Wanttolose

Does anyone know of a support group in the the High Desert area of California? Anything in San Bernardino county??

I'm in the same boat! I was banded about 1 year ago and have done pretty good until recently. I have found myself slipping back into my old bad habits. I had knee surgery about 2 weeks ago and what else is there to do but snack? I got an the scale and found 11 extra pounds. We just have to take back control and remember that we had surgery and if we don't succeed then it was a waste. Today I started logging all of my food and drinks in a diary and starting some weight lifting and will start walking as my knee permits. Nothin' to it, but to do it!!

Sure I wrestled with the same thoughts and questions that you are. I went to Weight Watchers and Nutri System and lost the weight, but I ALWAYS gained it all back and then some. Losing weight is the easy part. Keeping it off is much harder. With the band if I go off track or screw up or whatever it isn't near as bad, meaning I just can't eat as much. So I eat a piece of pie that I don't really need and not the whole pie. There are times when I want to eat alot but can't, and thats a good thing. What I am saying is it's a life style change and you can't just give up like you can on regular diets. This band works, but you have to work with it. It won't do it all for you, it still requires effort on your part. I still think this is the second best decision I have ever made, the first is marrying my wife 30 years ago! It's normal to have second thoughts, but it sure is nice to go into a meeting and not be the fattest guy in the room! I love it at work when people say "hey skinny"!

My wife and I go in together for our fills. She's tough and gets no numbing meds. I'm a whimp and get numbed evey time!

Black olives HATE me, they just wont go down. The ground beef in tacos sometimes get stuck.

I did something like that. I told my doctor and he laughed and said "It's not a crime, be carfeful". Don't worry but try to stick to the guidelines.

I find that I have to exercise more to lose weight. The weight is still comming off, but I guess I have to earn it. After surgery the pounds seemed to come off on their own. I may have a slow period of weight loss because I go in for knee surgery in 2 weeks.

I'm down just about 64 pounds since surgery. Still happy with my results. I find that I have to work harder now to lose weight. I guess the free ride is over and the work begins!

Are you getting enough exercise? I only lose when I exercise.

I have been banded since April of this year. It was the best thing I have done. I was always hungry, always. Now I don't get hungry near as much,and when I do I am satisfied with just a few bites. I actually get tired of people always wanting to go and eat. Meetings at work are always centered around food. I normally have a small snack or only have a drink. I notice people looking at what I am having and are amazed at how little I want. At work I told a couple of people about my surgery, so in other words everyone knows. I am lucky in that everyone at work has been supportive. I haven't heard a single negative comment! Good luck to you and don't worry about hunger.

For me exercize is the key. When I don't exercize I seem to maintain or lose very slowly, but when I do exercize the weight drops off much quicker. I consider myself a sucessful bandster because I have lost 62 pounds so far and am still losing. I need to start lifting weights again. I haven't lifted since my surgery. I was always one of the strongest (and fattest) in the gym. Now my arms are really getting small, but at least I'm not one of the heaviest any longer. Time to lift and build muscle. It takes more calories to maintain muscle, even when resting.

HI. My wife and I both were banded by Dr.Nazarian. We both love him! We were banded the end of April of this year at San Dimas Medical Center. We have had 4 fills and are pretty much at our sweet spots I think. I have lost about 62 pounds and my wife 40. I don't know if you have had you surgery yet but wish you guys all the luck! Feel free to ask me any questions.

I wad banded in April of 2009. I am down 58 pounds. I have had 3 fills.

I had a good day today! B- 3oz turkey breast 114.9 calories s - 40 grapes 140 calories 12 oz OJ 168 calories L - 3oz turkey breast 114.9 calories Yogurt 80 calories s - 1/4 cup cheese 57.1 calories D - chicken breast 234 calories Green salad 66.3 calories Total calories = 975.2 Exercize - burned 793.0 calories Todays total = 182 calories

Well I finally made it into the 250's. This was the first goal that I have been hoping to reach. I now weigh in at 258.6. I started out at 298, made it through the 290's, then the 280's, 270's, 260's and have arrived in the 250's! It feels great! People really seem to notice now and make comments. I have noticed that my energy levels have soared. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor the end of this month and can't wait. I haven't seen him since my surgery. In the past he would always say "so what are we going to do about your weight" , and I would say "I'm gonna get a fatter doctor"! I can't wait to get down to my goal weight and then look him in the eye and say " so what are we going to do about YOUR WEIGHT"!

B - Scrambled eggs Snack - grape juice L - 4oz turkey breast D - 3oz turkey/lettuce Snack -Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich:unsure:

I missed last weeks weigh in, so this is for 2 weeks. I went from 267 down to 259.6. That's 7.4 pounds. Yea!!:tongue_smilie:

It just shows how people love to talk even when they have know idea what they are talking about! I met one lady who had bypass surgery and didn't want the band because she didn't want to have the adjusting dial hanging out of her stomach!! People need to get informed or just stay quiet. This just goes to show that we need to ask our doctor not the over talkative know-it-alls.

Well, just got off the scale. Down 1 pound to 267. That's 32 pounds so far! Feels great!

HI! Are there any husband and wife teams out there? I was banded with the Realize band on April 26, 2009 and am down 22 pounds as of this morning. My wife also was banded on April 19,2009 ,also with the Realize band, and is down 13 pounds and lots of inches! We go in together on May 31 for our first fills. It is great to have the support in our eating and exercising.

Hi Ed! My wife and I were banded 1 week apart. Best thing we ever did. I was really scared about surgery, it was my first. Surgery was a piece of cake, over real fast. Buy lots of flavors of Protein drinks, we prefer Syntrax nectar, they have lots of flavors but you just have to see what you like. Check your doctors post op food list and buy lots of stuff before surgery. Get everything you can in advance so that your post op energy is spent on recovering. Don't be a bonehead like me and try to over do things! Pay attention to peoples success stories, and be encouraged. We both took off from work 1 week. Good luck to both of you! You both will do great!

I lost 3.6 this week. Almost 1/3 of the way to goal.

I got my first fill yesterday, 4cc. The doctor had me drink water as he filled me. At about 5cc I couldn't swallow, he then withdrew 1 cc and that was it. No pain! My next fill is in 2 months.

Well I am down 1.4 pounds! My first fill is Next week.

HI. I took one week off before returning to work. I had no problems.