Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

I finally posted a loss at the "clubs". I think they're relatively "safe" now. I need that post. It's my way of going to a weigh-in and getting to weigh sans clothes. Honest--I would weigh my blouses and jeans before Weight watcher's each week--no jewelry, etc. Silly little games we play with the scale that have nothing to do with success!

P.S.--I'm using a star on my permanent new sticker. I teach piano and I still use "stars" as incentives. They work. A student gets one star when they begin a piece--and 2 stars when they are finished. I don't know when I'll get that second star--but I'm not quitting.

I say we make Big Girl Pantiez an honorary member!

I am needing some advice on my band, I have not lost any weight in about 2 weeks but yet I'm afraid to go for another fill. In the A.M. things always are tight and eating is more miserable than anything, usually things get stuck to the point of after it goes though I fell I'll never eat again. P.M. is wide open usually and that's when I really need to not eat!!!! So as a result I just eat popsicles mostly and cream of wheat in morning. Now wouldn't you think I'd be losing weight? What's up with this? Anyone have any ideas?

I think that being overfilled can lead to more problems than an underfill. After reading all of the complications on this forum, most are caused by overfills. I like everyone else held off until I couldn't anymore. I thought I would get "over" it and I could resume. Wrong. For me, once I PB I am doomed. I now know that I react to fills 6-9 days after the fill. I was in pain and I don't think that is good for the band.

The band is supposed to work with solid foods. It is with solid foods that we are able to lose weight and not feel hungry. If we have to resort to liquids and mushies then the band is too tight. I know some are tight in the mornings, but if you are consistently too tight then a slight unfill is in order. That's my position. I don't want all these problems later that are caused by an overfill.

I am going to try more proteins and see if that helps. I eat more of a balanced meal and not protein packed. I'll reverse that and see if that holds my hunger.

Big Girl Pantez is certainly an honorary member. She is one of us!

I feel so much better today, but a little tired. I think not eating for 4 days takes a toll on your body. I'm still on mushies, but will increase a little to get some protein in a more solid form.

Have a good day everyone.

PinkyLee - I think you're right, things have settled down a lot with other forums, in fact, in some ways with many of the people gone, it feels more... accessable. That new peoples voices have a little more equality. I like posting in those too - I find the weigh in helpful and motivating. I do find the three days before my weigh day I'm extra good as I know weigh day is coming! LOL.

For anyone not losing, I would -strongly- recommend using a program like fitday.com at least for a week or two so you can diagnose where you are going wrong. I believe, and have found for me, that optimum weight loss happens when I eat between 1000-1400 calories a day, when I get over 90 grams of Protein a day, when I drink at least 100 oz of Water a day (no joke) and I am getting all my Vitamins and minerals, Fiber, and -good- nutrition all around. If I don't track what I'm eating now and then, I lose track. I've stopped tracking now for the last couple of weeks because I've pretty much learned what and how I need to eat to make those goals. So I don't think it's something you need to do forever, but it really helps you analyze your own balance and figure out your own needs.

Here's my weight loss so far in pics!

It's not the best thing to be wearing for before and afters, but the pics I took for myself are naked ones, The ones in the snake dress were the only ones I could find of my clothed at my highest weight, so I put the same dress on the other night for my progress pics.

Oh we can't see the pictures. Not sure how you correct it, but can't wait to see them. I think I'll take some this weekend so I can chart my progress.

carol134 - you shouldn't need a fill if you are really tight in the morning. I've heard a lot of people are tight in the morning. Some theories are full pouch when going to bed makes for more restriction in the morning. I don't know what is true, but would suggest you try a Protein drink in the morning. Also, maybe a warm liquid. If you can eat at lunch try for more protein in food. You may just have to use self control at night to get a balanced meal in, but not going overboard. Try drinking some Water before bed to wash out the pouch.

I made a Junebie blue prize ribbon for anyone that wants to use it on their signature. If you want to use it and have a place you can host the graphic, please save it and use it from your pic hosting place. If you don't have a place online to host it from, go ahead and hotlink it from my url (be aware it's hosted from my online journal which has a lot of adult and controversial subject matter). For peeps who want to use it and have no idea how to or what I'm talking about - when you edit your signature, hit the little yellow box that has a mountain on it and when it asks for the url to enter there put in http://www.thepillowbook.com/gfx/junbie.jpg

I'm proud to be a Junbie!

Leila --you look great!! And I love the 2006 Junbie ribon. I already added it to my sig. I think we are a pretty special group.

I've been catching up on reading post after the long weekend. Wow, there sure have been alot of ups and downs over the weekend with overfills/underfills. It will all work itself out. Hang in there and remember you are not alone.

I'm so happy this thread remains active in it's 2nd month of post-op procedure. I'm proud to be a part of the Junbie 2006 crew. I hope everyone adds Leila's blue ribon to their signature.

Melissa Lea

Oh we can't see the pictures. Not sure how you correct it, but can't wait to see them. I think I'll take some this weekend so I can chart my progress.

carol134 - you shouldn't need a fill if you are really tight in the morning. I've heard a lot of people are tight in the morning. Some theories are full pouch when going to bed makes for more restriction in the morning. I don't know what is true, but would suggest you try a Protein drink in the morning. Also, maybe a warm liquid. If you can eat at lunch try for more protein in food. You may just have to use self control at night to get a balanced meal in, but not going overboard. Try drinking some Water before bed to wash out the pouch.

Thanks so much for the advice and I do use a Protein Drink daily as far as the food I have to take a bit and go do something around the house like put up a few dishes or something like that, needless to say eating is a drag! I do need to get rid of the popsicles though and I will. I will also do that flushing at night with the water and try to restrict myself from eating so much at night just because I can. Your an :angel:

Hope you can see these of this girl Leila

Hey guys,

You look great Carol, keep up the great work.

Leila- Love the Ribbon, I will keep it in my signature because i am honored to be a part of this group. This will always be a safe thread for us even when the rest of them seem to be going crazy!!!!!!

Thanks for all the suggestion for the constipation, it seems to be getting better, thank GOD!!!!

Now if I could just curb my addiction to the scale, am i the only one who weigh's her self multiple times a day. I need to stop, it does nothing but discourage me...

Barabar- glad you are better now!!! I had a slight unfill too and it is instant relief. Hope ya'll are having a great hump day..

Yeah to Leila who amazingly beautiful--no matter what size. Love the highlights too.

Had a great day restriction wise and remained careful.

Carol--All I can say is--if you can possibly do without the fill--do so. Even one pound a week loss is better than being too tight. Even l/2 pound is better!

Glad everyone is posting. It helps to be reminded of what can work!

Last day for Water challenge.

Thanks for Blue Ribbon Leila!

Leila you look great. I can really see the difference. I just got to say I love the June group. I know I can always come here and get help, support, a smile. It's nice to share this with others like all of you. No group like us that's for sure.

Fell down on my Water on Sat, Sun, Mon. I've made up for it yesterday and today, but won't make my goal for the week. That's OK. I got as much as I could during the episode so I wouldn't get dehydrated.

I had hard Protein tonight, pork chop. I ate all my meat first, then my vegetable. I still could eat my carb, but I must say I feel full. I hope this feeling stays with me longer. If it does, I'll increase the meat tomorrow and see if that helps with the hunger.

Hang in there everyone. We're doing great for the most part. We knew we would have some speed bumps, but we're all moving forward.

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What a difference in such a short time Leila! Congrats!

I agree with the food tracking. I use sparkpeople.com and am addicted to it. It really keeps me in line, even more than the weekly weigh in at Weight Watchers!

It feels good to be holding myself accountable for my eating. If I go overboard early in the day, I compensate later by eating less. For my weight, activity, and goal date, it recommends between 1300 and 1550 calories a day. I've lost 16 lbs since joining in it in July and there has only been a few days that I have gone over calories, carbs, and fat. I'm usually at 1400 calories a day. I don't think that I could have done this without tracking my eating. It amazes me how many calories, carbs, and fat grams the good tasting foods have.

I don't work out regularly or even walk for that matter. I have a very physical job and that must be enough activity for me to lose. Working midnights doesn't help because I am "just waking up" about 3 times a day. Eating Protein becomes a challenge because I seem to be tight when I first get up. My worst temptation during the day is macaroni and cheese with the kids for lunch because it seems to go down easy any time for me as long as I chew well.

I've only gotten one fill and am not restricted much at all. I'm almost afraid to get another one. I think I've gotten too comfortable with the band not challenging me. I can feel my resolve slipping away though. Scheduling the time (he wants me to stay in Cincinatti overnight) and money from the budget is what I need to work on now.

I hope we all get to a point where we are comfortable with the band in our bodies. Maybe it just takes time and a few fills to get to that point.

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Hope you can see these of this girl Leila

This is not me!!! I was trying to send it to another girl because she could not get the pics up on her computer. I wish I was this thin!!! :omg: