Gypsy girl

Well, God love you girls! You are right, absolutely right. I think I have been sitting here feeling sorry for myself because I'm not dropping weight. Hmm...could it be that I have a few bites of this or that or a piece or 2 of chocolate everyday or the ice cream....was the weather really that cold that I couldn't get out? Oh boy, you nailed it. I WANT this weight loss and I AM doing it. Wrong choices don't lead to the right results. I'm back to recording my food and will get the dogs out for a good walk today. I will walk 3x week and do strength training 2x week. And the ironic thing is that with all of the little treats, I can honestly say that I ate when I wasn't hungry and what I ate didn't taste all that good. Sugar is my addiction. My emotional eating isn't so bad, but once I eat sweets, I want more and eat more until, in a very short time, I am consuming rich, sweet anything I can find. Stay close to me. I could use a few attagirls or kicks in the butt right about now. Your success is my lifeline.

Well, God love you girls! You are right, absolutely right. I think I have been sitting here feeling sorry for myself because I'm not dropping weight. Hmm...could it be that I have a few bites of this or that or a piece or 2 of chocolate everyday or the ice cream....was the weather really that cold that I couldn't get out? Oh boy, you nailed it. I WANT this weight loss and I AM doing it. Wrong choices don't lead to the right results. I'm back to recording my food and will get the dogs out for a good walk today. I will walk 3x week and do strength training 2x week. And the ironic thing is that with all of the little treats, I can honestly say that I ate when I wasn't hungry and what I ate didn't taste all that good. Sugar is my addiction. My emotional eating isn't so bad, but once I eat sweets, I want more and eat more until, in a very short time, I am consuming rich, sweet anything I can find. Stay close to me. I could use a few attagirls or kicks in the butt right about now. Your success is my lifeline.

Charlene and Phyllser, I just wrote a reply to you and managed to lose it somehow. Hope it is not going to be like that all day! Thank you both for your encouraging words. I always come back to this site for encouragement and information. I don't post often, but I do keep up with things. You both hit the nail on the head. I stopped journaling and have added a little of this and a little bit of that to my daily intake, so why should I be surprised when the scale doesn't move? I think I am at a plateau in exercise and need to step it up. So, today - I will journal, I will not eat things I don't need and I will my move my sorry self and get some real exercise. I will also be back online tonight to tell you how I did. I'm not going to look at the scale or think about anyone else's progress except mine. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Talk tonight.

Ladies, I need a little boost. I was banded Nov 3 2008 and have had 1 fill. I've lost 31 lbs so far and have slacked off a bit over the past month. However, I read today that less than 5% of bandsters lose 75% of their excess weight. That scared the daylights out of me! Am I stuck and not going to lose more?? I feel so demoralized. Help!!

Long, Apples, Indio, I could read your postings all day long. I get more information and inspiration from you 3 than you know. Thank you!! It's almost funny, but every time I think I will post a question - one of you answers it before I ask. My question today was about sparkpeople. I like their tracking systems, but I haven't seen anyone mention WLS and was afraid to come out of the closet with them!! Keep on keepin' on, Ladies. You have no idea what you do for people who read the postings, but are too shy to post themselves.

I've been following this post for awhile too. You have taught me so much - must be because you are all Buckeyes. I was banded Nov. 3 and am doing well. 21 lbs so far and I am so, so grateful for this surgery. I feel free for the first time in my life. Anybody in the Dayton area? I live in Beavercreek.

I wasn't 100 lbs overweight or had a 40 BMI, BUT i do have some co-morbidities (sleep apnea, back and neck pain, knee pain, reflux, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a pretty strong string of diabetics in the family. I am 58 and have tried just about every diet with varying levels of success. I think what got me approved was that I was and still am so pumped by the opportunity to have this surgery. Staying with the 3 month program and showing that you are compliant is very, very important. Losing weight, beginning an exercise program and documenting your food intake shows that you are ready to do what it takes to be successful. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I was banded on Nov. 3 of this year, have had no problems and just had my first fill on Dec. 16 resulting in a 21 lb. loss so far. God has been good to me and has heard my prayers for many years. Weight has been the #1 stumbling block to me. I feel so grateful that I was able to have the surgery. Beautiful changes are coming your way. Stay strong and be faithful to the program. Don't be afraid to follow up with your doctor or the insurance company. If they deny you, appeal. Again and again. If that still doesn't work, you have the option of self-paying. Don't ever quit. You deserve to have the beautiful body that God created for you. Anything that matters is always a struggle. Hang tough and let me know how you are doing from time to time.

I love to read your postings. You are all so knowledgeable! I read that bypass folks get hungry again after 6 months or so:blush: and their pouches stretch. Are we the same? I LOVE not being hungry all the time and was hoping that with fills and unfills my hunger could be controlled. I was banded on Nov. 3. Any advice?

I have Aetna and did the 3 month program. However, it took about 6 months to get all of the appointments scheduled around my travel for work. Just jump in and do the 6 months if you have to. It might be frustrating to you, but I learned a lot in 6 months and pretty much knew exactly what was going to happen. Toward the end I couldn't think of anything else but my surgery. I was out of the country on business when I was approved and I can't remember the flight home because I was so happy and excited. There are some good books out there to help us. I think my 6 month wait made it sink in that this is for life. There is before the surgery and after. I am so grateful that I have been banded. I thank God everyday. You will do fine. Keep moving forward with your plans and don't look back. That 6 months will go faster than you think and you will be wiser for it.

Hi All, It's good to see that others are struggling and not just me. However, even though many of you are looking for motivation know that you have motivated me to get moving again. I've lost on diets before and of course regained it all ++. My band is relatively new (Nov. 3) and I have only lost 16 lbs, but I am happy with that. I have learned that weight loss and fitness aren't a race and if I don't enjoy the process, I won't succeed. Granted there are days when it is easier to take a nap. There are times when I just about count every second, but I'm committing to the doing - just get up and go. I spend more time griping about it than it would take to just get off my duff and move. You have all been an inspiration. You'll hit it again and be motivated. For now, just pat yourselves on the back and know that you helped someone new to her band. Thanks, Ladies!

Hi CoachCher, I was banded Nov. 3 of this year and stay plugged into various web sites, blogs, books, support groups etc. It's great motivation and I meet fantastic people. We all have a story. Different, but the same too. I am a professional event and meeting planner. Unfortunately, I can't make the March conference, but can offer a helping hand as a volunteer as you work through your planning for 2009. My department at my company manages over 350 events/trade sows/meetings per year. There are 9 of us and we scramble pretty fast. Perhaps I can attend another 2009 conference. I look forward to seeing your schedule for the rest of the year.

Yikes, Hazeleyes and Kimberly J, I am in Beavercreek too! I ws banded on Nv 3. by Dr. Anderson at KMH. I've lost 15 lbs and all is going pretty well. I would LOVE to go to a support group or connect with my fellow B/C bandsters.

I'm in and I need encouragement. Can't get my lazy duff on the treadmill before work in the morning. it's a real bummer for me because I used to be fit and buff. I am walking most days - just no schedule and discipline. OK, this is it, I'll report in everyday and tell you that I'm workin' it.

Apple, Your marinades sound great! I'm trying one of them tomorrow. Also, a book I have found helpful with emotional eating is "Shrink Yourself" by Roger Gould. The website is www.shrinkyourself.com. Good stuff.

I was banded on Nov. 3 and have lost 15 lbs. I used to have it altogether when I sculled and ran. That's over now due to neck and spine injuries. SO, I'm looking for some help and motivation to get back on a regular walking and strength training schedule. I would love to commit to a training partner so we can keep each other on track. Anybody looking for a training buddy?

Ladies, You are an awesome inspiration. I am looking for an online exercise buddy to help me move every day. Anybody out there who needs a buddy to "walk" with even though we are just onliners?

Orea, Tough news on the job front. My husband lost his job last year. He worked with Delphi and they closed his plant with 5,000 workers losing their jobs. The jobs were moved to Mexico. He got unemployment and tried to retrain through the state, but was considered too old at age 59. Sigh. We cut back and I carry the insurance and it's worked out OK. Things are slimmer, but also less stressful. I'm thinking of you and your husband and praying for strength and courage to fight the fear that keeps rising up. My very best to you. :drool: Hang tough.

Dear April, I have been down the same road many times. Too many times. I thought about the lap band for 2 years before making my decision. Know what did it? I was in San Francisco on a business trip and our company was going through downsizing. I was waiting for a call from my manager to let me know if I still had my job. It hit me that most of my memories of business trips or family events were based on my weight - how this dress was too tight, how my thighs rubbed......I honestly didn't care about my job at that point, but I did care about myself. SO, I googled the surgeon who operated on 2 of my friends, called her office from SF (I live in Ohio) and set up an appointment. That was 6 months ago. 4 months ago, my husband and I had a near fatal boating accident. Since the accident, I have become incredibly free from worry because I learned that day that I am not afraid to die. I decided to really live an authentic life. The lap band was my route to it and I knew with everything I have and am that nothing was going to stop me. I also know that I will be and am successful. I sailed through surgery 2 weeks ago and have lost 15 lbs. It's not all about the weight. I very nearly died and that is so freeing. I decided not to wait for anything and to do this for my happiness. My attitude is gratitude. Gratitude that I called the surgeon, gratitude that the accident was so serious and I learned so much from it and gratitude for this marvelous surgery that changes lives - if we only ask for it and step up to the plate. You are never alone, April. You will have your surgery and you will be successful at weight loss. And I am just betting that you are going to be successful at all of the wonderful changes that are coming into your life. My very best to you and stay in touch with this marvelous group of good people who care about each other.

Hi J. Joseph, I was banded on 11/3 and have lost 11 lbs. I understand what you are saying because I feel the same way. I have been on the liquid diet since being banded. Yesterday proved to be a challenge when I forgot my carefully-packed lunch for work. We had a 2 day offsite meeting Tuesday and Wednesday. I took my lunch and drinks (all liquid) on Tuesday and sailed through the day. Yesterday was different because I was suddenly without my "safe" lunch and to rely on catered food for the meeting. I ended up eating turkey and cheese, potato chips, a smoothie and a bowl of Cereal. I had no trouble getting it down and no trouble after meals. However, I came home, feeling at loose ends, and ate 4 oz. of mac and cheese. It was a belly bomb and I felt miserable all evening. Slept well and feel back on track today. All of this is a long way of saying that I ate so easily yesterday that I wondered if the band was helping at all. It must be because the mac and cheese really put me over the edge. I see my doctor next week and plan to ask about this. Keep in touch and let me know how you are progressing.

Hi Sabrina, I was banded on Nov 3 and I am learning that I need to get big quantities of Protein in first thing in the morning. I use Wheybolic 60 grams from GNC and make a chocolate shake of 4 oz Water, 1 big scoop of Wheybolic and i scoop of powdered Vitamins that I also got at GNC. I drink it in 2 portions - 2 oz and then 30 minutes later 2 oz. If that isn't enough, I eat low fat Activia or drink 2 - 3 oz of a low fat smoothie. If the hunger persists I hit it hard at lunch time again. By supper I am in good shape. I don't know if this will work for you, but I don't think we should have to be hungry either. Might be a good idea to call your doctor. Good luck! Gypsy girl http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/modern/001_rolleyes.gif

I was banded on Nov. 3 and things have gone fairly well The pain went away by Thursday, but those blasted gas pains hung around until today - so far so good. The worst pain is in my left shoulder. I haven't been hungry except for yesterday. I didn't get enough Protein and was very tired and listless the whole day. This thread is so helpful because I see that other people have been hungry too. Since I thought long and hard about this and my insurance company had me in a 6 month program, I was so excited. Still am. The hungry feeling worried me a little because there is no way I am screwing this up after waiting so long. Not hungry today and have lost 10 lbs so that is great motivation to keep on going and not think about another week on liquids. You Notorious Novembers rock!

November 3 for me! It's all I think about.....I am so excited and so grateful for the technology that revitalizes lives.