BabyGotBack

Today I have had 2 protein shakes. I had a little bowl of garbanzos and cheese at 4pm. I had to chew real well to not get stuck and wait before the next bite. I did get stuck a little. I am also working at getting my 70 ounces of liquid in. I also took my liquid vitamin. I am feeling weak, tired, but I feel like that often before my period. How are you all doing?

Welcome!!! Sounds like you are doing really good! You are eating a lot like me. I try to stick more to a South Beach Diet most of the time at least. I also get my fluids in by Crystal Light and water. I had hit a 3 month plateau. I just went for fill #3. They put me to 3 cc's. I am very happy here and happy to see some pounds come off. I had gained a little but have lost it! I was 169 two weeks ago and today weighed 164. I am having the first bite syndrome, for at least 6 bites. I am super tight, maybe due to being premenstrual? But, at least I know my band is there now. My goal is also the 140 ish range, 145 I was thinking.

I am doing good. I am doing protein drinks since I am SOOOOO tight! I am not really hungry and feeling good. I think the liquid vitamins are helping a lot. I had gained 4 pounds when I got my fill 2 weeks ago, putting me at 169. I weighed in today, couldn't help it even if I am premenstrual, and I weighed 164!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel like I went down in size. My pants look a little funny, too loose. Just wanted to see how you are all doing???? Maybe we can check in with 1. How we are eating 2. Exercise 3. Vitamins/supplements 4. Water/fluid intake 5. Our emotions, etc Take care and talk to you all soon!!! Audree

Wow, that was a nice time frame!!! Just follow the rules your doctor gave you to follow. It is for your good in the long run. I remember, I was dying for some chewing. I didn't even get a mushy phase. Straight from liquid stage to solid. I was pureeing chili with cheese and pureeing a homemade tortilla soup, that was soooo good. Let me know if you have any questions!!! Audree

Thanks Beversman and Sweethot!!!! I miss all of you guys!!! Can I ask you all a question? I had a fill 2 weeks ago. Restriction did kick in at 2 weeks, but then I am also about to start my period. Then I heard about "first bite syndrome"? What do you guys think??? These last few days I literally choke down my food for about 6 or so bites, then it gets a little better. I have been having protien shakes for the first two meals. Tonight eating ground tuna I got so stuck it hurt like a heart attack:faint: Thanks for the advice!!!

Has anyone experienced "first bite syndrome"? I have been having trouble with the first 6 or so bites and feel myself literally choking them down. Then it gets better. My esophogas feels irritated. The last few nites I was able to eat in the late evening with no problems,but I am not going to chance it now since my throat feels irritated. Thanks!!!

That sounds like exactly what I am going through. Why do you think it took 3 months to get better? I will try to do what you say. I tried to eat again, of what I thou9ght would go through fine, chips and got so stuck that I almost Pb'd and felt pain in my chest like a heart attack!!!! It hurt SOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad!!!! Like, you say, it is nice to finally know my Bandy is there!!! Does your PMS time affect it too? Do you ever have the 2 weeks to feel the restriction thing? Thanks!!

That is awesome Jane!!! I do have a membership to the gym and don't use it. I have been going back and forth on if I should cancel it or keep it. It has just been hard with the kids home for the summer. I don't have any excuses. I even have an elyptical upstairs and some hand weights. I have videos, strenth training bands, the big ball you can do sit ups with, etc. I have any Ipod with all my favorite music and still, NADA!!!! I think too, if I can lose some more weight, I may be motivated to start toning. That is why I came back here too, to be accountable. Keep up the awesome work!!!! Audree

My fill doctor does what Sunshine's doctor does. He puts me under fleuro, takes out all my liquid (but he has a syringe full of saline ready to inject in), has me drink the barium and watches to see where to fill me too. He doesn't fill me to closed, but he withdrawls and shows me that what he put in is still there, then he slowly adds too the point he sees that my pouch gets full and there is a 3-4 second retention of liquid in my pouch before it passes through. Is this how your doctors are doing it? Today was a good day. I had protein shakes for breakfast and lunch. Dinner I had to choke down tuna. It was so hard to keep it down. I could feel it coming up, but after about 6 bites, it was okay. I felt weak and needed the nutrition. My throat feels irritated, so I will have a small protein shake later. I just wonder how my restriction will change after my period? Can you all please tell me your opinions/experiences on this? I have heard it can take 2 weeks for a fill to kick in, but it just so happens at the 2 week mark I did get a lot tighter, but am also a few days to my period. How did it go for you all?? Thanks!!!

I don't know who you were asking, but I would be happy to answer you! I stayed for 3 days at the Lucerna, which is a beautiful hotel. Some people stayed 2, but I wanted the extra day to rest too since I have two younger children and would have to come home and act normal. The extra day was definitely nice!

That is so awesome Jane! What kind of program are you doing? I used to be so disciplined about my workouts and now I just can't seem to get motivated again. I think I am very overwhelemed in my life right now. I am in survival mode these days. It was hard enough having to diet all this time since I didn't have much restriction. I had been stalled like you since about the end of March/April. What can I do to get my butt moving??? How do I get motivated again??? Take care and keep in touch!!! Audree

I sure hope so!!!! I am so restricted right now. I am not sure if it is my fill finally kicking in after 2 weeks or that I am about to start my period. I have been having protein shakes in the earlier part of the day and had tuna for dinner today. I had to choke down the first 6 bites, feeling it coming up, but not pbing. The last few bites were better. But I knew I needed the nutrients. Has this happened to anyone? I have not ever really had restriction, not since right after surgury, so this is all new to me. Have fun on your date!!!! Audree

I have also read that some people get irritated by their pant waist band with the port there. I have my port about 5 inches under my left breast, 1 inch to the right, and it doesn't bother me at all

I feel the same way. But now with my 3rd fill, I feel like I will start losing after a 3 month plateau and even gain of 4 pounds. How much have you lost now?

What I do when I am going to workout, i just spot touch up my face with the little brush and the foundation. Also you may try brushing on the mineral veil on first. I also heard to do this if you have oily skin and tend to get shiny later on in the day. I also tend to have dry skin in some places, so I have to use the Skin Rever uper. It doesn help. I buy it online so they sent me a free one. But, when it finishes, I will definitely be going to buy some more. It does make a difference for me.

All I can say is Thank God for forgiveness. No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes.

My experience has been nothing but great! If I would have gotten my fills sooner, I would have lost more weight. So, getting regular fills until you have restriction is important to losing. If you have no restriction, you will eat and therefore maintain, which is good or gain a little. Very few of us have had problems with our bands.

I had my IUD get attached to my uterus and had to have it surgically removed through my cervix. Not fun. They had said if I left it, it would have probably gone through the uterus. I had to see my GYN and she took it out. I had Kaiser. Whoever put it in should take it out. The problem with me is that the strings were hanging out so far and were scratching. So they cut the strings and cut them too short! If your GYN doesn't feel comfortable, they should refer you to a GYN who is able to perform surgury. My GYN was one of those, but I guess they all are not able to. Maybe you can get a referral, but with all my running around for over a year to get it out, it was a GYN issue. I was told whoever put it in was responsible to take it out. Hope that helps.

I have good new for you!!! Chips and salsa are one of those foods that go right through the band with no problem. I love my my chips and salsa!!!!! But now being banded I can't eat as many baskets as I used to, but I can eat enough to satisfy!!!

I just wanted to stop bye and say hello to a lot of you that I recognize from when the December thread started. I was supposed to get banded in December but had it done in January, so I lost touch with all of you. Just wanted see how you all were doing? I, for one, have been on a 3 month plateau. Just got fill #3 to 3 cc's in a 4cc band. FINALLY have restriction. I am eating very little and am not very hungry in between. I still need to start excercising too. It is nice to see what some of you look like now that pictures are posted!!!! Audree

I had heard lower bmi'ers didn't drop it as fast, but I was hoping to be one of those rare few!!! I think I need to get my butt exercising!!!!!

Thanks Renee for the words of encouragement!! I just decided that this would be a journey. As long as the numbers were going down, I'd be happy, even if slowly. I have been on a month plateau, even gained 4 pounds due to eating like a pig.:hungry: But, I know that without my band, I'd have gained 25 pounds or more instead of lost. I am doing a protein shake day today. I feel pretty tight. My husband said something really sweet like that the other day, that he could feel my bones for the first time. I don't think a few pounds would do that, but it made me feel good!:clap2: What is BodyBug? I need to do something in way of daily exercise. I just don't feel like doing anything but swimming. I also was not taking my vitamins, but got my liquid ones today. I hope it helps with energy. My energy levels are really low, but than again, I am eating a lot less than I was. Protiens first , so very low carb. I hope to see you around!!!! Audree

Thanks for the welcome!!!:biggrin1: I have been banded for 6 months. Lost 25 pounds in the first 2 1/2 months - 3 months, than nothing. So, I have been on plateau for about 3 months. I had no restriction until this last fill 2 weeks ago, putting me at 3 cc's in a 4 cc band. I have 2 goals, I guess to make it seem more attainable. Goal #1 is to lose 10 pounds, putting me at 155. I was really happy at that weight once, but rapidly gained it back. Goal #2 is 10 more pounds to put me at 145. I once weighed that to for a few days until I rapidly put on all the weight back to. I have done Lindora 6 times, lost than gained it all back immediatley.:cry I have not noticed a cycle for myself. But I think this fill may be pretty close to the "sweet spot". I am only able to eat about 1/2 cup at Breakfast and lunch and 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups at dinner. But that varies daily. Yesterday I wasn't able to eat hardly at all. I chocked on all my food and had to force dinner down. I felt weak and needed the calories. I am really focusing on the bandster rules, eating Protein first, than veggies, Water loading inbetween meals. Just started up my liquid Vitamins again also. I have not started up a good work out routine yet, but I swim about 4 times a week. I am not as hungry as I was before this fill. I keep the full feeling longer between meals. I was able to eat anything and everything before this last fill. I am doing a Liquid Protein day today. I am about to start TOM and if I was tight yesterday, I don't think I will be able to get food down to well. I was even tight with my water today. Anyway, there is a little about me. Thanks again for the welcome!!!! Audree

How to Lose 22lbs or 10kgs in 28 Days Without Starving or Training Like an Olympic Athlete!' By Stephen Smith BSc If you seriously want to lose 22lbs or 10 kilograms in 28 days then you must perform all of the principles exactly as recommended. Unlike the recommendations in my book, ‘Look good, feel great!', where you can pick the principles you want to use and ignore the rest and where you can even modify the principles to suit your lifestyle, these principles must be followed exactly as they are outlined. If you want extraordinary results, then you must be willing to put in an extraordinary effort! I realise that some people may be thinking, ‘But it is impossible to lose 10 kilograms of fat in a month!' I agree- it is! However, the truth is, it is impossible to only lose fat on any type of weight-loss program. You will always lose a combination of fat, water, stored carbohydrate and some muscle. Furthermore, most people who want to lose 10 kilograms in the first place are generally retaining excess fluid anyway, so a system that helps get rid of the excess fluid is certainly going to accelerate their results. Perform 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise morning and night. Yes, you read that correctly, morning and night- 2 sessions a day… every day! No excuses. We're all busy, we all feel tired some mornings, but if you're serious about getting amazing results, then you must be willing to do everything necessary. When we talk about aerobic exercise, we're talking about exercise! Not walking around the shops, doing the gardening or doing housework. It must be exercise, which means your breathing rate increases, your face goes red, you sweat, you get tired- simple! Some examples of aerobic exercise include: walking (pounding the pavement at a brisk pace- not dawdling), cycling (stationary bike is ideal), swimming, rowing, stepper, cross-trainer, aerobic classes, boxing, etc. Use ‘thermogenics'. There are several very effective thermogenic supplementson the market that can accelerate your progress towards your goal. Those containing caffeine, green tea extracts and an extract from a plant called coleus forskohlii are the most effective. They will boost your metabolismand promote the release of fat from the fat stores. ‘Scorch' by MAN Sports is a good example. It contains a combination of 7 powerful herbal ingredients specifically designed to boost your metabolism, burn body fat and increase your energy. Unfortunately though, thermogenics are not ‘magic pills'. You can't expect to take a couple of thermogenic capsules and then go home and eat pizza and drink alcohol and expect to get results. Thermogenics only work when their use is combined with a good nutrition and exercise program. Take 1-2 capsules twice a day; once prior to your morning exercise session and once with your lunch. Don't take them later than 4:00pm in the afternoon because they may keep you awake at night. Before using thermogenics, see your doctor first and obtain their approval. Do not eat anything for 30 minutes after the completion of any exercise. As a result of using the thermogenics combined with the exercise, your metabolism will remain elevated for some time after the exercise session is finished. This means your body will burn fuel at a faster rate than normal. Any exercise causes the body to use carbohydrate (muscle glycogen and blood glucose) as a fuel source. This means that after the exercise is completed the carbohydrate stores in the body are low and the body will be forced to use fat as its fuel. If a meal is eaten immediately after the completion of the exercise session, the blood glucose level will rise, inducing the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. One of the effects of insulin is to stop fat burning in the body. Therefore, wait 30 minutes (but no longer because cortisol will rise) before having your next meal. Perform a weight training workout 2-4 times a week. Lifting weights is the most under-estimated way to lose fat fast! Now, before you start saying, ‘But I don't want to get big muscles!' or ‘I don't want to look like a man!', consider the following. The main purpose of lifting weights when your primary goal is to lose body fat is to preserve the muscle massyou already have. You see, muscle is the ‘engine' within which the fat, or ‘fuel' is burnt and maintaining or even increasing your muscle mass slightly will help ensure your body fat is burnt off efficiently. If you don't lift weights, your body will quite happily lose both fat and muscle as you drop the kilos. Lifting weights forces your body to maintain your muscle mass, therefore keeping your metabolism elevated and turning your body into 24-hour-a-day fat-burning machine! Incidentally, it only takes two 30 minute sessions a week to obtain the muscle preserving benefits of lifting weights. Have 5-6 small meals a day. One of the most common strategies people use to lose weight is to skip meals. Whilst reducing food intake is certainly an effective way to lose weight, having fewer meals is not the way to go. Many overweight people say, ‘I don't know why I'm overweight, I only eat once or twice a day!' Unfortunately, this is exactly why they are overweight. Having a mild calorie restriction is effective because if you consume less calories than you burn each day you will lose weight- simple! However, skipping meals forces the body to invoke its ‘Starvation Mechanism' because it thinks it is entering a famine. As a result, the body slows the metabolism to preserve energy. It also increases cortisol output and cortisol is the most powerful catabolic hormone in the body, which means it goes around the body breaking down lean tissue, particularly muscle. A loss of muscle slows the metabolism even further. Skipping meals also results in an increase in appetite, which forces you to eat larger amounts of food when you do eat. In addition to all these factors, the body also increases the activity of fat-storing enzymes, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), so when you do eat the food gets stored as fat. All of this results from simply skipping meals! By having a small meal every 2-3 hours throughout the day, your metabolism stays elevated and your body will happily burn fat all day long. Unfortunately though, most people are conditioned to having large meals and they automatically assume they will put on weight if they have 5 or 6 meals a day. The fact is, the ideal portion sizes for most people are actually quite small and in order to lose weight fast it is essential that you never feel full from a meal but you do feel satisfied. Also, most people find it difficult to have a meal every 2-3 hours throughout the day because they are so busy with work and/ or family commitments. Here are some suggestions to ensure you get your 5 or 6 meals a day. • Plan and prepare your meals the night before • Use meal replacements (protein shakes or bars) • Select foods that are quick and easy to prepare and consume Ensure each meal contains protein. Protein is a component of all cells and makes up over half the dry weight of the human body. Furthermore, the human body is a dynamic structure, which means it is constantly building up and breaking down tissue. Just imagine a bath full of water. At one end of the bath the plug is pulled out and at the other end the tap is turned on full. The water level in the bath doesn't change but there are ‘new' water molecules entering the bath and ‘old' water molecules leaving the bath all the time. The human body is exactly the same. If the body breaks down more tissue than it builds up, then it is said to be in a catabolic state. This results in the metabolism slowing down due to the loss of muscle tissue. Having a portion of high-quality protein every few hours throughout the day provides the body with a constant supply of amino acids- the building blocks of the body. This prevents the catabolic state, promotes an anabolic state (tissue building) and therefore keeps the metabolism ‘fired-up'. If only carbohydrate or fat is consumed for a meal, for example a piece of fruit (carbohydrate) for the mid-morning meal, then the body will still enter a catabolic state because it doesn't have the building blocks (amino acids) to re-build body tissues. Protein, as its name suggests, is of primary importance. Reduce your intake of high-density carbohydrates. Most high-density carbohydrates like bread, pasta, rice and cereals cause a rapid rise in blood glucose. This invokes the release of insulin from the pancreas, which in turn stores the glucose. The body stores glucose in the muscles and liver as glycogen and once these sites are full, the remaining glucose gets stored as body fat. Not only this, but insulin also stops the body from mobilising and utilising fat for fuel (burning fat). So if you want to maximise fat loss, you need to keep insulin to a minimum and the best way to do this is by reducing your intake of starchy carbohydrates without cutting them out altogether. Cutting them out totally is a philosophy of many low-carb diets on the market. However, these are very hard to sustain long-term and may lead to nutrient deficiencies. Each day, have a small amount (1-2 serves) of high density carbohydrates (bread, pasta, rice, cereals); a moderate amount (2-3 serves) of medium density carbohydrates (starchy vegetables and fruits); and a large amount (5-6 serves) of low density carbohydrates (fibrous vegetables). [For a complete list of carbohydrates, see pages 136-138 of the book, ‘ Look good, feel great! ] Do not have a Treat Day. Since you are expecting an extraordinary result, it is essential that you put in an extraordinary effort. Accordingly, for the next 28 days you must follow the plan exactly as it is outlined without deviating. This means you can't allow yourself to indulge in any ‘forbidden foods'. This also means avoiding alcohol for the entire 28-day period. I know this may be hard for some people but let's face it, it is only for 28 days! By committing to the plan and disciplining yourself to see it through, you are ensuring that the results will follow. Plus, the disciplines you create to help you achieve your physical goal will have a ‘carry-over benefit' to other areas of your life as well. I wish you the greatest success in achieving outstanding results! * Before using any nutritional supplement, speak with your health care professional.<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message -->

I just can't seem to get my butt in gear!!!! AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGG I think once I see some weight of on the scale, I will be remotivated. I am going to force myself to do some sort of exercise today just so I can post here and be accountable to you guys!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!