PuraVida37

8 days! Wow! Congratulations! I hope you can share a picture of yourself in your dress. I bet you'll look amazing!

Protein bars, beef jerky, tuna. Enjoy your trip and let us know how it goes!!

I agree about Quest Bars!! Try the cookie dough ones! They are a treat in themselves!!

Great suggestion!

Hi guys! Time for another check in: After my unfill in December due to tightness in the chest, I have been struggling with the same 5 lbs or so (at least it feels that way). Today I finally got back for a small fill of 0.5. Doc agrees and wants to be conservative and not lead me back to the ER. I sure hope not this time! But I've been very very hungry and can eat just about anything, so it's time. Doc kept asking me if I could eat bread, but I said no, because I don't want it! LOL I am hoping that this little fill will take more of the hunger edge off. I am meeting some of my goals: First, I've been more active at the gym, and now can run up to 5 minutes without stopping! I'm up to week 5 on the couch to 5k program, which ramps up to a 20 min run by the end of the week--so we'll see if I can do it on the first try. If not, I just try again the next time. I'm learning to be flexible like that. Second, I went to the outlets and just to daydream a little, I went into a regular sized people store and I fit into an XL!! WOOOOOO!! I started in a 3x and now XL? Yeah, baby, yeah!!! lol In other news, I have been bad and let a little sugar sneak back in to my diet, so this week I am cleaning it up (24 hrs on liquids after a fill will help!) and saying good bye to it again. How is everyone doing?

Get used to being surprised on losses (none quite like that, though). And keep up the good work!!

We had a contest like that start at my work in January, but I didn't join because I don't like calling attention to my loss. I haven't told anyone except one friend (and family), and since I took prime time off of work, I wouldn't want to draw any more unwanted attention or questions. There are many pros to keeping it mum from everyone, but the con is you have to actively keep it on the DL.

sleep, sleep, and sleep some more. Know that the pain hurts, but it WILL go away. Every day gets better. Be MINDFUL when eating, EVERY time.

Unfortunately, I HAVE heard of people being denied because of weight gain. So be careful. All the more reason to follow your pre-op diet to a T! NOW is the time to start making new habits, exercise, eating cleanly.

If in doubt, go to liquids and call your doc. Let us know how it goes.

During my pre-op diet, I used to visualize a filter--because the liver is a filter. So during the pre-op diet we are cleaning the filter. And yes it's hard to clean the filter, so after the band, try to keep it clean! LOL

Not only have you lost weight, but you've lost about 10 years too! LOL! keep up the good work! You're a beauty!

Phone charger!

For me, that was normal for a long time (more than a month). It was my port. It petered down to discomfort, and I still have it if I get into the wrong position. Not pain, but awareness, I guess. But yes, ask your doc.

Chapstick and comfy PJ pants to come home in. Other than that, you really don't need anything. There just isn't time for anything else!

1. Bread. I haven't eaten more than a bite or two and I really don't miss it. 2. Sugar. Things with it taste different. I never knew how sweet sugar really was. I don't know why, but I tried to eat a munchkin from DD yesterday. It was totally not worth it and half way through I tossed it. LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is clearly insecure and doesn't even want to acknowledge her own weight problem. In life, in the grand scheme of things, do you own thing. Learn that you really DO have a thick skin. Don't let her bother you or interfere with your decision to change your life....because it's AWESOME on this side!

Fabulous!!!! *applause*

I am just beginning running. I can do intervals with bursts of 5 min on the treadmill. Sometimes I feel port discomfort after a workout. I can't tell exactly, but I wonder if it is from the running, all the jostling up and down? Or maybe I just tugged something the last time I did crunches and it got aggravated during the next run? PS Can I ask a silly questions? What do you do, how to you deal when you're in the middle of the run and you just run out of steam? What do you tell yourself to keep going? Any tricks?

Please post some things you've been able to make peace with in your life because of the band. For example: I never feel the need to clean my plate. I used to have this nagging feeling that I had to eat a certain food or I'd never have another opportunity to have it. I could never say no. Foods will always still be there the next time I may want it (but I don't really want it anymore!) Exercise/sweating is wonderful, not punishment. The feeling of hunger (and if you've been thru the pre-op diet or bandster hell you know) won't kill me and doesn't bother me that much anymore. Thin really does taste better than any food. I was spending a ridiculous amount of money on food. Now I can use that for clothes. LOL What are things you've been able to put in the past?

And just remember, if you get hungry you can always go and get some more, but just serve it out in 1/4c or 1/2c or 1c (whatever your doc says) servings. Eat slowly. The whole "game" with the band is see how far you can go with eating such small meals. (But obviously make sure you're getting enough, too, don't want too much or too little.) Good luck!! Let us know how your week goes.

I have found this to be true!! I never used to have time, but now I have lots of time to prepare meals, exercise and take more care of myself. If you don't make time for yourself now, your time will run out sooner. You go, go, go all day long and never take a break for yourself. It's an unfortunate lesson I learned from my mom, who passed away from fatty liver disease a year and a half ago. She cared for everyone except herself: us 3 kids, her job, my dad, her mother, outside activities, but she didn't eat right or exercise or slow down when the doc asked her to. The lesson I learned from her motivated me to get the band. I hope others can learn the lesson too. PS Can you eat your lunch un-noticed at your desk while working, then use your 30 min lunchtime to walk two or 3 days a week? Just an idea.

I am too scared to try it!

Congratulations on your loss so far! very good! You should be eating much less at a sitting, and spread it out throughout the day. The way the band works is not eat however much you can fit, but eat the least possible to get you to the next meal. My doc wants us eating only 1/4-1/2c at a time with dimmed hunger until the next meal 3-4 hours later (or maybe a snack in between). If you eat too much it can stretch your pouch and cause complications like slipping. This article is helpful and many have shared it here on lapbandtalk http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

This may sound harsh, but I'm going to address your concerns honestly, based on my success and what this whole process has taught me: You need to see your nutritionist right away. I think you are likely making some poor food choices and that is why you aren't seeing much weight loss. Are you staying away from carbs? Sounds like you need more Protein. Cheerios are not a good bet for Breakfast. Keep the eggs, but try maybe yogurt, kefir, or some other protein instead of any Cereal. It is important for your metabolism to keep eating. Why are you getting more fills if you can't eat that much already? You should be able to eat 1/4-1/2c food at a meal. Any less and you may be too tight. You shouldn't be in any pain or nausea. Maybe you should add in a Protein shake here or there to keep your metabolism up. Snacks aren't vital, but at least 3 meals are. And, are you exercising or at least walking? It is vital too. I don't think your food allergies should hinder your success, since you need to concentrate on the protein. But all in all, like I said, you need to see your nutritionist asap, and s/he can help you build a food plan that will work. It WILL WORK! Good luck!!