TamifromAL

I know *exactly* what you mean. I've been that way with dieting in the past, and I believe that was one reason why I ended up re-gaining the weight. I can get really caught up in the process of losing, but don't get the same jolt from just maintaining. It's fun when you're working on it and seeing the scales move, clothing sizes dropping, and getting compliments about the weight loss. But it's not as much fun to have to still work just as hard to stay the course without those perks. I just hope and pray that the lap-band will help keep me in line at that point. But, in answer to your question, I'm planning on going back to school. I'm researching my options right now, and might get started as early as next semester. This is a changing point in my life besides weight loss, because my baby is turning 16 in a couple of weeks, and my role as mom (which has been mostly chauffer lately!) is shrinking. So it's time to start something new! Tami

BCBS of AL doesn't cover lap-band surgery. Tami

Steel-cut oatmeal with raisins, chopped pecans and chopped apple, cinnamon, flax oil, and Splenda brown sugar. I love it, and it's so healthy! Tami

I've never had a problem with salad, but I always cut it into small pieces before I even start eating. I love salads, and was really craving them once I could eat solids. I absolutely adore California pizza Kitchen's salads. Of course, even a half size portion is twice as much as I can eat! Tami

Lamamama, Hey, I just noticed you've pulled ahead of me! :fencing: Tami

I would strongly recommend that you check with your doctor. That being said, I did go off of my BP medication about 2 weeks ago. After I'd lost about 40 lbs., I started checking my BP every couple of days for a couple of weeks. It was consistently lower than normal, so I went off the med (Norvasc, 5 mg). Since then I've checked several times, and it's never gone above 130/80. Usually it's more like 120/70. By the way, I also went off of my diruretic and potassium on my own, right after surgery. Now I just take thyroid hormone replacement. I won't adjust that without lab work indicating a change is necessary. Tami

Welcome to the band-wagon, Lisa! Tami

That seems like a normal "bandster" portion to me. I actually eat a little over a cup of food at each meal, even more if it's salad. Tami

:peep: Thanks, Lisalee. Mom, my totals are: Starting weight 243, 5/3/4/2/2. Tami

The only thing that comes to my mind was the same thing that some others have mentioned. Sometimes, I wish I hadn't told anyone. I've had it thrown in my face a few times. But, on the other hand, if I was secretive about it, it would almost seem that it's because I'm ashamed of it. And I'm not...not at all. I'm proud to have taken charge of my life in this way. Plus, I'm glad to share my story with others. I wear my lap-band bracelet with pride! So, all in all, I can't say I'd change a darn thing! Tami

Mom, have I been put on restriction?? I'm no longer on the list! Tami (down 2 this week)

I don't have that problem, but I do have a problem with the waistband of my pants hitting the port. I have to lower them before sitting, or else sit up really straight. Are you wearing the right size bra? I ask that because according to a show on Oprah, something like 80% of women wear the wrong size bra. It seems to me that if the bra is properly fitted, with the straps in the right position, that your bra shouldn't hit the port. Tami

I'm loosely following the "You On A Diet" guidelines, and he recommends that you eat the same thing every day for breakfast. It works for me, because I don't have to think about it. My current daily breakfast is steel cut oatmeal with raisins, chopped pecans, chopped apple, flax oil, and brown sugar Splenda, topped with a little 1% milk. Yummy! Tami

Wom, Mim, great loss for the week! I know the fill has been a little challenging, but it sure is great the see the results! lisalee, I know what you mean about NSVs. They are really much more important than a number on the scale. Just knowing that I'm making progress has taken a load off my shoulders. I think I was in a low-level depression for many months (years?), and I've pulled out of that. I don't know if it's the weight loss, the fact that I'm getting better nutrition, or a combination of both, but it seems like my mind is clearer, colors brighter, and it seems a little easier to face problems and stop procrastinating. Mom, I'm down 2 more pounds this week. Good luck to all of you for a great week! Tami

No apology necessary! NSV = non-scale victory, meaning anything positive that comes from being banded *other* than losing weight (like improved flexibility, going off meds, getting winked at by the cute bag boy....) Tami

Happy Bandiversary! Your achievement is an inspiration to us all! Could you give us some idea of what you eat? Have you changed your eating since you reached goal? What do you do for exercise? Thanks for sharing! Tami

Karey, my surgeon's partner did my fill, but I know from our local support group meeting that the nurse practitioner usually does them. I just hope that if she fills me next time that she's as good as the doc who did mine. I didn't have any numbing med, and I barely noticed the stick. One stick, and he kinda tapped a couple of times to guage the right spot, and then he was in. Very easy and painless. Congrats on your loss! Tami

Karey, you're welcome, and thanks for the compliment. I don't know why I'm losing so fast. One advantage I have is that my husband and daughter are also on eating programs (I hate the word diet), so I don't have to keep stuff in the house that I'm avoiding. I haven't been exercising because I have plantar fasciitis which is worsened by any kind of impact activity (like walking). I keep hoping that it will get better with weight loss. I've been doing stretches and a hot/cold therapy every night the past week or so, and I do think that it's getting a bit better. Oh, and I have a great non-scale victory to report. I went off of my BP med last week. I checked it yesterday, and my BP was 115/68 without meds! :clap2: Karey, don't underestimate your progress. You're weight loss is great! Tami

I remember hearing about one person who got them to pay for lapband, but it was due to a miscommunication. Apparently she had been told that they would cover it, if she jumped through all their hoops (the pre-testing and 6-mo. supervised diet). Then, when she was all ready to go, someone else told her that she could get gastric bypass, but not the lapband. She fought it, and won. I have BCBS of AL, and didn't even try, because I knew they would only cover gastric bypass, and I wasn't interested in that surgery. So, I paid for it myself. I know that it's just not possible for everyone to come up with the $$ to pay for it, but it's worth it if you can. In just over two months, I'm down 44 lbs., and I'm off of my blood pressure and diruetic meds. My BP med was about $50 per month (after insurance). All the expenses related to being obese add up. I just wish the insurance companies would take that into consideration! Tami

One tool that I would not want to live without is an indoor grill by Hamilton Beach. It's like the George Foreman Grills, but I just like the design of this one better. It makes it so easy and quick to serve a healthy dinner. I do a lot of fish and chicken on it. I love the Montreal Chicken seasoning by McCormick. I pound the chicken out a bit, season, preheat the grill for 5", then cook the chicken 6". While that's going, I steam some veggies on the stove, and I've got a healthy, tasty meal in 15". Doesn't get much easier than that! Tami

My doc didn't really give any specific guidelines on what to eat, and I didn't work with a nutritionist (not required because I was self-pay). All my doc said was that I should follow the bandster eating guidelines from the Inamed book, avoid saturated fats and sugar, and exercise daily. I don't always do the "proteins first" thing, because I like a lot of foods like casseroles and stews. I do understand why that's important, though, because you do stay full longer. Tami

I didn't say a word! (Does typing count? :nervous ) If you keep up your post-fill rate of 6 lbs a week:clap2: , you'll be zooming to the head of the pack! Tami

This site has the best smilies of any BB or message board that I've ever used. But, there are so many that are underused. What's your favorite LBT Smilie? :censored:

:whoo: :first: :humble: OK, I think I have thoroughly jinxed myself! :eek Welcome! Congrats on your loss. You're doing great! You and I were banded on the same day. But, my doc had no problem with the first fill. He just asked if I have been hungry between meals, and I told him "yes!". Since the fill I've still been hungry, and have to use the old self control. I wonder whether or not to get another fill, though, because like you, I'm losing weight. On the one hand, I don't want to mess with what's working weight-wise, but on the other hand, I want to make the best use of this expensive tool (I was self-pay, too). Tami

I've got a copy of the book on hold at Barnes and Noble. I had to call 4 book stores before I found one with a copy in stock. I should have guessed...with a great promo on Oprah plus the Discovery Health channel show. I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah several months ago, and what he said really stuck with me. Even before I was ready to change my eating habits, I was much more conscious about avoiding trans fats, saturated fats, sugar, corn syrup, and enriched flour products. These were the same things that my surgeon told me to avoid, too. Tami