derbygirl

Well, there are only a few special occasions a year. It was not holidays that made me fat. It was everyday horrible eating habits that got me where I am. food is not an enemy. Everyone requires food to live, so of course when you get together there's going to be food. I think the obesity epidemic has come from laziness, not food in excess. It's processed foods. Nobody has time to cook a decent meal anymore. Give them a Jimmy Dean biscuit for Breakfast, send them off to school with a Lunchable in their backpack and make them Hamburger Helper for dinner before they play video games all freaking night. Only time I see kids playing outside anymore is when they're forced to at school.

Is it at your house? :rolleyes Are you cooking? :hungry: Are you apprehensive at all? :help: I am going to my mother's house. I know Thanksgiving and Christmas are hard on everyone here, but we're barbecuing this weekend. That is my FAVORITE. I have not had BBQ since being banded. My mom's also making potato salad, which I used to overindulge in before the band. I'm not taking a covered dish, like I used to do. I'm single and since I won't eat much, I don't feel obligated. However, I'm going to try to take a little gift for the hostess. I'm not apprehensive, but I'm a little saddened. I'm going to want to overeat since this is my favorite kind of food.

I keep hearing about how I need to eat slowly, but I don't really see why. I chew very thoroughly and I measure out my portions before I sit down to eat. As long as I'm not getting sick and I'm not overeating, do I really need to slow down? :rolleyes

Hey, I'm going to have to try that Peanut Butter one tonight, I think! Who's making apple juice with Splenda??

I've heard it's good cajun-style...covered with blackening seasoning. I'm not a fish person myself, but sounds like I should try the orange roughy.

I've found that carbs make me hungrier and that only meat keeps me totally satisfied for several hours. But eating meat only gets verrrrry boring. My doc says a Protein shake an hour after a meal is a good way to stay full.

Sissy, I guess I've missed your story. Why are you trying to gain weight in order to get Lap Band?

It's snowing in Texas today, so the BBQ is off! I'm a little relieved. I'm not going to be tempted to overeat with a baked ham on the table...hehe. Chocolate bunnies, however, are another story. Everyone, try to behave yourselves. And happy Easter!

If it's any consolation, I'm sure there will be something better than the band within 10 years. By then, you'll have 10 happy (and thin) years behind you, and you (like everyone else) will be onto "the next thing". Even though I was told the band was for life, I've never believed it. I guess all those years of being told that certain diets worked and that phen-fen was safe and yadda yadda made me a little, um, skeptical. I am very pleased with my results with the Lap Band. If I get 10 happy years, something I've never had in the past three decades, it will be worth every cent.

You guys are so helpful! Thanks so much!

Thanks! That's very helpful! What is your insurance, if you don't mind me asking. I have BCBS PPO. They didn't cover the band, so I have to assume they wouldn't cover this either.

You can still do everything you used to do--just with less food. At first I was worried that I was going to tempt myself to overeat, stretch the pouch, etc. But it's just NOT AN ISSUE. I'm okay with eating 4 ounces of food. And you will be as well!

Yay! I finally get to post here! I have lost 102 pounds as of this week. Yippee!

I am interested in ballpark figures for these surgeries listed. I'm wondering if it's something feasible for me. Maybe we could add this to the first post on the sticky?

Holy cow, that looks painful!!! I'm glad the pain hasn't been too bad. Congratulations!

I'm just getting in on the tail-end of this! I hadn't seen this thread until today. Julie, you're amazing, and an inspiration to someone like me--34 this July with over 200 pounds to lose as well. I can't wait to see the results! Congratulations!

Would anyone be interested in forming a clothes exchange club? I was considering starting a website on my own, but I don't think I can do it without spending a few hundred dollars a year. I've been looking at this company: http://hosting.ipslink.com/community.html This company provides a photo gallery with its community--something you can't get with the free message board. If anyone knows of any other companies with better products, feel free to share. Anyway, I think there's probably enough people interested in this that if we had a $10-$15 club dues each year, it would pay for the board with the photo gallery and hosting. Then all exchanges would be free, except for any shipping between the parties involved. What do you guys think? I am willing to give my time and effort, but I would really like some help. Plus, I don't know anything about setting up a club, so if you are a former board member of any kind, please help. Everyone's input and ideas would be appreciated.

I was a Coke addict as well pre-surgery. I don't crave it at all now. I switched to unsweet tea with Sweet and Low, so I still get the caffeine. Drinking Coke always made me want more Coke. It didn't really quinch my thirst, but I drank it for years. One difference I've noticed is that I was getting these sores in my mouth, and I don't since I quit carbonated drinks.

Tann, that's GREAT! I hope I'm doing as well at a year as you are! Daffodil, we've all feared the same thing. And even once you start doing well, you'll fear that your weight loss is going to stop. But that fear probably is not doing anything positive for you, so try to get past it and focus on the positives. I know it's easier said than done.

I'm glad you feel better about the situation, Dustmouse. After you're banded, you should make another appointment and tell her what a quack she is!

If so, please give me a review. I want to know whether or not to shell out the cash to buy it myself.

I have the same fear as you, Smurfette. I get really hungry a few weeks before my fill and stop losing weight, and even gaining a little. What happens when the band is full and I'm starving? Since no weight-loss solution has ever been a permanent solution for me, I can't help but be doubtful. But I TRY not to be.

This month I quit losing weight. I haven't gained. It's bringing me down a little. How long do you give your plateau before you get another fill? Is your surgeon stingy with fills? Mine won't give you one until you aren't losing 10 pounds a month. The problem is that they take your weight the last time you were in and divide that by how many months since your last fill. If you look at it that way, I've lost more than 10 pounds per month. BUT I HAVEN'T. I haven't lost any in weeks. Is this normal? Will it start dropping again by itself without a fill? I'm unsure what to do.:faint:

Yeah. Stress is really affecting my calorie intake. I've been eating a lot of chocolate lately. It's not just in my head--it really improves my attitude! I feel silly saying it, but it works. And when I don't get that fix, I'm so mean and rotten and bratty at work that I'm surprised I haven't been fired. How the heck am I supposed to fix this?

Wow, I was thinking this same thing recently. However, I'm wondering...should we go for a lesser point range? It seems like we shouldn't be eating as much as everyone else. But I am anxious to hear how anyone does with WW and the band. I guess the only reason I want to join is the weekly accountability and pep talk.