Bozzj

i'll probably make the trip from north nj to dallas:thumbup: any other nj'ers going?

well just to give another opinion.. i've lost almost 20lbs in 4 weeks. When i go for a fill at my 6 week mark i'll be upset if i don't get one...why? not because i want to lose more, but because it's ALL willpower. it's hard. i keep talking to myself when i want to eat and saying that soon enough i'll have a little help (i never eat more than 1/2 cup meals--but i CAN and WANT to). don't know if that's what you're going through, but for me every single day is hard, but i don't cheat because i know that in time (hopefully) it'll get a little easier when i'm filled a little.

A few suggestions to reduce cal use skim milk (if less). not chocolate. use SF choc syrup (davini has one) (15-30 cal) use PB2 (just google it..it's amazing and only 52 cal for 2 tbsp)!!

i was self pay but i wanted to share my view with you- without judgement. honestly, i know sometimes dieting is a losing battle (why we're all here) and 75lbs is a lot, but from my experience i'd probably not get the surgery if that's what i had to lose. why? not because i don't believe in the band..because i do, but because it's HARD. i mean..for me..it is H.A.R.D. The band is a lifelong commitment and for me--right now it's alllllllll willpower because if i let into my feelings i'd eat a big mac. i mean literally i was going for the ice cream the other day and i had to remind myself...wth am i doing? and stopped. that being said...i know what it feels like to not be successful at dieting (jeez i have 140lbs or so to lose). if it means that much to you and insurance won't pay--you might want to consider going self pay. in a way, for me, it keeps me more motivated because i was all set to by a honda and instead i got a belt:cool2: i wish you the best!! :rolleyes2:

i'm sorry to hear others are in my situation. i'm am CONVINCED that ms. skinny bitch will not be my friend once i get thin and fabulous! we went to dinner and she was very odd...distant...and quite frankly i don't care if me losing weight makes her jealous! She made a remark at dinner when i split up my meal and packed some of it away as soon as i got it...she said "well won't you ...like...feel full" with that judgemental face. I almost jumped over the table. :rolleyes2:

what part of nj are you from? i'm from bergen county... jamie

so here i am, 3 weeks in- 19.7lbs down..feeling good, proud of myself, ready to DO this... my two very best friends are skinny bitches. well let me rephrase, one can be a bitch lol and the other is so supportive i feel like i can talk like a big girl in front of her (you know what i mean..waking up in the am planning my dinner..thinking about snacks right after i ate...the stuff i've hide my entire life). i'm going out to eat tonight for the very first time. i'm going somewhere healthy, bonefish grill, and plan to get grilled fish. i was talking to my girlfriends and mentioned that i might bring a small weight watcher scale with me just in case if they cannot tell me how much my fish weights (because i can EAT if i don't weight it--no fills yet). the one laughed a little and said- whatever it takes my love to help you. perfect answer. the other laughs, but in the bitch way, and acts as if i'd be making a scene. she says "you cannnn't bring a scale..common..this is a restaurant." ok thank you, like i didn't know. i just simply said "if it's a problem don't come." :rolleyes2: NEVER stood up for my "cause" like that before. Why is it that some people act like they are supportive...but when it comes right down to it- no one gets "it" like another who is in your shoes. I suppose it's easier to be friends with "THE BIG GIRL" well too bad skinny bitch...i'm going to be coming to your category one day.

so here i am, 3 weeks in- 19.7lbs down..feeling good, proud of myself, ready to DO this... my two very best friends are skinny bitches. well let me rephrase, one can be a bitch lol and the other is so supportive i feel like i can talk like a big girl in front of her (you know what i mean..waking up in the am planning my dinner..thinking about snacks right after i ate...the stuff i've hide my entire life). i'm going out to eat tonight for the very first time. i'm going somewhere healthy, bonefish grill, and plan to get grilled fish. i was talking to my girlfriends and mentioned that i might bring a small weight watcher scale with me just in case if they cannot tell me how much my fish weights (because i can EAT if i don't weight it--no fills yet). the one laughed a little and said- whatever it takes my love to help you. perfect answer. the other laughs, but in the bitch way, and acts as if i'd be making a scene. she says "you cannnn't bring a scale..common..this is a restaurant." ok thank you, like i didn't know. i just simply said "if it's a problem don't come." :thumbdown: NEVER stood up for my "cause" like that before. Why is it that some people act like they are supportive...but when it comes right down to it- no one gets "it" like another who is in your shoes. I suppose it's easier to be friends with "THE BIG GIRL" well too bad skinny bitch...i'm going to be coming to your category one day.

i was banded on the 17th and told that no meal should exceed 4 oz. Snacks should not exceed 2oz (according to my doc). a typical day for me (today i started soft solids) is: b: Protein shake with skim. l: 3 oz of tuna salad s: 1 oz of part skim string cheese d: i'm going to Bonefish Grill and will order grilled fish with some sauce. I will have them weight it and i'll measure out 4 oz I'm hungry some days..i just fight through it and over time i've been getting used to the portion sizes.

I had mine done at a Surgery Center and I had a fantastic experience. For me, I got two doctors (our local hospital is teaching and i would have had my doc and an intern or whatever). The center called me the next day to see how i was feeling...i felt like a person there. that being said, it's only 4 miles from the hospital and that made me feel at ease because in case of an emergency i could receive help. They had mostly everything a hospital would have anyway....

this sounds great. i'm assuming there will be a fee--do you know about how much yet?

I agree. The HR person you spoke with has the ability to go to your manager and inform him/her that they are making a resonable accomodation for you. No specifics should be given. Beyond that, no one else should be speaking of what that might/might not be. Being in HR myself, I know that there aren't always ethical people in a department (hence why i haven't told anyone anything). I'd express your concern to the HR Mgr. and use this experience as a lesson; that you cannot trust others to keep a secret in your company. I learned mine, hence why i just say i'm on a diet. I also eat alone at my desk.

go somewhere that has chicken soup and only eat the liquid part. if they ask why you're eating so light just say you're watching your weight

i really like ProtiDiet products (Protein shakes, puddings, etc). I especially LOVE their protein cold drinks-fav. flavor is grape and green tea with cranberry. www.mydietshopz.com i read somewhere on here about choc. covered soy nuts so i go to www.revivalsoy.com to get them (they have cal/fat, so i just have a few when i need something sweet). i just started (yesterday) snacking once a day on live active 2% milk cheese (they are 1 oz, individually wrapped). I don't think there are magic foods...portion control (for me) is key because if i don't measure it i'll eat it all. I'm STILL on mushies until friday so i eat 3 4oz meals a day and i just started having a snack when i need one. Right now i eat mashed potatoes for dinner because my diet is limited, but i'll have lots more protein starting friday. hope that helps.

That's awesome!! Congrats. Any tips or advice for us newbies?

i'm allowed to have it. i use it as a "treat" on the weekends and i go to dunkin donuts and get an iced coffee with skim and some kind of SF syrup. one day i went to starbucks and got a "skinny" latte and...well...i won't be don't that again. i think it was too strong...very bad reaction:thumbdown:

i didn't get a fill (get it 6 wks after surgery).

i got banded on 4/17. after the 3rd day i was STARVING. i got very blue and couldn't see beyond the "torture" i promise..it gets better. the second you can have mushies you will feel better. you'll then eat mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes and you'll feel a little more normal. my doc said "oh, you're hungryyyyyyyyyy???" as if i was lying--but i really was. Nothing will make it better until you eat, but i ate a lot of ice pops..and i had some with sugar and some without so i had more energy. i got out of the house a little and walked down the block and back..helped lift my spirits. honestly, i think many of us just have to 'suck it up' as bad as that is...mushies are coming soon.....MASHED POTATOES.. i'm not hungry that much (sometimes) on the mushies... you can do it!!

while i agree that we need to cheat sometimes...i'm more concerned that you're going to hurt your band. if your doc has you on mushies (not sure) then solids (pizza) could hurt you..or could stretch your pouch. maybe i'm more afraid because i'm self-pay, but honestly i think it's more with the fact that i could not imagine going through with all of this and have my band slip. my suggestion (although i'm sure a doc would kill me)..if you're going to cheat..have something soft (like ice cream). i mean it's probably better than you eating textures you shouldn't... just my opinion.

i'm new to the band as well...here's a suggestion. maybe you should ask yourself why you're eating things you shouldn't be? not in a mean way, but soul search for a little bit and be honest with yourself. i know it's hard...i'm going through it too...and when i'm down or when my head wants to eat...i go back to why i got the band in the first place. i personally think it will catch up to you in the long run and no one wants that to happen. do you feel "cheated" by the restricted foods? i'm on mushies until friday and i eat boston market's mashed potatoes a lot- which can get boring, but they are good. for your Protein shakes why don't you by davinci's SF syrups (they come in crazy good flavors). I don't mean to point out "what you're doing wrong" but i think you owe it to yourself and the band to do this the right way. you know? as far as the lbs. coming off...i try my best (doesn't always work) to NOT stress about it...i figure if i do everything i'm supposed to it will come off. no pressure.

Hi, Well my starting weight was 292 (4/17/08) and i'd like to ideally get down to 130ish (we'll see if i adjust that later on). I'm at about 140ish lbs to lose. My first self goal is to get down to 100lbs from goal weight...so i have about 40ish lbs to go (seems much more attainable). Jamie

Hi, This is the first time i'm checking into this group...could you add me? My date was 4/17/08 at a starting weight of 292. Thanks!! jamie

i LOVE...absolutely love my Protein shakes. Actually, i can't wait to have them once a day:thumbup: I drink ProtiDiet (it's powder in a bottle) and i fill it with Water (if i want it in addition to my meals) or skim if i want it as a meal. It tastes good (chocolate) on its own, but i usually put either: SF Peanut Butter syrup, or SF peppermint patty syrup (davini) or a little peanut butter (natural). You can drink it right out of the bottle it comes in, but i have a travel cup/blender thingie (from amazon.com) that i put all of the ingredients in, plus ice and blend and go! You can buy protidiet on www.mydietshopz.com I really recommend it.

are you exercising? i just started to do a jenny craig 1.5 in home walking tape with weights (light) and i noticed that's when it started to come off more. this tape is 20 min. long which is perfect for me now because it's hard for me to exercise.

16lbs is a great amout of weight to lose!! it hasn't even been a month..so look at it that way. no help on the Optifast--don't use it. Congrats on the weight loss!