TexasFire

One of the things mentioned at my pre-surgery seminar was that my surgeon won't do unfills for vacations or special events.

I think this is probably a good thing for me. I attend a number of events, then there are vacations and, of course, the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's holiday season. Mother's Day . . . Easter . . . Presidents Day ... Arbor Day . . . and the list goes on :thumbup:

Yes, well good judgement has to come into play here, you know! LOL The holiday season? Presidents Day? Me thinks you jest at this point.

I don't go on big vacations but once or twice a year, and not all would prompt me to unfill. Vegas would definitely have me unfilling! I love Vegas and go every year. A week at the lake? No...no unfill for that...but Vegas? Oh yeah, baby!

I havent thought about getting unfilled for fun??? Interesting, will ponder this: ) Im getting first fill on 4/22 and since Im self pay my husband may "shoot" if i even mention this. Is this the secret to having the best of both worlds?

So let me see if this is correct: Get fills, lose weight, unfill for holiday, refill, continue weight loss....

This sounds too good to be true! Sounds like heaven but is it very expensive w/fills and unfills?

patches:)

That is one way of looking at it...the best of both worlds. I self-pay for fills now since we changed insurance recently, but that wouldn't stop me. My doc charges $150 for a fill and nothing for an unfill. That is expensive for some, and not for others...that's a personal decision there. I think the temporary freedom is awesome in a situation like a big vacation. To me, that would add SO MUCH to the enjoyment of the trip. Others think it's nuts, so what can I say? If you read my posting history, I think you would be hard-pressed to find someone more positive, more dedicated to her own and others' band success, more dedicated to eating clean and exercising. So my decision to unfill would certainly not be made out of weakness...I am not weak. It would be made to HAVE FUN! :thumbup:

I can answer that one, if I may? To not be hampered with the every-day routine of monitoring portion size, bite size, chewing, not eating what you dang well want to! LOL

When she goes on vacation, she wants to TRULY be on vacation, and I don't blame her a bit! It won't undo much in a weeks time, or however long she will be there. Especially considering the joy and relaxation she will experience by taking a vacation from her band as well.

I was completely unfilled last month, as well. Even though it took many fills to get to where I was, it should only take two fills to get that level back. I had one of those fills today. I likely will never get the rest put back in. During the month of being completely unfilled, I actually still lost. Only two pounds, but still a loss.

There are several bandsters on here who got unfilled when they reached goal, and have maintained very well. Vacation is a great time and reason to get unfilled to me, but its obviously not everyone's ideal.

Yeah, I know...I know...this is truly a lifestyle for me, as y'all have figured out. Carb cycling really is simple once you wrap your head around the concept! LOL

I'm so psyched! I just joined Lifetime Fitness tonight! What an amazing facility! I can't wait to get started over there!

Boy, I had the same problem last November when hubby and I were there for ten days! All I can say is planes are no problem as I had heard altitude changes might affect your band. food is another story! There are tons of restaraunts in the casinos, not just the buffets...so if you just order from the menu, you should be fine. I was having real restriction issues at the time, too...being way too tight. But I kept bananas and Protein bars in our room for the mornings and avoided regular Breakfast altogether. Once afternoon hit, I could eat slowly. Do just like at home...take your time...think ahead if you can...but always eat sensibly. It can be done!

By the way...have a BLAST! We did! We are going back in October this year, too! Go see "The Rat Pack Is Back!" (Greek Isles Casino, I think...) We saw tons of shows while we were there, and this was the BEST!

Oh, I know, right?!?!? The tuna has FINALLY gone through, thank dog! It's Soup for me for the rest of the day. But hey, I can tell I've got some restriction back, and it doesn't seem to be too much, so that's good.

I LEARNED NOTHING.

Just took a big ol bite of tuna, completely forgetting that I got refilled today. What the hell is WRONG with me?!?!? It HURTS!

Can you only wear Old Navy? I can go up there, but man... Haha. I'm whining. :cry_smile:

Congrats on the healing and the filling, and the LOSING!!!! Yay!!

I wear an 11 in mens, 12 in womens shoes. I have massive feet. I'm 5'10" as well... but HUGE and WIDE feet run in my family. Sooo annoying!

I was hoping that with weightloss my feet would shrink up some... but no such luck so far!!

Oh no! Sorry, didn't mean to send you shopping! No, I have another favorite pair that are clear plastic with big clear crystal flowers, and the plastic is hard as hell, which KILLS my feet! I just put some moleskin on the between-the-toes thingy and I'm good to go! Whatever you are using is fine.

Thanks on the congrats on my tummy being okay!

Yeah, my daughter is the only "shortcake" in my family...she's 5'5" and she can wear a size 10, sometimes an 11, too!

Just got back from the docs a bit ago. Pouch is healed, band corrected itself and they put 3.2 CC's back in.

AND...I lost two pounds to boot! So I am in good shape!

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CARB CYCLING - I should have specified. To say that carb cycling is great for losing weight is not technically accurate. It is for losing FAT. Here is a couple links that are quite lengthy, but detail it well (note the Protein recommendations...it will freak some of you out...again):

PART ONE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! CARBOHYDRATE CYCLING

Bodybuilding.com - Twin Peak - Carbohydrate Cycling: What You Need To Know!

PART TWO: CYCLE MANIPULATION

Bodybuilding.com - Twin Peak - Carbohydrate Cycling Part Two: Cycle Manipulation!

Google "carb cycling" and you will find much info on this. Yes, it is almost ALWAYS put out there by one bodybuilding forum or another, but it is not just for body builders. Losing fat is what we all need. If I have to choose between my scale weight being low or my body fat percentage being low, I'll take body fat percentage every time. That is what determines true health. (Ever heard of the fat skinny person? It's a real thing!) This is also what will get you into smaller sizes without necessarily losing scale weight, because pound for pound, muscle takes up much less physical space than fat.

So at any rate, carb cycling is what will give you that toned appearance from your workouts. It will make you look healthier, feel healthier...BE healthier.

Yeah, I know, girlfriend...you know I gotta give a hard time!

Size 10...I was wondering if anyone was going to comment on that! :hurray:

I am 5'10"...with long-ass legs (36" inseam) and big feet! :cry_smile:

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BTW...I can't believe I forgot to post this. Got back from the docs a bit ago. Pouch is healed, band corrected itself and they put 3.2 CC's back in.

AND...I lost two pounds to boot! So I am in good shape!

Yeah,

I could care less about the actual convention info. I mean it would be cool, but you KNOW we'd all have to go just so we could meet.

Ohio and Michigan would represent I'm sure. Carol, Stacy, am I right?

How about Indiana? Traci???

Do we have Idaho on board? D???

Suzzzie, I know you're planning on being out of the country...balls to that is all I got to say.

I'll call JC if we have a good contingent and get him there too.

Now, that's a party.

You didn't ask me? :cry_smile: <sniff> (LOL...JK)

Hey, Suze...I effing LIVE in Old Navy flip flops! Especially since they are always putting them on for 2 for $5! They are the only ones that don't hurt between my toes. I hate wearing shoes at all, but I gotta wear 'em. I'd like three pair in size 10...pink, turquoise, and surprise me on the third! Do you have a PayPal account I can pay you on?

Hey, sweet...if it aint broke, dont fix it! I was just trying to answer the question you posted, but it seems you figured it out already! Good deal!

Just remember to change things up a bit every 4 to 6 weeks or your body will acclimate.

Ceradad...I would love to get my hands on a copy of your regimen, if you don't mind? Sounds like an awesome switch for me to keep from letting my body aclimate to my workouts.

Just had to say that I love, love, LOVE me some Jill Scott!! And that song is spot on! You just gotta do your thing, and let the haters say what they will. Success will be your ultimate satisfaction!

I agree 100%! How boring would life be if everyone agreed with us all the time anyhow?!?!? And I love me some Jill Scott, too!

BTW...haven't heard/seen the term "NoVA" in many a year! Not since leaving Richmond, that is. Miss the beauty of NoVA, too...not much stays green in summer here in Texas! :tongue2:

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And good luck with getting your date very soon, HF!

HA I was wondering the same thing! :biggrin2: That's okay...I've been called worse things than a "FOOF"! LOL

I eat a lot more than the average bandster because of all my exercise. But the principle is the same...net calories. And always underestimate your calories burned from exercise. Many times, on my long ride days, I end up way in the negative on calories. It would take a whole lot less than 1100 calories to get me into starvation mode, though...and over an extended period of time, too. I "think" I would go into starvation mode if I maintained 600 or less calories per day for more than three weeks or so. That never happens any more though...not when just one of my Protein Bars is 400 calories! LOL

Bottom line is that no one can quote a number and have it ever be correct for anyone else. (And any doc or nut that says otherwise is lying!) Every person will respond differently due to current (excess) weight and activity level, how often you change up your workouts, how often you change up your diet, so many things. That is why I believe the best way to lose weight is to carb cycle. It will always keep your body guessing! It takes a little experimentation to find your optimal levels, though.

Crap! This will be true here soon enough...

J, see? You ARE cute! I can't tell if that is a shadow or if you are wearing pigtails! Pigtails are or would be too precious on you!

Count me in from Ft. Worth! Cher, are you familiar with Dr. Barzune's annual show? (Dallas doc) He did my sisters bypass a few years ago, and she was part of his fashion show (televised and all!) her first year. It was a lot of fun! They had a slide show going on at the back of the stage showing before pics, then the transformed person would walk the stage! It was amazing! I would love to see personal trainers there, nutritionists who don't "cookie cutter" their advice (all bandsters are not equal), and the like. It might be kind of cool to have body fat testing, too. (The BOD POD - Medgadget - www.medgadget.com ) Body fat percentage is MUCH better than the scale to determine success. I look forward to seeing how this event rounds out! Let me know if you need local help, too.

Hmmm...that took me to a page to create an account? When I make the shake now, it is 319 calories (150 for the Protein and 169 for the peanut butter) and gives me 37 grams of protein. Sometimes I add one more scoop of the protein powder in the same 8 oz. of Water to give me 394 calories (225 for the protein this time) and 51 grams of protein.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUZZ! I hope you get some answers at the doc.

Oh she got answers, all right! She just texted me a pic of her Cold Stone Creamery ice cream sitting on the counter! Meanie!

JM! :biggrin2:

GIRLFRIEND! :biggrin:

I MISSED YOU!

When is/was(?) the wedding?

J - You ARE cute, chica! And we love you, so don't talk like that! We still want to see those pics, you know.

Mother's Day? HMPH! Mine sucked. My kids didn't remember and tell me Happy Mother's Day until last night. My family is VERY goofy about holidays and birthdays and we always get together. This was the first one EVER that we didn't. My kids are too old to remind them...if they don't care enough to think of others and know what day it is....I'm just saying.

So when 3pm rolled around without a peep, I decided I would not waste the rest of my day. I went to Garden Ridge and got new deck furniture and a big offset umbrella so I can start laying out...I'm in desperate need of a tan. I also went to Lowe's for new landscaping for my back yard. I am completely ripping out and redoing the beds along the back of the house. So I removed all the decorative rock and dug up the tired old shrubs. My house was built in 1999, and I don't understand how these shrubs look so bad, but they do. I got pretty new Boxwoods, dwarf Fire Nandinas and a white Crepe Myrtle to plant there...it will be so pretty when I get done! Lowe's also had enormous Boston Ferns on sale, so I got a bunch of those to hang in front and back.

So my day ended on a good note, anyhow! :biggrin:

Ok all you site experts!! how do I get my picture on the side where you all have yours, and not at my signature? that pic was taken on 4/21/88 with my grandson!!

On the right, click on "User CP"

On the left, click on "Edit Profile Picture"