Calling All MARCH '09 Bandsters - We need a name!

[teachergirl 0]

ok, I have to admit, I can eat almost anything...and have! No wonder I haven't lost anything. I am trying to eat like the rest of the world, just less...cutting calories that way. Since I haven't lost anything since I have been on a nonrestrictive diet, I guess it's not really working for me...lol

The only things I have found to really have problems with are bready things (tried a quarter of a low-fat Subway sandwich). Talk to you all soon!

[Big Momma is Shrinking 0]

Teachergirl....

Forgive me for sounding like a big B (and I know this will), but why in the he!! are you eating like that??? You worked hard to get your band, and you worked hard to be able to go buy smaller jeans....so don't blow it by eating crap you shouldn't be. My personal experience has always been if I want to see the scales move then I have to limit the amount of carbs I eat, and do my best to avoid simple carbs (ie white anything). Please don't think I'm trying to beat up on you, I just want to see ALL OF US succeed!!!

It's a new day, and I know you have it in you to be a super loser (in a good way lol)

[teachergirl 0]

No, big momma, I don't think you are being a B.... by any means! You're right! I want to get this damn weight off! I probably need my butt kicked more often to do what I know I should be doing! THANKS!!

[jennibells 0]

I struggle daily with the fact that I can eat just about anything. I am finding out that I have alot more will power than I ever thought I had because I really, really want to be sucessfull especially since this my second chance. I do know that once I get a fill I will get some extra help but somedays it is really hard! I gave in big time to the candy this weekend and I am just glad that the weekend is over, I am back to work and most of the candy is out of my house thanks to my kids. I hate when I give in like this because I am the only one paying the price, I am the one who will gain the pounds back that I worked so hard to get off!

Today is a new day and I will learn about my will power all over again

[martyh 0]

Hi Ladies-

so I am 24 hours after my first fill and I am dissapointed that I do not feel more restriction or satiation. I was really hungry last night and got up an dmade scrambled eggs- i figured they were Protein. But I am MUCh hungrier than I thought I would be. I am really trying to pay attention to what is emtional and physical hunger. I wonder how long I should wait before I call the Dr's and ask for more?

[jennibells 0]

Martyh-

What size band do you have and how much was your fill?

Usually, most doctors will only do fills every 4 weeks, but if I were you and I felt absolutely no restriction I would call him at 2 weeks and ask to come in for another fill.

[teachergirl 0]

I don't get my first fill until the 30th, but after reading so many comments about not feeling very full, I am still very concerned. I am hungry as always. Particularily at night (I have always had a problem with eating late!). I have been living on Freeze Ice pop cycles (or whatever they are called). They only have 25 cal. each. I know that they have diet ones, but I haven't seen those yet. What are some of the good things you all have found to get past those cravings?

[jennibells 0]

I drink alot of Water and try to eat cooked vegetables as they seem to fill me up faster and stay with me longer. I love cooked broccoli, squash, zuichini, mushrooms and onions. I made my lunches for this whole week, cooked broccoli, cut up chicken breast and a little bit of cheese. I put in alot of broccoli, about a half a chicken breast and probably a 1/4 c or less of cheese.

Also sometimes I turn on a recorded show like Oprah or something that I have been looking forward to watching and put my gazelle right in front of the TV. I exercise through the whole show.

[martyh 0]

I am so psyched- i took matters in my own hands and called my Dr and he will give me more of a fill tomorrow- fingers crossed.

Late night munchies is hard- brushing my teeth and going to bed works sometimes- also popcorn but I am scared to try it with the band- also I find chewing gum to be a life saver, although some Doc say no mine siad fine- just don't swallow it!!

I will keep you posted!

[teachergirl 0]

Thanks for the tips, guys and gals! Let's keep them coming for all of us going through this!

[lapdog 0]

Perception, if we think more of ourselves then we should see less of ourselves.

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

Hi all~

Well, FINALLY hopped off the plateau! I had lost 25 lbs the first 30 days... and then put 3 pounds back on (although I was staying under 950 cal and exercising). I refused to adjust my ticker, but I was completely honest on the realize band website. So over the weekend I noticed I went back to the 277... and then the last three days I have noticed a pound a day... now down to 274! YIPEEEE!

I am going in for my 2nd fill on Thursday. It wasn't scheduled until the 21st but I had to bump it up. 1) I have little to no restriction. 2) this seroma completely filled back up and is hard and painful over my port incision. My surgeon told me on the phone that it is unlikely that it got bigger, but because it filled back to quickly- I felt it more. It will be interesting to see how much Fluid he gets out this time. Also, last fill was 2cc in 10cc band. I wonder what he will put this time. His nurse was explaining to me the reasons why they don't go so aggressive on the fills: the first is obvious... they don't want you too tight and have to have you come in to get it taken out. The 2nd is... if they fill it too quickly, then the stomach doesn't have time to accommodate the constricted blood vessels from the pressure. Studies have shown that when they do a complete fill at the beginning it increases your risk of necrosis around the band and/or eroding of the band into the stomach due to the pressure. Slow and easy is the way to go, so your stomach tissue gets use to the pressure.

Anyone else sick of boiled eggs? My son made 2 dozen for easter and I have been having a couple a day (only one yolk and the rest whites). I think I will need my cholesterol checked soon!

Hope everyone survived Easter/Passover intact and without too much candy! I only had one Hershey kiss (25 cal each) and one butterfinger egg, the tiny one. (not sure of the cal).

peas out~ Laura

[jennibells 0]

Peas-

You did much better than me, I had alot of candy. I exercised alot which I hope counteracted it but I am so glad all that candy is gone out of my house!!! I learned a big lesson, out of sight- out of mouth!

I wonder how my doc is going to be with the fills for the realize band? My last band was a 4cc lapband and my first fill was 1cc which was a quarter full so hopefully he will give me at least 3cc's with the new Realize band.

Congratulations getting back down to 274!!! I know how you feel, I am fighting the same 3 lbs up and down right now:(

[Texasgal09 0]

Hi everyone,

Since March 16th (surgery date) I have lost 26 lbs. and have experienced some of the same issues as many of you.

I have always been a candy, especially chocolate, eater (every day!). During the last 30 days I have been craving vegetables. I am not craving sweets like I thought I would. The only candy I am craving is Twizzlers, which obviously I can't eat with my lapband.

I am getting my 1st fill next week and can't wait. I want to see how it looks with the flourescope. I haven't had any "back-ups". Everything is going down and staying down. I hope everything is okay. I am only getting a small "full sensation" after I eat.

I have the realizeband and it is definitely swollen at the port site. The nurses say it is normal right now. I can't wait for the swelling to go down. I don't know if it is scar tissue or what!

Great job everyone on your progress!

Edited April 15, 2009 by Texasgal09

[snereb27 0]

hi everyone...

so i had my post-op on monday.. completely frustrating. according to my scale i've lost 20 lbs and was down to 194. I didn't eat or drink anything but when they weighed me at the dr.'s office, according to their scale i weighed 200 lbs... i burst into tears and the nurse was like "oh you're doing good... why are you crying?"... it was just so frustrating because on surgery date i was 207 and i'm only down 7 lbs... i said "i haven't eaten a meal in 4 weeks... if i can't lose weight on liquids how am i supposed to lose weight when i start eating solid food again"...

then i met with the dietitician, she asked if i was having remorse about the surgery and i said i wasn't, i was just disappointed because of the difference in the scales... so we talked for while and she said for me to keep a food chart for 2 weeks and come back to see her.

so far keeping a food chart has helped with the temptation to cheat... i won't lie though, it's 11 pm and i really want something to eat. oh well... must be time to go to bed!

guess i need to change my ticker... man that sucks.