DRobjohns

First of all...CONGRATS on the 10 lbs NJGirl!!! That is great!! I had my 2nd fill on Wednesday. It's been 5 weeks since my first fill. I was so worried that I had not lost any weight since we had been on vacation and even though I was being pretty careful about my food choices, I wasn't being REALLY careful...we were on vacation! My doctor had me lay down, too. He told me that I had 7 cc's in my band and that he was putting another .5 cc into it. He asked me how much I had put in at my first fill but I told him that I forgot to ask and I wasn't told. I didn't think that 1/2 a cc was going to do anything for me. However, I did lose 6 pounds since my last fill! That was HUGE for me because I've also been able to eat too much in one sitting. We have pizza once a week and I can easily eat 2 slices. My doctor asked me what has changed since my last visit (when I had gained 3 pounds)? I told him that I have been walking more and that I have basically cut red meat out of my diet and only eat chicken, fish, or turkey. And I realized that I have stopped snacking, grazing, eating in between meals. He asked if I thought the band was doing what I had hoped? I said that I think it is, simply because it makes me more aware of everything I put in my mouth. But that I'm still concerned that I do not have the restriction that other people say they have. I'm also concerned that I'm eating too much at one time. He said to just keep making small changes and suggested that I start to wean myself off of carbs. I was so relieved that he was giving me encouragement after the frustrating visit I had the last time I saw him. YAY for us!!

OMG this was hysterical!!

I am right there with ya MarciaLynn!! I was banded 4/26/11 and I've lost about 20 pounds but now I just lose and regain the same 2-3 pounds. I know I eat too much...and I know I eat too fast...and I know I don't chew enough. I know what I have to do...just gotta get my arse in gear and do it!! Oh...and I work for a candy company!!! So I'm surrounded by M&Ms, Combos, Snickers, etc. on a daily basis!! Luckily I don't really have a sweet tooth...but there is just always food around.

Not sure if this has been asked before...I couldn't find any recent posts on it... Has anyone purchased The Firm Express DVDs? They are offering the set for 3 payments of $29.99 and I was thinking of trying it. I like that it is a 20 minute workout and the short bursts of intensity seem like something I could keep up with. I'm a total beginner and I have no interest in a P90X type workout! Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Rachel I am the same way...if there is food in front of me I just keep eating...especially since I have barely any restriction at this point! I have to just get up and walk away!!

Cindy C I am copy/pasting this and putting it on my refrigerator!

That is AWESOME!!

Congrats on the new clothes...I still haven't gotten any! I really need to step up the exercise, too. And I'm right there with ya about needing a scare...I can eat anything...bead, Pasta, rice, pizza...and going on vacation in a couple of weeks...hoping I don't gain back the 20 lbs I've lost!

Yes glad to hear you are doing well!! I'm eating too much right now...I keep losing and gaining the same two pounds. Had an anniversary dinner and a wedding this past weekend and even though I ate much less than I normally would and I was dancing the whole time at both...I still ate too much. I've also not been drinking my Protein shakes -- I HATE THEM!!! But I have heard from others that they are crucial during the weight loss period. I still have no restriction after my first fill I'm still waiting for the day that I actually feel full and don't want to have a second dinner 90 minutes after my first dinner!! I'm trying to stay positive, but it's been a rough couple of weeks for me. I NEED to go to a support group meeting and get motivated again. Please give me the details of the meetings at Morristown Memorial and I will see if I can make either July or August. Thanks!!

Ohhhh...ok. I have never had anything get stuck. I've only had one fill and I still have no restriction I am waiting for the day that I actually feel full and my stomach is not constantly growling all day long.

Just wondering why you need to be near a bathroom to eat lunch? I wish I wasn't hungry at work...I have to go to lunch between 12:00-12:30 and I'm not hungry at that time, but by 2:30-3:00 I'm starving! This has been a challenge for me...because by the time I get home to make dinner for the family, I am ravenous and looking for anything to control the hunger beast. Doesn't help that we eat dinner late...usually around 7:00. I need to figure out how to spread out the food during the day.

I took my first shower 2-days post op. My dr told me not to take the bandages off...let them fall off themselves. But I got really itchy as the incisions healed and I ended up taking the last two off myself (the one covering the port and the one around my belly button). But then I had to be very careful when washing around those areas until they fully healed. Good luck to all the recent bandsters!

Morris County here, too! I replied to you a while back. Glad to hear that surgery went well. I had a LOT of soreness around the port area, too. That will take the longest to go away. And I got very itchy as I healed Took a couple of weeks before I could sleep comfortably, too. Have you found any support groups in Morris County? I had my gallbladder out years ago and I will say that the recovery from Lap Band took longer...I agree I think it's because of the port...but the discomfort is pretty much the same. Glad to find some other Jersey Girls here!

Ahab...I feel the same as you about the Protein shakes! Nothing is ever going to make me want to drink them! I love to cook, I love to eat, I love to watch others enjoying the food that I've prepared...I Celebrate with food, I mourn with food, I bond over food...I am totally, irrevocably, addicted to food!! And like you, I have no trouble at all giving up greasy fast food...but God help the person who tells me that I will never again enjoy an evening out with my hubby, eating the food that I love...even when I'm thin, the fat girl inside of me WILL come out and hand them a beating! LOL!! I'm recently banded and had only one fill...so I do not have the restriction that I need yet...but I'm making good choices and learning to make over some of my favorites. Like tonight...I made eggplant parmesan but instead of breading and frying the eggplant, I roasted it. Instead of adding a layer of ricotta, I added a layer of baby bella mushrooms. Instead of full-fat mozzarella melted over the top...I used half as much as I normally would and changed it to part-skim. It was still yummy!! Good luck to you as you start this journey!

NSV - Put on my size 24 capris today and they fell to the ground!! YAY my clothes are getting too big...YIKES I have to buy new clothes...LOL!!