♕ajtexas♕

Congrats on the "3" number!! even a 42 yo man can celebrate!!!

My birthday status's are getting in the way and I plan on stopping them over the next few days. You can go to http://www.lapbandta...atuses/friends/ to view your friend's statuses and http://www.lapbandta...m/statuses/all/ to see them all.

Oh Alex I hope you don't stop them completely. I forget so many birthdays & you always keep me on track.

What a beautiful attitude and statement. That is so very true.

Thank you for sharing and congratulations!

OMG love it! That is sooo classic!

Congratulations! You look incredible!

You sister would be proud of you and I'm sure she is smiling on you for putting your health first. Congratulations for that.

My condolences to you and your family.

Peanut Butter yogurt: 4ozs of plain or vanilla nonfat greek yogurt and 1 tablespoon (1oz) of creamy Peanut Butter. Tastes like the inside of a Reese Cup. Can add a package of sweetner if using plain yogurt and you can use the PB2 powdered yogurt for less calories.

I eat this almost daily even when I'm not on mushies. lol.

Drinking before, during and after meals is a subject that is constantly debated. Every doctor is different and so you will get all kind if answers. Your best bet is ask your doctor.

My doctor allows drinking with meal, just wait 1 minute after bit. That being said I am more comfortable not drinking with my meal. I drink before and I drink after.

This works for me but as suggested check with your doctor. Best wishes.

You are doing great, keep it up!

I agree with gowalking. Try to reschedule so you can follow the diet correctly. Take the time to really evaluate yourself, if you are struggling with the pre op diet how will you do with the post op? Or following the band rules?

I don't mean to be harsh but if you are going to spend that amount of money be sure you are truly ready to change everything about food.

I also was self pay so I do understand the financial part.

Good luck to you.

I agree with lellow. Maintaining is not easy. For me I didn't change anything. I still eat 1200 calories a day, etc.

I have struggled at times, gained some and had to focus on loosing again. Plus for me it is hard to rap my head around the fact that I am at my goal. My head is my biggest obstacle.

Congrats on reaching your goal. And welcome to the next chapter of your journey, you will do great.

I'm on the way to finally taking the leap into WLS' date=' right now I am so uncomfortable in my own skin I can't stand it. I have no energy, clothes are 3X and still don't fit, moving is a struggle, I feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines of life. For those of you already into the journey, when did it feel like things started to turn around?[/quote']

I remember my initial consultation with my doctor, I cried through the whole thing. I truly hated myself.

I knew I had to do something and the band was what I chose. Once I made the decision everything started to change. Most important was I put myself first and started the healing of how I felt about me.

18 months later and I love who I am, my attitude is positive and I look good (if I do say so myself).

The band saved my life.

I had a sliced toasted with about a table spoon of Peanut Butter and some sugar free jam. It's like a treat for me.. I was a big bread person. My question is is what I ate "okay" to eat? I was kinda burping a lot after but it went down really nice.

And where do you think is the best place to find a 1 min egg timer I haven't been waiting long enough between bites recently. Feeling guilty.

Thanks guys!

-BriannaXOXO

Nothing wrong with bread. Like Missy I eat bread and don't deprive myself of things I like.

As for a timer there us a free app called Eat Slower that I have on my phone. Works great, you can set it to sound, vibrate or both.

Looking great girlfriend.

Congrats!

First, no you didn't make a mistake.

Second, get off the scale. now is a time for healing. There are so many factors as to your weight right now (swelling from surgery, gas from surgery, not going to the bathroom...just to name a few),

Third, call you doctor about not going potty. They might recommend something for that (very common problem).

Fourth, 11 pounds is awesome. Be proud of yourself. This is a long and hard journey. You can do this and we will support you every step of the way,

Big cyber hugs to you!!

Welcome Pitboss and congrats on your surgery,

The friends I have made on this site have supported me through my journey. This is a great place!

Again, welcome!

I made the decision a few months ago to get lap band, my surgery is scheduled for August 26th and today I have to start my 2 week pre-op liquid diet, which is basically 4 Muscle-Milk Light's a day. Not sure how it's going to be going from eating anything and everything whenever I wanted to these 4 "ehhh" tasting drinks a day. I'm assuming these 2 weeks will be the worst as trying to "starve yourself" with your normal stomach is harder than eating less with a band.

What was everyones experiences with their pre-op restrictions and what advice can you give me starting out?

Don't think of it as starving yourself, think of it as the beginning of a healthy life. No it is not easy, but nothing worth it in life is and believe me it is worth it! You can make it through these next two weeks just keep that big picture in mind (& stay busy....I cleaned out every closet in my house during the pre op diet),

Good luck you can do this!!

Proud of my kids, proud of my husband. But never proud of myself. Until I jogged a 5k last weekend.

I was dead last. But I didn't care. I jog/limped. But I didn't care.

The arthritis in my knee ached ever step. But I finished!! I did it.

I haven't been very successful with my band like so many have. Not proud of that. But a wonderful banderentioned couch to 5k app. and I tried it one day, then another then another. I completed the 27

day program and ran a race.

Maybe someday I'll know what slim feels like....

You F****ing did it!!! YOU ROCK! That is success! and that makes you a success!

And yes you will know what slim feels like.....if you want it (I think you do).

You go girl!

I have had my lap band for five years and I have not lost any weight in nearly a year. I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I think it's all emotion eating but I can't get my self to stop. I need some help trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

When I started this journey I kept a food/emotions log. I logged everyday, what I ate, how I felt at the time and anything major that was going on at the time. From that log I learned that I like to eat when I'm bored....solution, stay busy!!! Yes, I am busy all the time. Don;t watch TV (food trigger), I go for walks around my property, I garden, I get on here and post, I sew, I do everything other than eat.

You mentioned that you thought it was emotional eating, Why? What happened?? What could you do different??? Only you can change this so take a look at yourself and try to answer these questions. If you still struggle with this I would suggest going to a counselor for help.

Good luck to you, We are here and will support you every step of the way!

My advise is focus on changing your overall eating lifestyle. Don't just focus on the "pre-op diet" focus on how you are going to eat for the rest of your life. Protein first, then veggies, then carbs.... and portion sizes 3-4oz of protien, 1/4 cup veggies, 1/4 cup of carbs. This will put you steps ahead in the game.

Good luck to you.

So glad you are feeling better, that is good news.

I hope you mean "addiction" not that you were causing other banders to have babies. lol

Oops gotta love auto correct.

Welcome DeeDee,

We will support you every step of the way. If it is love you need, you got it! If it is a kick in the ass, you got it! Whatever you need we are here for you. Feel free to PM me anytime if you need or just post questions, concerns, whatever we will reply and be there for you!

Welcome & best of luck to you!

It's good to have a treat every now and then. Don't beat yourself up over it. This is for life...... and life has cupcakes.

Like Guy said, at least it wasn't a dozen.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. As for your questions, here is my two cents....

1. Spicy foods maybe. .. you might find your tastes change. Try and see.

2. Soccer practice probably be able to go but you will have zero energy and my be hurting.

3. Drive yourself forget it, no hospital will release you without someone to release to. Do you have other family or a friend that could drive you?

Just my thoughts. Good luck.