SageTracey

I also track my calories and exercise to keep myself aware of where I am at. It is very easy to lose that balance wtihout tracking.

Personally I found having a cold with the band was no different than without. I think when you are sick, you need to listen to your body more. If you need to eat then eat, but do it carefully, with usual consideration to your band. If you don't feel like eating, then don't (but just while you are sick) - but be sure to keep your fluids up.
At least you will be fully recovered by the holidays

food has been our friend, comfort and even confidante for so long that it is like breaking up with a lover! I think it's natural to grieve for this change in one of our most significant relationships in life - but don't forget all of the great reasons why you have made this decision.
Try writing down a list of the reasons why you want to get healthy and what they will mean to your quality of life, your family, relationships and possibly even your career. This will help you to put the whole thing into perspective.
Yes, you will have to made some major changes to how and what you eat, but continuing on the way you have been is what has you got you where you are now.
Once you start eating post-band, and especially once you get some fills and feel satiety or restriction, you will work out by trial and error what you can eat, how much and whether it is worth the cost in terms of your weight loss.
I love the fact that I can now dance all night, cycle 60 -80 km in a day without even thinking about, that I can buy clothes from normal racks, sometimes even with S for small on them! I love that my husband and I have become even closer and that he is my greatest supporter on this journey. I love that my career has taken off on a new trajectory and I don't doubt that this is because I have lost weight and am now regarded differently in the workplace.
Hang in there and you will get through this!

I saw my surgeon for a follow up and fill tonight. I was the only one in the waiting room when he came out and called me name, then looked around for me. "Oh, I didn't recognise you!" he said, "You look great!"
Needless to say I was pretty pumped by that, but then he mentioned his information seminars and said I would be a model patient to speak at them.
And then when I went out to reception, his receptionist pointed out that he hadn't recognised me!
He also remembered that I had my son's wedding and was pleased that I had brought photos in to show him. (I've tried to attach a pic, so hope that it works.)
Only small negative of the appointment was that my port may have partially flipped. He was able to get the fill in (two jabs, ouch!) but warned that it may flip completely, even though it was both stitched and mechanically attached. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

I saw my surgeon for a follow up and fill tonight. I was the only one in the waiting room when he came out and called me name, then looked around for me. "Oh, I didn't recognise you!" he said, "You look great!"
Needless to say I was pretty pumped by that, but then he mentioned his information seminars and said I would be a model patient to speak at them.
And then when I went out to reception, his receptionist pointed out that he hadn't recognised me!
He also remembered that I had my son's wedding and was pleased that I had brought photos in to show him. (I've tried to attach a pic, so hope that it works.)
Only small negative of the appointment was that my port may have partially flipped. He was able to get the fill in (two jabs, ouch!) but warned that it may flip completely, even though it was both stitched and mechanically attached. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

Yes, change can be frightening, even threatening for the people closest to us. The best thing you can do is show by your actions and behaviours that he is still and always will be your number one guy.
My husband encouraged me to get the band and then expressed concerns that I would be attracted to other men or that other men would be attracted to me. Considering he was the same weight as the day we married 28 years ago, I thought it was a strange concern that I might become attracted to other men!
But we have taken this journey together and he is absolutely my hero. We eat mostly the same foods, unless we are eating out and we would have had different meals pre-band, so no biggie! We also workout together. I have made massive changes to my food choices, portion sizes and activity levels and am enjoying the health benefits. He has made great changes to his exercise regime and willingly gets out of bed early mornings so we can exercise together. He is even taking adult swimming lessons because I love to swim.
The benefits to him are not only that he gets to have me around and healthier than before, but his cholesterol is also down.
I hope your husband can become your champion on your journey!

Yes, change can be frightening, even threatening for the people closest to us. The best thing you can do is show by your actions and behaviours that he is still and always will be your number one guy.
My husband encouraged me to get the band and then expressed concerns that I would be attracted to other men or that other men would be attracted to me. Considering he was the same weight as the day we married 28 years ago, I thought it was a strange concern that I might become attracted to other men!
But we have taken this journey together and he is absolutely my hero. We eat mostly the same foods, unless we are eating out and we would have had different meals pre-band, so no biggie! We also workout together. I have made massive changes to my food choices, portion sizes and activity levels and am enjoying the health benefits. He has made great changes to his exercise regime and willingly gets out of bed early mornings so we can exercise together. He is even taking adult swimming lessons because I love to swim.
The benefits to him are not only that he gets to have me around and healthier than before, but his cholesterol is also down.
I hope your husband can become your champion on your journey!

Yes, change can be frightening, even threatening for the people closest to us. The best thing you can do is show by your actions and behaviours that he is still and always will be your number one guy.
My husband encouraged me to get the band and then expressed concerns that I would be attracted to other men or that other men would be attracted to me. Considering he was the same weight as the day we married 28 years ago, I thought it was a strange concern that I might become attracted to other men!
But we have taken this journey together and he is absolutely my hero. We eat mostly the same foods, unless we are eating out and we would have had different meals pre-band, so no biggie! We also workout together. I have made massive changes to my food choices, portion sizes and activity levels and am enjoying the health benefits. He has made great changes to his exercise regime and willingly gets out of bed early mornings so we can exercise together. He is even taking adult swimming lessons because I love to swim.
The benefits to him are not only that he gets to have me around and healthier than before, but his cholesterol is also down.
I hope your husband can become your champion on your journey!

My exercise pre-op was token at best. Apart from dancing with my husband (rock n roll) which always left me with very sore knees, and the occasional walk. No wonder I wasn't losing!
Now I dance hard twice a week, cycle an average 150km each week, walk several times, and swim 40 mins once a week.
And I love it!

I made my own Tandoori chicken salad, including the Tazitzki dressing. Just finished eating it for lunch and it was delicious! I'm still enjoying the spicy taste in my mouth and on my tongue. And only 166 calories per serve. Actually, less because the recipe made four serves at 166 calories and I wasn't able to eat a full serve.

Suggest you call your surgeon's office to be on the safe side. Better to do it sooner rather than later. good luck.

I have never had cramping after a fill. Could you be getting your period?
I would be very disappointed in a surgeon that put you out on your own after just one fill! They should be a major part of your ongoing support system. This is a major lifestyle change and you will have questions and need their advice and guidance. My surgeon stresses that aftercare is critical and has been an important part of my support network since surgery 13 months ago.

I have never had cramping after a fill. Could you be getting your period?
I would be very disappointed in a surgeon that put you out on your own after just one fill! They should be a major part of your ongoing support system. This is a major lifestyle change and you will have questions and need their advice and guidance. My surgeon stresses that aftercare is critical and has been an important part of my support network since surgery 13 months ago.

My life is just one big social event most of the time! We eat out Mondays (dancing night), every second Wednesday (I'm in Lions), occasional Thursdays (my husband is a Rotarian), and we have plenty of other outings with family, dancing, cycling and friends.
Plan as much as you can. Always take a plate of food to share but one that you know you can eat and enjoy. Don't let yourself get too hungry before eating and remember that while you have made the great decision to improve your lifestyle, you are still human and will have occasional slip ups - we all do! Don't beat up on yourself, just learn from the experience and move on. Best of luck.

My life is just one big social event most of the time! We eat out Mondays (dancing night), every second Wednesday (I'm in Lions), occasional Thursdays (my husband is a Rotarian), and we have plenty of other outings with family, dancing, cycling and friends.
Plan as much as you can. Always take a plate of food to share but one that you know you can eat and enjoy. Don't let yourself get too hungry before eating and remember that while you have made the great decision to improve your lifestyle, you are still human and will have occasional slip ups - we all do! Don't beat up on yourself, just learn from the experience and move on. Best of luck.

I saw my surgeon for a follow up and fill tonight. I was the only one in the waiting room when he came out and called me name, then looked around for me. "Oh, I didn't recognise you!" he said, "You look great!"
Needless to say I was pretty pumped by that, but then he mentioned his information seminars and said I would be a model patient to speak at them.
And then when I went out to reception, his receptionist pointed out that he hadn't recognised me!
He also remembered that I had my son's wedding and was pleased that I had brought photos in to show him. (I've tried to attach a pic, so hope that it works.)
Only small negative of the appointment was that my port may have partially flipped. He was able to get the fill in (two jabs, ouch!) but warned that it may flip completely, even though it was both stitched and mechanically attached. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

I saw my surgeon for a follow up and fill tonight. I was the only one in the waiting room when he came out and called me name, then looked around for me. "Oh, I didn't recognise you!" he said, "You look great!"
Needless to say I was pretty pumped by that, but then he mentioned his information seminars and said I would be a model patient to speak at them.
And then when I went out to reception, his receptionist pointed out that he hadn't recognised me!
He also remembered that I had my son's wedding and was pleased that I had brought photos in to show him. (I've tried to attach a pic, so hope that it works.)
Only small negative of the appointment was that my port may have partially flipped. He was able to get the fill in (two jabs, ouch!) but warned that it may flip completely, even though it was both stitched and mechanically attached. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

I saw my surgeon for a follow up and fill tonight. I was the only one in the waiting room when he came out and called me name, then looked around for me. "Oh, I didn't recognise you!" he said, "You look great!"
Needless to say I was pretty pumped by that, but then he mentioned his information seminars and said I would be a model patient to speak at them.
And then when I went out to reception, his receptionist pointed out that he hadn't recognised me!
He also remembered that I had my son's wedding and was pleased that I had brought photos in to show him. (I've tried to attach a pic, so hope that it works.)
Only small negative of the appointment was that my port may have partially flipped. He was able to get the fill in (two jabs, ouch!) but warned that it may flip completely, even though it was both stitched and mechanically attached. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

Definitely off to the bathroom, sometimes clutching my mobile phone and complaining about workmates in different time zones. Lol.
I have also learned my early warning signs and am becoming better at listening to my band. Now, if I could just remember to ALWAYS eat slowly,I would probably be fine.

I get excited when I can't eat everything on my plate and I leave some of it. It means that I have learnt to stop when I have had enough. Now, if I could only just learn to serve up smaller portions.....
but my dogs don't mind getting my scraps. I mentioned to my surgeon last visit that I was leaving food on my plate and he was very pleased. Not sure how to tell my Mum, though. LOL

And take care afterwards because you may have inflamed your esophagus. Stick to liquids for a few days.

I had this exact same conversation with several friends at dancing tonight. Two guys both told me not to lose any more weight or I would be too thin. Too thin for whom? For what? Neither of them asked about my health, my blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Both assumed that because I was sick with a gastro last week that is was because I had lost too much weight!
Then another friend asked how much more I planned to lose. She wasn't suggesting that I needed to stop losing but it was just one too many and I replied that I wondered why people felt it was okay to discuss when I should stop losing weight yet no one had ever said that I should stop gaining weight!
Most people in my life have only ever seen me when I was morbidly obese so I understand that they have to get used to the new me....so do I. But I have to find a weight that is both healthy and comfortable for me to live with and that will be my decision and no one else's.

Choosing NOT to tell people is not about being ashamed. I took the view that this was a medical decision I had made and therefore it was no one else's business. I only told immediate family in case of issues during the actual surgery. Now as I am happily losing weight and keeping it off, I do tell people, especially if they ask directly if I have a lapband. Basically, I still believe it is no one else's business but my own, however, I will not lie to people either.
I was worried about the food police in the beginning but, guess what - they appear even if they think you are "only" dieting!
It truly is a case of telling whomever, whatever you feel comfortable in sharing with them.
One major advantage of telling is that it does allow you to ask people for their support and that is critical.

Sadly it seems that some people value their so-called friendship with us because it makes them feel better or superior and when we improve our lives, they no longer feel as if they are better than us. Just remember that you can control your reactions, not theirs. Don't let their reactions change your commitment to improving your life. True friends will be with you through thick and thin, just as you will be for them.

I had this exact same conversation with several friends at dancing tonight. Two guys both told me not to lose any more weight or I would be too thin. Too thin for whom? For what? Neither of them asked about my health, my blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Both assumed that because I was sick with a gastro last week that is was because I had lost too much weight!
Then another friend asked how much more I planned to lose. She wasn't suggesting that I needed to stop losing but it was just one too many and I replied that I wondered why people felt it was okay to discuss when I should stop losing weight yet no one had ever said that I should stop gaining weight!
Most people in my life have only ever seen me when I was morbidly obese so I understand that they have to get used to the new me....so do I. But I have to find a weight that is both healthy and comfortable for me to live with and that will be my decision and no one else's.