Banannie

Typical day for me Breakfast - 4oz Activia yogurt w/ 1/2 cup Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran (for fiber!) - I have this every weekday. lunch - 2-3 oz meat (chicken breast or turkey lunch meat slices). If I do the lunch meat, I roll it around a Laughing Cow Light triangle of cheese. I try to do a veggie at lunch (like 1/2 cup beans) but I'm bad with veggies. More often I'll do fresh fruit (berries, kiwi) Snack - I have to have something before I go workout and because my dinner is often a bit later - usually fruit or a South Beach Diet Peanut 140 cal bar. Dinner - 2 Turkey Meatballs from Trader Joe's (100 cal for 2) with a splash of teriyaki or BBQ sauce for flavor. I want to do a veggie but the two meatballs fill me up enough I usually don't have room. 9-10 glasses of Water a day, 1-2 chewable Flintstones Vitamins (2 if I didn't get many veggies in) and 2 chewable Viactiv Calcium

Oh - Happy Birthday Bandiva!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The December bandsters one was the original thread and it got HUGE. So, we've been posting in monthly threads - if you look, there's likely a December Bandsters in January, and I know there's one for Feb and March. This is the right one! I posted in your other thread about slow losing - I really hope you can get things sorted out!

We were banded near the same time and I guess I've been successful so far - what I do is simple, there's no magic. Just work! I track calories occasionally so I make sure I'm in check, but not every day. I repeat meals a lot so I know that on the days I'm not tracking, I'm still very close on calories. Some days are as low as 600 (which isn't a preference), very very rarely am I over 1000. Most days are 700-800 calories. Focus on Protein & low non-produce carbs since once I have carbs I want MORE! I work out pretty hard, usually 5-6 days a week. On an average workout day, I do 30-40 minutes at a good clip on the elliptical, then weights (pretty heavy) for another 30, then another 30 min usually on the bike. Some days it's just cardio, 1 hour 15 minutes is typical there. So overall, nothing magic. I just told myself this is my #1 priority this year. So I follow the rules almost all the time. No, I'm not perfect, but this is a higher priority than other things!

Yup, total desk job for me - by the time I get to the gym after work I have plenty of pent up energy from being caged up all day! But like you Brandi - it pays well and gets the job done when it comes to payin' the bills. I wish I could retire - wouldn't that be nice! Unfortunately my job doesn't pay *that* well that I could retire in my early 30s. Although since I live in the Seattle area I have to watch some of my "Microsoftie" friends that have already retired... grrrr.... I'm calculating weight loss from my pre-op diet start weight, not my highest - I could add 10+ lbs if I did it from my highest. Now *that* would look good on a ticker! I've been stuck at the same weight for a few days - then I noticed that it's getting close to my TOM - doh... I hate that!

Oh! And way to go Nat & Steph on wearing hot clothes!! :confused: :cool:

I've told a few close family members about my surgery (mom, sis & her hubby) two co-workers who are also friends, and a few other friends. Unfortunately, one of the friends I told has a friggin big mouth, so while she promised to keep it a secret, and no one's said anything to me, I wouldn't be surprised if she's let it slip. I'm gonna HATE the day that she does talk. Unfortunately, she's gotten heavier as I've gotten lighter, so I think there's a touch of jealousy, which certainly isn't going to help keep her mounth shut! If she does talk and I find out, I may choose to not have her as a friend, as she is one who doesn't really see the consequences of her actions very much. Plus, I consider myself "active" now, even though I'm still heavy, and she just wants to go to the pub and drink, etc. My life no longer revolves around food and drinking... I also feel regret that I have some heavy friends who would SO benefit from this surgery, but they also have big mouths. Most of my friends run in the same circle so stuff gets around - fast! I'm like you, Nat - none of their buisness but I may change my mind at goal... ANYHOW - Brandi - YOU ARE DOING SOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!!! You're a huge inspiration for me!!! I'm glad you doc is impressed and you're going to be a superstar testimonial for his practice!

No worries Nat - since most of you are "back east" compared to me - you all chat - I'm I think one of the few west coasters on here. I'll just stay away if I don't want to know! And I was VERY glad Sanjaya went home, even though his home town is a whopping 10 miles from where I live!

Steph - bummer on the overdraft! Isn't that the worst feeling? Kay - I don't track my calories regulary (I do use Fitday when I do), when I'm tracking it's more watching that I get enough calories or enough Protein. But, if you guys do it and it really works, I may consider joining! Nat - I made the mistake of looking at this thread at 9:55pm Pacific Time - they hadn't yet announced who was leaving AI! Next week I'm going to have to stay off the thread until after American Idol is done! Brandi - I'm with you. I want a hot bod when all of this is done. I'm hoping my skin bounces back enough but I think it's unlikely... I'll probably do at least a tummy tuck, maybe something with my boobs (they're not bad but could be perkier!). We'll have to just wait and see I guess!!

BK - weren't you looking into new fill docs? I'm on a yahoo list called "SmartBandsters" and there was a gal there RAVING about her new fill doc in TN - I'll PM you her posts so you can see what she said, ok?

:wow2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :wow2: WAY TO GO BOO!!!!!!!!!!! You're looking great - what a super accomplishment! I'm so glad Kay, Nat and Sassy are all back with us! We're all in this together - I keep my sanity by reading everyone's posts regularly even if I don't post a super lot. You guys are my lifeline!!! So guys, are you really thinking of tummy tucks and such afterwards? I've been heavy all my life but the last time I lost weight (I only got to 167, so not skinny) I didn't have hanging skin, but that was back when I was 25-26 years old. I don't seem to have any hanging skin yet. Do you guys? I'm trying to figure out if it makes sense to do a consult with a surgeon now to know what I'd be in for... not looking forward to that long recovery time, though!!! Gotta run! Love you ladies!

Brandi - Eric's a cutie! And I'm like you - I don't think I'm doing this *only* for my own benefit. I, unfortunately, DO care what others think. I hope once I get more of the weight off I'll get more confidence so I don't care so much, but the insecure old me still sees me as super heavy!! Not sure if I need therapy... BK - glad today's going a bit better than yesterday! You've got a lot on your plate - just want you to know we're here for you, even if it's just people to listen when you've had a bad one! Lots of luv from your steadies! And thanks for the heads up on the Cosmo issue - I'm going to try to find it! Nat - I'm so glad you're back - I love your humor in your posts! WTG on eating so well, and definitely, if you're eating soft foods a lot, eat solids for a good week before getting another fill - if you're getting full on a small bit of chicken, you may be filled just fine!! I can tell you from experience, overfull is *not* fun. I didn't PB but I could hardly get water down at 8pm when we're theoretically more open... it's a VERY unsettling feeling! Claud - good luck on your flight tomorrow!

Steph - I'm doing good - officially more than half way there as of this morning!! Down 68.8 lbs! I can't wait until I'm in 12's and 14's - I'm "blessed" with a pear shape so while my tops are 14/16 and getting loose, my hips and booty's got me still in 18's for my bottoms!

Nat - welcome back!!!!!!! We missed you! Sounds like you're back on track - sweet! Also, WTG for standing up to Mom - no one deserves to be treated the way she's treated you, I'm glad you've demanded some respect from her! Steph - you can TOTALLY tell the difference - you look GREAT! Brandi - yipppppeeeeee on the 12's!! I think it's so cute that you were so excited to come tell us - that just tells us all how much we all mean to eachother. I certainly couldn't do this without everyone's support!!!!! Claud - are you in Chicago yet??? YOU LADIES ROCK!

Brandi - you gotta give out those killer smiles like in your headshot - the full body pics you're looking soooo serious! WTG girlie! You're rockin'!

Brandi - you and I are very alike - I'm not even comfortable posting pics because I don't see myself as any smaller yet. But I know I am, the scales say so, my pants say so, my friends & family say so. You need to listen to me rather than the voice in your head - you REALLY are a total cutie in that April pic - I'm not just saying it to be nice, I really think it!!! Maybe I'll post pics this weekend... maybe... Then you'll be telling me the same thing!!

Brandi - OMG girl! You LOOK FABULOUS! Look at what a cutie you are! I love the April head shot - you're actually smiling, and it looks like a genuine "happy" smile!!! No wonder the boys are all over you!!!

KAY!!! Welcome back! Sorry to hear this semester has been so hard for you. I'm glad you're motivated when getting on line to chat with us - because we want you here (selfishly!) and we miss you! Definitely sounds like you need a fill - it makes a WORLD of difference!!

Yay BK! Nice to see your scale moving!! Steph - since I'm still the same general shape a lot of times I still think I look the same. Yet, I'll catch a body part out of the corner of my eye and go "wow, that *is* a lot smaller!". Like my wrists. They're freaking tiny. I can't say I'm big boned any more! :confused: What you described is a HUGE NSV!!! Brandi - I'm glad you let yourself indulge on something so yummy - I'm like you, I try not to do that, but I think it's really healthy to do it once in a while when it's planned... Boo - keep us posted - we're all thinking good thoughts for you & your family and BIG WTG on you being almost to 100 lbs! Yippee!!!

Funny pics Brandi & BK!!!!!! Happy Easter to you guys, too!!!

Gotcha - I have a year free so I get to experiment all I want! Just remember YOU ARE WORTH IT - you didn't go through surgery to have to do it all on your own, so even if you have to pay for them, you should get them! Just remind yourself that YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! It got WAY WAY WAY easier after my third fill (my first few were conservative). I went from 1.5cc, to 2cc, to 2.3 cc to 2.7 cc then an unfill back to 2.5cc which has held me for a month. Everyone is different - this next one may be "the one" for you!!! Good luck Denise!!

Yup, I totally agree! But, it does sound like you need a fill... if you need time to retrain your brain, get a few small fills - creep up on the "sweet spot" so you're forced to eat slower, and smaller bites. I also have a BIG problem with eating slow and chewing well... I hope my fill on Monday helps to cure that! I haven't really had any problems with meat. I typically eat chicken & turkey - and I know a LOT of people have problems with chicken.

Right now NOTHING gets stuck - but I don't eat bread, pasta, rice or potatoes. I haven't PB'd even once yet. I semi-slimed once right before I got my unfill when I took WAY too big of a bite of a carrot. Even when I was a touch overfull I really only got the "golf ball" feeling in my chest when I didn't chew enough or took too big of a bite.

Denise, it gets WAY WAY WAY easier with more fills! Don't be shy, get another! You shouldn't do this on willpower - if you could do it on willpower alone, you wouldn't have gotten surgery!!! I've had 4 fills and one slight unfill, and am going in Monday for another fill.

I've never had flouro and only once had more than one needle stick per fill. I've had four fills and one slight unfill (initially the fill felt *great* but after a week and a half, I tightened up - coulda been stress from work, don't know). I'm going in for another fill on Monday... right now I feel like I could eat a small horse! So don't worry about the flouro - many docs use it, many don't - mine has it if it's needed, but so far, it hasn't been!