legster

Sandra, you're right, we are at about the same loss rate. I feel good about it. I lost 7 pounds in the 2 weeks after my first fill, but only 2 in the next 11 days, so I went ahead and scheduled another fill for Aug. 4. I have the VG 10cc band and got 3cc in my first fill. It did help to a degree for a while, but I basically still have no restriction. If they filled you with 1cc I think it's safe to assume you have the smaller 4cc band. Those are good for getting to the "sweet spot" quicker! I can be patient though. :-)

Actually, 240 is miles away, but I have a very active olfactory. lol

Paisley, dancing sounds like fun! Keep up the good work! I enjoyed the day-long class mostly. I learned things there that I have taken along with me on this journey. I know your uncertainty must be frustrating, but hang in there! I doubt they would be sending you there already if it wasn't likely to happen. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you for the next couple of weeks. Be sure to let us know!

In a few hours I'll be heading out to my niece's home to celebrate her husband's birthday. They decided to keep it simple and just bake up some Papa Murphy's pizza and have strawberry shortcake for dessert. Now if I was on any of the other crazy diets I've tried over the many years, I'd be sunk and either not go or go and fall off the diet. When my sister called to tell me the plan she said "I don't know if you can eat that." Of course I can! This is what is so great about the band. Even though I'm not feeling any restriction, I am feeling satisfied after eating less than a normal person would. I'll have a slice of pizza and a small serving of dessert...and have a great time! :-)

Sue, that is SO cool! I can almost smell 240 now. Well, it's a faint smell, but anyway....I know that had to be a great moment!

Oh, forgot to mention...I went 6 days this week! :-)

It is a lot like Curves. It has the circuit, but I guess the main difference is that the machines are weight-resistant rather than hydraulic and that's supposed to be better. They also have bikes, ellipticals, treadmills and a room you can stretch or exercise in with a flat screen. They have some dvd's or you can bring your own. It's just a nice, friendly, CLEAN place to work out. I love it, in case you can't tell. :-)

Great going Melissa and Sandra! I'm a tall, larger frame person with looong arms, so at my lowest I will likely be in an XL most of the time. After losing 36 pounds or so total, I still wear the same size top (big tummy), but the bottoms have gone down one size. It's going to be a while before I get to be really happy about clothing size, but that's ok. As long as I am healthier, I'm happy! Today I got the go ahead from my Dr. to do abdominal weight-resistant machines!! Look out! I probably need a 2nd fill, but I read somewhere (and I'll be darned if I can find it again) that the fills work better with a month or more in between. Since I'm still losing (I think...I weigh only every other Thursday so in one week) I'll keep this for the time being. It's nice not having to worry about things getting stuck just yet. Cheers!

Thanks! I've been working out 5 days a week without fail. I go to Contours Express by the Price Cutter on E. Battlefield and it's really working so far! They are really nice there and that helps with motivation to keep it up.

What a nice thought you have there. It kind of reminds me of my favorite old John Prine song, "Hello In There", but his song is aimed at the elderly. Same sentiment though. Because of his song, I not only smile at older folks, but, if appropriate at all, I strike up a conversation with them. When I'm on the other side of this weight I think I'll do the very same with overweight individuals. Thanks for your post. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_7rKltSy4g]YouTube - john prine hello in there[/ame]

It had been ages since I belonged to a gym, but after being banded I knew it was the way to go for me. I joined a Contours Express one month after surgery and I've been loving it! Mine is $35 paid monthly with minimal membership fee. It's a circuit somewhat like Curves, but they use weight-resistant machines rather than hydraulic. Only women are allowed there. I recommend it! Ladies Fitness Franchise Overview - Contours Express

About the peach tea drink mixes...I solved the puzzle! When I went last night to make sure it was caffeine-free, I looked at a new box I had bought. It's a generic Best Choice brand and it does contain caffeine. Then this morning, wondering how in the heck I had made that mistake, I looked at the one last packet in the dish which is also generic but "Great Value"...it was caffeine-free! I'm almost certain this one came from Wal-Mart. So, if you think you might like peach tea flavor, look and you may be able to find one that meets the criteria. :-)

Did you go to an exercise physiologist (or whatever) and/or have you had your follow-up appointment with them? When I had my follow-up, she said if I find myself at a plateau it might be a good time to come back and see her. She said she had worked around many plateaus with banded people. Just a thought.

Sorry I've been missing here lately!! After my fill on 6/28 (3 cc in 10 cc band) I haven't been feeling much restriction. I am, however, feeling satisfied after just a smaller than normal amount of food is consumed. Not only that, but the satiated feeling lasts for a good long while! In the first 2 weeks after my fill, I lost 7 pounds. I had a great follow-up visit with my Exercise Physiologist, too! My BMI is down 5% with literally no lean/muscle weight lost...all fat! My heart rate, resting and working, is also down (working HR is down 20 beats per minute). So....doing very well here so far! Good luck to you all with any obstacles you are facing pre- or post-surgery!

The paperwork from my Nutritionist states: Avoid caffeine-containing beverages. Caffeine stimulates the appetite, increases the production of stomach acid, and causes dehydration.

My Dr. only restricted use of a straw for 6 weeks after surgery. Not sure why there would be a difference, but there are many of these differences with our doctors it seems. You have brought up a good point about the caffeine! I think the peach tea does have it! Most of those don't have it and for some reason I just assumed this one didn't either! Thanks for bringing it to my attention. My nutritionist told me that tea was all right to drink (something about the tannins?) but I have been trying to stay away from caffeine altogether, so I'm going to have to find another favorite flavor! You're welcome!

Patty-It sounds like you are doing great! Kind of a bummer about the wait for an adjustment, but I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Again, it sounds like you have it whipped even without restriction! Go you! Melissa-Maybe we could get a pic of when you try on the dress next time? I don't want to wait until you show wedding pictures! C'mon... Manatee-I can't wait until I feel like people are REALLY noticing, like they are with you. My friends and family say they notice, but I would do the very same for them whether I actually did or not. Someone like my dental hygienist or my hairdresser (I don't go very often) will be the tell. They have no idea about the band and it will be a good while before I see either of them. I'm excited to see! As far as the water-First thing in the morning I make a large 11 oz. mug of caffeine-free herbal tea with stevia for sweetener and I also drink as much water as I can taking my supplements and meds individually. That way, I start out the day drinking over 16 oz. right off the bat! I bought a 32 oz. bottle with a flip up straw (Walmart) that has a finger grip and I just haul it around everywhere I go. It goes down really fast when I mix in one of the flavored packets (they are too sweet for me if I mix them into only 16 oz. of water). I like the peach tea ones. In fact, I usually wind up drinking much more than 64 oz. Hope everyone has a great week!

Glad it worked for you, Julie! One of my favorite parts of the warmer months is the ability to cook out and eat at the picnic table. :-) I got a Cuisinart indoor grill, that I just love so that I can grill year-round, too! It's large, so i can cook for the two of use including veggies, or I can grill a whole pound of asparagus at once. Cuisinart Grill and Griddle

Maybe I'm totally missing what your point was, but 4 oz. of the Honeysuckle ground turkey BREAST has 120 calories and 1 gram of fat and their ground turkey has 240 calories and 17 grams of fat. To me that's not so close.

That's why I use the ground turkey breast, like i suggested.

Julie, Next time you're at the grocery store see if they have some ground turkey breast. I like to season mine with worcestershire sauce and steak seasoning. Then make it all up into patties any size you want and freeze them. I eat them all the time, usually with a slice of Alpine Lace swiss cheese on top. Maybe that would satisfy his need/wish to cook on the grill for you. :-)

I know that ground beef doesn't agree with the band for some people, but I don't see what it would hurt to try it! I think it's very sweet that he's made you a mini burger. :-)

Congrats on your loss, Melissa! Hope the new fill will be perfect. As far as how much we should weigh, this page is interesting: Better Ideal Weight Body Calculations

Good for you, Melissa! Good luck with your fill, too!

Ginger, I was also thinking maybe you should make an appointment with the psychologist who you visited with before surgery. Is that possible? I'm definitely planning to see the one that's affiliated with my surgeon if I start having "head" problems (I know I will at some point - it seems inevitable considering my history). Ask your Dr. what s/he thinks about it?