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Chrissy, Ash and Ali - congrats - you are rockin' it! Way to go. Heather - I am so happy to hear you report good new in the scale dept - you have been working hard. How about when you hit 50lbs you call Dr. Fisher for a talk? And take Donna with you!! Tam - go girl. I know you can do it. I broke my bouncing plateau and hit my lowest so far - 196. Still struggling but I am a little encouraged. Am determined - I so want to be at 190 when I see Dr. Park on 4/29. Riley - I will PM you - I obviously didn't go to support group tonight because I forgot that I had a hair appt. Everyone - happy Friday.

Ahh Riley - you always are so real. I bet getting that verse gave you chills. Remember what I shared - Winning is getting up when you fall down and starting the race again - no matter how many times you fall. Yes - I am going to go to the Kaiser Santa Rosa support group on Thursday. Yes, lets walk, although I am probably not at the hill stage yet, but am up for a long one (lets walk both Schollenberger and the Water treatment wetlands and the marina!!) I was down a pound today so on my way back to where I was.

Donna - Happy Anniversary! Here's to 25 more! Thanks for the kind words. Sometimes I see that difference and sometimes not. I have lost and gained the same 2 lbs for a few weeks now so it is hard not to be making progress. I am doing a little more exercise which is good - not where I should be but it is better than nothing. I got a WebCam for my Birthday, so now I can see my son when I talk to him in DC. AND GUESS WHAT? The best birthday present - he got a job!!!! He has been in DC since mid July and now after 9 months has finally gotten a great job with the "Green the Capitol" office on Capital Hill. I am so happy and excited for him. My hubby spoiled me - I had seen a really cute outfit in the Jones of NY outlet store and he bought it for me on Easter weekend so I didn't expect any more gifts. Then he gave me the WebCam tonight, and a cute yoga outfit, plus a gift certificate to go to the movies on the weekend. He's a sweetie. John - you crack me up. Come on - you can post a pic - you are down 115lbs for crying out loud!!! And I too am taking the full dose of benefiber! I think maybe not exercising is part of it. When I was walking everyday I wasn't having problems but the last few weeks not so good. Soooo I am trying to drink extra water and get back to walking (and keep taking the benefiber.) Candra - so glad you are back and doing OK - glad Rambo is working. I just have a few weeks before I see Dr. P and I hopefully will get my fill - I can eat anything and a lot - I do hope she gives me enough so I can feel something. Heather - I love weddings! Sounds like it was fun. Glad the extra Lbs are gone. I think you need to talk to the Dr. again - you have been dedicated for so long. It is your time now. OK everyone, Have a good Tuesday.

Hi all Jes and Tam - Thanks for the early B'day wishes. I am taking tomorrow off to celebrate. Chrissy - you are doing so amazing. WoW - keep up the great work. I'm happy for you. Ali - you'll be there in no time. I got chicken noodle soup and strained it for the broth because I couldn't stand the regular chicken broth. The only bad thing is that it has a lot of sodium. During the full liquid stage when you can have creamed soups, I pureed Progresso's black bean soup flavored with bacon - it had more protein than the regular creamed soups and seemed to hold me better. Laurel - everyone's weight loss is different. I think you are doing great - just think about it in relation to how fast you lost weight before surgery - it is likely that losing that much in a month would never have happened. As long as it is going down you are doing fine. John - you are so funny - prison labor!! You are doing so well - I envy your 5lbs a week! Lee - you are also amazing and so positive. I will definately try to make the next Kaiser Richmond meeting. Jes - I think your spring renewal sounds great - I am glad it seems to have kicked the restriction back in. Donna - Happy 24 - wow! Congrats. Hope Tahoe is fun. CoCo - sorry you were not well, but I am also now going to try a 3 week challenge for my Dr. Park appt. This weekend my eating was a little better but not great - I need to go all the way back to being totally by the book - measuring and no snacking. Mo - glad you had a good active week. Riley - you left the meeting early and I didn't get to give you a hug. Why don't we get together next weekend for a walk? Candra - where are you? Are you OK? Don't stay away. Regarding fills, I went to the So. Co. Weight loss support group saturday and they have the local bariatric surgeon, Dr. Woodbury, who does a lot of WLS answer questions at the end of the meeting. I asked him about why there seems to be different philosophies about fills - fewer larger ones vs. many more frequent smaller one. He said there are some different schools of thought. He said he was trained by Dr. Obrien who is the founder of lap band surgery in Australia. He said that in order for your brain to receive the message from your stomach that you are full, you stomach walls needs to expand/stretch and it is that process that sends the signal to your brain. By gradually increasing the restriction, he said that your new pouch expands a little and sends that signal. He said if you overfill, then people tend to adopt maladjustive behaviors (eating softer foods, drinking liquids that don't expand the stomach walls and send that signal). He believes also that the overfilling can lead to the complications like the stretched esophagus, slipped band or the band eroding. He also said there is a school of thought that does the fills by doing a barium swallow and looking at the size of the opening that the liquid goes through. He doesn't subscribe to that because he doesn't think that is a better way and that learning to eat to fill the pouch to the right amount is very important to sending that full signal to the brain and he also says that doing that many xrays has negative effects as well. For those of you stuck on a plateau, there was another member there who is now a triathlete and he spoke about the importance of varying what you eat, the amount you eat and the type and intensity of your workout to move your plateau. He said your body adjusts to the lower calories and to the same exercise routine and what was once 'hard' becomes 'easy' for it. He suggested varying the food and the exercise. I think it is worth a try. Finally, I finished reading Coleen Cook's book the Successful Strategies of Weight Loss Surgery patients. It has a section on getting back on track. So here are some tid bits that struck a cord with me: Fearing Success -- "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." Maryanne Williamson -- " my entire life I have blamed everything on my weight. And if weight-loss surgery were to succeed, what would I blame my shortcomings on?" from a patient on the show Chicago Hope - Successful Failure -- "Obesity is a disease much like alcoholism; there is no 'cure.' Rather, there are habits one can develop to treat the disease through the remainder of life. I recognize now more than ever that I am not normal; my body is different than that of a thin person. It metalbolizes food differently; it requires constant monitoring of the calories in/calories out balance to maintain a healthy weight. While I had won the battle, the war was still going on and whenever I turned my back on it, I would be struck with another pound or two...Each success habit is important in its own right, but it is the constant adherence to ALL of them that fosters life-long change. One thing I know for sure is that weight-loss surgery patients are some of the strongest, most resilient, committed, never-say-never people I have ever met. We are well acquainted with failure. We know what it takes to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and do whatever it takes to meet out goals. But as experienced as we are with winning and losing, admitting and taking responsibility for our failures is never easy, but we must learn to becomes successful failures." "...I believe you undoubtedly have your own food obsession stories, hang ups and tempatations...May I encourage you to recognize your mistakes, take responsibility for them, own them, learn from them and do watever it takes to become a 'successful failure.'"Colleen Cook -- "For winning is no more than this: to rise each time you fall." from The Race by anonymous Love to all my surgery sisters and brother! Have a good Monday.

Hi Everyone Just saying a quick hi - yes I am still alive. Still not back on track 100% but doing a little better. During the day I am perfect, but at night we have so much junk around the house from easter and my son's birthday that it has been hard. I went to yoga Sat and last night. Tonight I have opted to walk after work instead of going the Richmond Support Group meeting (Lee by the time I get to one of those meetings, I won't recognize you :thumbup:). Lee - awesone on the size 18s and the weight loss - you are doing so well! I just got a new outfit for my birthday coming up and I fit in size large tops and size 14 pants - they are a good brand so I know they run bigger than the cheap store brands but it still feels good. John - congrats on 35 lbs - that is so cool. No, i don't think you should go to Iraq or Afgan., but hope things work out on the job front. It can be so stressful worrying about that. Mo - you sound like you are doing so well with exercise. I envy you - need some of your motivation. Tam - glad you are back on track. I have 22 days before I see Dr. Park - so I really need to get serious on my exercise. Laurel - so sorry about your husband - hope things are OK. Glad you are doing well - your weight loss is terrific. Pam - glad you are back safe and sound. Jes - good to hear from you. Where is Candra? Is she OK? Rachelle - welcome. Tell us some jokes - those of us struggling need some laughs. Ali - you are almost there! Just keep your focus like you have been. Ash, Donna, Reggie, Riley, CoCo, and everyone one else - hope you are doing OK. OK - I have to get back to work.

Ali - the binder is on the Kaiser Richmond Bariatric department web site in pdf form. I think you can print off what you need from there.

Tam and Nicollie - thanks so much - I appreciate that you are going through the same thing - it is hard and I love knowing that you understand and want to help. I will now post or text or call you if I am tempted to eat off. I got a reality check today - one of the sliders that I have been sneaking is peanut butter. Well I looked at the jar - it is 48oz and it is half gone, so in a week I have eaten by the tablespoon 24 oz which is 4,560 calories!!!! OMG. So not good. Tonight is my son's birthday party and we are having lasgane (sp) caesar salad and garlic bread and chocolate cake - none of which I can have! I have some left over tilapia and spinach from dinner last night so that will be my dinner. I also need to avoid the snacks before hand (KFC honey wings, cheese & crackers, and that good humas from TJ's that we had when you came to my house!) I will also join the 30 day challenge as I wanted to be at 190 when I see Dr. Park on 4/29. Thanks again for the support. Hugs to my triplet sisters. Love ya!

Ali - I understand your decision to wait for surgery - I did that too because of my family. Just be prepared that the surgery calender only goes out so far. I saw Liz at the end of Nov and wanted surgery in mid Jan, but she didn't have the calendar that far out. She called me in about 2 weeks to settle the date. Jes and Mo - thanks for the support. I know you have been there, too. Mo it is good to hear your outlook about being ok with slow and steady. I was going like gang busters and then hit the wall. It just gets discouraging. I know I need to get my head on straight.

Hi all - sorry I was lost in space for a while. Have been depressed and stressed, and overeating. And so I've been staying away from the board but realize that isolating isn't helping me either. Not good. I have no restriction and can't seem to get by on the 1/3 c of protein, 2 tbsp of veggie or fruit. The down in the dumps and stress have me reaching for no nos - like cookies (luckily we only had a few left from something on the weekend) and tablespoons of peanut butter (very very bad - has way too many calories and fat!) Every day I have tried to start over - I do ok during the day at work but at night it gets bad. I have been really down on myself for not eating right and not exercising. I know I need to learn to deal with my stress better but it is hard. Right now I am stressed about work and potentially losing my job, stressed that my husband is not looking for work, stressed about my older son still not finding a paying job, stressed about my younger son and his struggles with school, and stressed that all my family keeps asking me how I am doing with my weight loss and all I can say is I'm struggling and gaining and losing the same 2 lbs over and over. I guess on the positive side it would be alot more without the band. Anyway, sorry to dump. I try to be positive and encouraging when I post, but I am really having a rough time now.

Laurel - so sorry you are having problems, but glad you went to the doctor to get things checked. Don't worry about the low energy - it comes and goes. And it gets better. Remember you are eating very few calories. Just do what you are doing - naps, rest, good books are all great! Got lots of healing to do. Hope you have a restful afternoon.

Ali - so glad the support is helping. This is a great group. Laurel - how are things this morning? Tam - glad the move is going ok. I am really focusing on the protein - I think it is helping to make me feel a little fuller. Also even if the scale isn't moving - my clothes are looser. I put on some slacks this morning and they were a little snug in the waist 3 weeks ago, but today they are loose - a little diaper butt too! I tried another pair that is part of a suit and they fell off! So maybe the fat is shifting around - LOL. Anyway let me know if anyone needs size 16 work clothes and I will save for our get together in April when we say goodbye to CoCo. Here is my food so far: B. - 2 oz chicken, 1/3 c. LF cottage cheese. L (planned - I brought with me to work) - 3 oz. chicken, 3 tbsp. brocolli, 1/4 peeled pear.

Pam - have a great time in Phoenix. Tam - how is the new house? Congrats on finding a school for Brianna. Yoga is great - I love it - I have been doing it on and off for about 5 years, but when I put on this last round of weight I got too big to do it confortably. It felt really good to go back. There is so much to it and it really relaxes me. I am going to try Tuesday night also. It would be great if I could do it 2 - 3 times a week. John - wow - great news on down 30lbs! You rock! Lee - you look like you are doing great too. Laurel - be patient with yourself - it takes time to get your strength back. It was terrific that you got to a meeting so quickly. Donna - want to hear what your talk and 'strip' was all about!!! Jes - glad the restriction is working for you. I can't wait until I get my first fill. CoCo - 18 hrs!!! Hope you aren't getting sick again. I did better with food today B. - 2 scrambled eggs with ff cheese, 1/3 c fruit salad L. - left over walnut shrimp (4oz), 2 tbsp LF cottage cheese D. - 1/3 c chicken, 2 tbsp of salad, 1 tbsp of paella rice & veggies Hi to everyone else - hope you had a good weekend and have a good Monday.

Tam - me too. I just had 4 oz of chicken for breakfast and 1/4 c of cottage cheese. I know it is still too much food, but I am going to focus on protein right now and see if that helps. I am off to my first Yoga class in years. Talk of everyone later.

I've been multi-tasking - working and watching part of Oprah. Had on Jamie Oliver and Ryan Seacrest - doing a movie about overeating in America and against fast/junk food - pushing eating real/whole foods. Showed that there is a huge rise in the mortuary business for oversized caskets - and how much dignity is lost since they can't fit in hearsts, etc. Also about how it effects kids when parents don't provide healthy food - showed how to make things like chicken nuggets in a much healthier way. Wow - a big and sad eye opener. Reinforces we are all doing this for living a longer, healthier life.

Hi Group - I just found this thread. I usually hang out on the Kaiser Richmond PreOp thread since all the folks there were banded (or sleeved) at Kaiser Richmond California. I was banded 1/26/2010. Have lost about 58lbs total with 21 of those post band. My surgeon doesn't do first fill until 3 months post surgery. She says she put in about 4ccs at Surgery. I am having a hard time how as I don't feel much restriction and am eating more than I am suppose to, although it isn't a ton. Our guidelines are about 1/2 cup of food (1/3 of dense protein plus a little veggie or fruit and a tiny amount of carb). I worry about stretching my pouch / slipping my band because of eating more than I should but I am hungry (and I know some of my eating is stress related.) Anyone else going through this? People on my other thread say this what is meant by 'bandster hell'!

Hi everyone - just saying a quick hi and happy TGIF! So here is my story - I guess I am in bandster hell - no restriction, eating way too much and feeling bad about it. Yoyoing between gaining and losing the same 2 lbs but no more (which is good and bad.) Some eating is hunger and some is stress / emotional. Only exercising on the weekend. Its not good and no fun - need to try to get my head back on straight. April 29th fill appt seems a really long way off right now and so I wanted to be down to at least 190 by then. Need some help. Laurel - so glad you are doing well. I agree - this is such a process and it is hard work. Ash - congrats you are almost there- so great! Ali - I also wanted to schedule my surgery a few months out - I met my weight goal in Nov but didn't want surgery over the holidays and with my oldest coming home for a visit. I had surgery at the end of Jan so I was way beyond my surgery goal weight - so it was not at all stressful about worrying that I would be turned away on surgery day for not being at goal. I think you are doing the right thing - I wanted to do it at a time that I could really really focus on myself and my journey in this new way of life. Heather - I agree about the video and kids. On the other thread that Riley started about what else have you lost or gained on this journey, one of the things I wrote is gaining so much more understanding and compassion for people who battle weight. Meeting so many people and what their struggles have been either physically or emotionally has been a real eye openner and has increased my empathy and respect for all who struggle with this issue and are trying to do something about it. There is a high schooler in the So. Co. WLS group Riley and I go to that talked about all the things she is now getting to do that she never could do before - walk across a riding rink, ride a horse, have a boyfriend, go to prom - it was so touching it made me cry.

Laurel - hang in there. Just rest and take care of yourself as your body needs to heal. Glad the broth helped. You will be able to eat some full liquids soon and that will be better too. You sound like everything is going well. So happy for your. Tam - Brianna is adorable! She so looks like you!

Heather - you tell the best stories - you make me laugh - my oldest is just out of college and I can just imagine! Hey - did you love Armstrong Wood? It always feels so peaceful to me in there and you can walk and walk.

Ali - great job on the psych eval - the group on here prepared me for the presidents question but not that one and it cracked me up when she asked it!! You will do great with Liz on 4/12 'cause that's my birthday - so I know it will be a good day!

So did you find out how much the veggies and the fruit should be - like maybe 1 or 2 oz?

Hi all - wow lots to catch up on in 1 day. Riley - you are always so real - I love you and your honesty! And you always make me laugh! Donna - great pics. Thanks for the nice words. It was a great day. And you are gettin so little! Tam - awesome that the 8lbs is gone! Candra - we really did miss you. I think trying to figure out the emotional triggers is the hardest - probably will be a life long thing. Jes - shortness of breath with restriction? r u sure you are OK and it isn't something else? I'm worried about your heart thing. Tina - glad you are back. Really interesting about the fills and what was felt at each one. I think it is facinating how much variation there is in fill amounts that make people feel restriction. Riley is at 5.5 after 1 year+ and has lost 100+ pounds, I'm at 4 with a new band and not feeling much at all. You are just back up to 4. What a process! Pam - how have the work outs been? Are they making any difference for you? Maria - don't stay away when it is hard. I am sure the job stress is a big part of what is happening your weight loss. John - glad you are doing so well. You need to post some Pics - you are 100lbs down and I never met you before you lost the 80. It must be an amazing difference. Heather - your focus and outlook is great - you will get there soon. Mo - how are you? I am still not sticking to 1/3 cup - just too hungry, but have stopped the snacking so that is better. Trying to keep it to protein, veggies and a little fruit and avoid carbs. Though - you should have heard my stomach growling an hour before lunch today- sounded like a mac truck!!

Ok, I discoverd another non-weigh loss advantage to having the band today. I forgot my lunch at home so I had to buy from our cafeteria. I spent $4.29 for grilled chicken, veggies and a little fruit. Before, when I bought lunch in the cafeteria it was at least double that if not more. So I am thinking that the money saved can go to buying lots of clothes and shoes!