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desertmom's Blog
 

Struggling

Owe have been back in this country for 4 days and 1.I am sick as a dog with a cold ( just finished with SA cold and flu,now Middle eastern cold and flu...lol) and 2.I am struggling my butt off with the food issues ,just like before.   It just seems that there is some issues that I sTill have to battle and overcome.And I will.Its funny how wanting to write about my failure right now made me decide to fight to overcome these issues.   1.At home,here in Dubai,I seem to be able to eat more.My sleeve felt very restricted in SA and here it feels like I can and want to eat more and more often.I must confess I drink 8 cups of tea per day as I struggle with water and I struggle with the protein.I think the diffwrence is that I didnt replacw the protein with anything else when I was in SA.I also didnt eat low carb or low fat for that matter.I had a glass of wine every second night and generally I was way more relaxed.   So,heres the plan.Salad and protein.Less milk.I also drank a cup of coffee every day that I miss now (Jacob's Kronen not allowed in UAE) I didnt eat breakfast but then for lunch I did eat a good protein and again for dinner.I ate lots of seafood and here is something everyone will freak out about,I ate more fats.No fatfree foods or milk.I was fuller faster and satisfied with very small portions.So,I will start writing down every thing again and see what is so different.   O I hate obsessing about this but I do as the scale was down another pound yesterday and up 3 pounds today....and I still weigh every single day.dont think I can not.   Ok,new day,different food. Xxo    
desertmom

desertmom

0
pcosmommyof4's Blog
 

Couponing To Make Ends Meet

Again, I am on the cost thing, how are we going to pay for it? I am extreme couponing for my large family. It is awesome how after a few months of it, you can really start saving money. This week I purchased ten boxes of pasta for 44 cents each, two containers of mouthwash for my kids 99 cents (normally $5). I of course will not eat the pasta, but my family can add the protein and veggies to it and eat up! My lean meats for the next two weeks cost me $30. It would be less but I had a coupon for bacon wrapped shrimp and couldn't resist it. I purchased $60 worth of groceries total for the next week and estimate I will need to pay about another $30 to finish off our groceries for the next weeks. I make my own "hamburger helper" to go with the pasta. These supplies I purchase by the bulk at Sam's.   Before my lap band, I was not couponing. only bought the store brand foods, sale items or Sam's club foods. Our monthly groceries was over $800, which was not to bad for a family of seven. However, way to much! It is wonderful event that my kids are sharing in the process as well.   You can read more here: http://tinkrisegrind.blogspot.com/2012/07/affordability.html
pcosmommyof4

pcosmommyof4

0
Smog's Blog
 

One Month Out Today

I am one month out today, and I am so pleased with my sleeve so far. I have really recovered well and so far I have lost 11.2 kgs or 24 lbs   I tried on some clothes yesterday so i could work out size-wise what i need to keep and chuck out and was SO pleasantly surprised that I will have to buy new clothes sooner than I thought.   I'm still swimming about 6 days a week and I'm really getting in lots of protein, some days I'm even over 100 grams.   I have a few issues with BM but have found a helpful laxative tea, I am still a little sore if I try and lift something I shouldn't and getting in water is a bit of a chore.   However, my recovery as been so smooth, I really have nothing to worry about. I really think my surgeon Dr Abdulsalman Al Taie did a fantastic job, my incisions have closed up so quickly and my soreness has been extremely minimal- he went in ,cut , stapled and got out with very little trauma to my insides. I am thankful I don't have nausea at all, or acid issues. I think I can safely say I LOVE MY SLEEVE!
Smoggy

Smoggy

9
J. Fabulous' Blog
 

A Day At The Park

I’ve been talking to my wife about becoming more active now that I’m losing weight. Yesterday, she told me to get a good night’s sleep because she had an activity planned for Sunday. She wanted to keep it a surprise and wouldn’t tell me what the activity was. We had been looking at the county parks catalog so I thought it might be related to us going to a park.   She told me that there would be some hiking involved so I should wear comfortable shoes. There was also some mention of a picnic. I asked her if this would be a good opportunity for me to bring my camera since I had really been itching to use it. I have not used it since January. She hesitated about the camera and then said I could bring it but there really wasn’t much to take a picture of.   I tried to figure out all weekend long where it is that she might be taking me. Every time I mentioned a park, she would say, “No, that’s not it and I’m not telling you.” I really love it when she takes the initiative to plan an activity because it takes the pressure off me and its just fun to be surprised sometimes.   True to her word, this was a local park I had never been to before. In fact, I didn’t even know it existed. We parked and went to the visitor’s center to get a map of the walking trails. We walked down one of the trails for a bit until we got hungry and then walked back to the car and retrieved the picnic basket. We had discussed taking kayaking lessons but I didn't realize it was at this park.   We found a shaded picnic table under a tree very close to the river. After eating turkey and cheese sandwiches, pickles, and watermelon, I walked around shooting some pictures. I realized that I had forgotten a lot of what I had learned because the pictures didn’t come out as nice as I would have hoped.       Walking the trail     The view from the picnic table       I have no idea who this woman is. It just seemed like a perfect chance to use my telephoto lens and capture the greens and reds.
Jack Fabulous

Jack Fabulous

1
Gijane2012's Blog
 

Vertical Sleeve Talk - Thanks Alex

Hey, Just want to say this site has been my godsend. I have never gravitated to something so effortlessly before. I could read and respond to posts all day. I feel like I can be emotionally naked here. It is give and take. I love VST. I am on FB but I don't post. I am on Twitter but I don't tweet. I encourage newbies to really utilize this site. I know when i had Lapband, I went to their forum but it never resonated with me. I am thankful for Alex for providing us a forum to share. I've had the opportunity to communicate with several people who are having surgery by with same surgeon. I mean, perhaps if I was at surgeon's office I could have had a general conversation with someone in the reception area but lets get real, people are not going to share like they do on this site.   Happy soon to be loser, Michelle
Gijane2012

Gijane2012

2
Lila S' Blog
 

Good News On The Ersb Front!

Found out today that there is no limit on how much superannuation you can use for medical purposes (sorry, applies to Aussies only this blog).   So relieved that I won't have to find the additional cash myself to pay for the surgery...am now just in the process of waiting for the government to sign off on my application (this takes about two weeks) and then they will pay it into my bank account.   It was awful waiting over the weekend to find out if there was a limit to how much you could claim! I am just so pleased that I am able to go ahead!   Bring on September 3 (surgery date)!
Lissa_S

Lissa_S

0
Taking Those First Steps
 

Dropping The X

I have never really loved shopping. When I was 243 lbs, it was just discouraging. None of the cute shirts came in an XXL.   I thought I would put on my brave face at hit the mall yesterday. I had nothing but time to kill, so I wandered through Old Navy. I haven't really shopped since I started my weight loss journey. I grabbed a few shirts that were XL (pretty confident they may fit, since I've lost a whole cup size!). Headed to the fitting room, cringing the whole way, and slipped the shirt on.   It was TOO BIG!   Tried on the next one (different style - love their "vintage" line) and it was WAY too big! I was actually smiling when I left the dressing room to grab a Large.   I was so excited when I came home, I told my husband that I no longer required the "X". He was naturally a little puzzled since he has no concept of sizes whatsoever (I don't think the man has bought any of his own clothing since we started dating!) but he was excited for my excitement. For the first time, I felt like a "normal" girl who could walk into a store and buy a shirt without panic or regret surging through me.   This journey has been amazing so far. I can't wait to go get my next fill and show my surgeon my progress. I set a goal of losing 10 lbs between fills. I'm 18 days from my next fill and already hit my goal! I hope he will give me the fill (last time he did half because I was losing fine on my own) but a little restriction would be nice. I'm at 4.5 cc right now in a 11 cc band and not feeling much restriction, it's all been will power. I do stay fuller, longer, but I don't get my "full" signal if that makes sense.   Well I wish everyone out there in Band Land all the success in the world.
jen_1381

jen_1381

0
jar312's Blog
 

I Had Surgery 2 Days Ago

I am two days post op. And just wondering if I made the right decision. My stomach is very sore, and have been feeling hungry today. To top it off, I keep burping. My husband has been wonderful! He has been helping me with out three kids. I think just right how, I feel like I will alwasy have an upset tummy. And all I have been doing is laying around the house. Has anyone else felt like this right out of surgery?
jar312

jar312

8
Lets keep trying
 

And Then I Just Stopped!

So today has been a day. My darling 2 y/o has been in an *amazing* mood That in inself has made me wanna resort to old ways. However, I've tried to make my food choices a bit better. It has been a great thing though, because in what I've ate, Ive reached a point where Ive said "hey, lets stop" and I did! I had pancakes this morning and had just one when my belly said "hey, lets stop". Then for dinner I had whats called "hamburger pie". I didnt even finish my serving before the belly spoke agian. It was great! No over eating, no getting stuck, no trying to throw up for 45 minutes. I dont wanna say "hey this was easy" but it wasnt. Ive overlooked this feeling before, so my first instince was to ignore it again. That would have been easy. Food has been my comfort, why would I want to give that away? But Ive been trying to turn over a new leaf, so I listened to myself, and let me tell you, it feels good.   I went to the store to try to "stock up" on my "food arsnel". I picked up on frozen fruit for my new protein shakes. Ive never really added things to them before, so I hope that it comes out okay. Im subbing almond milk for regular milk, in hopes of making a few better choices. Im gonna try at least 1, maybe 2, shakes and a good meal for a few days. Maybe that will help things. Can you tell Im still aprehensive about going to the Dr on Wednesday?
ape087

ape087

0
I'm in control now.
 

57 Bmi? Not Anymore. 40 Bmi :)

I'm not near goal. I'm well on my way though. About the halfway point. I have dropped 17 points from my BMI. I drop another 17 points and I'll be extremely happy I'm pretty happy now, don't get me wrong - I keep seeing progress. I know I need to get busier with exercise and I am actually - I do a ton more now. Workout regimen is coming together and will be put into action. My back is feeling so much better. Between the intolerable heat and my busy schedule, I wasn't able to really do too much as far as actual "workouts" but hiking in the mountains and running all over the place, shopping, cleaning, taking the dogs for walks, and playing outside has really increased my activity levels
circa

circa

3
Mimi's Journey 07/03/2012
 

Atkins - Post Op?

I've been reading the Atkin's Diet Revolution for a few days. Believe it or not, I've never actually read any of the Atkin's books and was very unfamiliar with the diet other than seeing the shakes in Wal-mart, which I've brought from time to time.   What sparked my interest was when I saw a food pyramid or something that took a snap shot of the FDA program and Atkin's and other low carb plans. The pyramid made sense to me and I've always been a meat eater so with all the emphasis us sleevers have on protein, the approach made sense (at least on paper).   I'm still reading, but I was wondering if anyone has adopted the low carb plan in their post-op life and does it work for sleevers? Does putting your body in ketosis or lypolysis, work for a sleever on regular foods in the long-term? Is the induction phase safe for sleevers.     (Now I definitely plan on having this conversation with my doctor and nutritionist, but I just wanted to hear others chime in on their personal experiences, if they have any).   Right now, it seems to make sense to me. I don't feel it's a feasible option, until I'm cleared for regulars.   Any input appreciated!
Mz_Elle

Mz_Elle

1
Mimi's Journey 07/03/2012
 

1St Post-Op "stall"

It seems like I'm meeting my milestones on schedule as usual. My Sunday weigh in just revealed that I've lost no weight this week. I'm still rocking the 313. As I've seen on the forum, it seems to happen 3-4 weeks post op....the infamous "STALL."   Nice to meet you! I'm staying on course and it didn't even phase me as a negative. It just happens. I'm still working the program and exercising....the dreaded exercise....Man' I'm going to somehow learn to like it.   I also had another milestone yesterday. For the 1st time since surgery, I felt the "restriction" that so many mention. I attempted to eat a small piece of BBQ sausage and got sick. I felt uncomfortable for about 10 minutes and finally hurled. I came home and told my husband that I finally found a food that my sleeve didn't agree with and I hurled. He looked at me and shook his head....He said you're the only person I know that would be happy to have something negative happen.....He just doesn't understand me.   I guess I'm complicated. LOL. Or just crazy as all out, but it was good to experience the boundary and feel the uncomfortableness and know what it feels like.   I hope things can get moving though soon. I had a personal goal to lose 30 lbs by my 6 week check-up.   I'm still finding the eating schedule to be a challenge with my work schedule. I hope once I'm on regular foods that should go away, since I will be able to eat beef jerky and quick protein meal bars by then. Currently I'm bringing my food with me daily. If I"m in a meeting with a client, I can't just get up and go to the lunch room, heat up my food and bring it to the meeting! AWKWARD.   Overall I think I've earned a B+ with staying on schedule and eating the right foods. So far I've given in to a corn chip and salsa craving and a chick-fil-a nugget serving (the small one).
Mz_Elle

Mz_Elle

0
Kekeboo's Blog
 

By George I Think I Finally Got It....

No not completely. I may not have the experience that some bandsters do, but I am quickly learning in my 13 short days. I am sooo very greatful I have found ways to enjoy my protien powder without getting bored. I am very happy I invested in a Magic Blender. It's been my lifesaver. I put all my Light Progresso soups in it with some chicken or beef broth...to make it soupier. I add vanilla and/or chocolate protien powder to a cup of ice and a cup of coffee in the morning to make an iced coffee. I bought Lipton diet tea with honey, individual packs, and add unflavored whey protien to it for my afternoon drink and I drink another one at night. So I am getting atleast 75g of protien per day. I am getting in the habit to brush my teeth after EVERY meal, that helps the hunger cravings. Then when my 30 minutes are up the toothpaste taste is gone and I can have my liquids. I am still having trouble getting all my liquids in, but I am trying since the hunger has increased over the past couple of days.   The worst time of day for me is suppertime. My family has always depended on me to cook a hot dinner. The first week and a half they did fend for themselves, but I had to help because alot of what they were cooking were my recipes. Now, my husband has stopped helping make dinner and my kids are tired of ramen noodles and frozen pizza's. Actually they are out of them and I refuse to buy those anymore. So, I am cooking chicken and rice for dinner tonight and I have the BBQ chicken in the oven for tomorrow night. The house smells soooo good, and so tempting. I miss eating with my family, but I know if a couple of weeks I will be eating with them and they will be eating healthier since I don't short oder cook.   Time to move on and take another walk on the treadmill.
Kekeboo

Kekeboo

1
Lauracat's Blog
 

The Number On The Scale

The other day I sent Kate my nurtioist a whiney email about gaining 2 lbs I then followed up that email with a vist to her and she said you look great then sent me this.       The number on the scale will not tell you   * what a great person you are   * how much your freinds and faimily love you   * That you are Kind, smart, Funny & Amazing in ways numbers cannot define   * that you have the power to choose happness   * Your own self worth     So just relex take a breath it just a number your doing great
Lauracat

Lauracat

3
Banded March 26, 2009
 

Banded For Three Years Now!

Hi There, It has been forever since I was here on Lapbandtalk. I see that a lot of my old friends also have not been around for over a year or more.   I just wanted to say that I know that a lot of banders loose weight really really fast and keep it off. Then there are some who really struggle to loose weight and feel the band was not worth all of the fuss. Well I am here to say that I am someone who is in the middle of all of it. I have done well over the last three years. I weigh 70 pounds less but I still am fat! I have not had a hard time keeping off the weight. My band still works great! I have been on an exercise program twice weekly but I am finding now that I want to jump start my weight loss again I am going to have to do cardio at least three times a week. I need to get back to no Carbs basics and increase the protein back to the original 60 - 80 per day. My trainer has asked me to start my program up with a little weight loss push of Green Apple, Pineapple and Watermelon snacks for a while. I will also start my walking up again. I am sure this will work.   Good luck to all of you out there who are stuck. We can do this and we will!
thetig

thetig

2
Nyt Fyre's Journey
 

Something To Consider About Us Bandsters...

I have been thinking about how I got to where I am now. How I got to be so unhealthy. I love food and food is a big part of socializing in American society. I was talking to a college friend of mine and they are big too. We came up with the following explanation. It doesn't fit EVERY situation but I think it is possible to sum it up for most bandsters.   We are "Food Aholics" (FAs).We love food and like to socialize with others. The main difference between FAs and alcoholics and drug addicts is that you have to eat in order to live. We can't just abstain from alcohol or illicit substances. It's not possible for us to step away from our "drug" and continue to live life.   We have made the conscious choice to make changes in ourselves and our lives by getting banded. We want to live our lives and be happier than we were. I think that some of us are "wired" for tastes of food. I love the taste of some foods. I love it so much that it goes to excess. That's how I got to where I am, I know it.   I read a lot in the forums and my heart goes out to those that are chastised for getting the band or making choices that they are being judged for. I would advise that you focus on you and to hell with the nay-sayers. At the risk of sounding uneducated, "Haters gotta/gonna hate." There are some people that want you to stay bigger so they can feel better about themselves. You don't need those types of idiots in your life. If someone asks you how you are doing, and you told them about getting banded then educate them on how it works.   The best remedy for ignorance is education.   Good Luck!
Nyt

Nyt

0
Hardly Hannah
 

Two Days, Twenty-Two Hours, Forty-Eight Minutes

These are my last couple of days being pre-op. I am having a hateful day. Maybe the jitters are finally catching up with me. Maybe I am just hungry. I made sure I did everything I could to make sure this day came as soon as possible, and now that it is just around the corner I am having a hard time articulating my feelings. So, even though this is my first blog and I should be attempting to make a good impression, I think I am going to just dump it all here. I am afraid that I failed my liquid diet. I am big enough of a person (pun not intended) to own up to the fact that I have made a couple mistakes there. Mostly in the first week and I have held strong I am afraid that after my surgery relationships will be weakened. My boyfriend of four years has wanted me to lose weight essentially the whole time. I am worried that all our little problems will be amplified. I am afraid, although I hate to admit it, of what people will think. Of what all the people I haven't told will think. Of what the people I have told are thinking. Easy way out. Weak will. No self control. All bad attributes to a 22 year old. I am afraid that after surgery my confidence wont come That I will always feel like the fat girl. That I will always brush off compliments that are given to me. That I will always be uncomfortable around new people. That I will always be instantly put in the friend zone.   I think its just a bad, hungry day.
hannah

hannah

1
elicia's Blog
 

Loosing My Hair And Needing Some Input :(

this is my first ever blog lol not sure how it will come out but hear goes everything .so I'm extreamly frustrated im 3 1/2 months out from my vertical sleeve surgery and my hair is falling out. im not talking a few strands hear and there im talking clumps when i wash it then when i brush it the next batch of clumps start and my tears are endless. its been almost 2 wks of it and i can feel the difference in the thickness of my hair, I'm seeing thinning spots and i feel like total crap about it! when i signed up to get the surgery done that was one of my worst fears, losing my hair. the doctors had told my that with the sleeve it very rear, less of a chance then with the gastric so i was very happy about that. now 3 1/2 months later and I'm worried sick about it! I've bumped my protein up to about 80 grams from my shakes and i do eat a little through out the day. i was taking my vitamins once a day now starting today twice a day, taking the vitamin b12 sub-lingual and the biotin. the nurse keeps assuring me that I WILL NOT GO BALD but in all reality how can all this hair fall out and i not? it so scary my hair is my everything, I've always had long beautiful hair lol so I've been told. on Friday I'm going to go get it cut i figure less weight pulling at it the less it will fall out? i wish i would have taken a picture to attach to this of what I'm talking about if I'm able to go back and do so after my next shower I'm going to. if there is anyone out there that can help me out i would greatly appreciate it!!
elicia

elicia

11
cadezma77's Blog
 

Has The Band Failed Me Or Have I Failed The Band?

Sometimes I wonder is it me?? Have I failed this band or is it failing me??Maybe its 50/50. I can admit that excercise has slowed for me, which tends to happen when you pack the lbs back on....it's hard to get back into that routine. I can admit to eating the wrong foods at times (slider foods), but in reality most fruits and veggies didnt work for me when I had decent restriction. Also at restriction I am usually not able to eat until about noon, so skipping breakfast left me overly hungry and I'm sure my body didn't appreciate going so long between meals. Sometimes I would try a protein shake in the am, but it too would take awhile to get it down, due to the restriciton in the morning. One issues after having the lapband is the constant thoughts of food. Not so much eating food, but the constant thinking about food situations. For example if we were going to be going out for dinner I would be thinking about what food I could eat. I usually look at an online menu before we go just so I can scope out something that usually would work. The constant worry about what is going to work and what is not going to work, possibility of vomitting, and the chance I might get stuck and not be able to get to the restroom in time. Any family get together, birthday party, celebration was always a struggle. Not only do you feel as if people are watching what you put on your plate, but I felt they were more inclined to watch me eat. I spose' it's curiosity to see just how much a WLS patient can eat, but it made me self conscious and stressed me out....which is yet another issue I've found with the band. I have noticed that when I am stressed out, things are much tighter and it is harder to eat. Being the mother of 4 boys, life is pretty stressfull so this too was a struggle. I found myself leaving the supper table to eat in private so that no one could bother me and I could just focus on eating/chewing. One of the biggest issues has been that a certain food may be a "safe" food one day, but the next it is a no go! It's very frustrating to have a WLS and then have your world revolve around food. I think about food much more than i ever did. Ironic isn't it??!!
cadezma77

cadezma77

2
lrainb's Blog
 

The Road Less Traveled... Or How Did I Get Here?

Well me and Oprah have been doing this yo-yo dance for the past 30+ years. At its worst I have been about 90lbs overweight but usually its 75-80. Anyway it is time to stop the madness. I just cannot keep struggling with this and everything lugging 80 lbs I dont need around means. Probably don't need to go into what it means here with anyone reading this, but that is like two forty lb bags of kitty litter!:-). So here I am. Surgery is scheduled for 8-1-12 and even though I am a nurse (or because I am) I'm pretty nervous. Got the WHAT IF's pretty bad. Am trying to focus on the BUT WHENS!.  But when this is over I hope I can lose 80 for the very last time. But when this is over I can shop for clothes off the rack!. But when this is over I can sit comfortably in an airline seat etc etc etc,,,,,
lrainb

lrainb

1
Lets keep trying
 

Dear Self

So if I could write a letter to myself, and have it make a difference, what would it say? Ive got this "tool" inside me, yet I know that Im not using it right. When I went into surgery I weight 269lbs. What do I weigh now, a year and a half later? 271.5. I feel like an utter failure most days. How and why do I come up with so many excuses as to why this doesnt work? I dont have time to exercise, Im too poor to buy healthy food, the weight stays on because Im stressed, blah blah blah. I always say that Im going to do better tomorrow, but tomorrow never seems to come. I'd like to know what the heck Im thinking!   I go in for an adjustment on Wednesday. Adjustments are usually fills, but in my case it's not. Im trying to come to terms with the fact that I'm just too tight, but it scares me. I guess having them take the fluid out makes me feel like I have to admit that I'm a failure. I mean, you fill so you can hit that sweet spot, but I never hit it and my band is pretty close to being full. Are they going to judge me because I havent been in to see them in about a year, and I havent lost any weight? These are the types of things that bother me. Part of me wants to go in there, tell them to take it all out, and we will slowly add it back in until I get "the spot". However, another part of me feels pissed that Ive had this thing in for over a year, and it's been nothing. Ive lost more weight BEFORE the surgery than I have after placement. I read the statistics. They say most patients lose 100lbs in the first year on average. Way to go me for breaking the norm. I guess I just need to get the whiney out of my system, and start over. No more excuses. More accountability. More me time. Yeah, that sounds good. Lets see if it happens.
ape087

ape087

3

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