ValleyGirl

SMILEY, You can get at least two meals out of a childrens meal????? That's crazy! It's when I hear things like that I think I should be tighter. I can definitely eat a whole meal- although I don't really eat in restaurants anymore, I just use my kids plates and load them up with veggies and and some protein. Slowly, my portions are increasing and slowly, my weight loss is slowing down. I just went down to check my band under fluoro and culd have had a free fill included at teh time and din't and now I wish I did. Darn! Sabrina:)

Does anybody have an email other than what is posted on the website because that one doesn't work? Thanks. Sabrina:)

I don't have a sweet tooth, but I do have a"salt-tooth", lol! I LOVE chips, popcorn, anything salty and crunchy. I've been struggling big time with this and after a few days in a row of munching away, I now know I need to throw it all away. I just don't have the willpower to have it in the house. I don't know why I've been sabotaging myself lately. I keep playing these little games of "let's see how much I can get away with without gaining any weight" instead of getting back on track and getting that last 36 pounds off. I am SO close but my motivation is so low right now. I'm feeling SO complacent. Setting mini-goals (like our earlier one of getting below 200) seems to help me stay focused so I am going to join you and start a "no junk for one week" plan starting NOW! I am sure I can do this one week at a time....and hopefully it's true that after two weeks the cravings will subside. Sabrina:)

Can you hear the huge sigh of relief??? I think we were all worried about you because of the complications you had the first time so PHEW!!! So glad to hear it all went well. See if you can get an in-room massage at teh hotel. It seemed to help with my gas. Walk as much as you can too. Sabrina:)

In order to lose, I need to eat less than 1200 cals (About 900 per day seems to do the trick for me) but that is just me and I do not exercise. I also eat less protein, only about 60 grams per day. Again, I will up that when I get my butt back in gear! Sabrina:)

What an entertaining report. Can't wait to hear more tomorrow! Sabrina:)

Carrie, Being a snacker is what got me fat in the first place. I could and would graze all day before. Especially now that I'm home with my young kids from noon onwards most weekdays (and they are always "we're hungry, we're hungry, we're hungry") it is very hard for me not to want to eat just because it is there. I struggle with this every day. If I'm honest with myself, nine out of ten times I am not actually hungry when I want to eat. I RARELY get hungry. Now I'm trying to do what Lisa said and only eat when I am hungry. At the right fill level, we should not be hungry in between meals- providing we are eating the right meals. A good day for me is a protein shake for breakfast, protein and veggies for lunch, and protein and veggies for dinner. But, believe me, they are not all good days, lol! Sabrina:)

Somethine else I found helpful on the pre-op diet (mine was 2 shakes per day plus a Lean Cuisine) was exchanging the Lean-Cuisine for a healthy home-made meal instead. I found that WAY more satisfying. I emailed Dr. Miranda to find out how many cals, fat. protein should be in my one meal per day and I don't remember the numbers but you should do the same- especially since you are a good cook! I would have things like a huge salad with salmon or grilled chicken breast or peppers stuffed with ground turkey- much bigger portions than a Lean Cuisine and often lower cals and fat to boot! Hope that helps mix things up a little. Play around with Shake recipes too. You can mix flavors or add a small amount of fruit- I even put coffee in mine to make them like frapaccinos! Sabrina:)

I can't eat bread, pasta, white rice or beef but I eat everything else in moderation. Okay, that's a lie- popcorn is not in moderation. I can eat a lot of popcorn and sometimes do! Sabrina:)

In that case it sounds like you are too tight.....but it also sounds like you're on top of it Take care! Sabrina:)

And Louise, I wouldn't worry too much about being tight in the morning. I know you are new to restriction, but that is perfectly normal. Most of us have protein shakes or other soft stuff in the morning (yogurt, oatmeal, cream of wheat). At least for me, my days of pancakes or bacon and eggs have been over since the second fill. Going out for breakfast was my favorite meal and I miss the family doing that together on weekends, but I don't miss the 60 pounds I've lost!!! If you can eat okay the rest of the day, I wouldn't keep getting unfills. You will naturally loosen up as you lose weight and your stomach shrinks. Sabrina:)

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A SHOPOHOLIC WHEN.......I'm laughing because proximity to shopping is always the first thing that dictates where I stay too. I was also out shopping the day after my surgery. They tell you to "walk, walk, walk" right?! Have a safe trip home and stay in touch. I'm going to Waikiki Sept 28-Oct 5th if you'd like to have a coffee and "compare notes". Take care. Sabrina:)

It hasn't happened to me personally, but I've seen this topic come up over and over again so it is "normal" although I'm sure that doesn't make it feel any better, sorry. I'm sure someone will have some tips for you. The board is always quiet on the weekends so check in again Monday and you should find some good advice! Sabrina:)

Heartburn went away after a couple days. I've been feeling really good! I can eat almost anything in small quantities (the way I think it should be) and even though I'm not always making the best choices, I'm still losing. I'm so happy right now! Thanks for checking up on me. Sabrina:)

I only do protein drinks when I'm in a pinch. This happened the other day. I was trying to find "lunch" at a gas station, lol! I ended up buying Muscle Milk light for the first time (Vanilla) and it is DELICIOUS!!! Also, I don't know if it's just in Canada, but I had a smoothie at Booster Juice yesterday that had 30 grams of protein! It was the banana and pineapple one, can't remember the name. Cals were quite high (400?) but it was the only thing I had to eat for hours while running around getting ready for my daughters bday and it was a great treat!!! Sabrina:)

I know it's a GOOD problem to have, but I am BROKE having to buy a whole new wardrobe. It really adds up...new bras and panties (these couldn't wait until goal, my underwear were actually falling off, lol!), new pyjamas, new coats, casual clothes, work clothes, exercise clothes, bathing suit, etc etc etc. If you are on a tight-budget like I am, put money asside for this stuff before surgery. I didn't and now I'm having to blow my budget every few weeks. Husband is thrilled, haha! I know I should wait for a big shopping spree when I'm at goal, but I just can't stand ill-fitting cothes. If you need a pick-me-up, put on clothes that fit you properly- wearing the old baggy ones makes you look much bigger. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining....it's just something the newbies need to think about. Some would say money for a tummy-tuck should be accounted for too but I'm REALLY hoping I won't need one because A... it just looks way too painful and B... there's no way I could afford it right now. I made the decision to go from full time to part-time a few years ago so I could raise my kids myself but that means not a lot of "extras" now:( Sabrina:)

As of this morning, I have lost 60 pounds. I'm excited about that but even more excited now that I've discovered that I have gone from a BMI in the "morbidly obese" category (morbid as in my weight would have KILLED me) to the plain old "obese" category and I'm almost in the plain old "overweight" category!!! Not many people can say they are excited to be "overweight" but I can't wait!!! Sabrina:)

Carrie! I just saw your new photos....WOW!!!! What a big change. You were always beauitiful but now you're just a smaller version of that same beautiful person! Almost in onederland too, you must be excited! I took some of your suggestions and I'm losing again too. Thank you! Sabrina:)

HAppy Bandiversary! I'll never forget it because May 15 is also my daughters birthday! Hope you had a great day. Sabrina:)

Well, I finally went down to Northwest Fill Management in Marysville to check my band under flouro and it is PERFECT! There is no explanation for the constant tenderness I feel around my port (it sometimes even radiates to the right side) but whatever it is, it is NOT an enlarged pouch or a slipped band or a flipped port. Phew!!! They watched my barium go down and said it was travelling at just the right speed too so I decided not to get an unfill, which I was considering because I do get stuck now and then (especially when I have my period). 99% of the time it is because I have eaten too fast, so I will have to SLOW down if I want to keep at this fill level. It would be easier to unfill so I could be lazy with my eating, but I'm going to try to be very mindful going forward and if I'm still getting stuck and having to force it back up (I just can't take that golf ball in my chest pain) in a week or two, I will unfill a little. But not before I try to eat slower, and chew better. These are very hard habbits for me to break! Anyway, I am relieved. Sabrina:)

GREAT post Carrie....and where do you get the yummy protein shake you mentioned is your favorite?! Sabrina:)

We're here for you Tracey! And the OCC will take good care of you. Sabrina:)

Wow! That is tight. I've never been close to being that tight. I really hope it all works out for you. At least you've pretty much made it to goal. I was losing consistently for five months then it just stopped. I keep bouncing up and down the same few pounds for weeks and I'm afraid I'll never get those last 40 pounds off. I know I don't need another fill so I may have tp resort to visiting my mortal enemy again.....exercise!!!! Ugh! Best of luck wih the liquids. Sabrina:)

Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! Back to 202 today. I'M GOING TO SCREAM!!!! I AM SCREAMING!!!!