Diamondgirl81

To me, it's only cheating if you fail to disclose it. I definitely believe that all weightloss surgeries are designed to give you an advantage or an edge over losing weight the "traditional" way. I wonder if someone would be eligible to join the actual biggest loser show after having a wls. I'll have to google that one. Best, Lauren

When I start to lose perspective, I look at old pictures of myself. I think it's really helpful to see where you've been and where you don't want to return. As for limiting my exposure to foods, that's a tough one. I cook, I love watching the food network, and I live in one of the restaurant capitals of the world Best, Lauren

Last week, my doctor prescribed me a diuretic because of my propensity to retain Water. A great plus to the pills is that I dropped 3 lbs this week, but I'm concerned with what happens after I stop taking them. I've read that long term usage can be harmful. I'm only taking them around the time of my cycle (7 days) which tends to be the hardest time for me to drop any weight. On average, I'm doing well since my lap band surgery but I have noticed that I generally lose the bulk of my weight after my cycle is over. Should I be concerned about taking these? By the way, my lap band surgeon didn't prescribe them, it was my pcp. Best, Lauren

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................245.7...........160........ .. 85.7 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............281.............225............ 56 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 Healthy-me-in-Az...242................183.6.........139...........44.6 HummingBird..........204...............169............150............. .19 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............173..............150........ ....23 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............291.2..............233....... . ....58.2 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............271..............225....... ......46 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40 wonderwoman2009 175...............175................160..........15 __________________

I'm about 5 months post-op and I still make my shakes. Like someone else mentioned, the morning's can be a bit tight & difficult, so Protein shakes are my best bet. However, I do use lactose free skim plus milk. If you're sensitive to lactose, skim plus is a good option, plus it has more protein than regular skim milk. Best, Lauren

I agree with Leigha. As long as you are balancing your meals with exercise and activity, a treat is not going to kill you. Balance is key. I eat ice cream a couple times a month and I don't feel guilty at all. However, I'm active, keep my calories in check and I allow myself to have a relationship with food that's not based on fear and abstinence. I'm still a fairly new bandster, 5 months out and 67 lbs down so far, but I truly believe that finding a balance with the lap band and not fearing food is key. Anyhow, on a tastier note, over the weekend I found a yummy fat free, whey Protein based ice cream by Arctic Zero. It is only 128 calories a pint and has a total of 16 grams of protein. Now that's a compromise :confused: Best, Lauren

I was banded on December 17th and have lost 67 lbs so far. I am a lot more active and try to workout 3-4 times a week. I wish I was more diligent about my workout routine though. My food's under control but the gym is still a chore I've had a number of fills.. my doc does them in small increments about every 4 weeks or so. I'm currently at 5.25 ccs and feel great. All the best to everyone. Lauren

TMI moment coming... I suffer from Endometreosis and PCOS. Before I had my surgery, I had my period for 4 months straight and the time before that about 3 months!!! Since I had this surgery and lost a few pounds, i'm actually on a normal, monthly cycle. It likes a miracle every month :smile2: Best, Lauren

I had a fill last week and afterwards, I couldn't get yogurt or even a shake down without pain or gurgling for four days. I too didn't want to give up my "restriction" but there's a fine line between restriction and overfill. I ended up going in for a slight unfill and instantly felt better. My doctor told me to never let that feeling linger because overtime that causes issues w/ the band. Also, he mentioned that if you're too tight, you're not getting the proper nutrients you need to lose either. So to me, restrictions means eating comfortably w/o pain and feeling satisfied for about 4 hours or so. Best, Lauren

I had the same thing happen to me. I had a fill on Thursday and had trouble ever since. For the first time ever, I threw up and had troubles w. yogurt and shakes. I gave it four days to let the swelling go down and it was just getting worse. I went in today for a slight unfill (.4ccs removed) and I feel tremendously better. My doctor told me that I did the right thing. Four days of being that tight is enough. More often than not, band issues start with people being too tight for too long. Ultimately, mistaking tightness and pain w/ restriction. Be careful and listen to your body. Best, Lauren

I now do 4 days of cardio and 2 days of toning exercises. Mainly I use the elliptical for all of my cardio work. It's easy on the knees and an all over workout. Best, Lauren

Since being banded back in December, about 80 percent of my weight loss thus far has been without real restriction. It makes it that much more important to make smart food choices and increase activity levels until you find good restriction. I've copied the link to a nice website that offers great meal ideas for various post-op stages. BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition - Bariatric recipes But now that you are so newly banded, take it easy and focus on healing. The battle for restriction takes many different forms w/everyone. I had a fill on Thursday and asked for a little extra juice and now I regret it. As frustrating as it is to be too loose, too tight can be down right painful. Best, Lauren

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................252.7...........160........ .. 92.7 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............284.............225............ 59 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 HummingBird..........204...............176............150............. .26 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine.........259...............259..............199........ ...60 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............173..............150........ ....23 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............303..............217........ ....86 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............282..............225....... ......57 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40 __________________

Congrats to you!

I told people close to me and co-workers that I directly sit around. I figured, let those that I have daily interaction with know, in case I get really sick or even if they notice I'm eating a third of what I use to eat. Every now and again, I still get the, "are you sure that lunch is enough to fill you up" :thumbup: That's a really refreshing statement to hear, instead of last year's, " hey do you want another slice of pizza or do you want to go to Crumbs for cupcakes?" I also find that as other people notice my weight loss, I'm honest with them. I tell the truth; I'm eating healthier, I'm making better choices, I'm more active, and yeah I had lap-band. Regardless of whether they hear everything I said or just the surgery, I make it more about what I'm doing and less about what the band is doing. Thanks, Lauren

Hi Keara, I agree w/ Astrasmom, find a local support group and lean on this forum if you need to. Especially, if you're not getting support at home. It is completely normal to have reservations or feel moody after you've had surgery. Your body and your mind has gone through a trauma. It's a shock to the system that will get better. The first few weeks are for healing and learning about this tool you've armed yourself with. Regarding your husband or any naysayer spouses, I'll be frank. Relationships come and go but the one you with yourself is for life. Make this work for YOU and stay positive. Best, Lauren

I find that since I've been banded, when I'm stressed, I feel tighter and can barely eat anything. This is hilarious to me, considering before surgery, I was a total stress eater. However, regarding your recent fill, be careful with being too tight. If you're too tight and having issues w/ even beverages, your calorie intake will definitely go below what your body needs to thrive and to lose. Staying that tight can also cause band issues as well. When I'm too tight, I switch back to Protein shakes for a bit, just so that I'm getting in nutrients and enough calories. For me, if my calories are too low or if I'm not working out appropriately, I plateau for a week or two. So perhaps try tweaking your calorie intake or work-out frequency. Best, Lauren

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................252.7...........160........ .. 92.7 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............287.............225............ 62 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 HummingBird..........204...............177............150............. .27 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine.........259...............259..............199........ ...60 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............175..............150........ ....25 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............303..............217........ ....86 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............282..............225....... ......57 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

Try Miralax. It's helps relieve constipation without some of the painful gastric side effects of other laxatives or stool softeners. My doc recommended it for me shortly after I had surgery and it worked well. It's flavorless and not bulky, so you can mix in w/ Water , crystal lite, etc. Best, Lauren

In the early days, I watched the clock and it really helped me get into a slower rhythm. But now that I'm about 4 months out, I'm more focused on chewing thoroughly and eating smaller pieces. My doctor says that should be my primary focus when eating, not necessarily the amount of time. However, inevitably when you are eating smaller pieces and chewing well, it will naturally slow you down. Best, Lauren

Hi everyone, Just wanted to say hello to my fellow December bandsters. I don't post a lot but I have read a ton and have found this site quite helpful and insightful at times. I wish everyone the best on this journey. I know it can be tough w/ all the adjustments and the fickleness of the band but for me it's been a life changer for the better. Like many of you, I'm not at ideal restriction yet either but I've committed myself to changing my eating and living the healthiest life I can. The bands gonna have to catch up w/ me :eek: All the best, Lauren

Hi, I'm 28 yrs.old and had my surgery on December 17, 2009. I've lost 60lbs since my surgery, no pre-op diet. It's been great. A lot of work and discipline but I don't regret a thing. I only wish I had done it sooner and a few pounds lighter. I do feel odd pains sometimes at my port area but nothing dramatic. I just try to listen to body and work with my band as best I can. The biggest obstacle for me has been getting in regular exercise, but that's a work in progress like everything else. Best, Lauren

Hi, I had a BMI of 56.6 when I went in for surgery, now I'm at 47.1. Though my surgeon did say that I was a better candidate for the gastric sleeve, he did not discourage me from getting the band. He just told me that I have to work harder :0 No pain, no gain!! Best of luck to you! Lauren

Please don't get discouraged or rush yourself. This is supposed to be a lifestyle change and for most of us a life's journey. Take this time leading up to when you have restriction and discover your new body. Learn how the band works for you and most importantly, learn what you can do to avoid as much of "bandster hell" as possible. I don't have real restriction yet either but I'm determined not to let that stop me. Since this band is only a weight loss tool, I've had to learn to hold up my end of the bargain as well. I'm retraining my brain to not equate fullness with being stuffed. I track everything I eat, keep my Protein high and my calories in a healthy range. I walk or work out as much as I can. I'm in contact with my nutritionist when I need guidance. Bottom line, I'm accountable for how I use this time period. So I say, in conjunction with the band, go ahead and join weight watchers, count calories, find support groups, up the cardio, etc. Do whatever you personally have to do, to make the best and healthiest possible choices for yourself. In the end you will be a healthier person all around. Best to all on this journey!! Lauren

Congrats to you!!! What a great start! Best, Lauren