zil

CONGRATS! Awesome on your job. In another month, you won't know what hit you. The changes will be awesome.

THE BEAST HAS ARRIVED. With all the holiday hustle and bustle, I find myself having difficulties eating the proper foods and making it to the gym. I was only able to go one day last week because of dr appts and being sick. I never thought I would say I miss exercising. Sunday I went to a Christmas party at my friend's house. She is a fabulous cook and there was food galore. I stuck to my convictions pretty well, but did find myself munching on the stuffed and bacon wrapped dates. They were so delicious. SHAME ON ME. Yester was not much better with eating because I had errands to do in town. And because I do not want my family to feel left out because I am dieting (or should I say finally living), I am still baking and preparing foods for my family beause I don't want them to feel deprived because of me...the good thing is that I am only making half as much of the goodies...no double batches this year. When it is gone, it is gone, and I will not be helping myself! Today I am happy to say I am managing to get into the swing of things and get back on the wagon and am feeling pretty good about things. I am even going to make it to the gym this afternoon. NO EXCUSE NOT TO GO! This is time of year is among my favorite. I love the festivities and the gathering of family and friends and good times. I have discovered that I am a social eater and therein lies the BEAST. So much of our lives (me and my family/friends) i surrounded by food and drink, and since my hubby is Italian, the theory is EAT, EAT, EAT, or in Italian, Mange, Mange, Mange. That is how I came to become almost 300 pounds...that and because they are easily insulted if you don't eat (is that because they are such wonderful cooks?) Anyway, this is my way of venting and releasing my frustrations. I am going to need to stay focused, and remember my motto, "hunger is a figment of my imagination".

The holiday parties may be torture for us bandsters...but we can and we will survive. Here's wishing you all the best. MERRY CHRISTMAS

CONGRATS ON BEING BANDED! I agree with the above comments...you must get your protein first, then follow with veggies and then some fruits. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water (as it will help to keep the hungries at bay before your next meal). I find that chewing sugarfree gum is also very helpful iin the afternoon. Another tip, you have to exercise, there is just no way of getting around it. I am not a walker, but forced myself during recovery since it was all I was permitted to do. I did find that I really enjoyed riding a bike so now have that as my first choice, either in my neighborhood weather permitting, or at the gym. Since I needed to step up my exercise routine, I now do some treadmill also. You go girl. You are gonna love your band. And you WILL get through the holidays, just keep making the healthy choices even if you need a little more to fill you up.

CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy you were able to not get discouraged and forged ahead. I am proud of the the new you. 73 pounds is T-E-R-R-I-F-I-C! GREAT JOB! ZIL

Congratulations on your decision to have the surgery. I had my surgery on a Friday and went back to work on Monday. I agree with Sage, don't rush back, but than again, I do have a desk job.

I am getting fills because I am still consuming more food than the doctor has recommended. At 4 months I had already surpaced my 6 month goal, but I want to reach the end sooner than later. I am very pleased with my progress and so is my doctor. I am happy for you that you did not need any fills and I have visited your blog. As for me, I am happy with my progress and am following the doctor's orders.

You are in for the time of your life. You are going to love what you and the band do together. Congrats on your new chapter.

CONGRATS! I am excited for you. Sounds like you are right on track. Just stick to the rules the dr gave you and when the time is right, exercise. I know it is a pain, (it was expecially for me since I had never done it). You are going to do great. best of luck!

You are so right, they have no clue what we have gone through. They probably never weighted 50+ more than they should, and really can't relate. You do what is right for you. and tell the others to go pound sand.

I was outpatient...in by 7 out 10:30. Actually has surgery at 9 and left the hospital at 1030. I did found my mouth to be very dry so popped in a piece of gum on the way home which really helped. good luck...you are going to love your band.

well, I got on the scale Saturday morning, and I hit a new middle number...I am now officially into the 230's. Five months since I started my journey and still going strong. I love my band and everything it has made me realize. I have always been a strong individual, but even so, I needed help with the eating thing. At the risk of repeating myself, my band has made me so much more aware of what I eat, when I eat and how much I eat. I am also aware of what others eat and how much. It is truly mind boggling. I really love my band. I think this was the wisest decision I have ever made. I have lost 61 pounds since I started my journey and I have about 80 more to go. I feel so much better, have more energy, sleep better, and don't mind the exercising. I have even started to walk more on the treadmil in addition to the bicycling I do. Next step will be getting in front of a video and doing that challenge. I love everything my band has done for me, even though I know it is really not doing the work, but it has given me the courage and conviction to keep on track with what I know must be done. Yesterday we had 12 adults at the dinner table and 5 children. My hubby and I cooked 2 large trays of lassagna, 5 pounds of chicken tenders, a 4 pound bag of meatballs, and served with it 2 loaves of bread and a very large salad, can you believe we only has 2 pieces of lassagna left and about 4 pieces of chicken. They inhaled the food. And before dinner they ate a dozen tamales we had just made. I don't know where they put all that food. Then they had a piece of chocolate (from the chocolate candy box which I have during the holidays) and they ate 2 dozen mini cupcakes. But me and my band, we had a salad with a piece of chicken on it and we were stuffed. Today I go to the dr for another fill, but I think this one will do it for awhile. I definitely have restriction, but I am still able to eat a little more than I should...thank goodness I stick with the healthy foods and only once in a while have a little treat (I must confess that I did eat a small tamale yesterday). Anyway, I am proud of my 61 pounds down and here's to another 60 pounds gone. Hope they come off at fast as the first 60 did.

You will do great! 1) I slept like a baby the night before. I was so ready for the surgery. 2) As for pain, the day of surgery was mild for me, the next day was OK too, as long as I took pain meds, day 3 I felt like I had done about 100 sit ups...my stomach was very sore. But, I returned to work on Monday following my Friday surgery. That is when the gas inmy shoulder kicked in. 3) Most rewarding...watching the scale move backwards. I am 4 months post op and have lost 60 pounds. Another 80 to go. 4) I wasa told to do clear liquids for 3 days after surgery, and then switch to a liquid diet for a week. After that I could slowly move into soft foods (yogurts, mashed potatoes, etc). By wek 4 I was pretty much back to a regular diet, but I proceeded carefully. 5) Biggest struggle? well, I have never been anyone who exercised, therein lies my struggle...I had to get really determined to do it. So, I started out riding a bicycle in my neighborhood, then when the weather turned colder than what I liked, I joined a gym. Now I bike in the gym and do the treadmill. Unfortunately, I am going to have to step it up and add some real exercises next. GOOD LUCK. KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND YOU WILL DO WELL. btw, i am a self-pay, had my surgery 8/19/2011 and I really LOVE my band.

Hi Bea and Elisabeth, I'm from AZ too, about 60 miles S/E of Phoenix in a little po-dunk town called florence. I had my surgery 8/19/11 and am stoked about it each and every day. I still have along way to go, but am confident I can do it. I wish you both the best of luck and what a great holiday gift to receive. Keep in touch. Zil

I am about 4 months post op...and down about 60 pounds since I started my prop diet. Amazing, I had 3 people come up to me yesterday and ask what is going on with me...I look different. One person even told me that some of the people that work at my company didn't recognize me and wanted to know if someone new was hired. All 3 people commented on how good I look and wanted the specifics. When I told them, they gave me plenty of compliments and "keep up the good work" comments. I tell you, it made my day. WOO HOO!!! One guy eve told me this morning when I came in that I was looking exceptionally beautiful today. (I'm old enough to be his mama, but it still made me feel good.)

Hi Sara. we all have bad days, some more than others. One suggestion you might try is to keep a journal of what you eat and when. This may help you pin down your triggers and then you can manage them easier. I agree with Brenda, make healthy choices if you need to eat...a piece of fruit, snack on steamed veggies or drink a protein shake. I liked peanut butter a whole bunch when I found myself wanting something. Discovered I could eat a 32 ounce jar in a week...cut that out quickly. With practice, perservence and conviction, you will get past the hard times. Hang in there.

I was on the pre-op diet for 3 weeks (dr's orders). I had 2-3 protein shakes a day and 1 or 2 sensible/healthy meals. Most days I only had 1 meal. I did not find it hard at all, but then I only drink decaf coffee. I weened myself off regular coffee a number of yeaers ago and swore I would never do regular again...the headaches were real killers. You could take caffein pills if you needed to, I would imagine. That should help until you can get off the stuff.

I know exactly how you feel. I am losing and reshaping all the time. I am down 50+ pounds and the clothes I used to wear look hideous on me. People laugh at me. So, I did buy a few things, enough to get me through for probably another 4 months. But I plan on getting a serger sewing machine soon (maybe Santa will bring me one) and will be able to take many things in. But, love your new self and be proud. I am proud of you.

OMG, the holidays are upon us. And with the holidays comes never ending array of holiday treats and temptations. We, as bandsters, need to be even more vigilant and strong because it is just too easy to fall prey to the excitement, the hustle and bustle, and the celebration of the Holiday season. After all, we all love a good party, right? And, if we tell the truth, many of us are probably social eaters. So much of our previous life has been centered arond food. So, here is my Chrimas wish and hope for each and every one of you... I wish you the strength to make wise choices, and if you should have a weak moment, I wish you the courage to forgive yourself and move on. I hope you are able to surround yourself with others who will support your goal, and not sabotage, or tempt you, at every turn. I wish you a season full of family, friends, laughter and wonderful times. I wish you success in your journey. May the new year bring us an easy time as we travel along, and hopefully the scale will move backwards. Happy holidays to all Bandsters!!! Zil

Sounds to me like you are doing just fine. The hunger will eventually fade once you start getting fills. I was not sure if I just imagined being hungry of if I really was. But what I did do was to make sure I made healthy choices, making sure I ate (or drank) my protein. I also have stayed away from carbs as much as possible, in that I have not eaten breads, pastas, rice, corn, potatoes. I also limit my fruit intake since it has a lot of natural sugars. I was never a person who exercised but I have made a conscience effort to be sure that I do...my favorite is riding a bike. If the weather does not permit, then I got to the gym and ride away. I was able to get my first fill at one month after surgery, and then the dr said I could get one every 2 weeks after that, and that is exactly what I do. To date, I have had 6 fills, for a total of 8.5 cc's in my 14 cc band (the dr put 4.0 cc's in during surgery). It has only been this week that I can honestly say that my meals satisfy. I am planning on 1 more fill a week from Monday because I still eat what I think are too large of portions. But I definitely am feeling full when I get there. Just keep reading the rules, make good eating choices, and don't sweat the small stuff. And while I commend mickp24 for his outstanding progress, keep in mind that men lose weight at a faster weight then women (per my dr), and what works for one may not work for another. YOU STAY STRONG, AND HANG IN THERE. YOU (AND I) can do this thing.

You certainly have been dealt a tough hand. I will keep you and your husband and son in my prayers for him to get better soon. May God bless and keep you and yours.

I am fairly newly banded (8/19/2011) and I remember... when I started my pre-op diet how I could not wait to taste solid foods. We I eat solid, but don't miss the junk foods like I thought I would. I remember how I thought I would never feel full again. Now I look at what other put on their plates, and ask myself where do they put all that food. wondering if this journey was going to be a struggle. I have found my journey to be rewarding in that I stick to the plan rules, my convictions and know I am doing the right things, even if my scale does not go down for a few days, or even up a pound here and there. I FEEL CONFIDENT. wondering if I would have strength to bypass all the goodies on holidays and special occasions - you know, pizza, birthday cake and ice cream, cookies, chips and dip, breads, etc. I found out I am must stronger than I ever realized. the gas pains that set in a couple of days after surgery, feeling like I had done about 100 sit ups on day 3 post op, and thinking I would never be able to exercise. Well, the gas pains eventually fade, the sore stomach goes away, and I do exercise...I love my bicycle and if it is too cold, I go to the gym and ride there. I believe every one of us have doubts, worries, challenges along the way in some shape or form. But we will survive and we will conquer the fat demon that has been riding us for so long. Keep up the good work and know that we are all there for each other. I LOVE MY BAND. zIL

Great Post Slimambitions!. I am there with you all the way. I was banded 8/19/2011 with a starting weight before my pre-op of 297...I went to the dr on Monday and was 245. The dr was very happy, and said I had surpassed my 6 month goal (I did not know I had one). I truly believe each and everyone of us have had issues similar to yours and we must continually re-dedicate ourselves to the task at hand. I agree with BRD, our eating issues are similar to an alcoholic,but with food. I have never had any self-control, but the band is my greatest support, because it reminds me every day of what I need to be doing, SLIM, BRD, CRYSAL AND JULIANA, WE CAN AND WILL DO THIS. we will support each other every step of the way. I am proud of all of us!!!! BEST OF LUCK

I know I am going to show my ignorance, but what does BP stand for??? I have seen that numerous times in some of the blogs, but am unsure what it means. Any takers to let me know. BTW, down 56 pounds as of this morning. YEA.

I made it through Thanksgiving. What a wonderful day. I had the full blown holiday meal for my family. I am proud to say that I did not gain any weight, in fact lost 1 more pound. I am also proud to say the worse thing I ate was cheese. Yes, I did eat 2 pieces of cheese. It did taste good. Being Italian, we had all the appetizers and I did good. I stayed away from potato chips, spinach dip and bread, corn chips and salsa, salami, pepperoni and crackers (3 kinds). I did have some shrimp and a couple bites of cheese and a couple of carrots. Dinner came around and I had made up my mind I would have only ham, broccoli and a bite of sweet potatoes. I did have a small glass of wine. No bread, stuffing/dressing, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy or stuffed pasta shells. I also stayed away from all the desserts. I sat back and watched everyone else stuff themselves, and I had a good feeling. Next, it will be Christmas. I am a little worried about that holiday because one of my favorite things is cut out cookies with icing and colored sugars. I always make about 12 dozen for Christmas morning. I also think we wiil be having homemade tamales, rice and beans for Christmas dinner..,.I know, Italians eating tamales??? Being from the SW, we like Mexican food too. Oh well, I will just make up my mind to eat healthy. Happy days to all my fellow bandsters.