juliansmom2003

Amey--I agree with everything everyone else has posted on how much of an inspiration you are. It would have been VERY easy to just say "oh it wouldn't hurt to have a little of this" and end up face down in a bucket of KFC!! While I can't even imagine how you handled the weekend emotionally, it is unthinkable to me how someone without the band could have done what you managed to do, so take the time to give that bitchy, screaming psycho and little bit of credit and a HUGE pat on the back! Also, you may not think so now, but you will be able to have a nice meal at a restaurant again. This I absolutely PROMISE! It will get much easier with that, trust me. The beginning stages are never fun and to be honest, quite frustrating initially. You have definitely displayed commitment to your goals so I have no doubt that you will get through the early stages, just know that you will be tested as far as food is concerned before you hit a decent restriction level. Many doctors and centers sometimes don't share this info with patients pre-op and they find that they are even more frustrated at how they feel after. I am so sorry to hear about the accident and very relieved to hear that your son is okay. I am sure the guilt your son is feeling is just terrible and please know that you are all in my prayers.

Hmmpfh. I have no freaking idea, girl. I am praying it will get tighter after a week or two like it did before. Otherwise, I am going to be BANGING DOWN THEIR doors for another one! It's almost as bad as it was last time! How can this be??????

Sorry guys. Feel like I need to vent.....once again about RESTRICTION and how I will NEVER figure it out :-(! So, I had a fill on Thursday morning. Did liquids all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday, had mushies yesterday and today I am back on regular food. This morning (around 6:30 am), I had my Muscle Milk shake. I had my breakfast around 10:30 (packet of healthy grain cream of wheat and a cheese stick). 1:30 I was RAVENOUS!!!!! Should I be that hungry after only 2.5 hours?? All I know is, I just had to wolf down a 100 calorie bar because I don't want to do lunch yet. I thought it should be 4 to 5 hours before you get hungry again. Now, I saw on the screen that I had a good restriction level on Thursday. What the heck could possibly be going on that I'm starving again??? I don't get it! Will it take longer for this fill to hit or something? I know, I'm impatient as anything, but after an almost 1-month plateau, I just want this to work and for that last fill to be "the one"! I am beyond bummed! Any ideas or insight?

Once you enter your user name and password, it syncs automatically. The app for your phone is $2.99 though. The membership itself is free... HTH

Holy crap! Finally lost 1 lb (it's been 4 weeks, so I've been REALLY frustrated!) Had a fill on Thursday, so I'm sure it's from me being on liquids for 3 days LOL, but I'll take it!

I use thedailyplate.com and love it. You can track calories, fitness/activity (and it nets out the calories after exercise), Water intake and it even allows you to enter recipes and calculates the nutritional content of them. There is also an app for iPod/bberry as well. I have been using this for months and LOVE it!

Stacie- it sounds like you are still swollen from the fill then the irritation from the pills probably made it worse. My doc is different with meal progression--he does fills on Thursdays, keeps us on liquids until Sunday, which is when we go on mushies, then back to normal on Monday. I think that is really what helps me with this. Maybe go back on liquids for one more day until the irritation/swelling subsides? I would call the doc if it is still like this in another day. It's always so tough to tell so soon after, but no one wants to feel this miserable, so I understand your frustration. Try some warm, thinned out cream of wheat,or some hot tea. That usually helps me loosen things up. Hope you feel better soon!

Please PLEASE hang in there! What you are both going through is that lovely limbo period called 'Bandster Hell', which is the period in between banding and a level of adequate restriction when it feels like you're starving all the time. I honestly experienced the same feelings and shared your disappointment before I began getting fills and all I can say is that it WILL get easier. Unfortunately, our bodies need to heal before we can start getting those fills to work toward getting restriction. You do have a tool that will help-when you are able to properly maintain it. I promise this will all be worth it when you start getting fills and you will be much happier.

ITA. It is definitely from the IV fluids they were giving you in the hospital. It will go away very soon.

Anne-- congratulations on your date!!! I'll be counting down right along with you! How wonderful! I was so happy to read your NSV today as well. You must be on top of the world right now. Christie--woohoo! I despise that morbid word---MAJOR kudos to you for the bmi category change!!! What a terrific milestone! Bobbie--have a blast at the retreat. I used to love scrapbooking. Now it seems with 2 kids, 2 jobs, 3 dogs and a husband that's always working, I rarely have time to brush my teeth or shower these days LOL. I hope you have a great time! Betsy--how is Mark? Said more prayers at church this morning, my dear. HB-- I was so sorry to read about the snow! We had a record year here in the Northeast (PA/NJ), so I can relate to your misery! God, I can't wait to see the population explosion at the end of this year from all the snow days LOL Leigha--I'm sure all at once...BAM! 5 more lbs! You have been a freaking weight loss power house, girl! What a great goal you've set for yourself and I have no doubt you will do it! So I was finally able to have mushies today (hey, I'll take it!) I went to church around 10:30, then we went to brunch. I had most of an eggbeater/cheese omelet, a couple bites of potatoes, one piece of wheat toast all without incident. I then proceeded to have a couple of bites of my son's pancakes and was all STOP! Lol. I am thinking it was about 8 or 9 total ounces (which my doc confirmed is just fine). Needless to say I was finished at 1 pm and it's almost 7 and I still haven't eaten anything else. I am thinking I might be at a good place (well today anyway) because I was so starving in between meals before this fill I was just looking for food. Please pray this is "the one" guys. I have about 25 lbs to go until goal and I am so close I can taste it :-)! Hope everyone had a great weekend! Back to the grind on Monday! I took Wed, Thurs and Fri off for my fill appt, 6 months post op appt and school lunch with my son, so I have had a few days off. I soooo don't want to go back!!!

Wheew, Leigha. I just responded to your post from yesterday and so glad to hear you think it's a false alarm. It's a very smart idea to have it logged. Still keeping my fingers crossed! Of course I forgot to ask how much the doc gave me for the fill this morning. I will ask the assistant tomorrow, since I have my 6-month post-op checkup (yesterday was my 6-month bandiversary already!!) I honestly thought he wasn't going to give me one, given the way things went last time (even though he agreed to a small one then LOL), but when I swallowed the barium, he immediately said, "Yeah, that's going down too fast. We need to put some more in." I was secretly doing my happy dance in side LOL. So, he gave me some more, had me swallow more barium, realized he put too much in and pulled a little more out and said it looked good. I have been drinking water and don't feel anything like I did last time I got a fill, but I'm not going to start obsessing (yet LOL). I am just happy that I wasn't going crazy and I really did need a fill LOL! Anyway, thanks for listening to me ramble and vent. I appreciate your support. Praying my weight loss kick starts again!!!!

Leigha-- i just saw this now and am praying everything is okay. It sounds like she probably just didn't hit the port dead on and didn't puncture the tubing, but defintely pay attention to how you're feeling when you get back on solids and they should absolultely pay for it if they've done any damage to it. Honestly, I am the same way (OCD-ish) when things could potentially be wrong, so I completely understand that you must be freaking right now. Please keep us posted. Prayers for you, chica!

Woohoo Anne!! That is wonderful news!!! It IS getting closer!!!! (I keep forgetting you're not banded already :ohmy:)

HB--thanks so much for making me feel better with your comment. I've been having a rough couple of weeks, so it was waaaay needed. Stacie--Enjoy those recipes! My faves are the Mexican Chicken and pepper steak (which are of course both high in sodium, so I down about 100 ounces of water on days like those LOL) WTG having under 50% fat in your breakdown! That's a huge feat! Keep up the great work! Leigha--Happy 6-month bandiversary!!! Mine is tomorrow! 48 lbs--girl you rock! Glad to hear you got the fill! I hope your restriction level is just right for you after the swelling goes down... Counting down until Thursday for mine. I hope he gives me something.... Bree-- CONGRATS on 50 lbs gone!! YOU GO, GIRL!!! Bobbie-- Hang in there. I'm sorry things are still so crazy. I can't imagine how you're hanging in there, but again, your strength amazes me. Good luck with the Sears Optical douche and not telling him where to stick his job LOL I actually attached some recipes to my last update post, but I've attached it again here for you (and in case anyone else missed it). Christie--I'm continuing to say prayers for your brother. How long is his tour going to be? I think my brother goes for 12 months (he said maybe 18 but it makes me feel better to say 12). Let's keep each other strong through this. Hoping Delilah doesn't eat what's left of your house during her stay :-) Have a good day everyone! This is my Friday, so I'm pretty happy. My husband and I are having lunch with our son at school tomorrow (Kindergarten Bring Your Parents to Lunch Day), Thursday is my fill and Friday is my 6-month post-op appointment, so I figured I'd take all 3 days off to have some me time (and of course, spend time with my little one who has been begging to just hang out with me). Why can't I hit the lottery and just work part time?!? I know, I should be thankful (and I am....most days LOL) RECIPES.pdf

You're probably just swollen right now. As long as you're able to get water down, I'd wait it out a day or so (my doc has us do liquids for 2-3 days, then one day of mushies before going back on regular solids). If you are unable to get your water or protein drinks down at any point, I'd call the doc ASAP.

Tracy, what you're thinking/feeling is perfectly normal, and I think the majority of us had these thoughts too. It shows that you are taking this seriously and that it a big step for you. I think I'd be concerned if you didn't have these thoughts to be honest. Reading all the posts you've already received, you can tell that no matter how many posts you read that may contain venting on plateaus, issues with certain foods people can no longer tolerate, etc., look at the tickers. We are all losing weight (some faster than others), but if you are educated going into this and know what to expect, you too will have that fun little ticker this time next year that says 50 lbs lost. Now, coming from someone that does my fair share of venting (as most of my pals here can attest to LOL), I am coming up on 6 months banded (tomorrow) and I am down a total of 61 lbs, which I know I would not have been able to do without the help of my band. I know that it will also work with me to keep the weight off too, which is something that I was never to achieve in the past. Again, I wouldn't change a thing. Obviously, you need to make the choice that is best for you, but if you have already gone through 6 months of education, support and preparation, you acknowledge that you need a tool to help you with this challenge. Best of luck to you. This is a great forum for support and advice, and believe me, this is what gets me through on most days :-)!

No tricks here, but just wanted to say that I'm right there with you! Banded in October of 2009 and I'm currently stalled as well. I agree the your post title that plateaus DEFINITELY suck! I have been playing with the same pound (170-171) for the last 3 weeks (I know, 3 weeks is nothing compared to you guys, but I have been losing 2-3 lbs every week on average for quite awhile). I am also getting a fill on Thursday (well hopefully--I am so tight in the a.m. but I turn into a night feeder by 1 in the afternoon and I get hungry very quickly and nothing seems to fill me up and I am taking in 100 to 120 g of protein a day, so it just goes to show how different we all are). Hang in there! Let's hope our fills on Thursday blast through this stinking plateau!!!

Awww, congrats Bree! What a wonderful accomplishment! Here's to your milestone (and to a a ton more)!!! Keep up the great work!

((HUGS)) Christie. My brother is also being deployed (back) to Afghanistan. He left April 10 for Tennessee and then heads back to Afghanistan for his second tour in May. He was just promoted to Sargeant and we're so proud of him, but didn't think they'd send him back so soon. It's killing my mom because he's her only son. He is such a great uncle to all the kids and I can't bear to think of him going back. My heart goes out to you. Betsy--you are right about staying away from the bread and pizza, and honestly I just had a bad week when I posted that--it's odd that I haven't changed my eating a bit though, upped the exercise and stopped losing! I just don't get it :-(! You are right too--while I'm excited about being so close to goal, I'm equally frustrated thinking that my loss won't start back up (which I would tell anyone else who said that this is simply not true), but I guess I just got so spoiled losing 2 to 3 each week that I'm now really disappointed. Still sending prayers your way and Mark's :-) ((HUGS)) Leanne--welcome!! Glad to have you here! Jump right in and make yourself feel at home Jacki--You amaze me! What great pics! Congrats on the 5k! Holy wow--you go girl!!! I was thinking of asking hubby to buy me a bike for my birthday so we could all go riding now that the weather is getting better (I'm in NJ too :sad:). There are just not enough hours in the day it seems. Stacie--I posted a ton of crock pot recipes awhile back, but I've updated my collection with quite a few others, so I've attached them in case you wanted them ALL :thumbup: Bobbie--I want you to know that I'm saying tons of prayers for you and I hope that things start to get easier soon. You have amazing strength and know we're all here for you!! Leigha--did you ever get to laugh at anyone for doing something stupid? LOL So I have to keep telling myself that this is a new week and things will get better with the loss. I have a fill scheduled for Thursday, support group Thursday night and my 6-month post op visit on Friday. I think I'm going to go home and do some hip hop abs tonight. They have this GREAT total body burn workout that's about 40 minutes and uses weights, so it focuses on everything! If nothing else, my body fat is steadily moving (thank God my health center has the Tanita scale showing the distribution of the weight and my last weigh in a week and a half ago showed a loss of 15 lbs of fat, so my body is definitely reconfiguring. That is something I should celebrate, right?) Have a good week, everyone. RECIPES.pdf

Thanks for posting this! I really needed to see this today, as I have hit a major plateau and I'm scheduled for fill #3. I know I'm close to the sweet spot, so hopefully Thursday I will be joining you in praising restriction! Congrats and I hope it lasts you a lonnnng time :-)!

This is getting ugly. Still no loss this week. The scale is stuck! At least it's not a gain, but nevertheless, pretty frustrating (and making me want to eat a whole bag of frozen milky ways)..... Hope to get a fill this Thursday at my appointment...

Wow, Leigha. How far you've come. I am so happy about finding fat pics now LOL Anne--WTG on losing another pound! You are doing fantastic!!! The scale is still not moving for me. I've been stuck at 170 for 2 weeks. (Hopefully) getting a fill on Thursday, so maybe that will kick start something. Denise-Congrats on your grandnephew! Hope you're feeling better! I can't believe how close you are to goal! Amazing!!!!! HB-- I am still laughing right now about the "hammered shit" analogy for your ex! LOL!!!!!!!!

Leigha, you know what my opinion is--go get the sucker! But that's just me, as I think I've become OBSESSED with maximum restriction. This week, I have been so upset that I have had pizza and a burger (1/2 for lunch and the other half for dinner)--on different days, but still I'm getting them down with NO issues. Honestly, I have not had a burger since AUGUST :-(! I justify it that I'm walking 2 miles a day and doing circuit training, so I am way under calories, but this week I notice the quality of my food not being as good as normal, nor am I as tight in the morning as I used to be. If you are getting hungry in between meals, it sounds like you need one anyway. I'm wondering how long these fills should be lasting us. The person who runs my support group is 2 years post op, lost 135 lbs and has never had a fill! I so thought my second one was it, but it looks like I need to keep going. Ugh. Sorry to be all over the place. I'd get the free one and see how it goes. As long as they're conservative and you won't be so tight that you'll have to have some taken out, but enough that will give you your satiety back. Sorry about my rambling LOL!!

Lean Cuisine Herb Chicken is only 180 calories and 20 g of protein. Their meatloaf w/ mac and cheese is about 220 calories and 23 g of protein. I'd look for anything under 260 calories and a decent amount of protein. Just be sure you're getting a lot of water, since the frozen dinners are full of sodium. I eat them too, but I just need to make sure I'm getting enough water in to balance it all out.

Congratulations!!! How wonderful! 199.5 or 190--it's still onederland, so welcome!! Nice to have you here :-)! Keep up the great work!!!