Babe

Thanks for answering Kristi and Smiley. Ok, now I'm convinced I need a fill. I can easily eat 1 and a half cups of food at a time (except if there's bread or dry chicken involved).

Hi guys! I haven't posted in ages, and actually rarely do, but i lurk a lot... Anyways, I've just gone through a few very difficult months (3 family deaths, financial probs., housing probs, relationship stuff) and i'm ready to focus on myself again. I got banded in Feb, and have lost about 30lbs since banding, 45 in total since Jan. I've had 4 fills in my 4cc band, the last one was in Sept. and i'm only at 1.3cc. My question is this, how much should I be able to eat if i've got restriction? I always thought it was 1 to 1 1/2 cups a meal, but i'm starting to second guess that now... I follow all the bandster rules, and and do an hour cardio 3x a week and walk a 1/2hr the other days. Yes, admittedly I slipped back into my emotional eating patterns a bit over all the turmoil the last 3-4 months. I'm back to monitoring my feeling and using my food log again. I've kind of resigned myself to being a slow loser, but just to be on the safe side, i'm seeing and endocronologist later this month. I have an underactive thyroid, but I'm starting to think something else is in the way making it harder to lose the weight. This is so frustrating! Sometimes I feel like maybe I've wasted $8K, and then I remind myself that I probably wouldn't have lost the 30lbs without it. I'm not sure why I posted... maybe i just need a bit of reassurance and motivation. Babe

Thanks Angie, can't believe I missed that

love the new look Chad, but I miss the New Posts option. It was easy to catch up on stuff you've missed.

Thanks for all the support and feedback guys! I just re-read my post and all the responses and few thoughts occurred to me... 1) There's nothing wrong with being a slow loser. It doesn't mean I'm not going to lost the weight, just that it will take way longer than I had imagined. Ultimately, it's probably healthier for me anyways. 2) I am still an emotional eater. I thought that I had stopped that horrible pattern a couple years ago, but I've noticed that I still do it even now post band. It's easier to eat chocolate and liquid calories instead of bandster stuff when I'm feeling depressed. This has not magically stopped happening and probable will always be apart of my life so I had best focus on being self aware and keep tracking my food daily - no exeptions! 3) I am not always honest with myself when I track my food. I'm not saying I don't eat healthy foods most of the time, just that I don't measure all the time when it comes to oil/butter/cheese. I've let this slide particularly in the past few weeks as my gran was ill and eventually died. It's time to re-focus. 4) I don't chew my food slowly enough. I was doing it the first few months, but I've grown complacent. 5) I eat lots of protein, but I'm still getting in to many carbs and fat. Not that I can eat much bread or pasta (it's too dense now), its more from the grazing. I never used to eat chips or nuts that much, but now I find myself grazing a lot more that ever before. 6) I think I might be resentful that I've had to get this surgery to help me lose weight instead of being able to do it on my own. I'm sure this probably makes no sense considering this was my choice and one I made after great thought. It's strange, because last year when I was making the decision, I was excited and truly grateful that there was another option for me. I think I need and attitude shift about this, maybe then I'll stop sabotaging myself. 7) I need to come back to the forum more often. I stopped for a few months because i had gotten discouraged, but this place (and LBT) is really inspiring and supportive. I had forgotten that. mini rant over... thanks for listening

Hi Skinny! First of all, congrats on making this difficult but empowering decision. You won't regret it (and i'm a super super slow loser ). In terms of mental health and self esteem, i have depression too and I'll be honest with you, there wasn't some dramatic self esteem improvement or energy improvement. Yes, I felt a lot more confident once i started seeing the difference in my body. Yes, I had more energy because I was physically lighter and fitter. Yes, I feel more motivated because I finally feel like I have some kind of hope that eventually I won't be fat and unhealthy. All of that definitely had an impact on me. However, I won't lie to you, I still have depression and still have to manage my symptoms. This does not change. At first, yeah I wasn't feeling depressed. But once you get used the band and your new normal, depression has a way of kicking in again. The important thing is to keep taking your meds, communicate with your doctor/psychiatrist and do what you need to take care of yourself (exercise, sun lamp, support system, etc.). As long as you're being proactive, the post band energy and self esteem boost will stick around. Good Luck and if you need to talk some more, PM me. Babe

I was banded in February, and I've lost maybe 30lbs since surgery. I've had 4 or 5 fills (lost track now) and I feel restriction. I generally follow all the bandster rules for eating, and i track my food intake. I get in about 1200-1400 calories daily and do cardio 3-4 times a week. I've talked to my fill doc and Dr. Miranda and all they tell me is that i'm a slow loser and to keep plugging away. I am so tired of this super slow loss. Yes, I'm thrilled to be healthier than I was a year ago. I know I couldn't have gotten here without the band, but I sometimes wonder if the magic will ever happen for me.

Awesome work, Chica!!! You'll be at goal before you know it.

So today I took my first ever Pilates Reformer class - you know with the machines and pulley thingys. OMG, it was so fabulous!!! I've been wanting to try this for years but thought i was too fat and inflexible. Even though i haven't really lost much since banding, somehow this band has given me the confidence to try this. Yeah, i was sweating like a pig and it was awkward and difficult and I felt like a clumsy elephant... BUT, and this is a BIG BUT, I love how empowering it felt to use my body this way. I used muscles I never knew I had and it felt so good afterward (although, boy are my abs burning!). I'm really looking forward to next week's class. A few months ago, I would have never thought I'd be using pilates machines with all these skinny minnies. This may sound funny, but I feel so proud of myself right now

Hey Sabrina, way to go on the normal cholesterol and blood sugar! That's fabulous news!!! I take a liquid iron supplement that is clear and virtually tasteless (except for a slightly minerally taste that you get used to) and it doesn't create constipation either. It's called Spa Tone and you can get it at Whole Foods or Victoria's Health on Lonsdale for about 26$ for a month supply. It's pricy, but I find it way better tasting than Floradix, the other liquid iron supplement that most places in Vancouver sell. I usually add it to my morning protein drink or glass of water. Sorry american friends, I haven't been able to find it in the states at all... Babe

Sabrina, you look fantastic! Congrats on all your hard work

bmac, you rock!!! Totally inspiring... i've been banded almost 7 months and went through a brief phase of utter disappointment that i didn't lose a chunk right away. Stories like yours really help motivate me. Thanks so much for posting

thanks everyone for your feedback and support. i'm going to give the OCC a call tomorrow and see what they say. i can't really afford a fluoro right now, so that will have to wait. i'm going to focus on the bandster basics. i've been using Fitday.com for months, but haven't been as dedicated the last few weeks. i hope that with these changes and hopefully another fill soon, i'll be on the losing track again.

i promised myself i wouldn't be one of those bandsters who complained about not losing anything, but i just can't take it anymore. I've been banded 6 months and haven't lost more than an handful of pounds since getting of liquids. I've had 3 fills and one unfill. I'm at the point where i'm just so discouraged that i feel like i did before the surgery. after my last fill 2 months ago i was so tight i couldn't eat without throwing up for hours after. i ended up get an unfill which was supposed to be just .2 but i'm seriously thinking they messed up and did a complete unfill. it's been pretty much my own mind that's stopping unhealthy food from coming into my body. i've managed to stay motivated and maintain healthy eating and exercise habits since i decided to get this surgery in January, but the last few weeks have really messed with my mind and i find not thinking mindlessly eating again. i've tried to schedule an appointment with my fill doctor, but he's not able to me in for a few weeks. i really just need some words of encouragement at this point and some hope that this will actually work for at some point soon. my parents, who helped me pay for this surgery, are starting to think the surgery was a waste of their money and i'm sick of keeping up a hopeful and optimistic attitude when i'm starting to think that way too.

hon, i'm so sorry you're going through this! hope everything works out... ((( ( ( BIG HUG ) ) )))

thanks nursemom & red!

nursemom, where online did you find out how much protein you should have? was it something calculated from your personal details or is it just a set range. Dr. Miranda told me there's no need to go over 50-60g a day, but i'm starting to wonder if i should increase that to stop the hair loss...

canadamama, i completely understand your concern. we've all been there. the advice i can give you is to follow Dr. Miranda's guidelines, be patient with yourself, and drink lots of water. you might not lose the full 5% or you might end up losing the bulk of it the last couple days of pre-op and be pleasantly surprised when Dr. M weighs you (like i was). the whole point of the pre-op is to shrink you liver so that it will be easier for Dr. Ortiz to see and place your band. yes, it also serve as some kind of preparation for your new bandster lifestyle, but ultimately it's about the liver. Try not to worry too much, and just take it one meal at a time. Good Luck!

i use an online food journal (fitday.com) and it's helped become a much more mindful eater.

thanks sabrina... actually, i think i might have met you a few months ago at the LGH support group. you do the weekend news on 1130, right? by the way, your stats are fabulous!!!

I've been banded almost 4 months, and while i'm thrilled that i've lost weight since then (22lbs), it seems like it's going super slow. heck, for a couple months there i didn't lose anything. thankfully, i've started losing 1-2lbs a week. but i can't help but be frustrated and a bit disappointed when i read about other bandsters with a similar time frame who lost twice as much as me. i knew going into this that it probably would be a slow pace for me because of my PCOS and thyroid problems, but the reality of it is hard to deal with. i know i'm doing everything i can - eating right and exercising - but i can't help but wonder if i'll have the patience and discipline to stick this out when the results are so slow to come by. sorry for whining, just having a tough bandster day... i'm not really looking for advice, just a friendly ear... babe

hey sharon, i totally relate to the whole socially awkward stuff. i'm able to eat right away, but my odd eating habits and not drinking with a meal are getting noticed more and more. i also have a lousy tendency to eat my first few bites really fast and inevitably i hit a log jam and end up hoping to god i don't start sliming. its hard not to follow along with others and eat mindlessly - especially when the food is tasty and the conversation is flowing. i'm still getting used to bandster eating, and i'm realising how little patience i have with this process.

Arianna, i'm a chocoholic and i refuse to feel deprived. since i got banded in February, i've had bit of chocolate every day to keep the cravings at bay. i keep a good quality dark chocolate (i like Lindt) in my FREEZER and everyday when i get the urge, I break off a piece or two and let it warm up on my counter. i'll nibble on it while sipping a nice cup of green tea. it's a wonderful treat.

wow lisa, you're such an inspiration!!!

hey robbyn, i'm assuming you're getting banded with at OCC since you're on this forum. Some of the stuff on your list is not mandatory, but more of a suggestion. Here are the key things: 1. No drinking with meals - No liquid for 45min to 1hr post meal, but you can drink right up till mealtime (you will slime if you try, trust me). 2. No carbonated beverages 3. No gum 4. Eat your protein first, then your veggies, and the anything else if you're still hungry. 5. Eat small bites and Chew, Chew, Chew 6. No straws Recommendations for max weight loss: 1. Get your protein from lean meats more than the softer forms (like cheese) 2. Try to stay away from refined and processed foods 3. You can eat carbs, but try not to have too much and stick to whole grains. 4. Try not to have liquid calories (ie. milkshakes, protein drinks, undiluted juices, sugared teas and coffees) 5. Exercise 30 min every day once once you've recovered from surgery. 6. Follow Dr. Miranda's guidelines and if you're ever unsure about something, email her or Dr. O. to find out what to do (don't rely on stuff you read online, because it's not always accurate). 7. Take a chewable multivitamin daily. 8. Remember that the first 2-3 months post op is a healing time, so weight loss shouldn't be a priority. You may not have restriction until 2-3 fill in, so be patient with yourself. You may need to depend upon your will power for a while, so learn to measure out your food and maintain portion control until restriction. 9. Use a food journal like fitday.com. myfitnesspal.com, sparkpeople.com 10. Try to get in 50 to 60 grams of protein daily. Unlike Bypassers, we don't need to up our protein intake, just maintain our a healthy amount. Lastly, Foods like popcorn, nuts, breads, and more glutenous products (pastas) are difficult to eat for SOME bandsters, but not most. You should be able to eat everything you want, just in smaller portions. You'll discover what foods you band allows once you start eating solids again. You'll need re-assess this after each fill. Also, Dr. M. told me it's ok to drink caffeine and alcohol (i started after clear liquids). The main concern with the latter, is the empty liquid calories. Dr. Miranda will give you specific guidelines tailored to you and your health regarding what should or shouldn't eat to maximize weight loss. Hope this helps Babe