Jerseygirl82

You're doing awesome, Jim. I love that John Maxwell quote. I think attitude is half the battle.

you were one of the first people who friended me and calmly answered my zillion questions. for that i am forever grateful. YOU Jim, are not only my hero but an inspiration for me to carry on and hang in there, no matter what.
you are exceptional
you are special
you are my friend.

Definitely sucks. There is something about having this surgery that makes people think they have rights to say this stuff. I've lost nearly 30 pounds in 2 months and my mom actually said I was lying to her about the weight loss because she can't see any change in me. If she is serious and does start bugging you about choices, gently explain to her that you have a food plan you are following and if you are having a treat it means you worked it in and it's ok.

Thanks for the positive feedback. It is funny how close I feel to all my Banded friends online here. My 40 pound lose started on Dec 4th on my preop liquid diet. I lose 20 pound prior to surgery on Dec 19th. Then the next 20 came after surgery in the last 5 weeks. It came off fast at first then almost total stopped for a couple weeks before last 4 came off. I was going to gym or walking on track at least 4 times a week til last 2 weeks. Then I just been cleaning out my house like a mad woman before nursing school starts back up this monday. I got rid of 10 bags of clothes(not all mine- kids too) and three trips to dump to clean out kids rooms. Laundry non stop. so even though I wasn't at gym, I kept moving all day. I have at least 2 protein shakes a day and/or a greek yogurt. That gives me about 45-55grams of my day's protein. I am really scared about not get all my protein in, so I have either one at breakfast and one at dinner, lunch or as a snack. I make either unjury or click in the morning. Sometimes with a bannana or strawberries blended in. I actually keep two cases of premade shakes in my car. I have muscle milk light(100 cal) and GNC lean shakes. I hardest thing before being banded was eating on the go. Running here are there for kids and getting fast food, so I have my shakes in the car and never have to worry that I am starving and need to crap so I don't go crazy. If I don't have my mornng protein shake I have an egg or baby cheese omlet. I have soup/ and small salad for lunch. I have been going out a lot the last couple weeks, since I have off and I was trying to catch up with friends. I just put the side items or 2/3 of meal in a to go box before I start. Or just order off appetizer menu. For example Thrusday I went to Japanese Hibachi for lunch with my girlfriends. I was really nervous, they serve it with a salad, which I ate and about 2 cups of fried rice and 1/2 cup of veggies. I got scallops and shrimp. I was afraid anything else would be to hard to swallow. I actually got stuck in the first two bites!! I was bummed, I think it was the veggies, to hard. I had two spoonfuls of rice- so it could have been that too. Not sure. I just sat there for about 5-10 minutes til it passed. After I then only ate the scallops and a shrimp. I packed up all the rice and veggies for my kids for dinner. Dinner I made a lot of soups, and mealballs or fish. Chicken can be ify. Can't always get it down. Steak not so easy either. I tried pasta for first time this past weekend. Just a bit or two. Mostly I just eat the meal sauce. I made fish last night. Tonight I had an egg for dinner, I went to egg farm with kids this morning and got a load of fresh eggs. So I had one for dinner. yummy fresh. So that's me. That's what I do. Good luck, don't worry if scale doesn't move for a while it likes to pause for a more dramatic effect sometimes I think. Ok I have rambled on enough. Take care. Suzie

I can share a super positive experience with you! I am almost 10 months out from my surgry (april 12, 2011) and I have lost almost 130 pounds altogether! I feel absolutely fabulous!! I will be doing my monthly check in in a few days with more details.. but just know that the lap band works VERY WELL if you are dedicated to losing the weight! I currently weigh 150 pounds and I can say without a moment's hesitation that my lap band not only changed my life, but saved it! It works if you work it!!