PattyGirl66

Wouldn't it be nice if the weight loss could just leave them speechless.... Just sayin'

Hi everyone! I'm three weeks out and have been really enjoying watermelon! Since I'm still on mushies, I make a Protein Shake each morning with Protein Powder, nf plain Greek yogurt, frozen fruit (berries, bananas, peaches, whatever) and fresh spinach or kale and sometimes carrots. It's delicious! I can never finish the whole serving so I save the rest for my afternoon 'boost'.

Considering the best reward will be the weight loss and goals. While I haven't given it a thought yet because I am not banded, however I know this sounds ridiculous, but I always wanted a leather jacket. I could own one if I want, but at my weight honestly I never thought I would look good in one. I don't want a long one, I want a short one hopefully one that will show off my weight loss and accentuate my figure.
Great question, and loved all the answers

Oh, and i log every single thing I eat and I exercise almost every day.

I agree huge difference between 100 calories of fruit and 100 of chocolate cake. My Nurse Practioner said I should eat fruit 3 times a day. I don't bother at Breakfast since I do choose Greek yogurt with fuit added (though admittedly it doesn't contain a lot. I find the healthier I eat (cutting out refined carbs, candy, cake) the more I enjoy plain fruit.

I have been so busy lately, that I forgot to Celebrate entering ONEDERLAND this week! Down to 197.4!!
:D :D
Next stop= to move from obese to just overweight!

Just wanted to share a lil info about fruit! I am a firm believer NOW that a apple a day really does keep the Dr. away...actually more like 4 or 5 a day! I highly recommend you put your good ole blender to use and make yourself a smoothie or 2 EVERYDAY! I have been doing this pre and post and I feel so much better. I have even noticed a few of my health issues improved or all together disappeared. fruit gives you the vital nutrients that are sometimes neglected with us bandsters, we must focus on Protein but often tines lack the Vitamins and minerals we need, my goal is to be slim and healthy, not slim and looking like death. I use a greek non fat yogurt, an apple, pinrapple, a banana, ice, a lil Water and a few packs of equal and end up with a very delightful smoothie, I dont measure the ice and water and generally use 2 to 3 packs of equal. I have used almost every FRESH fruit but always include an apple and banana... I added a bell pepper this am and it was delicious! Happy Smoothing!

Lol this is so funny I didn't get to count. They told me they were putting something in my IV to help me relax, when I woke up I was in recovery. Only thing I remember is being wheeled into the OR and getting on the table.

Good luck to you sounds like you have a smart doctor especially since you've been losing all this time(congrats on the 24lb down) your liver IS shrinking(smile) I'm not up to that point yet but my Dr has said I can have 2-3 Protein Shakes and one low carb/low fat meal total caloric intake 800-1200 daily I still have my mental eval and then I have to wait to se what insurance says so I am thinking I will have surgery early August.So keep me posted on how you are doing take care and God bless

If it was just a one day thing, just shrug it off and start fresh today. We all have our occasional "bad" day. We're human- it's what we do.
Just don't let your off day turn into a habit and you'll be fine.

Consider your butt kicked, but to be perfectly honest, a 1756 calorie day is not the end of the world, especially considering that you burned 961 of those calories in exercise and yard work. When I think back on how I ate pre-op, I easily consumed 1756 calories in a single meal!

Honestly, I wouldn't want to encourage this, but considering what you ate and the exercise, you really didn't do that bad! Don't beat yourself up about it. Like I was told back in the day when I went to Weight Watchers; shake it off, move on... Tomorrow is another day
BTW, I admire that you tracked everything you ate

I consider this site to be a continual 'group meeting', just as if you were to attend a meeting at Weight Watchers. I think most of us will need this support for awhile, or maybe forever. Whether you come on before you were banded or log on once in awhile to touch bases and let everyone know how you are doing. I have made a very good friend on here (Hi Missy). I can't imagine talking to her for this long and then one day never come back on to see how my friend is doing. You make connections and bonds on here with people, especially those who have supported you through this entire process.
I too have read that eariler post about the woman who lost her life, and yes I felt a knot in my stomache. However, I will not be swayed any other way. I already have a foreign object in me, a porceline hip, its a new hardware that I was first to have several years ago. Yes, I can feel it at times when I sit on a hard surface, or when I lay on my belly I can feel it with my hand. What I dont feel is the severe pain I had that I couldn't walk, that is the part I don't miss at all. I spent over 4 hours under anesthesia getting this done , had a blood transfusion and spent 10 days in the hospital. I think I can handle this. Just as Mis73 said, our weight alone is killing us slowly, crippling us. Just as that poster intially indicated this person waited and waited. We need to listen to our bodies what its telling us, if you think something is wrong, call up your surgeon. Who cares if you call a million times this is what they are paid to do.

Considering the best reward will be the weight loss and goals. While I haven't given it a thought yet because I am not banded, however I know this sounds ridiculous, but I always wanted a leather jacket. I could own one if I want, but at my weight honestly I never thought I would look good in one. I don't want a long one, I want a short one hopefully one that will show off my weight loss and accentuate my figure.
Great question, and loved all the answers

I think I'm going to buy a ring so every time I look at my hand and see it, I am reminded of what I accomplished and how important it is to never be that huge again.

You need to sit down and track everything you are eatting, I mean every little thing. Bring it to the nutrionist so they can help you. I remember when I joined weight watchers back in the day and I would barely eat because I wanted to lose weight fast. Well, that didnt work. I needed to put healthy fats into my diet. If you omit most foods from your diet you will have nothing to burn. Remember fuel burns. This could be by adding a tablespoon of Peanut Butter, lite mayo, lite dressing. etc. Measure measure measure. Too much will add up to empty calories, and you don't want that. Believe me I use to drown my food in ketchup and you would be surprised all the sugar and calories I was adding to my food. Get in some healthy nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, brazil, almonds. These are the best healthiest nuts for you that have healthy fat. Go easy, remember just a handful (20 almonds equal 1 ounce of nuts) You can google how many nuts are in an ounce to see how many your are able to have. Oh, guacamole is also an excellent fat that is very healthy, just make sure you measure. Whole wheat only, that includes breads and pastas, rice. sugar free should be your best friend now, but watch the calories they add up. You will become a pro on reading lables.
Hang in there, it will happen whatever you do DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

You need to sit down and track everything you are eatting, I mean every little thing. Bring it to the nutrionist so they can help you. I remember when I joined weight watchers back in the day and I would barely eat because I wanted to lose weight fast. Well, that didnt work. I needed to put healthy fats into my diet. If you omit most foods from your diet you will have nothing to burn. Remember fuel burns. This could be by adding a tablespoon of Peanut Butter, lite mayo, lite dressing. etc. Measure measure measure. Too much will add up to empty calories, and you don't want that. Believe me I use to drown my food in ketchup and you would be surprised all the sugar and calories I was adding to my food. Get in some healthy nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, brazil, almonds. These are the best healthiest nuts for you that have healthy fat. Go easy, remember just a handful (20 almonds equal 1 ounce of nuts) You can google how many nuts are in an ounce to see how many your are able to have. Oh, guacamole is also an excellent fat that is very healthy, just make sure you measure. Whole wheat only, that includes breads and pastas, rice. sugar free should be your best friend now, but watch the calories they add up. You will become a pro on reading lables.
Hang in there, it will happen whatever you do DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

I just called BCBS of IL to see if they received my information, only to find out that I have been Approved!! YAY!! I have my pre-op appointment on July 5th & my surgery is July 17th, as of right now....I'm soo very excited, I'm ready for a new me!!

LOL! That reminds me of the famous time President Johnson lifted his golf shirt to show a reporter his incision from gall bladder surgery! Big to-do over that one!

I decided to get the band to deal with maintenance issues and not strictly in order to lose weight. I can lose weight- I've done it hundreds of times. I have not been able to keep it off, though, and I liked the idea of physical restriction to help me not return to bad old habits as soon as I reached my goal.
So people think you're crazy. Big deal. I think they're pretty presumptuous to try and make decisions for someone who has done her research and made an informed decision, especially since they are making those decisions based on gut reaction and not research. Poo on 'em.

I had a tentative date for surgery originally June 13, however my insurance company due to 'clerical' errors sent a letter of denial for my surgery. Its straightened out and I am scheduled for surgery on July 25th.
I want to thank you all for always commenting on my posts, all the wonderful emails. Especially to Mis73, she has been my main backbone of support on here and without her I would have probably fell to pieces throughout this entire process. Thanks Missy, you are truly a blessing!
I have everything ready for my surgery, (I am litterally stocked)! I will continue to read on, comment, etc on this site because I need the support and hope I can return the support and love back.
Okay, hello to all my July Bandsters!!!!
-Patty

Here is that video that was mentioned above:

I use the whole wheat pita bread and make my own homemade pizza; I add pizza sauce, lots of cheese and topings. I cook them for about 12 minutes so the crust is very crisp. Good Luck

Don't scare yourself!! There's dangers to anything in life. You got the surgery for the right reasons - because you want to be around in the future for your kids. Think about what Morbid Obesity is...from the Rochester University website:
"Morbid obesity is a serious health condition that can interfere with basic physical functions such as breathing or walking. Those who are morbidly obese are at greater risk for illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallstones, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and cancer."
Now, those side effects of living life at 300 lbs sound very scary to me! Most of them lead to death, all of them are life-changers.
Be positive. You really can be successful at this. It's a mindset and a lifestyle. It's always good to be aware of complications so we know what to look for, but just follow the plan and you should be peachy keen

Congratulations!!!!