DebinFL

I am glad to find others that are looking to recommit and get back to losing. I was banded in June of 2008 and lost 50 pounds and had another 40-50 pounds to go. I hit a major plateau. I was eating right but my weight wasn't budging. My doctor teased me about having maintenance down pat but I arrived there a little too soon.I kept at it but wasn't losing and like the past I gave up and went back to the attitude "Why bother it isn't going to work for you." I ended up gaining back 15 pounds. I was terrified of hitting 200 again and that was enough to get me started eating right again. I shutter to think of how bad the last year could have been without the band. I do have restriction, but I chose to eat around it. I gave up the bagels, chips, ice cream and candy that my husband continually brings into the house.I have asked him not to eat those things in front of me and to hide them. Out of sight out of mind! I knew I needed to get off carbs to get rid of the cravings and be able to get back on track. I started on October 12. The first few days were miserable with headaches and irritability but now I feel calmer, the bloating is gone and so is the first 5 pounds of the 15 pounds that I had gained. I am working to get my water intake up and to work out again on a consistent basis. I also found out that when I switched to a new GYN and a new pharmacy the end of 2008, my HRT RX was reduced by half the dosage. I had a total hysterectomy. It was a different formulation so I didn't realize it. I started back on a new dosage three weeks ago. My GYn doc told me my numbers had crashed and they thought it was from the different formulation(cream instead of gel) and wanted me to switch back to old pharmacy and go back to gel that is when I discovered the gel I had in the past was dispensed at 60 ml per month and new cream was same dosage but 30 ml per month. They told me it would have made weight loss even more difficult for me. So here we go again with renewed hope that I will finally get rid of the last 50-60 pounds.

Monday I will be one month with my bodybugg. I have lost 3 pounds and gained some focus and insight. Logging my food again everyday keeps me honest about what I am eating. According to what I logged and what I burned I should have lost 8 pounds. I am 5'3", hypothyroid and on medication that is adjusted on a regular basis. Based on the information I entered into the program I needed to keep my calories at 1200 and burn 2300 calories per day to lose 2 pounds per week. My average of the month was 1062 calories per day and 2150 calories burned per day, a deficit of 1088 calories each day. I want to lose about 50 pounds more and need some advice on how to speed things up so I don't get discouraged and give up like I have so many times over the years. I get about 56 grams of protein a day, and no sugar, rice, pasta, potato or bread. My surgeon pushes high protein and very low carb (less than 20 grams per day). My carbs average 84 grams per day I do eat fruit and sometimes a cracker or popcorn. I was slacking on the water intake and have increased it recently.

I have found I have problems eating when I get stressed out, the band seems to tighten up, your mind is not on eating and we tend to eat to fast, take too large of bites, not chew enough and food gets stuck. If this continues you may need to have some fill removed to loosen your band and allow any irritation and swelling to settle down. I went through this last year, the doctor removed half of my fill level and I felt so much better by that evening.

I have been following this thread because I find myself in the same boat. My LAP-BAND®® was done 6/27/2008 My highest weight was 235, I got down to 177 and then had to have an unfill and doc removed half to let things settle, stress was at an all time high as my husband lost his job of 35 years. I have gotten the fill level back up and then removed some again. I started to gain and ended back at 185. I still want to lose another 50 pounds. I also went through Rotator cuff repair in December. I am still working on strengthening but it finally feels back to normal. I am starting to get back on track with a Bodybugg. I just got it two weeks ago and it has helped me to focus on logging my food again and it lets me know it is time to get moving more. The scale is starting to move again and I saw 181 yesterday. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and I don't know if I need or want another fill. I think my problem has just been poor choices and lack of movement. Deb

Dannon has a Carb & Sugar Control Light & Fit Make sure it says Carb & Sugar Control They usually come in 4-4oz containers Blueberries & Cream Specs each 4oz carton has 45 calories, 1.5 g fat, 3g carb, 5 g Protein

I had 7.6 cc in a 10cc band until 5 days ago. My weight started to plateau in November and so I had a fill, skipped December and another fill in January and still no weight loss. My weight actually started going up. I was getting a lump in my throat, swollen glands, bloating and was hungry and grazing especially after dinner. I was also cranky and on edge all of the time. I didn't have issues with pbing or sliming except 1 or 2 times a month. My doctor thought I maybe I was too tight and removed 3 full cc from my band. The next morning I woke up feeling so much better,with more energy, and I am not hungry or looking for food. The weight has started moving in the right direction. I think I missed my sweet spot being in a hurry to get to higher fill number chasing the elusive "restriction". Don't be in such a rush to find "restriction" to stop you from eating, you need measure and weigh your food portions and don't put any extra on your plate, then walk away from the table. You are responsible for what you put in your mouth, the band is a tool to help dim your hunger so you are satisfied with smaller portions of food. You are looking to feel satisfied with the amount you ate not full or stuffed. I now know what that sweet spot feels like and it is just as much a HEAD or mind thing as it is physically not being hungry and it took removing 3CC from my band to get to it. I was told NO bread, Pasta, rice with the band. They tend to ball up and get stuck and don't promote weight loss.

You may need to have more fluid removed from your band. I just had 3 cc removed on Monday and woke up Tuesday morning feeling better than I had in weeks. I didn't realize how miserable I was because it started so gradually. I hit a plateau in November and weight was just bouncing up or down a few pounds. I didn't have much of a problem with pbing or sliming maybe 1 or 2 times a month, but I had a scratchy lump in my throat and swollen glands. I also had problems with bloating and gas. My jeans were getting tight around the waist and my weight went up a few pounds and didn't come back down. I was hungry and grazing in the evening. I was on edge and cranky all of the time. It came and went and I just thought I was fighting off a bug. Then things tightened up and I woke up one morning and had a hard time taking my Synthroid Pill which is very small. I had a poached egg that got stuck and I went on liguids the rest of the day. The next day I was able to eat with no problem. I called the doctor and they told me they thought I was too tight. My last fill was in January. It was for .2cc taking me to 7.6. He decided to take out 3 full cc's. I was suprised he took out so much but I feel so much better, no more bloating, sleeping better, no more grazing, and the weight is heading in the right direction again.

You sound like you are too tight. Try to get some fluid taken out. I was banded June 27, 2008 and was doing okay until hitting a plateau in November. The only thing I was losing for several months was my hair. I have had fills every month except for December. My last fill (January) kicked in 3 weeks after it was done. It was only .2cc bring me to 7.6cc in a 10cc band. I noticed I felt like I had a lump in my throat and swollen glands. At first I thought I was getting sick but then I started getting tighter and had to really pay close attention to eating and chewing my food or it would get stuck. I felt on edge all the time. My weight wasn't budging even though I was eating correctly and even edged up a couple of pounds. I went in for a partial unfill (3cc) and by that evening the pressure or lump in my throat was feeling better and the next morning I woke up feeling better than I had in weeks. The scale is moving down again. I didn't have reflux or heartburn or any problems at night that people talk about so I wasn't sure that I was too tight. Now I know I was. I didn't realize how miserable I was feeling until after I had the partial unfill.

I had BCBS of AL PPO and had to do the 6 month supervised diet. I was told I could do Weight Watchers. I went to the meetings, I also went to see my Primary doctor once a month to weigh in and have him document my weight and that I was walking and doing Weight Watchers. I was frustrated to have to do this but in hind sight I learned a lot along the way and got rid of some bad habits (diet coke) before getting my band. Deb Banded 6/27/08

Dr. Mike I had a Total Hysterectomy about 15 years ago and discovered Bio-Identical Hormone replacement about 3-4 years ago. I was on estrogen only from the day I had the hysterectomy until I started the compounded hormones. I started losing my hair about 3 months after Lapband surgery. (6/27/08). I continued with my compounded hormone gel but I stopped taking the DHEA supplement when I was switched to chewable Vitamins because of the band. I was worried about it getting stuck. Could this cause the hair loss I am experiencing? I just had new saliva testing done and I am waiting for the results to come back. Deb

Finally broke through plateau! Re: Hallow-Lean Challenge... ******NAME**********START WGHT****CURRENT WGHT*******GOAL********LBS. LOST *****:cool2:***********:frown:*************:tt2:************:smile:*********:w00t:* 1dayatime..........263............261............243............2 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............218............213............5 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............191.3..........185..........7.6 ArmyWife4life......209.5..........209.5..........190............0 Barb12590..........228............218............213...........10 Bea1128............210.5..........205.5..........188............5 blueriley..........206............206............190............0 Brandymom1234......227............151.9..........135..........4.1 Caramia71..........208............202............195............6 cQQlgirl...........194............192............180............2 Crzytchr...........281............272............265............9 DebinFl............181............177............168............4 georgiagirl........245............229............220...........16 HarleyGirl.........188............187............175............1 HeatherA...........210.5..........203.9..........200..........6.6 HeatherO...........155............144............140...........11 Ivyrose325.........212............212............199............0 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............179............177...........17 KikiVal315.........237.5..........229............220..........8.5 Lana24.............208............195............185............0 laurigee...........180............173............160............7 Leslie2Lose........220............214............205............6 lindar172 .........274.2..........259.6..........256.........14.6 LisaB..............205.5..........194............180.........11.5 livn4thm...........235............233............210............2 Long2bthin.........248............230............230...........18 Luu2008............203............199.5..........183..........3.5 Mamanmidwife.......299............286............280...........13 mamato3............186............186............170............0 MarinaBleu.........226.5..........226.5..........216............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 Minxz..............299............286............280............9 mominlv13..........299.8..........284.6..........280.........15.2 Momof5.............192.5..........187.5..........175..........5.0 nip50..............175............168............160............7 NukeChik...........218............215............208............3 NurseNiki..........258............246............239...........12 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............247............232............5 Peaches11..........205............205............194............0 pj_txlady..........220............220............200............0 Redtulips3.........180............171............169............9 Renee74............214............213............199............7 Renewedhope........171............168............150............3 reif78.............294............195............185............0 savimama...........216............216............200............0 shaversd...........230.5..........225............210..........5.5 SpecialK...........294............286............280............8 Sunshine2..........177............171............167............6 Tess...............304............299...........280............5 thatDEgirl.........211............202.6..........195..........8.4 tp78...............201............192............180............9 Turler.............225............217............210............8 wendyw.............192............188............172............4 wowox7.............195............183............170...........12 WyominGirl.........327............321............312............6 __________________

I have thyroid tests done on a regular basis and do not have to fast for them. Make sure they are testing T3 & T4 as well as TSH to get a total picture of how your thyroid is doing. I do have to fast if they are checking cholesterol or glucose levels.

Re: Hallow-Lean Challenge... _____Name______Start Weight____Current Weight____Goal________Lbs lost *****:biggrin:***********:wink2:*************:frown:************:thumbdown:*********:thumbup:**** 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............223............213............0 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............199............180............0 Barb12590..........228............228............213............0 Bea1128............210.5..........210.5..........188............0 Caramia71..........208............208............195............0 Crzytchr...........310............281............265............0 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............245............230............0 HarleyGirl.........188............188............175............0 HeatherA...........210.5..........210.5..........200............0 HeatherO...........155............155............140............0 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............194............177............2 Leslie2Lose........220............220............205............0 LisaB..............205.5..........205.5..........180............0 livn4thm...........235............235............210............0 Long2bthin.........248............248............230............0 Luu2008............203............203............183............0 Mamanmidwife.......299............299............285............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 mominlv13..........299.8..........299.8..........275............0 nip50..............175............175............160............0 NurseNiki..........258............258............239............0 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............252............232............0 Renewedhope........171............171............150............0 SpecialK...........294............294............280............0 Tess...............304............304............280............0 Turler.............225............225............210............0 wowox7.............195............195............170............0 WyominGirl.........327............327............312............0 Barb12590 you are in!

Name______Start Weight____Current Weight____Goal________Lbs lost *****************************:Banane20:************:biggrin: **********:tt2:*** 2BHealthE!.........194...........79..............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............223............213............0 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel .............199............199............180............0 Bea1128............210.5..........210.5..........188............0 Caramia71..........208............208............195............0 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............245............230............0 HarleyGirl.........188............188............175............0 HeatherA...........210.5..........210.5..........200............0 HeatherO...........155............155............140............0 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............196............177............0 Leslie2Lose........220............220............205............0 LisaB..............205.5..........205.5..........180............0 livn4thm...........235............235............210............0 Long2bthin.........248............248............230............0 Luu2008............203............203............183............0 Mamanmidwife.......299............299............285............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 mominlv13..........299.8..........299.8..........275............0 nip50..............175............175............160............0 NurseNiki..........258............258............239............0 odamay.............242............242............225............0 SpecialK...........294............294............280............0 Tess...............304............304............280............0 Turler.............225............225............210............0 wowox7.............195............195............170............0 WyominGirl.........327............327............312............0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Instructions: Start Weight = Weight at the beginning of the challenge, Current Weight = Weight at time of posting, Goal = Goal to attain by Halloween, Lbs Lost = Difference between start weight and current weight. __________________

Hi, I had my first fill today. No pain or discomfort. I now have 2.5 cc in a 10cc band. I am on clear liquids for 48 hours. Deb Surgery June 27, 2008

I find myself in the same place as everyone else here. I lost weight in the couple of weeks after surgery but I haven't lost anything in the last three weeks. I see the same half a pound go up and down. I watch what I eat and weigh and measure foods but it is frustrating when the scale isn't budging. I have my first fill on July 31st and hope this will help. Deb I was banded June 27, 2008 Six Month Insurance Required Diet -20 Two Weeks Optifast Pre op -08 Surgery June 27 -10

I was banded on June 27th and have my first fill on July 31st. I lost 20 pounds during my insurance required six month medically supervised diet, 8 pounds during the two week pre op diet on Optifast and then 10 pounds since surgery with most of that in the first two weeks. Things seem to have slowed down over the last few weeks even though I weigh and measure foods. Hopefully the fill will help. Deb Banded June 27, 2008 Dr. Rhenke img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wdN5kua/weight.png[/img]

I had total hysterectomy for fibroids about 15 years ago, I have learned over the years that fibroids usually shrink on their on as you get older and stop producing as much estrogen. I have a friend who was told she needed a hysterectomy. I told her to check out some alternative treatments first and she ended up using a prescription progesterone cream which helped shrink her fibroid tumors and didn't need surgery. Hystersisters and Familypharmacy.net have tons of information. Sorry to be so blunt, but I wish I knew all of this before my hysterectomy. Your uterus has a lot of nerves in it and without it your sex life will be different. I have been using a compounded estrogen/progesterone/testosterone gel for about three years now and feel a lot better now. DebinFl <a href="Weight Loss - Diet Ticker"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wdN5kua/weight.png"></a>