robbynnoel

((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))))))))))

I'm in.

223

((((((((((LittleRoo27))))))))))))

Hugs to you. Let me congradulate you for keeping your weight stable for 2.5 years and for getting the band. That IS not a decision any of us took lightly. I was banded in late May of 2009. I work for one of the weight loss programs you mentioned. I was shocked when I found out that my consultant had been banded and even more shocked when I learned my band isn't a conflict of interest AND there were even people in my new hire class that had been banded as well.

You are not alone, not at all. What you are going though is completely normal. Different people need different tools and strategies. Hang in there.

xo

I got banded in September of 2007 at 307 lbs... currently I'm waffling around 300 lbs. I was down near 260 for a while, and then I found out my band too tight, and had to be completely unfilled... and gained 30+ lbs. now I have a fill again, and I lost a few lbs, and then gained them back, and now I'm so frustrated and mad at myself.

I was so hopeful when I got the band that I would be down in the 100s by now. Even the upper 100s would have made me a happy little camper! Now I feel like I've spent the last two years doing NOTHING, which I know is not true, but the result is the same.

I know the band is a tool and not a magic want. The problem is, I feel like I've completely forgotten how to wield it properly. I may or may not have proper restriction right now, as I'm honestly a bit scared to get too tight again. I know that more than another fill, I need to learn how to control myself. Portion control, calorie counting, cutting out certain foods, exercising, I know in theory how to work the band properly. The problem is putting all of the rules into practice. I could join Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Slim 4 Life, or any other program out there, but I KNOW THE RULES. My problem is following them!

I think that a part of my problem is simply that I cannot eat all of the foods that are low in calorie and/or good for you. I suffer from IBS, and even though it is 99% under control right now, it's under control because I don't eat things like raw veggies, popcorn, and other gut-destroying foods like raisin bran and other whole wheat products. I can't eat fruits high in citric acid, which cuts out a lot of yummy options. I don't cook, and I'm bored with frozen foods.

So many people on this list are SO SUCCESSFUL and I have to admit - I'm jealous. If I asked how you did it, you'd probably respond "I ate the right things, exercised, and worked hard."

I think I need a kick in my plus-sized pants. My mom isn't losing any weight either, and I think she's doing the same things. Neither of us are working out at the moment (though I was losing weight when I was working out on the Wii...) and we eat the same foods.

I'm turning 30 in 2 weeks, and though I'm very happy with myself (ignoring the whole part where I lost my job and had to move in with my MOTHER at 28!) for the most part, I'm frustrated that I went through all the trouble to have surgery and I'm not working the band like I should.

Do I regret having the band? Heck no. I'd probably be 400 lbs by now if i hadn't. At the very least, it keeps my weight stable. Now I need to work on getting it DOWN.

I could use a motivational speech, a success story, a plan, an idea, or just someone to tell me to get off my butt and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

(((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))))))))

My weight started moving again at the first of the month and I've noticed I have a little bit of acme. At first I thought it was a change I made to my skin care ritual and the fact that I have gone to sleep once or twice without washing my face in the past couple days (but that does happen every once in awhile) and then a light bulb went off above my head, and I thought "toxins". Because I'm losing weight, my body is releasing toxins...my terminology might be wrong.

Anyway I guess what I mean to say is that now that I'm losing again, I need to pick something up for hair/skin/nails...an antioxident. My light bulb moment was the thought that this might also clear up the acme as well.

I work at a place where I can purchase a good one (called Protect+) but I also was currious if anyone else noticed increased acme. I'd also love to know if taking the antioxident for hair/skin/nails cleared up the acme or if I need to consider a change to my skin care system.

Happy Tuesday.

(((((((((((((((((Angie)))))))))))))))))))

Good points. I've noticed my taste buds are changing. I used to be a little frustrated that bread and pizza didn't work anymore but once I moved to Texas I got over that quick. Bread (sour dough) and pizza were my two favorite things, and in San Francisco, that is yummy food. Here in Dallas, omg bleck. I mean they "think" they know what good pizza is. Everything tastes like frozen. Don't even get me started on sour dough bread. What sour dough bread? They've never heard of it. Okay, I'm sure I'm exaggerating to some extent but you get the idea. And no Italian unless it's a chain. A hole in the wall Italian place here doesn't compare. But when I thought of a cowboy, I never pictured some mafioso on a horse, so it all makes sense. I'm sure there are exceptions and if I didn't have the band I'd be knocking on every door to find the place that is, but in the small sampling I've had, that is what I've found.

What they do serve out here is Tex Mex (love love love love love --- did I mention I love it?) and steak houses/bbq. Well, steak/bbq first, I can't do it, I can't chew the meat. I guess I don't have the patience so although that is my favorite food in the world, I've learned how to order around it. We went to a beautiful elegant restaurant about a week ago. The old Robbyn would have ordered Filet Mignon, instead I ordered a side of mashed potatoes. That's it, no appetizers and no bread at the table. I know I should have ordered protein but I wanted to have something I really liked and I didn't want to spend the night being stuck or jumping up from the table every four minutes to bp.

Tex Mex...another story. I love it but I can't do the tortillas. Give me crunchy and I'm fine so I can do chips. Weird. I've learned a chip or two with tortilla soup does well for me and I feel like I'm part of the group. Plus Tex Mex is the mushiest food around. At least the way I slop everything together.

Ahhhhh I love food.

Which helps me remember that when I lived in San Francisco I worked at the gateway to China Town...literally. I ate chicken fried rice/chow mein 2 or 3 times a week, and pizza because North Beach (which would be like New Yorks Little Italy) and China Town border each other. After having Chinese food of that quality I haven't found that I miss Chinese either now that I've moved. Of course rice doesn't agree with me.

Almost sounds like I could have solved my problems without the band by moving to Texas but that's not the case. The steak/tex mex/bbq/burgers would have kept me big big big and when I'm hungry, it wouldn't have mattered that the Chinese and Italian isn't the quality I'm used to...thank god for the band. I finally can understand "if it doesn't taste good, and it's not good quality AND IT WON'T feel good after I've eaten it...why eat it?"

Hugs to you. I've missed you.

Robyn - the hardest time I have is when I go out to eat. I have a portion control for meals I prepare and take to work or eat at home. When I go out, I am served a plater of food. That is the hardest. I have it ingrained in my head the old lesson I was taugh to clean my plate. Ugh. Plus the food always tastes so good cuz it is not always the best. Even when I order good, I know the food has more calories than it would if I where to eat it at home.

If my meal is well rounded, I am notice I feel more satisfied. If I eat only one item being protein heavy....I tend to feel deprived. So I make sure to have a few items. Mostly a protein and veggie.

As for my eyes being bigger than my stomach, I actually feel like I have adjusted well to my new reality. The times I have "issues" is with super good food. If it is my favorite and super tasty, I often don't feel mentally satifiied. I remind myself that I can have it again. That this is not the LAST time I will be able to have this item and that helps.

I really have come so far from where I began with this mental learning process. I will be so happy to see the day when I look at food as more of nutrition/fuel and less as a treat, celebration, comforter, or the like.

Progress baby, progress! I am so thankful for my band. With the added restriction that I have gained it changes and takes me to a new level. Change and adapt, that is what it has been for me.

I am so glad you are back on the board and life has settled a bit for you. It's your turn now.

(((((((((((((((Kelly)))))))))))))))

I'm so happy to hear that you are at your goal weight. I'm throwing confeti and blowing horns. Can you hear them from Texas? I'm so pleased for your success. Thank you for this post.

xo

I haven't been here in a long time. I was banded April 26th.2007 at 240 lbs. (I'm 5'2",lost 20 lbs.before surgery!). I'm happy to say that I'm at my goal weight of 138 lbs. I'm haven't had a fill since Oct. So I was thinking that with summer coming on maybe I should get my band tweaked. You know have it checked. My husband said to leave well enough alone! My qestion I quess is what is the longest you have gone before you seen your Dr. again? The last fill was at the Fill Center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Kelly C.

(((((((((((((((((Margaret)))))))))))))))

It's good to meet you! You are right, this is a great forum.

This place is so great!

((((((((((((((Sawdawg)))))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much for your post. I really appreciate it. It's good to be back.

xo

welcome back it's good to see you again I always wonder where you went you look really good glad things are going good for you

(((((((((((((((((Angie)))))))))))))))))

Thank you for your post. Do you find your eyes are still bigger than your stomach? Once, a few months ago, I decided that even though I had difficulty with breads and pizza and it was all in my head, so by god, I was going to order a pizza and eat as much as I wanted.

4 or 5 seconds later (maybe I was able to throw a half of a slice down my throat) I was like...ah yea...I have this band and even though my eyes think I can eat a whole pizza, and my head wants to eat a whole pizza, it won't let me.

lol

I'm getting better at that. Better about fixing entire meals at midnight only to take a bite or two. Slowly oh so slowly I'm getting better about preparing too much food.

The good news is that while I was at work today, I was learning some new material and I felt like I was trying to "digest" a bit of information so to speak. Suddenly I "HAD" to have chocolate. A must. (I'm not a sweet person, I'm a salty person)

I knew I really just wanted chocolate because I was studying something new but after 30 minutes I still wanted it. The difference is, since I was at work and not at home (and at work I have access to an entire room of food) I was able to go into the food room and pull a chocolate chip snack bar and because of the band, I honestly felt okay afterwards.

If I would have been at home...at least a few weeks ago, it would have been different. So different.

I'm so proud of you Angie. You are doing a great job. We're in this together. xo

Welcome back! Glad to see you post. We all have our journey with the band. Some kick ass and take names, others are moderate loosers, then you have me...who dilly dally's around. I love my band! It fits my life and does what I have not been able to do for myself. Great partnership. Glad the band can not fire me! Sometimes I think she does more of the work....I am a hard nut to crack!

So let me tell ya. I hit a good level of restriction after my 5th fill. I love it! I will say I still have days when my band opens up and says AAAAaaHHHHHHHHH. I am always suprised when that happens Robyn. Anyway, it seems like it is only a day an then, dumm dumm da dum. It snaps closed and says...remember me, I am restriction! LOL I have not gotten to the point where I don't take FULL advantage of the open band days.....but there is always hope....

I've changed A LOT in the time I have had the band. I am sooo greatful and thankful to have this aid in my tummy! When I set out on this goal to remove yet another 100 lbs...I knew it would take a while. I had said 3 years. Now, I of course hoped that I would be one that kicked butte but ya know, I am not in that league. Why....because I don't always follow the rules and haven't put exercise in the fore front of my life. Bottom line is - this is my personal journey. My lovely friends here can give me input and tips, but until I put those morsels of knowledge to work. I am on my pace to drop the 100 lbs in 3 years.

Why did I say 3 years, well my body is fairly young, but I have really put her through a tough load. Which I won't go into much.

I know how intense it can be for a body to filter out all the crap, so I set a reasonable pace for myself. I drink a crap load of water ever day to help flush my human toilet. I am doing my best to be good to my kidneys, liver, and gallbladder. At anyrate, the whole point of the above story is this...don't beat yourself up my sweet Robyn. Enjoy the ride and love it for all it's worth.

25 lbs is major, and thank you sweet band for that. Yes mamma! Not only that, I am with you when you say you would have been over 300 lbs by now, oh yes....Thank you again GOD for the bands! Woo hoo! We are in such a better place because of them. I am so glad that you had no complications with the Anesthesia!!!!

Good to have you back. Don't think of the could haves, think of the what is's!!!! I love you Robyn and am so glad you are back to hug us all again!

Missed you!

Angie

((((((((((((((((((Shelby)))))))))))))))))

Good for you to scale back on dairy. I purchased a copy of Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover a few years ago. Excellent book. It's one of the first books I'd ever read that spoke about how dairy affects the body.

You look fab. We will do it!

xo

So glad to see you back!!! I know for me this board really keeps me in check so I don't care how long it's been I need to come in here. I see it's that time of year - our excitement of the new years resolution is wearing off and there are a lot of us that are starting to slack. I think the weather turning nice will give me some extra motivation to get back in gear. Lent is helping me since I gave up dairy by at least 80% and that is keeping me on task for the most part, but not as good as I should be on my working out. But getting an extra hour after work before it gets dark will help too.

We can do it!!!!!

((((((((((((((((((Shelby)))))))))))))))))))

I am so proud of you! How did you start running? Was it always something you enjoyed or did you start to train after becoming one of us banditos?

xo

It's been a long time coming but I finally have another NSV!! This weekend I ran in the St. Patrick's Day run in Saint Louis. It was a 5 mile run and I did it w/o stopping and actually bettered my time from the 4 mile run I did in Sept. Legs are a little sore today, but otherwise feel great!

As we ran we talked about all i've been through and laughed that a year or two ago this wouldn't have even been a thought for me. I used to joke the only way i'd run is if someone was chasing me with a knife! We are also going to look into seeing if there are any runs this summer up north like in Milwaukee or Minneapolis where it won't be so hot. Hoping to find a 10k.

This weather getting nicer is helping me get more motivated to work out and hopefully it will do the same for you all. I am so close to 70lbs lost I can taste it which will also put me in the 130's so i'm aiming for that in the next couple weeks.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

((((((((((((Bogiesmom)))))))))))))))

Hugs to you. I can so relate to your post. (I love ww too btw, I've been trying to find a calorie/point tracker that compares to theirs...nothing comes close). I wish I would have stayed on the boards and not taken a nine month break. (Well I think I came back and posted 3 or 4 times...but basically I took a 9 month break.) If I wouldn't have taken a break, I would have known that I wasn't alone.

xo

I had to go away for awhile from the forum in order to get my head together and get my moment of clarity. I was going to stay away for about a week but there are a couple of epiphanies that happened today that prompted me to return.

The first one is that I am being really selfish. By staying off the board I am denying help to the people who read my posts but choose to remain silent. These can be non-members, potential members, lurkers, or just people who are shy. The thought of going away instead of potentially helping someone breaks my heart.

Second, I woke up this morning questioning my food choices and the thought occurred to me that maybe I am choosing slider foods thus no restriction. I spoke to 2 people about my theory. One person is a member on this forum that I called this morning and another person is a banded person from another board I belong to and they both said the same thing: There is NOTHING I can do that I am not doing already until I get good restriction. They both said go on in for that 4th fill and don’t look back and don’t second guess.

Lastly, many of you might suspect, if you don’t already know that I have been off my rocker emotionally for the last several days because the band is not working, blah, blah, blah (and it’s not, but there is NOTHING I can do about that so I am letting it go)…So I decided to go back on a certain anti-depressant as of Friday. I am only mentioning this because it is the BEST medication ever invented. Okay, no seriously, I mention this for the following reasons:

It was prescribed to me as a smoking aid, which incidentally does not seem to be working, but the beauty of it is that unlike other anti-depressants it does not make me drowsy or give me that drugged up feeling & works immediately so I do not have to wait 2 – 4 weeks to feel different. I feel better on it emotionally and it has benefits: 1. Major appetite suppressant. I kind of forget to eat when taking it or put off eating for long periods of time due to being busy doing other things. That brings up the second benefit, it give me enough energy to keep me moving and motivated but not too much energy like a crash and burn. The third benefit is that it gives me a slight dry mouth so I drink plenty of water throughout the day.

So to sum up it is an anti-depressant that does not make you feel drugged up (I believe this is due to it being a time released tablet), has the side effect of making you loose weight instead of gaining it, may help to stop smoking (jury is still out on this one), and you do not have to wait a month for the darn thing to kick in and you will be motivated to do your Spring cleaning in the middle of winter.

Sorry everyone...I posted this to the wrong link: http://www.occforum....showtopic=12012

I wanted to post my food log:

Breakfast

3/4 yoplait blue label yogurt

Coffee with sugar free creamer, lots of coffee...

Lunch

3/4 Jenny Craig Chicken Fettuccini

1 Jenny Craig Chocolate Walnut Brownie (yumm)

1 green salad with baby carrots and Jenny Craig baslamic dressing (I added extra salt and pepper to the dressing)

Dinner

Dinner with family

1/2 serving Jenny O Turkey Roll w/out extra gravy

1 cup veggies including green beans and red potatoes (recipe to follow)

Wine (I decline to disclose how much)

Snack(s)

1 string cheese (while cooking)

Ritz combo pretzel/crackers munchers I think they are called with 1 wedge low fat laughing cow cheese

1 banana

*I know...it's time for a fill, but I'm stalling.

Green Beans and Red Potatoes - Serves a family of 4 (with growning teens)

5 Slices of bacon

2 Cans of green beans

5 large red potatoes

2 Chicken broth cubes

Salt

Pepper

1 cup water

Optional* 1 tbsp margarine (butter is better, but tonight I used margarine)

Prepare 5 slices of bacon in dutch oven. After 10 minutes on high, add 2 cans of green beans (drained) with margarine and reduce heat. Slice and 4 large red potatoes into bite size slices and add to pot with 2 chicken broth cubes and 1 cup of water. Allow to boil until potatoes are tender. Add extra water if necessary. Salt and pepper to taste.

I wanted to post my food log:

Breakfast

3/4 yoplait blue label yogurt

Coffee with sugar free creamer, lots of coffee...

Lunch

3/4 Jenny Craig Chicken Fettuccini

1 Jenny Craig Chocolate Walnut Brownie (yumm)

1 green salad with baby carrots and Jenny Craig baslamic dressing (I added extra salt and pepper to the dressing)

Dinner

Dinner with family

1/2 serving Jenny O Turkey Roll w/out extra gravy

1 cup veggies including green beans and red potatoes (recipe to follow)

Wine (I decline to disclose how much)

Snack(s)

1 string cheese (while cooking)

Ritz combo pretzel/crackers munchers I think they are called with 1 wedge low fat laughing cow cheese

1 banana

*I know...it's time for a fill, but I'm stalling.

Green Beans and Red Potatoes - Serves a family of 4 (with growning teens)

5 Slices of bacon

2 Cans of green beans

5 large red potatoes

2 Chicken broth cubes

Salt

Pepper

1 cup water

Optional* 1 tbsp margarine (butter is better, but tonight I used margarine)

Prepare 5 slices of bacon in dutch oven. After 10 minutes on high, add 2 cans of green beans (drained) with margarine and reduce heat. Slice and 4 large red potatoes into bite size slices and add to pot with 2 chicken broth cubes and 1 cup of water. Allow to boil until potatoes are tender. Add extra water if necessary. Salt and pepper to taste.

DITTO!!!

((((((((((((((((Hugs Pammie))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much.

I am proud of your success.

(((((((((((((((Sabrina))))))))))))))

You look wonderful! I'm so proud of you. xo

It's good to be back. I missed y'all and I assure you've all brought me so much strength. Even when I felt as if I was eating garbage just because it felt more comfortable to be heavy.

xo

Welcome back!!! We missed you.

Sabrina:)

(((((((((((((((Painter))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I agree with you. I waited a long time for my first fill because I was moving from San Francisco to Dallas. I waited close to 3 months for my first fill so I gained a little not from my surgery weight but from my lowest weight...and then I started to gain weight after my 2nd fill because I didn't schedule my next fill apt.

Hugs to you and thank you so much for sharing your story.

It has been a year and a half since my surgery and I wanted to share my story. You know the old saying if you can’t be a shining example then be a terrible warning, lol. When I went to OCC I had a wonderful experience but I ran into some trouble that I think would be relatively uncommon yet I wanted to share in case any of you end up in the same situation. My first mistake was to wait too long for a first fill. I had it done about 9 weeks after my surgery and since the doctor was local and new at the procedure I received a somewhat conservative fill of 1.0. My next fill about 8 weeks later was .6. After that I went to TJ to the OCC and got sick immediately upon arrival. I mean I was SICK! I believe I had food poisoning from the airport in Colorado. I was on my back for 2 days and couldn’t keep anything in my system until the end of the second day. The fill doctor at OCC was very kind prescribing drugs to settle my system and he thought he could do a fill for me on day 3 since I was flying back the next morning. He gave me 1.5 which put me at 3.1 in a 4cc band. That day I felt pretty good but I was totally unaware that I was majorly dehydrated from being sick. I got on the plane and flew home to Canada and by the time I arrived back home I was in major trouble. I couldn’t keep water down. Needless to say OCC was too far away to help me so I contacted my local fill doctor. He was out of town for 3 days. I barely managed to keep myself hydrated until I could get an unfill. I had lost 15 pounds in 5 days. He removed 1.0 and after that for about 8 months I choked on everything I ate but was determined to leave the fill as it was. That was an unfortunate choice. When I learned that I could be harming my band I went and had .2 removed. I was very concerned that .2 wouldn’t make a difference (I was now at approximately 1.9) but it did. Now after a year and a half I have not lost weight because of my own poor choices. In the time I was overfilled I got in the habit of eating all the wrong foods. This week I started on Weight Watchers with my fill of 1.9 and hallelujah I feel full on a small amount of HEALTHY food. Please don’t be in a rush to get big fills and don’t wait too long if you are overfilled. Please do eat healthy no matter what and if you are choking on veggies and protein don’t eat unhealthy high fat food and leave the fill where it is. Get some removed and take your time. I lost a year and a half. If I had gotten an unfill earlier I would be farther ahead. Please remember your body changes constantly and the doctors at the OCC and fill centers do the best they can but it is up to you to stand up and say “something’s wrong”. I am still not sorry I had the band put in. I have not gained weight so I am ahead by what I know I would have gained and I still have a great tool which now should work for me. So let me be a terrible example for now but I plan to be a shining example down the road.

(((((((((((((((((((((Mindy)))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you thank you thank you for posting this. Congrats to you. You look amazing. I can only imagine what it feels like to be 155. I am so proud of you and your success.

I haven't posted on the board in months but I do read and lurk I wanted to let everyone know I am a few days away from my 2 year bandaversary!

Jan 2009 I weighed 290#, when I was banded at the OCC in March 2008 I was 286 (I think, I have to look at my signature) Today I weigh 155#

I am thankful, almost, everyday for my band. I wear between a size 8-10 and a M-L. I am having plastic surgery at the end of April. I am gettting

a boob job and arm fat cut off. Woo hooo! Next will be thigh lift and that under the boobs roll of fat, I figure when I get my droppy now size B's

back to the full D they used to be that middle roll of fat/skin won't be as noticiable.

I started out losing weight very slowly so don't give up hope if you are a slow loser. One day the weight literally started falling off.

I started running in Nov/Dec last year and after a consistant month of running I lost another 15# is a month. It just fell off. I eat full fat

high calorie stuff but just very small portions. I don't go for diet food, low fat, non fat, low calorie etc... I try to eat foods that are

minimally processed. I rarely to never eat bread, pasta, pizza or anything along those lines. I rarely eat red meat only because I find it just

doesn't settle well with me. I have been completely unfilled since Oct/Nov 2009 and I still have restriction. In the next month I plan to go under

fluro to have the band checked out, I feel sometimes like maybe something is wrong becuase I have so much restriction and am totally unfilled.

There are times I cried because I felt like the band limited me from having food fun with friends and family but once I wrapped my head around the

fact that fun does not always have to involve food my life became much easier. I started therapy over a year ago and, in my opinion, have learned

a lot about what made me obese and why I was such a food addict. I still see my therapsist but now we talk about how a former fat all her life

woman deals with attention from male and females.

It's a journey my friends and I encourage everyone of you to go at your own pace and do what feels good for you. It is not a race. It doesn't matter

how quickly you lose the weight just that you continue to move forward. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I have a ton of before

pics if anyone is interested. (sorry about all the spelling errors)

Mindy

((((((((((((((((Kristi))))))))))))))))))

I'm so pleased to hear your mom is going to get banded. I can see the both of you enjoying your lives...shopping for clothes, taking mini vacations. I'm so proud of your success. You look amazing.

Love to both of you.

xo

Good Morning,

I just wanted to share my joy. My mom is getting banded. Yippee...

She has been struggling with weight for years and wanted to get banded about 3 years ago and then someone talked her into Gastric Bypass and her Rheumatoid Arthritis doctor denied it and after the last 6+ months, she got her full approval through her insurance and her date is April 8th.

I am so very excited. I am really praying that with weight-loss her RA won't be as extreme on her. I hate to see her that way because she is really such a vibrant person. I know it will not take away the pain, but I so would love it if it wasn't as bad as it is now.

Well, I just wanted to share that.

Hugs,

Kristi

(((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hang in there! I can relate. Let's just say I am a serial dieter.

Okie dokie. Fasten your safety belts for bruital honesty.

A little history on me first.

133 - 9/88 | Lowest weight since high school - size 7

165 - 4/91 | (After first baby) First Call to Jenny Craig (Husband wouldn't let me keep apt...BASTARD...lol) *I am divorced from him.

169 - 5/91 | First weigh in at Weight Watchers (I lost 7 lbs the first week but then dropped off the program after a week or two)

192 - 6/92 | Weight after my second child

217 - 6/93 | First weigh in a Jenny Craig

167 - 10/93 | Lowest weight on Jenny Craig (and lowest recorded weight since having children) *I then dropped Jenny Craig...I just lost my motivation...thought I could do it on my own...blah blah blah)

214 - Early 1995 | Joined weight watchers (1st restart I think)

175 - Summer 1995 | Dropped weight watchers...(blah blah blah, can do it on my own...you get the drill)

195 - Feb 1996 | Baby #3 on the way

215 - 11/96 | Weight after baby

240 - 1997 | Fen Fen Start (is that spelled correctly?)

219 - 1997 | Fen Fen Stop (taken off market)

230's - 2000 | Divorced, sometimes less, sometimes more...multiple ww starts, JC starts, medical ww starts, weight loss drug starts but always within 10 or 15 lbs of my 230's.

230's - 2001 | Went to work for JC

217 - 3/02 | Left JC Employment

225 - 4/02 | Joined ww (again)

200.2 - 8/02 | WW member but also had some JC one on one consults and ate some JC food

220's - 03 | WW member off and on, some JC appointments

220's - 2004 - 2006 | WW member off and on

280's - 01/09 | Most wonderful man in the world proposed.

294 - 3/07 | Highest weight ever! Joined WW and followed the program the way it was designed...(finally)

246 - 07/07 | Married my soul mate

212 - 02/08 | Lowest weight after WW restart

257 - 01/09 | Huh? Yea, I dropped WW, lost my motivation blah blah blah - First apt with a band doctor

237 - 03/09 | Almost died on operating table during surgery (yikes...)

248 - 5/09 | Changed doctors! Went to OCC.

224 - 6/09 | Lowest weight at home after surgery.

225 - 230 | Summer/Winter 09 (Two fills and WW restart)

234 - 3/10 | Weight on employers scale (yep...went back to work for JC)

222 - 3/10 | Lowest weight on home scale since surgery (huhah)

Okie dokie. Bruital honesty. Between the band, WW, and JC I'm down 72 lbs from my heaviest! Halfway to goal. Wheeeeeeeeeee. I think given my history, it's easy to see that my body seems to be comfortable in the 220's. That has been the number on the scale within a few lbs since I had my 3rd child. When I'm "on" a program, I'm in the low 200's, when I'm not "on" the program, I'm pushing the 250's.

With this in mind, I really have to give the band credit. I honestly think my body was getting ready to accept the 250's as the norm but because of the band I was able to erase a few years and bring my stable weight back into the 220's. Is it as much progress as I wanted when getting banded, but I know myself and if I can gain 11 lbs in 2 months between band operations (the first op, I didn't get the band - long story) imagine where I'd be today. 9 months x 5 lbs a month...that is 45 lbs up from 248. Taking me right back where I started at my heaviest. Thank god for the band!

So I guess I'm saying it's a learning process for all of us. We're going to take tools and strategies from everywhere to make this life change happen. I know we can do it! I know it I know it I know it. Sometimes we'll use WW, Lean Cuisine, JC...OA...and other strategies to enhance the success we'll get from the band which is honestly a tool to help keep us motivated and to help lapses not become relapses.

I believe in you!

((((((((((((((((Brown Eyed Girl)))))))))))))))))

Congrats to you for waiting 3 weeks to taste solid food! I'm so proud of you for reflecting back and hearing Dr. Ortiz's words. He did encourage us to test the band to see how little we could eat. I'm glad you reminded me of that. I had my surgery 9 months ago and I had forgotten he had said that (until just now when you reminded me.) It's never too late, so I'll start today. xo

Hugs to you. I can tell you are going to do fabulous with your band and you will have much success. If I remember correctly, I didn't experience a pb until after my first fill.

I can't wait to hear how things go for you!

I considered putting this under Diet and Nutrition but thought maybe this would be a better place for it. Anyway...

So, I just finished my first meal. I finely diced some lowfat sausage without the casing and scrambled it with an egg. I also had 1/2 a banana. It took a long time to eat and I wish I had timed it. So far, nothing seems stuck.

There is something that does stands out, though. I can't say I feel "full" but I'm not hungry either. I didn't even finish my food but I probably could eat more but not out of hunger, just cuz I could. At the same time I could have eaten far less. After I was done I remembered what Dr. O said about testing my band to see how little I can eat. I wish I had.

Now about not feeling full. I really thought about this and what I'm not feeling is "engorged". I have a sense of fullness up top but I don't have that full feeling all the way down past my belly button. I sense that I never will and I'm totally fine with that. I'm not hungry at all but that "full" sensation, that really just borders on discomfort, is not there.

One thing I don't think I can do any longer (and we aren't supposed to) is scarf down big bites. Face it, when some of us eat we like shoveling it in and overfilling our mouths then swallowing it down in a big clump. And we keep doing that until we're stuffed. Well, that aint happening. I'm not full but I'm not hungry. It's more like I don't care. And that's what I want.

The other day I was watching Emeril's cooking show and he had his panel behind him that he fed as he completed each dish. There was one very fat (yes, I said "fat")girl on the panel and I watched her and how she handled the situation. When he gave someone else their food first she couldn't keep her eyes off it and you could tell she was fighting asking him for a bite. The others on the panel just continued to watch Emeril cook and could care less. They gave it a glance as it was brought over but then moved on. They knew they'd get their plate. I was watching her so intently because I know I've done that myself. Looking at someone elses plate and thinking, "Oh, their chicken skin looks crispier than mine". I want to be like those other people that didn't care and that's how I'm feeling right now. I ate because I had to so I don't starve. I didn't eat because I had to eat something yummy and get bloated until I couldn't cram in another bite.

Now I just wish I had eaten less. I'll have a smaller lunch.

(((((((((((((((((((Carrie))))))))))))))))))))))) Big Hugs to You

I am so thankful for your thoughtfulness. I keep reflecting back on your "living my life post". I'm so happy I read it pre op. It's really helped me reflect on my successes since getting the band. I'm so pleased and proud to be a fellow bandito. I truly know it has kept me in check, even when mentally I felt as if I could have eaten a whole pizza. lol

I miss you! Thank you for always being kind and a cheerleader. It has really been such a help to me.

xo

Robbyn!

I agree you dont need to take so long of a break, we have missed our hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad to hear that you are doing well and getting on track! It sounds like your world has slowed down a little to allow you to now focus on Miss Robbyn! You so deserve this after everthing you have faced along with getting the band. I think you have done your self a great justice in being down 25 pounds, this is not a race and you have done what you have been able to do and that is all that matters. Everyone is so different and I dont think that a person success in having this band is messured by the number on the scale. The way a person changes their self, mind and body is huge in itself as well! You stay strong and keep that WONDERFUL attitude you have always had and keep on keeping on!!!!

Your friend!

Carrie

(((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))))))))

The forum has changed. Wow. It's cool, but the longer I'm away the harder it is to figure out what is going on. I guess I shouldn't take so many long breaks. lol

The good news is that FINALLY I am practicing some good band habits (far far far more than I ever did before), coupled with heathier eating so I am starting to see some progress and yes, a loss. Wheeeee. And of course the loss has me wanting to follow more good band habits and continue to eat healthier so it's a win win.

Now I just need to spend enough on the website to get comfortable again.

I guess the biggest change for me is that I went back to a job I had years ago. I am so happy to be back. I'll just keep the explanation simple and say I work for Nestle. I know that sounds like the opposite of where I'd want to work, but I work for a division with a Food * Body * Mind focus so it keeps me in tow. Exactly what I needed to get my act together.

Enough of that.

I am seeing a number on my scale lower than what I was after the surgery which is really a victory for me because I've lost just a modest amount since my surgery. The reason why is because of a personal choice. I've only had two fills. Now that I'm getting my act together, (and not eating as much garbage) I can see myself getting a third fill eventually.

I've been asking myself "why" I wasn't ready when I had my surgery, and I've accepted my answer and I'm glad I had the surgery because if I hadn't OMG...me not being "ready" would have had me easily at 325 lbs...rather than simply maintaining a 25 lb post surgery loss for 9 months.

At first I wanted to kick myself in the butt for not having the motivation to do more than the 25 lb loss post surgery, but when I look back on it, with everything I went though (including a move from San Francisco to Dallas), job changes, living in a hotel for 7 months, moving into a new home, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, New Years, Football Season, Bunko, being the President of the PTA at my daughter's school, being a mom to a 19, 18 and 13 year old (I could go on and on and on...trust me)...lol. I thought, hey last year when I first thought of this, I weighed 258, and today I weigh 222. That is a victory.

Again trust me, I know unconditionally if I wouldn't have had this life changing surgery...I'd be 325 right now (my highest weight is 294). I was fast on my way back. I have not a doubt in the world.

Thank god for the band. And now that I have the nutritional support, activity support and mental (tactics) support from the OCC, this forum and my employer I know I can do this.

72 lbs down...72 lbs to go (at least) but that's a good start.

Hello everyone! I'm taking my wife with me to TJ on 2/18 to get banded 2/19. Hope to return home 2/20. We are driving from LA and parking at the border.

((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Steve)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Congrats on your decision to become a bandito!

Well it's officially been one year today. I have lost 75lbs. I couldn't be happier and would do it again tomorrow. I have gone from a tight size 20 to a size 10 pants and med. top. My goal for this year is to tone up and be really healthy. I am currently at 163 lbs and would like to lose another 20-25. Good luck to everyone. I haven't posted here that much but I have been reading daily since before I had my surgery. Thanks for all the support and advice.

(((((((((((((((((((((((Suzpars))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Happy Band Anniversary! I'm so proud of you and of your success.

((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Sabrina))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I'm so proud of you. Your success has been amazing. You look just beautiful. I had my surgery in May but I should be tighter...I'm not mentally ready to tighten things up to where they should be...yet. I wish I could offer more, but I did want to let you know that I'm just so proud of you, and your success has been a motivator for me.

xo

Even 14 months in to this, I'm still trying to figure out how much I should be able to eat. If I eat the way lap-band surgeons recommend (hard protein, then veggies, then MAYBE a starch) I can only get in a couple bites and I am done.

If I eat softer foods (soup, shakes, beans etc) I can eat about a cup of food.

Here is the thing, when I have less fill and I CAN tolerate the hard proteins, I am also able to eat much larger portions...and I do. I'd say I have lost my weight 90% bandpower and 10% will-power. If I had more willpower, I would have done it without surgery. I only stop eating because if I don't, it hurts. Period.

Has anyone found a happy medium with eating?

Sabrina:)

ps-I made and threw away the following this week:

baked salmon, chicken legs, turkey meatballs, pork chop.

Can anybody (successfully losing) eat these things? I just want to eat with my family again. Sigh.