Leila

It must be great to get so close Regina and Socal... wow! I feel so far away from my goal weight, but it's inspiring to see others getting there, I know I just have to be patient, and keep focused. Way to go!

Thanks for the welcome. It was good for me to do a before after side by side, and look at old photos to really visualize for myself how much I've lost. But at the same time. I know that at my height and weight, I'm still not only overweight with my BMI, but still in the 'obese' category. Once I go below 202, I'll be in the overweight category, and I'm -so- looking forward to that. That and onderland, I'm longing for. I decided now to help motivate myself for losing weight, I'm paying myself a 100 dollars in spending money on things to make me feel beautiful for every 10 pounds I lose. I'm planning on shoes, accessories, and clothes that transition well to fit future smaller sizes. Or pampering manicure/pedicure, makeup, etc, what have you. Must be spent on something to spoil me in a way that will make me feel beautiful. I really think the reward system is helping me to follow my plan. We'll see. The biggest reward really, is losing the weight itself. I've talked with hubby about it, and one year after reaching and maintaining my goal weight, I'm going to do the big reward of having a tummy tuck, and maybe some additional cosmetic work if we can afford it. We're on a tight budget, but if once I reach goal, I put away 'reward' money every month I maintain, I'll manage to do it. Maybe I'll put half of my 100 for each 10 lbs into a surgery fund as well. Anyone have rewards/motivational plans that are helping them stay focused? almost 90 lbs lighter, but still obese... have done so much to be proud of, but so much more I want to do.

I haven't logged into this site in many many many months. My weight reached 210 around the new year, and I reached a plateau, and have just been maintaining that weight since. Last week I decided I was going to get serious about getting back on track and continuing to lose again. So I'm working on it, and decided to reconnect with my fellow lap-banders for some additional support. Here's a Before and a current pic. I hope all the Junebies are doing well, and in good health. *hugs* Leila

Here's me at my highest weight and my current weight.

Remember, these are totally anonymous, no one can tell what you reply. The other thread made me curious...

Love the photos of presents... my sister sells ribbons, so I get lots, haven't started any wrapping yet. here's her website for all those others like me who are a bit ribbon obsessed. lol. - West Coast Ribbon Supply

Happy thanksgiving to those in the US, we had Canadian thanksgiving already a while back.

I can chime right in there with the not enough chewing = PB. The PB's I've had I know all could have been avoided if the bites were smaller, teaspoon size, I chewed properly, and slowed down. I PB when I take short cuts. I can eat anything, if the bites are small enough, and I chew well enough. Problem is, knowing versus doing. LOL I can't wait till I'm able to really exercise, so far almost all my weight loss has been done on pretty much food intake alone, since I've had the inability to be active so much of the time. Going to start swimming again this week, or thats the plan anyways. I'm going to invest in a pass to the leisure center pool and gym, and see how it works for me.

Cindy, wow! you are looking amazing, keep up the great work! So I'm going to wait on the fill, I thought I was eating too much, but I still dropped my standard 2lbs this week, today was my weigh day. I was so psyched to see 219.5 - that means 20lbs to onederland! and just over 75lbs lost. - and 25lbs more to 100lbs gone! My surgeon never mentioned any restriction for fiber rich foods, and thankfully I eat apples, snap peas, broccoli, etc, all fruits and veggies, raw, no problem. Raw fruits and veggies work really well for me, they go down easy. I can get stuck on bread in an instant, but veggies always go down. I find they chew down to mush just fine, and unlike bready sticky foods, they never clump together to clog me. Cooked is good too. I should do another progress picture soon. I'm starting to really see the difference. I'll put on something more tight fitting and get hubby to take a pic later today. Would love to see other Junebies progress pics too. I know some are losing slower than others, but I think even those who are losing more slowly have SO much to be proud of. We've all come a long way. It's not how fast it's coming off, just that it is. It's working, everyone's pace may be different, but keep focused on the positive, and about how far you've come already. I'm proud of all the Junebies, keep at it! XO Leila

Like a lot of people here, I'm starting to seriously consider another fill, only just recently. It's just this week it seems all of a sudden I am hungry, a lot, and eating a lot more. I only weigh on wednesdays and I'm not expecting my usual loss this coming wednesday. I'm scared of getting over filled, but these last few days have felt like the scary old times where I can just eat and eat and eat... I've been working at not doing that, but know 'willpower' doesn't hold me long. hmmm... what to do! Leila

A lot of us are having constipation, and looking for easy to make, easy to eat, healthy low fat filling foods. So I wanted to share a super simple soup recipe to make that goes down really easy on the band, and is super healthy and will give you fiber and fluid and get you moving! The basic is fat free broth - I use chicken, then add lots of frozen chopped spinach, however thick you prefer it, with lots of broth and a little spinach, or loaded... for health the more spinach the better, and it is the anti-constipation miracle, lol. and for protein add chopped firm tofu. Salt and pepper to taste. I do mine in the crock pot. Add on's I regularly use, diced onion, garlic, instead of tofu just before eating I add cubed feta cheese in the really hot soup so it melts slightly. Different veggies, any leftovers that might enhance it, etc. Sometimes I add skim milk and blend it smooth. I do a huge batch in the crockpot and whenever I get hungry, start with a bowl, mine is heavy on spinach and heavy on tofu - the fiber from the spinach and the protein from the tofu really help to keep me feeling full. It's very low cal low fat, and practically guilt free, I don't have to worry about eating too much of it. The spinach and the tofu are very very soft, and I know there is no way I can get stuck on them. I'm not usually a cooked spinach fan, but this way I love it. the bonus, it keeps me regular, while being easy on my system, giving me tons of iron and protien and health benefits from the leafy greens. Everyone is doing awesome... oh, and for the record, as much as I believe in natural health remedies, I don't believe in colon cleansing products, eat healthy foods high in fiber and lots of fluids and it will resolve itself. I also snack on loads of cut veggies which go down really easy. I love the packages of sugar peas in the pod where they already have the string removed and you can just eat the whole thing. I also am going through mandarins like crazy, I love mandarin season. I've found it's the best way to deal with irregularity is to max out my fruit and veggie intake, it also stops me from snacking on junk. Keep up the good work everyone!

Well, it's been a hard post-op recovery, I keep getting wicked bouts of pain. Much worse to bounce back from than the lap-band surgery was. It's so great to see new people still joining us, and read all about everyone's changes and clothes fitting differently etc. I wear almost all skirts and dresses and not pants, and have been amazed to notice them all of a sudden seem so much longer. That and a few of the skirts I've been having slide down too much and don't dare wear them. My sister gave me a dress that she wore when pregnant, it's not maternity, but it's a looser style in a size XL, I thought it would be a while before I could wear it. When I looked at the dress my eyes immediately sized it up into the category, of "oh! I won't fit into that for a while" I'm so used to thinking of myself in a bigger size, but since most of my other clothes have gotten too big I tried it on the other day, and it fit! It has a little pull across the chest, but everywhere else it's actually loose! I was stunned. Clothing that came from a not plus size store on my body. w00t! Now more than ever I can see the difference, when I look in the mirror, when I look down at my own legs, hands, arms, it's so exciting. I'm hoping to get back on being a part of challenges and things for November as I'll be finally settled again a bit more. The only Oct. challenge for me is having the first halloween in our very first own house. I want to give out tonnes of great candy, since I've never done that before, before we lived in a condo in the city and kids didn't trick or treat in our building. Now we're in family neighbourhood!! The challenge is to have loads of great chocolate and not go crazy on it myself. Here's my plan. - Buy the chocolate halloween afternoon. Give it out, and when the tricker treaters have stopped, if there is a late straggling teen mooching dump the lot on them. At 11pm, all remaining chocolate is going in the trash! Better the waste bin than my hips! I'm also going to ask the neighbours about how many kids to expect so I don't end up with way too much. I am going to let myself indulge though and eat 4 mini bars over the course of the evening. I believe in a little planned splurging. I can't be 'perfect' and I would rather allow it and plan for it, than try not to, do it, and then beat myself up over it. Hopefully the plan will work.... Anyone else have a holiday coping plan for Halloween? Leila

I got out of hospital today, surgery went fine. My Dr. was a miracle worker and she managed to get my massive weird lumpy fibroid uterus out of a much smaller incision than expected! It just goes from just under my belly button to my pubic bone, about 7 inches long, with lots of staples in it. She said before going in to surgery that it may end up twice that long. She said my fibroids had grown and were even more massive than from my cat scans, but skin stretches. I don't know how many pounds it was yet because it's still in pathology, but I will know when they get the results. I weighed myself morning of the surgery - last teusday, and was 234.5, this morning I was 225.5 - so I lost 9 lbs. Other than a day of fasting pre-surgery, and fluids day of surgery I've been eating pretty normal so I think most of the loss was from the growths. I'm guessing they'll come in at 5-6lbs. It means I may try to make a new goal for New Years to be in onderland - we'll see. It's a bit ambitious, since I won't be able to really get much excerisize for the next 8 weeks. I'm pretty sore and tired, but happy it's all over with.

Pinky - thanks, everything is as well as can be, I go for surgery for my hysterectomy/fibroid removal Oct 17, because of the size and possible complications I have a very quick surgery date. Will have to stay in hospital for about a week after, and will be several weeks in the healing, but looking forward to having some relief from the pain and discomfort I have now. I come and read and lurk and get inspiration here almost daily, but haven't been posting or writing much, keep up all the great work Junbies!

Lisa - I second what Melissa Lea said, post fill recommendations vary from Dr. to Dr. I also don't have to do liquids post fill. For fills my Dr. recommends nothing to eat or drink 2 hours pre-fill, and for the day of the fill soft foods only. Back to regular band eating recommendations day after.

Lots of seafood, sashimi, fresh steamed salmon, canned salmon and tuna, artificial crab, shrimp. Flavoured snack tofu, low fat cottage cheese, eggs, low fat cheeses and other dairy like yogurt. turkey or chicken pepperoni, chicken hot dogs and some other lower fat deli meats. small serving of nuts a couple of times a week, or the occasional spoon of peanut butter (I buy natural, where the oil floats to the top, but instead of mixing the oil in remove it).

Pinky - well said!

Randi - I've known a couple of people who did Gastric - they both got thin quick, stayed thin for a few years, then gained all the weight back. I wouldn't want to go through all of that for a short term solution. I think anyone who is not able to eat solid proteins regularly without PBing is probably over-filled. From what I've read from experienced bandsters an overfill can be as bad for not losing as an under-fill. Also that the band doesn't do it all, it's a tool we have to work with, for it to work you have to follow the guidelines put out by INAMED and your Dr. It's not an easy fix. I don't think there is an easy fix out there. I'm sure every one of us wishes there were some simple magic formula, pill, or surgery that would just make us slim healthy people, but it doesn't exist. All the weight loss approaches out there take effort, patience and struggle. Don't give up, set realistic goals, and challenge yourself to make them. Do the best you can, and it will all turn out all right in the end.

WOW REGINA!!!! You look fantastic! way to go!!!

Just updating with me, I've been losing steadily - about 2.5lbs a week is my average it seems. I can't believe I'm almost down 60lbs. 42 of them since my banding date. My strategy which seems to work well for me has been consistent, I try to eat a healthy balanced diet, I focus on getting an average of 90 grams a day of protien from lean protien sources. About 30-35% of my diet is from protein, about 25% from healthy fats/oils, and the rest from healthy high fibre carbs, loads of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. I eat 3 meals a day, and I snack a lot. I drink a lot of water and other fluids - low cal fluids only. lots of fish, lean meat, low fat dairy for my proteins. I make sure I eat between 1000 and 1500 calories a day, and I average around 1200-1300. So even though I make sure I get a good amount of protein in daily between 70 and 130 grams, I'm definitely not on a high protein - low carb diet, just a natural balance. I find I need carbs for energy and to feel good mentally. The key for me is good carbs, not highly processed foods but whole fruits, whole veggies, and whole grains. I avoid white flour, sugar, refined starches, white rice and white potatoes. High fibre healthy carbs don't make me feel hungry, they fill me up as well as protein does. It's the refined stuff that causes rapid blood sugar changes signalling hunger, slow digesting high fibre low glycemic carbs are fantastic for curbing off hunger pangs. Excersize was good for a while, but has dropped off with my health problems (uterine fibroids - I'm pretty much couch bound until my surgery). Hasn't seem to have impacted the weight loss yet. Thankfully no hair loss, I only had two days day before and day of surgery where I had 0 protein though, and was very heavy on the protein pre and post surgery since healing tissue uses up extra protein. Thats it for me, no plans to make any changes to my routine till I'm healed from my next surgery when I can start to focus on exercise again.

Barb, I think your experience with fluro is a common one. My Dr. does not use fluro and he says it's specifically because restriction does vary so much with most people from the time they do the fill to a few days later. A fill may look perfect on fluro and be perfect in the Dr.'s office and then later that day, the next day, or later that week, be too loose or too tight. He honestly says there is no advantage to fluro over just taking a sip of water to ensure you are not too tight to get fluids down easily. Great fluro in the office he says means nothing in terms of actual quality of the fill. In fact since most people loosen or tighten post fill, in fact most of the time they do, a perfect fluro doesn't equal a perfect fill. With hair loss, hair loss caused by stress on the body, anasthesia, lack of protein or micro-nutrients happens 3-5 months after the precipitating events. It's because of the growth cycle of the hair. So if you are starting to experience hair loss now, it is in either response to the stress of surgery, or the anasthetic, or a lack of nutrients 3-5 months ago, not currently. Eating adequate protein, biotin, folate, etc, now - will help prevent hair loss in the future, but if you had a period of pre or post op diet that was low or deficient in protien or some vitamin/mineral for more than a few days may be in part responsible. Likely it's a combination of dietary stress and anasthetic stress on the body during that time period. It will normalize in time.

Pinky! WOW - you're looking amazing! congrats!

Not yet, I have an appointment with the surgeon on Oct. 4th, will be booking surgery then.

Teresita - the scale last wednesday showed no change, so I suspect I was retaining water or something that day, and the loss is from a two week period. Unfortunately, it's not being lost the good way. I have 3 rapidly growing uterine fibroids I was diagnosed with last week - I had to spend a bit in the ER on IV fluids only, and have had massive stress the rest of the time. Not eating enough, and I think the fibroid growth itself is burning energy. I'm happy to be over 50lbs now gone for good this week, but would be happier if it happened another way. Thank goodness for small blessings regardless.

H 295/ S 280/ C 238 Down -8.5 this week Down -57 total Don't know if anyone else is still doing this... but it's still helpful for me.