NewMeDebbie

I am in exactly the same place you are!! my 3rd bandiversary is coming next month and I only hit 21 lbs. total. And that fluxuates.

I am very frustrated because my asthma is really giving me a hard time so exercise is almost impossible so It seems an impossible task to lose any real weight. The only real thing it has done is keep me from gaining weight and stop me from over-eating or eating the wrong things. I am more careful about what I choose to eat but I really miss my vegetables. I used to eat broccoli and cauliflower like crazy...now I can only handle a small amount.

found cooking meat in a pressure cooker makes it much easier to eat though! That was a life-saver since microwave food is not an option any longer.

Hey, I started this string. Can I be added to the secret Facebook group? my email: deb.poston@gmail.com

Thank you

Hi all, I know it has been a very long time since I have been on here. For the yucky news...I haven't lost any weight since my initial weight loss the first few months. I think the sleeve would have been a better idea for me but I am a self pay and they wouldn't let me get it as a self-pay.

I am grateful to have my band as it does keep me honest and I can't seem to gain weight...unless I really try (i.e. ice cream) It's very hot in the desert right now...lol

But losing weight will require exercise and that has really taken a back seat in my life with all the changes that have happened. My husband and I are hoping things will slow down soon so when the weather cools a bit we can get back out exploring this wonderful world again.

I am so proud of all of you for sticking to this group and continuing our journey...

On another note. My husband..when we met, he was a junk food junky, which did not help me at all! Over the past year I have been trying to bring him over to the healthier way of eating...it's been a slow journey. Recently he had a health scare that seems to have gotten his attention.

We have now started a new website blog with videos and interviews on "Making Me Healthy" MakingMeHealthy.com

It will include our journey from a couple in our 50s who have not lived the healthiest lifestyle in the past with different tastes, on our adventure in learning and trying new healthier foods, recipes, supplements, and ideas from our viewers. Please check it out...Like our Facebook page...if you Facebook.

Send in your suggestions for topics that you have come across in your lives and recipes that you use or found that helped.

This group has really been an inspiration to me and I think your opinions and ideas would mean more to me that all others.

Thank you,

Debbie

Well, My3Girls, it's been close to 2 months and I lost back the 10 lbs I had gained over the past 8 months but I am still at the same weight. I can't seem to motivate myself to walk everyday and I recently found out I have arthritis in my knees now. Great!

How are you doing, better than me I hope!

Everyone else, please let us hear from you. I need some encouraging words. I just don't know that my band is doing it's part and I know I'm not really doing mine. How do I get myself back into that mindset I was in when I first had the band?

My3Girls...It's a deal!! I have started a 30-day diet program to help me get control of what I eat again and (not to rub it in) because the weather here has been in the record highs, I am starting my walking again. I am still at the same weight I have been for the past 8 months. Keep going up and down about 5 lbs between 230 and 235... But with spring coming, I feel a new energy, so I am hoping this 30-day program will kick start me back on track!

and...I have started drinking more Water again. I have noticed my caffeine addiction is starting to get the better of me again...so it's time to take a step back with that too...

My 1st wedding anniversary is March 1st and I would like to drop at least 10 lbs by then so that's my goal!

Thanks for helping me with the motivation! Let's commit to get on here at least once a week to keep up on each other's progress?

And any others out there that would like to commit to something for 30 days...come join the fun!!

I haven't written anything because I haven't had anything to write about. My weight has remained the same for the past 8 months or so. My band is about as full I think as it can get. I think our real problem is not with the restriction in the band but mentally! We have gotten lazy, I do not exercise any longer. My husband had his thyroid surgery last year and then I got very sick with pnuemonia for a couple months and I am still struggling with my asthma so I have been using that as an excuse to not walk. However, Mentally, I have also quite following a lot of the rules as far as focusing on Protein because I get frustrated that I can't eat without losing my Cookies most times. Also, I can still eat the peanut m&ms and ice cream I crave.

Not sure the band was a good choice for me, I need more structure and sugar to make me sick! lol

puravida37...Congratulations!!! I'm so excited for you! I was just told on christmas day that my oldest son and his wife are expecting again so now both my older children will be giving me new grandbabies in 2015. I have a granddaughter coming in april and now a new little one coming in august.

Sending lots of good wishes your way!!

I'm here, not doing well. I've been stuck for about 8 months. weight going nowhere fast! I'm not exercising much so my husband and I discussed a treadmill over this past weekend. I think having one in the house may help. I don't like gyms and walking \hiking is my best but the weather and time of day are my biggest excuses.

The band doesn't seem to be doing much for me either and it's about full. I am wishing I could afford to get the sleeve or at least the plication with the band. chocolate is still something of a problem for me. However, I think I was eating better before the band just eating too much of stuff.

Hope all is going well with everyone else! I do miss hearing from all of you! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Today is my 1 year bandiversary...And I am no where close to where I would like to be...

My blog for today: http://www.debbiedanthony.com/1-year-banniversary/

Help me guys, not sure if I will ever truly get this...

Today is my 1 year bandiversary...And I am no where close to where I would like to be...

My blog for today: http://www.debbiedanthony.com/1-year-banniversary/

Help me guys, not sure if I will ever truly get this...

Today is my 1 year bandiversary...And I am no where close to where I would like to be...

My blog for today: http://www.debbiedanthony.com/1-year-banniversary/

Help me guys, not sure if I will ever truly get this...

Hi everyone!! Gosh I miss all of you! PuraVida37, I am sooo proud of all you have accomplished!! I wish I could say the same but living in the desert has been tough over the last few months. It's just too hot to do much and I quit exercising so my weight is staying the same. I am maintaining though and now that my husband is all better from his surgery, we are starting to get back out there some so I hope it won't be long before I get back into the swing of things. I have only lost 30 lbs for the year and I too am like arch002, I wish I would have gotten the sleeve. The people in my support group with the sleeve just are having more success. The band still puts so much on us to do the work and I am not good with the discipline of it all...

Wish me luck!! The 27th starts the beginning of my 2nd year, I am hoping for 50 more lbs this year....

Hi all, I am back finally. My husband's surgery went well. We see the surgeon today to remove the drain from his throat. I am hoping now that he will not need a 2nd surgery. We should know within a week or so.

As far as my weight loss, I am at my wit's end! I know I have been under a lot of stress and not eating correctly so I will take the blame for the past couple months but I have truly not lost any weight in a very long time.

I have an actual meeting with my surgeon tomorrow night after work and will be meeting with the counselor after that for one-on-one meetings to see if we can figure out what is going on and maybe get me back on track.

I am back to trying every diet idea out there again... It seems like all my money was spent for nothing...

Let's hope I find some answers soon.

You will all be happy to know that I called my patient advocate at my Surgery Center today with all of my concerns and she has scheduled me a one-on-one counseling and review with my surgeon and the psychologist next Thursday.

Maybe this will help me get back on track....

Wish me luck

I do believe it is a lot of restriction. But at each fill, we do them under fluoroscopy and each time I have little restriction. I'm not sure if I am some type of rare case that is losing fat around my band without losing weight or what is going on. The doctor does a good check of my band at each fill and it seems that all is good. I do believe I am at green now and even sometimes could be too filled. Maybe that is why I eat more slider food??

It is worth a call in to my doctor about! Thanks for the idea!

Also, I will check out the video you listed to see what I can learn there...

Plateaus are very normal during this weight loss journey. You have lost 52 lbs in 8 months! You are doing great!

First evaluate if you have changed your eating and exercise... (this is my issue) You get complacent after a while and begin to eat a little more and exercise a little less. If this is the case, recommit.

If it's not the case... To get things going again, try going back to basics, follow the diet you did right after surgery starting day 3. Do that for a few days and see if it helps... Just my opinions of course

Good luck on your journey.

Thanks guys!! I have no intention of giving up and I must admit maybe it's not as bad as I make out. I do follow the rules most of the time. Exercise is a real problem right now because I live outside Vegas and the temp as been in the 100s so it's just too hot!! The walking in the pool is a great idea!! I will use that! But otherwise, I was walking 3 miles 5 days a week and will return to that as soon as the weather cools back off. That will help with my feelings of not doing enough.

I have to remind myself that I have lost weight and I am much healthier than I was 10 months ago. I do make better choices and eat smaller portions so it has been a good decision. I just need to learn patience and figure out why I can't stop snacking...

There has to be an answer! It must be in my head - I just have to figure it out!

Once my husband is better from his surgery next week, we are both going to start eating better. If i get him on board to healthier eating, it may make it much easier for me.

Having you all is really helpful!! It's great to know others are going thru the same things, or have in the past and have suggestions on ways to deal with these issues.

oh I see, I misunderstood you. I guess I am venting and you are right. I need to quit all the grazing and snacking between meals. I don't know why I can't stop but I won't give up. I am back to basics this week...wish me luck

Have to say, speaking for myself...the first 4-6 months were "Hell"..pure frustration, thought I made a big mistake....

Then after my last fill, things got better, although very confusing with many stuck episodes....

Eventually, say after 1 year to be sure, a little earlier perhaps, I figured it all out...found what worked for me, found what rules I had to adhere to to make it work, and began to make all the changes second nature....

The weight just started to come off consistently, and it was, and still is the easiest thing I could have ever done...it still is.

So the first few months were very hard, after that it became a "Cake walk" as you say, easy as can be......I felt sorry for all those around me always talking about having to loose a few pounds....

Most of the posts I read here from people struggling, IMO, and I stress it is only my opinion, (have no way of ever knowing what people are really experiencing) it sounds like they are trying to find that "Groove"

As far a the 5 day pouch test...I do my own mini-version of it every 6 weeks or so, but not for the reason(s) many here feel it is for. And my Dr. thinks it is a great idea for maintenance. (if there is such a thing with surgery)

Yes - please share some advice for those of us struggling. when did you reach your "AH HA" moment and what do you do ??

Debbie, if you were a snacker before the band and still are, being sleeved most likely wont change anything. Don't get the idea that all sleevers are highly successful, they're not. It's a very effective surgery but it may not kill those snacking demons in your head.

2muchfun - I have the band, not the sleeve. I kinda wish I had went with the sleeve but being a self-pay it wasn't an option. I am returning to the 5-day pouch test to go back to basics and see if I can give up the in-between stuff. I know it's not the band's fault because it is very full. It has to be in my head...so I will continue to fight the good fight!! lol

nevermind....I am looking it up now. Very interesting !!

i've never heard of the 5 Day Pouch Test? is that all it is? just going back to basics?

I was banded back in 2010. I *thought* it was gonna be a cakewalk and at first, it kinda was. I lost about 60 pounds, but never changed my eating habits or anything and managed to gain it all back. Because I wasn't following the rules and was eating too quickly and the wrong foods and drinking with my meals and stuff... I was literally throwing up every time I ate. I was also delusional enough to think that it was just a malfunctioning band and not that I wasn't following my rules. heck, I even thought I might have stomach cancer or something! My band was drained and I was sent to have my gall bladder out. I did. The vomiting continued. I just recently did a modified 5 day pouch test (was surprised to see that my idea was trademarked already LOL) and am DETERMINED to make this work. I, too, am self pay. I can't afford another surgery. But, I also can't afford being this unhealthy either.

I'm so excited to meet others who have had the same or very similar experiences with the Band! I'm BamaGymnCoach on MyFitnessPal. Feel free to friend me! I need all of the encouragement and accountability I can get!!

what do you mean by "modified 5 day pouch test"? what is that?

I have had many fills, PuraVida37 is correct. You can always eat more. The band is there to help you learn you can be satisfied eating less. It is to help teach you to only eat a small portion and be done for 4 hours. Listen to your body and not your emotions...

I am still struggling with this 10 months after surgery so just hang in there...it is a learning process. But your band is fine, it could take multiple fills before you hit green but I understand it takes quite a lot to get your band to slip or expand as long as you are following the rules.

good luck with your journey!

30 lbs during pregnancy is nothing. You can drop that weight. Congrats on the new baby....

It is very hard to stay focused, I am in the same boat. I am thinking of removing all sugar\starches from my diet for 2 weeks and focusing on whole foods. I understand that processed foods and eating out at all can really derail your weight loss. Also, sugar is addicting, the more you eat, the more you want to eat. So I started today, no sugar for 2 weeks and I will focus on whole foods like Protein, healthy fat, and veggies staying away from processed dairy.

It really does come down to what we put in our mouth...

Good luck with your journey!