ArtM

Jose Cuervo light margarita. Already has the alcohol in it. 4oz = 95 calories

Thank you for writing your story and educating. I'm sure everyone can take something useful away from your experience.
The best of luck to you in the future.

It feels good to eat 1 scrambled egg for Breakfast w/cheese 1 slice of bacon, half an apple for lunch and a few spoons of re-fried Beans w/cheese and salsa for dinner.< /p>
And seeing the scale move again....consistently....
This would not have been a big deal at 5 years post op...but I am going on 9 years and still have the restriction of a newbie...I love my band....

There is a very fine balancing act between getting the band properly adjusted, and learning to eat differently (Rules?) in order to survive living with the band.....it was the hardest thing for me to do, and the first 4-5 months were HELL....numerous stuck episodes, sometimes 3-4 times a day...but it was not the band, it was me having a hard time letting go of my old habits....
If someone could have told me that before I was banded, the way I would be eating today after the WLS, I would have said impossible...No One can eat so little so less often and not be un healthy....and yet...I'm living it everyday and have not felt this good in over 35 years!!
But getting there is very hard indeed, and everyone has a different comfort level and threshold....many times I wanted to go back and get Fluid taken out. One time I did call my Dr. because I could not keep anything down and he talked me into waiting it out one more week...I'm glad he did...he also knows me well and figured it was Me and not he Bad....
I recall asking the staff why did I need to follow all the rules they were teaching me, even long before I had the surgery??? I was told that it is important to get them down as second nature, because there will come a time, after a few fills, it will be the ONLY way you will get by, and you won't have time to start looking them up then..you will wish you knew them inside out...boy was she ever right!!
When people ask me about this WLS ans should they have it done, I have to be honest with them and say "You better understand what you're getting into" and "IMO, It's not for everybody"
Perhaps the Dr. can discuss another type of WLS???

Down 30.6lbs as of this morning. I could cry. I've worked SO hard and I deserve it. YAY me!

Six months ago this evening, I had my lap band surgery. A year ago this week, I started seeing a nutritionist. I have attached a pair of pics, one from the summer of 2012, another from last week. I am down about 94 pounds since I started seeing the nutritionist.
Here's a pair of pics with a before and after view. I still have a ways to go, but I am happy with the progress so far.
Before:
Now:

I thought my first couple of fills were useless but actually they were more of a training tool. I ate slightly less each time, but had to do it more thoroughly and slower each time.. I'm now officially green (huge cheer) and I'd never have coped with out the practise. No more ooohh one more bite or snacking.. I'm full so fast. I hope this for you too...
Sent from my GT-S5830 using LapBandTalk

The Grand Poohba of the Order of the Water Buffalo! Wasn't that from the Flintstones? . Off on a tangent.

The Grand Poohba of the Order of the Water Buffalo! Wasn't that from the Flintstones? . Off on a tangent.

The Grand Poohba of the Order of the Water Buffalo! Wasn't that from the Flintstones? . Off on a tangent.

Fourteen years after we took our engagement photos I was able to wear the dress again. I have been saving this size 9 dress because an ultimate goal was to be able to wear it again...it felt so amazing!!!

Just had my 3rd fill too and I think I'm finally getting to green as well. I can finally feel it slowing me down. I've had a few minor stuck episodes this week for the first time. bread definitely didn't work anymore :-) I really have had to slow down and eat less, and that is good. Surgery was on June 13th and I'm down 35. I'm so happy I've done this! Way to go Junies!

Doing great. My surgery was June 10th, 2013. I've had two fills since. I don't think I'm in the green zone just yet, but it's definitely helping. Losing slowly, but still losing. I've lost ~45 lbs, counting since the start of my preop diet. I'm still training myself to slow down and chew well when eating. Also not to wait till I'm starving to eat my next meal. Old habits die hard. I'm still very happy I did this. I'm feeling so much better health wise, and self image wise. My wife has lost weight along with me, just because of our new eating habits, meaning food choices and tracking calories. We both benefited

Good luck! Today will be a start of a new chapter in life

Good luck! Today will be a start of a new chapter in life

Statistically speaking, unless you have one of the old 4cc bands, you only have a 5% risk of serious complication as long as you follow your doctor's instructions as well as the band rules. That means so long as you do what you're supposed to do you have a 95% chance of not having any complications.
I'm curious why after almost 3 years you're suddenly doubting your decision? Have you had a problem of some sort?
As far as weight loss, you have to remember it all boils down to simple math. When you're burning more calories than you eat you lose weight. The band won't magically make you lose weight. It's there to control your hunger and allow you to be satisfied on less food but it's not magic. The work will always be yours to do.
If you want to lose more weight I'd start eating right, exercising, and tracking your calories.
Best wishes.

Well it's been a year. A very triumphant year if I may say so myself. I have lost 80 pounds and even though I have hit a plateau I have no doubt I will break through it soon.
So much has changed...I went from sporadically active to exercising 6 days a week. I actually haven't missed a workout this entire year. I have NEVER been that committed to exercise...EVER!!!
I don't really eat carbs, especially doughy ones. I watch my calories and track them. I choose Protein before other types of food.
I went from wearing a size 20/22 to a 12 or 13 depending on women's or juniors. My tops and dresses are now medium instead of XXL. I can actually confidently by clothing without trying it on and it fits. I wear a bikini...been a really long time since that one happened last. My addiction to shoes and clothing (and don't forget accessories) is getting worse but it really is oh so fun.
I am more active with my kids. I don't wake up with aches and pains. The mattress I thought was horrible is actually quite comfortable now. ???¯ And let's not leave out how amazing my sex life with hubby is now ???œ
I have lost 12 inches in my waist, 9 in hips, over 4 in each thigh, almost 3 in each arm and sadly 6 in my boobies (but I would look weird if they hadn't shrunk too).
I know I have been absent lately but I wanna thank all the wonderful people on this site for their continuing support and wish everyone just starting this journey luck. The journey is what you decide to make of it. You can do it!!!
Thanks for letting me brag

Glad your ok. Yesterday, My wife and I ran to the store for a quick buy. Then we decided to go to the movies. I didn't have any foods with me and we only had 20 mins till the movie started. I was getting hungry and knew there was nothing good in the theater. Subway was next door, so we went. I ordered a flatbread club, big mistake. Two bites in and I could feel it not going down well. I sipped some Water and in a few minutes it passed. Non stop hiccups started. I hiccuped through 3/4's of the movie. My wife dealt with it well. Not as bad as your episode, but a learning experience. Note to self: bread bad.

Glad your ok. Yesterday, My wife and I ran to the store for a quick buy. Then we decided to go to the movies. I didn't have any foods with me and we only had 20 mins till the movie started. I was getting hungry and knew there was nothing good in the theater. Subway was next door, so we went. I ordered a flatbread club, big mistake. Two bites in and I could feel it not going down well. I sipped some Water and in a few minutes it passed. Non stop hiccups started. I hiccuped through 3/4's of the movie. My wife dealt with it well. Not as bad as your episode, but a learning experience. Note to self: bread bad.

Since I haven't eaten bread since I was banded in 2008 I have had a major craving for a tuna melt. I came up with this 3 days and I have eaten 4 for lunch and dinner every day since then lol.
Tuna melt cups
Mini phyllo tart shells (Athena's)
Tuna
Light mayo
American cheese
Just make tuna salad fill cups and put 1/4 slice of American cheese on top and broil.. So yummy and satisfies my tuna melt craving. The shells are 25 calories each so total of 100 calories for shells but well worth it!

I just figure that if I am putting so much into this new healthy lifestyle of mine, why would I want to med it up with unhealthy behaviors. Yes, I know weed is natural, but I don't want anything in my body that might upset this wonderful balance I'm creating. Good luck with it.

So,happy!!!! Got on the scales this am and am finally down to 199.8!!!!! I got out of the 200's!!!! What a feeling!!!

I've been wondering about the green zone since being banded; especially after the first couple of fills. I've been doing very well, but could take small "normal" bites, and gulp Water almost like before. A few weeks after the second fill, I wasn't staying satisfied for a full four hours, and still felt (based on what I read in these forums) that I wasn't quite in the green zone.
I went for a fill last Monday, and asked her to give me only .25cc. I was already up to 7, and at this stage, want to make very small adjustments. Though the nurse didn't think I needed it, she agreed to do it. WOW - what a difference!! I've actually had a few hurccups (thanks Mis), and after a small amount of food, I'm clearly done; a feeling I felt that I was losing. And I don't get hungry again for at LEAST 4 hours. The way I feel right now, I won't need a fill for a very log time. Yay......I finally get it!! I haven't felt this sense of restriction (for lack of a better word), since shortly after surgery. I'm renewed

Good luck! Can't wait for my first fill also.

Since we know our bodies better than some doctor's, WE are the only ones that can judge what we need and how we eat. Opinions and lot's of free advice always is around us to try and use, but WE will make the decision and choices that WE feel are the correct ones. Most of us already know that Protein first, then the rest. WE just have to retrain our brains and DO IT!
PS. Jim1967 you're doing GREAT!
Best wishes