5jacks

I'm here too! Went on a canoe trip today so hopefully that will help the weight drop a little quicker. Have been really tight the last few days,TOM is next week and I always seem tighter the week before. The kids loved paddling so I spent most of the time trying to "steer" it from the back instead of paddling! Had a good time though and that's what matters. Has anyone else out there started their own support group? My surgeon is over an hour away and the group meetings are on Saturday mornings so I never seem to make it. Have talked to a few fellow bandsters from surrounding towns and they were in the same boat. So was wondering if anyone else started one, trying to figure out the best route to take, newspaper ad., word of mouth, etc. I've contacted my nutritionist from the hospital about 12 miles from me and she's checking out what she can do on her end also. Any ideas????? I'm all ears! O.K.....just because Tonya's away getting a great tan doesn't mean we vacate the web-site for 10 days....everyone jump on here and keep this thing bumped so she won't have to look for us!

Glad to have you joining our group Tooslow! Has anyone's doctor said no lettuce? Met a lady tonight who has also had lapband (I think she'd lost like 150 pounds in 16 months or something like that!) anyway, her doc said no pop, which I'd heard. But she also said no salads because the lettuce could turn just right and block the opening! I don't think I've read anything like that on here. O.K....new NSV's....besides being able to fit in every ride at Worlds of Fun last week, and being called skinny (again!!) and having people do double takes and say things like, "almost didn't recognize you!!"....another huge NSV was the fact that I was at Target last week, bought a size 24 pair of short, after wearing it for about 30 minutes I had to get a belt.....I can pull them off without unbuttoning them! So today I went back to Target and bought a size 20....they fit! O.K. a little snug but after I wear them around the house I'm sure they'll be perfect!!! I love my band!!

Try wholesalepoint.com, then go to the search and type in health o meter 349. It is $158.00 and the shipping is included.

Do your hiccups come while eating? I've read on here and also experienced hiccups when full. I hiccup really loud now and uncontrollable....it's actually quite funny! When I start with the loud hiccups my boys will say, " that's a sign that the tank is full!" We usually get to laughing so much that I can't eat anyway!!

Okay, it's late and I'm tired....that was supposed to be Professional instead of profession. Not sure if it would make a difference or not?!

Susie, the scale is a Health o meter Profession....Model #349KLX. It's got a small platform that you stand on and the display cord comes out of the base to mount on a wall or set on a table. Since I've gotten this I can get on it 3 or 4 times in a row and it will be within 2 tenths of a pound each time. The 2 that I had before from Wal-Mart (one cheap and one not so cheap!) would weigh up to 5 pounds differently each time you got on it! This one was a bit pricey....my husband ordered it for me online for my birthday, wanting to say it was around $130.00?! Sounds like a lot I know but I love it and would do it again in a second!

Bugfather....WELCOME!! Sounds like you're really doing well with your band. To lose that much without a fill is fantastic! As for the gallbladder, mine was taken out when I lost 55 pounds about 16 years ago on Nutri-system so can't help you much there. Although I think if you keep reading other threads you'll see that it's quite common after a large weight loss to lose the gallblader also. Keep up the good work! Shawn....any idea what causes the large amount of weight loss/gain in a matter of a few days? I'm kind of having the same issue and we have a really good set of scales that don't fluctuate at all! Last Friday I weighed and on Monday morning I'd gained a little over 4 pounds! This is Wednesday and I lost 2 1/2 of the four overnight?!?!? I know it's got to be fluid but where has it all gone? And more importantly....what caused it? Our bodies are such complicated little creatures!

I'm down 72#'s at 6 months. Haven't exercised like I should, don't drink water like I should but try to eat the right portions. Notice I didn't say the right things, just usually the right amounts! Haven't had a fill the last 2 months and finally got another one yesterday so going to get back to bandster rules and see what happens. Originally my goal was 10 pounds a month.....I've averaged that so far which puts me at half way to goal so going good.

Tracyinks.....I'm actually a January Bandster and have the same Doc as you! My appt was today also and I saw you there! I was the one with 4 boys who came in right as you went back for your fill. Was pretty sure it was you from your picture, was going to say something when I sat down but they called your name. Then when you came out, they called my name!!! I was able to get him to give me .3cc for a total of 3.3 in a 4cc band. Anyway, just wanted to say hi.....wishing now that I would of made them wait for a minute so I could introduce myself!

I remember being so hungry in the first couple of months that I was ready to eat the next thing that walked by me! Please give it time, I'm almost 7 months post op and very seldom do I ever get hungry. Problem now is that I catch myself eating when there's no hunger?!?! It's all a learning experience that you'll get through with patience. Good luck!!

So I had my doctor appt. today.....I am now the official owner of an extra .3cc's for a total of 3.3cc's!!! So far it hasn't made much difference but I'm sure tomorrow morning I'll notice a change. The last 2 months the doctor hasn't made any adjustments. The first month I lost 7 pounds and the second month I lost 5 so I was really glad to up the fill amount. We live south of K.C. and are going to Worlds of Fun (an amusement park) this week. The last time I went I was the official "purse holder/kid watcher" because I didn't want to get kicked off the rides for not fitting! Another thing I've got to share.....We rent the local pool for our twins' birthday party each year. Last year I stood in the deep end and visited. Last weekend was the party, well......I jumped off both diving boards, and went down both the slides! It feels so great to be 70 pounds lighter, wonder what all I'll feel like doing when the next 70 is gone?!?!?!?!?

Sunshine, you look fantastic.....and what guts....I have a hard time putting a fully dressed comparison on here! Gigi....I agree with you, the band is great! You've done really good with it too. 57 pounds is nothing to sneeze at! Keep up the good work.

Thanks! Not sure why it's working so well. I haven't done a lot of exercising....for about the first 3 months I was doing water aerobics and using the treadmill a little bit. Since my 3 boys have been out of school there hasn't been any "dieting" or exercising to speak of. Am going to start being a little more careful this week.....my next doctor appt. is a week from today and would like to drop as much as possible for that! My personal goal in the beginning was to lose 10 pounds a month for the first year. So far, with the exception of a few setbacks, it hasn't been too hard to meet that goal. Gotta love the band!!!!

I've missed talking to you guys sooooo much!! Have been having a hard time signing on the last 6 weeks or so, says I'm logged on but then it says I need to register?!?!! O.K. First of all, I've spent the last hour reading everyone's posts! Sounds like everyone is doing really well! The band sure can be picky at certain times of the month, and especially when we don't follow the rules. We just got back from the lake, every time we go, the first breakfast I PB on! I think its just excitement and wanting to get out on the water that makes me not slow down and eat correctly! My 6 month bandiversary was the 18th....I've lost 72 pounds!! Wish I could say I've dieted but that's not the case. My eating habits have really gotten bad since summer arrived and the kids got out of school. Hoping to get back on track soon but for right now am just enjoying the heck out of this and trying not to get too discouraged when the scales don't drop as fast as I'd like. Besides all the things Tonya mentioned about the band I can add: My legs don't hurt, My back is in place and received a clear check-up from the chiropractor! It doesn't hurt to get out of bed anymore, Bracelets and necklaces fit no matter what size they are! Can get on/off the Seadoos without causing bodily damage, Don't look for a chair without arms now....actually look for one with arms to see if I fit!! (So far I'm 4 for 4!!) I love being called skinny!! I've lost 24 cans of Crisco, 36 packages of Velveeta, and 288 sticks of butter!!!!! There are so many things that have been positive with the lap-band that I couldn't begin to mention them all! Above all, I'm healthier and happier than ever before and wouldn't trade this feeling for anything (except for maybe the other 70 #'s to already be off!!). Thanks to everyone for being there for me.....even when you didn't know it, you were helping!! The times when I was feeling like I was stalled or not losing "fast enough" were the times I could turn to your posts and feel like people understood and it helps to know that others are going through the same thing!

O.K.....I have to share what happened tonight!! My son's baseball tournament started tonight, we're at my husbands high school town so we know quite a few people. One of my husbands buddies from school saw us walking across the feild and when we got over by him he says something like, " man, Lisa, I almost didn't recognize you!" Then went on to say that I was looking great and gave me a thumbs up. Two other people basically said the same things! I could have just floated out of the park!! It just seems very strange for a man and a friend of the hubbies to say good things about me. Has this happened to anyone else and if so, were you uncomfortable or loving every minute of it?!?!? By the way, my son caught a foul ball that was the last out of the game and they won.....it was such a great night!!! Shawn, sorry to hear your not feeling well. I say when you're sick, any exercise, ever so slight, is still exercise!!

Hi all!! Is anyone else having trouble with LBT? I've been trying to post for about 8 days and when I get in here it keeps making me log in, over and over again!?!?! Sounds like everyone is doing well. Wish I could get myself motivated to get out and exercise. Days are starting at 5:30 and don't get in for supper until 9:30 or later.....life on a farm during hay season!! I've hit 66 pounds now, have stayed there for a few weeks and am a bit discouraged. I know, it's still a lot, but when it stalls it brings back to mind all the other diets that got to a certain spot then stalled! I've started keeping track of calories again to make sure I'm not going overboard....today was 1075 calories, 67 grams protein, 42 grams of fat....how does that compare with what you guys are eating these days? Better go, hay to rake tomorrow before the rain comes in! Hope all is doing well, will try and get on here as soon as it rains!

I'm in the same boat so far, but this is normal each month for me. I can go for 3 weeks and not lose a pound and then lose 10-12 in a week! Know it's hard but our bodies have to adjust and that takes time. 47 pounds since January is still a great accomplishment!! Plus, I just noticed that your over half way there....I'm jealous!

Thanks for the birthday wishes!! I carried him 2 weeks over and the doctor wanted to induce the day before my birthday....I convinced him to wait until the day after, just in case!! Of course none of us have any say over the situation...after 16 hours of labor he was there. We had a good day, they had a ball game tonight, he is the 1st baseman and made a double play.....SO AWESOME to see your child do a great job! Okay, enough about my boys.....I could go on all night on that subject! Sunshine puts things into words much better than I do.....hope that I don't ever offend anyone and sure don't want to discourage someone success. Yes, I'm calling it a success....anything we all lose is a plus and should be seen a such! Have a good weekend!!

Shawn....please don't use my weight loss record as something to base yours on. I can't remember how much you wanted to lose but I need to lose 140 pounds total.....and the first half of my weight always goes easy. Just remember that every body is different, if this was winter time I truly don't beleive I would be doing as good! We're farmers and outside sweating on a daily basis. Good luck and keep up the good spirit!

Today is my sons birthday and mine also. That's why I haven't been on here today! Had some errands to do this morning so did those, then grabbed lunch and took the boys to the park for a little bit. I'm still battling to lose my next 5 pounds. Usually don't lose much for 3 weeks and then drop 10 in a week.....my week can start anytime now and I'd be happy! Sounds like you guys are doing really well on weight loss! I also crave the sweets, made cookies to take to the lake and not sure if there will be any left or not! Did ya know they taste better frozen than fresh?!?! Better go, hopefully when we get back from the lake on Monday the scales will be kind to me!

Yes, I seem to be or get tighter during stressful situations, which in turn makes me eat less. Oh I usually make up for it a week or so later but during that time definitely eat less. When my friend died a few weeks ago I lost about 6 pounds that first week alone! Have been able to eat better again until today.....I'm watching her children today while the dad's at work.....it's hard, the little girl doesn't want to leave my side. Maybe that's why I wasn't able to eat breakfast this morning, everytime I see the kids it makes my tummy tighten up! Sunshine,....It's funny, one of my 7 year old twins came up to me while I was reading Sunshine's comment about Oreo's.....had one in his hand and wanted to know if he could give it to me so he could have a homemade sugar cookie! I was a good girl and told him he could throw it away instead!! Hope all is doing well today.

At 2 cc's I could still eat everything and wanted to! It took until I hit 3cc in my 4cc band before I really have restriction. Tried to eat 1/2 a scrambled egg this morning and a small sausage patty, was really careful and after one bite of each I had to quit. After about a half hour I Pb'd and all was well. Waited till lunch and was able to eat a rueben sandwich?!?!?! It was a homemade one, very small and didn't eat any crust and it took 40 minutes but was able to eat it none the less! Give the fill you have a little time to see what happens, drink lots of water or snack on healthy things if you're really hungry and not just having mind hunger. People kept telling me I wasn't hungry....bull#@&*. If they would sit beside me for a little they could hear the hunger pains! I haven't had hunger pains but once or twice since the last fill (aprox. 3 weeks). Good luck!!

I can still eat almost everything, you just have to slow down and make wiser choices. Pizza is thin crust instead of pan, and 1 peice instead of 3. Burger king is a whopper Jr. w/cheese and small onion rings... instead of a full burger and large onion rings, and also I use half the bread and half the rings now instead of polishing off the entire thing and wondering what's next! Those are a few examples, I still eat healthy most of the time, watch calorie/protein counts, it just allows me to "blow it" every once in a while. Keep reading posts all over this board and you'll learn everything you need to know.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as well. Unexpected death is always hard to deal with and even harder when children are involved. On May 14th a good friend of ours (32 years old) passed away unexpectedly and her 8 year old daughter is finding it hard to leave dad and play with friends. You have a hard road ahead, please feel free to come here for support at any time.

Oh the troubles we have.....isn't it wonderful!!!! I think, for myself, that it's hard to get rid of the baggies because all my life things fit too tight. It's great to go to the closet and KNOW that the shirt/pants are going to work! Congratulations and hope the band gods get hungry again and you need to feed them more!