AngieB

Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment and share with you the lunch I had today. This will give you an idea of how much food I can eat in a meal. I was full and satisfied. *Edit* The first picture is the before shot. The second picture shows how much I had at my lunch. I have 2 cc's in my band. (which holds 4 cc's) Before I began eating lunch. After I finished with my lunch. Here is what we were served today for lunch. "Thanksgiving Meal" My weakness is pumpkin pie...... Before I was banded, I could have eaten most of the serving here. Oh - I did not eat any of the crust.

I am moving through a place that I don't want to be in. Need a fill and have an apt. to get one. By the time I get off work I am STARVING! So, first thing I do when I walk in the door is grab something. (Being overly hungry still get a weird sorta panic started in me.) Any how, I then don't eat well for dinner and that starts this over eating blah blah.... So, I am going to plan an afternoon snack until I can get a fill. I can't just go all rogue on food. It's now how I want to eat or feel so I am moving on! LOL Although my weight is 240..... Looking forward to a fill.....kinda nervous, but think it is time.

Margaret! Great post! Keep em coming. It makes me sad when I read or get a PM about people not wanting to post what is happening because they don't feel "safe" doing it. This board can be ruff on people sometimes. (I think any board can be though, we all have our own opinions!) That being said, oh my goodness yes! Girl you speak my language! I know what you mean when you say "I almost feel like overeating to balance it out. " I do that too, still.....and I am 6 months out. I find sometimes I justify my eating with thoughts like....."well I am eating WAY less than ever before, so it's okay if I eat this...." I will say that I have improved SO much and living with the band has taught me A LOT about myself, my emotions, my denial, ect. I knew I had "issues" with food, but the band has a way of making them stand out - GLARINGLY! Therapy is good, and I get therapy in many ways. One is talking on here with all of you, I blog here to. It helps me get out what I want to.) I have a lot to say at times and it seems to be a good place for me to spout! I think the band in many ways is a therapy in and of its self. Okay...enough said about that.... When I lost 100 lbs 5 ish years ago, I was very suprised about how my men friends would embrase me differently. Almost sexually at times. Never before had they even hugged me. People wanted to set by me and OH so much more. That is when I realized how people treat fat chicks! (I am speaking for myself here.....I will always be a fat chick at heart. I understand fat and speak it fluently. LOL) Even before I had a weight problem I didn't treat or shun fat people. Many of my family are very large peeps. I think the largest is around 350's. Anyway, I know what you mean there too! We transform inside and out when we loose weight. For me, I am the same person on the inside. My personality is the same and I am me. It's a process of a life time when you loose a good chunck. I work on my self distructive tendencies all the time. So please don't feel like you are alone. Feel free to speak freely as you are among friends. Hugs! Angie

Get her up and moving. It will help the gas escape!

Good call by making a call to the OCC. On a side note, I have heard many times that people who are not hydrated feel nauseous. Is she keeping her fluids up? Also watch the sodium level as it can take away from being hydrated as well.

B - Coffee w/ff creamer Protein shot - Trying this out it wasn't to nasty....LOL L - Grilled chicken with Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce....so good you will hate it! D - 4 poppers with cream cheese stuffing 3 pc of shrimp cooked carrot slices cooked broccoli Admitting the ugly..... 1 cup of sugar free ice cream 2 (devil) cookies Night eating - bowl of cereal! That I ended up PBing over! I have not woke up to night eat for a while now.....the past 2 days I have.....I want to change this behavior! It doesn't make me feel good and I am working on a better me!

I would get in touch with Nicole. She had a similar struggle. Hers ended with band removal, but she may be able to give you some tips or advice.

That is very cool! Talk about feeling like a million bucks! Good luck tomorrow in you search for pjs Andrea!

Odette! You did it! It's so nice to be on the other side of the 21 day liquid diet! Woo hoo! Count down to fill time baby!

Sabrina - Sounds like your productive burp/stuck episode has caused some swelling. Baby that band until your feel better!

I couldn't agree with you more on your thinking. As part of my life lesson, it took a near fatal experience for me to realize I am responsible for my health care. Before I was banded, I read literature, joined this forum, watched many videos about people's real life experiences with the band, as well as other WLS videos. I reached out and spoke to bandsters over the phone and in person as much as I could. I really want to get a feel of what I was committing too. Even doing all of the foot work, there is nothing like being in the drivers seat. What I mean is even hearing all the details, it didn't hold a candle to living it. Like take a PB for instance. Until it happens with you, it's just a PB. After I productive burped for the first time, I was like Oh...so that is a PB. Each of us should be assertive and accountable for our own bodies. Asking questions and feeling comfortable/sure of what we are doing is the best we can shoot for. I personally did not qustion which band I was getting. I left that to Dr. Otriz and Martinez to decide. At the time, the realize band was not out and I am sure if it had been I would have been fitted with a one size fits all. Seems to be the choice of Dr. Ortiz and most US surgeons. Also, because the band size is a larger capacity does not mean you will have more fills. Each of us are will be different. Take me for instance. I have had 4 fills. Each done under floro. I am filled to 2 cc's. On the average, most people get larger fills on there first fill. My body and band would accept .7 cc's so that is what I was filled to. I don't control how much goes into the band, my body does. Getting the band we have the gift of it being adjustable. That is part of the beauty of it. Bogiesmom - I am sorry you don't feel satisfied with your experience. That really stinks. I hope you find some solice in speaking with Dr. Ortiz. I wish you good fortune with your fills and hope you loose the weight you desire to loose.

Welcome to the board. If I were you, I would start the pre op a day later and if need be drink a shake for 3 meals a day to jump start your weight loss. Take the fiber tablets for hunger. I believe Dr Miranda recommends taking them at 10-3. The first few days are the hardest. Your body will adjust! I was not great at my pre-op diet, but did manage to lose the 15 lbs asked of me. Stop drinking soda now. Pay attention to head hunger. Are you having the urge to eat for reasons other than hunger.... Congrats on your decision. Keep posting here. It has helped me so much and I have learned alot. People here are great and willing to support you.

Hey there! Here is a great recipe - I am not sure if you eat cheese or not, but it would be good without the cheese too. I had some this morning....this dip is the devil! LOL Tex-Mex Bean Salad with Creamy Salsa Dressing Serves 4 8 WW points 1/3 cup fat-free salsa medium or spicy 3 Tbsp reduced-fat sour cream (can sub greek yogurt too) 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (I add a titch more.) 3 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed (about two 15.5 oz cans) 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved. (I cut into 4's being a bandster.) 3/4 cup canned yellow corn or fresh cooked kernels 1/2 cup diced avacado (I sup fresh wholly guacomole dip) 1/2 cup sliced scallions 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or less to taste) 6 cups shredded romaine lettuce (use any kind you like) 2 oz pepper Jack cheese, cubed or shredded 24 baked low-fat tortilla chips In a large bowl, stir together salsa, sour cream or greek yogurt, vinegar until blended. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, avacado, scallions, and cilantro; toss to mix and coat. Place 1 1/2 cups of lettuce on each of 4 serving plates; top each with 1 1/2 cups of bean mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 2 tablespoons of cheese; arrange 6 chips around edge of each place. Yields 1 salad per serving. This is a WW recipe. The portions would be to large for the average bandster, so the points or cals would be reduced. It is yummo and a soft protein dish. EZ to eat! If you don't tolerate lettuce it is equally as good with out it as well.

Hey there! Here is a great recipe - I am not sure if you eat cheese or not, but it would be good without the cheese too. I had some this morning....this dip is the devil! LOL Tex-Mex Bean Salad with Creamy Salsa Dressing Serves 4 8 WW points 1/3 cup fat-free salsa medium or spicy 3 Tbsp reduced-fat sour cream (can sub greek yogurt too) 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (I add a titch more.) 3 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed (about two 15.5 oz cans) 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved. (I cut into 4's being a bandster.) 3/4 cup canned yellow corn or fresh cooked kernels 1/2 cup diced avacado (I sup fresh wholly guacomole dip) 1/2 cup sliced scallions 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or less to taste) 6 cups shredded romaine lettuce (use any kind you like) 2 oz pepper Jack cheese, cubed or shredded 24 baked low-fat tortilla chips In a large bowl, stir together salsa, sour cream or greek yogurt, vinegar until blended. Add beans, tomatoes, corn, avacado, scallions, and cilantro; toss to mix and coat. Place 1 1/2 cups of lettuce on each of 4 serving plates; top each with 1 1/2 cups of bean mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 2 tablespoons of cheese; arrange 6 chips around edge of each place. Yields 1 salad per serving. This is a WW recipe. The portions would be to large for the average bandster, so the points or cals would be reduced. It is yummo and a soft protein dish. EZ to eat! If you don't tolerate lettuce it is equally as good with out it as well.

Carrie you are so amazing. It has been really cool to watch you change and grow. I am glad we are all freinds on this board, it helps keep the success building. You look so skinny and hot! When I commented on your picture, I was hoping it was not a "bad" comment. What struck me was your smile. In the picture at the beginning, you were smiling and happy. But if you look at your lips, it was a labored smile. Not full and beautiful like the current. You can see the difference in your eyes and face. The confidence is gushing. I am glad you didn't want to kick me for leaving the comment! I am glad we are friends Carrie! You are so encouraging and positive! Hugs girly! Now we need to meet in real life! So we can shop! LOL

NVS! I went shopping this weekend. (Toddler free) I went to good ol’ Walmart. I was on a mission to find a new bra. One that would offer support and the all so important comfort! My current bra size was 44 DD. I walked out with a 42 D! I am so happy about that. I’ve had set backs with my food intake that I am aware of and I am working on. I want to feel good about the foods I am putting into my body. Changing my food habits is a work in progress. Adding junk food is not something I want to do; going back to focusing on proteins. The fruits and veggies I have increased into the diet have given me gas. I am hoping my system will adjust. The scale has gone back up reflecting my poor food choices, and I want to get that to turn back around. I am a work in progress. I feel great, and successful. The Angie make over is in progress. The excitement is there I can build on the good choices and feel better and better! I am working on getting back out of the 240 range. I have a check up this week on Friday. It will be good to check in and stay in touch. One thing I have heard, read, and listened to people say is stay connected. The people who stay connected loose more weight. Oh, and on a side note. If you have a pedometer or want to buy a pedometer, please feel free to join me on Walkertracker.com. My user name is AngieB. If you sign up, message me so we can be comrades. I’ve created a group; I believe I named it “Let’s Get Moving.” I would love to add you to the group. For me, wearing a pedometer has put my activity in the front of my mind, which helps me to get up and MOVE!! I’ve really enjoyed it so far. The computer set my goal to 6000 steps a day. I will evaluate my goal at the end of the month and adjust to challenge myself. I set at a desk most of the day so getting my steps in I have to be creative. I do get moving even at the office. I go to the printer for each print job instead of letting them pile up. I take the long way back to my office, do the stairs many more times a day than I would before. Those are simple ways I can improve my activity! Oh, I’ve also added a walk into my lunch time and I dance and get moving with my son every night. (He loves this!) I did my Thanksgiving shopping over the weekend. I have a few items to pick up, but for the most part the bulk of the shopping is taken care of! Looking forward to the holiday, as I have so much to be thankful for! I hope you are well, thanks for reading my blog! ((HUGS))

May I ask why you decided to get banded if you didn't like his answer? At that point you could have backed out semi-gracefully.....

Coffee Oatmeal Hungry! brussel sprouts Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce with a side of chicken. LOL Cookie - starving! Beef stir fry with rice I am feeling very hungry......

Okay I was 240 this morning......I really thought I kissed the 240's away so it was in heartbreaking to see her visit again. HOWEVER! It put me back in focus and I am on the track to success again! Made some tweaks in my food intake.....they are not working well. Hmmm gonna have to make more changes. I've been adding fruits/veggies and more fiber. Maybe I am full of $hit! LOL At anyrate, I will be staying with the fruits/veggie and fiber....gonna have to tweak my portions.... I have an upcoming fill apt.......it's looking better and better all the time!

Super Collagen + C Tablets™ 120 or 250 tablets Natural food source of collagens I & III Supports healthy hair, skin, nails, tendons & ligaments Helps maintain lean muscle for weight management Keep up in the loop on the hair loss topic.....my girlfriend went to the dermatologist for her hair loss. They told her she had Telogen and it would run it's course. I would be interested in hearing if they tell you something different about your case.

Have fun!

Hey there RevyD - I got my first fill right at 6 weeks, and I was ready too. Girl you are blessed and on fire! Love it!

b coffee and 1/4 of a pumpkin muffin L corn and chicken with sweet baby rays bbq d bowl of cereal piece of cheese cake 2 chocolates 1 cookie W 70

Sabrina - I took the springs out of my scale....it has helped a lot. Ha ha Don't cha wish it were that simple! Kristi and Ashley Way to GO!!!!! Woo hoo for you both!