nothereanymore

Ummm, not sure if you noticed, but we do have the band so we don't actually eat that many calories..... I have more of a problem of getting enough in these days. What the band does is actually make you less hungry. Good luck!

Its bad, I still remember my first - I had more since then when I forget or move too fast. Mostly when I'm around people who don't know I have the band - I start acting and eating like they do. I just have to remember I'm special and to move slow and chew solid. Take care, sorry about that! I think just about everyone does it once! Great job on your weight loss, you rock! Lisa

Hey Everyone, I'll be in San Diego from the 28th to the 3rd - going to the Husky game and celebrating New Years. For those of you that live out there can you let me know of any fun New Years parties with a live band. I'm looking for something fun and party hardy - looking for great dance music! Look for me - I'll be running around! My boyfriend doesn't know everything just bits and pieces so keep things on the low down if you see me! Its funny - I've run into our bandsters all over the world! Take care and I hope everyone has the best Christmas ever! Love you all! Lisa

What a cutie! Wow, how amazing and wonderful! Congrats, she really is a beauty and so are you - those pounds will drop off before you know it! Go girls!

Congrats! You are getting the best early Christmas present ever!

I've tried GeniSoy protein shakes. I know many that like the flavor (I'm just not a big fan of Soy and I love the dutch chocolate). But if you need something that doesn't contain dairy/wheat it may fit the bill. http://www.drugstore.com/qxp42116/genisoy/soy_protein_shake_vanilla.htm?fromsrch=Soy+Protein+Shake+%2D+22%2E2+oz Here's the ingrediants: Soy Protein Isolate, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Natural Flavors, Canola Oil, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Chloride, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Ferrous Fumarate (Iron), Vitamin E Acetate, Niacin (as Niacinamide), Zinc Oxide, Copper Gluconate, D Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Palminate, Folic Acid (Folate) Vitamin B12, D Biotin, Selenomethionine, Potassium Iodide, Cyanocobalamin

I've got the dark scars as well. I use dermablend to hide them. Its a leg and body scar/stretch mark cover. It just takes just a little bit and last a long time - you can go to Macy's and match your skin tone. I use it to hide the vains on my legs as well. I just put a little bit on and I don't see my scars anymore. I don't hide my scars for others - I don't like to look at them. I do all these little things for me. Sometimes its these silly little things that get us down. We're never going to be perfect, but if there is a little something we can do to make us feel better we might as well try!

I make sure I’m getting protein everyday at least 60 grams for me, and I also take biotion: http://www.drugstore.com/search/search_results.asp?N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=All&srchtree=1&Ntt=BIOTION&Go.x=11&Go.y=17 You can get it at most grocery or health food stores. It takes some time so you have to have patience and be good about taking it. My favorite protein shake and I’ve been taking this for years and talking about it here is the Isopoure Dutch Chocolate http://www.drugstore.com/natures-best-low-carb-isopure-dutch-chocolate/qxp162468 Again, you can pick this up other places as well. One shake has 50 grams of protein so I drink this in the morning and don’t have to worry about being light on my protein. When I felt like I really needed help I used the hair growth shampoo, some love it - some hate it.http://www.drugstore.com/qxp165827/ds_laboratories/revita_high_performance_hair_growth_stimulating_shampoo.htm?fromsrch=Nexxus+hair+loss I felt like it energized my scalp and I liked it - but truth be told I think getting the protein and vitamins - along with more sleep is really what fixes hair loss. And remember stress adds to it so during the Holidays take some time to relax - due breathing exercise and if you can take a lignt yoga class and just focus on you and enjoy!

Wow, that's silly - you just invested thousands of dollars, emotions, work, your time and your jeopardizing your life/fat free future - for what - a stupid kids cheeseburger. When I was banded we had the chicken lady, she accidentally ate some chicken and slipped her band. You won’t often see me get tough or super mean - but this is as silly as I've seen for while. Wake up - give yourself a good ass kicking since we can't do it for you - get over the food craving crap and get on board with your band and work it before you ruin it. Call the clinic too please.

It still happens even after PS, I had a Breast lift, extended tummy tuck, and some other things. I found that if I use scrubs (sugar or salt scrubs) regularly that it really helps - I think it keeps the skin soft and/or the scrubbing keeps the blood moving. (OK I'm not 100% sure - just know that it helps). These are my favorite, from the delux (Its a line that I know well since we sell it) and they are very reasonably priced – the 3 pack comes with a bath salt that I love. http://www.drugstore.com/qxp227276/de_luxe/bain_spa_set_in_abaca_bag.htm?fromsrch=delux+sugar+scrub You can buy them in singles too for $12.00. Some of the scrubs from the spas are around $30 - I also know of some people who make their own and I'm sure you can look it up on the internet. And I use Bio Oil too! Take care - better to be itchy than to be a fatty I always say! (As an ex big girl I can say that)...... Lisa

Hey, its always hard with you first start - as long as you're past the liquid part - oatmeal is great. I eat it all the time. I try not to think of what I'm eating as a diet - but I took the path of using the band to help me to live healthier. I always think of protein, veggies, fruits, carbs. I don't eat anything low fat or diet - those are packed with chemicals and all the good stuff is stripped out. I measure my food and eat small amounts. I'll eat oatmeal with a little bit of blue agave syrup and milk. I add in blueberries or other fruits. Its one of the best carbs we can eat. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006031305408 I often buy the good smoked salmon at trader joes - eat that with a salad and some fruit - I buy the brown coutons at TJs for my carbs. Dinner - just think of it as your protein, cook it healthy and clean with veggies some fruit and I always eat my carbs last. I generally just have these natural crakers that have all these seeds on them - good for me and I can eat them. Good luck - I really went out and took classes and read about how to eat healthy - changed my whole diet. (And not diet like "I'm on a diet" but think of it as how and what you eat) Lisa

I haven't had one, but normally you can't get anything down - or barely - based on what I've heard - you really know when you have a slipped band. We all think we do from time to time - its normal to worry. Most of the time its just that we were a little to hard on our ol band and need to go on liquids for a while to get swelling down. Whenever I have any problems I just stick to the liquid diet, that always gets me back to normal. The band is a tool, if you abuse it you can break - simple as that. Take good care of it, follows the rules and it will take good care of you. Take care, Lisa

There's many of us still out here (over 4 years) and posting - I'm one (I've lost over 140 pounds) Pammie - and many other's who check in and post from time to time. (Or I get emails) I actually don't personally know one of us (pt of dr O) that has had their band removed. I love mine - its not going anywhere! I think we hear more of when people are having problems here on the board - the one's doing well get busy living their lives and the truth is you hear the same things over and over again - it doesn't bother me - but others do outgrow it. Which is cool for them, they are out enjoying their lives. Congrats on your success, that's awesome! Lisa

I just followed the same diet - but it was back in 2006, it may have changed - call and ask - they are always really helpful! Congrats - you'll do great! Lisa Edit - call them and check, opps didn't relize I was in GSP support.....

I can't do the fake sweetners - try going to trader joe's or a natural store and find a protein shake that contains real sugar. My doctor calls the swirl on the fake sugars the death swirl. Since I've changed my diet to only "real" food, no lowfat or fake stuff I feel so much better and its easier for me to maintain my weight.

I did, I bought a goal dress, many of us did. Some took pictures of it with them - and then with it on (before it fit) and the progress. I was a 22/24 when I started, my goal dress was a size 12, I'm now a size 2 or 4. I remember being so happy when it finally fit and in awe when I went right thro that size and kept going down. Good luck - this is something you can have fun with, make it a goal you know you can reach - and I recommend buying something cool on sale - by the time you fit it, and theres a great chance you might just move right out of it!

Hi Lady V, I go up and down with my weight - depending of whether or not I'm traveling and my exercise routine, coupled with my eating habits. I just gained 5 pounds but its budget time at work and I've been traveling a lot. I use to stress about it, I now just do what you do and add in extra exercise and cut down on some calories, while adding in more protein. Before you get a fill see if you can learn to manage it on your own with exercise. 10 pounds isn't that much but you're right you don't want to go up any more. Make sure you are eating healthy, one of the best things I've done is take some classes on healthing eating - it really helped my understand my body better. Also for all of us finding where we like our weight to be is hard, we do not look at ourselves like others do. You'll find the place at some point, you're still new in your new body! Don't stress too much about it, its just part of the journey! Lisa

Those are the best - and I always have the boxes of chicken broth on hand to steam it - makes them nice and juicy. Make sure you are cutting them up in thin little bites - it really helps - and eat it slow..... Best, Lisa

I had knee problems at first too, I hired a personal trainer to help me exercise and teach me how to work around my injuries. I barely have knee issues now - built muscle and weigh a lot less (145 pounds less) That makes a big differance. Make sure you're eating like you are suppose too - log your good intake and follow the rules if you aren't. Protein first, then veggies, fruits - carbs last. No drinking while eating and measure your food. I would take a quarter cup of each and put on a small plate - it really helps you to understand how much you are suppose to eat. Remember to chew eat bite 30 times - to liquid - it's gross at first but most forget to do this. It helps to keep things down. Chew slow - and eat slow - stop when you feel that golf ball feeling by your pouch. Just a few tips - but remember exercise is key and until we really get into it most of us are just coasting - it is hard work. Thats why a personal trainer can really make a big differance - you'll find out how far you actually can and should go. Good luck! Lisa

Add in some exercise - walking is a great one - that will really help you reach your goal! Good luck - you'll make. If the rest of us did - you can too!