TKW

Well, to start with... get the negative people to shut up about it. Their bitching isn't helping anything. You may very well not have restriction yet, I had some restriction from the moment after surgery and have never "not" had restriction although many people experience what you have. Can you honestly eat the same amount as you were before? Or can you just eat more then the recommended lap band amount? In my opinion this is what has to happen to loose weight. Keep a food journal. I have noticed most people eat between 1000 - 1200 calories, more than that, weight loss may be slower, less than that you may go into "starvation" mode. Counting calories really makes me aware of what I am eating in a day. Make sure you are getting the 60g of protien. Protien fills you up... stays with you longer, helps make you less hungery. Exercise - it makes a world of difference. Water - drink at least 64oz a day (I drink 100oz) Lose the negativity, don't listen to it... put an end to it! If you think you are a failure I'm going to say it is a pretty good chance you will be. You have to believe in it, in yourself and be proud of every single pound. 1 pound motivates me like you wouldn't believe. Bottom line to me it is all about calories in vs. calories out. It takes 3200 calories to gain or lose a pound. Here are my stats. I sit at a desk 9 hours a day. Just existing at my weight I burn 3000 calories a day. I work out everyday and burn 500 - 600 calories. I eat about 1400 calories a day daily existance 3200 exercise 500 Total Cal. burned 3700 Cal eaten 1400 Daily calorie burn 2300 2300 cal a day x 7 = 16100 cal divided by 3200(1 pound) = 5 pounds At that rate I should lose 5 pounds a week. I don't, why... some days I eat more some days I exercise less or not at all, and your matabolism comes into play. But I just keep doing the same thing. I have consistantly averaged 10 pounds a month since my surgery. Burn more than you eat.... eventually you have to lose! It takes time to get to the proper restriction, don't sabotage yourself in the meantime. Eat healthy, follow the lap-band rules, eat protien, drink your water, exercise etc. Your band is (in my opinion) is 1/3 of the equation... the rest is up to you. It's hard, but you can do it... I've said it many many times, If I can, anybody can. I wish you the very best of luck! Teresa

That's just CrAzY...

Hi! I started the process several times myself, just took me a while to commit. Kick my self now because I could be 4 years out instead of 9 months! Sooooo glad I finally did it! Good Luck!

I met my niece for lunch the other day and I could not get my eye off this burger they had on the menu. 4 cheese bacon burger. I had it with no bun, all the fixin's only got 3 - 4 bites down but it was delish! Anyway, a chef friend of mine told me to soak bread crumbs in milk and add them to the ground beef and it would keep your burger moist and juicy. I don't know the quantities but you should just be able to eye ball it.

Good for you... exercise really is a key factor! Keep up the good work!

Well... I'd say you are either too tight or your band has slipped. You should be able to eat solid protiens. I think you should see a dr. weather your insurance pays for it or not. You've had great weight loss, congrats! But you should be eating healthier just for your overall health. Good Luck!

The other day at work I was starving in the afternoon. I kept thinking about going and getting a bag of Cookies out of the vending machine. This went on for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Finally I decided, heck, I haven't bought anything out of the vending machine since my surgery 9 months ago and gave myself the go ahead to buy the cookies. Then I thought "oh, i have a babybell cheese and an yogurt in the fridge" and I realized neither one of them sounded even the least bit apealing to me. That's when I realized I wasn't really hungry at all (and I thought I was starving) !!?? I'm happy to say I didn't buy the cookies or eat the cheese or yogurt! It is really difficult to distinguish between the two sometimes. Good Luck!

You should probably sip, being you are just one day out, although liquids go right through your band I would take it easy for several days. Good Luck on your Journey!

Congratulations... just checked out your blog. You look fAnTaStIc!!! I wish I had started a blog... maybe I will still. Enjoy Life!!!

Yep... I've been banded for 9 months, can't get anything but liquids in until about 10:00am. I pretty much don't eat anything until lunch.

Yeah, Tara... the seminar is a piece of cake(hmmmm???). Very informative. I think I went to 3 before I actually decided to have the band. Best decision I ever made. Good Luck, keep us posted!

Ya... thanks. I love cabbage. Gonna do some experimenting... could get ugly!

well...... I hate beets. Actually haven't even tried a beet since I was a child. Think I will give them another try. Thanks for the info.

Well, I was not drinking it at all for about the first 7 months after surgery. I really just perferred plain water. But I have started drinking 2 a day. It seems to curb my desire to have something sweet. I mean, I think it's ok but who knows, I have wondered that myself.

mmmmmmmmmmm I'm gonna try that! thanks

breakfast fiber one bar yogurt lunch Chinese noodle hotdish (left over) Supper steak (if i remember to get gas for my grill) roasted broccoli/cauliflower/carrots with garlic snack yogurt or popcorn

I am down 100 pounds and my cup size has not changed at all???

yep... water weight fluctuation. I can be up 5 pounds one day and down 5 the next.

No, you don't sound crazy... you were thinking out loud, I kind of got a giggle out of it. That's the thing with the written word... it can be interpreted soooooooo many different ways.

I have found that you still get that satisfaction because you get full. You don't need to poke down an entire plate of something to enjoy it. It took me a while to figure that out. Don't get me wrong, you may still want to overeat and keep going because it tastes good, but you need to really think about being full and quitting. I don't really "miss" stuffing myself because I get satisfied. It is a head game that we all need to learn to play. You'll be able to do it. Good Luck!

Regular coffee and caffinated sodas do not count as fluids and for every cup/can you drink I was told you have to drink another 16 oz of Water to make up for the loss because of the caffine. (not saying this is a fact, just what I have been told) I drink in a day Morning 2 10oz cups of decaff coffee 20 oz 1 bottle of water 16 oz afternoon 2 - 5 2 - 24 oz crystal lite 48 oz Gym 5:30 1 - 16 oz water 16 oz After Supper 1 16 oz bottle of water 16 oz Total 116 oz a day

This is never going to work for you until you can eat real food. Healthy food. I'm sure you know that. You are on the right track... go in and get an unfill. Tell them exactly what you wrote here and I agree a therapist may be a good idea. 100 pounds lighter but you can not be healthy if you have been eating like this for the past couple of years. I know how hard it is and I think you know the answers. I wish you the VERY Best of Luck!!! Let us know how it goes for you. And I appreciate your honesty. It helps you and all of us in the long run to hear honest, this is how it is, things like this. I am certain you are not the only one in this perdiciment. Good Luck to you!

Me too!!! Think where we would all be if we didn't use modern technology. Just think of all the things we use in a day to make our lives better, easier, happier. My opinion... you should tell your husband, if no one else knows that's alright, but he should know. I'm sure he can keep it to himself.

you should see if you can "calibrate" your scale at home to match that in the Dr. office, most scales can be adjusted (calibrated). then it would be the same. I hate scales. Don't own one! (that's not to say that I am not obsessed with the one at the gym) lol... Oh, and to answer your question.. the one that is right is the one that weighs you the least! Good Luck, you should be fine as long as you are losing weight and not gaining they should go ahead with your surgery!