SageTracey

I was at my Lions' Club meeting last night and dinner was served. Main course was a stodgy oversize serving of lasagne with a slice of lettuce and tomato that was supposed to be a salad. I ate the salad and a lapbander sized portion of the lasagne. I had been for a 30km bike ride earlier in the day so knew I had a few calories in reserve. Then out came dessert. Usually it's fruit-based with whipped cream and I can just push the cream aside. No such luck tonight! It was a massive portion of baked egg white and sugar, aka pavlova, smothered in whipped cream and topped with chocolate. Well that just wasn't happening! Three different servers tried to place a dessert in front of me and three times I managed to say no thank you. What a relief not to have undone all the good work of my bike ride. And the roof didn't fall in just because I said no thanks to a dessert!

This weekend I cleaned out my cupboards and wardrobe. Three bags of fat clothes are now on their way to the op shop. I found heaps of clothes that I have been saving for when I lost weight and now I can wear most of them. I've still got some clothes to shrink into but I can see myself wearing them really soon. it feels as though I have said goodbye to fat me and hello to getting slim me and I love it! Next achievement is to get under 100kg and start wearing that new gold watch I've bought to mark reaching that goal. Just 10kg to go.

Five and a half months out from surgery and I was a sanctimonious little (shrinking) bandit - down 45kg, eating healthy choices, logging my calories, exercising like a demon - and then I had to learn my lesson the hard way. Visiting my Mum, being very careful with calories before getting there because I know what her food choices are like. Yep, roasted chicken and chips (fries) served for dinner. I took the skin off the chicken but hoed right into those chips. Bam! I was stuck and hurrying to the bathroom. Felt like crap, and more than a little stupid. Now on liquids for a day or two (thanks to the advice picked up here) and promising myself that I have learnt my lesson...really!

Trafalgar, Victoria, Australia

oh me too! So cold when everyone around me is warm or at least comfortable and then suddenly I'm ripping off layers when a hot flush hits .

OMG I have a secret stash of clothes in the top of my wardrobe too! I bought them at different times in varying sizes and am slowly working my way into them. It's so satisfying, isn't it. Plus I sold a few of my new unworn, larger sizes on ebay to pick up a few extra $$$

Great advice from StratCat. And remember, although there is a risk with every surgery, there is a much greater risk that you won't be there for your children if you are obese. And even if you are there physically, you won't be able to do as much with them. I speak from experience and wish I had done this when my children were much, much younger. Good luck

Great discussion! How am I working the band? I achieved restriction while still highly motivated so that was easy. I physically couldn't eat more than I actually needed. That has helped me to learn about portion sizes. I've also added exercise to my daily routine so that is another part of my tool kit. It's all showing on the scales andI am very happy. However, I am now losing restriction and feel that I could easily eat more than band portion sizes. As I am logging my calories and exercise, I am becoming more aware of what I need to eat to fuel this engine called my body to continue with weight loss but not go into starvation mode. And I am seeing my portion sizes starting to creep up unless I am vigilant. (Kitchen scales!) I know from past experience that I can fall off the wagon and stack all the weight back on but I don't want to do that now that I am banded. So I am working the band and have brought forward my next fill appointment. I want to get restriction again so that I can continue to change my mind set and build long term healthy habits. Staying motivated is hard work, probably unsustainable, but habits are easy (hey, it was bad habits that got me into trouble!), so if I can make good food choices, portion sizes and exercise into habits, with the help of the band, then I will succeed.

NSV = Non Scale Victory

Try a heat pack. It helped me. good luck

I love wearing jeans, especially as they are now comfortable enough for me to wear around the house. No more slopping around in my track pants at home unless I'm working out. One day I may even be able to wear thin leg jeans!

Definitely be honest with your dr. He/she may judge you but remember that they are there to work for our best health and the only way they can do that for us is with full disclosure. There's probably nothing you can say that he hasn't heard before! At my last fill appointment, my surgeon said it was amazing all of the things that people would say to try to persuade him to give them a fill. I didn't need one that day and said so, but have just brought my next appointment forward as I am no longer satisfied on the smaller portions that I was before. Good luck!

Sounds to me like you want to make the band work for you so now you need to work the band and work more closely with your doctor (and that's easy for me say from Australia where all my follow ups are covered by our Medicare system.) If you haven't acheived restriction then the band hasn't had a chance to work for you so why not make that your first goal before looking at other surgery> Good luck moving forward.

Are you reaching the 800 calories? Your body might be in starvation mode or it might simply be a plateau that you just have to work through. If you only got your fill last week, it will take time for the weight loss benefits to show.

I would call myself a lap band success story (albeit still a work in progress!) I was banded on 13 april 2011 and have lost 42kg (95lb) and with no difficulties such as PBing, sliming or getting stuck. Yes, I am working the band and being very particular about what I eat, logging my calories with myfitnesspal.com and exercising regularly. However, I am still living a full and happy life, eating out regularly, socialising etc. I am almost always the designated driver when my husband and I go out so it is really easy to stay on the Water. Lap banding isn't for everyone and your husband will have to work the band, but it sounds like you will be a great support for him if he does go down that path. Good luck.

Wow, you look great. Keep up the good work.

It's fact. If your body thinks it's not going to get enough calories it will do all it can to hold onto what it has. Try upping your calories a bit for a week or two until you start losing again, then cut them back. Yourbody wont get into a routine of thinking it is going to be limited and will respond well.

I was prescribed anti nausea meds before even leaving hospital. If yiu have them, take them. Look after yourself- .

Why not ask your surgeon?

I went to a work function the other week with a buffet dinner. I was surprised at how natural it was for me to make healthy choices but even more surprised at the people who I thought were healthy choosing the alternatives and plenty of them. They must work really hard or have a great metabolism if that is how much they normally eat. I try very hard not to be the food police but I do admit to noticing and silently judging a lot of people

I'm 47 and have lost 95lb since being banded on 13 April 2011. I have so much energy it's driving my husband crazy. When we walk, he tells me to slow down because he can't keep up and he is still the same skinny guy I ment almost 30 years ago. When we cycle, he tells me I'm pushing him too hard. I wish I had done this years ago but at least now I know I have many years of good health to look forward to. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Should be fine. Call your doctor's office if you're worried. It's a question they will have had many times before. I had the same situation when I was booked in for a colonoscopy and it wasn't a problem.

You rock, Bob! (Yeah, I love your screen name!)

I eat out every Monday night before dance class, cos it's too far to go home and then come back to class, plus I have a Lions meeting every second Wednesday. Mondays are easy because I get to choose off the menu but Lions is a bit harder because the menu is set and meals are simply served. There is no option for special dietary requriements. I just try for an overall balance. Good luck

I went to a concert on day four. I had shoulder and gas pains but I had bought the tickets before my surgery was scheduled so there was no way I was missing out - would I do it again? Probably. Can you explain to your friends that you have had minor surgery or been unwell (depending on whether you are sharing re your band or not) and let them know you will be there but perhaps a little on the quiet side?