DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

It sounds like you're too tight. You shouldn't be resorting to slider foods and you shouldn't have such a hard time eating healthy foods. Contrary to popular belief, being too tight can actually drastically slow weight loss or even result in weight gain because of the inability to eat healthy foods. Here's a great article on being too tight: http://www.lapbandta...0#commentsStart

I completely agree with you. The band is about moderation not deprivation. If you feel deprived you're just setting yourself up for failure. Like you, I love pizza and Chinese food (a lot!) I won't eat them daily or even weekly but when I really want it I simply have a small portion of it, count it in my daily calories, and happily continue on.

I'm sorry you didn't find success with the band, but you must realize the band isn't a magic fix for fat. It's just a tool. Unless you're willing to change your eating habits to healthy ones and stick to band sized portions you will fail. It all boils down to simple math- if you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight.

I've lost 190 pounds in less than 14 months and couldn't be happier with my band or my results. I've had to do a lot of hard work to get here but as the old saying goes- nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. It's all been more than worth it.

Excellent post. Thank you.

That's so awesome! You're such a huge inspiration to so many of us!

Oh and belated happy birthday!!

What you're going through is normal. It takes most people multiple fills to have adequate fluid in their bands. Just keep counting calories and be patient, it will come.

I read about that too. Honestly, I found it absolutely sickening. It's like programming people to be bulimic, malnourished, and overall extremely unhealthy. I'd rather be 400 pounds again than have that. Ugh.

Amy your post was simply heartbreaking. I am so incredibly sorry that you encountered such mean, nasty people. No one deserves that abuse.

Hang in there. ((hugs))

I give you credit because I cannot use chopsticks. I suck at it. I tried it once at a Thai restaurant and my shrimp ended up flying across the table and landing in my date's lap.

That is so awesome! Congratulations!

Leslie I find the same since being banded. I used to gain up to 5 pounds of water weight before I was banded, but now I don't do that anymore. I think it's because I drink so much more water now on a regular basis that I don't bloat up like I used to.

Terry you seriously kill me. I love your posts about "Mistress Band". I think you should start your own blog (aside from these forums) called "Adventures with Mistress Band" and chronicle your tale there. You have such a great way with words. You'd get a lot of readers for sure!

Ugh I dread my periods. TMI here, but I'm dealing with it right now. I always find I'm a lot tighter the first day or two of my period but by day 3 I'm fine again.

Hang in there, you're not alone at all on this one.

Very inspirational post. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey.

Oh my gosh, that is simply terrible. I am so incredibly sorry :*(

I couldn't agree with you more! Granted I only have 2 children, but when I started changing recipes to make them healthy they never noticed. I buy all whole wheat pasta and I use it in everything from spaghetti to macaroni. I buy skim milk, low fat cheeses (they eat a lot of cheese) and either ground turkey or 93% lean ground beef. I even buy turkey bacon. Honestly, they never notice and still love their old favorite foods. Only difference is, I can eat them too and we're all healthier for it.

Don't feel bad about them not using your number. You know how much you weighed and how much you lost and that is what matters. Keep using your number and claim those 18 pounds with pride!

Btw, my surgeon's office shows me as weighing 5 pounds less than I did on surgery day, too. They are also going from the initial consultation but I gained 5 pounds between then and surgery. It may only be a 5 pound difference, but that's still 5 more pounds I lost and I'm claiming!

That is just too cool!! You should totally do it!!

I couldn't agree with you more!

Another thing I'm realizing is the massive quantities I used to eat, not because of hunger, but simply because it was there to eat. I still battle with "my eyes are bigger than my stomach". In fact, my kids will laugh at me because I'll measure out a cup of food but it's something filling and bulky. I'll sit down and my daughter will say "there's no way you can eat all that". Sure enough, she's right. But in my warped mind, I go "well I want a whole cup! that's what I get per meal!" when the reality is- I don't even need that much sometimes and often aren't actually hungry enough to eat it all.

You're doing beautifully!!!

Be ready because your feet may shrink even more! I know it sounds nuts, but I actually went from a size 10W shoe to a 8 1/2M. I didn't think it was possible! I fully expected to have to replace all my clothes but I couldn't believe I also had to replace all my shoes lol!

Amen to that!!! So true!

Don't let the ignorance of a few stop you from sharing your story! You speak truth, and not only do you speak truth, you have so much wisdom from your own journey to share. I personally admire you so much. I know there's others out there just like me that look to you for not only common sense but as inspiration.

...if you ever left I'd hunt your skinny butt down. Just say'n

Congratulations!! You're off to a great start!!

You're doing awesome!! Honestly, it sounds like your band is darn near perfect now!

Dear lawd, you just almost made me nurf water out my nose laughing!!!

Spot on... you're SO right!!