TexasDy

I posted earlier that I am working on remembering how far I've come to help motivate me to where I want to be... I've lost a total of 76lbs (gained some back). So I had a coworker take my picture with two 35lb Water jugs. How much have you lost? Is there an item that weighs that amount that you can pick up to show yourself how much you're NOT carrying around any more?

I am at my green zone for the second time (dilated the first time and had to have unfill). For the most part, I am loving it. I'm not hungry. It takes less than a cup for me to be satisfied and only 2 bites passed satisfied to be completely miserablly full. I take dice sized bites, chew for 30 seconds, and wait 45-60seconds between bites. My band is working and I am working with my band. It's great! Why frustrated you ask?? It's been a week since my most recent adjustment that got me back to the green zone. I've pretty much had one meal a day for the last 8 days. I have long time banded friends that eat this way and it doesn't bother them. Well - I find myself thinking more about food now than I did when I was hungry all the time!! I'm so focused on making sure that my one meal is worth eating that I'm starting to have trouble concentrating on other things. Sure, it'll eventually get better. But WTH do I do in the mean time?? It's only been a week and I'm so tired of focusing my entire day around my one meal - are there enough nutrients/protein? will it taste good? is it the flavor I really want? if I eat that, will I regret it and wish I'd had something else? Gah!! *** On a positive note *** Head/boredom hunger is almost gone and so far I haven't felt the need to eat my emotions!

B-52, thank you! It good to know I'm not the only one and that it will go away I don't count Protein like I'm supposed to b/c I'm still getting used to it. And will never count calories again so no idea there either...

Haha!! You're right... my daddy almost disowned me when I decided to join my husband as a Packers' fan Congratz on the 40lbs! That's incredible!! Keep up the good work!

Post partum with a Band baby was awful. I was emotional, wanted to everything, and usually did. You're only 4mos out and doing so much better than I did!! Keep it up!! Glad to hear you're not throwing in the band-towel yet

Weight fluctuates daily. I get on every day to keep myself accountable for any cheats (one slice of birthday cake equals 3lbs!!). But for actual weight loss/gain, I look at the week. If my Tuesday weight is less than last Tuesday, then I'm ok. Even if it was 4lbs up on another day. Of course, don't change your days each week to what looks best on paper Choose a day and keep it.

I just got goosebumps all over and started crying!! Congratulations!!

Hi everyone, It's so comforting to be back here. I haven't been on BariatricPal since it was called LapBandTalk!! It's been a long and emotional journey, to say the least. But I'm here, ready to give support and receive the support I desperately need!! I had Lap Band surgery June 22, 2012. I found out I was pregnant just 3 short months later. Just enough time to get used to the new eating habits but not enough time for them to truly be habits. I still lost while pregnant. Even with the pregnancy taking the majority of my first year, at my Bandiversary, I was down 76lbs. Now, another year later, I'm up 8-13lbs from that depending on the day. I'm still very proud of my overall progress but so frustrated that it's been 2 years and I should be at goal!! And that I can't get passed this hump! So here's my current motivation... hopefully it can help you too! We all have that next size down jeans/dress hanging on the wall (mine is in my kitchen!) to help motivate us to continue losing. And we all know it doesn't really work.... Well, my husband bought me some incredible motivation yesterday (his birthday). He picked me up from work (we carpool on Tuesdays) and said "open the trunk" and there was a big, thick, beautiful leather motorcycle jacket!! AND IT FIT!!! The motivation comes from the SECOND item he brought me... CHAPS!!! I was/am so thrilled!! I tried them on and they're about an inch and a half from fitting around my thighs. And that's ok! It's just what I needed to get off my ass and stop feeling so down about not being where I think I should be and doing something about it. Today is about celebrating how far I've come and reminding myself that I have reached so many goals already that this next one isn't that far away!! So to encourage all of you when you're down - REMEMBER HOW FAR YOU'VE COME!! Whether you are at goal, are only 1/2 way there like me, or are starting to gain a little... Don't give up! You are amazing! Love you all.

The pre and post op diets were hardest for me too. But they are extremely important. The pre-op diet gets your liver under control and to shrink back down to a normal size. If it's too enlarged, they can't get the band in properly. Not trying to scare you. Just want to make sure you know how very important pre/post op diets are. That being said, try not to stress over your 1/4 cupcake too much. In the 10+ years my surgeon has been doing this, he only had 1 he couldn't complete. Take care!

I'm 27weeks pregnant and only 37weeks banded. As I enter my third trimester, I am getting very depressed and having a very hard time remembering all the progress I've made. Before getting pregnant, I lost 43lbs. Since then, I've lost an additional 22lbs. While being pregnant, I went from size 22 pants (originally 28) down to a size 18. I love being pregnant and feeling this life growing and moving inside me. HOWEVER - even though the scales don't say I've gained ANY pounds... I feel humongous. I'm almost filling out my 22s again. My baby bump doesn't look like a baby bump to me. All I see is all the weight I've lost protruding from my gut laughing at me. My husband is an amazing support and tells me regularly how beautiful I am - without being prompted either =) But I still feel myself sinking down into a deep depression. I don't want to go through the last 3 months of my pregnancy feeling any kind of resentment towards my son. My heart breaks daily for the feelings I've been having... but I don't know how to turn it off. Rationally, logically, I know that any size difference is my little boy growing strong and healthy. But my head telling my hormones and other emotions doesn't really work. My husband telling me doesn't work. My band-counselor doesn't work. I'm at a loss. My heart hurts. Any similar experiences? Any advice?

The only warning I have is the mental game. At 21 weeks, I started freaking out because I was so sure the scale would show that I had gained 10lbs. It didn't, I lost another 2 at that appointment. My biggest struggle is not letting my size bother me. My weight is fine - my last appointment I was up 1lb from the previous. It's the size that gets to me. A month ago, I was in a solid size 18 pants and happy as could be. I haven't gained any weight according to the scale but this little boy is getting big!! I'm almost filling out my 22s again. And even though I know it's all baby and not fat and perfectly healthy - it's really really messing with my head!!! So whether you decided to get unfilled or not, beware the games your own mind will play on you...

I see a few different PAs when I go to the band-office for my appointments. I'm currently 27weeks pregnant / 37weeks banded. I had one PA tell me they have to remove the Fluid at the 3rd trimester and another tell me I don't have to have any fluid removed unless the baby isn't getting enough nutrients. My OB loves that I have a band and am working to get myself healthy. But of course, her main concern is the baby's health and growth. She said we'll just measure him more often to make sure he's growing properly. If all is well, she's fine w/ me keeping my current restriction level through the whole pregnancy. If you have any questions, feel free to message me. And CONGRATULATIONS!!! Oh... and my baby boy is growing just fine. At 25weeks, he was 2lbs already!! The OB is thrilled! And I haven't gained any baby/pregnancy weight. I've actually lost throughout the entire thing - not trying, just how my body reacts to the smaller portions.

Everything for me has happened vey fast. I had my consultation on April 17, 327#. Found out insurane definitely wouldn't cover, so my husband and I decided my health is important enough to practically drain our savings to do self-pay. Surgery was June 22, 314#. This summer was an emotional roller coaster. Learning to eat better, discovering my mental addiction to food and eating, strengthening my marriage through the process... among a hundred other things that I can't think of at the moment. I just had my 9th post-op appointment on Tuesday. In 90+days (280#), I've lost 34#, 47# overall, 3 pants sizes, and 2 shirt/bra sizes. My last fill, 2 weeks ago, brought me extremely close to the green zone. I can usually, not always, be satisfied for 6-8hours after eating a banana. Other times, I'm hungry again in only 2. It has been a crazy journey and I'm loving my new life! Unfortunately, I won't be losing as quickly now, or reach my goal of 200# by my bandiversary... But it's not that unfortunate =) I found out on Tuesday that I'm going to be a Mommy!!! I'm only about a month along. My band-doc said as long as my morning sickness doesn't make me throw up, I can keep the Fluid in until the 3rd trimester, take prenatals, and don't worry about making myself eat more, baby will take what baby needs. We were planning to wait until next year to try, to get my weight down to a more healthy level for pregnancy, but it looks like God has other plans! Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby! Thank you all for your prayers and support!

It will hurt and you'll need to have a check up to either take Fluid out or just make sure the band didn't move. The thing with vomiting is the stomache lurches an that can dislodge the band. I just found out I'm expecting. My PA said if I throw up, come in for an unfill. Otherwise, I can keep all my fluid until the 3rd trimester.

My biggest advice - banded or not - take it slow and eat before you go out. Your first big drinking experience will kick your butt if you go too fast. At 3 weeks, you will most likely still be on your post op diet. Ea something heavy to help soak up the alcohol. If you're on mushies, tuna would be good. If still on liquids, I recommend only 3 drinks all night so you don't get wasted. You do not want to throw up as it can dislodge your band. Definitely talk to your doctor. Mine didn't say anything about alcohol specifically, just to watch empty liquid calories. Good luck and happy birthday!!