FighterGirl

Long before I got banned I learned that I was anemic. However, through a well educated doctor I learned that African-American women have a naturally lower Iron count than others. It was suggested that I begin taking over the counter iron supplements to bring me closer to a 12 by surgery and I did and all was fine. As far as he ulcer, I am not sure, but I do wish you the best.

Hey Jenny! Welcome to the family. I was banned when I was 20 and I am now 24...it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. It is in no way the easy way out, but really a guide to help you along the path to a healthier you.

Try a soy protein powder mix. I like GeniSoy's strawberry and I add skim or soy milk and ice in a blender.

I was banded in 2003 and far away from my surgeon at college. What I did to gel me was attended over eaters anonymous classes and found myself a buddy on here. Good Luck!!

I loved pureed cabbage soup and lentil soup. There are also many things you can add to mashed potatoes to make them yummy. Good luck!

The scale can be your enemy. Try to stay off of it until your first follow-up appointment. At this stage weight loss numbers is not the most important thing, but healing is. Allow your body to rest and heal. Once everything is good start worrying about pounds and inches.

When I first got started and was 380 I did not use much equipment. I relied on things such as Walk Away the Pounds DVD, medicine balls, hand weights and good old walking. My main concern was simply keeping my heart rate increased for 30 minutes and I did not start at 30 minutes. Please do not feel that you have to be doing everything right away, ease yourself into it.

I have lost 170lbs and followed all the suggested guidelines to prevent excess skin. However, I have a bit. Excess skin is just like the weight loss itself...different for everyone. I actually have a consult with a plastic surgent next friday. After maintaining this weight for about a year now, I am ready to take the next step. I say stay focused on your weight loss and fitness and worry about crossing that brodge when you get there.

Congrats BLG!! Stay focused and healthy!

A major thing that help me maintain my sanity over the years was letting the scale go. I weighed myself once a month and focused mainly on inches. As you begin working out and weight training the inches and body fat are more telling. Good luck hun!!

I was sad to see her go, but being that is for the advancement of career..I am all for it. I have been seeing her since 2003, when I moved to Atlanta I would fly to see her...lol. I think the feeling of being dumped is based om finding someone you can trust in, like we did her.

Now that is a problem...unless her secret was finding a doctor who can help you find a personal solution. LOL That would be rather trashy. The reason very few know is because when I was on diets before other peope would be watching my weight loss for me and that pissed me off. Like I have family member who would be like you should not eat that or even a second helping of salad is bad.

I do not tell everyone that I had weight loss surgery, so is it because she is a star people should feel that she should? What if she were banded and people keep asking her about the bypass. I feel that losing weight is a very personal jurney that should be left up to the person to share.

ohhh well i payed the 800 in installments that did not start until after surgery and i payed that to the nutritionist not her

awesome! I cannot wait to see pictures

i never had a problem with sushi. it was strange chewing so much with sushi the first time i did

i hear it. when i first had surgery i could not eat breakfast...i found that i had to try and hydrate myself first. now i drink a glass of water as soon as i get up and usually by the time i get to work i can eat breakfast

Wheetsin you need to share some recipes lady!

Well, I am going to speak up for Dr. Deol and the $250 consult fee. I have never had anything looked out or discussed with me for free that was elective. The reason she has a fee is basically because of time loss when she consults with someone. She is not a part of a huge team or a hospital...she has started her own clinic and is awesome. She has no one else like other places to consult with you first over the basics. I had a friend who could not afford the consult fee and Zoe was nice enough to wave the fee. It is just like calling a lawyer for legal advice...you will get a bill unless they are making so much hand over fist that they can let you slide.

i lost about 50 lbs after having all the water removed from my band, but i really stepped up my exercise and began making sure my meals were very balanced

sandwich rolls deli meat tortilla (tomato basil is great) whole grain mustard low fat cheese lettuce/spinach tomato put some mustard on the tortilla, add meat, chesse lettuce and i wait to add the tomato to right before i eat.

I am a big fruit and Protein breakfast person. fruit really wakes me up cottage chesse/yogurt, toasted almonds and diced canned peaches sometimes i want savory food in the morning steamed broc (usually leftover), canned tomato, black Beans (all drained0 sautee with a littl garlic and onion and eat with a little scrambled egg yummy

i am 5'10 and my goal weight is 200. my doctor's do not want me below 190

Picadillo because it gives you flavorful Protein and you can serve with anything. You can have lettuce wraps, tortillas, tacos, with rice and Beans, with eggs.... 1 medium onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef 1/4 cup stuffed pimento olives, chopped Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Crushed red pepper flakes 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce ( or chopped tomatoes) In a large skillet over medium heat, saute onions, garlic, and pepper in olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add ground beef and olives and continue stirring to break up and brown the meat. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. When beef has browned, add tomato sauce gradually while stirring. Cook 1 to 2 minutes longer to incorporate sauce sometimes i substitute the olives with golden raisins and add some toasted almonds...or i keep the olives and add it anyway

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I decided to cut out any little bad habits that I did not notice at first that I have developed after being banded for such a long time. Like creamer in my coffee and things like that. It may also be time to challenge myself to a nmuch much harder work-out...I think it is time to give those biggest loser people a run for their money