NJGirl32

I onytold my husband and the woman I work with...and I am SO glad! I have only lost 6 pounds since surgery (almost a month ago). I can tell the woman I work with looks at my lunch so I am glad no one else knows. I guess I wouldn't mind as much if I had a good weight loss, but that's no the case yet. I don't need the food police around me-I have enough stress! I look at it this way...it's my journey and I own it. I guess sometimes it would be nice to talk to others about it-someday, just not yet!

Wow! What an awesome accomplishment!! I haven't really ost much since my surgery a month ago. When did you feel restriction? How many fills did you have? I hope I can boast about my weight loss in another 5 months!

That sounds good! I had the kind that you buy in the freezer section that come with little wooden spoons.

When I go to a party I pan on how many drinks I will have-plus I drink Water in between. I saw in the super market that Crysta Light has Mojito and Margarita packets-I am goingto try them. I don't think 3 times a year is going to do any harm and long as you plan for it.

Lots of people on this forum say the 3rd time is the charm and it's at this point they start feeling like they are truly banded! Good luck!

I could have written this exact same post! I tried muscle milk light premixed and it was terrible! It had such a bad after taste that I coudn't finish it! I went to GNC and found their Total Lean Swiss Choc. (with no saleman) and I love it!! It has 25 grams of protein and 23 vitiams plus it's not thick. I actually look forward to having that shake each day. I tried the vanilla and strwberry but I think the choc. is the best!

Thanks guys! Thursday I get my first fill!!

I go for my first fill on Thursday- I am happy about that! I can't figure out why I am not losing weight. I have 3 small meals a day and 1 big snack at night (I rather save my snacks and have a bigger one at night). I try to only weigh myself every few days. I can tell when I lose weight or gain. Driving home from work I was thinking...what if I don't lose much weight wih this band? What if I had surgery and I am still fat?!! How depressing would that be! But from al my research I can tell having these thoughts is very, very natural and a part of the process. The lapband is not a fast road to weight loss-it's philosophy is "Slow and steady wins the race." I have gone to quite a few parties since being banded and I have only had 1 beer total! That's a BIG accomplishment because Jersey Girls love their beer! I have Miller Lite 64's -they only have 64 calories. I also found Crystal Light Mojito and Margarita powders at Pathmark! So far I don't mind not drinking and I especially like waking up the next day knowing that I did good! I just hope this first fill gives me a little help!

First, congratulations on making so many healthy changes in your life! You make some very valid points and you seem really comfortable where you are thus far. I guess the real question is how much weight have you lost since surgery? Is your band empty or did they put some in when you had your surgery? I was banded on May 25th and this Thursday I go in for my first fill. I can feel a litte restriction and I seem satisfied between meals, but I want the fill because I am not losing weight like I know I should. I would say that if you are losing weight each week then maybe you don't need a fill just yet. Why don't you keep your fill appointment and discuss it with your doctor? Good luck!

I agree, I can't wait to become a member of the Onederland club too!!! You guys must feel awesome-congratulations!!

I just received my Bento Box this week-so excited!! I love the way you can make interesting lunches that are healthy too! Too often we tend to eat the same boring foods and this forces us to think outside the box (no pun intended!). Please share all pics and any website on the boxes as I am a newbie with these : ) The boxes are expensive-but hopefuly worth it!!

Which fill was your Ahhh ha moment - the moment that you thought "Now this is what I signed up for?" How long did it take post surgery to reach that point?

Opps got cut off from the last post1 I agree the nutritionist isn't telling me anything I don't already know. My next big step is excerise. I want to join a gym but I am not sure which one. I also plan to go in my pool to do some Water exercise.

I remember when I came out if surgery I asked the Doc. what size band I had. He said a meduim size one...WTH?? I mean seriously-medium? Then I asked a different doc about fills and what size fill do they typically give the first time. He didn't wantto answer my question-WTH? But eventually told me around 2ccs. What's the BIG secret??!! It's MY body, My band, and I have a right to know what's inside of it! I plan on saying that the next time they are evasive with answers. I agree the nutritionist

I love my coffee and I like having it on weekends and 1 cup on the way to work. As far as carbonated drinks...yesterday I was at a backyard party and had a Miller Light 64. This beer only has 64 calories and was refreshing. I felt guilt free drinking it - and I only had 1. I was gassy though! Everything in moderation! But with all that being said some of us really hae to think about our old drinking habits and ask how many carbonated beverages are we consuming? I agree thatthe chemicals and artifical sweeters cand stimulate our appetites and should be consumed in very limited quanities.

Make sure you keep the scale in one place and try to get weighed the same time each day (only get weighed once a day (or once a week if you can). Here are some researched choices: http://www.consumersearch.com/bathroom-scales http://www.amazon.com/s?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=bathroom+scale&x=0&y=0 (this site has a lot of ratings by people who used the scale)

They say the 3rd time is a charm! You should begin to start seeing results with the true helpof the band + portion control! Can't waitto see those after pics the end of the summer!!!

Today I just read in the book Bandwagon that as you ose fat estrogen is release into your system and if your estrogen levels supercede your testerone levels (or something like that) your libedo can decrease. I would discuss it with your doctor if it becomes a real issue-maybe even your GYN.

I have 35 pounds till I reached the promise land! lol I promised myself I would get my nails completely done when I reach it! You are so close!! Congrats!

I am glad you posted this! This week the port area was feeling sore and tender. I thought this was odd because I didn't have that soreness before. Today I got my period and the soreness is much better. I would never have associated the two!

I cab go between meals without thinking about food (and I don't have a fill yet). I have set times I eat so that heps regulate my body-it works for me. I eat at 8am (usually a shake) at 1pm and again at 6pm. I canhave ight snacks in between like yogurt, SF applesauce, etc. but I save my snacking for 9pm and have something yummy and I canhave a ittle more since I didn't snack throughout the day (usually 1/2 banana on top of SF choc. pudding, cool whip. I also have water throughout the day. I do think the band helped with with snacking. Have a veggies tray set up for quick muchies. Good luck!

I had 2 tacos from Chipotle -yum! Then a cinnabon . Then I wasn't evenhungry but made my hubbytake me to a Portuguese Restaurant for Paella and sangria! Little did I know that I probably could still eat all that 1 month later!!

I have read quite a bit on this forum and have also watched several YouTube video on people who kept a video diary of their experience with the band. Amost in all cases people begin to feel discouraged and worry why they are not losing weight. This is a normal process and you really need to keep your eye on the prize and not be discouraged by this period of "Bandster Hell." With each doctor visit and each week that passes you are getting closer to having the band being an active and helpful part of losing weight. It is frustrating I know!! But one day the weight will start to come off and you'll be so glad they you stuck it out!

I always have something to drink with me-everyday! I would suggest asking for clarification on that one!

Let us know how it feels restriction-wise after a couple of days-I am dying to know !! I hear most people need a few fills-I go for my 1st next week!