TexasDy

That is exactly what I needed to hear. I've had Philippians 4:13 stuck in my head for over a week. I KNOW that God is strong enough to help me lose weight without the band. But He also made the band available as the tool HE uses to get us there.
Thanks again.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 don't know the details of your case but I know when I called my insurance company it depended upon the contract between my employer and them. My employers had it set that bariatric surgery is a covered benefit.. but he told me that a few other people had called and for most of them it was not in their contract so it wasn't covered. So it wasn't the insurance company denying, it was the employer. I don't know if that is true in your case.. but it truly sucks and I hope you find someone to help you.

I hope you beat the food demon. Many don't and thats because it's not usually about the food but whatever we are trying to feed that is our problem. Though I don't consider it a diet, especially since I've surpassed goal, I'll continue to track, at least til my body accepts this new me. My Demon is still on my shoulders and will cause me problems if I let down my gaurd. My Iband helped me lose, but a lot if it's still up to me.

If you are satisfied with a cup of food, and 2 bites afterwards to be what you cal "miserably full"... and you have no hunger, what is wrong with thinking about food?
I think about all sorts of things, things I am unable to have...then the thoughts pass....
If the band is restricting your food intake, think about it all you want...you are still unable to eat it...
I say this out of experience...like you, I am NEVER hungry, and when I do eat, it is very little until I cannot continue...although I have never felt "Full" as some people here describe....
I think about different foods, remember how good it tastes, and how enjoyable it was to eat it...
True story...I was fixated on the memory of this old recipe my mother used to make when I was growing up...old country food you just can't find in any restaurant....I went to the store, purchased all the things to make it....put it all together and roasted it in the oven for 2 hours....the house smelled wonderful.
Bottom line, when all was done, I ate, like you said, about a cup, if that, then realized it was not very band friendly...all that work and preparation and it wound up in the trash. I know better now.
I had a craving for a McDonalds Cheeseburger the other week...I have not had a cheeseburger in almost 4 years....went through the drive thru, bought one cheeseburger...took one bite and then threw the thing away...it will probably be another 4 years untill I try that again...
I have not had a solid Breakfast since being banded....only home made high Protein smoothies with fresh ingredients...lunch is always light, VERY LIGHT....more like a snack....so yes, dinner is my one meal a day...and even then, I don't eat much. My only thing I am sure to do is get my Protein and Water requirements in...very important.
At times it would concern me perhaps I was not getting enough....but after all these years, I have never been healthier, more fit, and more energy I know what to do with.
I see 3 Dr.'s on a regular basis, including my cardiologist, and everyone of them cannot be more pleased with my status...
So think away...the band is still there doing it's job, and eventually, you will think less and less about the things you can't have...

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.

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!

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!

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!

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

3 years later - I hope you rode and are still riding!!!
I'm 335, 6weeks to surgery, and ride my Honda Shadow 1100 whenever I get the chance =) Definitely looking forward to hot biker chick clothes!!

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.

You are not alone! I am having this same issue. I lost 97 lbs before getting pregnant so I have hanging skin on my stomach...I've gained about 45 lbs since being pregnant and getting half of my Fluid taken out. I am growing appropriately and not measuring big or anything, but I very much still just feel fat even though I really do look pregnant.
It's a big struggle to go from focusing so much on getting smaller to being okay with getting bigger! My only advice is to remember that pregnancy is temporary and try to enjoy your growing body! It's doing amazing things on the inside right now, even if you feel gross on the outside That's what I try to remind myself!

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...