This group is for weight loss support for lower bmi bandsters (of course anyone is welcome!).

For encouragement, tips, accountability.... Give stats, helpful advice, etc.

How much weight you have lost, how long it took. etc.

In some case I have found it takes a lower BMI patient a lot longer to lose the weight.

Introduce yourself and jump on in!!!:welcomeB: :welcome2:

Audree

Hi all!

I haven't been on for a while as things have been kind of crazy weatherwise around here and my hubby bought me a computer game.

I was home sick on Wednesday,Thursday we had a snow day (I'm a teacher), Friday I worked but my son was home sick. Monday was a holiday and today is another snowday! Nuts. And, it is supposed to freeze up again tonight and it will probably be another snowday tomorrow.

The hardest part about being home is keeping myself from eating every few minutes. So, I've been playing the puzzle game my hubby got me to try and stay out of the kitchen. HAve to FIGHT that head hunger.

Audree, sorry about your rough night last night. Just goes to show, even water and other liquids can be filling.

Yeah, I was a lot more careful with my portions and the water rules! I am sipping on a Myoplex Ready to drink shake.It is quite good. Not to chocolaty and not proteiny tasting.

My calories were really low today, about maybe 500 or so, so far. I just don't want to get sick again.

Audree

Hello Everyone:

I called and enrolled in the next seminar for Dr. Spivak in Houston, TX. I've heard good things about him. I'm glad that I'm not banded right now with this weather we are having. My husband makes some great chili and I would have to be trying to puree it. But, by the time the winter rolls back around I will be skilled at eating.

I want to post pictures but I'm scared to have some one take them. I have a self-timer camera but I don't know how to work it. I think I will do it one day when I'm all alone!!

I can't wait to go to the seminar.

I can finally stand up and say:

My name is Veronica, and I'm a closet eater. I eat when everyone goes to bed, in the car before & after going to work, before we go out to eat, just anytime I'm alone. I cound never be balamic - I think that is a waste of food. But, if I could control my eating then I can lose weight.

Audree:

I'm sorry you were feeling bad....I've learned from your mistake those so I'm glad you shared it with us. My mother always said that I can't make all the mistakes in life so learn from those around me.

I hope you take that in a positive way!!

DH back - will chat later!!

Veronica, you are not alone! I was forced by my family to eat in secret also. They used to "watch" me eat, every bite of food that went in my mouth.So, I would grab food, make excuses to go into the kitchen sometimes, after I 'ate' and would take huge bites. I remember eating so much, my stomach felt like a black hole, that obviously my stomach couldn't take it and I would wake up vomitting. I have never heard of anyone else doing that.

My mom had me on every diet as a young teen, OA and was even going to have me committed. I know I don't look so overweight now, in this stage in my life, but I HAVE BEEN THERE and then some!!! I still have gone through all the hell and the mental anguish. I still have 'mental' things to work out. A lot are worked out, but I still have a road ahead of me. This thread is like therapy for me. That is why I write so much.

I don't think people understand that I have every right to be a bandster, as much as anyone (not you guys of course, but some have commented). I had to fight everyday to maintain at 190. Any slip and I was on my yo yo again. I was on my way up. And if it wasn't for Bandy (my band) coming into my life, I would have been up in the 200 range once again!

I just caught it earlier this time and Bandy is helping me put a stop to it once and for all!!!

I have very affectionately named my band, Bandy!!!

Anyone else want to name your band?

Audree

Ok I know you have Bandy...what other names are already taken?

I'd like to make an original one.

Julestwu has named hers Bandina. You have next dibs.

Audree

I was banded May 17, 2006, then filled in early August of that year. Since surgery, I've lost about 25 pounds (some days a little more, some days a little less), but I think I would have lost a lot more weight by now if I would have eaten a balanced diet, instead of a diet based on lots of carbohydrates.

My problem is that I've eaten what I wanted: tons of carbs, not enough veggies, not enough protein. Overall, I still eat LESS, so I still lose weight, but it would have been smarter (and I'm sure *healthier*) to just have a balanced diet with protein, veggies, and carbs all combined.

I also have not exercised at all, basically, since my surgery. Since I've felt that my weight loss has slowed down the past couple months, I recently joined a gym and have been working out (cardio) about an hour a day (and I try to go everyday). We'll see if that helps speed up my weight loss--I hope so!

I've lost 25 pounds so far, but still would like to lose about 35 or 45 more.

Another way I've been a bad girl: I rarely take my vitamins!

I've been meaning to find a good liquid vitamin but haven't had much luck. I checked out the website for Glacial Milk. Would you recommend it?

Be honest: does it taste nasty or is it tolerable? :-)

It's a little pricey but if you really recommend it I might order some. Otherwise if you don't recommend it I'll keep looking for a different product.

I was banded May 17, 2006, then filled in early August of that year. Since surgery, I've lost about 25 pounds (some days a little more, some days a little less), but I think I would have lost a lot more weight by now if I would have eaten a balanced diet, instead of a diet based on lots of carbohydrates.

My problem is that I've eaten what I wanted: tons of carbs, not enough veggies, not enough protein. Overall, I still eat LESS, so I still lose weight, but it would have been smarter (and I'm sure *healthier*) to just have a balanced diet with protein, veggies, and carbs all combined.

I also have not exercised at all, basically, since my surgery. Since I've felt that my weight loss has slowed down the past couple months, I recently joined a gym and have been working out (cardio) about an hour a day (and I try to go everyday). We'll see if that helps speed up my weight loss--I hope so!

I've lost 25 pounds so far, but still would like to lose about 35 or 45 more.

Thanks Angela!!

We are going to start a South Beach diet challenge, want to join?

Another way I've been a bad girl: I rarely take my vitamins!

I've been meaning to find a good liquid vitamin but haven't had much luck. I checked out the website for Glacial Milk. Would you recommend it?

Be honest: does it taste nasty or is it tolerable? :-)

It's a little pricey but if you really recommend it I might order some. Otherwise if you don't recommend it I'll keep looking for a different product.

That is the one I take! It is tolerable. I get it at sams club for $19

I can tell a big difference when i take it

Mine is Antonio "Band"eras. I think it must be a guy for all the hell it's given me. It has also given me it's share of pleasure though considering the weight loss.

Thanks for the info. on the liquid vitamins you take. I need to start taking vitamins, too! Good job for doing that so early on in the process.

As far as doing south beach diet, thanks for the suggestion, but if I call something a "diet" I'm bound to fail at it! (Hence the reason for getting the lapband.) My main goals are just to eat a more balanced diet, and move/use my body more. Those guidelines, I think I can follow, but trying to get myself to follow any sort of specific diet or whatever is asking for trouble, because I'll fail.

Good luck with your weight loss though! You already look great and I'm sure you'll be feeling more confident and healthier as your weight loss continues.

Audree,

I totally understand about not weighing yourself and being worried about what the scale says. I know that I haven't been on it this week because I know I am getting heavier stuff in and I don't think I am going to be losing a 8 lbs or whatever I did the first week.

I am actually worried when I start eating soft foods and then regular food before I get a fill that I am going to pig out and eat a ton and gain 1000 lbs after being on a liquid diet. I just think of Oprah's liquid diet debacle years ago.... and shudder.

It seems like no matter what we weigh, if we struggle with our weight, there is someone willing to tell us we don't have the right to try whatever means necessary to lose weight. Sometimes if no one is available right at that moment, we step up and tell ourselves we don't deserve it.

I know I am excessively worried about those closest to me knowing about my band. I don't want to tell them about it until I lose weight. If it doesn't work then they will be the first to tell me, "I told you so."

I was really hungry today. Nothing cut it. I went to Taco Bell and got a bean burrito and ate it because that seemed soft. It went right down and I wasn't full afterwards, I had no pain and I wished I had another one.

So I guess that means my stomach is back to its normal hungry self. Bummer.

I still am not supposed to eat soft food until Saturday. Tomorrow is another day and I am going to do the liquid diet until Saturday. I am going to probably also see about getting a fill done at 4 weeks instead of six weeks. My doctor said the first fill could be anyhwere from 4-6 weeks.

I'm sorry that you're feeling hungry and can't seem to get satisfied. In the beginning that liquid/mushy phase is hard. Just try to power through it as best you can.

One thought crossed my mind though, when you said you went to Taco Bell for a bean burrito. Although a bean burrito is probably one of the "smarter" things on the menu, it's still fast food, still not healthy for you. Next time maybe you could try making a bean burrito at home? Just a friendly suggestion!