CCBSTX

Go for nutrition and health. I wouldn't necessarily strive to hit 1500 calories unless it was comfortable and healthy. Just an opinion.

I don't think that there will be any problem. Once you discover that you are serious and want to line up a surgeon for a consult. Have a list of questions to ask. This will help you make a final decision! Good luck, Shawn

It's easy to be obsessed by the scale. However, if you must weigh-in do it at a max. of (1) time per day. Do it under the same conditions (same time of day, empy bladder, no shoes, etc). Weight fluctuates daily, so don't be too hard on yourself. Of course, find what will work for you. Shawn

Sorry about feeling weak. I'm glad that you are getting a good amount of Protein and multivitamins/calcium. The time that I felt the most weak was when I was getting only 1,000 or less (probably 800). I felt very lethargic. Once I upped the calories, I started feeling better within days!! Not sure where your calorie intake is....Hope you start feeling better. Shawn

Our school has a strict policy against fighting...so if fighting you both get automatically suspended. However, I told my kids that it's ok to walk away and then it's ok to defend yourself. Also, given this "problem" has happened before. Tell the school that you are calling the parent(s), and will tell them that you will not tolerate any fighting or bullying on their kids part (tell school and parents this). Also, tell school/school district that you want the kid out of the magnet program. If it happens again, even rumors, that you will get a police and lawyer involved. Document everything. Be proactive with anyone of authority that will listen (principal, asst. super., super., etc). Don't forget the media...if it comes down to protecting your son. No school or parent wants to see their name in the paper. I've dealt with similiar circumstances. One you rise up, they will listen. I feel sorry for the bully as well, he needs help and is acting out. However, your main worry is your children. Good luck.

Yikes, I do hate attitude! That will kill any relationship right off!! I saw a nutritionist pre-banding (once). After that I could have picked up another one. There is plenty of reading on nutrition. We all know what to eat, for a healthy diet. It's just eating that way is the hard part!!! If you feel like you need to gain more nutritional knowledge, then find another nutritionist. I wouldn't deal with an attitude. Shawn

Hunnybun, go with your gut! This surgeon isn't the right one for you or maybe anyone!! Aftercare is huge, and merely finding a surgeon won't due. He/she needs to be supportive and someone that you are willing to work with after... Do you have to stay within your state? I know you tried a loan, but try again with another company. It just might go through. Many surgeons offices have financing, through a bank/company. You may have already asked. Good luck. Shawn

How frustrating for you! I'd print out a fitday report (calories, activity) and show your doctor. Sometimes, they don't believe us when we say we don't eat much....It's definitely something to check out. Shawn

You poor thing! It is almost unbelieveable the power-trip that some doctors can be on! It's disgusting. I am sorry for you. I wish you the best. Shawn

44DD/38 C plus my rear has disappeared! Shawn

Bug, you are right to stay away from the negative. No need to bring YOU down! Losing weight, no matter how you do it, isn't easy... Shawn

You did an awesome job, in just one year! Your pictures are tremendous! Have you had any complications? Do you exercise? Shawn

Flower, I'm glad you got it out (the head and the fill)!!! I've been there also, the things that go down aren't the most nutricious. All the while, you are suffering. Good call! Shawn

You won't feel like an outcast. I can eat sushi!!! At certain points your restriction will feel different. You'll have to adjust your eating to the band. It is a learning process. The fact that you are here, early on, asking questions and gathering info. tells me that you will be a prepared bandster. I can't tell you how many folks, get banded, then ask questions! Good luck. Shawn

I don't have much to add to the other posts. Getting some counseling will help address why you feel that you sabatoge your weight loss. Restriction is just that...you can't eat whatever quantities you want. For most of us, that also means certain foods. Washing past the food, often does nothing but make matters worse. Come here, as often as possible for support and info. The band is a finicky tool. The fact that you are exercising is wonderful! That will only help you. Take care. Shawn

Me too! For me, I think it might be a mixture of (2) things....I am eating more snacks and food. Not enough to gain, to just maintain. Psychologically, I am also quite happy with where I am at. However, it wouldn't hurt to loose an extra 10 pounds to get within a "normal" weight range. I log in my food at fitday.com, and find that I am taking in 1400-1500 calories per day. I suppose if I'd cut the snacks out, that would get me to going. Try the ol' tracking-the-calories thing for awhile. See where you are at. Good luck. Shawn

What a heartfelt post! It's wonderful that you are taking the time to celebrate your success! I too have the skinny butt-ouch!! Congrats!!! Shawn

The liquid diet is the worst! You'll feel much better, eating wise, after banding. This is NOT how it feels. Keep on drinking!!! You are doing great. Shawn

Thanks for sharing with us! It's fantastic to reach such a milestone. Congrats!!!!! Shawn

I can certainly understand where you are coming from...it's a personal decision. If you've been counting calories since age 8, then I'd be tossing that idea out the window! I, on the other hand, count my calories. It wasn't until after my first fill that I began counting calories. Now, I pretty much do it daily. After a year, I see myself slacking. Hopefully, I will trust myself enough to give it up. It does get old. Good luck. Shawn

I was told only Tylenol. However, some surgeons will allow their patients to take Advil on occasion. Check it out with your surgeon! Good luck with the cramps. Shawn

I can understand your discouragement. It's also disappointing that your surgeon isn't more helpful regarding things. Please seek support, frequently, either through lapbandtalk, a local support group, or elsewhere. It helps to speak with other bandsters. We all will have ups and downs regarding weight loss. Once you find restriction, you won't be able to have seconds. However, for most of us, junk still goes down quite nice. Errr....Some people take months to find restriction. It is all very individual. Take care. Shawn

Glad that you're hear asking questions and doing research! The main thing about banding is the followup care that you receive. Followups can be frequent and it's important to find a surgeon, in the US, that can do your followups. I would think that this is especially important due to your disorder. Many folks are very happy with their Mexican surgeons. However, you WILL hear both sides. Put your surgeons name in the search area. Also, check out obesityhelp.com for additional info. Good luck. Shawn

The fact is that you've tried through counseling. Some relationship can never mend for the hurt is deep. Your children will eventually come to understand. The best thing, if you can muster, to do have as decent of a divorce as possible (not easy). Keep the kids out of the arguments and never speak ugly about each other, in front of them. That is the worst thing for a child (I know from my past). Take care of yourself. You sound like a strong person. Shawn

Good deal Poodles. I guess the realtors suggestions DID work! Wow. I was gonna say how it important to neutralize things in a house. Many folks do have a hard time imagining their stuff in your house, especially if it is a "busy" home. Congrats. Shawn