Tova

I wish ice cream wouldnt go down!!!! This is my goal now - not to touch ice cream!!! Looking at how much you have lost so far I am sure that everyone will tell you how great you are looking - just enjoy the compliments and have a wonderful Shavuos Tova

You need to look at the band as a tool to help you loose your weight. Truthfully, how successful have you been in loosing weight and keeping it off in the past? what about your health? Are you on any medication that could change if you were to loose weight? As per throwing up - if it happens regularly than something is wrong and it is not good for your band. Yes, there are some foods that you will find easier and some harder to eat. You may learn not to ever eat certain foods, but in general with moderation you will be able to eat everything. I have personally found that foods that I can not tolerate, I have NO interest in eating at all - and they were foods I was addicted to before surgery (breads and certain vegetables).

Make yourself a list of the pros and cons of having surgery. Weigh them out and I am sure that you will see what a pro surgery will be on your quality of life. What are your reasons for holdong back? We all are nervous but it has to be within reason. I have had surgery almost two years ago and I feel like I am only beginning to live to my fullest now. Tova

Pesach was great!!! Did throw up two times though, and stayed totally away from Matzo. I thought I ate a little too much and heavier food than I am used too, but at the nut today I lost one pound - defintely not complaining!!! I am glad to be back on a normal schedule with my diet and exercise and hope to loose a little more in the next few months. tova

I must say that I really enjoyed Pesach - the children were home and we had other company. My guest were also great. But I cant wait to go back to my regular eating program - there was too much oil and the food was heavier than I am used too. Even though I threw up a few times I really feel that I tired to handle the food well. I agree that matzo was a real NO!! Wishing everyone a great Pesach recovery and a wonderful spring!! Tova

I came in to Pesach with a prepared mind!!! I thought about all the food that I would need to eat and want to eat and worked out beforehand what I would do. The four cups were OK, I did not eat the maror and had the tiniest piece of matzoh. The rest of Pesach I have not touched matzoh - even though I love it with cream cheese - it is just not worth it. But I did throw up during two day meals which are much too heavy for me - I was unable to digest the blintzes that I made - too much egg!! and the next day the cutlets were delicious everyone said but a little too dry for me. Otherwise I am having a great Yom Tov. Cant wait to go back to my normal routine!!! Enjoy the rest of your Pesach Tova:redface:

I live north of boston. July will be two years and 85 pounds after Lapband. The best thing I have ever done. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Pesach. I am going to focus on not overdoing it with the food - I want an easier Pesach than last year. Lately I have noticed that if I let myself become hungry than my restriction is much tighter - leading to alot of pain and eventually giving it all back, so I am making sure not to skip meals and keep myself well hydrated. Tova

HI - I really havent been around lately, and wont be by the meeting tomorrow, I have PT conferences. I was really looking forward to comong to the meeting this month - you all give me so much encouragement, which I need now since my weight loss has slowed down dramatically. But I am feeling Ok lost 4 pounds this month so no complaints. Hope to see you all soon tova

I too had a very difficult time with matzo last pesach everything came back up - I do not eat challoh but drink a certain amount of grape juice instead. I sure hope that this year the Rav will understand me better and help me work through the matzo issue Tova

Support meeting is tomorrow Tuesday night at the Brigham - Sorry I wont be there - school vacation week and I am taking my daughter down to Philly for some sightseeing. Hope to see you all next month. Have a great month Tova

protein first then carbs, keep my calories between 800-1200 and exercise regularly - this has been hard recently due to my overpacked schedule and family obligations. I find that when I stay focused I feel better physically and emotionally which is really the most important since that keeps me thinking positively!!! I know that I have come this far with great success and hope to reach my goal within the next few months!! Tova

I think that being 11/2 years out, I am becoming a little too lax - so I need to become more focused and stay with the program. Tova

Havent been around for some time - I guess my success was getting to me and I was a little to free with some treats!! Well I hope now I am back on track and just got another fill 8 cc. Any thoughts on how you will be handling Purim - defintiely not up to Pesach yet!!! Tova

Jay - in the beginning it is normal not to be able to get in all your shakes and liquid - dont push it. Eventually you will get it all, just make sure you are well hydrated. You sound great - good luck to you Tova

Haven't been around for some time. Ihope everyone is doing well. I am counting the minutes until the morning where I hope to get another fill. I really miss that restriction feeling - and I am sure this will help put me back on track. I havent lost anything this month - stayed within the same 5 pounds. I really am looking forward to this boost. I dotn want to fall back on soem old habits that seem to be creeping in. Tova

I feel alot more positive today. You are a definite inspiration. Keep up the good work. I am trying to stay focused, that is the only thing that works for me - accountability!!!! Thanks tova:smile:

It was gret seeing everyone at the meeting tonight. I was really feeling down, had a big unfill and now a slight refill, am having a hard time feeling "restriction" and have not been totally with the program. I hope seeing and hearing from everyone will help me refocus again. I have gotten this far and really want to see the success all the way. Tova:thumbup:

At this point positive thoughts are very important. There is one main goal in having surgery - YOU!!! Your health and the way you feel about yourself are very improtant factors to keep in mind. All the rest will fall into place. Speaking for myself, this is the best thing I have ever done fro myself and I haven't felt this good or had this much energy or looked this great in 20 years!!! Definitely an important factor for me to keep in mind since the last few months have not been as smooth sailing as before. But there is not one regret in my mind Good luck to you and yes come to our support meeting, we will all be able to help you together Tova

I hope you are feeling better. It seems that this must be a very hard time of year for good weight loss. I needed a big unfil - 2cc - 2 weeks ago. I was throwing up a whole Shabbos, so I went to the emergency roo on Sunday after speaking to my doctor. I have gained some weight, but I am trying to stay very positive and holding on to my Monday afternoon appointment as my savior. I need to feel restriction again and get back on track - my goal feels so close already!!! Tova

Without putting salt on any wounds, I am glad that I am in such good company. After my unfill 2weeks ago, I have gained 7 pounds, I am getting a little bit upset, but I am not letting it depress me since than I will go on a major binge ataack which I am very capable of doing. I am trying to hang in there until Monday afternoon for my next fill. I really miss having restriction!!! Tova

Thanks for your good wishes. I feel much better today, surprise, I can eat almost anything zero restriction, which is getting me nervous, I dont want to loose my momentum. I really hope that I can at least get bacck 1cc. I have an appointment for December 9. I am going to work hard on getting to the gym and keeping myself focused. I need all the encouragement, so thanks again tova

HI RDK _ First of all my sheitel - I wear long and layered something I didnt do years ago when my sheitel had to be 80's perfect and sprayed!!! My sisters who are 8 and 16 years younger than me wear the same style, so I guess I dont look too senior. As a matter of fact I havent looked this young in years!!!! That being said, thanks for the encouragement, maybe when I buy my next sheitel. Secondly, I go to a gym and pay a trainer there, who works with me once a month where she changes my routine. It is actually the best investment I have ever made, besides my gym membership. If I would have to exercise at home it would never happen, since when I get home from work I am soooo busy BH. Thirdly, I dont eat bread as when I do it gets stuck or doesnt allow me to eat anything else - Protein. Last, I had a difficult weekend, I vomited 4 times over Shabbos and went to the emergency room on Sunday morning after speaking to my doctor. they took out 2cc, which leaves me now with 6cc. I went back to the doctor today and he said that in 2 weeks he will give me a small fill. At this point it is up to me to make sure that I dont over eat and that I at least keep my weight within a few pounds, since I definitely dont feel any restriction. I guess we all have our ups and downs, but the most important thing is to be more on the ups than on the downs. I am sure you will loose the weight you gained fast once everything with your mother setlles down and you are back to a "normal" routine Tova

Well, I guess I just couldn't wait. Ended up in the emrgency room Sunday morning after vomiting 5 times on Saturday. I took them a little bit of poking to get to the port and they took out 2cc!! I now have 6cc in my band. I feel like I will need alot of self control since I have ZERO restriction. I went to the doctor this afternoon and he said everything looks good and to come back in two weeks for a small fill. I really hopes he gives me back at least one cc!!!! I have been doing so well I really dont want to fall. I will keep you posted Tova

I agree, it was great seeing you all again at the meeting. Sorry I had to run off, but my daughter and I were on our way to an art class that we take together and she was getting nervous that we were going to be late!!! Meetings are a great way to remind me that I am not alone and that this tool really works!!!! I think I am going back to the doctor on Tuesday for a slight unfill-not throwing up, but feel that I can hardly eat and that tight feeling is very annoying. I will keep you posted. Tova

Even tough I weigh myself every morning, I know it is not a good idea, since your weight is constantly fluctuating. It also takes time for you and your body to get used to this new way of eating and every person is different in how many fills they need. I have had fills and unfills due to tightness. I just had a fill last Monday and feel great to have reall restriction again. Before this last fill I felt like and did eat almost everything. this fill has put me back on track -- bringing with it another loss spurt!! Just keep on doing what you ar being taught and I am sure you will see great results. Tova:thumbup: