lellow

How is your baby doing though? I think that more importantly, if your baby is the right size for your dates, and you're eating the correct amount of calories to sustain your baby's growth, then those factors should be taken into account first and foremost? Losing weight is probably not ideal when you're pregnant, but if you're not dieting, and are eating normally (in fact more than usual) perhaps your body is simply taking what it needs for the baby, and for you. And if both you and the baby are otherwise healthy and, in baby's case, growing well, perhaps some allowance for the fact that you have a band in may need to be incorporated into your ob's assessment of you?

After my last fill, I was PBing every few days. I got it done then took off to Singapore and the whole time I was there, everything was making me stuck. As soon as I arrived back in Australia, I called my Dr to organise an unfill. He called me later that day and suggested that I give it a week before getting unfilled. He reminded me to chew lots, eat slowly, and to be mindful of my 'satisfied' signals. It seemed silly to me at the time, but you know what? He was right. I have been concentrating hard on doing those things - particularly making usre that I focus on eating when I'm eating instead of getting distracted by other things - and haven't PBed since I spoke to him. In fact I'm eating pretty well, and I haven't even had any real discomfort. Looking back, I realise that it probably didn't help that over Christmas and New year I was eating foods I'd normally not eat on a daily basis. I also know that whenever I got 'stuck' and PBed, my stomache would be particularly sensitive for days after, where even a small bite of a slider food was get stuck and set me off. Which seemed, in my mind, to cascade into a whole series of stuck episodes where I felt like I was waaay too tight. What I actually needed was not an unfill, but to sit back and take stock. After talking to my Dr, I went on soft foods for a few days, where I had frequent, very small meals. Then when I went to harder foods, I made sure I chew well and eat slowly, and stop when I'm satisfied. In the 2 weeks where I was PBing all the time, I gained 700grams. Since I spoke to my Dr about 7 days ago, I've lost all that I gained plus another kilo. Either way, you've had an unfill already. But maybe when things settle, you should get some put back in? Between now and then, maybe concentrate on chewing lots and eating slowly so that when you do get more put in, you'll cope with it a little better. For the record, after thinking I was too tight, I'm actually thinking of getting a small fill at my next appt on the 6th Feb.

Hi all, I started with a low-ish BMi and have lost pretty consistently over the last 5 or so months since I was banded. Maybe that's why my head hasn't caught up with my weight loss. I'm just over 11lbs from goal and I don't feel like it at all! I am wondering what will happen when I actually get there. Do I keep doing what I do and see where it takes me? Or do I ease up on the exercise and try to stabilise? I also have a PS appt on the 21st regarding a tummy tuck and I'm dead scared of being unfilled and gaining. And not being able to exercise. I thought I'd be ecstatic when I got to this weight, but am getting anxious about a whole bunch of other things. Am I nuts?

I have been thinking about this. I actually don't think a set 'goal' weight is what I should be striving for. What I think I would prefer is to keep eating well and exercising, and allowing my body to decide what my maintenance weight should be. With that sort of mind-set, I guess I just keep doing what I do, and see what happens. gingerbug, I think you put into words what I was feeling much better than I did. I guess I am wondering what to do once the process of trying to lose is over, in that I have lived and breathed this for the last 5 months. I also am anxious that if I start 'living' like my husband suggests, and effectively take my eye off the ball, that I will start gaining too. I've been really lucky that I was lost very consistently. I keep waiting for the bubble to burst. Chickie, I can bike ride hard for an hour without feeling at all sore the next day now. 30secs running alternating with 90secs walking for 20 mins, which didn't even raise a sweat, has me near comatose today! Lol!

Hey there Tracey, I personally am not fond of the chocolate Optifast - I prefer the vanilla. My BMI was 37 too when I was banded on the 1st of August, and now, just over 5 months later, I'm close to my Dr's goal (though I wouldn't mind it at all if I went a few kilos under the number he set). In fact I bought my first bikini is about 20 years a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I have a fair amount of loose skin, so wasn't game to actually wear it anywhere, but it was really nice to fit into one nonetheless!

I do get what you mean Chickie. I have spoken to DH about it today, about how I feel like I'm going to be missing something when I no longer have to a 'goal' to strive to, and he reminded me that that was when I start living. But right now, I'm not sure what that means. I guess I'll have to figure it out when I get there. I HAVE started running, though. Actually I started today on the couch to 5k. I'm hoping that striving to that goal will help take the focus off the weight-related goals. It's interesting though, that after the masses of cycling I do, the running has me sore all over, and I barely rose a sweat! Jack, I have kept a few pieces of my old clothes, and I tried them on when I read your post. It seems surreal that I can now just about fit in one leg of my old work pants. It's gratifying, but even then, it somehow still doesn't seem real, if that makes sense. I guess time will tell as to how I cope with getting to goal. I might hang out in the forum for a bit, see how everyone else's has adapted... :thumbdown:

no the hair loss doesn't happen to everyone. But many do suffer from some hair loss, usually not enough for anyone to notice though. In extreme cases, you can lose quite a lot. In most cases, your hair starts to grow back after the first 6 months post banding.

I completely agree with everything plain said. The worst thing about this band? It's only part of the solution. The PBing and getting stuck is the absolute pits, but everytime I read about how people go into this thinking that it will be some magic bullet that will take away all their desire to over-eat, I get worried for them. Over-eating, for many of us, is a psychological desire, not a physiological desire, and no band is going to help with that. I also think you need to realise that for the band to work so you will lose ALL your excess weight, you will likely have to exercise. And not just exercise, but exercise for the rest of your natural life. That was hard for me to get my head around too. Lastly, you need to know that because you're going to live with this band for the rest of your life, you can't go into it thinking it's a diet. It's a change in your whole life, for the rest of your life. I am getting close to goal, and realising that it's not all about how much I'm losing, but how much my life has changed. The number on the scales going lower has been wonderful, but more wonderful than that has been how over time I no longer consider food my comfort, and exercise my enemy. If you can get your head around those things, you'll be fine. :confused: The only true gross part for me is the PBing. But it's never been the hardest part of the band.

Because I'm in Australia, it's actually already Friday for me here. So my weight for the challenge and the Friday morning WIs will be the same anyway. Start of challenge 77.2kg (thanks to putting on 0.7kgs over Christmas) Today 76.7 kgs (168.7lbs). Loss so far: about 1 pound.

Good on you, liquidbluegal!

I am close to goal and already have a PS appt booked for the 21st of Jan. I'm hoping to have surgery before mid year, if I can get to goal by then. I am definitely doing a tummy tuck, though I am considered a thigh lift as well, as I have a lot of loose skin on my upper thighs. That will depend on costs though.

Thanks for your reply, Jachut. I'm even more confused now as I managed to have a good sized salad and roll for dinner without getting anywhere near stuck. I am wondering now if the travel and change of diet was what was making me uncomfortable. I only arrived back this morning. I have made an appt with my Dr for next Tues anyway, JIC, and can cancel right up to Monday arvo if I want to. If in doubt, I'll get unfilled a little. But if I'm doing okay, I'll wait until my next appt, in early Feb. Also wanted to let you know I tried a bit of running while on holidays. I managed 7 minutes on a treadmill going at 7.2km/h and on a slight incline, which I was quite proud of, considering that it was after doing 20 minutes of hard riding on a stationary bike beforehand. Was so so sore the next day though! So I went and got fitted for running shoes. :thumbup: I'm going to give running a go, just to mix up my workout a bit. It will mean waking up at 5.30am to run before going to work, but hey, it's summer! At least it won't be dark! Lol!

I got a fill on the 19th of Dec then went on holidays straight after to Singapore. While I was there, I gained almost 2 lbs. I know in part that it was because I wasn't eating well, but I suspect it may also be because I am a little too tight. I always thought 'too tight' was when you couldn't hold down liquids, but since my last fill, I'm struggling to eat any sort of meat, no matter how soft, without wanting to PB. I am even having trouble having soft cooked Pasta now. I'm close to goal so am thinking maybe it's better to be a little too loose than too tight, and then work the rest of with exercise if I have to. WDYT though? Should I persist with the fill? I'm back from holidays now and intend to go back to eating well, but even now am wary of having more than a couple of bitefuls at a time, for fear it will come back out. I do know that this 'tightness' eases after a while though, and I wonder if I'm overreacting. Or should I go back to what worked (the way I was prior to my last fill) when I was losing 2lbs a week? I had 0.5cc put in at my last fill, so perhaps if I take only 0.25cc out?

I was banded by Dr Watson on the 1st of August 08 and have lost 21kgs so far. I had about 28kgs to lose all up, so I'm not too far from my goal weight now.

it's awful when you have this tool in you which will help you, but you get get it to work the way you need it to because you can't get the fills you need to help suppress your food intake. That's a cruddy situation to be in. I too put on weight over Christmas. It sucks. But it's in the past now. Every new day is a new chance to start afresh. Life gets in the way of exercise and good food choices, I realise. It's not always easy to 'fight the good fight'. But the best part of the battle is fought in your head. Maybe you shouldn't worry about losing for now, liquidbluegal. Just concentrate on maintaining for a few weeks instead of gaining. It will mean watching what you eat still, and will probably mean you will have to try to up the incidental exercise you do (power walk to the shops instead of drive, carry your groceries instead of use a trolley). And in a few weeks, if you're maintaining, look at how you can modify your lifestyle even more so you can start making small losses. And that way, by the time you get to your fill, you'd have set up some good habits so it can kickstart some good losses again. And in the meantime, we're all here to encourage you and help you along.

I love a good challenge! And after putting on weight during my holiday in S'pore I need the motivation! I'll say 10lbs+ by Valentines day, so 169.8 to 159!

Thanks for all the congrats everyone. Sadly though, by the 31st of Dec, I had gained 1.7 pounds (from the Christmas festivities and lack of good food choices) and therefore was 0.8 of a pound over goal on New Year's Day. Since then I haven't gained or lost, so am back at 169.8lbs. I honestly tried to make good food choices, but often would get to someone's house for dinner and have not one serving of vegetables on the table! Almost everything was fried, and almost all the dishes were carb-based (rice or noodles, as per Asian food staples). I never realised how much fatty and calorie-loaded food my family ate. My 2 and a half year old son also refused to be babysat by anyone, and no one was keen to watch him for me, so getting structured exercise was impossible. I managed just one trip to the gym in all 10 days. I also broke a toenail right to the quick, and it throbbed for 5 days, so couldn't wear my sneakers for a quick run around the block, even! So all in all, this trip was a write-off as far as trying to lose. What I'm completely amazed by is that all I've gained is less than 2 pounds. Anyhoo, I'm home now, and I'm back on track, and the scales will NOT be going UP again anytime soon!

Hi all, posting from Singapore where all everyone seems to do is eat, eat, eat!!! I was good all these days, even managed to go to the gym, and even had a half and hour walk/run (my knees are killing me now!) but yesterday my brothers took me and my little sister for a day out, and spent the whole day visiting restaurant after restaurant to try all these different foods. Because it was over the course of the day, I ate slowly, but still seemed to eat ALL day. I know I've completely blown it, and have eaten WAAAY too much, so I'm coming on to admit that I was bad, and to start today new, back on the wagon! Lol! Otherwise, am seriously enjoying myself. If I don't gain from this trip, I'll be ecstatic. I suspect I will have gained a bit though.

Our last weigh in of the year! And a good one for me too. :tongue2: Last week: 77.7kgs This week: 76.4kgs Loss of 1.3kgs (2.9lbs!) Considering I ate more than I usually do because of Christmas, I'm stoked that the fill seems to have kickstarted things in a big way. I'm only 14lbs or so from goal now! I am also leaving tonight for Singapore, and am just aiming not to gain while away! A loss (however slight) would be amazing, as I'm not sure how I'm going to get my exercise in while away. See you all when I get back, AllStars!

Yesterday I was talking to someone who was commenting on my weight loss, and they said that they supposed it was good I had lapband surgery because it meant it gave me the willpower I didn't have. OMG was I angry with that!! I went onto a full on rant about how willpower is something I have a LOT of, thank you. I need willpower to make good food choices when faced with easier 'silder' foods that won't get stuck. I need willpower to get on my spin bike 3 times a week and cycle until I'm pouring with sweat. I need willpower when I go out to dinner and watch everyone gorging themselves while I move food around my plate. I needed willpower to have undergone this surgery, put up with the pain, the excrutiating 'stuck' episodes and the fills. I look at what I'm eating now and I know that very few human beings could eat as little as I'm eating on willpower alone for the rest of their lives. THAT is what the band does for me. It makes me eat less. It controls my hunger. That's all. And that's ALL I need it to do. Because to be thin, I need to eat a fraction of what normal people eat. Less than my 3yo eats. The band does that part. The rest, I take care of. I put in the willpower. I put in the effort. And I refuse to allow anyone to take that credit away from me!

Just wanted to quickly come on and update that I've reached goal! 181lbs to 169lbs before New Years and Im 168lbs plus change as of today! Good luck to everyone still striving for goal! You can do it! And even if you don't, you're down however much you've lost, and that's a success in it's own right!

Hi, I'm about 15lbs from goal, and have a PS appt for excess skin (stomache mainly) on the 21st of Jan 2009. I have been sitting here trying to think of questions I'd like to ask him, but aside from how long before I can do the surgery, and how long before I can return to work, I can't think of anything! For those who have been through it, is there anything specific I should be asking the surgeon?

I agree with MacMadame. I usually find that I can't drink Water within 30 mins of having a meal - I just don't have the room for it. I also can't gulp water down now, it gurgles down. I have recently had a fill though. I don't know if I'm at my sweet spot either, but I can still eat solids, so I figure I'm not too tight. In my mind, too tight is when you can't stomache anything but liquids.

Hi all, I am leaving for Singapore in a few days and while I'm bringing my laptop with me, I'm not sure if I'll manage to get an internet connection. So this will probably be my last update on the challenge until I get back on the 7th of Jan. With Christmas and packing, I don't think I'll be online between now and when I fly off. I'm just 0.2lbs away from my goal of a 12lbs loss! I am hoping that it will go and stay off while I'm over in Singapore with all its yummy food! Will see you all in the New Year! Merry Christmas everyone and may your new year be everything you hope it will be!

I started exercising two days after surgery - just a slow walk for about 4kms. It was a tad long though, I was a bit shaky when I got home! But two days later I did the same walk, a little faster, and was fine. I started cycling 2 weeks after surgery on a stationary spin bike for 20 minutes at a time at around 45-50rpm 3 times a week, managing about 15 to 20kms. I slowly built up endurance and now do 35-40kms (40mins) at 55-60rpm 3 times a week, with an hour powerwalk at least once a week. I think 12lbs in two weeks is really great, and a lot to be happy about!