hollyberries

I agree with that 100%.

Longhorn- I read so many posts from people who are having so much hunger and I feel so bad for them; especially when I am feeling no hunger and may not need a fill. I wonder why such vast differences between banders. I don't get it.

Brandy You are my hero! You look amazing? How have you done it? Details, details girl!

My first fill is scheduled for 1/3/08 because I am having some restriction from surgery. I am satisfied with between 1000 to 1200 calories per day and am not experiencing hunger between meals. I am not sure what he will do when I go in. We will see. I keep waiting for "Bandster Hell" to begin but I must be one of those that it hasn't happened to yet.

Kristen- I have been following your results. Congratulations! I am in the same club as you because like you I am feeling restriction. My Doctor told me the same thing that sometimes his patients have restriction just from the surgery and we must be two of them. He also indicated that from his experience that the patients that have restriction right after surgery do very well. So wooo-hooo! I am very satisfied eating what they tell me to eat. I am not hungry yet and waiting for "Bandster Hell" to start because I now that it will at some point. Unlike you, I am scheduled for my first fill on 1/3/08 but if I am feeling satisfied as I am now, I may not need it. I will let the Doc decide. Again, great job. You must feel so elated with your weightloss!

Hey Everyone! I just wanted to share that I hit a big milestone today. I have lost exactly 50lbs. I am so elated, I cannot even explain. I know that things will slow down and I am expecting it. I am not sure what I am doing but I can say that I must have some restriction because I feel satisfied after I eat and I am not really hungry between meals. I eat between 1000 and 1200 calories per day and try to ensure that my Protein intake is between 50-70 grams. I haven't hit "Bandster Hell" yet and am waiting for it to come any day but until then I will be happy with my results. Thanks for letting my shine for a few minutes.

UPDATE Name...........Chall. Start Wt........Current......Chall. Goal...........To Go Hollyberries............317....................306 .............299..................7

wantoloose- You and I are on the same track weight loss wise I was banded on 11/6. My doc scheduled my first fill for 1/3/08 because I was having some restriction and that I had lost 30 lbs in a month. I am getting a bit more hungry; as well but still losing. I can't figure it out because I went to real food this week and have lost 6lbs. I went from 800 calories to 1000-1200 and I am losing. I don't know what is going on but my body must love this "Band".

I was not actually told to go by oz or cups. We are given a diet to follow that is either 1000, 1200 or 1500 calories per day. The 1000 calories a day consists of 7 meat/proteins, 1 milk, 3 starches, 2 fruits, 2 vegetables & 2 fats. I can say that at dinnertime I will usually have 1/2 cup of starch, 1/2 cup vegetable & 3 oz. of Protein & 1 fat. I feel satisfied eating this for dinner. My NUT also said that I should strive for 1200 calories a day and when I am feeling more hungry it will be time for a fill. I have not had my first fill yet so she indicated that I would have to diet to 1200 calories until restriction. I try to average between 1000-1200 and I track all my food via Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople . So far it is working for me because I am down over 45lbs. since banding. My diet today was: Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 slice of sharp cheddar & a piece of 12 Grain bread and 1/2 cup of applesauce Lunch: 1 Joseph's whole wheat toritilla, 2 oz. of 97% lean deli ham, 1 oz. of swiss cheese, lettuce leaf, tomato, onion 1 tbsp of light mayo. Dinner: 3 oz center cut pork chop, 1/2 cup mashed potato, 1/2 cup corn and 6 almonds. Snack: (Which I have not eaten yet and may not get to) FF Jello & 1/2 banana. This a typical day for me. May not work for all but I am following my doctors diet plan. I know that the weight will slow down because I am just on a band honeymoon right now. LOL Best wishes.

losingjusme- I can't tell you how I am doing it. I just keep following what they are telling me to do. Even my doc at postop was surprised that I had lost 30lbs. in one month. I have surprised myself and I am waiting for the proveribial slow down. Cuz' I know that it will happen.

Ok my turn. My name is Cindy and I am married to wonderful DH for 17 years. We have 3 boys, Morgan (14), Sean (13) & Brandon (10). They keep me very busy as I homeschool them. Very challenging but rewarding to because I am learning everything I did not pay attentiont to in school. My boys are very active in baseball and so my life revolves around getting the to practices, games and training camps but I enjoy it. My husband and I own a country store, Hollyberries Country Gifts, thus, my User Name. The store keeps us very busy especially right now. I had my surgery on 11/6/07 just when I started my Holiday Season. However, I wonderful girls who work for me that took care of the store for 2 weeks. I am also probably the worlds biggest Patriots fan. So much so that when we opened the store 5 years ago we did not have Sunday hours because my motto is: Faith Family Football .....that order! I hired a Sunday girl 2 years ago and we are now open. No way would we open the store during Football season. LOL I am so glad that I decided to get the LapBand. It has been the best decision that I have made for myslef in a long time. God willing I will lose over 100lbs by this time next year. It has been great getting to know you November Nymphs!

:clap2:Hey guys! I am out 5 weeks and loving the "Band". I was able to move to solid food this week and am trying to follow the diet to a "T". It hasn't been too difficult, must admit some days are hungrier than others but for the most part I feel satisfied. Was a little nervous to move from Stage 3 Diced Protein and Mushies to solids but it has been fine. I was not sure what calorie range to be in because the NUT has you start at 1000 calories and move to 1200 calories where you will stay. When you start to feel the hunger creep in you will then need a fill. The last couple of days I have worked up to 1000 to 1200 calories but my focus has been on protein. It was nice to have a salad the other day, it was 1 cup of lettuce, 1/4 cup of tomatoes, 1/8 cup of onions, 2 oz of taco meat, 1/2 oz of RF Cheddar, 1/4 cup of salsa and 1 tbsp sour cream. It was "Delish" as Rachel Ray would say. I just love mexican food and this hit the spot after 6 weeks of preop diet, surgery diet, postop diet, etc. Everyone is doing so great for the November Nymphs and I have enjoyed watching your journeys. We are Bandster Friends for life.

Sue Magoo- Big Patriots Fan here! I have decided that the last 2 weeks watching PATS game is not good for the ole "Band". I was sick on Monday night...sick sick sick! I think you actually get tighter when your are nervouse (LOL).

I like this idea from your Doc for eating 15 minutes and then stopping because alot of times I will just finish what is on my plate without regard to knowing if I am full or not. I am sure that once I start having fills and I reach restriction this may not be the case but right now I sometimes know when I am satisfied and other times I do not. Love this idea alot.

Well I got to admit that 6 weeks of liquids is really tough but yes this is the hardest part. You are only one week out and things don't look good right now but trust me in one week you will feel like a million bucks. You may to get creative with your liquids to keep you sane. There are alot of great posts in the "Food" section to help. I am a month out and feel wonderful. I am also down over 30lbs. since 10/25/07 (preop appt). When you see the weight coming off you will be glad you did it right now is way to soon to be happy about it. Best of luck .... oh, and you are normal.

First of all Welcome Chrissy! I agree with Wombat 100%. However, I must add that it is the best decision that I have ever made and how do you think you will feel if you wait a whole year if you could have off a good % of the weight by this time next year. It is a hard decision and one that you will have to pray about. Lord, you see Chrissy's struggle and you know the desire of her heart. Help her to make this decision with you at the forefront. Give her the answer in a clear and direct way so that she will know that you have helped her. Go with her and bring her peace through this whole new direction in her life. Chrissy, I also want to add that I was at complete peace when I made this decision. I had prayed about it and immediately knew that this was the direction that God was pointing me in. I was so much at peace that when I was being wheeled into the OR that I was not nervous one bit. When you know something is from God, he will bring you the peace and strength you need to get through it. Trust in him and you will feel the same kind of peace. Best wishes! Cindy

Carver checking in. Banded at Brigham & Women's by the best surgeon Dr. Lautz. At least to me he is.

Hello South Shore Bandsters! I live in Carver and I have Dr. Lautz at B&W. I just love him. I was banded on 11/6/07 and had my followup last week. Doing pretty good. My first fill is not until 1/3/08. I hope I will make it until then. I too, have not been able to get to a Support meeting. I would like to but the drive is so far from Carver. Best of luck to you all.

So true. Life was a bit easier when I didn't have as much responsibility in the church. I also lead worship and pretty much handle alot. My husband is the sound guy and the guy who fixes everything. Sometimes we feel like we are taking advantage of but we realize that we are servants to the Lord Jesus and that he put us in the positions that we are in. I hate to always have to tell the Pastor to slow down on spending because we are entering heating season; I feel like the Grinch but I know what it takes to run this little church and I know what we can and can't do. He has been pretty good about my military handling of the finances. I had a circumstance this week where my Pastor was asking about carrolling and decorating the church and when I would be able to do it. Because our family has always taken care of it but this year I am in a different place with having surgery and really trying to focus a little on me and this Band. I am unable to do what I could do in years past due to being physically tired. This surgery took alot out of me; more than I thought. What is good is that other people will have to step up to take on some of the things I cannot. The Lord is showing me that I am not superwoman contrary to my belief. I actually need the time to focus on what the Lord has me doing in our Worship setting and on Him. I guess my message in all this is that we have been put in our positions for a reason and God knows that we can handle it and if we can't; our focus must be on Him. I have this saying, "The busiest people are always the ones that get things done." This is so true of my husband and I and sometimes we just get burned out. Lord, you see our daily struggles because we are human. However, Lord help us to see the struggles through your eyes and to hand them over. Not just with our hands holding on tight but opened up for release. Help us to not depend our ourselves but on you, the author and finisher of our faith. Have a wonderful day everyone! Cindy aka Hollyberries

Cagstorm- You are so funny, you actually went to church high. It must have been a good service. I couldn't actually have thought about going to church the first week out. Good for you. Also, just wanted to add a little drama. The Dallas Cowboys can't be World Champions this year because they will have to get by the Patriots who have already beaten them! GO New England Patriots

I so can relate. I was constipated for a week. I was given Colace as a liquid prescription because the doc said that the narcotics can bind you up. However, the Colace did not work for me. I finally took a Correctol; out of desperation. That worked well but I don't recommend it because it was in a pill form. I also tried drinking watered down applejuice. Someone recommended prune juice as well. It will get better trust me. My doc recommended Milk of Magnesia. Good Luck!

It sounds like the Lord is bringing you through some trials. It is through trials that we are strengthened. The Bible says, "Lean not on your own understanding." He has your situation in control just trust in him and you will see how he will take care of it. I can relate to your husbands issue as Deacon of a struggling church. I am the treasurer at my small struggling church and sometimes I wish that I didn't know so much and could fade into the background at some other church. I see to much and wish I didn't. But God has me there for a reason, could be a trial. You will be in my prayers. Remember that He will bring you peace and by the way you are normal for ranting. Sometimes it make you feel better. Have a good night!

Great post cQQlgirl! I agree with you. I was thinking about what you were saying because I sing this song by Ray Boltz called "Thank You" and it is about getting to heaven to see the people that you have touched and they were there to say Thank You! But the greatest gift is when Jesus takes your hand and says "Well Done". Dear Lord: Thank for this day. Thank that you sent your Son to save us and thank you for your Holy Spirit that brings peace in times of trouble. I pray for each everyone of the posters to this thread, I pray that you meet the desires of their hearts and they you show them your love and peace. I pray that you will help us with our "Band" and help us to make the right choices today. Amen "We are more than conquerors (sp) through Christ Jesus." Have a great day everyone and do know that I pray for each night. Cindy

Thank you so much for the advice. Well needed. I have been keeping my diary at Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople. I have found it keeps me accountable. I must admit I have the hungry horrors today, but I went up to the local deli and got 1 cup of vegetable beef Soup and believe or not 2 oz. of deli ham (protein). I agree that I will be super hungry before 1/3/08 but I agree that following the diet and drinking constantly will help. I also find that having a Protein shake once day helps keep me satisfied. By the way, you've done remarkable and my goal is to hit 100lbs. in year just like you. Thanks again much appreciated for you veteran bandsters.

Not sure what is happening with the band but I hope that she will feel better soon. It does take time for the swelling to go down and they are just airing on the side of caution. I am glad that she is staying in the hospital for them to monitor her. I hope that she will feel better soon. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.