Tova

I feel alot more positive today. You are a definite inspiration. Keep up the good work. I am trying to stay focused, that is the only thing that works for me - accountability!!!! Thanks tova:smile:

It was gret seeing everyone at the meeting tonight. I was really feeling down, had a big unfill and now a slight refill, am having a hard time feeling "restriction" and have not been totally with the program. I hope seeing and hearing from everyone will help me refocus again. I have gotten this far and really want to see the success all the way. Tova:thumbup:

At this point positive thoughts are very important. There is one main goal in having surgery - YOU!!! Your health and the way you feel about yourself are very improtant factors to keep in mind. All the rest will fall into place. Speaking for myself, this is the best thing I have ever done fro myself and I haven't felt this good or had this much energy or looked this great in 20 years!!! Definitely an important factor for me to keep in mind since the last few months have not been as smooth sailing as before. But there is not one regret in my mind Good luck to you and yes come to our support meeting, we will all be able to help you together Tova

I hope you are feeling better. It seems that this must be a very hard time of year for good weight loss. I needed a big unfil - 2cc - 2 weeks ago. I was throwing up a whole Shabbos, so I went to the emergency roo on Sunday after speaking to my doctor. I have gained some weight, but I am trying to stay very positive and holding on to my Monday afternoon appointment as my savior. I need to feel restriction again and get back on track - my goal feels so close already!!! Tova

Without putting salt on any wounds, I am glad that I am in such good company. After my unfill 2weeks ago, I have gained 7 pounds, I am getting a little bit upset, but I am not letting it depress me since than I will go on a major binge ataack which I am very capable of doing. I am trying to hang in there until Monday afternoon for my next fill. I really miss having restriction!!! Tova

Thanks for your good wishes. I feel much better today, surprise, I can eat almost anything zero restriction, which is getting me nervous, I dont want to loose my momentum. I really hope that I can at least get bacck 1cc. I have an appointment for December 9. I am going to work hard on getting to the gym and keeping myself focused. I need all the encouragement, so thanks again tova

HI RDK _ First of all my sheitel - I wear long and layered something I didnt do years ago when my sheitel had to be 80's perfect and sprayed!!! My sisters who are 8 and 16 years younger than me wear the same style, so I guess I dont look too senior. As a matter of fact I havent looked this young in years!!!! That being said, thanks for the encouragement, maybe when I buy my next sheitel. Secondly, I go to a gym and pay a trainer there, who works with me once a month where she changes my routine. It is actually the best investment I have ever made, besides my gym membership. If I would have to exercise at home it would never happen, since when I get home from work I am soooo busy BH. Thirdly, I dont eat bread as when I do it gets stuck or doesnt allow me to eat anything else - Protein. Last, I had a difficult weekend, I vomited 4 times over Shabbos and went to the emergency room on Sunday morning after speaking to my doctor. they took out 2cc, which leaves me now with 6cc. I went back to the doctor today and he said that in 2 weeks he will give me a small fill. At this point it is up to me to make sure that I dont over eat and that I at least keep my weight within a few pounds, since I definitely dont feel any restriction. I guess we all have our ups and downs, but the most important thing is to be more on the ups than on the downs. I am sure you will loose the weight you gained fast once everything with your mother setlles down and you are back to a "normal" routine Tova

Well, I guess I just couldn't wait. Ended up in the emrgency room Sunday morning after vomiting 5 times on Saturday. I took them a little bit of poking to get to the port and they took out 2cc!! I now have 6cc in my band. I feel like I will need alot of self control since I have ZERO restriction. I went to the doctor this afternoon and he said everything looks good and to come back in two weeks for a small fill. I really hopes he gives me back at least one cc!!!! I have been doing so well I really dont want to fall. I will keep you posted Tova

I agree, it was great seeing you all again at the meeting. Sorry I had to run off, but my daughter and I were on our way to an art class that we take together and she was getting nervous that we were going to be late!!! Meetings are a great way to remind me that I am not alone and that this tool really works!!!! I think I am going back to the doctor on Tuesday for a slight unfill-not throwing up, but feel that I can hardly eat and that tight feeling is very annoying. I will keep you posted. Tova

Even tough I weigh myself every morning, I know it is not a good idea, since your weight is constantly fluctuating. It also takes time for you and your body to get used to this new way of eating and every person is different in how many fills they need. I have had fills and unfills due to tightness. I just had a fill last Monday and feel great to have reall restriction again. Before this last fill I felt like and did eat almost everything. this fill has put me back on track -- bringing with it another loss spurt!! Just keep on doing what you ar being taught and I am sure you will see great results. Tova:thumbup:

Before I had surgery I was afraid to expect too much. I really count my success by every 0 that my weight goes down to. I was a the nutritionist today and a new 0 came up!!! I am officially down 80 pounds. (I got a fill on Monday) In my life I never dreamed of beong ithis low, I am actually pinching myself!!! Set for yourself mini goals. The best thing I did was keep a big box in my bedroom and every time I put on something that looked "frumpy" on me it went into the box. Boy, did I give away alot - quite a few boxes!!! As for exercise, I go to an all women's gym and wear leggings and a short sleeve t-shirt. I need to feel comfortable and be able to move around without restriction. I actually would love to get together with some frum bandsters. Maybe in the summer when I am more flexible we could work something out. Tova

First of all, I think you have to realize that you didnt gain this weight overnight and so you will not loose it overnight. That being said, alot of baby steps added together becomes some very large steps. I believe that a slow steady pace is healthier and more successful long term. I loose weight in spurts. 1/2 a pound or nothing one or two weeks and then 5 pounds the next. The bottom line is a healthy weight loss per month. I used to exercise 5 days a week, but my schedule now does not allow it. I workout twice a week now and meet a trainer once a month - she gives me weights to do until the next time we meet. This is al money well spent!!! It's funny that you mention changing the style of your sheitel, I was thinking about it, even though I love the way mine looks on me now - it looks better than it did before I lost all this weight!!! I am a little conservative and hate change. I guess when you start reaching "senior" ages you fall into a rut and dont want to change what isnt broken!!! At this point wahtever I loose is great, I am very happy the way I am now, but want to loose another 10-20 pounds as a buffer. Yes, I know my hips!!! I am 5-4 and havent weighed this little since being pregnat with my first 19 years ago!!! I have to keep on pinching myself. Keep up the good work - you sound like you are doing great Tova

RDK and abrenner - we seem to have started our weight loss journey at approximately the same point. That being said I had surgery 18 months ago. I have lost around 5 pounds a month, which to me is fantastic and my doctor is thrilled. You seem to be going in the same direction, just remember to add exercise and weight training (I do that twice a week) it helps you firm up as you lose, so you dont look that flabby. I started out in a size 20. It startles me every morning to see myself in a 8/10. Just stay focused and you will soon be there.

I used to drink Myoplex, but found it too thin of a texture. I do my shopping in BJ. My husband is an out of town Rav, so between congregants and family that is always coming my house has revolving doors!! My guests dont say anything to me about my eating habits, and "no news is good news" - I just dont make a fuss and always get up and serve or do alot of talking!!! I dont believe in unfills before Yom Tov or simchas. I discussed it with my doctor after I read an article in a Jewish paper about it and he asked me what I felt and I said that I definitely do not agree with this - I feel that it defeats the purpose of learning new eating styles. I started out with a size 20 and am now an 8/10. It's great shopping in normal stores and looking good in my clothing. Another great thing is being able to share clothing with my sisters and sister in laws Keep up the good work, this is soooo rewarding Tova

yes, I agree it's a co-pay. When at first I got them I didn't know why, but I callthem and usually get through right away. TOVA

As far as Protein drinks - I usually keep Cholov Yisroel, but our Rav said that for this I dont have to keep Cholov Yisroel, so I drink slim-fast chocolate every morning, and sometimes have for a snack Protein Bars. On Shabbos and Yom Tov I drink a shiur of grape juice instead of Challoh, approved by my Rav. This has definitely helped me alot. Besides my husband and children no one knows that I had surgery and I do host alot. They just think that it is one of my "meshugasim"!!! I dont want to think about Pesach - I had a very hard time last year. the hand matzo were impossible to digest - my husband mentioned it recently what should we do this year, but I really dont want to discuss it yet!!! Its great meeting frum people who have the same questions as me - this is the best thing that has happened to me!!! TOVA:thumbup:

I would love to talk to othr Orthodox bandsters. I had surgery over a year ago. by the way, being Orthodox helps woth not eating bread or challoh - DONT WASH - it really helped me over Rosh Hashana and Succos. I used to love Challoh and honey!!! Tova

I am looking forward to seeing you both at the Brigham on the 18th. Tova

I so wanted to come to the support meeting last night, and was looking forward to seeing you all, but my sons are home from school and every second with them is so special. I am looking forward to seeing you all at the meeting in November. Tova:wub:

I go to support meetings at the Brigham, which is the third Tuesday of every month. I am quite religious about it and in the last year and a half have missed twice, due to family obligations. Going to meetings helps me keep focused and the questions and discussions answer alot of my questions. I was told that people who go to meetings have a better success rate. Tova

HI I had a few skirts altered and really wasn't happy the way they layed on me afterwards. I wore them since I didnt want to buy new ones, but I am not sure how much they were worth it when you realize how much good alterations cost. Great for you - that you went down a size!!! Tova:thumbup:

I think that your body goes through a loss spurt and then it plateaus. Have you had a big loss in the last few months? If so then your body is readjusting to itself and if you keep on the program you will soon see a loss. It can definitley be depressing at times, especially when you feel that you are being good!!! I am sure it will soon show Tova:thumbup:

By the time I finished my liquid phase, I thought my jaws forgot how to chew. Just remember this is only temporary!!! It is worth the struggle. It gives you a very good head start. :tongue: Tova

I find that I loose weight in spurts. Otherwise I stay within 3 pounds. With all this I have lost around 5-6 pounds every month since surgery, so no complaining. This past week was hard since we celebrated the Jewish New Year. Alot of company - alot of food. I must say I was really proud of myself - only had one very small episode, otherwise I "nibbled" my portions. Tova

I had surgery right before Tisha B'Av, last summer. That was one of my best fasts ever. Yom Kippur last year was amazing. I think that learning to eat less carbs and more protein was a great factor in helping me fast. Also I now am very diligent in my drinking, which also helped. I am sure that you will be fine and get through the day well. Shana Tova Tova:smile: