NYSparklegirl

Hi..come into the "Im here to help" thread...there will be plenty who will give plenty of great support and whom will listen to all your fears, issues and goals...promise!!

Welll....its been six months or slightely more for all of us March Bandsters!! Hope everyone is doing well and keeping up the good Changes made in the first 6 months...its now within the next six months that we will be tested daily......routine is getting a little mundane, food a little boring and reinforcers are slowing down..... Now is the time to beef up the activity level esp now for the winter months of hibernation. lol. Winter foods are comfort foods so start planning now for new healthy recipes. Exercise level should be increasing to keep up with the weight loss and strength and muscle building is essential now more then ever to change that fat loss into muscle. We are also eating less protein shakes and bars....to get us the nutrition we need. We are eating real foods and they should be whole foods.....not processed, less sugar and even less carbs. Crock pot and slow cookers offers an excellent way to make healthy foods that you can put up in the AM and have ready by PM. There are many sites that have recipes that include, meat, chicken and fish. Im down to 147 and am fluctuating ack and forth from 147lb--151lb. from 2x to 10/12 Ive begun to add classes from the gym to take as well as training twice weekly. Spin, Step and weights. Hope I can loose the other ten over the winter and then maintain that weight. Am down to BMI of 25. Surgeon is happy....Im thrilled.....however if I dont tighten this stomach im going to feel still fat all over. lol I might have to have that tummy tuck after all. Good luck to all...... Thats amazing!! So happy for you...isnt it a great feeling to be able to toss out all the old clothes and clothes that fit on hangers? You will get to your lower goal even still....just keep up the good hard work!!! What are you doing besides walking now?? Walking is great. I wish I can walk more but dont have time...did get a foster dog sooo will begin to walk her but when it will get cold....well I dont like cold lol. So you dont have any fill? Laura are you secure with your surgeon? Confident in him is important as well....Im sure this occurs often but I never heard of leaving the incision open to begin with....there must have been a good reason why he doesnt believe in stiching. I just hope you feel better soon and begin to get back to your life and your goals and aspirations arent tainted with this experience. Good JuJus...sending your way. keep us posted. OMG.. thats fabulous!!! Im so happy. Hope you took lots of pictures!!! She sounds like an amazing horse and in no time youl be jumping into that saddle never mind pulling! Well...would love to hear from the others who have been popping in and out since March...... Have a great day all Jodi

Laura, Sure hope the doctor did what was needed. Sending good juju your way.

wow...you sure are a trouper. Hope you feel better soon!!!

Hi everyone.... Hope all is well... Hit 148 this week so..another 15 to 20 to go....so happy and feeling great. I had to get rid of another set of clothes and down to 10-12. I never thought Id fit into anything below a 12 ever again... I was in Vegas last week for vacation to meet some of the woman who are on this site for support...another thread. Had an amazing weekend with them all and it was a wonderful experience. It was a weekend support group. lol Couldnt get better then that....everyone exchanged information all weekend I found it very helpful. Of course I have friends who I stayed with other wise wouldnt have flown that far but sure am glad I did!! Really reafirmed for me the last 6 months and put be back on target. We also went shopping together and interestingly enough....no one really was buying the correct size clothing ...and it took the group to kind of say hey.....wait you should be trying on this size or that size.....that was really interesting as for me personally I would never have tried on anything but a size 14 but as things are getting looser ive started to try on some 12s....but when we started to look at things to try on at this one store....the other woman were like..honey you need to try on 10;s not 12;s and we would like to see you try some skinny jeans....hmmm???what>?? me??? but I tried those 10 and heck they fit like a glove!!! Got me those two pairs of skinny jeans and wouldnt take them off the whole weekend!! Still wearing them! (after washing) Whod have thunk that?? Would never have tried this..until the 12's would have been falling off as I walked as the 14's were starting to but...just was uncomfortable with the idea of something too small? too tight??? Not really sure...but was wondering if anyone had any feelings about the clothes fitting and wearing too big too small etc? Suffice to say..went to thrift store and stocked up on 10s...lol I am down to 147 with another 20 to go....Food wise is going well.....as far as exercise well....that isnt. Plan on getting back to gym and trainer this week on Monday...that is my plan. (Please let me keep to it)! Laura, glad to hear you are in a good state. No....I wouldnt want to be on my feet all day with fifth graders either...so you are good to take take the day off to recoup. Well...hope all is well. Have a great week Jodi

Laura, So sorry to hear about the incision...I guess there are always complications and we know the risks and im sure you are still happy that you did the surgery....this is just a glitch that and this too will pass. Good luck...and will have you in my thoughts come Monday. Let us know how you are.....we are here.

Interesting how different surgeons have different ideas about the amount of fills people should get. I didnt realize that you wouldnt get more then one fill since surgery.....Ive gotten a fill every month till this past month. I lost about ten pounds a month till then....and because I only lost 3 in August I didnt get a fill as really didnt need one as didnt loose weight and therefore would be too tight if I got a fill and might start to have a problem. I now am wondering how we know if we need a fill or not. Lifting chick you seem to be loosing as much as I and Ive had four fills allready. hmm interesting. I feel good and never have felt like I needed an unfil and always felt good after getting a fill.....but as insurance does not cover fills any longer...how do we know we really need one and how often we should be getting one....anyone????

Hi all....just checking in to see how everyones been..... Looking good everyone!!! WOW!!! 85lbs. So Impressive yea yea yea!!! Ive been working really hard too and am down 67lbs. Surgery was March 9th. Kind of took a hiatus from exercising the past month because of vacation, start of school and Jewish Holidays.....no excuse here but still am watching the food intake!! Will get on the wagon of exercise after the Jewish holidays...going to Vegas next week to meet some lap band sisters from this site..cant wait to me them they have been such an inspiration and sorce of support. Its after the summer and vacations are over except mine this week lol its time to start posting again sooooo....lets start posting more regularly. Whats everyone eating daily and doing for excersize? How are clothes fitting? what is everyone doing about obtaining new clothes? lol What have been your experiences with people familiar that havent seen you since surgery? How are you all feeling about the way people are seeing you? Do you feel different? etc. etc. Its been about 6 months so its half a year.....we are olmost there...... is anyone feeling particularly challenged at this point.....food getting boring....snacking more etc? looking forward to discussing these with everyone in the next few weeks! Have a great night.... Jodi

Hi....yes. Long Island Bariatric group...they are located in Manhassat on New Hyde Park Rd. 3003. You can see the add for them on the side if this site...where all the ads are. lol There are two surgeons. Dr. Shawn Garber and Dr. Spencer Holover. They are affiliated with the New York Bariatric group. My surgeon was Dr. Holover but they work together. They also both attend and run their monthly support group at the Demetrius Center on Norhtern Blvd. second Thursday of the month....Tomorrow that is!! Why not stop by and meet them the nutritionist and the PA. You wouldnt be sorry.... Good Luck. Jodi

You are doing great!! Why you dont think so..I dont know. Have you only had one fill so far since surgery??? Perhaps this could be why you arent loosing more rapidly? Ive had a fill each month since the surgery and I believe this really helps! I think we have all lost most in the first few months and we are slowing slightely because we are getting used to eating again real foods..no more liquids or keeping to a protein shakes as meal replacements perhaps. Msybe our bodys are getting used to the exercises weve been doing and need new routines. The body gets used to the same type of exercises that we do..and use that to make us gain weight...as opposed to loosing..we need to shake up the routine and trick the body.....so the type of exercise we do each day needs to vary and never be the same two days in a row....this from my trainer who btw wont even do the same exercise the same way more then twice weekly if I see him more then twice weekly....so jogging everyday might not be the best way to loose as the body gets used to that....and compensates. We need to go back to basics....eat slow...proteins, vegetables and get a variety of different activity to engage in every day. Snacking and eating is good..as long as it is good food we are snacking on.... lets all remember why weve been banded and think about all that weve been through to get banded...and the reasons why....keep that journal....write it all down. what we eat, what activities we are engaging in, the water intake..... 64 oz....a day. Keep going....if youve entered a func....sit back and remember!!!! We have been getting a second chance at living healthy!!! Have a great night all... Jodi

Hi everyone, seems really quiet in here....where is everyone. I know...vacations. Well, hope everyone is enjoying there summmer....and feeling great. I just got my third..or fourth fill, not sure. lol. 4th month. maybe three. Have lost 50 llbs. Another 20 to go. This summer has been really amazing.....firstly for the first time...Im wearing bathing suits at the beach and not covering up even walking for miles just in that bathing suit...and im looking hot! lol Well, not as hot as the 20 yr olds but for 45 not bad at all. Im happy!! Eating right, feeling good. Exercising daily. Still have my trainer twice weekly. Have been going at least 2x more to gym for cardio. Last night bowled for first time since weight training started...and now am using a 12 ball. lol I like you Cynthia have been going through clothing like crazy! I clean out my closet twice monthly. Ive given away all the clothes that are too big every damn stich of them...as they will never have a place in my closet again. I have replaced them with the most amazing clothing that my step mother has given me....she was a CEO of a major company and had just retired before my surgery....and now is not wearing any of her work clothes,...and she is a size `14-16...and hello.....here I am at 12-14. For the past two months have been dressed to kill...lol Olmost a good incentive to stay at this size but not enough!!!! Will be taking all these clothes at the end of the month and having them altered they are so worth it...and I cant afford to buy anything new at all....so must do that. Eventually wont be able to do that anymore but for the next 6 months ill be okay. Then hopefully ill win the lottery. lol Had my three month blood tests done two weeks ago...and i seem to have a vitamin D defficiency. So, now am taking 5,000 a day. Cant understand that one....If I went to my dermatologist today shed kick my butt if she saw how tan I was....lol but, guess im not absorbing the "D". Well....theres my update for the week. Cynthia, sounds like you had a great vacation all in all! Thats great. When I went to Fire Island for the week I gained three pounds. Since lost it and another 5 pounds but was so dissapointed. It happens I hear...so be proud very very proud!! Keep up the great work. Laura, Welcome....and its never to late to join any thread.... Your reason is a great one!!! Shes adorable. Mine was my 11 yr old. Children seem to be some of most driving forces for getting healthy. Good luck and keep up the good work. Exercise and eating right....changing the lifestyle that weve had before surgery will keep off the weight.....thats the only way. So....we will always have to do the above..forever. Our driving force..... our children!!! Welcome, Welcome, Welcome. Bob, Hi Sounds like you are doing great!! Thanks for the post....keep in bragging, youve earned the right too!!! I seem to be loosing about 10 a month as well however this past three weeks only lost 5 pds. Not to worry....they will come off shortly. lol Hope all is well with everyone else. Would love to hear some updates....at least once monthly would be great. Have a great week all. Jodi

Hi all. Yes, its been a while for me as to posting.....Its been a busy summer and while on vacation there was no online connection. Thank god for Blackberrys to keep in touch with everyone...but was not able to post. Heres an update: Doing really well. Its been 4 months and ive lost so far 50lbs, as of last week. Down to 165, another 20 to go till goal. Of course I can go to 140....maybe 135?? to far too even think about!! I should be between 135-145. Im happpy now!! More Important then the actually weight loss...no more pills, (blood pressure, prevacid, cholesterol) no sleep apnea so no more CPAP. Im a happy camper...and doing the happy dance. Ive read all the posts since my last post and see that everyone seems to be doing great!!!! All those who updated..it was nice to hear how you are all doing. Ive had three fills so far....I go back next Thursday to discuss blood tests done this past week. We will know then what vitamins and nutrients have diminished or needed. I seem to have developed some marks on legs arms and back and they look like little black and blue marks.....the PA suspects an iron deficiency. But who knows. I feel great. Been taking all vitamins and calcium etc etc. Ive been exercizing daily at gym for cardio 45 to an hour. and have trainer twice weekly for strenght training. I hate both. lol but do it anyways. Been out to Fire Island for vacation for two weeks...before that was busy with getting my daughter to camp. Ive been home for a week now..and just getting back into a routine. While in F.I. I exercized differently then the gym and well...cycling. swimming and walking was not nearly enough exercize but...it was what it was. I didnt loose or gain so cant complain I was warned that on vacation....well you can gain...but I was happy I didnt. well.....thats my update. have a great day. Its all about the spirituality more then anything else. I enjoy all music but theres a special place in my soul for Jewish music. Not Israeli persay.... Jodi

Hi everyone.....wow its been a while. Ive been on vacation for the last two weeks on and off that is. Weve been going out to Fire Island and even though there is internet connection...I dont feel like sitting in and getting stuck using computer instead of outside...at the beach or in town. So far ive gotten two fills since surgery on March 9th. I have lost 45 lbs. and have been eating healthy. Ive got restriction...I think lol. Not hungry during the day. Eating a protein bar for breakfast, a piece of fish or chicken cutlet for lunch and then dinner is whatever lunch wasnt if im home....if out then ill have fish or some seafood something...mostly grilled something. lol I have been keeping to the motto....less then 6g of sugar, and not more then 10-15% of daily recommended amts...on the labels. Have not eaten any "whites" as in bread, pastas etc. Started eating some vegetables...broccoli, zuchini and salads. I have been trying out new and different products that Ive never had before...canned beans, chumus, pickels, qunoia, bulgur, millet..and a few other things like using sauces with no sugars....not worried about fat so much as sugar. Foods are going well....its the exercise that is a challenge to me!! I hate hate hate to exercize....Have I made that clear?? Well, doing it anyways!! Twice with trainer and once alone now...im trying to do more but have a hard time getting to the damn gym. lol well....things are just great!!! Down to a size 12 from 2x. What a great feeling. I look and feel great. No more BP meds or Prevacid. Just the cholesterol and the pill that we need to take after surgery for six months so we dont get gall stones. well.....I must be getting to sleep. Have a great night all. Glad to see so many are doing so well!! Keep up the good work fellow bandsters. Jodi

Hi all. Hope you all had a great weekend. Well...ive been sick as a dog. My allergies asperated my asthma and im still feeling so bad...I keep thinking that im going to slip my band with all the caughing and such! Its deep caughing and it hurts!!! I called the surgeon several times to ask about it....as I am so neurotic about it. He says not to worry. hmm Im still worrying. lol Weighed in on Wednesday and have lost 40 lbs, so far....yea me. This week is going to be really busy and am going away for the holiday shavuot. We are going to Fire Island. Cant wait. Tomorrow going shopping for all the food and preperation stuff. We are going for a week so..have to plan Someone posted a quote that I thought very appropriate..... "when you fail to plan you plan to fail" This is my new mantra...esp. for the upcoming vacation that I need to take all the food with as their is no groceries that I can buy from. A. too expensive and B. no kosher meats and stuff. It will be fun but.....If I fail to plan then I will surely fail!! oh this is not good. You must be freaking out. Have you spoken to your surgeon?? Some people are suggesting Biotin. They sell these vitamins at CVS or other pharmacies. im so sorry youve had this experience. my hair is getting thinner as well trying the biotin now. Well all must go to sleep...have a great week. Keep up the good work all!!! Jodi

Well.....hello all. You know how they tell you....that if you push yourself its gonna come back and bite you?? well it did...suffered an asthma attack this week like never before. Who was it who posted...you gotta slow down and take care of you?? well thanks but I didnt listen but next time I will.....wish I listened. So, spent the last two days in bed. Today finially went to Pulmonary doct and I have bronchial asthma.....so im now on steroids, antiobiotics, and upped dossages of proventil and long acting steroid. Feeling slightely better. While I was at the doctor..he weighed me and woo hoo...lost another 7 pds since last Monday. Down 40 llbs. Half the weight. Yea. I feel great about that. Even after eating out every night....I still was able to loose the weight by choosing the right foods and sticking to the plan. Yea. Now I feel even better about all that hemming and hawing at each meal. Hi. Mish Welcome! Tell us about you....and your band journey. Post, respond , ask....thats what we are here for. Good for you!!! Yes. one day at a time. no soda. lol So what are you eating?? let us know....so we can help. That sounds great.....glad you are doing so well. Thanks for sharing. I would love to try sushi. Its low cal and healthy. Im so afraid Ill get stuck. Tuna sounds good as well...are you putting mayo in it?? on bread?? what kind? I havent tried bread yet either....lol Salad either. Need to try these things.....the bread I can do without but sushi and salad cannot live without! Welcome Mikissa, yes. walk walk and walk more.. it really does help. Sip, Sip and Sip some more. Gas x and the pain killers help as well. Take them as often as needed. It really does help. Promise in two weeks youl be happy you did this....lol keep us posted with progress. ask questions, post comments etc. tell us about yourself and your band journey. Thats great!!! Glad to hear. Let us know how its going. well must go to sleep now....have a great rest of the week. Jodi

hello. all Hope all you moms had a great mothers day. Welcome to the new bandsters. yes, this is a journey. The band is a tool but is not the answer to end all. We alone have to change the way we think about food and eating. If we dont we will go right back to eating exactly the way we were before. Weve lost initial weight during the healing process. After a month or two we now see that yes, we can eat most foods without a problem. Perhaps we can eat the same foods but less. Thats nice and yes that will help but thats not what is going to help us get healthy! We have to eat different and think different. Exercise and eating healthy with the portion control which the band does help with and all the above is what is going to help and nothing less. so lets start talking recipes..and discussing daily foods and what we are eating. I think its important to share our experiences daily on this journey. Getting fills and how much weight we loose isnt the only thing I would like to hear. I need to hear what other people are eating, doing, learning, each day about changing our thoughts and actions. We are at that stage where we go back to eating the way we used to or we change it... Lets support each other in those changes and give reinforcements. We also need to question those who are choosing not great choices and help them make better choices for the future, discuss tips and tools that have helped them in this process and encourage to go on. I think we need to adress issues that we are dealing with that either hinders or helps us along the way each day. This week was particularly difficult for me. Last Sunday was my birthday and I had this extra dog as a responsibility. Starting with last Sunday it was a to dinner every night. First...my brother on Sunday. To a steak house. Monday with my dad to a fussion restaurant. Tuesday with my Mom for chinese. and Wednesday with my step mom at her house for pizza and fish. Friday night was fast food on the way to bringing the dog to his new home. Sat night was dinner and show in the city. Sunday mothers day was an Italian family restaurant. Please tell me how????? How was I to eat right???? but, I tried. How?? well, I have this little guide that is put out by E-diets. Eating out healthy and low fat, low cal. This saved me. Of course it drove everyone nuts but who the f--ck cared?? My birthday?? My party so to say. So...I chose those foods that were listed as good choices for each restaurant type. Studied each guide before ordering. I had the waiter...bring out only about 4 oz of the meal and pack up and hold the rest for take home. I tried to stick with grilled fish and vegetables. I ate only a bit of the veggies and about 2-3 oz of fish. At the steak house, I ate baby chicken grilled and mushrooms. Fast food....well I ate KFC one piece thigh grilled that was it. During the days wasnt bad. but of course the whole week through me off...and didnt have anything prepared. so ate lunch out. Mostly soups, vegetables, pea and lentil. Had my protein shakes for breakfast. In between it was water and well....some yoghurt, cottage cheese and low cal crackers and salsa/ Biggest problem...Italian Family restaurant. There was no fish...just seafood. I dont eat seafood. All the other dishes were all those yummy saucy dishes with creams and heavy noodles. Each dish feeds about 4 people. What was I to do? no half portion or appetizer sizes. hmm. I wait to see what everyone wants.,.,nothing that I can have. SO I order my own dish for 4 of plain brocoli side dish with olive oil and garlic. That was so yummy!!! lol Watched everyone eat fetticini alfredo, linguini with clam sauce, penne a la vodka. etc etc etc. Stuffed mushrooms and calarmari for appetizer. Well, this is how my week went. I still stayed within a good healthy limit...and the choices were okay...but without that guide with me...I could not have made those choices. What does everyone else do??? What is your guide?? do you use one?? I also carry around my daily journal. I stapled in two pages of cal of most foods I am writing down everything eat and wrting the cal, fat cal and pt. I add them up at the end of the day to see how many cal I am eating per day. etc/. what is everyone else doing?? tips??? ways to keep track of eating etc etc?? counting cal? etc etc Lets start this discussion Have a great week Jodi

Hi everyone. Hope all is well with all you fellow bandsters and all are enjoying your weekend. For all those who live on the east coast....hope you are enjoying the great weather. Today we spent the day pretty much in the park. We took a large sheet, food and water and spent a couple hours. My daughter had two freinds sleep over for shabbat and they had fun with the foster dog. I sat and read my "picture perfect weight loss program" I like this program as it uses illustrations to show you all the items you can eat and the calories for all. It also shows you foods that you might think are low calorie and oposite each they show what you could be eating instead with the number of cal. For example...on one side of the page was a picture of a corn muffin and cal of I think about 400 cal. On the other side was a pic of about 6 different items of fruit plus two whole wheat somethings for the same amt of cal. hmm This is how the book goes through breakfast, lunch, dinners and snacks. They have several different "demonstrations" of what you might consider typically for meals with the cal under each and then what really is better choices with the same amt. Objective is to show that you can eat alot of food that doesnt have alot of calories from fats and carbs or so called low fat diet foods or that we might think is low fat. Im not sure about anyone else but seeing for me is believing. I need the visuals. If I dont see it then its not getting through and so this seems to be helping. It also discusses the importance of not making drastic changes on eating patterns that we are used to. People are differnt and appetites and food routines are differnt. It talks about not changing these but changing the food choices for those times to foods that are satisfying but lower in cal. The best.....is the idea that deprivation is a bad thing....the idea is not to deprive but to give in to what ever cravings with better choices if possible and if not work what you are craving into the daily program. Premise being if you dont get what your body and mind wants its going to get it two fold later with other items that are possibly even unhealthier. It also comes with a shopping book to take along with to the supermarket and goes through each dept and illustrates differnt pictures to help you choose healthier items compared with items that wouldnt be good choices for those depts. This has helped tremendously as shopping had become a 2-3 hour ordeal because I now am looking at each item I want at the nutritional value....and it is quite amazing how I never cared to look at anything before...if I wanted it I bought it.... never looked to see what the contents was...if it was organic then it was good....but now I see OMG> how could I have ever eaten something on a reg basis that was 700 cal a serving?? well....times a changing. lol Has anyone else been having shopping experiences like this. I just know that I could be in the super for about an hour and come out with 4-5 items. My daughter sometimes is like. what???? Thats all you bought?? wheres the food!? I just laugh because shes right..until I figure it all out and it becomes a little easier...with the help of my shopping book...this is the way shopping will be. Ive lost 30 llbs as of last week. Havent weighed in since last Monday. People have deffinetly begun to notice. Yea. My clothes are becoming loose and it will be time to go shopping yea! Ive noticed Ive diff lost in the face and upper body..I also lost in the hips and legs. Im narrower however...the stomach is what needs to go!!! lol Liftingchic; Yes, you are doing great. Again this is not a race to see who looses fastest...its an individual program and each person is different. Each doctor is different as to when and how much of a fill to give at each adjustment date. What you can do is follow the exact orders of the doctors and nutritionist or dieticion and exercise daily. If you do these things the weight will come off. Its a personal journey that we are on and for each one of us the challenges are different. Mine for instance is exersize. Yours might be in food choices someone elses might be in not getting enough liqiuds or being able to tolerate pt, shakes, vitamins etc. Your doing great...your objective is to become a healthier you and you are taking the steps to do that....baby steps are the best if they will keep you steady and strong!! Im not sure who posted that they were coming to NY but I seemed to erase the post that I was responding to forgive me.....but I read the post and you are coming iin May I gather to meet your neices? ..I would love to get together....maybe we can all get together from the metropolitan area? Stevie said she lives in NJ and alot of others as well! When are you going to be here?? lets set a date now...so we can all schedule. My e-mail is NYSparklegirl@aol.com Have a great rest of the weekend. Jodi

Hi all.... Lord its been a hell of a last two weeks. Why??? simply because im a sucker. Yes....thats it really. It all started on Thursday when I was asked to foster a dog..who btw will be featured as pet of the week on the "Today Show" on Thursday. Since we moved to the five towns area a year and half ago we gave up fostering dogs, from the ASPCA. Kill shelter in NYC. We fostered about 8 dogs so far...but after moving to an apt....it just wasnt condusive...however.... heres the sucker part.....this dog who happens to have been a stray and found is such a mush and a very polite guest!! As a matter of fact hes the perfect pet. NO, NO, NO, cannot will not keep him! I want to but cant. Why??? My life is so up in the air...each day is well a suprise even for me...there is nothing consistant about me or my life! How can I adopt another dog?? In an apt??? no backyard?? He is a gorgeous black lab. Well behaved and great nature..sweet, calm and did I say perfect?? He has attached himself to my daughter and wherest she goes that dog goes with. Hes 2 yrs old. The question is what possessed me to say yes to fostering un the first place. This weekend was so busy....We were out all day Sunday so needed a dog walker and the dog was okay....but I worried about him...yesturday I needed to drive him to the city for a groom so that he can be all cleaned up for the shoot. SO, I drove him before work then picked him up after work....Then had to run to the gym for a traning, didnt get home till 9. So had to pay the babysitter an extra two hours. Tomorrow....I have to come home from Bklyn to come home and pick dog up and bring him to city by 8 at night..so he can be ready to go on set Thursday early..and then pick him up again on Thursday. Why oh Why did I volenteer....I dont have the time for this! Its hard enough to find time during the day for everything as is. Okay...well he is the sweetest and would hate to think if him staying at that shelter for a week or so until adoption....and with the kill shelter...they get 3 days...if not adopted they are euthenized. No dog should have that happen...but couldnt it have been another foster parent?? well....enough venting about the dog, Whos name is Boomer. So.....Dassi had an audition with a director Sunday and got an honorable mention however did not get a contract. Owell.....have another one next one and then another two to go...perhaps one of these big ones will like her enough for even a little role. As I cannot deal with taking her to a thousand auditions to get "one yes" Id rather shlep the foster dog around all day! My brother had a baby boy sunday!! This sunday is the Bris. Monday my friends mother passed away so went to the funeral and tonight went to pay a shiva call...I also needed to take my dog to the vet. Didnt arrive home till 9. Tommorow will not prove to be any less busy.... hence....it will be just as stressful. I have a Pulminary doctor apt at 8 and then work afterwhich taking the dog to the city and then I have a meeting at Dassis school to discuss the next years bat mitzvah girls program. Dassi has Karate at 7. The meeting is at 7:45. So.....how the heck??? Its a wonder how I ever have time to work in between the rest of my life. Calgon take me away! SO, Im a little peeved that I do not have enough time to get the gym each day. If I didnt have the two set times per week with the trainer...I know I would never ever get to that gym. Unfortunately the 8 sessions are over and now need to make a decission about continuing. I know I must have this...for at least 6 months. so what to do?? I could think of the old fashioned way to make the money for this...$2,500. but, unless I loose another 40 llbs overnight and regress in age 20 yrs.....I dont think thats an option. (besides it isnt something that I can do) so ill have to think of how to do this! I must. So I will somehow! I have nothing left to sell am behind on basicallly everything....so ill have to think real hard!! I hate that...as it always included crunching numbers over and over! so, its been a busy day, week and it isnt stopping....perhaps this is a good thing, not concentrating on food all day. Speaking of food....Ive been keeping up with the 900 cal a day...this seems to be okay..for now. Im not hungry for more at the moment. Been keeping up with 40 gr, pt. a day. Lost another 3 llbs since last week. Liqiud is my problem. I cannot get enough water....I fill several bottles of water..but each time I take a sip...I put it down and then I move and I its gone.... Ive lost so many water bottles throughout the day that I cant keep up with loosing all these bottles and the loss of the water that im not drinking. well...im dizzy just writing about my week...so im sure everyone else is as well!! SO will stop now. Have a great night all. Jodi

Hi all. Hope everyone is feeling good!!! Had my first fill Wednesday and none to soon. I was starving all day before that for about a week but couldnt eat alot at a time....so ate small little Snacks all day! The fill didnt hurt at all..I was so worried! Felt like a little prick and that was it. Turns out there was still some air in there even after taking some out after surgery. She put in a full fill and I drank a glass of Water after and I was fine. so....im good. Went to nurtrtionist last night and figure up till now I was eating about 700-900 cal at most. Now I will start to eat 900-1000 if that much but thats the plan. Hope it stays..easy. it is now...but afraid ill be eating more and more....but for now its okay! Going to gym for private training and have been going twice weekly however.,,,ive only gotten there when not with him to do cardio machines once. Not good..but cant seem to get a routine going..to tired in AM and PM I plan but always something comes up. Not sure how to remedy except keep trying to go. Hi...yes, I also felt as if I had no band the last few weeks until yesturday. Now eating less again and not hungry. I know what you feel like...I also said...hmm I dont feel like I have a band at all...except I wasnt eating anything near what I ate before surgery...this is how im told you should know. When I went to the surgeon on Wednesday he said..when you begin to feel like this and eating more and have little restriction thats when you know its time for an adjustment. Makes sense I guess. I am just nurvous that Im going to stretch the pouch, not sure how that is done...I just figure its a 4oz pouch so anything less then 4oz at a time is okay. Im not eating anything more then 2 or 3 is okay. Findingyou...glad to see you!! I WOW!! 30 llbs,,thats great!!! Glad to hear your doing well. sounds like your eating great as well....try a Protein Bar as a shake or eat smaller but more often meals. im so sorry you had this experience. I hope you are feeling better now....yes liquids for a day or two...until you feel better even for a week sometimes is needed I hear. Take it slow dont rush....its not a race...just feel good. If you dont within a week...you might want to call surgeon just to check. Im sure all will be fine. Stevie....glad things are going well...and you are feeling good......with fills. Have a great day all.....and an enjoyable weekend! Jodi

Hi all. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Im so glad to see the first fills are going well and so far no difficulties. Spent the weekend at my sisters house babysitting for my nieces while sister and hubby went on vacation. They were supposed to go to Ireland but..the flight was cancelled Friday night due to mechanical stuff...the repairs needed parts flown in from somewhere in Euorpe and could not due to the volcanic ash so cancelled all flights to Ireland as well. They missed the last flight in the afternoon that flew. They came home and the AM...repacked for St. Lucia and are leaving Tuesday instead....so we had a family weekend in the end. That house was a killer....every where you look theres some other chocolate, treat, cake, junk food. Holy crap...the stuff that was there was just unbelievable! Good I brought my own food otherwise I know id have been eating something not good for me. Ive been so good this whole month and lost now 30llbs....not about to blow it on some damn chocolate and cheese doodles. I was like what the hell?? Do you want me to stay here really??? What were you thinking? Do you leave liquor all over for an alcohlic? Why would you leave all this junk while Im here? no comment was her response, uh so annoying. We had a great weekend in the end. I cleansed their kitchen over the weekend. They really didnt mind so much and I felt so good. I thought theyd kill me but they didnt. lol I love my sister but sheesh. Come on. Glad to have gotten out of there this morning none too soon I left the giant size Peanut Butter jars. I could eat that by the spoonfuls. I had my third training at the gym this week. I went to the gym three times other to just do cardio. I hope this week I continue. Wednesday I go to the surgeon. Hopefully I will get a fill if not then next week for sure. Im hungry alot now and eating much more....still not alot and watching what I am but am drinking and eating without any restriction. Dont feel like I have a band at all. well. I must make dinner. Have a great week all. Good luck with everyone on the good food choices and the fills this week. Jodi

Hi all....hope you are all having a good week. Well.....this week has been really busy and all with taxes due tomorrow. Got my in today and glad I did...as I will be getting a return on both fed and state....thats a first! So, food is getting a bit boring now. Mushy foods are well mushy and I want to start chewing? Tired of the grinding and blending. The foods are basic. A poached egg for Breakfast, Protein shake for lunch, ground something for lunch and a dairy cheese something for snack...water, Water water...and dinner about 5 forkfuls of fish. Then its water water water. This week...I thought I need something else...im going bonkers. So, I added steel cut oats, chumus with white Beans, and chili. These are also mushy foods. Next week I will go to reg foods and maybe get a fill the following...maybe ill get one next week..not sure. How about a Y? or a Community center? The parks dept runs several different activity centers around NY one or two in different boros. Do they have any where you are? I know that they have one here in Far Rockaway that I visited that cost 50 dollars a year. The place was a dump but the exercise room was brand new! There are several others in other boros that were brand new and gorgeous. However If this site was closer to home and had a car park I would have joined, regardless of the dumpy building. I ended up joining the gym and am paying $68 monthly. I dont have this money but I cannot and do not do exercise so must must have help. I signed up for their spring training deal which is 6 sessions for 50 bucks. Im onto my second session and I know there would be no way in hell I would do any of what this trainer gets me to with him. So, this is where I think I will be spending my money for the next year. Money I dont have but I hope will be well worth it. I was supposed to be going to do the cardio equipment on the days I dont train with him privately as of yet...that um hasnt happened. Im hoping for tomorrow. Im just so busy and I have my daughter that im not sure about how to schedule time. Cool. So glad you got it though....I allready know exactly what it feels like as in the hospital they took out some that first day....so im not nurvous at all, now im just nurvous about how im going to be afterwards, if ill start to throw up again like the first night and have to have them take out the solution. Just take it slow...if you feel its too much when you start eating again go back to liquids for a day or so. Take it slow, let us know how you do. Hope all goes well. Thats great. 22llbs is great!! Good going!! I agree, the thought of eating a fry?? Im afraid just thinking about the possible after affects. I did have a small chili from Wendys they are only 170 cal. and are only meat and beans. Thats as far as any fast food I hope to go. Its interesting....I hear what you are saying about the eating. I dont feel like I have the band in at all any more. I can drink about 8 oz now at a time well not at one time but over a few minuets. Two weeks ago I couldnt drink two oz so fast.....I can eat, just like you said but after a few bites of whatever it is I stop but I think I can keep eating....Im not really sure when ive had enough? or when I should have had enough? when I should stop? am I not eating enough? I asked this at the support group. They said are you feeling full? if so your good. Are you eating when you are hungry? if so good. The thing about the band is...they said.....is its not a switch....its not going to shut off when youve had enough and not allow you to eat more after. Its your brain that needs to say..stop youve had enough thats it. This is the hard part...this is retraining your brain...the same brain..that needs to learn to say noooo Im not going to have this food or that food etc etc, Its all about changing the way we think about food...and the way we eat...if we dont do that then no diet, no band, nothing is going to help, the band is a tool only. We have to do the work ourselves in changing the foods and how we eat them. I have gone out to eat with friends and family and I will have fish. Its good that I like fish otherwise id be a very unhappy camper. I did have steamed fish for the first time last night and um that didnt go over well. Had no taste but it was a chinese restaurant so no special orders was allowed. Grilled or baked would have been fine. Live and learn I guess. Ive limited my total carb to 8% per meal and sugar intake to no more then 5-7 grams of sugar, not really concerned with calories or fat as the numbers above wont be anything to worry about with fat or too many calories. I also havent had any of the "whites" and I really dont miss them...hope that will continue! Its been two months and im not going to anytime soon. (I hope). I tell people right away.....they say wow you look great...what is it?? you lost weight.. have you? and I tell them. Yes, I have ive gotten the lap band and they ask questions and thats it. Most people are supportive....havent as of yet had any negative feedback...im sure that will come soon enough. Encouragement and education is really important, keep up the great work!! well must go to sleep. Long day ahead tomorrow. Have a great night all and keep up the great work all!!! Its olmost a month for everyone pretty much.....and we are olmost up to getting our first fills. Let us know how that goes for everone.....Good luck for all those who are getting their fills this week!!! Jodi

Hi all.... well.....Passover and Easter is over. Its back to regular schedule programming. Im sorry ive been incognito for the last two weeks but see im observant so most of passover I couldnt post at all and getting ready with all the cleaning and cooking and getting ready...I didnt have a moment to spare when I could post. I havent disapeared, Im here....and back.....so get ready for those long posts consisting of updates and rants and raves!!! lol quick update....Its been a month since surgery and wieghing in yesturday....I lost 28 pds!!! I cannot believe it. Passover was really hard,.....I cooked and cooked but didnt taste anything....nada nothing....chicken soup, fish, pot roast, meat balls, chicken, side dishes of all sorts and tons of passover rolls and rolls and more rolls..lol I didnt taste one taste not even a pinky taste. I made everything like I always do...didnt dare make anything new without tasting. I sat and watched everyone eat at the Passover seder. I did not have a smidgen of matzah the whole passover. We didnt go to anyones house for any meals...I had them all here because....going somewhere meant having to explain why I cant eat anything except something mushy......or drink but not at the same time...or the mushy needs to be only proteins. lol talk about an ungrateful guest. lol So it was just easier to have meals here at my house, no one ever asks or insists you eat your own food they dont really ask as you are buisy serving and no one notices so much. The only thing that I wanted the whole week?? A Passover roll why???? Why??? Nothing of the real food but I wanted a roll more then anything else, not the deserts and chocolates or macaroons but I didnt have one....nope not even one. I was sooo proud of myself. My mother could not believe it. I couldnt...the only year or person Ive ever known to have lost weight on passover!!! I joined a gym and had two training sessions so far but oh how I hate to exersize. I just hate it but know I must. I spoke to the surgeon last week and he said...I could now do what ever I want...lift more then the 8 pounds excersize whatever! So, it was time to take that next step. baby steps here....even bought new sneakers for that occassion. So, im feeling really good. Ive pretty much developed a regular routine, in the morning around 7 I have a protein shake, then at around 9 I have a poached egg. I try to drink water in between.. at around eleven I have a piece of sliced cheese or two tablespoons of rigatta or greek yoghurt or cottage cheese. At around 1 I have a few tablespoons of ground chicken or meat. I keep drinking my water, in the afternoon I have a protein shake....and then at about 9 I get hungry somewhat or at least I think I am and eat a piece of fish...like maybe three tablespoons and then I take my vitamins and pills...crushed and thats it!!! So its goes..since after the first post op while starting mushy foods. Ive been really careful about the juices.... I have them watered down and make sure I only am eating proteins. I havent eaten any vegetables or starches....caffeine and limit the sugars. I wont eat anything that has a more then total carbs of 7-10 percent in any one food and or more then 5-7g of sugar. This doesnt leave alot of room for food. lol I really want to try to not eat anything that is white that turns into sugar. No wheat, No more white potatoes, No white rice and vegetables that are considered starches and try to eat as little as white sugar as possible. We will see how long I last. lol Right now im eating only proteins. I also have one "REDS" and one "GREENS" drink a day....this is powder vegetables and fruit mixed with water. So I am getting all my veggies and fruits for the day as Im not eating any now. I need some variation this week though getting really bored with the current repertior. lol Help. Ive bought, some chumus and white beans. Some protein bars that have little carbs, etc etc. and steel cut oat meal, and I tomorrow I will be making home made chilli with chopped meat and beans for dinner and I will eat fish for lunch. The oatmeal has a little more carbs then I would like but the nutrtionsist has said this is important for fiber so a little more carbs is okay as long as sugar and fat is very low. Any ideas for more friendly foods?? I also, am having a problem with BMs. I am soooo constipated. Since the surgery Ive gone only 3 times?? Is that possible?? but true. I spoke to a nurse who I work with and she made me...a concoction...of get this.....prunes, apples, honey and olive oil. blended them all up in the bullet. and she gave me about three tablespoons...and said now jodi....dont be going anywhere for the next few hours....well guess what??? nothing happened. So when I called her in the AM she said....now take olive oil and honey and take a tablspoon a day till you go. Hmmm finially went some but nothing reg... any ideas?? Id hate to take over the counter...would prefer natural remedies first. Not sure how long this will last!!! How is everyone else feeling? What is everyone else eating? Drinking? exercizing?? etc etc. I feel like i can eat anything now..and drink alot at once. I dont dare tempt the fate....so am being very careful and wont eat anything other then mushies and drinking slow but steady. Im not hungry most times....but sometimes I get what I called hunger pangs! They actually hurt and make so much noise then I know I need to eat something...but that doesnt happen often thank god. I do feel like I need to eat more often so I eat a little something every four hours and drink in between; anyone else feel like they dont have a band anymore? It doesnt feel like it did three weeks ago thats for sure! So now that weve lost some weight and Im sure people have started noticing somewhat....what are your feelings about this? Are people surprised? not....asking questions?? what are your responses to them? Are you telling them that you had surgery? what have been their responses? Interested in all of your experiences so far. Lets talk about this. Anyone ever make a decision about going into the chat room at the same time each week to meet up and chat at the same time? I thought this was a really good idea, anyone want to set a time for that each week?? Id like after 9 if possible. Anytime after is good for me. Any day except wekends. Come visit more often.....lol I love your posts, I hear you...Id like to fit a size 12 as well......I was a 20 now down to 18 maybe 16, youl get there.....keep up the work. Its not easy but it will be rewarding! HI Cynthia..welcome..yes, I agree easiest passover ever!!! I was banded on 3/9. Sorry to hear about your gym. Was your area affected by the floods as well? There are no other gyms that you can join anywhere else? Maybe one where you work so you can go before or after work? I know its a pain when not close to home. I was lucky and have several in the neighborhood to choose from. I chose Hollywood. I seem to like it. Where in Jersey are you?? Where did you have surgery? Please feel free to post any suggestions, experiences and ideas for eating. Welcome again. ; I cant believe that you are still on liqiuids "clear" is this usual? Ive never heard clear liquids. I was on clear liquid two weeks after surgery then mushy for four and afterwhich reg for two weeks and then they do the first fill. Or so it will be with me if everything goes well. I would go out my mind with another two weeks of "clear" liquids if I had to. How are you doing now??? Hope all is well and you are good im so glad to hear your doing well!!! yes, 12 pounds is great!! Good for you!! Thats terrific. Glad to hear the gas pains went away!!! See....we told you they would eventually. It did for us as well although you think they will last forever. I also a little hungry between three and five...so I eat a protein bar or have a protein shake. If you are coming home and are starving maybe the handful of peanuts isnt enough, What time are you eating lunch? Maybe you need to eat a little more smaller things,,,,,over the day. Maybe something every two hours or so. Nothing big but a handful of peanuts is a good snack but its not a meal. maybe a shake before leaving work or protein bar before leaving work or that time would help starve of wanting to eat right awaymwhen you get home. Are you eating mainly proteins? This will keep you full longer and keep up energy,. Carbs I was told will make you want to eat more pften as they are called sliders....they go down easy and dont stay for long and turn to sugars more quickly. You might want to try only proteins during the day and see what happens. Would love to hear from everyone who was banded towards the end of the March...how are you are doing??? I missed alot of posts then because of Passover so ,,, hope you all had an easy time and are recouping nicely!!! well.....its late and gotta get up early once again! Have a great night everyone and a great week!!! Jodi

Hey....everyone., Wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter! Hope you all have a fun, meaningful Easter...nice weather and a beutiful day! Ive been really buisy with passover....and all the eating and cooking and eating everyone has been doing...im finding myself in the kitchen non stop....as everyone wants to eat at different times and different things....its been umm interesting!! Im doing all the cooking and none of the eating....not even tasting. lol Well......its been fun! Im not gaining any weight and everyone else is hehehe. Monica thats great!! I hate that stupid machine..but use it every night. Cant wait to get rid of mine but suspect it wont be for a while as my case was pretty severe. Did you say you were on "Clear liqiuds for 4 weeks???? OMG....after one week thought I was going to go bananas! Then I went to mushies...Im on mushies till April 20th. Thats great!! 25llbs. thats amazing, You must be so happy!! Hope you are feeling good. yes soft mushies. Well....Happy Easter and a great rest of Passover to all!

Hi everyone..good evening, Hope Everyone is doing well. Its been a rough week. Its passover...ive had the seders here and company all week. Ive been cooking and cooking and cooking. I havent tasted anything which is really hard however time tested recipes have always pursued so....I didnt deviate and even so everything was yummy....heresay of course. I have to say the only thing that really got me...was the pot roast made with brisket. That tempted me...maybe the chicken soup which after skimming I did taste. I could of had some of that but Im so sick of broth after the first two weeks post surgery! Hi..yes it is frsutrating but be patient....youl start to feel better soon...probably by this post allready! The bloating is not water its gas. When you have surgery in the stomach they blow air in it to be able to get done what they done which is why we feel the gas pains all over for about a week or so after. It took me about a week to feel like I lost the bloating but still was swollen for a long time...until this past week. Good luck...it will come soon enough. GingerJane: I dont have a scale in the house because I know id be checking every day but the surgeon said not to check everyday...once a week is fine..and even then no need if I come to see him every month. I prefer weekly. Scales are also different yours might be not showing the same as the doctors which probably is exact and yours may not be. If you are following the diet and the doctors instructions you should be lossing just fine. Give it at least a week. Because of all the gas and bloating you might not see it on the scale...also well if you havent gone to the bathroom yet a BM....this may also cause the scale not to move. At your post op apt. which should have been a week or so I bet you will see that you lost a lot!!! Stevie and Monica, Glad you are both doing so well. I read in both your posts that you are excersizing allready?? I was told not to do any exercise or lifting anything over 8 pds. for a month just to walk and walk and walk and walk! Why do feel like the only one who is concerned for no reason as to ripping the stiches or hemoraging? Yes. Everyone isnt it great that the clothes are starting to fit better and we allready in need of a slightely smaller size?? Yes, thrift stores are deff in order. I am lucky enough to have been involved with an organization that collects clothing in my area. I bring all the clothing that is collected to the houses that house them and organize them before people come and look at them and take what they want. The clothes are all amazing!! From the richest of the rich and I get to take what I want whenever I see something I like. I get first choice, sooooo at the end of this month Ill start getting rid of what I have now..and take what I want and there is plenty and then every month Ill bring back what I took and take new stuff each month. Sometimes it pays to do volenteer!! Feeling really good. Havent weighed myself since last week so dont know if I lost any more weight but certainly my clothes have gotten looser. Have a great night everyone. Happy Passover and easter

Hi, hope everyone is having a great weekend. Its Sat night and I just finished changing over the winter to spring clothes....happy to think that comes summer ill have to get all new clothes!!! Hope all you past week bandsters are recouping. Give it a week and I know...its uncomfortable....take the pain killers they really help even with the gas pains. Remember to sip and walk, sip and walk. I sipped so much the first night....that I was getting up to pee more then just to get up to walk lol. I hope everyone else is doing good post op who have had surgery at the beg of the month and everyone is feeling good now!!! Im having a problem drinking 640z of liqiud still. I just cant sip that much all day...I try and try but to no avail. I get to about 24-30 at most. Doing okay with protein drinks and all the vitamins etc etc but still cant get enough liquid. Anyone else having this problem? (Stevie) Jodi, I do like not having a scale at home, but sometimes I would like to know how I am doing. I would be afraid to have one at home for the fact that i would probably be on it everyday as well. I would just like to know my progress so far. I can tell I am slimming out, I just dont believe it. I have been stuck here for so long... Stevie... thats exactly why I wont have one here....I know ill be on it night and day!! I actually went to my primary doctors this past week ...as he wanted to see how I was doing..so he weighed me and I lost another 4 pds or so....yea...he was so excited I lost 20pds since March 9th he hugged me...a little inapropriate but I suppose he feels responsible as he was the one who pushed me to have the surgery in the first place...lol But he also agreed not to have the scale until I hit goal. I am however starting to feel like I lost weight. I actually fit into some clothes that my mother bought for me in size 18 and before surgert they did not fit...and now not even a month later they fit!!!! Yea. Hoping next month Ill go down to a 14 and then I can start getting rid of my big clothes!! cant wait for that. Hope your feeling good! Finding me; Yea you did it!!! I hope you are feeling good. I know the first three days are the hardest but you will start to feel better soon.....I began driving and shopping on day three. Day two not...so good..but day three and on I was okay so you should be able to go...esp when you will be sitting. just take water with and sip sip sip. Liftingchic; I hope you are feeling okay..I know the doctors did say if you develop a fever to call ASAP as maybe this could be you have an infection...I hope all is well and you did call. Im worried for you now....Please post and let us know your okay.... I didnt go back to work for a week and half. I really could have after a week but I just started to feel better on Sunday which was just 6 days after surgery...If I pushed it I could have but decided to wait another 2 days and ended going back on Thursday a week and two days after surgery. The extra two days...I kind of just shopped and got my house back on order. Im glad I waited....I felt really good when I went back later like I never had surgery by that time. Please let us know how you are....will be thinking about you and hoping everything is okay!!! You just joined!! What a great idea about going into the chat room at the same time each week to get a support group going. I think this would be as you said a great time to ask all those questions we all have and forget to post ask or dont get responses fast enough lol. I would love to come in and chat,,,,the only thing is is 6PM is really early as I am a single parent and that is a really hard time, Im on the East coast and that would make it afternoon for the west coast. Is it possible to make it later so that all the people who have kids can sit and chat maybe after the kids are closer to going to sleep or after dinner for the east coasters?? Ill take any time of course that the consensus chooses but my choice is for as late as possible. 8 and later...for me...what do you think?? Not sure about how to make your own chat room on this thread...but maybe someone will know. perhaps we can make a pole about the timing to go into the chat room on site. Dont know how to do that lol but if someone does...I know Bob he made a pole before so maybe he can help here.... Let me know,,,again great idea. I love it. and welcome to the thread!! Hope you are feeling well. Keep us posted. Well...must run Have a great night all...feel good. Jodi