readytogoforit

perfect? hardly, I don't feel like I am on a diet. it feels like I am finally worth taking the time to eat better. I have not always thought I was worth working hard. Self esteem was a problem since I was about 13 or 14 years old! this surgery along with a wonderful class I am taking with my church have helped me to accept me, even the "warts"! I love that I go to a club to exercise, I would never have done so before the band. I never wanted anyone to look at me and my fat. I now work hard to get rid of that fat, for me. I enjoy the complements but the best it how much better I feel in general. I don't hurt all over anymore, I can walk a long way. It is amazing how different life is now. I log my food, all of it good, bad and ugly. it helps me to be accountable to me and what I want for my "new life"! some days it has way too many carbs or fat. it helps me to see it & hope that I won't do it too many times. I used to eat "crap" all the time and never accepted responsibility for it. I love how close to goal you are! I am not in a hurry, I just want to feel the best I can and live a healthy life but I want to get to that goal weight too!

Wow, that is sooooo good. I copied it and printed it. Amazing how the mind works and how we can take care of ourselves in a better way!

I felt the same after surgery. before I left the hospital a nurse showed me how to get up without putting any stress on my incision. she told me to turn to the side and grab something to pull myself up. it still hurt but I didn't worry that I would cause any problems. I used a heating pad on low for a long time, made me feel soooo much better. I know what you mean about trying to stand but, just get up and walk in the house. any walking will help, everyday will be better! I used to put a timer on and walk through the house, it was too cold to go out. I went around and around through the house, sounds nuts now, but it helped!! keep sipping the water too, it all makes a difference.

you are right! this is definitely not a freebie, we work hard for the weight we lose! I think about what I am going to eat & how I will exercise all day long. kind of obsessed!! I just know I never, never want to go back to 239 lbs!!!

I am sad to tell you that you must eliminate sugar! there are no tricks, it is like any other addiction. you will have withdrawal issues & it will take several weeks before you won't crave it. I too have a sugar addiction. I have started to buy really good dark chocolate and allow myself one, may be two pieces. I buy Lindt dark chocolate, it is divided into about eight pieces. they are about 50 calories. could this help??

I will continue to take Vitamins, probably forever! your docs told you not to?? I don't understand that, I am a real fan of Dr. Oz and he thinks they are very important to our weight loss also, check out his website. http://www.doctoroz.com/

Welcome and congrats on a great start! glad the surgery went well and the lbs are coming off. Most of us do not have a support group in our area, we really use this site to vent, ask questions and share the great stuff. Ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to try lots of exercise, it feels so good to move!! Sounds like you are involved with a super program in LA.!

keep sipping liquids as often as possible. I was not hungry for many, many days after the surgery (I also had a hiatal hernia repair). try to walk too, it will help when the shoulder pain comes. this too shall pass, trust what the docs told you to do, it is sooooo worth it!

Love to hear this story!! Congratulations.

doesn't it sound ridiculous that we would mourn the loss of food but it has been our "friend" for such a long time. I understand, I understand all too well! I do have to say, I have new favorite foods now. I have tried really hard to find things to eat that make me happy. I know this will sound goofy but one of my big favs is spinach!! I eat it all the time, in eggs, salad, steamed with Protein. I buy the large box of it for $5.99 and never have to throw any away!!! I still have a drool or 2 for Taco Bell but, I can eat it just different now. I love the Fresco tacos they have. I always used to have the cheesy stuff. You will find new favorites to get excited about too!!! Good luck and welcome to this wonderful new life we get to live :- ))

Wow, that's almost better than the numbers on the scale!!! I always have a hard time believing that I can fit into a smaller size! I bought some pants for exercising and started with size large and ended in size small! I realize that all brands of clothes are different, it really doesn't matter, I am wearing a size small at the gym, I look good. I cannot believe how I can look in the mirror and see such a different body!!! Congrats to you, love this story!!!!

what a fun way to look at this 15 bags and counting!!

I experience the same thing, for me it's gas. I try to eat some papaya enyzme tablets after a meal, it helps. Otherwise GasX is great too.

do you have people you can call? It must be lonely without your husband. the night time is the hardest time. I will pray for strength. I have been in the same emotional state myself, I did not resist. I got back to normal "good' food the next day but, I felt like @#$%, I don't want to feel that way. I know it is temporary but keeping busy and keeping in touch with loved ones really helps.

You have to get to the doc, we are not the ones to answer these questions. Please take care of yourself get to the doc, mine has a ER location, does yours? Something has changed with your band. Sorry to sound so scary but passing out because you are getting dehydrated is scary!!!

I have to drive an hour to my doc, U of Minnesota. I think it is worthwhile, you are smart to find the best.

so right a this stage you can eat sooo much more. have more protein shakes, refried beans with some melted cheese, cottage cheese, greek yogurt not with the fruit in it ( add some stevia if it's too bitter), add protein powder to some mashed potatoes, think protein and you will feel so much better! keep drinking lots of water that helps a lot too.

First of all, you have to be sure. It doesn't matter what kind of experience we have had. I am so happy with my decision, I was so uncomfortable all the time. This has helped me physically, emotionally and spiritually. I did not like myself at all, I always felt like I could not succeed and was not worthy. I do not feel that way today. Don't kid yourself with thinking that, that "new" diet plan will do it for you. But you have to work on this program, it is not a miracle. We all try to follow the "rules" set by our docs. The reward (weight loss) far outweighs any of the food I thought I could not live without!

holy cow, I cannot imagine!! Congrats, I am so pleased to be in a size 12.

How funny, where else could we all talk about this!!!! I notice it when I sit on the toilet, it hurts! I thought I was over reacting, guess not. What a kick!!! We are so fortunate to experience this "pain"! Congrats to you for also feeling the pain !

I think you are getting all worried about something you have no control over. Just wait 'til the visit with the nutritionist, she will answer all questions. Before my surgery the thing I was having trouble giving up was the liquid during my meals. I tried so hard but couldn't do it. After the surgery it was all real and I just followed the rules. I didn't want to mess up any of the progress. This has been such a life saver for me that, for the 1st time I really took it quite seriously! I never want to go back to 239, never. I love all the energy I have, I love that my blood pressure is down, I've cut out extra meds now. What do you think you want the most? Make some lists.....keep reading all the positive posts from people who are successful. Good luck, we want you to be successful too.........

I was given a long list of vitamins to take when I went to the 1st seminar. I now take liquid calcium/magnesium & multi vitamins. I also take extra D3, they wanted me to take 2000 IU. I feel great and I never miss taking them. I love Jay Robb whey protein powder. It has a good amount of protein, very low in carbs and no artificial sweeteners. I like to mix soy milk, greek yogurt and fruit with the protein powder for a great breakfast! It is filling and gives me a great start on the daily number for proteins,

as long as you eat slowly like always, you won't have any trouble! I have only had a "stuck" situation 3 or 4 times, chicken was the culprit! I do have to say, it's better to be safe than sorry!

welcome to the forum. you will find lots of information on this site. try to read as much a you can. I found it really helped me feel more comfortable at surgery time. Also all of these doc appts. are rough to do but, we all do them! I think one of the hardest things for me to change was drinking while I ate. I worked on it by slowly eliminating a beverage size at each meal. I am fine now, just another change. I had been taking vitamins as prescribed by my doc but a lot were added for the surgery and forever after. I have learned to be very organized! I take liquid calcium and multi as the pills were so large. I have tried lots of new food combos that I love and have really limited the drive thru eating. I love Taco Bell and it is one I occasionally go to. they have a Fresco taco that is good. Good luck with all the new info you will be getting, ask lots of questions. We were all there at one time so we don't mind helping !

I have to agree with Fantasy5, come on you have just started your NEW life!!! give it a chance, trust your doc, keep busy with other activities and b4 you know it you will be back to eating food again. This is a completely different life you have decided to commit to, the rewards far out weigh the inconveniences you are feeling today. Trust me, you will be happy that you followed the pace of eating prescribed by the doc, let your body heal. you just had a major surgery! I wouldn't bother to say this "stuff" if I didn't know it was true....we want you to succeed!