deckedout

Audree, Don't beat yourself up, we all slip. I probably would have eaten 10 reeses. I love those. Randi is right about the dinners. I stopped eating them cause of the carbs. Now I buy south beach dinners cause they have a lot more protien and it seems like more food. I didn't think about that earlier, sorry. Dr C is right about planning on 2 years. I think in the first year I should be able to get to 130. But, it will probably take me the next year or 6 months to get to the 115 I would really like to be. That is okay. I haven't ever been able to maintain this type of weight loss, so it is fantastic and totally worth every penny. Don't forget to drink lots of water between meals. And if you haven't given up pop yet, do it now! Crystal light is also great to drink. I love the raspberry lemonade.

Actually, since you mention it. I am right where you are as far as TOM and I have been eating a lot! Not pre-band a lot, but the pass three weeks since my third fill a lot. I had oatmeal for breakfast with a teaspoon of flax seed for added protein a hamburger patty (about 4 oz) for lunch with cheese on top and some mushrooms ( I had been craving this for 2 days) then I've grabbed about 3 handfuls of chips that I bought for the kids. And it is only 4 o'clock. But, we are going bowling so that will get me away from the kitchen. I thought things would be really tight because I should be bloating right about now, but I'm still losing weight, although much slower, down from 162.5 to 162.2 in the last two days, so maybe I'm not retaining water this month? Anyway, I should never buy those chips for the kids. My doctor assured me the kids didn't need them any more than me, but I bought them anyway cause I'm dumb. If you can't get the elliptical out, put on some music and vacuum while listening to music, that always makes me dance. I'm glad its better. For me, day 3 was the worst. I chewed lots of gum and stayed REALLY busy, of course it was summer and easier to be busy, but maybe you can find something exciting to do. After that, I think my stomach got smaller and I didn't feel as hungry.

Hey Audree, How is your second day of pre-op going? Have you made it out of the house to move? Or used the elliptical trainer?

Audree, Yes, the metimucial is pills. they are kind of hard to get down, at least for me, but they did seem to help on the pre-op. try to keep your mind off of food, and if you drink hot tea or broth it has very little calories but will help to make you feel full. Also, keep your mind on the prize. I spent the entire two weeks worried that if I didn't make that 5% they would turn me down for surgery. I still don't know that they wouldn't cause I made the 10 lbs loss. Don't forget to move! good luck

Audree, Can you get out of the house? Go shopping at the mall, go for a long walk somewhere and drink a bottle of water while your out. Staying at home makes the kichen too close. Did you get some of the metamuci recommended by Dr. Ortiz's office. Take 2 and drink a bunch of water. The fiber helps to fill you up.

Our cell phones with Verizon did work in TJ, but we were charged for roaming and out of country calls, so beware, don't think the calls are free. Others have said that their phones were picked up by a cell tower in San Diego and they didn't have to pay extra, so it just depends on your company. We called ahead and verizon had us download a program to our phones so we could place international calls, probably what it did was updated our GPS so we couldn't get the calls for free. Make sure you join a gym and work out after 6 weeks, before that go for long walks, We tried for 3 miles each and every day. Both my hubby and I recovered quickly. Were teachers and were on summer break, so didn't have to go back to work, but I think I could have. I felt great. Matter of fact, we were bored in TJ (Not big shoppers) and had planned on staying 4 days (cause we both had surgery at the same time we got extra days) but after the second day we couldn't think of anything to keep busy with. I spent as much time catching rays at the pool as was physically possible. Anyway, we went to San Diego and got a hotel for 2 nights, til our flight left. We went to the zoo the first day, that had a lot of hills to climb and we were pretty tired by the end of the day. We rode the bus around to make sure we had seen everything before we left. The next day, we went to SeaWorld. We were there from 9-5 and saw EVERY show. We were not hungry at all, but the food smelled really good. We drank a lot of Water and ate slushies to keep hydrated as it was summer and very hot. I was not even hungry for at least a week after my surgery. About the time I got hungry, I was able to start on full liquid and then I did cheat a few times and eat before I was supposed to but only small amounts. Hubby tends to be more of a cheater than me. As far as doing Weigh Watchers, I suppose it wouldn't hurt, but remember, this is the ultimate change in lifestyle. You need to learn what works for you. And, no filling up on salad and veggies like most of these diets try to get you to do. Protien comes first. Many times, after I've eaten my Protein, I have no room for anything else. All this being said, if that is what you want to do, do for it. After surgery I quickly lost like 15 lbs. By the time I went to get my first fill, I had gained back 7 or so, but as soon as I got my fill, like within 3 days, that weight was gone again. Remember, you will be healing from major surgery, even though you may feel great, your body NEEDS calories to heal. Do NOT focus on weight loss the first 6 weeks, I know, I know you got the surgery to lose weight and you want it off right now. So do I. However, I am only 41. I have been overweight since I was 6 months old. I can wait another few months to lose weight and be healthy. So can you, right! Yeah, we want to look great, and that is a huge bonus. But, to be healthy is much better. I can't even tell you how great it feels to go skiing for 7 hours and still have energy when I'm done. To work all day and come home and think, okay, now what do I want to do? Another huge benefit, is when I sleep, I sleep. I don't wake up tired and go to bed tired and drag myself around all day. Okay, I'll stop preaching. This is a lot, l know. I just worry that you might think your a failure if you aren't at goal weight in 6 months. My hubby is going through a hard time right now cause he isn't losing weight, it is very frustrating for him and me.

Congrats Stephanie! Your are ROCKEN! 90 lbs is a small 6th grader! That is fantastic. I've been swimming extra long, then going back to bed. Today I swam for 85 minutes. I also hit 162.5! I suppose I still could make 159.9 by the 2nd. Big draw back to swimming so much, my face is breaking out something awful. Anyone know of any really good lotion or something I could put on my face before I swim to block the clorine?

Stephanie, When do you go back to work? I go back on the 2nd. I was hoping to be in the 150's (I'd love to see that 5 even if it is followed by a 9.9) by the time I went back, but I am really beginning to doubt it at this point. Especially since I looked at the calendar and my tom is due the 3rd. But, usually this time of year I gain at least 5 lbs, so it is still a victory!

Dreikalina, I have had 3 fills and will try to let you know what my experience has been like. With my first fill, I had some restriction for the first few weeks. I did notice that I felt full up on the top part of my stomach, but sometimes my lower stomach would feel empty. I spent this time practicing bandster rules like not drinking while I ate and eating my protien first. When my portion size got bigger, I got my second fill. With this fill I PB'd for the first time. I would have this problem usually at lunch when I was busy talking with my coworkers and rushing to eat at the same time. I could get full on a lean cusine meal, but many times had to throw it away if I got stuck. I also gave up eating chicken breast because it was too dry and started eating thighs. When I noticed that I was still hungry after eating lunch, if I hadn't PBd, and was needing to eat a snack in the afternoon, I scheduled my next fill. I used this time to figure out what made my PB. I figured out that it was broccoli, rice, and any bread, along with eating too quickly. With this fill, I am finally feeling what everyone is talking about when they say look for Protein first. I find it difficult to get 1200 calories a day. There have been days where I only eat 500 and I have to search for something to eat in the evening to bring my calories up. Now I usually drink a Water in the morning because I am too tight to do anything else. When I loosen up, I eat a cottage double they have 11 grams of protein and about 1/3 cup of food or so. This usually keeps my full for about 4-5 hours, especially if I am busy. If I am just sitting around I'll think about food which makes my "head hungry" so I'll eat earlier. For lunch lately, since I am on winter break, I have been cooking up a piece of roast or prime rib, about 2-3 oz and eating that slowly. When I go back to work I will probably do the cottage doubles for lunch so that I don't have to worry about getting stuck. For dinner, I am usually not as tight, so I eat some meat (1-2 chicken thighs, 2-3 oz steak or roast, or 6 hot wings) about 2 tablespoons of veggies, and about 1tablespoon of a carb. In between every meal I drink water. Usually, if I start thinking I might be hungry, I ask myself If I have had water last or food last. If it was food, I drink bottle of water. If it was water, I'll eat something. If I eat too much, I really feel uncomfortable. If I keep eating past that point, I might PB. Usually, if I stop at feeling full, I'm fine. I don't like the feeling of being too full and it lasts, for me, about 30 minutes to an hour so it is torture. The bad thing is, some of the awful foods go down great and don't make you feel full at all. Christmas candy and Cookies will go right down, no matter how tight I am they slide right past the band. Cheetos wont get stuck either. And, those foods make you very hungry fast! So, I really try to stay away from them if at all possible. I am not good at moderation, so once I eat one, I've ate a dozen. I hope this helps.

Merry Christmas to all! I had a wonderful dinner last night with my whole family. I did discover, sadly, that I can not eat my prime rib rare anymore, it must be done! However, the day was wonderful and an added bonus, I lost a pound! Hope everyone has a fantastic day with family and friends!

Janice, I used to love to cook. Every year I would make 20 different kinds of Cookies and candy and give them away as gifts. I was always trying new recipes and even made my own bread and sweet rolls (NOT in a bread maker) However, as I put on the pounds, I was just too tired to put the effort into baking and cleaning up afterwards. This year, for the first time in 10 years, I baked Christmas cookies and candy. I made stuffed mushrooms and twice baked potatoes. I just had to throw out the mushrooms cause they didn't all get eaten and I didn't want to keep saving them. HOwever, they were fantastic and I made them. I ate 4! My family loved the cookies and I gave away a bunch of the candy. You can still cook after banding. As a matter of fact, you might find yourself cooking much cooler stuff than before because you don't worry that the recipe won't be enough, you can focus on the great quality ingredients instead of filling food.

Cool, tickerfactory now lets you add your BMI right to your ticker! Awesome. Now I don't have to keep searching for a BMI calculator every time I want to know!

Doctor Ortiz is fantasic! It was absolutely the best experience at a doctor's office that I have ever had. My DH is a cancer survivor so his veins are shot. THe nurse was able to do his blood work and get his IV going both times with just one stick! THat is amazing. Here he always has to ask for the best person with the needle they got and often they still have to stick him 2 or more times to get a good vein. When I was getting ready for surgery and they were putting my IV in, I had 2 nurses with me. One who did the blood work and the other who was rubbing my other arm and comforting me. It was really nice. When I went the the operating room, I was able to joke with the doctors. My surgery was before my hubbys and when he was done they came in and told me he was all done and that he did good. A nurse stayed right by my bed while I slept and at one point, when I thought I was wide awake, she told me just to close my eyes and I would fall back asleep, sure enough I did. Have you gone to Dr. Ortiz's website? Obesityhelp.com is the address, I think. I met a lot of different people on line, then when we were in the waiting room, we all talked. Seeing people in person whom I had talked to on the Internet was pretty cool. You made a really good decision going to Dr. Ortiz. My hubby had so much scar tissue from cancer surgery, Dr. Ortiz said they probably wouldn't have even been able to band him in the states. We set up our fills right here in town just because it is so expensive for us to fly back to San Diego plus hubby is really tall and flying is uncomfortable for him, so we haven't been back. However, probably we will go back this summer because our fill doctor doesn't have flora and wants us to have everything checked once a year. It just depends on if it would be cheaper to go there or to do it here or if we can fit it into our vacation plans. I am much shorter than you, so I really had more weight to lose than you do. I am only 5' 2" and really, when they measured at Dr. Ortiz's office they said I was like 5' 1 1 /2 " and I nearly cried, so I still say I'm 5' 2". But, with lower bmis ( Lavette Tye: BMI is Body Mass Index and is what the government and doctors now use to determine weight instead of the old weight tables. Normal BMI is 18- 25 Overweight is 25-30. Obese is over 30 but they even go obese 1, obese 2 and obese 3. I was obese 2 when I was banded, dh was obese 3 and has just moved to obese 2. I have just about hit overweight) it is really important to move every day. We bought bikes this summer, of course it is too rainy now to use them, so that is why I swim. I also took up hiking almost as soon as I got back. Actually, 2 days after surgery hubby and I spent the whole day at Sea World. The worst part of that was smelling all the lovely food smells and not being able to eat. Hope this helps, If you have any other questions feel free to ask!

Sherrie, I actually had the same thing happen only with prime rib. I really love it medum rare, but my band didn't like it. sio, I got a small piece of it cooked well, and a half a twiced baked potoate ond some salald. It some cases a victory, but at othe times it feel like a burdon. I had to "get rid of" a blockage at the beginning of dinner, evendantally I hadnt chewed enoughm but I was able to eat later. Kareoke was lots of fun. Really, more fun than eatin a lot of food would be. Plus, now we have enougt left overs to las a week at least!

Audree, You wanted to know how the band works for lower BMI bandsters. I will compare my weight loss to my husband's. His BMI was like 48 when he was banded. Mine was about 35. During the preop phase, I lost 10 lbs and my hubby lost 25. We walked EVERY day, at least 3 miles, and stuck to the liquid diet. We both were able to lose the 5% that we needed for surgery in about 2 weeks. ( I started a little early because I didn't think I could really lose the weight.) We were banded on July 11th. Since that time, our journeys have been very similar. When I hit a plateu, he usually hits one as well, and vise versa. The big difference is the amount of weight lost, but not the percentage of weight. He has lost, in 5 months, 16% of his weight. I have lost 15% of my weight. However, I swim 5 days a week and he is not really exercising yet. So, I guess that is the biggest difference. My weight loss has been slow. I do not average 1 lbs a week if I don't count the first few weeks. But, I have lost many inches, and even though I have only lost 4 lbs in the past 6 weeks, I have lost 1 inch in my thigh in just the last 3 weeks, so I believe I am putting on muscle. I also have lots of energy. I swim every morning, getting up at 510. I work from 730- 4 or so and still have energy to do things after work. Last year when I left work I would need to go home and relax because I was so tired. As a lower BMI bandster, it is really important not to focus as much on the weight. However, I do think that having lost 32 lbs in 5 months is pretty amazing, since I could never lose any wieght before. It seems I would just put it on. So, I would do it again in a heartbeat! I hope this helps.

Yea, I was pretty nervous. Originally, I told my husband NO WAY was he going, cause he was the only one going to get it done. Then, when I researched it, I found out that Dr. Ortiz had TRAINED the doctor who was going to be doing my husband's surgery. And, if we went to the TRAINER it was 1/2 the price of going to the student. So, I decided to have it done too. That way, I do all the research, and I can boss my DH around as much as I want, LOL. The clinic was great. Much better than where I go here for GP stuff. Everyone was really nice.

Hi Audree, Did you go for that walk? I am 41 (ugh) and married with three kids. A 21 year old daughter, and two boys, 18 and 15. I live in Vancouver Washington, which is right across the river from Portland. I teach 6th grade here. I was also banded by Ortiz, great choice, he is fantastic. the whole clinic is great. Itsuptome: be careful, my DH had made a great plan of how he was gonna lose the weight, he ended up really frustrated when he hit a plateu. He lost 24 lbs in the time I lost 8 and is more frustrated with the process than I am. Finally, he took down the charts. Remember the saying,, it isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle. That is especially true for bandsters. I have been swimming every day, but not losing any weight. Yesterday, I swam for 45 minutes and then played a basketball game, teachers against our girls' basketball team. I had actually dipped to 165 yesterday morning, but when I got home last night after that busy day I was starving. Plus, my 18 yo who is home from college left out a can of pringles sour cream and onion potato chips. I had consumed 200 calories before I'd even realized what I'd done. anyway, back up to 167 this morning and really sore from playing bball. I try to eat as much Protein as I can, and make sure that my Snacks are high protein. I can no longer eat broccolli because it makes me PB, and most of the lunches I eat have it, but I eat fruit and salad whenever I can. I still love my potatoes and noodles unfortunetly, but I can't each much rice and absolutely no bread.

Sorry, I hit a wrong button!:faint: Hello all, I started at a BMI of 35.8, self pay as my insurance wouldn't even band my husband who was a BMI of 46 and had 2 co-morbalities but since they were controlled by medication they didn't do anything. He would have had to have a BMI of 50, and even then they only do gastic bypass (yuck). Anyway, both hubby and I were banded in July of 06. I now have a BMI of 30.4 but have been stuck here for 7 weeks! I swim for about 40 minutes each day. Swimming laps. Today I went for 45 minutes and hit a mile. So, I am really working out. Here is what I ate today, Keep in mind that I need a fill and will have one on Saturday. Right now, I am using what little will power I have to keep from overeating: Breakfast: South Beach Protien bar: Calories 140 Protein 10 grams sugar-free carmel mocha (OKay I live in the PNW and it's what we do!) Calories 250 Portein 10 grams Lunch: Lean Cuisine Calories 280 protein 18 grams cheese stick calories 80 protein 7 grams Snack: Cottege cheese double calories 130 protein 11 grams Dinner: lasnagna Calories 500 (guess) protein 25 Total : Calories 1380 Protein:81 Wow, it has been a while since I added it all up. It looks pretty good on paper, but I haven't lost in a while, and I certainly struggle with not over eating. Exercising has come comparitivly easy since I started getting up at 510 and swimming BEFORE I go to work. I can't seem to get myself to do much after work. I'm a teacher, so I am fairly active during the day. I walk a lot, but that is about it. I hope that my fill on Saturday will set things off for me again. I want to go back to school in January saying that I am in the 150's. Conversly, my DH has lost 70 lbs, but still seems to struggle with the same things. We are both at a plateu right now. the difference is since our last fill in October, he has lost 26 lbs and I have lost 8!

Alexandra, I too have gone through the cancer thing with my hubby. He has been clear now for 7 years, but I remember the stress very clearly. Don't be so hard on yourself! When we face a stressful situtation like this one, it is nice to feel we have control of something, so eating is something we can at least be in control over, even if it is too much eating. If everything went as quickly with your husband's diagnoses as it did with my husband's you probably haven't even had a chance to take a breath. Now that things are returning to a more even keel, take some time for yourself. The focus has certainly been elsewhere for a while here. I spent a lot of time reading everything I could find about testicular cancer, which helped me understand things better, and time to myself just walking and thinking about things. Of course, I overate, but it was before banding. It is great that you are getting a fill which will help with some of that. But, don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes, we just need to eat! Anyway, I'll pray for your hubby and you. And make sure to do something for yourself that you really enjoy, it helps to reduce the stress, which will help with the overeating.

Stephanie, Great job ! You are doing fantastic. I remember when you just broke 300! Now you are well on your way to breaking 200! Excellent! I have another fill scheduled for the 16th. I have only lost 8 lbs since my last fill and only 2 of those in the last 7 weeks. I feel really good though, and have to focus on that instead of weightloss at this point. Last weekend the whole family went downhill skiing. Now, mind you, I am an awful skier. I thought I used to be better, but I'm not. Plus, that is really hard work. But, it gave me some really great stories to tell about flopping down the hill, sometimes on my skis, sometimes on my backside. More often than I care to admit, sitting on the side of the hill wondering how I will actually make it down the hill. Skiing is a lot of work!

I'm having the same thing. Swimming laps for 40 minutes 5 days a week, plus 3 days a week weight training and treadmill. I've been doing this for 8 weeks and have lost a total of 2 lbs! But, I feel much better and stronger. Plus, people keep telling me I look like I'm losing, so.. . Saturday, I get out the measuring tape. That will be my 5 month since measuring before banding, and 3 months since last recorded measurements. It is so much easier to jump on the scale.

Granny, Where are you going for your fills? Dr. Fitzpatrick says that if you can't keep water down, you are too tight! To change your ticker, go back to ticker factory and update it. Then copy the first group of code, the one that says for bb . go to your profile and click on edit signature. You'll have to delete the old ticker, I just highlight it and delete it. Then paste the code into the spot. It won't look like the ticker until you click on save and look at it again. It will just be messed up letters and numbers and stuff. YOur in Vancouver, WA right? I remember from when you were banded and drove back home. I'm here too and I was banded by Ortiz 2 days before you!

I am in Washington State also. DH and I went to Dr. Ortiz in TJ, MX. We live in Vancouver and get our fills by Dr. Fitzpatrick in Portland for follow ups and fills. Everything has been great for us. We both had surgery in July. Dh has lost 67 lbs and I have lost about 30.

Congrats Alexandra, It is sooo much fun to do those active things we haven't been able or willing to do in such a long time. I hope you aren't too sore. I went skiing yesterday for the first time in 25 years! No, I'm not any good at it, but I did manage to tumble my way around the slopes. DH who has lost 67 lbs since lapband was tearing up the slopes.

Okay all, I need advice. I am at 2.6 cc fill in a 4cc band. Okay, I my last fill on October 7. since that time I have lost about 6 lbs. However, since October 22 I have been totally stuck between about 168 and 166 or so. I exercise everyday, swimming for about 40 minutes M-F and about 3 times a week I also work out in the afternoon, treadmill and weighttraining, although not very hard. In the evenings, for the most part, I can eat whatever I want. I can eat about 4- 6 oz of fish or chicken and a half cup of veggies and about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of starch. At lunch time, about 2 times a week, I can eat NOTHING. Today, for example, I took 2 tiny bites of food, chewed it up good and stuck it was so I had to throw out my lunch. I am a teacher and only really get about 20 minutes to eat. I try really hard not to rush. today, I was just about to call and schedule my fill appointment when I got stuck. I am a bit frustrated. I get about 60-70 grams of protein each day, drink about 32 oz of water. I just don't know if a fill would make me too tight, or would help me continue to lose weight. I think I'm eating about 1500 calories a day (that is what it is each time I check). any ideas? Any one been in this type of situation. I really don't want to get overfilled.