scorpiolady

I do the grazing method when I'm bored. Eat when I'm not really hunger.
NO BUENO

So I'm 50. Ya the big 50! wooohooo... but that's not why I'm here today. Let's talk about menopause! In a nut shell it sucks even without all the major side effects I hear about. I've been pretty lucky in that regard. I thought I was over having my TOM because I haven't had one since May. Well it's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack So why am I posting about this here? Well, it effects my weight. I usually gain 2 to 3 lbs each month and then start the cycle of working off the weight again. It just didn't disappear after my TOM went away each month. Those 2 to 3 lbs would hold on and make me work them off. So each month I would work like a dog to get off 5 lbs only to gain back 2 to 3 every 4 weeks. Felt like the never ending race. So I was a tad bit excited when I skipped a month. Being banded hasn't prevented the 2 to 3 gain each month either but I'm not losing sight of my long term goal here. I will win this race!
On a more positive note... A "unknowing" friend of mine mentioned my weight loss yesterday! Finally! Made me feel all warm and fuzzy. It's amazing how receiving a compliment makes you feel. It was nice.
So today my goals are:
1. Control my cravings! Chocolate cookies are on the top of the list.
2. Be patient and persistent with myself.
3. Give as many compliments as I can to anyone and everyone I can. Share the joy.
just sayin,
j~

Having those experiences certainly makes you look at food differently. I LOVE pasta but I sure don't crave it anymore.

nom nom nom

I'm a slow loser as well but just think of it as part of my journey. I keep my focus on the goal and know I'll get there. It is hard not to compare yourself to others but I would follow your doc's order and not give up.
Turtle Power!!

Yes others in the group seem to have gone silent. I do hope they are all doing well and just lurking in the shadows. Seems like ppl are viewing the posts and just choose not to share. That's ok too. Maybe our posts help them as well.
There was a time when I would weigh myself everyday and then I just decided to stop. Wasn't easy but my mood for the day was based on a number. Ended up more often depressed because it didn't seem to matter how hard I tried, the scale wouldn't budge. Now I swing between daily weigh ins and waiting a few days before I step on. Seems to help and I try very hard to Celebrate even the smallest loss.
Since my surgery I've had a lot of time to think about my own self image. I've lost almost 30 lbs and not one person other than my sisters (who are aware I had WLS) have noticed. I've had to question why this bothers me. Am I more concerned with how others see me, or is my own self image more important. Have I not lost enough for it to even be noticeable? The questions and self doubt can consume me if I let them. I did this for me, not for others and how they see me. I want to feel good in my own skin. Move around without the burden of 50 extra pounds dragging me down. No one but me felt that. They may have seen it, but they didn't feel it. I haven't shared my surgery with hardly anyone, thank goodness. I'm pretty sure they would be watch and waiting for drastic results Silently judging me in the process.
As you know I'm a hair stylist so I work with people everyday. I may only see my clients once every 6 weeks but many times during the year. We share and over time bond with our clients. I found it amazing how the over weight clients seemed to bond with me. We had something in common. On the other hand, my skinny minnies would avoid taking to me about things like their diet or exercise programs feeling like I couldn't relate. Sadly, I can relate to both sides as I wasn't always this heavy. It will be funny to see how this shifts as my body changes. I'll be the same person I am now, but I know I will be treated differently by both groups. I won't even start about the whole dating scene. That's a whole layer cake of dysfunction. Sadly, our society sees heavier people as being weak which is anything but true. We are each determined in our own ways, far stronger than we give ourselves credit for and should be proud of our smallest accomplishment. Yep, I'm proud of my loss but perhaps I need to focus not on what the numbers are but on who I am becoming in this process. I think we will all grow differently on this journey but I feel each of us with transform not only physically but mentally as well. It will be enlightening to watch and share.
Ok, maybe too much coffee this morning and too much alone time to reflect and ramble. Time for Julz to shut down her mind and move into her day.
Back to your regularly scheduled program
cheerio my friends,
j~

Spiritual Meaning of a Turtle: Take your time in your pursuits. Trust in Mother Earth. You will have what you need.
I'm starting to really love turles

Still feeling like a turtle here but I'm moving forward. Lost another 1/2 lbs this last week which put me just below 190, FINALLY!
If anyone is wondering where I've been lately... I've been in the process of moving into my own little place. First time in my life I've lived completely alone so its been a little strange. I've always had my babies at home with me but now it's just me. Good thing about this is I can really focus on eating healthy and not be concerned about what the family eats. Needless to say, my kids are on a different diet than I should be on.
Went shopping yesterday and purchased all healthy foods. Between that and my protein shakes it should be easier now to stay on course.
Do turtle walk? Is that the proper term for a racing turtle? If it is, this turtle is on a steady but slow drive to the finish line.
Hope everyone else is focused and doing well.
j~

Having those experiences certainly makes you look at food differently. I LOVE pasta but I sure don't crave it anymore.

nom nom nom

Having those experiences certainly makes you look at food differently. I LOVE pasta but I sure don't crave it anymore.

nom nom nom

I'm not losing a ton of weight either. More like .5 lb at a time. Somewhat frustrating when I see everyone else dropping 3 to 5 lbs a week, but I had this thought just this week. I'm not gaining!!! Before being banded I would diet like a mad dog, lose a lb or two a week and then put on 5 lb. the following week. What a cycle to struggle with. Now, I'm losing slow, but not putting it back on. This is HUGE for me. So I'll take my .5 loss and just keep putting those ounces behind me.
TURTLE POWER!

I'm not losing a ton of weight either. More like .5 lb at a time. Somewhat frustrating when I see everyone else dropping 3 to 5 lbs a week, but I had this thought just this week. I'm not gaining!!! Before being banded I would diet like a mad dog, lose a lb or two a week and then put on 5 lb. the following week. What a cycle to struggle with. Now, I'm losing slow, but not putting it back on. This is HUGE for me. So I'll take my .5 loss and just keep putting those ounces behind me.
TURTLE POWER!

I'm not losing a ton of weight either. More like .5 lb at a time. Somewhat frustrating when I see everyone else dropping 3 to 5 lbs a week, but I had this thought just this week. I'm not gaining!!! Before being banded I would diet like a mad dog, lose a lb or two a week and then put on 5 lb. the following week. What a cycle to struggle with. Now, I'm losing slow, but not putting it back on. This is HUGE for me. So I'll take my .5 loss and just keep putting those ounces behind me.
TURTLE POWER!

I'm not losing a ton of weight either. More like .5 lb at a time. Somewhat frustrating when I see everyone else dropping 3 to 5 lbs a week, but I had this thought just this week. I'm not gaining!!! Before being banded I would diet like a mad dog, lose a lb or two a week and then put on 5 lb. the following week. What a cycle to struggle with. Now, I'm losing slow, but not putting it back on. This is HUGE for me. So I'll take my .5 loss and just keep putting those ounces behind me.
TURTLE POWER!

I'm not losing a ton of weight either. More like .5 lb at a time. Somewhat frustrating when I see everyone else dropping 3 to 5 lbs a week, but I had this thought just this week. I'm not gaining!!! Before being banded I would diet like a mad dog, lose a lb or two a week and then put on 5 lb. the following week. What a cycle to struggle with. Now, I'm losing slow, but not putting it back on. This is HUGE for me. So I'll take my .5 loss and just keep putting those ounces behind me.
TURTLE POWER!

down another .6 oz. I'll take it. I want to get below 190 by next week. That's only 1.6 lbs. Wish me luck!

YES I am sooo done painting. No, it wasn't 112 yesterday, it hit 113. No haven't weighed this week yet. Decided I was getting a little OCD about the whole number thing.
 
Yes, in the fine print it was Monday and over all I had a great day. How about you?

1. Is there any specific foods you can't eat because you can't tolerate them? (not because they aren't good for you) Yes, Pasta, breads, thick crackers and dense food. I have a hard time with boiled eggs, the stalks of broccoli or any veggies that are under cooked. I haven't tried eating bread since my surgery.
2. Very random, and may sound stupid, but can you do all the rides at amusement parks, I mean before the band my tummy use to feel all funny (in a good way) so just wondering because I love park rides! I plan to!
3. After reaching your goal weight, have any of you thought to either completely unfill your band, or have it removed voluntarily to avoid future issues? (erosion, slippage etc I was thinking about removal before surgery but not now.
4. Is there something I should be asking that I am not, or something that you never thought about that you couldn't or weren't able to do? Ask as much as you want. This forum is awesome and everyone here is more than happy to help and support you! I can't think of anything I can't do other than eat too much which... was my problem all along.
5. Is there anyone who didn't have to get a fill ever? I mostly see people with anywhere from 4-6 fills, and I am self pay and that cost just freaks me out? I'm self pay and I just considered the expense of the fills as part of my surgery. My doc is a little different than most. He only wants to do 2 or 3 fills in my life time so I'm ok with that. I'm losing slow but that's ok as long as I'm losing. I'll get a fill when I've lost more and don't feel any restriction and then I hope to lose the rest and maintain. From the time of surgery until you first fill is what many call "Lap Band Hell." It's a time for healing not losing. Which is exactly what I did. By the time I was able to get a fill, I was more than ready!
6. After getting a fill, how long are you on the liquid diet again? I didn't follow it very well but 2 days.
7. As of now it is very painful and uncomfortable to cough, let alone throw up, so anyone who has vomited is it painful, or just how it use to be before getting banded. I am terrified of throwing up! I haven't been sick yet but understand the concern.
8. What exactly is a PB, I know it stands for 'productive burp' but what does that mean?!? I think it's when you burp to help the food go down but I'm a newbie too. Anyone?
9. What is slime or sliming? Sounds nasty. I would be so embarrassed if that happened at a restauraunt...I think? ? I should know but I don't.
10. Is there anyone else who only had around 50-55 lbs to lose? At what rate did you lose your weight? And what was your diet and exercise routine? Yes, me. I'm losing very slow but I have to remind myself that slow is good and at least I'm losing. My diet is pretty normal. I try to eat at least 3 meals a day and not eat too much. I focus on getting lots of Protein. Exercise isn't my strong point unless you think of house painting in 108 degrees as exercise Yes, Arizona is HOT!
Hope my answers help. There are so many helpful people on this site! You'll get tons of help and support here.

down another .6 oz. I'll take it. I want to get below 190 by next week. That's only 1.6 lbs. Wish me luck!

I had a haital hernia repaired at the same time I was banded and I don't think it made any difference in my level of pain or my recovery. I was all over sore for a few days (gas pain) and had port pain for a few weeks which I've heard was normal. One thing I have noticed since my surgery is I haven't had heartburn once since it was done and it doesn't matter what I eat. I never realized how bad my heartburn was until it stopped.
Nausea seems to be a common side effect from surgery. Hope this helps.
j~

I'm doing pretty good. Wish more people from the Springers group would post but it's nice to have the support from those who are still around. Ya get sorta attached to you closest band buddies
I'm planning my meals, packing my lunches and working on keep my protein up.
One ounce at a time!
j~

Just keep swimmin

I lost a few lbs. immediately after surgery and then bounced up and down with the same 2 lbs for the next 5 wks. I was lucky enough to have someone remind me that I was in the "band hell" phase and it was more a time to heal rather than expect a loss. Your focus right now should be on healing, not on losing. I even put my scale away.
Glad I listened to the wisdom of those on this forum.
Good Luck

I lost a few lbs. immediately after surgery and then bounced up and down with the same 2 lbs for the next 5 wks. I was lucky enough to have someone remind me that I was in the "band hell" phase and it was more a time to heal rather than expect a loss. Your focus right now should be on healing, not on losing. I even put my scale away.
Glad I listened to the wisdom of those on this forum.
Good Luck

I don't think there is anything that should not be posted in our group. It helps me to read everyone's story. Remember one little thing you say may help a few of us understand what's going on!
Elizabeth keep counting. Your day will get here before you know it!

I don't think there is anything that should not be posted in our group. It helps me to read everyone's story. Remember one little thing you say may help a few of us understand what's going on!
Elizabeth keep counting. Your day will get here before you know it!