nashvilleqt314

I'm not sure if I would call it "doing it right" but I think it will be right for me.....It may not be the best approach for everyone, some people need the calorie counting. I just want to try this way for a while and see where it gets me:smile: Glad to hear you will be joining me....let's keep each other updated from time to time!

I thought it would be interesting to post something my Dr. gave me with my fill: "Our goal with these adjustments is for you to be full and satisfied with 3 small Protein meals per day. Eventually, it should take you 20-30 minutes to eat 3-4 oz of chicken. You can expect to lose 1-2lbs per week. If you haven't lost any weight for 2 weeks, it is the result of one or two things: 1) your band is adjusted correctly, but you are eating soft carbohydrate calories that move through the band easy; or 2) you are trying to practice protein 3x a day but your portions are bigger and you are hungry between meals. If it's the latter scenario then its time for a band adjustment. If you are cheating the band with soft calories then its time for a DIET adjustment (emphasis added)." Makes sense to me. My goal is not to count calories, but eat protein meals with a few veggies until I'm full. Then not eat again until I'm actually hungry (not head hungry). I'm gonna try it right this time and see how it works. Hope this helps some of you!

Hello to all my fellow strugglers! I posted my story about 7 weeks ago and wanted to give a quick update. I was completely unfilled for 7 weeks and during the holidays none the less. Of course I put on about 10 lbs, as I whole heartedly admit I enjoyed eating bread, Pasta, rice and all those other things I had not been able to eat for over a year. However, I also started working out with a personal trainer 3 days a week for an hour and feel very energetic. This week I was refilled to 2cc in my 4cc band. My acid reflux has been at bay using Nexium (an orange tasting suspension taken every night that is quite interesting to my cats when I'm mixing it up...lol). My Dr. thinks that the reflux caused the "too tight band" problems and not the other way around--since the barium swallow always looked good. I tend to disagree, but I'm willing to try restriction again. If reflux comes up again (pun intended), I will be in my Dr.'s office in a heartbeat asking for a slight unfill. I was on liquids for the past two days (that sucked, as usual) and for the rest of the week I can progress to soft proteins...otherwise known as mushies. So I am officially back on the eating plan, small Protein meals 3x a day. I am still working out with the trainer 3x a week and will get back into my cardio walking routine more regularly. I do a six mile hike every Saturday morning with my friends....it's 4 miles uphill, 2 miles down...love it:thumbup: Hope everyone else is doing well and good luck to my fellow strugglers!

I had an issue with Prilosec, I took it for my heartburn and because it was time release, of course I did not crush. I ended up with an ulcer on my esophagus because it was apparently just sitting in my pouch causing erosion (i.e. not going down the chute, so to speak). So, I would caution those taking certain meds that might cause erosion. It sucks, because I was taking the prilosec to help my acid reflux but actually made it worse:(

Man, I feel you! I just got a complete unfill, not because of a slipped band but because of severe acid reflux issues from being too tight for 6 months. My plan, do what really sucks--use my willpower until I can get a fill. I know from past experience that I can do it for at least a short period of time if necessary (and then gain it all back, which is why I got the band). Eat like a bandster, eat mostly Protein and veggies, fight the good battle against head hunger and hold on tight!! YOU CAN DO IT! Good luck to you!

I also think that you are too tight. Slider foods are evil:frown: Consider getting an unfill and getting back on track with eating your protein and veggies! YOU CAN DO IT!

Hello to you all! My name is Christina and I have failed my band...whew, that was hard to say. I failed my band because I lived for over 6 months too tight, ate soft foods, and gained back 16 lbs of the 42 I worked so hard to lose since May of 2007. I suffered from constant acid reflux and PBing episodes. I went to my doctor this week, got a complete unfill (I had 2.5cc in a 4cc band) and we are going to try and get this reflux thing under control before adding anything back. I did not have a slip and he didn't see "evidence of a hiatal hernia" during the barium swallow. It has gotten better the last few nights, but I still need prevacid and a sh*tload of antacids. However, I did just complete a Breast Cancer 3 Day walk in Arizona in November---60 miles over 3 days...so at least I've kept up my physical fitness! I knew I was in trouble when I could not eat the chicken breast for lunch and had to live off of potato chips and Cookies for 3 days! I am going to continue the walking training and do a 1/2 marathon in April here in Nashville. I am 6ft tall, started at 262, got down to 220, now back up to 236 and pissed because my jeans no longer fit!! It all went to my hips. I'd like to get to under 200 by my 2 year bandiversary. Anything I lose beyond that is gravy:) I'm a muscular tall gal, so under 200 is fairly healthy for me. So now what? I don't have restriction but I am absolutely determined to eat properly until I can get a small fill again. I did my best when I was between 1.2cc and 1.8cc. I am committed to eating healthy Protein, around 1500 cal a day, and keeping up my walking training (3 mile walks 2x a week, 6 mile walk 1x a week) and then start ramping up at the end of January for my 1/2 marathon training. After walking 10-15 miles back to back day while training for the 3 day, this should be easy, right? I want to warn all those out there who are failing that being TOO tight is not a great idea. It is counterproductive. When I got my unfill, all I wanted to do was eat chicken and veggies--I'd been eating crap for too long because I would always get stuck on the good stuff. Good luck to you all, here's to taking responsibility rather than whining about why "this isn't working." I had a long discussion with a woman waiting for a fill when I got my unfill. She was frustrated, so I asked her what she was eating...."nachos, peanuts, chips, etc." Huh? That's what you were eating before this band and that didn't work out so well, now did it? The other woman in the room had lost 113 pounds in about 18 months (she needed to lose about another 200, but her results so far were so impressive). When asked what she ate she recited the diet I am supposed to be on.."eggs and bacon for Breakfast, tuna for lunch, chicken for dinner and only string cheese or yogurt for snacks". So bottom line, eat crap you don't get results, eat what you are supposed to eat and you get results. Simple concept, but hard to do. I remember my "sweet spot" well before I overshot it with an aggressive fill. I could eat 4-6 ounces of good protein without a single PB, get full and then not have to eat again for 3-4 hours. I can't wait to get this reflux under control and get back to that spot. Again, lots of luck to you all!

Welcome to the Breast Cancer 3-Day: Home As requested, here is the link to this event. It is taking place in several cities and requires a commitment to raise at least $2,200 (71% of the proceeds go directly to research). It is a pretty intense training schedule. Basically if you are walking 15-20 miles a week you can start the more intense schedule which consists of a 4 mile walk twice during the week and then back to back longer walks on the weekends. For example, I am walking 10 miles on Saturday and then 10 miles on Sunday this week. Next week will be 12 miles on Saturday and then 6 miles on Sunday. http://www.thewalkingsite.com/3dayschedule.html Here is a link to a good training schedule! I am finding it challenging to figure out what I should be eating to get through those long walks on the weekends. I am finding I am craving more carbs, but those are notoriously harder for me to eat with my band. I try to take along nuts and dried fruit as a snack on the long training days and then stick to 1200-1500 cal during the week. I have only lost 4 lbs in the last month while training, but I lost 1 inch off my hips and 3/4 inch off my waist and an incredible 2 inches off my arms (gained 1/2 inch on my thighs from all that muscle:) I started to train for this event as a way of setting an outrageous but fully attainable goal of walking 20 miles a day for 3 days!! It keeps me motivated and I am learning I want to eat better because I can get more out of my body that way. If anyone wants to join me in Arizona Nov 14-16 we can see about putting a team together!:eek:

Hi, I am wondering if there are any fellow bandsters taking part in a 3 Day walk this year? I am doing Arizona November 14-16 and would love to start a thread about training for this event as a bandster. Anyone else?