TerriDoodle

I lived on broccolli cheese soup, cottage cheese-berries-and-splenda, peanut butter-and-bananas, hummus, and scrambled eggs-cheese-and-salsa. Don't worry too much that your weight loss has slowed down. That's perfectly normal. It will pick up again after you get proper restriction. Best of luck to you!

Ditto here about the exercising as well. I've had a 10 day 'sabbatical' from exercise and I'm really starting to feel tired and lazy. I go back on my regular schedule tomorrow and I can't wait! I miss my pizzaz!!

It sure couldn't hurt, right?? Do you have a bariatric surgeon yet? If so, ask him for a referral...I'll bet he knows a few good ones. Best of luck to you!

Oh, that is so comforting!! I couldn't imagine how in the world I was losing muscle and gaining fat!! I'm working too hard for that!!!! LOL Thanks, Cherry... BTW...love the quote!

Hey, Haydee -- we were in Bentwater last weekend!! Would have been fun if we'd have thought this out a little better! I hope it's nice for you guys! Does Juan play golf?

I got one of the Tanita scales that measures body fat and Water, etc. I know, I know those things aren't accurate....so I thought I would just use it to trend my BF, y'know? I mean, it is pretty consistent from day to day, so whatever it IS measuring, it's measuring consistently. Ok, so I've been using this scale for about a month. And according to this scale it says my BF is going UP, my water is going down and my weight is going down. What this tells me is that I'm depleting muscle!!! WTF??? I'm doing it all by the BOOK!! :help: Any words of wisdom out there??

Well, if you're really serious that you think it could cause big problems you can certainly go for some biofeedback or behavioral modification therapy. Maybe check into that? Several bandsters have gone to therapy for their food issues. You wouldn't be alone!

MANDATORY? Never heard of THAT! That doesn't even make sense! Glad you stuck to your guns.

GREAT!! Whew!! Glad that's done! Now remember to take it easy on that band for a couple of days. Liquids and mushies only. Did they tell you that?

It varies for me. I still like to eat the things I like to eat...y'know? I guess I don't worry tooooo much about the calories because the quantity is miniscule compared to what I used to eat. BUT that can get away from you, too. I really DO need to watch my calories and nutrition, but I still eat the foods that I enjoy. It's kinda worked out that I'm much more careful during the week and relax a bit more on the weekend. I don't feel deprived very often. Make sense?

Ditto, Cherea! When I ask the gratitude question those are the first things that pop into my mind, too. Then I have to scrounge around for some new ones...LOL

Do you think not smoking has had an impact on your weight loss?? Last time I quit I gained 50#!! I am praying so hard that I can still lose weight. I would be so sad if I couldn't get to goal.

WOW, Jenn.... 18 pounds in ONE month? Good lawd!!! Everyone is doing great....including YOU, Pammy!! You'll do so much better after your fill...dontcha worry. As for the kickoff thing...your health comes first and your school should support that. So don't you feel bad about being gone. As for me, I only lost 3.2# this month...and that was all in this last week! LOL I think I know the trick...no eating and no exercise. Kat - I know the feeling you are talking about. I get that when my DH flashes a certain kind of smile at me....when he's really tickled about something...I just melt. Rick really does sound SO special, but then again so are you!! No doubt you are soulmates. I've got a crazy day here at the office...but I"m sure I'll be taking a break later. See you then!

What was my experience with what? Hunger? Oh, i was getting hungry by week 2 or 3 for sure. I had my 1st fill at 3.5 weeks. I've already had 4 fills and one unfill! Your experience is not all that unusual....just be on notice that someday you may find yourself scrounging around for food all day long and the scale hasn't moved for 3 weeks! If/when that day hits, it's time for Fill #1!!

What are your doctor's orders about drinking before/after meals? They're all different it seems. 1 before and 2 after??? That seems extreme to me! I can drink right up to the time I eat and 1/2 hour after. You will probably loosen up before too much longer and you will be hungrier and you will be able to eat more at one sitting. I don't think yo'll have trouble getting Protein in....most of us can easily unless we're super restricted. If you're losing 3# a week i seriously doubt your doctor will consent to a fill. Why restrict you if you're doing so well without it? No, he'll wait until you stop losing weight and start getting hungry quickly after just eating. some people never need a fill!

Hey....there was no voting button for 2-3x a day!!!

You are probably seeing posts from people at their most restricted. It's true that all those foods can give you problems if you are really tight. But that choice is yours! I just got a slight unfill because I was not happy eating soup all the time! But that was just for a short while after a 0.5cc fill....which just turned out to be too much! I'm feeling much better now and fully expect to get back to my diet of being able to eat just about anything....AS LONG AS I CHEW VERY WELL. As for the what else do you eat question.... you do adapt! You peel your fruit, you cook your veggies a little more or enjoy them in Soups and stews. You make sure your chicken is moist and your steak is a filet! You eat more fish and less bread. Remember....you only need to eat less than a cup of food anyway, so it doesn't much matter so much anymore! I had all the same fears that you just mentioned....all of them. I absolutely adore my band and wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China. This feeling of finally being in control is so worth the things you may have to give up.

I went back to the gym today for just a light 30 minute workout. Guess what? I had a hard time getting my heart rate UP!! Usually I'm kinda fighting to get it down to my target of 125-130. You think quitting smoking has helped already?? Even though it's only been 11 days? I softened up my exercise goals for September a bit. I'd rather exceed them than not meet them. Maybe October I'll try to hit it hard again. Thanks for all your support, lovies! Ya'll are the best!

Hi all! Ohhhh, I'm so glad to be a part of the food-eating crowd! I ate things like baked potato soup, bananas/peanut butter, and hummus....good ol' mushies...but nothing got stuck or gave me the tiniest pain whatsoever. YEA!!! I'm FREE!! The hunger was OK....I fought it hard for an hour before lunch. I expect that to get better when I graduate to solids. I went to the gym tonight!! Yipee!! My back is all better and this girl is back on track! Watch out! Tracy - Ya'll have a great time this weekend and be careful!!! Sorry about TOM, what a drag. Poor DF prolly needs a break anyway! Michelle - Yes, dear...this too shall pass. Have a glass of wine ...it's all over now. I can't believe that lady did that to your poor little daughter. Makes me sad to think of her upset. Some people just haven't a brain in their head. Everybody is losing weight like crazy! How about we give a shout to those who lost this month!? HOW MUCH DID YOU LOSE DURING AUGUST?? I'll let you know tomorrow when I have my official weigh-in! Hey, did ya'll know we have the 3rd highest views of any thread on LBT??? #1 is the B&A, #2 is Share Your Scars (I think), and We're #3!! Wooo Hoo Violets!! We soooo rock!

Well, that IS interesting. If you can stand being away from it, I (personally) would wait a solid 4 weeks. The risk is tearing the stitches that hold the band and port in place. If you tear the band ones, you are at higher risk for slippage. If you tear the port stitches you are at risk for flipping it....both of which would require surgery to repair. I don't think it's worth it...but that's me!

Same here, Wombat. DH has to make a special effort not to 'land' there....and it sounds like our ports are in the same spot.

LOL.... I thought you meant a date with a GUY! But this is even better!! Congratulations! Wheeeeee!! Here ya go!!

Old habits are not going to be broken overnight just because you WILL them to go away! We are talking about the most instinctive part of your brain...the one that ensures your survival without your conscious effort... this part of your brain is HARD wired by 55 years of building neural pathways that help dictate the way you eat to ensure your survival. Asking that part of your brain to change will be met with the strongest of resistance, hence the 'cheating'. A good way to combat this (build new neural pathways) is to focus on the positive things. Reward yourself (or at least recognize that you've done well) when you DO follow a healthy eating plan, get your exercise, drink all your Water, etc. See what I mean? Baby steps!!

1) Prepare yourself mentally. Read inspirational material and books that focus on how to reach a new goal. I recommend this book very highly: Half.com / Books / This Year I Will...: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True Watch your negative thinking and focus on the positive....always. 2) Stick very close to LBT and hook up with a group ...like the Sept 07 Bandsters or any other group... knowledgable support is essential!! Read all you can here. 3) Follow your doctors instructions and the general lapband rules as closely as you can. They're all there for a good reason. Best of luck to you!

Oh, how exciting for you!!! That's a long time to wait! Buckle your seatbelt! It's a wild ride (but a great one)!