jjsmiles

Gorgeous shot - beautiful dress (you ARE very multi talented by the way). What other art do you do? What magazine are you going to be in? BUT - dare I ask how you managed to break your nose in 5 places :thumbdown: ?That must be incredibly painful. What can you do to help healing, except avoid anything touching your face? Jacquie

I still love looking at all the pictures. What a great idea to take pictures in front of a door :biggrin: Not only do you see the changes in your physical body, but you also see "in the real world" how much less space you take!!!! Sometimes it takes tangible reminders to really show us how well we are doing Blue shirt (about 350 ish - taken late 2005) Yellow shirt (about 300 - taken August 2007 - one month before surgery) Brown t shirt (taken August 18, 2008 - 167.4 pounds)

canned vegetarian chili weight watchers frozen dinner tuna melt egg white omelette with toast oatmeal turkey sausage (pre cooked - just have to heat) leftovers (at least 2 times per week)

I also didn't go low carb. I eat anything and everything, but try to generally stay around 1000-1200 calories per day. I log everything I eat and I exercise a lot (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day, 3-5 times per week, both cardio and strength training). When I go out to eat, I eat what I want, but I do try to think about what I am going to order before I go, so that I make a semi-sane decision (i.e. not the bacon double cheeseburger with fries and gravy, which would be my impulse choice). I am also not overly restricted - I can easily eat 3-4 oz of Protein and 1-2 cups of whatever else for a meal. What I find the band does is that it helps me control my hunger between meals. In fact, other than the evil head hunger (which I still experience), I don't really experience hunger anymore. I still love to eat though and I still love food and have not lost my taste for sugar and fat. I am kind of going with the philosophy of eat really well 90% of the time and then have whatever I want the other 10%. After that lengthy intro :biggrin: - typical day for me: B: oatmeal or 1/2 c. egg white omelette with weight watchers toast snack: fruit - 1 piece or 1-1 1/2 cups lunch: 2 slices weight watchers whole wheat or multigrain bread condiments like mustard, fat free miracle whip, ketchup 2 oz of some kind of lean protein 200 g fat free yogurt (2 of the small containers) dinner: 3-4 oz of lean protein (any kind - I eat chicken, fish, pork, turkey sausage, beef, etc.) 1-2 cups of veggies (usually cooked cause I like them better) snack: 1-2 Snacks (about 100 calories each)- favorites include 100 calorie micorwave popcorn, vita muffin, 2 sticks of turkey pepperoni, no sugar pudding I will eat potatoes or Pasta, but I am usually too lazy to cook them during the week, so I am more likely to have them on weekends. I don't drink any of my calories (no protein shakes), including milk (I don't like the taste), and I take a Multivitamin and a Calcium supplement. I haven't reached goal yet (my goal keeps changing) :smile:. I think realistically, I will be able to eat about 1500 calories most days once I have finished losing weight.

Great spreadsheet - thanks for posting!!!

Kara - you can do this. First thing - what is your level of restriction? If you can eat really large quantities, it is time for a fill, which will give you some external control. Don't worry about what your dr is going to say - they see this all the time :biggrin: Second, I totally agree with the poster who said to log everything you eat - even if you don't count the calories. By writing it down (including quantities) you are forcing yourself to make a conscious choice of what you are eating - I know for me, if I have to face up to it, I can often make a better choice (please note that I did not say make a choice not to eat - I understand that that isn't realistic). Third, recognize and make a plan for your trouble times. I have tremendous head hunger in the evenings, so I make sure that I plan to have at least one or two Snacks in the evening. I try to stick to around 100 calories, but I eat things that will satisfy my urge to snack (vegetables in no way satisfy that urge :smile:). Favorites of mine: 100 calorie microwave popcorn, no sugar added pudding, 2 sticks of turkey pepperoni (about 90-100 calories), chocolate vitamuffin (2 oz of chocolate heaven - high fibre - 100 calories). I also plan activities and things to do that will distract me (this web forum is a godsend)! Fourth - make a plan to get active. It doesn't matter what you do - just do it - try to work up to 30-60 minutes a day, 3-5 times per week. Research is showing (along with food journalling), that those that incorporate exercise are far more successful in losing weight. Fifth - don't make this about a diet - make it a lifestyle choice. I eat the way I plan to eat for the rest of my life so I eat all food groups, including carbohydrates, chocolate, Cookies and pizza. I don't eat lots of the last three, but I do eat them - but in moderate quantities. I buy Hershey's individually wrapped extra dark chocolate pieces (only 40 calories a piece), put them in the freezer and pull out 2 pieces when I really want chocolate (don't ask me why, but those dark chocolate wafers taste better frozen). Tomorrow is a new day. You can always start fresh. Heck you can start fresh after every meal :thumbup:. You know inside what you need to do, now you need to make a committment to doing it. Jacquie

One of the things you need to realize is that you have just gone through major surgery - the lows you are experiencing are absolutely normal, althouth very unpleasant to experience. Not only are you mourning your old lifestyle (eating everything you want, smoking and pop), but your hormones and body is all over the place because of the surgery and anaesthetic. Unfortunately the people we love the most often have the hardest time being supportive. In some ways they have a really vested interest in keeping things the way they were (status quo is comfortable and familiar), although they won't want to admit it. They think they are being supportive, when in fact, they are being anything but. Given your conversations with them so far, you might want to save your most serious discussions about how they can support you for when you are on a more even keel. As they see you experience success, they will start to come around. Explain to your family (when you are feeling better) about how you feel, how they can help and then leave it at that - they either will or won't. Distract yourself with a walk or something else that is just for you and gives you peace and satisfaction. Come online and read and post. I think one of the biggest lessons for many of us in this journey is that we need to start doing for us, and not just others. Living the way we always have just led to morbid obesity, so we have to make changes, even if those around us can't or won't (even if just initially). If you have a meltdown or behave hatefully - apologize, acknowledge that you shouldn't have done it, or could have handled the situation differently, and move on. Probably the best thing you can do is model good behaviour (even after the fact). They will appreciate that you know the difference. As others have said, it will get better, know that this is absolutely the most difficult point of your new journey, and you are not alone.

WOW WOW WOW - when things go bad - they really go bad, don't they. I know it sounds trite - but what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. Just think how strong you are to face all these challenges! As with the other's - I am sending you hugs and positive energy. Take care of yourself!!! Jacquie

Hi Kristi, I really feel for you - you might want to consider getting some metabolic tests to make sure there is nothing wrong (i.e. thryroid) but I think you have answered your own question about why you aren't losing weight very quickly. YOU ARE TOO TIGHT!!!!!!!! I must have read 1000 times on this forum about people who PB everything "real" that they try to eat, and guess what? They all say that they aren't losing weight. I have yet to read anyone saying "I can't eat anything, and I am losing weight at a great rate". I don't have any scientific proof, but it really seems that in order to lose weight, you do have to eat real food - go figure. Is it because people are eating "slider" foods that are higher in fat and calories? Is it because they are sending their bodies into starvation mode and their bodies refuse to give up the weight? I really don't know. You aren't doing yourself any favors by refusing to get a slight defill. The lap band is not intended to stop you from eating - it is intended to help you control your portion sizes. Unfortunately for all of us, I have found that the battle to lose weight is almost entirely a "head battle". It sounds like you are panicing at the thought of being able to eat and then losing control of your eating again? Maybe it would be helpful to come up with a plan to help you address your problem times and food. I know some really key strategies that have worked for me: 1. Document everything you eat, including quantities (do or don't count calories - at least you will have to honestly face up to what you are eating). A large study (posted on another thread here) has shown that people who write down what they eat lose 2 times the weight of others who don't. 2. Eat the way you plan to eat for the rest of your life, but make it sensible - it would probably help to make a daily calorie goal and try to stick to it. I know lots of people who say they refuse to diet, BUT if you eat the same way as before banding, just smaller quantities, I don't think you can expect to big a big, quick loser. Most of us got to be this large because of what we ate (quantity and quality). I eat everything (including Cookies, chocolate and pizza), but I plan for it and eat in moderation. If I go out to eat, I try to think of what I am going to order before I go, so I make a sensible choice, rather than the bacon double cheeseburger with fries and gravy. I don't deny myself anything (just makes me want it more) - and if I go over my calorie goal for the day - so what? No big deal, I get back on the wagon tomorrow. 3. Add some kind of physical activity into your world - something you can commit to doing and enjoy as much as possible. Studies are showing that successful lapbanders have, for the most part, exercised. I don't intend to sound preachy or mean, and I don't know your specific circumstances, but I tend to see red when I read about people who are in misery because they are too tight to eat real food. I know we are all different, and we can't compare one person to another, but the nature of these forums forces us to in many ways. Take my info for what it is worth - something or nothing - just my own 2 cents worth. By the way - I can eat anything as long as I am careful in chewing. I can eat large quantities by lap band standards (3-4 oz of meat, 1 cup of veggies for dinner). I have lost 154 pounds (including loss before lap band) in the last 14 months. I have been superly morbidly obese my entire adult life and obese since early childhood. I would consider myself one of the "hardest" cases out there. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck

Being the largest person around (formerly) and having lost a lot of weight, I am now noticing that some of my friends and acquaintances seem to be having a bit of trouble with the new me. I think I have inspired some to take up diet and exercise - and not necessarily because they want to lose weight, but rather they are having issues with me being smaller than they are!! :biggrin: I had to laugh the other day - I was visiting with a very old friend (we have been friends for 28 years). This friend has never had a significant weight problem, but has always said things like "your needing to lose 100 pounds is like my needing to lose 10 pounds" (she didn't honestly intend to be mean and condescending, but REALLY?) For whatever reason, we ended up in her closet and I ended up trying on a shirt of hers that she said swam on her - and it fit!!!!!! She honestly wants to be supportive - she gave me the shirt, but you could really tell that it bothered her immensely that I could wear something out of her closet. She must have said 10 x how big the shirt had gotten to be on her!! Probably the weirdest thing is though, that although I am probably within 10 pounds of her weight, I still don't see myself as being at an almost normal weight or being her size. I have never thought that she needed to lose weight, yet I still see myself as huge compared to her. In my head I know the truth, but I still don't really see it in the mirror. I wonder if this ever changes? Jacquie

This is a really interesting thread. I have always been the heaviest person in my world (by far), so I never had anyone to compare to. As well, wls is relatively new and pretty uncommon where I live, so when I tell people I get more of a reaction of interest and curiosity. No one has ever told me that they thought I was taking the easy way out. I personally think this journey has been anything but easy - I have worked incredibly hard over the last year. I never think that I should have been able to do it without surgery, because I have 42 years of previous history that tells me that I wasn't capable or ready. I don't know that I am jealous of other people losing without surgery, but I do find myself being not as "nice" as I used to be (at least in my inside voice). I am not sure what is happening, but I find myself less and less tolerant of others when I think they are being ignorant, mean or wrong (of course I am right all the time :sleep2:). I "think" I keep it to myself, but I sometimes think that along with the weightloss, I am also shedding the skin of having to be the most likeable and nice person you would ever meet. In some ways that really upsets me, as my identity is really tied into everyone liking me. I don't like that "inside voice" that makes catty, snide and mean comments. I think that is something I really want to work on. For now, when I catch myself, I tell myself to knock it off and be the person I want to be. Not sure that it is working all the time :Banane37:

Julie - I am so sorry you are going thru this. It must have been quite difficult to hear the info you heard. I will step in for a moment and suggest that you get at least one more opinion (if not more). Both of these dr's have a vested interest in their own practices and parting you with your money. How can you be sure that this dr is any different or more reputable? If I remember correctly from your posts pre ps, you did a lot of work and consultation in picking #1. The more I read on this forum, the less trusting I am about dr's opinions (every time I hear one opinion - about anything- there are tens if not hundreds of others with totally different information) - but that also means that I wouldn't trust this new guy either, without way more information. Since you have spent so much money already - can you go to Dr. #1 with the info from #2 and see what #1 is willing and able to do for you? If you jump into a lawsuit right now, you will not see anything more from the money you already paid. I wish you the best of luck and success in this part of your journey. I know you are a strong person and you will be able to see this through.

Congrats Nance!!! Where did you find the scale? It sounds like a great tool!

One of the things that really struck me is that if we are giving ourselves way more than a portion size when we are using measuring cups, how much are we giving ourselves when we just "guestimate" the portion. I kind of shudder when I think about it. When I was watching the clip - when she measured a tbsp of Peanut Butter - I realized that is exactly the way I would measure it :thumbup:

I was browsing the web today and came across this YouTube video by Leigh Peele, who talks about how you may sabotaging your weight loss efforts by using measuring cups: food, you will likely be giving yourself way more than you intended - uping your calories and your fat and then leaving yourself miserable because you haven't lost any weight, yet you are only eating "so many calories" and you are doing everything right. I then followed the link to her web site and she has some downloadable "e books" about reving up your metabolism and troubleshooting your fat loss. They look really interesting, although not cheap (59.99 for the whole package). Not that I am advocating for her or anything (I never heard of her before today). I was just thinking there are lots of people on this site who are stuggling with their weight loss and thought this might be another useful resource.

Hi Charles, I echo OhJuli - I was banded in September of 07. I can and do eat everything on your list, including steak, potatoes, Pasta, high fiber veggies (asparagus is one of my favorites). I have very occasionally had trouble with some foods, but I think it is mainly due to too big of a bite or not chewing enough. If I have trouble one day, the next I don't. I don't really drink alcohol, but I have had a couple of soda's in the last year - they tend to give me the burps and make me feel quite full in the chest if I drink too fast, but that is the extent of my problems with it. I am not doing low carb, but I am careful to eat high density, complex, low glycemic index carbs for the most part (whole wheat, unrefined, veggies, fruit, etc). If you do decide on the band, one of the things you find is there are as many opinions about what to eat, when, what not to eat, when, how much, pre-op, etc as there are people out there. One or 3 articles are not gospel (haven't we yet learned from the eggs kill you, eggs are the perfect Protein debate?). You need to make decisions on lots of information, and then form your own opinions. It can be really frustrating to get such conflicting information, but just remember that the lap band is ultimately meant to be a tool to help you to learn to eat in a healthy manner that can last for a lifetime. I would have never "bought" into anything that told me I "couldn't" eat every day food ever again. If nothing else, look at my ticker and you can see that I am a successful loser and I eat everything in moderation. Good luck in your decisions and in your journey.

OMG Karey - I can't believe they can charge that much :biggrin:. Is there any way to appeal any of the costs or the insurance (or lack of), since it was an emergeny and not at all elective? I mean you chose the lap band, but you didn't chose the complications or the slip - couldn't your insurance maybe cover at least the emergency part? I am a Canadian, so my health care is supposedly "universal" (although health care almost never covers lap band surgery - I am one of maybe 75 in my community in the last 3 years who has had this surgery covered), they would have to cover any complications or emergency stuff. I would be vibrating about this - I am so sorry. On the flip side, your health is more important than money - if you can't do anything about it, at least be thankful that you are safe and healing. Your family would much rather you be with them, than $40 thousand richer. BJ - yes I have little notebooks (200 sheets, coil bound, 5 1/2" x 3 1/2") that I buy at the $ store. Ironically, my new one has the name "fat lil notebook" on the back cover. Since my BMI now says I am "only" overweight now (no longer obese or morbidly obese or where I started at super obese), I am thinking I should write my objections to the company :biggrin: Jacquie

Hey BJ - sounds like you are doing great - although 100 g of protein a day seems like an awful lot!!!! I think I would have to resort to a protein shake to get that much in (and I avoid them like the plague as I would rather eat my calories). It's great that you can start doing some physical activity again - I bet that will feel good. You have done great with your weight loss - how is the hunger without a fill, now that you are well on the mend? You might not know this about me, but I have an obsessive compulsive personality - I started documenting in a little note book (a page a day, including exercise and anything significant - i.e specialist appt, weigh in at clinc, tom) as well as my daily weight. Yes I am one of those that is addicted to my scale :biggrin:. I heard about the daily plate.com and started using it (easy to use, has almost everything I eat in its data base, and it is really easy to add food). I still also document in the note book too (like I said obsessive personality). I am on my second notebook and it just feels really tangible to me to have paper and pen (I think it shows my age as well) :biggrin: Keep up the good work ladies!!!!!

Hey guys - You are all doing great!! Given all the trauma's and drama's you have all been through recently, think about what could've happened if you hadn't been on this journey for so long and so successfully!!! Karey - great that you are able to start with the activity again - 3 miles in an hour is nothing to sneeze at (or wheeze at ). I know that I haven't been at this nearly as long as you all, but I know one of the most major keys of success for me has been journalling everything I eat. More and more research is showing that people that document their eating, lose more weight and keep it off. Today I had a disasterous eating day (carrot cake and black forest cake both called my name at a celebration event I was at and I answered the call by eating both :redface:) - but you know what - I am ok with it, I punished myself with tons of exercise and I know I will be right back to eating healthy tonight and tomorrow. I have never been able to say that, EVER, in my life before. It is a great feeling. It hurt alot, but I even documented the cake on the daily plate. Chin up and take care of yourselves :thumbdown: Jacquie

I have been lucky in that I can eat almost anything, but I occasionally get "stucK' (it has happened on banana, chicken, beef and eggs, but only once or twice on each). I think it is mainly because I took too big a bite and or didn't chew enough. For me, it feels like a golf ball stuck in the back of my throat - pretty painful. I am always able to basically "hoark" it up like a cat with a hair ball :tt2: almost immediately. It is not a true vomit as it requires almost no effort and there are no stomach acids involved. As everyone else says - eat small bites and chew. Also, don't give up on a food because you get stuck once - what you can tolerate can and will change at different times.

I have to admit that I drink coffee right before and/or right after my morning oatmeal. I try to wait at least an hour after lunch and dinner before drinking, but it doesn't seem to make any difference to my level of fullness, so I don't really worry about it. The only time I have trouble with liquids is when I am "stuck", if I try to drink then, it just sits on top of whatever is stuck and I end of "hoarking" up both the Water and the offending food at the same time :tt2:.

Neal You look fabulous. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You must be so proud of the "new" you.

Some people use Protein shakes because they are (IMHO) too tight and can't eat real food. Some people also write about being very restricted in the am, and not able to eat real food until later in the day. The danger with the Protein Shakes, is they defeat the purpose of the band, which is to keep food in your stomach pouch for longer periods of time, keeping you feeling full for longer, hence eating less. Many shakes are very high in fat and calories as well. I try to not drink any of my calories, except for milk (which I don't like). I do count calories and document everything I eat (I really like thedailyplate.com). I try to stick to around 1000-1200 calories per day. I eat all foods, in moderation. I do try to stick to natural foods and whole wheat, but I do use splenda and low calorie/low fat alternatives, if they taste good to me (for example 2% or light cheese). If I go out, I try to think of what I am going to order before I go (just to try to be reasonably sane about my choices), but I don't really sweat it and eat what I want. I still eat chocolate, pizza and Cookies, just not that often. I also eat 2 cookies instead of the package :thumbup:. I eat at least 2-3 oz of protein at lunch and dinner and also lots of veggies (which means I eat at least a cup of food at each meal - probably more like 1 1/2 cups for dinner). I try to have at least one large piece of fruit each day (equivalent of 2 servings). I don't like milk, so I have trouble getting enough Calcium, but I take a nummy calcium chew every day (as well as a multi-vitamin). Rather than calling it a "diet", my plan was/is to eat the way I am planning to eat for the rest of my life. At the same time, I had to drastically change the way I ate (both quantity and quality) in order to be successful as the way I ate before got me to super morbidly obese, so I guess technically I am "dieting". I know realistically I will not likely be able to ever eat more than about 1500 calories per day and not gain, so I feel that the way I am eating now is very sustainable, as I can just add a bit and take it away when I need to readjust.

BBK - I aspire to be you!!!! You look so terrific. I don't think I will ever be in a size 4/6 - even if I got to be 110 pounds! Jacquie