Holly Dolly

You won't be starving yourself! Take that from someone who loves to eat and prob enjoys food even more so now that I take my time eating to really enjoy it! I bought my protein shakes for postop from my dr. I just did 2 days of liquid this week and bought AdVANTAGE and Adkins shakes and liked them both. Seems everyone on here really likes the ones from Costco too. Don't be scared, this was the best thing I have ever done for myself!

I eat out once or twice a week and don't have any problems. If it's a new place I always check out the menu and nutritional info on computer before I plan on going. As for the Cheesecake Factory, they have a great skinnylicious menu and I had salmon the last time I went that was really good. There is almost always an option for me at places, if not I wont eat there! And at the Cheesecake Factory you have to ask for the special menu that has all the calories on it. Atleast at the one I have gone to the values weren't on the regular menu.

I wouldn't wait til the 27th, that's a long time to suffer needlessly if that's the case. Call and try and get in tomorrow.

Crazy how just taking out a little bit can make you feel so much better. But you see so many people on here thinking they can just stick it out and hopefully lose more weight because of the band being too tight. I am happy that you realized quickly that something wasn't right!

Good for you! You look amazing and happy birthday!

cONRATS EVERYONE, BUT CAZZY....220 POUNDS IS AMAZING! wOO HOO!

Fortunately for me my meal choices were pretty good prior to surgery. So breakfast, lunch and dinner hasn't changed that much for me, though I have eliminated the bread that I would have had. I make dinner for my family every night and have what they have for the most part. My problem time is between 2 and 5 pm when I was at home and ate a ton of chips before dinner. But I learned my lesson after stuffing the pouch full of chips and then dinner not going down. Snacking is a hard habit to break. Now I have either a yogurt or string cheese for a snack. I do still have the occassional chip, but usually no more than 5.

mY 11 YEAR OLD GIRL LOVES IT!

I honestly don't feel the poke of the needle at all.

Congrats to you! I remember how happy I was too when the smallest towel in the closet that no one would use went all the way around me! Nonscale victories are so nice! Last week I noticed when I was laying in the bathtub I can now feel my back bones when I get out of the tub, no more cushion back there.

The questbar I had was the strawberry cheesecake and at 160 calories was really good! Better to eat a whole Questbar for 160 calories and 20 grams of protein compared to eating half of a Cliff Bar for 130 and 10 grams protein. I do wish they were available in a store though, and they are a little pricey.

congrats! Can't wait to see you on TV!

My friend just gave me one of these bars the other day and it was really good. Going to order some this week. Here is the link http://www.questproteinbar.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=42&idcategory=

I hear where you are coming from. But you barely have anything in your band. Crazy he only gives 1cc at a time. I have had numerous fills and 2 sslight unfills. JUst had a fill yesterday. I still struggle with hunger too. Was hoping with surgery it would ahve helped sooner than this! I am hoping this fill is the charm. I am doing the 5day pouch test. Checkout the website.... www.5daypouchtest.com I have a few friends who had great success and jump started their weightloss again. Hang in there, it will get better!

I weigh myself once a day. When I wake up, after I've gone to the bathroom, and with no clothes on. I don't need to see any extra ounces or pounds from clothes and food throughout the day!

I just bought at Target both Adkins and Advantage chocolate shakes. Both are really good. I put them in the freezer and just snip the top off because it is a foil like box. Tastes pretty good when you let it thaw out a little bit. I got them in the pharmacy aisle where you would find slimfast. I actually wanted slimfast but they didn't have the low carb kind. Very happy they didn't because these are so much easier than the Slimfast can! Good luck!

I don't use MFP but I have heard a few people say the the calories are wrong. I know when I eat 1300-1500 that I maintain and don't lose. Try sticking to 1000 and see what happens. I go between 1000-1300 and usually only go up to 1300 on the weekends.

yes, I had a .4 fill 3 weeks ago and it was too much. I got swollen and couldn't even tolerate soup. I had all of the .4 removed and yesterdya went back and she gave me .25. This time I am doing liquids for 2 days and then soft foods. I am on day 2 of the 5 day pouch test. Thought with getting the fill it would be a good time to do it.

It didn't work for her because she didn't make it work for her! Shoot, I'm still hungry shortly after eating my meals but it is what it is. I have done well because I have stuck to what I should be doing........90% of the time anyways!

I LOVE my doctor and all the girls who work there. The support is awesome and which I contribute a huge portion of my success to. His name is Dr. Oliak in Brea so he is not too far from you. Check out his website......http://www.oliakcenter.com/

I struggled in the beginning and didn't lose fast either. But I stuck it out and did what I knew I had to do. My PA told me I may be the few % that the band doesn't control hunger....lucky me! I got a fill today and hoping for the best. Weightloss surgery or not, if you eat too many calories ya ain't gonna lose weight! How many calories are you eating a day? I try and keep mine to 1000-1300 a day.

Heidi, so you have taken responsibilty for not losing like you should have because of poor food choices. You know what hasn't worked in the past, just suck it up and stay on the wagon! I went on vacation 2 weeks ago and just couldn't get off of the carbs once I was back. I am up 4 pounds, got .25 put in today from the .4 that was removed 2 weeks ago. I started the 5 day pouch test today because I didn't want to take any chances with getting anything stuck and then having to have it removed again. I am so ready to be in the greenzone, I can taste it this time! My fingers are crossed. I wish you luck too. I can tell you the liquid only today was not so bad since I had made a couple of soups from the 5DPT recipes. I will have the same soups tomorrow and a shake for breakfast.

wishing you luck!

Sometimes I am satisfied, other times I am not. I measure out what I am supposed to eat stop there. Rarely will I take seconds of anything, but if I do it's usually no more than 2 more bites.

40 pounds is not worth it to grin and bear it! It's always nice to be dropping some lbs, but not at the risk of your health.