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sweetsoutherngirl's Blog
 

Time To Get Things Back In Motion

The title of today's subject cracks me up! I really do mean this literally. This may be TMI to some, and if so I apologize. I have been backed up before surgery due to the amount of protein we take in and I am still having this problem. I searched the message boards and found a topic that discussed this already. So I will be attempting to use either Miralax or Benefiber. I think the Miralax will provide some relief and the Benefiber will help with fiber until I can consume more through eating. I am drinking as much water as I can.   On a side note in Houston, it is time for the Livestock Show and Rodeo, with the carinival. So there is a lot going on with food, drinks and good times. Funny thing is that I am not even hungry nor do I have a desire to eat that food. Every year we go the barbecue cook off and this year we skipped it. I thought I would be a bit upset about not going, but no. My health and well being mean so much more!
sweetsoutherngirl

sweetsoutherngirl

3
Lyra's Canto
 

I Am More Than Just A Weight Loss Surgery!

Okay, venting shall now occur and I consider this fair warning!   So I realize that I should be grateful that (for the most part) my friends, coworkers, and family are behind my 100% on this surgery. It definitely takes down the stress level and for those who look down on me for it I have no problem walking away. I've been going through the hoops and am almost done with all my classes/tests. In fact, all I have is the EKG (Monday!) and the support group meeting (3/8!) and I'm done pending final clearance by the insurance company. So why am I all "bitchy Lyra" right now? For the last few weeks all any of my friends want to talk about is the surgery. Again, I tell myself that I am happy that they're so curious and supportive...but it feels that anytime we get together somebody brings it up and they continually ask me if I'm scared/nervous/excited. They can't seem to believe me that no, I'm not scared. They ask me if I'm going to miss eating, etc. I dont really want to talk about how I'm worried that I might have emotional upheavel for awhile afterwards as I go from food being my emotional blankie to just something that I eat to survive. I feel so mean spirited and hypocritical, but I'm getting really frustrated with them. I am more than just a weight loss surgery. Talk to me about horrible monster/zombie movies, my art classes, work, my hobbies, my bucket list, my desire to play the violin...anything other than my surgery. I have this nagging fear that after it they're going to want daily updates on my weight loss. I know that it's up to me to have boundaries but this is just maddening. I love these people dearly and don't want to snap at them but I'm so irritated right now. Perhaps there is such a thing as being too supportive? God, what an oxymoron. Anybody else have this happen to them?   Okay, rant over. On the flip side I had my chest xray done yesterday and had a funny conversation with the technician.   Tech: So this is pre-op for gastric bypass? Me: No, it's for the vertical sleeve gastrectomy of the stomach. Tech: So its for the bypass. Me: No, there is no bypassing. It's a VSG. Tech: So its a lapband. Me: ....no.   Personally I think it's more disturbing for them to totally bypass your stomach or to have a plastic thingy in your side where a surgeon can influence a choke-collar on your stomach. This woman was horrified at the idea of someone cutting part of your stomach out, which to me was the saner choice. Po-tay-toe, po-tah-to.
Lyra

Lyra

7
Rhapsody's Rants
 

I'm Pissed

It's not really about the liquid pre-op diet or the fact that my husband has chosen to cook ribs for dinner ( my favorite). I'm pissed at my surgeon right now.   This is how I think. If I could loose weight on my own and keep it off, I wouldn't be getting this surgery. It took me months to lose the required 10lbs to qualify for surgery. And to my credit, I've held that weight off plus or minus 2 since November.   Ok, next. I gain massive amounts of weight with my period. Always have. 5-8 lbs at least. I have PCOS, the wacky hormones come with the territory. The morning of pre-op I was 270. and severely bloated. I told him that. and do you know what he tells me??? "If you aren't at your pre-op weight of 266 on the day of surgery, we won't operate." Iwent from to "you're kidding right?" to to and finally i'm at WTF   You're a physician, why would you put more stress on me knowing my issues with weight and that stress increases the amount of cortisol in your body, hampering weight loss efforts?? Why the hell would you say that to me? And for the past 4 days I've done nothing but obsess over what I eat, what I drink. I swear, I weigh myself every time I go to the bathroom to pee!   Better to have said, Hey, good job maintaining your weight. I understand your period is coming and I'm sure you're a little stressed out from your upcoming surgery. Just stick to your pre-op diet, and you should loose extra pounds before your surgery. Wouldn't that be great? you could jump start your loses with the pre-op diet!     I'm getting surgery so that I don't have to stress like this anymore. I should be entering into this surgery as calm as possible, not worried up to the morning of if I'm going to be cancelled.   The more I think about it the more I get....
Shemy-away

Shemy-away

9
Sherry Bellingham's Blog
 

Fantastic Shakes And Recipes

I have had the lapband since 2008 and I have lost 150 pounds. The past year I have been at a stand still. I have a new protein shake that is delicious!! Has a flavor of sweet cream people decribe it as cake mix. This allows you all kinds of recipes. Since I have been doing this shake just 4 days ago I have lost 5 pounds. It has given me a ton of energy. I had gotten into eatting nothing but sugar which was starting to scare me but this shake gives me so many options I do not crave the sweets. It is a new protein shake sweeping the nation. It has just come into the Louisville Ky area and I am so excited about it. Check out my website to get more information. I am back on track!! Http;sherrybellingham.myvi.net. Tons of recipes
smileyxo

smileyxo

0
Rhapsody's Rants
 

My Story

I've always said, I will not listen to anyone giving me advice who hasn't been through the same journey. I hope that my story will add some credibility to my posts and inspire someone considered WLS.   I'm on a quest to find the woman I lost years ago. She's somewhere in this body, I know that, I just haven't seen here in almost a decade. I'm almost 300 pounds on a 5 foot 7 frame. My family medical history is like Wal-Mart, you name it someone has it. I want to break the cycle of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. . I can't get back the years I've already lost, but I can make the years I have left that much better.   I have a carb addiction, disillusion about the amount of food I should be eating, and an emotional eating habit. I was taught as a child to clean my plate, I remember at 8 years old looking forward to going to my grandma's because she always had pound cake made, and dinner consisted of meat, a few veggies, heaping mounds of carbs (rice/potatos) and rolls. 20 Years I've been addicted to carbs. My mom and I could go to a restaurant and finish an entire basket of rolls before our food came and still eat everything on our plate, plus another basket of rolls. Needless to say, I've never had a good example when it came to eating.   Fast forward through middle school, when at 5"7 and 130 lbs I was the tallest girl in my entire school. Talk about a complex. At 9 I thought I was fat. Junior high, I'm still tall and muscular but everyone else is catching up. Rumors start that I'm taking steroids. Hence another complex about being "thick" and muscular.   High School, the Revolution Years. I rebelled against EVERYTHING! Stress at home= emotional eating. I remember coming home from school and eating half a loaf of bread, toasted with butter and jelly because it made me feel better. Nutrition? What's that? It wasn't taught at our school. Lunch for 4 years, FOUR YEARS, consisted of chili cheese fries with extra cheese and sweet and sour dipping sauce, juice or soda, and some other high carb or fried food. FOUR. YEARS. I do remember a salad but it was far and few in-between. I think back on this and I cringe. What the heck are we doing to our kids??? My saving grace was band. The amount of practice we did counteracted some of the weight gain. I stayed around 180-200 lbs.   College, the fittest years of my life. I decided to major in Nutrition, the one thing I had no knowledge of. Freedom to come and go as I pleased means more time in the gym. HBCU band practice consisted of intense PT at 5 am and intense practice from 3-7. I was at my fittest ever. I wouldn't believe it myself if I didn't have pics to prove it.   Grad school I continued my good gym habits, but even a nutrition degree can't combat the psychological condition of emotional eating. I started gaining weight. Then I got pregnant. My weight shot up to 230 with the first pregnancy and miscarriage and I gained 20 more from the stress. Pregnant again at 260 with the help of pills. I went up to 285. Lost 20 and have been stuck at 270 for 3 years.   This brings us to today. 10 days from VSG surgery and positive about where my life is heading. I'm not one for sharing a lot of personal information, but I will try to keep this "blog" updated as I progress through. I need to learn how to let people in and break down this brick wall that I've built.
Shemy-away

Shemy-away

8
the gym!
 

Planet Fitness Here I Come

Although I am new to the lap band, I am not new to working out. I have been a gym member for over 3 years. That being said let me tell you that i go through spurts. When I go I feel awesome! But when I get discouraged I don't. When i first became a gym member i was going everyday only missing one or two days a week. I lost about 20 lbs that time. When i couldnt lose more i became discouraged and stopped going. i have always been heavy. but i have always been active as well. after a lot of tests the dr's found no reason why i couldnt/wouldnt lose weight. thus is why they thought i would be a good lap band canidate. at first i thought i was going to die. i felt like maybe i had made a big mistake. i hurt all over. i had never had any sort of surgery before and didnt know how i was suposed to feel. now that i am 5 weeks out i dont even notice its there anymore. i am now back into the swing of working out again. not makeing goals but achieveing them all the same. like yesterday i was on the "arc trainer" and i have been going for 35-45 mins burning the around 300-350 calories. yesterday i was able to stay on for a full hour and burned 473 calories. i felt awesome! i love the feeling a person gets after a good workout. it wasnt always this way though. i started a month before the surgery and was walking the treadmill for 20 mins. i got myself up to the arc trainer before surgery but topped out at 20 mins. after the surgery i was doing 15 mins but now have worked up to doing 35-45 on average. i try to burn atleast 350 calories, hopeing each time to do it in less time. so after all this rambleing i'm doing what im trying to convey is dont give up! its hard, i know! and also be willing to try something different. i would have never tryed the arc trainer if it wasnt for the curiosity of how something worked. i have bad knees from being over weight my entire life. the eliptical hurts my knees. the arc trainer is the next best thing to the eliptical. I LOVE IT.
jbean911

jbean911

1
DIAMOND45's SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION
 

" Be Still And Know That I Am God !"

Good morning my beautiful family ,   I hope you all have a relaxing, spirit filled day. Take some time to talk with the Lord, he's listening!     Spiritual Vitamins: Proverbs 16:9   "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps!"   Vitamin S: Surrender   When we first begin our journey we're excited! We decide the amount of weight we will lose, how long we think it shoulde take us to reach our goals by day, week, and month. We lose wonderfully at first, (hooray) and then we stall. OMG!!! Now what do we do? Do we panic? Stress out? Are we failures? No, we are human!! What we must realize is that we belong to God and he, in his infinite wisdom, will help us get to our goals if we would "surrender" our plans to him. " God intervenes without controlling, and cares without hurting." Be still in your spirit, do not be anxious for anything and watch God move!
DIAMOND45

DIAMOND45

5
chrissylu's Blog
 

Me? An Inspiration?

One of the most humbling things, I think, that one can experience is for someone to tell you that you've inspired them to do or be something. Wow! What an impact.   Having struggled with my weight most of my life, I never really thought about the possibility of being an inspiration to anyone in the area of being healthy.   Sure, I try to inspire my son to be a child of God, to work, and go after things the focus on the talents God gave Him. I try to inspire my husband to see the positive side of life and encourage him that he is a good father and husband. I've tried to inspire people in faith and that God is an awesome God.   But that's not really happened much in the health arena. Until now.   Since I've been posting about my procedure, my success AND my failures on facebook and in my blog at www.chrissyluther.wordpress.com, I've had two people say that to me and have wanted to know more about the surgery, my doctor, the band itself, the diet, the food, excercise...everything. I feel so blessed that God would give me this opportunity to share what I'm experiencing and learning as I go. I understand what these particular people are going through...I've been there. Its not fun. Its not easy. People look at you weird and judge you without ever knowing you...and most times don't take the time to get to know you.   I think that's one reason God give us trials to go through. So that from that experience, we can learn, move forward and then on to helping someone else who is going through the same thing; letting His love for that person flow through us, into them.   I want to encourage you today, that if you've not made that step to get healthy...branch out and take it now. It doesn't have to be LAP-band. It doesn't have to be surgery at all. It might not even be about losing weight. But trust that God has a solution in mind for you, and He will show if you ask Him to and listen for Him to do so.   I'm praying for you.   Blessings, ChrissyLu
chrissylu

chrissylu

3
Ready2BFit's Blog
 

Insurance Approval

As I type this there are tears in my eyes. I took it upon myself to call my insurance company and found out I was approved and all I can say is "Thank You Lord". Look at the authorization from my insurance, I can't have the surgery until March 22, 2012 and there is a six month window for the procedure. My nerves are running wild right now because now I am afraid but I know the Lord will give me the strength to do this. What a day to remember!!!
Ready2BFit

Ready2BFit

6
Helen the Cat's Blog
 

Random Thoughts

I haven't posted anything on my blog for a while, because I always have to sit and get my thoughts organized and think about what I want to say. And quite truthfully, I have been to lazy to organize my thoughts and try to put them down in any coherant manner! But today I am taking a few minutes to sit and rest (have been cleaning house and baking all day long, preparing to go to work) and I thought, I really need to write down how I am thinking, doing, feeling, etc.   It is Friday, and it is my weekend to work. Have to work tonight at 7:00 PM till 7:30 AM tomorrow morning, and again tomorrow night and Sunday night. So my weekend will be totally taken up with work. Will get off Monday morning at 7:30 AM, and have a couple of days off.   I always get frantic before I have to work 3 or 4 nights in a row, trying to get my house clean, my laundry caught up, everything done that I know needs to be done, so that I don't have to worry about it while I am working, and think about getting it done when I get home. (I sleep at the hospital where I work when I work consecutive nights like this weekend. So won't even be home again till sometime Monday morning.)   Today I weighed myself and saw that I am still gaining and losing the same 2 or 3 pounds that I have gained and lost a gazillion times since the beginning of December. And I asked myself "WHEN am I going to get serious and really TRY to make it past this stall that I have been in for almost three months now?"   It is so easy to try "just a bite" of whatever is handy, or whatever I am baking, etc. And before I know it, I have eaten a couple hundred calories, just "trying a bite"! Today, I have decided that I need to get serious. I know, I have said this before, but today I mean it. I am starting to get concerned that I will never reach goal if I don't REALLY get serious about this whole weight loss thing. I mean, for YEARS and YEARS I have played the weight loss game. Lose a few pounds and then eat something that I know I shouldn't, and start the deadly weight gain again.   So today, I went to the (dreaded, filthy, overcluttered, badly needing to be cleaned out) basement, and hauled my treadmill and exercise bike upstairs, where I would have to see them EVERYDAY that I am home, and get on them and do something good for myself!   I just last week finished re-painting and decorating our bedroom, and there is now room for both of them in our bedroom. So I am placing them there, and going to MAKE myself get on each of them every day I am here at home.   Furthermore, I am also going to start a log, and keep track of how much time I put in on each. I used to have a boss that always said "that which gets measured gets done", meaning the things that are important to you to accomplish need to be measured to make sure you are making progress toward getting them done.   So fellow sleevers, wish me well! I need encouragement to get this thing accomplished. I REALLY WANT to make it to goal! I want to make a permanent change in my lifestyle and be healthier and happier. I just need to get off my behind and get serious, and get busy.   That's it for today. Hope you all have a great weekend!   (P.S. The baking I mentioned is for my daughter. I don't bake much for us anymore, cause I tend to eat it. I made pastries for her card party tonight, but they are ones that don't taste good till after they are baked, so I didn't even try them! Good for me!)
Helen the Cat

Helen the Cat

3
DSC1970's Blog
 

A Rainy Friday

Today makes 3 days post op and I feel so good. I haven't needed my pain meds today, and I actually feel a little of my appetite coming back. I've tried to make a conscious effort to drink more today and I truly believe it has helped. I'm a little unsure of how I will handle my appetite and what it's going to be like to feel hungry again.
DSC1970

DSC1970

0
HarajukuSunday's Blog
 

My First Blog Entry

I am happy my LapBand surgery date seems like it's almost here though it is a couple of months away. I went to my consultation on Feb.19th 2012 I believe, but one thing for sure is my surgery date of May 30th 2012. I went to my first nutrition class yesterday 2/23/12 and thought the session was great. Like everything in life this process has obsticles. My problem is JUICE ... whew i said it. I love juice but now I will be drinking only 2 cups a day that are the size of my fist to slowly ween muself. I will be drinking crystal light. I'm fine with whey shakes due to drinking them already. I lay here in my bed thinking about my life before and how i think its gonna be after. I must say, I am excited and not nervous at all. I don't wanna be know as the fat one out of my sisters lol. Anyways I have a psych consult monday and my endoscopy thursday. I hope the process of getting to the surgery day is a smooth transition. My surgeon is great and very informative. This juice thing is complicated but for my health I am ready and willing to kick the habit. I feel like i'm on the journey to a wonderful life change.
HarajukuSunday

HarajukuSunday

10
Here's To a Beautiful New Me!!
 

Just Starting Out

Having surgery to help me manage my weight has been something I have only dreamed of being able to do for years. Things are finally lining up. I have only just begun this journey. I am excited, anxious, jumping out of my skin. I can't wait to find out what the next step is....
beautifulnewme2012

beautifulnewme2012

6
Magic Mini Mushroom
 

It's Safe To Come Out Now

You know, relatively.   First off, I feel the need to simultaneously thank and apologize to everyone who read through yesterday's bitter, angry rant. I did need to get that off my chest, but now Logical Me has woken up from the knock out punch she took from Emotional Me and is able to add a sliver of rationality to the discussion. Because there IS more to this than calories in and calories out, and I'm not in this for an overnight weight loss. I'm in this for the long haul.   I really do appreciate everyone who took the time to point out all the things Emotional Me didn't want to hear, because I do need to remember all that, things like: we're more than an equation, plateaus happen, the band does work, calm down and just keep chugging along. I did need to hear that. I didn't really want to yesterday, but I needed to.   One good thing--one really good thing--did come out of yesterday, though. I had my mad on yesterday, and I was plenty bitter. I had more than my share of "to hell with it" thoughts, and in previous years that would have equalled a cheeseburger at the very least. Instead, I just kept plugging. Yeah, I ate a few more calories than the day before, but I tracked them all and I still stayed below 1200, which in bandster hell is still something of a victory. I kept working, and even if I didn't have a smile on my face the whole time, the work is the important part.   So today, I woke up and got back to it. Breakfast was a small protein shake and half a banana, and I already have lunch and dinner planned with lean protein and fresh veggies and the knowledge that I can't control the scale, but I can control my own behavior. Thanks to the band, that is. We just need to keep getting to know each other and figuring out how this all works.   I think we can do it.
morelgirl

morelgirl

5
shues138's Journal
 

Fill Fun On Monday!

I know I'm obsessing too much about things when I have dreams about them. The other night I had a dream that my boyfriend's roommate (who is a female, and don't worry her bf lives with them as well) went over to my boyfriend's mother's house to drink and my boyfriend decided he'd rather do that than hang out with me. Now he knows that his roommate bothers me (which she does, that could be a whole blog for another day) and it bothers me that I still haven't met his mother (but yet the roommate has, anyway, moving on, because who is really reading thing?)   So, last night I had a dream about getting a fill at my mds office, it was so realistic! It wasn't anything crazy, just a fill lol. But I know what is bothering me. I'm an old timer with a 4cc lap band implanted. Right now there is 2.5 ccs and I have been feeling some restriction until lately (for me, knowing there is no restriction is my stomach growling. I usually tell people that's not real hunger but that's bull$!*t and I'm sorry if anyone believed me). What if she puts in another cc on Monday and I still have no restriction? She is also measuring the saline by taking it out to see if any seeps out every month. What if there's a leak? OMG I need not to obsess about this!   Tonight is casino night. My one friend and I aren't staying over. Everyone is bringing their boyfriends or husbands. Mine can't go because he works on Saturdays. Also he is being a little cranky lately because he hasn't been able to sleep much. Saturday I'm going to clean, do laundry, and make dinner for the bf we'll probably just watch a movie. Sunday IDK what I'm going to do, but that's my fabulous weekend.   Also I would like to announce that officially on Monday I'm going to start c25k and also some weight training I was going to put if off until March, but what's one week early going to do? Kill me? Well if you don't hear from me Tuesday morning you know the answer lol.   Have a good weekend
shues138

shues138

1
LAP-BAND Liaison's Blog
 

Fitness Through Technology - Be Your Own Coach!

Fitness Through Technology - Be your own Coach! by, Luke Thomas - Bariatric Liaison, CRMC Smartphone’s are becoming a regular mainstay in society. Some haven’t adopted the Smartphone lifestyle yet. Others are glued to it like I am. The truth is more and more people of all ages are learning how to use their phones as personal organizers, cameras, video cameras, video gaming devices, online browsers, social media devices, financial managers, GPS’s, media players, e-readers… you’ve heard the slogan, “There’s an app for that.” Flurry Analytics, a technology analytics firm out of San Francisco, New York, and London recently did a study that says Americans spend an average of 1 hour and 34 minutes per day using mobile apps. This is 20 minutes more than actual web browsing (on a PC or laptop), which came in at 1 hour and 14 minutes. This means people are using Smartphone’s more than surfing the web on a home PC or laptop. Dr. Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. from The Mayo Clinic writes that the Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 30 minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity (walking, swimming, mowing the lawn), or 15 minutes a day of vigorous aerobic activity (running and aerobic dancing [ex: Zumba]). It is also suggested that it is spread out over the course of a week. Want to hear something ironic? The statistics I cited in the paragraphs above are articles I looked it up on my Smartphone. Since were on the theme of time, it took me 3 minutes. Who cares? Why does this matter? What does it have to do with Bariatric patients? Some of you have either recently made a significant lifestyle change, or are considering making one with the Capital Regional Bariatric Centers Lap-Band® Program. Part of that lifestyle change is a life-long commitment to diet and exercise. Guess what? There’s an app for that! No, none that do the exercise and diet for you. I mean the commitment part. Rather, accountability towards your commitment. If you are a Smartphone user, it makes you wonder how much of that 1 hour and 34 minutes per day is being spent on something you would consider “productive” toward your weight loss goals. So, I made a list of mobile apps available on both iPhone, and Androids that I consider to be great tools to help you with your journey. I actually use some myself for my own fitness goals (and sometimes lack thereof)! Instant Heart Rate Pro – $0.99 (free version available) This is pretty nifty! It’s an app that you place your finger over the camera lens of your phone, and it monitors your heart rate; a great tool for any level of healthy living. You press the icon, hold it for 10 seconds, and that’s it. I use the free version, but you can go “Pro” for 99 cents. My Fitness Pal – Free – Luke’s Pick!!! I love this app and use it daily! It calculates your BMI. It calculates your BMR. It counts calories (over 1,000,000 food database from all restaurants). It lets you enter calories burned with exercise. It gives you reports on your progress. Plus, it’s free! Picked by Wired Magazine, and PC Magazine as Editors Picks for lifestyle apps. It’s easy, fun, and addictive! You can also log in from your home computer, which I prefer more than the app! My Tracks – Free I also use this app when I go out for a run, jog, or walk. It takes your map and GPS function and maps out your route as you go, recording distance, speed, and altitude. Sounds complicated, but the great thing about this app is all you do is click the app icon, and hit “start.” When you are done, hit “stop.” It does the rest for you. Eat This Not That - $4.99 Eating out is the bane of every diet. Based on the selling book series, this app lets you compare restaurant choices based on nutritional value, so you can make better choices based on information. It comes with a database of foods and nutritional value info so it streamlines the process of searching and comparing entrees, making it a little quicker for you. JEFIT Pro - $4.99 If you really want to take it to the next level, then JEFIT is worth the price. It has all the basic functions as My Fitness Pal, but dives into each workout by logging progress down to the set and rep, if you’re into that. It’s probably too intense for the beginner, takes a lot of time to enter information, and can be somewhat “un-user friendly” at times. Again, depends on what you want to us it for. There is a free version with limited functions available too. Ultimate Weight Watcher Diary - $3.95 This app gets a lot of good reviews, and pops up first on all of my searches for “Health and Fitness” apps. It states to be the most comprehensive application for those following a food value based plan (ex: Weight Watchers). Other Practical Apps: Basic Notepad App – Free Having a note pad app is great for quickly adding notes about health and fitness information you hear about (or anything really). I like to blog, and I compile information in what I call “blog blurbs” in my notepad app. Hint: If you are like me and hate texting, you can also download an app that lets you “talk-to-text.” Makes it a lot easier, quick, and hands free! Sometimes it misspells what you say, but for the most part it works great. Camera/Video Camera – Free (usually included on all phones) Things like before/after pictures, and video journals are important for motivation. Bar Code Scanner – Free Having a bar code scanner on your phone is great for checking prices, and nutritional value of food you intend to purchase. Also, some applications let you compare prices on certain items. For example; you are at a department store and you are looking at buying a set of 5lb dumbbells. You can scan the bar code on the item, and go online and compare that items prices. There are many more health and fitness apps out there. No matter what level you consider yourself “technically savvy” these apps are easy to get, easy to use, and sometimes free! These apps are by no means a necessity for a lifestyle dedicated to health and well being. Basically, you don’t NEED them to get results. However, similar to the Lap-Band® device, these apps are great tools to work with to achieve your weight loss, fitness, and wellness goals. They are great for logging benchmarks in your success, stay accountable, and getting great information quickly. So, after spending 1 hour and 34 minutes on your Smartphone, and 30 minutes exercising, you’re free to use the other 21 hours and 56 minutes however you choose!
LAP-BAND Liaison

LAP-BAND Liaison

3
tjbeans38's Blog
 

Baby Steps........

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to all the positive comments I received from my first post. Secondly, I've realized that I'm not the only one who has faced struggles. I've also learned that I need to take baby steps, this is a slow process, but the end result is what I hunger for. I can't push myself any faster than my body will go. I've got to have faith in my doctor's thought process when it comes to the diet, slow and steady does win the race. I found out the hard way the other day what happens if you rush things, I was so excited to eat scrambled eggs, that I ate too quickly and the end result was me getting sick!! Getting sick is something I hate, so lesson learned. I'm still getting used to drinking water in small sips instead of giant gulps but I've had no trouble with drinking the correct amount of protein drinks. Looking forward to my first follow up appt. with my doctor and as for weight, I'm down to 286.4 today from 298 (typo in the first post) on 2/15/12 which was the first day out of the hospital, I had my surgery on 2/13/12. So for being post surgery by 11 days, I can finally say I'm happy, I'm happy to be baby stepping towards my goal!! Thanks again
tjbeans38

tjbeans38

2
DIAMOND45's SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION
 

Medicine For The Heart

Top of the morning family :D   Today is a great day to fill yourself with some spiritual vitamins, your body will thank you!!     Vitamin T: TRUST     Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your path!     We must understand that God has all power, and that it is he who sustains our life. He has allowed all of us to be on this journeys path, so we must "Trust" that if "He brought us to it, he will see us through it!"
DIAMOND45

DIAMOND45

6
wannawearabikini's Blog
 

Think Positive And Positve Things Will Happen

Life has been so good with my Lap Band! I remember anticipating getting my band and thinking, "when I get banded that's when my life will really begin." I'm sure you've probably thought the same thing. And in so many ways, it's true! Now I've always been one to make the most of what I've been given and to live life to the fullest, but the Lap Band has really helped me to accomplish a fuller life on a whole new level! On my surgery date(7/8/2011) I was 208lbs and size 18. Today(2/23/12) I am 167lbs and size 12. I still want to lose about 40 pounds(be a size 6) but life is so much better than it was! I have so much more confidence and hold my head a little higher! Okay.... a lot higher! After my surgery, I began to submit my resume to airlines for a flight attendant position(with no experience whatsoever). I wasn't sure it would actually pan out, but I thought I would give it a try. I always thought it would be a fun and adventurous type of career, but would have never dared apply when I was a size 18! Well, I just so happen to get a call back, was flown to my interview, went through an entire day of the grueling interview process, got the job, and I start my training in 2 weeks!! I'm so excited! The Lap Band has opened so many doors for me! I'm getting the job I've always wanted, I'm going to travel to places I've always wanted to go and take incredible vacations with my husband while flying for free! I was even recently asked to speak at a Lap Band seminar and tell my story! It's amazing how much better life is! My motto in life today is, "Think positive and positive things will happen!" I spent way too much time verbally abusing myself and beating myself down in the past. The awful things I would tell myself were downright harmful and damaging! I am such a positive person now and intend on taking advantage of all life has to offer! I hope you will do the same. I've changed my tune and this is my new perspective on life, I hope it will be yours as well... 1. I WILL be successful at losing my weight! I may have failed in the past, but I will not fail this time. PERIOD! 2. I can and will be ANYTHING I want! 3. I have the power to create the life I want! Life is whatever I choose to make it! 4. Hard work makes everything possible 5. Don't hold back! Not in life, love, work, or at the gym! Give it all you have! 6. Be passionate about life...live it to the absolute fullest! 7. I am what I think! So think Positive! 8. I will not diet! I eat whatever I want in small portions. And sometimes what I want is a salad. Sometimes it's Chick-Fil-A. I will not diet! 9. I'm proud of myself! I will not apologize or feel guilty for accomplishing my goals! 10. I'm worthy of happiness!
wannawearabikini

wannawearabikini

3
starting a new chapter
 

Almost 3 Months Post Op

So here I am--almost 3 months post op. Ive had 2 fills & Im just not feeling it 100%! Everyday I ask myself is it me? What is it about me that I dont feel it? I started off at a great momentum losing weight, but I havent lost a pound since January. So, today & tonite Ive been thinking really hard on it & trying to be totally honest with myself. Have I exercised enough? No Have I eaten something I shouldnt have? Yes--but not like I did before the surgery! On the plus side---Ive stayed away from diet coke. Ive avoided what I call the useless foods---chips, candy, bread, carbs, starches. I think we all must go thru this at some point---for me part of the problem is this time of the year. The weather keeping me indoors, and then the dreariness really sucks!! And Im so tired after work, I dont have the energy to go work out. Ive not lost the faith & committment to this lifestyle change, just slowed down a little!     I need to recapture my excitement & momentum that carried me thru to the end of January. ugh   OOHH!!! there goes my excitement & momentum running up the stairs--better go catch it now!
new chapter in life

new chapter in life

2
sweetsoutherngirl's Blog
 

8 Days Down

Well today makes day 8 post-op for me. Yesterday was the first day I felt really 100% and I was able to stay at work all day with no issues. Today is better. I am itching to get back into the gym. I had to lose a good amount of weight before my surgery and I did it through diet and exercise. I have been cleared for exercise, but I think it is a bit soon for Zumba!   Still on liquids,but on blended foods. Last night I had a 1/2 cup of cream of jalapeno soup. It was so yummy! I am not finding myself to be hungry. It is like I have to remind myself to eat or drink. Now that i am back at work, I keep my water bottle with me at all times. I think tomorrow I will start making my own protein shakes so I can control how much protein I get in with them. Or I may make a trip to smoothe king. I hear they have a low fat/low cal smoothie with 46 grams of protein! I have not stepped on the scale. I am going to wait until next week when I can be sure I have dropped 100% of my TOM weight and bloating.
sweetsoutherngirl

sweetsoutherngirl

3
jennifer1's Blog
 

Has Anyone Had This Happen To Them?

ok so i got my 5ht fill in dec. i was doing just fine, until 2 weeks ago. i got sick and was on antibiotics for a week, also TOM came around the same time. well my band got super tight and i'm guessing with both of those things happening at the same time caused this. well i thought once TOM left and my sickness left i would be ok. NOT! i was hoping it would loosen, but not so. i am used to not being able to get things down in the morning unless its' a liquid, but now lunch is hard and so is dinner. last night i was awaken by coughing and choking as if i had swallowed water and it went down the wrong pipe. i have an appointment to get a slight unfill and i know this is crazy but i'm soooo scared i will not be able to get to the green zone like i was before i got sick. i am one size away from making my goal by my one year anniversary! i just dont wanna get a slight unfill and be able to eat like i'm crazy! ugh! i lost 6 weeks once before with being too tight, too loose and not being able to see my doc. ugh! why now! has anyone else had it where they got sick, band got tight and didnt get loose after the illness went away? jennifer
jennifer1

jennifer1

4

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