BetsyB

So, what will you do to turn it around? What are you willing to give up?

My favorites are the Inspire line from bariatriceating.com.

Around 5:30 a.m., I have a warm protein drink made with almond milk plus bariatric multivitamin, vitamin D, Co Q-10 around 9:00, I exercise, usually 3.5 mile walk, but now that it's colder, I'm heading back to the gym after exercise, I have 3-5 ounces solid protein--often I go with legumes (like, chicken-black bean chili) with a sprinkle of cheese 12:00-1:00 or so, I have 3-ish ounces of protein with about half a cup of nonstarchy veggies dinner-same as lunch after dinner, often another 3.5 mile walk before bed-another warm protein drink, bariatric multivitamin, Co Q-10 if I need a snack, I have something like an ounce of cheese or a small salad

Opinions on anonymous sites are....well, you know the saying about opinions and a!@holes--everyone has one. And the ones you see posted tend to be the most extreme responses possible. In reality, I haven't experienced one iota of prejudice about my band. Not a scintilla of negativity. Nada. If I had, it still would have been the best thing I ever did for myself.

This is a question for your plastic surgeon to field. (S/he's the one to talk to, rather than the bariatric surgeon.) The PS I'm using does require unfill.

www.bariatriceating.com has low-carb recipes for all stages of postop eating

Ah--mobile is so much better! Thank you for that hint!

Yes, journalling is critical to my success. I use fitday.com.

A good bariatric Multivitamin is always a good choice post-banding. All of the Vitamins contribute, in some way, to your metabolism, but the ones that specifically claim to have these effects usually have other ingredients that can be harmful at worst, and useless at best. I order my vitamins from my doctor's office; they are powder in capsule form, therefore very bioavailable.http://bmisurgery.org/index.php?ID=vitaminssupplements My doctor also recommends supplementing with Co Q-10, which very definitely helps with energy levels. He requires it during the perioperative period, but those of us who continue with it long term really do notice a benefit.

reduced carbohydrate craving reduced hunger ability to ensure that, even with finite stomach "real estate," my Protein and other nutrient needs are met; the carbs I have excised offer no nutritional benefits in a similar vein, the foods I focus on are nutrient-dense my cholesterol, triglycerides, and other blood parameters have improved tremendously (I realize this is also a function of the weight loss itself) I FEEL TERRIFIC--never logy due to carb coma complete overhaul of decades-long habits in a way that does NOT leave me feeling deprived resolution of borderline endocrine issues greater loss in shorter period of time CONTROL and SUCCESS in a way that is sustainable, long-term, with the band ETA: I aim for 800-900 calories/day, 80-100 g protein, <50 g net carb (from veggie, legume, and some fruit sources only). I do not eat sugar. I occasionally eat whole grains (never refined), but feel better without them (suspect some level of gluten intolerance), and NEVER feel deprived---ever. The band gets the credit for that!

What a great idea! I live in the middle of a cookie-cutter subdivision, but do have the great luck of having a patch of the less than 2700 acres of wetland prairie still in existence in my state right smack in the middle of my (cookie-cutter subdivision) walking route. So I get to see all kinds of flora and fauna. I love the changes of season---right now, things are dying back, and not very pretty, but the bare branches and dying grasses make the birds and animals more easily visible. I will post pictures of my tiny sanctuary in the middle of suburban Chicago. I find a lot of peace there, at a time when life is tumultuous.

My first fill was 4.5 cc. After a couple of days, anything I felt from it vanished. My second fill was 4 cc. Again, the effects were short lived. I don't know how much my subsequent fills were---I stopped asking. I did start to get some restriction with my third fill. I think I probably have somewhere in the vicinity of 9-9.5 cc at this point (after 6 fills, I think)---and they're just about right.

I've lost at pretty much the same rate since banding, though it's slowing down considerably now that I reach goal. It was very difficult, but I ate as if I had restriction even when I didn't. I know that doesn't work for everyone. It took me three fills to begin to feel restriction. After that, things got way easier. They have gotten progressively easier since. Well, except for the natural slowdown that has occurred as I've gotten nearer to goal. I have consistently eaten 2-5 oz. lean Protein and 1/2-1 cup nonstarchy veggies for my meals. I use 1-2 protein supplements/day. I journal on Fitday, and aim for 800-900 calories, 80-100 g protein, and <50 g net carb/day (primarily from veggie and legume sources.) I do not eat sugar, or use caffeine any more (important for appetite control, for me). I make sure I get adequate heart-healthy fat (supplementing with omega-3s). I take a good bariatric Multivitamin (and supplemented with zinc and Biotin during the hair loss phase), and take Co Q-10 daily, too. I exercise daily, at least once. For me, each of these components is important. It doesn't mean I don't occasionally indulge, but 99% of the time, I achieve what I set out to do. It's worth it, weight-wise. But mostly, I just FEEL a bazillion times better. Your mileage may vary--not everyone needs to follow the same regimen for success. This is just what works for me.

early a.m.--Inspire Dutch chocolate protein with warm almond milk breakfast (after exercising)--4 oz. chili with 28 g reduced-fat cheddar lunch: 2-3 ounces cold boiled shrimp, broccoli slaw with light Asian dressing dinner: no idea yet; protein + veggie of some sort evening: Inspire or PURE protein with warm almond milk

I agree with much of what you've posted. I, however, was not disappointed by my band at first because my experience (the typical being hungry/feeling like I was dieting/feeling as though I didn't have a band) was something I had been well-prepared for. I expected it, and expected it to be time-limited. Obesity occurs for many different reasons, and food addiction is only one of them. I do come from a family of alcoholics and addicts, however. Those who have successfully achieved sobriety accept the prevalence of their drug(s) of choice in society, and accept personal responsibility for their sobriety. It is difficult---but they do it. I understand your stance about advertising, but the fact of the matter is that food addicts, like other addicts, must take responsibility for their choices. Cigarette advertising was banned because the risks of smoking became incontrovertible, and there are absolutely NO benefits. Food is required for life; banning its advertisement simply will not occur. Yes, obesity is an enormous public health issue. The key isn't removing food advertisements from television. The key is education---teaching children, from a very young age, how to properly nourish their bodies. Teaching them that advertising, in general, is not geared toward their best interests, but simply to sell things they don't need. Re-educating ourselves and taking back our power, in the form of personal responsibility, is crucial for those of us who've lost our way. For those of us who've already fallen prey to obesity, personal responsibility is key. Would I like to see HFCS removed from foods? Absolutely. Since that's not happening, I don't purchase foods that contain them. I don't purchase foods that contain transfats. I cook from scratch. When I eat out, I order very carefully. Personal choice and personal responsibility are priceless. Yes, food addiction is a problem for many. And commercials really do stimulate appetite---there are evil geniuses who know exactly what buttons to push. But they don't put the car keys into anyone's hand, or drive them through the drive-through. Food addiction differs in one very crucial way from other addictions: the physical component of the addiction is just completely different. The body does not require the crap in order to function, as occurs with alcoholism or drug addiction. A carton of yogurt is as apt to produce physical satisfaction as a Big Mac. So the responsibility lies with the individual to make the right choices. Regarding malnutrition related to the band, this too is largely a matter of personal choice and responsibility. A properly adjusted band permits adequate nutrition, if the person who is banded makes appropriate food choices and, as good measure, takes a Multivitamin. We don't experience the malabsorption characteristic of other surgeries---in the absence of band complication, we have the ability to make choices that properly nourish our bodies.

Nope, not a problem at all. Good luck!

Chili is a staple for me. I make it thick, and eat 2-5 ounces, depending on time of day and hunger. It always holds me to the next meal.

That's awesome!

I eat low-carb. 800-900 cal/day, 80-100 g protein, <55 g net carb (from veggie, legume, and some fruit sources). Good bariatric multivitamin and a couple of other supplements. Lots of fluid. Daily exercise.

I'm a January 2010 "graduate," too. For me, going back to the preop diet, or anything I would perceive as remotely punitive, would NOT do the trick. What does work is journaling what I take in so I get a very realistic view of my intake. I use fitday.com. I lose best when I take in 800-900 calories/day (low for most people, I know), 80-100 g protein/day, and <50 g net carb/day (from veggie, legume, and fruit sources only). I also make sure to get adequate heart-healthy fat (including omega-3 supplementation), and take a good-quality bariatric Multivitamin. I exercise daily, often twice. Exercise doesn't sound like it's your problem at all, though! (But in your shoes, I'd strongly considering graduation from Curves to a gym. Curves is outgrown very, very quickly, in my experience.)

My surgeon offers these tips for getting insurance coverage: Plastic Surgery Pateint Resources and Articles - Dr. John Lomonaco

I've never PBd--but I've gotten stuck. Throwing up does the trick--it's definitely not PB; sometimes it's spontaneous (if I'm lucky), and other times I slime for a while before I realize that nothing's happening unless I induce it. Which I do--because it puts an immediate end to the problem.

For every 10 pounds lost, I buy a charm/bead for my Pandora bracelet. Each charm somehow represents a part of my journey. (I have a dog because my dog, Truman, is my personal trainer; I have a gym shoe; etc. I'm about to buy one that represents the story The Princess and the Pea because now that I'm thinner, I feel every lump and bump in clothing and in bed! LOL) In addition to buying charms when I hit 10 pounds down, I have commemorated certain milestones with a charm, as well--getting under 200 pounds, losing 50 pounds, losing 75 pounds. By the time I reach goal, the bracelet will be full. Otherwise, my rewards have been new jeans that fit every now and then. And all kinds of NSVs. When I hit goal, I hope to have plastic surgery to rearrange all these body parts that are so much smaller and further south.

Well, no--hitting the sweet spot won't make you lose more efficiently. You'll just be more satisfied. That does help tremendously. If you're not losing in the calorie range your sticking to, it's time to try something else. You may need fewer calories. You may need to pare down on carbs. You may need to bump up your exercise. If you journal someplace like fitday.com, you can analyze what does and does not work

No No No, but it can be awfully appealing. Yes I tend to have a loose plan for the day in mind, but don't really start thinking about preparation until the time comes. And I don't adhere rigidly to the plan if something else appeals. Yes Not any more. I do journal, do measure/weigh. It takes up a tiny portion of my day, and is part of my meal planning/prep. sushi No. 5; eating until uncomfortably full was never part of my obesity M.O. No I enjoy it. Now that I'm banded, I don't think about it much at all. Before, I think I spent more time planning what I was "allowed" to eat. Often, they are meals, or coffee. Sometimes, it's other activities. But food usually plays a part---it's a societal norm. Yes, usually I make it. Both. I weigh/measure, but more importantly, I listen to my body. I stop when I am satisfied. Not full. Maybe 50 percent of the time, I finish the portion I have allotted myself. I usually leave a bite or two behind, or share with my dog No When I am upset, I tend to head out for a walk. bedroom intimacy, respect, love Yes. When my needs were not met, I did tend to turn to food for comfort.