vcatalina1

I haven't lost much more than you have . I lose... then i stabilize, then I lose... then I stabilize. I have lost about the same as you. My Dr says i am losing at a good pace.(1 to 2 lbs a week). You cannot compare yourself to others. Some folks have much more weight to lose, bigger people lose more quickly. Are you making good choices? How much are you eating at each meal? Are you drinking plenty of water? Are you drinking other things besides water? Are you getting enough protein? It could be many things. You sound like you are losing at your own pace. Not everyone loses the same pace. As a matter of fact, if you lose weight more slowly, you don't get the pouching and need plastic surgery. Plus, you don't risk getting gall stones by losing the weight too quickly. When I either screw up and make wrong choices or hit a plateau, i don't beat myself up. I just get more focused on my goal.

Here is the link to my Facebook. Request me for friend if you like. I am on there every day. Valerie Catalina's Photos - WEIGHT JOURNEY | Facebook

Ok, guys. How are you all doing? Good I hope, I just got filled on whats been going on with all of you. So I thought I'd update you on my journey. I have been at the sweet spot for a few weeks now. i went back to my surgeon and asked him if for like a month I could have 1/4 more cc so that I can get down to one-derland. He said yes as long as I take my calcium, vitamins, and now vitamin B-12, plus 2 protein shakes a day. I am eating 4 bites per meal. If I keep it at that I don't "spit". I eat off a small saucer and leave most of the food on my plate. I have been exercising like an anorexic(hehe). I posted some before and durings on my facebook page if you are interested in seeing them. I have lost 1 inch from my neck, 6 inches from my bust, 5 1/4 from my waist and 6 1/4 from my hips. I lost my double chin, yeah. I tossed all my granny panties today. I also ditched my sports bras. I found out i have 2 boobs instead of one. i know you ladies know what I mean by that. I am in the smallest X size. The next time I shop for clothes, i can shop in the Human Department. I now wear jeans with zippers not elastic. My friend and I are writing a cookbook geared for Gastric patients. I am the gastric patient and she is the thin health food guru. We bounce recipes back and forth and make them healthier and more delicious so we do not feel deprived.

Ok, update time. Monday I got another fill and one of two things happened. I am either at the sweet spot or a little bit too much. With that said I am back to my delicious post-surgery shakes and thought I would share my recipe with you. Caution: Only use this when you can't get much food in your body. I can only eat like1 1/2 cups total for the day so my calorie intake and protein intake is minimal. Here is the recipe: 1 scoop Body Fortress Chocolate Protein Powder, 6 oz. light yogurt, 8oz. milk (I drink 2% milk, so if you drink skim the calories will be less.),2 tablespoons peanut butter, and a handful of fruit. Calorie count- 540 Protein count- 43 grams. You can pump up the calories and protein by adding 2 scoops of protein powder. Calories- 770 Protein- 69 grams. Another note: I very seldom drink milk.

It's been a while since I posted. My surgery was on April 15 and I am down 35 pounds now.You can really see it in my face but my daughter said that I look pregnant because my face, neck, arms, and legs are skinny and all thats left that is fat is my belly. My husband has yet to say anything positive yet. I think he's jealous. I have a 15 cc. (Realize) band with 9.5 ccs in it. I still need another fill. I am losing weight but very slowly. It is starting to come off a little bit faster now, though. I fell down my front steps a few weeks ago and fractured my tailbone. My doctor was annoyed that I rode my motorcycle to my drs appt, but it feels better that sitting straight on my butt. I am able to lift my tushy just a bit off the seat and it doesn't hurt at all. I have abot 6 people at work who want to get the lapband. They are impressed with my results. There are women at work who eat take-out every day and gain about 2 pounds a month and think I am crazy because I eat little amounts of food. I gotta share my favorite Breakfast with you guys. It is tasty and protein-packed. I take 1/2 cup or so of Special K Protein Plus Cereal and crush it in a sandwich baggy. I then mix it into a container of yogurt. It pumps up your protein from 6 grams in the yogurt to about 12. I also found these Protein shots at Walmart for $1.98. It is 2.9 oz, fruit punch flavored, and 26 grams of protein. 3 sips and 1/3 of protein for day. And they don't taste too bad either. Oh, yeah, September 15 marked one year since I quit the nasty and expensive habit of smoking two and a half packs of cigarettes a day.

Hey, Bunnies, just checking in. I am going tomorrow for my first fill. I am looking forward to being restricted, at this point I can eat all I want(but I don't because it would be more weight to lose). Did you guys watch the biggest loser last night? I was impressed, the winner who was a 48 yr old woman lost more weight than she weighed, She did great. I have been working witha woman I work with, she is being my personal trainer. She calls me every day and says, I'll be there in 5 minutes. We then walk our whole complex. She walks very fast and I keep up with her except for one hill, I always have to stop halfway to catch my breath. I also bought a treadmill and walk 20 minutes on it days when I'm not at work. Tomorrow is my weigh day and I hope I lost more weight, I find it easier if I weigh myself only once a week. My drs appts are on Thursdays,so I weigh in then. Ok, I will let you know how the fill goes tomorrow. Have a great night everyone.

Happy Mothers Day !!!!!

Ok guys , this morning I was thinking about my grandson who I have custody of and I remembered the conversation we had when he first saw me after I got home from the hospital. (If you are less than one week post-op I suggest you hold a pillow to your stomache so you don't bust your stitches out). He sai, "Let me see, Mom-mom." So I sat up and showed him the incisions, he proceeded to say "Oh, No, Mom-mom, it didn't work, you are still fat." Apparantly he thought I would come home skinny. I love him to death anyway. I thought you all might get a kick out of my story.

About the burps, I have a friend whos had his band over 3 years now. He told me after you get banded, you don't burp no more. The reason is, that burps come from the bottom of your stomach. The bottom of our stomaches is now banded off. The result is from now on you only fart. That is the reason that you can't drink carbonated beverages, because it causes so much gas that it is unbearable, (pain-wise and socially).

You look fabulous girl, I can't wait.

I know exactly what you mean about being hungry but not really. It's exactly how I feel. The funny thing is, when I am full I can feel mu little pouch, it feels like a little golf ball in there. I also get these tiny little hiccups that hurt like the dickens when my pouch is full, I cut back the amt of food from 4 to 3 oz and don't get that feeling(phwew). It's kinda cold out right now, I will wait until later to take my walk. I think I will lay down for awhile.

I had my surgery on 4/15. Everything is going good. I am still sore around big incision. I stopped taking the Vicoden, makes me too stupid and sleepy. I have been walking every day much to the chagrin of my neighbors, they think I should stay in bed for a few weeks. The weather is cooler today which makes my motorcycle look less attractive (I am dying to go for a ride) I have been losing 2 to 3 pounds a day, is that ok?

I just want you all to know that I would not have gone through with this had I not found this web site. Because all of you had such good luck with your surgery I gave the final yes to this.

Had my band put in on the 15th, had to stay in hospital because of sleep apnea, pain pump was wonderful. They sent me home with a pint of Vicitin. I woke up uncomfortable today,must have slept wrong. Got weighed before surgery and had lost 3 1/2 more pounds Came home and had 4 oz of tomato soup for dinner and it tasted like heaven. I went in kitchen to see what daughter had cooked for the kids, nothing I could eat so she fixed me the soup. Yum. My big insision is sore today, I think I will go for a walk then ice it and take a nap. I can't wait until I can ride my motorcycle.

I guess I will be on the updates. I'm having my surgery on April 15. My last dinner of real food will be Easter dinner. Monday morning I start the liquid diet. I am soooo excited. Is there anyone who rides motorcycles? I just strted and was wondering how long I will not be able to ride. Anyone have the answer for that?

I have that game, it is awesome. I am assembling a bunch of fitness items for after I get my band in March. I have Jillian Michaels game also. The exercise physiologist from the nutritionists office gave me a c-d they did with 3 types of exercises on it, resistance bands, chair, and balance exercises. Anyway the Outdoor Challenge is the first in a series of games. More to come. Val

I wanted to start by how I came to this conclusion. There were 2 things that made me decide to have this surgery. First, I am my grandsons Cub Scout Den Leader. Last May when we had the cross-over to the next level ceremony my daughter video-taped the ceremony. The next day, I was watching it and wondering who that really fat lady was with the yellow shirt on. I then realized that it was me. I looked like a Pig. I was so disgusted with myself, I cried. I had been researching the lap-band for some time for my daughter until I realized that I need it. The second thing that made me make an appointment with my PCP for a referral was we had a picnic at work in the summer and someone was taking pictures for the Bulletin Board. My dear friend brought me a copy with me in it. My head looks like a big fat pumpkin. I will bring that photo home and scan it to share with you. When I went to my doctor I got him to give me a prescription for Chantix to quit smoking, I had used it a year before that with no success but I was determined this time. I have been smoke-free over 3 months now. Yeah. I did manage to gain 10 more pounds after quitting smoking though. My insurance requires 6 months of visits with a Nutritionist and an Exercise Physiologist. I am over half-way finished with that. I should get my final clearance the middle of March. I am stoked about this. When I went to the Nutrition Class last month I sat down next to this lady, I looked at her to say hi and recognized her as a secretary from downstairs in my building. We became each others Weight loss partners. It's great to have someone to talk to about this that is going through the same thing. Well, I just wanted to talk about this important decision that I made for myself. I am getting my surgery done by Dr Wynn at CHRIAS in Newark, DE

Wow, you lost 60 lbs in 6 months, that is fabulous. I am having trouble getting my ticker on my signature. What am I doing wrong? Any tips?

I have all my appointments set up and should have approval the 3rd week in March. I am excited as I can be. I can't wait until my Cub Scout Den sees me after the summer. I will probably get my surgery near the end of the Scout Year, they will think they got a new Leader. hehe.

I'm still seeing the different doctors to get approval.