lapbandtalker

Just something to consider - anyone decreasing their sugar or carbs.... the diet of USMC boot camp? As you know, the Marine boot camp is the toughest of any military group. And it's not by happenstance they do certain things....every aspect has been carefully designed and constructed. Including meals. During the first weeks, it's a low carb diet. My daughter is in her 3rd week of boot camp and her letters describe tons of meat (that don't look like meat but muscle) and eggs (she says they are duck eggs). And my memory recalls during a few weeks it's high carb w/o much Protein...tons of Pasta. I think that was during basic warrior training. Just something to think about.

When anyone reaches a goal, it must be maintained so that it won't go away. I've found that to be true with many goals in my life, not just weightloss. I watch what I eat sometimes because I want to ensure I get adequate nutrition. For me, if I have dessert one day, I don't want to the next. Old habits are hard to break and backsliding is easy. I'm sure it will take years for my new lifestyle to become permanent. Took 30 to gain it, it's gonna take more than just 1 to keep it off. For me, the band is a miracle. Others may not feel that way. But isn't that part of what makes the band so wonderful? It can work for many different types of people.

Absolutely nothing to do with it, although it sounds good. Unlike you - I was opposite - absolutely no restriction and didn't lose a single ounce until: 6 weeks post op 1st fill. no restriction 4 weeks later 2nd fill. restriction that was it. Once I reached restriction I never had another one and that took me to past my goal!

Been there! I met goal and kept loosing. When I got to ten pounds under my goal I went in for an unfill. Luckily it has held for the past 10 months! I remain the same weight day in and day out, week after week. I do fluctuate between 137 and 142 but I'm so happy with that!

I want to start investing in something as I've always heard to buy while the market is down. Then it hit me! Life insurance on my daughter's father. He is much older than me and I'm almost 40. I know it won't pay out (or I guess it could) but surely in 20 years or so, right? Can I take out a policy on someone else like that?

My cruise was pre-op, literally the 3 days prior to my surgery. The day we got back to Long Beach was the day I checked in to the surgicenter. It's cold here....I'd love to go on another cruise!

My weightloss was a miracle to me and everyone who knows me. I've been on maintenance for 10 months now. I'm holding steady at 140lbs. I go down to 137 (and eat alot more) or up to 142 (and just watch it for a day or so). I went into this knowing I've done every diet, program, pill, etc. Also, I cannot exercise my large muscle groups like most can. So, this was all band. No dieting or exercise. But this was my case, many others I've heard have to exercise or diet to lose weight.

I'm gonna put it out there - I didn't diet and still don't. With the Lapband I lost weight just by decreasing the amount of food I eat. But, I do recommend the low carb diet as I did this years ago and was successful until I moved somewhere that rice/pasta were staples...then I ballooned back up. (before someone scolds me - during this process I have stopped eating out so much and learned the joy of cooking. I eat chicken more than beef AND I make more nutritious choices)

I had my surgery one month before you did. And let me tell you- it's so worth it. Do whatever you have to do, even change doctors. If you are relying on insurance to cover your fills....pay out of pocket if you can and get a good fill doctor w/ a good care plan. Yes, yes, yes...you can start over...the makers of the Lapband made that as part of their system. Keep us posted.

Many bandsters just eat/drink before takeoff and during layovers. No hassel.

Who can still eat whatever they want? Me, I can. But can I eat a whole lot- no. Sometimes I can eat more than others and it does surprise me from time to time how much I can put away. But more often I just eat a few bites. My 'how much I can put away' is still way less than it used to be.

Yes, you have more options that what you'd think. If your doc has you on Clear liquids, then it's just that...clear. But for normal liquids, you can have soups and just not swallow the chunks. This is the easiest to do while dining out. Since it's just a weekend, just do the Soup or something else you discover on the menu. But have a great time!

Breakfast for me is usually juice w/ Cereal - like half a cup. Or a packet of oatmeal or grits. I do toast w/ jelly when I'm brave. My daughter got me a bacon egg cheese biscuit and after one bite, I spit it out....not gonna get something stuck! lunch is a half sandwich w/ a few chips, or a chicken quesedilla I make myself, or a taco....I love mexican food. I also do a microwavalbe meal if I don't want to cook. Chicken salad (tuna/egg, etc) is good with crackers. I can have celery or carrot sticks IF they are finely sliced and I chew well. Supper last night was chicken fried steak w/ gravy, corn, and mashed potatoes. Tonight I'm going to Chili's but have to be careful with what I order. Sometimes I can have pizza or I eat a veggie plate like green Beans, peas, corn, etc. Sometimes I have a hard time with beans. The band allows us to eat normal foods, just not so much of it. And each of us will find things that we just can't eat - but someone else can. Good luck! This is a time to just try out everything and find what you like. I do what I call sampler platters. It's a teaspon of everything - I love buffets! Just eat until I'm full and then have the willpower to stop.

I don't know what a sweet spot is but I had two fills. 2cc and then another .5 for a total of 2.5cc. First one was at 6 weeks and then 4 weeks later for the second...that was 10 weeks out. That got me to goal and then some. I never had to go back in for a fill. When I passed goal by 10 pounds, I went in for an unfill of .2 and here I remain.

The good thing about the band is you don't have to be at the top of your game for it to work. Sometimes the band works 'in spite' of the bandster. Did for me many times. Hang in and hang on! Better days are coming.

Gosh, yes! After 20 years of dieting w/ all types of plans, pills, etc...Atkins was the ONLY one I lost weight with and alot of it. (move over seas w/ rice and Pasta as the staple - I gained it all back plus) Eggs- cheesy/ bacon & cheese/ ham & cheese - you imagine it! Bacon, sausage, ham - as much as you want. I ate sausage w/ sugar free syrup. YUM Take beef and make lil meatballs and use the 1 carb ketchup. I ate tons of that. Atkins bars has one that tastes like snickers...caramel nut chew meat, meat, and more meat and nuts. Macadamea, sunflower...tons of Protein. That was one diet I wasn't hungry. Oh, and cheese, cheese, and more cheese. Good luck!

My mother passed away in Oct. I am the only one of any of my family who paid anything to get her buried and headstone. I stepped up to the plate. But, my sister had a flat tire and she asked me to pay for her tire....this the day before my mom was buried. This also is the sister who asked me to get flowers on my credit card and she'd pay me back. Now, my other sister is getting married in MD next weekend...we've all known about it for 2 months or so. My sister, who never has paid me back says we should drive up together and split the gas. Whew! I just paid 800 bucks for HALF the balance for my mother...got to pay the other half next month. I'm so broke. I've got enough for groceries and luch money...that's it! No Thanksgiving for us this year. It's just me and my daughter and I'm on a fixed income...no child support. Anyways, this sister who hasn't paid me back yet for the flowers has now called to say her electric got turned off AND she doesn't have enough to pay for gas. I tell her I was relying on her to pay me back for the flowers so I'd have my half of the gas. Well, she's got a personal trainer at a gym! I skimp on everything and don't leave the house much because I don't have money for gas for day to day use. I've got to get to Maryland for my twin's wedding...just gotta! I'll just take gas out of the grocery money and not eat as much....no biggie and a few weeks won't hurt anything. But my twin will be hurt if I drive up all the way to MD and don't take my sister. I'd want to leave Friday after school to get up there bout midnight. The wedding is the next day at 2. But my sister has to work until midnight and wants to leave then...and me drive! I'm so mad! I don't know what to do. Just suck it up, sacrifice everything and take my sister up there! Or just not go! Or what? I really don't have the money to go...and I'm sure my sister will understand..the one that's getting married.

This will be my very first holiday season w/ the band. Last year I was banded but during the weightloss phase - so I couldn't eat. This year I look forward to a full plate, a single full plate w/ a spoon full of EVERYTHING.

Thanks guys! I cried and cried - my mom would handle this...but she's gone now. I'm getting up there and the car is leaving at 4am. If she goes, so be it. But I surely won't ever trust her again. My twin in MD didn't realize I footed the bill for mom's funeral. She thought insurance covered it all. So, I am gonna do what I have to do. I even told my 18 year old she has to get a car next week...no more using mine. I'm gonna be a B-word for a while...take care of me and my 13 year old.

It happened to me, too. I slept 6 months away. But it seems I woke up one morning past goal. Your body is used to consuming tons of food and now that it's not....you will be tired, that's normal. Vitamins and other remedies can help but just hang tough and ensure you are fueling your body.

Didn't ask. And it isn't really about the gas money. I'm used to sacrificing. I just feel like I'm being used and used, and used some more. And it's my own fault! I've allowed it. I really don't want to go. I gained 4 pounds today overeating...stress is killing me.

Bless her heart. She's so concerned for you. All these years of her watching you suffer (and her feeling a tad guilty) ...you are now taking action. My sister freaked when I told her I was getting banded. And then when I told her it was Mexico, she got on the next plane and went with me. She's a nurse and was going to 'protect' me. She got me to bring a former Marine along as an escort to 'protect us'. hahahah so funny! Things were so much on the up and up that my sister is even considering having her surgery down there! And our escort, after the first day said we really didn't need him. So, just hug your mom. She understands and is so proud of you!

Very informative. My saying is you can always have what you want IF it's been a week since you've had it. Since I was banded, my family has lost weight. And they aren't even dieting. It's just McDonalds stopped along with pizza Hut, Sonic, BK, etc. We still go from time to time but nothing like we used to.

Potatoe soup got me through. As with many veggies, it gets super soft and mushy the longer you cook it. (not stringy veggies) Good luck and hang in!

Great post. When I read your line "He is totally supportive but is a stick figure and needs to gain weight" I imagined all the times I've heard "She is totally supportive but is fat and needs to lose weight" Amazing how that can be flipped. French onion is hard to pass up but you have done so wonderful, second fill...you are off to a running start!