♥LovetheNewMe♥

I do because I rarely vomit all my meal when I PB. I do make notes on my diary sheet about throwing up. I think the most important thing is why did you throw up your dinner. Anytime I threw up I always think back to what I did wrong or maybe a better way to look at it is what can I do better next time. It has taken me years to learn to eat out and not spend most of the outing in the BR.

Everyone has there own reasons for staying in or coming out of the closet. I was one of those WLS patients who chose to start out of the closet from the day I decided to have surgery. For me I wanted the support of everyone friends, family and co-workers. I knew for me if I was an open book that I would be too afraid of failure and being on display as I forged through this journey would make me be accountable to myself. It worked for me and yes there were many nay sayers along the journey, those who made fun of me for my small portions and would make snide comments about what I eat. Comments like, "How many bites did you eat today?" But you know what, let'em talk, let'em laugh because the last laugh is on them. I am the one who won here, I am the one who lost a person and now has their life back! I don't miss the foods I craved in the beginning. I used to crave carbs and hated to go out with friends way back 3 years ago, but i have embraced this new life and can honestly say, "I love my new life and I love what LapBand has given to me. Thanks for the post. So to al those out there who choose to stay in the closet, "It's OK, you will know when it is time to share this journey. Each person's journey is very personal. Good luck to all!

Wow! Has it really been 3 years since my surgery? Some days as I look back at old pictures I find it hard to believe that time has passed and I really used to be morbidly obese. I continue to love my new healthy life style and thank God everyday for giving me the courage and the strength to continue to stay true to my self and my goals. Weight lose is a journey and weight loss surgery of any kind is not easy. I was once one of those negative people who believed WLS was the easy way out but I soon found out that it was the hardest test of my courage and strength that I would ever experience. I happen to be one of the lucky Lap Band patients who was successful and was able to reach my goal weight. I know many who have tried and failed only to have to go back and start over again. I guess the most important thing I have learned during my 3 year adventure is to never give up on your self. If you back slide, you pick yourself up and start over again. I always remember that if I fail the only person I am failing is myself. You must continue to love yourself and never compare your success or failures to others. Never judge those who succeed or those who fail, we are all different and those differences are what make us unique. I feel I owe a lot of my early success and support to LBT website, I was an early blogger and frequent reader of the forums. I sometimes remained quiet but read and learned as much as I could from all on the site. Since my first years, I have been very lucky to make some very good friendships and develop a strong cyber support group that does not judge me and is always there to lift me up when I need it and to challenge me when I become complacent. Maintenance is hard and you must practice the principles of WL everyday. I have goals for myself that have allowed me to maintain a constant weight and maintain my goal for 14 months now but I am never going to forget who I once was. I keep reminders of obese Diane in my office and my home. I never want to forget where I started and how hard it was to achieve my success. My advice to all you new members who are starting and seasoned members who are still working toward your goal: Never give up on your dream; you are unique and if you set your mind to it anything is possible with hard work and dedication. the first picture is my beginning in 2012, the second picture is me in my fat pants a year ago in 2012 at goal and the third is this Halloween(2013) as a gogo dancer getting ready for a 1960's Halloween Party! Good luck and much success to all and here's positive thoughts for a healthy eating holiday season!

Good luck!

Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary!

Jill, so sorry for all the stress and anxiety this has placed on you. I hope you are able to get this resolved before the end of the year. Some people are just very sensitive to the band and it causes problems for them. My surgeon no longer places them and has started doing the sleeve on everyone due to problems like yours. He says he has more patients fail than succeed. I was lucky, the band has worked for me,. Good luck on your revision.

I hope you are doing better now and have a better journey than you did a start. I am not sure how they left so much in your band, obviously someone was not paying attention. Physicians are human and they do make mistakes. I would think that someone from the hospital administration would have spoke with you about this medical error and complication. I personally do not feel you should be charged for the additional surgery nor charged for the additional stay in the hospital. Our insurance companies should not be charged for errors, this is not a reasonable complication of surgery. Rest and take care of yourself and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

You say the removed all fluid to check your port and band. Did the inject more fluid again? If not that is why you are hungry, you have no fluid in your band. I only have a small amount in my band but it is enough to help me maintain protion control of a cup of food and eat for 20 minutes and I have not had an adjustment since Jan 2012. I would speak with your physician.

Congratulations on your loss and good luck as you move forward. I have never really known what was in my band, I tried to keep track in the beginning but lost track along the way, I have focused more on how it worked than how much is in the band. At 3 years post op, I still have days when it is easier tot eat than others. I will tell you from my experience I learned that the increase in exercise programs really helped me to lose my last 40 lbs and tone up. Good luck to you as you move forward.

Good Luck!

Mini hang in there and you are correct, anyone who ever said this was easy is full of crap. I am challenged daily with eating the right food and making good choices . In times if stress I crave sweets, something new for me. I allow myself dark chocolate on those nights and chase with wine. Lol probably not the best option but better than eating the whole package or drinking the whole bottle. I had a friend who sat for there CPA and I feel for you ,she said hardest thing she ever did.i know you can do this ,if you can live with LB you can accomplish anything. We are always here for you .

My logo on mfp is LovetheNewMe

Ditto!

I always have problems with lettuce. I know it is soft and it should go down but some of my worst stuck episodes have been when eating some type of leafy green veggie. My theory, which may be wrong is that even though I think I chew i feel it must slip down partially unchewed and lay over the opening of my band causing me to be stuck. Sounds good in theory. Some of the dishes you are eating are more difficult to digest, pasta, lettuce, salads, cereals. If I may make a suggestion, stick to simple cooked soft proteins. Fish is a moist soft protein that is easy to digest and packed full of protein and oils that are good for you. There are also some other cooking methods that will allow you to eat chicken and some of the other proteins and this will make them easier to digest. One method is to seal your meal in pouch, vacuum and cook the meal in boiling water, this method is called Sous-vide. It may sound like a lot of trouble but it works and the food is moist and delicious. Also another method to tenderize meats is an old Chinese method using baking soda. The baking soda will give the meat an almost silky texture and make it so tender and much easier to digest. I realize that this may sound like a lot of work but learning to live with lap band requires a life style change. I am 3 years post op and have worked through many tight episodes during this journey. Many of my problems were not my bands fault but mine for making poor choices and finally learning that I needed to make this work. I was determined to make this my life and make it work for me and my family. I cook wonderful meals that most would think, you can't eat that, you have a lap band. But you know what I can and do eat most anything I want but some days, I have to remind my self to slow down, chew and spend a few days in the penalty box for not following the rules and drink my protein. So rethink what choices you have been making and stick to basics for a while. Good luck and I hope your journey is successful. Also, never feel stupid.. this is a learning curve and we all learn everyday even 3 years out. http://www.ehow.com/how_5560702_tenderize-meat-baking-soda.html

Happy Friday, pooped tonight. Watching some TV, maybe reads little and off to bed for me. 119 gms of protein today and under calories. Starting day off with high protein drinks makes big difference.

Nite all exhausted and falling asleep while typing. 430 comes early. Cyber hugs to all.

Terri, I know you are struggling with this fill but you can do this. Stick to liquids a little longer and do some shakes to starve off the hunger. It is hard but you can do this. Try some cream soups and really thin mashed potatos, some yogurt or jello. Allow all the swelling to subside.But most of all drink the protein shakes. You need the additional protein.

Carole, you know when you retire you are suppose to toss the alarms and just let the world happen. Take some lessons from Terri, I think her and Franc have figured out this retirement thing and travel. I want you to know I think of you and Seth often. Everytime I hear a war time discussion , I think of what your son and so many others are doing for our country. You and Jack must fell so much pride in your children. I hear your voice of reason often, sometimes I am stubborn and have to learn the hard way but I so appreciate you not giving up on me.

Janet, 2 knees and already up and walking you are my hero. I had this surgery because I was so afraid of the alternative which was a partial, knee. I just could not do it. But you did 2 back to back. Hope the PT is going well and remember," No pain. No gain" the more you move the bettwe it takes. Love you bunches my cyber friend.

Dee how is Charlie doing, and how are you hold up to all the added stress? The boys look great, and CJ always looks so happy.Keep us posted after the doctor visit, hope you haven;t slipped.

Mini how exciting, to no longer be obese or morbidly obese. I remember that day, it was so exciting. Keep up your hard work, you are doing awsome and we are all so proud of you. Hope work is going well also.

Dawn glad the visit went well. I bet Brad was so excited to see you. I am glad you had a good weekend, you deserved the break. How are the girls doing with school?

Welcome back Nicole, we missed you and so sorry for all your family has gone through. Death of a parent is hard, no matter how we try to prepare ourselves we are really never prepared. So glad you have been doing well with your band and staying focused. Know we are always here for you. Cyber hugs!

Awesome, post and so true. We each own our own destiny!

Never be tempted by the wonderful smell of yeast, butter and syrup. I stick to my oatmeal with egg whites or a protein shake. I guess you could have whipped them up in the Ninja and had a waffle shake. ;-0