TracieR

I hear you....my husband bought me a big box of candy for Valentine's Day. I appreciate the thought but CANDY?? i agree with you... my man can be dim sometimes too....LOL Thanks for the laugh! I hope you have a great day!!

I wish I would have had lap band years before. I stupidly thought I didn't need it. So I just kept gaining and gaining. I envy those people who took the initiative to have the surgery before they got to where I was - 371lbs! I missed out on so many years of my life hiding out because of my weight. In less than a year I have my life back and it gets better everyday. I feel great and am starting to not feel fat all the time and I still have 80+ lbs to lose. It is too much work to worry about anyone but myself! I save the effort for my workouts. Don't hate - appreciate!!

I hadn't had a fill since the end of November. I had no issues at all over the holidays and then last week made some curry chicken soup with chicken thighs and ate way too fast and boom! stuck. It wouldn't pass. I went into my dr. the next day and she had to take out .75. So much better! That was last Thursday. Yesterday I got a .5 fill back in. On soft foods today and tomorrow. I definitely learned my lesson to slow down and pay attention. I have been kind of slacking lately so maybe that is what I needed, a painful reminder to make good choices and eat slowly!

That is too funny! I had many of those moments because I was so set on not buying anything until a certain weight. Well when I fnally bought stuff it was a size 16 from the size 26 I was wearing. I used to put the elastic hair ties on the side of my pants to hold them up. I was always tugging at my pants my husband would laugh at me all the time. Buy yourself one or two new things it makes you feel so much better because you look so much better!!

ugh! "Some meals average 8,000 calories" Horrible!

I don't feel like a fraud because while my band helps with portion size it does not restrict the type of food I choose. That is all me. I am working harder than I have ever worked in my life and I am going to take all the accolades that come with it! I also tell everyone that asks about my weight loss about my built in willpower (my band) It helps me be more accountable and I try to educate them on wls. You are doing awesome! Enjoy it because YOU earned it!

Forgot to check in last week but this week.. 02/15/12 - 251 I"ve had a good week so far. Trying to stay away from all the candy that is around.....Have a great week everyone!

Best wishes to you on your journey!

What you are feeling is completely normal. I went through the whole, "what will I do for the holidays, my birthday, going out with friends" thing. Everything revolves around food. I went through a mourning period for food in the beginning. I lost my best friend and I was an emotional wreck. I pushed through one day at a time and now with all this weight gone it is sooo worth it! I just plan if I go to a "food centered" event. Check out the menu online if we were going to a restaurant or if we were going to someones home I would bring something band friendly. I also really tried in the beginning to plan things that were healthy like go for walks, bike rides and things like that.. i am almost one year out and honestly i don't feel deprived at all. If I want something, I have it. A much smaller portion of it but it definitely satisfies my cravings. You will do great. Follow the rules and take it one day at a time! Good Luck to you on your journey!

I usually don't get the full effects of the fill until a couple of weeks later....

It could be worse, right? Before my band I would've eaten a whole bag a day. I think, as long as it doesn't get out of control, a special treat now and then is ok. But if you can't control yourself throw it away, I can't have anything in my house or I eat it. So I don't allow it in...my poor husband. LOL!!

My shoe size is down from an 11 to a 9.5 in less than a year! Have fun shoe shopping!!

The band has physically limited the amount I can eat. I received restriction right away and rarely feel hungry. I do not diet. I do not eat Pasta, bread or rice by choice (nor do I miss it). I just try to make good healthy food choices and choose things that are high in Protein. I also do not deprive myself. If I want something I have a little bit of it. This has worked very well for me and the weight is coming off. I also work out 4-5 days a week - most weeks. It makes me feel better and definitely helps with my weight loss. When I skip days I notice I make bad food choices. My work outs set the tone for my day. I am addicted now. It helps a ton mentally and physically. Everyone reacts so differently to the band though. For me it is about the restriction. I physically cannot eat a lot, so the weight comes off. I get my self moving and some more comes off. As simple and as hard as that... Good Luck to you on your journey!

I, unfortunately, can eat way too much popcorn if I let myself!

My goal was to be healthy. A healthy Mom for my son. I want to be able to run around with him and be able to give him a sibling. I have been overweight my whole life so I finally decided an extreme measure was needed. I put 110% of myself into this. Everytime I want to slip back into old habits I think, you put your life at risk for this opportunity, don't screw it up. The exercise for me has been key. It keeps my energy up and keeps me motivated. It has made me into a morning person, up at 5am four mornings a week. The changes that I see in my body in just 11 months are unbelievable. It is such an exciting time for me! I can't wait to see what other new and exciting things are coming as more of this weight comes off. The one thing I keep in mind all the time is - There is no finish line! This is my life now and I am loving it!

Good Luck to you! I hope all went well today. I had my surgery on 3/8 and have had no luck so far. I actually called today to see my obgyn to setup an appt to see what our next steps will be. I'm hoping my hormones will level out soon and it will just happen. I can dream can't I?

I buy the sugar free torani syrups, I have vanilla and caramel. I add a tbl syrup and some fruit or granola. Love it!

You are doing great! I know what you mean about the jiggling and clapping sounds everything makes when you jump around. I keep telling myself if that is all that is left from that miserable life that I was living so be it!! On the other hand I take all steps to make it less noticeable. I bought compression workout pants (from old navy) in one size down from normal. I wear a regular sports bra and then one of those workout shirts with the bra built in and a t-shirt over the whole thing. HaHa! It definitely keeps everything in and I feel more comfortable. Whatever works!

I know most protein cannot be heated up above 130 degrees otherwise it gets clumpy and hard. I have tried dozens of protein powders before I found one that I like. You can try to see if you can get samples/single serving before you buy the big thing of it. I really like the unjury.com protein the best, but thats just me.

Congratulations! Doesn't it feel great? I am the same way with telling everyone about my band for the same reason. I say whatever works, right? You are doing an awesome job! Keep it up!

It takes a awhile to get back to "normal". Give yourself time to heal. Get lots of rest and fluids. Take it one day at a time. I had to switch protein shakes a few times to find one I could handle. Try different kinds, sometimes you can buy sample packets. They really help to get your protien in and keep you feeling full longer. Good Luck to you!

YAY! Congratulations to you! You are awesome!