peprmentpati

Everyone has done so well!!! How exciting! I'm down 93 since May 1st, 2010 (start of pre-op diet) and I was banded on 5/19/10. Love, love, love my Band! Rebecca

exercise! For me, it makes me feel awesome about myself and aids in my weight loss efforts. I workout every other day. I've told myself to atleast walk, If I feel like quitting, atleast walk. I've lost 93 pounds since May 1st, 2010!!! I was banded on 5/19/10, and I joined the gym on 6/14/10. Good Luck to us all!!! Rebecca

The only "sweet" that I allow myself is the Edy's no sugar added fruit bars. They're only 25 calories and have soo much flavor!. Other than that, I avoid the others. I've also avoided all breads, crackers, popcorn, potato chips, etc...snack foods aren't appropriate for my lifestyle and where I want to be. We are all different, I had a serious food addiction that I'm learning to control so it's best that I don't eat "trigger" foods. However, my story isn't the same as everyone else. Do what's best for your lifestyle and good luck! Rebecca

I eat mostly Proteins (98% of the time). I don't eat bread, sweets, Snacks. etc... I follow the dr. orders damn near to a T, and I do exercise. However, I know that the body does what it wants most of the time. I track my weight daily and I've a trend where my body will hold onto weight for about 10 days and then I'll drop a few. That's even when I do everything to a "T". Moral of the story...hang in there, keep following dr's orders and you will lose the weight! Rebecca

hello! I got my second fill 3 weeks ago. I am now at 6.4cc in a 10cc band. I was super restricted the first week after my fill, like I could hardly eat a 1/2 cup of food. The 2nd week following the fill I was sooo hungry and having lots offhought about food and eating. It felt like it was more loose than before I got the fill. Now this week I'm super tight again and having PB'ing episodes. I suspect there is some internal changes going on (sweeling, weight loss, etc...) The band is a whole new experience for all of us and we learn new things often. I was banded with my friend in Mexico. She's lost 42 lbs abd I've lost 90. I'm taller and weigh more than her. But she's doing excellent for her size, height and etc. Our bodies do what they have to do during changes and stress and that sometimes meaning holding on to weight until it figures things out. I'm going to rely more on whatever will power and knowlege I've gained from my medical team and other successful bandsters. I love the idea of getting lots of fills for restriction but I don't want to use that as a crutch, if that makes sense. I guess I just want to work as a team with my band not completly rely on it to "save" me. It will get better for all of us! Good Luck! Rebecca

Darn-it! I think you guys are right, the only reason I've hesitated is because I was able to eat fine all last week but I avoided chicken. Today I thought I could try chicken again, now that I wasn't having the "restriction" feeling. Still waiting for a call back...I'll try Soup or protien drinks until confirmed. Thanks for your suggestions. Rebecca

Hello, I am 3.5 months post-op, I've lost 90 pounds since the start of my pre-op on 5/1/10. The majority of my success thus far has been without restriction. I've had two fills, the last one being on 8/18. I am now at 6.4cc in a 10cc band. These past 3 weeks have been a challenge for me. I've PB'd about 6 or 7 times and for the past hour I can stop vomiting. I am relating this chicken, but am still seeking some an advice from you all. Please tell me: 1) have I messed up my band by vomiting? 2) how often do any of you all PB or vomit? 3) Any similar episodes for any of you? FYI - I left a message for my fill providor, waiting for a call back. thanks, Rebecca

SKB and everyone else - I love this quote by Mariann Williamson, it sums up everything that I feel but sometimes to afraid to admit, if that makes sense. Let's encourage each other and ourselves to be happier and healthier, especially when times are hard. And, remember, we deserve this too! “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing Enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Rebecca

skb: I've overate 3 times now, and I still struggle with the addiction to food. The best thing, I believe, is to fess up and keep trying. I did a post about that and all the lovely people who responded reminded me that we aren't perfect, and we have to just go back to the band basics. I doubt you did any major damage, I think that way too but it's mostly self sabotage, don't believe it. If you're seriously worried get another fill under fluroscope. As I type this I'm speaking to myself as well. Let's not think negative, let's keep going and win this fight once and for all! Good Luck to you, me and us all! Rebecca

OMG, thanks so much!!! I wish I read this an hour ago, I couldn't stop PB'ing! yikes. thanks! Rebecca

Your Welcome! We all need encouragement. Congrats on being so close to onederland! How exciting!

LOL, I'm 16 weeks out since pre-op diet and I burp all the time now! I hardly ever did before, like, hardly ever - but now it's all the time! LOL, kinda gross.

You are doing GREAT! That's a lot of hard work you are putting into making you healthy! That to me is success! This reminds me of how I feel about school and "test" anxiety, or bettter yet, "grade" anxiety. I tell myself: if I don't put in all the work I know that I COULD do and I get a poor grade - then I'll feel like SH*T. But, If I do everything I CAN do, study, do my homework, strive to understand the material...etc... and I get less than an A, well then, I've done the best I can so I'll take what I get. You could translate that into a "scale" moto... Sounds like your doing the best you can, and whatever will be, will be, right? Unlike you, I weigh in eveyday and I log it. There are sometimes that I do everything to a T, and I gain or not lose for days. The body Does whatever it needs to get by, if that means holding onto weight for a few extra days for whatever reason, it will do it. However, it doesn't always line up with the schedule we keep for ourselves, ie - your weigh-in appt. Moral of the story...you are doing GREAT!!! Keep it up!!! Everything will work out the way it's supposed to!! You will ACHIEVE success!!! God Bless, Rebecca

Banded May 19th, 2010! I've lost 90.8 pounds since pre-op on May 1st. I love my Band! I have a ways to go and somedays are effortless, while others I struggle with my mind and past addiction to food. I wish everyone the best of luck and future success! Rebecca

I love coffee and so I still drink it. It's either one of two options for me: Hot Coffee at home, that I make, about 2 measured cups worth. I like it with cream, 2 splendas, and a splash of coffee-mate's pepperment mocha flavored cream. Or, I get a medium iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts with cream, 3 splendas and extra ice - but I don't ever drink from a straw. Coffee is so good! Yum. This process or journey rather, is lifelong, I think you can enjoy certain beverages or foods that you always did - but within limits.

I got the "Go Wear Fit" and I LOVE it!!! I call it my "other band" LOL. Everyone asks me about it, but it's an awesome helper with weigh loss. You'll love it!

Wow! Congratulations! I LOVE My Band too! -Down 85 lbs since May 1st, 2010. -All previous health & metabolic issues have left me (pre- diabetic, sleep apnea, high BP, back pain...on and on) -I'm beginning to fall in love with myself for the first time. -My self esteem is growing everyday! I love my band and all the support of my friends, family, and this awesome online community!!! God Bless, Rebecca

It happens to all of us. The body is extremley adaptive. It's purpose is to survive. So if it thinks that it won't be fed, in order to survive, it will slow digestive processes and do it's best to...survive. Hey, at least that's what I tell myself when I've done everything right and I don't drop weight... Good luck Rebecca

Today is a better day and I won't look back! I am full of so much Gratitude for all the help and support from you all! I respect everyone's advice and experience, thank you! Becks

Thank you a million times!!!!!!!!!!! I needed some encouragement and I thank you all for coming to the rescue! Today is a better day! You all are so very awesome, thanks!!!! Rebecca

So I f'ed up today. I hate to be Debbie the Downer, but I need to get this off my chest. I OVER ate today, just like I did pre band when things bothered me. Yes, it was less than my old binges but the reality that I did it, sucks! It really just feels better to fess up instead of feeling ashamed like in my past. thanks for reading, Rebecca

Who's been eating apples? Do you trim the skin off? I really want one and I love the skin, do you think it would be okay if I chew, chew, chew, chew, chew (you get the idea)? Rebecca

Damn justrite, that's really deep. But you're right. All these changes with our mind, self esteem, men, bodies, egos all that sh*t is going to surface. I'm glad you are bringing this up because I'm struggling with not having the distraction of my food addiction. I am now feeling alot of things that I buried with food. I do have to say that I'm grateful for people like you who are honest about the realities of these changes. I'm also grateful to God, of course, and my theapist. I pray that I can overcome some of my demons as well. God Bless, Rebecca

Wow. Thanks for being so candid and sharing the other side. I'm glad you decided to seek out treatment. I've been seeing a therapist for about three years now. I've been extremely overweight, when I started therapy, then I lost weight (pretty much by starving and or bingeing and purging) and then I regained the weight. I felt so ashamed that I stopped go to therapy for about 6 months as I started to regain all of my weight and then some. I started with a new therapist last July (2009) and go about every 3 weeks. It makes a HUGE difference! I was banded in May of 2010 and so I'm new to being banded but not new to losing weight. I want my band to help me reach goal and live a healthy life and so far it has been a great asset. I thank God for that! I'm working on all of my self esteem issues as well. I just said the other day that I better start digging all the issues out and deal with them now rather than later. I especially have issues with men (terrible father) so I'm putting myself out there to allow myself to feel different, well, feelings. Good Luck with your healing my dear. God Bless, Rebecca