MistyD65

Bridgette, I don't think days 3-5 are cumulative, so you would only eat what is listed for those days, plus your water. I'd like to see what everyone else thinks, though.

For me, popcorn is one of those things that I'd rather smell than eat. Don't get me wrong, I like it, and still have a handful every now and then, but the eating of it doesn't measure up to the aroma and the thought of it. And my doctor doesn't have any restrictions against it.

Thank you! A lot, I started the test on Saturday, so I'm through with the two days of liquids. I'm actually NPO so far today though, because I have a fill appointment in a couple of hours. I don't think I want a fill, though - don't really think I need one right now.

This morning before beginning my workout at Curves I decided to hop on their scale...the good, old-fashioned balance type scale. And, lo and behold, I had to move the large slider from the 250 notch down to the 200 notch!!! I haven't been able to do that since 1993! I love my Lap Band!

That was GREAT! My favorite line: "Maybe if more people had a duck in their life, maybe we wouldn't be all so mad at each other." Thanks for posting this!

Wow Brandy!! Those are gorgeous! You are definitely my "see, it CAN be done" go-to girl. Thank you for sharing these with us.

Woo hoo! I had a victory today! I decided to use the balance scales at Curves this morning before my workout...and I had to put the big slider on 200 rather than 250!!! I haven't been able to do that since 1993! *does happy dance* :wink_smile:

Here it is, from page 3. And it is yummy! I only use 1 tbsp of the pudding mix - 2 made it too thick for my taste. Thanks again Lulu!

Las Who? lol Yeah, I was glad when the Chuy's in Cypress opened, and even more glad that I DON'T live in Cypress - it would be much too tempting. My pick has always been the Ground Sirloin Burrito. I can eat about half of it, if I haven't enjoyed too many chips with creamy jalepeno sauce (that stuff is heavenly!) I don't eat the rice since being banded. Last time MissKitty and I went we shared the Panchos with ground beef. It was just enough.

Well, we've never really had a "group" meeting. Ike messed us up with the first one we planned and we just never got around to setting up another one. I have gotten together on different occasions with different people, but I'd love to drum up interest again for a group meet-up. Depending on who else responds for this one, we could plan to meet somewhere on 290 between 6 and Fry Rd. Misskitty and I like Chuy's, but we could also do the Starbucks at 290 and Spring Cypress (the one in front of the Best Buy, near the Target shopping center.) And 11 am is fine with me!

Amy, you DO rock!! You have done great, notwithstanding the perils that come with the holiday season. My advice to you, before you try to make a decision on your upcoming fill, is to first visit this thread http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/starting-holiday-detox-early-anyone-wanna-join-me-84070/ . You will see that you are far from alone. Then, go to the Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test site and follow the diet plan there. It has helped many people get back on track. You can do it!

Wow, look how much you have lost! You are doing great! Julie Ann, given the description of your eating habits and how you feel, coupled with the 8 hours you have to go for a fill (or possible unfill), if it was me I would choose to put off a fill. I also have only had one fill (0.6 cc in a 4 cc band), but I am losing steadily and hunger is not a huge issue. I can eat just about anything I want, at any time of the day, I've never PBed, and have only gotten "stuck" a couple of times, due to forgetting to chew carefully (and those episodes were very mild and short). If I eat more than a cup of good food I end up feeling it around my band - an uncomfortable feeling like having a stitch in your side from running. Sometimes I DO eat too much, sometimes I DO eat the wrong things, and the head hunger is MUCH harder to resist than the physical hunger. I gained and lost the same couple of pounds during the holiday season, but now that things are back to normal the weight is moving downward. I've got an appointment for a fill today, but I don't think I want one. The only thing I would like more help on is staying full longer, but that isn't really affecting me too much. I guess I rambled on to get to this point - you can be successful with just one fill. Weigh all the factors, including the possibility of being too tight and having to make that trip again, even (God forbid) in an emergency situation. Perhaps you can talk with your doctor by phone and see what he thinks. Best wishes on whatever your decision is!

I want to adjust my goal to 12 pounds. That'll put my ending weight at 237.4.

Count me in for the 10th. I won't be travelling til later in the month!

I haven't decided if I'm going to do the whole 5DPT yet, but I did do Day 1 yesterday, and today I'm down 2.4 pounds from Friday's weight. I have an appointment with my surgeon on Monday, and my goal is to show a 50 pound loss on HIS scale. I'm at 57 on my scale (and naked), so I think I may make it. I'm going to wear very lightweight clothing tomorrow. I don't think I want a fill, either - I don't think I need one. Oh, and I've lost everything I put on over the holidays so - YEEEHHAAA!!

A lot, the 5 Day website says "you can have as many low-carb protein shakes as you like to satisfy hunger or cravings." I don't think Days 1 and 2 are really concerned with set meals, so drink those shakes when you feel you need them. I haven't gotten to the other days yet, so I'll leave that for those who have.

I'm in! I'm going to be conservative and set 10 pounds as my goal, with the option to adjust it higher as the weeks pass!:biggrin: Start: 249.4 Finish: 239.4

I struggle with that too, Michelle. I'm doing better now, but I can remember getting almost angry when thinking about a meal because I wanted more than the portion I was allowing myself...wanted more even before I doled it out and started eating. How crazy is that? It really shocked me when I realized that I felt that way. It is such a big change, going from eating all I want to eating all I need. When I find myself finished when my portion but still wanting more, I ask myself if I'm still hungry. And usually I am not. I just want more. THAT is the demon that is hardest to defeat, I think. Head hunger. So, to all of you who are struggling, you are not alone! Keep coming here for advice, support, a kick in the pants when you need it, and the fellowship of others who understand.

I have United Health Care though a third party administrator, UMR (formerly Midwest Security Administrators). I was pleasantly surprised when I was almost immediately approved for surgery after meeting with my surgeon for the first time. In late 2007 I had looked into lap band with another surgeon. I had UHC then also, but through a different administrator. I was told at that time that my insurance required the 6-month doctor supervised diet and a psych consult, so I put thoughts of surgery on the back burner. Maybe my husband's company made some changes in what they wanted their insurance to cover. But whatever the reason for the change, I was very grateful. I also have to give all the credit to my surgeon's office for getting me approved. They did all the dealings with the insurance company.

I did not like those AT ALL! My husband and I generally eventually finished the drinks that we taste-tested, but that one went straight down the drain. Everyone's tastebuds are different! :biggrin:

I've always been one to get hungry quickly after eating a breakfast of Cereal or oatmeal - carbs. I find that Protein stays with me much longer. A scrambled egg or some yogurt works well for me. You should check out the Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test. Lots of folks here swear by it for helping get back on track. In fact, there is a whole thread dedicated to getting ourselves back on the bandwagon: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/starting-holiday-detox-early-anyone-wanna-join-me-84070/ . Lots of good support and advice there!

Last week: 252 This week: 249.4 Loss of 2.6 pounds for a total of 54.6. I was down to 247.6 on Wednesday for the New Year Challenge, but TOM got me. It's all good though. I'm really hoping to show a 50 pound loss when I see my doctor on Monday (his scales weigh higher than mine at home, of course lol). I'm seriously considering NOT getting a fill. I've only had one, .6 in a 4 cc band, but the weight is still coming off and I'm not really struggling. We'll see what he has to say. Keep up the marvelous work everyone!

I did something similar to this for myself before I was banded, including taste-testing things. I only did ready-to-drink items, and only included calories, fat, Protein, and sugars, both per serving and per ounce, as well as price per serving and price per ounce. It helped to be able to compare things ounce-for-ounce since I was supposed to drink the Protein drinks 2 ounces at a time. I have the info in an Excel file, if you'd like to see it.

Wow! That's incredible! What a way to start the new year. Congratulations!!:Yawn:

Oh my, I've been doing soooo good since Sunday, but I let my hair down some tonight. Shared a large order of ground beef nachos with the DH (I've been wanting them for a long time) and had a 17 ounce frozen margarita topped with Midori. Believe it or not, for the first time in my life I'm a bit tipsy - and that happened after drinking only about half of it. I seldom drink, but I've never had any kind of effects after one margarita. I'm thinking maybe it's a combination of my lower body weight and how fast I drank that half. Anyway, my calories for the rest of the day were pretty low, so I think I'll be ok. Back on track tomorrow! Happy New Year everyone!!!