Jim1967

I did Atkins for 19 months and dropped 172lbs. I then proceeded to feel so good about life and started eating all the things I deprived myself of and before I knew it that 172lbs was back plus another 90!! I am not dissing Atkins it was by far the easiest and simplest diet I have ever done. Part of me wonders if it would have been a longer term success had I actual followed the plan correctly and progressing to the maintenance stage.

I agree with Jennybean all the way here. Don't you know WLS is the 'easy' way out? LOL

My hospital required a $250 co-insurance payment on or before surgery day. I would push for the refund if they haven't provided services to you.

Yes she is. And over then last two years she has put on a lot more weight. For the first time since I can remember I am smaller than she is. Well I wonder if it is more of a matter of her not being happy with herself and the weight gain and as she sees you shrink it reminds her of that. That's not to say you Mom doesn't love you or support you. She is having the problem, not you.

I drink 5 or 6 cups of coffee a day with either Splenda or Sweet & Low. If you look at reports they say everything will kill ya eventually. I still remember the big saccharin 'scare' of the 70's and the supposed link to Cancer. I budget my daily calories so the added sweetener is not a concern of mine.

Just curious is Mom overweight? If so then there's your answer.

By chance are you consuming a high amount of gassy vegetables? I have been going through these phases off and on and it is severe gas cramping along with a lot of flatulence and occasional diarrhea. Sorry for the TMI. Just trying to help. I found once I cut down my veggie intake a bit it smoothed out but still occasionally get it. Seems Brussels sprouts are a trigger for me. Also, I really like Cauliflower as well and that is known for causing gas. . This site has a little more information: http://howtostayhealthy.hubpages.com/hub/Foods-That-Make-You-Gassy-and-Bloated

Congratulations! You'll be there before you know it.

Nicely put! We spend many of our years with bad eating habits and new ones do not come easy and take time to get used to. Finding that zone along with repetitiveness is what will get you there and before you know it you will have a new normal. My Wife and I have no children and we used to spend a lot of time dining out rather than cooking. Well that aspect of my life has changed tremendously. I look forward to preparing a good healthy meal now without worry of a cook putting in sugary or salty add-on junk.

Being nervous or even scared is perfectly normal and if you had no reservations at all about the actual procedure then I would think you were a robot. That said... I was 450lbs going into Surgery. I was very nervous about waking up. I made a point to sit and speak with family just in case something happened to me. I made sure going in that everyone knew that I made this choice and it was what I wanted. I could not going living like I was or it would be a matter of time before a heart attack or something else took me. At least I was going on my terms...

Cheez-Its...stuff is like heroin to me. I have not had it in two years and it remains the only thing I avoid in fear that it may get a grip on me again. I had a 1pound box a day habit. I would make special trips to the store just for Cheez-its if I had to. I would like to think at this point I could have serving and put the box away but I don't trust myself and of course Cheez-Its are slider food. I do miss Guinness ale from time to time especially around St Patty's day.

You sound pretty motivated to me Neighbor!! I was just thinking today how April 16 will be my 2nd year anniversary and my 6 month check up and I was wondering if I could reach Onederland by then. No pressure but it would be satisfying. This Winter has definitely knocked me down a bit as far as morale. I have never been so cold like I have been this winter. I have only been to the gym about dozen times since December. On the flip side I have been shopping for Kayaks and I think I have decided which one I want. Should look pretty cute driving home in the snowy winter with a kayak on my roof! So I guess my Summer goals are more of the same from last year. No couch potato. Outside activities every day even if I can only squeeze an hour at times. Band has liberated me and I am not taking one ounce of it for granted. Been so cooped up that just the sight of the sun gives me spring fever until of course I walk outside. Feeling goes away rather quickly.

I implore you all to take Cheryl's advice especially if you're like me where the scale can either make your day or break it. I have gotten better with time but everyone once in a while the scale will still factor into my daily demeanor. It seems I traded in binge eating for binge weighing. I believe I have taken some fun out of my journey by weighing every day. Getting the on the scale and seeing the slightest movement one way or the other sucks. Would've been nice to weigh once a month and possibly see a larger number for a change.

I wouldn't call that a con. I actually loved all the needed follow ups because it kept me actively involved in the process and with each visit I became more knowledgeable. If anything I miss going in for those appointments but that is me and I had insurance covering me 100%.

Congratulations!!

I made the mistake of drinking once when I was stuck and man did that just intensify the pain. First reaction is drink to clear the blockage but trust me that is a recipe for more pain. Like the other have stated just need to let it pass. I also find walking around helps but in the end it either has to pass or come up but you need to be careful because forceful vomiting excessively can lead to other complications. Only way I can describe the pain is how I would imagine a heart attack feels. Pain does not feel like it is in your stomach it actually feels like it is in the esophagus and you get sharp pain in the chest. Take it slow and introduce all new foods slowly and treat your stomach as if it were a babies stomach.

LOL. We're twins!!

I edited the weight on my profile and now suddenly it is all wrong. My weight loss is wrong and even my Doctor name is wrong. Almost looks like my profile was replaced with someone else...

I've tried rice three times since being banded and all three times I got stuck and vomited. I've tried eating slow, chewing until the cows came home and even tried mixing in some sauce. Each time...stuck. It is one of the few foods I absolutely avoid because it isn't worth it.

I have the serial number in my personal records but I just don't have the physical card cause it got lost.

My last meal consisted of Mexican food, Guinness, Guinness and oh yea some Guinness. Did I mention the Guinness? St Patty's Day is coming....I miss Guinness on St Patty's Day but I am happier than any Rich, Drunken Leprechaun on either side of the pond. I also had a very large hot fudge Sunday but I just don't remember when because of all the Guinness!!

Hospital lost mine and I never bothered to chase it down. Not sure what it was really good for anyway...

No she's never had a weight problem but she has another friend who does and she got a weird reaction from her as well. She never called to see how she was doing after right after surgery. We see some jealousy going on. By the way I love Dylan

We got 12 inches of snow yesterday here in NH. After doing the snow removal I sat down with a cup of coffee and the laptop surfing the net looking for good deals on Kayaks. LOL

Have you told all this to your Doctor? Sounds like you may be on see-saw with your fills and either not getting enough or getting too much. Have they done a fluoroscopy to check the shape of your band? Perhaps getting a fill with a fluoroscopy may help.