Apples2

Hey Long...good job not gaining during your TG vacation. It is so difficult to NOT gain during holidays. Just think of what you would have eaten last year. You will see the weight start coming off again. You have been steadily losing all along. There were weeks at a time where my scale didn't move but then would put the scale away for a week or two. Just helped with not stressing about it.

My doc put in the 14cc band. When they got in there he was not going to put the band on me and just close me up due to the fact that my heital hernia was extremely large and he didn't think the band would stay in place. He said the band had to sit where the hernia was. He did give me my band based on the fact that I had worked really hard to get over 50lbs b/4 surgery. To this day I have had no problems. Had a number of hernias repaired 3 month after band surgery and same doc said band looked great and in position just like it should be. Have a total of 5.5cc's in band after 2 fills

I also ate about 600-700 cals a day and was very active. But, everyone is different. I now need at least 1200-1500 cals a day to maintain. Actually, during the weight loss stage I felt wonderful and had lots of energy. I think getting adequate Protein was a huge factor. Like Jachut, I am long and lanky and took off about 120% of my excess weight. By staying active I was able to keep muscle tone (well as much as a 53 yr old woman can have!) My doc was fine with the extra 20%. I carried sooooooooooooo much of my excess through my torso and the extra 20% took care of that problem. Wishing you luck. Follows your doc's rules and you should do just fine.

When I was 20 I ended up in a hospital for close to three months. (Pancreatitis caused by physical injury). Gastric tube, etc. and was bedridden most of the time in hospital. I was a young and vibrant woman prior to becoming ill. I could not believe how being bedridden ravaged my young body. Where I used to have calves, the skin hung. I was a volleyball player in collage and also on the track team prior to this. My arms actually hung. It took me 9 months of hard work to get back to where I was to begin with. I cannot be convinced that plopping into a bed for a knee injury would be advice that a doc (any doc worth his salt) would give.

Beth...there are studies relating sleep deprivation with weight gain, especially in menopausal women. Some studies state that with sleep deprivation comes stress. With stress comes eating because of stress. (Sorry, don't have those studies at my fingertips to quote). I gained an enormous amount of weight during menopause and I was sleep deprived due to extreme hot flashes. I do not agree with OP though on staying in bed and letting the weight fall off. Gotta move in any way that a person can. If I sat on my butt during weight loss stage, I would be afraid to look in the mirror to look at my saggy a$$. It was difficult at first to exercise but with pushing myself came the ability to exercise more with each phase.

First of all...want to send thanks to your DH for defending our county and to you for everything you are going thru because of your DH's deployment. Hang in there. I know what a tough job it can be for you. I am not a spouse but both my boys are in the service and my oldest was a gunner in Iraq for a year. I befriended a lot of the young mothers in our unit and know it is not an easy job to keep things in tact during deployment. My oldest son is out of the service now and does not have to go back with his unit when they deploy in the spring. I am co-chairing our family readiness group (started 3 mo. ago). At least I feel like I am doing SOMETHING to help out. My youngest son has been in the service for nine years and has 4 remaining. Anyway, "hugs" to you and your family. Just doing what you have preparing for your DH to leave is very stressful. As you said, you didn't lose but you didn't gain either so you are keeping yourself on track under the circumstances. You do have the right attitude about getting busy now that your DH is gone and making a difference b/4 you see him again. Something you aim for. I admire your determination. That's what it takes! God Bless you and your family.

Whisper....first of all I would talk to my doc and ask his advice on what he feels a healthy BMI would be for you. My doc and I discussed this early on in the process and came to an agreement which we were both happy with. You have to be happy with the end result. I reached goal in Oct and am really getting tired of the "too thin" comments. My BMI is 22 (normal range). I fell wonderful and am happy with where I am at. I think part of it is that a lot of people who are making comments have not seen me since I started this process and are shocked when they see me at the weight I am now. I am by no means too thin. My answer to them is: "I am not too thin, I am finally healthy". It's tough to hear it most of the time. I have worked so hard at this to get to goal. I think "Why can't people just be happy for me and proud of what I have done?" I know most people mean well but then there are those few friends where I think the green eyed monster has taken over and the comments can sting. (It's usually friends that are over weight). Hang in there. Find a weight where you think you will feel happy and healthy. This is all about you, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was like Lulac....avoided the mirrors at all cost. I did the LB mostly because I felt like CRAP ALL THE TIME. The first thing that would go through my mind in the morning and the last thing at night was how awful I felt and looked. 15 years ago I was 130lbs...felt wonderful and looked wonderful. Today I am 130lbs....feel wonderful and look wonderful. Anything I went through in the last year was sooooooooooooo worth it! I have always had the ideal life with my DH and two sons. But, because of my weight I felt everything was out of control because I could not control my hunger. I was born hungry. Now I only think of food for nourishment. I do not miss: The disgusting sweat under my boobs and lower stomach. Even if I had just showered, I felt unclean. Taking ten minutes just to roll over in bed. Having a huge stomach between me and my DH (who has always been in shape) while making love. A persistent cough while laying down because my upper body weight was choking me. Not being able to walk more than 50 feet without getting winded. Aching EVERYWHERE...sore knees, sore joints, aching muscle. All the aches and pains left with the first 40lbs. Having to buy horribly ugly clothes because that's all I could fit into. Tshirts and elastic waist pants. 20 years ago was voted best dressed by our Chamber of Commerce. It sucks the big one to wear a tent for 15 yrs. when I knew what it was like to pride yourself in how you looked. Looking good is just a perk in this whole deal. Always being on the run cuz I feel so great is the biggest benefit. Not avoiding people that knew me b/4 the "tent stage of life". Having people come up to me and say "The old you is back" just about makes me cry.

Thanks, kgl. I am just so amazed at what the band has done for me as far as hunger goes. I get hungry at the appropriate times (every 3-4 hours) but it is manageable. I am so happy to now want food 24/7!

A tiny little girl at birth...just 5lbs but came out screaming for nourishment. My mother said that I was ALWAYS hungry. And, for as far back as I can remember, I never really seemed to have that "satisfied" feeling. Was put on a diet by my mother at 4 yrs old and dieted most of my pre-teen, teen years and adulthood until I got sooooooooooooo tired of dieting and just gave up. At the age of 38 is when I ballooned and continued to year after year until I felt totally out of control. After being banded and getting two fills, my hunger finally stopped. I am so thankful for my family, my friends, my accomplishments in life. But, this Thanksgiving season I am also going to reflect on my new life and be thankful that my hunger is no longer with me. The lapband has given me a chance to live a "normal" life starting at the age of 53!

Congrats on your bandiversary, Aubrie and also congrats on your weight loss and newfound lease on life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My surgeon suggested a goal weight and we came to an agreement what it should be based on BMI. I did struggle once I met goal for a few weeks to find the amount of calories it would take for me to maintain my goal weight. My doc is very strict in that he wants all his patients to eat 1/2 cup meals 3xdaily and no snacks. I needed to throw in two healthy snacks a day in order to keep my weight at goal and not lose. I usually have a snack of Greek yogurt (15gr protein) or some high fiber cereal and low fat milk. My food plan has been working for me.

I lost 54# on my 6 mo diet pre-op. I think the reason I was successful in losing was because I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I knew the band was going to help me for the rest of my life. I could take weight off but could never keep it off because of constantly being hungry. All that is under control with the band and I am loving the fact that I can be a normal weight and not have the HUNGER ALL THE TIME.

I noticed that the gas subsided about three months after surgery. Gassy days are rare now. I am eating the same diet as back then. Not sure what happened but I'm much happier now. GasX really didn't help much that I could tell.

Already committed to a trip to Vegas with my girlfriends during the date chosen. Hopefully can make it to one (or more) of the other conferences in 2009.

Didn't hear the Discovery Health network thing. I wonder if she will carryover her attitude on her new network and continue to bash weight loss surgery?

I eat a container of Oikos Greek yogurt every morning and once in awhile during the day. I put a couple of TBLS of DiVinci syrup in it and add a few soynuts for added protein and variety. Our Walmart (65 miles away) only carries the vanilla and plain. I always buy the plain. Also good with SF jam. It's good plain on chili or a topping on veggies.

Thanks for the advice, Lulac. I will give them a try is I can get past the fact that they are "ostrich". I get so weird about certain types of meat. But worth a try.:tongue:

Be careful when trying jerky for the first time after banding. May be something that does not work for you. I can eat the dryer king but not the nuggets. I usually by Jack Links brand in Walmart in the small 1.8oz snack bags. Love the Teriyaki. Also, I like Grateful Harvest organic. I tends to have less sodium. It's the larger bags but I just weigh and put in snack bags.

Anyone at all know the answer to this?????????????

Ok...I love beef jerky and keep it in my truck at all times just in case I am in a situation where I need a snack or as a meal replacement. I usually buy the 1.8 oz snack pack. Very satisfying and 25g of protein. My question is: Does anyone know if eating jerky is any different than eating 1.8 oz of fresh cooked meat? Does it take on moisture in the pouch and expand?

I need to put this in my signature again...I lost 54 b/4 surgery on the six mo.medically supervised diet and the rest after surgery. Took me 11 months which is pretty normal IMO. Skin is good. Not much lower tummy skin, arms are good, no hanging chin. Upper thighs are a little saggy. I have had energy all throughout this process and even had surgery a month ago and popped right back. No hair loss. I have pretty good restriction but have never been too tight. I get all my nutrients EVERY day. I feel wonderful.

Nope...didn't lose all after surgery. I worked really hard during my 6 mo. medically supervised diet (required by ins. co.) and lost 54# b/4 and the remaining #'s after. I feel wonderful and 20 yrs younger.

Be patient. I know the feeling. I have restriction after 2 fills. Doc put in 3cc's at time of surgery. I now have a total of 6cc's and have restriction in my 14cc band. Make sure you drink plenty of Water and get your second fill as soon as you doc allows. Those first months are difficult until you get to the place you want to be.

Would probably be a good idea to go back to your doc and insist on further testing. Maybe a gallbladder ultrasound and function test? Doesn't sound normal to me.