isaviolinist

Same for me. We were on vacation for over 2 weeks and lost 4-5 pounds. I ate TONS on vaca but we also walked a lot. I was so happy (and surprised) with the results.

I've set a goal body fat percentage of 22% which is a healthy body fat percentage for a woman my age. Based on that, I will probably be somewhere between 145-160 pounds when I reach that (I currently have slightly over 140 pounds of lean mass which is quite a lot...most women my age and height have 110-115 pounds of lean mass...I'm assuming my lean mass will go down by 10-15 pounds as I lose weight...although as I've lost the last 60 pounds, I've actually gained 1/2 pound of lean mass....I'm not complaining as its burning calories for me). Currently I'm just under 29% body fat. Once I get to 22% body fat, I'll reassess and see if I can get any lower. BMI plays no role in determining my goal weight - it is a pretty worthless determinant of health and should really only be used by the companies to determine whether or not they'll pay for WLS. I love this illustration - it aptly demonstrates why BMI is so ridiculous: Silliness of BMI in an illustration

Hey everyone - checking in! This morning I weighed in at 197 which is 4.6 pounds lighter than last week! Late last week I was at 196, but I'm trying not to dwell on it because a 4.6 pound loss is still really good (thats why I shouldn't weigh everyday...if I never knew I was at 196 earlier in the week, I would be 100% satisfied with being at 197). Anyways, my name on the spreadsheet is 'isaviolinist' and this week I'm at 197.

So funny - me and Alien are like the same person My surgeon also warned me about flying without getting a tiny little unfill first. I was bad and have never gotten unfilled before flying (we travel a lot and I just didn't feel like going back and forth for fills/unfills everytime). Over the Christmas/New Year holidays I flew 5 times - flights ranging in time from 30 minutes to 11 hours. I was concerned about the 11 hour flight as I figured we'd be flying at a higher altitude because of the flying time (I was right...and prior to that flight, the longest flight I'd taken with my band was 6 hours). Like Alien, I was able to eat better on the flight than I do on the ground. And then strangely, for 3-4 days afterward, I was able to eat REALLY differently than I usually can - i.e. breakfast was not a problem at all (generally, I do eat anything until noon, and its a protein shake, and I dont eat any solid food until like 5-6PM), I wasn't getting stuck on anything at all (not even a little bit...usually I get at least a little bit stuck every now and again...especially if I attempt breakfast), I ate a pancake without a problem (I would never attempt something like a pancake unless it was like 2am, as my band would be loose enough by that hour....luckily I'm usually not thinking about pancakes at 2am ). Anyways, flying is not a problem at all for me, thank goodness, but I think I have heard some stories from others stating the opposite. I think, like everything with the band, its individual. I took a chance with flying without getting an unfill, and it worked out. But that's not to say it will be the same for all people.

I'm following everyone in this thread now! My blog link is in my signature below!!

Just wanted to let everyone know, I made the spaghetti squash spaghetti for dinner tonight and it was AMAZING!!! I just baked the squash whole for a little over an hour in the oven, then scooped out the squash, tossed it in a skillet with my favorite veggie tomato sauce and then topped the dish with a little bit of skim mozzarella and fresh parmesan. Wow. So amazing! I still have half a squash leftover and I think I'll make spaghetti squash macaroni-less "mac and cheese" with it tomorrow.

I use this moisturizer on my face before putting makeup on: http://www.ddfskincare.com/c-37-moisturize.aspx I love it. Its expensive but worth it. What kind of moisturizer were you using?

Welcome to the site everyone! This can be a great resource and support tool. I started out at over 280 pounds (I'm also only 5'2) and am now down to 196. I felt pretty hopeless about my weight but now I know there is no doubt I can lose this weight! My suggestion would be to start taking care of your relationship with food (especially if you are a binge eater) before you get your band. I didn't really do that and did great initially with my band but then regained almost 50 pounds bingeing on slider foods (foods that go right through...like ice cream and milkshakes). Ive since lost all that I regained plus more and am seeing an eating disorder therapist which is really helping me work through my food issues. Good luck to everyone considering wls!

I don't wear much makeup but I also love bare minerals. It feels light, doesn't look like I'm wearing makeup and gives me the right amount of coverage and color. Love bare minerals.

I think I'm going to make spaghetti squash spaghetti for dinner tonight. Thanks to this thread for the inspiration!

I'm confused why you have to eat baked chicken everyday. I don't eat poultry or red meat so I've never eaten baked chicken with my band. It's pretty easy to eat a diverse menu with the band. I'm never bored with what I'm eating which is key for me staying on track. For an idea, in the last week I've eaten Alaskan king crab legs, homemade baked lobster ravioli, stuffed tomato, fish sticks, soft tofu stew, miso glazed sea bass, and an array of veggies and fruits (and I also had some Hagen daaz on Friday night). So I'm just wondering why you feel you are limited to baked chicken. I imagine I would be pretty frustrated If that were the only thing on my menu as well.

I have my eye on this vera wang gown for my wedding in 2012: http://brideguide.ehclients.com/images/uploads/Esther.jpg I would love to wear it and look beautiful in it (including having some semblance of a waist line).

Love this Mel. I wanted to post so I could bookmark it. Thanks for posting it!

I love eating out too. I try to look at the menu before we go so I can know what I want (and what modifications I'm going to ask for). There is a steakhouse that we like locally (I don't eat red meat, so I always get seafood at steakhouses) and I always order the steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs. Instead of the drawn butter that normally comes with them, I ask for the green onion aioli that comes with crab cakes. A pound of king crab legs usually yields about 7 ounces of meat, so the crab legs are around 190 calories, 3g of fat, no carbs of course, and 38 grams of Protein. I use a little less than one tablespoon of aioli which is probably 70 calories, 7.5g of fat, and no carbs or protein. So altogether its a 260 calorie meal, 7.5g of fat, carb free, and a whopping 38 g of protein. Crab legs are great because you can't scarf them down (as you have to crack the meat out of the shell which can take some time). You really have to take your time (which also makes each bite more enjoyable). I don't eat red meat, pork, or poultry so I've become an expert at ordering seafood at restaurants (which is generally the healthier option anyways). I always ask how many ounces the fish is (that way if its 8 ounces, I know how much I'm eating if I eat half or 3/4s of the dish) and I always ask for it to be prepared without ANY fat (yep, its totally possible to broil a fish without a stick of butter or a cup of oil). If there is an option to steam or poach the fish, that's generally pretty safe. I stay away from anything pan seared. I also avoid dishes that are "encrusted", "breaded", etc. If the dish comes with some kind of sauce on top (especially a cream or butter-based sauce) I ask for it on the side (or just not at all). I do all of this, even in fancy restaurants (I honestly don't care if offend the chef). Its not that I won't eat foods that are pan-seared or macadamia-nut encrusted, as I don't restrict what I eat (this isn't a diet), I just prefer to make them at home so I can control the portions and the calorie content.

I don't restrict what food I eat or don't eat. To me, that is another diet which has failed me time and time again prior to getting my band. I count my calories anally, and I know that if I want to have a dessert or some other "special" food (like if we are going to the movies and I know I'm going to want some candy), I'll need to budget my calories for that. One thing that is important to consider however: binge eating or overeating are different stories than indulging in a treat, mindfully, now and again. I'm in therapy for binge eating disorder. When I do have a treat, he nice thing is, now, instead of eating a piece of cake the size of my head with 9 scoops of ice cream on top (and then going back for seconds without thinking twice), I'm generally okay with a small piece of cake and a small scoop of ice cream (and if I want more, and I have the calories to spend, I'm cool with having a little more). Case in point: last night, we decided we wanted to have dessert and I had 500 calories left for the day, so I had some ice cream. And I didn't beat myself up about it either and I stayed within my calorie range. When we do that, if I'm still feeling down about something I ate, instead of eating MORE to comfort myself, I do something productive about it, which usually involves spending an extra 30 minutes at the gym, or taking my cross training class AND a spinning class that day. Today, I'll probably do 90 minutes of cardio at the gym, instead of the usual hour. That way, there is never any reason to worry that I'm consuming more than I'm burning. It used to be that if I consumed under 4000 calories a day, that was a pretty good day, as I was generally probably consuming at least 5000 calories a day and not exercising at all. Nowadays, on a really good day, I burn 2000 calories more than what I consume, and on a "bad" day, I burn 700-1000 calories more than I consume. Its wonderful that now, on the bad days, I'm still at a significant deficit. So yes, you will be able to indulge and eat the foods you like. And if you play it correctly, you'll be able to do that and lose weight at the same time. Good luck!

Your PCP sounds gross, and sounds like she clearly has worked out a deal with this other surgeon and his WLS program that financially benefits both of them. Since you are not interested in that program, she is not interested in you. Really gross. I would immediately find a new PCP.

I'm a binge eater too. I'm seeing an eating disorder therapist for it. I lost almost 80 pounds initially with the lapband. I then was filled just a little too tight and started eating foods that would slide right through my band (namely, milkshakes and ice cream) because eating had become so cumbersome and I was throwing up a lot. That lead to full on binge eating for the better part of a year. I regained almost 50 pounds bingeing on milkshakes and ice cream (and sometimes mac and cheese...for some reason that also usually slides right through which is unusual). I have since lost all of the weight I regained plus more and am working hard in therapy to try and recover from my eating disorder, but its not easy and the evening is always very challenging for me (I can go the whole day without thinking about food...the nighttime is a different story). I think for binge eaters, it is possible to eat around any WLS. Binge eating is a mental issue, and the only way to fix it is to deal with the issues in your head. WLS won't really effect it very much, in my experience. I don't regret regaining 50 pounds, as it was a learning experience, but I do wish I had started going to therapy prior to getting the band. In hindsight, that would've been a great idea (although I'm grateful for my therapist now and it was the right time to start seeing her). Overall, I would say the lapband has worked for me. Despite still struggling with binge eating, I have completely changed the way I look at food. I've lost almost 90 pounds (I probably have about 50 to go...but I focus more on my body composition - body fat percentage - more than scale weight...the last thing I want to do is start burning lean mass in order to see a number on the scale). And I'm officially a gym rat (that's the last thing I ever though I'd be). So yes, the band has worked for me but I have also put in the work, and it was hard (definitely not an easy fix). My best advice is to start seeing a therapist first (or go to an OA meeting...OA isn't for me, but I know it has worked for many many people), and then look into lapband surgery.

I haven't gotten a fill in a long time, but I always did 2 days of Clear Liquids (first day was the day of the fill), 2 days full liquids, 2 days mushies, and then back to solids. The reason why is because sometimes the stomach gets irritated due to the adjustment so its good to give it a rest before putting food in it. Im sure all doctors have different post-fill protocol though. If you're feeling sore, perhaps you should consult your doctor about it. If you've had chronic soreness for months in your chest, you should definitely consult your doc.

Oh cool! I'm glad you found it! Thanks for reading it PBing is what everyone said - productive burp. You "burp" and whatever was stuck (or otherwise just not wanting to be in your pouch) comes up. Its not like throwing up in that its not coming from your lower stomach (although there is still stomach acid in it so make sure you brush your teeth afterward if it happens....I come from a family of dentists, so I'm extra careful/paranoid about these things ) and generally it comes up fairly easily (there's no wretching, and its more like a burp...hence the name) but its still not great for the band. Sliming is also what it sounds like. When food is stuck, your body naturally makes a lubricant. Its pretty slimy (if you ever PB it up, i kind of looks like a jelly fish) but its trying to help the food pass through. Its your body's natural reaction. Here is a crabcake recipe from my blog (this one is adapted from Bariatric Eating and is breadcrumb-free): Breadcrumbless Crabcakes This is another crabcake recipe from awhile back that I had posted. Its also really yummy with a little bit more calories (but still not much to be honest): Maryland-style Crabcakes (with panko breadcrumbs) I like both recipes - let me know if you try either one of them out!!

I was scared - and then I let my fear run me and sabotage my efforts and regained 50 pounds. I since have taken back control of ME so that my fear isn't driving the bus anymore, and have lost all I gained back plus some. Gaining back almost 50 pounds was actually a learning experience for me and while it sucked at the time, and it was annoying having to re-lose the weight, I'm thankful for the experience as I'm much stronger now. Im not always that confident (and am working hard in therapy to continue taking back control of my head) and I definitely falter from time to time (and sometimes MORE often than time to time), but I just have a different feeling inside of me that knows that my weight loss (and just as importantly, my fitness) goals are completely attainable and not that far off, actually. Beforehand, the thought that I could lose weight was completely unrealistic to me and I couldn't fathom being thin. Now I know that it will happen and I feel comfortable with it.

My blog is also in my signature! I love reading blogs...definitely helps me to hear others' experiences!

I didn't lose 15 pounds the first week after surgery, but when I got back on track in Sept with my food and exercise I lost 11 pounds in the first week. Probably a lot was water weight, but definitely not all of it. Just be excited for the loss and don't worry about it Congrats!

I probably wouldn't consider crab cakes mushy (they're kind of in the same category as like a salmon burger maybe...which isnt as solid as a piece of meat or something, but its definitely not mushy). I love crab cakes and make them a lot, but I still sometimes get stuck when I eat them. I don't usually order them at restaurants because they rarely bake them, they always pan fry them, and there is often ingredients that I don't want to waste calories on in restaurant crab cakes, especially when I can make really delicious ones at home. Sometimes when we go to a steakhouse I order them, but I just have to conserve my calories for them if I want to have them out to eat. Anyhow, I probably wouldnt call them mushy. Mushy is more like mashed potato consistency. If you put the crabcake in a food processor for a few seconds (gross lol) it would be mushy.

We belong to a cross training class (which includes body composition assessments every 6 weeks, nutritional counseling/guidance, and access to prehab/physical and sport injury therapy whenever we need) , a spinning class and planet fitness. I'm a big supporter of joining a gym and/or class. The other people in the class are helpful for motivation and if I don't come to class/the gym, people start wondering where I am (its easier to go when people are expecting you to be there). I love belonging to a few different ones because I'm never bored and actually look forward to working out. The reason we joined planet fitness is because its open 24/7, I can bring a guest anytime (that's the 20/month membership) so my fiance doesn't need a membership, and when I travel or go home to visit my family I can use that PF for free. There are other places in the area that probably offer more things (classes, swimming, etc) but the 24/7 hours and ability to use any PF anywhere sold me. And since there are SO many machines, even at peak hours, you never have to wait for an elliptical or arc trainer, which is wonderful.

Best of luck!! Get lots of rest and walk as much as possible!