reverie

Congrats! The pain and discomfort will diminish over time. Good luck at reaching your weight loss goal.

If you look around you may be able to find an April 2011 bandsters thread. Either way welcome and congrats on your date.

Welcome!!

Welcome!! I too became addicted to this place when I was newly banded. I had all sorts of fluctuations and even at 9 months out I still have them! I remember thinking if I really needed to banded and thinking holy crap I could die and then I thought wow this surgery could really change my life and now 9 months out I can say it really has. Sit down and weigh the pros and cons of surgery; the pros outweighed the cons in my book by far.

Well, what is making you doubt whether it's the right surgery or not? Are you doubting WLS as a whole or just being banded? Have you considered another type of WLS?

Welcome and AMAZING loss both inches and weight wise. You're doing great.

I use "light" salad dressings; usually Italian though I've found a pretty decent light ranch dressing with good macros. That's about all I use; not a ketchup/mustard fan. I use low-carb Pasta sauce though I found a sauce made by Classico that is only 3 carbs per 1/4 cup so I picked up some of that. I also use the new Philadelphia Cooking Cremes when I'm making a stir-fry or something similar. I used soy sauce a lot but even the low sodium kind is outrageously high in salt levels so I've gotten rid of it.

I was banded in May 2010 so I'm not exactly the person you're looking for I just want to say that comparing your weight-loss to others is well..useless to put it bluntly. You'll find that some people have lost more, some less, and some about the same, but if you're like most of us here, you'll only focus on those people who have lost more, you'll wonder why you haven't lost the same amount, and it's a down spiral from there. Keep in mind that all of our journeys are different. You're not going to lose like another December 2010 bandster. Also the average weight loss with the band is 1-2lbs a week; what more are you expecting? 2.12lbs a week is a great loss and it's on par with what is expected; if anything you're above the losing curve. You're losing at a great rate and you should truly be happy. You may see it as "only" 17lbs, but it's 17lbs gone forever, right? I used to use the word "only" a lot. Now I look back and laugh when I want to say I've "only" lost 110lbs+. As for your fill/restriction level, it's the quantity of the CCs in your band and I can guarantee you'll probably need more fills until you reach the restriction level you're seeking, whatever that may be. Overall, you're losing perfectly. Don't compare yourself to anyone else here.

Congrats! Your date will be here ASAP!

I'm on week 3 of P90X and loving it. If you want to start off doing P90X, I'd recommend only doing half the video or simply do what you can. Do the amount of reps you can and over time you'll be able to do more. I personally and from experience would recommend starting off with a less intense workout to prepare for P90X, such as P90 or P90M. I did them all and felt that they helped once I started to do P90X. I eat about 1300 calories a day doing P90X and have lost 1.5-2lbs a week. I'd also recommend doing the "Lean" version unless you're a guy looking to bulk, then stick to the classic. Be aware that you don't need to follow the P90X eating plan. Find a caloric level that works for you and eat as cleanly as possible. Take a look at Michi's ladder and you'll see what I mean. Good luck!

Are you eating enough to workout? How many calories are you eating on a daily basis? You have to up your calories when you exercise.

Good thinking! Congrats on realizing it's a head game as well.

Clearance racks, though I'm hoping I'm at my final sizes: S shirts and size 4 jeans, though some 4s are loose.

I got a card but have rendered it entirely useless. It's more of a assle than anything and the kid's menus are probably the unhealthiest meal options available. Fried chicken tenders, burgers...yuck. I find that I just order a normal meal, portion it out, and take the rest home.

You seem frustrated to the max. Take a step back, breathe, and realize some things. For one, there is no set amount of weight you *should* be losing. I don't care what any calorie counter, exercise counter, or piece of gym equipment tells you, there is NOT a set amount of weight you should be losing. With the band the average weight loss per week is 1-2lbs. Some weeks you'll hit this range, other weeks you won't. There is no guarantee of what you will or should be losing. Also, the scale is not the only measurement of your success. Do you feel better physically? Have you dropped any clothing sizes? Have you taken your measurements and compared? The scale is just one part of your weight loss journey. How far are you walking? How fast? I didn't lose a lot of weight while just walking. Maybe you can incorporate something a bit more strenuous that will get your heart rate up. Try some cardio or maybe even light weight-lifting. You can find PLENTY of free exercise videos online. I say be patient, play around with your calories, exercise more, and...breathe.

I ate like this for a long time and lost a lot, though I eventually stalled for a few weeks and decided to up my calories. Since I'm doing pretty intense workouts I'm eating 1300 calories a day at the least. Is there any reason you're only eating 4oz? Is that what fills you up? I eat 4oz of meat a meal, crazy!! As long as you're losing I say go for it. Your protein is at a great level as well. Just remember we all lose at different rates eating different things though I'd be hesitant to stick to eating 630 calories a day.

The normal range of weightloss a week with the band is 1-2lbs. Some weeks you will lose in this range, some weeks above, it, some weeks below it, and some weeks you won't lose a thing. Remember that your journey is your own, and you won't lose like anyone else on here. Our bodies are entirely different from the next, so I'd advise not comparing your weightloss amounts to others as we all lose at different paces.

How many carbs are you eating now, where are your carbs coming from, and how intense is your exercise?

That's a great loss though please remember that the first six weeks are for healing. Weight-loss should really be the least of your concerns at this point though seeing the scale go down is never a bad thing! Cream of wheat is fine to eat. I didn't eat it during the mushy stage as I kept myself on a low carb diet and I am just now introducing grains back into my diet.

Yep, you'll have it, or at least some. Working out and weightlifting has helped me a bunch though I am saved up for a TT.

I LOVE salads! I try to eat at least once a day. I eat them with 4 oz chicken, some carrots, bacon bits, flax seed etc. So good. I usually save them for dinner after I work out when I want something light but Protein packed.

Good luck to both of you! You're probably both recovering by now. Best of luck.

Honestly it all comes down to willpower. While I doubt you did any permanent damage, you've probably slowed down the healing process. If you're hungry, are you sure it's real hunger? Is your stomach growling? If so, eat something; that's normal hungry. Eat something within your post-op rules. Focus on getting Protein in. On mushies I was eating a lot of Beans, cottage cheese, etc. Try to find foods that at least hold you over for a bit. Also focus on your Water. I was surprised at how well water can fill me up for a bit. Good luck!

The band won't work unless you work it; simple. You're the operator here, not the other way around. How many fills have you had? How much is in your band? It is rare that you feel restriction after one fill, so you may need another, if not a few more to feel proper restriction. Until then it's up to you to eat right, exercise, and do what you need to get the scale moving. Sure you can eat all you want and whatever you want, but should you? No. The purpose of the band is to help control your portions, at proper restriction, but at the same time the band counts on you to eat properly. Focus on drinking your Water and your Protein intake.

Leak maybe? Weightloss can too cause your band to loosen unexpectedly. I'd talk to your surgeon.