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Hi there

What is everyone eating these days and how much?

I have gotten down to 260 lbs, But now I weight 277 lbs. I havent gotten a fill for 3 months. I have an appt on Wednesday. I believe I have a 10cc vanguard band. My fill is up to 6cc, so I hope they bring it up to 7cc. I need to stay away from icecream...my down fall.....

Joe

Joe, it looks like you are doing great but are stuck in a rut right now. That happens to me periodically and I need to remind myself that I am not a regular person but a bandster and I got the band to get a healthy weight - and not center my life around food anymore.

I received some boxes of food from home a couple of weeks ago and have been eating very unhealthy too. I have had licorice, candy bars, sausage, etc.

I am now pledging to eat healthy every day from now until Aug 23 (when I visit the US to ride my new 96 in. 6 speed Road King for a couple of weeks). Spinach, black Beans, shredded carrot, tuna, fresh veggies with olive oil and vinegar dressing is going to be my main food!! (Finding food to eat here is difficult as a bandster)

Make a vow to take it one day at a time and improve your habits every day. Don't lose the momentum now. Good luck. Celeste

I can understand the ice cream problem. I have had to keep it out of the house. For the first 9 months it didn't matter that it was here but now I have to eat it if it's in the house. I bought a bunch of sugar free pops. I know they aren't the same but they help. I bet getting a fill will help a lot. Good luck.

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I am now pledging to eat healthy every day from now until Aug 23 (when I visit the US to ride my new 96 in. 6 speed Road King for a couple of weeks). Spinach, black Beans, shredded carrot, tuna, fresh veggies with olive oil and vinegar dressing is going to be my main food!! (Finding food to eat here is difficult as a bandster)

Wow, Celeste, I bet this is a challenge.

We often find it difficult to follow band rules here, but you're half a world away.

How about Post Op care? I assume you get fills when you're in the US, right? But are there African doctors with LapBand experience and familiarity in general.

NewSho, There isn't even a dr in this country that I am allowed to use. If I would have any medical condition, they have an individual on contract that could stabilize me until I could be flown to South Africa.

I have not been able to find a lapband dr in S. Africa. But I didn't move here until 10 months after surgery. So I seem to be okay. The big issue is that after this trip in August, I won't be back in the US until 2008.

Right now, I am shredding carrots, spinach, cooking black Beans, etc for my 10 days of healthy eating (oops I forgot to mention I am having my unhealthy Sunday morning coffee with 1/2 shot of baileys - to relax my morning band).

Joe - how's the ice cream addiction coming? I am lucky that I have never like it. I would get a caramel sundae, eat the topping off and give my dog the ice cream. Maybe you should share your ice cream with a four legged pal. Let us know how you are doing. Celeste

Hey Guy, sounds like you do need a fill and there is no doubt you'll get back on track right after it.

Now be a good boy and toss that ice cream

Ice cream is my weakness too. Be strong and take care!

Carrie, you're doing great and so near your goal. Congratulations!

Joe, I think what you're going through is normal and it does sound like you're do for a fill. I recently changed things up a but because of the hot weather and the temptation to not cook and just eat whatever's handy. I have 4 oz of lite ricotta cheese in the AM for the protein and it's filling. Lunch has been some cereal (1 cup with 4 oz skim milk). For an afternoon snack I have a 60 calorie pudding and dinner is a hard protein (usually fish or chicken), 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/2 cup of rice or noodles.

Try changing up your diet and tracking how much you're eating. You look GREAT and have made wonderful progress.

how about fatfree, low or no sugar frozen yogurt as a substitute for ice cream. i also like sugar free fudgesicles - they're pretty good!

hang in there!

I too love ice cream but the richer it is the less I can eat of it, so I buy the gourmet kind and you can get Ben and Jerry's mini containers now that are one serving. Usually a few bites is all I need especially if I do it right after a meal cause I'm not hungry and the richer ice cream won't just go right through

Got another fill today. I am now up to 7. 5 cc... Hope to do better this month....

I got another fill today also, Joe.

The nurse told me I waited too long to come back in for a fill. I was beginning to gain my weight back. Hopefully this fill will do the trick. I'm guilty of eating those "forbidden" foods also.

I'm ready to get serious again...how about you?

Hi Vicki..

Im ready!

Wow joe and others - you are an inspiration - it makes me realize this is a lifelong process with ups and downs and you just have to hang in there. Good job. not sure if this would work cuz my problem is with Peanut Butter - just can't have it in the house but you seem a bit stronger than me...maybe you could treat yourself to an ice cream cone or treat (bought at a dairy queen or store) every two weeks if you stay on track with your eating goals - that way, it's not in the house and you can have one every once in a while (and if you go two weeks following your plan you deserve a treat!

Keep up the good work.