Whitepants

Hi, Good Day and Results To Everyone Today. Hungry4help and Thenume: The meetings are held every 4th Thursday of each month. I called Sharon/Nutritionist to set up an appt. for that day. She is out until the 29th of this month. So there may not be a meeting. She didn't say so on her vocie mail. I'll call the office today to see if the meeting will still be held. It should, for it has been held w/ only the members before. I'll report back tonight.

Just Checking In.This restriction is something else. Tight days are too tight, and not that many loss days. This morning I had to drink my Protein drink w/ a spoon. Even then it took about 15 min to get down. lunch was a bust. Made an attempt to finish it for dinner and still can't get it down. They say, be careful what you ask for. My appt. is next week, I'm going to ask for an unfill. And I thought I could handle this restriction. At this rate, I'll lose the weight, but won't be getting in my nutrients. Gettting in exercise 3x a week now. So that's good. Welcome back Sugarbear. Well hope to read good posts from you.

Good Morning All and Have a Great Day drstan1 - you'll soon be getting many response to this as I did. When I tested the amount I could still eatafter one of my fills. For two weeks what I normally ate before the surgery. I put on 10 + pounds. Go back to or start measuring your foods, scale, cups, spoons, children size portions whatever it takes. Treat this time as following a diet. You'll only get upset with yourself soon. As I was told and you're being told you'll get that restriction soon. It took me 5-6 fills to get here. Take this time to explore your new lifestyle of eating. Try increasing your veggies and controlling your Protein and portions. Restrain from eating that put on weight food. Get it under control before you reach your restriction. It'll be much harder when you get there. Stay the course. It's coming and when it does, Look Out. You're in for a surprise.

Hello Everyone, Hi Thenume, I too go to the 59th St. office. I try to schedule my appt. for the same day as the Support Group. Do you attend the Support Group on Thursdays? There's one coming up next week, the 24th. I plan to make that meeting. I missed the last meeting. I read the e-mail of the correct meeting place that evening. After spending 30 minutes in and out of food markets looking for the group. Let me know if you'll be attending. I have great restriction now from my last fill on 3/5. My appts w/ the dr. is every 6 weeks now. Now I know what all the hype is about being restricted. Hope everyone is meeting their goals and staying the course.

Hi All, I only told two people on my job. One is someone who had the gastric bypass and the other is my assistant. My supervisor may know for he's seen one of my dr.'s note. I heard my supervisor say to the person who had the bypass respond to her, "you lost a who person". With that I told myself he would be one person I would not tell. Even when he asked me what type of surgery I was having, due to my medical leave. My co-work had a hard time closely being watched to see how fast she'll drop the weight. And in the beginning when it was slow coming off they kept on her as to when she'll begin to lose it. Now three years out, no one asks her any more. She lost 125lbs - 135lbs and for all that weight, she doesn't need reconstructive surgery. She showed me her thighs and they are not even flabby. Just a little saggy. I hope I'm that lucky. Just last week, I'd been asked if "I had the surgery" I answered no, for two people on my job had the bypass. So, therefore the surgery she was referring to was the bypass. Since she didn't specify which surgery, I was referring to the bypass. So, without exposing yourself, I would say, "No, I didn't have the bypass." Let them take it from there. That should keep them at bay. And since I'm losing the weight slowly, as far as they know, I'm on a diet. And get plenty compliants of my weight lose and how good I'm doing sticking to it. So, don't let them get you down and continue on your new lifetyle. Hold your head up proud and say "I'm doing well on my new lifestyle way of eating"... Then ask them, "How you're doing?" Again, that'll hold them at bay. Have a great day tomorrow everyone.

Hi Everyone. That lump you're experiencing is also a sign telling you that you need to pay close attention to what you're eating and drinking. This is the time when you will experience PBing. Which is a sensatition of food being hard to go down/stuck. Take small bites the size you would give a baby/child and chew, chew, and chew some more. And for water sip small amounts. And if you're having a protein drink or yogurt take small amounts. There's more but you're soon discover them. I've been at my restriction for two months and I'm still sexpeiencing something new most times. Right now it's learning what foods I can and cannot tolerate right now. Continue reading what others wrote and keep a food diary and pay close attention to what you eat. You're still learning a new way of eating. Don't get discouraged or give up. We're all in the same boat and still learning. Stay the course.

Hi All, glad to see that this site is still going strong for old friends to find their way back. Welcome back. Juli, I'm able to get back on more 'cause I caught my daughter of pulling the covers over my eyes. Since we are both working off my laptop in my room, I wasn't able to get on till her homeowork was done. Being a priority and all. Well, I talked to her teachers and asked them how long should her homework take. Well, each of her teachers said no more than 60 - 90 minutes. Well how come everytime I would wake up and see her on the computer she's still doing homework?? All 2, 3 even 4am in the morning. Then when I tell her to get off or she gets off herself she sleeps late and get to school late? Well, when I asked she would tell me she's not on im with her friends but doing homework. Well one night I woke up and she's ""still doing homework"":wink2::huh2:, her fingers on the mouse about to click to the "safe screen". Well, I told her to take her hands off the mouse and not to click anything right there and then. So, what was she doing im w/ her classmate about ""homework"":wink2:. So since that night, 11pm off the computer whether homework is done or not. Then it wasn't till she clicked off that I should of read what they were talking about. My daughter is 16 yrs. As for me, still having trouble getting some foods down. I remembered something you wrote once when it took you almost 45min to get hot Cereal down. It took me about that same amt of time. Like I have that much time for the time I decide to eat. lunch have been worse. I spend more time having PB more than 20 min, gagging and spitting, then one big upchuck. And not one bite of food in it. Go figure. Today was the first day in days that lunch went okay. So right now I'm not getting in 1200 caloies a day. Even w/ a Protein drink. Don't want an unfill for I might go back into familiar eating habits. So I'm still going to work w/ this a while longer. I know I can conquer this, it's going to take time. Can't do pizza/bread any more, rice, some steamed veggies or Pasta depending on how cooked it is. Been eating fish since Lent. Tried a veggie pattie wrong thing. Even chewing bites you would give a child can go down rough. If I tak in too much Water when taking my pills, Oh Lord, I'm in Painsville,USA. Sometimes the hot tea or water don't help before eating, like Mrs Husker suggested. Well, enough for now. Hope to read good posts from everyone. Nite to All. And stay the course.

Hi Everyone, just checking in. Glad to read the news on everyone. ThickchicTexas, glad your results were okay. Hello to any new comers. Started losing weight again, but have been experiencing different issues since being at restriction. Everytime I eat I don't know what to expect to happen. Sometimes I have that PB anywhere from the beginning to just a few bites before I'm finishing eating to happen. It's has gotten to the point where I don't want to eat for fear of that the feeling again. So I'm taking a multi-Vitamin,b-12 and Calcium pills to make sure I'm getting enough nutrients. Drinkig Water is no problem. This is not what I expected when reaching restriction. It really takes me sometimes almost 20 - 30 mins to eat a meal. Chew, swallow, wait till I see if and when I can take another bite. And this is w/ 6 - 8 ounces of food. And I've taken to eating fish since it's a soft food and a Meal Replacement drink. Can't eat anything crunchy, rice, even steamed veggie hurts going down. Now I understand what the nutritionist meant when she said, there will be foods I won't be able to tolerate at times. If I eat a good Breakfast, I'm can be good till 3pm. If I eat a lite breakfast and a good lunch , I'm good till the next day. Go figure. Now I'm at the other end of the spectrum of this. But in time I hope to overcome this. Or wait out the restriction and hope it eases up, then in a few months I may need another fill. As for being cold, that's always been an issue w/ me. I suffer w/ hypothyroidism. So I tend to be cold anyway. I haven't experienced any difference. So, I'll be coming back more since I'm not sharing the computer w/ my daughter as much.

just a quick note. 1. yes you can get upfilled, if you should need to. talking w/ your doctor about your issues is very, very important. If you have no retriction at 2.5cc it's unlikely you'll have retriction at lesser. 2. reevaluate your eating patterns, style and food choices. Since you have no restriction you feel, you will over eat just because you can. still change your life style of eating and what, how much and when. When I had no restriciton I still followed a calorie set of what I wanted to weigh or what I way at the time. Don't eat like before the band because you can. You're still defeating the reason for the band. Inaddition you may have hit a plateu. If that's the case, you must be able to recognize that when it happens. For no matter what you do, the body will be stubbon and not lose or lose extra slow. But don't get discourage, you'll start to lose again. We've all been there and just had to wait it out. Also, talk to your nurtitionist, they should be helpful in narrowing down, what you may need to eat to get back to losing weight. Use your food scale, it'll work wonders for you. Some doctors take their patients through small increments of fill. You're have way filled, which of course means you need more. How often do you see/get your fills? Some people are lucky to get a fill every two weeks. I was every four weeks. You can stick this out till you get restriction. You can do this. Look what've who've done so far. 55lbs, that's about 10 - 20 lbs you did not gain. Don't you see that as a success? I do. Be patient.

Hi Everyone, I just want to say, I understand exactly what you're going through. I went through it also, as you will read others have too. My doctor was very conservative about given full cc fills at one time. The most he gave me would be .5cc. I too was ready about to give up. Although I was losing weight w/ the small fills, I was looking for the 2lbs a week loss. I took on the 5 - 6 small meals a day way of eating. (I will not refer to diet, for we are no longer on a diet, but a new way of eating.) After a while I hit a hugh plateau, lasting for 3 -4 months, yet still getting fills. I did hit that restriction once and once only. When 6 fills later with the last fill of .3cc that's when I hit my best and present restriction. So, I too thought that it was for the money also, although I have insurance covering this, I was out of my mind thinking that I would be the one to fail w/ the lapband. Of course I no longer think this now that I have restriction. So, please stick to it. It will take sometime before you're at your right restriction. It will come. It took me 6 fills and 10 months, but I've arrived. Remeber, we gained the weight over the course of years. Many years of eating what we wanted in the amount we wanted. Now we need to take this time to retrain our eating habits and gain new insight into healthy ways of eating. This will not take years but many, many months of effort and a strong mind set. Just Don't Give Up. You will not fail but you lose, despite your feelings you have now. See your nurtitionist/dietician often. Ask them to help you find foods that may compliment your new eating style. I am a strong advocate of measuring foods and drinks. If you haven't already get a food scale. Most of us already have measuring cups and spoons in our kitchens. Stick to the serving amounts, and measure all you foods before eating. Take into consideration your daily calorie intake. Even the Snacks you eat. Exercise, drink Water, cut back on salt and sugary foods, and high fat foods and measure, measure and more measuring. Like most of us who work, I carry my lunch and snack in containers. I divide them out for the week. Also, I keep a small plate at work to eat off. This takes the edge of eating smal meals off a large plate. I also, eat with the salad fork and teaspoon. The times I don't put my food on a plate, I use a two different size containers. One is 7 - 8" long, the second about 5 - 6" long. I put my snack/desserts in those small baby food containers. The stage 2 and 3 size containers, they measure 2 and 3 oz sizes. Depending of what size is the meal I'm eating. Again taking off the edge of eating a small meal. No more than 8 - 10 oz of drinks, 3 - 4oz of Protein (no more than 5oz), 4 oz of carbs and veggie are free and salad.. Again talk to your nutritionist/dietician for calories to eat, better food choices and ounces. Sorry to be so wordy, but just wanted to let you know you're not alone in what you're experiencing. We've all are going and have gone through what you are now. Just Don't Give Up. This to shall pass.

Hi, I had about 5/6 fills sisnce 3/07 and I'm just hitting my sweet spot. I know for I lost 13lbs just from Feb 6 - Mar 5 alone. Right now I'm holding but I'm losing inches instead of weight. Remember you'll still need to eat small portions. That's where I went wrong when I hadn't reached my sweet spot at one time. Then I realized I was sabortaging myself and got back to bushines. Go back to measuring your foods and stick to it. Also contact your nutritionist, mine was able to help me alot at that time. Just don't give up. You're still learning. Also you may need to change your cooking style, i.e. salt, hig fat ingredient, sugar and your gain weight foods. Mine is Pasta of any kind and rice. And of course sweets, which I'm not to much into now. They say if your Protein intake is good, your craving for sweets is low. It must be true. Go back and regroup and rethink and reevaluate what you're eating and how they're being cooked. Just don't give up. I have a 10cc band and I have about 6cc of fill. My doctor was not too generous with the fills. But I'm finally there. So there, the last fill he joked about being so filled that he said try not to have to call him over the weekend. I didn't but there are times I felt I should. Learning to work with where I am now. Just don't give up. You'll get there. Yeah it looks like you won't, but from reading the many posts on this site, you see they eventually made it. Theu have been where we are now and managed to get past it. :thumbup: It's now our turn. If they can do it, We can do it. And we will.:Dancing_shocked:

Hello, I and several people on LBT are using the "SparkPeople.com" website. You may find it easy to use also. They have a host of foods you can track and a meal plan to follow charting calories, Proteins, carbs, fat, etc. as well as an exercise plan cardio & strength along w/ a variety of exercises to use, also how many calories to have for the amount of weight you want to lose. View the site and give it a try. It also take you through four stages. Each is simple to follow and not time constraint. I did stage one - a 2 week plan, for about a month before I really decided to really give it my all. Found out I was being defiant for nothing. Was not ready to let control of my way of eating. When I did, the weight began to come off with the help of the band. Since the band is just a tool, remember? Also, did you invest in a food scale, measuring cups and spoons yet? If not, you may want to do so. This will help you no matter whether you follow a plan or not. Another one is NutritionData.com. Let me know if and when you visit the site.

Midniteblue, what you wrote really played on my mind for some reason. When you contact your insurance company about your issues ask for a flourscope fill. It's a fill taken/given under x-ray to see if the saline is going into the port/tube correctly. This way you and the doctor will see if any is in the band at all. If not then you and the doctor can determine what when/is wrong that you are not losing weight. And talk again to the others that had the surgery by the same doctor and really write and compare issues and all write and complain to the insurance company. Lastly, you may, just may have the wrong size band. There are three sizes. Inqurire if you may need a smaller, maybe. Also, contact your nutiritionist/dietician to help with your eating habits/style. My nutritionist was able to helpl me pinpoint what foods were not working for me just now. I am a great advocate of the food scale, measuring spoons and cups. I measure everything I put on my plate to put in my mouth. Good Luck and let us know what comes of your next visit and contacting the insurance company. You are not alone in this matter nor in trying to lose the weight. Please, you've hung in there for two years, please don't give up now.

Since my last fill on 3/5/08, I have reached my "sweet spot". After many trial and errors of getting here, this is it for awhile. I'm losing weight again and have been motivated to exercise. Working on losing 5 lbs by the end of the month. 16 days and counting. I'm confident I can do this. My next appt. w/ the dr. is 4/16, at which time I won't need an a fill. Hoping this will hold me at least till July or further. Experienced the frothing, food getting stuck feeling, spitting and food coming back up. I think I now have better control at this stage of the game. There are times when I don't want to eat dinner for I'm still full from lunch. Still need to eat something, for then I'll be hungry just when it's time to go to bed. And we all know, that's not a good time to eat a meal. But, I know there's still more to learn. There hasn't been any recent posts from you. Everything must be okay, but let a person know. We're here to support one another with good results and not so good results. And what has happened or happening since your last fill. Come back and let's get reacquainted with one another again. You're missed. Hope to hear from you soon.

March 27, 2008 will be my bandiversary. Beginning weight 297lbs. Present weight 230lbs. Target weight 175lbs.

Hello Everyone glad to see before and now pics of you. I've only taken one since losing weight. Not sure if it came out for someone else took it. I felt confident enough to take it at that time. Just seeing these pics I am so much inspired to lose weight each and every day. I've come to giving up going by the scale and just looking for my clothes to tell me of my weight loss. I'm more eagar to get into smaller sizes now than the weight on the scale. I've come from size 28/26 to 20/22. I'm going shopping on Saturday and I'm going straight for size 18's and 20's. Wish me luck. The pants I'm wearing now are drooping in the croutch. Mrs Husker looking forward to seeing your pics. Denise, I'm looking forward to getting into 14's or 16's like you. I think that's where I'll be at my best. Sophie285, I'm also tired of playing the head game. That's why I changed to having my clothes tell me of my weight lose, rather than the scale. The scale is driving me crazy, especially with its ups and downs depending on what I've eaten a day or two maybe three before. So, maybe you should give you clothes a chance in letting you know when you've lost weight. So, let's all get and keep moving towards our goal.

Hi Nikki welcome back. I was on a no weight lose for 4 months. The good thing is that you did not gain back what you lost. We all can attest to that. For once you start to lose again, it'll melt off first then you begin to lose almost steadily. Once we learn to not beat up ourselves, we can move on. Just stay the course, continue to weigh your foods, stay in your calorie range, exercise and drink your Water, you're good. All of that will help you maintain then eventually lose. Glad to see everyone is able to get back to posting again.

Hi Everyone, Tammyj... As for acid reflux and bloaty feeling, how late is your last meal and you may be taking in too much air as you chew. As explained to me by my doctor. It's suggested that you drink a glass of Water to flush out the pouch prior to bedtime. Of course an unfill like you said may be needed. Maybe not complete, but back to the 2cc. Then log what you eat to narrow down what foods you may not be able to eat "at this time". My nutirtionist suggested not to eat any meats or veggies that may be stringy or dry. i.e. chicken breasts & beef, broccoli etc. We're still learning a new way of eating, so don't get discouraged. It will work, we just have to find out the right formula. I know I am. Your doctor suggested that the barium should not of caused you to get sick, but maybe it did and maybe it didn't. I was given a medication that is "supposed to of not caused the reaction I had." But, became sick everytime I took it. When I stopped, I didn't anymore. Why, only my body knows. You said you only had 2cc left and not the 2.75cc, why did you lose .75cc? Doesn't that happen when there's a leak in your band? I have an appt. w/ my doctor today and I changed my mind about getting another fill. Especially since all the issues I'm having now from my last fill. I won't get an unfill, just going to give it more time to work w/ what I have. So, hope you fell better soon and let us know what happens?

Janine, you will still succeed. You have a new habit of healthy eating. It states that it takes 21 consecutive days of doing something to become a habit. You have had 11 months of 21 days. You have conditioned your mind and body for your new eating life style. Yes, life style and you will conquer this too. Just keep in mind that you will not return to how you were 11 months ago. You've come too far to return. As with using a tool, when it breaks or lost you improvise until you can get it back or replace it. And sometimes, after not having it for so long, we don't miss that tool, seeing how we still managed to get the job done without. So, treat this incident like that. Please, do return to let us know of your progress. You are our honorary March Bandster. ThickchickTexas and gkeyt, you're so close to your weight goal. You'll be there by June. Then it's onto maintaining. The next stage of this LapBand stage. I was banded on the 27th of March. I would like to lose another 10lbs and I will. Wednesday, I have another appt. with my doctor. I've decided not to get another fill. I'm having issues where I'm at now. So, I'm not going to bring about more or new issues. Besides, I'm at the best yet. This should hold me till my next plateau in about 3 months. Maybe then I can handle another fill. So, let's get moving group. We can do this.

Hello Fellow Marchies, yes, we're onto another year. In looking back I must say I've come along way from Jan. 24, 2007, when I weighed in at 297lbs. 67lbs later, I've lost more weight in one year than three yrs put together. Well, I have another 50lbs/6mos to lose the rest. I'm still scared and nervous about this, but it'll pass like the last 67lbs. I too thank you for your support, words of wisdom and ways to deal with issues that come about. I hope I've done the same for some. The weight came marching in off again, hurrah, hurrah... Hey, maybe this should be our theme song as we exercise.

Hi All, Oh Juli, I have a pair of white w/ rainbows on each back pocket. These pants are when I was at my best weight. I had my daughter put them on to see if she can fit them. They are too big for her and she weighs between 155lbs and 150lbs. I want to come down to 175lbs myself. I think I weighed 175lbs in those pants. Well, what ever weight I am when I get into those pants is where I'd like to stay. I don't know the size of the pants for I had taken the tag out long time ago. I'm back to losing weight again. So, I'm good for the next 3 months. I can only diet 3 mos at a time then I hit a plateau. It seems 3 mos weight lose, then 3 - 4 mons no weight lose. The most is 30 lbs weight loss for that time. I've lost 15lbs since my last and best fill, Feb 6 till today Mar. 1. demsvmejm, the month of Feb. I didn't exercise at all. But, I still managed to lose weight just the same. I didn't feel bad for people more over weight than us can't exercise for a while till they lose a reasonable amount. So, we're still ahead of the game. But, I will begin Monday. I do my exercise after work by a gym near my job. At least you did get more than me in. Oh Juli, now that you have better restriction, your weight will come off easier too. I understand what you mean with this restriction being more tricky. I'm still getting mine under control. It's getting easier, but still learning. Once again we're still learning now at a different level. I'm debating on getting once last fill to end the 1 year. If I don't, I hope this restriction lasts for a few months. Then after my plateau, I'll get another fill to boost up my weight lost and more restriction. Janine, hope you're getting better and still maintaining you food portions. You have already proven to yourself you can lose the weight. You'll lose the rest. Now you'll be an inspiration to me doing it all on your own. Keep it up. So, good luck to all of us, now that we're losing weight again.

Hello Everyone, just checking in. Janine, I read what happened to you. So sorry to hear this. I can only imagine how you must feel. I take my band as being a part of me I was born with. So in losing your band, I feel as if you've lost part of you. Now you must adjust to a new you again. Take all that you've learned in changing you eating style and life style and apply it now more than before. You've learned alot about yourself, now draw on that knowledge. I agree with the others that you can do this. I too hope that you can be rebanded. Be careful and take all precautions while healing. Feel Better. Hope everyone else is seeing some results.

Jeni 85, there's still a chance. It's only 18 days till the 15th and you are exercising and at that TOM. I'll say it again and again, weigh your foods. You may not lose the 12lbs by then but some weight loss. You're still ahead of the game at feeling a restriction. Oh Juli, how is your new restriction doing? Mrs Husker, did you get to the doctor yet and how is your restriction? I think I may be losing again. My pants are looser and longer even in my heels. Staying fuller longer, cut back on needing a snack, other than fruits and have been making a yogurt drink. Opposed to a Protein drink which made me gain weight. So far so good. I've been having trouble eating Pasta, especially spaghetti. Going to try rice for awhile. But still need to drink something hot in the mornings to get down Breakfast and sometimes before lunch. dinner is okay, but still need to take extra small bites and wait to see if I have a reaction. Hoping to read good posts from everyone.

Tyme 2 shine. I am hypothyroid, which makes it a little harder to lose weight without the band as is. So with the band like w/ medication it's helping to lose weight. I am a strong advocate of measuring foods as we're told to do. I eat 4oz of protein, 4oz of veggies and 2oz of carbs per mealtime. I take 2oz for I gain weight if I eat carbs like I'd like to. I don't know how losing weight works if you're hyperthyroid. You may want to put this on the general forum to get info. Invest in a food scale and find out what your calorie intake should be for you to lose weight. I went to NutritionData.com and found out how many calories I should be eating. Especially for the weight I want to be. Those are the calories I am eating. It also lets you know protein, fat, carbs and other nutrients you should have daily. Eating liquid is okay, but not if it is because of being to tight. As you've read so many times, the band is a tool. As with tools, if you don't use it properly alone or w/ other tools, it won't work and you won't get the results you're looking for. Measure, measure, measure. This is a life style change of eating habits, hence the word, change. You've gone thorough the first step of change. Now take it to the next level. Manage your food intake. We're all still learning and adjusting our way of eating and finding out what works and don't. Keep coming back for more info and let us know what you've found out also. You are not alone in anything you experience and don't think we won't understand. We do.

Janine, you may have a point. I only had two yogurt shakes that day. What I ate was the only real food I had that day. I ate more carbs in that day than in a whole week. And I was highly stressed that day more that usual. You may be right. Thanks. I'm glad you're going to a support groups/dietician. I was at my support group when I felt bad the other night. There was a rep from Shaklee showing their products. My nutritionist recommends 2oz - 4oz of Protein. But that depends on your restriction level. At the meeting one person suffers daily with the same stuck food feeling. And she also have something hot before meals. But there are time when she doesn't eat to keep from having that feeling. There were mention of getting a small unfill which might relieve that feeling when eating. Does anyone think having a unfill might relieve the problem? If you have a small unfill you may not have restirction again. What is anyone's opinion on this? I'm at the best restriction since the band and an unfill of any amout will allow me to eat like before. I won't but the ability will be there. How's everyone else doing?