nomorejellybelly

Thanks everyone and good luck to you all also. P.S. I did hear a new word to describe how much I'm losing. The other day, one of my co-workers said I was disintergrating. I was like, "Well, thanks; I appreciate that".

Sounds good.

I'll cook up zucchini, squash, broccoli and cauliflower, then cook it with ricotta cheese, Pasta sauce and some cheese in a casserole or baking dish. I've been really pleased with it every time I've made it.

I try hard not to eat for 3 hrs before I go to bed. If I feel like I need something, I do something liquid. Like for example one of the muscle milks that I have. I think I've had the same problem as you (not sure I'm getting all the calories), so I don't worry too much if I drink something with calories during the day or at night. Good luck to you.

Weesie - I've not had really any problems with scheduling an appointment for follow-up. I'm lucky enough to be flexible with when I can go in (I usually shoot for the earliest appointment possible. I like the lady that I meet with. She's Asian (can't remember her name) w/a very short haircut and she's nice. Have you gone to any of the support group meetings? I haven't, but have wondered about them. Maybe we could meet up there some time.

I'm guessing that you may have to pay for removal, if you're not doing it because of complications. I wish you a lot of luck and appreciate the fact that you're wanting to join the military.

You can't see mine yet. I'm not too worried about it yet. Since I didn't tell people at work (except for my boss and our nurse), if it came up like "Hey, what's that bump on your abdomen?", I'd just make something up about some other medical procedure. What kind, I haven't figured out.

Very good suggestions. Except for me, I chose to only tell a select few (family, some church friends, the nurse at work and my boss "who was super supportive by the way and said he'd take my secret to his grave"; sweet isn't it?), so I don't know that I'd by a bracelet. I could, but only really wear it when I'm not at work.

I definitely increased my activity. I work out in the gym about 40-45 minutes every day usually. I also bought a bike recently and having been going for a ride most every day. I normally do about 5 1/2 miles. It's been a big help and I'm glad that I'm doing more outside.

Don't sweat it. You've done awesome. My one year anniversary is 09/08 and I'm pretty far from being at 100 lbs lost. I keep hitting little plateaus. Keep it up!

Congratulations! I am now wondering though.... I thought "Onederland" was when you got to your goal, but is it when you're half-way to your goal?

I've not been on here in awhile. I've been struggling of late. I need to really buckle down and be a little more careful of how much I'm eating. I think that I'm eating a little more than a cup (or 8-9oz if I'm weighing food) too often. The lady that has done my fills at TrueResults, said it's okay to drink with my meals, so I do that. Although I don't feel like I'm really "over"eating, it helps me feel better. I've thought that I'm not eating more because I drink with meals, but I think I need to reconsider drinking with my meals. I've started trying to do better with that. Does drinking with food, really wash the food through the pouch? I'm more concerned with messing up the pouch, than I am about having too many calories. I think for the most part, I eat pretty healthy. I do drink coffee drinks and sometimes treat myself to a shake, but I try to only do that, when I feel like I need to have more calories that day. It sounds like I"m doing horrible! I'm pretty much lost very slowly for awhile. I know part of it's me, but also because of my Thyroid medication (I had mine removed a few years ago). Also in June, my grandmother passed away unexpectedly, so I was out of town for her funeral and then about 10 days later, I went back for my cousin's wedding and was gone for another week. I only lost 2 lbs last month. The good news, is that I bought a bike online and my husband put it together for me when I was out of town on that last trip. I've been enjoying riding it on the nice trail in my neighborhood. It's so hot here in Texas and it surprises me that I'm out there exercising in the heat (I go either early in the morning or early evening), but you actually create a pretty good breeze when you're riding along. My normal ride totals about 5 1/2 miles and I'm going out most every day. I also am up to 30 minutes on the eliptical machine at work. I think both of these things combined, are going to really help. ...and even though I've continued to lose very slowly, I'm still fitting in smaller clothes. I am now wearing some size 10's!!!!! My largest was a pair of size 20 jeans. Everyone is still telling me how good I'm looking and I'm starting to believe it, even though I think my legs still look like tree trunks. I think I will try to be more regular about logging on to this site, so I can be inspired to do a better job with my weight loss. I'm totally not where I wanted to be at this point and I'm not at the anniversary of having been banded for 10 months. At least I have lost almost 60 lbs, which absolutely nothing to sneeze at. I had just hoped to have lost at least 70 lbs by now. Time to buckle down....

Judy - Hi and thanks. I know I don't think I'd ever ridden that far and it's definitely been like 20-25 years when I was a regular bike rider. ...it's not too bad. It goes pretty quick. If you ever liked to ride a bike, I'd recommend trying it again. I'm enjoying it.

My mother died when I was 19. I too count the years by the anniversary of her passing (which is New Year's Eve). It's been a little more than 20 years and it's still hard. I'm sure she'd be happy that I chose to get the band, to help me lead a healthy life.

He was my surgeon also. 09/08/10 at Surgery Center of Lewisville and I was connected with him through the True Results Center in Richardson. I agree. He was very personable and seemed to be very concerned. Great bedside manner and even though I really only met him twice, I would highly recommend him. I've not had any major concerns, but have called his office a few times with questions and they've always been nice and helpful.

I keep protein bars or Muscle Milk around, in case I feel like I need a boost.

It took me awhile to feel comfortable doing any kind of abdominal work. Now I mostly just do some ab work on this thing called a captain's chair. You hold your arms on the armrests, bent at your elbow. You grab on to the pegs at the end of the armrest and you pull your knees up to your chest and down. You can also hold your legs out straight and lift.

You'll get the hang of it. Start slowly. Alot of times I still walk on the treadmill while holding the rails, but that's okay. A funny story though, I had just started on the treadmill in the gym at my office and this guy came over to say hello, that I hadn't seen in forever (he works in a different location now, but comes to my building occaisionally. Anyhow, I got so excited to give him a hug, that I forgot I was walking on the treadmill and I almost fell off when I went to give him a hug.

You can do this! You are doing it to be thin and healthy and you'll be happy with that choice. I know I am. I'm also enjoyint the compliments I get! I was 39 when I had my surgery. I have quite awhile to go yet (I hope) and just didn't want to live my whole life being unhappy and unhealthy.

I had my Thyroid removed a few years ago and am on total thyroid replacement medication. My weight loss has been pretty slow the last few months. The first few months went really good, but I've already had to change the dosage of my medication, because of my weight loss. My TrueResults fill person, said over all, I've done great and not too worry too much, because it's healthier to lose it slower after you lose that first big amount. Hope that makes sense. Hang in there. I'm keeping up with my exercise and just keep going, because I know it will be worth it.

My TrueResults person said Liquids are anything that you could normally take through a straw, but remember we're not supposed to use straws. I admit I do, but sometimes it's a situation where you can't help it.

I think you're okay. I am more concerned with how much protein I'm getting and with trying not to take in too much sodium. I use my best judgement on things sometimes. ...and my food scale.

Way to go!!! I'm at about 60 lbs myself and can't wait to hit that 100 lb mark.

My family as well as my church family, have been supportive. However, I chose to not tell people at work. It kind of sucks now, because everyone's like "How are you doing it?" and I'm just tell them exercise and I had to change how I eat. Which, is technically true, they just don't know it's because I have band. I've almost slipped up a couple times and told people, but have remembered just in time. The only people I told at work were the nurse (just in case) and my boss, who is so super cool, that he said he'd take my secret to his grave. I loved that. I don't understand why some people aren't supportive, but just remember you're doing it for yourself. I'm so happy I got the band. It's a process, the band doesn't work by itself, you still have to work at it. Good luck to you.

You can do it. I've been slipping a little with my eating habits, but my exercise is going pretty good. It is really the key for me, exercise. I may not be losing much right now, but I've gained more muscle (I think) and that will only help me in the long run.