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Suzanne I am so glad to hear from you! I know how hard it is to post or get motivated to talk to others when you are feeling down. But that is when we need it the most. I am glad you did return and hope we continue to be here for you! I maintianed over the holidays, and according to the doctor's scale lost, but I had been fluctuating for some of the same reasons you mentioned. I told the NP that I felt I was in a spot I visited so many other times when dieting, when you get to a good loss point and begin to get bored, and then relive old habits. She had good ideas, all I really know in my brain, but hard to get to action. I have been logging food which helps, but the exercise is the big obstacle. not sure what my problem is, but I too would like someone to come and kick my butt out the door!!! Gina and others, great to hear from you too! I wish I lived closer to meet up with you. I think that is a great idea. I had lunch and dinner with two of my friends I met on line from Richmond. All of us had our surgery at the same hospital. it means a lot to get together!

hello all. I could not beleive the changes either! It looks brighter but could not figure out how to get here! I think I clicked under, " my profile"? I will see next time. stef welcome back....I missed all your creative posts. I am glad you are back to the routine! This weekend was crazy, with family and everyone in and out of my house. I did ok with the food, but did not log or keep track, so not sure. I still have to be careful how I eat and not to eat to fast. I have not been on the scale. YIKES> maybe I am afraid. well, take care. have a great day!

karla I can understand your frustration, I only lost 2lbs in a month, but then I look at the big picture, this was over the HOLIDAYS! When do we ever do that! So, I take it as a success. BUT having said that, I am frustrated too that with the 900-1100 cal a day, it is slow. Daily Plate is where I log too and it say's to lose 2lbs a week as my goal i can eat up to 1700 a day, but I could never do that, due to the portion sizes we eat and it is to much! Being a career dieter, I know 1200 is really the limit. I think the protein amount is 55-60 a day. I try to get there, but not always successful. Just keep doing what you are doing, I think it will kick in. I read Stef mention different foods give her a boost or a different exercise routine. big baby / suzzzie Thanks for your gym input. I did get an email yesterday at work from my friend who is my gym friend too. She must have had a signal! She does not bug me because I think she knows I am in a rut, but always says she is there and when she is at the gym. So, why is it an issue, not sure, the first step will be the big motivator. My dh and I have an ipod, well it became his, but I can use at any time. Rhonda, I will look for the wonton bowls, are they in the frozen section? Do you ever get the chicken breasts( raw) that are preseasoned? I will look to see if they have oil on them. I can make chicken, not a big deal to season myself, but any convenient option when working is good! Finally the scale moved down 1lb!! Yahooo I am down what I gained and lost one. I am logging my intake which is helping me. It is only one but I have been stuck at this spot for a long time!!! I will celebrate the moment and move forward

Rhonda thanks for the list. If you mix up your animal protein and beans it is good. Beans are a great source of protein. I make a good chicken chili that has both and I feel I am getting a good source and it goes down because it is soft. If you have a COSTCO around you ( I think someone mentioned these a while back), they sell in the frozen section individual wrapped salmon marinated. they are great. I love to just bake one for me when I am eating alone. If you cook to long you may have to dip it in something because it could get dry. I also found there individual wrapped onion soups. they are only 210 cal and you pop one in a bowl and bake it. It is another good meal for one! It has good protein too! As you know I have been a bad gym goer. I really don't know what to do! I really don't like my gym and a lot to tell there. I am thinking of cancelling my membership and look for another option. Any ideas? I really need help in this. I am logging my food every day and I am doing good. I have my period, so did not weigh this weekend. will do in a few days!

Suzzzie FANTASTIC!!! YOU ARE A SUPERSTAR!!:smile:

crystal I am with you, there seems to be a different story from one person to the other. I was banded on June 7 and started having an increase of hair loss in Sept and Oct. I have very thick hair and always shed when I blow dry but this time hands full in the shower. I did get to a point of panic and could have sworn a bald spot in my part area. When I went to the stylist last week( the same one for 18 years) she said it was fine and that my part was due to my length and my hair being heavy. She did notice new baby hair growth, but after my color and cut, boom, hair looked great. I have noticed it slowing down too. So I am grateful, I was worried!!

Marcar WOW You look fantastic. you just had your year anniversary, how do you feel?

bigbaby I would have to agree with you. I used dailyplate when I started logging with the band, but stopped doing it. it is hard to keep up for me. I started today. the fitday does not have any foods in there and you have to program them all which is way to much work!! suzzie I watch biggest loser too! I could not beleive the previous show, the twins! Guys suck, they will always win(no offense Dan)! Maybe they should have a show with only woman, but probably can't. Did you hear the clip for a contest for those at home, you write in and could win time with trainer? I would love to have Jillian for even a week!! I could not find it on the website! Maybe next week they will announce again. I am down a pound since the doc on Tuesday. Lets hope this is a good sign. TGIF!

Bigbaby Thanks for emailing Toni, I hope she comes back, I miss her and a few others, Hollie, Monica, and probably other regulars that have stopped posting! dan My 22 year old son is a groundsman for Dominion Power in Virginia. He is on the job there a bit over a year and he was accepted into the lineman school. He started in November. He makes good money and great benefits. He loves to tell me how much more money he makes than friends who went to college. but it is a physical job and dangerous. But he likes it. dan and stef I am like you two, I love real food, not really a big sweet craver, however, since the LB, when I can't eat what I want I do turn sometimes to sweets that are around. Yuk Thank you for all your responses. I went to the doctor yesterday, no fill, but that was fine, I did not need one. I only lost 1 lb according to them (however I am still up two from a long time ago). I will take the 1 lb since it was between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In years past I would have gained 10. So, now it is time to get back to the basics. She talked to me about the choices of food I am making because of the limited foods that I can't eat. she suggested I journal too. I don't go back until March. does anyone use daily plate or fitday? which one do you like most?

Happy New Year to everyone. Thindolphin, I have Federal Anthem. I did not have to go on a 6 month pre approval diet. I don't beleive Anthem does that. But I can't be sure. I had a quick approval, but I guess that is relative. There were so many steps I had to go through; psych eval, pre opt education seminars, meeting with the doctor's office, write a letter of why I needed the surgery, and a few others. Then the doc sends it all in and you get approval. After getting my date for the surgery I had to go to a couple education seminars and that was it. I was on a preopt two week diet to help shrink your liver, but that is normal for everyone. I would suggest you contact a LB doctor for a consult or research in Kansas if that is where you want to go for a good doctor. Look on here, there probably is a Kansas thread like the VA one and you can research a good LB doctor, then call them. I did not need a referral from my GP. I talked with my OBGYN for support or guidance, because I respect him, but did not need anything in writing. If I can help with any questions I can try. Hope all you other Dr. Batista patients are doing well!!!

candy welcome to LB land! Everyone is so different on fills, doctors, and theory. Listen to yourself and your body. I have no idea why someone with 11cc and no restriction. Also, you could have no restriction one day and two days later it all kicks in and you can't eat! So, take one day at a time. Good luck to you.

Simplyme you look great! I really need to figure out how to post a picture. I was never posted photo's on aol in the olden days or have a my space account, so I am not good at it. does anyone have a simple direction? you all look great. I am hoping to get a photo on here some day

Hello to all! I feel that I have been off the site for two long and this is part of success for me! Suzzie Great on the jeans. Wearing jeans and feeling good about them is so cool! Karla your NSV story with your sister was funny! I have two sisters and can relate 100% ladyhr WELCOME TO ONDERLAND!!!! Rhonda I can understand your frustration. I have been in tears all night, and maybe this is because I am going to face the music at the doctors today! I will have lost "0" weight since my last visit! But I have restriction and know that I don't need a fill. What I do need is to make the RIGHT CHOICES AND EXERCISE!! I am beginning to feel like a failure like I have felt in diets past. I feel that I am at a point that I am not on the "program". My husband told me the other day, you spent a lot of money on your "LB" get to the gym! Nice guy. I know he is trying to motivate me but that just pissed me off! He is right of course. You all tell me, I don't think I need a fill, for I have restriction with foods. some days I can hardly eat a thing, but I can still over eat the 4-6 oz, which I am never certain of the portion size I am supposed to eat when it is soup or salad? what do you think? I am sorry for wining! I just feel crappy today. Maybe the doctor visit will give me some motivation, I am hoping. I am having dinner with another LB friend that I met on the site. We both have the same doctor, so I am looking forward to that. maybe we can both provide inspiration.

Getting back to work and routine will be helpful.I wish I could have the feeling of not wanting to eat. I am not sure I will ever feel that! Suzzzie if I eat right and slow I am fine too, it is only when I eat to fast, dont' chew and eat things that I know will not go down is when I have issues. Unfortunetly I know the bad stuff I can eat, I am hoping to change that around now. Rennee, GREAT NSV! that is such a good feeling. I was depressed yesterday for the opposite effect. I can tell I cheated over the holidays, my clothes were not as loose as they were before my vacation! I really need to focus. Have a great day!

Pat, Gina, Diane.... Hope your holiday is going well, soon to be all over and back to the drill of life! I miss hearing from you and hope you all had a great time with your family. Band land over the holidays was a little challenging but over all I think I faired well. Just checking in.

Happy New Year! I am back from my vacation with the family in Scranton, PA. Wow, what a good time and much temptation, however with restriction and difficulty eating regular food, it sucked a little bit. We decided to go out to a restaurant where my neice and nephew work, a new Italian/Pizza place. I ordered food I knew I could not eat, I guess I wanted to depress myself! I ordered this really good tasting( one bite of it and I was done in pain) square sicilian pizza and a garlic knot with marinara sauce. it all went home. Then the kids and my husband were eating french fries with gravy, another local thing. I am glad for the band, but sometimes when you just want to taste it, it is sad... Speaking of food, I brought as much of the stuff I had to my sisters and when I was leaving she tried to have me take stuff back, NOPE. Her son is in college and lives in a frat house, the guys will take it all, not a problem! I love the pictures, Ashly, Suzzie and others you look great. Maybe I can get my husband to help me with that today. talk to you all later. Great to hear from you Dan, hang in there. Joeyg, did you call the doctor?

Ashley You look great, belt and all!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! You all have been busy. I have been reading posts and sorry for not being to good posting. life has been crazy at work and trying to finish everything up before I was on leave for 7 days. Suzzie, I don't know how your coworker did it, an entire month. The most I ever took off at once was 2 weeks. This time of the year is great to be a government employee for you get a lot of holidays and only have to use less of your own earned leave. I am sorry for some of your work experiences. I have to say for most of my career I have been blessed with great leaders that assisted me in what I am today. I am a Director of a Department of 35 and I know I don't make everyone happy all the time, but I beleive I am fair, honest and for the most part a good person to work for. I hope I don't come off self involved, I know there are those few I p__ off! GREAT weight loss to all of you! I have not been back to post pictures. My hubby is to busy too to help. Maybe after the holidays. To be honest the only real before shot is at the doc's. I go there on Jan 8, I will ask for it. At this time I am caring for my 2 year old grandaugther. she is enjoying all her toys I have in our basement. My only grandchild. I am only 48! I don't know how I would do it if I was 58! In this way only am I glad my son and his wife had a child already:clap2: Christmas will be fun this year with her opening her gifts, she still is not sure about Santa yet. I have been having a lot of restriction with real food. it is all very strange. I had drinks and an appetizer on Friday after a day of not being able to eat at all. then it was fine! she is my gym buddy. I told her after the holidays I will be back for sure. The scale is not moving at all, but I am holding my own. I can eat Christmas Cookies with out a problem!! Suzzie, take the compliments! I don't know why it is so hard and you feel uncomfortable when someone says you look good or you are doing great. You should be able to say, " Thank you" and walk away with a smile! Merry Christmas to all of you!!! Enjoy your time with your family! I will be checking in. God Bless.

Here I go. I am not sure if I can accomplish a picture side by side or even posting it! I could not find a full shot of a before picture for I never took them. the only true before was the picture the doctor has. I need to get that one when I go in January. in my current picture, my hair dryer broke saturday morning, so excuse the hair! Well, how do I do it? I can't seem to copy the photo's???

Hello all!! you have been busy! Lucy, good luck with your fill. I have 6.5cc and have had good restriction, but for some reason I decided to eat a small piece of costco pizza. and it went right down!! I am not sure how and not sure why I ATE IT!! UGH!! Suzzzie, I have had a few cookies, this time of the year is tuff. I only have one party, this Saturday, to deal with. but the wine will be more of my calories. I do ok with party food, for I am not sure what will go down and dont' want to be heaving in their bathroom...LOL. stef the only suggestion is crunches. ab work. lots of them! LOL. good luck. that is why so many people have the tummy tuck because that skin sometimes wont' go away. I feel about my hair the way you feel about your skin. I am still losing it, but my NP said dont' worry you won't go "bald"! I was not happy with her remark, for I see scalp and it worries me. I am taking vitimans and getting in protein. I am still looking for your supreme bar! TGIF Have fun shopping and getting ready for the holidays! I will try to post my pics this weekend!

Good morning all Just wanted to say hello! I have been very busy this week, but reading the posts. You are all doing great....Rhonda, glad it kicked in! Sometimes it takes some time. Stef that yogurt is very good! have a great day...I will write more later.

Wow, you all look FANTASTIC!! I will try and post this week.

I had my 6 month BANDAVERSARY yesterday!! I am so excited. I am losing slower now, but it is still going down and I can tell the major changes in my body. I am happy with being just a bit over half way to goal!! I will try to do a picture this weekend, not sure I am skilled to shrink it and paste it. But I will try. I am having a consistent restriction, which is nice. And last night I could not eat tortilla chips or pretzels. That is a GOOD thing finally! Maybe that will kick up my weight loss. I have had issues eating some things that I could eat before. I can eat salad, but have to eat slow and chew. I am realizing htat up to this past month I probaly did not focus on my chewing and pace enough, and as the fills increased, I was forced to do it. Karla....welcome to ONEDERLAND!!!! YOU ARE DOING FANTASTIC!!!! Stef, I am off to Christmas shop today and will look for those protein bars. VA has 7-11 every where along with Scheetz and Wawa! Talk later,

Glad all went well Josie!! How are you feeling after one week? I have had real restricton the last two days. I tried to eat tuna today for lunch and that would nto go down. it is depressing sometimes when you can't eat what you made or want. On the bad side, the band has no problem letting pretzels and chips go through! I have made a vow, not to buy any tortilla chips and salsa for it is a red flag of mine and the salt is the big killer! Hope everyone is doing well.

lucy I have a pair of size 16 Old Navy Jeans that I bought a year or two ago and still had the stickers on them. They were on sale and my sister said they were a great fit. Of course she is a size 8 or 6! I have been wearing them for a month or more now and I love them, but I think I need a size 14, which is so exciting!! When I get to a size 10, I will go for a different type of jeans. I am not a walmart shopper, but not an expert with designer jeans either. I may need help from you ladies! GREAT Job everyone. I think I am back on track after a weird weekend. I have restriction and I need to work better with my portions.