maryrose

Thanks all for the insight! It's always a great help to know what motivates others during this journey. mbanja, thanks for the idea of the physical therapist. There are not a lot of Water aerobic facilities around. I am looking into an arthritis program, as they will have a heated pool. There is one about 1 hr. drive away, but i'm trying to find something closer, as I work 6 to 7 days a week...and it's just very, very tough right now when you are supporting a family and trying to keep up with everything.

Hi tekila, Luv the smilies!...lol. What are you eating in the morning? I have had those bouts of PB'ing to the point where it throws off my whole day and I feel terrible. There are certain foods that just do not agree with me now. Can you zero in those foods? I usually start with thin oatmeal in the morning when my stomach is queezy and stick with the protien drinks til I feel better again. Also in the AM I find I am tighter and bread or anything dry is absolutely out of the question. Congrasts on your weight loss. We are about the same level in our journey.

:)Thanks all for the insight. Bubblebut, I have to disagree about the "lazy" behaviors. There are many disabilities/ailments that can make exercise tough. I have a herniated disc in my neck and two bad knees. Even chair exercises would put a strain on both my knees and upper body, but I am trying to find a Water aerobics program in my area.

Flower, Sound like maybe you are retaining fluids? I weight 8 lbs. more in my GP's office on their scale... don't be discouraged. Sometimes weight loss can happen in spurts..it does for me..I will go for 5/6 days..nothing..then next day I will be down a couple of lbs. Just hang in there! You are still very early in your recovery period.

Beau, I really commend you on the honesty and being able to talk about your problems...we are not here to judge you. I hope you know that and continue on your journey successfully. We all have issues and problems we have to deal with every day. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. YOu took the right first step in taking care of yourself and getting the band. Baby steps! Just stick with this board. The people are great!

Where, I am down 50 lbs. and just saw a pic. of myself at a recent wedding...it depressed the hell out of me!!! I still look like a fat &*()&)*&)*&)&&*())(&%^&*) lol. oh well... Just hang in there..what else can we do??? This board helps the most..it really does!

Wondering if others are going through this. If I have an especially stressful few days, I really feel it in regards to certain foods bothering me, PB'ing a lot, etc. to the point where I actually feel like a have a nervous stomach, whereas I never had this feeling before. Does anyone else go through this..and if so..how do you handle it? :cool:

Beau, Good luck to you also. The first fill should not be too traumatic for you. I really did not feel much restriction the first few fills. Just go easy..and tell the group you are under a lot of stress. Also, take advantage of the Psychologist if they have one. She has helped me tremendously. They are there for us and are willing to help...that is their job..so take advantage!

Beau, Sorry to hear of your troubles. Only "you" know why this situation is happening and only "you" will do what you know in your heart is the right thing to do. In the meantime, can you get conseling from the weight loss clinic? They are there to help you with the issues you are facing while losing weight. Please give this a try. Sometimes relationships "feed" off each other and you need to make yourself "happy" during this journey. Best of luck!

Thank you all for the insight into this stress thing! I think this is one thing I was not prepared for. I sat down this morning and actually went back over the band rules. It's nice to remind myself of some of areas I have been backsliding, and under stress, will really do a number on the band. Thanks again. PS: My daughter is getting marrried next year, so I hope I can get things under control by then. I think following the band rules is really, really important under stress.

Same thing happened to me. I found that I was eating more "softer" foods and taking in more calories. I switched my oatmeal and milk Breakfast for 1 slice whole wheat toast with a little Peanut Butter. This slice of toast takes me most of the morning to eat and I am not looking for the mid-morning yogurt snack anymore. The foods that are solid and take longer to eat actually work out better for me. This is something I am just discovering now. Good luck! PS: I like faybie's advice...I will check that out too. I never thought about the body compacting.

Alfie, Smart decision moving forward. Initially I find I can lose weight when I am under the doc's supervision and I know I am going to be getting weighed in. That seems to make all the difference...just knowing you have to get on that scale and be weighed by someone else. Keep up the good work. You will be shrinking that gallbladder!! The more you lose right now the better.

Serena, I am in the same boat. I have knee surgery in March, which has really not helped much. Now the other knee is hurting and I have a herniated disc in my neck. Good grief! We are both screwed in the exercise Dept. The only answer I have right now is to try extra harder to lose more weight, and maybe it will become less painful for us to exercise with another 25/30 lb. weight loss? If you want to buddy up, PM me. I can use all the help I can get. I am upping my Protein shakes right now and really keepin up with the fills. When did you have your surgery? We seen at the same level weight wise also. I have my surgery in April.

I don't know if at the 6 month point I would call this a plateau. I always thought a plateau happened close to your goal...say 10/20 lbs. from goal weight. I think just a little change in the diet routine might be the thing. I noticed I was eating a lot of softer foods that were higher in calories during the day. I switched to toast in the AM. I can only finish one slice, which is a lot less calories than my oatmeal/milk and the yogurt following 1 hr. later. That one slice of toast takes me all morning to eat followed by my Protein drink a little later on.

Terri, Gosh I could have written your post. I am right were you are. I had my surgery 4/7. This is the thing I am noticing at this "six" month mark. I went for my 6 mo. check up last Fri. I am down 48 lbs., but I lost about 15 of those lbs. before my surgery. They told me I am "all set" for six months, but not to let six months go by without calling them. Hmmm.... I feel that I need better follow-up than that. This is a crucial time for us. I know it is up to us at this point and we have the band, knowledge, etc., but I feel I really need those weigh-ins to keep me in line and on target. I try to go to the liquid Protein stage for a few days when I feel my weight loss stall.

OMG...great thread. Yes, I know the feeling. All I can think of is the movie The Fly, when Jeff Goldblum regurgitated his food..and then looked over and said.."Oh, that was gross, wasn't it".....lol. I don't even think anything of it anymore. Non-bandsters get really grossed out when I tell them about the PB'ing. Also, I do some pretty weird stuff to my food when I'm eating...like just picking the top layer off a piece of pizza or just eathing the crust. I went to a wedding this weekend and a friend who does not know about the band starting actually yelling at me.."Eat your Food". She just thought I was probably preoccupied or something and I needed to start eating. OH well.

Hi Losingusme, Thanks for starting this thread. I am scheduled for my first 6 month check-up tomorrow and feel like my weight loss has really slowed down. They say I am on schedule, about 45 lb. weight loss, but I lost a good 15 lbs. before the surgery. I guess I am just getting antsy! Congrats. on your weight loss...I think you are doing MAAAAvelous!

I am about 1/2 way to goal. I feel that the weight of my large breasts is holding me back from exercising and being active enough. I have arthritis in my back and this extra weight is killing me. I have lost about 45 lbs... I wonder what your thoughts on this are? I have an appt. with the plastic surgeon next month. I just want to set a goal. I feel this will help me also with my weight loss overall. I am sure she will probably tell me to come back when I lose more weight, and this will be fine with me, but I really want this surgery soon. I am also worried that my 39 BMI might be considered too high by Tufts HMO standards. I am seeing my primary tomorrow. Not sure if she will support me on this. Any ideas? Thanks for much in advance.

Thanks boo boo, gosh you look terrific. You go girl. I guess with my age, over 50, i was feeling sorry for myself. I can't get around and exercise as well as you yung uns.....believe me...swinging these things around makes me very unhappy indeedy....lol. YOu are all a great inspiration. thanks again.

Thanks so much for the bra information. Chicky and Jachut, you both look terrific! I saw your after pic. on another post. I actually purchased a decent sports bra from JC Penny. It really does flatten me right out and I like the racer T back, I'm on a computer all day for my work and my upper back pain is a beast. I'm 53, so am struggling with the aches and pains that made exercise difficult and I hate these boobs!!!! Thanks again. I will definitely wait. PS: I'll check out those higher-end priced bras...they are worth it.

Thanks bigbaby for the info. I did try this about maybe six months ago, but did not like the texture or taste so I did not stick it out, but it sounds worth it. I'll give it another try. Have you tried blending it with your protein drinks or with fruit. I wonder how that would work out?

Thand Laura for the other protiein drink recommendations. I buy a lot of samples from Vitalady. I like a nice variety. My fav. right now though I have to say is the chocolate ProScore. I think it's the best choc. one I have tried. Also the coconut creme pie from SciFit is really good too. I will try those other recommendations. I find if I find a nice protien drink it really keeps me on track. Thanks again. I would like to fine a nice Vanilla shake. I can't seem to find on I like. Any recommendations? they all taste to me like baby formula!!

I don't like people asking how much I have lost because when I say almost 50 lbs. I am admitting I need to lose a lot more that 50 lbs. I am stuck at the "50" pound stigma...I don't know why. I still have another "50" to lose...lol.... Go figure! Also, I don't know if this sounds weird or not, but I have actually "felt" every pound lost. I don't know how to describe this. Like I had a good day and I know that pound will be lost tomorrow on the scale or even if I had a day where I felt kind of "deprived in a way" I know I have lost that pound again. Weird!!

Good point Patty. It is pretty much whomever we choose as far as that goes and it needs to be in our record. My brother's girlfriend was dying of cancer and he was not allowed any information at the end. It was heart wrenching. Angel, is there a Language issue here? I was wondering that also. If so, they need to assign you an interpreter. That is your right. You should not be "required" to bring someone.

Docsdeb, Sometimes we can be on information overload! Just relax and let the doctors do their jobs and trust them. You will feel so much more relaxed. I know it's easy for me to say, but once you know this is the right thing for you, you should feel excited about getting the band. Of course nervous too...but not so nervous that you are dreading it. The psyche eval. was great. Most insurance companies require it. She actually asked me to come back a second time! LOL...and I did not mind that at all. This is a big step and they are there for you if you need them. This is a before, during and after procedure and you have to be mentally ready for it. Best of luck! I hope all goes well. Tey to relax! you will be fine. I love my band. I could not do without it. This is the best decision i ever made. YOu just have to let the band do its job and follow the band rules. It is a life changing process.