Diamondgirl81

First off.. Congrats on your success. That is something to celebrated over your fashion choices. If you feel good in what you're wearing, that's all that counts, regardless of what size you are. This goes to show, that even once the weight is no longer "the issue", people will always have something to say or criticize. Best, Lauren

Each practice seems to be different. So I'd follow whatever guidelines is office provides. My doctor has me do liquids following the fill for that day and then move onto the regular, solid food diet the very next day. As long, as I chew, chew, chew, things gone well. Best, Lauren

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BobbieND..............224................210...........150..... .......60 Bree99.................259................259...........155..... .......104 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............299.............250............ 49 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............188............145........... ..43 HummingBird..........204...............186............150........ ...36 jenibeni.................224...............208............165....... ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............211................209.............160...... .....49 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............187..............155...... ......32 lotzasunshine.........247...............245..............175........ ...70 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............180..............150........ ....30 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............217.6..............160...... ....57.6 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............317..............217........ ....100 skinny31................261...............255..............182..... .......73 SNDYCNRD.............207...............197.5............150.......... 47.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............289..............225....... ......64 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40[/quote

I'm too new at this and afraid to find out. I'm more concerned that all of those foods would go down well and from the point it would only be a slippery slope. Heavy carbs have given me a lifetime of trouble and I'm not Enlightened enough to trust myself w/ just a little taste. Best, Lauren

The only time I miss it is when I go out for dinner. Even then, I think it's the social aspect that throws me and not actually missing a beverage. In the past, as soon as I'd sit down, I'd order a drink with my friends and we'd finish them before the main course was served. Now, I sit there and chat while everyone's drinking. One positive thing is that my dining bills have gone down, no more $4 for a diet coke. Water is still free in NYC...for now :thumbup: Best, Lauren

Like many others, pills plagued me about 3 days post-op. There was also a rogue banana 2 months ago that didn't go down well in the morning. It took six, insanely uncomfortable hours, for it to pass. Finally pineapple juice helped. I'm taking my fill process slowly (3.5 cc's over the past 3 months), so that I can really learn what my new "fullness" feels like and to avoid over-filling. From what I gather, the tighter you are, the higher the likelihood of stuck incidents. Best, Lauren

Hi, First off, congrats on all of your success and hardwork :thumbup: Regarding your post, yes my doctor definitely told me to stay away from soft or liquid calorie foods. However, in speaking w/ my nutritionist, she stressed staying away from HIGH calories sliders. I make my shakes at home for breakfast and they are usually around 300 calories, after I've added 1 cup of skim milk and a piece of fruit for bulk. I don't look at their nutritional value as being as hazardous as say ice cream or any other high cal. slider food. Also, since I do bulk my shakes up w/ fruit, it definitely keeps my pouch full. I find that the bottom line to this band is portion & calorie restriction. So as long as I'm not going over my calories set for the day while making healthier choices, I've continued to be successful at losing weight and maintaining a solid protein average. Also, on those days when the band is tighter than normal, a healthy shake is the only way I can even imagine getting in my nutrients and not damaging my band by forcing solid food down. It's all a journey, but definitely at times a personalized one. Best, Lauren

I like schedules :smile2: So I try to stick to one M-F and have a little freedom on the weekends. Unlike some of the other bandsters, I don't stick to 3 square meals. I add 1-2 high protein or veggie snacks in if I need to. Breakfast: 9:00am -protein shake made w. fresh fruit to add fullness. Lunch: 12:30pm or 1pm - 1/2 cup some sort of protein, tuna, salmon, or veggie burger over a little greens Protein snack: 4:30pm or 5pm - Though, I'm 9-5, overtime until 7pm or so is becoming the norm. So I must have a low-cal snack. low-fat cheese stick, cottage cheese, or hummus Dinner: 7pm - 8pm or so - 1/2 cup protein of course: grilled chicken, veggie patty, fish, etc. Dessert (2x a week) 1/2 cup greek yogurt w/ flaxseeds Best, Lauren

My nutritionist has told me not to worry about my carb intake, as long as I'm consuming "good" whole grain carbs (fruits, dark leafy veggies, etc). However, since I have PCOS and insulin resistance issues, I try to stay below 100 grams a day, which is supposedly in the right range for weight-loss. So far so good. Best, Lauren

Since my surgery on December 17, 2009, I've lost 45lbs. No real restriction yet, but as long as the scale keeps moving down, things are great. Like someone else mentioned, I think that the speed at which we lose, may have a lot to do with how much excess weight we have to begin with. Nonetheless, stay focused and stay on program regardless of your restriction level. Best, Lauren

Don't beat yourself up. Everyone loses at their own pace. As long as it's a loss, you're still in the game. If you are not already doing so, perhaps you should log your food and activity. I don't have "real" restriction yet, but I am tracking my calories. That seems to keep me in line, keep me honest and keep the scale moving down. All the best, Lauren

Name*********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............161.5..........158-148........3.5-13.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............215.2.........109...... ......106.2 BobbieND..............224................212...........150..... .......62 Bree99.................259................259...........155..... .......104 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............309.............250............ 59 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 HummingBird..........204...............192............150........ ...42 jenibeni.................224...............212............165....... ....47 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............211................209.............160...... .....49 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............193.4...........155...... ......39.4 lotzasunshine.........247...............245..............175........ ...70 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 RandaPanda...........194...............183..............150........ ....33 RAYNE913.............234...............234..............160........ ....74 RobinAnn.............232.4...............224..............160........ ....64 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............317..............217........ ....100 skinny31................261...............255..............182..... .......73 SNDYCNRD.............207...............199.5............150..........4 9.5 sueinne.................220................220.............180.... ........40 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............294..............225....... ......69 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

Today, I'd like to toot my own horn, if only for a moment. Two months ago I embarked on this crazy banded journey after years of yo-yo dieting. I've lost 42lbs as of today... just a few pounds away from saying goodbye to the 300's FOREVER :thumbdown: I've worked harder at disciplining myself and kicking temptation out of my life, especially since I have no real restriction yet. Tomorrow's my second fill by the way, so we'll see what edge that gives me. Have I worked out like a mad woman, not at all, but I have walked a ton and I'm actively living a less sedentary lifestyle. Today's also Ash Wednesday and as I was sitting in mass thinking about all the loved ones I've lost, it overwhelmed me. I can't help but feel the warmth of those angels walking w/me every step, telling me to believe in myself. Now it's definitely not everyday, that I am so thrilled or Enlightened, it can be tough. But, today was a good day and I'm humbled by these small victories. Best to all on this journey!! Lauren

Hi, CONGRATS on your weight loss and much continued success. We are two peas in a pod. Like you, I've been heavy my whole life, so this change is leading to a transformation both inside and out. Every now and again I do check out the 20 somethings board but I don't always feel very connected to the posts...maybe it's time I step over to the 30 somethings. It's only about a a year or so away anyway:) So please do keep me posted on your progress as well. Best, Lauren

Thanks everyone. I actually just had my second fill yesterday and so far I have some restriction. So we'll see how I progress now w/ a little restriction. Best to everyone, Lauren