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

Hello....

After 3 weeks of surgery I am heading back to Dallas for a follow up with the doctor. He did not tell me if I am getting a fill ( probably still too early). I have not lost an ounce this week. I probably need to eat less and exercise more.

Audree.... I can't write you messages, it says your mail box is full.

I cleared it a couple of days ago, try again!!

If not my email is Audree_Vasallo@hotmail.com

(there is an underscore between my first and last name)

i was reading back about the fills....you know i got too tight for awhile and being stuck with every meal made my esophagus swell a bit....NOT FUN. so i think if you are losing, let it be. if you are not losing, but have restriction-well then you need to evaluate what you eat. i too have a 28 day calorie cycle~so my non medical mind assumes there is a connection.

anyway, does anyone have any good suggestions for lunches. i prefer to eat at work,but i am bored with my usuals. suggestions?

I have been having cold cuts with Laughing Cow cheese light. I spread it out in the cold cut and roll it. I also have string cheese and almonds, hummus, tuna salad, deviled eggs.

I just bought another cookbook and am going to look for new ideas.

I did lose 3 pounds after my fill, so I may leave it. I think after 1 week, I feel a little more restriction, but can eat anything. I hear some say at 2 weeks they get more restriction too.

Audree,

I am here, just been really busy so it is hard to post. I've been lucky to keep up on my reading.

Miss Bandster:

I usually eat the same things for lunch everyday. A soup at hand and a cottage double. I keep thinking I will change and eat something else, but I have only about 20 minutes for lunch by the time I get the kids out of the room and get to the teacher's lounge. That isn't enough time for me to eat anything solid and NOT get stuck, so I play it safe.

This week is my first week of self-imposed NO LIQUID CALORIES. Of course it was snowing this morning on the way to work, and boy did a mocha seem like it would hit the cold spot. BUt, I stopped myself. I really want to see if I have been sabitaging (SP) myself or if I am really on a plateau. I haven't lost anything for 3 weeks now. I go up and down between 156 and 159 But, I press on.

Best wishes, Bikergirl, for tomorrow's surgery. No nightmares tonight!

I think I have been doing the same and need to add more solids. I am like DUH, to myself, since it is what the nutrionist told me, so why am I barely getting that now?

It has been 1 week since my fill and I lost 3 more pounds. I think I have a little more restriction, but can still eat anything no problem. But I can tell the portions are 1/3 less of what I used to eat.

The January Thread has started an exercise challenge. If you'd like to join, come on by!!!

Ok you guy's I had water and NO SUGAR popsicles. I am now watching American Idol, I should be ok for awhile. I plan to go to bed around 9pm. I have the alarm set for 4:30am. I probably won't sleep at all - If I don't that will be fine - I will sleep well during my surgery.

I have my prescriptions filled, my OTC meds. I should be good to go. I'm actually driving myself to the Surgery Center so DH can get the kids off to school and then his friend is going to drop him off. Hope I remember where I park the car!!

My mother will be here on Friday.

Well, I will post later. Keep me in your prayers!!

Congrats, you finally did it!!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Let us know how you are doing!!!

Sounds normal to me. As long as you are not in pain or focing things down, I ate when I was hungry and sometimes it seemed like a lot.

Congrats!!!

Thanks Audree

Well Biker Girl, We are on our way to Band Land. Sending prayers your way for tomorrow, send some to me on friday. To all of our Band sisters on the lower BMI thread, I am raising my protein shake in a toast to the kind, supportive, smart, and soon to be thinner band sisters. May we all be big FAT losers in 2007. Truely you guys are a great source of inspiration. I don't post that often, but I read the posts everyday. I have learned so much, and really feel more prepared. Thanks Guys! Good Luck Tomorrow Biker Girl. Teresa

:scared: :confused: Group Hug!!!!

We will do this together! I need you guys!!! I need to check in daily or else I mess up! You guys are my support group!

This is our year!!!! Let us know how you are doing after surgury!!:clap2:

:scared: :confused: Group Hug!!!!

We will do this together! I need you guys!!! I need to check in daily or else I mess up! You guys are my support group!

This is our year!!!! Let us know how you are doing after surgury!!:clap2:

I NEED to check in daily also. Im going to be pretty useless otherwise ha ha

Since my fill I have been really concentrating on not drinking for an hour after eating. I have been doing it, and I do think it makes a difference in my hunger.

There are a lot of rules we have to follow as bandsters, and I feel like I am gradually changing all of my bad habits into good habits. I am not hugely restricted but I feel like that is okay right now because I am building the foundation that will allow me to be healthy as my restriction gradually increases.

For me, the initial stages of my journey have really been learning a lot about how I got fat. I have been forced to really slow down, to concentrate on my food, to take smaller bites. Mindful eating instead of mowing through the buffet line. If I never lost a pound, just learning to eat this way has been worth it to me.

Right now I am having a bit of a time getting used to not drinking with my meals. It does make me think before I eat something though becasue I know I am waiting for an hour to drink. I have cut back on grazing because of this and I think that will stick as I get more used to it. I have also been walking the dogs immediately after dinner. I walk them anyway, but now I am out there for a few extra minutes. It makes my hour go by faster to be up and moving rather than sitting and waiting to eat.

So slowly the good habits are forming. Which is a good thing.

What has helped me with the water is to do something called "water loading". I have a 32 ounce water bottle and fill it up in the morning. I sip on it as I start my morning. Before lunch, I drink the rest of it or refill and drink at leat 12 ounces before my meal. Then I don't feel the need to drink during my meal or after. I got this advice from a nurse on another site who is at goal.

So, what goals to you guys have for the next week to come?

One of mine is that I joined an exercise challenge and I am going to start today!!!

I NEED to check in daily also. Im going to be pretty useless otherwise ha ha

Let us know if you have any questions. The time after banding, I had a million questions.:scared:

Let us know if you have any questions. The time after banding, I had a million questions.

Thanks Audree, appreciate it alot. The only thing I can think of now is, how long before you can take a bath? Im missing reading in the bath ha ha.

Im sure Ill have millions of questions in the next few days.

ps: My goal for next week is to walk daily. It takes alot to motivate me unfortunately and it is soooo cold in London at the moment but I am going to do at least 40 mins a day.

Thanks Audree, appreciate it alot. The only thing I can think of now is, how long before you can take a bath? Im missing reading in the bath ha ha.

Im sure Ill have millions of questions in the next few days.

ps: My goal for next week is to walk daily. It takes alot to motivate me unfortunately and it is soooo cold in London at the moment but I am going to do at least 40 mins a day.

I took a bath after my incisions were 100% healed which I think was at about 3-4 weeks or so.

Wow, you live in London? One of my life's dreams is to go to Europe and travel to all the spots and London is one of them!

Do you have a treadmill? Maybe you can get one if it is too cold. I have an elyptical machine and love to have something at home for those days it is cold and rainy.

I have just been lazy and have to get my butt moving!!!

I took a bath after my incisions were 100% healed which I think was at about 3-4 weeks or so.

Wow, you live in London? One of my life's dreams is to go to Europe and travel to all the spots and London is one of them!

Do you have a treadmill? Maybe you can get one if it is too cold. I have an elyptical machine and love to have something at home for those days it is cold and rainy.

I have just been lazy and have to get my butt moving!!!

ahhh that is so long. It will be one fabulous bath once I can have it.

I dont have a treadmill. My apartment is not big enough really. I used to have one at my old place and it was the most expensive clothes horse I ever bought. I plan on getting back into my gym membership.

Audree, you absolutely should come to Europe. Its magical. I love London. Where abouts are you based?

ok I knew Id have lots of questions, you never should have offered ha ha.

but ... I am wondering if you can drink water whilst eating soup etc on the liquid stage. I assume yes since it is all liquid but thought it best to check... anyone?

Lots of good info everyone, thanks!

Audree, how is Grandma?