BabyGotBack

That is so awesome!!!! Congrats!!!!

You have done great!!! I have lost 25 since being banded 6 months ago and even though I wish I could have lost more, I am grateful for the slower weight loss since my skin was able to catch up and not sagging like it was when I first dropped a quick amount in the beginning. I was worried about my thighs, but they are doing better with a slower approach to losing. I do walk some and have been swimming, but need to step it up. I just got my 3rd fill in Mexico, where they are more aggresive with their fills and am now at 3cc's in a 4 cc band. I am very happy with my restriction level. I can eat well, but not too well. I am not really able to eat in the morning or else I get stuck. But I can eat an early lunch. I am able to eat about 1/2 cup at lunch and about 1 cup at dinner. I have only been eating 3 meals since I down my water in between meals to stay hydrated. I am not hungry like before. We just need to keep focused that we are headed in the right direction for the first time, losing!!!! Welcome!!!:biggrin1:

Hey Debbie! Nice to know you! You have the same exact stats of a woman named Debbie that got banded the same day I did. Funny! Audree

One thing that helped me was the Gas X strips. I did have gas but not as bad as most since I actually vomitted and a lot of the gas came out at that time, right after surgury. I am sensitive being put under. Walking helps too! The heating pad also helped with my gas pain at night. Hope that helpls!!! Mini Pearl#2: Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Hey Olga! So by saying you are in Onderland, do you mean you hit your "sweet spot"? I am just wondering with this kind of fill if I will start to lose again. Sometimes I feel like I never will lose the rest of the weight, but with the band I know this is all new territory for me. Not like previous diets. I don't feel hungry and that is new to me, well since right after surgury. What do you eat in a day? Audree

He Bandida!!! You look great!! Good to see you back. I actually started back here about a week or so ago. I am on fill #3 and hope this is my sweet spot. I am at 3 cc's in a 4 cc band. I definitely have restriction now. I couldn't get cold water down this morning which is what I normally do, had to have warm tea. Then I had some soup with crab pieces for lunch and had to really chew. Almost got stuck once and I am feeling very satisfied and full with that. I was normally pigging out all day. Keep in touch! Audree

Hey Debi! Didn't we get our surgury on Jan 5th. I noticed our dates were different that is why I didn't know if it was you or not. My fill went good. I am definitely experiencing restriction. Keep in touch!!! Audree

Thanks Shawn!!!!

Just wanted to check in! I had fill #3 with Dr. Ortiz yesterday. I went from 2.4 cc's to 3 cc's I feel fine so far. I don't feel hungry and that is cool. I have had one cream of pea soup today and water, thats it!!!! I will keep you posted! Audree

I just wanted to check in today!!! I had fill #3 done yesterday with Dr. Ortiz. I went from 2.4 cc's to 3 cc's. So far everything is fine. I had water today and a split pea soup. I don't feel hungry. I didn't have any problems passing the soup. Hopefully the weight starts coming off!!!! Audree

Welcome to the group!!!! If you are on the mushy stage, the things that got me through, was that I bought Chili and ground it up in a food processor (got one cheap at Wal Mart). Even added a little nacho cheese to it!!! I could barely eat at this time and was weak. I needed calories and this is what I did only at this time. Not later since it is high in calories. I also love creamy soups from Campbells, like cream of chicken, etc Andersons Split pea soup and I also bought a dry mix from the store to make tortilla soup. I made it just as it was and didn't add chicken. Did add cheese and put it in the food processor. Of course protein shakes. My favorites are the Nectar fruit shakes from bariatriceating.com Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions you may have!!!:clap2:

Debbie, is that you??? This is Audree!!! We got our surgury on the same date!!!! Good to see you hear!!!

Are we still going to be doing this thread?? I think I am finally ready now!!! Audree

It is nice to be back!!! Nice to see you are here!!!

I just wanted to come by and say hello! I am still sticking to hard protein and keeping hydrated. I had eggs and some imitation crab for breakfast with a side of beans and cheese, with salsa (South Beach Diet friendly) I have had about 40 ounces of Crystal Light with lemon squeezed in. I have had my daily vitamins, Cell Wise (Herbalife supplement) and Total Control (Herbalife appetite suppresant). I went to Sams and bought some Light Laughing Cow cheese, more imitation crab. I want to try the Parmesan crusted Tilapia to that I heard someone bought at Sams. I am doing the South Beach Diet again and integrating it with my bandster rules of hard protein first and veggies or a side of beans. I am feeling good and looking forward to my fill next weekend. How are you all doing?

Congrats!!!! I have found there is always something in our lives coming up that revolves around food. I remember in the beginning, I felt frustrated, at least when I still had the restriction after surgery, of what was the point of going out if I couldn't eat. I realized how much of my life revolved around being social and eating. I had to re direct and shift my thinking. I had to think about new things, the fun things I got to do when I went out, besides food. Like dancing, shopping, window shopping, etc. Just take what ever appointment they give you and just adjust to it. I had to also realize that food would ALWAYS be there, and it wouldn't be my last opportunity to eat that food. But I wanted to lose weight. The pain of being overweight had to over ride the pain of not eating at the moment. I began to use little tricks I have picked up over the years. Like making sure I ate BEFORE I went out to a function. Like a little piece of hard protien. Also making sure I am hydrated because sometimes our bodies mistake thirst for hunger. I always use very small plates and have stopped trying to rebel against the bandster rules and do eat a hard protein first and a veggie if I can (which right now I can since I have very little restriction). I only drink Crystal Light or water. I have also started brewing black tea that is fruit flavored. It helps with the hunger and gives energy. You can also drink green tea. I am now ready to begin really exercising since I have not really stuck to a regular exercise program. But I want to now. I have been swimming everyday which I love and building up my strength. Starting little by little, I now feel ready to begin going for walks and heading back to the gym. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!!!:clap2:

I can't believe I haven't written in my journal since the end of February!!! I had a second fill to 2.4 cc's. Not much change in restriction. I am going for fill #3 next Saturday. I have lost 25 pounds and have 20 to go. I am cutting the 20 pound goal into two 10 pound goals. The first 10 pound goal I'd like to complete in at least a month, so by mid August. If my new fill is still holding, I will lose the last 10. I have started swimming, but need to step it up and add weight training. I am still at a size 12 mostly in part to my booty. They are starting to feel looser. I am going back to the bandster rules after rebeling against them all these months. I am eating hard protien first then veggies. If I have a sweet craving, I am eating a sugar free fudgesicle or sugar free popsicle. I am ready to get the rest of the weight off!!!!

I can't believe I haven't written in my journal since the end of February!!! I had a second fill to 2.4 cc's. Not much change in restriction. I am going for fill #3 next Saturday. I have lost 25 pounds and have 20 to go. I am cutting the 20 pound goal into two 10 pound goals. The first 10 pound goal I'd like to complete in at least a month, so by mid August. If my new fill is still holding, I will lose the last 10. I have started swimming, but need to step it up and add weight training. I am still at a size 12 mostly in part to my booty. They are starting to feel looser. I am going back to the bandster rules after rebeling against them all these months. I am eating hard protien first then veggies. If I have a sweet craving, I am eating a sugar free fudgesicle or sugar free popsicle. I am ready to get the rest of the weight off!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement!!! We have about the same amount to go to hit goal!!!! I am hoping to hit goal with fill #3 helping me. I hope I finally hit the sweet spot.

Congrats!!!! You are an inspiration!!!!:clap2::clap2::clap2:

I know what you mean. I have gotten that from people before. They just don't know where I have come from either or that I spent a large part of my life near the 220-240 range and was on my way back up. I had no control over my eating and was gaining every week steadily up!!! I still don't feel like a thin person. I get shocked sometimes when I look in the mirror. I tend to still dress in a way that hides me. But it is a journey I am glad I am on!!!

I just wanted to thank you for fixing my picture!!!

Hi Tracy! After the wedding I started working for my mom. Long story short, I am not working anymore. It is so hard to work with family. So, I am going to have more time to check in!!!! I hope my next fill gives me my sweet spot!!! I am going to stay around town so I can make sure I am where I need to be. My last fill, they had me do the "toast test" where I was able to eat a piece of dry toast. Then, they had me go to a taco stand and have carne asada. I should have asked for a little more, but I opted to sneak up on the sweet spot.

Wow Sunshine!!! I am still waiting to hit the sweet spot. I am at 2.4 cc's in a 4 cc band and have never had good restriction. I am going for my third fill next Saturday. I am a little scared but I know I need to get my head used to the idea of eating so little and chewing well, which I don't. I gulp down what ever I want. Did you feel restriction at 3 cc's? I am wondering where they will fill me to and how I will feel? I want to lose 20 more pounds. Audree:clap2:

Hey Denise!!! You are probably just fluctuating. I know for me I definitely need another fill. I have never truely had good restriction. I guess the sweet spot would feel more like I did right after surgery. I just need to get my head ready for that, eating smaller portions, chewing. I can eat anything right now, as much as I want. I also have been swimming. I want to step up the exercise to lose the rest. I am going to be checking in more often. I was working too which didn't give me much free time, but I am not working anymore.