luvinke

I have to agree with bandster 1007 if it ain't broke don't fix it. If you are losing and can eat why bother to get a fill. You should save your fills for when you are not losing and can eat. Fill differ for each individual one may do better than the other. Get to know your band.

I was contemplating about a month ago if I should join Weight Watchers at work, I even posted a thread about it or at least took it to one of the other threads here I can't remember since I'm on line here everyday. However, I decided against joining WW as I already know how to eat healthy and didn't consume more than 5 ounces per meal (during that time) along with a couple of low cal snacks during the day. My main concern was being able to use a daily food journal in which I found at sparkpeople.com (it's free). My job was going to pay half of the cost but I decided to go and get a fill (and wow do I have great restriction-it's the best I've had since being banded) so now I can't eat more than 4 ounces if I eat that much (I'm truly loving this restriction). I then added in a daily 2 mile walk or more and some exercising, my elliptical and now the scale is moving again. You have to decide what works for you and I find my support here on slow losers unite, because I am a slow loser, that's about to change since I'm trying to get my act together. Remember if you need support or someone to listen to you we are all here and everybody helps everybody, that's why this is my best support group. I wish you luck!

I try to wait 30 minutes after drinking to eat my food as if I do it any earlier I become full to fast. I can't consume any water until at least 1 hour after my meal as it will come back up on me if I try to. My restriction is so good right now that I have to pretty much follow the band rules or I will be miserable afterwards.

I found myself in a similar situation I would try to snack during the day and then it hit me I didn't have the right restriction so I went in for a fill and wow does it work. I can no longer eat around the band. I can't consume more than 4 ounces (which I love, I couldn't wait to get to that point). If I try to over eat I get sick and I hate that feeling so I don't over eat. I also got to the point where I started writing down what I ate on a daily basis through sparkepeople.com (it's free). I then decided to incorporate some exercise to see if I could get the scale to move and you know what happened (the weight is starting to come off). Before my last fill and eating around the band I almost never lost weight now I am losing no less than 2 pounds each week. I've now made exercising and journaling my new best friends. I keep sugar free popsicles or sugar free ice cream in the house but again I can't eat much. The band doesn't protect us against sweets but I eat my food first so that way I'm already full and can't eat the goodstuff (sweets). I agree with everyone that said find something to do at night like reading a good book or checking out what everybody else is doing on this site you would be surprised how the time passes by. You will do fine and that 50 pound lost will turn into 75 right before your very eyes. Think small (a thinner you) it always helps to motivate me. Try exercising at night. There is something that will work for you, its up to you to find out what it is. Best of Luck!

I'm staying on plan today because the scale is really moving and I feel GREAT!

I haven't experienced that feeling. The only time my mouth gets to really watering is when I'm about to get sick off of water or something I ate.

I'm staying on plan today because I want to. I'm a little down today so I have to stay focused. Weight loss is my new best friend along with exercise.

Good Luck! Just keep in mind that all this is for a reason. Purchase a magic bullet or one similar to it and make you smoothies when you are hungry, I used fresh fruit, and soymilk for mine along with some protein powder. Sugar free popsicles where always good too. If all else fails and you absolutely can't take it any more then get you some mushy mushy mushy mashed potatoes and suck on them. I also found the Campbell's Soup at Hand to come in very handy as you can drink them. It does get better. You can do it, just hang in there.

I wish you all the best! Follow your heart, if it says go to Mexico and have your surgery then do just that. Make sure you have somebody to go with you and say a small prayer, I will say one for you too. Everything is going to be just fine so pack your bag and get ready. You've done your homework and nobody is going to love you more than you love yourself so do what makes you feel good. Best of Luck to you all!

Let me start off by telling you I'm sorry for your lost. As for your job because of the miscarriage you should have been covered by FMLA which is the Family Medical Leave Act which requires your job to hold your position for upto 12 weeks when you complete the necessary paperwork that you can obtain from your Human Resources Department so what they have done is illegal. This is a Law passed by Congress and everything so you need to check that out. As for the fill, If it were me I would go ahead and get my fill before I go on my honeymoon if I needed it. We should not get in the practice of eating around the band as that will defeat the purpose of it's intended use. If you are able to go for the fill, then do so as soon as possible so that you can be done with the liquid and mushy stages that so many of us have to go through after a fill. You should still be able to eat in moderation as this will be the perfect time for you to tell if you are truly able to defeat that head hunger. I like the fact that I can't eat a lot, I enjoy having to have the smaller portions, the whole aspect of the band satisfies me. This will be good practice for you, it will help you learn how to order band happy foods while dinning out. Make sure that you have your WLS card with you so that you can order off the kids or seniors menu wherever available. You will be fine. Good Luck!

Welcome Lenore! I'm still feeling restriction, I'm so thankful for that last fill. Down another 2 pounds this is truly a blessing...I almost never lose weight weekly. I'm going to enjoy it while it last.Name................Current....Goal......Lost...Still to Lose BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Epm316..............235........200.......0......35 (by 7/4) Hastings............253........228.......0......25 KarenG..............174........160.......0......14 (by 7/4) kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 Leslie2Lose.........231........208.......2......23 (by 7/4) LessNLess...........149........140.......2.......9 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 (by 7/4) luvinke.............217........190.......4......23 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 (by 7/4) MollyMolly..........204........188.......0......16 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........177........160.......0......17 NukeChik............238........222.......0......16 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 (by 7/4) renewedhope.........197........170.......0......27 Sunshine2...........179........160.......0......19 (by6/29) Tess415.............329........299.......0......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........135.8......120.......0......15.8 Lenore1890..........267.7......247.......0......20.7

Hello Pellman, I understand you with the grazing, I was there a few weeks ago and my solution turned out to be get a fill and track my meals. I joined spark people.com to keep track of my food (it's free) and started working out even more which in turn helped to decrease my appetite. When I got my last fill a couple of weeks ago it gave me the best restriction I've had since being banded. I had to learn how to eat properly meaning portion control and learn how to sip a little less liquid at one time but now I've got the hang of it. Come to think about it, I've had so much on my mind this morning I forgot to eat breakfast, I guess I will have to try to eat a yogurt a little later because my calorie intake sucks. I don't seem to get enough in so I try not to miss my meals but it's so close to lunch time that I might as well wait and just continue with my liquids. Once I got the right restriction I couldn't graze without getting sick so that put a stop to that. You've really got to find what works for you. I wish you the best!:wink2:

Congrats, I am going to do a dance for you too. I hope to join you in a couple of weeks. I will keep you posted. keep up the good work! I'm so HAPPY for you!:wink2:

Congrats Donna and Babe I am happy for both of you. I have a new NSV to share, I took pictures over the weekend at home to play with my new camera and printer and these happen to be the first I've taken since being banded - I couldn't believe my eyes, I said "WOW" when I saw myself, I could actually see my own weightloss and I didn't see it before, I actually thought that I looked smaller almost a version of skinny (in my mind). My husband and kids kept saying of course you look smaller you have lost a lot of weight. I know i've brought a couple of Junior sundress but "WOW". I can't believe it either and I love exercising now too. It's funny how our lives change. Let's keep up the good work, we are on a roll! This is for us:thumbup:

I'm staying on plan today because the scale is really moving in the right direction. I feel GREAT!:wink2:

I'm staying on plan today because I want to be successful in my weightloss so it's the only way I will get there.

Thanks Gainesvillegirl, I needed that!

I have been sick on my stomach all day. I feel weak and my stomach is fluttery and I keep vomiting. I can't eat but I can consume liquids. What should I be drinking? Any meds to take? This is my first time being sick since being banded other than a cold. Please help me!!!

I can only remember what took place before my surgery and that was that I had to change into a hospital gown and put on booties once they gave me my meds I was out like a light. I was getting banded so I could care less about the clothes. I love to be naked anyway so don't listen to me....I'm a nudist at heart! No really you will be fine. Just remember the Doctor's have seen all shapes, sizes and colors so don't worry RELAX!

I'm staying on plan today because it works, I actually lost 2 lbs this week. I just set my goal to lose 5 lbs by Memorial Day so I've lost 1 pound and only have 4 more to go. I'm confidant that I can do this.:smile:

Hello Ladies, what is this bodybugg I've been hearing about and what does it do? I need to know if I should be looking for one. I am pleased to know that my last fill really is working, I never lose 2 lbs in a week this is great. I am so excited. Now maybe if I get this bodybugg I can really lose. Name................Current....Goal......Lost...Still to Lose BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Hastings............253........228.......0......25 KarenG..............174........160.......0......14 (by 7/4) kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 Leslie2Lose.........233........208.......0......25 (by 7/4) LessNLess...........151........140.......0......11 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 (by 7/4) luvinke.............217........190.......2......25 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 (by 7/4) MollyMolly..........204........188.......0......16 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........177........160.......0......17 NukeChik............238........222.......0......16 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 (by 7/4) renewedhope.........197........170.......0......27 Sunshine2...........179........160.......0......19 (by6/29) Tess415.............329........299.......0......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........135.8......120.......0......15.8

I'm staying on plan today because I want to. I am going to set me a small 5 pound mini goal that I need to reach by Mother's Day, so the only way to achieve that is to stay on plan.

Hello Renewedhope, the new challenge is listed as Summer/Independence Day Weight loss Challenge. Please join us we are all trying to go to July 4th but some of us may stop our challenge a little early because of vacation and other things. I look forward to seeing you there....I don't know how to add the link to this reply..Sorry!:smile2:

Welcome Linda, I'm sorry to hear you have been down but that's a small part of the process. We have to get use to our new lifestyles and it may take some longer than others hence the weightloss. Once you are banded you do have restriction (think about) it may not be restricted to the point where you eat 4 ounces of food but you wouldnot survive at a buffet. Remember the band may not have any saline in it but it is around our stomach so we do have some restriction maybe not to the junk food (which we need to leave alone) but it's there. You have to get use to the band, learn to listen to the band and your stomach in order to know when you've had enough to eat. I am a slow loser too but guess what, I haven't gained any weight and I feel great. I am now starting to lose more frequently but that because I'm eating healthier and exercising (see I've just started working out). I now realize that with my body type because I've been eating healthy for the last 3 years or more with the occassional junk or takeout but my body requires exercise. I am to the point where I actually like to exercise now. I've had either 3 or 4 fills, I can't remember but I think its 3 and I can now honestly say that I can't consume over 4 ounces, if I can eat 4 ounces. The key for me is to measure my food and use those small bread plates for my meals along with children's plastic ware to help me eat less. It's okay to be a slow loser (we have our own thread on this site - check us out). Join our summer/independence day weight loss challenge to give yourself that push-it might just help, I know I enjoy it. Continue to surf the site as many of us go thru similar situations. I hope everything works out for you. Work on trusting your band and yourself and you will do great. Best of luck to you!

Congratulations Jen! I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling bad. Are you having gas pains or are you just sore from the surgery. I don't really know what to tell you as I only experienced the gas pains and they weren't that bad, I simply walked around a lot and kept a heating pad on it when I layed down which I was told helped me to escape the pain. As for pain meds I didn't use any of those but the Doctor told me to buy Liquid Tylenol just in case and I was able to find that at CVS Pharmacy. I'm sure everything will be okay, just remember the good (band/weight loss) will out weigh the bad (pain). Keep us posted on your progress.