readytogoforit

I had a hiatal hernia. docs told me I had to have surgery so I thought, let's put a band on that stomach! I wanted to do a surgery without all of the cutting and rerouting, yes, the weight loss is slower but, I am sooooo much healthier now. I decided that loss of weight was the goal not a specific time frame. once I really believed that, everything started to be much more real for me. this is my "new life" not a new diet. I want to grow old and be healthy, if being thin happens too, great!

I would like to apologize to Leighx, this does not usually happen on this forum. when you ask a question, people give their opinion and move on. please don't be put off by all of this "noise"; keep reading, asking questions and an you will be fine. I wish you the best on your decision ........

I had a BMI of 47 when I started to look into this surgery. I went to the seminar, had a meeting with the doc and a nutritionist same day. they asked that I lose 5% of my weight b4 surgery, told me to start with a 1200 calorie "diet". I was immediately stokked and started logging everything I ate. I started going to Curves 2 weeks later. I found this forum, learned sooooo much about what to expect and what to do. Love it!! I lost 30 lbs by my surgery date. my weight loss has been slow, about 1 or 2 lbs. per week. I am very happy with the results. Yes, you will have lots of loose skin, especially if you have been heavy for a long time. I am older so I am not thinking of surgery to fix this but, many bandsters have tummy tucks, arm and thigh too. you are young, hope you do this so you can enjoy life as a healthy person earlier than I did! don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for this wonderful tool. It is a tool not a miracle, we work very hard to achieve our successes! Good luck and keep reading, reading and reading. you will learn so much.!

most of the protein bars have so many calories and carbs, I hate to waste my calories and carbs like that. can you bring some individual string cheese sticks with you? I have started taking a small cooler everywhere with me. I always have extra H2O, low fat dressing and a small snack. I agree that is way too long between meals. I have also started buying Seapoint dry roasted edamame ( nutty treat), a small hand full is 130 calories, 10 carbs, 14 grams of protein. I brought them to the movies the last time we went. my husband has popcorn and it is hard to resist but this helped! some of this brand has dried fruit too, so tasty & I love that I get some protein!!

I lost weight at a better rate when I was over 200 lbs. I lost 10 or more lbs each month, it was so great! Now I lose about 4/5 lbs each month, don't get me wrong, I am happy I am losing just hate the slow pace! I usually don't eat more than 1100 each day, and have not eaten the extra calories. I get the theory, it's just hard to eat so much more now!??? I know Dr Oz has mentioned this process with metabolism also, I think I will give it a try. I only have about 30 lbs left to lose, I do not want to have this go on forever. want to see if I can maintain, like a normal person!!

If you eat a good nutritionally balance diet, you won't have any trouble. remember protein 1st then veggies, easy on fruit. I still take calcium and multi vitamins. I don't see any reason not to do so.

I agree with VLP, I am glad you have chosen eggs. a big part of the change I have experienced is making good choices. I still occasionally eat more than I should but my choices are soooooo much better. my brain goes right to Protein now, what can I eat that will add to the total protein for the day!! Water has helped me a lot, I have a bottle that is 32 oz., I try to keep refilling it all day. and when I think I am hungry I drink some water 1st, just to be sure. My brain still plays the "false hungry" game with me, I've got to be careful.

I think the headache is from caffeine withdrawal, could be sugar too. hang in there girl, the prize at the end is worth all of this!!!! Protein shakes are a funny thing, we all have our favorite brands. I bought a small envelope single serving to start. I usually like chocolate in everything so I was surprised that vanilla & strawberry tasted so good, I use Jay Robb.

glad to hear that you want to give it a go again! keep posting for support!!

most of the time, I would say yes. I feel so much better, no heavy breathing, no pain so yes it has been easier. I have had to make myself schedule the good things for me, exercise is one of those. some days, I am tired or sad(not sure why), then it is hard to do.

practice, it was one of the hardest things to break myself from!

I use greek yogurt mixed with humus for my tuna salad. I used a spicy humus and it tasted so good + protein!! I love yogurt with applesauce (natural no sugar added)and cinnamon in the morning - occasionally I add a little granola. very satisfying and fulling for about 4 hours. I use yogurt a lot, it has so many grams of protein. have to be aware of the protein all day! Do not buy yogurt with the fruit in it, way too many grams of sugar and added calories. Fresh or frozen fruit of all kinds is so good instead.

You can only take care of your choices! I understand the frustration but nagging is not going to change him. the only thing I worry about is that you join him, "eating large"! Breathe deep, vent with us but, take care of you, just you!!!! Trust that I post this with a caring heart (for all of us)!

I love it too! I read soooo much before surgery, I felt so comfortable when it finally happened. I don't know how I would have made it alone!

I told some family and a few friends. I have one friend who was negative, it felt so bad. I thought she would be supportive or I wouldn't have said anything! I do not try to convince anyone, not my job! She had been working out and losing weight so I thought it would be ok. I have far exceeded her weight loss, maybe it's her stuff, not me. I don't know but I do not want to feel that bad again. Be careful, this is such a personal journey, you need the best with you. There are still so many people who think we are getting a free ride, oh if they only new! we work hard for the lbs. we lose, this is a tool, not a miracle!

900 calories is really a very small amount, why so low?? I do understand what you are saying, because I know better now. If I make some poor food choices but stay in line on myfitnesspal guidelines, I am happy to not over do fats, sugar or carbs but I am unhappy 'cause I want to eat healthier. I sometimes feel obsessed with food now, I hope it will be a temporary thing! I just want to get healthy!!! I do think it is healthy that you are starting to see the difference. I mean, "Before and after" eating style, we are not the same as we used to be! Thank God.....

I have always been interested in nutrition, just didn't always eat that way! I now love to try new foods. I eat very simply, don't usually cook lavish recipes. I just want to experience better food I used to stop every day for a cappuccino & a roll b4 work! EVERYDAY!!!! that was my breakfast, sometimes I would buy 2 rolls, unbelievable. I now love breakfast and try to make it count. I sometimes have eggs & turkey sausage or a souped up yogurt with a little granola and fresh fruit. I feel more awake and it holds me for several hours. I do splurge with dark chocolate, try to eat a small square or 2. I know that if I let go and buy the rolls I used to buy, soon I will be eating them instead of a healthy breakfast. I don't always have to give in to what I "think" I want!

Thanks 2MUCHFUN, I have sent this info to friends, great advise!

how are you doing on losing inches?? that is so fun to experience too. Are you amping your exercise? Our bodies get used to whatever exercise we do, we need to add or do more. we love to walk the dogs, had a regular route we took all the time. I decided I was bored with it and ended up adding another 2 1/1 to 3 miles to the total walk! I didn't realize how much more I was doing??

The one thing I have really started to do all the time is give them very explicate information like "no added butter, or sauces, broil instead of fry, all dressing on the side, eliminate some items from a salad(bacon)". this never bothers them but, I then feel like I have taken care of myself. One time I ordered salmon at the nice restaurant and asked them not to put any butter on the salmon once it was cooked. when the food came to the table it had a clear sauce that really tasted good with it. I was sure it was butter or something else that I didn't want added so I put a piece of silverware under the plate so the sauce was not near my salmon. the waitress came over to tell me that the chef had made a special sauce by cooking down some fresh fruit juice! OMG, I immediately took the silverware away and ate it!!!! Most restaurants are happy to do most things you need done, so many people ask for special things! One time while watching Rocco DiSpirito on Dr. Oz, he mentioned that chefs always add butter to every finished product, always!!! that really made me think. I love going out to eat!!! Love the leftovers....

you are being really hard on yourself! we are all in a big hurry to get rid of as much as we can as quick as we can! the band doesn't work that way. you are doing a great job with the weight you have lost! I don't think anyone means to hurt your feelings but I understand how you feel. I think they really just want the best for you. keep posting and "venting" your feelings, it will help!

I had lots of broth, jello, popsicles, and water. I really wasn't hungry for the first 2 weeks. I never worried about having too much, drink several times a day. full liquids will be better, I love my protein shakes so I really felt like was getting some nutrition! I loved having cream soups too. make sure to drink as much water as possible, it helps everything!

what are you doing on a daily basis to take care of the new you? I agree with TMF, you need to use your doc and nutritionist! they want to help and they do understand the frustrations. have you looked at the posts in the nutrition area of this forum? for myself, I try to change up my exercise, add more walking etc. I also try to keep my carbs low, under 65 a day. for me, it is hard. I do not eat bread. I eat more veggies than fruit. I drink a lot of Water, sometimes 10 or more glasses each day. my weight loss has been very slow lately, I only lose 1 lb. per week. I am just happy that I am still going in the right direction! the thing that has helped me get through this slow time is the inches I have lost. I am now wearing a size 12. I would not have believed it if I didn't try on clothes at the store. I am happy to help, if I can. you have no info on profile to tell me where you are at with weight? fill out your info, add a pic, get a ticker. thanks

I just had a couple of body wraps! it was so amazing! obviously something I would never have done before! I am worth it!

Biggest and best decision I have ever made for me! Welcome to a better life!