Kathy =^..^=

Thanks Everyone for all the great replies! Sometimes the answer is hard to hear. I guess I was feeling guilty and needed to "vent." I needed someone to tell me that all is not lost, that all I have to do IS to start over.
It started out with just one candy bar. I ate the whole thing. Candy had never been a problem for me before. But all of a sudden, at least it seemed like all of a sudden, I'm eating a candy bar or two a day. It seems like I can't quit.
So, I'm going to take all of y'all's advice. I'm gonna get me a notebook and I'm gonna start out each day and re-commit to doing better for myself. I'm gonna write down my plans and goals for the day and then write down what I ate for the day. I'm gonna re-commit to eating my Protein first. I'm gonna call my weight center and make an appointment to go talk to someone there and tell them what I've done and ask for their help, as well.
I had lost 36lbs but I've gained back about 10lbs. The one thing that I had not done at all was to exercise. Now that it's cooler, here in the deep south, I'm gonna make myself get out and walk.
Thanks, again, for all the great comments. I do believe I'm feeling a little better about myself and now have a little bit of desire and courage to get back on track.
Merry Christmas, everyone, and I hope y'all have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
Kathy =^..^=

Thanks Everyone for all the great replies! Sometimes the answer is hard to hear. I guess I was feeling guilty and needed to "vent." I needed someone to tell me that all is not lost, that all I have to do IS to start over.
It started out with just one candy bar. I ate the whole thing. Candy had never been a problem for me before. But all of a sudden, at least it seemed like all of a sudden, I'm eating a candy bar or two a day. It seems like I can't quit.
So, I'm going to take all of y'all's advice. I'm gonna get me a notebook and I'm gonna start out each day and re-commit to doing better for myself. I'm gonna write down my plans and goals for the day and then write down what I ate for the day. I'm gonna re-commit to eating my Protein first. I'm gonna call my weight center and make an appointment to go talk to someone there and tell them what I've done and ask for their help, as well.
I had lost 36lbs but I've gained back about 10lbs. The one thing that I had not done at all was to exercise. Now that it's cooler, here in the deep south, I'm gonna make myself get out and walk.
Thanks, again, for all the great comments. I do believe I'm feeling a little better about myself and now have a little bit of desire and courage to get back on track.
Merry Christmas, everyone, and I hope y'all have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
Kathy =^..^=

Thanks Everyone for all the great replies! Sometimes the answer is hard to hear. I guess I was feeling guilty and needed to "vent." I needed someone to tell me that all is not lost, that all I have to do IS to start over.
It started out with just one candy bar. I ate the whole thing. Candy had never been a problem for me before. But all of a sudden, at least it seemed like all of a sudden, I'm eating a candy bar or two a day. It seems like I can't quit.
So, I'm going to take all of y'all's advice. I'm gonna get me a notebook and I'm gonna start out each day and re-commit to doing better for myself. I'm gonna write down my plans and goals for the day and then write down what I ate for the day. I'm gonna re-commit to eating my Protein first. I'm gonna call my weight center and make an appointment to go talk to someone there and tell them what I've done and ask for their help, as well.
I had lost 36lbs but I've gained back about 10lbs. The one thing that I had not done at all was to exercise. Now that it's cooler, here in the deep south, I'm gonna make myself get out and walk.
Thanks, again, for all the great comments. I do believe I'm feeling a little better about myself and now have a little bit of desire and courage to get back on track.
Merry Christmas, everyone, and I hope y'all have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
Kathy =^..^=

... chocolate caramel and nut flavored Protein bar...What brand is the chocolate caramel and nut flavored Protein Bar? That sounds great!!! Thanks! Kathy =^..^=

Lots of good advice here.
I wonder if there is something that you might be able to substitute for those candy bars? Maybe a Protein shake that has that flavor? Even if you have to add something to it to get the texture and flavor of that chocolate as it melts in your mouth. Something that doesn’t make you feel bad about having it.
I have been able to do that with chocolate, I'll have a dark chocolate shake or a chocolate caramel and nut flavored Protein Bar and then the craving is gone.

Meg1234, I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby. I have gone thru that myself, many years ago. I, also, am having a hard time getting that feeling right after banding and loosing weight and feeling great about it. So, you're not alone in that feeling. I'll pray for you, and for myself, and maybe that will help us both.

Meg1234, I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby. I have gone thru that myself, many years ago. I, also, am having a hard time getting that feeling right after banding and loosing weight and feeling great about it. So, you're not alone in that feeling. I'll pray for you, and for myself, and maybe that will help us both.

Meg1234, I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby. I have gone thru that myself, many years ago. I, also, am having a hard time getting that feeling right after banding and loosing weight and feeling great about it. So, you're not alone in that feeling. I'll pray for you, and for myself, and maybe that will help us both.

I had my surgery on Jan 30, 2013. I had lost 36lbs and was doing so great!!! But in the last couple of months I have had this enormous craving for candy. I never used to eat candy on a regular basis. Maybe a piece here and there, but I never bought a whole bag full. Now, I'm addicted to Lindt's White chocolate bars. If I go to the grocery store, I buy them. I've told my husband, no matter what I say, don't buy me any more. I guess I'm gonna have to stay out of the grocery store for a while. Does anyone know how to stop a candy craving? I mean it feels like I'm gonna go crazy if I don't get that candy down!!! H E L P!!!
Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions anyone can give.
Kathy =^..^=

Meg1234, I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby. I have gone thru that myself, many years ago. I, also, am having a hard time getting that feeling right after banding and loosing weight and feeling great about it. So, you're not alone in that feeling. I'll pray for you, and for myself, and maybe that will help us both.

Congrats!!! My doctor was Dr. Scott Robbins. He works at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, AL. He is fantastic!!! He is very honest with you. He told us "the surgery will only do so much. If you're not ready to do YOUR part, then don't schedule your surgery." That meant a lot to me. To hear him say that it would do nobody any good if they had not made up their minds to follow the program the way it should be followed. He always took his time explaining things to us. I never felt rushed. This man has a great sense of humor!!! He' soooo funny!!! Great man, I love him to death!!! :wub:

Congratulations on your weight loss!
I've had a fabulous year. In fact, this has very likely been the happiest year I've had in at least a decade. I've lost 200 pounds since being banded in January 2012 and it's drastically changed my life for the better.
Best wishes Daron

Ashley & vroni, congratulations!!!
I weighed 301 at my first weigh in. I was told I had to lose 10 lbs before I could do my surgery. So I had lots of time to do that, When I went in for surgery, I weighed 284
When I went in for my 1st fill, I weighed 278. When I went in for my 2nd fill, I weighed 274. Now I weighed at home, yesterday morning, and I weighed 270. I had only lost 4 lbs during the month of March. I was getting upset about that but then CarolinaGirl asked me how were my clothes fitting and....well,,,,they are alot looser! Actually, that's what all my family members noticed was how much my ass had shrunk! How much my boobs had come down and how my shoulders were wider than my hips now, So, I am now very satisfied with my progress!!!
Kathy -^..^=

I count calories...those foods have calories...so I eat a small amount and track it. Just remember when I say small... I mean small. For example 1/4 c of Mac and cheese suits is all I allow myself

I just do the cauliflower thing. I have receipts that sub out pizza crust for cauliflower, and recipes to sub out and make Mac and cheese into cauliflower and cheese healthy.
Also I do indulge occasionally. Hard because I work at pizza Hut. Sometimes ill let myself have a thin crust pizza. I usually can't finish it all (including leftovers) before it goes bad. And I can only eat a slice of it at a time, if that.. And I have to chew tons because I get stuck super easy now. Literally if I eat, and take even a sip of Water I throw up. So I have to be careful.
But to make a long story short, try cauliflower as a substitute. It's guilt free, tastes great, and it's usually easy on the band.

Thanks for the support and replies. Can't wait to get back to my exercise program. Hopefully soon

Hello,
My name is Ashley. I was banded on March 26, 2013. I am 29 years old and have yo-yoed all my life so after alot of research I decided the band was for me. When I first went for consultation I was 311 lbs with a BMI of 56.9. The doctor told me I had to get down to 255 lbs before surgey. I did Optifast for 4 weeks and exercisevery strictly and weighed in at 253 the day of my surgery. As of today I have lost 60 lbs even and Im very proud of myself. Its been hard work but I was expecting that. My surgery went smoothly and the incisions arent too bad at all. The only thing bothering me is the severe chest pressure and what I assume is heart burn. The pressure is starting to subside now so Im happy. I ate my first meal today (other than broth) and that went well. Half a bowl of Soup really fills you up. The other site i signed up for is really quiet so I was happy to find this site so I can learn more valuable information. Anyways happy to be here, hope to learn lots from the lap band veterans.
Ashley
PS: Does this site usually have problems uploading pictures into albums?
before day of surgery
week before surgery (Tim Hortons bowl for Kid's Sake)

I was also banded on March 26, 2013 and still on liquids also. Congrats thus far on your weight loss. And this is just the beginning! I sometimes have the chest pains but I think it's gas.

Congratulations to the both of you.
Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

Hi Kathy and welcome to LBT. My weight loss started off very slow as well and I went weeks at a time without any scale movement. It was very frustrating in the beginning because I feel I just had major surgery so why isn't the weight falling off? My weight loss actually picked up speed as time went on as I was getting my fills. I lost a great deal of weight off and on with time but not like I expected. It took me 9 months and 9.5cc in my band to finally hit the green zone. I have lost 31lbs alone since my final fill on Jan 29th. Now that is the scale movement I've been waiting for.
Everyone is different on their fill needs but I wanted to give you a different perspective. It is true as you get closer to goal it may slow down but the best yet to come. Find that green zone where ever it may be for you and enjoy the journey while it's happening.
You're at 31lbs in 3 months and it sounds like you are doing wonderful. Stick with it and keep up your appointments for adjustments and things should pick up. Good luck.

Nikki.... I think I asked the same questions so you are smart to get your ducks in a row. I will try to give you my experiences which may help but of course could be different for you...
The dr conferred with my bariatric dr and anesthologist with regard to the pre op unfill and they decided it wasn't necessary. As for my port my PS said he didn't move it he just worked around it and it wasn't a problem,
I didn't feel the need to sleep in a recliner. I was comfortable in bed with several pillows to keep me on my back.
I didn't have drains or a binder (mesh thing). After the 2nd week The dr did have me get a highwaisted panty girdle to help with the swelling. I got a couple at Walmart for $10 each so i washed them out frequently, I wore it for about 2 weeks in lieu of underwear. After that I found it was mor comfortable to wear underwear that didn't sit on top of my belly button since that was revised.
My dr said I could do as much moving as I could tolerate but no cardio for 2 months. Also no crunches, lunges or any of that type of sweating exercise until he clears me. I can walk and have been but it's certainly not at the pace yet that is was before surgery.
I hope this info helps. Again please remember your drs suggestions may be different.

Thanks for the encouragement, CarolinaGirl! My clothes have gotten looser. I'll try to be more patient!
Kathy =^..^=