kareyquilts

Puddingpie: I just went to your website. I am impressed. It's amazing what a difference the last bit of weight makes! You look great! I think your making the right decision also. Your stomach will get stretched after child birth and that's when I'd do the TT. Good luck!

Just wanted to check in for Monday weigh in. Luckily, I already lost the 4 pounds I gained in Mexico. I guess it was water weight. That being said, I didn't lose any weight either. So for the Christmas goal, it's a zero. Tami, I hope you're feeling better. It is weird to get restriction so late. Late us know what happens. Happy Monday everyone!

Telly, way to go. You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing. Someday, I'm going to get this done. Hope I can ask you more questions when it gets closer.

Ratgirl: I don't feel any restriciton either. It sounds like you are super stressed right now and probably shouldn't be concentrating on weight loss. Be kind to yourself and just try and make HEALTHY choices. It took a lot to get the band, just don't injure it or yourself with too much food. What you need is a positive way to make yourself feel better and food is not that way. It's only a temporary fix. Use this forum if you need to vent. We're all friends and you're anonymous, so say whatever you need too. I wish you the best!

I would also love the turkey chili recipe and the smothered chicken. We just got back from Thanksgiving in Mazatlan. We had a great time with 3 of my 5 children and my Mom and Mother-in-law. I was glad not to have to cook and make all the traditional Thanksgiving food. I usually cook for about 40 and I just wasn't up for it. I weighed the minute I got back and I gained 4 pounds! I am hoping that some of that is water retention. I was really trying to be good, but I know that I ate too much. I think I could easily gain all my weight back if I let myself. I just like eating too much. I feel depressed, but I'm trying not too. I don't feel any restriction and my will power is not as strong as it first was (after being banded). I am back to weighing and measuring and drinking extra fluids to try and flush some of the weight off. I still don't feel any restriction and my appetite is up. I'm going in to get a fill on Tuesday. I sure hope that it works and that my band starts helping me a little. I just wanted to let off a little steam. Hopefully, things will be better soon.

Good luck to all September bandsters during Thanksgiving week. I'll be in Mazatlan, Mexico trying to be good! Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday. Time to report. I lost 3.5 pounds last week. Yeah!

Telly: Thanks for your prayers and support. Will keep you posted.

I think that slow weight loss is the pits, especially when we are trying so hard. Like others have said, everyone's weight loss is different. I think that age makes a difference as well as food choices and exercise and initial starting weight, etc. Some people that had their band the same day as me have lost more weight than I have, so I know how everyone is feeling. I have already had 2 2-week periods where I experienced NO weight loss. I am using a program called Diet Power (free trial offer on internet). I record everything I eat and drink and my exercise. I set a goal and the program adjusts your calorie intake to meet your goal (if you're unreasonable it will tell you). It will also give you a history of your nutriention, weight, meatabolic rate, etc. Keeping a record has helped me feel in control. It also gives me immediate feedback on what I'm eating and grades my choices. I'm learning a lot. I am sharing this because I have learned that every choice makes a difference. I've also learned some things about my own body. For instance, right after I got the band my metabolic rate (to maintain existing weight) was 2380 calories a day. After dieting and losing some weight my metabolism has slowed down a little to 2132 calories a day. I have been averaging 940 calories a day for the last month. I find this information helpful. I will take it with me to see the nutritionist and my doc, but mostly I just find it comforting to know that I'm in the ball park. I'm playing the game and eventually if I keep at it I will win! Oh, one more thing. The program helps me see the importance of exercise because it subtracts points or allows more calories if you exercise. For instance, a 2 mile walk at a moderate speed, for my weight burns about 180 calories. When you're eating so few calories, that can make a real difference. I've rambled enough. Good luck everyone!

Valerie it sounds like you have some restriction if you almost slimed and PB'ed. It is hard to know though. It just doesn't feel like it use to does it? Mariecarmen: Thanks for the satiety guide. It sounds like you go to an on the ball office. I am going to copy that info so that I can review it. I wish my doc was that helpful. Lisalee: I wish that my doc would have done the fill with barium. It the book Lapband for Life, the author says that is the best way because you can find the "sweet spot" faster. I have no restriction with my first fill and I'm getting tired of being patient. I want to have results ASAP. Oh well.

Sam: Stay on the protein and get through your phase. Above all don't injure your new pouch. You went through too much to get it! When I was where you were I was hungry alot too. I think it is normal. Here is what my doctor told me to do: eat smaller amounts more often, eat more protien. I added milk to my protien drinks which helped me feel less hunger. I didn't feel any restriction right after the surgery either. Many people don't have much restriction. What you need to concentrate on is healing. No doctor is going to give you a fill for a least 6 weeks. Be patient with yourself and be kind to yourself. Take care of your pouch. Maybe try some different kinds of protien drinks and make sure you get a quality one. I use Matrix, my doctor recommended it. You can find it on the web or in health food store. Go to a GNC and get a recommendation from them. Once you start losing weight your going to feel better. Try and separate real hunger from head hunger and began making a list of coping skills (ie. replace hunger with knitting or exercise or phone calls of encourage to others or reading, etc.). Good luck!

I wanted to join the exercise band wagon. I have been trying very hard to improve. Unfortunately, my cardiologist just put a temporary halt to any exercise besides walking. :faint: My echo stress test was not good. I'm having a new kind of CAT Monday, where they slow your heart way down and then inject dye to take a virtual angiogram. My doctor thinks I might have a blockage. :Banane20: So, once again, I have to be very patient! I just want to be a star and everytime I turn around something is holding me back. Well, count your blessings if your healthy and can exercise and don't take it for granted. Hopefully, I'll be back on the treadmill soon.

MimIN: I'm surprised that the nurse did your fill. My doctor did mine. How about everyone else? Doctor or nurse do your fill? I think that the next time I get a fill I'm going to ask a lot more questions. I'm 4 days out on my fill. I just ate some real food last night. I really can't tell much difference yet.:cry How long does it take to know if you have any restriction? I've been following the liquid diet and then on to mushie's etc so, the good news is that I've lost 3 pounds. :Banane20: I guess I need to start measuring my food again to keep up the wieght loss. Holidays will be challenging. I guess we'll have to be kind to ourselves and decide how many times or when we can have a treat. I think it would be better to make it part of our plan. That way we aren't falling into the impulse trap (which would make us feel guilty, afterwards) and we can plan our other food choices around the special event, etc. Isn't diet land grand! Good luck everyone. I love hearing about your experiences.

MimIN: I'm surprised that the nurse did your fill. My doctor did mine. How about everyone else? Doctor or nurse do your fill? I think that the next time I get a fill I'm going to ask a lot more questions. I'm 4 days out on my fill. I just ate some real food last night. I really can't tell much difference yet. How long does it take to know if you have any restriction? I've been following the liquid diet and then on to mushie's etc so, the good news is that I've lost 3 pounds. I guess I need to start measuring my food again to keep up the wieght loss.

TamifromAL: Thanks for the words of encouragement. Way to go on your blood pressure medication. Tanya67: Sorry you had such a bad experience. I guess they can always put more in. I only had a 1 cc fill, but I think I might have a different kind of band. Hope you're feeling better soon.

TamifromAL: Thanks for sharing your cooking tip. I'm going to get one of those grills. You must be doing something right because you are doing awesome on your weight loss! I was banded one day after you and I've only lost 27 pounds (plus 10 before my band for a total of 37). I'm 52 so maybe my metabolism is a little slower. I'm getting very discouraged. Maybe today is just a bad day. I think I'm doing everything right including exercising, so I don't know why my weight stalls so much. Thanks for sharing.

laurigee: I had shoulder off and on after my surgery for about 6 weeks. Who knows how they moved you during your surgery! I think if you still have shoulder pain you should call your doctor.

Wow! You were very proactice and it paid off! Congratulations! I guess it pays to go to the top! It would be wonderful if it is a port problem, much easier to fix. Please keep us posted. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Judybellyband: I totally concur with leatha g. You must be proactive! If you are commited to living with a band than you will have to be assertive. No one will look out for you if you don't! Meanwhile, diet your heart out! Good luck! Please keep us posted.

First thanks everyone for the words of encouragement! I think that if you are hungry you should be able to get a fill! That's what you paid the big bucks for! Doesn't the doc think you can have self-control and follow his directions?! That's why your losing! I'd call and insist on a fill. I just had my first fill (a whole 1cc. big whoppy!) and I don't fill any restriction. My doctor said to come back in 6-8 weeks and get another one and I said when should I feel the restriction. He answered within 2 weeks. Then I replied that I am not going to wait another 2 months if I don't feel the restriction. I'm tired of feeling hungry. I have been using all my self-control as well. You shouldn't be punished for using self-control! My doctor finally agreed and said if the fill isn't workng, I can come back in two weeks. So stand up for yourself!

Okay I had my first fill today. It wasn't bad at all. Thank goodness! I don't know if I feel much restriction yet since I'm on liquids for a few days. I'm kinda of stalled on my weight loss, so I hope this helps! I'm not really worried about weight right now, however. Our home was robbed this weekend and my 27 year old walked in on them. He knocked one the guys down and the other guy shot at him! So, I guess my weight loss is in better persecptive. The thieves stole 4 rifles, all my jewelry, my husbands silver coin collection, $500, cameras, video camera, GPS and extra car keys. I'm sad about losing the stuff, but it all seems unimportant when I think that my son could be dead. I want to look good and I'm going to do my best, but life and family are, when everything is said and done the most important things in life! Good luck to everyone.

JCJSTL: What a life changing experiences! I believe that things happen for a reason. I sounds like you are discovering the reasons. This weekend while we were out of town our home was robbed. My 27 year old son drove up to our home while the thieves were carrying stuff out. He chased one of them down and the other guy pulled out a gun and shot at him! Fortunately, my son was not shot. I guess that I'm sharing this story because even though we lost alot of our stuff, we're grateful that our son is alive. Our family feels a lot closer to each other and we're counting our blessings. I wish you the best!

I agree with everyone else! I you really like the doctor, I guess you could ask for an explanation. I can't imagine a could reason for this though. I would fire the doctor and complain to the medical licensing board. Keep us all posted!

I agree with Tellly that you have to up your calories if your active. My doctor told with to have 6 half cup meals and to get at least 60-80 grams of protein per day. Good luck!

Are we posting weight loss for the December challenge today? I keep losing 2 and gaining it back. It really sucks. I get my fill tommorrow. I'm a little scared, but hope it helps. I'm wanting to see results! Please post a gain of 1 pound.