Shazam

I agree with B52! Protein is the way to go. Otherwise, after loosing a lot of weight you will appear drawn. Plus, you actually feel fuller longer with the protein shakes!!

I agree with all mentioned above. I can do dark meat of chicken. But the white meat of chicken or a pork roast kills me. Also, it's always good to really chew everything. When I don't do that, it gets really bad. One time I was throwing up go a half an hour. I didn't chew, and it was what I ate. Slow down too. When I let myself get too hungry it happens then too.

Personally, I wouldn't eat before I go to bed. Refrain with eating with your hubs. You just opening a door you don't want to open again.

Hi lady vs, yes the environment is odd. I mean these are people who has WLS surgery! And yesterday I had a coworker sit down with me, and we are talking and she must have said "but you look so different" so many times it was uncomfortable. Finally another woman at the table tried to stop her and say "she looks great". Of course, she kept going on. So with no support from the Banded or the Sleeved, I've got that going on. As I struggle with this journey, I'm really finding out who my friends are and who aren't even more so than ever. And sometimes it really sucks. Even enough to the point I just want to dip my head in a Barrel of ice cream. Obviously, I won't. But I will admit I cheated yesterday. I didn't go overboard, either. Yesterday, in a whole was very difficult for me. And I'm kinda mad that I gave in. But it's done and I'm going to try to pick myself up and try again.

I just flew, no biggie. It was fine.

Not surprised at all. But everyone wanted a "change" and now we are getting it. Personally I don't want any government entity making life and death decisions. Guaranteed it's only going to get worse.

My doc told me you loose the most just after surgery and then it's about 1-2 lbs a week. And that is what you want.

Good luck to your new life!!!

LeeB I've seriously considered it. But what's been very nice, I've been getting all sorts of compliments now, nearly daily. And it has been in front of these people. Which also is a bonus, Because I can tell they are mad at me. But they really should be mad at themselves. Oh well. I just checked the scale and it moved again. Yay!!!

Thanks all, serious. I will sometimes it's not as easy as it sounds. I sometimes wonder if I hold myself back, when I've slipped and cheated. But I can't beat myself over the head for being human. The only thing I can do is continue. Before if I cheated , that was the gateway for giving up. After being banded, if I have cheated, I stand up and start over right after that. On the same day. I'm not saying that it's okay to cheat either. As I go on, it actually gets easier. Like right now my hubs is making homemade good ol fashion popcorn, with melted butter..... Omg!!! Bit you know what, this chick isn't breaking tonight!!! Woot woot . I just need to remember to exercise no matter what.

And I'm ok now, maybe in an hour or tomorrow I won't be. I kinda feel like an addict.

I like the treadmill because I can control more. On the elliptical I don't feel as though I can. I can walk, jog or run. Fast or slow it seems like I have control and I like that.

I felt as though I needed motivation too. But as the person stated, start out small and build up.

Exercise is essential for loosing weight.

Thanks all.

greetings fellow bandsters. this morning i was thinking how lucky i've been through my journey in changing and to my new and improved life!!! and i also owe lots of thanks to each and every one of you. for those who have been there and even those who you may not. we are all together in this. some of us may linger and not say anything, and others post daily. what ever the reason you're here, the fact is you are here. knowing i can come here open and honestly for support, complain, share my joys or even my downs, is for me support.

i actually have a couple of friends who i feel no longer any type of support for me. for me they are no longer an inspiration, or mentor, or even someone i can talk to anymore. and heres why:

my one friend, who I'll call Sharon. Sharon basically got me interested in the lapband. she was successful in loosing lots a weight. she looked fantastic. after she had lost weight she had a face lift, her veins done in her legs, all kinds of things to look good. she now drinks like a fish, in fact her fridge is so full of liquor it makes me ill. i went to a Thirty One party at her house last night, and i was very proud of myself with control and temptation. (i'm finding that is getting easier) she had chips, yummy bread, veggies & dip, and buffalo wings, crackers and some other bad things. a pretty tough selection for one who is on a diet. remember she is on it as well. i limited myself to a couple of wings and veggies. normally i would had have a ton of wings, and certainly the chips. so, as for having her for support, not really anymore. PLUS she has gained a lot of weight back. which i don't want to do. and she is beginning to look not so good. and now... its as though she has gone off the deep end. i'm very uncomfortable around her, she wants to have cocktails all the time...!!!

another friend i work with, Milkshake Mandy she is way gone. i call her milkshake mandy because she is always walking around with a milkshake and claims its a Protein Shake - in a Culver's cup. Right! i can't tell if she has gained it back (she wears lots of hoodies, i think to hide it), but she is constantly eating crap, and drinking crap and always eating chocolate. she lies about nearly everything and i don't have the patience anymore with her. she over reacts to stuff. her drama is wacko. so she is gone from eating healthy anymore.

then there is Jill who i work with and from the start she didn't follow the diet. eating crackers and not drinking the Protein shakes. in fact, yesterday she was walking around with a huge honking bag of chocolate covered popcorn. WTH? so talking to her, is difficult. she complains she hasnt lost weight, and its true, she really hasnt. i have tried to suggest drinking a Protein Shake...and its like talking to the wall. so i can't really find support with her.

Jill's friend Shelly had the sleeve done. she looks marvelous.. she is done. in just a couple of short months, she has completed her journey. (mine will probably be another year at my going rate) (i will admit i do at times wish i had the sleeve done, but i'm getting okay with my decision with the lapband now) she had her surgery in april. but here is the BUT, she eats crap too. from the beginning she was walking in with ice cream cones, crackers, chips.. i hardly saw her eat anything good. so yes, she is skinny now, but her eating habits are very uncomfortable for me. and you know what, maybe not right now, but her eating habits will catch up to her. maybe not today, but it will.

i feel as though i know one or two more people with the lapband, but im not as close as i am with these girls.

its very frustrating for me. so i try not to associate with them anymore or have little time with them. i don't want to be one of those who loose and gain it back. and that is sooooooo easy to do. my husband says i'm like a smoker who quit, and now can't stand smoke. hahaha. but its with food. and i think he's right. turning down the bad choices have surprisingly become extremely easier. and now my "cheats" are like having beef or like last night the wings with breading. i try not to beat myself over the head with a situation as the breading on the chicken, because it was beyond my control. and i keep thinking i didn't have chips or a cocktail. thats where the really bad stuff lies.

another thing, i've learned EXERCISING IS ESSENTIAL for loosing weight and maintaining weight. i know its difficult to get into a routine. but if you do it, the weight melts off even faster.

anyhoo, sorry for making this long. but that is why i am sending thanks to you all. see, i've tried talking to what my friends in real life in regards to their experiences. and we aren't on the same page anymore. they simply want the quick fix. and you know what - there isn't one. this is lifetime. this is life changing. i still have a ways to go. my year anniversary is in november. i've lost over 50lbs and have at least another 50lbs to go. i am off all my old medicines and currently only taking Vitamins. i want to keep it that way. plus, the shopping in smaller sizes is such a moral booster. and this is why i thank you. sometimes, i didn't post, i just read other thoughts, questions and ideas. sometimes, i did post. and other times, i didn't need support. but, you all have been there, anytime, day or night.

good luck to all of you. don't let anyone get you down. youre stronger now. and most of HEALTHIER!!!

Oh and no it doesn't hurt. I was nervous at first. It's better than getting blood drawn. Honest. Just weird at first. But after you get it, I was like "that was easy" !! And it's so easy after that. And I hate needles.

Well yes you should have a fill for a number of reasons. And one is as you get smaller, you have a possibility to become prone to slipping of the band. At least that is what my doc told me

Congrats to you nsv !! Awesome. Every time I get a nsv, it always surprises me, and catches me off guard. And I don't know about anyone else, I continue to think, I should never had let it get to where I was. But, on the flip side, I think id appreciate my journey even more for all what I've gone through. So I'm ok.

Congrats and welcome to your new life!! I've not completed my journey, but I'm nearly half way there. And you summed up my feelings pretty well.

Awesome!! I kinda went through the same. I also could have possibly gone one size even smaller but it was a tight squeeze. The clothes in the smaller sizes are more fun too. Congrats

Everyone is different. But I have found that I thought I was in the green zone and then I would still need a fill. But it's good you're feeling it. Congrats

Give it time, you had surgery. It took me like 16 days or so to feel normal again.

Fast forward nearly a year and 50lbs less, I'm awesome!!!

I think it seems like you might need a fill. It took like 5-6 fills for me to feel restriction.

Yesterday, I just had someone ask me this. And actually, I do know she meant well, and was nice. But I still don't think it's anyone's business. I replied with simply, " more than I have to admit, and I'm still loosing". She did say I look great too! And that's how I will respond with any more inquiries.

First time in my life I'm able to stay motivated. I feel like I have a new life. No regrets. About a week ago, I walked way over 4 miles, there was no way I could do that before being banded..!!!

I'm not at goal yet, but I have gone down a size..!! It always seems that's the first place to go...!