trulytangledgrl

Carrie ~~ I feel ya, girlfriend. TRUST. I have been at a plateau for over 3 months!!! I can understand your frustration and being upset. I am in my last 20 lbs to lose, and its going to be the toughest. Are you switching up your workouts? Are you switching up your foods? Eat bigger meals earlier in the day? Drinking 80 oz of water a day also will work wonders. Do workouts that are interval - - light and easier for a minute, then as fast and hard as you can for 2 minutes, light and easy for 2 minutes, as hard and fast as you can for 3-4 minutes.. etc. You gotta trick your body. Also add in strength training every other day if you can. Dr, Miranda told me to eat: Breakfast: protein/cheese, fruit, and carb (you can mix carb and protein if you wish - - i.e. have a sausage patty on 2 slices of light bread) Lunch: Protein (meat only - - dont mix carbs this meal) Protein first, then veggies, fruit, and carb if still hungry. Dinner: Protein, veg, fruit, carb. Same as lunch - - don't mix protein and carb. Snack: if you need a snack have sugar free jello or 30 almonds. Also, take chromium picolinate and 30 min prior to workout, take L carnitine. (i think thats how its spelled)., I get them in the form of a pill called stress tabs. They are in the vitamin section of the store. They are a red pill. See if that works?

Thanks everyone!! I feel much better to know that I MUST be losing inches even though those PESKY pounds won't drop off!! Oh well, I mean, I hear the last 15-20 lbs is the hardest - - believe me, I am realizing it now that thats no joke!!

Lisa - hahaha! that is too funny about the son's friend!! I love it. Well, I have a story similar, but since I don't have children... lol. Anyhow, I was back at home visiting for christmas 2008 (my parents live 6 hours away so dont get home much). I was all ready to go out to dinner, I had a nice dress on and was all made up. I go into the store I had to pick up a gift card for a friend, and I run into this old classmate who, by the way, in highschool wouldn't give me the time of day. He made fun of me from 5th grade all the way through HS. So, I see him, and he doesn't recognize me. He comes up behind me in the check out line, and he goes "Hey beautiful" - - at this point I realized he had no idea who I was, so I played along. I said "Hey whats up?" and we continue having a brief conversation... he asks where I am from and I tell him I live in Philadelphia, I am just home visiting family. SO, he says "Wanna go out with me tonight?" and I say... "Mike Wilson, I don't date men. Furthermore, even if I did, I wouldn't go out with you if you were the LAST man alive on this earth." Then I just walked away and left him wondering. I also heard one of the store clerks giggle. HAHAHA!

I cannot change my signature. Every time I go there to update it, it says "FORBIDDEN - You are not authorized to make this change" or something to that effect. Then I cant get the site to load at all.

Hey everyone!! Thanks for the replies it really gave me a lot of motivation and made me smile, too. I was feeling down this morning - - having a bad weekend. So this made me happy cause I have been down on myself since I haven't dropped any pounds since late december. Thank you thank you THANK you everyone!! Lisa - - My waist on day before surgery was 47, currently it is 35. My hips were 52, currently 42. Thighs were 26 and currently about 22. I didn't measure my arms and wish I had. My bust has not changed much sadly. It was 42 to begin and currently 38. So, yeah, overall I am pretty happy with those dropped inches.

Okay, so, I never thought I would be showing these before and after shots. Well, mostly just the before's. LOL! I want to know if anyone can see a big difference though. I can't see it at all - - to me I look identical in all photos. So, here goes..... what do you think

Heidi - - I FEEL YOU!! I totally understand what you are dealing with/going through as I have not lost a single friggen pound since ..... december or jan. Talk about frustrating, annoying, discouraging, disheartening, etc... I do have restriction sometimes too much, actually. I had to get a small un-fill because I was only eating maybe 700-900 cal per day AND exercising/seeing a personal trainer. I know that you feel like you have no restriction, which I sometimes WISH I had none - lol... I can remember when I had no restriction and it is very frustrating because you can eat whatever and its like... if I have to feel like I am starving myself AND if I have to struggling like this, whats the point of spending ALL that $$$$!! I dunno I get frustrated but then think about how I weigh less than I did in 7th-8th grade and I realize it was and IS worth it. Try to keep your chin up and remotivate yourself by getting a FILL - - like everyone else here has said. Also continue utilizing this forum to vent and get help and support from fellow bandsters. Good luck sweetie.

thanks both of you for replying I appreciate it so much because it helps to know I am not alone! lol! Canadianbandster that is CRAZY about the ex and the new wifey... crazies. haha. I am so sorry though that you have to put up with that. Get yourself a restraining order! geezie lousie!! Yeah its difficult and like you said, SOME people are ignorant about it, but I find its mostly people who are also overweight and they seem to be jealous. I mean I could be wrong, but it just seems that way. Also the thing is, co workers will see what I eat (which as you all know can be VERY minimal depending how testy the band is being on any given day - - mehhh..) and they will be like 'oh so is that how you lose weight? By starving yourself? Are you anorexic now or something?' I mention the possible jealousy because I know when I was big and before knowing I COULD get a band, I would be super envious/jealous of those who could lose extreme amounts of weight. Just cause I wanted it soooo bad, too, and could never do it. Hmmm. Its interesting how us humans work isnt it.

I am just wondering what some others' thoughts were on this topic. Since losing a significant amount of weight, I have gotten a lot of attention from people especially at work. People mentioning all the time how I am getting 'skinny' and saying how great I look, and even some people I have noticed acting jealous. I am not sure how to deal with this or handle it because I am not used to all this attention - - I am used to just kind of being in the background.... I mean people have always liked me but now I feel like the center of attention sometimes. People asking how did I lose all the weight and such. Also, when I go out I notice people doung a double take at me... or smiling at me and checking me out lol I dont know, I just realize I am having a VERY hard time accepting compliments and also dealing with the constant attention. How do others deal with this?? Thanks everyone

Hey ladies! Thanks for the encouragement. Carrie - - Yeah ya know, I actually measured myself today (5 min ago or so lol) and I have lost 10 inches in my waist and about 5 in my hips. Maybe more. I can't remember what I started at and I wish I had wrote it down. meh!! Like you, I am trying to get in more protein and eat a little more frequently. Also I am horrible about the water and have been trying real hard to get at LEAST 4-5 glasses in per day. We shall see!! Keep on plugging along. We WILL get there! BeBe - CONGRATS on your success! WOW! Size 4. I wish I was that small. My goal is just to get into a size 10 as I am currently in a size 12. I am a 12 in pants and a 10 in skirts (?? :-? not sure why lol). In any case, the mini goal is to get into a 10 comfortably - - comfortably being the key word there lol!! Any suggestions on what to do to lose that many inches??

Hey Karen - Isn't it frustrating to be the same for SO long even when you are workin your butt off at the gym? Whats the body bugg?? HMMM.

Welcome back, Denise!!!! > Its great to hear that you are in a place where you can start to focus on YOU again. That is fabulous!

You look GREAT!! You can really tell a difference from your before and after pictures. Wow! way yo go girlfriend.

Bria ~ There is so much to know about this surgery. Like the canadian bandster said, its so difficult to know what to say unless you are more specific in what you want to know. Go to the OCC website and read everything you can there - - definitely do your research before making a decision. What I CAN tell you, without a doubt, is that OCC and Dr. Ortiz are the BEST for this surgery. OCC is top notch and you will not receive better care from any surgery center in the US. Dr. Ortiz has been doing lap band surgery since it was approved even before it was approved in the USA. He is a proctor for other Dr's here in the states, meaning that he trains other doctors to do this surgery. He is THE best Dr. without question. Other than that, its really up to YOU to do the research and find the answers you are looking for. Its going to take a lot of time and effort on yor part, but its really what you have to do make an informed decision. Read posts here on lapbandforum, email loribecky or renee - - they have TONS of information and they are the ones you will deal with to schedule surgery and answer any questions you have. Read up on OCC website and you can even order Dr. Ortiz's book all about lapband surgery. Good luck in your endeavor and hopefully you will be able to make this happen

THANK you, everyone for your support and suggestions! Its encouraging and makes me feel validated and understood. I have switched up my exercise routine and have added strength training/cardio and I see a personal trainer so he has me doing cardio and strength training together. Its a killer lol! I emailed Dr. Miranda and she gave me a strict diet to follow and have been trying to do it, but am finding that sometimes I am way too tight - - or my band rather. She wants me to eat 2 pieces of protein for breakfast, a fruit and 2 slices of toast or 8 crackers. For lunch, a piece of fish/chicken/turkey/ham etc, veggies, fruit and carb like 2 toast or 8 crackers again. For dinner, basically same thing. No drinks with calories and I am allowed only 2 tbps of dairy per day. I am doing the best I can to get all this food in but some days its just not happening. Someone asked how tall I am - - I am 5'6". My determined goal weight by Dr. Miranda is 147 lbs. I was 195 at surgery and she wanted me to lose 48 lbs to get me to a 23 BMI. Robbyn - - thank you SO much for your post. It really helped me to see that maybe I am being too hard on myself. You know, I worked at LA weightloss for over a year, so like you, I should know all of these things lol BUT I guess its difficult sometimes isn't it? You are totally right, though. Thank you again! Good luck with your surgery - you will be in the BEST of hands, trust me. Dr. Ortiz is the best Dr. there is for this surgery. He actually emailed me yesterday to see how I am doing because when Dr. Miranda emailed me back with my diet plan, she CCd it to Dr. Ortiz. I was touched by the fact that he took the time to email me. Thank you all again. You have given me renewed strength and courage to kep pushing on in this journey!! >

I just need to vent. I have lost very slowly to begin with - - approximately 4 lbs per month. I was 200 lbs to begin with, so I guess a 'lower' weight would make it tougher anyhow, but still... COME ON!! 32 lbs in like 8 months - how frustrating!! I haven't lost anything in over 2 months despite exercising and following a strict diet. Meh. I have posted about this before but just needed to vent again as I am having a bad day - - an emotional day, rather. Thanks for listening everyone.

I agree 100% Dana! I do agree with most of what everyone else is saying, but coming from personal experience, I can say without a doubt that restriction can include a feeling of things getting 'stuck.' I definitely do not take big bites as I use a baby spoon and fork, and I chew all my food 30 times so its not cause I am not chewing thoroughly. I also do not drink fluids 30 min prior to a meal and for 45-60 min after the meal. I try not to snack between meals, and if I do I have 10 almonds as Dr. Miranda said that it is okay (I emailed her about it ). On my second and third fills I had a LOT of problems getting food down because I was TOO restricted. I did throw up a LOT and I was able to eat MAYBE 1-2 bites of solid foods. I went for an emergency visit to my Dr. in NYC and she said I was way too restricted which was causing me to throw up and despite chewing thoroughly and taking small bites, the restriction was just too much. So... thats my 2 cents, for what its worth lol.

I have definitely found that, at times, it is a psychological struggle for me since I have been banded. I am also in the psychology field (Master's degree in Social Work) and have thought about this as well. For me, the psychological struggle was more difficult at first, because I wasn't used to the band and the way it worked. It was trial and error. Many times, I couldn't eat - - if I was angry, sad, excited, etc... I couldn't just run and stuff my face instead of dealing head-on with my feelings. That was extremely difficult.... more than I can even emphasize. At times I almost broke down and many times I ended up crying and becoming overly emotional. My life has changed drastically. I find myself trying to avoid going out to dinner with friends because many of my friends don't know about my surgery. My family also doesn't know about my surgery I chose not to tell them for my own reasons. It is VERY difficult to be around them because they constantly tell me I'm "getting too skinny" and commenting on the amount of food I eat and I think they are a little weary. Since I have had the band for quite a bit longer now, and I am used to it and I pay more attention to my body and also my emotions and psychological state. If I find myself skimming in the cupboards or fridge, I stop and I ask myself "why?" Why am I looking for food when I am not REALLY hungry? I think about it and generally there is a reason. Something just happened that got me angry or upset in some way, maybe I am anxious or bored. Instead of eating, I will deal with whatever is eating away at me - - ha ha nice pun, huh? Anyhow... As far as my relationships with others, they have also changed quite significantly. My partner needs a lot of reassurance in general, and since my surgery and dropping 45 lbs, its even worse. Our relationship is strained because her insecurities really get to me sometimes. I find her accusing me of liking other people, if I am going out with friends she will get jealous or angry, sometimes if I am out she will think I am lying to her about where I was and she has also started looking on my cell phone at my contacts and also at my text messages. Its very difficult to deal with. In a way I understand her insecurities as I do get a LOT more attention, but what she doesn't understand is that, Like Lisa said, I don't CARE about those people because in general they didn't give me a second glance when I was bigger.... so why should I give a crap about them? My partner and I are trying day by day to work through it, but, yes it has put an immense strain on our relationship.

Hey Kristy and other bandsters - - I have been having the same problem with my fill for about 2 months. I got a fill in end of December and I was really restricted for a couple weeks, and eventually it loosened up. Then I got another fill - only about .2 cc more. Again, I was very restricted but figured it would loosen up. I was rarely able to get ANY solids down and if I could it was maybe 1-2 bites. I could not get down any solid proteins so I had to resort to drinking protein shakes and even sometimes that was difficult to get down. I have not lost a single pound in almost 2 months. I am ashamed to say it but I have resorted many times to foods that I should be avoiding JUST so that I can get some calories in because I am not able to get anything in otherwise. I have been exercising 2-3 times a week (cardio), I get personal training once per week for an hour and I so the same routine as I do with my trainer on my own once. SO, I am getting plenty of exercise that is for sure. That said, I went for a fill last fri. I told my Dr. what was going on and she seemed very concerned and she took out .2 cc of fluid. I am able to eat a little more now, but sometimes, like tonight, I cannot get food down without feeling extremely uncomfortable. Take it from me, get some fluid taken out. I have been unable to lose ANY weight for months now and its extremely frustrating and not being able to eat is frustrating as well, as I am sure you know. I hope that you get the problem taken care of.... keep us updated!

Cindylou - - I really feel for you and understand where you're coming from. Its extremely difficult to stay positive especially when, like you said, if you had exercised and watched calories more closely when you DIDN'T have the band - - you could have lost weight. The band is just as much work, and that IS frustrating.... most definitely. I feel the same way as you do, really. I expected the band to cut my work load down a bit more, buuuuuutttttttt... I GUESS not. Its something that I will have to deal with, also. I really try very hard to maintain a positive attitude and tell myself that in time I will get to where I want to be. I wouldn't be at the weight I am without the band - - I weigh less now than I did when I was in 9th grade! I mean gosh, thats pretty amazing, and I wouldn't change it for the world. At the same time, its taken me.... 8 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!! I have lost only 30 lbs in 8 friggen months. Thats not even 4 lbs a month. THAT, to me, is really horrible. I dunno. Grrr. I guess its better than not losing any, but still - - its frustrating none-the-less.

Cindylou - - I TOTALLY understand what you are going through. You know its so funny that you posted this because I was just about to post basically the same exact thing. I am having literally the same problem as you described. I am so tight in the mornings that I can barely get down liquids (I generally have to drink a carnation instant breakfast to get started) and can't even think about swallowing whole food. Lunch time - - same thing. I am getting in as much liquid as possible. I usually have a drinkable yogurt (which sometimes doesn't even go down. The other day could only drink half of a 6 oz) a carnation instant breakfast, soup at hand creamy tomato.... thats breakfast and lunch. Not a lot of calories, I know. Then at dinner, I am (usually) not as restricted. Sometimes I am, but most of the time I am not. I also get the munchies after dinner, just like you said. The other problem that I see myself falling into is that when I am unable to eat healthy foods and proteins with some kind of substance (by that I mean proteins that aren't liquid), vegetables and fruits, I find myself eating unhealthy things because I am so friggen hungry but I cannot get anything down. For example, the past few days I have been eating ice cream - - BIG NO NO!!!! I eat a lot of crackers because for me I find they go down easier (not sure why??) and when I am so hungry and can't get anything else down, I figure its better to get some calories than none. I don't know.... I totally feel you though, Cindy. I am in the same exact predicament so don't feel alone. I also am not losing any weight. I have a fill appt. coming up next fri and I am half tempted to cancel cause I am so embarrassed I haven't lost anything since a month and a half ago. I might of even gained a few lbs. I don't want to face my dr. because I am afraid she will think I have been slacking off. Does anyone have any helpful hints? I am not sure what to do, just like Cindy. I want to cancel my appt but then again I think I SHOULD go cause maybe I can ask the dr. what she thinks. I think I might actually be overfilled, but then on some days I can eat and eat and eat.... I mean, not as much as I used to but I can eat more than what I should. So what the heck do I do? I also don't want to spend $106 to get liquid taken out of my band, ya know? Plus I have to travel to NYC - - so $21 for the train and $20 for cabs. UGH. I am in a pickle, here, ladies and gentlemen. (

My best friend of 13 years moved to AZ a little over a year ago to be with her (then) boyfriend. They have since gotten engaged and my friend asked me to be her maid of honor in her wedding. I was so honored that she asked that of me and of course I told her I would take part. I was a bit concerned about the financial aspect, which I was very honest about with her from the start. My concern lies in the fact that she lives in AZ, I live in PA. So, I asked her if she was going to get married there or on the east coast, where her family and her fiancee's family are from. She said that most likely it would be here on the east coast. About 2 weeks later, I get a email from her she had sent to me and the other bridesmaids saying "we are getting married in vegas". I know I probably sound selfish for saying this but I was ticked. I know - - its her wedding, her choice, etc. I felt like she was very inconsiderate of the fact that I do not have the means, financially, to travel to vegas. I feel like she didn't hear me... when I told her that I am financially very limited, and like she thinks I can pull money out my ass or grow it on a tree in my back yard. If it were me planning the wedding, and I wanted a destination wedding, I would have said something to the effect of "I want you to be in my wedding, but I understand that, financially, you are very limited, and that you may not be able to afford this trip. If you can, I would love it, and if not, I understand." So, she tells me that I can use the dress I wore in my sister's recent wedding - - its a black tealength dress, gathered on the side with a brooch. This is the same exact style dress she wanted. She said I could wear something different since I am maid of honor, so this was perfect she said. I thought 'well this is good - - I won't have to spend $$$ on a dress.' A few months later she says 'well, I changed my mind I want full length dresses.' She picks out a dress thats $200.00 (plus alterations, of course). I booked my flight and room (2 nights, mind you - - getting there the day before and leaving the day after) and it costs me $700 roughly. I made a comment to her hoping for a reaction - - I said 'I got my room and flight booked. It was $700 - - thats an awful lot of money that I really didn't have, but what can I do?' She didn't say anything. She texts me today asking when my flight gets in, which I told her at least a week ago - - I told her fri. and she said 'oh, well you're going to miss the bachlorette party.' I said 'I am sorry, its the earliest I can afford to fly in.' she was like 'Well what time do you fly in, because I need to schedule the rehersal and I can't get it any later than 4 pm' I told her I get in at 2:20 pm... and she was like 'well I could only get 2:00 so you'll have to miss it I guess.' ..... I was like 'I am not sure what you want me to do. I can't do anything - - I cant change my flight now because it will cost me MORE money that I don't have. I am sorry if I am causing you more stress.' I am so tempted to talk to her and tell her how I feel about this. I don't know if its appropriate or what I should do. I have grown so resentful towards my best friend over this thing. I get agitated when she texts me, I get agitated just thinking about her. GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!