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Blog 82010
 

Home sweet home

I have been travelling to the ends of the earth this weekend (or at least the back roads of rural Kansas) for my grandmother's 80th birthday party. It was my first real public outing with family since band day. I should insert here that I come from a family of feeders (and eaters) when we get together we eat. If we're happy, sad, whatever, we eat. Our vacations revolve around eating. So I was curious how things would go.   Things went fine. I ate like a normal person (normal as in not related to my family) I essentially ate small portions of whatever I wanted. I stole 2-3 bites of birthday cake from my son so I didn't feel deprived. I ate a small meal, stayed satisfied until the next meal and didn't feel the need to snack at all (except driving...driving long distances are a snack hell for me but the answer to that is just don't have anything to eat in the car!). So, all in all a successful weekend. I didn't feel like a circus freak because I couldn't eat what everyone else did (the exception to that being a breakfast burrito that didn't like me so much, I ended up picking out the eggs and cheese and tossing the evil, vile shell in the trash). I feel good! Now, curious to see what the scales have to say in the a.m. While I ate fairly well, I'm sure I was protein low for 2 days and positive I didn't get enough water in (well water, bleh, and sodas...plus we were 30 minutes from civilization so once the bottled water was gone I resorted to sipping nasty well water in tiny amounts).   Hope you all had a great weekend!!
SoccerMomma73

SoccerMomma73

1
Angela's Blog
 

Beginning Journey...

Today I started going through my information received at intake to work on my diet. I figure I need to start making changes gradually so by the time I am forced to make changes I will be in the right frame of mind to do it. For me at this particular time I am cutting out caffeine and carbonated soft drinks. That is going to be so impossible for me. I LOVE my grape soda. Caffeine not so much of a big deal. I HATE drinking plain water, even the flavored is nasty unless it has sugar in it. That's a habit I need to work on now rather than later.   http://anglovato.blogspot.com/
anglov

anglov

1
Blog 86799
 

There's a [thin] line between Love & Hate...

What is it about food that can cause some people to become totally addicted to it, while others have a perfectly normal (even sometimes disconnected association) relationship with it?         I’m an emotional eater. When I’m happy, sad, angry, excited, depressed…I look for something to put into my mouth that will help me process or celebrate said emotions. I love the taste, the texture, the smell, the appeal…of some good food. I LOVE FOOD. (Obviously. Have you seen me?) But I absolutely abhor what I’ve allowed it to do to me/my appearance/my health. But WHY I love food so, I don’t really know.         Yesterday I went to Medieval times for my birthday dinner. Standard fare there? An entire HALF of a roasted chicken, spare rib, half of a roasted potato, garlic bread, bowl of soup & an apple turnover. THIS is what they serve for just one person. (Is there any wonder why most ppl in the US are overweight?? *sigh*) While I thoroughly enjoyed the grub, I’m happy to say that i only ate about HALF of what was served.           I feel like I’m mentally preparing myself by seriously re-considering my food choices & portions..which is a good thing. I also have a 30-day supply of slim-shots in the mail, that should help with this jump-start diet that will be required of me.   enroute to Medieval Times to grub           That’s tomorrow. TODAY? I’m gonna eat like the fat girl that I am. For the LAST time, I will make food my love-slave. I’ll make love to some bacon, and give pasta some good head…I’ll fondle some chocolate, and make-out with a Martini.         I understand that starting tomorrow, the way I relate to food will have to change (tho strangely, I think in my head, I “get it”…I just decided to allow myself to have what I wanted this weekend. I haven’t gone anywhere near as overboard as I thought I would or have even desired to. go figure!) I just haven’t totally figured out how to go from having a love affair with food, to putting that relationship in it’s proper place: sustenance, nutrition, and necessity. That, by far, is the most challenging aspect of this entire thing. Eating to live…not living to eat.       Now there’s a novel idea *smirk*
vanishingvixen

vanishingvixen

2
Sunshine2's (Tonya's) Journal
 

2/28/10

Well, I started a controversial diet on 2/16 and so far it has been going good. I have read lots of negative stuff about it, mainly from doctors. I am always surprised at the comments from readers which are all positive, they had all done the diet and quite please with it, so I decided to try Dr. Simeons HCG Protocal. I did something similar to it back in the 80's but it wasn't quit the same.   I am down to my last 20 lbs to lose and I'm finding it very hard with just the band. So I decided to do the HCG diet which is pretty strict and so far I have not cheated one time. I've followed it to the T and am down about 13 pounds (This is about the weight that I've gained thru the winter so no need to get too excited)   Day 1 - loading days 178.2 Day 2 - 178.5 (another loading day) Day 3 - First day of VLCD 179.8 Day 4 - 176.2 Day 5 - 175.6 Day 6 - 173.4 Day 7 - 172.4 Day 8 - 171.1 Day 9 - 168.9 Day 10 - 168.9 Day 11 - 168.8 Day 12 - 169.0 Day 13 - 168.2 Day 14 - 167.6 Day 15 - 166.9 (total 12.9 pounds)   I have about 25 more days to go. My goal is to lose a total of 25, but its slowing down, so I will be happy with a loss of 20.   Its amazing how little hunger I have. With the band and the HCG, it seems to control the hunger. I'm proud of my will power too. I have stayed on the protocol and have not strayed at all. I've become creative with my snacking too.   Today I made "apple chips". Sliced a green apple up (peeled it first) and sliced it very thin, sprinkled stevia on the slices and cinnamon and baked in oven and made the apple chips. They are great for snacking and I can have a few thru out the day. I get 2 fruits a day. It also helps with my "sweet tooth".   Well, thats whats been going on in my life lately. I will post more in my journal.   PS - I would appreciate no negative comments, I was reluctant to post this however, I am keeping this blog for my future reference and have kept it updated from the very beginning of my research with Lap band, therefore, I decided to detail the HCG in my blog.   Thanks!
tonya66

tonya66

3
Blog 295
 

Body Image

Over the last week, I've posted on forum threads regarding issues with my body and things I feel could use improvement. Now in the big picture, I understand these issues are not that important especially compared to the good health I now enjoy, they're more just little annoyances that only get to me at times.   One of the biggest issues is my skin. I know a lot of wls patients fear, dread, hate their lose skin and I am no different. Fortunately my arms are pretty okay and in most clothing, I look fine. But today I went swimsuit shopping to prepare for my upcoming trip (end of March) to Florida. It was a picture taken on that trip last year that prompted my search for a new weight loss plan, which eventually led to me discovering wls as an option.   Okay, back to the issues. My lower body (tummy, butt, and thighs) is disgusting. I'm not giving up hope that I can tone up these areas to some extent, but it's going to take a lot of work. In college I started buying swimsuits with skirts and always wore them due to bikini line razor burn and cellulite. Both of those things are still present, but much to my dismay, my saddle bags made any skirted swimsuit bottoms look pretty bad. I spent 3 hours shopping for a swimsuit and finally came to the conclusion that my body will never be perfect and I might as well just choose something and get on with it. When I'm at the beach I actually could care less how I look and hardly ever feel self conscious. It's all about the sun and water :biggrin0:   So here's the one I ended up buying. When I saw it in pictures, it wasn't quite as scary as the in the mirror, but still not the prettiest sight (I'm just loving that double butt I've got going on:-). I guess I had body issues when I was larger and those issues have not gone away just because I have shed over 90 pounds.
deedee

deedee

9
Blog 40740
 

Purim carnival

protein drink 160 popchips 480 lifewater 0 10 chips 75 = 715   485 left: lime pop 60 spinach pie 120 popcorn 180   (Overestimated how much spinach pie I could eat. Had to halve that.)
Gildy

Gildy

1
Blog 85456
 

Toady is a good day

Okay for a quick little update since this is my first blog... I had my surgery February 15th, 2010. In I lost 15 pounds in the first week post-op and now it will be two weeks tomorrow and I have dropped 22 pounds. I am so excited, I just hope the weight continues to come off....... :rolleyes2:
hunkin702

hunkin702

4
Blog 61341
 

Intimate Insecurities

The past week has been a bit trying for my wife and myself. We are both big people and as it turns out she has many medical issues that might preclude her from having the band. However, she did not want me to skip it the opportunity to be banded. I very grateful for this, however, as we were in bed a few nights ago, she seemed distant and distracted. I asked her what was wrong she said nothing. I did not believe her, but I let it lie (no pun intended). I have read many threads about couples who struggle to adjust to new bodies in relationships. I was beginning to sense that we might be starting to find some of those issues. I have dropped 80 pounds so far (pre and post op combined) and have another 90 to go, but obviously my body has changed. I have been shopping for new clothes and she has commented on how much the changes are noticeable. (Yes, the red flags should have been going off, but I am male…we can be oblivious sometimes)   After a few days of thinking about it, she sent me and email saying that as we were in bed she could feel the changes in my body and she felt intimidated. We have been married for 26 years and the last thing I want is to have the band, or the results of the band, come between us. I told her not to worry…that I was not going anywhere, everything was fine…needless to say, that did not help. As our minds can do, we both started to feel a bit insecure and our imaginations started to get ahead of us. Last night, I was on my way to a Bon Jovi concert and it all kind of came crashing in around me. Before I left, she told me… you look so good, make sure you keep your hands to yourself. We laughed, but it was very strained. As I ran this over in my mind, this interaction and a number of others this week no longer felt right. I called her and asked if she was really OK. I am glad to report that she said yes, but she was also a bit freaked and, as it turns out, we both needed reassurances that nothing had changed between us. We both agreed that as we enter this new territory, it is vital that we are very clear about the internal reactions and thoughts that creep up with this kind of life change and that we need to share them so they don’t fester.   The physical changes with the band are both amazing and exhilarating, but if they hurt our relationships with those we love the most, it can defeat the purpose and the value of doing the band. I still love my band and the progress I am making, but this week’s discussions and thoughts were a great reminder of how important it is to recognize that the mental changes are hardest and most challenging in this process.
Cingulus

Cingulus

8
Blog 85309
 

Time for a fill....

I wonder what can I do because I'm not feeling very hungry but I feel like I should eat because its breakfast time, or lunch time, or dinner time, and when I eat, I can eat too much. No restriction, unless I ate bread.   And what to do when everyone else is eating, or eating is an event, or people are always asking me out to eat? It feels like eating used to be something I did, and now its the center of my life because I'm trying to avoid it, or I spend alot of time choosing what I can eat, or worrying if I should even eat at all, because really, I'm not hungry enough to be having a meal.   And when you pay good money for a meal, but you are full and you should stop eating, but you dont want to waste it, so you keep going. I'm such a tight ass, I really feel bad to leave my meal not finished.   And when I'm at home, if I feel bored, I start to check the fridge. Or I even forget about the band and gulp down a drink, and then hiccup like crazy for the next 15 minutes, or dont chew enough and get stuck and curse myself for another 15 minutes.   It's these habits that I have to learn to change, and they are hard to change. The band can only help me so much, the rest is up to me. My weight hasnt changed in a week, and I know its because of all these things I havent learnt to fix yet.
amanda3t

amanda3t

2
Blog 79623
 

My first blog post....

Twenty-two days before my surgery. It's already been quite journey. I've been overweight for 20+ years. Tried just about every diet out there, Diet Workshop (bet nobody remembers that one), counting calories, phen-fen diet pills, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Weight Watchers again, Susan Powter, counting calories, Weight Watchers yet again. At first, I'd lose 20 or so pounds, sometimes more, but I'd always gain it back. I starting thinking about weight-loss surgery a couple of years ago. Finally, I mentioned it to my daughter. She was so supportive and offered to go to the seminar with me. We went to the seminar in October. I made my appointment with the surgeon in November and things really got rolling....psych consult, dietitian, sleep study, lab work, etc, etc. I also had to lose 5% (13 pounds) before my case would be submitted to insurance. Well, I lost 16 pounds and insurance approved me for surgery in Jan. After my EGD (upper endoscopy), I got my date, March 22. I've lost some more weight (about 19 total) & now I'm just trying not to regain. I've got a bad case of "last supper" syndrome. :rolleyes2:
matilda01

matilda01

2
Blog 85695
 

changing bad habits

I just had my first fill. Did anyone have trouble changing bad habits .... eating too fast, trying something you know you should have and suffer the consequence....does it eventually sink in??
Dee O

Dee O

3
Blog 47104
 

Food Addiction

I'm sure there are many of you that watch "Ruby". "Ruby" is a reality show about a women in Savannah Georgia who once weighted over 700 pounds. Through diet and exercise she has lost down to about 350 pounds.   Last week's episode of Ruby talked about food addiction. Ruby initially was offended to be considered a food addict. As I watched the episode I realized... I AM A FOOD ADDICT. I don't say this proudly, I say this factually. Food is heroine. Food comforts my mind and tortures my soul. I plan my day around food and feel excitement as time draws closer to eat. After I eat, I feel dissappointment with my lack of self control (this is the torture part for me) and inability to eat reasonably.   Why does food have this kind of control? I have self evaluated for years and the answer is mostly the same...I don't know. I was raised by a single parent and food was limited in our home, that could be a deep rooted issue for me. I have always lived in a fat body; I don't know who I would be without being overweight so maybe that's my fear. Maybe I fear male attention and the impact the attention could have on my marriage. I feel very strong in my committment to my husband but there's always fear of the unknown. Maybe I fear losing my best friend as issues are already arising because I am smaller than she is and she is showing signs of being uncomfortable with my progress (although this is a minor issue for me because if she's a true friend she will always be there and if she allows our friendship to dissolve due to me losing weight, then that's on her). Maybe I just love food.   At this point, I don't know why I'm a food addict but what I know for sure is it's time to be accountable.   On Ruby, the specialist recommended following the AA 12 step's and work through the addiction. My church offers a program like this so I am going to get involved and work the steps.   As I dive into this area of my life, I have to live in the moment at all time where food is concerned. I have to be more in tune to the triggers that cause me to make poor food choices and learn to deal with them while I am searching for the "why" I am a food addict.   I truly believe this is a huge step to my journey and who knows what might happen now that I have accepted my addiction. Acceptance if the first step in recovery.   Good luck to all my fellow food addicts.
tracie30

tracie30

2
Blog 77658
 

Had my 3rd fill and it's really working, but with pain

WELL IT'S FEB. 24TH AND I HAD MY 3RD FILL...... SINCE THE SURGERY ON OCT 21,2009, I ONLY LOST 10LBS.... BEFORE THIS 3RD FILL. I COULD STILL EAT SO MUCH THAT I NEVER FELT FULL.... NOW I CAN ONLY EAT 5 BITES AND I FEEL PAIN IN MY CHEST AND BACK AND FEEL LIKE THROWING UP.. I DO HOPE THIS FEELING GOES AWAY... I REALLY WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT, BUT I HAD THE FEELING YOUR FULL UP TO YOUR THROAT WHERE YOU CANT TAKE ANOTHER BITE......FORGET DRINKING WITH FOOD OR 2 HRS AFTER. PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOUR STORIES......THANKS, HAVE A GREAT DAY.... MOONLITE
moonlite

moonlite

2
Blog 86625
 

Post Op Day ONE

Alright so the easy part is over right? Now comes the hard work? Isn't he weight supposed to just fall off now? Surgery went well though I would have thought the doctor could have made a stait incision? I'll have to start drafting my knife fight story I guess. Its weird drinking something and then feeling like I would imagine a clogged drain pipe would feel as you can feel the fluid kind of just gurgling down the clogged pipe... Tomorrow starts the gym. I actually like working out. I lost 6 pounds just on the Pre op liquid diet, so I am excited about what's to come. Any words of encouragement are welcome! Good luck to all!!
vjmillco

vjmillco

4
Blog 76207
 

I'm feeling good... no make that GREAT!

We had a blizzard here Orange County, NY and had 3 feet of snow in two days. Yesterday the sun finally came out but today it is snowing again. Why do I mention that? Well, because apparently it brings out the hunger in people! I'm not the only one, I've heard it from others! I tried to be careful, but had a few things I wouldn't normally. Last night I made comfort food... meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn. Still, my eatting is no where near what it use to be. I think I'm just afraid I'll go back to the awful place. So... was I pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale this morning at it read 277 !! Last week I had such a problem with the scale moving. I guess that proves you shouldn't hop on the scale too often. So, I not only feel great about that but in just one week we sail out of NYC to the Southern Caribbean. So, I got out my boxes of old summer clothes that don't fit and found a whole new wardrobe! Some of the clothes still had tags on them! I went shopping in my own bedroom! LOL! Now on the cruise I plan on eatting healthy stuff but I know there will be some temptations but I have a feeling the amount walking, swimming etc I do will help balance out. It's got to be better than my desk job sitting in front of a computer all day!
season4change

season4change

1
Erin's Blog
 

Senior banquet/High School graduation challenge

so i'm not sure exactly when senior banquet is, but i heard it was june 12th. and graduation is june 26th. so i want to challenge myself to lose between 45-58 pounds by senior banquet, and if i get almost there by senior banquet, hope to get there by graduation. is it doable to lose 45-58 pounds by then? how many cals should i be having a day since i have no fills because i dont have insurance right now and it doesnt look like i will be getting one anytime soon everytime i want to workout, i end up "not feeling like it anymore" and i know i have to push myself to do it, but it dont work. so i dont know how this is going to work out. can someone motivate me everyday or something? i want to hang up a goal outfit but its not going to happen cause i have no room on my walls and on a hanger doesnt look as motivating. and one more thing, you can also join me if you want (:
Erin18

Erin18

3
Blog 86891
 

Yesterday started my new life!

I had surgery yesterday, February 26th. Walked in feeling confident and strong. Lefted feeling the same, just a little sore. With the pain relievers, the pain is very controllable. The worst was the air bubbles coming up that made me feel like I was choking on air. I feel so thankful my mom, a nurse, was there to support me through it all. Today, I feel even better. Still alittle sore, but again controllable. Often very drowsy after taking the pain relievers. At least, I've become very percise about when I need to take it. It's pretty consistent at every 3 hours. Any advice or helpful hints are appreciated! I am really excited to get my first fill. But, I still have 4 weeks to wait. I really want to start losing weight asap...I am getting married in 7 months.
MRamos620

MRamos620

1
Blog 73848
 

Surgery News

Haven't blogged in a while, I just have a hard time thinking of things to say - I'm basically a gal of few words. Anyway, I do have some news today. I've been having a lot of trouble with my knee for the past year and a half. Cortisone doesn't help it at all anymore and it is almost impossible to get much exercise other than swimming (which I do almost every day for an hour). Anyway, I'm going to have total knee replacement on my right knee. If you were to look at my full body pics you would see how crooked my leg has become - it is not an illusion. So, while I am a bit bummed out at having knee replacement surgery at age 56, I am really happy that I will finally be able to walk around again. I find it totally amazing that I have been able to lose 70 lbs when I can only walk (painfully):smile: 10 minutes at a time. I just keep telling myself that with the weight loss and the new knee, this summer you will not be able to see me at all I'll be moving so fast! Surgery is March 9, I took the earliest date I could so I can recover and get moving!
grizzlyrider

grizzlyrider

4
Angela's Blog
 

Pre-op will probably have surgery mid April

I had my intake appt Jan 26. I have my PET scan/stress test March 10, EKG and chest xray March 12 and surgeon's consult March 25. They said surgery will be scheduled about 2 weeks later. I am hoping this surgery will be the beginning for me. I have HBP, type 2 diabetes, reflux and high cholesterol.
anglov

anglov

1
Blog 77798
 

48 Pounds Down!

Well, I am now 3 months post-op and feel great! I am down 48 pounds, 15 inches from my waist and hips, and know that I am well on my way to goal. I still have a long, hard road ahead of me, but I feel much better about the journey than I did even just a month ago. I still have issues with eating just 4 ounces. It just does not fill me up. But, I know that I am not yet in my "green zone" and hope that once I get there it will be easier to eat only 4 ounces. I am making much healthier food choices, though. I have also been working out with a personal trainer and LOVE her and the workouts! She is so inspiring and enthused about her job that you can't help but have fun! I have also started working out on breaks at work. I am lucky to work in a building that has a decent free gym. The elliptical and weights are my fave. So, do I have a long ways to go? Sure. Do I still struggle with hunger? Absolutely. Do I obsess over the scale? Oh do I! But, you know what? I have come a long ways thus far and things can, and will, only go up from here! I am a LOSER and am proud to admit it! :smile:
laughnleo

laughnleo

6
Blog 52574
 

I'm back to my love affair...

w/the band! Since cutting out alcohol and other empty calories AND exercising every day, I have now lost two pounds in the last four days. Yes, this band really does work when you work with it! :smile:   I almost don't feel like I really NEED my 3rd fill that I have scheduled for Monday (I scheduled it when my weightloss had stalled), but I know I could still use at least a small fill. I'm not at my sweet spot, but I can tell that I am not that far away from it either. :thumbup:   For example, I can eat a fairly large portion right now, but I can also be satisfied on a smaller portion. And, I do think about food between meals, but I can usually get by w/just water until my next meal. Last night I was so sure my dinner was not gonna last me until bedtime. I ate at 5:30pm and was feeling the munchies around 8:00pm. I was gonna have an artichoke (healthy at least), but got distracted and tired watching TV and just ended up going to bed. Woohoo!!! :thumbup:   So, even though my restriction is not perfect w/the band yet, its definitely better than during my TOM when I was really hungry and felt like a bottomless pit. :smile:   Now, instead of worrying about not getting enough fill at my next appointment, I'm a little worried about getting overfilled. But, I'm just a worry wart in general.   My ideal would be if I can get to the point where I can still eat almost everything (if I chew it enough), be satisfied w/a small meal, and not think about food between meals. I have not PB'd or thrown up at all yet and hope that when/if I do, it will not become a regular thing. I did get stuck on a roll once (in my first month post-op) and was in pain for 5 minutes, but I don't know how to make myself puke (or I have an aversion to it) so I just waited it out. Now I have an aversion to rolls! But, that's a good thing. :thumbup:
adagray

adagray

6
Blog 40740
 

Good day

Worked out.   1 protein drink 160 lime water 0 turkey soup 260 lime bar 60 lime bar 60 pop corn 260 mango 80 = 880
Gildy

Gildy

1
Blog 50043
 

2 days post-op

i felt a little better after getting a shower today. back, shoulders, neck and upper arms are all sore as hell. i got to take the gauze and plastic stuff off of my incisions. theres just steri-strips holding everything together now. 5 incisions. my port is located just to the left of my belly button.   ive discovered that laughing SUCKS. it really hurts to laugh or chuckle at all. hiccups hurt too.   besides that, im alright. doing a little walking here and there. last night i slept on the couch...sitting upright because getting into bed was just NOT possible.
harliquinn

harliquinn

5

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