DanaAdams

Thank you, Karen!!! :-)

I totally do not want a fill!I have been doing well with own new lifestyle...so,I do not want a fill to change that! You just keep up your GREAT work!!!!

Let's see...where do I begin? I think I should start by letting you all know that I am 30 pounds from my goal weight. I had my surgery in October of this year...just a couple of months ago...literally. Since then, I have lost 16 pounds. However, I lost an even greater amount of weight before my surgery. I have lost a total of 67 pounds since beginning my journey of weight loss back in June of this year.

Now, I have to tell you that I am not your "normal" lapband patient. Nope! I eat normal...chicken, beef, popcorn...you name it, I can eat it. I swallow pills...regular pills...Not a problem. I live my life normal. BUT~~my normal is not YOUR normal. We are all different.

My lapband is NOT the reason I have lost ANY of my weight...not even the 16 pounds since my surgery. Why? Because I made a conscience decision to begin eating healthier way before my surgery. I had already begun to get in the mindset of eating smaller portion...that is something "most skinny folks" do already. I had already begun making wiser choices in my food preparations. I had a healthy mindset.

So why did I get lapband surgery? Because I wanted a backup plan. Yep! I had to gain weight three weeks before my surgery in order to make the cut off line of weight limit. We are not talking 20 pounds...only like 7 or so. I have always had the yoyo thing going on with weight gain and loss. So, gaining it was a breeze! Now, what I can say is that I have conditioned my mind and my body to eat "normal". And if my normal is 1/2 a cup...fine. If my normal is 3/4 cup fine. If my normal is 1 whole cup..GREAT! The deal is that my body is now working with my band. I am not overeating. I have never thrown up. I have a grasp on my life. I have a NEW life!

But~~YOU may be different. And if so, just remember, just as I have a testimony, I also have had many tests...and I am certain I will have more! So, as you are going forward with your journey, remember you are awesome, and your journey is YOUR journey. You are an individual and what works for one person may not work for another. Smile! And you will have a story to tell! :-)

Praying for you! keep us posted and update as soon as you can!

Is prepared the way I want than an entire plate of something that tastes mediocre. Funny thing is, I just had this conversation with my dietician last week. Lately I find that I'm searching for richer flavors and more intense seasoning, but I'm also finding that it takes a lot less to satisfy me. She says that's what thin people do-imagine that!

I am TOTALLLLLY loving the "thin" people part!!!!!

Thank you all for the encouragement! I am still learning...and still somewhat a newbie...but I am REALLY loving being a NEW person! It is exciting! Embracing the NEW me and the NEW life!

Most certainly! Just because you have the band...doesn't stop you from "living". In fact, it helps you to LIVE BETTER!!!! I think the main thing to remember is to balance things out. Choose "good" fats over bad fats...good carbohydrates over bad...and lean cuts of meat...and tons of veges--fruits.

Some folks really like sticking to a low carb diet...but for me...and it is different for all folks..but for me, I like living a balanced life...Meaning, I can eat carbs. If I don't, my body craves them. It is surely better to eat a few "good" carbs...brown rice...and such than gorging on doughnuts...like four at a time! LOL!~~~Which I have been known to do! Heeee! Not anymore!

Wishing you all the best with you endeavors!

I totally love going out to eat! What is even more fun is that I have the ability to choose "healthy" items without "desiring" those EVIL things!!! Heeeee! Seriously! We lovvvve going to Cheddar's to eat. It was amazing today! I ordered Grilled Salmon (lunch portion), Rice Pilaf, Baby Carrots, Steamed Broccoli, and a side of pico de gallo. Soooo yummmy! Plus, I had plenty to bring home for

dinner too! Total calories for the whole meal--which I ate twice on--was only 500! Now, that is my kind of eating! Not all healthy things have to taste yucky...In fact, it is all about the cooking method. I have learned that I can still go out to eat and have FUN! It is the choices I make that are important....and most EVERYWHERE has yummy healthy choices...you just have to be wise and selective. I am actually enjoying being able to make those choices now...I am am in control! LOVING IT!!!!

Yay! I hope you continue on a GREAT path!!!

thanks ya'll!

I am really needing to take Omega-3's....but I am sooo concerned it will get stuck. Have any of you had problems with it getting stuck or any other suggestions?

I can say that during that time, I took low sodium low fat chicken broth, seasoned it with Ms. Dash...and put 1/2 scoop of unflavored Protein Powder in it. It was YUMMMY!!! I still drink it when I get a craving for it!

OK. I have been banded almost a month now. I haven't had any problems eating ANYTHING! :-) However, just a bit ago, I ate 3/4 of a chocolate covered creme filled donut. Yea...I know, not a good choice...However, I haven't had anything like that in OVER 6 months..so...I was due! LOL!

The problem? Well, it did not get stuck or anything like that...I have never thrown up since my surgery...BUT~~~I quickly began feeling SICK!!! Like...yucky sick! I went to the bathroom to try to throw up...and NOTHING!!!! Just some burping sounds. I literally could not throw up. Bummer...cause now I am feeling sicker than ever...and cannot do anything about it! :-(

ANyway, I am thinking I will no longer be able to tolerate bread or donut things. Or maybe, it was the sweet stuff...chocolate creme and filling...WHo knows? BUT..I do know I have not eaten bread since my surgery...and am wondering if that is it.

SOoooooo....what foods DO NOT agree with you anymore????

I was!!!!! I was eating regular food by day six. I have never had any problems at all and have lost consistently. My doctor told me to slowly go from level to level with the food...but not to skip any levels. I haven't found anything I cannot eat EXCEPT for BREAD!!! Not that it gets stuck or anything...just that it does not agree with me anymore. STRANGE!!!!

I wish you well in your new journey!

Hey, Tessie! Just sent you a fb friend request!

Mary! I can't find you...can you copy and paste your link on here???

I am looking...but don't see you!!! Find me! Dana Adams Homeschool Examiner! I hope to see you one there!

WoW! I am amazed at so many reactions coming from this board! I personally think it is great that newbies like me get to see different sides and aspects to a situation. However, as a newbie, I have to tell you all that I REALLY feel once someone gets banded it is a JOINT EFFORT between the doctor and the patient in the success of the patient.

Patients are responsible for proper eating, following instructions from their doctors, and staying abreast of banding information (such as this forum site); yet, it is also the doctor's responsibility to keep good documentations and be knowledgeable to recognize complications when seen in their patients.

If these things are followed, warding off complications should be more easy to take head-on. Still, life happens and many times we are not in control of how our bodies react to situations and events. Everyone is different and those differences help to make us special and unique. With the band, we (our bodies) will ALLLL respond differently...that is just a part of our uniqueness!

Within these forums, I take the information learned through all of you and take some with a grain of salt and other to be nearly the Bible! The reason is because some of your experiences are in close relation to my own. Others experiences are no where near to my experiences. Therefore, I DO enjoy reading EVERYONE's opinions on things...and that is not to say all opinions are right, factual, or apply to me.

In the end, we are ALLLL on a journey to better health...and sometimes there will be bumps in the road....and differences of opinions. We have to learn to accept each other's thoughts and stances on issues...and not bash or condemn anyone.

Love you all so much!

Oh!!!! Funnn question!

I really MUST have:

Jalapenos

Salsa

Turkey meat Sticks

Nuts--any kind

(last but NOT least) Coffeeeeeeeeee--Decaf, of course!

I didn't tell many folks either...I think just about 5 or 6 folks know. I had already lost weight...so, I knew the next question was going to be "why did you go and do that...you are already losing weight?"

Plus, my sister-n-law and my FIL both had it done... and I didn't want to look like a copy cat. I AM NOT! My FIL has gained most of his weight back...and my SIL is a fanatic about exercise. I am just me and want to live a balanced life...no extremes for me.

So, I can understand how you are feeling right now...I am praying for you...but if folks come up and ask about it...just tell them, your choice was to live healthier...and you are thinking this just might help you achieve that!

Smile and go on from there...shut down the conversation quick! It is none of their business...but if they keep on...just say I am happy with how things are going...and change the subject.

I hope this helps!

TGI Friday's is awesome! They have tons of good softy type foods...just chew up VERY slowly and completely anything you eat! Enjoy!!!!

Gosh! i am so sorry you are having such a hard time right now...I am new to the banding community...so, I do not have any real advice to offer you except that if you are even having a hard time drinking liquids, you need to go back to your doctor to take some of that fill out! You have to be able to get some nutrition in some how.

I will be praying for you!

I feel so blessed by my doctor's instructions. I would also second to keep to what your doctor has instructed...as I know you will...and it does seem like a LONG time...but..I know you can make it!

My doctor instructed me to gradually go through the stages every few days. Of course he said the recommended time period is a week with each stage; however, he told me that if I was getting all things down through each stage that I did not have to stay on each stage for the whole week. He said two to three days at each stage is good...and then move one to the next stage. I was eating pretty much anything by the sixth day after surgery.

I have yet to hear about anyone else eating solid food that quickly...but it worked for me. I was very careful in selecting my food and chewing it up nicely...and always making certain it was doused with sauce or liquid of some sort.

I have done exceptionally well with my eating...and I am so glad I am one of the very blessed ones that I can eat anything.

I do know that time will pass and you will be able to eat again!!! Keep your chin up! Praying for you!

I agree with Missy! I do not restrict carbs...nor does my doc say too...Every "body" is different, and what works for one person, may not work so well for another.

My mother is a low carb crazeee! Heee! It works to restrict carbs for her...not for me. I lose and have lost much more weight watching my calories rather than sticking to a strict low carb diet. I do as Missy and watch my carb intake...but that doesn't mean I don't eat a potato now and then.

To me, it all about eating balanced.

I am so glad to see this post!!! Awesome time for reflection!

I have given up eating YUCKY foods! My body is thanking me...I am off all of my medications and feeling so clean inside.

I can now see the value of eating healthy and balanced. I am enjoying cooking! I love seeing what combinations of flavors I can come up with...and that they all are healthy!

I love being able to wonder how folks can eat all that food! I love being able to help folks see and understand that what they put in their bodies will determine their future health. I love being able to give folks ideas of how to cook and eat healthy...and to give their bodies the best chance of running like a perfect machine!

The best thing is that I am now rethinking my Master's degree program...I am very seriously considering getting my Master's in Nutrition. I am not an extremist. I am a person who believes in a well balanced life.

I had that mentality before my surgery...and now, since my surgery, I feel even more compelled to live a life of good health, good nutrition, and a balanced life style!

I by no means want to tell you to change what your doctor has told you to do, but my doctor instructed me to try each stage of the eating...clear, liquids, mush, and so on for two to three days each...and slowly move on. I didn't have to do a week at a time. Actually, I am two weeks and one day out from my surgery and I have been eating real food since about day 4 to 6. I did begin to feel a little hungry around day 8...and I was craving sweets like CRAZEE! I bought some popsicles and they seem to do the trick to help my cravings before I was completely on solid food. It will get better!!!!! I don't have very many sweet cravings now...