Jolly

I wasn't aware of the fact this was a competition, I was simply sharing research knowledge with others. I'd have shared it if had failed as well, it just so happens the researched proved true in my own life.

My husband is totally anti veggies. I have always had to come up with creative ways to get him to eat any type of veggie and this one is a hit.
Slice up you fav veggies (I used 2 fresh yellow squash, a fresh green and black pepper, and one large red onion- it was just what I had on hand)
I cut the veggies in bite size pieces and placed them all in a bowl, I added 1/4 cup of italian dressing and a 1/4 cup of parmesean/romono cheese and tossed all together. I let the veggies sit for about 15 min. Pre- heated the grill on high heat. Spread the veggies out on to a grill pan. Turn the grill down on medium heat and place the veggies on the grill. Stir veggies periodically- cook about 15-20 min until veggies are tender.
These were awesome. Of course it made a lot and we ate on them for 3 days, but they were a wonderful side dish with anything.
The hubs even said they were really yummy to be veggies.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. Hands down, best decision I've ever made for myself. I feel better and am happier than I've been in many, many years.

I have broken all the rules... I've eaten before i should have, and i've drank pop and beer and wine.... I've lost 57 pounds in a year ( banded 6/29/11 ) and i'm also 8 months pregnant.... And i also just ate a pudding.....
I'm still living, some people are just more up tight about the rules than others LOL
I just watch my calories, drink my Water and try to keep busy.

Jolly - I don't have a routine per se. Mixing it up keeps me going. If I really don't feel like jogging outside, I'll do a training session with the Xbox Kinect. If that doesn't sound appealing, I'll put my iPod on and hit the elliptical. I seriously dislike gyms and organized exercise, so I find things to do on my own.

I agree! I still have to force myself to exercise, but once I do, I feel amazing. It is a part of my life now.

This is why i only told my family!

I had at least six.

I can only share my experiences with fills. I've had two so far, my second one just this morning. The surgeon and I talk for a few minutes; what have you been eating, have you been exercising, and he reviews my weight. He gives me time to ask questions, then we discuss the amount to put in my band. The first fill he did 3 cc's. Today, since I had lost 14 lbs last month (he expects 3-4 a month), he said he hesitates to put in another 3 cc's because it may be too aggressive. He opted to put in 1.5 cc, bringing me up to 4.5 cc's total.
As for the actual fill, it's a breeze. I lay on the exam table and lift up my shirt to my port area. He feels for the port with his (gloved) hands - usually has me do an abdominal crunch so it's easier to feel, then wipes down the area with rubbing alcohol. He then takes the syringe that has the Fluid in it, pokes it into the port, injects a small amount, draws back to make sure he's totally in the port, then pushes the rest of the fluid in. It doesn't hurt at all, and takes about 1 minute from start to finish. A little circle bandaid over the injection site and I'm good to go. He has me drink a small cup of Water before I leave to make sure it passes then I schedule to see him again in a month. Quick and painless!
From what I've read and heard about a slippage - - with a true slippage you should have symptoms. Most people cannot even get fluids down. As for eating too fast, that's a HARD habit to break. One that I still struggle with. Try not to let yourself get too hungry. When I get too hungry, I get ravenous, and eat way too fast.

That's fantastic!

The reason you're not losing anymore is because you're not supposed to be losing much at this point. The 1st 6 weeks are for HEALING, not LOSING . Your body has had a shock (surgery) , now its in recovery mode. This is all completely normal, and you're right on track for a healthy body, with a healthy weight loss. Big restriction wont come in until you start getting fills. I had steady and slow weight loss since getting banded last December, then I hit the Green Zone with my 3rd fill, that lasted about 12 days. The Tech said that was completely normal, sometimes that happens. I had no restriction with the 4th or 5th fill, but with the 6th ? Muuuuuuuch better !!!! Now i eat smaller amounts, track everything on Myfitnesspal.com, exercise 3x a week, and the weight is coming off, again. Down 45 lbs so far ! I was patient, followed the rules 95 % of the time, got regular fills and watched myself go from 225 lbs to 180, size 18-1x to a size 14. So be patient, and hang in there !

That's fantastic!

I am in the almost exactly the same boat. My husband doesn't quite understand because to him I should be comfortable around him no matter what. I am comfortable but it's hard when you know things are shaking that shouldn't be. as for lose skin I will worry about that when it comes. Nothing wrong with a little nip and tuck and enhancement.

Maybe if you take him with you he will understand the procedure more. My husband was not on board at first and in fact he rolled his eyes when I mentioned it. I think his hesitation was more financial than my health...lol He hates to spend money. However I just kept going to the other appointments and then notified him of my date. It is nice to have them on board...but ultimately this is your health and your body and you have the right to do anything you want to it. Most husbands have a problem with it because they are worried you will lose the weight and leave them. It is an insecure response and most likely will not happen. I would just encourage him but don't let him influence you in this decision...it is yours and yours alone.

Hang in Rayanne! Congrats on the new job. You'll do great, look forward to that fill and be glad you have already done the hard part, surgery. Keep us posted.

Don't worry about your husband. He will eventually come around when he see how determine you are. Give him some websites to look at in his spare time. You will be amazed when you notice a turn around. Stay strong and focus and the determination will follow. Good luck.
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The addiction to food is hard to break, as is the drive to overeat even when it is painful. You are doing the right thing to start over with liquids and advance your diet slowly to try to get back on track. The hardest time is at the beginning where I assume you are...this is a lot of work but it does get easier! Good luck!

ok, for those of us who are new to lap talk...what does PBing stand for?

I seriously doubt it has anything to do with the lapband.
If I were you, I'd get my vagina to a Dr. - quick!

Both my dietician and surgeon agreed you didn't HAVE to quit coffee but they were happy to hear that I had quit before surgery. Since surgery, I've had a half of cup of coffee and handful of times, since it seems to be the cure for my migraines (I spent YEARS looking for a med that worked, finally found one, then after quitting coffee realized that 1 cup would take care of it.) I never count it as "good fluid" consumed, and if I do have coffee I try to drink another 20 ounces of Water.
Now, each morning, instead of coffee, I'll have a cup of pu-ehr tea. If I'm feeling sleepy in the afternoon I will have a cup of white tea. I know they both have caffiene, but for some reason I feel the tea is healthier?! Plus, the pu-ehr tea was featured on Dr. Oz. I can't say I believe everything he says, but the tea is supposed to help with weight loss.
Oh, and pop is a DEFINITE no-no for me. Besides the unhealthy ingredients, the carbontion is supposed to be bad for bandsters.

Stay motivated! It happens...and it is funny how even a pound or two can change your whole perspective...I experienced this for a month and a half...lost and gained between 2 and 10 lbs with no net loss...very frustrating...hang in there...it gets better...remember it's a journey....
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I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery, I am not scheduled for another fill until 3 months later. I have no restriction, it appears that I can eat what ever I want with no problem. I limit the amount of food by will power but I'm sure I could eat much more if I allowed myself to. I am going to call the doctor and advise them of this. My fill was on May 21, 2012 and I'm scheduled to return until August 21, 2012.

Ok. I'm a year post op (6/6) and I've lost 78 lbs. I've gone from a size 18 to a size 10. I'm told I look great but I've got to honest, sometimes I don't see it or realize how far I've come. I got a HUGE reality check yesterday. Over a year ago I flew in a plane and squeezed myself with the seatbelt. I didn't want to ask for an extension so I sucked it all in and barely buckled up. You couldn't even see my seatbelt as it was tight and hidden under my big belly. Yesterday I flew on a plane with my family which included my sister and her two year old twins. One fell asleep in my arms mid-air. The seatbelt light came on and I didn't want to put my nephew down because I didn't want him to wake up. Ready? Ready! The seat belt fit around me AND my nephew AND IT WAS STILL LOOSE!!! I couldn't believe it. I was in tears. It was a reality on how far I've come. My weight has come off slow and I've run across many plateaus but it has and will continue to come off. I just wanted to share

Let me start out by saying that I don't watch any of these Housewives shows, and I never knew who Lauren Manzo was before I saw this story on AOL. I know nothing of her weight struggles or anything, but I watched this video where she talks about getting the Lap Band and I was pretty happy!
She makes sure people understand that Lap Band is not a magic cure, nor is it the "easy way out" that most people think it is. She also acknowledges that she had the band loosened so she made sure she could eat healthy foods and exercises regularly. I also love that she points out that the Lap Band does not stop you from putting unhealthy foods in your mouth.
Best of all, she says that Lap Band is the best thing that she's ever done for herself :-) I am so glad that FINALLY someone in the public eye is showing that the Lap Band is a positive thing. Way to go Lauren!

Thought about the sleeve but couldn't come to grips with all the cutting, staples, etc. glad I got the band!