Mikee57

I was banded on 1/16/14 and have lost 42 lbs...and I was so upset with myself that it wasn't more...but then just the other day 6/17/14 I finally learned something that made me realize ignorance can really be a hiccup in this WL Journey. I have read on here so many folks that didn't get much of an education about what they were getting into and although I thought I was on the right track before/after my surgery...I learned there is still so much to learn. We all know our journey's are so individualized and that not everyone will be the same as everyone else. So my first lesson was to realize...that I wasn't going to lose weight the same way and Jane or John Doe was going to lose their weight...so I needed to get that out of my head fast (but it took me 5 months to realize that)! Secondly, I need to get away from those scales at home and trust the ones when I go to the fill clinic. Thirdly, that although sometimes we judge ourselves harshly...we need to be prepared to meet those consequences. I am doing all the right things...I am eating right portions, eating slowly-chewing and exercising...however, it all is about that band!!! It helps us to manage weight lose, but we have to be at the Green Zone in order for it to work correctly. So for the last few months...I have been doing the right things expecting a BIG CHANGE to occur and it hasn't and therefore gotten totally off track and out of sight as to what this is all about!!! The band is merely an instrument that assists us in our weight loss...but until we get to the GREEN zone, we still need to be the ones in control of our day to day weight loss goals...that means maybe we call it a diet until then...monitor our eating habits and make adjustments to at least lose a little at each time we go in for our fills-when we reach our Green Zone we will start losing accordingly. I got my fill Tuesday and learned first of all I wasn't at where I thought I was with the cc's, but I got to talk with an Educator (who is also a Lap-Band patient-8 yrs) and told me to stop beating myself up and move forward. Everyone's weight loss is different from everyone else's, but I was doing great...not everyone averages 8 lbs a month (even though that is not what I've lost between fills-only average of my lose by the months since I've been banded). I will get to where I need to be, but I really worry about folks on here that don't get to speak to Educators or Nutritionist and seem to run into those hiccups along the way. So if I have any advice to give to those that are newbies (by the way-she told me I'm still a Newbie-LOL) find someone you can talk with...actually have they show you what portion sizes are, talk to them about exercises that your body will allow you to do at each step of your progress and be proud of what you have achieved so far. We all are going to experience hiccup in our WL Journey...it just helps to know there are folks out here willing to take the time to set us straight and pick us up when we fall down. Thanks all of you who have posted positive things on this posts and those of you who have posted the negatives ones as well-for they have made me learn that this journey is a lifetime one and it took me years to get where I am now and will take me a while to get to where I want to be!!! You all are my blessings...Thank You for scaring those hiccups away!!!

I am regrouping right now...was using my scales to register lose and have changed that up what the Bariatric Clinic shows. So although mine was less, I want to be true to myself. I am going to the pool for exercise and staying on track with my eating habits, but learned a lot the other day. I thought I was at 4 cc's for weeks now...learned though I only had 3.5 cc's in me until 6/17/14. I learned also that I am doing all the right stuff I just need to be patient and stopped being so impatient...thanks everyone for listening to my rants...I'm straight now and ready to move forward with my WL journey!!! Yall are my heroes!!!

<p>Thanks so much <span><a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www.bariatricpal.com/user/146942-naenaern777/" title=""><span>naenaern777</span></a> for your kind words...I am working on getting my head out of the dark spot (if you know what I mean-LOL) and </span>getting back on track...learned alot the other day when I got my fill...so am ready to be in the losing zone again. Thanks again...you made me smile!!! I'm off to kick some butt!!! <img class="bbc_emoticon" src="http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.png" title=";)" /></p>

catfish87 and readysetgo611 thank you both for helping me feel better about myself...yesterday I went to get my 4th fill and I had been very upset with my progress, but feel better after your messages and the Educator (finally got to talk to one at the clinic). I was under the impression I had 4 cc's in my band without any restrictive feelings...only to learn I was only at 3.5 cc's...am now at 4 cc's. Still don't feel much change...but the Educator said for some 4 cc's is not enough for some to be in the green zone-so I might still be a ways off. So I will continue to do as I am doing because on average in the past 5 months I am losing 8 lbs a month...right now I am feeling better about myself!!! Thanks again for your added incentive-you both are my heros!!!

My hardest time is right after a fill...I should be on fluids for a few days and just can't stay that way long...so I am hoping this fill today will do something for me...I am living in Frustration City!!!

wish I was one of these stories!!!

MissL I don't seem to have that issue...but I use my Eat Slow app on my cellphone when I eat out and at home...so I eat about the same way both places. I am sure though what your explaining here is normal...but I would try to eat the same both places...slowing down and watching portions...you got this I just know it!!!

I really liked the cream soups...just made sure I blended out and chunky pieces and lots of s.f. puddings and of course protein shakes...made all different kinds of them during this stage, just made sure I blended them really well. Best wishes bbyruth and welcome to Band Land...let us know if you need anything okay? we are here for ya!

I wish this exercising would pay off...depressed today, not seeing anything or feeling anything differently!!! But gonna hang in there!!! Back to the pool in the morning.

TMF hit it on the head Ajit...you'll be just fine!!!

took sometime off of work while my hub and sons were motorcycling the mountains in Gatlinburg...low and behold-guess what I got some sort of stomach bug that kept me pent up inside-couldn't even get to the pool. so was really upset...thought I had a few days that I could get a few hours in each day, but alas that wasn't to happen. But I got up at 4:30 am this morning-bright and early and got my mile and exercise in...so I am a happy person right now. I always feel so much better when I go to the pool before work.

Susan58 probably is just gas, but if going to liquids don't fix it, call your doctor...might be a good idea to just touch base with his office staff just in case though!!! Congrats on joining us in Bandland...let us know how things are going okay?

I actually bought a few things smaller to get into...LOLRH...my pants though I bought smaller are already too big...have to roll them up on my waist...so gonna take them in on the sewing machine.

Congrats Meredyth...I know I believed that soft foods were out of this world...my problems back then I couldn't eat eggs...but I did other things...keep up the good work sweetie.

thanks alicesandra!!!

so this is only for an iPhone right? I use My Fitness Pal, but this sounds like it does so much more too...I have a Samsung...so it doesn't work on android huh?

I am over the 50+ too and have the waddle to wattle and I don't see plastic surgery in my future for I would have to pay for it...so I will have to learn to live with it...that is the least of my worries...I don't do turtlenecks and only scarves in the winter, so it is well worth it when I can look at the rest of me and see the lose elsewhere!!! So if folks look and continue to stare I will just gobble and strut my stuff for them...hehehehehehehehehe!!!

I don't miss anything...just doing my best to stay on target with all the do's and don't's...but if there was one thing I do miss it is my Pepsi Max, but I'm over that relationship as well!!!

Finally Banded, don't want you to get your hopes up too high...because it is different for all people...but the first fill normally doesn't really restrict you much...at first this is merely another diet you have to be really mindful of what you are eating, how much you are eating and how slowly you are eating and chew, chew, chew. As for the procedure itself...that differs too...my port is in my left chest area...so they use Lanacane to numb you up and then give you a the shot with the saline in it. hope you feel something good with it!!!

I know that someday I will be walking or swimming (again I pray-hurts my knees to kick right now) miles in the pool, but for now I am happy that I am doing as much as I do and that I am no longer idle. Yall are my inspirations and each day I know it gets easier...thanks Carolinagirl for putting this post together so we can post to it when we know we have accomplished a goal.

thanks again Gowalking...then I had a NSV this morning...put my shorts that I wear over my swimsuit and they were loose...is that a NSV. I couldn't get a full mile in the pool done this morning due to a car issue...but I was able to increase the reps of my leg exercises (that I did after my knee replacement surgeries that I now do in the pool) up 10 reps now...so I will do alittle extra walking today at work on land...love love love the pool though...LOLRH!!! Have a great day GoWalking!!!

thanks sooooooooooooooo much kata13

keep up the good work samirix6 the exercise will come later...I know it has taken me awhile...I am in the pool now...helping though!!!

Could someone please tell me what NSV means? have seen it but have no idea what it means. wish they had a glossary of these for some of us newer folks...LOLRH...just learning alot!!! thanks

I know I am crossing over onto a sleeve sight but I have seen this NSV before but have no idea what it means...please help me out will ya?