Band_Groupie

The only thing that helped me with the hunger during liquids was when I started on my own to add more liquid protein. I think 20 pounds is awesome...I'm only down about that in over 2 months! Make sure you're getting at least 1000-1200 cals/day as your weight loss will stop if it's lower (starvation mode). -BG

Thanks DB (must be nice to live near a lake)! I, for one, came home with 'more' of me:sad:. Had a great time though!

Sorry I'm late...depressing Bandster Hell!!! I was suddenly down 4 pounds last week by Thursday and then I went home for the 4th...back up 3.5 >:-( Put me down for 206.:tongue_smilie:

I'd kill this summer for a pair of great legs! I'm holding you to that (because I know you CAN do it!). LOL...Blonde=formerly, now from a bottle (I don't even want to know), Smile= my dentist and Zoom teeth whitening, Body= a work in progress (aka LB)...for that kind of cleavage=cutlets (and not the chicken kind).

We had a great couple of days at DS1's college orientation at Penn State Univ. main campus. I had a captive audience in the car for 3.5 hours, so I took the laptop and we worked on the packing list and the 'buy' list for his room this fall (Oh, and we did talk a little more at the beginning about the car accident- final figure about 7K, but they didn't total it…the car guy says he couldn't have lined up for the trailer hitch any 'better' if he tried…damaged everything possible…it figures right? LOL). Thursday we drove and then walked around campus…took some photos at the Joe Paterno statue at the stadium (ours attached) and at the Nittany Lion statue (DS1), near the Nittany Lion Inn where we stayed (old large inn run by the Hospitality Svcs. Dept.). It was so hot, so we stopped at the campus run famous Creamery (DS1 and DH pic…Food Sciences building…ice cream is mainly from the PSU cows- AG Dept.). Yes, I did have one scoop of the 'Death by Chocolate'. Then we walked it off…PSU is a beautiful campus; we guessed about ½ the physical size of OSU where DH and I attended, but still a lot of walking (I have 2 blisters now to prove it). We had dinner at The Tavern on Main St. (for all you PSU fans-a salad and fillet strips and mushrooms over pasta with a red wine sauce, I didn't eat the pasta or even all the fillet...chewed everything I ate to a pulp). More walking and we went back to the room to get online…freshman football tickets started availability that night and they sell out in less than an hour…GOT THEM! Yes, we're already working on finding OSU/PSU tickets for DH and I...game is there this year. Orientation started at 7:15am Friday (Yikes, and DS1 had a friend who's family got up at 2:30am to make it in on time…too early of a start IMO). We got checked in, got his photo and student ID done and put some money on it (key and money source on campus), and we set him up with his bank that was there for an ATM/Debit card. Then we split up and spent the morning with the parents and the usual speakers getting us ready. Had lunch with DS1's friend and his parents (we know them from the soccer team) and then we went to the Engineering building for their orientation and then fall scheduling. Thursday DH and I were talking up how great college life would be for DS1 and how we wished we were starting college again…well Friday when all the talk was about how hard the classes were that he'd have to pass and how everyone accepted in ENGR were in the top 10% of their graduating class we remembered the tough parts about college life LOL. He got scheduled and we were done before 6pm…3.25 hr. drive home…a long day. We came home exhausted, but excited for him and he's thrilled with his selection to go there. We're spending this weekend rounding up the things we have at home on his packing list and starting our shopping lists of things to buy. I'm 'nesting' as usual…my boy will have the bin of every kind of medicine and first-aid equipment available…he'll have way more then he needs of everything, but that's what us Mom's do when our kids fly the nest.

What? I thought that was you right in front JT!?

Thanks gals...we're off tonight! Kathy- so glad you're having a better day! -BG

Good blog Ben. I've seen many threads here with people who are upset or ashamed of getting their band, and I think it's good 'food' (heehee) for thought (made me think). I agree that I think we all go through the initial shame in looking at this that we need help and couldn't do this on our own...for me, that was quickly followed by the excitement that I'd finally found the answer and the help I needed. I made the personal decision not to share this. Even at my highest weight I was the thin one in my family (4 obese siblings, none who would EVER get the band) and my inlaws (thin; doctor and a nurse who have already made it clear that losing weight is a matter of willpower as they've watched me struggle up and down). I don't have an ounce of doubt that I would get a LOT of negative feedback on my decision. I decided that I wanted this journey to be nothing but a positive step and I couldn't do that if many of my extended family members were involved...I don't want anything to jepordize my success. Please don't take this as being defensive as I'm obviously a 'sharer' too and would love nothing better than being able to talk about all this with those around me. I think that's why I started blogging as I do want to shout out the benefits and show others what this really is and help others who might need the band. I may be ready to do that someday further into my journey and 'face the negativity', but not now as I'm just starting (and I have the added benefit that everyone has seen me near my goal weight several times on my yo-yo dieting the past 20 years). I'm glad there are others like you who are able to spread the word and clear up some of the misconceptions about the band...keep on sharing! Thanks! -BG

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

...because I don't think you can stay on an appetite suppressant forever. I've got a little bit of restriction after my 2nd fill (4.5 ttl/10cc band) and can't wait until my next fill. Good luck and I hope this one does something for you! -BG

Hey there...if you haven't already joined the June Group here on LBT (under groups, 2009, June), do so as they're all in the same place you are 'Bandster Hell'. Your doc should expect that you can eat anything at this point as your band isn't giving you any help right now (this period is for healing and not losing weight...many GAIN weight until they get good restriction). Don't expect your first fill to get you there, but if you're lucky it might (most need several fills before they feel a change). Bandster Hell is a tough period and can be frustrating...just remember, it's not a race, your 'tool' will be helping you with a few fills so hang in there! I've had 2 fills now and only have a tiny bit of restriction, but I'm working it. You're doing great! Good luck. -BG

WOOT! Made it! And feel GOOD no matter what your progress...Bandster Hell is so unpredictable and frustrating...we'll all get to our goals eventually (and remember I had the lowest goal LOL!). Have a great 4th of July all (or a great weekend for our other countries!). I'm off on a roadtrip home. What's next? Labor Day Challenge? :tongue2: Bunny Banster's July 4th Challenge Bunny's name ------ Bunny's target loss --- Bunny's start weight --- Current date --- Bunny's Current weight --- Bunny's target July 4 weight PharmaGirl -------------- 20lb --------------------- 276lb ---------------- 20 June --------------------- 276lb -------------------- 256lb NY Lady ----------------- 20lb --------------------- 253lb ---------------- 20 June --------------------- 249lb -------------------- 233lb lingling ------------------ 20lb --------------------- 279.6lb --------------- 1 May --------------------- 279.6lb ----------------- 259.6lb JayTee562 --------------- 20lb --------------------- 272lb ----------------- 19 June --------------------- 259lb -------------------- 252lb MrsMitch ---------------- 25lb --------------------- 242lb ------------------ 1 May --------------------- 242lb -------------------- 217lb ALuv82------------------ 35lb ---------------------- 297.5lb --------------- 14 June --------------------- 273lbs ------------------- 262.5lb Band_Groupie ----------- 15lb ---------------------- 218 lbs -------------- 2 July --------------------- 202.5lbs -------------------- 203lbs kaner ------------------- 20lb ----------------------- 275lb --------------- 19 June --------------------- 261lb ---------------------- 255lb scoobydoo -------------- 25lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? TerriLynne -------------- 15lb ----------------------- 296lb --------------- 26 June --------------------- 281.2lb ---------------------- 281lb hopeful41411 ----------- 18lb ----------------------- 260.8lb -------------- 1 May -------------------- 260.8lb -------------------- 242.8lb IsabellaP84 ------------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? hannahj914 ------------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? JWL08 ------------------ 18lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? Abbie-pie --------------- 30lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? -------------------------- ? poconomom -------------20lb ----------------------- 212lb --------------- 8 May --------------------- 204lb --------------------- 192lb myturn2bhappy --------- 30lb ---------------------- 288lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 286lb --------------------- 258lb DM Chef ---------------- 20lb ---------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? FutureSize10 ------------ 25lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? doodlebug11 ------------ 20lb ---------------------- 207lb --------------- 1 May ---------------------- 196.5lb-------------------- 187lb tcbgirl ------------------- 15lb ---------------------- 202.8lb ------------- 1 May --------------------- 202.8lb --------------------187.8lb twinmamma1130 -------- 20lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? mi_illusion_st ----------- 15lb --------------------- 211.6lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 211.6lb----------------- 196.6lb Babygirl_68 -------------- 20lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May --------------------- ? ------------------------- ? kittygirl ------------------ 22lb ----------------------2031b ------------------ 31 May ---------------195lb---------------------- 181lb jukeBox81782 ----------- 40lb ---------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? Losing for me ----------- 20lb ---------------------- 189lb ---------------13 Jun ---------------------- 176lb --------------------169lb early -------------------- 15lb ---------------------- 202lb ------------------- 1 May --------------------- 202lb -------------------- 187lb lapband-AP-redo -------- 20lb ----------------------- ? ------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? pottergirl----------------- 20lb----------------------- 280lb ---------------- 1 May---------------------- 280lb -------------------- 260lb shakia90 ---------------- 20lb ----------------------- 285lb ---------------- 1 May --------------------- 285lb -------------------- 265lb txdj --------------------- 20lb------------------------ 205lb ---------------- 11 June --------------------- 186lb --------------------175lb ThinWithin -------------- 27.4lb --------------------- 297.4lb -------------- 8 May --------------------- 297.4lb ------------------ 270lb help1977 ----------------20lb----------------------- 251.8lb ---------------- 14 June -------------------- 245.0lb ------------------- 231.8lb vcatalina1 -------------- 20lb------------------------ 255lb ------------------1 May -------------------- 240lb --------------------- 220lb Auddie ----------------- 20lb------------------------ ? -----------------------1 May ------------------- ? --------------------------? lapbandgirl2009 -------- 25lb ---------------------- 259lb -------------------25 May ------------------- 256lb --------------------- 234lb swkrp ------------------ 20lb ---------------------- 219lb ------------------- 1 May ------------------- 199lb --------------------- 234lb Shellynnrn --------------20lb ---------------------- 260lb--------------------1 May ------------------- 260lb-----------------------240lb kath17268 -------------15lb ----------------------- 236lb--------------------1 May ------------------- 214lb ------------------------ ?b knighmo -------------- 25lb --------------------- 298lb -------------------- 4 May-------------------- 298lb ------------------- 273lb jannyboo -------------- 29lb -------------------- 219lb ---------------------1 May ------------------- 219lb ------------------- 190lb lilith ------------------ 20lb -------------------- 249lb---------------------6 May ------------------- 244.7lb ------------------- 229lb

(Pics from my blog, link below) Happy 4th all! I see we have our vehicles and costumes ready for the big 4th of July parade! Look at our guy Bunnies...good sports, and great exercise...lookin' good! We're getting thinner gals...keep peddling! Have a great weekend all!

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

I know we're off topic here, but even though sizes DO fit different weights/bodies differently, I can attest to the fact that sizes have become WAY more generous. I have tons of old pants, some from college 30 years ago and a size 12 then is much smaller than a size 12 now. My DD can't fit into my wedding dress, or some of my old pants (I wore an 8 -10 then) but she wears a 4 or 6 in pants now, nothing larger. The good news is that us old folks will feel even skinnier when we go buy our new clothes in even smaller sizes! :redface:

It's like age...it's all relative isn't it LOL. Even starting as a low BMI'er I've have moments similar to yours...just with my own weight history as a big yo-yoer (after losing 40 pounds I realized I was now at the weight I was at when I started looking at the LB, so it made my 40 pound loss a little sad.). Like you said, 'keep working'...it's all about getting healthy and happy no matter where you start. -BG

Sending you a PM Kath...hang in there.

You can see from my ticker I started off at a 37.7 BMI (248# and I'm 5' 8.75"). I set my goal at 90-100# and I gave myself 2 yrs. to do it. I lost about 5 pounds during the first 5 months of the pre-op diet. I've lost 40 more since the 6th month of my pre-op diet and I'm now 2 months post-op (15 more pre-op and now 25 post-op). So 45# total now and I don't have good restriction yet (had my 2nd fill). I know the weight loss will slow down eventually (I've lost 50# more times than I can count), but I'm OK with that...I just want it to stay off! I don't exercise enough consistently enough yet, so that will help you a lot.

I've been stuck several times, even after only one fill where I really felt no restriction (but I wasn't chewing any more than normal). I know I need another fill and I just got stuck the other day on a piece of lettuce that I hardly chewed. Some things can block the stoma even when it's got a pretty wide opening. Keep us posted! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS!!! -BG

You go girl! Way to take charge and I'm hoping you'll get there soon (every 2 weeks is great!). I'm sure we're much less 'a pain in their ass' coming in for fills sooner rather than later and bitching and moaning about gaining weight at that point! -BG