dejongshy

Here is a good website that explains it. I like to use it to get myself back on track and off the carbs... http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ Shy

I agree, Welcome!

When this happened to me I kicked myself in the butt and did the 5 day pouch test. It helped me get rid of the snacking/carb cravings that I had. Shy

I got a fill from a new fill guy locally instead of driving to my regular fill place (5 hours away). It was horrible and after the fill I had less restriction then before I went in, so 2 weeks later I went back to my regular fill center and had another fill. It was actually yesterday and I was so glad I didn't wait. Because my fill center is so far away I wasn't able to get fills durning the winter months so now that the weather is warm I am taking total advantage of it. I only want to lose another 15lbs.... Shy

My sister is doing GREAT!!!!! I am so proud of her. She has lost about the same as me and is kicking butt....

I am officially 31 years young today..... Last year at this time I made the decision to have the Lap Band surgery along with my sister. We had surgery in July and it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Last year at this time I was coming off of a failed Weight Watchers Dieting episode (lost 30lbs in 9 months, gained it all back in 2 months). Since being banded I have dropped 60lbs and gone from a tight size 18 to a size 10/12. I am actually wearing a size 10 capri today and it is an amazing feeling to be able to look at yourself and say wow you look good and mean it.... I am not at my ideal weight yet but I am HAPPY!!!! I am struggling to find what I weight I will be happy with, not the worst thing to be struggling with.... Just thought I would post because I am sooo happy with my decision. Shy

I told my boyfriend that I was going to California to get a hernia repair. I figure that this is for ME and it really isn't anyone elses business. I How interesting..... I did the same thing.... My husband and my immediate family know but not my in-laws or anyone else. My mother and sister are also banded so I have a great support system in that respect. My Birthday is May 15, I will be thinking of you..... Good Luck... last year on my Birthday I was 232lbs... This year I am hoping to be 173ish... Shy

Laughing My Ass Off...... I agree, if you are having fun and exercising then go for it again.... My husband would totally want me to get the pole for the house.... How funny... Keep up the good work.

My mom has lost about 150lbs ish... She is about 210lbs and my dad says the same thing to her, you need to gain a little weight back, it drives her crazy. He is very proud of her but likes her with a little more weight, sometimes I think it is a confidence issue. He worries about others wanting her.

Oh how I hate Spaghetti Squash, my mother use to do the same thing when i was growing up and I still have night terrors thinking about it... YUKKKKK>.. I'm glad it works for you though. Shy

Angie The only thing I can say is: You are not alone, we have all been there at one time or another. One thing that I did that seemed to help is to have some zucchini (steamed or pan cooked with Mrs. Dash, yummm) with my salad and I used the Salad Sprtizers for a little flavor. At dinner time I would dump my dinner (I love the south beach ones because they seemed to satisfy me more) on top of a bed of lettuce to help give me some filler. We are all worried about not loosing enough weight to have the surgery, but I haven't ever heard of anyone that didn't get the surgery... shy

I have: breakfast: Slimfast with 1/2 scoop of Protien Powder added - 20 grams of Protien Lunch: 1/2 cup of light cottage cheese and some roast beef slices - 25 grams of protien Snack: either string cheese or small amount of veggies - Dinner: What ever I make for my husband, but I don't do the noodles. If we are having Spaghetti, I put the sauce and meet on top of lettuce. Tonight we are having steak and steamed veggies and he will have a baked potatoe aswell. I usaully get about 3 oz of steak and then some veggies. After dinner snack: Honestly I love Skinny Cow ice creams. I don't have one every night but if I want one I have one.... Hope this helps.. Also I try to drink 102 oz of water every day.

Take some $1's and $5's for tipping... Good luck..

Yes, yes, yes, I have trouble with potatoes.... They are my weakness, I can do instant potatoes that are watered down but not regular mashed or baked, or fries, etc. The band has helped me limit the amount of this food product, I know I need a fill when I can eat fires, or the above mentioned food. I think the thing to remember is that we all have different trigger foods, no one is the same. Good luck. Shy

Let it gooooooooooo.....

I think the important lesson to take from this story is that alot of people have issues with body image, not just the overweight. I was at a weight watchers meeting last week at work, a skinny co-worker came to the meeting and people were mean. I had to remind them that we all have issues with food and that is why we were there. Try to not make harsh judgments on her, I know that I don't go to the gym because I feel like people would be looking at me and say oh what a fatty, can you imagine how she must feel. Shy

This has been an issue that I have been struggling with.... I have gone from a snug 18 to a snug 10/loose 12. Way Cool, but I feel like every time I walk into a regular size store that people are looking at me like I shouldn't be there. I know I need some counseling because this is crazy but I feel like I am still a size 18 at times. I am excited for you, it is so exciting to be in new sizes, it has been about 10-15 years since I have been this size....

Faith I am so sorry for what you are going through! I had port pain for about 3 weeks after surgery and my port sits at about the same place you described. My port really bothered me at night because it is at the bottom of my rib cage and it felt like it was always rubbing. As I'm sure you already know the pain you feel at the port is because it is stitched into your stomach muscles, to this day I still get little episodes where I get a funny feeling and I rub it (9 months out, ok so I find that I rub it all the time but not because it hurts). Stay as strong as you can.... My mother was banded by a local doctor here in Washington and he told her that it takes up to 4-6 months for your body to completely heal from the surgery even when you think it is all better. I don't know what else to say other than I will be thinking of you and stay strong. Shy

For minor things I take the Tylenol JR, (4 chewable) not bad and seems go help, but when that doesn't cut it I use the adult liquid Tylenol. Tastes like hell but it works.... I love the chewables...

I am going through something similar... I am not at fill capacity but I have restriction with food, but I NEVER FEEL FULL! My fill people tell me this is normal with about 15-20% of people with the band. I have to work really hard to tell myself when to stop. It kind of sucks but I look at how good I am doing.... I am 9 months post op and down about 60lbs from my heaviest, I have hit a platau at 171lbs but I am not gaining. I get frustrated at times but I am starting to realize that I need to stop thinking about a number, would that be weight or size of pants..... I am happy, not always happy with my band and it's complications but with myself. My sister is also banded and we are SOOOOO different with how our bodies react to fills and restriction... Remember that you have lost alot of weight, and that the band is working but it doesn't work the same for everyone. Good Luck!

Another thing that I kind of remember is that you need to have food stay in your pouch for 20min. at a certain level for a chemical reaction from your brain to tell your body that you are full. So mushy/soft foods go straight through and other tend to stay in the pouch longer... (Can you say run on sentences...) Wow... Not sure but I remember something about that.

I think alot of it has to do with the make up of mushy foods, they tend to be high in carbs/calories, and we are supposed to be eating protein rich foods that require more chewing like steak, chicken, fish... Just my take... But I love mashed potatoes with gravy.... shy

I totally agree with being blunt.... I don't think Lindsey was rude, it is what I would want to hear if I was breaking the rules.... Take it or leave it... That is how you need to take any comment given on this forum, please no drama like before...... If you don't like what someone says then just ignore them... Everyone keep up your hard work... shy

Another thing you might want to consider is that you are already very low BMI! I am at 173ish and it has been tough to kick those last 20lbs.... Try to avoid caffeinated beverages, both coffee and tea promote water retention!!! I have switched to decaf and it has helped, and I totally avoid Tea... Also my doctor told me that for every cup of coffee/tee that I drink I need to replace it with water. I think you should be drinking 2X's the water you are currently drinking... I drink sugar free drink mixes to give me a little taste.. Yum. Good luck.