TKW

Check out MyFitnessPal.com. You can plug your numbers in there and put in that you want to lose 2 pounds a week etc and it will tell you how many calories. You can track your calories eaten and calories burned there also. Now mind you.... you may not "technically" lose 2 pounds a week but it is a good base for seeing exactly what you are eating and burning.

depends on how much you weigh. Have you every plugged your numbers in to a BMR calculator? That will tell you how many calories, at your weight, your body burns with no activity. Eating fewer calories than that, technically, you should lose weight. Exercise and burn more etc. Even at 1200 everyone should lose. Some believe you need to eat more so your body doesn't go into starvation mode. Not sure what I think of that.

It probably does, however I don't think drinking water before I eat affects my meal at all. (after yes, before no). If you can afford the calories I say no harm done.

You might be a little uncomfortable but it's do-able. I had surgery on Tuesday and could have easily gone back to work on Monday. I took 2 weeks off cuz I had the time coming.

Well, you look like you know what your talking about . Nice work. My alot is 60 minutes of Zumba followed by 60 minutes of Body Pump. I do that 3 times a week, which is a lot in one day for me. I'm starving on those days. I'm happy with my restriction level, but I always feel like I'm "cheating" on those days I eat 1600 calories! My Dr. sort of scowls at me too. I don't think they even always understand how the band "works" Thanks for your input, I appreciate it! Teresa

I shoot for 1200 but somedays I exercise a lot and then I'm starving and usually end up at about 1500 - 1600. I think I am in need of a fill.

Day 4 I felt like a new woman!

I struggled a lot at first and it was because I was eating too fast. But... you could be too tight. Really really take your time and make sure the bites are small, if it doesn't improve go in. Being to tight can cause major problems! Take small bites and wait a minute between bites. See what happens,.

yep, normal. It's not the shake. Keep drinking!

Yep... I was scared to death. It is different for everyone but mine was a breeze. I wanted to back out so badly. OMG.... so glad I didn't. It took me about 4 days to get rid of the gas pains. The were annoying and uncomfortable but not horrible. day 4 i felt like a new woman. I took 2 weeks off from work but could have gone back in 1 week. Don't let your jitters get the best of you. I have had absolutely ZERO problems... not a thing. Good Luck to you and keep us posted on how it went when you are feeling up to it! Oh and I started out at 432 pounds!

ya, i never quite figured it out but when ever it happened to me I had been eating for a while. Not sure what causes it but it is freeky!

ya, plain chicken broth is bad. I would buy campbells low sodium broth soups and strain the noodles or pieces out of them.

I have had that happen a few times. It was scarey, you can't breath or swallow. I sort of narrowed it down to over eating. I think it happens when I a full (or too full is perhaps the correct term ) did you notice it was towards the end of your meal?

lol... i teared up a little bit! How wonderful. Good Luck to both of you!

Good for you. It will be 2 years in June for me. And while I have been very successful, I struggle daily with head hunger or emotional eating. I seem to control it but it's not always easy. Continued Luck to you!

Live and learn.... it took me a while but I rarely eat fast anymore. Every fill I felt like I was starting over. After 2 years.... I think I have finally learned. Altho.... I haven't had a fill in over a year so who knows. If I get another fill I might have to learn it all over again! Good Luck! Don't mean to sound coy(the live and learn thing) .... all the above tips are great suggestions, I tried many of them and they definately helped. Eventually, I have learned to s l o w d o w n.

turn the car around! You are way too tight! Don't wait to go back to have a little taken out. you don't want to get dehydrated or risk a slip.

I've been using it for months. I really like it. It helps a lot to keep track of calories in and out. I think their exercise calories seem a little high but I adjust it down or go by the machines at the gym.

i've heard people talk about it. so can you spread it like PB?

Almost daily...

It is so different for everyone. It just takes time. Make sure you are actually hungry and that it is not just head hunger. No advice really other than stick it out, don't go hungry but eat healthy. Make sure you are eating protien it fills you up and keeps you full longer. For some people it can take a couple of weeks before they notice a difference with a fill. Strange but true. Hang in there!

I was terrified of not being able to eat and drink what I wanted. It's been 2 years (almost). It doesn't bother me in the least. I eat and get satisfied like I used to. If I indulge in a drink or 2 every now and then.... so be it. I don't over induldge. I wondered how my life would ever be the same. It's not... it is so much better!!!!! Believe me, you will adjust and you won't even notice!

Oh you can do it. It helps so much to have people to talk to and my family gets "sick" of hearing about it. LOL... not really but they don't really "get it". I go to support group and have made a couple of good friends through there so we are great support for each other and it really does help having others in the same place you are. Also I would have been lost without this site. Recently, I joined a facebook group BBBB Bodacious Beautiful Babes Banded. OMG what a great group of ladies so if you have Face Book you should check us out. They are so inspiring and we joke and chat about all sorts of things. But they are so there for each other. Amazing Group, I am kind of new to it but love it! I think these sites have been so helpful in my success. Espcially this site. I don't know what I would have done with out it, so nice to have a place to go where people understand what you are saying. Best of luck to you!

Nice weight loss. Hope this works for you. Solid protien is your goal!

Oh, I tell you, it is the best thing I have ever done. It has really helped me look at food differently. It took me a while to really catch on to the eating thing but once I did I rarely get stuck or have issues. Every fill brings a new learning curve. I would think I had the chew chew chew, slow, small bite thing mastered and then get a fill and wham! Start all over. But I can really eat just about anything with out trouble including bread and Pasta etc. Altho they do raise my chance of getting stuck so I pretty much stay away from it but when I really need 1 slice of pizza I can do it. I have nice restriction at 5.6. some people seem to like it really tight but learning to eat healthy and exercise has been as much of a useful tool as my band. I am thrilled with my results so far. I still have 80 pounds to go and I don't doubt one bit that I will get there. Good luck to you!