mrsto

Arlene - Mazel Tov on your great success! Yes, I said GREAT success. As you said, everyone is very different with their overall program, and it's so important not compare yourself to anyone else. Just focus on your own achievements; for which you've had many.
Happy Bandiversary :-)

Donna - I'm 58 (as of next week), but I'm going to comment, anyway :-)
I have lost and gained so much weight over the years, I never stopped to think about surgery. This last round of weight (over 90 pound gain), really threw me. This time, being post menopausal, it seemed impossible to eat the small amount necessary to drop some weight. So, I continued to gain. I was on blood pressure meds, had high cholesterol, my knees were ready to give out, along with various other obesity related issues and pain.
It wasn't until my next door neighbor told me that she had a bypass, that I even considered surgery. After months of turmoil on what to do, I settled on the lap band with plication. I'm 4 months out, 37 pounds lighter, off the blood pressure meds, knees rarely hurt, and I'm half way to my goal (I set a reasonable goal of 150). Do I wish I did it sooner? So far, I haven't felt that way. I'm just glad that I DID it, and my weight is going in the other direction.
Good luck! You came to the right place, and will get lots of good info and support on this site.

Donna - I'm 58 (as of next week), but I'm going to comment, anyway :-)
I have lost and gained so much weight over the years, I never stopped to think about surgery. This last round of weight (over 90 pound gain), really threw me. This time, being post menopausal, it seemed impossible to eat the small amount necessary to drop some weight. So, I continued to gain. I was on blood pressure meds, had high cholesterol, my knees were ready to give out, along with various other obesity related issues and pain.
It wasn't until my next door neighbor told me that she had a bypass, that I even considered surgery. After months of turmoil on what to do, I settled on the lap band with plication. I'm 4 months out, 37 pounds lighter, off the blood pressure meds, knees rarely hurt, and I'm half way to my goal (I set a reasonable goal of 150). Do I wish I did it sooner? So far, I haven't felt that way. I'm just glad that I DID it, and my weight is going in the other direction.
Good luck! You came to the right place, and will get lots of good info and support on this site.

Donna - I'm 58 (as of next week), but I'm going to comment, anyway :-)
I have lost and gained so much weight over the years, I never stopped to think about surgery. This last round of weight (over 90 pound gain), really threw me. This time, being post menopausal, it seemed impossible to eat the small amount necessary to drop some weight. So, I continued to gain. I was on blood pressure meds, had high cholesterol, my knees were ready to give out, along with various other obesity related issues and pain.
It wasn't until my next door neighbor told me that she had a bypass, that I even considered surgery. After months of turmoil on what to do, I settled on the lap band with plication. I'm 4 months out, 37 pounds lighter, off the blood pressure meds, knees rarely hurt, and I'm half way to my goal (I set a reasonable goal of 150). Do I wish I did it sooner? So far, I haven't felt that way. I'm just glad that I DID it, and my weight is going in the other direction.
Good luck! You came to the right place, and will get lots of good info and support on this site.

Thanks all- I am my own worst enemy. I had hoped I would have lost more by this point. I have been at the same zone for 3 months, I feel like I may be stuck. OH, well- the stress of my work life at the moment isn't helping much. My NUT said that I need to try to maintain for now until the stress level dies down and then try to start losing again. I guess I need to take that advice.

Yea....what CG said!
This is your life....not some race to see how fast you can get to some magic number. (although I'm guilty too!) Hell, I'm coming up on four YEARS and not at that scale goal yet.
Some days I eat MUCH more than others...and I'm fairly "tight". But thats life with the band for me....and its working that way.
Be proud where you've come so far.... Try going and carrying around a 60# bag of concrete/whatever for a while..

you really should stop downing yourself by saying (you only lost 60 pounds)..that is an incredible feat... be proud of that

You talk like 60 pounds isn't a lot of weight! Let me put this in perspective for you: My 10 year old son weighs 67 pounds. You lost almost the equivalent of a 10 year old boy. That is no small feat!! That's A LOT of weight!!
Don't ever compare yourself to others. No one is doing "better" than you are. Your journey is uniquely yours and you're doing beautifully at it.
Don't be so hard on yourself

I am familiar with PCOS. It is true that there are more challenges with weight loss, but not for all women. It's also true that women, band or no band, are able to lose weight with diet and lifestyle change, WITH PCOS. I'm not trying to minimize how difficult it is for YOU. But it can be very easy to fall into old behaviors, while totally blaming it on a health issue.
Your original post said that you were hungry all the time, and finding food on every corner. I believe that some of the posters were responding to that. PCOS doesn't force anyone to make poor food choices. Even pregnant women choose yogurt over a Big Mac & fries. Again, I'm not saying that's what YOU were eating at every food venue on every corner. But you were eating enough to gain a substantial amount of weight, which typically equates to too much food, and poor choices.
If a good portion of your issues are in fact PCOS, then maybe posting in an online PCOS forum is a better option.

With all due respect, we do understand carb cravings. Many of us have them.
If it's something specific to PCOS then no, we don't understand. But if you're posting about it on a Lap Band forum then you can't expect us to "have a clue" about PCOS. Any advice you get here is going to be based on what we know about the band, not PCOS.

I agree with both of you about the carbs! I just didn't realize I was restricting them. I was eating my protein first, like a good girl , and just didn't really think about carbs. I have absolutely no desire to eat bread at this point and would kind of like to keep it that way. I added black beans to my dinner last night and the yogurt I'm eating this morning has some carbs too. I guess I just need to pay more attention! Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to break out the quinoa and brown rice tonight.

This is my own opinion too, but I think that everyone needs some carbs. As Mis said, only good carbs, but.....carbs! Protein has always been the most of what I eat, but I do add a small amount of quinoa, 100% whole grain bread, yams, beans, etc.
Beanie - you're lucky that exercise isn't a chore for you. Given how much you do, I imagine that with the dietary adjustments, the weight is going to start melting off.
PS: The nutritionist at my doctor's office ALSO (appears to) never have had an extra pound on her. Same with the nurse who I do some of my follow ups with. Sometimes, when I talk with the nurse about different issues, I don't think that she understands quite the way someone who's been through it would. Just my feeling.... But as long as she knows what she's doing, I'm good :-)

SO well written! A very sad commentary on our society indeed! It's no wonder why 12 year old girls dress like porn stars, and at 16, already looking to plastic surgery. Pathetic.......so unbelievably sick. And it just seems to get worse.

SO well written! A very sad commentary on our society indeed! It's no wonder why 12 year old girls dress like porn stars, and at 16, already looking to plastic surgery. Pathetic.......so unbelievably sick. And it just seems to get worse.

That was seriously an awesome blog. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exactly what you're feeling now. I see all these commercials and half are for food (because we need more junk food like we need a hole in the head) and the other half are for the diet I supposedly need to undo all the junk food damage. But wait...there's more! I can buy a nifty cami that will make me look 3 sizes slimmer, but then I *really* need the hair removal cream because I can't been seen looking like a bush woman. Oh and then? I should seriously invest some of those videos that will teach me to exercise and look like I'm a stripper doing a lap dance at the same time, because you know, there's a good chance my boyfriend will buy that beer that shows the woman that looks like a rejected porn star falling all over the guy because he's drinking *that* beer. I need to look like a rejected porn star apparently.
Seriously, really excellent blog post. I hope more read it because you totally nailed it.

dont hate me for what i am about to write
i write it because i care
if you eat more calories than your gonna burn off, you will gain...so dont..eat your band allotted amount..focus on lean protein, fruit and veggies, get out of the processed/fast foods...drink alot of water/crystal light and get on with it....so you cant access your port...dont use that excuse as a reason to gain weight..the band is there, working fill or not..i have no fills but i am cautious of my food intake....some call it a diet, i dont care...
i call it doing what i have to do to make it work
and so can you, if you want.

I had complications too. My band was leaking for 15 months. I gained weight fast and I struggled with hunger. BUT I stopped and took stock, and started focussing on losing again. And I did - 15 lbs in 5 months until I got my band replaced. Gaining and over-eating is not the band's fault, no one controls that but you. The band is there to try to help you NOT over-eat but it won't do it for you.
If you want to lose, you can do it with or without the band. I won't lie, it's HARDER without a band, but it's not impossible. I know it's frustrating having complications and not ever knowing if you'll have a functioning band, because it's something you can't control. I understand, I've been there. But there is ONE thing you can control, and that's whether or not you manage your weight in the meantime, while you're waiting for answers.

Don't be too hard on yourself. The key here is, that you're right back on track today. This is how it's going to be through the rest of your life; allowing yourself a little something off plan on occasion, but then hopping right back on track.
I was banded on 3/25/13, and decided that the Memorial Day BBQ I went to, would be the day I allowed myself some wine. I hadn't had anything to drink three months prior, and thought one glass would be all I could tolerate. Not! I think that I drank damn near an entire bottle! I tolerated it fine, but didn't feel very well for a couple of days. Not sick; just off a shade or two. I'd like to say "lesson learned", but I'm sure I'll have a day like that again. Felt NO pain & had a great time!!

It's 7:15am here in SoCal. You're probably in the midst of your procedure. I'm thinking about you....and I'm EXCITED for you! Please let us know how you're doing, when you're up to it. This is the first day of the REST of your life :-) You've done a really good thing for yourself.....

YES - I second that......Karma IS good! I strongly believe in it.

I'm so sorry that you had to deal with that BS. The old "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me", isn't really true, is it?
I agree with everyone above..... That guy is a bottom dweller, and either he will continue his life as an ignorant low life, or someday he will "find religion" (metaphorically speaking). Either way, those types will continue to walk the earth, and it's most important that you find strength within yourself, and cultivate a strong sense of self worth.
Jules, just try & focus on what you are doing for YOU. Stay strong within yourself, and keep your eye on the big picture. You are moving toward a healthier life, and with every pound lost, you will gain a pound of self esteem.
PS: LOVE what your friend said. It was perfect :-)

Ok, memorize this phrase for the next time you experience this rude behavior: I can lose the weight, but your stupidity is forever!
I love that your friend had such a great comeback. Take care and don't let the jerks get you down!

Sadly enough that person is just mean and he will be mean to someone else for some other reason throughout HIS pathetic life. Good job to your friend for saying something to him. People like that get away with it all too often!
I know for me when someone does something mean I try to go out of my way to do something NICE for someone else. It only takes one good deed to make someone else smile. Eventually all those nice acts will overtake those RUDE beings we must deal with.
Hold your head high!

As much as I couldn't wait for real food, I was also scared about having an episode; like the ones we read about. Because of that, I ate SO slow, and my bites were extra tiny. I paid close attention to how each bite felt, and little by little, I found my comfort zone. Certain things didn't feel good. They didn't make me sick, but I just didn't like the way they felt; made me a bit nauseous. So I excluded those things, and stuck to what felt comfortable. All the ground meats worked very well. Eggs, sort of hit & miss. Sometimes (even three months out), if I eat them in the morning, I'll taste them for hours. Not sick, just grossed out.
Just a suggestion..... On the fruits & veggies, make sure the veggies are cooked until they're very soft. Fruit and vegetables have been tricky for me. Some cause immediate discomfort as soon as they hit my stomach.
You'll be fine! It's okay to be a little scared, because that will help keep you focused on what you need to do. In the beginning, all of the teeny tiny slow eating helped me to retrain myself. If I'm preoccupied while eating, I may forget, but only momentarily.
Good luck!

Don't be too hard on yourself. The key here is, that you're right back on track today. This is how it's going to be through the rest of your life; allowing yourself a little something off plan on occasion, but then hopping right back on track.
I was banded on 3/25/13, and decided that the Memorial Day BBQ I went to, would be the day I allowed myself some wine. I hadn't had anything to drink three months prior, and thought one glass would be all I could tolerate. Not! I think that I drank damn near an entire bottle! I tolerated it fine, but didn't feel very well for a couple of days. Not sick; just off a shade or two. I'd like to say "lesson learned", but I'm sure I'll have a day like that again. Felt NO pain & had a great time!!