LollyMoe

Hey, I'm still here. Next meeting is Nov 20th. A body-sculpturing surgeon is going to be there as guest speaker. Please come if possible. We had about five post-ops at this last meeting and Veronica is getting discouraged. All her volunteers that usually help her are not available and she needs some help. I am 14 mos out and have lost 89 pounds. However, I seem to be stuck and not losing. I know I need to exercise more but I must be too lazy or something. I feel like I'm being punished when I have to exercise. I just hate it!!! Take care and drop back in often.

I'll be at support group this Saturday and hope to see everyone there too. Personally the group really helps me and I try not to miss them. I learn something new each time.

What you are feeling is completely normal. Everyone's body is different and they all react in different ways. Follow your doctor's orders, keep your head up, remember your overall goal and you'll make it. I didn't feel restriction until I had 9cc in my 11cc band. Most of the weight I have lost had been b/c I followed orders and didn't go off on a binge. After I got the last fill, I knew I had restriction. In my monthly group meeting there is a guy that is over a year out on his journey and he hasn't had a fill yet! He's lost over a 100 pounds. Just remember that this is your journey and it's up to you to make it a good one and also remember that the band is not magic....it's just a tool to help you with the hard work.

My doctor says that you are inclined to take in too much air when you use a straw which can cause the pouch to swell and eventually droop over the band. You are suppose to be taking small sips of liquid, not glups. Also, I am not allowed to drink at all with meals. I can drink 30 min prior to eating and 30 min after eating.If you have a Realize band, the band also advises against using a straw. My nutritionist said I could order a glass of ice cubes and whatever liquid has melted at the end of the meal, I could drink slowly. When I go out somewhere that is where a straw is usually placed on table along with whatever you ordered to drink.....I don't order anything but the ice. Don't "play" with the rules. You will only hurt yourself. Good luck on your journey.

I'm thought I had seen a site for menu's. Can anyone give me the link or did I just dream it?:laugh: I am really tired of eating the same old, same old.:smile2:

Busdriver and I were at support meeting and we missed YOU! Please try to come to the meeting next month. We are both doing pretty good. I'm down by 80 pounds now and I don't need another fill for awhile I hope. Pam spoke at the meeting and gave us some solans that are really helping me. I thought I would share a couple with everyone. 1) If you take the time to do the "DO's", you don't have time to do the "Don't". 2) Be like a stamp. It's usefulness is the ability to stick to something until it gets where it's going." One more. 3) If you want something you never had, you have to do something you never did". Okay, hope you see you in June.

Congrats! Happy to hear that you habe done so well. I too didn't have any problems. Now, you are on the road to a life time journey.

Thank goodness, I'm not a chocolate lover. I feel for you that are and glad to hear that you have found ways to solve your cravings. So far, I haven't had any cravings for anything. In fact, I have reached a point of not caring whether I have food or not. Some days, I have to make myself eat. One those days, I at least make sure that I get a couple of protein shakes in. Food just isn't the love of my life anymore. However, I can see now that I'm going to always be broke on clothes when I get to where I want to be...beautiful wonderful outfits.

I hate getting stalled! It frustrates me to no end. I have to stay off the scales and then all at once, I "feel" the loss and it's there.

I have been doing the same thing. One of my friends can wear all of them and I'm sending them on to her. My SIL is sending me her clothes that I'm just now beginning to get into, so I don't have to buy anything.

Froggie, drink a protein shake in the afternoon.

5gm of fat per serving, 15 gms of carbs per serving, 60gms protein daily. 64oz of water.

Manda, how can you "plan" a life or death situation? It's better to be safe than sorry later.

You are too tight. Call your doctor and get a tiny unfill.

Hey Everyone. You were missed at support group today. Ashley gave a presentation on all the Vitamins and why we need them. She also had a great question/answer time. Sorry you missed it. MAY meeting is MAY 15th. Mark your calendar now and plan to come. You really need to set aside this time for yourself, so try to come. You know how important group is to you and to others that need to hear your journey.

Sylvia: Looks like you are on your way in this new journey. The time will go by faster than you think. Now is the time to practice smaller bites, chew, chew, chew your food, no drinking while eating (must wait 30 min), small sips, no straws also. I practiced all of the above and it helped me a lot when I actually got the band. I want to let you know that it might take awhile for you to get to the "just right" restriction with your band. Don't get discouraged...it will come. Everyone is different and our story may not match yours at all. Good luck. We're here anytime you need to ask anything.

Band of Hope: I am 7 months out, have lost 77 pounds, and have 8.5cc in my Realize band which holds 11ccs. I am very close to what they call "my sweet spot". Good luck on your journey.

I have 8.5cc in my 11cc Realize band. Started with nothing on 8/11/09. Down 77 pounds so far. Almost to the sweet spot.

BigBirney: Your comment about bypass people wanting to lose weight w/o all the work isn't quite fair. They work for thier weight loss too, just as we do for ours. They have to take B-12 injections, exercise daily, diet, avoid dumping syndrome, Vitamins for life, avoid mal-asorbation, depression, and life changes. They, more than us banders, have to deal with re-gaining thier weight as rapidly as they lost it. The bypass is not reversible either. Don't put them down please. They are on a journey just as we are.....one pound at the time. Now, A New Woman, my advice to you is for you to have a frank talk with your surgeon. Let him know how you feel and how he made you feel. If you can't come to a better understanding, find another one if possible. Your weight loss is fantastic and should be acknowleged. He's a un-caring physician if he can't "listen" to you. Believe, as a retired nurse that has had a lot of experience with physicians, I can tell you that they are not Gods---even if they try to act like one. Keep up the good work and take care of yourself first.

Hey Shawna, we missed you at group today. You should see Busdriver...she is really looking skinny. In fact, she needs to post a new picture.

I'm taking my band to the grave with me! No one is getting it. It has been a true life saver for me. So far, I've lost a lot of weight and have been taken off all but one of my B/P meds per day. I was taking four different kinds, three times a day. Now I take ONE....one time a day.

I have a protein shake every morning. I purchased the Matrix Vanilla Powder so I could mix different flavors in it. However, I seem to be a boring shake person b/c I like just plain old vanilla. I can't seem to eat in the mornings, so the shake is a lifesaver for me.

I have foods that I can't eat for a few weeks and then all of a sudden, I can eat them again. I don't understand it but just accept it.

Update on being stucked! First of all, I have eaten broccoli before and it didn't bother me. Usually it is steamed to the point of being able to mash it into tiny tiny bits. Don't know why it got stuck this time unless it just wasn't cooked as soft. Second, I wasn't able to eat anything the rest of the day and didn't feel too good either. I guess I was so overwhelmed with it all. Today has been good but I have been craving anything and everything to eat! I never crave food but I sure have today. I have really had to watch it closely or I would have eaten all day. It's like my system is afraid it's not going to get anything else to eat. I'm going to bed and pray that tomorrow things will be back to normal!

I don't do any extra exercise. I do my housework, climb stairs to my craft room, park a little further away, and sometimes actually get on my recumbant (sp?) bike. I plan to do better as soon as the weather permits. I am doing fine right now and don't want to lose any faster than I am doing.