season4change

That's great! Congratulations! I'm approaching 100 lbs too and I can't wait to get to that first goal of mine. You give me inspiration to keep on going! :cool:

I know of someone in my live support group who has never had a fill and I think he was banded about a year ago. If you can get your mind set to where you can have control and are losing weight, then there's no harm to not having a fill. I was banded on Nov 2, 2010 and have lost about 90 lbs so far. I know that sounds like a lot for such a short period of time, but when you are larger the weight comes off faster in the begining. My initial weight was 359 lbs. I too was worried about having a fill, yet I could see the pros and cons. After all, I didn't go to all this trouble to have the surgery without utilizing the tool. So, I discussed my concerns with my doctor and he said we could go with a very small fill and see how I feel. That was just enough to give me that extra restriction I needed as I felt I was starting to get a little too hungry inbetween meals. A couple months later when I went to the doctor I still had a concern about getting another fill but I was also concerned that I was starting to eat larger quantities. Some people say that when you lose the weight the band will get looser. So once again we went with a small fill. While I'm happy that I did it, I do have to be more careful about eating certain foods but that is my reminder... so it works out in the end. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you can do it on your own, there is nothing wrong with that but do keep in mind that your band is a tool so don't be afraid to use it to it's potential if needed. Best of luck to you!

Good for you! Keep up the good work! Isn't it great to drop those sizes? I had put on a pair of pajama's that I had at my highest weight without thinking because usually I wear nightgowns and they don't really matter if they are big. These were 2 piece pj's and the bottoms fell right off of me, lol! I just laughed. I couldn't believe how big they looked. Good luck at your new job! Wise choice not to be around that fast food!!

Woo-hoo, look at you!!! I'll bet that made you feel good when you were able to do all that hiking and not feel like you'd keel over! LOL! I have lots more weight to lose because my starting weight was so much higher but I too notice that I don't get out of breath like I did before. It's such a good feeling! I use to have to stop after a block to catch my breath. As for using the "mental" restriction rather than the "physical", if you can do it, that's great. Not everyone can. I think I was better at it in the beginning. Keep up the good work!

Good for you melloways! I know what you mean about stalking the site in the beginning too, I suppose that is normal. Are you still walking around NYC?

Had my doctor appointment today and wasn't sure if I wanted another fill. I do show restriction but I've also noticed that I'm eating more than I did after having the surgery. However I've also experienced a few times where I have thrown up because something has gotten stuck, so... doc and I agreed to just do a "little" fill.

Had my doctor appointment today and wasn't sure if I wanted another fill. I do show restriction but I've also noticed that I'm eating more than I did after having the surgery. However I've also experienced a few times where I have thrown up because something has gotten stuck, so... doc and I agreed to just do a "little" fill.

Sure, though I've been sloppy since I've gotten back from my cruise... so I'll post a sampling of my pre-cruise eatting habits. Breakfast - Either 1 whole egg with a sprinkling of lowfat cheddar cheese or 2 egg equiv. of eggbeaters. I like the southwestern style and sometimes I add lowfat cheese to it to make it like an omlet. Breakfast - another option is cold cereal (I don't like hot cereal). I buy high protien cereal individually wrapped in single servings from bariatric choice. I like the Kay's Better Balance Brand Breakfast - when I'm in a hurry I grab a protien bar Morning snack - yes, I'm the kind of person who must have 3 snacks a day. I can't make it on just 3 meals. I buy individually wrapped 100 calorie pack almonds from the grocery store. Or I might have a protien bar or a yogurt Lunch - might be soup or a salad which I add 1 or 2 oz of ham or chicken with low fat dressing, sometimes low fat cheese too Afternoon snack - I'm a cheese lover so once again I might have lowfat cheese. I buy cracker barrel singles 2% cheese or I have lowfat soft cheese like laughing cow. I also buy high protien chips from bariatric choice. Kays Better Balance makes some good ones. It really satisfies my need to crunch on something. Another snack I might have is fresh fruit or applesauce (unsweetened) Dinner - often it is 3 oz of fish with 1 oz dried pasta cooked and then sprinkled with parm cheese (no oil or butter). Sometimes I have chicken but I have to be careful with it as it can get stuck. I've also eatten veggie burgers, veggie barbecue style riblets. I will order steak in a restaurant and have a small portion. Those are just a few examples. I try to vary it to keep it interesting. Dessert: fat free jello or skinny cow ice cream sandwiches or ice pops Well gotta run to a dentist appointment but if you have more questions, let me know.

Okay, so I set my first goal at losing 100 lbs, this was set from my heighest weight when I had my first consult with my lapband surgeon so it will include the 11 lbs I lost pre-surgery. Guess what? I'm only 9 lbs away!!! I'm thrilled. I'm so close now I can taste it. I will get there, no doubt about it now!!! I've never lost this much weight before, so it's a brand new feeling for me. I've set my next goal at losing 50 more pounds and the one after that at 50 additional pounds. I felt I needed to break it down it substantial individual goals because I had so much weight to lose, however the first goal had to be the toughest because I felt it would be easier to lose in the beginning. I have slowed down, of course going on a 12 day cruise didn't help but I came back only 1 lb heavier which I think was water retention from all the salty food. I did walk a lot, even the days we spent at sea so it is far more exercise than I would normally get at my desk job. As for my eatting... I admit to indulging in alchololic beverages and desserts, and higher calorie foods. But my portions were smaller than they would have normally been and my activity was higher. Right now I'm having a bit of difficulty getting back into routine but I'm not doing horrible either... especially if the scale is still moving!

Good for you! I may need to rethink the 50 lb goals, or maybe I'll do the next one at 50 and then instead of the 3rd at 50, I'll do two at 25. That sounds good now that I wrote it! LOL! Keep up the good work! Judy

Hey everyone, I haven't posted in a long time. I'm now down 91 lbs since my highest weight at my consult last summer (that includes 11 lbs presurgical weightloss). Surgery date was Nov 2nd. I'm almost to my 1st goal of losing 100 lbs! Congrats to everyone who has lost weight, no matter how big or small the numbers are anything in the "less" direction is good news. I won't say it has always been easy. There have been times where I feel like my eating could get out of control very easily, yet other times I'm amazed that I've got the will power I've got since I've never had it before! I've had one fill so far and my next appointment is Thursday of this week. I'm not sure if I should have another fill or not. The good news is that I'm losing the bad news is that I sometimes feel that I'm eating more quanity than I should. I'm always afraid of stretching the pouch. Well I guess these are questions for the doctor! I have had a few occasions of getting stuck and then it comes right back up. It's a horrible feeling, so that's why I'm on the fence about another fill. Good luck to everyone on their continued journey!

Congrats on your weight loss. I'm not sure what to do about the hair loss. Is your protien high enough? I know sometimes people lose hair even when they are eating tons of protien though. So far (knock on wood) I haven't had that problem, at least no more hair loss than normal. Keep up the good work!

Okay, so I set my first goal at losing 100 lbs, this was set from my heighest weight when I had my first consult with my lapband surgeon so it will include the 11 lbs I lost pre-surgery. Guess what? I'm only 9 lbs away!!! I'm thrilled. I'm so close now I can taste it. I will get there, no doubt about it now!!! :wub: I've never lost this much weight before, so it's a brand new feeling for me. I've set my next goal at losing 50 more pounds and the one after that at 50 additional pounds. I felt I needed to break it down it substantial individual goals because I had so much weight to lose, however the first goal had to be the toughest because I felt it would be easier to lose in the beginning. I have slowed down, of course going on a 12 day cruise didn't help but I came back only 1 lb heavier which I think was water retention from all the salty food. I did walk a lot, even the days we spent at sea so it is far more exercise than I would normally get at my desk job. As for my eatting... I admit to indulging in alchololic beverages and desserts, and higher calorie foods. But my portions were smaller than they would have normally been and my activity was higher. Right now I'm having a bit of difficulty getting back into routine but I'm not doing horrible either... especially if the scale is still moving!

We had a blizzard here Orange County, NY and had 3 feet of snow in two days. Yesterday the sun finally came out but today it is snowing again. Why do I mention that? Well, because apparently it brings out the hunger in people! I'm not the only one, I've heard it from others! I tried to be careful, but had a few things I wouldn't normally. Last night I made comfort food... meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn. Still, my eatting is no where near what it use to be. I think I'm just afraid I'll go back to the awful place. So... was I pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale this morning at it read 277 !! Last week I had such a problem with the scale moving. I guess that proves you shouldn't hop on the scale too often. So, I not only feel great about that but in just one week we sail out of NYC to the Southern Caribbean. So, I got out my boxes of old summer clothes that don't fit and found a whole new wardrobe! Some of the clothes still had tags on them! I went shopping in my own bedroom! LOL! Now on the cruise I plan on eatting healthy stuff but I know there will be some temptations but I have a feeling the amount walking, swimming etc I do will help balance out. It's got to be better than my desk job sitting in front of a computer all day!

We had a blizzard here Orange County, NY and had 3 feet of snow in two days. Yesterday the sun finally came out but today it is snowing again. Why do I mention that? Well, because apparently it brings out the hunger in people! I'm not the only one, I've heard it from others! I tried to be careful, but had a few things I wouldn't normally. Last night I made comfort food... meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn. Still, my eatting is no where near what it use to be. I think I'm just afraid I'll go back to the awful place. So... was I pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale this morning at it read 277 !! Last week I had such a problem with the scale moving. I guess that proves you shouldn't hop on the scale too often. So, I not only feel great about that but in just one week we sail out of NYC to the Southern Caribbean. So, I got out my boxes of old summer clothes that don't fit and found a whole new wardrobe! Some of the clothes still had tags on them! I went shopping in my own bedroom! LOL! Now on the cruise I plan on eatting healthy stuff but I know there will be some temptations but I have a feeling the amount walking, swimming etc I do will help balance out. It's got to be better than my desk job sitting in front of a computer all day!

Congratulations! You sound so positive, I'm sure all that walking is very good for fighting depression too as well as getting getting in some sunshine! I've had a few "stuck" episodes. My biggest problem is eatting too fast, I've been trying to work on that but I guess old habits are sometimes hard to break. I too find I have to eat about every three hours. Keep up the good work!

I do find them too sweet. I think I've lost some of my sweet tooth since the band and seem to be sensitive to overly sweet stuff. Some of the protien bars are like that for me too. I have some chewable calcium, one I've gotten from GNC which are huge and taste like giant sweet tarts. I also have the cinnamon ones that I got from Bariatric Eating as well as the ones that taste like tootsie rolls.

Do you count your calories? Although my nutritionist didn't tell me to, I find it helpful. I think it is important not to go too low. Also make sure you meet your protien goals because that will help you from being hungry. I find it helpful to log what I eat on www.thedailyplate.com, it's free and it will monitor both protien and calories. Try to limit carbs, perhaps instead of a sandwich have some lean ham and lowfat cheese on a tossed salad with low cal dressing. One of my weeknesses use to be Cookies and I won't touch them because I'm afraid if I have one I won't be able to stop. I'd be the same with chips but I've found a good substitute for the crunch and that is high protien chips that I bought online but I think you can buy them in a health food store. They come in individual servings so when the bag is done, it's done! And most important, keep in mind everyone is different and loses differently. Hang in there.

Good for you! I just said good bye to 300's and I'm in twoterville! I love my band. Down 60 lbs (50 lbs since surgery). Keep up the good work!

Good for you! I think a positive attitude is everything! I've done very well with mine... had it done Nov 2nd and have lost 60 lbs including pre-surgery diet. I have NEVER lost that much on any program. I too am loving it!! Keep up the good work!

Hit a major milestone this morning, going under the big 3-0-0 at 297 lbs. As God is my wittness I will never be over 300 lbs again!!!! Thank you El Bandito! (El Bandito is the name of my band as Mr. Bandito has stolen my appetite away... and gladly I might add!) :thumbup: