Msdropinoff

It's one day' date=' really, it's not a big deal. I know I ate a ton more calories than I normally do. Heck, I had a piece of pie at 8pm last night even. But honestly? I don't care. I have been doing this long enough to know if I have a "freebie day" once in awhile, it's not going to effect me. In fact, I personally think they're necessary once in awhile so you don't feel deprived.

I ate a bunch of candy on Halloween. I had all the fatty, high calories stuff of Thanksgiving yesterday. I'll have Cookies and treats on Christmas.

But the day after, I'm right back on track always. In fact right now I'm eating a salad for lunch made out of leftover turkey. I'm counting calories and leaving yesterday as a nice memory.

Don't sweat it, just be on track again today [/quote']

I kind of look up to you. So to see that even you have a day sometimes. It makes me feel like I'm not a loser. I didn't do to bad...but I definitely didn't count calories. Thanks so much for being you.

I definitely will! My doctor is out of WPAHS so it was just easiest to go there so they'd already have my medical records' date=' etc. Only my GYN is at Magee. [/quote']

That's cool!! Well good luck with everything and I am about six weeks out so if you have any questions can always contact me.

West Penn Hospital

That's cool...had mines done at Magee. I work there so it was easy to have appt. Good luck. Keep us posted.

I'm from the Burgh! I meet Dr. Urbandt for the first time in a few weeks.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using LapBandTalk

What hospital does that doc work out of?

I have told only a selected few about my decision regarding the lap band. No one in my family know yet because they always have something negative to say and it don't surprise me. What surprises me is the friends I have shared this info with can be so mean. I'm getting this done because I don't want to be obese anymore & struggle with the health issues I have now. Yes I ask myself all the time "whatever happened to plain old exercising"... I know me better than anyone do and I can honestly say that wont be enough for me. Needless to say I dont feel I owe anyone an explanation on my decision. If you're a true friend you shouldn't ask for one nor make fun of me... definitely a great time to find new friends!

I'm was banded oct 11th. So I'm not that far out. We are here to make new friends. So if you need it I'm here for you. Friend me...I have not figured out how to do it yet. Lol

Maybe.. two months before surgery, I tried Japanese for the first time. It was love at first bite. So I made it my last meal. I had 12 people with me...it was great.

Its time!!! Very excited and can't wait!!! Getting nervous but a good nervous!!! Any advice for tomorrow?

Make sure to take a pillow with you for the ride. And remember this is the beginning of your new life. Good luck...see you on the other side.

Oh after your second fill it gets so much better. I was 199 Tuesday. Im 294 today just since that second fill. I feel like i did after surgery.. Not hungery and when i eat i have to go slow. I was worried this diet wouldn't work for me until that fill

That is great...can't wait until I get there. Good luck and keep up the good work.

As many of you know' date=' I was stuck for more than a month. I was monitoring my calories, getting in all my Protein and exercising, yet the scale didn't budge. I know, plateaus are normal, but they still suck. Around the time the plateau hit I also started taking birth control pills. I even gained 2 pounds, which for me was the deal breaker. I had to find a way to break the plateau and start losing again.

So I started researching. Low carb, high carb, no carb, etc. I see so many variations on here! What's right? What's wrong? I already knew it was a matter of choice without a clear right or wrong answer, but I also knew individual body needs also played a very big part in it. During my research I kept coming across something called carb cycling, so I decided to look more into it.

Carb cycling is essentially trying to optimize your metabolism by alternating high and low carb days. Body builders often do this to build muscle and burn fat before a contest but it's also very helpful for weight loss. Then one day I turned on Doctor Oz...and wouldn't you know it... it was an episode on carb cycling. Chris Powell, of The Biggest Loser, was on his show talking about he has all the contestants on the show carb cycle and how he does it. For me, this was the point I decided to give carb cycling a try.

Chris Powell's method is specifically for weight loss so I decided to go with his (there's many out there). He has an excellent book called “Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle Solution”.

His theory: No carb diets don't work. It's not sustainable long term and eventually it significantly slows the metabolism. Worse, people who cut out carbs usually end up gaining all their weight back and then some when they do suddenly reintroduce carbs. Carbs are the energy block of the body and a long term lack of carbs will cause the thyroid to slow down significantly.

7 day diet/carb cycling: High carb day followed by low carb day, alternating daily. Start on a high carb day and always eat within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning. Always limit or omit carbs after 6pm.

All this is within your own personal daily calorie allowance.

High carb day/energy day:

[*']Preferably complex carbs. Protein, low fat. unlimited veggies.

Low carb day/burn day:

[*]A little carb in the morning to boost metabolism

[*]Cut carbs the rest of the day.

[*]Protien, healthy fats, unlimited veggies

3 of each/low carb and high carb. 7th day is cheat day

Cheat day:

[*]Boost calories to boost metabolism

[*]Boost to no more than 1000 extra calories a day

[*]Cheat at Breakfast and lunch, not dinner. 6-12pm “behave”

[*]Cheat at a table. Not in a car, or at a sofa, etc. No “hypno binging”

[*]No leftovers allowed.

Mind you, this is the short version of all this. If this interests you, I'd strongly suggest buying his book for a better understanding. It's very enlightening.

...So this is what I've done for the last week. I am very happy to say, carb cycling broke my plateau, despite still being on the birth control pill too. I lost 5.4 pounds this week!

I have decided I am going to continue to carb cycle. I am not a fan of the low carb days, but I am getting more used to them. Plus, I find my "carb cravings" have all but disappeared since starting this- something I didn't think possible.

For me, it's working. I just thought I'd share the results of my little self experiment

You are truly my hero!!! You are one of the reasons I come back day after day. And yes I will get the book. I hope they have a ebook for it. Thanks again.

Sept 20th.

I'm starting to see inches falling off. So I guess I'm not really at a stand still. And I will get my first fill Nov 30th. So things should change.

When i stop weighting i cheat. Not all of us are the same. Some need daily support on the scale

When did you have surgery I had surgery October 11 of this year. I haven't cheated yet but I feel myself wanting to another reason why get on the scale every day.

Get rid of the scale! Take it out of the house lol hard to do I know! My husband was bandw Oct 4th (my ban is scheduled Nov 13th) he gets discouraged by the scale and causes himself undo stress. He also takes it hard if he doesn't lose what he thinks he should... Heal first' date=' then when you get a fill you may see more lbs melt off [/quote']

Thanks for your advise. And yes I would love to take the scale out. But then I would just do it at work. Lol

I was at a stand still at 4-6 wks too. I added Mfp on my phone' date=' got a second fill, and Im off and losing again.

My fitness pal is so good. I was doing stuff i shouldn't and not eating stuff i can![/quote']

Good suggestion...I will look into adding that. I'm using lost it on my phone right now. Thanks again.

Also I would like to thank you guys. For taking the time to ever respond. I hardly post...because no one really response. I know I'm new...so thanks again.

Talk to my nut in the cafe today. We work in the same hospital. She said to keep calories under 800. Which at this point I can't even eat that much. Im glad i seen her...it made me feel much better. And the best part is...I didn't have to pay a copay.

1st great job on the weight loss- that is good for 4.5 weeks!

2nd- it is okay to weigh daily IF you do not let it stress you. So many people told me not to weigh daily, but I just couldn't stop. I talked to my doctor and I was told, if that is what you want, do it, just don't allow it to control you. So what I do is keep a chart. Each daily I write down my weight (I weigh as soon as I get up, after I pee, with only a little night shirt on). I look at my trends to see how I am doing rather than looking at the weight for the day. I also write down when my TOM is suppose to be, and if I exercised. After a month or two of this I was able to see patterns to help me make better choices. Just do not allow frequent weighs stress you because that can cause your body to retain the fat (stress horomones).

Until you are on regular foods its about getting Protein in and eating nutrious foods. During that time I was told to eat between 800-1000, but now I eat between 1200 and 1300. Like I said before I chart everything, including my calories. If I keep my calorie intake in that range I loose if I drop it I plateau if I up it I either plateau or gain.

It's tricky, but if you try you can figure out what works for you, each bandster is different and must find their own success pattern. A nutrionist can help with this.

Thanks alot for the advice. And it doesnt stress me out to much. But I think I will go down to once weekly. Thanks again!!

I decided to weigh weekly, cause I stress over mini ups and downs. I did weigh daily for a bit when I first got to "onederland" cause I just loved seeing the "1" in the first digit. Remember this is a slow steady journey. It is not surprising to lose only 1-2 pounds a week and that can get slower as the weight falls off! Hang in there. We are with you!

Thank you for the well wishes. I will hang in there..it can only get better from here. Thanks again!!

Keep in mind the first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not losing, so the fact you lost anything at all is very good. Congratulations.

Also remember that plateaus are very normal. How long have you been at a weight loss stand still?

I would strongly suggest seeing a nutritionist. It is crucial to set up food guidelines that work within your lifestyle and to understand healthy eating to be successful with weight loss. They can help you establish a good calorie range for your needs, too.

Best wishes.

I been at a stand still for 2 1/2 wks. But im back to work and not getting to the gym as of yet. They have only cleared me to walk so far. I had henia surgery also. And you are right I will talk to my nut next week. Thanks for the advice.

4 1/2 wks post-op 21 pounds down. Now I'm at a stand still. I know I should not get on the scale everyday. But it's hard not to. Question...how many calories are people eating? I was never told how many to have at this point. By the way im on soft foods now. Thanks in advance for the help.

To all those who have been waiting for the packet to help with the lap band diet and etc....

HERE IT IS

http://www.surgicalassociatesvhc.com/Nutrition-and-Exercise-following-Adjustable-Gastric-Banding-82011.pdf

Thank you so much.

Hope you have a terrific day. Schools were closed here due to Sandy for 2 days. Drive safely!

Thank you for the well wishes!!! Schools were closed here in Pittsburgh today. But it ok here now...the worst is over. And so far work is okay...just a little tired. Thanks again.

Well wish me luck...of course Sandy is making it hard to get there. But a hospital never closes. I have a major headache and bowel issues. But can't wait to see my OB patient. Have a great day and I will check in later.

Update: I finally made it home. I'M BANDED NOW!! Feeling pretty good except for the gas discomfort.

Glad to hear it....get some rest. And get ready for your new life.

I'm being banded this morning to so nervous but yet happy.... Good luck!!!!

God is in the room gliding the doctors hands. Leave the nerves behind...see you on the other side.

Thank you everyone! I've been up all night because I'm so anxious!

Sending a pray your way. See you on the other side!!!