Catherine55

My only advice is to use sunscreen! You'll be totally fine with your band! :thumbup:

Whoops -- just realized you are a man! So, maybe the dress isn't such an issue! :thumbup:

I wouldn't do it. You are not going to feel your best and if you are like me, your stomach will still be distended from the gas they use during surgery (i.e. good luck looking good in your dress)! I'd push the surgery date either back 2 weeks if you can, or forward a week. If it's one of your best friends, you don't want to be suffering through such an important event.

It's been slow & steady for me since I got out of Bandster Hell! I'm averaging just over 1 pound a week, which is a little slower than I'd like, but I'm happy because it's giving my body time to acclimate (er, and because the number on the scale keeps getting smaller)! Catherine

I love mine, too! I was banded 10/23/08, and it's been pretty much smooth sailing so far! Yes, I get stuck here and there . . and have the occasional PB. But that's a small price to pay for being 40 lbs down, having a steady, healthy rate of loss, and knowing that I'm going to be able to get to goal and keep it off. I posted earlier on your b-day challenge! Looking forward to keeping up with you on this road! Best, Catherine

Hi! Looks like we're about at the same place right now! My goal is to be down to 170 by August 5th -- with 175 falling somewhere in July. Let's do it! :thumbup: Catherine

It depends -- if it's a bad one, I'd go on liquids. If not, I start with mushies and see how it goes.

I tend to get foot cramps when I am dehydrated or when I don't have enough of whatever Vitamins I get from eating a banana (I'd say potassium, but I have no scientific proof)! So, when I have that problem, I drink more Water and eat a banana and that sets me right. Definitely check in with your doctor about this. I know what works for me, but you may be having the problem for different reasons. Hope it gets better soon! Catherine

I agree with Parrothead & Jacqui. It's fine to have a treat now and then. You got a small and it satisfied your craving -- that behavior is fine. I hate the whole diet police thing as well, and that's one part of the reason I haven't told everyone about my band. I hope you told your sister "I've lost 34 lbs -- get off my back!" Seriously. This is a change in overall lifestyle, not a diet. Obviously, none of us should be having ice cream on a regular basis, but once in a while as a special thing, it's fine to have a treat in moderation. Also, it's hard to tell from your message whether your sister was being rude and judgmental, or whether she spoke out of concern for and a desire to support you. Hopefully it was the latter. If so, cut her some slack and explain to her why it's not "cheating." If not, you might want to point out that this kind of criticism isn't welcome or helpful. Hang in there! Catherine

All I'm saying is that it's--in my opinion--socially and morally reprehensible to mislead people into thinking that the success you've had was not at all in part due to the fact that you were banded. . . . . There's no way. I guess I'm just a different kind of person than others...and that's ok! To each his/her own, right? Wow. This is the first time I've really wanted to post something snarky on this site. Please know that I am holding back considerably. Clearly, you are not getting the distinction between setting boundaries and being deceptive. That you are not a private person and do not mind disclosing your medical information to others, does not somehow make you morally superior. I am pretty shocked by how judgmental and narrow minded your posts in this string are. I'm not going to engage on this any further. It seems clear that you are just posting this to agitate people. I truly hope that none of the other bandsters who read this post are caused to question their own personal decisions. Catherine

I'm surprised that you think people keep this private because of any feeling that it is shameful or embarrassing. I am so happy with my decision and feel very proud about taking such a big step for the benefit of my long-term health and appearance. That said, I do not consider my health, my weight, or my medical care (or my love life, deepest personal thoughts, etc.) to be public topics that everyone is entitled to know about. I have told most of my family and all of my closest friends about the band because they are an important part of my personal support network. However, I did not tell people at work out because that would be too big an infringement of my personal privacy. I can't prevent people from discussing my weight if they want to do that, but I certainly don't need to invite that discussion (or contant observations and questions about what I'm eating) by telling them my personal medical information.

Jill -- I JUST went through this (and after almost 2 weeks at the same weight, my scale was down 2.2 lbs this morning - woo-hoo)!! I tried taking in more calories over the weekend. Every day, I expected my scale to be up, but it stayed the same. Then, yesterday, I went back to my usual diet (around 1200 calories) and worked out and the scale finally went down! Give it a shot! It really worked for me! :smile: Catherine

How about a nice piece of salmon and some mashed potatoes? If you need to bring something for the group, the bean dip sounded good -- or you could bring hummus! I don't think crackers are OK during mushies (they were not for me), so I'd steer clear of eating them. If there is a freezer available where they are having the event, you can bring some frozen yogurt for dessert -- yum!

Four down, three to go!

When . . . every time the waiter comes to the table you rave about the food so that they won't ask (again. .) if anything is wrong with your meal! . . . you can't find anything to wear because all of your clothes are too big! . . . you have to go shopping to figure out what size you are! . . . you update your signature on LBT every time you drop 1/10th of a pound! (But don't update it if it goes up a wee bit before you lose again. . . Or is that just me?) :wink2: . . . you are no longer terrified that you'll get stuck sitting in the middle seat on a flight (and all the seats are much more comfortable). . . . you get hungry, you are REALLY REALLY hungry, but get satisfied with just a few bites. (I've learned to stop myself from telling people who don't know about the band that "I am so hungry!" when we sit at the table because then they think it's really weird that I hardly touch my meal.) . . . abbreviations like PB, WLS and NSV need no explanation! (Productive burp, weight loss surgery and non-scale victory for any newbies!) . . . you lose weight over Christmas and Easter . . whereas you always used to gain! . . . you read all 24 pages of this thread because it's just so true and feels so good to see that other people are going through the same things you are! Things I've learned reading this post: I'm not the only person who occasionally slimes directly into the trash! (Sorry . . gross!) And, I'm not the only person who wants to tell other people I see who are very overweight about the band b/c it's totally changed my life. This was the best thread ever! Catherine

My first main goal was Onederland, but I consider every 5 and 10 lb mark to be a milestone in my process and something worth celebrating! Right now, I'm just 3.2 away from my next mini-goal. . 40 lbs down! My following mini-goal will be 188 (officially in the only "overweight" category). In terms of bigger, Onederland-type goals, I'm very excited about hitting 180 and 175 again (for the first time in years). 160 is my first goal weight -- with anything under that being amazing (145 is my final goal, though I'll be thrilled with anything under 160). As this might suggest, I like to celebrate! For me, it feels so good to have lots of baby-step goals and hitting them just reinforces how positive I feel about how I am doing with the band. Catherine

Funny -- I just was thinking about the daily-weighing issue and posted about it on my blog. I think it's fine to weigh yourself every day. . but only as long as you can keep it in perspective. Big Papa, I do a daily weigh-in for the same reason as you mentioned -- to make sure I'm not gaining (and to stay on top of how I am doing). But, I keep in mind that my weight bounces around a bit before I lose, and remind myself that when it stays the same for a few days, that means that the previous pounds are really gone for good. This is helpful for me because it keeps me from being anxious or feeling bad because I don't lose every single day. Anyway, Big Poppa, you are doing great! 139 lbs lost is AMAZING!! :sneaky: You have already come so far, and I hope you will remember to give yourself the credit you are due for that! Catherine

Yes -- last time I went to the movies, it wasn't a problem! I didn't eat a lot, but I had enough so that I enjoyed it. Most breads aren't working for me though. I can eat a bit of the crust of a hard roll, but that's about it! I consider that to be a good thing though!

I was banded on 10/23/09 and had wine on Halloween. Was totally fine (and in moderation, of course). My doctor says that it's fine to have alcohol, as long as you keep in mind the calories and don't over do it. Probably the biggest concern is making ABSOLUTELY SURE that I am never hung over (thank you, New Year's for driving that point home. . ). You can not throw up from your lower stomach with a fill in your band without risking slippage (not to mention that it would be very scary and unpleasant), so you absolutely need to make sure that you do not ever get to the point of being hungover. I posted a little about this in my blog. Feel free to check it out! Best wishes for your success, Catherine

An hour seems long to me, too. Then again, if you have good company and chat over your meal, that would be the very best way to stretch out the time!

The band really limits how much you can eat. I don't think that being an "emotional eater" should stop you from getting the band -- how much you can eat (emotionally or otherwise) is going to be significantly less! What you should focus on, though, is how you will channel that emotional energy in a more positive way (whether you get the band or not). Oh, how I wish I could channel every negative thing into an impulse to hit the gym! Best wishes for your decision to be a very good one for you! Catherine

I sat very comfortably on an airplane over the Easter holiday -- and realized that even if I'd been stuck in the middle seat, it would have been fine!!

I'm down 2.8! I'd like to be down 4.2 more by Shrinko to get me to 189.

I'm feeling a little frustrated today. Now that I finally got to 195 (35 down), I'm having a tough time getting below that number. AND I committed to getting at least 6 more off by May 5th, which seems like a still-attainable goal. . IF the loss would stop stalling. Yesterday, I had a Slim Fast for Breakfast, Soup for lunch, and about 2/3 of a Smart Ones dinner for dinner -- and I worked out with a personal trainer for an hour (tough workout too). But this morning, the scale hadn't moved at all. . in fact, it was at 195.6. So frustrating! Just wanted to vent -- I figured you guys would understand. Catherine