mary on a mission

Ok, sorry I have been gone for a while, but I had plateaued for over a month. That stinks! I am finally moving again, and I can't get the stupid ticker thing to work today. I will try again later from my work computer. Anyway, finally down. Last 6 weeks, I was between 196 & 198 - up & down, up & down. Now, 194.5! Puts total weight loss at 38.5 pounds. Finally getting the second fill next week - Thursday, I think. Hope everyone else is doing better than me!

Me, too, Bobbie! We just need to hang in there, get back to basics, and know this too shall pass. We will get there!

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!:smile2: Stuck at 196 for ONE MONTH!!! I am very frustrated. Have gone back to the gym. Only 1 fill, and no more until Dec 3. Going crazy here! Suggestions?

I was emotionally "strange" for several weeks after my banding. Some have told me it was because of the anesthesia. I don't know, but I didn't feel like myself for about 7 weeks. It gets better. Just keep telling yourself all the good stuff...you are good...you are worthy...you will be fine. Take care of yourself!:sad:

I just returned from yoga class. I love it! I haven't been in a while, but will try to get back to once or twice a week. It's really great the day after a hard strength workout because you really stretch those muscles out. I have to modify some poses, and I can't yet swing my legs over my head ( I think this is plow???), but I will get there. Enjoy!:thumbdown:

Tracy, I feel your pain. I don't feel like I have a lot of restriction as far as the amount I can eat, although I am starting to think that may be as much mental as physical. I do, however, suffer from the dreaded "first bite(s) syndrome." It seems that whenever I eat chicken or bread (and I shouldn't be eating bread) or about 1/2 of what I eat, it gets stuck for a few minutes. I am PBing way more than I should. I think I still have to learn to eat more slowly, etc. But once I clear it, I am fine and can eat and eat and eat. It's very strange, but I have seen from many other posts that this is probably temporary. I have only had one fill. I learned at that fill that there was 3cc in the band at surgery, and I got 1.5 cc on Sept 16. I don't have another appointment till Nov 25. Yes, the day before Thanksgiving. Great..... My weight loss has slowed dramatically. Part of that I attribute to letting my guard down on sweets & breads (the breads always get stuck, but not the sweets.....hmmmm.). I am working through that. I am trying to step up my exercise and just get back to basics. It's hard. I keep catching myself saying things I used to say that were destructive to my determination. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not that person any more. I am a fit person working toward a goal of a healthier lifestyle. Hang in there Tracy. We will do this. In a year, we will be looking back and being thankful for these hard times that taught us something about our bands and ourselves, allowing us to move forward to that next step! Congrats to all you big losers. Even though it's only 36 pounds for me, I am thrilled. I will get this weight off!!!!:wink2:

OK, I guess I spoke too soon last week. I am up 1.5 lbs this week, and I don't really know why....ok, yes I do. I haven't eaten great volumes of food, but I have let sugar slip back in (sneaky sneaky), and I have not been getting my protein or my water in. So, in the past I would not have posted, waited till I was down some more and then come back, but I am pressing the restart button right now. I got up at 6AM and got my walk in (was getting slack on that too), had a protein shake for breakfast, and I am back on track. Just like that. So, I am not going to change my ticker, but I will next week, no matter what. Even though I have to go public with my failures, I will give myself that little bit of grace. :thumbup: I hope everyone else has GOOD news to report. I will next week! LW - 196 Current 197.5

Guess I will be first this Monday morning. Last week: 199 This week: 196 A good week, it seems. Interestingly, food seems to be losing its grip on me. It used to be that there were so many things I wanted to eat that it was hard to make a decision. Now it seems that I can't decide because nothing really sounds good. I am not sure that will last, but I will enjoy it while it does! The flip side of that, of course, is that I am not making great choices. I am not getting my protein in, and I am eating way too many carbs as a percentage. I am going to try to get in one protein shake a day and work on those carbs. Also, my water intake is not nearly what it should be. So for this week, I will try to increase water and protein and cut down on carbs. The protein thing is hard because everything seems to get stuck unless it is swimming in softness (cheese, sauce, etc.) OK, I have rambled enough. Three pounds is great and I will enjoy it!:sad: Hope everyone has a great Monday. I'm off to work!:sad:

Finally! Officially in ONEderland! I have been flirting with it for a couple of weeks. I actually got there, but never on weigh-in day, so I didn't count it. It feels really good, especially since I just spent the weekend @ Disney with my daughter. Good choices are hard to come by there! Movin' on down. Now to set another mini-goal. 24 pounds gone by Dec 31 (175). That's a big goal, but I think I can do it!:thumbup:

Rebecca: I am also a patient at CCS; Dr. Newman is my doc. I had to wait 10 weeks for the first fill (sept 16), and my 2nd is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving . Hang in there. I am still working hard, even though the weight loss has slowed, I am in this for the long haul!

Haven't posted in a couple of weeks: Start Weight: 233 Last Week: 203 Today: 200 ONEderland, here I come!:biggrin:

I'm still here....just really busy lately. I haven't had much time to post. I finally had my first fill (& I have to wait 8 weeks for another!), and it seems to help some. I am losing weight, but ever so slowly. I am so close to getting to ONEderland. That will be a great milestone for me. Haven't seen that in a while! Anyway, before I had my fill, I could eat anything. I mean ANYTHING! Now, I notice I am having a harder time with bread, and I am starting to have to slow down and chew more. Had a couple of stuck episodes. I had a couple before, but they were over quickly. Had one on Saturday that went on for about an hour. No matter what I did, it just stayed there. I sure don't want to do that again, but I have to remind myself to eat slowly and chew and chew and chew! I hope everyone is doing well. I've been kind of following all you 7/7 bandster sisters, and haven't heard much bad, mostly good stuff. I hope that means we are on our way to HEALTHY!!!! Happy Monday. I am going to post my weight in the weigh in thread. I've not been very consistent about that, but I am going to do better!:biggrin:

Congrats on ONEderland! Tracy, looks like we are again on the same path. I actually hit 201 last week, but only record on Mondays as well. Back up to 203.5 this morning (since this is my MOnday). Let's try to get there soon! I have my first fill (finally) next week. YAYYYYY!

Hey Bobbie! Glad to hear you are doing well. I think you are maybe a bit above average, because I want to believe I'm average...I had lost 32 pounds, but let down my guard the last few days and I am at 28.5. That seems to be my pattern. I will lose like 2-3 pounds in a week, gain 1 or 2, then lose again. I know I shouldn't weigh every day, but I can't help it. I only count the Monday weight as my official, though. Today is my Monday. I still have not had my first fill. My doc makes his patients wait 8-10 weeks. I will go in next week. I have been doing this mostly on willpower. I think the food does stay in there longer than it used to, so I don't get hungry as fast, but the full part isn't working. If I let myself, I could eat just like I did before. Anyway, I look forward to hearing how the other 7/7 bandsters are doing!

Hey Tracy! I so feel your pain! I was also banded on 7/7, and I was almost exactly your weight. I was 233 when I started the pre-op. I think (not exactly sure) I was 223 at surgery, and I am at 205.5 now. My doctor won't do a fill until 9/18, so I REALLY have no restriction. The scales stopped completely for about 2 weeks, and they are now inching down, ever so slowly. I am losing a pound, maybe 2 per week. I know that's where we are supposed to be, but I am also doing it on sheer will-power. I am trying to stay focused on the positive, because people are actually noticing, which makes it real for me. It makes me want to continue. I am also focusing on the NSVs, like wearing clothes I couldn't wear before, and just feeling lighter. Hang in there. It's a crazy time, and I hate it also, but we will get there. Sweet spot, here we come! Looks like we are on the same path, anyway. Our weights are really close. Just keep walking and keep thinking positive thoughts!!!!

Well, I am still losing those pounds at a snail's pace, but I am still losing, so I won't complain. Original Weight: 233 Today: 205.5 only 6 pounds to ONEderland!!:biggrin:

People are reallly strange. This sounds just like the whole debate about stay-at-home moms vs working moms or breast vs bottle feeding. It's been years since I had young children (my youngest is 14), but I remember the venom that people spouted when they made their opinions known. My suggestion is you counter with something like "Well, it's a good thing this isn't a matter that will affect the world's survival - just ours, and our decision is already made!" And than smile and wish that person the best. They are looking for controversy and strife, and your best bet is to give them smiles and change the subject! Have a great day!:drool:

As of 8/10: 208 pounds Beginning Weight: 233 pre-op 25 pounds lost!:drool: It's slower now, and no fill till September, but I will keep working hard at it!!!!!!!!!!

One more thing....you should probably not drink your water with your oatmeal, nor eat and drink a protein shake at the same time. Remember, liquids don't stop at the band, and they help the food to slip thru the band as well. You should not drink for a half hour before or after you eat. It's been an adjustment for me, but I am getting there.

Wow! Looks like y'all lost lots of weight. Not so much here. Last week I was at 214, today, 212.5. Makes me sad. Total weight loss so far: 21 pounds. Surgery Date: 7/7. I'm still doing all I'm supposed to be doing, but I will just keep remembering that I am healing & I must keep on keeping on. Y'all keep up the good work!

I feel your pain! We were banded on the same day and we have had similar challenges, it sounds like. I lost 10 pounds pre-op and have lost 11 pounds post-op. BUT, I was down 10 pounds post op at one week out. I just stopped losing weight. I am eating right and exercising just as you are, and I have been told that my body is trying to stabilize itself. I will just keep on keeping on because I know this is temporary. You need to just concentrate on doing the right things and not worry about the scales right now. The weight loss will show up when it gets good & ready. Our job right now is to concentrate on doing the right things and work on changing our lifestyle. The rest will follow. Hang in there!

Hang in there. I will pray for you. I, too, am struggling right now. Also three weeks out, no restriction, no fill till sept 16. I am walking, trying to eat right, and feeling a bit depressed. All I know to do is do the right things and counter all the bad stuff in my mind with the words of truth: God is with me, He loves me, and I can do all things thru Him. I hope things get better for you soon!

I use this recipe in my catering business and it's really good. Here is the link: Recipe: Roasted Salmon with Pomegranate Butter Sauce Enjoy! Mary

I had my 2 week nutritionist appt today, and I am pretty much able to eat whatever I can tolerate. She says since I have no restriction, I can probably eat anything, but that when I have a fill, I will probably have some difficulty eating certain foods. I can have fish, pork, deli meat, chicken (she said that might be tough - to make sure it's good and moist), cheese, whatever. The only limits are on veggies and carbs. I can have unsweetened applesauce, green beans, cooked carrots. That's about it. I hope I can stick to that. She also said if I am really craving a veggie or carb to have a little of it. Sounds good to me. I had 2 eggs with cheese for breakfast and a salmon filet with pomegranate sauce for lunch. YUMMY! (and I am not really crazy about salmon, but it was good!):thumbup:

I think all mine are taken. ...when I hit ONEderland. ...when I don't have to buy plus sizes. ...when I can buy a pretty bra, not a big bra. ...when I can decide what to wear based on what is pretty, not what covers the fat the best. ...when I am FIT instead of FAT.:thumbup: