FLORIDAYS

I ate 1000 calories every day of solid food. My dr doesn't want me eating liquid nutrition since after the 3rd week I believe.... I lost an average of 10 lbs per month with basically no exercise.

I would check with the dr of course......but I cannot eat a sandwich very well either. Because I tend to take too big of a bite. It's hard to take a bite of a sandwich that is the size of a fingernail.

Thanks for the comments. All are really good. I too see it as a lifestyle change but I think for the point of the thread I wanted to drive it home that if you continue to eat like you did when. You were fat...even smaller portions I do not believe you will be as successful has if you paid close attention to a diet or meal plan. But now that I am at the end of the journey it's become more apparent that I have become a thin person and I am eating like one. That doesn't happen overnight.

Because my number was insurmountable to wrap my head around I actually put it on a spread sheet....I had the loss averaged at 2 lbs each week and another column which was monthly ten pound goals which coincided with my dr appointments, Religiously I entered my number one a week then again at my dr appointments... It gave me a realistic idea of when I could expect to be at certain weights. I am 6 months ahead of schedule and 7 lbs from my drs original goal for me,

Thanks for the kind words.... The outfit in my AFTER pic is goodwill. The Talbots Capris were brand new with tags... I paid $4. The cardigan is Ann Taylor ... Again new with tags... $3 at goodwill. The tank is Old Navy online sale $5. In my gallery there is a pic of me in a green jacket... I got that at a consignment store ..... It's Evan Picone... Tags on it... $6. It's so much fun shopping now!!!!

Since you asked... I credit my calories counter food tracker phone ap as one of the most important tools I used in my journey second only to my band.... For me it gave me the ability to be in control of what I ate and taught me about calories counts and portion sizes.

I had a lot of weight to lose .... So I was ok with my clothes for about the first 60/80 lbs because they were amply cut and had elastic and drawstrings... A fatty's Friend. I too always want to look nice and work in an office so had to be presentable...I basically only bought clothes on the way down when I needed too. I hated the idea of spending a lot of money on disposable clothing so I bought at places like old navy target, Marshall's etc.... Now that I am in smalls... A whole new world has opened up. I raid sales, consignment shops and goodwill and find the best deals on new and barely worn goods... I actually wish I would have tried the thrift shops as I was Losing but never thought about it....

In the age of technology we are fortunate to have this little diversion called the Internet. In our cases we have found this forum because we all have, want, are thinking about, used to have or just flat hate lapbands. In my opinion Getting a band for whatever reason should be a considerate, thoughtful and drastic decision to get your weight under control once and for all. I believe for most people it's the last resort. Let's face it no one in their right mind would do it because it's the fad of the year or the cool thing to do. We are all here because we are or were desperate. That said... Like anything else so people are amazingly successfull and some are not. Some people take to the lifestyle change and others do not. No different than any other diet we have been on. And sorry but based on my experience...call it what ever you like but THIS IS A DIET until you get to the point of maintaining your weight. Thats is where the band shines. I can sight you several examples but the most recent happened last night. I was at a Christmas party...I had one glass of wine and picked at a few shrimp and a stuffed mushroom. There was a dessert table and there was a piece of chocolate cheese cake with my name on it. That is something I haven't had in 25 months. Not even a bite. So I decided to try it. Keep in mind I have lost 220 lbs and am basically at goal and happy with my current weight. If I lose a little more I am ok with it but bottom line... I am maintaining. So I get the cheese cake and settle in to enjoy every bite. It was amazing, I don't know if it was really that good of I was just in love with the idea but after the first bite I wanted another. LOL. I ate 3 bites. I left well over half.... Could I have eaten the whole thing? Yes. It's basically a slider food and I hadn't had any food in a few hours. It dawned on me that this is what I am reading about when I see people complain they aren't losing weight.... I wasn't full per se after my 3 bites. If I ate until I was full the whole thing would have been gone and I would be on to the fried shrimp or something. My point is...you MUST find self control to make the band work for you. PERIOD. If you don't you will come on this forum looking for answers, validation and any excuse you can justify as to why the band isn't working for you. And then people will tell you stuff you do not want to hear and feelings get hurt and tempers rise... And what good is it? I am an extreme case. I was super strict with myself because I knew if I didn't see results I would get frustrated and be one of those people complaining the band didn't work for me.... I don't expect every one else to do it like I did. But if you ask me about it I can only tell you what worked for me. Please keep that in mind when post about why your band isn't working....

Glad to hear you are up and about... I would bet just a little effort is tiring!! I was wondering about the clothes... Thanks for the heads up. I do have some larger yoga type pants in xl instead of the mediums I wear now so will wear those. Dr said no drains and he didn't say anything about a pain pump but did prescribe my vicodin which I picked up yesterday.... Have you been out of the house yet for shopping or anything? Driving? How is your appetite?

What would your family do without you? If you do not lose weight the odds are so not in your favor for a long life.,... This is a blip on the radar in the big picture. You say it's not a cost issue so I am guessing have means and there will be more money for your family when they need it....it's just money...we make it every day.

I had no bathing or swimming restrictions after day one. Best to check with your dr.

It's unfortunate we cannot pick our relatives. Surround yourself with positive people... You will be stronger for it,

Good fir you! That is so exciting and I get it... I thought 10 was my new size for life. But they are getting baggy...so now I am trying on 8s. And in a weird turn of events... A friend gave me some cute capris which I tried on before tossing in the wash...they fit and they are a 6!

You bet. I was self pay and felt exactly as you did several times during the journey...and on Tuesday I am spending about the same amount on a tummy tuck and breast lift....as a reward for losing 220 lbs. but now I get it... I invested in myself for the first time since I paid for my college education, sometimes I think this taught me more!!!

Get back to tracking your calories..that will keep everything in check until your fill. Good luck

The way you were positioned on the table maybe? I am watching this thread since I am the next to go under....Tuesday needs to come quickly. Feel better soon.

Now that is Just sinful. Not the bite but that you actually like it.

I am going to give you some advise from someone who spent the majority of her life worried about what others think..., About 18 years ago I went against my gut feeling and did something which was the more popular choice among my friends and co workers. It wasn't illegal or immoral or anything...just that I listened to them instead of me. I wont clutter this post with the details but it was the wrong choice. I made a decision after I picked myself up and put my life back together .... Unless someone is paying my bills their opinion makes no difference.. I can take it under consideration but they cannot hurt my feelings or make me second guess myself.

Congratulations.... That would be a question for your OBGYN. He should best guide you on your nutritional choices. Remember the baby will take everything it needs from you....if there is nothing leftover your health is compromised.

Excellent post. I agree with quite a bit of what your wrote. I don't agree with some of it but I respect the way your articulated your thoughts and opinions. I struggle sometimes after reading post after post of someone who just wants to whine and complain about the diet, the band, the dr, the support....it just gets old and I am learning that I just don't need to reply to that particular thread anymore..and I am doing ok with that.

Are you going to drink flat beer?? Drinking carbonation is risky at any stage but especially early on. Try some wine or maybe a vodka, Water and cranberry..I know it's not manly but you could ri se out an old beer bottle.....and use it.... Have fun... Remember it's not all about eating and drinking . Is about the fun and friends...

Just remember it takes about 2 weeks to feel like yourself again... Although it gets better after about day 5!

I am not sure what menopause has to do with anything... I went through it the second i was banded actually...had my last TOM the day before band surgery...LOL if you aren't happy with your doctor then you should find another. I would make sure I tried all avenues of communication before I switched but ultimately if you find another dr who motivates you and meets your needs better than the one you have it's worth considering.

Telling or not telling people is a personal decision. I did t tell anyone at work but I told people I knew personally outside of work if it came up. Once I had lost about 100 lbs people at work started asking so I wasn't going to lie... It was no big deal. And now.... I would shout it from the mountain tops!! ....as for you other question about the port.... It's never been an issue for me during intimacy. If one position hurts it...change things up a bit.

If you have one...and I mean only one Hershey's kiss now and then it won't kill you....and it will satisfy your craving. But only step out of bounds if you can control yourself to stick to the limits.