kalidastar

Hey guys, FYI, I found this website that you make a virtual model of yourself (its not bad either) and I printed out my pic then typed in my goal weight and printed that out too... good motivation. I think I'm going to tape them to my fridge... I love the internet. It's My Virtual Model... http://www.mvm.com --Kali

Hey All! I found this on another forum and thought I would share it. It's a great motivator! You type in you weight, height, activity level, goal weight, and goal date and this program calculates the weight loss- if it's too aggressive, etc. Don't hold the New York Timew to it, like I said its just a motivator. New York Times weight calculator http://www.nytimes.com/ref/health/caloriecounter.html I hope that worked. Sorry if it didn't- just copy and paste. Good Luck, Kali

Thanks for replying you guys. I really appreciate it. Cathy thank you for telling me about your fills. All I was reading was about the x-ray and fluoro so I was concerned. But you're doing great and you're inspirational. So I'll stop being a worrywort. Thanks you guys!

So I went for my first fill yesterday morning and it wasn't like what I have read about on here (although, I do go to a DR here in the states). There was no X-ray to check placement or any of that. I laid down on the table and he asked me to raise my feet up kinda like an exercise move. He felt around my tummy, then inserted the needle, pulled out .5cc and injected that with 3.5cc. So I have a total of 4cc in my 10cc band. Has anyone else had their DR do a fill this way? I'm a little put off by it. After, he sat me in this little waiting room to sip some water, which was fine. He also put me back on liquids for 2 days then soft foods for the next 2. I made an appt for 3 weeks out. Then I left. At home though, when I finally got to eat, I noticed there was no restriction at all. Is this normal for liquids? I mean, I know they just slip through, but I was eating low-fat pudding and was able to eat quite a bit. It just unnerved me. And to top it off I didn't lose a single pound in the 4 weeks since I went to the DR last! I am so frustrated! Maybe I should have gotten the RNY or something else... I just feel terrible...

Hi, I just got my first fill and it was 4cc in my 10cc band. My Dr is pretty aggresive I guess. But I have lost NO weight in the past 4 weeks! So I told him how I felt- very disappointed in myself and my lack of results. He also put me back on liquids for the next 2 days. I think you should talk with your Dr and be honest. It could only help. Good luck!

Whoa. That was really good info on the websites. Thanks for the link. And I will not be buying anymore of those chocolate bars... They are not worth it anyway. Although now I have the same question about the crystal light. I probably drink 4 glasses of the "raspberry ice" flavored mix. At the end of the day my water is just too boring and iced tea loses its luster. But I love that crystal light mix... Anyone have any suggestions to pump up water? Thanks everyone!

OMG, you look stunning! The difference is remarkable. I bet you feel fantastic. You must be really proud of yourself. Keep up the good work!

Hey all, Yesterday-went to the market and found a new item in the low-carb section. Its a Splenda milk chocolate bar. It has no net carbs, but 22grams of manitol...Now, I am not a cook/baker/etc. I barely know where my kitchen is in the house if that gives you any idea. So I am kinda unfamiliar with Splenda. I have a crappy nutritionist so its not worth the bother asking her and I can't get ahold of my Dr (I was banded here in the states). So could you guys tell me if these bars are okay? They look really good... and I want chocolate soooo bad.... Thanks! --Kali

Hey all...okay, here are my sad, sad stats: name: kali from california gender: girly girl Age: 30 years height: about 6' highest weight: over 425 ( I never weighed myself, so I don't know exactly how bad it was) weight at surgery (late July 2008): 400 current weight: 385 (as of mid-August) first fill is on September 9, 2008 and I will get an updated weight then goal: to hit ONEderland! 199 is good for me although to have a healthy BMI my weight should be around 180.

Everything will change when I get to my goal of 199 pounds. I wanted desperately to try extreme sports with a friend of mine, but the weight restrictions on bungie jumping and sky diving didn't "fly" - (stupid joke, I know). Bedroom photos sound awesome. Just being able to keep up with my skinny-minnie friends will be fantastic!

YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!!!! OK, I am sooo inspired! Thanks for sharing... I think I will go for a walk now... hugs, kali

OMG, these are all great ideas! I love the $10 a pound idea. I think I will start that the next time I weigh myself. But I wrote down all of your suggestions in my weight loss journey journal and now have all these great options! BTW, I decided to go away tonight with a friend to a casino. Gotta love those Indian reservations in California! LOL! They are so much fun- and maybe I'll win! Thanks again you guys! And can I just say/write how grateful I am to be a part of this forum. You guys are all wonderful! Hugs, Kali

Okay, so I just got my first test from school this semester graded and I got an A! WOOHOO!!! I studied for weeks and am doing really well. Also I took measurements and I've lost 3 inches from my hips in just over one week! WOOHOO AGAIN!!!! The first thought in my mind was to celebrate with food- a nice dinner or maybe dessert... But NO WAY!!! I don't even want healthy food to be treated as something special. I'm trying to change my whole attitude about food so there is no emotional eating. So I've been thinking all day about different ways to celebrate. I just bought about 10 new outfits (I hit a sale) and it seems kinda like a waste since I'm losing the weight... So how does everyone celebrate post WLS? I'm really interested to hear some different suggestions. Thanks, Kali

Thank you for this post. It is very useful. I am only 5 weeks post-op and 2 weeks before my first fill and this gives me a great, more personal understanding of what to expect. Thanks again.

I paid what insurance didn't pick up, only about $1500. But I need to be a stronger person. More willpower. And I can't rely on my parents to help me along on this journey. I just have to remember the feeling I had when I stepped on the scale at the Dr's a couple weeks ago. It was fantastic. I had a huge grin on my face for the rest of the day. I felt like I could do this- I could do anything! Maybe I should weigh myself more often than just at the Dr's office every few weeks... I just didn't want to get caught up in the numbers. But it feels so great when I lose weight- to know I'm on my way to getting healthy. Gosh, I am just chatty kathy tonight. I'm sorry. Since finding this site I feel like finally people will understand... Anyway... Thank You, Kali

Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it. I feel really alone since the WLS and I think I just need to get tough. My Mom said she would go on Atkins and we would do this together, but she doesn't want to put any effort into walking with me or changing her diet. She is constantly ordering sundaes or other delicious desserts when we are out together and its hard to not cheat. So far I haven't though. Which I'm proud of...its just... I almost feel like she's sabotaging me whether she realizes it or not. And by simply having that thought I feel unappreciative and guilty. I know I just have to be stronger and work harder at my lifestyle change. But it is a pain when she forgets to buy protein supplements or other groceries that I need. (I live at home while I'm finishing school and my parents are kind enough to support me.) WOW-there was a rant. sorry. Anyway my Dr wants me on a low-carb diet. But is kinda vague about the particulars- like how many calories I should be ingesting, grams of fat, etc. I know for protein I am to get 60-70 grams per day which I do with the protein supplements, but that's pretty much it. I guess it doesn't help that I've been on gastric banding websites and neighborhoods (before I found this one) and have been comparing my progress and diet to theirs. I WILL NOT do that anymore! Could you tell me if the protein shakes are to be used as a meal? I usually drink one in the a.m., wait 45 minutes, then have breakfast, but is this wrong? Maybe I should set up an appointment with a DIFFERENT nutritionist... Thank you very much for the help and the support. Kali

UGH! OK, I am about 4 weeks post op and my Dr advanced my diet to include solid foods, but I'm eating almost as much as I used to. Two weeks ago my Dr explained that he didn't fill my lap-band at all during the surgery and that he wouldn't fill it until mid September. This was fine at the time- I had lost 15 lbs in 14 days and I thought everything was under control, but slowly my appetite has increased making me more hungry and eating more. Unfortunately I don't get the dumping syndrome and I feel lost! I've been traking my calories, fat, protein, etc and I used to average 700-1000 calories a day but today I've eaten 1700 calories!!! And it's only 5pm. Is this normal? Should I call my Dr? Or will the fill help me? I'm so dissapointed in myself and extremely frustrated. Please Help, Kali