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Becoming the me I see through VSG
 

Returning To Work, Insomnia, And Saying Good Bye To Bad Habits.

So, today I go back to work. I feel ready physically. I'm anxious and somewhat emotional about it. I work for a fierce woman, who when I started there 5 years ago, she had an admin, who had WLS, and unfortunately, this woman had lots of complications. My boss fired her. Too much sick time. Thankfully, I've had nothing but success. Problem is, I did not tell her about the surgery, as she can't be trusted, is condemning, judgemental and an while I respect her work, I don't respect her. She feeds on gossip and inuendo and takes it as truth. I was very specific in my FMLA paperwork that I feared retaliation/retribution if she were to find out what my surgery was for. She's that shallow. I will follow up with my HR Director first thing - but I'm still somewhat nervous. The only person who knows at work is my assistant, and my Lead. My Lead, is the one who told me about the letter of medical necessity and how his wife was able to get the procedure with the support of her Primary and that letter. Thank God for him. I've had insomnia for about a week. Every day up at 1, 2, 3 - in bed by 8, so exhausted. I hope that part ends. It might just be my anxiety over returning to work. Why can't I be independently healthy? I finally told my Dad & his wife about the surgery. She had the Gastric By Pass about 10 years ago, because of her NASH and some other issues. She's done well. I'm surprised my dad was supportive, I sort of knew he would be - but in the same breath I don't think he truly understands the emotional challenges that lead to obesity. I'm glad he was supportive. With the smooshey foods - I can tolerate just about anything - but only about 2 ounces before fear sets in - I can feel my body filling up and I am scared to puke. So I stop. I figure if I sip my Isopure all day I'll for sure meet my protien requirements. Slow and stead wins the race. So good by hooverisms, inhaling food without thought and stress eating. I know you are there with me - but I am and will continue to conquer you. I continue to walk with my family in the morning - since we are up - we all go - and it is a nice new habit I'm forming.I hope today is stress free and I don't encounter the beast (my boss) too often.
stogger

stogger

4
Is that a Fat Joke?
 

Snap Crackle And Pop!

Well it was bound to happen. My surgery was January 10th and I've done great. And then there was today! I own a photobooth company and had a big wedding show today. Needless to say, my business partner was sick and unable to attend so my stress level was definitely rising. It didn't help matters that I was running way late. So I thought I would make a smart choice and stop at my local QT and get a turkey sandwich. I thought this would be a better choice than the myriad of wedding cake samples that I knew would be lerking at every cake vendors table. Not sure what I was thinking choosing a turkey on WHEAT. Ever since my first fill, wheat is NOT my friend. Well four hours later as I returned home I was starving! I peeked my eyes into a white bag on the counter and what did my wandering eyes did appear? But a great big square rice krispie treat from Fudrucker's restaurant!   Based on the look on my step-son's face, you know the one- raised eyebrow and head tilted cockeyed, I realized I was devouring it like a crack addict getting high after being discharged from rehab! I thought, "what the hell is wrong with me?". Why now? I've sacrificed, I've planned, I've tracked every morsal of food, I've lost 29lbs for the love of Peter, Mary and Joseph!   After thoroughly enjoying, rather inhaling the rice krispie treat I realized, "Ok Maggie. Whats done is done. Get back to the plan and knock that sh*t off!" Ahhh THE PLAN. THAT is precicely what I failed to do this morning. My life is different. My stomach is different. What I can eat is different. If I don't plan, I know I fail. So I'm committing to myself to re-focus on planning.   PS: If it makes anyone feel better who is thinking about eating a nice big sugery treat after they've been "sugar sober" for about a month- I DON'T RECOMMEND IT! I felt like crap after eating it. I don't miss those days of feeling like sludge!   "Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success" ~ Stephen A Brennan
mags2u

mags2u

6
waitingpatiently's Blog
 

One More Dr. Visit

Well let's see. I am a wife to a wonderful husband for 21+ years and mother to 3 children (17,15,13). I didn't really have much of a weight problem as a child. I mean I remember being a little chubby around the age of 10, but it didn't last long. If anything, as a teenager I was a little on the too skinny side. I remember being 14 and my now mother in law wouldn't let my now husband take me to the mall unless a had something to eat....I guess I was smaller than I thought.....That is NOT a problem now-haha. It seemed my issues came from having children. I gained large amounts of weight with each child. I was able to lose it in between kids until the last one. With 3 kids under 4 1/2 and a husband in the ARMY....there just wasn't time for me. I sometimes felt like I didn't have time for a shower, let alone an hour a day to exercise...I was just too tired!!!   It just seemed like my body changed. When I would lose the weight in the past, it would stay off....until I got pregnant again--haha. But the third time was different. I worked so hard....eating right and exercising almost every day....almost excessively. And a would get 30 or 40 lbs off and be a decent size 10/12, but the day I would start to return to a normal food intake (and by normal, I simply mean about 1400 calories)and drop back to exercising 3 days a week....suddenly I would start slowly adding on the weight again. About a pound a month. So six months in I would be 6pounds heavier....a year later I would be 12 pounds heavier. you get the picture. Before I knew it I would be 30 pounds overweight. I would get serious again!!!drop back to 900 calories start exercising everyday and would get myself down again. and you know the rest. Repeat-above cycle two or three more times over 10 years, then just give up. That’s where I have been for the last 4 years...refusing to repeat the cycle anymore. As a result, that 12 pound a year weight gain is now 50 pounds. Add that to the 15 pounds I could never get off in the first place, and here we are... needing to lose 65 pounds (really to be ideal weight that would be 80 pounds)---but I'll be happy with the 65 pounds.....Honestly, I'd be happy just to be able to return to a life of camping, hiking and swimming like a used to do all the time....regardless of what the scale says.   So now I'm playing the waiting game. I will have my last appointment on Tuesday February 21 (my 40th birthday) and from there everything heads to insurance for approval. I have Tricare North and have heard they are pretty good about approving the surgery. I didn't want to get this far in the process and have the insurance company decide they wanted me to do the supervised diet for 3 months, so I went ahead and did it voluntarily with my GP (lost 12 pounds for good faith effort). Just being proactive!! So hopefully on Tuesday I will get a surgery date; the sooner the better. I would like to have it done by the end of March. We are taking my oldest daughter on a cruise for her graduation present the first week in May and I want to be nicely healed from the surgery before I put myself on a boat in the middle of the ocean for a week   Well that’s it. If you can offer any insite into how long it takes for tricare to give approval or if you have tricare and can educate me on anything, please let me know.   Or any other advise is more than welcome too. This is such a lerning process.   Thanks,   Tina
waitingpatiently

waitingpatiently

3
sweetsoutherngirl's Blog
 

Post- Op Day 4- Moving Right Along

I have been struggling to drink all of my protein shakes. I have managed to get about 1/2 to 3/4 of one down a day. I am sipping slow and making sure that I am allowing each sip to go down. Yesterday I found protein shots by Body Fortress. No sugar and 26 gms of protein in each serving which is about 3 ounces. These will be a godsend for me. I am still drinking my shake, but knowing I can drink one of these to get my protein in really helps me right now. So today I had one shake, a shot, 1/2 cup of broth and a sf applesauce. And I am still sipping the same low cal gatorade from yesterday, but it is almost down.   I think at this point it is a mind game since there is really not restriction. I am really not too hungry, just want to make sure that I am doing it all according to my surgeon's orders. I go in for a post-op appointment Tuesday and I really want the steri-strips off, they are a bit annoying now. Also my rash seems to be going away. It has a dry appearance to it and still it quite a bit itchy. I also am not red like Mr Krabs on Spongebob anymore either. LOL! That was very unattractive. I just hope it continues to go away. I have one last day to rest and then it is back to the rat race on Tuesday!
sweetsoutherngirl

sweetsoutherngirl

3
Tears Run Dry
 

Who Says

"Who says, who says you're not perfect? Who says you're not worth it? Who says you're the only one that's hurting? Trust me, that's the price of beauty Who says you're not pretty? Who says you're not beautiful? Who says?"   At the beginning of this year I decided to have the lap band sugery and had my consultation with the surgeon. Since then I have already gone in for my psych evaluation and I have one more thing to do for my medical clearance. If all goes smoothly I should be ready to get my surgery date soon. I will be so happy once I have an actual date from my surgery. I am soooooo ready to begin this life changing experience.
ChargersPrincess17

ChargersPrincess17

1
Journey Begins
 

Fill Or Unfill

Haveing some problems and not sure what to think or what i should do next so if anyone has had these problems I would love to get some advice...I have 5.5 cc in my 11cc band right now I have problems eating the healthy food, like things get stuck I get horrible chest pains and it feels like i am haveing a heart attack. The mushy foods and soups seem to be just fine and I feel like I dont get full at all?? I can eat cottage cheese and yogurt and want way more then I should eat. I try chicken or pork and take the small bites and then i am fine for a few bites and then it starts the pain and sometimes even vomit?? SO when I go back to the doctor do i get unfilled or more fill?? Am i supposed to be feeling this way?? Should I just stick to the soft foods?? My doctor is great and is willing to help and wants me to succeed and so do I but I would love to hear from others that maybe have had some of these problems and maybe a little advice on what my next steps should be....Oh and yes I am looseing weight maybe not really fast but its comming off I work out at least 4 times a week too. I am about 4 months out of surgery. Thanks for listening!!
Wear your Passion

Wear your Passion

4
shadowstacey's Blog
 

Discouraged About What They Want Me To Eat!

The group that put my band in provide a dietician with the package. And they refuse to put in a fill if the dietician doesnt sign off on what im eating. But the thing is they only want me to eat all crunchy food... ALLL DAY LONG!!! like shreddies, rivita crackers and barely cooked veg. They are all fine but it doesnt exactly give me room to love normally.   If i knew that this was a condition of the band and that it would not give me restriction with normal food before I got the surgery I would not of went ahead with it. I find myself lying to the dietician just so they allow me to get my next fill.   So discouraged and regreeting the money spent on the band at this point.
shadowstacey

shadowstacey

5
LovetheNewMe's Blog
 

The Last 30 Pounds

Those of you who have been following my blog know I am a bit of geek and sometimes spend countless hours researching ways to help myself to stay focused and be successful. I do believe there is no magic to weight loss and actually hate the word DIE..T and have removed it from my vocabulary. I do believe that being successful with Lap Band does require a life style change in eating habits and rewiring of my brain to help me to make healthy choices. I try very hard not to put myself in situations that would require me to be around junk food or foods that are not good for me. I am fully aware that only being 1 year post op and still having weight to lose to get to goal makes me vulnerable to all the horror stories of regaining what I have lost. I know the fat person still lives in the shadows and watches and waits for a weakness in my armor. I know I must be strong and must learn to live the healthy life style, by always picking the best food choices, exercising daily and always practice what I preach. I sometimes tell myself it is ok to still be overweight because I do look much better than I did a year ago but my fear is that as long as I stay overweight it will be just as easily to accept being obesity again. If I am totally honest this journey will continue for the rest of my life, because once the journey of weight loss ends than the journey of maintaining everything I have worked so hard for starts. So today on my internet travels I found a bairitric physicians web site who has published several books and one happened to be a free down load. "The Last 30 Pounds". I started reading and decided I needed to share this with all of my LapBand Family because at some point in time we will all be here and it doesn't hurt to read ahead. I know just reading a book doesn't make it happen but if you read and apply it can work. I need goals and rules, goals help me to keep focused and true to my journey. I also read several other things on this physicians web site about the yoyoing of fills and unfills and it actually made since to me. This physicians web site is one of the best I have ran onto while inquiring on success of Lap Band Patients. Here is the site and also the free down load of the "Last 30 Pounds" Check it out I think it will be worth your reading if you are struggling with losing and are feeling a little frustrated with your Lap Band Journey. We can all blame the Band or our physician for our failures or we can all take accountability for our failures and successes. As always these are my thoughts and opinions and I hope I don't piss anyone off. http://drsimpson.net/index.htm   The Last 30 Pounds.pdf
♥LovetheNewMe♥

♥LovetheNewMe♥

1
Magic Mini Mushroom
 

These Are My People!

I want to thank everyone who's been reading my ranting posts, and especially all of you who've taken the time to comment. It's such a relief to get these thoughts off my chest sometimes, but it helps even more to hear from others and know that I'm not alone in feeling the way I do. Maybe it's my persecution complex talking, but there are times when being a fat person in our skinny-obsessed society is the most isolating experience in the world.   And being a fat person who has been unable to lose weight is the worst. If I had a dollar for every time someone has asked if I've thought about losing weight, I'd be rich. I might also be in prison, because the more it gets asked, the more I want to smack them upside the head while yelling (at my loudest and most sarcastic), "No! I've never thought of that! Oh, my goodness, I've been having SO MUCH FUN being fat and ostracized and mocked and ignored and insulted and slighted and exposed to ridicule that it NEVER EVEN OCCURRED to me to try to lose weight! Thank you so much for being the frst person to point out that I'm fat, or I never would have figured it out!"   Not that I'm bitter or anything.   Anyway, I don't need to be bitter anymore. Don't get me wrong, I'm still fat. In fact, for another 5 pounds or so I'll continue to be mordibly obese. After all, I was only banded 2.5 weeks ago, so the journey is just beginning for me, but for the first time in my life, I honestly believe that I have a chance to succeed. Even with my band unfilled, I still am able to be satisfied with eating much less than I ever have before. I'm conscious of my portions and my calories, but I'm content with what I'm allowed, not always finishing a meal still wanting more and not starving in between them. Once I get some restriction, I really believe that I'll be able to succeed where in the past I've always failed.   Even better than that, though, is the knowledge that I'm so not doing this alone. I have all the other members here at LBT going through exactly what I am. I can share my feelings with you and know you'll understand. I can ask questions and know that you'll answer. And I can get tips and ideas I never would have thought of myself without having to go digging through the entire internet to find them. That rocks so hard.   So, thanks, all of you. And here's hoping we all succeed together.
morelgirl

morelgirl

4
dr.sooze's Blog
 

Gaining Back Weight

I was banded 5 years ago in Mexico. I came home with no support, doctor, or much of an idea of what I was in for. I lost 40 pounds (yes, that's it) and never reached my goal weight. I've had a few fills, although not recently. from a naturopath who used to be a chemo nurse who worked with ports. I was okay with my weight but I guess I gave up and found ways to eat "around" my band. Last year, I had problems with my thyroid, lost some weight, and then the issue resolved itself and I gained nearly 15 pounds. My clothes didn't fit, had to buy new. So now I'm only 25 pounds less than my start weight. I eat junk food, feel horrible about it. I've considered another fill but my band is so finicky! I have so much restriction throughout the night I can barely drink water. It is very tight in the morning and sometimes throughout the day. Then in the evening, it loosens up. It is the weirdest thing. I have had many episodes of being "stuck". It is horrible. Takes forever to get something up and out. Sucks when I'm teaching a classroom of third graders! I'm not too happy. Even considered having the lap band removed and just be put out of my misery. But I was miserable heavy as well.   Is there anyone out there who understands my story? Has any advice? I want to get back on track again. Just need some motivation or something.   Suzie
dr.sooze

dr.sooze

3
phatkatblue's blog
 

Post-Op Day 4

i know it may be premature to be talking about bandster hell...but could i really be experiencing it 4 days after surgery?! yesterday i felt much like i did the first few days of my pre-op diet...hungry and wanting to snack. i was told at discharge that i could begin the step 2 diet as tolerated (the mushies) so i have been eating cottage cheese. but yesterday i wanted more. here is my what i consumed yesterday: 3 protein shakes, a cup of cottage cheese (2 separate servings), 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 3 sugar free popsicles, 1/4 piece grilled chicken breast, and a zero calorie vitamin water. now chicken breast is not really a mushy, but it went down fine:(   i feel like i have no restriction at all, although my doc told me the band itself is a restriction...i'm just not feeling it! at some point yesterday, probably before one of my popsicle snacks i stopped and listened to my body. i was not hungry. not one bit. i don't ever think i was hungry, but my mouth craved flavor and wanted to be filled. today i am more cognizant of what my body is telling me. and while i am not trying to starve myself i realize that i am not hungry. i have had one protein shake so far and i feel stuffed.   i have also been more active today...and by more active i mean i have been doing housework! enough to work up a sweat!! trying not to overdo it but i'm kind of tired of sitting around (wait, did i just say that?)...anyways...tell me what you all are eating and if you think i've entered bandster hell or if yesterday was a fluke!
phatkatblue

phatkatblue

5
Tracy Bloodgood's Blog
 

Some Things I Didnt Think About Before I Got The Surgery

So I got my first fill on Thursday and got hit by a cold on Friday. My usual response to this is to start taking 12 hour sudafed and 12 hour musinex if needed. Well that doesn't work because both of those pills are way to big for me to swallow now. I could possibly cut the musinex if half, that is still a fairly large pill that is not coated. The sudafed however I can't cut because it will mess with the extended release that makes it last for 12 hours. So I am stuck taking the 4 hour medicine. Hard to get alot of sleep when you have to take medicine every 4 hours to be able to breathe. Oh well, I will survive. I still had some of the pain medicine from surgery that I took, it helped with the sinus pressure and helped me sleep.
Tracy Bloodgood

Tracy Bloodgood

4
andkel30's Blog
 

72 Hours To Go

I am happy to almost be on the losers bench I will be video recording my journey in Tj, Mexico follow me on youtube under andkel30.........
andkel30

andkel30

6
Sandfluffymama's Blog
 

Fear!

So I was talking to a friend of the colleague who had the sleeve - it apparently took her some 12 weeks to recover...I was thinking about having the surgery at the beginning of April as we follow up with a 9 day break...My question is, will that be enough time to recover and go back to work?   I work with all age groups - it isnt physical per se but there is a vast range of little 'uns! From Pre k to Grade 12 - I teach music, singing and drama...   Advice anyone, please! This is really the only thing that I am haltering at...
Sandfluffymama

Sandfluffymama

7
Blog 93073
 

Happy And Sad

Today I officaly lost 70 lbs and I'm happy but my band has slip and is very unconfortable and I see my surgeon on Monday. I hope I don't have to get any surgery and to top it all off my birthda is 2/28.   I will see what he says Monday and keep it in prayer.
blossoming

blossoming

1
Sandfluffymama's Blog
 

Consultation In The Desert...

Greetings!   So, yesterday I consulted with Dr Abdulsalam Al Taie...he has his own clinic in Jumeirah - I was very intimidated at the thought of speaking to someone - I felt worthless and a bit of a failure, truth be told...but, I liked him. Alot. He has performed over 1300 of the sleeve surgeries and is cocky to boot, but with his experience, I guess he is allowed to be. I felt comfortable though - for some reason I mix well with cocky men - I think I find them challenging... He also performs a lot in the UK, in Manchester, which is right next to my city so that was kind of a comfort. He gave me a great price so I am hoping to go for this surgery in April...depending on whether I can get care for my little one - I wont be able to lift her for 7 - 10 days...that is my primary concern, if I am honest. So I have to constantly remind myself that in the long run, 2 weeks without lifting my angel is nothing in the great scheme of things...   After my consultation, I had coffee with my two lovely friends - one who is having the sleeve a week today and the other who is my inspiration...   My mum flies out on Thursday - to tell or not to tell. I am kind of worried about telling her to be honest. She would absolutely kill me if I didnt tell her I was going for surgery of any kind - my fear is about her talking me out of it...mentally I am in a good place about this right now.   My head wanders back to a colleague who had the sleeve over the summer holidays a year ago - I remember her being brutally ill - she had infections and to be honest, looked and felt deathly ill for a while.   I know that for the first couple of months it is going to be tough but I am scared of being ill...   Is it really bad to admit that I dont read the negative experiences? I think that people with food issues have a different psychology - an addictive mindset. I have been addicted to many things in my life - food, sex, alcohol, smoking...trying to fill the unfillable void. But with attending certain meetings (I cannot mention which - and yes, they ARE here in DXB - personal message me for details if you want them) and completely overhauling my faith, lifestyle and strength, I feel ready for this.   I am concerned that the couselling side of this surgery is not really addressed here in DXB. Which is why I am grateful for this site and being able to speak with people who have experienced the same things.   One thing I have learnt so far in this process...I am very much the typical Brit - my philosphy of "Keep calm and carry on" is very much being applied to this process!   Love and light xxx
Sandfluffymama

Sandfluffymama

3
ready for my journey to be's Blog
 

String ???wth

i was banded on the 31st of january ,iam in bandster hell and to add to my confusion , i was getting out of the shower and it looked like a piece of scab was peeling from one of my incsions so i dry off and get my cocoa butter for my stomach and as iam rubbing it on i see its not a piece of scab but a piece of string,thread idk wth help im falling apart from the inside out !!!!
shouldn't I have a theme song ?
 

Choosing The Song

Since this is really the most daring and scary and thrilling adventure I have ever been on, it deserves a theme song. "Free Bird" is just too melancholy. "Amazing Grace" ? "How Great Thou Art" ? hmm.. maybe this needs a new song.   Fear was the drink that filled my cup yet thirst drove me on to partake. I emptied the bowl and held my breath waiting for something to break. All that I dreaded did not come nye, no demons of hate and guile. Just my own little face looked back at me with a wink, a nod, and a smile.   Yes, I have always been my own worse enemy, critic, what have you. Well, that has all been figuratively and literally changed with my VSG. This is going to be grand!   I want to use this blog as a recorder of my physical state but I think I will also have to use it for my spiritual, psychological, and emotional state. not hungry (this is good. this is bad - it means I will have to think about what I eat. ok... this is good)
my daughter had to come rescue me today and took J & R for the weekend (2 grandchildren we are raising); thank you sweet daughter; J is severely developmentally delayed and my spirit broke - it just gets to be too much
the laundry needs to get done but no one is doing it. hello ? didn't you hear me crying and swearing about it this morning? *sigh* guess I'll do the laundry
it's so quiet in the house
am I losing it? hahaha... I punned myself
Spatters3

Spatters3

4
sweetsoutherngirl's Blog
 

Post- Op Day 3- Rashes And Revalations!

Feeling pretty good today. Learning to listen to my body and the cues it gives me. It is getting easier to rest so I can heal.Yesterday was a good day. I was able to pass gas( sorry for the tmi, but when you get to this side you will understand I had 1/2 cup of egg drop soup, one protein shake, and a popsicle. I also had a vitamin water that I sipped on all day. Well actually I have been sipping it for two days. I was so stuffed. Today I added protein powder to my shake for a total of 40 grams of protein there and I am 1/2 way through it. I also broke out in a rash from head to toe. It turns out I am allergic to the pain meds. So no more for me. Lucky enough I really do not need them anymore but it has to work itself out of my system. Im going to try to walk more today, but still the simplest things tire me out. But I am happy to be on this side!
sweetsoutherngirl

sweetsoutherngirl

8
LovetheNewMe's Blog
 

Living With Lapband And Staying On Track For Me!

Happy Saturday Bandsters!   Hope everyone has had a great week. I finally fell like I am getting back on track from my last fill on January 30th. This time it has taken me much longer to recover and get adjusted to my meal plan, it has been like step one learning to eat all over again. I really struggled the first couple of weeks post fill and had to rely on protein shakes more than I would have liked to but I am finally eating solids 3 meals a day, no hunger or snacking between meals and able to get at least 90% of my protein with solids. I still struggle a little in the mornings with solids, but I just keep trying and eventually I know I will be able to do breakfast of eggs again. So for now breakfast will just have to be Greek Yogurt with some additional berries and a little high protein Kashi. My weight loss since the fill has finally leveled off to about a pound a week, but the rapid weight loss during the first few weeks made my hair start to fall out again. I was bad, I did not take my vitamins like I should have and now am paying for it but have gotten back on track this past week. I went back to the gym this morning, this is the first time I have done formal exercise, except walking since my knee surgery last year in November. It felt good just to make my self go, I took it slow and did not over do it, I was a little nervous and afraid I would struggle with the knee exercises but I did well. Exercised for 40 minutes than stretched for 10-15 minutes. Great way to start a Saturday, I have decided to go to the gym on Tuesday and Thursdays after work, and Saturday mornings. I am going to try hard not to over do it like I did last time so I do not re-injure myself. I also had them to remeasure me this morning and since I started the gym last year, I have dropped 23.3 lbs and 23.75 inches, not to bad since I have not exercised since September of last year. I think the most dramatic drop has been my waist and my bust. I have dropped my waist from 40 inches to 33 inches and 5 inches off my bust. Needless to say, it is time to buy bras again... Again I could put my husbands tube socks in to fill out the cups. I really need to work on my thighs, honestly out of all of my saggy body parts, I hate my upper inner thighs. If anyone has any good suggestions for some great exercises for the inner thighs let me know, I am going to concentrate on the legs so at least I won't look to much like a Shar Pia this summer. This week I was reading the blogs and really liked one that (MorelGirl) I think the blog was timely and could really hit home for a lot of us, Logical Me and Emotional Me. That blog really hit home for me, logically I always know what I should be doing but emotionally sometimes it is so difficult to remember everything I am suppose to do and not allow the emotional side win over the logical side. Take for instance, waiting so long to get a fill, I knew for months I needed a fill, but kept telling myself, you can do this, you can manage your portions, you know what to eat. Well logically, yes I do know what to eat, but it was nice to eat what everyone else was eating, little pizza, little bread, little pasta. Even thought I did not gain weight, I was not losing, I had convinced myself I was just at a plateau but honestly that was emotional me trying to convince logical me that it was OK to eat that stuff. So I will not cry over spilled milk and I will not lose anymore time feeling sorry for time lost. I am refocused, back on track and will faithfully blog and be accountable to myself. It is so easy to drift back into bad habits, and thank you Morel Girl for snapping me back into reality. So since I am back in the Green Zone and back on track I am posting a few tips for all of us to learn to live by. Please learn from my mistakes, do not give up on the band, remember to use it as the tool it was designed to be. If your adjustments are not quite right keep going back and insisting they get them right. Remember it is not the amount in your band but how you respond to the amount in your band. It takes some of us longer than others to get to our "sweet spot", some just need a little adjustment, some need more. Stay in touch with your surgeon and attend the support groups locally if you can, support is important because even though our family and friends support us if they have never been "overweight" really they can not help us or identify with us. Remember we are all individuals and we will all lose weight and have different amounts in our bands, we should never compare the amounts in our bands, we are indivduals and will all respond differently to the lap band. The most improtant thing we can do is learn from others successes and failures. Standing alone sometimes we may feel powerless but as a group we are strong and very powerful. Have a great weekend friends. Love and Good Luck to all, Diane       Lifestyle Guidelines After LAP-BAND® Surgery   10 Tips for healthy living   Here are ten simple but important tips that will help you achieve your weight loss goals with the LAP-BAND® System. Remember, your success depends a lot on your ability to commit to a new way of eating — and embrace your new way of living. Show All   1. Aim to eat three small meals a day.   The LAP-BAND® System creates a small stomach pouch that can hold about one-quarter cup (approx. 2 oz) of food. Eating more can stretch the stomach, canceling the effect of your procedure. 2. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.   Food can only pass through the new stomach opening (or “stoma”) if it has been chewed into very small pieces (about 15–20 times per bite). 3. Stop eating as soon as you feel satisfied.   Once your stomach pouch is full, your body receives a signal that you have eaten enough. If you rush through your meal, you may overeat before this signal reaches your brain. 4. Avoid or limit drinking before or during meals.   If you drink in the 15 to 20 minutes before, or during, your meal, the food you eat becomes liquid and the effectiveness of the LAP-BAND® System is greatly reduced. Take only small sips with meals. 5. Limit eating between meals.   Snacking between meals is one of the major reasons for weight loss failure. You should not feel hungry between meals. If you are, it’s a good idea to keep healthy snacks on hand. Remember, to listen to your band to stay in the Green Zone. You may need an adjustment if you are persistently hungry. 6. Eat only good-quality, nutritious food.   Your meals should be high in protein and vitamins. Don’t fill up on high-sugar, high-fat “junk” foods which lack the important vitamins and nutrients you need. Talk to your doctor to determine the right nutrition and vitamin supplement plan for you. 7. Avoid fibrous food.   In general, foods that contain many fibers, like asparagus, can block the stoma. Even with thorough chewing, saliva sometimes cannot break the fibers down enough for them to pass. Try cooking fibrous foods well, then cut them into very small bites and chew them thoroughly. You’ll soon learn what your body can and cannot tolerate. 8. Drink enough fluids during the day.   Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily, in small amounts, all day long (but not right before, during or after meals). This helps you stay hydrated and eliminate waste from your body. 9. Drink only low-calorie liquids.   If you drink high-calorie liquids (even healthy ones like fruit juice) you may not lose weight, even if you are following your diet with good, band-friendly eating habits. 10. Keep moving.   This is an important tip. Physical activity burns calories and increases weight loss. Once your doctor clears you to exercise, aim for 30 to 45 minutes of moderate to high activity, 3 to 5 times a week. A lot of calorie-burning activities can be fun and rewarding.
♥LovetheNewMe♥

♥LovetheNewMe♥

1
UsedtobeBig-Al's Blog
 

Starting The Journey On March 6

Hi all I'm new to this blog stuff so please cut my a little slack. I've been searching for a solution to weight issues all my life and have done and tried almost all things out there About 10 years ago a good friend and business associate had a bypass he is 6'7" and was 450 or so. His was a forced issue as his family history of heart attacks was catching up to him. Results were mixed 150 plus loss but plenty of complications along the way. So while considering and studying this I decided it was not for me.   Another friend had lapband and results were fantastic BUT after a year or so weight came creeping back along with the out of control feeling and helplessness. I remembered these feelings well as I lost 109 lbs in 90 days on pills and shots That was back in the 80's I could watch a commercial on TV and gain 5 lbs devastating feeling. I also learned that this procedure had its fair share of complications and weight gain was not insignificant.   So here I am 61 years old retired since 04 going to do something for myself. Type A guy intense all the attributes. Gastric sleeve is for me. Starting weight about 2 wks ago was 362 not my highest but up there started th 1200 calorie about 9 days ago and will go until surgery march 6. Dr Nicholson out of Dallas is my guy. My regular drs partners wife (got that) had hers done there and I've since found a lot of drs send themselves their family members to him that shortened my search a lot   These forums have truly been a blessing to me and I am going to try to contribute in a meaningful way as I travel along   Thanks to all
UsedtobeBig-Al

UsedtobeBig-Al

2

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