shadst8

Obviously she is bitter--as she quits smoking, she will know her own struggle!

Yes--I still have gas on occasion--another of my friends that was banded last year carries gas X all the time-apparently gets it quite frequently

It is very hard--I try to do it on the routine, but life doesn't always cooperate. Since I am work at 7, I eat breakfast there, so on the way and right up until 7:45--I try to have 16oz down--very hard with sipping, so I start soon as I get up in the morning. I eat breakfast around 8:15, then around 9, I start sipping again, try to get 8oz before lunch, then 8oz in the afternoon before a snack. I try to sip on the way home. After dinner, I try to get the other 32--sometimes I do, other times I at least try to get 48oz! Now all of that depends if I don't run late to work, remember my bottles of water, do not get stuck in meeting and forget to bring my water, etc lol

I got Walmart when I do not want to spend a lot of money--they have a six pack for about $9. Yes it is expensive to eat healthy. I have always gained my most when I have had the less money.

I am a 5wks post-op and still have restriction from swelling, although nothing like the first few weeks. I can eat a little more than the 1/2 cup, not much. I also do not get hungry until about 3-4hrs long. As another poster wrote, the chest pain from eating too much or too fast really keeps me from finishing most things. I actually take indigestion meds and it stops that chest pain. I actually am glad that I can eat a little more than the 1/2 cup, because I it helps me get in more calories and got me out of the plateau.

Count me in!!!!

When you reach a weight in the 100's

Good for you

My face, waist, hips--my thighs and rear end are not going anywhere too soon:biggrin:

Joining in the challenge as well. I want to loose 17lbs by Easter but will be happy with 10.

Thanks--a lot of my weight was loss pre-op though. This site is inspiring--so glad I found it prior to the surgery! What is frustrating is I look smaller than I really I am.

Someday my knees will come! lol.

That has been a staple snack since last summer--love it!!!

Thanks to everyone--I never thought having a neck was a big deal until now!! lol Inspiration--I never thought I would inspire anyone--that small comment means a lot.

As with many people, I do not like to take pictures--to do so is like a broadway production because I have to do several takes just to get one I can tolerate to look at. Well, I went on my Valentine Weekend getaway and took a look at the picture on the right--my body has changed--people have been saying it, but the picture is really worth a 1000 words after 4 1/2 week post-op. My victory--I have a neck!!! ( I'm the first one in the picture to the left) As for the scale--after being stalled for 2wks, the scale moved--down 3lbs since last week.

Anticipation and mind games is the only way I have been surviving. If I go out, I find a menu if I do not know the place well and know what I am going to eat and/or tell them how I need it cooked to fit me needs by the time I sit. I have also had to steer my friends not to have food as the center of our social circle--everything we do cannot happen in front of a plate! Finally, I have find other activities to take the place of food. When I am bored, instead of eating, I may search for healthy recipes, I like to travel so surf on places I like to go. I try to anticipate crazy schedules or when it may be a rough day emotionally (of course they just happen)--I try to plan something or change my eating schedule so that I will be eating one of my normal meals during the rough or boring times. I struggle, but to paraphrase Frederick Douglas, there is no progress without struggle...:hurray:

My boss told everyone at work, so though I planned to tell them over time, now it is too late. I do wish some of them did not know, because I have some who try to give advice or say what they do--I do not need their help, and it's about me, so I do not care what you do. Some are naturally curious, and I respect that, and have genuine questions. I am just upfront and tell them how I feel. I said all of that to say, whomever you tell, be prepared for how you will deal with their response

Same thing happened to me--it came back off! I retain water because of all those creamy soups that had high sodium contents!

Because I suffer from Vitamin D defiency way before surgery, it is crucial that I exercise to strengthen my muscles. I can't weight to get back to my aerobics and strength training because it helped me so much. I think exercise and activity are confused. Like another poster said, unless you sit or lie still 24hrs, you are doing some physical activity just in your normal every day activities. I don't think the OP was trying to convince people not to exercise, but to encourage those who cannot do aerobics or run to know it is possible to drop weight. I cannot without doing some exercise routine, but every person is different.

People should not confuse impatience and apprehension and some fear. We all did this journey because of constant failures. When the weight slows and stalls, that fear that maybe you are going to fail again and the pressure to succeed plays a huge part. Yes you know you cannot drop it as fast as you gain and that your body changes and adjusts, but still it takes some psychological adjustments with your body adjustments. I know that is what I am dealing with, so the OP, hang in there:thumbup:

You just told my told story. I am 28 days post-op and I stalled around the same time and have been the same weight ever since. I lost a pound finally when I weighed earlier this week, to only get back on the scale yesterday to see I am back at the same weight although I was really puffy and swollen yesterday around the ankles--water retention. I too, walk, count calories, eat only when I am hungry, I am not weak either, yet I remain the same size. Just through me searching, I have found this is normal. Like you, I still just feel baffled that I have not continued to lose. Some say that you could be loosing inches--unfortunately I jotted my pre-op measurements down, and now cannot find it, so I have no way to verify. Is this Bandster hell? I have decide to not to worry about it and just look forward to a fill and when I can do real excercise again. I figured the 60lbs, 30lbs alone in January was not too bad and to wait--the pounds will start coming again

I was the same way--I thought I no way will I be full off of 4oz of pureed soup, but sometimes I do not even eat all of that

I have to agree--I do not count my weight but sometimes the scale lets me know. I notice my ankles was swollen--retaining water--sure enough five pounds gained. That let me know to watch my sodium intake.!!

You are so inspiring. Since I had such a high BMI, I know I have a great deal more weight to lose than some, but you have really encourage me. I know my goal is very achievable. Congratulations on the tremendous success:thumbup:

Congratulations. Hearing results like that inspire me. I am three weeks post-op and have lost no weight since the first week. I know this is normal and this time is about healing, but I cannot help but feel a bit discouraged. I upped my calories, started walking, increasing protein, but still the same. Thank you--I know I just have to wait it out and be thankful for the 13lbs the first week and 21 pre-op!! Plateaus are just that--eventually you cannot stay flat, at some point you will reach the end of the plateau and fall!! Congrats again:thumbup: