Great2BThin

PJ, have you tried dipping the fish in something like eggbeaters and then some bread crumbs? That gives it a little bit of a breaded taste. I've also found some breaded and frozen tilapia filets at Costco that aren't too bad fat gram wise. I too prefer my fish fried and these two things have helped me. And I do like it grilled better than baked when I don't have it coated in anything. Hope that helps. Chickie, your post brought tears to my eyes. Wow to think of myself as normal too, I think I am getting there as well. Joann, have you tried the knee injections? if so, did they help? I am going through my 2nd series on my knee and it's not seeming to do much. I have one more to go. That is my biggest disappoint since losing weight. I thought I'd feel relief in my knee but so far none. I was bone on bone so guess there's not much to help it. But just not sure I want to go through another surgery to get it replaced. But am going to have to do something as this pain is getting to me.

Well, April, I am not going to try and convince yourself to get a lapband because you need to make that decision for yourself. But I did want to correct some of the negative info you post. Granted, the lap band is no miracle cure and definitely not the easy way out, if that's what you are looking for don't do it. You still have to do the work and change your lifestyle sometimes that's easy and others it is very hard. However, it's an amazing tool. You mention portion control, for me it helps so much in the portion control. I physically can't eat more even if I want to because if I do I will be miserable or throw it up. I've done Weight Watchers for years, and all the motivation and will power in the world didn't help me in the 5 yrs I went to learn portion control. I'm probably the only person to have gone weekly to WW and gain 50 lbs! Cravings well they still come and go. For me they come and go much less frequentily as time goes on. I never struggled with sweets even pre banding, my issues are with crunchy and salty things like chips and popcorn. Unfortunately the go down the band no problem, but I just don't bring those things into the house. Popcorn is for movies only and luckily DH & I see very few movies anymore. Though just saw Bond Friday night. I know before I had my band I could find posts here to validate whatever way my mind was swaying that day. On days I was panicked and scared and wondering if I really should go through with it I could find a list of posts to validate that thought, On days I was excited and anxious to get it, I could find just as many or more positive ones. What it came down for me was do i want to keep going down the path I was on and getting the same results I was getting? or did I want to devote myself to this process and invest in my future and my health. Once I decided to do the band I gave it 100%, I didn't have the luxury of my insurance paying for my band, I had to self pay. And, my goodness, I was going to do everything in my power to be sure it wasn't a waste of money. I am diligent in the band rules with very few 'cheats' and have been extra successful. Even my dr. is amazed at my progress and says I am losing at the rate of a bypass patient. Of course, everyone's results will vary. I wish you luck in whatever you deicde. But while deciding, don't just look for the negative posts, look for the positve ones too. You need a balance to make your decision. I would be the last person to say don't look at the negative side or complications, you need to go into this with your eyes wide open but don't only look at those, balance it out. If you have questions, you've come to the right place. Also, Janet (Indigo Girl) has a mentor thread and is amazing with the advice she offers.

No I haven't tried the sausage, but then again I am not a real sausage lover. But maybe I should try them to change it up. Thanks on the congrats! Welcome Mimi, jump right in. Look forward to getting to know you more. Congrats on the weight loss so far. One thing that I like for portable protein for lunches is the canned chicken from Costco. I dip it in a little BBQ sauce, it's pretty good and goes down easier than a piece of chicken breast. I tend to stay away from the breasts as they don't go down well for me, thighs are easier. I think the egg beaters taste like scrambled eggs. I salt and pepper them a lot and add a little cheddar cheese when done to melt on top. Congrats on the loss!! Welcome JD!! I've had 5 fills too, seems to have been my magic number as far as fills go as I haven't had one for awhile now.

Thanks PJ. First off I agree with Lizalee about the shakes for breakfast, something more solid would stay longer. Even if it's a mushier solid like eggs. Also, I wonder, do you get enough protein in the Smart Ones for lunch? I'm not saying what I do is the only way but those are 2 areas where I would wonder first. This is my typical day, and I do go by the 1/2 cup portions they are satisfying to me, I know to some they are not but as long as I start with high quality protein first I do fine on them: Breakfast: almost always 1/4 cup egg beaters with a pinch of cheese and 2 slices of precook bacon. Sometimes especially if in a hurry I have a s/f yogurt. King Soopers (Kroger) here has one with 11 grms of protein. Lunch: usually 4 oz of chicken (lately my portions have been growing to about 6 oz so may be close to a fill) Once a week I satisfy my craving for McNuggets at lunch. Dinner: 4 oz of whatever meat I am fixing fish, chicken, steak and a few veggies. I make the steamfresh veggies and take a big spoon or so out of them for myself and give rest to hubby. Rarely but if still hungry some potato or something. Snacks: once a week i treat myself to a 1/2 of a Sonic blast (ice cream with M&M's kindda like a DQ Blizzard) but usually it's s/f yogurt, pudding, piece of meat or sausage or cashews I've not had bread since banding, tried a piece of pizza once and the crust got stuck and hurt something fierce. I've had 5 fills plus a prefill at surgery. Exercise I still hate, still haven't found something I enjoy but I do it about 2 to 3 times a week, I do need to do better at increasing this and increasing the intensity. I always eat my protein first, this helps so much. If I don't I can eat so much more, I found myself one night eating everything else before my protein as it looked so good (wasn't at home) and I was shocked at how much more I could eat and quickly learned how that could get me into so much trouble. Now come Thanksgiving if I can remember that I will do so much better with all those goodies around. I love my stuffing and am not sure I can try it or not since it's bread. I will be out of town and sure don't want to have a stuck or PB episode in front of the 29 people I am cooking for. Hope this helps. This is what is working for me.

Good afternoon!! Just got home from a good morning of shopping! I got a down winter vest that is faux fur lined. It's a large!! YAHOO! good thing it fit as they were out of XL's and only had 2 L's. Then I went to Sears as they carry Land's End (I hate Sears but love Land's End) and got some waterproof snow boots. I thought that was a good way to make sure it won't snow when we go to S. Dakota for Thanksgiving was to be prepared for it. And right next to the boots I went in for were some cute shoes so had to get those too. I tell DH it's okay given all he's spent on hunting stuff for this trip. He tries to say his comes out of the grocery fund as he is putting food on the table! Yeah right!! I used to have a real problem with hunting, but anymore as long as he eat what he shoots I'm fine with it. He has that and now with my new lifestyle I pop in a piece of fish or something. And it kindda does help with the food budget. My knee injections seem to be helping a tad. I have one more to go and am supposed to keep feeling more relief for a few weeks, I pray that is so! I was down one more pound this morning!! 83!!! Charlene, I know you enjoyed your granddaughter but I bet you are ready for some time to yourself. Hope your back is better.

These bands do seem to be fickle things. I have flown some with my band. One time I will be so tight and PB like crazy when I eat. Another time it won't affect me at all. They say stress also causes you to be tighter. As for my exercise, I haven't been super consistent but do get to the gym a minimum of 2 times a week and strive for more. I do an elliptical or bike for 20 min due to my bad knee and some weights. I have an exerise ball at home and cords. My hospital also provides a bariatric exercise class one night a week, I go to that and then he gives us homework on the ball to work on. Food wise. A typical day would be: Breakfast - 1/4 c egg beaters with a pinch of cheese and 2 slices of precooked bacon. Lunch - usually some type of chicken, once a week I allow myself my craving for McNuggets. Dang evil things most people would go yuck but not me! LOL Dinner - 4 oz of whatever meat we are having and a few veggies. Snacks - vary sometimes cashews, a bite of left over chicken or something like that, yogurt. I tend to have a snack late afternoon and in the evening if I have them. Hope that helps. I have had 5 fills in my band plus a prefill in surgery. I have 10.5 cc's in a 14cc band.

I hit 83 this morning!! Woo Hoo!! I seem to be on a losing streak again. I see my surgeon on Tues. and am contemplating a fill or not. I'm doing well so why mess with things so am leaning towards not. I do have another appt 2 1/2 weeks later for my 6 mos post op so could get it then. Wow, 6 mos almost. Can you believe it's been that long since our bandings when Dec. hits? Kizzie, welcome back to the states. hope you can find a fill dr. Is there a FillCenter near you? Could you be overfilled if you are throwing up so much? Allie, we are still running neck and neck in our losses. I look up to you and follow you so keep up the good work! Seems like when you lose I lose.

Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = V /><V:SHAPETYPE id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"></V:SHAPETYPE>***********:tt2:***************************** :tongue2: * agreatknead........204............190...........180...........10 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......253............217...........195...........22 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............206...........191...........15 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Bunkey1965.........194............174...........170............4 Cadets71...........223.4..........220.4.........189...........31.4 Charlietuna........210............167...........150...........17 Claudine...........250............231...........225............6 CubsGirl17.........172............161...........150...........11 Cutiew/booty.......251............234...........220...........14 cQQlgirl...........195............187...........175...........12 crzytchr...........276............265...........246...........19 Donna113...........199............191.5.........160...........31.5 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............216...........190...........26 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............143...........130...........13 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 janesays ..........244............244...........225...........19 Jeni85.............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............203.5.........185...........18.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............236...........200...........36 Liquidbluegal......225............214.6.........199...........15.6 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............222...........215............7 lotzasunshine......292............281...........250...........31 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Lunabeane..........244............197...........187...........10.0 Mamanmidwife.......295............276...........260...........16 Melissa Aguirre ...266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 newby23............242............242...........212...........30 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............238...........220...........18 rainer.............236............226...........210...........16 Redtulips3.........180............175...........160...........15 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............186...........165...........21 srknepler..........285............249.2.........255..........(5.7) squale.............353............353...........325...........28 SueAZ..............198............193...........150...........43 Sunshine2..........177............167...........160...........07 Suzzzie............305............305...........285...........20 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............227...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............209...........194...........15 youcandoit!........196............185...........165...........20

Those are awesome NSV's Allie!! I can now shop in the same stores as my daughter and unsubscribe to Lane Bryants emails! size 14's!! I went on an airplane and fit in the seat, the seatbelt, and the arm rest stayed down and wasn't pushed up by the parts of me that used to squeeze underneath I also now weigh less than my 6'6 husband I weigh less than my drivers license!!!! the bow when I tie my shoes is now on top of the shoe, not on the side crossing legs!

I am now at 82 lbs lost!! YAHOO!!! I am in total amazement and so thrilled. I LOVE MY BAND!!

Oh no, I'd much rather go in April or May. Vegas gets too hot!! I used to live there too, hee hee. I should be able to work something out. Most things I have going that time of year other than my grandma's 100th bday are pretty negotiatable. I won't miss Grandma's 100th though.

I lost 2 more!!! 82 lbs now gone forever!! I just met a fellow lapbander for lunch. She has come to LBT some but mostly over at Obesity Help. She had surgery on Monday with my surgeon and lives near me. It was fun to meet a fellow bander. We went to ChikFilA as she is on liquids still and got their soup and asked for it to be all broth. Then I went and got my 2nd injection in my knee of 3. I sure hope to get some relief. It's sounding like Vegas is the place! Sounds fun. April and May are tough for me but I will try and make it work. My 30th anniversay is 4/21, my grandma's 100th bday is 5/1 and we are probably going to FL, my bday is 5/17 but I dont' care about not being home for it. I love shows. Gosh I will be almost a year out by the time we meet. Could I be at goal? I sure hope so!

Nope I am originally from Wisconsin. However, hubby is originally from S Dakota. So I am going back for all his side of the family. And, oh did I mention? I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 29 people!! YIKES!

Woo Hoo!! Down 2 more!! Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v /><V:SHAPETYPE id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:w00t:</V:SHAPETYPE>***********:thumbup:*************:w00t:**********:thumbup:****** :thumbup: * agreatknead........204............190...........180...........10 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......253............217...........195...........22 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............206...........191...........15 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Bunkey1965.........194............175...........170............5 Cadets71...........223.4..........220.4.........189...........31.4 Charlietuna........210............167...........150...........17 Claudine...........250............231...........225............6 CubsGirl17.........172............161...........150...........11 Cutiew/booty.......251............234...........220...........14 cQQlgirl...........195............187...........175...........12 crzytchr...........276............265...........246...........19 Donna113...........199............191.5.........160...........31.5 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............216...........190...........26 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............143...........130...........13 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 janesays ..........244............244...........225...........19 Jeni85.............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............203.5.........185...........18.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............236...........200...........36 Liquidbluegal......225............214.6.........199...........15.6 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............223...........215............8 lotzasunshine......292............281...........250...........31 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Lunabeane..........244............197...........187...........10.0 Mamanmidwife.......295............276...........260...........16 Melissa Aguirre ...266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 newby23............242............242...........212...........30 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............238...........220...........18 rainer.............236............226...........210...........16 Redtulips3.........180............175...........160...........15 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............186...........165...........21 srknepler..........285............249.2.........255..........(5.7) squale.............353............353...........325...........28 SueAZ..............198............193...........150...........43 Sunshine2..........177............167...........160...........07 Suzzzie............305............305...........285...........20 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............227...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............211...........194...........17 youcandoit!........196............185...........165...........20

Judy, got any photos to share in your outfit???? I bet you look great! Well folks, I hit 82 today!! yahoo!! Since I seem to be on a losing streak again I think I will wait a few weeks on my next fill. I have a dr. appt next week and was going to ask for one then. But we leave a few days later for our Thanksgiving/pheasant hunting trip to S Dakota. I don't want to chance being in the middle of no where and being too tight. I have another appt for my 6 mos post op visit the first week of Dec. and may just get the fill then. That way if it's too much or something I am close and can go back in. I may be meeting a gal I met on Obesity Help that lives near me and had lap band surgery on Monday for a lunch of soup. But got a message from her this morning and she may have to cancel or postpone. I hope not as I was looking forward to it.

I sure hope so, but depending on when it is we might both be remants of what we once knew each other as! One issue I thought of if we did meet in Colorado and went to a mountain lodge or something is ground transportation. With Vegas we could just take a taxi to the hotel or something. Here we'd need cars or something to get around.

I doubt I'll be able to attend. Will have to wait for one out west. But just in case, if this hotel in Livingston is 40 miles from NYC how does one get to the hotel? Fly into NYC?? then what? it was mentioned there'd be transportation but everyones flights would come in at different times.

The Monte Carlo there had an awesome pool area. it had a wave pool, a lazy river and a pool. And shade cabanas

Congratulations Kiki on the dress, on the wedding, on the weight loss, and on seeing that beautiful person in the mirror. You sound so happy and excited. Glad to hear you will be back posting more.

No I don't know of a place but sure could do some research if that's what we decide. I saw a lot of cabins near Rocky Mtn Nat'l park when I was there this fall. Just got home from a day of volunteering at the hospital again. Today I made notebooks for future surgery patients. Also visited a few post op patients in the hospital they were all bypass patients as lap band tend not to spend time in the hospital. I handed out support group info to them etc. One of the other volunteers asked hwo much I lost and what I weighed. She was shocked that I was still in the 200's (well into them at 225) she said you'd never know by looking at me, that felt great!!

Allie, I think your MIL is my mother! LOL SHe just visited and had no idea before she came about my surgery. She isn't the most supportive but she wasn't negative either so that was a plus. I think it is going to be really hard to hit that 100 during the holidays so I am shooting for 90 by the end of the year. That gives me about 6 weeks to lose 10 lbs. I have slowed alot lately too. I got so spoiled losing so fast that I get impatient now. I probably need to stop weighing myself every day but for so long it was so fun as it was down all the time. I do need to up the exercise, I've been working out sporadically and if I added some consistency and intensity, I am sure that would help.

Barb, Thanks for your posts today, very timely for me. We lead a small group in our home on Wed. nights. These are the first folks I should've told about my band so they could pray for and support me but instead they are about the only ones I haven't told. I was thinking of 'coming clean' tonight. Well depends on if the opportunity arises. unfortunately there are a couple of very, how shall I say 'strong vocal aka opininated' women in the group 2 of which are former WW leaders. Most folks I've known through WW are very anti surgery so I have felt afraid to tell them. But have come to the same line of thinking you mention in your post lately and am no longer going to feel like I have to keep it quiet. I'm not going to broadcast it from the roof or anything but if anyone asks I will be truthful instead of dodging the question. It makes me feel like I did something wrong when it's the best thing I've ever done. I truly felt God led me in this direction as the doors just kept opening wider and He has blessed me with such tremendous success since.

I'd love to shop for new clothes, but Colorado is good for me too!! Vegas is a easy place for most folks to get to as well. We could lounge at a pool and gab all day (in the shade). or a cruise! well a gal can dream can't she?

Welcome home! Yes I was in Burlington. We flew in Sat. evening and left Sunday morning. We stayed at a Fairfield Inn which was a couple blocks from Christmas Tree Shops. We wanted to walk down to a restaurant called Ninety-nine or something like that but it was raining and we didn't want to get caught that far on foot if it poured harder. So then we went to Longhorn and the wait was 90 min. so we ended up at Ponderosa. It was a buffet!! Like I got my money's worth. They wouldn't let me order the kids steak but compromised and let me get the senior one. Glad we got out before the snow flew. We were expecting possible snow yesterday but it never happened, sunny out now.

Not sure why so long, though I think Dr's vary on this. I only have to do liquids for 4 hours and can have soft foods that evening and normal the next day. Maybe it depends on the size of the fill?