MelAnne

Meeting with the nutritionist went like this: Melanie: Eat more. I didn't cry, tho I wanted too. I didn't argue, tho I wanted too. I am going to try to ease up to her way of thinking. She did show me that while I am doing great on my protein and water consumption, I am getting too many fats in. Fat is determined to be a part of my life. Well, NOT ANYMORE!! So these are the numbers my nutrionist stands behind; for a 1500 calorie a day diet: Water 84oz Calories: 1500 grams Carbs: 180 grams Fat: Less then 30 grams Protein: 60 to 80 grams Your body can handle 2400 mgs of sodium a day - unless you suffer from water retention - however you body will wash out the sodium and I am drinking plenty of water so she said the beef jerky was OK - but I am still going to lay off of it as I was seeing the weight flunctuation on the scale due to the beef jerky and thus sodium. And we all know what that did to me. CRAZIES settled in !!!! She said my working out (an hour a day, burning 300 plus calories -- is starving my body as my only eating 700 to 1000 calories a day is as well) She told me to drink gatorade before a work out, and to eat a high caloric snack before a workout. (gatorade and a pear as an idea, b/c anything more would send me into mental break down at this time) I think I should be seeing a steady 1 to 2 pound weight loss a week, and so far have been fighting to maintain a 24 pound weight loss. Which is what is causing me the crazies. I do want to say this and be heard loudly: I AM DOING THIS ON MY OWN >>>> NO RESTRICTION. I meet with my doctor June 8th for a second fill, and the first fill was supposedly 1cc. He had trouble as the needle kept slipping off the head of the port, and he had to ask the nurse for the saline so he could re-fill the needle. So I question if any even made it into my band. We'll see how this one goes, as most have read in the past week, I called and spoke to him on the phone and he said he would see me last week for a fill and I decided to wait until my scedualed appt and continue to get my workout and diet on track. Let's pray this fill is more aggresive and successfull. I do find myself filling up on water when I am hungry. AND guess what!?!?!?! She said I could have a Starbuck's NON-FAT Caramel Frapp - and they are WONDERFUL!!! She said ti have it right before my work out as a high caloric snack. (Brain freeze as the Starbucks is right beside 24 hour fitness and I am usually in a hurry to get in there and work out and get home to do dinner!!!!) Meet with the trainer Monday pm - make sure I am doing the right workout, as of this time I am over doing it. BTW - let me tell you what damage I have done to myself in the past month. My metabolism was a +11 and I slowed it down to a -7. That ain't good folks. I just want to make it to Onderland. 22 pounds to Onderland, and I will settle down a little. A little. -Melanie

Then with the trainer at the gym Sunday. I will get this worked out. I feel like bleaching my hair and cutting it Army short and spiking it straight up. Then wearing a shirt with big block letters that read: STOP THE INSANITY I loose 4 pounds, then bounce back up 3. This entire month I have done nothing but work my a$$ off to MAINTIAN a 23 pound weight loss. I see that as failure because I could have lost weight this month. It was a wasted month. So I am a month behind schedual, and thus goal.:cry I should be able to see a pound to two pound a week loss according to everything I was told before surgery and the way I have been handeling everything (diet/exercise) since surgery. Sign me, Susan Powter

He just has to pick a date!!!! Now he can suffer with this insufferably insanity of a balancing act (diet and nutrition). He will probably loose weight - eat and not exercise. :cry :cry Thank goodness I love him so much!!!!!!

Thanks everyone! I sure am excited for him. He does not have that much to loose, and works in a non-airconditioned shop all day, as a machinist, so he will drop it easily. Dirty dawg. He is looking at making his appt for July 3rd. Then with the July 4th holiday he won't miss much work. He is already eating better, his problem is portion control. He eats way too much when he does eat. Donna - more then likely not, as he is not a big computer person, we each have our own laptops, and he does the bills, surfs his stuff (poker online, and the such) but it not on the pc that much. But I will lead him here for questions, and let him read up - so be kind to him, he's a big softy and people love him naturally. He's not high strung and crazy like me! Thanks again!!!

If anyone is interested to see my daily food chart - please log into: http://www.bluecarott.com/DietTracker/Logon.aspx?timeout=true Login: Melanie Pswrd: Jinkins I have called the nutrionist, and am awaiting to make an appt. I have a meeting with the trainer at the gym Sunday, and am taking my food journal, my weight loss numbers, and a list of questions. I am trying. I am working this, and really giving this more then a hundred percent of my effort. Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions!!!!

If anyone is interested to see my daily food chart - please log into: http://www.bluecarott.com/DietTracker/Logon.aspx?timeout=true Login: Melanie Pswrd: Jinkins I have called the nutrionist, and am awaiting to make an appt. I have a meeting with the trainer at the gym Sunday, and am taking my food journal, my weight loss numbers, and a list of questions. I am trying. I am working this, and really giving this more then a hundred percent of my effort. Thank

Dr. Dexter Turnquest -- Spring Texas I was banded 4-17-06 My husband was approved TODAY!!! He told me that my fills would cost me $75 - if my ins. did not cover them. So far, my ins covers them until July, then I am on my own, and it will either be $75, and no office visit payment, or 20% - which ever is cheaper. I have UHC, and my company believes in this surgery, so we get approved within 24 hours. But I fought for this for two years with Aetna and Cigna. Then switched to UHC.

How much do you exercise and still see results/ScaleVictories? I am working out BIG TIME and the big 4 pounds I lost, I found 3 of them. Yep, they were hiding. On my backside obviously. Tonight I did 3 miles on the treadmill at 3.5 rpm's. Then did 4 weight machines for upper body resistance. Tomorrow I plan on doing at least 30 mins of a spin class, then wrap it up with a mile or two on the treadmill. I am going to do weight machines every other day. Anyone have any suggestions/comments? -Melanie

Thanks HeatherGurl - I appreciate the words of encouragement. Going to the gym tonight. Hopefully I will see the effects of the gym in a couple more weeks. Thanks again! -Melanie

There is a nutritionist that you work with right? What does she say? This is where it all breaks down, and I am alone in this. My doctor says he is perfectly happy with me only consuming 400 calories a day - and then followed that comment up with "that means a well balanced diet" The nutrionist says more calories, 1200 to 1500 a day, and carbs are ok. I have no restriction, and had a conversation with my doctor regarding how I am doing this on my own. We'll see how the fill goes June 8th. I am reading everything I can online and otherwise. I do not know other bandsters other then this website (or ObesityHelp.com, which is mickey mouse compared to this site) but I am feeling like I am totally alone and lost. So, for someone diet, living by the rules and exercising - I am stupid for believing this will work as I was told it would. "If you eat the way your supposed too and exercise, you won't be able to help but to loose a pound to two pounds a week." Is what I remember reading and being told. So, my question is this: Why have I not been able to steadily loose at least a pound a week with all that I am doing? Why do I keep fluxuating rather then seeing some steady promise of victory within the next year? People who have less to loose, loose slower.... that keeps ringing in my head too. It is to the point, I do not know what to believe, and while I am fighting the urge to take diet pills, and work with my band, I am also fighting the urge to just give up for the sanity of it all. I am not the only crazy one on here. Others feel the same way, I have read the posts. Sign me, I lost my marbles, too bad it wasn't the marbled fat on my behind.

Thanks Marimaru! That makes a good deal of sense, that it takes time for exercise to impact your weight loss goals, and thus see the difference. Tellymelly - I am exerting myself. I think an hour long spin class one day, 3 miles on a treadmill kicking your heart rate way up, and then working out on weights for resistance can seriously be considered exerting one's self. I also am aware that much like dieting, you can hit a platue with exercise as well. That is why it is important to change up as well as continue to challenge and push yourself. I am not stupid, just struggeling very hard and frustrated with the failure. -Melanie

So exercise is not so important with weight loss, just maintaining and over all good health? I am following the band rules pretty strictly. When I eat, I make it count! Protein Protein Protein - but I think I am still screwing it all up as I saw a significant loss, then in a day it was back on, and I had not changed my eating habits. This is making me crazy. Why did I do this again?

As of 11:30 am Wednesday, May 31st, 21 people have read this post and no one has any comments or suggestions? Someone has to know more then I do - I am lost! :help: -Melanie

Awe man! I work at Westpark and Harwin - ride a vanpool to and from (which is WONDERFUL!!!!) and work out at Kuykendahl and Louetta at 6pm every night. Tomorrow is my one week Gym Anniversary! One week of workin out like a dawg and stickin with it !!!! You keep going girl !!!!! -Melanie

I joined 24 hour Fitness today. I am going to join the SPIN class and use the treadmill. They have a spin class M-Th - so Friday's I have to do the treadmill. Spin class is 60 mins long, if I can't get some of this fat off my arse this way, then I am destined to fail at this. I am still only showing a 19 pound weight loss since surgery April 17th. I am eating as I am supposed to, and getting between 700 and 1100 calories a day. I am drinking all my Water, and eating like I am supposed too. Proteins then veggies, stoping when I am full. I have been using my treadmill, until I think i broke it last night - thus the reason I joined 24 Hour Fitness. Lord, please be with me, and may The Light be Bright as I drag my tired body towards it when I pass out on that cycle tomorrow !!!! I feel guilty for the money. Dealing with this on top of everything else. I have to go to ease the guilt right? -Melanie

You have had two fills and are only 6 weeks post op?! Who is your doctor?! I am having to beg for my fills. (second one due June 8th) -melanie 245/221/150

Great idea!! Thanks Ortiz !!! They are doing a weight challenge here at the office, and they are not letting me participate. LapBand is like diet pills, and not fair to the rest of the group in the challenge. -Melanie

If you live in Spring Texas, The Woodlands, or surrounding area... And need to be held accountable, and require someone pushing you to be there - let's get together and exercise!!!! I joined 24Hr Fitness, and need a partner. Are you up for the challenge? -Melanie

25 mins on treadmill (5 laps @ 3.5, and a round of weights for resistance Calories: 910 Protein: 79 Water: 48 fl ozs Carbs: 33 Fat: 42 Banded 4-17-06 245/222/150 [-23 loss] ****Please see my own exercise post****

I am drinking 3 to 4 Aquafina's FlavorSplash Water, 16oz bottles. I just make sure I keep one near me all the time. It is becoming easier to get more fluids in this way. I have never been much of a drinker period, water, tea, coke etc... I chewed ice. And no doubt was pretty much dehydrated I am sure.

CHILDBIRTH was sooooo much easier. And they gave me drugs too !!!!! Ok, I started out with 15 mins on the treadmill, at a really easy nice walk. Then the spin class started. It was a new instructor, his very first class. After having done jazzercise for over a year, I knew getting back into the swing of daily workouts would what it is... hard work. The seat hurt. Ok, the seat didn't feel a thing - I hurt. My butt hurt. I hurt where I do not think I am supposed to hurt. I came home, thinking I was going to cancel the membership. I will only use the treadmill, and for less money, I can buy a new treadmill. My 13 yr old son went with me, and he loved it. He says he will keep going and do the class with me. My son: He is 13, and looks like he is 16. He truely could be a post boy for Ambercrumbie etc.... He wants to be ripped, and fit. He has wanted a weight set for years, and we have not given into him as he is too young and could hurt himself. By going together, I can keep an eye on him. And honestly, his being on the bike beside me kept me from getting off the bike and quiting during the class. I did a solid ride, for 1 hour. I got up this morning and stepped on the scale expecting the same 226 - hoping for 225. :clap2: I LOST 3 POUNDS!!! :clap2: At this rate I can up my calories guilt free and still loose weight right? AND - on another note - My doctor agreed to move my 2nd fill up from June 8th to next Tues/Wed !!! Sign me out as >> Melanie - down 22 pounds since surgery !!!!!!

I AM !!!!! Wanna chat? Melanie

That's what Dr' Speigel's office told me as well as Spivik's -Melanie

He put in 1cc in a 10cc band. He agreed I could see him in three weeks. Appointment is already made. June 8th. I am surprised with how simply it went. No pain killer, and I felt little to nothing. It wasn't even that uncomfortable. I think if I had relaxed a little I wouldn't have felt even the tinest bit of discomfort. I am already excited and pumped about getting to go back in three weeks!!! I weighed the same today in his office that I weighed my first appt post op - 19 pound loss. Nevermind the fact that I had almost a 6 pound gain and then loss in between it all!!!!! I do not feel any restriction, so can someone explain why they believe it takes time to feel the fill? Saline is shot into the tube, then runs along the tube and into the inner tube of the ring. Doesn't seem to take that long to move into place. Or does it? 4-17-06 -19 pounds as of 5-18-06 1st fill: 5-18-06 2nd fill: 6-8-06

I got the VG band, and I remember saying "1cc in a 10cc band?" and letting him know I did not think it was enough. Just called his office - yes, it is a 10cc band, and I got 1cc. His office/nurse person said she would talk to him and see about getting me in next week. I feel no restriction. I eat, and limit my own intake, as the band does nothing to help me with my intake. I exercise, and pretty much diet on my own as if I never had surgery. More info: I had a Nissen Wrap to resolve Gerd about two years ago. They take your upper stomach and wrap it around your esopghus, in a hot dog bun manner and stitch it into place. So my new stomach/pouch above the band is larger then your average bandster right? This doctor seems to be conservative when it comes to fills? Even tho I asked him to be a little more aggresive in regards to me. -Melanie