AngelaT

You all seem to be doing great. I just found the November Bandster thread. Love it. I was banded on November 21 by Dr. Jossart from the San Fransisco Laproscopic Associates. I had my first fill last week in my 10 cc. band. Dr. Cirangle put 1.33 in. I feel full longer, but thought it would be more. It did kick my weight loss in again so thats good. I had been stuck at 35 lbs for almost 2 weeks. The fill was Friday and I have lost 3 lbs since then. It's great to see where other November people are. My doc said I was above average for weight loss, but after seeing some of you I don't see that. I do feel great about where I am. Keep up the awesome work and I am glad I found you all!:clap2:

Welcome!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

If you have seen the previous posts you know the trip is planned for May/June of this year.Sign-ups need to be NOW or space at the resort will go away. It is at Anthony's Key in Roatan and all inclusive...room, food, snorkeling, dolphins and I will lead retreat activities. Dolphins are very healing, plus the activities I will lead will help bring you home a healthier, happier, more peaceful you!

Please sign up now! Deadline is February 15. :clap2: :clap2:

Other activities there

Horseback riding on the beach, kayaking, picnics, games, dolphin encounter, classes, and lots of fun!!

In May it is nice... It is always warm in the caribbean so the Water will be nice.

If anyone needs to sign up please look for the sign-up post I will start soon!

re: "If the inches are disappearing then where are they going?"

Another question may well be 'where did those inches COME from?'

Fat is less dense and occupies more space than muscle tissue. While my body weight has not changed much over the past 8 months, my pant size has decreased and my belt size has decreased. My body shape is headed toward that of an actual human rather than a semi-mobile poof pillow.

Those are 'NSV' Non scale Victories.....recognition and celebration of NSVs are an important part of postBand life.

Semi-mobile poof pillow--Oh Jack I just love the way you phrase things! You must be quite adorable in person.

I think I have finally stopped losing the weight without a fill...it is a bit discouraging, but I have had people tell me I have lost more weight, so I uess I have lost inches...I did not measure myself at the beginning...wish i had so I could see more of my NSV'S! Another NSV lately is how clothes are fitting...loser! I will be getting a fill mid February it is time!

Thanks for the Protein ideas! I'm going to keep working on coming up with ways to get it in. I'm handling anywhere from 2 oz to 4 oz of liquid at one time.

Hi Inner ME!

When I was on liquids I also made chicken Soup and cooked it until the chicken was so soft it almost dissolved! Skinless chicken by the way. Then I would blend it to a consistency I could drink with a straw...yummy! They say if you can drink it through a straw you can have it as a liquid. I would also add different spices each time I would blend a portion so I would not get bored. On occassion I added unflavored protein to it if I needed more protein.

Well...I think it is time for my first fill...I have beens tuck at 198 now for almost 2 weeks and having ttrouble staying there. I am also eating larger portions and feel hungry. So mid February I will head to MX for my first fill...I hope I will only need one. I hate needles!:faint: I know I am in Medicine.... but that is one reason it is Natural Medicine...NO needles!

Many things are "powdered" at one point. For instance, instant non-fat dry milk, pudding, Jello, etc. Once they are mixed with liquid, they're form changes and they are no longer dry.

To me, the critical thing to do is to listen to the medical staff that each indivdual deals with. If you're doctor/nutritionist is saying not to use a powdered Protein, then you probably shouldn't use it since you have to deal with them. My nutritionist actually includes several recipes that do include protein powder. When I make pudding, I add both powdered non-fat milk AND protein powder to up the protein of the pudding. Knock on wood, I've not had any complications from it's use nor have I experienced any Hair loss which is a side-effect of low protein levels. (Of course, I didn't have much hair to lose anyway, but the three hairs I started with are still firmly attached. <G>)

Tom

I agree with you Tom on the powdered protein. That physician seems to be the only one I am aware of who has that rule. Imagine...all others all over the world who band have patients use powdered protein. He probably had ONE pt. who had problems and now wants to avoid a lawsuit. Just make sure the protein is belnded very well and with enough liquid if you are on a liquid stage. I also add Benefiber to my Protein Shakes since there is not enough Fiber when you are banded. It dissolves well so you don't even know it is there.

So...we know after time that we become comfortable in our relationships...whether married, dating, etc....and perhaps might not do as much to keep the spark going. Not our fault, just natural progression.

Some people say that to keep someone interested in "the chase" - to ignore, taunt, act disinterested, etc.

What are some of your ideas?

What have you done successfully to keep the interest of the opposite sex?

Has it changed pre-band vs. post-band?

A new activity to do together

Wear sexy clothing at least a few times a week when around your S.O.

Send the kids to grandmas and make a nice candlelit dinner, with nice soft music, look extra beautiful and sexy, lite candles in your bedroom and living room... make him feel wanted and loved...

Tuck little I love you notes, or similar in his jacket pocket, or lunch, etc.

You got 2 MORE MEALS out of that little bit of left-overs??? You are amazing... that would have been a "snack" for me!! :cry You are doing so great!! I am sooooo jealous!

Karen

Karen,

You are too funny! A snack? I saw you eat and it was not much! That darn office job sitting will get to you....i saw these chairs at Brookstone, you sit and they move and somehow tthat exercises you! www.sparkpeople.com it will help! it will help...it will help....:pound: you said to pound it into you! he he

And Angela.... you are beautiful!! I so enjoyed meeting you and seeing you "in action": you give such great advice and have so much knowledge. It was wonderful to find out where that comes from... the "inner you" (as opposed to "Inner Me"... Hi, Chris!) You are terrific!!

Eat that lunch----it is good for you!! :hungry:

Karen

Oh...blush...:embarassed: And yes, I did eat the rest of my lunch today for Breakfast and then lunch!

Inner Me...Congratulations on your 10lbs! Awesome!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I met Karen aka L8BloomR...she is awesome!!!! Just as sweet, caring and intelligent as she sounds via posts and telephone! It is so great to meet my online lapband friends...so far I have met three fellow bandsters!!! ALL wonderful!

Karen...still have not finished my lunch from yesterday!

Since, I am doing so terrible at my meal planning and everything. I was just thinking about something. If I start counting my calories...1000-1200 a day and only three meals (no snacks), which is what my doc wants me to do. I can have 333 to 400 cals a meal. Some of you might be doing this now...I just haven't really thought about it that way. So...I had 2 boiled eggs and 2 slices of bacon, which was around 200 cals. I should go ahead and eat another 200...maybe I wan't be so hungry all day.

My yogurt is only 90.

Hi Brooksie!

I use www.sparkpeople.com to keep track of my cals, Protein, etc. it is great! try it, it keeps you on track, helps you feel accountable. Even though i do not have a fill I have been able to do well using this tool. Also remember, you can eat 4-5 times a day and maintain calories within 800-1000, sometimes 1,200 a day and still lose weight. Actually it improves your meatbolism when you eat several small meals a day. Make Breakfast at least 250 calories. I have breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, midafternoon snack, dinner, and sometimes a very samll snack like a 60 calorie yougurt or Jello diet pudding ater dinner. It rarely ever addas up to more than 1,000 calories. I just make sure it is as low carb, high protein as possible and watch the fat also. I can eat almost anything I want in moderation including a little bit of chocolate, or a little bit of cake...a mean little. Take care!

By the way...I made it to San Francisco from Austin finally last night. The weather was not great...COOOLLLLDD! I was exhausted last night.

I made it to california!!! I am in Orange Countu visiting my son. I drove from Phoenix, Az this morning and got here by noon. I am soooo tired! I guess driving does not burn many calories plus Water gain from travel made my scale go up to 199-200 this morning! I hope it is just Water gain from just sitting and driving!

Anyway...can't wait to start my routine again soon...as soon as I get back up to San Francisco I will concentrate on weight LOSS again.

I'll bet you're even getting a waist!

yes I am...this morning i put in the adjustable waist tabs on my jacket! :clap2:

Hey skinny Angela...Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! Skinny???? :faint: i have not heard that about me in sooooooo long!

I'm going to catch up on this thread later. But, I just wanted to let you know that I've finally made it to bandland!

Thanks for all of your support over the course of the past several months. My surgeon said I did really well, and the nurses in the recovery room said I was the best they'd had. LOL...glad to hear it. Especially since I spent more time then average there because they had run out of rooms for several of us. And since I had a good view of the board, my name was at the top.

Inner Me...congrats! Welcome to bandland :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I still can't believe i am in onederland!!! I am driving to California and have not been able to eat much today...supplemented with a Protein Shake 100cals. Brooksie make sure you are eating enough Protein, that will keep you feeling satisfied.

I am down to 197!! Right now I am in a little town not far from El Paso, Texas... good to be resting... I will try to exercise a bit tonight, inside my hotel room.

Thanks you everyone!!!:lost1.5lbs: :huggie:

Well, only 5 days to go!! going to Vegas today, in an hour, then only 3 days till TT and BL-

Telly, did you have a fill before or was your band pretty tight when you had your TT?

My plan is to have a small fill on Tues. wait things out and then surgery on Thurs. 7:15am. my hope is to be tight enough i dont eat like i have been. I work out alot with a trainer-(think her goal is to kill me some days) so eating the extra calories is ok as I am burning appx 500-800 cal 3 days a week. I have stayed the same weight since October 3rd but I have lost 2 sizes of pants and feel GREAT! working out is really the answer for power but this extra skin and boobs on my knees is crap- therefore Thursday!! I dont want to eat or snack alot when I am not burning those calories so I think I will need a fill.

Dr. thinks I will loose enough fat & skin for 2 pant sizes- do you think you lost that much? seems like alot, didnt realize there was "that much" there extra. I am worried in order to get that much my boobs will lift up and where my boobs are now will be my stomach! yeah, what a worry.

Any words of wisdom to keep my sanity for mon-thurs. let me know!

Brenda congrats on the TT. Please do Not get a fill before surgery... You need to be open just in case there is a medical need. You can get a fill after you recover. Please consult the surgeon,,i think he will say to wait.

I am sooooo happy...I finally made it below 200...it has been soooooo many years!!!!! I am now 198:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

If I hadn't been so busy this morning moving, I think I would have cried!

Thanks for all your support!!!!

ReneBean, why does that happen to you when you fly? I'm curious because I'll be flying shortly and would love to know what happens with the band. Also, what does TOM mean?

TOM means Time of Month (period).

I think most people get the 4cc band. I was surprised to find out I had the larger one. My doctor says it was a last minute decision based on the distribution of fat and body type. Even people with alot more to lose than me usually get the smaller band, so I am sure it has to do with being "apple-shaped" and thicker through the middle. So 2cc for me was not much of anything. 2 cc in a smaller band would be alot! My doc says that it would be normal to finish my fills at 6-8 cc. Anyone else have the VG band out there?

Karen

Karen,

You are special, you get your very own custom band!:biggrin1: hehe I know, I am being silly! Talk soon!

I have got a question, I am wondering if I am eating too much. I got my first fill on tuesday. I started on mushies today....for lunch I ate 1/2 cup of refried Beans with cheese, little salsa, and ff sour cream. Ate this about 1:45pm. It is now 4:36pm, and I am getting this sharp pain off and on between my rib cage...top of stomach....has anyone felt like this??? I also took two tyleno....maybe I am stuck????

Those are all GAS causing foods...try Gas-x

Well, I promised to keep you updated. So here's my update...

FINALLY, I get to cross the finish line. I knew I was always at the end of the November list. I just didn't expect them to drag it out 2 months. :tape2: I will be banded tomorrow morning. Keep me in your prayers.

I'm still hanging around learning from you all!

Chris the wannabe "November, but happy with January" bandster.

Inner Me!! Good luck tomorrow!! Keep us posted...we will be with you in spirit. :huggie: