LapBandit

I think your goal is possible. So, it would mean you'd need to lose around 37 lbs by the end of March...I think you can do it! I also loved your story about the cakes. I did the same last night. I had my last "splurges" before midnight then when the new year hit that was the end of it! You'll be in Twoterville before you know it, and we'll all be here cheering you on!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! I have resolved to lose 100 pounds this year. If I can accomplish this goal then I will be at my goal weight!!! I did the math and found that losing 100 pounds in one year will mean 8.5 lbs every month. I gained way more over the holidays than I expected. I am up 9 lbs from my last doctor's appointment in the middle of December. But, I am determined to get back on track. The new year means a clean slate...a new year to make better choices. I don't know if it's a healthy idea or not, but...I feel gross. I've eaten so much junk food and messed up so badly that I am doing liquids for a day or two. It's almost as though I feel I need a "detox" or something. So, this is my plan to get past all the mistakes of the past month. Hopefully, my plan works and I get back into the flow of things. It's crazy, eating poorly really has made me feel badly. I have headaches again, I'm tired and lazy and just generally don't feel as well as I did when I was eating healthy. The biggest lesson I need to learn from this past month is...it's not worth it to "go off the wagon". It's OK to splurge and have a yummy dinner once in a while or a small cheat now and again but...slipping back into old habits is alot easier than I ever imagined. The weight comes pouring back on and you end up feeling gross. It's not worth it. Stay the course and use splurging as a special treat and not an everyday occurrence. OK...sorry! I needed to get that out in the open and off my chest. It's a fresh year...new start. Next Holiday Season I'll do better!

Congratulations Lapbandster! Welcome to Twoterville! You're success has been great. It doesn't matter how fast we lose it, as long as it's coming off!! Besides, everyone seems to go in spurts when it comes off quickly then slows WAY down for awhile. You might end up sprinting ahead of the pack soon! Candy, I am so sorry about your sister's health problems. I can't imagine what I'd do if something like this was happening to my sister. I'm sure it's scary and frustrating all at the same time. I wish there was something I could do to help. I hope everything works out. Please let us know how things are going for you and your family.

Libra, I am so jealous...you lost over the holidays?! You must have some serious willpower. I'm really proud of you! Josette, 3 pounds is pretty good. You're right-if you get back on track it'll come off in a jiffy! You did well too! Me, on the other hand, have definately gained at least 8 pounds because they've been there for the past couple days. Urgh. Once I get past New Year's I will be super-focused and my 2007 goal will be to get into Onderland.

You were so close that it still counts! Good job! Now...I'm sorry to report that although I hit my Christmas goal, I am now up about 8 pounds. So, I'm way over right now. UGH...I did a terrible, horrible, plain old stinkin' bad job at eating this past week. I had a really nice holiday, but enough is enough...I can't wait for New Years to be over so I can cross Holiday Season 2006 off my "to do" list!! How is everyone else making out?

The thought of being under anesthesia is spooky to me too. But, if you're scared...let them know. They can give you some "happy juice". I snickered and giggled the whole way down the hallway into the OR! Try not to let yourself get too worked up about it. It was honestly not a big deal and everything went just fine for me. I'm sure you'll do great too! Just think...you'll wake up with your brand-new band!

SOME people may lose weight during this time, but I wasn't one! And, it did not adversely affect my progress. I definately agree with your doctor...eating is extremely important. My doctor always preaches how important it is to not "diet" during these times...stick with your plan and let your body take the lead. I know it's hard, but stay the course!

Yes, the general rule-of-thumb is no soda/pop. Water, water, water is the key...to better health and to weight loss.

I don't have any idea why you would have been told this by your doctor?! I would venture to say the vast majority of us are instructed to use Protein powder and I've never heard one complaint about it getting stuck. You mix it with Water and it basically makes the same consistency as a pre-mixed shake. Strange! Slim Fast is not a very good long-term solution because it has way too much sodium. But, EAS Carb Advant Edge shakes are pre-mixed and taste OK.

I don't really feel there are any advantages/disadvantages because you get the size you need to fit your body, that's really the only different between them all. Whatever size band, you'll eventually reach a good fill spot. The only thing I could think that might be a disadvantage would be if someone were given the smallest band and it was too tight right from the start. But...if the surgeon knows what they're doing then they make sure that doesn't happen! You're question wasn't stupid and don't be afraid to ask any other questions you might have!

That's great news Mariquita!! You can do it!

Congrats, Julie!

Wow, success for Julie's everywhere! JulieNYC, you got it-you're as good as gold! Juliegeraci, that is such a big milestone. Under 250...it's great, isn't it! Libra, OMG...I am hating PMS right now! I feel disqusting and bloated. Ugh, I hope you're out of the woods soon and I feel your pain!!

You're right...restriction does not equal PB's all the time. So, you'll just need to keep plunking away at tiny fills until you find a level that works for you. Plus, I like that you're talking to your nutritionist because perhaps there is some tweaking you can do to help you feel more satisfied so that your current level of fill works better. You seem to have a good game plan!

If you don't want a fill then DON'T get one. Being too tight will be miserable. All you need to say is that you feel OK with your restriction level right now and don't feel the need to tighten the band. That's all you need to say.

I have recently noticed this too! It's just a clicking sound that happens during exercise...doesn't hurt but just sounds weird!

I know...I am just like you. I'm eating better than ever before. Veggies etc. but still end up "not regular". I can't explain why my body is this way now. Any way...after I got the first "episode" taken care of, I decided to add metamucil to my diet. It has helped. Benefiber should help too, but metamucil just seems to work better for me. However, if you have a severe problem then you may need to discuss it with your doc because it's not good to let this problem go for more than a few days...according to my doc, 3-4 days and you need to call them right away.

I agree with all of you...luckily I can still chug so I pretty much try to get through it as quickly as possible, but 25g of protein make it worth it! I don't think they taste terrible, but I don't necessarily look forward to them either!

I agree...chewables or liquids are the way to go immediately post-op until you've experimented with your band and have an idea of how much you can swallow at a time. But, now I take a regular old "One-A-Day Weight Smart" and can swallow it just fine. My bloodwork looks good and the size of the pill doesn't cause me any grief.

I've tried it too. Yes, it tastes pretty good and is pretty well-balanced. It's really helpful during the mushies stage.

Hellloooo....any one out there??? I'm all alone and scared. (Just kidding, I know it's tough this time of year.) Anyway, today was my birthday and I did a very bad thing...we always order out for people's birthday's so I had a huge lunch and then a super-huge piece of chocolate fudge birthday cake. YIKES! Considering I have a weigh in on Friday and I'm already PMSing so I am carrying a lot of water weight...I guess it will mean a less than stellar weigh in. Urgh...I am enjoying the holiday season but cannot wait until New Year's is here so life can return to normal! I hope you all are hanging in there too!

Jeez, that is brutal--6 weeks?! Each doctor is different but my post-op situation was not that harsh. For mushies I fell in love with vegetarian refried beans, cream of wheat, low-fat/low-sodium cream soups etc. Plus, a lot of people in my support group said they had no problem blending up regular foods like meatballs w/ sauce and chilli (not my thing but some people can handle the look, especially if they're hungry enough!)

I, honestly, was a bit scared that the doctor would be rude and say something like "how did you let this happen?" or "why don't you exercise" but no, they were very professional and wanted to know why I wanted to look into surgery and if I was prepared to fully commit to their program. It was no sweat. However, if you meet with them and don't feel comfortable then I'd say look for the next doc because my only other word of advice is...you'll be seeing these people ALOT and it's going to be important that you can openly discuss stuff with them and feel comfortable. Good luck-it'll go great!

2 to 3 cups of food does not indicate pouch stuffing unless it actually makes you feel stuffed. I can easily eat that quantity and just feel "satisfied" not stuffed and my doctor has no problem with that. With that said, if you continue to eat beyond your limit and make yourself feel gross then yes, that is a problem. But, don't worry so much about quantity, especially if it is good, healthy food.

Congrats on the NSV but no, I probably wouldn't approach someone else about something embarassing like that. She knows the reason she can't fit in the seat and...just like we used to do, she was probably trying to pretend the situation didn't exist. Even though it would have been well-intentioned, a conversation about it would've probably made her feel more embarassed. That's just my opinion. However, if you knew the person and had talked with them about weight issues or were close enough to bring it up then it might be a different thing to mention your band and the success you've had with it. Good question to bring up though, it was something to think about!