gottobeme

I let my Nintendo WII tell me what a healthy weight/BMI was (129 lbs for me) and added a pound just to make it an even 130. I have set smaller goals along the way and am happy every time I see another number ending in 5 or 0 - little goals help!

Having anxiety and panic disorders are things your doctor should consider when treating you. I can't imagine a good doctor would reprimand you for gaining weight when you were dealing with such difficult things. They should instead praise you for taking your life back!

You look great. I also miss everyone on here. I have been away from the site for a while. I've been pretty busy. I'm frustrated with myself. I did get a fill a little over two weeks ago and I can tell a difference. I am still having trouble getting back on track. I have been eating too many sweets and other things that I should stay away from. Today has been pretty good so hopefully I can keep it going. I just need to get in the right mind set.
On a side note I think I had an NSV yesterday, even if it wasn't it felt good. We were visiting UW LaCrosse as a possible college for my daughter. A woman approached me from behind in the cafeteria and asked where the tray return was. When I told her I wasn't sure either, she told me she had thought I was a student there!

I paint my nails...lol it takes time to do them and then it takes even more time to let them dry. You wouldn't wanna mess up your nails while reaching for a snack it takes my mind off food...lol

I feel good. I'm having a lot more problems lately eating out of habit. I'm hoping this may help some.

I know if I try to access a group from my android it will not allow me to access it. Are you on a computer or phone? I did let admin know (months ago) and they said it was something they were working on. Still cant access my "Springers" group from my phone though.

As of today i have said Goodbye to the 280s for i hope the rest of my life. And welcomed in 270s. Contiuning to push towards my goal. Also this weekend I cleaned out my closet all my size 24 jeans GONE GONE... and all my huge scrubs are also packed up to go. I went and bought me a bunch of smaller scrubs this week. I can now wear a size 20 jean.. Yes they are tight but they zip and i could wear them. I also just for fun tried on a pair of 18 and I can get them on but like a couple inches of zipping them. But the fact they go up over my hips is a good feeling. Wont be long till i can wear them I know.

I was out of the hospital a few short hours after my surgery, it is commonly done on an outpatient basis.
Even if you are self pay does the doctor offer any type of nutritional counseling, group support or anything along those lines? My insurance (and clinic) did require a minimum of 6 months working with the doctors before approval. I know a lot of people hate the wait but I found it worked great for me. I learned a lot along the way as well as lost a significant amount of weight making my surgery and recovery much easier. I also feel it has helped me since surgery to have had that background. I'm not doing things perfectly by any means but I think without the pre op phase of my journey it would be a lot tougher on me now than it is.
Best of Luck!

As I was walking this morning - I saw the fit woman ahead walking toward me. "Just keep your head down....don't look her in the eye", I thought. I was hot with bright red cheeks and my hair was drenched with sweat and actually, I hadn't even been walking for very long. Here she comes and I can't help myself....I glance over and I see it in her eyes and without saying a word she spoke to my soul: "Don't you be embarrassed....keep going....you're doing great....I'm proud of you....you're worth it!"
I returned home and remembered a fellow writer who shared one of his writings titled "Hey, Fat Girl". I feel guided to share it with you with the intention it will bring you the inspiration it brought to me:
Hey, Fat Girl!
Yes, you. The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on the running track. The one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re slow, you breathe hard and your efforts at moving forward make you cringe.
You cling shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger loops on the gravel ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat so much that your hair is all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a time, and you look exhausted when you leave to go back home. You never talk to anyone. I’ve got something I’d like to say to you.
You are awesome.
If you’d look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice the reverence and respect I have for you. The adventure you have started is tremendous; it leads to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand new kind of freedom. The gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the gigantic effort it takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely set yourself in motion, in front of others.
You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.
You’re a hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones and put your head up for more than a second or two, you would notice that the other runners you cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate, stare in awe at your determination. They, of all people, know best where you are coming from. They heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up running and improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs alongside, who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to come back again.
You are a runner, and no one can take that away from you. You are relentlessly moving forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you are about to be amazed by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow, you’ll step outside and marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your own body, you will realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up for you. You are a true inspiration.
I bow to you.
~Flintland

OK, here's my advice, and please take it in the spirit I intend it, which is trying to be helpful. You've had a long, difficult road and I'm sorry for that, but you have two choices. You can either let the problems define you or you can adapt and overcome them. The first thing I would do is watch this 4-part video series recommended by my surgeon. When I was lost and couldn't find my way, these videos helped me get back on track.
I'd also start being an active member of this forum (or one of your choosing.) It really can be a good thing to hear the advice of others and give some advice to people who are going down a road you've already traveled.
Don't let the difficulties of the past define you. Every day is a new day and you have the choice to make it right or let it get the best of you. Sorry if this sounds a little harsh, but if things are getting to the point where it's affecting other parts of your life you need to get a handle on it.
If it get's bad enough, seek professional advice from a counselor. I have a feeling once you watch the videos, you'll have a path back to the groove.
Hope this helps.
D.

I also have been dealing with this lately. I was banded April 13th and haven't had a fill yet.
Up until the last week or so I have been able to overcome those temptations. Now I find myself eating when I am not hungry. If I keep myself busy and away from food it's easy to avoid the temptation but that has not been easy to do the past couple of weeks. When I get back to my regular school schedule in a couple of weeks (I'm a special ed aid) I expect that to help a lot. Until then I have a feeling I will be fighting myself quite a bit.
I go back to see my surgical PA on September 16th and think I will be getting a fill.

I too have slipped into bad habits again, chips, sweets...i keep them to a minimum most of the time, and thats only because I journal everything...but i know im the person that i eat one cupcake and i just have to have another or a handufl of chips put the bag away and go right back and get it out again...i dont need a fill cuz i get full easily, but as soon as that satisfied feeling is gone i snack before im really truly hungry.
For me I just had to reevaluate my goals and when I realized that if i keep up the bad habits ill never reach them..so to help motivate myself i put my goal a little higher than what i had it set before...
we can do this, its just stepping back, realizing what we been doing wrong ( which u have already done) and mentally putting ourselves back where we were right after surgery...we were dead set on making this happen, and we still can!

Thanks for this post. I am 4 months post op, have never had a fill and never pb'ed so it's good to have a reminder that it can happen at anytime for unknown reasons.

"shut up I'm sleeping" lol two nurses were talking about their boyfriends and I just wanted to sleep LOL

I agree to stop when you start feeling full. I'm not sure I agree with trying to wait 4 hours between meals at 7 days post op. . . further out, yes!
Your body is still healing. As Chandra12 said make sure you are getting plenty of fluids (48 oz of Water minimum) and that you are eating items high in Protein. Also don't drink 1/2 hour before or after a "meal" (longer if that's what your doctor recomends). Following these rules will help you feel fuller longer.

I am 4 months post op and can take "gulps". Now it's just Water, Sobe 0, Vitamin Water 0, or Crystal Light instead of Coke Zero. The first few days post op I kept my drinks to 1-2 oz at a time and gradually increased them over the next few weeks.
My eyes are still bigger than my stomach, I'm still working on that. Sometimes I take larger bites than I should but as long as I chew, chew, chew, I'm fine.

definitely means nothing by mouth....I'm a nurse and that's the official meaning of npo
(it's latin)

If your insurance requires a psych consult please take advantage of it! As mentioned above your mom has the problem not you. Unfortunately you have been the "target" of your mom's problems. I have always had a good relationship with my mom but not so with my dad. I remember my dad once saying "You know you'd be pretty damn good looking if you lost some weight." My dad also has weight issues and paid for me to do a weight loss program when I was 16/17 (I'm 44 now). I feel like I did it for him. Now it is for me and my health!

Everyone has their reasons for either keeping their WLS quiet or being open about it.
I also have chosen to be open about it. I also feel if I can help a single person in their weight loss journey it's worth it. Just today I had some people asking about my weight loss and think they may even be considering WLS themselves.
I also feel it helps to keep me more accountable since people know about the surgery. I respect those who choose to keep quiet but I would not have been comfortable with that decision myself.

I forgot to mention those sweaters that I bagged up for donation were my smaller sweaters I bought last winter, now they are too big!

I've been doing the same. I had put away sweaters when the weather got warm and yesterday I bagged them up to be donated. I have also been buying a few sweaters on clearance and putting them away for the colder weather. It's going to be great having a new wardrobe when the weather gets cooler!

Hi everyone! I was banded/hiatal hernia repair on July 23. I am 31 years old & have struggled with my weight my entire life. I am married to a wonderful, loving & supportive husband who has been my biggest cheerleader! We actually have gone through this whole process together as he is going to have a gastric sleeve procedure Sept 17. It was a blessing to go through all these steps together! I am feeling good, each day is getting better & better. Between the pre-surgical diet & weight loss since surgery, I already notice a difference in my body. I can't wait to see what my Lap Band journey holds for me. I am so happy my husband & I are doing this, we still have many years left together & this will allow us to have a better quality of life!!

You didn't mention how old your boys are, the younger they are the longer it may take for you to be able to take care of them.
I had surgery on Friday and attended church that Sunday. I'm Lutheran but did not participate in the "Lutheran Aerobics" that week. I stayed seated for most of the service. My pastor and many other members were aware that I had surgery. If you have communion every week - wait a few weeks before you try. As I mentioned my pastor was aware so I went forward for a blessing each week instead of taking communion.
Everyone's recovery is different. Listen to your body about whether or not to go to the parties. If you do be sure to take it easy and relax.

Hopefully this helps you some,
I was told before surgery that right after surgery I would only be able to have about 1 oz at a time but they also warned that dehydration was the most common complication after surgery. I set the alarm on my phone for about every 10-15 min while I was awake. I used a medicine cup and would drink about 1 oz everytime my alarm went off. Gradually I would increase the amount I drank. If you do start yogurt tomorrow I would Water it down a little until you no longer feel pain.

Five years ago, I had my band put in. I now know I was not ready for it, my NUT and LPN agree'd today. They see a new "me". It was the coolest thing to hear, as I agree that there is a new "me". It was just nice to hear it from my posse after 5 years! They remembered what a mess I was back then. How I got through the psych eval I'll never know. I 'thought' I was ready, I really did. Newbies thinking of getting banded...THINK very clearly about the seriousness at hand. You MUST change your lifestyle, not just watch what you eat. It's so much more than that. Lots of people lose weight with the band but it's not just about losing weight. It's about putting healthy foods in your mouth, to live to a healthy ripe old age. Protect against heart attack, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. None of that mattered to me 5 years ago, but I can tell you it matters now! It took years of intense therapy with the BEST therapist I've ever had to help me come to grips with my ongoing food addiction, and adjusting to my new lifestyle with my new "old" band. It's all new to me, caring for myself. It was awkward to even write that. I care enough to DO the diet, not try. I care enough to allow myself to be human. And when I choose (yes, I said choose) to make a momentary bad decision by eating something not on my diet, I will take responsibility for what I've done, dust myself off and get back into the diet again. No more "if I'm down I might as well stay down." I follow the South Beach Diet, journal all that goes into my mouth and am directly accountable to myself and my nutritionist. I lost 14 pounds of fat this past month, yippie yahooey! That's a big thing for me. They don't know how much, if any restriction I have as my file was so large and old, they thinned it down and don't know, but I know I left them 5 years ago with no restriction. They say, "no matter, you're doing great!" You know what? I AM.
Blessed be you that has read my long post. I must have had a lot to say. I hope it helps someone or makes someone smile. My "Smiley's don't work, otherwise I'd post a big, wide grin! Muwah....