JoJo1

Yes I did this too. I lost 9 1/2 the first week, then about a pound a week since then. One pound a week is a realistic expectation, and I seem to be sticking with that. I did put the scale away though, and I only take it out once a week. I don't lose every week, but some weeks I lose more than one, so it is still staying at about a pound a week. Exercise has helped me more than I ever thought it would. One bit of advice, up your calories to about 1000 or maybe even 1100. Too little calories is just as bad as too many!!! Hang in there you are doing great!!!!

I found greek yogurt to be too stiff most of the time. I mix it with water and thin it down. It is pretty good that way!! Hugs!!!

I don't know if there is a way to do that, but I am thinking it is good to have it in both places!! It is doing lots of good here so I hate to see it go!!! Hugs!!!

Just click on someones ticker, and it will take you to the website to create one of your own. Be sure to copy and paste the code into the signature section of your profile. After that, when you update your information on your ticker, it will automatically update it on your profile. I put it on my facebook page too, so that is cool..... Hugs!!!

Funny because I am a self pay, and I thought the opposite. I thought people who were insurance pay were less grateful because of less out of pocket expense. Deep down I really think it is an individual thing. Some are just not ready for probably a million different reasons. Some just don't do their homework, some do the homework and only take in the information that supports what they want to do anyway. Hugs!!!

I believe you are doing what many bandsters do here. Your expectations are out of whack!! Most of us lost a lot that first week and all of us hope it will continue at that rate. It won't and part of us knows that, but we still end up being disappointed that it isn't happening. One pound a week is a correct expectation, but when you get on the scale every day, that week can seem like an eternity. Take your focus off of the scale. Weigh once a week, expect one pound a week, and if you get more, it is a bonus. Remember, our perception of time is screwed up for a few months after banding. We want the skinny body in a hurry. It took us a long time to get to the point where we made this decision, and it will take a long time to accomplish our goal. You have started an amazing journey and you will reap the benefits!! Hugs!!!

Walking can be done any time, and is cheap... An hour walk a day, increases weight loss, feels good because of the endorphine thing, and creates wonderful alone time where much good thinking can be done!!! Hugs!!!

I started going for another walk after dinner. It is usually 3 1/2 more miles, which makes a total of 5 1/2 for the day. I started doing this because of the hunger thing. It seems to fix it. Many people have more hunger after exercising but for me, it is much less. Maybe give a brisk walk a try??? Hugs!!!!

I eat popcorn, and when I do, I eat it with butter. Not often, but I do eat it and I do not feel guilty at all!!! Hugs!!

I got the band because I could not stick to a strict diet. I do have restriction now, and it keeps me on the straight and narrow. I do have snacks sometimes because I want them. I am happy that I feel differently about food right now than I have for my whole life. I just don't worry about it anymore. I feel like I am like a normal person for the first time, and normal people don't worry about food. You are just starting out, loosen up on yourself a little because negative self talk is what got you here in the first place. You are a good person trying to do the right thing. What is not to love??? Hugs!!!!

Keep in mind that you are watching a show where there are more than one person weighing in. Not all of them lose 8 to 10 lbs a week. Usually the ones who have the biggest losses are the ones who are extra large. They have the most to lose. The ones who are closer to goal do not lose that much!! They struggle a lot, like many of us. Also they don't lose at that rate every week. They have all had disappointing times on the scale like all of us. However if we had the time to work out full time, we would lose faster than we do too. Personally, I do not want to have sagging skin so I am very happy with a one pound a week loss. Hugs!!!!

I believe attitude is everything. Not just with the band but with life in general.. Everyone please keep in mind that our perception of time gets screwed up when we get the band. It is sort of like when we are under 10 years old and we can't stand it until we are another year older. We measure our years in fractions!!! "I am 4 1/2 years old. We are never 36 1/2 years old. The minute we get banded, we want to be skinny tomorrow. When we get told we need to wait to get to restriction, we are like the 4 year old. We want it now. Granted this period of time is much longer for some than others, but getting negative about it, only makes it worse. It is extremely important to stay positive and to keep looking for ways to make it work, instead of ways to thwart our progress!! It will work. Do your part and try not to get too caught up in the time thing.... Hugs to all......

Thank you for that cardio info!! I appreciate it!! Hugs!!

A brisk walk every day will make a huge difference. Now that I have lost 49lbs, I am losing slower. I walk every day from 2 to 5 1/2 miles, and it has made a big difference. You don't need to start out with several miles. Go two blocks then increase as you find it easier. I started with about a half mile and it was hard. I made myself do it every morning for a week and then I found I liked the feeling it got from it. To keep that euphoric feeling, I needed to increase my distance. I now do it only because I like the way it makes me feel, and the inches, and the pounds are a nice bonus.. Hugs!!!

I was told to count on one pound a week. That sounds really slow expecially if you watch The Biggest Loser, but it is realistic. You do lose a little faster in the beginning, but please try not to be dissappointed if it gets down to one pound a week. It is normal and it is healthy. You will have less sagging skin and you will feel better in the long run. Hugs to you!!!!

Unflavored means you have to flavor it with something. Artificial sweetener, vanilla, chocolate, etc. What I do with it is use it to boost the Protein in my recipes. I add it to Soup, chilli, etc. Hugs!!!

It sort of goes back to the thinking all of us are guilty of. If a little bit is good then a whole lot is better. If we could just learn to pace ourselves and work up a little at a time, we would have 3/4 of the battle won. It is the same thinking that gets many bandsters too tight. We spend so much time wishing for restriction, that we will live for months on end with too much restriction thinking it will work. It doesn't work either... Hugs to all......

Thank you you really made my day!!!!

I agree!! I don't know if the information isn't being given, or if people got it but it didn't compute somehow. It doesn't matter why, it just is. I was told over and over by my docs representative that anything I lose before restriction is just a bonus. I did lose but I also have a smaller band than most of you. Thanks for posting this. I think it probably needs tp be posted again every week since these end up getting so far down the list they disappear. Hugs!!!

I am quite surprised you have not heard of the protein issue because it is discussed very extensively here and at my surgeons office. I thought it was everywhere, but apparently it isn't... Protein helps you increase your metabolism because it uses more calories to eat and to digest!! It helps your hunger level because it doesn't require as big of an insulin surge to metabolize it. It stays with you longer because the stomach uses it more slowly. It is a requirement if you are exercizing but as a band patient, you can not eat large quantities so you really need to concentrate on it to get enough of it in you. Protein is any meat. Beef, Pork, chicken, fish, cheese, eggs, tofu, Cottage cheese and greek yogurt are also good sources. Protein shakes make good sources as the last poster stated, but I do not use them unless I am too tight to eat my protein. In the morning, I put protein shake powder in my coffee. I can't eat anything solid until around 11AM so then I eat my protein. A small amount of meat and some vegetables in green, not starchy, variety is usually my lunch and dinner. I even use low fat cheese for a snack in the afternoon. Hope it helps!! Hugs!!!

It is more likely a hereditary condition. I don't think it has anything to do with the band. I have had gum disease for many years, and have had regular perio cleanings. I still have all my teeth, so just do what the periodontist says and you will be fine. You most likely caught it in time so you can keep it under control. Hugs!!!

Walking is a wonderful exercise. I have lost 49 lbs just walking, and using my band for restriction. I walk 2 to 7 miles a day depending on my schedule and the weather. Try to walk faster, and try to find some gentle uphill trails to walk. I can not get my heart rate up walking flat. I find places to walk that have some up and down hill spots so I can work up a sweat. I also do not think you have enough restriction yet. Get another fill, you are probably almost there. Hang in there and congratulations on the 20 lbs.!!! Hugs!!!!

You should not be so tight you can not eat real food. All of us got where we are because of the erroneous idea that if a little bit is good, then a whole lot is better. If you could eat real food, you will be more satisfied and not desparate to get nutrition. Too tight is worse than not tight enough, because you can't lose, and you end up malnourished. I suggest you get a slight unfill and then start again, making sure you make good food choices!! Hugs!!!

At this point, it is normal to feel very tight after a fill. You may not have felt it with your previous fills because you weren't at full restriction yet. After you get stuck, go back to liquids for 12 hours then mushies, then gradually go to real food. Very small bites chewed very well will help. You will loosen up in a few weeks and be able to eat more. Be sure to concentrate on protein in all of the stages. You should be able to eat real food after you heal. If you cannot get it so you can eat real food, you may need a very slight unfill. I worried about being too tight after my last fill for a while. I stuck it out though, and I now feel like it is just right. I had to go back to liquids a few times to get past it, but now it is perfect... Hugs!!!!