Watchershrink83

B-52 thank you so much for sharing this with us. My learning curve is one REALLY big curve. I am realistic, I know my years for unhealthy eating habits is not going to change overnight but you have really given me hope. I know that once the band gets adjusted my relationship with food will drastically change but until then I am a work in progress.

Went to a work event today and one of my bosses gave me a huge hug and told me "You go girl, you look great!" I was glowing by the time the event was over.

That's great, keep up the great work.

I got my surgery done there too! I'm a patient of Dr. Schwack. He's a great Dr. And the team there is awesome too.

Hola everybody, I know there are a million of these but what's one more, right?
I am looking for myfitnesspal friends, therefore if you could add me as your friend I'd be greatly appreciative.
My screen name is salba527!
Thanks in advance you awesome bandsters!

Went to a work event today and one of my bosses gave me a huge hug and told me "You go girl, you look great!" I was glowing by the time the event was over.

@Missy would have loved to see her face! #priceless ok my Thanksgiving NSV was being able to complete my first 5K turkey trot!! I may not have had the best time but I jogged it and I finished it!! Go Me!!

You look great. Keep up the great work!!!

Hey, hey, hey! I had my surgery October 11th and so far down 15 pounds. First fill is tomorrow, super excited. I love the compliments of friends and family. Looking forward to the next four weeks.

WOOOOHOOOO! That's great. I'm doing a happy dance for you!

Thank you so much for posting this. I so needed the encouragement, I've been banded just over a month and was starting to feel down. But your words have given me hope, so I thank you greatly!

Posting this to inspire anyone surfing the topics on this site. One year ago, I was 267 lbs. and in a very bad place physically and emotionally. I had the lapband surgery in January because I had no other choice. My mobility was in jeopardy, I was in tremendous joint pain, and my world was shrinking because of it. There was way more that I couldn't do rather than what I could do.
The big issues have been addressed in that I had the joint replacement surgery I needed once I got below 200 lbs. I've also noted that I'm no longer in fear of things like airplane seats, chairs with arms, theater seats, etc.
Well...last night I went to dinner and we were taken to a booth that I could see was tight. As my weight loss is still pretty new, I said a silent prayer and slipped into the seat. Not only did I fit fine, we moved the table closer to me so my dad would have some extra room.
When I got up after dinner was over, I looked back at the booth again, and simply said to my mom that a year ago, I'd have never fit in there. She agreed, and then the moment was over. But it still resonates with me. I feel like I have my life back. Not entirely yet....I'm still in a process and not finished by any means. But...again...I feel normal and that is awesome.
For all you folks not where you want to be yet, or struggling, this post is for you...to inspire and to let you know that you can, and will succeed.

Hi All,
Today is 6 months exactly since I had lap band surgery. It was the greatest decision I've ever made. I'm 24 years old and 6'2. 2 weeks before pre op I was 330 lbs. Today I'm proud to say I weigh 247 lbs totally 83 lbs lost so far. My goal weight is 210 lbs and I hope to be there by May. There's no greater feeling then making the decision to become healthier. I went from being lazy to working out 5 days a week and playing basketball one night a week. There's no better motivation then seeing the scale continue to go down. Hopefully 6 months from today I can say I'm at my goal!

I had surgery on 03/29/13, so I'm almost 8 months post op. I started out at 256 lbs. and my goal weight is 150 lbs. Today, I weighed in at 190 lbs. Because of my height and the fact that I have huge boobs (LOL), I really just wanted to fit into Size 12 jeans. I figured that would make me look well proportioned. I wanted to wait to buy clothes, but everything is falling off of me. I caved in today and went to buy a new pair of jeans. I bought a Size 14, but was too embarrassed to try them on in the store. I just tried them on...they're too big!!! Yippee!!!

I'm so excited...I woke up this morning and after a couple of weeks of plateuing and teetering with weight gain I'm losing again, pretty big time too. I am now the weight I was during my sophomore/junior high school years. Yay me!

Hi there! I got my first fill yesterday as well. My doc gave me 3cc's as well, he said that's the usual amount for the first fill. As for the nurse, pay her NO MIND. People will always find something to say. As Dory says in Finding Nemo "just keep swimming".

I'm down 114 so far. About 50 to go!

Totally agree. If I did not have my lap band support groups from my surgeon and OA for help the band would be of little help for me. 9 months and nealy 90 pounds given away. It works if I work it.

I can tell your mind is in such a good place. I love that you are rewarding yourself so early on with nonfood rewards. Good for you!
Just wanted to chat about the calorie target- What kind of exercise do you think is manageable at this time for you? This is THE #1 factor as to which caloric range you will aim for.
Right now cals don't matter..give it another few weeks. I think many of us were lingering in the 500s but ended up in the 800s by the end of the month as we transitioned into solids and larger portions.
Very low cal range is for ppl who are not exercising. 800-1000
Little exercise 900-1100
Consistent exercise 1000-1200
Marathon runner 1200-1500
These are MY ranges based on the many posts people have shared about their target zones and their level of activity. REmember wl= calories in - calories burned. Change one variable at a time for optimal results. Journal your intake and energy expenditure to fine tune changes if needed.
Good luck girl, you are doing everything right!!!

Today is my two-week Bandaversary and I'm so happy. The process has gone very well for me. I did a lot of planning, including making an appointment for a haircut today. A little present to myself! Along with stress and emotional eating, eating from boredom, etc., I used food as a reward system for myself. Time to come up with some good alternatives, ones that involve taking good care of myself. Getting the band was such a gift -- a way of choosing myself and my healthy future. That has done wonders for my self-esteem already.
I'm happy to report that I still love food. I'm a good cook and I'm "in" food all the time -- nothing has changed there. The thing that has changed is that I am not really hungry. I have no cravings whatsoever and I am satisfied on very little food. It's only been two weeks and I'm fully prepared for a return of hunger; it just hasn't happened yet. Right now I'm transitioning into smooth and soft foods that are a little less mushy. I really want some veggies and have steamed beets on hand for my next meal. A half cup of those and a half cup of cottage cheese will make a splendid lunch. This is something that would have only been an appetizer before -- the beginning of a much larger meal and/or an afternoon of grazing. Later there is salmon on the menu. I have had turkey chile and all kinds of Soups. Sunday we went to a potluck with people who don't know I'm banded and that was fine. I brought a pureed squash Soup and had some Indian pudding for dessert. And we have eaten out a few times. This is something I was worried about but it was so easy. There may be foods that don't work for me and beef may be one. I had a bite of a Mexican dish I was making and I chewed and chewed and chewed until I spit out the little piece of spicy ground beef. Beef may be off my menu.
My only concern right now is that I'm not having enough calories. The doctor told me not to worry about calorie or Protein goals at this time, so I'm trying to relax about the notion that I'm putting my body into starvation mode. On Thursday I meet with the nutritionist at the hospital but I know I am the one who has to figure out what's going to be best for me going forward, including a calorie goal to meet each day. Any thoughts on this are very welcome.
The incisions are healing up nicely and I've resisted the temptation to overstretch or do any lifting. I started walking in the hospital and have become a walker. This is something I really wanted to accomplish -- pulling that switch in my brain to want to exercise. I still have a little ways to go. There are those old voices that tell me I can do it later, or I already had one walk so this isn't needed, etc. But I've started talking back and overriding. I have more will power now not only for resisting food temptation (have not really encountered any yet so that's easy) but also the will power to get moving.
I really want to thank all the people here who have been cheering me on; you are wonderful! Best wishes for a fine Tuesday. And I got to create a post today, something I haven't been able to do since the changeover. Yippee!

Hi there! I got my first fill yesterday as well. My doc gave me 3cc's as well, he said that's the usual amount for the first fill. As for the nurse, pay her NO MIND. People will always find something to say. As Dory says in Finding Nemo "just keep swimming".

You go girl! Make sure HE gets his Vitamins in, he's going to need them!!

Hi there! I got my first fill yesterday as well. My doc gave me 3cc's as well, he said that's the usual amount for the first fill. As for the nurse, pay her NO MIND. People will always find something to say. As Dory says in Finding Nemo "just keep swimming".

Hi there! I got my first fill yesterday as well. My doc gave me 3cc's as well, he said that's the usual amount for the first fill. As for the nurse, pay her NO MIND. People will always find something to say. As Dory says in Finding Nemo "just keep swimming".