Banannie

Jen - you need to copy and paste the info on the ticker factory site to your "signature" in your control panel here - give that a try! I think you go to the box on the ticker factory site that says bbCode and copy the part that starts with to your sig

Sweethot! The december bandsters have missed you! Glad you're back on the boards! Kim - I'm doing ok, thanks for asking! I went overboard on dinner Sun night and I'm still beating myself up for it - I'm my own worst enemy! :girl_hug:

Brandi - I hear ya - I'm also reading but don't have any freakin' time! Love ya girls even if I'm quiet!

Yay Fluffer! WTG on making a positive change! Let us know how it goes - I used to (pre-band) do WW points, and don't know much about the core plan. Keep me posted - if it's good, I may try it! Also, have any of you read the Beck Diet Solution book? I'm reading it now, and kinda like what it's saying... not sure if anyone here had tried what's in it. It's "cognitive therapy" so that you think like a thin person (or so they say...)

Thanks for the welcome, Kim! I've decided to make my weight loss journey my #1 priority this year, so I'm "working my band" to the best of my ability - and at least for now, getting good results!! I'm hoping to be well into Onederland by the end of May... (fingers and toes crossed!) 10 to go!

Brandi - is work calming down for you at all? I hope you get to rest a bit this weekend! Steph - I'm glad your fill is working!!! Yay! I hope I can post back next Thursday saying the same thing!

Hi guys! I'm anxiously waiting for the day I hit Onederland - I'm at 210 right now...

Oh, and Claud - YOU CAN DO THIS - take one bad habit you've fallen back into while you were gone, and eliminate one per day until you feel you're back in control. Going through emotional stress like what your guy friend is doing to you makes it hard, but we KNOW you can do it girl!!! Stay strong!!

Well, I'm relatively young, single, no kids. I can devote the time to exercise right now (although my job battles with that priority regularly, I'm trying not to let it win very much). I told myself if I focus on this for a year, give or take a few months, the hardest part will be behind me. I'm still stunned every day when I realize exercise really is a habit now, and one that I don't mind doing. I feel weird on the days I don't exercise! I'm just watching it closely so I'm not trading a food obsession with an over-exercising obsession. So far it hasn't come to that. I do have a weigh-myself-multiple-times-per-day obsession that I'd like to kick, though! As for the guy - if it's meant to be, it'll happen. Guys just are SO different in how they think!!

just turned 33 a few weeks ago...

Kirsten - my weight loss has continued but mainly due to sheer willpower and the fact that I'm a gym junkie now (I go 5-6 times a week usually for 1.5 hours, sometimes more, almost too much!). I'm hoping this next fill takes the "edge" off so I can mellow out a bit! And as for the boys/men comments - I've decided NOT to date right now - losing weight is too much of a priority to be distracted by the antics of the opposite sex. I don't need to go out to a fancy dinner, and I don't need to be distracted from my workouts! (well, maybe I don't need to workout quite this much...) Steph - glad your fill went well, albeit so late! Thanks for the info on the Water - I think I need to wait longer than an hour when I'm jonesing for a fill to hopefully keep the food in my pouch longer. I can down the water pretty quick, so I still would be able to get it all in right now, I think! And yeah, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and kiwi are pretty mushy fruits - the only reason they've been sticking with me is I eat them after chicken or turkey which "clogs" things up and helps me stay full longer! I need to get more off the fruit and do more veggies. I'm just so not a veggie girl! I was only able to catch the last few minutes of AI - yes that was so harsh for Jordin, she's so young, she won't easily forget last night! Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Chris and LaKisha go home. Both are talented (LaKisha is VERY talented) but neither do anything for me. And I guess Phil, but he's done a lot better the past two weeks. Brandi - WOO HOO on the promotion! That is AWESOME! I'm sure in a few weeks things will calm down and feel more manageable, both on the work and personal side. BK - WOO HOO on the interview! Working in a spa would have good "perks"!!! Sassy - good for you standing up for what's right!!

Clau - good for you - it should be all about you right now. Basically, we all have to make this weight-loss process our #1 priority to make it work. We deserve to lose weight. We deserve to be healthy, not only for ourselves, but for our loved ones. This is important. I'm proud of you! Question for y'all - how long after eating do you start drinking your water? I normally am watching the clock and start drinking one hour after eating, but I've gotten busy a couple of times and it's been more like 2. I get noticably hungrier faster when it's one... just curious as to what you guys are noticing! Let me know.

Kirsten - yay on the "twin" fills! We'll have to check in after and see how we're doing. And don't worry much about the guy not e-mailing back yet. One thing I've learned is boys don't think like we do. He probably doesn't even know his delay is meaning you're about to write him off! I'd give him until the end of the weekend...

Claud - you put that perfectly - sounds like you're mentally in a good place! So I determined a half hour ago that I *do* need a fill. I brought chicken and fruit for lunch - 2-3 oz chicken breast cut up, goes down fine even with bigger than I should have bites, then I start eating my container of berries & sliced kiwi that I buy at whole foods. Normally this amount of fruit lasts me a good 2 days, if not 3. I ate it all, AFTER all my chicken. I just looked at the lid, and it was 0.78 lbs for the measured weight of the package. Not saying eating a lot of fruit is bad, but I'm just full, not uncomfortable at all... normally I wouldn't even dream of eating that much! So, I moved my fill appointment from May 7 to May 2 (next Wednesday). I hope I can behave between now & then!

Brandi - you keep your chin up - I know you're going thru a hard time (I split with my ex-husband a year ago, and it was horrible) but it does get better - you're beautiful and have a super personality, you'll get a great guy that will make you forget about all the heartbreak in your past! Your "steadies" luv ya girl! Steph & BK - I'm in the same boat on whether to get another fill - I'll probably go through with it and then be complaining it's too tight...

Clau! I'm so so sorry you've had your heart hurt! :girl_hug: Just know that all your steadies are rooting for you - when you get more of the weight off, with your great personality, the boys will be FLOCKING to you! Keep your chin up and know that it's likely for the best, even though I know it hurts so much right now!!! BK - I've never had anyone there for my fills - you're a super strong lady, don't be worried!! Steph - WOO HOO on the size Large! That is so cool!!!! Brandi - I've only felt the needle on 2 of my 5 pricks (4 fills, 1 slight unfill) and I'm a total "needle weenie". When I felt the two, it was the tiniest pinch. But, having a spray wouldn't be bad! I've also heard of people holding an ice cube on the area a few minutes before the fill to numb the area. I just haven't had a problem, which is great because I was almost more scared of the fills than the surgery since I hate needles so much!

Sassy, I've never had numbing agents - from what I hear, they are also administered with a shot and actually sting/hurt more than the needle for the fill! Most people at my doc's office don't get it, and even if they try it, they switch back. Kay, I try to stay away from soup & salad just because I have the same question. I would think as long as you do the soup first, you're somewhat ok, but I doubt it's the preferred meal. I don't really see much wrong with it though if it satisfies you! The whole point of no fluids with meals is to ensure the food stays in your pouch to satisfy you. If it did that, I doubt it's a problem!

Jill - Congrats on Onederland!!!! Sassy - you should have a say in the fills. You should be able to get one if you're hungry and following the rules of eating slow & small bites if you're hungry - I'd say go back and if you don't get a fill, make them explain why in enough detail that you agree with it! Kirsten - WTG on the 18's!! Steph - I'd still take your snow in the shade to get 70+ degrees! It was 50's and 60's here over the weekend - got a bit of sun, but nothing amazing. Brandi - I'm in the same boat - I know I'm smaller but my head hasn't caught up. How cool that you've lost so much people don't recognize you! That's amazing! Are you comfortable yet with people oogling over your weight loss? I had a wedding shower on Sat. and a b-day party to go to on Sun and people were commenting/complimenting left & right. I'm trying to be gracious and just say "Thanks!" but I'm really not used to all the attention (and questions). 99.9% of them don't know I'm banded...

Yeah, I've noticed solid meats are the easiest for me to "eat to fast and feel the golf ball" on. Good you're taking the smaller bites - that helps me A LOT! And yes, I'm up in the Seattle area - beautiful day up here today - I can't wait for summer!!

I'm up to 2.7 now - it was "too much" for me back in March and I went down to 2.5, then a month later, 2.7 was perfect - now I've scheduled my next fill for May 7th, just in case. Restriction to me is the ability to eat a small portion (3 oz meat/1/2 cup produce), and feel satisfied (not necessarily "full") and not get hungry for ~4 hours. But I notice my morning Breakfast, since it's yogurt & bran Cereal, doesn't stick with me as long - and I don't expect it to, it's almost a "mushy". If I eat 3 oz meat with a veggie, I stay satisfied much, much longer. Personally, I'd say go in and get .1 or .2 and see how it goes - you do have restriction, so you really don't need a lot. I do liquids/mushies for 24 or 48 hours after a fill (basically my doc just says "take it easy for a day"). The closer I get to my "sweet spot" the more cautious I am after a fill. I'm pretty much right at my sweet spot so I do things like yogurt, milk, Protein shakes and cottage cheese for 2 days and then re-introduce things slowly. Have you tried shaking your "menu" up? Any chance your difficulties in eating are caused by "trouble foods" that would clog any of us up? Sometimes that's all my "golf ball" feeling is - eating something that could be trouble for anyone with restriction! For example, until my last fill or so I ate the little baby raw carrots. My one and only "sliming" incident was with those darn carrots about two weeks after a fresh fill, and I just won't eat them again! Not worth the pain..

Gotcha. I agree with trying to avoid liquid calories but when I was a bit too tight, those protein shakes and even just milk really made a difference!

Kay - WTG on 70 lbs total - that is GREAT! I remember when I hit half way (ok, my memory doesn't have to be long because it was last week) and it was a total "a ha" moment, when I realized, I really *can* do this!!! I'm SO glad you and Nat are back!

I've been chewing the chewable fiber tablets (can't remember the brand) in addition to trying to get fiber through my foods and I still don't think I get enough! Maybe I'll try adding the Fiber One... I wonder why you're nauseous in the AM? I've heard of people being tight in the AM but not nauseous.

you're cracking me up girl!

COOL Steph! I had a similar thing today - a coworker said "it looks like you've lost a little weight" - I said "about 70 lbs!" and her draw dropped to the floor!