BandedNellie

Beth, Do you have any good consignment shops near you? I have been able to get some great clothes for my ever changing waist line on a budget... from these types of shops.. They have really helped me and kept my hubby happy that I am not breaking the bank!! Good Luck!!

Who said you need to break up with Alcohol? I did not have any alcohol during pre-op and about three weeks after... But that was it!! The hardest part was before... because you feel fine - you are just hungry . Afterwards ( post op ) you will have no desire to drink, or at least I did not. And when I did have a drink in a social setting, I was kind of afraid.. for a couple reasons.. I had dropped a ton of weight in a short time - so how was it gonna effect me and I had not eaten any "real food" so was it gonna get me wasted? Which believe me was not my goal.. But now, as I have become more comfortable with my band ( banded Sept 1 ) I can enjoy the occasional cocktail.. In doing so though I do see a difference in the scale... but I am ok with that. I am a firm believer that you can NOT stop living... however appreciate your band and take care of it and you!! Just think... you will be a cheap date!!! My hubby loves that!! ha ha Good Luck!!

Wow... 64 lbs... that is amazing!!! Keep it up Congrats!!

Yeah I am so glad to see you back on the site! Good Luck with getting back on track... I am sure you will do great!! Looking forward to reading about your adventures!

Unbelievable!! Great Job!!! You should be sooooooo proud of all that you have accomplished!!! Cheers to you!! Happy 2011!! All good things!

I am sooooo excited to report that I have lost my first forty... I am thrilled because of a couple reasons... besides the obvious... I am half way to my goal, I have been able to do this in a fair amount of time ( banded 9/1/10 - diet startd 8/22) and more importantnly did all this before I really turn 40... which is in July!! I have been reading a lot of entries lately, and if there is one thing I can pass on to all the "newbies"... if you stay the course.. it will happen.. Definitely have lost the most weight in the shortest amount of time since my last fill... I have finally gotten to the point to have enough restriction that I only eat what my body needs.. With no exageration, I am literally eating about a 1/2cup to 1cup of food per meal... with no snacking and I am not hungry!! I never thought I would be satisfied... but wow!! Goals for the next 1/2 of my journey... to drink more water!!! and exercise more.. Have a great weekend!!!

The trick for me was to make sure I had both salty and sweet... that seemed to help my cravings... You can "blend " the cottage cheese with a little shredded cheese to change the flavor.. Also Egg beaters.... cook it like scrambled eggs than mash it up more and add it to your diet.. The Chopani Greek yogurts are good as well... just take out the fruit chunks... Honey and Vanilla are safe flavors... Good Luck!!

Get the Peanut Butter, Chips out of the house and buy new shoes... not Taco Bell!!! You can do this... On another note... I have had McDonalds since I was banded... ordered a wrap and small fry... Only ate half the wrap.. and some fries and was TOTALLY FULL!!! SO just hang on.. you will get there and even when you have the fill, you will still be able to "taste" some of the naughty food... just not a lot. I am at 6.5cc's... loving this so called sweet spot!! Good Luck!!!

My first month out... I went to bed... I have never been a fan of eating in bed.. or for that matter food on the second floor of my home.. so it worked for me and you will benefit from all the rest!!

Push the liquids!!! Water Water Water!!!! Totally works!!! No doubt that you will be down in the onederland by B-day!!! Good Luck!!

I was banded on a Wednesday.. Had a break down ( not a real one.. but real enough for me) on Saturday... started feeling better on Sunday.. All good ... Great Now!! Tears I feel are part of the process.... so let them flow!! Enjoy this process.. sounds funny but it was nice being taken care of.

Hunger is NOT going to be an issue... Actually getting enough fluids in was mine.. Had no interest in ANYTHING!! Good Luck!! Rest Rest Rest!!!

I have learned one thing ( well maybe more ) but for sure.... I do not weigh myself the week I am due to get my period...it just will result in dissapointment... Just keep drinking the water.. and wait until the 5 days ( or whatever) are over... you will be much less stressed out!! Also do not worry about the no restriction yet... believe me IT WILL COME.. and the lbs will come off with it!! Good Luck!!

Ditto.... not lovin the new format!!

Hey to quote the Weight Watcher tool... Sex is avtivities points!!! Earn um where you can get um!!! ha ha

Totally get the "Mom" thing... sorry that your holiday was effected by stress. My mom has not mentioned a thing about my weight as well ( she did when I was fat though) I use this as inspiration to loose MORE!!! You have done a fabulous job!!! Be proud of yourself!!! My GOD 84lbs is a HUGE deal and you are certainly getting praise from me!!! You are an inspiration to all of us that read your blog!!! Happy Anniversary!

Well the Thanksgiving Holiday went out without a hitch... paced myself on the eating front and had no complications.. and no stuffing.. I have definitely broken up with bread, but not crackers etc... I am ok with it.. becuase there is still gravy!! ha ha Anyway I was very careful and able to enjoy the entire day with our friends. Went home friday and my Mom joined us for the rest of the weekend. All was fine.. still no comment on my 35lbs that I have lost... Are ya freakin kidding me!!! I made a nice dinner of Lamb Chops and Polenta.. was only able to eat one chop.. my husband quickly took the other one off my plate so my mom would not notice.. too cute... love that we have this little secret together. Anyway.. the next day my Mom and I went shopping. I bought a skirt at Talbots... a 14petit!!! Excuse me but is has been a LONG time since I have been in that size... still no comment from my mom!! Now she is a size 10.. but would look great in a 12. She refuses to go up a size up.. all her clothes are so tight!! She still is a lot smaller than me and has no boobs... which she continues to remind me of.. I tell her that I was blessed with Dad's genes!! So that night she babysits the kids and my husband and I go out to dinner with another couple. I was good.. I thought. I only ate some of my salad then when the dinner came, started with the protein ( chicken breast over pasta ) After two bites I needed to excuse myself!! Thank god there was no one in the ladies room!!! Returned to the table and played with my food ( as to not bring attention to me not eating ) and asked for the rest of if to go. Had a cup of coffee after dinner all seemed fine... then this spitting up episode happened.. It seems after everytime I get sick.. I get all foamy.. Very weird.. it passes after awhile but makes it difficult being out with friends. I am getting pretty good at not bringing attention to myself.. and my husband is wonderful in knowing my signs etc.. Sunday I was able to eat again, no uncomfortable sitiuations.. my daughter and I made a big batch of chowder and we decorated the house for the holidays. I still need to figure out what gives me issues.. like I have mentioned bread and rice are my only known enemies.. but I am sure there will be more. I have noticed that pie and creamy desserts go down with no problem.. that just ain't fair.. ha ha Stayed the same weight after all the holiday celebrating and for that I am thankful... now on to dropping another 5lbs before Christmas!!

I love my Diet Coke and was so looking forward to enjoying a glass after I recovered... Well wow I thought I was gonna die! The mistake I made was pouring a class and drinkning it way to fast... I was so uncomfortable.. basically foaming at the mouth.. pleasant I know but I wanted to warn you. Since then I have had a soda... ( and a beer ) and this is what I do... let it sit out in a glass for a little bit.. the bubbles seem to subside and the carbonation is not that strong! And always remember to not drink too fast!!! Enjoy and good luck!

I love my Diet Coke and was so looking forward to enjoying a glass after I recovered... Well wow I thought I was gonna die! The mistake I made was pouring a class and drinkning it way to fast... I was so uncomfortable.. basically foaming at the mouth.. pleasant I know but I wanted to warn you. Since then I have had a soda... ( and a beer ) and this is what I do... let it sit out in a glass for a little bit.. the bubbles seem to subside and the carbonation is not that strong! And always remember to not drink too fast!!! Enjoy and good luck!

I am having some difficulty with this new format so is you are getting a blog from me twice... I appologize~~ But I am sooooooo happy to report that I am NO longer a two hundred woman!! I am so thrilled with my hard work!! I think that I have found what they call "my sweet spot" as far a s the band goes.. I am getting great restriciton. I have noticed that I am paying more attention to the protein vs. other food since I am limited on the amount!! I wish everyone luck with their food choices to this "Eating Holiday"... Enjoy your Thanksgiving and remember we can always have the left overs the next DAYS after Thursday... most of the time they taste better anyway!!

I was banded September 1st!! It has taken longer than I imagined... lost 34 to reach this first goal.. but never the less happy to be here!!

The hardest part is the pre-op / surgery.. from the looks of it you are past that and now the results will show.. It is a slow journey so do NOT get discouraged! Congratulations and Good Luck!

What I am about to write... if I read I would hate me, but bear with me... I am sure as we all shed the lbs... we all have this problem no matter what size we were to begin with... so here it goes.. I need to break up with my fat girl clothes.. but am too afraid.. ( and too cheap ) I am a little bit of a clothing freak.. I love all types of clothes and have ALL sizes in my closet. I need to dress semi professional for work - which basically means.. as long as I look nice I can wear ANYTHING.. so this leaves me with a lot of options.. The fall is my absolute favorite time of year when it comes to my wardrobe.. love wearing vests.. cute sweaters, light jackets.. etc.. THEY ARE ALL TOOO BIG and I want to wear them.. but they are starting to look ridiculous and basically do not show off my hard work.. BUT I CAN NOT LET THEM GO!!! I have bought some "transitional sizes" Thank GOD for TJ Maxx and Marshalls.. also have been hitting a few consignment shops.. to get me through until I hit my goal.. I am also thinking of getting some of my nicer ( expensive ) pieces altered.. ie Talbots suits..etc. What have you all done? I also need to go Bra shopping... my absolute LEAST favorite thing - but there is no altering those:sneaky: Do not get me wrong.. I am greatful for this problem..:smile:

Hi Everyone.. Lets catch up... I was banded 9/1.. down 32 lbs since liquid diet started 8/22. I have had three fills.. and am due for one more tomorrow ( that will be covered inclusinvely as post op visit for insurance purposes.. ) After the last fill I certainly have had some uncomfortable tightness that made me sick.. but in retrospect.. that is operator error... not the fault of the fill.. if ya catch my drift. So I am leaning towards getting a fill to find that sweet spot that I have been looking for since this whole process started!! Clothing question for all the girls out there.. I usually need to wear Petit fit clothes... but in the past have just had a big number before the "P".. I am finding that the 16w ( petit) clothes are too big BUT cannot fit into 14P... It is extremly frustrating~ I am NOT one who cares what the number is on a piece of clothing.. I am just trying to make the mornings go smoother when I am looking for work clothes.. As long as it looks good on.. I could care less the about the "number" Also one more thing - in the past I have mentioned that the only person in my life that knows about the Band is my wonderful husband. Well last week I went to my Mom's house and NOTHING was mentioned about my weight loss!! Unfreakin believable.. now it is definitely noticable and she has ALWAYS been critical of my weight and for her not to say anything.. proved to me two things.. So happy that I choose not to share this with anyone... and second.. I am gonna loose another 50lbs for me not anyone else ( except my husband becuase he is loving having me happy and healthy as I "shrink") My friends have been wonderful and recognize my efforts. Work has been great as well.

Last nite was Banster Hell.. I was in such agony for about 2hours... I had made dinner for the family ( as usual ) served myself a VERY small portion of beef stew over rice... while preparing dinner I drank a glass of Diet Coke.. I think my first one since surgery ( 9/1/10.. we never have soda in the house ) anyway.. I am sitting with the family and start to eat dinner.. immediately I feel full!!! Chest pains, tightness, burbing... all the lovely side effects.. I excuse myself ( my kids are small and I do not want tot freak them out) and I go to my bedroom where I start getting sick... but still no relief..I eat the papaya tablets.. all they do is make me foam up... terrible pain.. keep getting sick for two hours.. hubby tells me to call the doc.. 8pm on a Sunday.. really?? I am now determined to get this thing unstuck ( thinking I took too big of a bite, but I know I had not had any meat... so what is the problem!!) I will save you the gory details however... finally I realized it was the rice and soda combo that destroyed me.. of course everytime I get sick I am terrified of slippage.. but the more I read, and the more I learn in my support group.. this is pretty common.. I am obvioulsly still learning.. only just at my two month anniversary.. it is a long journey...