neverB4

I dont' like the same clothes...to me I feel cheated out of the actual weight loss that has happened! Light colored clothes show the rolls and lumps better. Front, side, then back are good to compare each time. And short sleeves also show how your upper arms do. Just don't do like me...accidently (and I mean literally...) don't throw away your before pics!! I was never a pic taker so I now don't have any.

I don't bring them into my house but what stops me from running out to get them when I'm alone? NOTHING!!!-ha! Honestly, I knew I would not completely stop eating them after banding so here's what I do and I'm still at 68lbs gone!! I get reduced fat or sugar free ones...most of times. When I don't, I still PROUDLY eat only one (luv Wal-Marts gourmet brand of choc PB chips!!). I stressed PROUDLY not to gloat, but because when I choose to eat a cookie, I set my mind to...only one, Brenda. Again, so far, hasn't hurt me in the long run with my weight loss. So yes, I do once in a while induldge in my favorite sweets...cookies, cakes, ice cream!

Remember!!! When stuck at not losing, be sure to mix-up your exercise routine to re-jumpstart your body! And check your regular carb intake (white potatoes...) against your complex carbs. Protein and complex are good mixes.

YEA MzReeda!!!!!!!!

Yes, PTL!!!!!!! Oh how our God is ever faithful!! He answers our prayers only to show us His plans for us!! This is wonderful, marilyn and what a testimony to share with your urologist!! "Thank you, Lord for your love and encouragement to Marilyn!"

Marilyn, do let us know what is said Friday. You're still in our thoughts and prayers!!

Oh my Lunabeane...mine is too after all!! I'll be curious to hear what Dr. A has to say when I see him in a few wks. "GO PORTS!!"

Kudos to all!!!!!

I say KUDOS to you for not eating. It could have been $40 wasted, with chance of over-eating!! As far as what I would have done, it would depend. But more than likely, I would have doen the same as well or asked my friends to go elsewhere (if they knew). My husband's loves a local hotel's Sunday brunch buffet. But I just can't see going for $30 each, not for my small 1/2 cup. And if he ever insists, I know it wold be a full cup to make it seem worth a little!

I have "one of those cards" and never use it!! I didn't have this surgery for special treament. At least that's what I personally feel I'd be asking if I presented it to use. I go for protein, and most children's meals are starch, starch, starch! Most of times, I opt for appetizer or just share my meal with another. No problems yet, even at the few OG's I've been to (my GF's love them because they're so slow...gives us a good excuse to be gone so long-HA!)

This varies with docs...mine wanted 40-60 gms week or 2 after surgery. Now I have to have 60-90. Again, varies as well as if you're male or female and how much exercise you do.

yesterday: B-1 slice whole grain toast w/tad of light marg and i slice turkey bacon L-3ozs of pork rib and 1TBSP vegaterian baked beans S-choc caramel protein shake with 1c. FF milk D-1/4 of Lean Cuisine spinach/mushroom pizza S-another protein shake today: B-1 scrambled egg with 2TBSP salsa and 1 slice turkey bacon L-2ozs turkey breast with 1oz brown rice and beans S-choc caramel protein shake w/1c FF milk D-3ozs chicken thigh and 1oz carrots S-another protein shake

I'm 4.5mos out. I've lost 69 lbs. (Ticker not updated yet) I have about 1/2cup for brkfst and lunch then 1/2 to 3/4cup for supper. 1 or 2 protein shakes with FF milk each day. NO snacks!!

OMG!!!! I went to get dressed for church Sunday evening. Put a pair of elastic knit pants on, fell off my hip. Then a pair of capris that buttoned...fell of my hips. I'm in a hurry, can't find anythign to wear...another pair of capris that buttoned, fell off too. What's going on?? I hopped on my scales...well, my 192 from Weds before is NOW a 187.....so I had to crab a winter pair of 16's pant...running out the door, my daughter laughs..."mom, those are too big too!" Oh boy, I go on a cruise in December so I need some capris...but what size do I get before the clearance racks disappear??!!!!! This is actually way too fun!!

Kdog, PTL for your blessings!!! May God continue to heal you and strengthen you. Each new day He begins our grace all over!!

I'm not sure if this would be an NSV...it kind of bothered me when it happened. i went to pull my pants up at Wal-Mart and the next thing I knew, they were half-way up my back!! I no longer have that booty-butt blubber to keep them at bay. You know, that "wide gap" that goes on with the pant waistband...it's gone now!!

I haven't updated my ticker and won't til weds, but I felt so "thin" today so I hoped back on the scale...WOW-EEEE!!!! It was 192 weds, but 189 today!!!!!

I work for BCBS SC and some do not pay. Depends on what contract you have. You should try and go to a seminar where you live that will help answer most of your questions since they're indivdual...per doc, per patient, per insurance. Most time, you have to 40 BMI or over, if under 40, then down to 35 with 2 co-morbidities. But again, insurance related. If you're self-pay, they'll do it on anyone desiring weight loss.

I'm on 3 meals per day with protein shakes in between to meet my 70gms/day. My snacks are usually the shakes mixed in one cup of skim milk. If I do this on reg basis, my appetite stays at bay.

Lucky dogs! I can't eat cereal since banding. gets stuck in my throat every time!

My cramps are more noticeable too. So are gas pains! I contribute this to the soreness my muscle walls have from the port suturing. It takes a few mos for these to heal...then you may also have very minute scar build-up which can also intense the discomfort! So I've been taking 400mg of ibuprofen during my periods.

I get it once in a while too when I bend that certain way. Mine's my port area and the sutures being pulled and stretched on. Sometimes I even feel a pinch when it rubs against my muscle wall. I also have to remember, since I'm losing weight and exercising, my muscle is also tightening up so i get the "rebound" effect.

I'm a registered nurse and no, it doesn't take a yr! The hair loss will slow down to almost stopping. It just may take from 1-3mos and can happen from 1wk to 1yr post-op...depends on your body. Positive thought...we don't have the malabsortion problem so it will not be a lifelong thing. I have yet to even see a bald bypasser in my grp!

I had the choice but left it up to my surgeon. He does both, likes both, but with my weight history (all life), he used the Lapband AP 10cc's. He said it gives more restriction at time of surgery than the Realize band. I do wish I would have thought about the port profile though. Mine sticks out like a hernia when I stand. Itches a little at times, but doesn't bother me to the point of hating it being there!

I won't go into this very specifically but I'll share my own battles with you. I have been overweight through all my important yrs...grade school up thru high school, marraige, up to age 40. I did Adipex, lost 60lbs only to gain it back...Weight Watchers, lost 75lbs five yrs ago, only to slowly gain it back. I decided the lap band because even though I knew i could lose when I wanted to, I still needed to retrain my mind and stomach on proper portion controls. WW did workt he best, was very easy to do...but only the 1st time. For these past 5yrs, I kept "trying" to get back on track. I kept rejoining WW with friends...but when it came to writing down how many pts, etc, I would fail. There was nothing there but a piece of paper to do this retraining. For me, that wasn't enough. My whole life was devoted to the taste of food. I needed something more drastic, more physically there to help me. So far, so good. I was self-pay so the process went real quick. No regrets at present.