Tabithan

Hi CherylCovey - Welcome, Welcome Welcome!!! We are so glad you have joined us!!!!! With the exception of a couple of people, all of us on this thread were banded, lost weight, then lost committment resulting in either stalled weight loss or weight gain. So we can definitely empathize with your situation. I think it is important to feel a sense of sadness and disappointment in oneself. I have been there. However, what you do with that emotion, that feeling is what will make ALL the difference. I am not talking as an expert as I too have struggled, gained,and now relosing, but just from the perspective of a fellow struggler. I'm going to assume that your band is working properly and there are NO band issues, medically par se. if that is the situation, they you may want to try a recommittment to the band. Here are some ideas: a) Step 1 - the 5 day pouch test. Following this religiously could help you seriously get back on track. evaluating why the band is not being successful for you. Being truly honest in this process and acknowledging the role you have played in it. c) setting specific goals to help you get back on track. If you decide to join us long term, we wont judge you. This is a judgement free zone. But you will get tough love and celebration along the way. I know that this has helped me reignite my weight loss after 1.5years of no loss/gain. With that said, what are your goals for the month of January???

I am LOVING your success since you joined the band. Your committment is really impressive. Way to go White!!! Just reading this motivates me to keep going.... We TOO shall be successful!!!

Hi Gang, Just checking in for today. So far, so good. I was really hungry after my frozen dinner today at work. I need to get something that has less sauce so mushy. Last night, I didnt snack on anything by carrots, right before I slept. Was pretty happy. I gained 0.6 lbs 2 days ago and as of today I havent gained or lost, which is perfect!!!! I still have NOT made it to the gym,...I need help to move my b*tt!!!!!

Ron, on the biggest loser new season, has had gastric bypass and his stomach is the size of an egg. Howevever, he weighs 430 lbs. How is that POSSIBLE???? supposedly he didnt lose - me thinks he lost and regained...

So far, today was a good day for me. Went to Chillis for lunch but i checked their calories online, in advance, so I did a Soup and salad. I get hungry quickly on Soups but i snacked well with my Kashi bars - love and - and some no-sugar-added hot chocolate at 60 calories. Yesterday was a wierd day. I had a lot of head hunger at night and I did something I havent done in a LONG TIME. At around 11PM I got out of bed and went and got some Cereal and milk. So obviously, i slept real well after probably put all that sugar and milk on my hips since I went to bed RIZGHT AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tonight, if I feel like I need a midnight snack, I will snack on my sweet baby carrots!!!! :thumbup:

Welcome back Jen!!! WOW - you stayed on goal while on vacation??? that us impressive!!! Love the goals and very soon, you will be seeing the super thin you that you want to see!!! :thumbup: Keep us updated.

I'm excited for your next fill!! Hopefully you will feel the impact with that fill!!! is there a way he can be more aggressive with the fill? Maybe ask him to get more aggressive? So how are you doing on your goals today?? :thumbup:

Hi IB BANDED - I LOVE the new excitement and we are definitely going to support you with this. I love the fact that you have come back and posted and truly recommitted. That you haven't let a "not-so-hot" holiday hold you down. I didnt have the best holiday either - hehehe - but like you, we all came back, and because of that, YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!! In order for us to support you with the goals, we need one committment from you - that you will post here, good or bad, keep us in the loop - the reason it is so important is that when we are not doing so HOT, we (and I am the BEST at this!! lol) avoid LBT like the plague. But avoiding LBT when we are not doing well just extends our "bad food binge" even longer. So yes, I will support you and everyone will support you. Yipeeeeeee. Way to go IBBANDED - love this!!!

Since you are in TX, try Dr Alanis in Houston. www.dralanis.com. I use him and he is AWESOME!! Part of His goal is to encourage people who would otherwise go to Mexico, have the surgery done here in the US. Excellent bedside manners - you will LOVE HIM. He is very very affordable as well. I think at the same cost or similar as someone going to Mexico.

I joined the Valentine's day challenge, but I would like in on this AS WELL since this runs through the whole year. Added my name!! Name___________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal_________ToGo *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:cool2:</v:shapetype>************************:tt2:***********:thumbup:********** :wink_smile:*** Brandy.............198............196...........166...........28 Chocolate_Snaps....244............234...........175...........59 Ebonie.............307............307...........200...........107 GratefulHeart......226............223...........135...........88 Lindar172..........246............246...........150...........96 LocomotiveEngineer.311............311...........220...........91 Long2BThin.........216............212...........169...........43 lotzasunshine......270............270...........180...........90 Loveislovely.......216............216...........175...........41 lucyavery..........205............205...........140...........65 Mair...............231............231...........140...........91 Mamanmidwife.......264............264...........200...........64 Tabithan...........240............240...........200...........40 Under200...........242............199...........155...........44 vzghj3.............202............202...........150...........52 WOWOX7.............173............170...........125...........45 Florida Pete.......413............413...........300...........113

So glad it is somewhat loosening over time. Have you tried Protein powder? I use Isopure from GNC - Pinneaple-Orange-Banana flavor. It dissolves really easily so you can use a cup of Water to mix in, and get it down quickly (rather than having to make up a HUGE shake,) 1 scoop has 105 calories and 25 grams of protein. This really helps me get my protein intake up, if i am not having a good day. I hear you on the metabolism - I need to up my calories as well and START working out again. There is my struggle.

I posted above RIGHT BEFORE you did!!! Sooo glad to hear you are doing so well!! Congrats!!! :wink_smile: Will include your uncle in my prayers tonight. Hang in there!!!

Bethnvr and White06 - How are you doing so far?? Been a couple of days so just checking in!!

Hi Ebox, i am REALLY excited for you for starting the journey today, and setting goals. Nicely done - with the absolute right attitude for success!!! I think these are GREAT goals that will help you accomplish your end goal. I cant wait to see your progress. :thumbup: Have you tried the 5 day pouch test diet that Kaelin's G Ma is doing? I can tell you that before I did this test, I had 12 CC in a 12 CC band with NO restriction. I am not exaggerating. And I was frustrated. Then I had my port revision, the dr took out all my Fluid and only put in 5CC then he asked me to go on 2 days liquids then soft Protein then solid protein - like the pouch test. And for once in almost 2 years, with less in my band than before, I had RESTRICTION!!!! Also, when is the last time you had a fill"? how big is your band? Is your dr aggressive with fills? Sometimes it takes a while to get to good restriction especially on the BIG BANDS!!!! Congratulations again, for getting back on track. We are here to support you!! Please continue posting (ESPECIALLY when things are not going so well.) Talk to you soon!!

Whoooowhoooooooooooooooo Kaelin's G-MA. Nice work today as well. I love that the scale moved!!!!! How's it going with the soft Proteins?? Ooooh no on the rib dinner - your band might not be tolerant to beef. Is there anything else you can't eat?? I read somewhere that our emotions affect our band - if we are anxious we can be tighter or more sensitive, etc.

I hear your crzytchr - I decided that i want to ENJOY my meals so I do not want to be restricted anymore unless I stop losing. For me, the quantity I eat doesnt mean as much so long as the lbs keep decreasing. What are some of the foods you cant eat? Of course as you continue to lose weight, generally your band loosens more. At 3/4 - 1.5 cups depending on time of day or what I am eating, I feel that I have the perfect restriction. Some people need or want more restriction than I have. So it is all a personal decision. how many cups can you eat in a sitting?

Hi Everyone, Today was a very interesting day for me. I overcooked my oatmeal at Breakfast so could only eat about half a packet. Then, it was one of my team-member's birthday and we took her to lunch. She chose mexican - of course, chips AND SALSA IS MY WEAKNESS and they have the BEST!!!! I ate about 10 tortilla chips (feeling guilty) but I managed to order their grilled skirt steak and substitute the rice and refried Beans for salad. I ate the ENTIRE 8oz of skirt steak because as I said before, i somehow lose my restriction when I am eating in public with others. LOL. Overall though, I did well because i previously would not have been able eat just 10 chips - feeling proud!!! It is REALLY cold here in houston so I had some 60 calorie hot chocolate. I'm kinda really full so I wish i hadnt drunk it. Calculated my calories at fitday so far and I am at around 765 which is HIGH for this time of day (dinner tends to be my largest meal.) I think I will have a frozen dinner because that way i can control the calories i take in today. Anyway, despite eating out, it was a good day today!!! How was your day, fellow strugglers???

Happy Monday, gang!! Here's to looking forward to a new, fresh, successful lap-band week!!!

subscribing

Hi Amy, It's been a couple of days since you posted. How is it going? any movement on the weight loss?

I had just graduated from college (21) and was excited to start working. I thought I was a leader by nature and happily shared that with my roommate's boyfriend at the time. I said something to the effect of, "anytime I am in groups, i always end up in the leadership role." He replied that he didnt think that was because I am a leader - it is because I was so Big and they were scared of me.

I had United Healthcare with my company. UHC's requirements at the time were a BMI of 40 Minimum (without co-morbidities) or a BMI of 35 with Comorbidities. I had no Co-morbidities but my BMI was right at 40 so it was a breeze approval. From everything I have seen, different policies have different requirements, but a Minimum BMI seems to be in everything I have seen. Good LUCK!!!!!!!!!

My band is crazy!!!!!!!!! When I am at home by myself, I have great restriction. Can eat 3/4 to 1.5 cups a meal, depending on what I am eating. But everytime I am around people, I LOSE restriction. This happened when i took my team to a lunch and movie (I managed to down a philly cheesesteak and a basket of fries - which left me starving) at Christmas and the days following when restriction was an unheard of term. I come back home from the celebrations and BAM - my restriction is back. New years - two days of super indulgence. Yesterday all day - I am doing GREAT then I go for a housewarming party and BAM - i eat like I have not eaten in the last two years!!!! Today - restriction back full force. I actually am getting to the point that I think it is a LITTLE Humourous!!!! Just thought I would put it out there to see if anyone else has quirky band stories!!!

I had someone tell me I dressed "too sexy" for my size. Whoever said that big people must wear momoos? Mind you, it was just a short skirt (i'm tall so have longer legs.) She then proceeded to tell me that the reason guys talked to me was because of the way I dressed not because of ME. Can someone say something!!! Anyway, she was and is still bigger than me but I think it bothered her when guys talked to me and not her, given that she considered herself way hotter than me!! (why do we have to compare?? )