JulieNYC

LapBandit, when did your plateau break? You were 3-4 days ahead of me in it starting and I'm ready for mine to break! I'm coming off my slow cycle tomorrow (my pattern seems to be 1 good week of losing and 1 week of practically nothing, alternating) and expect to see some movement soon, I hope.... In any event, YEA FOR YOU!

Woohoo! Way to go! Close your eyes and blink and I bet you'll have lost 15 more! GO ROIANSMOM!

Congratulations Stephanie! I remember the moment when I first wore pants that zip up and had no elastic. It was just like 2 months ago. EVERYONE notices that kind of thing, whether they say so or not. It's a huge NSV. Congratulations! I've only had one NSV since then (at least that makes the formal list), which is that I noticed one day not long after the pants moment that I was sitting with my legs crossed in my armchair. Now that's my favorite position! It'll be a long time before my legs stay crossed in an upright chair, but in my cushy armchair, I feel just great. Be sure to post when you wear those pants to work for the first time. Don't wait more than 10 days or so to try them on again or when you do, they might be too big!

Great idea Kari. I've already put it in my calendar as a reminder for next month!

Whatever it takes for you to get there too, Tired Old Man, we're all here to support you. I seem to remember you're doing great on your loss, even with the head hunger. Keep up the good work.

My opinion is that I don't think there's a such thing as "the right way." Each patient is different and each doctor is different. It has to be a combination of what you are both comfortable with. For me, what Jacqui said is exactly perfect for me -- "So to me, the looser you can be and still get away with it, the better." My doctor does allow multiple fills within as short as a week if the patient feels that the level of restriction isn't right in either direction. That's not to say that he pushes fills on any patient. I had the 3 fills in a row early on and I have great restriction, which to me means that my hunger is turned off for 4-5 hours by eating reasonable portions. I can still eat any type of food and I can still eat a larger portion than I think is reasonable if I choose to. It's just that with my restriction, I can usually choose not to! My fills were all in early June and I haven't needed one since. This is a great approach for me, though I completely understand why a slower approach would be good for a different doctor and a different patient. For me, I wanted to feel like I was finally in control of the food, and I didn't want to wait to get there.

I'm in! I'm at 280 and looking to really work it throughout Sept and October. I like this idea and will put it on my list to remember to sponsor one myself sometime!

Wheetsin! Thank you so much for this post. Your list was FABULOUS and an inspiration to all. I'm 6 weeks behind you and looking forward to assembling my own list when time comes! Great job. Thanks for sharing.

Kimmason, Sure. I'll give you a few typical days pre-band and post-restriction. Keep in mind I'm vegetarian, so I'll give you estimated calories so you can see the volume I'm talking about in comparison how you eat. Pre-restriction typical day: Breakfast -- two breakfast sandwiches with 2 eggs and cheese on 2 rolls ordered from the corner deli. Lots of ketchup. Probably 800 calories. (I did this 5 times a week, often). lunch -- large spinach salad (4 cups) with chick peas, feta cheese, walnuts, tomatoes, chinese noodles, FF honey mustard dressing. Plus a small bag of chips and a chocolate chip cookie the size of your face. Probably 1000 calories (but it was "salad" -- right??) Snack -- over the counter drugstore crap (candy, Cookies, chips) 500 calories. dinner -- 2 orders of nachos (they are kind of small orders by American standards) with Beans, cheese, sour cream, guac, salsa and 2 bean and cheese tortilla wraps OR a medium cheese pizza. Either way, probably 1200 calories. Wow. I've never actually faced that before. I certainly never calculated the calories before. I mean, that was really a typical day. Something like 3500-4000 calories per day. OK, now for the happier picture -- post restriction: Brekafast -- I usually forget to eat it. Sometimes I'll have 2 wedges of light Babybel cheese (70 cals total) or 1/2 c cottage cheese with a wasa cracker (75 cals) or a half packet of Protein enhanced cinnamon oatmeal (110 cals) or 1/2 a yogurt with some Kashi Cereal (100 cals). I probably forget to eat breakfast altogether 4 our of 7 days. Lunch - Small spinach salad (1.5 cups or so) with chickpeas, feta, tomatoes, mushrooms and Water chestnuts. I ditch the dressing and use balsamic vinegar, which has almost no cals. Total cals (300). Snack - low carb frozen yogurt (60 cals) or cheese wedge (35 cals) or a handful of chocolates that my evil office manager keeps around (200 cals -- even on a binge I never eat more than 8 and they're 25 cals each). So on average, 100 cals. Sometimes I forget my snack altogether, but that's only maybe 1-2 days a week. Dinner - 1/2 fillet of fish with veggies done in the wok (350) or homemade taco salad (400) or frozen fish sticks with veggies (300) or a crab cake with veggies (450) or my fave -- an egg and cheese sandwich made with one piece of wheat toast, 1 egg, 1 egg white and 1 slice of FF cheese with veggies on the side, but if I do this, I usually can't eat the whole thing because the bread fills me up too much (220). So, I usually come out between 850-1100, depending on whether I managed to stay away from the chocolate or not. I have to tell you, Kimmason, this is not hard for me. The hardest part is planning to have the healthy choices on hand. If they're actually in the house, it's easy (with restriction from the band) to choose them. I usually eat out about once a week, which ups my cals for the day substantially. Makes my weekly average come to about 1100, where, if I eat at home, it's usually well under 1000. I still eat pizza and nachos too, but they don't rule my life like they did before, and I try not to let them in the house. I have to go out for them. My advice to you is to start planning out little meals that have about 300 cals in them. You may not be able to actually eat that little until you have restriction (then again, maybe you can -- a lot of bandsters eat like a bandster even before they have restriction -- it just didn't happen for me that way), but when you do, you'll be prepared. I'm sure everyone else has some great suggestions for you too. We're all here to support you and I just KNOW you're going to come out of this a successful bandster. Just close your eyes and breathe through the next 14 days. You're going to get there!

Ceparano, There's no way to avoid the signature changing on past posts, but it doesn't look like you started earlier. That's just the way signatures work. If you go back to your first posts, for example, it'll have your current weight on them, even though you hadn't lost that amount when you made that particular post. If you would rather use a score card method, that'll totally work too! Really, whatever you guys prefer! There are not so many of us that the thread will get out of control, so I think any method each person likes is great! I'm going to keep it in my signature, but I'm not going to list each date I work out -- only the total number of workouts. OK, so I have been working on this CRAZY case at work. I've been working round the clock and not exercising at all. The case finally calmed down yesterday (I'm a corporate restructuring attorney and when a company actually FILES for Chapter 11, most of the work for the lawyers is done and we get our lives back). I came home early today -- around 4 -- and was sitting on my couch thinking about my trip for tomorrow (I'm headed to NC to visit friends). Then I checked LBT and remembered the challenge. I headed straight for the gym and did 60 min on the elliptical machine. Way to go April Bandits! This is just the motivation I needed! Hugs to you all,

All I can tell you, Kimmason, is that I gained 12 lbs in the 3 weeks I was on solid food before my first fill. 12 lbs!! Yet here I am, just over 4 months post-op, and I'm down nearly 80 lbs. I promise, I felt just like you're feeling before I got a good fill. The fill literally turns your hunger off. I remember thinking -- just a couple of months ago -- that there was never enough time in the day and I was always tired and eating even more out of control that pre-band. Now, I do so many things! I read magazines! I sew! I go to the gym! I go out with friends! I travel! I tell you this, not because I want you to say "yea for her" but because this is going to be you too, once you get filled. What is your doctor's fill policy? I think you're going to be one (like me) who really needs a good fill from the beginning to keep you from being discouraged. Some peole like to "sneak up" on good restriction -- taking time (literally months) to learn about the band and how they feel with each stage of restriction. Me, I wanted RESTRICTION. So, since my doctor has an open-door policy, once I'd passed the healing phase, I went for three fills in three weeks until I was SURE I had enough restriction. I felt just like you're feeling. It was awful. BUT IT ENDS, I promise. The band is about restriction. You don't have it yet because you're still healing and you're doubting that you'll ever have it because you don't know what it's like yet. Hang in there. September 15th (when I think you said your fill is) isn't that far away. Thinking good thoughts for you.

How about adding the number of times we've exercised in Sept. for 30 minutes, to date, in our signature line? That would work. I'm open to any method you guys prefer though! I've been slacking at getting to the gym and blaming it on a super busy work schedule. Back to the gym we go! WOOHOO!

FRIEND. Sleepyjean said everything I feel about it. I will never be in denial again. That means that I weigh most days -- usually every day. I understand and don't let it bother me that I am a woman and that my body has fluctuations. But I'll never go long without weighing again. It's dangerous for me.

LapBandit, has your plateau broken? I'm on a mini plateau -- hoping it's not a full blown one. We'll see. It's my PSM week, so that usually contributes to it for me. I usually lose great one week then nothing the next, rinse and repeat. I need to stay busier the weeks that I'm not losing on the scale because those are the weeks I'm more tempted. Seeing loss motivates me. Speaking of, I'd like your suggestions on the following. My very nice office manager keeps a big tub of mini chocolates in her office for the whole office to eat. I've gotten in a crap habit of stopping by a few times a week (usually 3) and grabbing a handful. Now, I track everything I eat very carefully and I stay within my caloric goals even if I add 150-200 cals of chocolate, but it's a nasty habit and I'd like to break it. The thing is, I'm often in the office by myself around 7 pm and that's my danger zone (4 pm is bad too, but there are other options at 4 pm, like leaving the office to get a coffee, etc.). I can't ask her to move it -- the rest of the firm really enjoys it, and as much as I like to think the world revolves around me, it doesn't. My plan is to treat myself to something more controlled. Maybe a FF chocolate pudding cup (more protein, a controlled 60 cals) -- but I don't REALLY like them. Maybe a FF hot chocolate (again, more protein, a controlled 50 cals) -- that might work sometimes. Maybe I need to make it a rule to get a snack at 4 every day so I'm not looking to graze at 7 pm (I don't usually get home for dinner until 8:30 or 9). Any other ideas?

Nykee, Are you confident that your scale is accurate? I used to see that kind of fluctuation when I weighed around 320 and I had a scale that only weighed to 330. I think scales freak out when you're close to whatever their limit is. Any chance that's it? Also, do you need a fill? I ask because I really want you to be below 300 for Christmas too (though I do NOT think it means you're a failure if you're not). Let us know if there's anything we can do to help/encourage you.

NatesMommy, when is your fill? Hang in there! This is the toughest time of the whole journey, but you will make it.

Cheri, I agree with GreatDame that 50 in 2 months might be a dream, but it's 4 months until Christmas. Start your pre-op diet now and be -50 from today by Christmas. You can do it! As for me... Dear Santa, The only thing on my list this year is to be 235 and a size 18 by Christmas. Won't you please help me stay on track until then? Love,

I don't think you can fully trust a therapist that is a successful RNY patient with this decision. The therapist will always be slanted toward the RNY and will see things in you that would push you to RNY. I would get a view from a therapist that isn't a WLS patient but that knows both options and compare recommendations. I was a binge eater, pre-band and I still have major control issues. Many docs think that a binge eater won't do well with the band. My doc thinks that binge eaters do great with the band because it stops the binge -- and that binge eaters are expecially made for the band (because we eat pretty well most of the time but can't stop the binge until we're banded). This has definitely been my experience. Also, I feel like I'm in control of my food for the first time (maybe in my life), which is rewarding for a control freak like me. With RNY, I'm not sure I'd have that control. At the very least, it would not be adjustible, which was the winning factor for me. I do think RNY is the right choice for many people, but I wouldn't rely solely on someone who had been successful with a particular procedure in making my own decision.

I'm down at least 1/3 of my hair and I'm not in one camp about what causes it other than weightloss (surgical or nonsurgical -- both seem to have it) and that I don't believe it's Protein (mine has been consistent pre-post band as I'm vegetarian -- I just eat much less in carbs now). I just started taking Biotin yesterday, as well as a chewable multi Vitamin. We'll see if there's any improvement. I'm not hopeful, but I do believe I must be near the end of the shedding as I've lost so much. I'm thankful I had a lot to begin with. As for the calorie intake, I eat around 800 cals per day and it works well for me. Then once every other week or so, I eat about 1200 cals for 2 days or so (usually because I've gone out to a restaurant or had a few meals I couldn't fully control due to social obligations) and I always seem to break a plateau by eating a little more. I don't believe in starvation mode (because my surgeon and his nutritionist don't and I chose them because I trust their medical skill and advice) but I do think there's something to mixing things up with your body once and a while to make things move. Good luck! I'm sure you'll be losing in no time.

Pete, My advice is to try not to worry about the final goal just yet. The lapband is flexible. If you're willing to do the work, you can lose as much weight as you want -- every bit of the 90 lbs, if you want! But, don't worry about that now. Worry about doing everything you can to have the smoothest surgery and recovery period, and learning everything you can from people who have been successful with the band. That way you have the knowledge to be the most successful bandster out there. Plus, in about 30 lbs, you're going to start feeling FABULOUS, which is worth the surgery in itself. In about 50 lbs you'll be in a position to narrow down exactly what your final goal is. I had a lot more to lose than you starting out, but I don't have a final goal just yet. My doctor would like me to lose about 80 more lbs for my health, but certainly doesn't think I'm limited to that amount if I want to take it further. We'll see when I get a bit closer. Congratulations! This is a very rewarding journey.

Congratulations! I know exactly how you feel about wanting that 20 lb cushion, Wheetsin. My scale is teetering between 278 and 280 and I can't wait to officially be in the 270s. Good job! Woohoo!

308!! Go Molly, go Molly!!

Great LapBandit! I love it! My goal for the September 25th weigh in is 269. I like this goal strategy!

I asked this at my initial consult and got the response Leona gave. The VG band (the 10cc band) usually needs 2-4 cc's to reach a "neutral" stage and rest around the stoma rather than the stoma pushing into the band. I had 4ccs in mine from surgery (indicating that I had a spretty small stomach compared to the VG because it took 4ccs to get me to "neutral"). I've never heard of anyone intentionally being filled with the smaller bands (the 4ccs) at surgery, but I have heard of people going for their first fill and having a little bit in there already (like 0.5 ccs). Whether that's because the band is semi-permeable, or because the surgeon tested the band during surgery and didn't get it all out, I don't know.

I think it only takes a month for your body to replinish your blood supply, but I would postpone as well. You want to be your strongest for your surgery and you'll be giving again post-op in no time.