tonya66

Keep us posted Kellie - Your doing great to lose the weight you have lost with NO FILL.

Yes, it was tight, but it has loosened up and I'm doing fine with it, I actually think I could be just a tad tighter, but I'm going to live with this for awhile and see how I do. I'm having no problems getting food stuck or anything. I'm at 3.0 cc's right now in a 4cc band. I think I probably need to go to 3.2 or so, but I'll wait and see how I do and if no loss, I'll go back in for another fill.

I can see a big difference in your pics! Your neck and face are much thinner - your beautiful, I love your hair color!

M1 - 1 oz of chicken, 1 oz of light swiss cheese M2 - coffee with cream M3 - 1 cup of salad with grilled chicken strips (2 oz), dressing on side M4 - 3 oz of yogurt, 2 oz of cottage cheese M5 Exercise LBWO - 5 am - 3 min warmup Quads Leg lifts (machine) 12 - 10 10 - 10 8 - 15 6 - 25 12 - 20 Leg Presses - 12 - 90lbs Hamstrings 12 - 10 10 - 20 8 - 20 6 - 25 12 - 25 (leg curls machine) 12 - 30lbs Calves 12 - 50 10 - 70 8 - 90 6 - 110 12 - 90 12 - 90 lbs ABS Crunches - incline Machine Ab crunches - no weights Exercise #2 - 3:15 pm - 27 min on treadmill, 3% incline, 3.3 to 3.4 mph, 1.46 distance, 213 calories Notes - Today was really hard getting out of bed, I've been tired all day, I just realized that the reason is I didn't sleep with my cpap machine last night, I will make sure I sleep with it tonight!

M1 - 1 oz of chicken, 1 oz of light swiss cheese M2 - coffee with cream M3 - 1 cup of salad with grilled chicken strips (2 oz), dressing on side M4 - 3 oz of yogurt, 2 oz of cottage cheese M5 Exercise LBWO - 5 am - 3 min warmup Quads Leg lifts (machine) 12 - 10 10 - 10 8 - 15 6 - 25 12 - 20 Leg Presses - 12 - 90lbs Hamstrings 12 - 10 10 - 20 8 - 20 6 - 25 12 - 25 (leg curls machine) 12 - 30lbs Calves 12 - 50 10 - 70 8 - 90 6 - 110 12 - 90 12 - 90 lbs ABS Crunches - incline Machine Ab crunches - no weights Exercise #2 - 3:15 pm - 27 min on treadmill, 3% incline, 3.3 to 3.4 mph, 1.46 distance, 213 calories Notes - Today was really hard getting out of bed, I've been tired all day, I just realized that the reason is I didn't sleep with my cpap machine last night, I will make sure I sleep with it tonight!

You started out a lower BMI than I did, so I am apt to lose weight faster (I was fatter - lol) But i know what you mean about being stuck and needing some mojo, I started the BFL challenge and was on the website looking at before & after pictures and it really got me motivated to do some serious exercises/training. I'm on day 2 of 84! I'm also trying to cut out the bite here and the bite there syndrome I'm going thru. I seem to nibble a lot and I catch myself doing it. I gotta get out of the 190's or I'll go CRAZY. You go girl, go and shake your thang to the exercise video! Remember too, that sometimes when you pump up the exercise, your body stalls for a couple of weeks, then all of a sudden, you will have a drop in weight, its happened to me on several occasions. Just stay focusses & determined and you'll get there, we all will :clap2:

I love cruises - this will be my 10th one, and I've already planning one for 2008, we're just trying to decide if we are going to do the Hawaii cruise or the Eastern/Southern Carribean cruise. Once we decide that, I'll book one. I have found the best place and best prices are on cruisecompete.com. I booked my last cruise thru them and got it about $100 cheaper than anyone else, I called CArnival and they said they couldn't even match that price. I asked them how they can give me such a good price when Carnival coudn't, they said because they were a cruise broker and not a travel agent and could give discounts for port charges, etc. Anyhow, I think you get the best food, and can see a lot more for your money with a cruise. Thats my opinion anyhow.

Thank you ALEX! We love our journals!

M1 - Protein shake made with 6 oz of apple juice, daily 5 & pinnaple protein powder M2 - Coffee with a little bit of whipping cream M3 - 3 whole wheat crackers, 1.5 oz of salmon M4 - Grilled, skinless chicken thigh, salad M5 - Not good - dug into the SF cookie dough - ate 3, then had 2 minerature dark chocolate bars out of my candy dish. GRRRRR Exercise - 20 min of Elliptical (HIIT) Notes - wt 193.4 - I am having a hard time staying off the scales, I think its time to have DH hide them again. I am just so close to getting out of the 190's that I'm obsessed with the scales, I really need to see that 189 for sanity reasons. I cannot keep going on like this and still seeing the 190's! grrrrrrr. However, I will say that yesterday I had on a pair of capris that I bought last summer at this same weight, they were tight on me, well yesterday I tried them on and they are actually too big! So, I might be the same weight, but I'm smaller in inches.

M1 - Protein shake made with 6 oz of apple juice, daily 5 & pinnaple protein powder M2 - Coffee with a little bit of whipping cream M3 - 3 whole wheat crackers, 1.5 oz of salmon M4 - Grilled, skinless chicken thigh, salad M5 - Not good - dug into the SF cookie dough - ate 3, then had 2 minerature dark chocolate bars out of my candy dish. GRRRRR Exercise - 20 min of Elliptical (HIIT) Notes - wt 193.4 - I am having a hard time staying off the scales, I think its time to have DH hide them again. I am just so close to getting out of the 190's that I'm obsessed with the scales, I really need to see that 189 for sanity reasons. I cannot keep going on like this and still seeing the 190's! grrrrrrr. However, I will say that yesterday I had on a pair of capris that I bought last summer at this same weight, they were tight on me, well yesterday I tried them on and they are actually too big! So, I might be the same weight, but I'm smaller in inches.

Thanks so much Gigi! We are going on a 7 day Western Carribean cruise, my family (DH, son, daughter) and my DH's sister & brother in law, and mother, so its a family trip. We usually cruise 1 x per year. This will be interesting to see how I do with the band and cruising. My 2nd fill was really tight in the beginning, but it has loosened up and I am having no problems. I actually seem to have bigger problems with liquids than I do food, I think I take too big of drinks, but working on that.

Dee - thanks so much! And ONLY 1.5 gain on a cruise! You rock! And with no fill? Wow! You know the average weight gain for a 7 day cruise is 10 lbs, so you did great. I was nervous too on my first fill, but it wasn't as bad as I imagined. I know how frustrating it is to be stuck at a weight, I'm stuck in the 190's - I want out so bad! I haven't been below 190 in over 10 years, I think about 14 years.

I keep telling myself that, I keep saying next January I will be a whole new person. I lost fast in the beginning with the pre-op diet and all, so now it is going slower for me. I'm really not too worried about it, I just want out of the 190's and then I can hang in the 180's for awhile. I guess for me its a test to see if I can get out of the 190's, once I'm out of the 190's, I know the lap band works. I'm playing mind games with myself I guess. lol. I know I will have a stall the next few weeks because I'm changing my eating habits to go with the Body For Life plan. So, I'll be eating more frequently, not necessarily more, but more often I guess. So we will see what happens, I'm going to stay off the scales and only weigh on Mondays.

I just saw your pics! Amazing results in just 2 mos, congrats!

I know my grandmother has very thin skin and the doctor states it is a lack of Protein.....just a thought - how is your protein intake? I haven't heard of this before, and so far I haven't experienced any problems. Ouch - sounds like it hurts - I sure hope it clears up.

Thanks for sharing. I wanted to watch this on tv but missed it. It really shows the struggle of obesity, the sad thing is, unless you've experienced it, you just won't understand. The people who have never had a weight issue thinks its so easy for us to lose weight, they have no clue. This program I think educated people. I thought it was interesting too that only 5% of gastric bypass patients get to a normal weight, I didn't realize it was that low.

That is GREAT - to go on vacation and still LOSE weight! Congratulations and it sounds like you had a great vacation. I can't wait until my vacation August 4th (106 days to go and counting!)

Congrats on a new BF - thats always exciting and fun! No, we have not gotten together, but I'm up for it. Maybe now that the weather is getting nicer, we can plan a luncheon some place - anyone have suggestions? I would love to meet fellow Oklahoma Bandsters.

Okay, I have to brag - or tell someone because I'm proud of myself. I got out of bed this morning at 5 AM and did my upper body workout. I started the 84 day (12 week) BFL (Body for Life) Challenge today. I tried to talk myself out of getting up this morning - but I didn't. I finally got up and headed to the gym. I had a good workout and feel so good. I only have 83 more days to go. Sad note, my scale is refusing to let me get below 190 - GRRRRR. I have had this struggle all my life, I get down to 190 - 195 and just bounce back and forth. I usually get discouraged and give up and eat then go back up to 235. Now that I have the band, I'm hoping it will allow me to get below this mark. I was 192 last week, this morning back up to 195 - damn it. Anyhow, I'm going to stay off the scales the rest of the week, and hopefully by next Monday the scale will drop again. Hopefully my BFL challenge will allow me to break this weight. I just had to share my exciting news!

Melanie, Thanks so much for sharring your story. I am trying to learn from successful bandsters like you. The band was only a tool, you did the work and you should be very proud of yourself! I'm so impressed!

It is getting stuck where the food passes thru the band into the lower stomach. Usually this is caused by too big of bites. or taking a bite too close together. The question I have for you, how much can you eat? Can you eat more than a cup of food? Are you hungry before 3 or 4 hours? These are the questions that will determine if you need a fill. Take smaller bites, and wait a minute between bites. After my 2nd fill, I had to learn this - the first fill I was able to take regular bites, but still had to take some time to chew. After the 2nd fill, I had to take smaller bites and wait between bites. The slime helps the food pass thru the band. Again, the key is how much are you eating? You might need a fill. It is a learning process with the band, you will learn what it can and cannot handle. You should be eating for about 15 to 20 min and no more than a cup of food. After that, you should be full for 3 to 4 hours even up to 5. Here is what an experienced bandster told me before I was banded. She said look down at the bite of food you are eating now, after banding, and your bite will be half that size, after your first fill, it will be even half of the that size, then after the 2nd fill, even half again (about a 1/4 of regular bites - baby spoon bites). And that is so true, I'm on my 2nd fill and my bites are small. The fullness you felt BEFORE being banded, you will not feel that again, or you shouldn't because if you feel that - you're probably way overeaten and would feel miserable. You should eat until your not hungry, not full. And the previous full you felt was way down at the bottom of your stomach, now you will feel it at the upper part, so try not to strive for that "full" feeling, but strive for the "no longer hungry feeling". We are all new at this and learning everyday, so ask questions, that is what this forum is for. I've learned a lot from experienced bandsters and so glad they are willing to share their experience and pointers with us. We will never learn if we don't ask.

My doctor told me it is very normal when you first get a fill to only be able to eat 3 or 4 bites. As time goes on, the pouch will stretch and you will be able to eat more. The key is, are you getting things stuck? If you are constantly getting things stuck and they are coming back up, then you might be too tight. Remember right after surgery, we could only eat 3 or 4 bites, but eventually was able to eat more, the same is with a new fill. Give it a week or two, and see how it goes. If you are getting things stuck and not increasing in your food intake, time for a slight unfill.

I can still get into my journal, I had mine saved with my signature. You can click on my journal and work your way to your journal that way. This is the only way I can find my journal, can't find it in the forum. But I have still been able to use it this way. Hopefully they won't take the journals away, I use it daily.

M1 - 7:30 am coffee/protein drink blended in ice M2 - 11:00 am - 2 oz of lowfat cottage cheese mixed with 3 oz LC yogurt M3 - 2:15 pm - 2 whole wheat crackers with pink salmon chunks M4 - 1 cup of salad with chicken breast, sunflower seeds and dressing 1 TPSP m5 - water & lemon Exercise - UBWO (Upperbody workout) 5:30 am - 6:30 am 3 min warm up on elliptical machine Chest Chest press 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Pectoral fly - 12 reps - 25 lbs Shoulders (note - very sore in the shoulder area, must have slept on it wrong so took it easy because of past injuries and did not want to have problems) Shoulder press 9 reps - 10 lbs 7 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs (really hurting - lots of pain this morning) Back Rear deltoids 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Lat Pulldown - 12 reps - 30 lbs Triceps Tricep extension 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 20 lbs 8 - 25 lbs 6 - 35 lbs 12 - 30 lbs Dumbbell extension - 12 - 5 lbs Biceps Bicep curl 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 15 lbs 8 - 20 lbs 6 - 30 lbs 12 - 25 lbs Hammer curls - 12 - 10 lbs Exercise - 6:25 PM - 35 min on treadmill, speed varied 3.1 to 3.3 MPH, 3.5% incline and then lowered to 2.0% (was getting a cramp in my side), 249 calories, 1.89 distance. Note - wt this morning 195 - grrrrrr here we go again, trying to get out of the 190's and my body is fighting me all the way! I jump from 192 to 195 and keep bouncing. It was hard getting up this morning, but I didn't want to blow the challenge the first day and I don't think I can fit my exercises in this evening so I knew I had to get up. I can push myself harder next time on the lbs I lifted. Having horrible shoulder pain so didn't push it too hard, I don't want another injury like I had before. I'm proud of myself for getting out of bed at 5:00 am and keeping my promise to myself, I will need to stay focussed in order to finish this challenge. Day 1 completed, and 83 more days to go. Beginning measurements for my 12 week goal - Weight - 195 Body Fat - 41% Lean body mass - 115 lbs Fat weight - 80 lbs Neck - 14" Waist - 36" Forearm - 9 1/4" Wrist - 6 1/4" Hips 44" Thigh - 23 1/2 Bicep - 13 chest - 38 1/2 calve - 16" BFL Goals - I will complete the 12 week challenge I will lose 25 lbs of FAT I will gain 5 lbs of muscle to make a total loss of 20 lbs I will stay focussed I will eat clean I will not quit!

M1 - 7:30 am coffee/protein drink blended in ice M2 - 11:00 am - 2 oz of lowfat cottage cheese mixed with 3 oz LC yogurt M3 - 2:15 pm - 2 whole wheat crackers with pink salmon chunks M4 - 1 cup of salad with chicken breast, sunflower seeds and dressing 1 TPSP m5 - water & lemon Exercise - UBWO (Upperbody workout) 5:30 am - 6:30 am 3 min warm up on elliptical machine Chest Chest press 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Pectoral fly - 12 reps - 25 lbs Shoulders (note - very sore in the shoulder area, must have slept on it wrong so took it easy because of past injuries and did not want to have problems) Shoulder press 9 reps - 10 lbs 7 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs (really hurting - lots of pain this morning) Back Rear deltoids 12 reps - 10 lbs 10 reps - 10 lbs 8 reps - 15 lbs 6 reps - 15 lbs 12 reps - 15 lbs Lat Pulldown - 12 reps - 30 lbs Triceps Tricep extension 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 20 lbs 8 - 25 lbs 6 - 35 lbs 12 - 30 lbs Dumbbell extension - 12 - 5 lbs Biceps Bicep curl 12 - 10 lbs 10 - 15 lbs 8 - 20 lbs 6 - 30 lbs 12 - 25 lbs Hammer curls - 12 - 10 lbs Exercise - 6:25 PM - 35 min on treadmill, speed varied 3.1 to 3.3 MPH, 3.5% incline and then lowered to 2.0% (was getting a cramp in my side), 249 calories, 1.89 distance. Note - wt this morning 195 - grrrrrr here we go again, trying to get out of the 190's and my body is fighting me all the way! I jump from 192 to 195 and keep bouncing. It was hard getting up this morning, but I didn't want to blow the challenge the first day and I don't think I can fit my exercises in this evening so I knew I had to get up. I can push myself harder next time on the lbs I lifted. Having horrible shoulder pain so didn't push it too hard, I don't want another injury like I had before. I'm proud of myself for getting out of bed at 5:00 am and keeping my promise to myself, I will need to stay focussed in order to finish this challenge. Day 1 completed, and 83 more days to go. Beginning measurements for my 12 week goal - Weight - 195 Body Fat - 41% Lean body mass - 115 lbs Fat weight - 80 lbs Neck - 14" Waist - 36" Forearm - 9 1/4" Wrist - 6 1/4" Hips 44" Thigh - 23 1/2 Bicep - 13 chest - 38 1/2 calve - 16" BFL Goals - I will complete the 12 week challenge I will lose 25 lbs of FAT I will gain 5 lbs of muscle to make a total loss of 20 lbs I will stay focussed I will eat clean I will not quit!