Bklynike

Good to see you back. I will check out your blog, as well. Hope you did well in your 5K.

I have been fluxuating between 71 72 lbs for a few weeks now, but I know I will get past it. Your body is just fighting right now, but don't give up. Keep doing what you are doing and it will turn around. If not, see if you need a fill. Whatever you do, I wish you the best.

You didn't "CHEAT" because this is a lifestyle change, not a diet plan. My doctor always says if you crave something, every once in a while it is ok to give into to it. I beat myself up over a crouton! But after speaking with the doctor, I figured out what I needed to do to remain shooting towards my goal weight and have been very successful. As long as what you did doesn't become a habit, forget it and move on. We have all been there. Look forward, not behind and good luck to you.

My first fill I had 1cc and my 2nd only 1/4cc. They know what they are doing and if you don't feel restricted enough, make another appointment. The best of luck to you what ever you decide to do.

I think we have all felt under motivated, but you have been doing so well. Don't give up on yourself - you can continue to do this with or without the fill. You know what you should be eating, how much exercise you should be doing and how much fluids to drink. So just do it, as they say in all of the Nike commercials. Get back to the basics - no grain, no carbs, until your next fill and you will be amazed at how well you will feel about yourself. I have total faith in you - I know you do too. Take care, my friend. You derserve it.

You either want to lose the weight or you don't. A lot of people want to stop smoking or kick any other habit you can think of, but are just not ready to make the sacrafices necessary to do so. It doesn't make you a faillure - it just means you are not ready.You have to weigh, no pun intended, the differences between staying heavy or actually putting you mind to losing weight and doing it. Do you see yourself as a loser? Not good enough? Low self-esteem? If this is the case, you need to speak with someone to find out why and take care of that problem before concentrating on the weight loss. Did you see a psychologist prior to the surgery? Perhaps you need to visit them again.

I truly wish you the best of luck and hope you can figure out what will be best for you.

I don't know anyone who has complained about this situation. Perhaps you are having a reaction to something else? Have you been to the doctor - either your surgeon or your primary? After 18 months I can't imagine it has anything to do with your band. I wish you luck in finding out what is going on. Please come back and post so we all will know.

OK, let's see if we can figure out this problem.

1) Do you keep a food diary? I did when I was first banded and it does help you make better decisions.

2) Are you drinking your 64 ounces of fluid a day? Crystal Lite has saved my life because I hate plain water

3)l Have you had a fill yet?

4) Have you talked to your doctor, nutritionist, nurse, primary doctor?

5) You seem to have already given up. Do you want to remain heavy? Some people do. They feel sorry for themselves and it gives them an excuse to pig out. It probably took years for you to get "fat" and it will take time to take it off

6) Are you eating bread, pasta, pizza, potatoes, chips and other carbs? That can be a big problem.

7) Are you hoping to sabotage yourself?

Sit down and make a list of what you really want. Speak with your doctors and let them help you reach your goal. Don't give up becuase it is never, ever to late.

There is always non-alcoholic beer! The weight loss is really more important, but you are a grown up and your priorities are your own.

SF ice pops are the best! Once you can start on food, tuna with lots of lite mayo in the food processor is a great way to go. Also, I use 1 egg with egg whites and make scrambled eggs for breakfast everyday. Land O Lakes make a great light butter with either canola or olive oil. I prefer the canola. Eat slowly and chew well when you can start eating. I hated the protein shakes, so I went to soups and eggs quickly.

Get the the gym as quickly as you can and stay on your routine. If you can't afford or use a gym, walking and swimming if you have access to a pool. Stay active - at the beginning it is so hard, but it does get easier. When I started at the gym I was able to walk about 5 minutes on the treadmill and increased the length of time, the speed and incline. You will not do it in a day - take your time. It took years to put the weight on, be patient and it will come off. Follow your doctor's instructions and see a nutritionist with your food log. They will give you the best advice. I have cut out carbs, except for what is in veggies. No white products - bread, pizza, pasta, potatos, etc. for at least 1 year. But do what the dr says to do and you will succeed. Good luck and welcome to our little bandster family.

Thank you for writing.... I love the SF popsicles. They are a life savior right now. As of Friday, I can start solid liquids so I can increase my diet somewhat. I have protein drinks from Medifast that I can tolerate well and that will help. This first week I am not getting any protein and that scares me.

I love walking so I will be walking like crazy again. I usually walk almost 3.5 mile a day with my dog. I am so excited about this.

How amazing that you and your hubby get to do this together. While I have insurance, they would not pay for my banding so I paid out of pocket over $13,250. My husband does not have insurance, but he feels he will be able to take off the weight on his own. It has been a slow process for him, but we are exercising together and getting healthier together. You are making a better future with eachother by losing the weight together.

Remember to do as much walking as you can to get rid of the gas you are going to feel. GasX has helped some people, but I just did a lot of walking. During commercials, if you can believe it. Drink plenty of liquids to help with the hunger, but you won't experience hunger as you do now.

i wish you both the best of luck. You are so fortunate to be able to do this together. You will give eachother strength and encouragement - just don't be competitive. Everyone loses at a different rate. Also remember it took years to put the weight on, it will take a while to take it off. I am almost 70lbs down, surgery was on June 21st of 2010. Good luck.

You go girl. I am so glad you have found your way back here to list a blog. I really miss the old site, but we have to work with what we have. Love the name of your band.

70 lbs is great - I'm at 69.

Today is my 1 year anniversary of being cancer free and I am so excited, proud and just plain happy. Keep in touch and keep posting.

Good job. Keep it up. Nothing worth having comes easy, so we are all working to succeed.

Happy and healthy to you and yours.

I had expected the weight to just fall off when I had my surgery. But, I have to say that when I started my Journey I weighed 268. I had my surgery on June 21st of this year and am now down to 199.5 putting me into the Onderland. After speaking with my primary doctor and my surgeon, I truly believe that the best way to lose weight is to do it slow and steady. I've only had 2 fills since June, the last just last week was only 1/4cc giving me approximately 5ccs in my 14cc band.

Give your self some time - it will come off. Let's not forget it took us years to put it on, it is going to take a while to get it off.

I love going to the gym. For anyone who can't afford an LA Fitness or Bally's, check to see if your hospital has a fitness center. Mine does and it is great. The price is right and there are no people there dressed to the 9's looking for a date. I don't have a New Year's resolution, but I am hoping to get off of my high blood pressure medication by losing more weight and attending the gym 3-4 times a week. After a loss of 68.5 lbs I am no longer diabetic. Happy New Year!

I would perhaps do protein shakes to keep up your protein or you might become anemic. Speak with your doctor before doing anything that radical.

Best of luck.

You are lucky that is all you have to pay. My insurance company wouldn't pay a penny, so it cost me over $13,000!

Check with your doctor and insurance company to see if he does it in an ambulatory center instead of a hospital if the price will go down for you.

In either case, best of luck

You must forget the scale - it is not your friend. Look at how you clothes are fitting and how you are feeling. The band is a tool, you are the one who is in charge of your destiny. You eat right, you exercise, you don't cheat and you will lose the weight. Trust yourself to do the right thing and remember this is a life long journey - not just a week, a month or a year. It took a long time to put the weight on and it will take a while to get it off. Good luck.

Congrats on taking the first step. This is a heck of a great journey - you will be so amazed at how good you will feel as the weight starts to drop off.

You doctor will give you a list of do's and don't's. Follow it. I had my surgery in the morning and was home by 3:00 in the afternoon. I rested up the first day - was a little sore getting up and down from sitting, but that was pretty much it. By day 2 I walked, walked and walked to get rid of the gas. I was watching TV and every time a commercial came on, I got up and walked around my condo. By Day 3 I was visiting my father-in-law who was in the hospital and walked the halls - a lot.

I started on liquids, then shortly afterwards went to mushy like eggs, tuna with light mayo, and creamy soup. Then on to regular food.

The pain was a piece of cake - don't be afraid. You will be fine. Good luck to you. I started my journey in October at 268lbs. My surgery was on June 21st and as of yesterday I weighed in at 199.5. I have not felt this good in years.

GREAT, if it could be done I knew you would do it,you are my inspiration & I miss our old blogging site so much I am down 36-lbs.Are you still posting your pics & how do I find them now, I am not a fan of this new site. Keep up the great loss.

I have no idea where to post pictures or even how to see them. If I find out, I'll let you know.

Every journey is different and finding a way to make yours work for you is amazing. keep up the good work.

Being in pain is the worst because no one and nothing can help. I had an accident at work 22 years ago, yes 22 years ago and I still have neck and back pain. For 3 years I wasn't able to lift anything heavier than a loaf of bread. I was a very thin person, but then the accident and the weight just piled on. And then I quit smoking, which added 65lbs. You should make an appointment to see a pain specialist. They may be able to give you something other than medicationl. Losing weight will also help. Please hang in there. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, unfortunately sometimes the tunnel is very long.

We are all pulling for you and know you will be fine. Please keep up posted, girlfriend.

It will come off on its own when it is time. It is a little uncomfortable, but it won't be there all that long. Good luck

How much of a fill did they give you? Perhaps you are now too restricted? I've had one fill and will probably have a 2nd in a week or two, I just hope I don't have the problem you are speaking about. Please keep us posted about your condition.