Kristi

Hi RosieBottom, How have you been since your surgery? Make sure to rest, sip lots of water and walk as much as you can. I hope all is well. Hugs, Kristi

Very exciting. San Diego is a beautiful city. Enjoy your time relaxing.

I bought a pair of Gap button-fly jeans in a size 8, I found them at a thrift store and couldn't pass them up. I was in a size 18 when I was banded and them 18s were very very tight at that time. I was in the 8s by the end November and out of them by mid January. Now my jean size run between a 0-4 depending on the cut, but I average a 2. I was pretty good about buying clothes at Ross or Target that were on clearance or at thrift stores so I wouldn't spend too much $$$. I did keep a couple dresses and had them taken in, but a lot of the clothes ended up getting sold in a yard sale. I was also careful not to buy too much in a specific size through the process.

I like it. Very good stuff!!!

It took me forever to like soup again after the liquid phase. Infact, chicken broth still is unappetizing to this day. I don't care if I ever see it again. haha 11 pounds during liquid phase is great. Keep up the good work.

missymae79, I was also terrified that I wouldn't lose the weight. Infact, in the 1st month, I gained 4 pounds and I was supposed to lose 11. I was already eating less and had given up so much and I still gained. It can be very very frustrating. However, the day I realized I had gained, I basically started eating/drinking the protein shakes and sensible dinner of grilled chicken, fish and lean beef. When it comes down to it, I started eating like I was banded already. Apparently it worked and I dropped the 4 pounds and an additional 13 to boot. I don't think it has to do with how high or low our bmi is to start with, it is scary just at the thought of losing weight because we all want to so bad. When all other diets fail, we get scared and nervous about not being able to accomplish what some people don't have an issue with and because many of us have failed so many times in the past, plain and simply we get scared. You can do this. missymae79, you CAN! Keep your spirits up and realize that everyone here is your cheerleader! You have your own group of cheerleaders to cheer for you. This group of people on this forum, they are remarkable. Take care and keep us up to date on your progress. Kristi

Ohmigoodness, what great news to log onto! Shelby, Congrats, Congrats Congrats. You have worked so hard to accomplish your goals. How exciting to be going for your Certification to become a personal trainer. I agree with Lisa, you are going to make an exceptional personal trainer. I also look forward to seeing how your next race goes. Very good stuff! Hugs to you, Kristi

I agree with all, Great Article.

Deb, Congrats for setting a date. September 30th is right around the corner. Exciting! Definitely let them know your anesthesia issues. How is your husband doing since being banded? That's neat that the two of you will be completely going through this progress together.

Awesome News, Congrats!

I agree with everyone, don't feel selfish over taking care of yourself. I know it's easier said than done. Congrats on your surgery and Welcome to Bandland. Keep us posted on how your doing after your surgery and your progress.

Congrats on getting banded. I was sorry to read you were having issues and glad that you found relief.

Hi Danana, Welcome to Bandland. Congrats! You are on an amazing journey. Remember to drink/sip your water & walk to help with the gas pains. Take care and keep us up to date on your progress. Kristi

Everyone is different when it comes to restriction. I had restriction for the first 3 weeks and then it felt like it loosened up and after every fill I would have restriction for roughly 1-2 weeks and then it was up to me to keep my food intakes/portion sizes under control. Since my 6th fill I have stayed pretty restricted and the only reason I got the fill was because I haven't been able to work out due to an auto accident and was hoping to at least try to maintain my weight-loss.

DebbieB, I think the food journal is a wonderful idea. It will help keep track of what you are really eating and pretty much make you aware of the bigger picture of your food intake. I still don't eat breads, rice, pasta, any fried foods or drink sodas. I don't even miss them. Make sure you are drinking your 8+ glasses of water everyday. For me, exercise was very very important, because if I didn't work out, I didn't lose one ounce. I ate 3 meals a day and for me, that was enough, for some they need to eat 4-5 small meals to keep up their metabolism. My mom got banded in April and she eats 5 times a day and without exercise, she has still lost weight, heck she has lost about 70-75 pounds. It is weird that we are biologically very similar and yet we lose weight that differently. Anyways, committing to an exercise plan is hard, however, after a while it will be so second nature. If you belong to a gym, hire a trainer if you can, you can also just ask the trainers questions/recommendations on the types of exercises that would benefit you. I asked initially when I first started and then ended up hiring a trainer after I felt I was ready for more push. You can do this. Kristi RevyD, Debbie, Wow, oh Wow, your new picture is fabulous! Your legs look incredible in that mini.

ErinRed, Congrats on making it through the 21 days. I agree with Canuk, steak might be heavy for a first meal. However, make sure whatever you eat you actually cut the meat/food into tiny tiny nibbles and then eat chew it very well. Take Care and let us know what you ended up doing for your first meal.

Are you Exercising? Drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day? Eating 3 healthy meals a day? If you aren't getting enough calories per day, your body may be in starvation mode and holding onto every calorie it gets. Do you journal your food to really keep track of what kinds of foods you are eating? You could also be in a plateau, you could go back to the beginning and eat/drink your liquids for a couple of days and then mushies/soft foods. That might also help kick start weight-loss.

This whole journey is such a process. I still cannot eat unless I have my morning coffee, I seem to have the tightness in the AM and then the rest of the day usually is OK. Some days I am tighter than others. I also think it may have to do with stress too. If I am stressed out, I have to make sure to eat tiny bites very very well, or it gets stuck or I get too full too fast and then can't finish my meal. Can be very frustrating at times.

Hi Nancy Jean, Welcome to the wonderful world of the Banded. Congrats on your surgery. Make sure to drink/sip plenty of water and walk walk walk. It helps with any gas you might have from the surgery. Take Care and keep us informed on your progress. Kristi

Hi Carrie, I have missed you. I don't always post, but I do check on things now and then and add my 2-cents in, here and there. How have you been? How is the healing process going too? Great job on the workouts. 15 miles a week is awesome. I understand about being busy. I seem to always have a full plate most days too. Hugs, Kristi

Cream of wheat, instant is always good too. They have one in the stores that has a good amount of protein too. I also love greek yogurt, Thanks Angie for that one. She had talked about it and I investigated and found some really yummy ones with fruit. They have high protein and calcium. Good stuff!! Also help with getting your daily protein intake in, BONUS. Now I just need to try to make Tomato Pie, I am not a baker, so not sure if I can pull it off, but from what everyone I know that has made it from Debbie's recipe, they all love it. Kudos Debbie!!! I also love soft scrambled eggs, sometimes with cheese, sometimes without. Depends on the mood I am in.

Caliband, Don't be discouraged or too hard on yourself. Losing weight takes time and as they say, the weight doesn't come on overnight, so relax, follow the bandster way of eating, make sure to get in plenty of water and exercise. Exercise was key for my success, and I learned very early on that if I didn't exercise, I didn't lose. You can do this, think positive. Take Care, Kristi