electronicart

Awesome attitude I love it when you encouraged the others by saying "you can do it". You are well on your way, have a great journey.

Getting your brain wrapped around the band is harder, in my opinion, than the band itself. None of us are perfect. Its not easy. But, it is definitely do-able. You CAN do this. One thing I do is stick to the basics. Start your day with Protein. There are many great Protein drinks. Make exercise a regular part of your life. You don't have to do an extreme workout, try 30 minutes a day. (10 min. cardio/ 10 min weights/ 10 minutes stretching....very do-able. Focus on what you do need to eat. Remember to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. That way you will rarely get stuck or throw up. Water...drink a lot of it, at least two liters a day. The flavored waters are great, just read the label and pick one with little or no sugar. It takes about three weeks to develop a good habit. The longer you practice the good habits, the more likely you are to stick with it. Weigh yourself at least once a week. At first you may hate it. But, when the scale begins to go down, and it WILL, you will get the momentum to continue. I'm sure it was a big decision to have lap band. You deserve to be happy. Don't beat yourself up, it makes things worse. Remember, its not how you fall down, but how you get up. Good Luck!

I love wine. I have a few glasses a few times a week. There have been times when I decided to eat something, usually cheese. But, I always regret it. So, I've become better about it all. I eat before (30 min) I have a glass of wine. I have found I do have the will-power to stay out of the kitchen. I've been pretty dedicated about the don't eat when you drink and visa versa. I have given up diet coke, beef, (any dense meat), biscuits, and most bread. I walk away from cake and doughnuts at the office. But, I do indulge in a few glasses of wine (Merlot-which is on the Sugar Busters Diet) and an occasional piece of chocolate. mmmmmmmmm

What a great post :wub: ...you really got to the "Heart of the Matter". (song by the Eagles)

Its normal to be nervous. The lap band journey is slow and thats okay. You are healing right now and need to take it easy. As long as you eat healthy, get your rest and walk, you are doing great. Soon you will be in the groove of things! Good Luck!

Thanks for the input . I do not bring junk or sugary drinks into the house. They both love fast food and usually go out when I'm at work. If we all go out, they drink coke. I feel like I cannot and should not force them to drink diet coke or Water. I just hope one day they will choose for themselves. I know nagging doesn't work. Still, I feel distressed because I know how hard it is to lose weight. I asked her what she thought about lap band and if she thought it would ever be an option for her. She said, no, she definitely does not want to go that route. I've only mentioned it one time. Lap Band has been the only thing that has worked for me. But, she is an adult and has a mind of her own. I guess I just have to love and respect her and try to keep my mouth shut. Its hard because I have been overweight all my life and truly understand how she feels. Argh...frustrating.

The only time I have ever felt the band is when something gets stuck. It takes a while to adjust to eating smaller bites and chewing your food until its mush. I think weightloss is different for everyone. Some lose fast, some slow. I lost very slow the first few months and now my weightloss has picked up. Its hard to be patient, but, very important. Like the others have said, its a tool, and how you use it will determine your success. Head hunger can drive you crazy, especially if you are a stress eater, like me. But, you can manage that too. Even if you fall off the wagon, jump right back on.

I run by the thrift store almost once a week. I don't get too much, but, its a real treat to buy smaller clothes! I have run across some high end brands and that just makes it better. Now, I take a bag of the clothes I can no longer wear back to them. I love it!

My family has been very supportive of me since I had lap band surgery. I'm a single mom, with two (daughter 24 and son 16) at home. We all have been over weight. Here is what I need help with. My son has been exercising like crazy and has lost 25lbs. My daughter has gone the other way and gained more weight. Of course they see my weight coming off and hear me talk about the dietary and exercise changes happening in my life. I've been encouraging them both to be healthier. I have talked about the sugary drinks and the fast food. I have had a heart to heart with my daughter about her health. I don't know if I just need to shut up and lead by example or to keep encouraging them. She says I'm nagging. She has also told me that while she is happy for me, she is jealous of my weightloss. I think she is being self destructive. (I haven't said that to her) I don't expect my kids to whip themselves into shape because I am working on it. I want them to be happy and healthy. Have any of you experienced this? I need some good advice from someone that has been there.

Whoo Hoo.....the journey begins

Congratulations! Its a new day...a new beginning...

I love my band too. I got it September 29, 2011.

You did it!!! The hard part is over, its time for the good stuff now With your great attitude, you are going to do great on this journey!

Congratulations!!!

For me, it was like losing a part of myself. Before being banded, my addiction to food was comforting. Deep down inside I wondered if I would be able to change my bad habits. So, I gradually let go of the girl that ate so much junk and failed at so many attempts to lose weight. I was a little sad and very overwhelmed. So, my body began to change, but my mind was almost the same as it had been for years leading up to the decision to have lap band surgery. With time (lots of time) I began to see a new person. With my band half full, the weightloss began to pick up. Every time the scale would go down I was amazed. Sometimes I would get back on it, just to make sure it was working right, ha. I feel like I never really lost myself. It is more like I found myself underneath all that food and weight. It has not been easy. I am very careful about what I DO need now. I get my rest, take my Vitamins, have a lot of Protein and exercise 30 minutes, five days a week. Not only do I look better, I feel better and that makes me happy. I would say give it a little time. If you find yourself slipping into depression, call your doctor. You deserve to be happy.

Looks like you are doing well to me! Just wait until you get a few fills, the weightloss will pick up! Try not to be hard on yourself, you are on your way!!!

You are not doing anything wrong! It just takes me. I remember being able to eat A LOT for a couple of months. You just have to do the best you can. The first six weeks are for healing . Maybe now you can begin getting your food choices in order....protein first, veggies, whole grains, Water and Vitamins. Good luck...you can do this!!!

I think my first fill was 3cc's. The next one was 1cc, then 1/2 cc......I'll be honest, it took a few months before I felt good restriction. You will get there! My band is a little over half full at 6cc's. It is working I love my band!

Yay! I get so tickled when I pull something out of my closet and its WAY too big.....I always run around the house and tell the kids....look...look....(definitely will not do that with sexy underwear, ha)

So excited for you !!!!! I love it when someone begins their journey to a healthier and "smaller" life, ha ha.

Happy Day I am so excited for you!!! I remember the day I got my date, I was in a daze, ha ha...

Its hard, no doubt. My doctor only required me to do the Sugar Buster's diet. I had a five day liquid diet after surgery, a week of creamy, and a week of mushy. I don't know why doctor's are so different. I know the purpose of the Sugar Buster's diet (2 weeks) is to shrink your liver. I know that Protein makes all the difference in the world. (I'm going to change my name to Ms. Protein because I preach about it all the time) What kind of liquids are on your diet? Can you have creamy Soups? Maybe a puree'd sweet potato with lots of low fat milk, splenda and cinnamon? It will be worth it, this I know for sure.

So cool....go grandma!!

Crazy good stuff, huh? Congratulations!

Definitely call the doctor, don't wait.