diane5467

I think there are definately people out there who eat around the band. I see some of the posts and it is amazing. Unfortunately, the things we all need to stay away from are the same things that go down easily. The band is definately not a cure for head hunger...

I understand how you are feeling. In my case, my last day at work is this Friday so I have been going on all these interviews for positions I know I am qualified for. I am an HR person with (I think...) a outgoing personality and I wonder if my weight/appearance is in the back of their minds. I am not painful to look at but I wonder if hiring managers are prejudiced against us.

I have a desk job and had my surgery on a Thursday, 9-22 returned to work Monday, 10-4. I was feeling pretty good by Friday.

I can't believe they would band someone with a history of bulimia in the first place, but I guess money talks and some surgeon out there did her a great disservice...

Hi Momofmany, I am at 279 ths morning. Good luck to all this week... Diane5467

Hi Joe, It is hard to go back out once you are home. Maybe if you pack a gym bag and hit the gym before you go home at least for an hour you could develop a routine to get back on track?

I heard her vehemently deny having bypass surgery and I also heard she had the same as Sharon Osborne. Her scars definately look like ours. Whichever. I heard her say on The View that she would not disclose not because she was ashamed, but because she tried to bargain with them to do it for free in exchange for the "advertising." When they declined to even give her a discount she said she would not disclose on air, but would answer face to face questions. In any case, I didn't mean to cause a ruckus. I would not have mentioned her if I thought it was not true. Sorry.........

Star Jones from the view...

I just started regular food and have not yet had a fill. I am trying my hardest to stick with the amount I am supposed to have so I try to do as much food Protein as possible because the Protein shakes make me gag after the 3 weeks of liquids I had to endure. Example day: 7 am EAS advantage Protein Drink (I soooooo miss my coffee) 9 am 1 scrambled egg with cheddar and a piece of bacon 12 pm Usually some cream soup and some tuna. (tried salad and I am not quite ready...) 1 pm V-8 drink 3 pm one cheese stick 6 pm regular dinner, very often fish, stewed chicken, dish like escarole and Beans (Mmmmmm) a table spoon of veggies 10 pm a cup of milk or a Protein shake When I have to stop for something quick, I grab a pintos and cheese from Taco Bell. Probably fattening, but the best I can do on the run.

I was also self pay, and what I did was figure in how much less our grocery bill will be (1/3 less), how many less closet drive-thru excursions, and how much of my medical issues were directly related to my weight, it all came out in the wash.

I can understand your dilemma, but maybe you could ask to use the handicapped or visitor parking to not walk as far and maybe work half days at first?

Somethimes if you are not getting enough calories your body goes in starvation mode and hold on to the fat. Also, could Water retention be a problem?

Hopefully this will help your frustration with gaining: We have to realize that in order to gain 3 pounds, we have to eat 9,000 extra calories. I can hardly believe you are doing that. The weight can be Water weight or be fluxuating for a myriad of reasons. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Hello all, I started at 283 and this morning I am at 281, so 2 pounds toward my 20 pound goal. Congrats to e1 on the losses this week! Diane

Hi Teri, I was banded a week after you and also had a hiatal hernia surgery on the side. I think I am doing well so far. I don't have a fill scheduled because the hospital I had my surgery at dropped the program I was in so I am waiting to see where my Doctor moves to. I am doing pretty good without the fill by just eating the amount I am supposed to and telling myself I can have more in a few hours so I don't feel deprived. I am thankful I can get more water in right now because it will definately be hard to get the water in after the fill. I hope you let us know how the fill goes for you. As for winter...no, Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. TTYS, Diane

Lady K, I had posted saying I do feel restriction with the unfilled band in place and that I using a bowl that helps me eat the correct amount. You are telling me I don't have any restriction and I will have to relearn how to eat. Pardon me for saying this, but everyone is different and I AM feeling restriction just with the band being in place. I will not have to "relearn" how to eat because I am not eating the wrong foods or the wrong amounts. I may choose to not get a fill right away because I am fine with losing slowly. I think I prefer the gentle reminder instead of the fears of getting stuck, slimes, and PB's unless my weight loss stalls.

Hi Jules, I am about 2 weeks ahead of your date and it gets much easier as you heal and introduce foods back in. Try not to test yourself to see if you can eat more than you are supposed to. Even if you read others are eating things they are not supposed to, try to follow the rules your doctor set for you. Otherwise we are only cheating ourselves. Good luck, and take care

That is a fantastic start! I was banded 3 weeks ago and am down about 21 pounds. I am from the Northlake area.

You lost 100 pounds and that is just "alright" weight loss? You should be very proud of yourself, that is fantastic! I am down to 279 though I can't get my ticker updated. About 21 pounds since 9-11 start of liquid diet.

I was on liquids 2 weeks prior and one week post op, I know how hard it is. Protein keeps you fuller longer and the jello seemed to make me more hungry. Try Isopure from GNC, way more protein per serving with less sugar and carbs. It was a real lifesaver. Don't give in, don't give up!

I have lost 21 pounds though 8 pounds was from the two week pre-op liquid diet I was on. All in all, a good head start. I will be getting a fill at 6 weeks, but I am doing well with the restriction I have with the band just being there. I have learned not to wait until I feel full and I eat out of a little oval bowl that only fits how much I should eat. If I am hungry in a few hours, I just eat again. I am calling it grazing all day. Works so far and I don't feel like I am giving up food at all. Mandy (piercedqt) suggested a lunch outing, if you are interested put the city you are from and we can maybe see where the middle area would be. TTYAS, Diane

Hi Mandy, I am in Northlake which is near Elmhurst, it would be fun to get the Illinois group together. Diane

I just wanted to say hello, I am also from Illinois (Chicago suburbs) and I am 3 weeks post-op out of the now defunct Wish Center in Aurora. I was self pay, so not much help on that front. Even when I did have insurance, the Drs I had did not feel as though the obesity cause any of my health issues. So, I took the money out of my house and that was that. Anyway, welcome to the board....

Hello, (BTW-TY for organizing this...) I e-mailed mine Monday and it was showing. Now I am on the wanted list. Monday was 283. This is the first week, right? Thanks, Diane

Hello, My starting weight for the challenge is 283. Good luck everyone! (I have to work on my tickers- can't remember which code I chose last time)