Ladybandito

Yes, I had my thyroid removed and am on medication for that. This is the only way I have been able to lose weight and keep it off. I have lost 63 pounds since my highest weight in about Oct 2011. I was banded in Jan 2012.

63

If you do, I would suggest mixing up HOT broths, FROZEN popsicles, COLD drinks, JELLO and more jello... Varying the textures can make things palatable. You can do anything for two weeks! Two weeks and that will be it. Not a month, not a year, just two little weeks and then you will be onto a whole new way of life that is much easier than what you are going through now.go to bed early, early when you can and take it easy on yourself. You are doing a wonderful, loving thing for your body. You will do fine. Love and wishes to you!

OK, I was thinking back and don't remember breaking anything in particular, but one year when my husband and I were in Hawaii, I decided I would brave the ocean.... No matter what I looked like in my swimsuit, since we didn't know anyone there anyway. So we were having a right lovely time until it was time to walk back up to the beach. I had NO idea that it was so hard to walk out of the ocean... At least for me. He was up on the beach, but every time I tried to walk up, the waves would push me back because I couldn't move fast enough. Anyway, this happened 3-4 times until I totally lost my balance, the wave took me out and then PLOP, dumped me up on the sand like a freakin' beached whale. I tried to get up and couldn't, and got washed out again with the next wave, and then plopped on the beach again. My husband ran up and helped me up before the wave took me out again. It was truly horrible. And that was about 5 years before I got the band! I'd almost forgotten about it, but it's good to remember. It sounds kind of humorous when I'm writing this, but it so really wasn't.

Steph, do you have to do CLEAR liquids until the 27th?

Wow, thanks Lee for the link. I will be doing some of those... But I don't see myself doing the pike anytime soon, LMAO!,

Hi everyone, I am still here! Nicki, so proud of you with the ice cream! Even with all your stressors, you're doing it! And all the way home with a Frostie by your side... That's a success to remember often Sound like we are all hitting some rough patches now that we are a year out. It's understandable, really, since our new eating habits are our way of life and not just a short term diet anymore. Nicole, my thoughts are with you through the divorce. I was married once before, and even though I sought the divorce, it is still very painful because you are letting go of the dream of how tit could have been. I must say I am so much happier now! Chrissylu, we're all in the same boat, I think. For my own weight loss story, you all know I went strictly low carb and was having success with that. I got to 165 pounds and was ecstatic (165 was my first goal, and a weight I feel pretty good at, even though with my small frame I should weigh about 130-140). Anyway... And this makes me think I should look into the counseling Nicole suggests... When I stepped on the scale one morning and it was 163, I got SCARED. Not sure about what, exactly, but just a panicky feeling instead of happy. Weird, huh? Anyway, I went on a carb binge (as much as possible with the band) and zoomed back up to 170 and felt miserable about it. Right now I am at 167 again and working my way down, again. I really need to add more exercise to what I am doing. Well, that's my situation in brief, wishing you all a great week!

Kymie, yes, you definitely don't want to get dehydrated... sorry this is happening for you. SueBee ... LOVE your dessert idea that you posted for Nicki.... I'm gonna give it a try myself! Protein and sweet and creamy, if I had cottage cheese in the fridge, I would make it right now!! Shout out to everyone! xxx

Yay, glad to hear that happy ending! Enjoy your newly banded life .. it only gets better!

LOL ... I first thought this was for bandsters who had served in the military!! I'm a year out, doing great, glad to be here.

Some people lose in chunks, nothing for a while and then a big loss. Your body may be a little in shock from the drastic change (I am guessing it is a change?!). The band works differently than just by calorie restriction alone, so don't think that is a negative that you haven't lost much. I am so happy with my decision, just wish I had done it earlier!

I drink 2-3 bottles of water first thing in the morning. Gets a good portion of it out of the way, and really gives you some energy for the day ahead. It gets a lot easier when the days warm up for sure.

Awwwww, Valentine's Day, that is so sweet! And so appropriate for your new band relationship, because you will love it! Congratulations to you.

I also had plateaud for a good couple of months, up and down the same three pounds. I just recently cut way back on my carbs .. Less than 20 grams per day... And that has gotten the scale moving again and my motivation back. I will not continue the severely restricted carbs ... It was just to get me going back in the right direction. I had been terribly frustrated until this month, so I know how you feel! If you are heavy on the carbs (even in fruit form) you may want to give this a try.

Ha, Mis73! I also was approved for Gastric, changed my mind at the last minute, and then found my band doctor! Fortunately they are part of the same center, so he just went over to GB office and picked up my file with all my preop and psych veal and everything. I don't have a dietician, but probably because I was self-pay. I do think it is important to like the staff, and I know my doc's staff warmed up to me more after I got over the crankiness of the liquid diet and quitting smoking. I was not very patient or pleasant during that time. :-)

My doc says liquids and mushies for the rest of the day and then take it easy after that too.

Congrats and glad it was easy! Mine have been a piece of cake too. Remember when you go back on solids to take it very slow and chew, chew, chew!

Yes, thank you! And onward and downward!!!

Was just sitting down to my cup of tea and thought I should share this ... In the evening way after dinner, I have a hot cup of rooibos herbal tea with a packet of stevia-in-the-raw for sweetener. It's an herbal reddish colored tea (in most every store I think) and with the stevia, it is a warm, sweet drink that is very comforting with no calories at all. I've also been crunching a few dill pickle slices during the day... The vinegar seems to cut head hunger for a while and the "crunch" is satisfying too. You have to find a crunchy brand though!

I'm with FFP above, chips and salsa are so hard for me to say no to.

I LOVE this post!! Thank you for sharing with us, just beautiful.

I agree with post above ... And frequently get the protein box. I usually don't eat the eggs, cuz I only eat hard boiled eggs from home, but the rest is pretty good and I split it up into lunch and a small snack about 3-4 hours later. They're a little pricey, but good on the go!

Hello ladies (why do we not have a man on our forum? Lol). Nicole, your counseling suggestion is a very good one. If I had some xtra funds I just might do that, have done it before and loved the sessions actually. Like Nicki, I find some solace here too. Kymie, I am envious of your fills, and yet I am so afraid of being too tight. Like whenever I get upset (angry or frustrated actually) my band tightens like it is closed. Doesn't happen often but is scary when it does ... And that's at 2.8 in 10 ccs. JDI, nice on the NSV, and you have to know that we are all willing and praying and demanding that you put the ice cream down ... For 3 weeks to start and then we revisit it...game? It's Monday and my weigh-in is 168.

Kymie, loved your most recent post. Great NSV and good reminders to us all. Well-said. JDI, I so very much hear your frustration, but you are going in the right direction for sure and you can do it. Half a pound after a big 5 pound loss is really, really good when you think about it realistically. BTW my bandiversary was Jan 18. I thought it would be a big day for me, but was so busy I forgot! Sue, how very cool for the plastics opportunity and even more for being pain free. Nicole, it's your year for sure. Newbies, welcome to you ... And may we suggest that start reading this thread from page 1... It's got to be chockful of info over this past year. Lol. Hard to believe we are now experienced!! :-) OK now for a drumroll please...... I weigh 169 this morning!!!! I know that is only a 1 pound loss (in 2 months no less).... But you all know how I wanted to get past 170, and I did! I did! I did! Oh my looking at this post seems kind of silly, but there are a couple of you out there (NJ are you out there) that get what this one pound means to me. A whole, whole lot.. Have a beautiful weekend everyone. :-)

Yay Nicole, this is def a great start to a new year for you (in many ways! :-) ) JDI, glad you found a new car ... Camry's are really nice and hold their value, too. Put the ice cream down!!!! Lol Rkimom, congrats to you, you must be walking on air! I've been hanging in there, at 171 today and still working it. Started a structured very low carb diet today that I intend to do for three weeks. I just seriously need to get below 170 to get this kicked in gear and super low carb is the onlyway I know that lessens my chance on sabatoge with breads or chocolate or .. Yes, JDI, ice cream! Didn't get any more fill at last visit, so still 2.8 in 10. He didn't fill because I had lost 6 pounds since the last visit, he said. I thought I had stayed the same... Have a super week, all!