vlp1968

That is great you want to work out! It will really help in your weightloss journey. I would listen to your doc. and start excersing when he says it's ok. Good luck!

That's great your on meds for deppression. I have bipolar and the right meds make all the difference. I think it is inappropriate for your doctor to talk about God or to discourage you from seeking help for your deppression. However, if he is good about fills and gets you to your "sweet spot" I guess I would stick with him and let the other stuff roll of your back. Good luck!

I would stay away from mooshoo- it's cooked in all kinds of oil and the pancakes are full of carbs. I would save it for when your maintaining, then you can have it once in a while. That's the kind of thing that worked for me anyway. You need to find an eating plan that works for you. I chose to stay away from all high fat, high sugar foods while I was loosing, just what worked for me. Good luck and congrats on your surgery!

Glad you are doing so well. Have a beautiful healthy baby!

Sounds like you are too tight. I have had suddent tightness a few weeks- a month after a fill. Not quite sure why this happens. I suffered way longer than neccessary. I hesitated to get an unfill because I didn't want to be hungry. Once I sucked it up and went in, I felt much better and still had restriction. I would call your doc. for sure. In the mean time, you might want to stick to full liquids. Best wishes!

I have needed an unfil a few weeks- a month after a fill. Not sure why all of a sudden the band got tighter. I hear your pain. I feel like I spent too much time either hungry or too tight during my weight loss journey. Now that I am at goal, I choose to keep my band very loose- I monitor my weight carefully- weighing in every day. I base what I eat- or don't eat- on what the scale says. I wonder if I could have done it without the band. I guess I'll never know- the money spent was a huge motivator in any case. Good luck!

Congrats on your surgery. I have been banded about 16 months- 42 years old. I am happy to answer any questions you might have- to the best of my ability anyway lol. Feel free to private message me if you want. Veronica

I was not told no straws. Infact, when I get my water after a fill it's with a straw. I find it easier to take small sips through a straw. Funny how doctors are so different. I would say if you really enjoy straws, there is probably no harm in it. If it gives you gas trouble, stop. Best wishes!

You are way off base. Coffee and tea have no calories- either do flavorings like crystal lite. Also, for you to say people who drink flavored beverages are not taking loosing weight seriously is just ridiculus. Think before you post. Your comment was negative and way off base.

You are off to a great start! The hunger will abade with some fills. It took me 3 to feel any restriction. Best wishes.

That is fantastic! Keep up the good work!

The psych. involved with my lapband doc.s office had good advice. She told me to take a picture of myself once a month. I did it in a bathing suit. It was great to see the changes and I think it really helped my mind keep up with the changes in my body. Good luck!

Avoiding them physically (stay out of the room they are in) is a great idea. If they place them in a place you can't avoid, maybe you can ask they be placed somewhere else. I have read about using imagry to ward off temptation. Kind of like thinking the dog licked the treats. You could also think of chocolate chips as ants, or whatever works for you. For me, I would not eat any of the treat, a little just makes me want more. I would keep them off limits all together. Good luck!

I am 42 and have lost 107 pounds. I have been maintaining since Sept. 2010. I agree that there is really nothing you can do about extra skin short of plastic surgery. Once the skin has lost it's elactisity, no excersise or cream will bring it back. I have had a tummy tuck and boob job. I am thrilled with the results. My face has some serious wrinkles now. I have a facelift scheduled for April 8. I can't wait! My arms also have "bat wings". I will get them done next. I have a little bit of sagging skin on my thighs but it doesn't bother me much.

So nice to read such a positive post. Keep up the great job!

That is awsome! I remember how excited I was to get off my meds. Keep up the good work!

I buy Kavili crackers- I like the garlic flavored. In my grocery store they are in the bread aisle. Only 10 carbs for 3 good size crackers. I eat them with tuna. Now that I am thinking about it, they would probably be good with homus too. Keep in mind 100% whole wheat crackers (like triscuits) and bread are a better choice than those made with white flour- more fiber wich keeps your blood sugar from spiking and keeps you full longer. Good luck!

When I was loosing I ate very high protien, low carb and low fat. Aim for at least 60 gms of proien. I tried to keep my carbs at about 30. I eat lots of chicken and fish. The only real carbs I ate where berries and veggies. I snacked on nuts and cheese sticks- they are pretty low in carbs. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I think you are doing just fine. The first month or so is about healing, not weightloss. Any weightloss is a bonus. My advice to you is to stick to a high protien, low carb, low fat diet and to excersise. I know you have a bad knee, but maybe you can swim. Even just some moderate walking would help. Good luck!

2-3 pounds a week is excellent, especially since you don't have restricition. I would keep doing what your doing. It will only get better once you hit restriction. Keep up the good work!

I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months- so a touch over 10 pounds a month. The loss wasn't completely consistant. Some weeks I lost more than others, one week I gained a pound. I was hard core with the low fat, low carb. diet and worked out.

Bannana and peanut butter is good if your not looking for a real lowcarb diet. The all natural peanut butter is much better for you than the other type. Most peanut butter has lots of sugar added, and contains transfats- the worst kind of fat. I snack on nuts a lot- I measure out 1/4 cup of almonds, or peanuts or chashews. Like you, I eat cheese. For meals I stick with a lean protien and veggies. I love perdue perfect portion chicken breasts. They come in different flavors. They are individually wrappped so I put the bag in the freezer and defrost one at a time (I live alone). I also like marinated pork loin. Again, comes in different flavors. You just bake it in the oven for about 40 minutes. Hope this helps. Good luck!

All these tips are great! I have found it helps if I don't let myself get too hungry before going out to eat. For me, it makes making a healthy choice much easier.

I live in Port St. Lucie, about 2 hours north of you. I would love to get to know you. I am very intersted it getting aquainted with people who have gone through the same thing as me. I don't know how to send a private message. If you send one to me, I will respond. Maybe we can exchange emails or whatever. Veronica

Thanks for the article- very interesting. I eat a fairly low fat diet most of the time (with the occasional splurge). I choose low fat dairy, sausage et.. I do so because they have less calories. The same goes for meat, I choose lean cuts.