Whitepants

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.

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?

Hello Everyone, I see we're all are somewhere at or near that "sweet spot". But, help me with this. Since October, I've cut back drasticly on my carbs, rice, Pasta, potatoes the lot. Well, yesterday there was a luncheon at work. Since I've given up meat for Lent, of course I couldn't eat any of it. So what was left for me to eat was salads. pasta and potatoes. So I had, mac&cheese, mac salad, potatoe salad and garden salad w/dressing. Took a few bites then had to wait a few hours before finishing the rest. Had that stuck feeling again in my chest. When I was able to finish it, between 3:15 and 3:45pm, I ate more than I should of. Now to the chase. Two hours later, I came down w/ a servere migraine headache, couldn't keep my eyes open or focused, nausea and dizziness. When I got home, I took 1 pain killer pill and went to bed woke up 2 1/2 hrs later. I was kinda scared that I would not wake up. I'm serious. My head hurt so bad, I thought somethng would burst in my head. Can someone help me with what happened? Tonight I put a piece of mac salad in my mouth and quickly spit it out. To scared to finish it. And it was only 2 pieces of mac salad. Thanks...

gina1959, Congrads on losing 80lbs you've come a long way, with a little more to go. I agree w/ Mrs Husker, you may need to increase your Protein and or Fiber. Do revisit your calorie intake, protein and fiber. Like Oh Juli says, you may going thru a fear of being successful and may want to give some thought to seeing a therapist. Don't dismiss the idea. We had to see one to be approved for the surgery and see your nutritionist also. My nutritionist helps me out a lot in balancing out my wrong choices of foods. I remember also that we may crave/like foods that we didn't before the surgery. So hope this is one of those new cravings for you. Since you've recognized your problem, now it's time to take control... Reverse your control over Mr. Goodbar. Oh Juli, I didn't realize you put up 2 pics. The picutre puts in my mind, that you've gotten off the porch and are running with the big dogs now. Good for you. What's next to do? Jeni 85, your eyes to me are the only thing that I see in the 2 pics. You look so different in the two. Keep the shirt. For your before and after pics. I didn't remember to keep anything to show my before and after weight loss. After awhile, you can put a belt around it and call it a dress. gkert, Congrats on your new career. I like what you said about being able to feel like you're giving back. For any patient, it's nice and comforting to see a nurse or doctor who has gone thru and come out of a surgery you're about to go through. I know I would. And too your new sport. Have fun and give details when you come back. Well, time for me to get ready for work. I'm the sound booth person in a play we're giving at my job today. The actors think they're nervous, I'm in the booth by myself working the controls. Have a good day everyone and get what you can out of it. And make it work.

Oh Juli, the picture came out good. Are you in this shot? I couldn't make out any of the numbers. I had no doubt that you would not finish the race. I can only imagine the rush you had when you finished. With you friends and family there. This was your first race, right? Since some are us are in accord with being nicely restricted, more weight is about to be lose by the end of the month. I'm working on at least 5 - 6 lbs myself. Just to get out of the 230's. My next band is 3/5, w/ .1cc hope to be at the best restriction and won't have to go back for a few months. Mrs Husker, I don't know what S.O.D. is? Did the pain get greater w/ each fill you got? Maybe there's a corralation there? With the restriction the stoma being full is pressing against something in the area. Just an idea. I did lose almost 10 lbs w/ this last restriction. It was better than the last. So maybe you'll have some of the same results to Mrs. Husker. How's everyone else doing?

How is everyone doing? It's been quiet over the weekend. I bought a wok and tried it out today. I made broccoli and eggplant w/ garlic sauce. I bought the garlic sauce from the Chinese Rest. Blanched the broccoli added the eggplant and strired in the sauce. The broccoli was to soft and I added in too much of the sauce. But it came out good, so I know how to perfect for the next time. I also prepared and cooked my meals for the week. 4oz of veggies and 4oz of fish 3x this week. 2oz of carbs and 4oz - 6oz of veggies 4x this week. All I need is to make my Protein drink in the mornings and go off to work. Now if I can just be motivated to exercise, I'm sure to lose the 5lbs I want by the end of the month. What meals or food do you plan to include to eat this week? Well, hope to read positive things from you.

Mrs Husker, when I hear of pain in the side, I think of appendix or hernia. Get to the hospital right away. That long in pain is dangerous. The appendix is located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen Check out WebMd to see if you can narrow it down to what may be the cause of the pain until you see your doctor. Good Luck Oh Juli on your run Sunday. I haven't even gotten up the momentum to run on the treadmill yet. Thanks for wanting to give this recipe a try. As for the ingredients, they're being grinded so it's not like eating whatever a serving is. It's spread out among the other ingredients. I also sneak some into the family meals. Especially when I need to thicken up the gravy. My plan is prepare meals for the week again. This kept me on track with my foods this week. And besides I gave up meats for Lent. I'm eating fish and seafood for the next 40 days. I must say eating fish has cleared up my complexion. I wonder what else I'll notice. Well, have a good weekend and hope to read postive results.

Hi All, just checking in and finished reading the past posts. I want to share something that might work with overeating which I completly forget. The extra Fiber and filler to help with feeling full/er. Flaxseed, oat bran, oats, sunflower and almond. It gives extra Protein and fiber...I found a container that I had not finished when cleaning. 3 cups of flaxseed/linseed 2 cups of sunflower seed 1 cup of almonds Blend them in a blender/grinder till fine. Use them in your meals, in cooking your meals, yoghurt or drinks, etc. It also helps with your bowel movements and get you to drink more Water. You don't want to be constipated. I found this in "The Liver Dleansing Diet" by Dr. Sandra Dabot. I forgot how much that had worked for me. I had used the reminder again by adding it to my meals. Especially my drinks. This time I only had flaxseed left and about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal left. So I blended them. Blending these two seems to work better than the flaxseed, sunflower and almond. Depending on what you're eating you judge how much to use. Hope this may help someone. I still eat the same portion size. and measuring. But stay fuller longer. Since adding the extra fiber and protein, sometimes I can go with only two meals a day. I still drink my water which helps also. Had another bout of food being/feeling stuck. I had just gotten the Papaya Enzyme pills mentioned here. After taken them the burning, uncomfortable feeling only lasted about 10 minutes. So, I keep some at work, now I just need to remember to carry them always. I had taken the hot tea in the morning before my oatmeal Breakfast. Then only had Soup for lunch. Then had a piece of meat for dinner and that's when it happened. Mrs. Husker, I must give you thanks again for that bite of info. I do not go a day without my hot tea or hot water drink anymore. It really helps when taking that first solid food meal. I had another fill two weeks ago, 2/6/08 and I am feelig better restriction. Started losing weight again. From 245lbs to 233lbs. Hoping to lose 5 - 10lbs by the end of the month. I need to get back into exercising to help this along. I've let the cold weather and little bit of snow we've had keep me from exercising and putting a mood with no motivation to exercise. So, thanks for reading all this and hope to read your success over the weekend. Please try the recipe above of some variation of it. Let me know how it worked for you.

Hi, met with my doctor today and received a .2cc fill. When I told him about the gas I've been having he said it's from swallowing of air as I'm chewing my food. The gas was only happening with regular milk. Why didn't I think of that, I don't know. There are probably more reasons, but this is one of them.

Today I had another fill. This time .2cc. When I drank the 6oz cup of Water I had a sensation of a bubbling/gurgling feeling as the water went down. About an 1 1/2 later I had 16oz of Soup. Towards the last few sips, again I felt and heard a gurgling sound as it went down. When I explaind to the doctor what had happened since the last fill, he said I'm almost there. Then I said something of encouragement, "He hope I don't call him over the weekend about being over filled." That was music to my ears, from him that I'm close to restriction. The last fill I was able to eat a regular meal. Not wanting to chance it this time I had soup. It was 2 cups, 16oz. Didn't want to have a PB...experience while this fill is still fresh and sensative. I'll stay on liquid meals, Protein drinks till friday and see what happens. Then go onto soft foods after, then solid foods. I also noticed he used a different size needle. This one was longer and I still feel where he stuck me. Has anyone taken notice of the size needles used for their fills? I asked about the bouts of gas I'm experiencing every day (down not up). He said it due to having to chew, chew and chewing the food into small pieces. As air is being swallowed as I'm chewing. Why didn't I think of that, I don't know. It was only happening with regular milk, now something else to pay attention to. Well, as I'm writing this my stomach is grumbling and feel I could have a little more soup, but I won't. I feel hunger may come about and 1 or 2 from now. How many days have anyone stay on liquids after a fill, and how many ounces did you consume when you ate? Well, onto another part of this journey.

Oh Juli, the picture is great. I think you look good and Babygirl1234. Glad you and the kids had a great time. Your Water actiities balanced out what you ate at the buffet. Other than the water slide, just romping around in the water doubled as exercise. And all that walking you did around the park too. You're a serious bike rider. A 100 mile ride, have you done that before?

It's been kind of quiet here. Hope everyone's been doing fine and everything is okay at home and in your life. Still at a reasonable restriction but anxious for Wednesday to get here. I get my next fill which I hope puts me at that "sweet spot". WooWee. And Wednesday, is Ash Wednesday. What are you giving up for Lent, if you observe Lent. I'm giving up meat and eating fish/seafood 3-4 times a week, the other days vegetarian eating. Should lose more weight in addition to my being more restricted. Well, that's to be seen. Hope to read good news...

Thanks for this tread. I too just recently noticed after my last fill that I too suffer with gas. Before it was when milk products. No necessary dairy products. I'm now monitoring my foods to find out what is causing the gas. I'm just greatful that there is no odor when I pass gas. This week I will be meeting with the nutritionist to help me track down what may be giving me gas. I do keep a food journal yet I can't pinpoint what is giving me gas. So good luck on your search to see if there is something you're eating may be giving you gas.

My doctor won't give me more than .3cc fill at a time. And it's always my doctor that gives my fill. The asst. only takes the basic info. b/p, weight and intake info of food intake since the previous fill. That info usually determine how much of a fill he'll give me. That's the first time and the last time I'll test the band like that. My fill last December put me closer to a restriction than I've been since being banded. It was scary to of gotten that far with that sandwich. Of course I was too full for dinner. It was just Water for the balance of the day. My next fill is 2/6 so, I won't dare test the band like that. For I've already experienced what PBing is and everything else that goes with overeating. So as you said, that sweet spot, where you have the best of both worlds... a good restriction . Then I can see that 8 - 10 lb per month weight loss that's suppose to take place when you're restricted. I've learned my lesson with that test. Didn't come this far to just mess up on a test like that. It's not worth it.

Happy February All, Now that I've come to terms with having carbs in my daily diet, I'm losing weight again. It was hard acceptence, but it had to be done. My next fill in next week Wednesday, 2/6, AM. At this time I hope to be at a restriction that I won't have to include 2 -3 Snacks a day. I just want my 3 meals, fruit, Protein drink and Water. It just so happens my job allows me to have a snack during the mornings and afternoons. Soon, it may not. And we all know there is nothering worse than wanting someting to eat and hungry. Have anyone included other diet plans along with our new way of eating? Before the band I tried the Michael Thurmond 6 Week Body Makeover. It did work for me for 3 months. Three months is how long I'll stay on a diet and lose the most weight and then plateau out. As I discovered just recently. The Thurmond diet includes 5-6 small meals a day. Each meal consiting of 2oz of protein, 4oz of veggie and 2oz of carbs. So, with the next fill I'll follow this plan, with the exception of the 3 additional small meals. Looking for the 1 -2 lbs weekly weight lose we're suppose to have losing weight with the band and proper resriction. Would like to hear what other diet plan you used and it's results. Stay on course this weekend. Welcome to February. We can do this we have the tools.

Hi everyone, I gauged my nutrition value by getting info from "NurtitionData.com". Answer a few questions and it give you an estimate of nutriton value you shoud take in daily. And always talk to your nutritionist, when in doubt. My nutritionist is very helpful with my food intake and calorie intake. What to eliminate or what food to replace to eat. And she hasn't been wrong yet. It states that a healthy weight loss per month is 10lbs/2lbs per week. Sometimes more is loss, but not on a steady basis. And we all know the most weight lose is in the first/beginning stages of being banded. I've also read on some sites people have used diet nutritional site i.e. FitDay.com and SparkPeople.com. There are others of course, but these are the ones I've seen most posted. I myself use the sparkpeople. You may want to visit them and get an idea of what a days meal/menu will consist of. By all means don't get discouraged. We're all still learning new eating habits. Everyone have good weekend. Stay the course.

HI Everyone, TulipStar, I agree with you when coming to some agreement with the doctor with how much fill you want. My last fill we settled on .3cc. Lo and behold that did the trick. I had my second restriction with 5 tries. I still can eat a nice portion of food; 4oz of Protein, 4oz of veggies, 2 - 3oz of carbs. My next fill is 2/6, I want a .2cc fill which should put me at a restriction where I hope I can eat 1/2 - 1 cup of food. Since that is what they say we should only be able to eat. For I am not losing the 2lbs a week like they say I should. I've already felt the sliming, saliva and PB'ing. Horrible, horrible feeling. Someone suggested to me to drink hot tea or eat a small bite of food about 10 minutes before a meal. The hot tea did help. So I've been doing that first thing in the morning. Just Tuesday past, I was able to eat a pastrami sandwich on whole wheat bread. And I wasn't really hungry. I should not of been able to eat 1/2 of that sandwich. So, I know I'm not at my sweet spot. Lost only 5lbs since 1/2. So hope this next fill is it for a long while. As for the doctors givning small fills, it's a $$$$ thing. It's $350 a visit that's billed to my insurance co. But, also to get you to a retriction slowly. But, preventive medicine compared to the illness get if we didn't have the band. Well, hope everyone have a successful weekend.

Hey Everyone, Talk about a small world. comepickmeup and Workintheband I was banded 3/07 by Dr. Kurian's former partner Dr. Roslin/Lenox Hill Hosp. I was wondering what had happened to her. Now I know. Hi TachaBaby505 and chocolate_snaps. I'm from Manhattan/East Harlem. Hope we can keep in touch with each other here. Have a good weekend everyone.

Good Morning To Everyone; Thanks again Mrs. Husker, I've been taking tea in the mornings before eating. Sometimes before oatmeal, which I don't have any problems with. Today, I forgot to drink the tea. It was only tuna and crackers. But I had eaten a few crackers before I realized I didn't take my tea. Well, I paniced :party:, but it wasn't so bad. I did feel the noticable effects. Also, I did get the ticker straight. Vinegar, has anyone taken the apple cider vinegar or the pills as a supplement to their diet? I heard and read that this does aid in weight lose. My daughter has been taking them almost a year and she been seeing results in maintaining her weight. I've started taken it along with my hot water drink. Just hot water at room temp. w/ two caps of vinegar. So far I haven't seen any results to soon to note. I'll give it two weeks to see. Hope everyone's doing well and not letting the little setback get to you. It's only a setback. There's two months to lose more weight, and we can do it. Let's go back to the basic steps,. Weighing our foods and what ever it was that we lost the most weight. Think back to what you did and map out a plan and do it again. I'm going back to eating 3oz of meat, 4oz of fish, 4oz of vegetables and 2oz of carbs either per meal or just one meal. Carbs are my down fall, but the body needs it. Adding one protein meal drink per day and atleast one fruit. What' s going to be your plan? :frown: It's IN all of us to do.....