riverrat

Good Luck Karen. Here's wishing us both luck!!

I am very glad to hear how full you are feeling. I go for my 1st fill on Wednesday. I can eat too much I think. We'll soon see.

yup, he's mine.

Dylan with biker babe

Catalyna again.

Catalyna's first hog ride!

Protein does not have to consist of meat. There is protein in plenty of foods. Eggs, milk, bread, protein bars, beans etc. Just try to get in 60 grams a day. I have no problem w/ 800 calories a day. I do 200 at each meal and have 2 70-100 calorie snacks a day. Your body is not like it is before. You don't need the calories like a full size stomach person. I was told that your body will use up the excess fat it has already stored. Once you are at your wieght to stay I can see upping to 1200 or so. But, you would be suprized how full you can get on 800 calories with the right food choices. If you need 1200 a day, I'm sure you would be okay. But for me, I'm going to follow my doctor and nutritionists orders. It's working so far, and I'm sure what you choose will work for you. Just listen to your body-- everyone is different.

Well, I bought some fudge bars and hard candies the other day. Problem is, I can't eat just one! Yummy though.

You shouldn't drink 1/2 hour before and after meals. Some say an hour after. My nutritionist says to eat 3oz protein and 1oz veggie or fruit per meal. No snacks-- yeah right. I usually have a high protein snack around 3 or 4pm. Holds me over to dinner. Protein shakes are fine, but you need to watch your calories. You should only be around 800-1000 a day. With shakes you're just ingesting calories and they don't fill you up. Meat and Cheese w/ a few crackers is a much better choice. Protein is definetly the clencher. This will cause you to lose the wieght much quicker and be much fuller. I would avoid fruit juices--empty calories. Good luck!

South Beach Diet has the most wonderful bars. They have chocolate/ peanut butter meal replacement bars w/ 19 grams of protein and 210 calories. They also have breakfast bars w/ 10 grams protein and 140 calories. The cinnamon raisin bars taste like sweet rolls from a bakery--soooo good!

I just ordered-- thanks for the info.

You are a brave soul getting rid of the scale. I don't think I could do-- I am totally obsessed. I find that if I stand on my left foot and lean a bit I weigh a few pounds less--LOL! Oh yeah- definetly naked in the am after the bathroom. LOL!

My husband took topamax for headaches, however he definetly had a decreased appetite while taking them.

Teresa, What a blast from the past, not you but your location. I grew up in elementary school in greenbriar, then chantilly. In junior high we moved to Vienna. I lived at Fair Oaks Mall and Tysons Corner. Funny-LOL. Memories.

Good Luck to both of you. The few weeks before surgery are so exciting and scary, but boy does time fly. You'll do great. I go for my 1st fill today-- I'll let you know how it goes.

Catalyna Rose grabbing her toes. Can someone make this smaller for me

Thank you! Now I don't feel soo bad about the cravings. I'm not going to buy anymore--so I say. I will definetly try the pudding w/ whipping cream. I just bought some South Beach meal replacement and breakfast bars---YUM YUM YUM. They have 20 grams protein also--bonus. My problem is my husband-- he loves ice cream--and asks why I didn't buy any-- he's a junk foodaholic-- but never gains weight-- makes me sick-- I'm going for my 1st fill today, wish me luck! Maybe that will help with the cravings--I doubt it.

I feel like I constantly could eat something sweet. I really try not to, but I can still down 1/2 G of ice cream. Oh so bad I know. Anyone else bad out there??? I feel like a total schlep. Help!

I was right there with you. I actually tried to gain wieght before the surgery because of the same fear. I gained 5 lbs the month prior. That was fun! I am beyond glad that I had the surgery. You always think you can lose it on your own, and you might-- but will you regain it and how hard will you have to work to maintain? The only reason I qualified for the surgery was by planning it right after I had my daughter and my baby wieght still- sad I know--but it worked. I probally could have gotten to 175 or so without surgery, but I would have been popping any wieght loss pills I could find. As far as the last supper, I felt the same way, but now realize that is crazy. I can still eat everything I had pre-band, just smaller portions ( which is a good thing). The only thing I can't eat is peanut butter-ouch. When you are in your upper 30's it's real hard to lose the wieght like you could in your 20's. Imagine how the 40's will be. The band is GREAT!!! Many, many people have had the band with low BMI's. I only wish I had done it earlier, talk about a bit of control that you just can't imagine preband. Love my band! Good luck on your choice.

Well, I would say you must follow through on your threats. If you truly intend on throwing out your sons toys, you must do it. I'm sure he knows you won't actually throw them away. He knows that if he acts up at school that there are consequences immediately; therefore he listens. Are your threats real? Try using a egg timer for clean up. Lay out your expectations (ie-- all toys, videos and clothes need to be picked up and put where they belong by 8pm). In the beginning try offering incentives for the job at hand. I use a star chart--perfect for this age group. Making Bed, Cleaning Toys, Eating dinner, Using Good Manners, Brushing Teeth, Etc. After filling up the chart for the whole week, take him to the dollar store for a present (you can get away w/ dollar toys now). If he does not get all of his stars for the week, you must not allow him a toy. The chart then starts over-blank-the next week. He'll catch on pretty quick. Eating- how much food are you expecting him to eat? Try the same portion size that you are eating. Don't expect a 6 year old to want healthy choices. Ask him what he would like, then tell him that after he eats 6 bites(cut by mommy) of what you want him to eat, he may then have what he wants. This usually works well. Six year olds aren't usually really big into variety. They would be perfectly happy with grilled cheese or mac-n-cheese everyday for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's all good. Just remember, this is a time where they are learning that they can make up thier own minds. Let him have the freedom of some choice. Make sure to always praise him for good behaviors. Many children will act out if they think that is the only attention they are getting. Catch him eating a big bite of food and tell you are so proud of him, see him put a few toys away and say good job, etc. The most important thing to remember is that you ARE a good mommy. Asking for advise shows how much you truly care for your son! Remember he is just 6 years old. Make sure your expectations match the age. The things that we teach our children now will echo into adulthood. With Faith, all things are possible!!!

Well, I am only hungry around 3 or 4pm. I usually try to have a high protien snack, but somehow those darn ice cream sandwiches (5grams) sneak into my mouth. Usually two of them. LOL. As far as exercise, I try to walk about a mile a day. However, I usually end up walking to the playground so my son can play, then chit-chatting with the nieghbor, who usually offers me some wine, and who can remember the walk from there. I love to shop though--does that count as exercise? I am walking and definetly sweating. I am defenitely eating regular food. I try to have 3oz of protien and 1oz of whatever. I get very full after eating all this, but I can eat it all with no problem. I can't stand that I'm only lossing like 1 pound a week now, after lossing 5 or so--that's what makes me feel like maybe I need a fill.

I agree, you need to make sure your protien is up there, at least 50grams a day-minimum. You may think you are taking in more than you are. Try to get in 20 per meal. I have heard that hair loss is one of the side effects of the band. Just think protein. On the food site, there is a website for protein chips w/ 20 grams for a little bag. Check it out-- $10 for a sample box of 5 different types. I just ordered some myself. Try eating roast beef and cheese or chicken instead of tuna. Fish oil is real good for your hair also.

I'm glad you are doing well. My doctor still hasn't given me a fill. Oh well, I guess as long as I'm losing wieght that's all that matters.

Hi there. You'll be doing good in no time. If I was craving something really bad, I would chew it for the taste, then spit it out. Worked for me. Time flys when you look back. Day by day. I still have no fill, but doing okay once I started on solids.

Hi Butch. Welcome aboard. Congrats on your fantastic wieght loss. You are doing great! Keep up the hard work--you CAN do it. By-the-way, we love the ocala area. We go camping to salt springs quite often. We usually bring our ATV's and go riding. Fun, fun, fun!