Catherine55

I mix it up a bit. I get on kicks where I'll make a big batch of soup and freeze it in individual ziplock containers and bring one for lunch each day. I put my favorite recipes on my blog -- my favorites are butternut squash (with pears and a little blue cheese - YUM!), chicken and cheese soup with green chiles, and spicy chicken and vegetable soup. The soups are all easy to make, and you can puree them to whatever consistency you want. Sometimes, I order salmon, mashed potatoes and grilled veggies from Guy and Gallard -- that lunch lasts me 2 days (and is only $13 -- I am in NYC, so that is a great price for 2 lunches). Other times, I'll order a salad and pick out all of the good fixings and eat only a little lettuce. And, once in a while, I'll get a fruit smoothie with a Protein shot. Hope that helps! The soups are great though -- you'll save a ton on lunch, and they are super delicious and easy to make! Best, Catherine

Dana -- don't worry. If you are committed to working your band, it is going to work for you. Honestly, it requires effort, but it's not that hard. In fact, it's a zillion times easier than staying on a diet for months and months, then trying to maintain. I'm 11 months out and 14 pounds from goal. I could not have done this on my own, but here I am anyway. Yes, I've worked to plan meals, to make good choices and to get myself working out like never before in my life. But, having this little thing that stops me from overeating every single day works like a charm. I wish you the very best in your band journey! Take your measurements and before/after photos now!! You're going to want them later. Best wishes, Catherine

Definitely check out other bandster's blogs -- I found that really helpful when I was starting this process. I'm including a link to mine below (our stats aren't too different -- 11 months ago, I started at 5'6, 230 lbs and 37 years old. I'm now 14 lbs from goal - woo-hoo!). I have a bunch of links to other blogs on my main page -- I bet that you will find some that you like! Best wishes for your success! Catherine

Congratulations, Linda! Welcome to band land! You are in for so many wonderful changes! Best wishes, Catherine

- My compartmental syndrome that prevented me from running; - The desire to berate myself every single day for being fat and not controlling my diet enough; - The need for plus size clothes (and I am loving all the great things I can wear now!); - That middle aged, fat lady who looked like a less attractive version of my own mother (but was really me at 230 lbs); - The question in my mind when an attractive guy speaks to me about whether he is actually interested in me or being nice; - The feeling of intense pain at loading a 230 lb version of myself onto high heels (they feel just fine now); - The regret about not being able to take a subway seat because I'm just a wee bit too big for the space (b/c now I fit just fine); - The intense panic when I travel last minute due to concern that I might get stuck in the middle seat (b/c now I fit there just fine); and - The feeling of dispair about my weight and wondering how in the world I could ever get back to normal when I'd let it get so far out of control. (I am now 14.4 lbs from goal.) THANK YOU, BAND!!! And, thank you LBT friends. I couldn't have had all these great losses without you! xoxoxo, Catherine

Wow -- after 11 months of being banded, I have to disagree. The band is not a gimmick -- for me, it has been a salvation. 47 lbs is great though -- it sounds like you either are building a lot of muscle right now b/c of your workouts, or that you need a fill. I will say that when I started working out seriously (through a Boot Camp 3x per week), I didn't lose any significant weight for 6 weeks. BUT, I did lose inches during that time, and after the 6th week, the weight came off faster than it had before. Hang in there. This absolutely DOES work. It's not a quick solution like the bypass (in terms of losing weight rapidly), but it works over time and your likelihood of keeping the weight off forever is substantially increased. Best wishes for your success, Catherine

This is great!! Be sure and take your measurements and some "before" photos too -- you will want them later on! Best wishes, Catherine

Congratulations!! I was banded exactly a year to the day before you! This past year has been fantastic -- you have a lot of good things in store for you. Wanted to recommend that you take your measurements and a few "before" photos now. You will want them later! To answer your questions: Tip for not chickening out: Write out a pro/con list about why you are getting banded. It should make the decision very clear -- and you can look at it when you are having doubts. 2 Week liquid Diet: You'll be fine -- just do it. If you don't, your liver may be fatty and they may not do your surgery. Also, the better you are on your diet, the less your liver will slide around and need to be manipulated during surgery -- and the less pain you will have afterwards. Best wishes for your success! Catherine

I loved this post -- so great!! I'm 11 months post-op, and so many of my "never agains" have already come true. It's such a great feeling! Catherine

Corrinne -- I just saw your question about going back to work. You are going to want to take that Monday off too. I have a desk job also (here in NYC) and that would have worked out just fine. Catherine

That is wonderful!! Congratulations on getting approved -- and Lennox Hill is a great hospital! Best wishes, Catherine

The shakes are SO GROSS!! My doctor gave me an Isopure Protein drink that tastes more like Gatoraid, and once I had that, I never touched the shakes again. You can get it at GNC. You can see a photo of this drink in the 2nd photo on this post -- Chronicles from Band Land: Week 1 post-op: What I'm eating Hang in there! :seeya: Catherine

WOO-HOOOO!!!! Welcome to Onederland!! That is THE BEST feeling!! Congratulations!! Catherine

Hi! I have only two incisions. The smallest of the two has the teeniest scar -- and it's faded so much that it is barely noticeable. My bottom scar hasn't faded as well, but it's no biggie. It's exactly 1.5 inches long. Here is a link to a photo from a few months ago. As far as quality of life, mine has just gotten better with the band because I feel and look so much better. My social life involves a lot of going out for dinner and drinks, and it's fine with the band. I do a bit more planning (I used to check out menus on-line at the beginning so that I would know in advance what I should order), and I eat a lot less, but it's totally fine. For example, last night, I went to a 5-course dinner at an underground supper club in Brooklyn, and it was totally fine. I posted about it on my blog -- feel free to take a look. I don't feel deprived even a little bit when I'm out with friends. I order what I want (i.e. something delicious that isn't likely to get me stuck), eat a reasonable amount, and it all works out just fine. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I worried a lot about feeling deprived b/c I love restaurants, nice wine and great food, but it hasn't been a problem. Honestly, I enjoy my social life even more now because I feel better, can wear cute clothes from normal stores, and feel great about things in general! Also -- I don't go around feeling hungry -- if I am actually physically hungry, I eat something. The band cuts down the hunger feeling incredibly, and you get full very quickly. Congratulations on your decision! Catherine

Welcome to bandland -- it gets much better quickly after surgery! But, you should DEFINITELY check in with your doctor about how you are feeling now. It may well be 100% fine, but you should confirm that with the doctor. I hope you feel much better soon! Catherine

Congratulations! For me, it was after I had my first decent fill that it really sunk in. And, it's been a love relationship ever since! I am 11 months out and 14.4 pounds from my goal. I can't imagine any way that I could have done this without WLS and being committed to working the band. BTW, if you haven't taken your measurements and before/after photos, be sure to do it! You'll really want to have them later on. Best wishes, Catherine

You're doing great!! Don't get down! 51 lbs is fantastic, and with your new fill, you'll be back to dropping weight in no time. Also, remember that while you're plateaued, you are giving your skin a chance to catch up to the pounds you've lost. So, things are tightening up and your body is getting used to being smaller. This isn't a bad thing -- it's just part of the process. Congratulations on all of your success so far, and all of the success to come! Catherine

Today is my 11 month Bandiversary, and I feel incredible! I finally hit the sixty-pound down mark (60.6 actually!) this morning and am THRILLED! I now have only 14.4 pounds to go to goal! I LOVE MY BAND!! Thanks for letting me broadcast my SV! I doubt I'd have been this successful without all of the great advice, posts and encouragement of all the amazing bandsters on this site and on my blog! Catherine

I have a "desk" job, and only took a few days. It was plenty. Six weeks is excessive, unless you are a professional athlete! Catherine

I see that you only have 75 lbs to lose to get to goal. So, you probably have a much lower BMI than the bandsters who are dropping more weight during their pre-op diet. Four pounds is still 2 per week. That's a healthy rate of loss. Unless your doctor is unhappy with this, I really wouldn't stress. I started this process with 75 pounds to lose as well, and I have just over 16 to go to goal at this point. I've lost a lot slower than some other bandsters, but the weight has certainly come off -- and it all adds up over time. When I get frustrated about my rate of loss, I remind myself that slow loss gives your skin more time to shrink and is easier on your body. That helps a lot! BTW, I hope you have taken your measurements and some before photos! It will feel great to be able to track your progress as you go! Best, Catherine

I remember freaking out pre-op, thinking I would never be able to eat "normally" again or eat certain foods. BUT, that's totally not the case. If you don't have a fill in your band, you will still be able to eat a big old burger, pizza, whatever. Not that this is recommended -- BUT, I'm saying this so that you can relax a little and know that if you're really craving these things after you are banded, you will be able to eat them once you get on solid foods. I really wish someone would have told me this before my surgery. It would have cut down on my anxiety about how big of a change this was going to be! So. . stop cheating on your pre-op! This isn't the last opportunity you'll ever have to eat whatever you want! It's just that when you have the band, you probably won't want to do this and will be excited about getting to good restriction and losing weight. The choice will remain yours -- don't stress! Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Why does/did Lap Band work for you, above anything else you've tried? I agree with Jacqui and Trobison. My band keeps me from overeating at every meal, every day. Before, I used to eat just a little too much at each meal, then "splurge" once in a while. That added about 10 pounds a year for around 6 years. With the band, I sometimes have dessert or a treat -- but I never overdo it to the extent I would have pre-band. People say that the band is just a tool. . and that it's not a magic wand. That's absolutely true. BUT, if you follow the rules the majority of the time, it works like a charm. I love it. And, I've failed on enough diets (or succeeded, then gained it all back and more) to know that I would not be doing this well on my own. It just makes it easy to stay the course long-term. Catherine