Shackwacky

I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 163, that is 27 pounds gone and 28 to go! Am feeling better better better! I exercise every day now, (because I can). Yesterday I went to buy a dress for a special occasion and the one I chose hung on me, who knew that 27 pounds is almost three sizes!
To anyone still struggling, hang in there!

I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 163, that is 27 pounds gone and 28 to go! Am feeling better better better! I exercise every day now, (because I can). Yesterday I went to buy a dress for a special occasion and the one I chose hung on me, who knew that 27 pounds is almost three sizes!
To anyone still struggling, hang in there!

I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 163, that is 27 pounds gone and 28 to go! Am feeling better better better! I exercise every day now, (because I can). Yesterday I went to buy a dress for a special occasion and the one I chose hung on me, who knew that 27 pounds is almost three sizes!
To anyone still struggling, hang in there!

UPDATE - after working VERY hard and increasing my activity level i have now lost 13lbs in a month...im feeling great, not snacking and feel that i am in control again! X

Grapes, of all things. I just can't seem to chew them enough. And peeling the apple is imperative, apple peels get stuck on me every time. But I am fine with rice, and Pasta, and even asparagus.

Grapes, of all things. I just can't seem to chew them enough. And peeling the apple is imperative, apple peels get stuck on me every time. But I am fine with rice, and Pasta, and even asparagus.

I remember this feeling. Wondering how I could have invested the price of a small car in something that obviously didn't work.....
Hang in there. I was banded November 2012, and three months and three fills later I am finally getting that "aha" moment, and I can feel now what I was expecting for some crazy reason to feel right off the bat. It does get better.

I remember this feeling. Wondering how I could have invested the price of a small car in something that obviously didn't work.....
Hang in there. I was banded November 2012, and three months and three fills later I am finally getting that "aha" moment, and I can feel now what I was expecting for some crazy reason to feel right off the bat. It does get better.

Grapes, of all things. I just can't seem to chew them enough. And peeling the apple is imperative, apple peels get stuck on me every time. But I am fine with rice, and Pasta, and even asparagus.

Got the band November 1st, so far down 45 lbs and this past week I went to 8.5cc which I think is finally my green zone.
Already see I can't handle pancakes that well, though I can get them down one bite has me waiting 5 minutes in between (which sucks because pancakes were my favorite Saturday breakfast/brunch food) but I have learned to replace them with Protein Powder and egg/banana pancakes- go down just fine and 22g of protein!
Looking forward now I am green more continued weight loss!

Kris... i look at your before and after and think that you have done an amazing job. I'm go to tell you what i saw in your photo gallery.... Older pictures of you, you looked sad and underlay miserable. I can now see why this A$$ hole latched on too you. In the Healthier pictures... you look so happy and confident... stay this way...
Sojourne has given you great advice. Sounds to me like you are feeling some guilt about losing weight. Guilt about the ex-cheating-bastard.... So what if he like big girls. He probably can't handle the new, beautiful, healthy, confident and strong woman you have become. He likes big girls because we have low self esteem and self worth and are easily controlled. This is why he moved on from you, you were in control you. But now You are letting him control you even though you are not with him anymore by sabotaging your weight loss...
STOPPPP letting this happen...
Please go see someone and don't give up and don't let others determine your self worth. You will find someone that will love the person you are and not care about your size.. big or small.

Yes, sat on a coworkers office chair to fix the spreadsheet she was working on, and it collapsed. I hear you.

I can't believe I'm posting this, but I keep getting asked for before & after pics. So, the first one was taken the day of surgery and the second one I just took today.
Day of surgery, 1 year ago, size 46

Today, 181 pounds lost and size 18

Today, 1/31...marks 2 years with the band, and all I can say is I could not be more happy and pleased.....
61 years old, going on 40.......
A little background on MY JOURNEY....
first 6 months was HELL!! Very frustrating to say the least...all that anticipation only to be told I had to count my calories and measure my portions...I did not go through surgery to do that!! I've done all that before, many times.....But the Dr. explained to me until they get the band properly adjusted, dieting is the only thing I could do...be patient....
3rd and final fill 4 months after surgery, and it still took me 2 more months to figure this thing out....I wish I had a dollar for every time I got stuck, slimed and spit everything back up! But I was determined to make this thing work....and after 6 months things finally started to sync...in other words I FINALLY BEGAN TO LISTEN AND OBEY THE BAND....forcing me to break all my bad habits that made me "Morbidly Obese" in the first place.....once I got my act together, eating (and avoiding) the right foods, etc, etc....then and only then I found that "GROOVE" where everything became effortless and easy...that's why I do not call the band a "Tool", but rather the "MASTER"...if I do what the band tells me to do then all is good.....
I have not been stuck in over a year.....I have automatic Portion Control, and I am seldom hungry...and most times have no interest in food.....all because of the band and truly being in the Green....I do not need to count calories nor do I worry about portion sizes......just choose good foods and listen to the band when it says stop, I stop....
I have not eaten Breakfast in 18 months....
I reached my goal app. 13 months after surgery.....but my body continued to change and tone due to exercising....(I don't have much excess skin)
And now, 2 years later, I have to say there is a life after lapband surgery...there is a time when there is no more dieting nor is there any worry about gaining weight.....I do what every other normal weight person does every day...I enjoy certain food pleasures, have a beer or 2 (I know how to do it), but the bottom line is i NEVER (cannot) OVEREAT....and I REMAIN ACTIVE...running 5 miles a day, 5 days a week....
And always...get my daily Protein, Water and Vitamin requirements......
I know other people have a different approach....and that is good.....as long as people are successful and happy, then nothing else matters....
YOU CAN"T ARGUE WITH SUCCESS!!!!

And to all who are starting out...STAY AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVES>>>>THIS THING DOES WORK!!!!

Just got back from my appointment with my surgeon...from the moment I walked into the office I received nothing but
praise and compliments from all the office staff on how well I looked...there were 2 Med students there who came out to see what all the talk was about...
After an introduction and a little background story from the Nurse...one Med Student said "You're a runner! I can tell...you can always tell a runner a mile away...it shows!"
Back in Exam room with the Dr., weighed in...gained 1 lb in 6 months...he looked at me with a big smile and said what did you expect? You don't have an oz. of fat on your body...there's nothing left to loose!
Just keep on doing what you're doing...it definitely worked!
There is nothing else I can do for you, unless you think you're having a problem...then call me...
It's been 2 years....I wish I had done this sooner....to be honest, I never felt it would be this successful...sure, I knew I would loose weight...but for the Dr. (and everyone else there) to say
I look fantastic, and that I cannot possibly loose anymore???
It's also a big relief to know that everything I have been doing, everything I eat and drink, all the exercise...has been 100% SPOT ON!
And confirmed to keep right on doing everything the way I am now used to...
Words cannot describe how great I feel right now!!!!
NO MORE DIETS!!! NO MORE WORRYING ABOUT GAINING WEIGHT!
Just live the new life!!!
To all the newbies out there that may be reading this, I just want to say that THIS THING DOES WORK!!! All THE WAY!

And THAT...is what this WLS is all about....it's about the Band....
All too often I read through all the posts here on this forum, and all I read is about controlling hunger, getting back on track, falling off the wagon, counting calories, measuring portions, keeping food journal, etc, etc....all good things in their own merit...
But if I did not know any better, this website can easily be interpreted for a Weight Watchers website, or any other diet support group....I've been on 100's of diets and they all say the same thing....
Sometimes you can't recognize this as a website for people who have undergone WLS, as opposed to other weight loss programs....
Granted, in the beginning before the band is properly adjusted and performing as it was designed, that is all you can do....took me 4-5 months!
I did not need a band wrapped around my upper stomach so I can do all that again....I needed the WLS because I have/had a serious FOOD ADDICTION...and no diet was going to stop me from eating 24/7....out of control....large pizza's at a single sitting, all by myself, as one example, ......but the band did!!!
Sometimes I just want to scream...WHAT ABOUT THE BAND!!!...this thing MUST do something why else would so many people devote so much time and $$ to have it done??
What people should be asking is whether or not the band is doing (speaking) what you have stated, and if not, WHY?

I told only my husband. I am a very private person and it's no one else's business, I don't tell my coworkers or friends any of my other medical information, why should this be different?

Green Zone...............
NOT HUNGRY....People say 4-5 hours between meals....I experience No Hunger 24/7...I mean the band is there 24/7 so is the effects....the signal sent to my brain for me anyhow., and many other people I know....
PORTION CONTROL....I do not measure or weigh my food....My band dictates to me when to stop eating, automatically setting portion sizes...
GOOD WEIGHT LOSS.....with no hunger or cravings, and automatic portions when I do eat, this is a no brainer....how can it not happen.
PATIENT SATISFACTION.....I have NO COMPLAINTS!!! No whining here! I COULD NOT BE MORE SATISFIED!!
This is what I learned during my research before being banded, and this is what I expected after being banded.....I WOULD NOT SETTLE OR COMPROMISE FOR ANYTHING LESS....
I am happy to say I have been in the Green Zone for over 12 months, and experience all these things every day....I LOVE MY BAND....
Once I got into the Green Zone, this became the EASIEST THING to do to loose weight.....People say it's hard work and takes determination....well for me, that may have been true ONLY to get to the Green Zone, first 4-6 months for me.....after that...it became a normal lifestyle with the word Diet out of my vocabulary.....true, there where many lessons to learn along the way....
THIS is what the band is designed to do, in my opinion, and THIS is the way my life is now....others may have different experiences, but THIS IS MINE........You can't argue with success.....
I read all these different posts on this forum about this and that....and everyone's opinion how the band should and should not work....some don't have a clue I have learned......IN MY OPINION people should be asking themselves whether or not they are in the Green Zone, and if not, WHY.....

I eat egg beaters scrambled eggs almost every morning, 3/4 of a cup of egg beaters in a bowl, microwave and serve with fresh salsa. Prep time about 2 minutes 100 calories and 16 g Protein.< /p>

You're very newly banded so I am guessing you've only had one fill. For most people (though not all), it takes multiple fills before you have adequate Fluid in your band to control hunger. It's frustrating, I know, but unfortunately it's something a lot of go through in the early stages.
It's awesome you're sticking to your 1200 daily calories despite the hunger! Congratulations on that! The one thing I noticed is you mentioned that you had yogurt when you weren't hungry. I personally wouldn't do that. If you're not hungry, then save your snack for a time you are. It'll make your life a lot easier while you're still in bandster hell.
Also, while there is absolutely nothing wrong with carbs (I personally don't do the whole low carb thing), remember that Protein will fill you up a lot longer. I don't restrict my carb intake but I am careful to get in at least 60g of Protein, too.
Hang in there, it sounds like you're off to a good start.

Protein will help you feel full longer but when you have the right fill the hunger is eliminated. For me hunger would also get huge during pms but subside afterwards talk to your doc.

Wow.. This is exactly why I left this forum for another. I thought I'd give it another try and see if it had calmed down and this is the 1st post I read?!
Saying something like eating less calories and staying away from sliders etc works and that's what I believe just sounds silly! Of course it works but we were all big for a reason, because we had no self control over food, messed up head/huge appetite, whatever the reason. That does not change over night for most people, well researched or not. It is not quite as simple as 'here are the rules follow them' and everyone will be able to straight away. Sometimes people need a shake up and to be told but I really don't think your thread was the right way to do that, just look at the reaction it provoked. It didn't benefit anyone.
You can't just say 'no offence intended or didn't you read that'. I nearly laughed! You did mean to offend with your judgemental wording. You may get frustrated with people that lie and cheat themselves but that's just it, they are cheating themselves and are obviously doing it because they can't mentally get their head through it all. I didn't change my thinking over night. If my food addictions were milkshakes then I would probably find it a lot harder than I have.
I stalled for six weeks! Despite changing things around, increasing my Water take etc my weight stayed the same to the point. If I had read your post at that point I would have been very upset. Instead, I was given patience, understanding and support. Lots of people relaxed and gained over Christmas but we've all moved on and lost that and more. I doubt I could have admitted that here.
If you are doing well, yes give advice and let people know how you are doing it but at least try to fake a bit if empathy whilst you are doing it to those that are struggling to live with a band.
As others have said, yes it is annoying when threads are posted minutes next to each other but I'm sure you can ignore them if people are getting the responses and attention that they need.

Sorry, I don't think you did mean this to sound lecturing, but maybe you need to look at the fact that to others, it just may?
Especially since you are relatively new to this as well, and you seem to be intimating that you have a lot of experience and that we need to listen to you and stop asking the same damn questions over and over.
When I was young, my older sister was a skinny person. A naturally slender, blonde, fit, skinny person. Who ate more than me. Not sure why we metabolized food differently, but she was built like the women on my Dads side of the family -- I hit the genetic jackpot and followed the big aunties. So aside from calories in, calories out, there are many many reasons people gain or lose at different rates. This has been explained to me over and over again, by doctors, by dietiticians, by nutritionists, by my WL surgeon. We are all different, and no one size fits all approach will work for everyone.
When I was at my fattest, the skinny girls (my "friends") would say things like: "oh you have such a pretty face, you would be GORGEOUS if you lost some weight". Ouch. They would tell me this while sucking on a milkshake or nibbling on fries, while I mentally counted calories and decided whether or not I should sneak off and try to puke up my half a sandwich. Then they would, very nicely, explain to me that all I have to do is eat less. That if I really tried, I could stick to a diet and become pretty and thin like them. That if I really wanted it, it would be easy and SO rewarding. They meant well (maybe), but every word felt like an arrow piercing my too fat body.
Sometimes, when I am here I feel like I am back in grade nine. Like I am being told I am fat and stupid, and if I would just listen to the skinny people, the ones who have it all figured out, I could make proper use of my lap band and be skinny just like them! I feel like I am being told that I must not want it bad enough. Same arrows, different table.
I joined here thinking it would be a nice place to come and chat, get support, ask questions. But after a good start, I stopped doing much more than lurking, because I don't feel it's a very welcoming place for a newby. I am an adult, I don't need all caps lectures, or information repeated ad nauseum like I am too dense to hear it the first time. Sometimes, I just wanted to chat.
My two cents.

I LOVE MY BAND. I am at Docs goal of 175 for my height, but going for 165. 8 more pounds to go!
Best thing I ever did for myself. Size 22 down to size 8 jeans! Yay me!!!!

Got my second fill yesterday, so back to liquids today. Weight myself in the dotors office and it would seem I LOST two pounds over Christmas, so that was a nice surprise.