TamifromAL

Those of you on thyroid supplements...when do you get checked to see if you need an adjustment to your meds? I normally get checked once a year, but should it be done after a certain amount of weight loss? In other words, is dosage dependent on weight, or is it determined simply by the amount of thyroid hormone produced by your body? Tami

Karey, Pero...Is that like Postum? That's a non-coffee hot drink my Mom used to give us when we were kids. I might have to check out the Pero/Postum again. I don't like to have too much coffee in a day, and it's nice to have something else now and then. I also try to remember to drink green tea. It's got some kind of anti-oxidants that are good for you, plus it supposedly increased the metabolism! BJean, I don't have any secret about the water-loading. But, I have a very moderate amount of restriction, and can still chug water. I drink at least 8 oz. right before I eat. finallyonmyway, welcome back! Won't it be fun this summer flaunting our new bods? I've never done Jazzersize. Is it hard to learn the movements? Kary, Lauri, aw shucks, thanks! Weird thing about looking at my pics side by side. How is it that my boobs got bigger and my neck got longer? :bounce: Lauri, trust me, I wouldn't have allowed that pic to be taken except for the fact that I was having surgery the next day, and I knew there'd be an "after" to follow! TruBluSue & BJean, dang, that'd tick me off if my doc was that persnickity. I was well over the "2 lb./wk" when I got my second fill. Unfortunately, I ended up a bit over-filled, and I guess that's why they come up with arbitrary guidelines like that. Plus, I have a theory that you almost need to get to the point of being over-filled and then a small un-fill to know what is "just right". katt, I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug: Tami 1/13/07 15" walk with dogs 30" elliptical B: Coffee, LF Creamora, S&L; 1 c. Kashi; 1/2 c. 1% milk L: 3/4 c. split pea soup; rice cake; 2 T. LF peanut butter D: 1 c. Turkey/beef chili; 7 LF tortilla chips; 1/2 oz. cheddar

Wow, Andy, you've done great! It sounds like you're on "The Biggest Loser" with all that exercise. But, you're doing it without Bob or Kim at your shoulder telling you to "MOVE IT!" I don't miss anything that isn't worth the loss. But, if you're gonna bring up pizza, I'd have to bring the beer! :beer: Tami

I've been playing around with my camera and the 'puter for a couple of hours this morning, and managed to get some pics loaded in the Before and After thread. 'Course I'm not really "after" yet, it's still "during". But, it was good to see the pics together to see how far I've come so far. Check me out! Tami

First pic is 9/4/06 at 273 lbs. Second pic is today, 1/13/07, at 206 lbs.

This is going to sound weird, but I gotta say that right now I *dont'* hate exercising. I think I might even *like* it. What made the difference was music. Load up an iPod with really great, feel good music! I also do this little mind trick. Whenever I drive by my gym, I look over at it, smile, and say (and try to mean it!): "I LOVE that place." I know that probably sounds silly, but it seems to be working. I try to take the strength training slowly, enough to feel a little tenderness between workouts (so I know I'm improving), but not so much that I don't want to go back because I can barely lift my arms! Slow and steady... Tami

I had to get slightly overfilled, and then a slight unfill, before I knew I was at my sweet spot. After my last fill, I couldn't eat Breakfast and often got a lump in my throat while eating (no PBs, though). I stuck with it for a week, but then got a small unfill. Now I can eat anything, but I'm satisfied (not full!) with small meals, and I have much less hunger than before banding. But, I can't say that I have *no* hunger. I do sometimes get hungry between meals. I try to manage that by drinking Water, or maybe going to the gym. But, if I really want a snack, I have one. I just keep it to 100 cal. or so. I was one of the unusual ones who got restriction very early on. After just one fill, you probably still have a fill or two to go before getting restriction. In the meantime, just keep drinking that water. It's your best defense against hunger! Tami

OMG, that's it!! I had blocked those bones from my memory until you mentioned it. Now I know why I can't eat salmon. And I will not even think about the fact that you ate them! :hungry: ewwwww Gee, if I ever start back sliding with my eating, maybe I could buy a can of salmon and poke the bones or something. That would be enough to keep me from eating for a couple of days. :laugh Karey, I haven't yet had the wonderful experience of PBing, but I know that having one can make the stoma swell for a while afterwards. That's probably why you're still a bit challenged today. Some people stick with liquids for at least one meal (sometimes a day) after a bad episode to rest the stoma. Even though I haven't PB'd, I do have trouble with dry foods, too. I got a little stuck on foil-pack chicken and on the tilapia this week. It helps if I have a little "food-lube" like gravy or sauce. For the hunger, have you ever tried Water loading? I read about it on another lap band site. It's apparently a technique that's recommended for RNY patients that's also effective for banders. You basically drink as much water as you can about 15" before eating. It supposedly helps with hunger, even long after you eat. Might be worth a try! I've also noticed my hunger picking up with more exercise. I'm fortunate to have a flexible schedule, and so I try to work out at the times that I get hungry (11 am or 3pm). If I'm busy exercising, I don't notice the hunger, and then I'm not hungry for an hour or so afterwards. Maybe it's the endorphins or the extra water I'm drinking while I exercise. I dunno...but it works. By the way, what's pero? Tami 1/12/07 30" elliptical 30" Cybex, upper body B: 1 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch; 1/2 c. 1% milk; coffee w/LF Creamora and S&L L: Taco Bell pintos & cheese; leftover tilapia S: Pretzel chips; 2 gl. red wine D: 3-1/2 oz. hamburger patty; 1/2 oz. Velveeta light; 1/4 c. grilled onions and mushrooms

BJean, yep, I'm a creature of habit! I was on an oatmeal kick for a couple of months, but now it's Kashi time! As for the Outback meal, I gotta admit that my conservative intake wasn't because of willpower! That fish was awesome! Unfortunately, I got a little bit stuck after the first couple of bites, and since I had already had salad, that was it for dinner. But, I had the rest for lunch, and it was *still* yummy! I don't touch salmon, though. I know it's so healthy, but I must have had a bad salmon experience as a kid or something...maybe mom's salmon pattys But, I can't touch the stuff! Tami

Shhh...don't everybody talk at once! Seriously, ya'll are way too quiet! I'm just doin' my daily check in...hope everybody is doing well, and that ya'll have a great weekend! Tami 1/11 No exercise B: 1 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch; 1/2 c. 1% milk; Coffee w/LF Creamora & S&L L: 3 oz. foil-pack chicken; 1 rice cake; 2 T. LF peanut butter D: Outback: 1/2 Caesar salad; 2 oz. or so tilapia; 2 bites steamed veggies S: NF, SF Yogurt

Do ya'll know how to report an offensive message? Just click the red triangle located in the upper right hand corner of each message. Then, just type "spam" in the box that pops up, and send it on to the mods to deal with! Tami

At this point, you're still deciding on whether or not to have the surgery, right? So, you're not technically on the pre-surgery diet, but kinda trying it out? I know what you mean about that mindset you get into prior to dieting. Everytime I've gone on a diet, I think I gained another 20 lbs. before actually starting! One thing you need to keep in mind is that not all doctors even put you on a pre-surgery diet. Mine didn't. I only had to fast the day before surgery. So, here's what I recommend. Instead of taking away what you love and crave (food), instead add the *other* elements of band lifestyle. If you follow them, you'll probably lose weight, and you'll get a head start on bandster eating. Here they are: Eat slowly. Take tiny bites. Put down your fork between bites. Chew, chew, chew, until it's mush! Stop eating when you feel satisfied (but not stuffed!) Don't drink with your meals, or for 30" afterwards. Then, drink *plenty* of Water, at least 8 8oz. glasses per day. Avoid liquid calories (soda, alcohol, juice, etc.) Exercise at least 30" every other day. (Just a walk is fine!) Try this. If you don't lose weight after a week or so, try eliminating white sugar and white flour products. Focus on what you *can* eat, rather than what you *can't*. Good luck! Tami

Sue, first, let me congratulate you on your honesty, and for seeking help. :clap2: And, girl, do you need it! I sincerely do not mean that in an ugly way. But, if you have not already damaged your band, you're certainly headed that way. I read back to a few of your old messages to see what else has been going on with you. You posted on 11/29 that you might be too tight, yet you went and got another fill. No wonder you're getting a lump in your throat when you eat. You. are. too. tight. (Edit...whoops, misread your post. I see you did get an unfill in December. Sorry!) There's not much you can do right now except stick with liquids until you heal or until you see your doctor. If you can't get liquids down, head to the ER. Hopefully, you are just swollen from acid reflux, vomiting and coughing, and will be able to get an unfill and get back to normal eating. But, I really think you should see a nutritionist and/or a counselor. The daily barfing *and* the nightly Nyquil (which also is loaded with sugar) are just not good for ya, darlin'! Good luck. Let us know how it goes! Tami

Yep, and it definitely makes a big difference. In previous diet phases, I'd either end up cooking two meals or feeling guilty for not serving my family their favorite meals. I accused my hubby of sabotaging me a few times, and since we were paying out of our own pocket for the surgery, he didn't want to do it again! My 16-year old daughter is kinda going back and forth on the "healthy foods" bandwagon. She wants to lose about 40 lbs., but some days she does turn up her nose at what I'm serving. I just ignore it, because I know it's better for her than chicken fingers! If I'd been cooking like this for the past 16 years, none of us would have a weight problem. By the way, her best incentive is that I'm getting close to being able to wear her clothes! :madgrin: Tami Jan 10 15" walk with dogs 25" elliptical 30" Cybex, lower body & core B: 1 c. Kashi; 1/2 c. 1% milk, Coffee w/ LF Creamora and S&L L: About 3 oz. leftover smothered chicken; Italian veggies D: 3 oz. Greek-style grouper w/spinach & feta S: NF, SF yogurt; wedge Laughing Cow Lite

:pound: Priceless! Thanks for sharing! Tami

It's awesome that you found the "brag" site. I'd never heard of "link-baiting" before. But, from what I gathered there, the whole point is to create a site that is so offensive that people talk about it on message boards like this and post the link. That generates traffic to the site. So, the best defense is to *not* post the link, and to *not* go to the offending site. I wonder whether the person who posted the link would consider editing the message to remove it? Just a suggestion based on newer info than you had when it was posted! Tami

I think the best way to prevent PBs is to not maintain too tight of restriction in your band. If you PB regularly, and *especially* if you also are relying on liquids/mushies for much of the day, then you're probably too tight. Get an unfill, eat solid, healthy foods, and work *with* your band, instead of against it! Tami

The problem with Protein drinks is that they don't work as well with the band as solid food, since they go right through the stoma. You really are better off with a solid snack, like a mozzerella cheese stick, a piece of beef (or turkey) Jerky, a wedge of Laughing Cow Light cheese, or a small handful of raw almonds! Tami

Mim, congrats on scheduling your "enhancement"! I know you must be excited, plus it will give you the much more incentive to do well during our challenge, with your surgery the next week. Lisalee, I'm sorry you're struggling right now. I know that everyone needs to find what works for them, but from my limited experience, I wonder if maybe you're a little too restricted. I prefer to be a tad on the loose side so I can eat solid protein, rather than relying on protein shakes, which sort of go against the whole idea of the band. They do provide protein, but they contain calories, too. Unfortunately, you don't get the benefit of feeling "full", as you would if you ate the same amount of calories in solid protein. But, again, that's just my opinion, and ymmv! You also might want to try Mim's plateau buster she posted a week or so ago. I have no idea why you and BJean are both suffering stomach pains. I had a week or so of pain at my port site during the last week of December, but it passed before I got overly concerned about it. I hope yours does, too. Tami 1/9 Elliptical, 30" B: Coffee w/LF Creamora and S&L; 1 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch with 1/2 c. 1% milk L: 3 oz. foil pack chicken; 1/2 c. split pea soup D: Crockpot Italian chicken with veggies S: SF, FF yogurt; wedge Laughing Cow Lite cheese

Karey, I've got a pretty good picture of your ex-DIL already, :pound: Congrats on the weight loss, and the exercise. It makes a difference, doesn't it? I'm actually starting to not hate it quite so much. Having some really good music on my iPod helps. I was listening to some Gypsy Kings this morning, and it made me wanna shake my maracas and have a margherita! So, I skipped the margheritas, and just did the shakin'! Tami 1/8/07 Elliptical, 25" Cybex upper body, 30" B: 1 c. Kashi; 1/2 c. 1%milk, Coffee w/ LF Cremora and S&L L: Leftover crockpot beef stew, about 1 c. S: Starbucks venti NF Latte with S&L D: 3/4 of a chicken breast fillet w/LF mushroom gravy, sauteed mushrooms & onions; about 2 T. Rice a Roni; 1/3 c. steamed broccoli

Well, I just watched Pirates of the Caribbean last night again, so I'll have to go with Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp. For the third? Oh, heck, can we throw in Kiera Knightly and let my hubby watch? :bounce: Naughty thread, Wheetsin! Tami

I had to get to the point of being overfilled before I realized that I was at my "sweet spot". I got my second fill of .5 added to the 1 cc in my 4cc band. I struggled for the next week: Couldn't eat Breakfast, even liquids went down slow, and I would often get a lump in my throat while eating lunch or dinner, even if I ate very slowly. So, I got a small unfill of .25cc, leaving me with 1.25cc. Now, there are times when I still feel like I could eat more than I should, but the difference is that although I might have to use willpower to stop eating after a cup or so of food (because I don't necessarily feel "full"), once I push back from the table, I know I've had enough, there's no sense of deprivation, and I am not hungry for several hours. Tami

Laurigee, thanks! I'm motivated by competition, for some reason. My hubby has been dieting right along with me since September. He's doing Slim Fast (2 SF/day, plus one "lean and green" meal). His weight loss has been amazing (I swear he's just trying to show me up! :mmph: ) But, this morning, I passed him on the scale! :whoo: So, I'm not only competing against all of you guys, I've got a competiton going on at home, *and* I joined the Discovery Channel's National Body Challenge http://health.discovery.com/BodyChallenge/index.jsp I'm not following their diet, but they have some tools that are helpful, plus, if you have a Bally's Fitness near you, you get an 8-week free membership! Mim, I had extensive plastic surgery about 10-12 years ago, after losing 100 lbs. Unfortunately, after re-gaining even more and now losing it again, everything is droopy once again. I don't know whether I'll want to go through all of it again, but I'm definitely going to get the girls worked on. But, for me, I'll wait until I reach goal *and* maintain for a while. I know the statistics for keeping the weight off is much better with the band, but I want to make *sure* I'm gonna keep off the weight before any more plastic surgery. Tami

I'm down 5 lbs this week !! I just finished my TOM, so I'm sure that helped. I only exercised two days, though, so I'll have to get in an extra one this week! Love those NSVs! I had one last night. I have a very cushy, pillow-top mattress. I realized last night that I can roll over without sort of lifting myself up out of the dip! That's kinda hard to explain, but it meant a lot to me. gonnabethin, Happy Birthday! Hope your best gift is a nice drop next week! (edit) I just cancelled my fill appointment for tomorrow. I'm very happy with where I am right now, and as long as I continue to lose, I'm gonna stay here. I even tested 'er out with steak yesterday, with no problem. Tami 1/6 No exercise B: 1 c. Kashi; 1/2 c. 1% milk; coffee w/LF Creamora and S&L L: Jim & Nicks: 3 oz. (or so) BBQ chicken, dark; 1/4 c. collards; 1/4 c. pintos D: Classic Joes: 3-4 oz. Tilapia; 1/4 c. asparagus; 2-3 bites cheese grits; 3 gl. white wine S: Starbucks grande SF, NF latte 1/7 No exercise B: 1 c. Kashi; 1/2 c. 1% milk; coffee w/LF Creamora and S&L L: 3 oz. steak, 1/2 sm. sweet potato; 1/4 c. or so Caesar salad; 1/2 c. split pea soup; 2-3 bites cheese cake D: 1/4 c. Caesar salad; 3/4 c. split pea soup S: NF, SF yogurt

Well, I can honestly say *I* have never suffered from horefrost! Erin (lifelongband), wow! I'm sorry to hear you've been sick, but still...10 lbs in a week? :clap2: Hope you're feeling better! BJean, I'm sorry to hear about your MIL. I hope we can all take a lesson from her experience and keep active, even well beyond this weight loss effort. Oh, and I know what you mean about the "guys with six pack abs". I had a personal trainer for a few months several years ago. He was *gorgeous*! You can bet I never missed an appointment! Gabbie, welcome to our cozy little group. Jump on in! Tami Jan. 5 15" walk w/dogs 20" elliptical 30" Cybex, lower body & abs B: 1 c. Kashi; 1/2 c. 1% milk; Coffee w/LF Creamora & S&L L: Taco Bell taco salad (about 1/2, no chips/shell) D: 1 c. Crockpot beef stew S: SF, NF Yogurt