susancarole

Hi Christine, You did awesome this year and I know that you are so scared to gain the weight back...(we all are.) Even if you never lost another pound, think about all the weight you did lose !!!!! I do not know of a behavior modification expert, but if you call Stony Brook Hospital dept of Psychology, I bet they would be able to help you. They have done great things for my family in the past. Good luck, keep in touch and let us know what the GI doc says when you go back. We can still meet up with you at our favorite Starbucks! And, try to get out and walk, I am telling you, it does wonders for me. Take care, Sue

Hi Everyone, I have not been on here in a while....but welcome to all the new posters! Good luck to everyone. I was banded 9/2/08 and currently have lost 83 pounds. I was away over the spring break for 2 weeks with my family and I had gained 4 pounds back, which made me discouraged. However, I was able to take those 4 pounds right back off (something in the past I could have never done!) So, although I did not lose any more weight in April, I am still encouraged. My next appointment is May 11 so maybe the dr. will recommend a fill...we will see. It was great getting together with Chris a few weeks back. If others would care to join us next time that would be great! We can all encourage each other. Sue

Hi Everyone, Glad to hear you are all feeling better. I am down 71 pounds now, and looking forward to seeing some of you soon again. Would you all like to try to get together again? Sue

Fran, we want you to come too, so we can make it another time! When besides tomorrow is good for you to meet?

What about Wednesday evening for dinner somewhere?

Hi Lisa and Chris, I can do either Sunday late afternoon or dinner next week. The only night that is not good for me would be Thursday as well. Let me know what is easiest for you both! Let's see if we can get Fran and some others to come! Sue

Hi Everyone, So, Dr. Powers did not think that I needed another fill, so I listened this time! I had lost 7 pounds since I saw him last (which was 7 weeks ago- Dec. 8) Even though the weight is coming off slower now, I can not be disappointed with my 64 pound weight loss! Miriam, I am happy you are feeling better! I feel like Lisa does, that I do not feel any difference with the fill, but I really understand that it is an individual thing! But, since I am still losing weight, I am going to leave things alone. The only thing I have trouble with is any food that is on the dry side....like muffins, that sort of thing- which I should not be eating anyway! Chris, if you want to meet again, that would be great! If we get enough people to go to Huntington, that would be fine. If it is just you and I again, I am gonna bug you to come west! If we decide that we want to do brunch, I would just request that it be a bit later on a Sunday, since I sing at church every weekend until about 12:00 noon. Have a great week all, Sue

Hi Everyone I am heading to Dr. Powers on Monday morning...will let you all know how I am doing. Lisa, I am at 3 ccs, and had only the one fill. He was reluctant to give me one, but I talked him into it. I really do not feel any different. I have lost probably 8 pounds since I saw him 6 weeks ago, so he probably will not recommend another fill. I will let you know. But regardless, I am going to listen to him! Chris.....I am finally getting my treadmill in 2 weeks, I ordered it. Believe me, besides the tennis, I have not been exercising that much and I can tell the difference. When do you all want to meet again? Sue

Hi ALL Fran, so sorry you could not join us today, Chris and I had a blast as usual. We are great cheerleaders for each other! Next time, we will cheer you on as well! Sue

Hey Chris and Fran, I could possibly meet at 4 pm at Starbucks if you want! But you have to let me know if you are definitely going before I head out for a 45 minute drive. Chris, I will email you, or you can call me on my cell phone. Sue

Hi Everyone! How is everyone doing? Do we have a date in mind yet of when to meet? Debbie: I am personally not going to the meeting on the 20th because I get a lot more out of meeting with the ladies on this site. However, since you are having confusion on exactly what to be eating, the nutritionist Christine is always at those meetings and she can help you with that. Good luck and let us know how that goes! I have lost 60 pounds so far. I can not say that it has been easy! I have 2 small meals (for Breakfast and lunch) and I keep my dinner on a salad plate when I eat with my family. I try to only have one little snack a day. So it really equals somewhere between 1000 and 1200 calories a day. I don't count it exactly. I can not say that I am "full" after any meal,but I am not hungry- and I do make it until the next meal----usually.....I have had days where I have eaten more also, like around the holidays as I have posted before. I did gain 3.5 pounds in the two weeks surrounding Christmas, but I did take that weight off and a bit more the following week. You just have to be disciplined. Good luck! Sue

Hi All, fatgirl, we all had to do the liquids for a week, not five days! They want to rid your liver of fat, so you really have to follow the liquids. And Chris is right, you will be so excited that it will not be a big deal for you! Miriam, you have to get in more calories (that has never been my problem) even if you do it with the soft foods until your inflamation goes down. When can we all meet again? Any weekday night but Thursdays and Fridays are good for me. If we choose a weekend, Starbucks works!

Hi Shrinking Chris, Chris, Fran, Marg and Everyone else! Ok, I finally went back on the scale, and I was up 3.5 pounds over the last 2 1/2 weeks. To be honest, I thought it would be worse. So, as of Sunday, I am going back to my approximately 1000 calories per day. My fill of 3 ccs really has not provided all that much restriction, so, it's back to the willpower for me. Shrinking Chris, I am telling you, find an exercise that you really like, it is key! If it is volleyball that is wonderful! And I am telling you, when you do both the light meals and the exercise, it gives you extra motivation. Keep trucking girl! I have faith in you! Enjoy your brother's wedding. Chris#2....Glad some of your issues are over! You and me, back to the treadmill. That's what my husband promised me for xmas gift. I have to wait 2 more weeks to get it because my basement is being re-carpetted. It was great to hear from you! Fran...don't get discouraged! OK, so you got your fill. I will tell you this....I think I felt more restriction after about a week after the fill. Hang in there hon...and, I can't wait to meet you. It is so great that Shrinking Chris has a wonderful place for us to meet! It was so nice last time. Let's all keep eachother motivated in the new year. Happy New Year to all! Sue

Hey Fran, (and everyone else too) I KNOW that I gained weight too over the past two weeks. Whatever....I have to dig down and go back to that willpower again. I know what you mean about the PB...I had my first recently too and you are right, it hurt sooooo much. Good to hear from you. Let's all try to get on track again! Keep us posted about your doctor's visit. Sue

Well Hello Everyone, Hope everyone had a great holiday! I have been so unfocussed! I am afraid to get on a scale....but I am swearing to get on track again! I also had a birthday just before Christmas, so I have been partying my butt off! Hope everyone is well. Sue

Hi ALL Hey, Shrinking Chris (Like that name I came up with for you?) I think this last post of yours was right on the mark! You have a great handle on things and are doing great! You, Lisa and I really enjoyed meeting last week and getting to know one another and I agree with you that it would be great to meet everyone else as well! Thank you so very much for the place to meet! Happy Holidays ALL!

Hey Chris....yeah, i know, that was an aggressive fill and guess what, I did experience the tightness in the morning like others now. As a matter of fact, I did have a problem with my Breakfast getting stuck and I finally experienced one of those "PB"s.., and just think, I just asked Lisa (Slim2be) what the heck that was....last night. But, I got better as the day wore on and am having no more problems with things getting stuck. By the way....I am so sorry that some of you had to miss our little meeting at Shrinking Chris's office. I know that the weather was awful to drive in....but we had a good time. It was nice to meet Lisa (Slim2be) and great to see Chris once again. We will catch you all the next time. And Cappy, just really try to eat off a salad plate. I think what you are experiencing are old habits that die hard. And, we all have them! Remember, you will not experience a "full" feeling after you eat, but, you will also NOT be hungry either...I think that is the key! Sue

Hi Everyone, Saw Dr. P yesterday, and although it was his "professional" opinion that I do not get a "fill", he told me he would do whatever I wanted. So, I did yet one. He filled it with 3ccs. I am on liquids all day yesterday and today, so I will not know if there is a difference yet. I will let you know. He told me that of course it can very with each individual. Sometimes the small fills can make a huge difference, and sometimes they don't- each case is different. The reason why I got the fill is simply due to the fact that I have found myself hungry much before the usual 4 hours it used to take. He said that was typical once you get used to the band- And that is why it is only a tool, and that it can be adjusted. Even though I had lost over 50 pounds in 3 months he was willing to give me the fill. He is such a great doctor and really listens to what you say! I will not see him now until the first week in February, unless for some reason I need to see him earlier. oh, and by the way, the fill did not hurt in the least bit- you will all be happy to know!

Hi Everyone, I am so sorry for those who can not make it to Shrinking Chris' office on Wed. We will catch you all next time. I am sincerely going to try and be there. Chris (NYCM) I was wondering what happened to you. So sorry about DH's Mom. I told you that Bridget was a doll! Glad you had the chance to talk with her. I have an appointment with Dr. Powers Monday morning. I am like Fran, I still feel no restriction whatsoever, so I am going to question that again. I will let you know what happens. Sue

Hi Everyone! Twice: Please do not get discouraged! Sometimes the mushy food stage is harder to lose weight because the foods still slide right down the band. Once you are on Protein, you will stay satisfied for much longer! And, you know what, if you do not like what you see on the scale, you just march yourself right back to that office to get some advice! Fran: Keep up the good work girl! It was nice to see the Lisa's again too! Shrinking Chris: I was thinking about you all day yesterday, but I know you did fine! I was so sorry to hear about the health issues with your child Lisa, I certainly know what that is like. I had it years ago with actually both of my children. But, they are both absolutely fine now and both actually outgrew their health issues. There is no stress greater than that. Please try to keep positive! Oh, and another thing, it is so great that you have had the operation for yourself- it will definitely help you along the way. I totally neglected myself during my stressful time with the health issues- and I wish I could get those years back. SO, I applaud you! I am going for my next appointment on Monday, so I will let you all know what happened. Sue

Hi Everyone! Fran, you have to stop weighing yourself every day! PLEASE......I know this because I was just like you....doing it every day and it is not good for your mind! I weigh myself once a week and even then people say that it is too much. And believe it or not, when I was on liquids (weighing myself every day, I was not losing weight either!) You are probably not having enough calories yet and your body is in starvation mode. Once you are up to the solids and about 1000 calories, I promise you....you will lose weight like everyone else! Keep your chin up girl----the hardest part is over! Chris....I am really going to try to make it on the 10th. Please email me the directions when you have a chance. Only two more days for you- I am really excited for you! Miriam, you sound much better now, glad to hear it! Welcome to Mzcutyonduty! And hi to everyone else....Lisa(s), Nicolle, Sue129, Amanda, Chris and Everyone else... Sue

Hi All, Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday. It is definitely time for me to get a fill, I had too much turkey and actually gained 2 pounds this week....oh well, but I have been doing great up to now! Chris, hang in there...only a few days left! We will all be routing you on! Have a great weekend all. Sue

Hi ya Christine, You do sound excited about the exercise! Good for you and let us know how your appointment goes with the tummy issues! Sue

Yay Fran.....you did it! Congrats! Lisa wow, that went fast....I can't believe you are at the mushies already! I know how you feel, like you have had ENOUGH soup! But you know me, I caved-in 3 days early...so I am proud of you! I hit a 52 pound weight loss as of today and I am ecstatic! Some weeks I lose one pound, this week I lost 4. But it really does average to about 2 pounds a week. Chris- I should have gotten your cell phone number when we met. I would have to play it by ear about doing lunch this weekend. I would love to....but I have to see how my schedule goes. I have a tennis match on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. And my son is coming home from college this weekend. I might eek out lunch on Sunday. Why don't you email me your phone number and if I can make it, I will call you. EMAIL address: stockpot23@aol.com Have a great weekend all....and hello to everyone else! Sue

Hi Everyone. Deb, good to hear that you are doing ok....I know that the gas-x does not work, I had the same problem...but, that pain WILL go away! FRAN- GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!- Now we all just have to wait for Chris! Oh, and Chris, remember my offer about Cafe Joelle! :rolleyes2: Miriam- Good luck to you also! (And I hate cottage cheese too!)