hollyberries

Hey Fellow Massachusetts Bandsters! I live on the South Shore and had my surgery at Brigham & Women's under Dr. Lautz. I love my doctor and his staff; it is very busy though. I had surgery on 11/6/07 and had my first fill on 1/3/08. I have lost 65lbs. but am heavier than most so that is why I am losing as quickly. Started at 358lbs and am at 293. I love the band but it has a mind of its own. I know that I am ready for another fill because I am getting more hungry in between meals. I had pretty good restriction right after surgery and is the reason I have lost so much but I have slowed down. I lost 1lb this week. I will take it because the scale is going down. Today will be tough because we are having a Football party for the AFC Championship game and the house is loaded with bad choices but I didn't do this journey to never eat bad stuff what is good is that you can have it in smaller portions and jump right back into your routine. The band is good for getting back on track for sure. Would love to keep reading about us successful Massachusetts Bandsters! Cindy

Longhorn.. How was you week back. Are you tired? Hope you had a good week back at school. Cindy

Good post Shortgal! I live in Southeaster Massachusetts just 10 miles from Cape Cod. I have 3 boys ages 14, 13 & 10 and am married to great guy my best friend. I am 40 years old (just had a birthday last Saturday). I homeschool my boys so that is why I am on the computer all the time. My husband and I own two Country Stores in Middleboro and Kingston Massachusetts called Hollyberries Country Gifts. You can check our website at Hollyberries Country Gifts. As you might be able to tell we are super busy all the time with running two businesses and homeschooling our children but with God's grace we get it done. I chose to homeschool the boys after my oldest son was diagnosed with ADD. He was struggling at the private school we had him in and when he was in the third grade we decided he needed the one on one attention that he would not be able to get in a school environment. He is doing super in the homeschool setting because he can go at his pace. I am not against school just needed to do something that was right for him and didn't want him to get lost in the school system. By the way, he wants to be a professional baseball player and is planning to go to college. My youngest son was born with a birth defect; bi-lateral cleft lip and palate. He has gone through numerous surgeries for repairing it and will have several more before he is completely done. Just this past week he had some work done on his gum line. They had to rebuild it by taking bone from his hip. He is a trooper and did very well. I think the surgeries are harder on the parent than the child sometimes. The worry! The Band...why did I choose it. Well, the straw that broke the camels back was it. I had hit an all time high of 358lbs. and knew that I needed to find something that would nip my weightloss in the bud before I was 400lbs. I can lose weight but can never keep it off because I always revert to eating large quantities. My problem isn't sweets it is the endless pit inside that doesn't know the sign to stop eating when I am satisfied. I was always the last person leaving the table because I was still eating 2nd's and sometimes 3rd's. I was so glad that I found out about the Band and researched it and decided that this was the option for me. What better way to combat overeating if you had a tool that would do such a thing. I was always the big girl but I wasn't going to eat myself into the grave. I remember meeting with the surgeon the first time and he asked why I wanted the Band? I told him to look at me...I am freakin' fat. I didn't have anything wrong with me just that I was fat and needed to lose the weight if I intended to live to be 80. Best decision of the my life...it's fickle but I still like the fact that I am the last one eating because I am chew chew chewing and on only 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food. Who knew! By the way, my doc who is usually more for RNY said I was a great candidate for the Band and didn't even try to talk me into RNY. Well enough about me...I want to read more about you all. Cindy

Hope everyone is having a great evening! Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 slice of cheese & 1 slice of light oat bran bread & 1/2 orange Lunch: NutriSystem Rotini & Meatballs, 1 tbsp grated cheese & 1/2 cup of brussel sprouts. Snack: 9 All-Bran Crackers, 1 oz lean deli ham & 1/2 orange Dinner: 3oz of Meatloaf, 1/2 cup of GG Nibblets corn & 1/2 cup of broccoli & 1/4 cup of brown gravy. I was a little hungrier today so need a snack between lunch & dinner. Cindy

Hey Shortgal...how is your hunger in between meals? I find that I eat about 1 1/2 cups of food at my meals. If I am getting hungry between meals consistently than I know it is time for a fill. I am scheduled for my next fill on 2/6. I am beginning to feel hungry between meals so this is a clue that it will be time. Don't worry though we will reach the sweet spot and forget all about this hell. Cindy

Don't feel guilty! You need to eat if you are hungry and working out makes a huge difference in how much you need to eat. Your muscles need the energy to recover. Besides that is not a lot. What does it work out to in calories? You might be surprised. Have you tracked your calorie loss after exercise? For example, if I have done the treadmill for 30 minutes at a medium incline I might burn off 375 calories. So if you are only taking in 1200 calories per day you actually burn off 375 for net intake of 825 and that doesn't take into consideration the fact we burn calories just typing on the computer. You are doing just great! Keep up the great job!

Holy smoke Kristin...how the heck do you get in all that water. I struggle for 6. Yikes! Don't you just love the Weight Control Quaker Oatmeal. I usually try to go with eggs for Breakfast but have found that this oatmeal has staying power. hmmmmm, I might have that for lunch! Cindy

I knew something must be good when you were very excited to post your success. Doesn't it help us to have great success. You can do it! How is your restriction? I hope it takes you another week. Cindy

Cag- What happened to your Cowboys? At least one of us is still in it.:pray2: Cindy

name ...............starting# ....... current#.........goal#.......togo# 1. Momto1plus1.......241...............238..............229...........9 2. TxArcher............360........Last week, 357......???...........12 3. Hungryforchange...227.5..........225...............215.5.......10 4 shortgal ............. 198............195................192...........3 5. Hollyberries..........298............293................285...........8 Way to go Losers!:pray2:

No Flames Firebolt...a glass of wine is heart healthy right:smile: Sounds like we eat about the same amount. The fill I got 2 weeks ago is starting where off...dang it! I got an appt for 2/6/08 for my second fill. Now I wish that I had some idea of what type of band I have. I asked the doc and he indicated that it was a 10. He put in 1cc at my first fill. I need to ask him at my next visit to be more clear. I hate not knowing that information. Cindy

Mine lasted about a week. I am finding this week I am more hungry...Argghh! Why can't they last...dang it. Cindy

Got it listed tonight. You must be very excited to post some scale victories. Best wishes! Cindy:cool2:

Another board has a daily thread entitled, "What are you eating today?" I like this idea because it will us new exciting ideas of what everyone else is eating. Also, great accountability. Everyone is welcome to post. I was in the hospital the last two days with my youngest son. He was having a bone graft for is bi-lateral cleft palate. So I was eating hospital food until this evening. Breakfast: 3/4 cup of scrambled eggs and 3 sausage links Lunch: chicken Quesadilla's with sour cream and salsa sauce. 1/2 an order. Dinner: 3 oz of London Broil, 1/2 cup of GG Brussel Sprouts, 1/2 cup of GG Corn Nibblets Snack: 10 almonds Have a great evening everyone!:smile: Cindy

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Here is to some great scale victories!:smile: Name.................Start..................Current.................Goal

What a difference a week can make. Positive vibes are coming across this thread. Great Job everyone! We can do this! Hang in there if you are in Bandster Hell. Best Wishes, Cindy

Sades- Old habits die hard. I am the same way! I pay for the last bit I put in my mouth because then I feel a stuffed turkey at thanksgiving and I hurt. I do not want to stretch the pouch out so I am really trying to concentrate on listening to my body. I really never knew how hard it would be to try to do that. I don't think my mind has caught up with my body because the mind is still playing tricks on me. I hope that I can begin to listen to the queues that I am getting about being full. I think the years of overeating have really caught up to me in the this leg of the journey. Who knew how hard this was going to be. We can only do our best! Keep the chin up. Cindy

Crispy- Funny you should mention not eating as much at dinner. This is exactly what happens to me. I wake up starving in the morning and can eat a really good breakfast. Come dinner time, I am lucky that I can get in 2 oz of Protein and some veggies. Weird! Cindy

OK people I just turned 40 yesterday. Does that mean I am a new member. I can't believe that I am 40... Cindy

Way to go!

Holy Smoke Jfran! You look friggin Awesome! Love the new doo! Cindy

Well, since I have only had one fill I am no expert but I have got to admit that what I am feeling must be restriction. Now mind you, I have no idea what kind of band I have. I did ask Dr. Lautz what size and he said a 10. Not sure what that means but he proceeded to put 1cc in my band. Anyone that might have a clue as to what band size I have let me in on the secret. I am going to ask at my next appointment as I feel stupid for not knowing. My first fill was 1/3/08 and this past week I have been very full after eating. I have not felt hunger between meals except if I waited to long to eat but for the most part it has been about 5 hours between meals and no Snacks in between. The last few days I have been cutting my portions down because I don't like the overstuffed feeling. I am eating fine but full. So my guess is that I have restriction. I do know that it will be short lived but I was wondering how many of you Nymphs are experiencing some restriction after your first few fills. Cindy

Longhorn- Can I call on you when I get into math trouble with homeschooling my boys. I gotta tell you I agree with timed speed drills. I believe that my kids need to know the concept and that speed is not necessary. It is what they know verses how fast the can do it. That being said, I am beginning to think that I did not learn a dang thing in school because I am learning so much by teaching the boys. I never thought I could be so good at fractions. LOL Best wishes with the new semester! Don't stay away because I will miss your post and awesome insight. You really do keep me grounded. I agree about the November 07 forum! It is the best and I have enjoyed getting to know all my November Bandster brothers and sisters. Cindy

I think you may be right! However, you are doing great and have been such a great inspiration to me since I started my journey here. You always have a good attitude and I applaud your ability to be able to stay off the scales. I do weigh myself every morning. I do this to help me stay on track. I think it more of for accountability. One thing I don't do is beat myself up if it is up or not going down fast enough. I just like to see it everyday and it helps me keep the mind set of staying on plan. On another note, I do really only judge my success when I go see my doctor. His scale is what I measure my success with. We are in this for the long haul and this a life changing experience that must be looked at as a marathon and not a 5k. Hope I made sense. Cindy PS: Love reading your posts...you are an inspiration to me.

Keep up the great work everyone! Keep your chins up you can do it. We have such a great group don't we?