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freelance frog's Blog
 

Life is Good.. I've been bad!

4 months after lap band surgery, and life is GOOD. Actually, life is better than good! But I've been so bad! I have every excuse in the book, (I'll just say that up front!) But I haven't been to the gym in almost three weeks! STILL I have managed to continue losing weight, and eating great, and I'm thinking that when "fill day" comes next week I probably won't be needing one. But I do have a week to go, so maybe I shouldn't be so sure.     At any rate.. I have a lot of wonderful news to share this week.. I'll try not to let this get too long.   First off the list.. my son's wedding was FABULOUS! Lots of work, lots of company, lots of craziness, but worth every second! I had the privilege of photographing the event, and I'm so grateful for that! It was definitely a different perspective... I could have opted to sit it out and watch from a normal 'mother of the groom' perspective, but I had a lot of fun where I'm most comfortable: behind the lens!     Second off the list: I completed "Lab Rat Days" in Denver yesterday with excellent reports! I got away from there with my "medication free" status in tact, but possibly not for long. I did have a Defibrillator interrogation today and I might be looking at some kind of anti-arrhythmia medication later this month, but nothing is certain.. I will update on that later.     I'm continuing to fill up bags with "too big" items, and that's still as fun as it was from the first pair of pants that went in! I'll admit that's not very motivating as far as getting me to the gym. I think it would be easier if I stopped losing weight while I was thinking up excuses not to go!! I will go back tomorrow.. I'm sure of it. (Laughing outloud!) I really am ready to return. Gosh it's easy to stay away though, and I just don't know if I will ever be one of those people who gets addicted to exercise.. I won't hold my breath waiting for it, that's a promise! I did promise myself that once the wedding was done, and all of my company left I'd get back into my routine, and I can't be breaking that promise now can I?   Last big news... "HOUSTON, WE HAVE A COLLARBONE!"   Yep.. it's there.. just as I suspected! (Laughing out loud again!) I've been waiting for it to show.. I missed it!   I'm weird.. I know it! Okay, perhaps I didn't miss it. Honestly, I didn't even realize it was missing until someone else discovered theirs after losing a lot of weight! But once I realized it was hiding, I was pretty excited to see mine again! And today, I can see it! Sweet huh?!   Closing in on 60 pounds gone~ and Onederland is just around the corner!   Thanks for stopping by! Follow me @: http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com
freelance frog

freelance frog

1
Shonda7911's Blog
 

1st Fill

Hello, well yesterday was my 1st fill. The fill did not hurt at all. i had to drink a cup of water before they would allow me to go home. Liquids go down really good. Yesterday i had some sugar free icecream and sugar free pudding. thats all. I don't really know what to think right now because i am on liquids for 2 days , mushie for 2 days and then i can eat solids. I did loose 8 lds since surgery. I think that is wonderful since i could't loose anything before this. No flabby skin. I have been working out every day. ( basketball, tennis, and a bit of running) that's what i call working out. Joining the gym when school starts. for the winter months. My childern is very supportive. they work out at sccool and then still got to the park with me after work. I love them so much for helping me. Today i have to attend a church survice so i have to do my walking on the track early. Thanks to all for your support. And i am learning so much from this site it's unreal.
Shonda7911

Shonda7911

2
Blog 79244
 

What if someone knows you are banded?

I have been apart of this site since the end of 2009, and I have read hundreds of post/blogs with members concerns about other people finding out they have a LB! I really didn't know what approached I wanted to taken once I finally had my band. I first prayed and I thought about all the reasons I decided to get the band in the first place. God gave me confirmation not be ashamed of my decisions to live a happier and healthier life. I think most people on this site were in a life or death situation due to weight issues, and they needed help that they were unable to provide for themselves. After taking a wide overview of several members' reasons for not wanting someone else to know they were banded or getting banded was somewhat overwhelming to read. Most people feared others judging their decisions to get help to lose the weight. Okay, lets get real- if we were able to lose the weight and keep it off on our own then we would have done that. However, most of us are able to lose the weight but we have failed to keep the weight off on a long term basis.   I have decided in my life time to stop giving people control and credit to decide what is or isn't good for me. Most people who judge our decisions to do something pretty "major" about our weight issues don't have enough courage to confront their own "demons"! I don't care how prefect we may think someone's life is they still have underlined issues that they still need to deal with. I said all of that to say: we owe no one any excuses or explanations for why we decided to get the LB. Baby- I am proud of this little tool inside my body! That's exactly right: it's only a tool to aid and assist each of use with our weight lost goals! Work and a lot of effort must be done on our parts! The LB is not a quick fix card for all of your weight loses problems. Yes- it takes a lot of work and effort (mentally and some physical) to get the results you want.   I am very proud of my decision and I will never allow anyone to make me feel guilty or ashamed for having this surgery. To be prefect fully honest: people judged me fat and they judge me now but overall I am happier with the current me! To all of my fellow LB family, please be proud of your choices to live a happier/ healthier life. Just remember that "old person" who experienced so much hurt, pain, and challenges when you were heavier vs., you now. I love the new me and no person is going to ever change the way I feel. I tell them, "don't hate just congratulate my success"!
shonette

shonette

15
Paul11011's Blog
 

7 months Post-op

7 months ago today was my surgery day. I can not believe, nor would I believed had you told me then, what a different life I have now. On the morning of surgery I weighted in at 456lbs. Today as I type this I weight 280lbs. I have lost 176lbs post op. From my initial consultation to my surgery I had lost 36lbs for a total now of 212lbs lost. It is so much more than just the decreased numbers on the scale that have changed my life. Obviously it all goes back to the diminished mass I now carry but every aspect of my personal life is better. I'm happier, more optimistic, more outgoing and confident.   I have returned to college, completed two courses over the spring and summer, both A's thank you very much, and will be going full time this fall and winter. I never would have put myself in the position to have to squeeze into desks or lecture chairs at nearly 500 lbs. Additionally this WL journey has helped me to focus on what I want to do "When I grow up". I'll be completing my BS in Health Sciences at the end of April 2012. From there I'm investigating options, I would love to be involved with a bariatric surgery center to help patients on their journey.   My health, the real reason for doing this, is dramatically improved. I no longer take blood pressure medication or cholesterol medications, my blood sugars are well down in the normal range instead of high-normal and with a final test next week to confirm, I'll likely be officially off from my cpap (haven't used it for a month and feel great).   I am more active, willing to try new things and excited about physical challenges. My golf game is much improved. I've, in the past 3 weeks, canoed and kayaked for the first time in my life. My wife and I have bought bicycles and we've went on rides of 12 and 14 miles thus far. We're finding a whole new relationship doing things other than setting on the couch.   I've found what a great help it is to be involved in a strong, reliable support network. I have made some great new friends and learned the value of listening to those who have went before me and the satisfaction of helping those coming behind me. I would have never considered myself a support group type of guy, but I view it as one of the most important pieces which will lead to the successful completion of this journey.   As great as this 7 months has been it is not without some surprises and challenges. My hair is starting to thin a bit. I have developed gall stones which will be taken care of with my gall bladder being removed on August 17th. I have loose skin in places I never would have imagined. Perhaps the strangest bi product and the one my wife takes the most joy in pointing out, my ears now seem bigger. I have been very fortunate and really have no issues for which to complain. I would do this again in a minute.   Thanks for reading and taking the time to let me share my journey with you. Take care.        
Paul11011

Paul11011

3
Same road...different destination
 

Food is still my enemy

I feel like all I did was eat today. Maybe it is because I just got to start eating, IDK. Or maybe because it is time for my monthly junk binge...lol. Had a little chicken for first meal, had a little hamburger with tomatos and beans dish second meal, had a taco for third meal, THEN I had the topping off of one piece of my kids personal pan size pizza when I got home from work...AAAAH! I think this is too much food for a typical day for me, but I don't really know. The volume would make up probably half of one meal pre surgery, but I know the pizza topping and taco was probably empty calories. I hoped the junk food cravings would go away after surgery, but alas they have not. I did have a protein shake before i did any eating today too. I feel TERRIBLE about what I have, but what is done is done and I think writing it down and learning from it is the best thing for me right now. I hope I am not the only one struggling with cravings. I need to figure out what triggered today's indulgence I guess. I think PMS is a big culprit because I crave greasy salty during this time. I just have to try harder tomorrow! One day at a time I guess! I am thankful for the sleeve in that it really put the brakes on my eating BIG TIME. I haven't added back much produce yet and I think it is time to do so. I didn't realize meal planning would be just as vital after surgery as it was before and I didn't realize that the mental battle would be the biggest by far.
amandaRN

amandaRN

1
Andy's Articles
 

Pre-op Week

Thisis my week of pre-op appointments. Planned them all during my vacation. I went to my second support meeting on Monday night. It was a muchbetter meeting then my first. More people, it started on time and I foundit more helpful. It as recommended picking up Weight Loss Surgery forDummies so I got that today. About half way done, so far so good. It hasbeen very informative. I go for my psyche evaluation tomorrow. Notsure exactly what to expect but the evaluation is spread out over 2 appointments. One bonus today I only had 1 co-paymentfor the entire day. Also found outthat I will not have to pay a co-payment for each weekly weigh in. I lost 20 pounds since my initial visitwith the Bariatric group on July 5th, down 35 pounds since I saw mydoctor in June. I havereached the 5% weight loss requirement of my insurance company. Still ticks me off that the group doesnot count the first 15 pounds lost. But in another 10 pounds I will reach their required 10% from my initialweigh in with them. I have myappointment with the surgeon the first week of September. I imagine after that visit everythingwill be submitted to the insurance company.    
AMayo1

AMayo1

1
here we go...
 

*****

I'm going to kill my ******* mother. She constantly harasses me about going to the gym. And i mean harasses. She screams and yells and calls me pathetic and freaks the f**k out that I don't go EVERY DAY. She understands nothing. She respects nothing. It makes me want to never exercise just to spite her but that's so wrong. I can't stand this. I've got to get out of this city and get away from my family. I love them but the closeness is driving me insane.   Jesus christ. She knows how depressed and nutty I've been, too. What a ******* moron.   I don't know what to do
jessyM

jessyM

6
2FIT2BFAT's Blog
 

8 th DAY

Excited I am only 3 lbs away from the big 200 mark. Its been a long time since I have seen that. Noticed that my cheeks are not as puffy. Still have the fat chin, but I can sorta see my cheeks and I look different to myself in the mirror. Made my apt with the doc for my band fill and they are putting me on flaky foods as of Friday. In another week I can have salad and for some strange reason I have been hungry for greens. So I look forward to the ruffage. Still have alittle bit of "uncomfortable" when I crouch down or bend over but for my 8th day after surgery I think that is good. I can sit longer now in a chair without being uncomfortable. So I go back to work next week. I did take off this week only because we had construction going on and I thought it would be good for me to take the time to heal at home instead of a office chair I am stuck too. Wonder if anyone will notice I have lost weight at work. I think so. Only two people know that I did this at work, unless someone cant keep a secret. i dont really care if they know that I did a band, but seriously, its none of their business. LOL...So thats where I am today. Down 14 lbs and wondering where all my size 14 jeans have gone. I only found one pair. I hope I wasnt so lost in my fat world that I got rid of them. Hopefully I had some HOPE that someday I would get back into a size 14. Guess I will have to look alittle harder . I have a plastic container of clothes in my shop, Black MARKER on plastic lid states..."Clothes I will probably never get into in this lifetime again, but refuse to get rid of" Maybe I can find something in there...LOL...Wouldnt that be fun !!!!
2FIT2BFAT

2FIT2BFAT

3
Scars & tattoos
 

Day 7 & 8

I'm one week post-op! Felt a little "pop" when i bent over to pick something up off of the ground which is freaking me out a bit. I think i may have popped a stitch on my band or port There is some mild pain right around where my port is and I really feel like holding the spot when I'm moving. I think its time to call the doctor.  
karynj

karynj

0
Gardendiva3's Blog
 

Dedicated to the Sleeved!

There once was a gal who was fluffy, And all too often quite stuffy, With allergies galore Would frequently snore And sneeze till her eyes were all puffy.   Her health was a problem for sure, Sleep apnea, CPAP, she'd endure. Blood sugar quite high And her knees gave a cry When long or short walks were the cure.   And then one day she was sleeved, Oh yes – her symptoms relieved With a svelte figurine She appeared so serene A new she could hardly be believed.   Her family and friends all agreed Her coworkers and boss true indeed With support and some love And with thanks up above Her fluff was snuffed by her sleeve.   (Ok ...i was bored at work)
gardendiva3

gardendiva3

9
I'm losing it!
 

Today is a great day!

This morning my husband had the day off and had to go to DMV. He took my son (who is 2) with him and left pretty early this morning to get there right when they opened. I was able to get up and get ready for work ALL BY MYSELF! It was wonderful. To any of you out there who have more than one child and have to be out of the house in the morning I give you so much credit! It is a lot of work to get just him ready - WHEW!   I started this lapband journey to lose weight because I want to have another child and be healthy. I was 372 pounds on the morning of my surgery. I was disgusted with myself. I was 35 years old and almost 400 pounds. I wasn't getting my period. My knees and back hurt. I was out of control. Since having the surgery I have been selfish in a good way. My husband and I decided that in order for me to be successful I needed to have time at least 3 nights a week to go and work out. That meant he had to stay home with our son in the evenings and we had to change up our budget. It is a big change in our family. Our before lap-band routine was that my husband got home from work at about 7pm we would have dinner that we usually ordered out for (my son had already eaten) and either my husband would go work out and I would clean up, get my son to bed, lay around watch tv or play on the internet- or my husband was home and we would do those things together. Either way I was lazy and I would continuously snack and drink soda while getting things done around the house.   Our routine has changed so much. I now get home from work and cook a healthy dinner for us, play with my son, bathe him and get him to bed. Then 3 nights a week I go over to my friends where our trainer meets us and we work out for a good 2 hours. While most nights I try and think of excuses why not to go - I'm tired, my knee hurts, etc. I go and afterward I feel great! I just push passed those negative thoughts and sweat it all out! (Last night I rode my bike 7 miles!!!) I have been doing this for over 3 months now. My new goal is to do some kind of exercising on the nights I don't work out with the trainer. I'm going to start by just going for a walk after dinner with my family. Maybe opening up those Wii games I have had for years and are still in the boxes! I'm even thinking of borrowing the Insanity DVD's from my neighbor and trying them! (I've also gotten my period regularly for 3 months in a row!)   It is so exciting to do things that I just assumed in the past that I couldn't do. I'm willing to try anything. This morning with my free time before leaving for work I took my coffee into the office and looked up where I can rent kayaks. I've always wanted to try that! You know, lately people have been telling me you look great, I don't even care about it really. Honestly, it is a great side effect of the weight loss but I am more so celebrating my new found freedom! My freedom from stress and worry over whether I will fit in the chair, booth, or amusement park ride and my fears that I am not keeping up with the other Mom's at the park. I have the confidence to try new things now. I hadn't ridden a bike in 15 years and now I've ridden 10 miles. We took my son to Sesame Place and I was able to go on the rides with him, I still had to squish a little , but I had the confidence to try where as before I would have made my husband do it. I still have a long way to go - want to lose another 100 pounds but I am on my way. I am slowly but surely getting there and I am so excited. It makes saying no to my favorite cannolis ok. I am definitely far from a perfect bandster but I am living my life far more than I ever was before and I'm loving it!   Sorry this post is all over the place just wanted to share my thoughts and they are all over the place too!   Hope you all have a wonderful day!
TracieR

TracieR

2
Blog 65542
 

Hair Loss Not an Expert but this is what happened to me

In June of 2008 I had to have my ovary's and tubes removed, the operation time about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. My weight was about 280 give or take. I was forever dieting to feel better and I felt like CRAP. I came home to recover from this surgery and my hair fell out when I brushed it. I freaked out and called the surgeon and she said I should try to eat well. In three weeks my hair stopped falling out. I got a hair cut and started to feel better about myself as much as I could at 280 - 270 pounds. Hair loss stopped and new hair started to grow back. It seemed like forever. I kept trying to diet and eat well everyday. Hair loss happened, and hair came back. In June of 2009 I had my long awaited Lap Band Surgery. My weight was about 250 pounds when I got my Lap Band. That surgery took about 2 1/2 to 3 hours in the operating room. I had a hernia that needed to be fixed as well. I went home and my hair started again to fall out this time in handfuls. So much it clogged the drain and tub would fill up. I again freaked out and called my LB surgeon and he said to start taking Biotin. I take 5000 mg a day now. In four to five weeks my hair stopped falling out and I started to get wispy new hair growth again. It seemed to take forever. It all came back. In June of 2010 my weight was a t 145-147 pounds. I just got my full body "Nip and Tuck". Breasts reduced and tummy skin fold removed and abdomen tightened. The surgery took 6 1/2 hours, I also had another hernia that needed fixing. A week after surgery, my hair again started to fall out. This time I expected the hair loss from my past experience of having surgery. This time the hair loss was way more than any other time before. I feel the hair loss is due to the length of time I was under the knife. This was the longest time by far. The longer the operation took the more hair fell out. It has been six weeks and I am still seeing hair loss. I am taking Biotin everyday and eating very well. I feel my hair will stop falling out soon. Also the recovery for this procedure is about six months. I spent more than two weeks in bed with drain and pain like I never had before. I feel great today, I am wearing compression garment bodysuit and I can bend over now. I am still not allowed to carry anything heavy. It has been six weeks and hair is still falling out but it is less everyday. I conclude that the longer the operation takes, the longer you are under the knife, the longer the hair falls out. Eating more quality protein and taking Biotin does help it has for me. I also message my scalp to stimulate the hair growth. I can see new hair growth and I know it will all come back in a few short weeks. I am not sure if everyone has hair loss? I know I have and it does get better with time. Best wishes to everyone on your journey. Mine has been amazing one and I would do it all over again if given the chance. Hair loss has not been that bad. The pain was worse! imaluckydog
imaluckydog

imaluckydog

4
Sassygirl06's Blog
 

pre-op in the morning!

Ok the wheels are starting to pick up speed and I'm stepping on the gas....Finally another big day is here tomarrow. I go do my pre op with the doctor, and then at the hospital. So excited to see how much I have "officially" lost on the liquid diet. I have been really good I think. Only the occational sugar free jello, popsicle or fudge pop...no carbs though. Yesterday I thought I was going to lose my mind, but today I went to the psycologist and got to vent about everything, and I feel better now. Heading off to bed so that I dont crash on the way...gotta 3.5 hour drive to get there, and I have to drive a 1/2 hour backwards to go pic up my daughter from camp first. She tottally wants to be a part of everything. I thank God I have such a wonderful teenage girl! She is the sweetest thing. I know most people are saying the opposite of their teenagers, but I am so blessed that she is so beautiful, inside and out. She has been walking with me and helping me with my journey from the begining. What a blessed life I have. Thank goodness that I am finally getting on track with my weight, and health so that I can be here on this Earth for my family a lot longer!
Sassygirl06

Sassygirl06

2
mscarla123's Blog
 

Concern -- that I am not filled enough!

I have been reading and researching the entire Lap Band system for 2 years. All the literature I have read warns you have having your band too tight. I believe that is stuck in my head and that’s why when I go to get my fills I am so nerves.   I went to get a fill on August 2, 2011. I don’t feel any different than the day before I went to the appointment. I can almost eat anything but; I just make myself stop because I really want this to work. I can guzzle water after a workout better than before. I feel as if I have had a un-fill; I am scared that my band may not be in the correct place. I have so many things running in my head. Not to mention that I have gain 3 lbs since my fill. I want to call the Doctor but I don’t want to be panic for no reason. I am not in pain, I can eat and I am gaining weight.   I walk 3 miles a day, workout 4 times a week, I eat very small portion only because I use the portion plates. I just don’t know what direction to go.   I don't know how much is in my band... what size is my band.. and my Doctor don't seem to be open to discussing those questions. Any advice?    
Determine-Gem

Determine-Gem

6
deedee72's Blog
 

On the right track again

Hello fellow bandsters. Lately I have been trying to get back on track with eating and exercising. I can say that I have been successful. I think vacation and preparation for vacation had me in " dont care" mode. Since then I have been back on track. The scale read 234.8 this morning! That is about a 10lb loss post vacation. I have been working out 4-5 times per week and it feels great!! I'm also really trying to focus on my hunger level and how long it takes me to get hungry after eating. I have a fill appointment next week and I think I'm getting pretty close to the green zone. I definitely don't want to be overfilled. Everything pretty much goes down fine, even without me chewing it to mush. I can eat bread, steak, chicken...anything. I can also guzzle water. I do find that I'm tighter in the morning, but other than that, no problems. Right now I have 6cc's in a 10 cc band. I'm thinking maybe .25 would be good, but who knows since I have a delayed reaction to fills at times. I can eat a meal in less than 10 minutes, depending on what it is. What do you guys think? Do I need a fill?
deedee72

deedee72

2
LeeLee76's Blog
 

On my way

Here I am at exactly 2 weeks post-op. I had my checkup yesterday and they finally removed those stupid staples! Amazing how much less my incisions bother me with them gone. Doctor feels I'm on track, the appointment was actually very brief, it was a longer wait to see the doc than the appointment itself. He cleared me for the gym, basically to do what I'm comfortable with and go at my own pace.   On another note, I decided to take the full time that I have been approved for and not go back to work until 8/25. Feel a little guilty but I also don't feel 100% and I know I'm not ready to go back to working 60+ hrs a week. Better to take the time now.   Thats about it for today. .I'm off to do a major cleaning on the house one room at a time and of course the closets! The with any luck I'll have enough energy for the gym   Have a great day all!!
LeeLee76

LeeLee76

2
I'm losing it!
 

Hi my name is Tracie...and I'm a night eater!

I haven't been a perfect bandster. I'm a night eater. I wait until my husband and son are asleep and I eat bad things. I am such an addict. I tell myself go to bed! At least now it is not the quantity but the quality of what I eat. Chocolate milk, ice cream, peanut butter crackers, any crap I can find. It really is an addiction. I've been doing better and like I said I can't eat too much but I can't stop myself. What can you do but work on it. I am working through it. I try to keep myself busy, clean my house, go online, maybe go for a walk. I definitely have been doing better but it is my nemesis. The good thing I can say is that since getting my band I start over everyday being a good bandster. That has always been my downfall in the past, falling off the wagon and giving up. This tool has helped me not give up. I can't believe it has been 5 months. The first month I wasn't sure I did the right thing. Everyone kept telling me I would feel better once the weight started coming off. Now I'm down about 80lbs and I'm happy with that. Honestly while I know it is good I wish it was more. I'm addicted to losing! I'm trying to switch my night eating habit to a working out habit. I have had a trainer for about 3 months and that has been my saving grace. He pushes me and gets me to do things that I NEVER thought possible! Well for the last two weeks he has been on vacation and I have been on my own. The lazy has creeped back in. He gave me a routine to follow while he is gone and I have only done 2 nights of it. So I guess I learned that I definitely still need the trainer. We'll keep budgeting it until I feel like I can keep it up myself. I did work out last night. Every excuse I can think of ran through my head all day not to go. I went and I am so glad I did. It was hard work but I have no guilt and I didn't eat last night! My goals for this week is to do my routine 3 times (at least). I can do it, I will do it!
TracieR

TracieR

4
CAMMYD's Blog
 

I ate right, worked out but only loss inches not pounds grrrrrr!!!!

Lady's here is some information I came accross that gave me the Oprah , Ah haa, moment !!! How many of you have said to yourselv, I havent eatten that much and I worked out really hard, so how the hell does your body hold onto weight and still manage to get smaller while you are on your chosen low carb diet?!? Losing inches but not weight? You know the scenario: You are on Induction for two weeks, and you haven't cheated even once. You notice that your clothes fit better, that you are stepping a little livelier, and as far as you're concerned, all's right with the world.   But then you step on that evil construction of the Devil himself, the bathroom scale, and you instantly feel betrayed. The stupid thing insists that you have done nothing! Sometimes, it even states you have done less than nothing; it accuses you of cheating because it tells that you haven't lost any weight! Well, there area couple of simple explanations to help you get through this trying time.   First of all, if it is at all possible for you to do so, throw that insipid Monster Scale in the trash. Or at least put it up somewhere that it is really, REALLY inconvenient to get to so that you won't be tempted to ask it's opinion every single day of your life. Face it. If you are feeling better and your clothes are looser, do you really need the scale to tell you that you're on the right track? No! You don't! Why do you think you do it, then? I'll tell you why. The low fat diet demons have a tenacious hold on your brain. That's right, you've been brainwashed. All your life they have told you through doctors, dietitians, newspaper and magazine articles, surgeon generals and the like, that you give up X calories per day and you will lose a pound of fat. They even go on to tell you how much fat you should lose each week. In the process, they've made you dependent on the Monster Scale to gauge your progress!   What a big lie!   Even on the diets that "they" advocate, the Monster Scale does not often cooperate. You go back to the Diet Demons and demand to know why the scale does not reflect the torture you have put yourself through for a month. They immediately start backpedaling on the "give up X calories and lose a pound of fat" story, and start talking to you about water retention and muscle buildup. Sometimes, they even blame it on you with questions like, "Are you sure you counted the calories in everything you ate?" (This is delivered with a knowing little smile that makes you want to rip their knowing little face off.) Being the type that is given to blaming things on yourself, anyway, you cooperate with an answer like, "Well….." They pounce on this with "Ahhhh, well.." Then, they launch into one of their scoldings/lash/encouragement speeches.   So, get off their bandwagon, already!   Then, there's the competitive spirit. You hear about what other people have done on your chosen diet. Yes, Brian went on Atkins a year ago and lost over a hundred pounds. Yes, a hundred pounds in a year is over eight pounds a month, or 2 pounds a week, or .0119 pounds per hour….but, "Hello? You ain't Brian!" And, did Brian ever say that he lost .0119 pounds per hour? No! He said a hundred pounds in a year. This only proves he got on the scale twice; a year ago, and yesterday. Take a hint from Brian. Stay off the scale!   The second solution is to understand what is going on in your body in light of the current state of human affairs. Today, all a person has to have to eat every day is money and transportation to a grocery store or, better yet, a nice restaurant. However, your body's survival instincts have not matured in a million years. Your body still thinks you are a hunter-gatherer. Yes, in spite of a million years of evolution, your body still thinks you are going to have to go out and kill a mammoth to eat. The survival instincts with which you are going to have to come to terms are read-only memory. You can't overwrite them. Deal with it.   That said, let me tell you what happens when you lose a pound of fat. Your body has been saving this fat for that long hunting expedition you're going to have to go on to track, kill, dress and retrieve that huge animal. It keeps the fat in little pillows distributed throughout your body. When you start losing fat, it doesn't trust you to continue whatever insane path you have chosen that is causing the fat to dissipate. So, when the fat comes out of the pillow, it injects water as a "place holder." Sometimes that water actually replaces the weight of the fat it lost. Sometimes it replaces the volume.   Water weighs more than fat just like lead sinkers weigh more than feathers. If you stuff a pillow with a pound of feathers, you'll have a nice big pillow. If you stuff a pillow with a pound of lead sinkers, you'll have a nice (but rather hard and uncomfortable), small pillow. Now, let's say your body removes a pound of fat and replaces the weight with a pound of water. Your weight will stay the same, but you will be smaller. But, if your body decides to replace the lost fat by volume, that is a quite different story. Remember the great big feather pillow as compared to the tiny lead sinker pillow? Well, now think of a gallon of feathers and a gallon of lead sinkers. Try to pick up the gallon of feathers. Piece of (you'll pardon the expression) cake. Now, try to pick up the gallon of lead sinkers. Sucker's heavy, ain't it? So, you will be smaller, but you will have gained weight.   Eventually, your body makes the executive decision that you are not going to replace the fat you lost, and it lets go of the water. In the words of Danny Skaist: "When your body accepts the fact that they are no longer needed, the water will be expelled and the cells closed. This is known as the "whoosh."   What makes your body decide to replace by weight or replace by volume? I dunno. But I do know that it does not seem consistent to the casual observer. What makes your body decide that you are seriously not going to replace the fat you lost? I dunno. But now you know why it's so important to drink your water, huh? Loss of fat is inextricably related to water intake. It's more than a little foolish to go on a diet that facilitates the removal of fat and then refuse to give your body the tools it needs to do so.   Bottom Line: Stop getting on the scale and drink your water. If you stick to your plan and wait for the "whoosh," it will come.       <BR clear=all>
CAMMYD

CAMMYD

8
Jen's Jabbers
 

29 Weeks Post-Op: Progress Pics and My Thoughts About the Band

Last weeks weigh in - 183lbs. This weeks weigh in - 180.2. Lbs lost = 2.8. A good week! So as a courtesy to myself, I try to look back at progress once in a blue moon. Progress = motivation for me and this is why:     WEEK ONE POST-OP     WEEK 29 POST-OP   The difference: 44lbs Average: 1.5lbs per week.         I know that doesn't seem like allot. But this is for those of who who are frustrated... 1.5lbs a week ADDS UP! KEEP GOING! Posting the first picture is horrifying. SCARY! Imagine, I had already lost 40lbs when this was taken. You will not find an unclothed pic of me at 262lbs. I wouldn't allow any to ever be taken!   I am losing slowly, I am doing nothing that I cannot continue to do forever. I take my time. I change things to suit me and my new lifestyle. I do not fool myself in to thinking that I will not make poor choices ever again. I do not fool myself in to believing that I will workout 6 days a week when I just happen to one time and then lose 3lbs that week. I do not fool myself in to thinking that I will be done with the hard work when I hit my non-existent target weight. I still make excuses, I still justify, I still beat myself up when I am having a tough time staying on track and that results in a vicious cycle of poo poo on me BUT I am happy! I try to be gentle with myself. I feel great and the NSV's and progress (when noticed) is fabulous fuel!   I read a blog suggested by Lap Band Gal (you can read it here.) and do have to agree that approving people who are roughly 10lbs over the national average is insane! I know the national average is high though. The author refers to the band as stomach binding. I wish! lol. A comment left by a reader "I also find it interesting that the author of this article appears to be considerably overweight. How's that diet and exercise thing going for her?" - bahahahah! I have a feeling that this article will have an interestingly hot debate to follow. Looking forward to the massacre of part II.   My choice to have WLS was a tough one. I was only offered WLS after I had lost 40lbs during a 15 month program called WeightWise. Through the program, one attends sessions on general nutrition, emotional eating, identifying triggers, meeting with nurses, psychiatrists, dietitians and being strictly monitored when it comes to attendance, weight loss and food journals. I have to say that with a non-restrictive band thus far and coming up on 7 months post-surgery, the addressed emotional and psychiatric components are what is going to take me to the ideal healthy lifestyle!   Having the surgery, sorry for those who tune in often, changed my BRAIN 100%. The commitment, the seriousness of the surgery, the fear and anxiety about the decision and the procedure itself changed me. The band hasn't done anything physically yet, but it does remind me by just being there. There is no way that I went through all of it to fail! Restriction or no restriction, I am in control!   I also have to mention that if I had to pay for surgery myself, I probably wouldn't. Not because I am opposed to surgery, (DUH) but because I am young (still milking this for almost one more year). I work in the non-profit world and the mister and I have other priorities financially that just can not be delayed. It is a constant battle to keep up the house, the cars and just life in general. I am not sure that I would or even could spend the money on WLS. Fortunately, I didn't have to and was blessed to find myself in the care of a great team with an awesome gift! "OH CANADA" - free surgery and support for those who are committed and will work at it! Imagine!   Anyhoot, off to the 1st shift at the 2nd job today. We have a Mexico trip and Newfoundland trip to pay for. Totalling about 1 month of vacation and $5000.00. Not even half of what a band would cost! It would be hard for me to choose surgery over two trips to sunny Puerto Vallarta and grey but gorgeous Newfoundland!         Cheers all!                          
EdmontonGal

EdmontonGal

2
Sassygirl06's Blog
 

omg!!! finally figured out this whole ticker thing!

I totally suck at this computer stuff. I know more than some but less then most. Anyways I finally figured out how to add it all by myself! For those of you guys that are like me and cant figure it out, here is how you can do the dummy way....if someone knows how to do it the right way, please feel free to add instructions for us dummies..lol   1) go to www.tickerfactory.com 2) create your ticker penn, and then your ticker...(so easy) 3) highlight the actual picture of your ticker, copy the actual picture of your ticker....not the code they give you 4) go to your profile on sleevetalk and go to change signiture 5) paste picture to signiture, then finally....save info   thats it! hopefully this helped those of you that wanted it but were to shy to admit it...lol good luck
Sassygirl06

Sassygirl06

4
Dig It Dog
 

Lazy in Vegas and Final Weigh In!

I've been in Las Vegas, NV for the last week. and oh boy, it was hard as heck to stay on the wagon. but i did it! from Los Angeles its about a four hour drive, so its drive two hours, take a break grab a snack and keep going. Instead of snacking on chips i grabbed a banana and some coffee, I tried to keep my portions under control but that was a struggle, but i did do a lot of walking in 105 degree heat (at night!!!) Also went to the Grand Canyon (west) and did some hiking, and saw a show! (Phantom Of The Opera! Amazing!)   Nice Little Vacation!   And My final diet is tomorrow! I'm scared as heck since we're going to submit to the insurance soon after! I wonder how long it will take from tomorrows appointment for the OBand center to submit the paper work? Also how long for a response (Aetna)? Lots of questions, Lots of thinking going on!
Tanya_cotto

Tanya_cotto

2
Sassygirl06's Blog
 

From: everything is looking positive

I just joined about a week ago, and my only regret is not signing up sooner. I am so thrilled to be able to communicate with others that are going through the same things as I am. I love that in every single post that I have read there has been nothing negative or derogitory at all. In a world were it is hard to find people that have kind things to say it is really wonderful to come on here and get the support that I truely need. I hope others are finding this site so rewarding. I love all of the advice out there for us up coming sleevers, those that are hopeful that they can get sleeved soon, and others that have just recently gone through the surgery. There are so many helpful suggestions and such possitive remarks that I find myself being more addicted to being on this site than the food that has been haunting me for years. So just want to really say thank you to all of the wonderful posts that people have made, and say keep it up, it really is helping others on their weight loss journeys.   Source: everything is looking positive
Sassygirl06

Sassygirl06

0
Scars & tattoos
 

Day 6

Here we are at 228 pounds on Aug. 8, 2011 All the glue is still there. Was my first day back at work & I felt pretty good
karynj

karynj

0

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