truediva

I've missed my bandster family! Hi everyone, I think I've finally hit my sweet spot! Got another fill 8-18-09 .4 ccs, think this is it. I haven't had much of an appetite, but I was still craving sweets and having a few cookies here and there. Well no more, after this feel, not only has any trace of an appetite disappeared, but I finally have a fill that doesn't allow me to eat cookies! YES! Finally! I bought some cookies yesterday and after eating 2, my chest got so tight, and well you know the rest, up came the cookies. I have learned my lesson. No more cookies for me! Today, I actually felt hungry 1 time, around 1 pm. I am full off of a few sips of anything other than water. Today I had water for breakfast, felt hungry and made some sf hot chocolate (just because I was cold and planned on eating some cioppino afterwards), but the cocoa filled me up again. The hunger went away. Here it is 7 pm and I haven't had 1 bite of food (and by the way the cookies are still sitting on the table, I haven't even been tempted). I know I have to eat something so I'm making some "rice" and eggs (made with tvp) and green onions. Hopefully this will do it for me and I can finally lose these last 70 pounds (although now I'm not so sure that I want to lose 70 pounds, at my current weight I can wear a size 12/14 and I'm 5'7, I'm afraid of what I might look like at 175 pounds). I'll just take it 1 pound at a time. I will definetly keep you posted. Until next time.

* Hope this helps someone along their journey:thumbup:

It's been a while, but I'm back.

So, I've often wondered what it would be like (after banding) to be around food that I have always enjoyed, but can no longer eat. I'm not talking about food I choose not to eat, I'm talking about food that i've always loved and would probably eat in moderation if I could.

Well, today was the day. I went to Shakey's to celebrate my nephew's 13th birthday (that should say it all). I was sorrounded by individual pizza's made to order, mojo potatoes and fried chicken (are you serious, don't they know I'm banded, WTF). I brought in with me, a protein shake and SBL tide me over protein water. My mom also bought me a side salad (their salad bar sucks, it's not worth the $3). As they ate and pulled gooey mozzarella from their mouths, I found my self utterly content with not being able to eat this stuff. I knew that 1 small bite of pizza (sausage and mushroom of course) or chicken would have sent me straight to the Laboratory, heving like no tomorrow. As they ate, I sipped and talked, and ate a few bites of salad, and we talked somemore.

I guess I've finally arrived, food no longer holds me prisoner. This is a happy day for me. Pre-band, if I were on a diet and decided I wanted something I knew I shouldn't have, I would just eat it anyway, to hell with the diet. However, true restriction is like no other. There are some mornings when cold water takes a minute to pass. I'm loving it... My dear ol' band is worth it's weight in gold, or diamonds, or rubies, or platinum (am I going on and on), you get the point.

Until next time bandster family

Hope this helps someone along their journey

Size 14! Wow, that must feel and LOOK good! You go girl!! Congrats! -BG

I'm no millionaire, but grabbing hold to your weight issues and actually winning has got to be right up there at the top of the list

Congrats on your accomplishments

Dont say "what's with all the questions' date=' but???

What was your exercise regiment and what proteins did you eat most? What was your highest weight? When were you banded?[/quote']

ask anything you want. Afterall, isn't that what we're here for? I work out for 1 hour, no more, sometimes 45 minutes. 20 minutes of cardio (walking straight uphill on the treadmill) and the rest strength training. I love to cook, so I don't eat anything I don't like. I mainly eat seafood (goes down the best), I switch it up sometimes with ground turkey and make 7 layer dip. This last fill has really done the trick

what kind of excercises are you doing?

I do 20 minutes of cardio (usually treadmill), walking straight uphill at 3.0, the rest of the hour I do strength training (light weights with more repitition)

have whatever you like! It's your party.... Congrats~ can't wait to join you

make sure you get som type of gas-x or liquid gas drops for children, plenty of liquids (water, crystal light, protein drinks, jello). You'll be fine after surgery. My surgery was on a Monday and I was in Palm Springs by Friday

thank yall so much

the exercise thing is definetly working. I am shrinking like crazy. I seem to be getting smaller daily. I can see it in my fingers, toes, wrists, face, and yes even the rolls ony my back are disappearing. Why couldn't I have learned this lesson a year ago when I was first banded (think I did, but fell off the wagon big time with the cookies)...

Whatever it is, I'm not going to stop. I feel fabulous. Over the weekend I went to the Avenue to get a new birthday outfit, yall I cried in the dressing room, I have never , ever, never, ever, ever worn a size 14 (not that I can remember). I think I was born a 20. It took me a minute to get myself together... So after I cried all over the outfit I was going to buy, I hurried up and exchanged it for something that was dry on the rack (I know, I know, I'm going to hell for that), but who wants wet clothes....

Enough ranting, until next time my bandster family..

Hope this helps someone else along their journey

Hello bandster family,

Today I was reading online about how to lose belly fat. Of course I know that you can't just target one particular area for weight loss. I just wanted to know if there was something else I should be doing. Although I'm shrinking at a steady base every where else, this belly seems to be pretty stubborn. What I found was that although cardio is good for you, it isn't the best if you're trying to shrink (like all of us are). The article said that more strength training and only about 20 minutes of cardio is more beneficial (try switching things up a bit) and don't repeat the same cardio exercise for too long. For instance, if the treadmill is your bff, try switching to the starimaster or eliptical (or vice versa).

I was on this serious cardio kick, doing 45 minutes walking at an incline of 14 and a speed of 3.0 on the treadmill. I'm still not seeing the kind of results that I am expecting. So today when I went to the gym, I decided to switch things up. I only did 15 minutes on the treadmill and strength training for the remaining 45. I'm going to try this routine for a while and see what happens. Per the article strength training is more beneficial because the results of the calories you burn last longer (you should still be burning calories for 2-3 days after the workout).

You know I'll keep you posted. Until next time.

**hope this helps someone along thier journey**

It's me again

So, I'm the bandster who loves pasta (I never have to have the other bad carbs), but pasta I can't live without. Prior to being banded when I found out I was diabetic, I switched to whole wheat pasta and would only have it every blue moon. Since being banded, I gave it up altogether, until I found the shiritaki noodles and these other (chinese style glass noodles) at whole foods. They have about 2 carbs for the per serving (about 2 servings per bag), you can't beat it. Are they real pasta, no, but who cares, they sure cure my craving. I've made stir-frys, spaghetti, fettucinni, you name it. As a matter of fact, I have to get off of here to finish making my shrimp stir-fry,

(hope this helps someone else along their journey)

Hey bandster family,

Time for my morning rant session. Like I said last week , I had a fill on Thursday (it's going pretty well). This band is definetly a tool, as you can tell by reading some of the success stories, some of us get the hang of it alot sooner than others. I've realized that some of the things I could eat last week with ease, don't work now that I've had this last fill. I had to learn the hard way that chicken (no matter how it's cooked) is not my friend. I had 1 drumstick from el pollo loco yesterday (1 lousy drumstick), didn't even eat the whole thing, and it was a wrap. Chest started getting tight...... and well yall know the rest. It's crazy, I've been pretty good about staying away from chicken, but for some reason, yesterday I just had to have it.

So, I went to the grocery store last night, and stocked up on some of the old faithfuls, like shrimp, fish and tuna, and yes I did buy some chicken (can you say gluten for punishment), I plan on making chicken salad by boiling the chicken then putting it in the food processor (that's the only way it goes down and stays ..

Well until later my bandster family,

(hope this helps someone along their journey)

I have set similar goals for myself. I also have the hip hop party, it's a good work out. I use it on the days I don't go to the gym. I work out 6 days a week

congrats. Isn't it funny how these little victories make us so proud. If only the rest of the world had a clue

You can do this, the surgery is a piece of cake. There is nothing to worry about. Don't give a second thought to the haters trying to discourage you. Who says you're going to be sick for the rest of your life? Clearly that's someone who didn't have the surgery. The thing about most people is that they are used to seeing you in a certain way (fat), they don't want to have to get used to the idea of the new you. Do what's best for you and your health. This is for you, this is for you, this is for you, this is for you (did I say it enough times ...Shake the haters off. I've found that if people didn't have something negative to say about my weight, there was nothing else for them to complain about

good for you. This is all trial and error for all of us

I think we've all been where you are. I love my sweets too! Dust yourself off and start again. Sounds like you're getting back on track!

It took me a minute to figure out that you can't continue to eat some of the things you know you shouldn't eat (rather banded or not), but I've got it know

I need to make that same committment (only weighing at the doctor) I am not kidding, i weigh 3-5 times a day. it is insane.How do you handle the hundreds of people who ask you a week how much you have lost over and over and over?

I just tell them it's a work in progress. Most people that ask have a weight problem themselves (so they seem to understand), the only difference is, we've made a choice to do something about it and they haven't

Hello family,

So, went and got a fill yesterday afternoon, .6cc's. Hopefully this does the trick. I was avoiding go to the Dr., because I knew I had put back on a few pounds since December. Well, officially, I had re-gained 10 pounds. I was sooooooooooo embarrassed. I told the Dr., that I have realized the error of my ways. I was still eating dessert (finding a way to eat around the band). Stay away from cookies people, they go down extremely easy, they also pack on the pounds just as easy.

Now, let's start with the drama. I work in Los Angeles, and the DR's office is in Westwood (not too far away, maybe 15 miles). My appt was at 3:45, so I left work at 2:45 (figuring I would get there early and they would see me early). I took short cuts, went around a few freeways until I finally got to the 405, trying to avoid the mid day traffic...Why in the hell did it take me 50 minutes to go 15 miles.. This is ridiculous. I told him to never, ever, never, ever set another appt for this time of the day. I hate being late or rushing, and yesterday, I was both... Woosa! Now that I've gotten that out of the way

With that said, I am on my way for good, to the green spot. I set up my next appt for August 7, 2009. I am anxious to see what my results are going to be like. I have promised myself that I am not going to weigh myself until I go back. I want to be surprised, besides we all know you lose inches before pounds anyway. I'm definitely on the right track. My clothes are a little bit looser..

Check back with you in a couple of days, my bandster family

*Hope this helps someone along their journey*

thank god for LBT,someone else is always here to feel your pain and truely understand where you're coming from

I can eat them, but I choose not to. I'm staying away from anything with too many carbs. When I did have some, I found that a very small (I mean very small) amount filled me up

Sure thing... For the low-carb Lemon Cheesecake

2 packages of cream cheese (low fat, less carbs)

2 eggs

sugar substitute (the amt depends on how sweet you like it, I find that the sugar substitute tends to have an after taste once heated, so I use about 1/2 cup and add more lemon)

vanilla extract

juice of 2 lemons and the zest (I like it tart)

almond flour

cinnamon

nutmeg

2 tbl spoons butter

For the topping

lf sour cream (1/2 cup)

sugar substitute

lemon juice

heat the oven to 350.. melt butter, mix with 1/2 cup almond flour, 2 tbl spoons sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg. press in the bottom on a pie pan and bake for 10 minutes.

beat the room temp cream cheese with the sugar (first), then add the ramaining ingredietnts (be sure to taste it before you bake it), you may want more sugar, more lemon, etcccc... bake for 1 hr. when done, mix the sour cream, sugar, lemon, pour over the cheesecake and bake for another 10 minutes.... refrigerate and chill

each serving has about 4-5 carbs

ok, so I go to the gym last night (as I do every evening), and my work out clothes are really loose. It's working again, I've been staying away from the sugar and eating the way I know I'm supposed to. When I want dessert (which is almost everyday), I keep what I know I can have on hand. For instance I make this killer low-carb lemon cheesecake, this is great, I can have my "healthier" version of dessert and not feel like I'm depriving myself of anything.

This band thing is tricky, but I think I've gotten the hang of it. Go for my 4th fill on Thursday (OMG), liquids for 2 days, definetly not looking forward to that part. Although, I have come some really good recipes to have on the liquid stage, it's not that they taste bad, but I guess the mind is use to chewing. Last time I made this awesome Ham and Cheese soup, can you say "Yum-o" (okay, I know I've been watching too much Rachel Ray)..

Until later, my bandster family

(hope this helps someone along their journey)

Hi, mechelle

what are you eating, and are you getting any exercise and drinking enough water. You shouldn't be feeling hungry. I kept plenty of crystal light during my liquid stage, also try south beach living protein water... it tastse great and it keeps the hunger pains at bay

Ok, so I decided to start blogging this incredible journey. I was banded July 28, 2008 (my birthday present to myself). I started off so motivated and quickly (within 4-5 months) dropped 40 pounds. Then it happened, christmas. I am a caterer (on the side, I work for Child support services by day), I love to cook, we started having cookie exchanges at work. Yes, I participated. I was fooling myself into thinking that as long as I made good food choices and kept going to the gym, then I could also have dessetrt! Crazy, yeah I know. So long story short, that's what I was doing, eating right during my meals, but still having dessert EVERYDAY.

Needless to say my weight loss came to a halt, at my own hands. I see why they make you see a therapist.

Thankfully, I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost any. Now, I'm back on the right track. I have done away with all those sugary desserts. I'm down 8 pounds and feeling great..

Hope this helps someone on their journey