Candle

I don't know what some of the stuff in your list is (crisps, pot noodle, pot moule marniers, brioche) but I'm seeing A LOT of carbs and not enough Protein or veggies/fruit. Watch the calories on the wine too. I *think* a 4-6oz glass has around 80-100 calories. There are a few threads where people post their daily menu. That might be helpful to you. Do you log your food? I like fitday.com and a lot of people seem to like thedailyplate.com. I think you might be surprised at the calories in some of the stuff on your list.

Thanks! You should be able to make it with no problem. I have faith in you! Once I hit the -100lb mark (which will put me within 20lbs of my GOAL) I am going to have to re-evaluate my goal. My body is NOT shaped like it was in my early 20's, when I was last in this weight range. I know I'm going to need some PS so that will help a lot but I look at myself naked and think "there's no way another 40lbs is going to do it." I was busting out of a 26/28 in pants and now I comfortably fit into an 18 but it doesn't feel like my stomach and mid-section have gotten any smaller. I could probably wear a 16 if it wasn't for my gut! The legs and ass of my jeans are baggy. Anyone else obsessing about PS already? Now I understand what people mean when they say they don't feel complete in their weight loss journey until they get PS. At the start of this, I said I'd just be happy to get under 200 and now I want thin thighs and perky boobs and a flat stomach. Never happy - lol

My goal is to be at -100 by my birthday 4/12/08.

Woo-Hoo!!!:whoo: You are doing so great! Keep it up.

Yup - recently he was over my shoulder telling me a story when I was on here and he saw my ticker. *blush* He's known all along my biggest goal is just to weigh less than him so he's been really curious how much more weight I want to lose! He's about 180lbs.

14cc is the AP Large Band

I try and watch my carbs but I don't get too crazy about it. I have PCOS so low carb works really well for me. I average about 75 per day but I do eat a lot of fruits and veggies so a lot of it is "good carbs". I indulge here and there because if I don't - my cravings will take over. Last weekend I had Taco Bell AND we went out to eat at TGI Fridays, where I had a choc/peanut butter desert. I was a bad girl but I'm working really hard not to beat myself up over it. Skinny people indulge in treats, just not EVERY DAY and in the quantity I used to. Maybe get drastic - go back to Bandster 101. Do a liquid diet for a week and mushies for a week. Cut out the soda! Keep exercising! Walk those pooches for a few miles every day! Tape copies of the $15,000 bill to the fridge and pantry so you have to look at it every time you grab for something. Don't bring any money to work so you can't eat out. Maybe seeing a therapist would be helpful? It's a daily struggle but you can do it!!! <O:p</O:p<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Explain to these people (or just remind yourself) that the band isn't only about losing the weight but KEEPING IT OFF! Yes, you've been able to lose weight in the past (most of us are in the same boat - professional dieters) but you've never been able to keep the weight off. So far I have been really successful with no restriction. Before surgery my BF made a few comments about trying diet and exercise one last time and since surgery he's asked a few times if I feel like I did all this for nothing because I'm not really using my band yet. The answer is NO!! For me the band is all about maintenance - the part we all seem to fail at. In most cases gaining back more than we lost. The band isn't for everyone but it does help A LOT of people and if you really work at, you will be successful! You're so close to surgery now a lot of these fears are going to creep in - this is normal. Hang tough - the surgery will be over soon and the real journey is about to begin! I’m so excited for you! Best of luck.

I also use Dr Geiss but I'm don't think they will see patients from other surgeons. It doesn't hurt to call but I'm fairly confident. (many Band docs seem to have this policy) If getting into the city isn't a problem - NYU has an amazing reputation. There's also a Dr Garber in Huntington (?) who has a good rep. I think he does mostly RNY but a good number of bands as well. Good luck on your search.

Val - I hope you feel better soon. I had a really easy recovery and was feeling back to normal in under a week. It did take me awhile to get my energy level back though. I didn't know Dr Geiss was using the J&J band now. Thanks for the info. I was banded by him in Aug and got the AP band.

Right on, Mindy!! I also had trouble getting insurance approval and offer to help anyone in my situation* right here on the board for all to read. If *all* you really want to do is HELP people - why not share your info publicly? *People that live in NY <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

I made some. They came out GREAT! I used 1/2 crunchy pb and 1/2 PB2. Yummy!

I've made the lollipop comment about myself a lot lately. lol!

I know it feels overwhelming and I probably made a few similar posts but you'll get there! I kept track of everything and including the 6 month doctor supervised diet, I had 19 appointments and 2 sleep studies. Spending about $1500 in deductibles/co-pays. ... But my insurance paid for everything else and here I am months later - down over 75lbs - all that pre-op stuff feels like it was a life time ago. Good luck!

I had to do a 1 week liquid diet (but on my own decided to do almost 2 weeks) and lost 14lbs. I include that in my ticker. The first 3-4 days really sucked but once I got all the sugar and carbs out of my system, it wasn't so bad. It really jump started my weight loss and prepared me for the post-op diet.

This is me too. A stupid apple :tired BL & TT are in my future without a doubt! I'll probably need lipo on my side-boob/back fat too.

Congrats!! I know you've worked really hard for it! Specially those last few lbs!

Wow - 6 months? I haven't really had a chance to talk to my doc about this in depth yet. She did tell me that the Vitamin alone doesn't help some people. I haven't really noticed any difference but it's only been 2 weeks.

1000 per week? I take 500 per DAY.

Not yet but my PCP recommended I get one the next time I come in. I just had blood work done and mine was low. I just started taking the B-12 500mcg sublingual dots.

I just started using a powder too, Fiber-Sure. I do eat apples and popcorn too. Fiber-One bars are yummy. 140 calories 9 grams of fiber and Curves bars are good too. 100 calories 5 grams of fiber.

Did you ask your doctor's office or insurance co if they have a specific form or info they want? My Lap Band doc had a form that they faxed to my PCP and she just filled it out each month and faxed it back to them. I wish I had a copy to give to you. It was pretty basic. She recorded my weight each month and made notes about what we discussed as far as diet and exercise. She also made notes about my blood pressure and meds I was on. I think I gained 4lbs on my 6 month "diet" - lol! Bummer you didn't know sooner .... you'll get there!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

My doctor won't even do a fill if you are going on a trip within 14 days. This is per the band manufacture's guidelines. Sometimes fills can take a while to kick in and you'd hate to be too tight on vacation! I think you've made the right choice. Someone posted awhile ago about getting a fill and having it kick in like a week later while on a cruise. She couldn't even swallow her saliva. Talk about a crummy vacation!!! Have fun! I'm going to Vegas next week! Woo-Hoo!

Thanks I ordered 'Walk Away the Pounds' but I've heard good things about the Biggest Loser DVD's too. I want to test out one first and see if I like it and will stick with it. *fingers crossed* (I was surprised how expensive exercise tapes are!! Even on ebay!)

Everyone is doing so awesome! I am so proud of you all! purplegirl - Meeting goal for your prom, or even coming close, would be such a huge accomplishment!! I'm pulling for you!! I am doing really well myself! I just hit a big milestone the other day -75lbs!! I'd love to be in Onederland and -100lbs by my birthday in April. That would be 100lbs in under 8 months! I really had high hopes for the band (obviously or I wouldn't have done all this) but in the back of my mind I was REALLY worried I would fail. I am sooooooo proud of myself!!! I feel like I have a new lease on life. I'm thinking about things I haven't thought about in a long time and it's exciting but depressing at the same time. I just increased my 401K deductions. I plan to need that money because I'm going to be around for a lonnnnnnnnnng time! I realize that at a pretty young age I had resigned myself to just being fat and unhealthy forever. Most likely die young. My BF says I've been obsessing about plastic surgery lately. The closer I get to goal the more I realize that my body doesn't even come close to resembling the shape it was at this weight range in my early 20's. Stupid apple shape! I'm optimistic that 2008 is going to be a great year!! Do you guys have anything planned that you wouldn't have done before? This summer we are going to a huge Water park in my area that I've never been brave enough to go to and we're going to Six Flags. Rides at Six Flags are known for not being very fat friendly and I haven't been to an amusement park in years!! (other than my vacation to Disney in Oct) I'm also hoping to take a cruise or Caribbean vacation next year around this time. Something I've always wanted to do but shied away from because of all the time you spend in a *gasp* bathing suit on that type of vacation!