PattyGirl66

Congratualtions Dee!!
I am super happy for you, what an amazing job you have down in your weight loss journey!

Congratualtions Dee!!
I am super happy for you, what an amazing job you have down in your weight loss journey!

<---- seriously thinks I just pee'd my panties

<---- seriously thinks I just pee'd my panties

Congratualtions Dee!!
I am super happy for you, what an amazing job you have down in your weight loss journey!

Jennybee, that is crazy!!! I think you may just have a finicky band girlfriend, LOL

Hello....
A year ago today I was banded.....and it has been the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family...It gave me back happiness that I didnt even know I was missing....now simple pleasures are getting dressed and not needing to sit down and rest...bending over tieing my shoes...wearing pants with zippers....buckelting my seat belt....fitting into a resturant booth...wanting to walk every day...loving how proud my husband and family are of me....not feeling like every one is looking at me as I walk into a room saying WOOO look how big she is....Having so much energy now.....
Last year I was so ready to get this done I left for the hospital extra early and my sister and I went to the local park and I walked a mile before going into the hospital....I was determined I was going to do it and d it right....I just want to thank everyone on this furum that has given me words of encouragement..when it got tough....and looking back to some differant storys I have read on here....let me tell you some times some one writes about a difficult time they are having...and I can remember and I thank who ever it was that basiclly told me to suck it up...I thought I wanted some one to say...oh yes you poor thing I understand.....but they didnt....they told me JUST DO IT.....and I was a lil taken back for a day or so.....BUT...I knew they were right so here I am a yr later...120 lbs gone !!!!

Congrats on an awesome job!

Actually, if you lose the weight eating healthy and exercising, the speed you lose it is irrelevant. Neither fast nor slow are more healthy than another so long as it's done properly.
Her problem has nothing to do with weight loss speed but rather Anorexia.

You won't hurt anything sleeping, even it is on your tummy. I have slept on my tummy since the day after surgery without a problem.
Get comfy and get some sleep!

Barb,
I don't need to say anymore than what our fellow bandsters have said already (great advice). I just want to wish you well and hope that you take care of yourself "healthwise".
Best of luck,

Every day your body heals you will be able to get back to your normal way of sleeping. For some we had no problems getting right on our belly soon after surgery, for some it takes time.
Just to let you know nothing will happen to your band, you can put that fear aside. I got on my belly 3 days after surgery, some even got on their belly right after surgery. I took my time and eased myself into a postion where I was a little half on the side and a little half on the belly in the begining. I did this every day until I got fully on my stomache. (best night sleep ever)!
Keep trying every night to ease your way on your belly or side for starters so where you are fully in a comfortable position.
(hugs)

Hi Tamara,
Congratulations on a successful weight loss, 103 lbs that is impressive work! As for the plateaus, yea it bums and it does happen to many of us, including me. I hit a plateau that lasted for almost 5 weeks. The only thing I can say that worked for me was to go back to my food tracker and see what I have been eating and if I needed to work on any of my nutrients. In fact, I found out my carb intake was too high! it was okay in the beginning of my journey when i was taking in about 110-125 grams per day, but since a big huge weight loss my body cannot break down the carbs like it was use to. So, I cut it more than in half and have been losing steadily since. (that was back in October of 2012).
I can only speak what works for me, that is tracking everything I eat, exercising daily, and making sure I was reaching my Protein intake of 60 grams or more per day.
Give your body time to adjust once you start exercising, this could be what you need to jumpstart your metabolism. Hang in there, this is the toughest part some time, its very frustrating to say the least...
Best wishes,

Hi Tamara,
Congratulations on a successful weight loss, 103 lbs that is impressive work! As for the plateaus, yea it bums and it does happen to many of us, including me. I hit a plateau that lasted for almost 5 weeks. The only thing I can say that worked for me was to go back to my food tracker and see what I have been eating and if I needed to work on any of my nutrients. In fact, I found out my carb intake was too high! it was okay in the beginning of my journey when i was taking in about 110-125 grams per day, but since a big huge weight loss my body cannot break down the carbs like it was use to. So, I cut it more than in half and have been losing steadily since. (that was back in October of 2012).
I can only speak what works for me, that is tracking everything I eat, exercising daily, and making sure I was reaching my Protein intake of 60 grams or more per day.
Give your body time to adjust once you start exercising, this could be what you need to jumpstart your metabolism. Hang in there, this is the toughest part some time, its very frustrating to say the least...
Best wishes,

A common feature of anorexia is that, like you, the patient has a distorted view of how much she ought to weigh. That's one of the things that makes it so hard to treat. I don't know how tall you are, but if your ticker is up to date and your BMI is now 25.5, losing another 25 pounds would put you in the underweight category, and that's dangerous territory.

The problems you list are highly unlikely due to weight loss at any speed. High Protein diets can cause kidney issues as well as bowel issues, and weight loss can make your blood pressure lower, but it's much more likely you have another health issue going on.
I'd urge you to go see your primary care doctor immediately because what you list here can all be highly dangerous.
If my memory serves me correctly, you just recently posted upset because your doctor wouldn't give you another fill. You said you were told you lost too much weight but you wanted to lose another 18 pounds. Now, this post today. If you believed all these health issues were due to weight loss, why would you be trying to lose more?
Best wishes and get into your primary care doctor immediately.

I was certain that. I didn't lose any weight this month but to my surpise...9lbs down. next month my goal is 10lbs. Second fill yesterday....

Plateaus are a normal part of weight loss- even if they do suck. If you're burning more calories than you're consuming, the plateau will pass eventually on it's own.
Some people find mixing up their calories or exercise a way to "trick" their metabolism to get past a plateau. For instance, doing completely different exercises than you're used to, like cardio versus weight training. As far as calories, switching them up to shock your metabolism sometimes helps. Say you normally eat 1200 calories a day. Doing something like dropping down to 900 calories on day 1, then up to 1400 calories on day 2, back down to 800-900 day 3, up to 1300-1400 day 4, then back to your normal 1200 a day 5 and on.
But the reality is, metabolism shocking tricks or not, even if you do nothing eventually your plateau will eventually pass on it's own.
Best wishes to you.

Enjoy...
This list is filled with sizeable options enjoyable enough to devour guilt-free without any diet damage. And while most of these Snacks pack a nutritious punch, a few are clearly set out to satisfy that sweet tooth (see #23!). But hey, at 100 calories or less, it’s worth the splurge.

1. Mini PB&F: One fig Newton with 1 teaspoon Peanut Butter.
2. chocolate Banana: Half a frozen banana dipped in two squares of melted dark chocolate.
3. Frozen grapes (any color): 1 cup (about 28 grapes), stuck in the freezer for 2+ hours.
4. Honeyed Yogurt: ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt with a dash of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey.
5. Spiced Orange: One orange— about the size of a tennis ball— sprinkled with cinnamon.
6. Grilled Pineapple: 2 ¼-inch thick pineapple rounds (about 1 cup), grilled (or sautéed) for two minutes or until golden.
7. Berries n’ Cream: 1 cup blueberries with 2 tablespoons whipped topping.
8. Stuffed Figs: Two small dried figs with 1 tablespoon reduced-fat ricotta stuffed inside. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
9. Oats n’ Berries: ⅓ cup rolled oats (cooked with water), topped with cinnamon and ¼ cup fresh berries.
10. Dark Chocolate: One block, or three squares.
11. Nut-Stuffed Date: One Medjool Date filled with one teaspoon natural unsalted almond butter.
12. chocolate Milk: 6 ounces skim milk mixed with 2 teaspoons chocolate Syrup.< /p>
13. Cinnamon Applesauce: 1 cup unsweetened applesauce. Or, try this homemade version!
14. Citrus-berry Salad: 1 cup mixed berry salad (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries) tossed with one tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice.
15. Maple-pumpkin Yogurt: ½ cup non-fat regular yogurt (go Greek for extra protein!) with 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon maple syrup… like this!
16. Chocolate Pudding: One 4oz package. Try a fat/sugar free version or a homemade one!
17. Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Five strawberries dipped in two squares melted dark chocolate.
18. Tropical juice Smoothie: ¼ cup pineapple juice, orange juice, and apple juice, blended with ice.
19. vanilla and Banana Smoothie: ½ cup sliced banana, ¼ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, and a handful of ice blended until smooth.
20. MYO Banana Chips: One sliced banana dipped in lemon juice and chips.html" rel="external nofollow">baked.
21. Baked Apple: One tennis ball-sized apple, cored, filled with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and cinnamon, and baked until tender.
22. Fruity Waffles: One 7-grain frozen waffle toasted and topped with ¼ cup fresh mixed berries.
23. Skinny S’more: Two graham crackers with one roasted marshmallow and one small square dark chocolate.
24. Cinnamon Graham Crackers & Peanut butter: Two graham cracker squares with 1 teaspoon Peanut Butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
25. Cereal and Milk: ½ cup rice krispies with ½ cup skim milk.
26. Milk n’ Cookies: Five animal crackers with ½ cup skim milk.
27. Warm Spiced Cider: 6 ounces apple cider with sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg, warmed.
28. Citrus Sherbet: ½ cup lime sherbet (about one standard-sized ice-cream scoop) with ½ sliced kiwi.
29. Café Latte: 8 ounces steamed skim milk with 1 shot espresso.
30. Jelly Beans: 25 of ‘em! Although we don’t recommend these.
31. Marshmallow Pear: ½ pear diced and topped with 1 tablespoon marshmallow fluff.
32. Protein Shake: One scoop Protein Powder with 8 ounces Water (choose from tasty powder flavors like Cookies n’ cream and chocolate peanut butter!).
33. M.Y.O. Popsicle: 8 ounces lemonade frozen in an ice pop mold, or use a small paper cup as a mold.
34. Apple Chips: Munch on ¾ cup of kinds like these, or use this recipe!

35. Carrots n’ Hummus: About 10 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons hummus.
36. Pistachios: A couple handfuls— about 25 nuts (Crackin’ them open will take more time and avoid grabbing 25 more).
37. cheese n’ Crackers: Five Kashi 7-grain crackers with 1 stick reduced-fat string cheese.< /p>
38. Dippy Egg: One
with ½ slice whole-wheat toast, sliced (to dip in yolk!).39. Cheesy Breaded Tomatoes: Two roasted plum tomatoes sliced and topped with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
40. Curried Sweet Potato: One medium sweet potato (about 5 inches long) cooked for six minutes in the microwave and mashed with 1 teaspoon curry, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
41. “Cheesy” Popcorn: 2 cups air-popped popcorn with 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast— it’ll taste like real cheese!
42. Guacamole stuffed Egg Whites: Halve a hardboiled egg, remove yolk, and stuff the empty space with 2 tablespoons guacamole (avocado, lime, cilantro and salt).
43. Grilled Spinach and Feta Polenta: 3 oz polenta (about the size of a deck of cards) cooked with 1 ½ cups Water and topped with 1 teaspoon feta cheese and a handful spinach.
44. Soy Edamame: ¼ cup boiled Edamame with 1 teaspoon soy sauce.
45. Dijon Pretzels: Two pretzel rods with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
46. Crunchy Curried tuna Salad: ½ cup canned tuna with 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon chopped red onion, and two ribs celery (chopped).
47. Greek Tomatoes: One Tomato (about the size of a tennis ball) chopped and mixed with 1 tablespoon feta and a squeeze of lemon juice.
48. Shrimp Cocktail: Eight medium sized shrimp boiled and served with 2 tablespoons classic cocktail sauce.
49. Smoked Beef Jerky: About 1 ounce— look for low sodium versions!
50. Cheddar and Tomato Soup: ½ cup tomato soup with 1 tablespoon shredded low-fat cheddar cheese.
51. Kale Chips: ½ cup raw kale— stems removed— baked with 1 teaspoon olive oil at 400° until crisp.
52. Sweet Potato Fries: One light-bulb sized sweet potato sliced, tossed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and baked at 400° for 10 minutes.
53. Cucumber Sandwich: ½ English muffin with 2 tablespoons cottage cheese and three slices of cucumber.
54. Turkey Roll-Ups: Four slices smoked turkey rolled up and dipped in 2 teaspoons honey mustard.
55. Mixed Olives: About 8 olives.< /p>
56. Antipasto Plate: One Pepperocini, a ½ inch cube of cheddar cheese, one slice pepperoni, and one olive.
57. Pumpkin Seeds: 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, sprayed with oil (just a spritz!) and baked at for 400° for 15 minutes or until brown. Sprinkle with Kosher salt.
58. Choco-Soy Nuts: 3 tablespoons soy nuts with 1 teaspoon cocoa nibs.
59. Wasabi Peas: About ⅓ cup of these green treats.
60. Balsamic Veggies: 3 cups raw peppers (any color!) dipped in 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction.
61. Cheesy Roasted Asparagus: Four spears (spritzed with olive-oil spray) and topped with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, baked for 10 minutes at 400°.
62. Cucumber salad: One large cucumber (sliced) with 2 tablespoons chopped red onion and 2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar.
63. Spinach and Feta Egg-White Scramble: Three egg whites scrambled and mixed with ½ cup raw spinach and 1 tbsp feta cheese. Cook in frying pan or zap in microwave until egg whites are no longer runny (about 1-2 minutes).
64. Crunchy Kale Salad: 1 cup kale leaves chopped with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
65. Chick Pea Salad: ¼ chickpeas with 1 tablespoon sliced scallions, a squeeze of lemon juice, and ¼ cup diced tomatoes.
66. Grilled Garlic Corn on the Cob: One small-sized ear brushed with 1 teaspoon sautéed minced garlic and 1 teaspoon olive oil, grilled until tender.
67. pretzels & Cream Cheese: 15 mini pretzel sticks with 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese.
68. Bacon Brussels Salad: Seven brussel spouts thinly sliced and mixed with one piece lean bacon, chopped.
69. Rosemary Potatoes: ⅓ cup thinly sliced potato tossed with 1 teaspoons olive oil and a teaspoon of chopped rosemary.
70. Spicy Black Beans: ¼ cup black Beans with 1 tablespoon salsa and 1 tablespoon non-fat Greek yogurt.
71. Caprese Salad: 1 ounce (hockey puck sized) of fresh mozzarella with ½ cup cherry tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.
72. Goldfish: About 40 fishies…try the cheddar kind!
73. chips n’ Salsa: 10 baked tortilla chips with ¼ cup salsa.
74. Mini Ham Sandwich: Two slices honey-baked ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard rolled in a lettuce leaf.
75. Lox Bagel: ½ whole-wheat mini bagel with two thin slices of lox.

76. Chocolate Trail Mix: Eight almonds, four chocolate chips, and 1 tablespoon raisins.
77. Apples and Cheese: 1 non-fat mozzarella cheese stick with half of a baseball-sized apple (any variety), sliced.
78. PB & Celery: 1 medium celery stalk with 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
79. Cottage Cheese Melon Boat: 1 cup melon balls with ½ cup non-fat cottage cheese.
80. Carrot and Raisin Salad: 1 cup shaved carrots with 2 tablespoons raisins and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
81. Tropical Cottage Cheese: ½ cup non-fat cottage cheese with ½ cup fresh mango and pineapple, chopped.
82. Blue-Cheese Stuffed Apricots: Three dried apricots with 1 tablespoon crumbled blue cheese.
83. Rice Cake and Almond Butter: One rice cake (try brown rice!) with 2 teaspoons almond butter.
84. Sweet n’ Spicy Pecans: Five pecans roasted with 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
85. Apples n’ Peanut Butter: ½ an apple, sliced and dipped in 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter.
86. Chocolate Hazelnut Crackers: Four wheat thins dipped in 1 teaspoon Nutella (or other hazelnut spread).
87. strawberry Salad: 1 cup raw spinach with ½ cup sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon balsamic.
88. Cacao-Roasted Almonds: Pop in eight almonds like these!

Hi Outlaw,

Well, it looks like you did a great job with research on both of these weight loss surgeries. However, when it comes right down to it, it becomes truly a 'personal' choice. No one can sway you from one or the other. Remembering there are risks with any surgeries.

Now, since you have scheduled surgery date for lapband surgery in 3 weeks, my guess is you have readily thought this through and decided lapband is the right choice for you? Maybe you are just getting cold feet? It happens to all of us!

Personally for myself, I wanted something less invasive and god forbid if anything went wrong or my body rejected the band, I could have it removed for my safety. I knew this wasn't an option with the other surgeries. I was also really nervous about malabsorption with gastric and the sleeve, let’s face it I am not a spring chicken and I need all the nutrients/vitamins I can store in my body. Also, no matter what surgery you choose, you will have to work out it, weight gain happens on all 3! The band gives you a little more of an edge because you can always work with it to lose/maintain the weight.

Have you gone through the plan with your surgeon what you will be eating like from now on moving forward with the band? If you have, then my guess is you are ready to be a bandster!


Best wishes,

As I am still losing weight, and I have a lot more to go, but...
I like that I am getting back into some clothes that were laying around forever in the closet.
I like that I can fit into jeans that are 4 sizes smaller.
I like that I can bend down to tie my sneakers/laces.
I like that I can walk and exercise without feeling like I would die.
I like that I have a lot more energy.
I like that my wedding rings are no longer tight.
I like that my hip doesn't hurt as much as they use too. (this is a big deal because I have one hip replaced and the other one is going).

Hi Everyone,
I have told you about the Protein Blitz Protein drinks that are non chalky and clear. I have got my order in last night and today I tried it. I have to say this is by far the best tasting Protein Drink I had since purchasing sooooo many (chalky ones) that I have a hard time getting them down with the after taste and leaving my stomache feeling horrible. Its been over 4 hours since I drank Protein Blitz (grape flavored) and I feel good. If I have to describe what it taste like, I would say a grape flavored sugar free ice pop!.
Okay, cost- for a dozen 20 ounce bottles if you go to the Vitamin Shoppe website they charge $32.00 for the case (free shipping). If you go to the Protein Blitz website you are going to pay a hevty $47.88 a case. So worth it buying these if you can't get down those chalky Protein shakes.
Tast great over ice, and someone suggested they make ice pops out of these. Packed with 30 grams of protein each bottle!!! I am going to order more they come in fruit punch and grape flavors.
I took a few pics so you can see how clear the drink is (I served this over ice)
Enjoy ...
Product Label

New from the Makers of Designer whey
30g of Protein
1g Carbs
0g Fat
Protein Enhanced Beverage
Grip it Good&Grape™
7.8g BCAAs
Lactose Free
100% Unique - US Patent Pending - America's #1 Protein

Okay, this is a spin-off from the chicken recipe I posted the other day, with a twist! YOU are going to LOVE this! Super easy to make, TONS of Protein, and deeeeeelish!
**This recipe is for ONE fish, you can 'double' up on the ingredients for how many pieces of fish you want**
Ingredients:
4 ounce Tilapia fish
1/8 cup Lite mayo
2 tsp. Grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbs. Chipolte bread Crumbs (4C Makes a great one)
1/8 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
Non-stick spray
Directions:
Pre-heat oven 370 degrees - place a piece of aluminin foil in a pan or baking dish, spray foil with non-stick spray. Place fish on foil.
In a small mixing bowl add the mayo, cheese, old bay seasoning (stir), top each Tilapia fish with the mixture, sprinkle top with chipolte bread crumbs. Place in oven for about 25-28 mins. (That's it)!
Nutritional Facts:
Calories: 281
Fat: 13.8
Carbs: 7
Protein: 31.8 <------- Look at that!

CG, you will be running after her in no time