irishgal

I too have a Realize band and I've had a number of fills. Yes, I feel restriction. I'm understanding that living with the band involves a different sense of 'full'. That part has been the biggest adjustment for me. Thankfully I'm learning.

I don't do well with pasta or many preparations of chicken. I can eat about 4 bites of pasta before getting stuck. Chicken tends to be too dry for me. With so many other choices for protein I don't mind staying away from chicken.

Congratulations Florida Pete on your decision to go back to school. You'll love it. I completed my bachelors degree a couple years ago and am looking at going back for a Masters. On the NSV side, I recently wore a skirt to work. I'd purchase the skirt to wear at Easter and thought I'd better get another wearing or two of the skirt before it got too big. I haven't worn a skirt in sooooo many years. Anyway, I received a number of compliments from both men and women. This was a great motivator for me. Best wishes to everyone on our journeys to healthier selves.

:mad2: Congratulations on your tremendous weight loss. You are truly an inspiration. I'm looking forward to the day when I can say that I too have lost (gotten rid of) one hundred pounds.

Congratulations. It really does feel good to try jeans in a smaller size and find that they fit. It seems I wear one size in jeans and a size smaller in dress pants. So, if you have some dress pants in your closet you may want to give them a try before the pants are too big. Best wishes.

I'm traveling to China (major cities) later this summer. In reading through the information on meals it looks like I'll have some challenges with finding protein. Also there are a number of references to mineral water as an option for their undrinkable tap water. Has anyone traveled to China while banded? If so, do you have any suggestions for food choices or any other information about bottled water (not mineral water)? I am planning to bring some protein bars but may need to increase the amount of food I pack. Or any other travel tips? On the very good news side I'll be able to pack lighter for this trip simply because I get to pack smaller clothes. Yeah!Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Thank you Aubrie and Cathy for your wonderful insight and suggestions. I'll be in China for 10 days. We'll be in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian so it sounds like there will be plenty of Protein options. Before my surgery I would have said that I was a bit of a picky eater. I've tried a number of different foods since my surgery and am looking forward to expand my palate while on vacation. Thanks again for all the great suggestions and advise.

Big Papa, Thank you for starting this post. Congratulations on your weight loss and your determination to stick with your new lifestyle. I was banded back in December 2008. I started reading the forums around that same time. I vividly remember a very touching thread you posted regarding enjoying Christmas with your children - playing with them, running around. It was really touching. It got me looking forward to the same increased activity levels and zest for life. Congratulate yourself on how far you've traveled in this journey and in the new habits you've developed.

I got on the scale yesterday and hit the minus fifty mark. Yeah! This is a pretty big milestone for me. I might Celebrate by getting a facial or maybe a pedicure - or both. Each pound lost is a victory for all of us. Do you celebrate milestone losses? If so, would you like to share your celebrations?

This sounds like a fabulous vacation :thumbup: I'm traveling out of the country in July and am looking forward to actually fitting in the airline seat without overflowing to the person sitting next to me.

I too am surprised at the small amount in your band. I've had 4 fills and am now at 6.5 ccs. I do feel restriction at this point. As we loose weight we also loose fat around the stomach. You may need additional fills. Meeting with a nutritionist or attending local support group meetings may also assist you. My doctor's office recently started a monthly bariatric meal planning class. These first two classes have been great. It is a challenge to live with the band and to meet our weight loss goals. I need to remind myself when I'm tempted to reach for yummy slider food. One other thing I've been doing is tracking my food on a website, the daily plate. Its great to see a visual representation of my Protein to carb to fat grams on a daily basis. Even if I eat a 'less than ideal' food item I track it on the website. The accountability - to myself - is helping me stay on track. It is also helping me realize how long food is staying in my stomach. If I'm hungry one hour after eating I can revisit what I ate - and also review if I am truly hungry or if I want to eat just because. The doctor is there to serve you his patient -regardless of self-pay or insurance assisted pay. Be persistent with him and with his staff about addressing your questions. Best wishes to you

I too have noticed jewelry is loose. I'm able wear some rings and bracelets that I haven't worn in years. Today I put on a belt and used the very last (tightest) predrilled hole. Yeah! And, I went clothes shopping last weekend. None of the sweaters/tops I purchased have an 'X' listed as part of the size - and everything fits comfortably.:biggrin:

I also agree with you Catherine and Luluc. Sharing news about a medical procedure is a personal decision. I chose to tell only family members and a few friends. All of these individuals know that I choose to keep the information about my surgery private. Some day I may share the information with a few others. Last night I had dinner with two friends. At the end of our meal one of the women asked me how much weight I've lost. I told her and shared some of the lifestyle changes I've made. Without the band I don't think I ever would have been able to give up my daily dose of Diet Pepsi and my daily dose of overeating.

Thanks for starting this thread and for all the replies. Burping isn't much of a problem for me but the intestinal gas is another story. Sometimes I wish I could just let it all out - if you know what I mean. I doubt my coworkers would like the music coming from my desk.

Lately I've been getting cravings for sweets after lunch or after dinner. A creamy or chocolate treat just seem to be calling my name. How do you handle your cravings? I've tried chewing sugarfree gum or eating a piece of sugarfree candy. Do you have any suggestions or strategies for curbing the cravings? Any/all suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you

Thanks for all the great suggestions and the link to the website. The suggestion about waiting 20 minutes is great also. That "I want some candy and I want it now" portion of my brain is still active - much less active now but it still reminds me it is there from time to time.

Thanks for the Jello pudding suggestion. I'll definitely give that a try. Congratulations on your incredible weight loss KelinTx.

Love your name slinderella2b :thumbup: Thanks for sharing your strategy. Hey, if it works for you, it works. If I had Oreo Cookies in my house I know that I would not be able to stop at just one. I'd separate the cookes and smash two cookies together to make a double stuff - dangerously delicous.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been looking for ways to beat the sugar cravings. I'll be sure to try these.

Congrats to all those who have posted their skinny comments. Wow! I hope to have one of those moments this year. Best wishes.

No one in my office noticed my pre-op diet. A few weeks after surgery one coworker noticed that I wasn't drinking my daily Diet Pepsi. I told him I was cutting back on caffeine. It really hasn't been difficult to 'hide' my diet from coworkers. Best wishes to you as you begin your journey.

Congratulations on your weight loss and congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary. You will definitely notice the weight loss in your pictures. Hope you have a wonderful celebration :smile2:

Thanks for setting up this challenge. I've added myself to the spreadsheet. My challenge is to be down 15 pounds by June 1st, 2009 - an ambitious goal but one I will strive to meet.:smile2:

Thanks for starting this thread. I wondered if anyone else shared my situation. I was on thyroid medicine for about five years then my numbers leveled off and I didn't need to take any medicine for 2.5 years. My blood levels were good in August 2008. My surgery was in December 2008. In February 2009 my bloodwork showed I needed to go back on thyroid medicine. I'm on a small dose and will go back for a recheck next month. Taking llevoxyl in the am is a good way to get in my first glass of water.

Made my goal. Yeah! I'm ready for the next challenge. Thanks for organizing these challenges. The smaller goals are a great way to keep on track :smile2: