "the launch" are the only way to survive. I don't recommend living that way for every meal but it works in a pinch. Definitely listen to your own docs but also learn from other bandsters and build your own box of tricks. You may have to even swap different tricks out from time to time. I know I do. BUT, this is one I am keeping! :thumbup:

I get the runny nose too. That and an "almost pain" behind/below my ears. Weird, I know.

I do have soda. I just don't chug it. I sip it and I find it is good for testing to see if my band is clear. This is the only thing I can actually FEEL go through my band. I can feel the bubbles. Again, I only sip, I DO NOT TAKE BIG drinks. I drink Coke Zero.

You need a different doctor. You need one that will be supportive and not overly critical or restrictive. My doc does not really care what I eat as long as I am losing. He wants me eating more than what you listed actually. He would not approve of all the PB you are eating. I would find a different doctor as fast as you can and I would seriously see about an appointment with a nutritionist. I don't feel you have made bad choices. I feel you have been led down the wrong road. You are not on a life long healthy eating plan. Please try to make these changes soon.

I can wear boots this year too! I have been so excited! My hubby has been stocking me up and I am good to go...for like the next four years... on boots now. Ain't complaining! :biggrin: Congrats!

Completely normal. You will find that from time to time (not routinely) you may only take in about 500 calories. That should never become a way of life but may happen for a few day here or there as you have adjustments, irritations, etc. Don't worry too much about it.

I would get a small fill. I am only getting about .25cc when I go in now. I am going in after the first of the year for a small fill. My doc says since I have lost so much he will only do small ones and only every six months or so. He wants to be sure I am working at this too. I get that. Your doc should understand that too. Good luck.

I would try a few days of liquids and then a few more days of mushies. Every now and then I seem to get some swelling and that is what I do. I never do well with just one day.

I guess I just don't see one ounce of cream cheese as bad. It is low in carbs and is actually a staple in my daily routine. I eat cheese balls and flatbread crackers multiple times each week. Well, I don't eat the whole cheese ball in one sitting but you get the idea. You have to have some things you like in your diet or you will burn out. I have never restricted what I ate. I let my band do that. If my band says it has had enough then enough is enough. I just don't sit around eating all the time. THAT would be bad. Personally, the LapBand Goddess would have nothing to forgive other than that you did not share with her! :thumbup:

I think they are unrelated. I had the bleeding thing everyday for almost two years and finally had a hysterectomy. I feel so much better now.

I used to be 5'6" but after I gained weight I was 5'5.5" due to the fact that the padding on my backside made me lean back a bit, thus appearing shorter. I am back at 5'6" when I got measured today! Woohoo! :smile2:

PB = Productive Burp - Kind of like when you get sort of stuck and the food comes back up. Sliming = Exactly what it says - It is when you have food in your pouch that is waiting to go down and for some reason your body tries to help it out by producing that massive amount of slime that usually will come back up. Kind of like flushing a plugged toilet. Nasty, I know, put part of the joys of being banded and not quite as terrible as it all sounds. Ok, it is terrible but should not be a daily occurrence. :frown:

"My Experience with the Band was NOT good, and it was removed....but I want YOURS to be AWESOME!" (Part of Head Hunter's Signature) I think THIS is AWESOME! Have a great day!

Updated to here. Awesome job everyone!

I recently read another thread similar to this one - minus the feud - and I feel the same way about this one as I do the other one. There are statistics and numbers out there for every form of WLS on the market. We really have no idea how they actually reach those results and what the inclusive or exclusive parameters are. I think we each have to make our own decision about what surgery is right for us. My doctor let me choose. I chose the band and have not regretted my decision. I work hard at eating right but do allow myself a great treat once a week. I think that, ultimately, this is about the way it works with each type of surgery. I am happy for all of us who have found our own path and for some of us who have had to find a new path because our original path was not the solution. We are all here with the same common goal...to lose weight and keep it off. I think it would be awesome if we could put our differences aside and focus on that one goal. I, for one, am celebrating many NSVs right now since I have lost close to 65 pounds (does not matter what type of surgery I had)! I have more to go but I am diligently working towards my goal. I am excited for those who have lost weight on other surgeries as well! Look how far we have all come!

I have never hid the fact that I had surgery or what it was for. I am proud of the decision I made. I am taking charge of my health and not sitting around waiting for someone else to do it for me. Who has the power to make me thinner and healthier? Me and only me. I hold my head high when asked about my surgery and when I get negative responses (there is always someone with a horror story to tell), I listen and then politely add that there are negative outcomes with any kind of surgery, otherwise, everyone would be doing it. Because of the risks, surgery is reserved for those of us who NEED it. Also, as your weight falls off, the negative stories will drop into the wind because all they and you will be noticing is the thinner, healthier, and much more active YOU! The other thing is that there are still those out there that do not understand the difference between the different types of weight loss surgery. They think that the only surgery is the bypass and don't understand the risks are lower with the band. Sometimes they just need that extra education to get the picture.