Holly Dolly

Honestly???? You may not like my answer but I feel like I have finally reached my sweet spot this week and my surgery was in Feb 2011. I think I have had 13 fills and 2 unfills. My last fill was 3 weeks ago, I am at 7.55 in a 10 band. I just started feeling real restriction this past week. Everyone is different!

Job well done, congrats!! No matter how long it takes you, the key is to just keep on losing til you get to your goal. So many people think it's going to be fast, get the band and BAM.....you will be skinny! But most of us have learned it is not that easy. Thanks for sharing, looking fwd to your post when you hit onederland!!

Welcome aboard!!

I've been battling the head hunger too ate night lately, so much more than my first year out from surgery. And like Dulci I have been having a cup of tea to try and forget about it. When I can't forget about it, been trying to have a CarbMaster yogurt and 1/4 cup Kashi Crunch cereal.

My dr has never said no protein bars. In fact, he sells them in the office!

all great advice up above. You said you have a hard time getting in your protein. Just a little side note. You get more bang for buck with protein. Not only does your body need it but it takes twice as much calories to break down protein than it does carbs. I was a huge carbie before surgery so I understand how hard it can be to get in the protein. At Christmas all rules went out the window and I ate all kinds of carbs, especially See's Candy and my own peanut brittle. I can honestly say what a huge negative affect it had on my body. Not only from weight gain, but I was so tired it was crazy! So get your mind in the game again and start following the rules! You lost 36 pounds, you CAN lose the other 87!

sounds like you must have restriction if a couple of bites wont go down and is coming out. As far as the protein shakes going down ok, they should because that is a slider. If this has been going on for 3 weeks, maybe you need a little bit taken out.

Awesome job, you look great!!

awesome job!

You say you find yourself overeating when you are with other people. You just need to get into the habit of measuring out your 3 ounces protein and whatever else you may be having and just stick with that. I measure out everything I eat. Sure there are times when I finish and still would like more. But give me 5 minutes and I feel satisfied and happy that I didn't dig in for more.

He can't keep his hands off of me and at times it is quite annoying..........

have you tried the sweetner Truvia made from stevia? It's a natural sweetner made from a plant. I still use my 1 T coffeemate french vanilla and 2 Truvia packets.

as for me I LOVE my chocolate! Of course followed by a little salt, followed by a little chocolate.......

After your fill last week did you follow a liquid diet for a day or 2 and then soft foods? If not, you could have irritated your band even more than the normal swelling you would get from a fill. I have done that before and had to have some fluid removed. Both times I went back a week later, had the same amount put back in and was really careful with what I ate and had no problem. So, it's not that you may be too tight, just irritated.

yep, I agree with 2MF....calories in need to be less than calories out. My #1 advice, journal, journal, journal!! If I didn't keep track I could eat way more than I should!

The first couple days you could have just been swollen from the fill and once that was gone you feel no difference. I have had many fills and I don't really feel or notice anything different. I keep hoping the next fill is the one!

How did they know it was the pork that was stuck?

It is hard! Sometimes I will have my lunch between 10:30-11:00 and then when 12:30 comes I feel like I should be eating. You just gotta tell yourself you aren't hungry and you will eat when you are. Easier said than done, right?!!!!

I have seen people post they have a size 4 band.

Allergan has 2 sizes, a 10 and a 14. Not sure what he considers standard. Hopefully you didn't get an old one if he wouldn't tell you the size.

looking good!

I didn't have restriction for a long time and have had more than 10 fills. I wouldn't try putting your band to the test. Put the lapband rules in force now because the band is just a tool to help you. If I waited for restriction, I wouldn't have lost weight for a long time!

and don't forget myfitnesspal too!!!

woo hoo, good for you!!!

What are your negatives with your band? I can't think of one that I have myself, honestly.