Kittycat

I am sorry you feel you are struggling, but you are doing everything right..however you may need more protein in your diet. Have a protein shake and coffeee for breakfast. Salad with chicken, turkey or ham for lunch. 3 oz steak or porkchop with veggies and rice for dinner. You need to eat more and include as much protein as you can, that's will promote the weight loss. Like Jena said, gives us a sample of you daily intake and we can help you tweek it!! Good luck!!

Thanks again everyone, you are truly a great bunch!!!!

OMG!! That's too funny!!!

Great Pics, wow, everyone looks so wonderful!!

The third pic, blonde...looks like somethings hanging out his/her dress!!! Oops!! I am sure it's not what it looks like! LOL!!!

Correction my lovely "60" lbs in 5 months!!! And you will be able to do it...get the drive and you can do anything!!!

Hi there, I would not recommend you drive by yourself on the way back...everyone is different, some bounce back within a day or two, others not. If you can bring someone along, it might be better, just incase. I had jello, swished it in my mouth to liquify it. Good luck!!

Thanks Denise, me too!! And we are not done yet m'dear!!! We are just a beginning to heat up...soon we'll be on fire!!!!

Hi Willowcat, Will hear many different responses, but the fact remains that you need to research the surgeons and their credentials when it comes to performing the lapband surgery. My clinic performs both general surgery and lapband procedures, however my surgeon is a lapband specialist and only performs this surgery and does the the follow-up and fills for his patients. My clinic is an hour away and the aftercare I have received is immeasurable. Research the best surgeon for you...don't focus so much on location. An hour away is not that far.

Hi Willowcat, welcome!! WomanWithin does not ship to Canada, I have tried to order in the past. Junonia has some great stuff and I have ordered from there, but found their sizes off a little...I ordered 3x pants before I was banded and they fell off they were so huge. Silohouettes is great, I ordered recently from them and love their stuff. I also recently ordered from alight.com, which has great stuff too!!

Thank you, thank you!! You guys are the best and I could not have done it without your ongoing support!! You say I look like a different person...I feel like a different person...the person who's been hiding inside for years and finally I have found the tool to unlock her and bring her out!!! Love you all!!

Hi Everyone, it's been 5 month already since I had my surgery and one of the best decisions I have ever made!!!! Here are the before and during pics! 285 lbs http://s483.photobucket.com/albums/rr192/c...oreandafter.jpg 225 lbs http://s483.photobucket.com/albums/rr192/c...rrent=001-1.jpg Measurements-June 29/08 Arms 17" Thighs 32" Waist 47" Hips 60" Calfs 16" Measurements-November 10/08 Arms 16" Thighs 30" Waist 40" Hips 54" Calfs 15" Total inches lost "21" inches over all!!!! Thanks once again to all of you for your ongoing support...love ya lots!!!

Try, all you can do is try...if not, when you turn 18...go for it!!!!

That's great Mona, for both of you!!!

I have the same ones, great books and you can find amazing recipes right here on the forum under "recipes".

I love you too Denise and you are my rock as well!!! We are band-sisters and will forever be connected by June 10/08 our surgery date!!! Happy 5th Month Bandiversary!!!

Denise you are true inspiration..you look so fantastic, wow!!! What a huge diffrence and you look happy, which is wonderful!!! Keep it up girl and you'll have to buy another pretty dress to dance in!!

Dana's right, you don't want to fall back to old habits..especially when you don't have a fill to stop you from overeating. It's best to start on the program from day one of solids, protein, veggies, grains (rice/potato/bread) and fruit and have pizza, burgers etc. has treats, it's easier to adapt to the lifestyle change and avoid the high fat food choices. I have been successful using portion control, 3 oz protein, 1/4 cup of veggies and 1/4 of grains..and any snacks are under 100 calories. I have been lucky enough not to have to count calories. Enjoy your first solid meal!!!

That's an incredible NSV!! Nothing wrong with turning heads my dear!!! Good for you!!!

I had my second fill 4 weeks after my first fill too..keep on top of it, it's important to keep the weight loss momentum going!!! Good Luck!

Haley, it's understandable to be nervous about how this whole process works. You will read the good, the bad and the ugly on the forum. There are success stories, there are people who are struggling. It's all part of having the band. Getting the lapband surgery is step one...after you have recovered you need to book a fill and keep on top of getting fills to ensure that you have restriction and are full after eating just 3/4 cup of food per meal. I am a success story, I have premium aftercare and when I need a fill, I call the clinic and get in right away. I was banded in Ontario, Canada, one hour from home and paid for the surgery myself as well. The cost was twice that of the OCC and all aftercare for 5 years is included. You make your own success with the band, if you get the fills when you need them and follow the protein, veggies, grains, fruit (in that order) plan and exercise ...you will be successful. It's about committment to the lifestyle change, if you are ready to lose 8-10 lbs per month and follow the plan to a healthier, thinner lifestyle, you are ready for this!! It is one of the best decisions I have ever made and I know you can do this and feel the excitement too!! Best of Luck!!

Sometimes I feel that too..I think I am taking too big a bite...eat small and slow and see if it still happens..you may be slightly too tight...be careful you don't want to hurt yourself.

I am so happy you all got a chance to meet and talk and have some laughs. Cara raved about all of you and how great it was to be with all of you! I can't wait to see the pics!

So nice to hear from you Dolittle and glad you are on the mend. I saw the pics and wow, what a difference!! How long did you take off work to do this? I hope to be able to have it next summer or fall and some say 2 weeks is enough, I work in an office job, so sit all day, but I need to concentrate as well, so working in pain is not the ideal. Take care and I can't wait to see some pics of the finished product.

Hi Bebe, nice to hear from you..we've missed you!! Glad you have restriction..I went through the exact same thing after my last fill...a few bites of food is all I could manage..so I was back on shakes to get in the protein and vitamins. It will loosen up a bit..mine did...and now I can eat just the right amount. I lost 7 lbs in 10 days...which is alot, maybe too much too fast, but I'll take it!! You are doing great, as long as you can get in enough vitamins and nutrients and stay healthy, you'll be fine. And whine all you want my dear...that's why we are here!!! Take care bella!!