Kime-lou

I have heard people call lapband life numerous things - diet, life style change, easy, hard, ect. I think most people who have had lapband would say lapband is not easy, but is it horrible NO! For me this isn't a diet and not exactly a life style change it is a change in state of mind. Before I never really thought about what I was putting in my mouth. My only thought was this is going to taste good or I want it. Now I think about how good or bad what I am eating is for me and am I hungry. Before it was never really about being hungry, I didn't realize that until now, it was about avalibility and desire. As a kid I grew up on a farm when we went in for lunch we were told to clean our plate because we wouldn't have food avalible later so you ate it no matter if you were hungry or not. Maybe that was where my food issues began, maybe not, regardless the issue began. Now I must change my state of mind. I am the worlds best at excuses and justification. I can argue forever on why I can't exercise tonight or justify why I deserve a cupcake. However, I must switch that up. I need to justify why I need to exercise and make excuses why I can't eat that cupcake. Thank the Lord, I have an amazing support system in my husband. When I want to make excuses to not exercise he kicks my butt in gear because he loves me and wants me to be successful, for me. I am changing my state of mind where food and excercise come in. While I am 31 I am an old fashion southern girl and life always revolved around food and sweet tea. I have to change that state of mind - no more fried chicken, no more sugar sweet tea. That doesn't mean I won't ever have it again, but it will not be on the regular rotation that is was at one time. For years I have worked where you eat quick or you may not eat. I learned to eat quickly. Now my band has taught me to eat slow, if I don't it hurts. I chew, chew, chew instead of swollowing whole. My state of mind has changed. Since June 22nd when I received my band my whole state of mind has changed. I always wanted to be sucessful with this, but worried I wouldn't be because of my old state of mind. Now that my state of mind has changed and continues to evolve the more I become sure that I will be successful, not because my weight is going down, not because I opted to diet, not because I work out but because of my state of mind. I am proud of my weightloss yes, but I am more proud of the change of my state of mind because I developed my old ways over 31 years, but now I am evolving and my state of mind changing for the healthier. I completely feel better, not just physcially, but mentally and emotionally to. It's not just the confindence that I have now, but the the clear head, the lower stress, the comfort. I feel better because I am not over eating and miserable after a meal. The Lapband State of Mind is pretty darn good!! Hope you will join me in the Lapband State of Mind

I recently purchase a pack of whole wheat pita pockets, they are round and if you slice them in half they make a little pocket. Once half is less calories than a slice of whole what toast and taste great. I have been making myself and my hubs sandwiches with these. My hubs like to put laughing cow chipolte cheese and ham in one and heat heat for a hot ham and cheese - low cal and high protein. I had an peanut butter and banana pita - got my protein and my fruit in. The pitas are so thin, it gives you just enough bread to feel like it's a sandwich, but not so much it gets stuck. These pita's are great for stuffing with deli slices and cheese, chicken or tuna salad, PB and banana or even a scrabled egg and cheese for morning breakfast. We are loving these things- if you have tried them but like a sandwhich or need an easy holder for chicken or tuna salad while you are on the go you gotta try them. What lapband friendly items have you found that are awesome?

I thought with me eating much less my grocery bill would go down, but it hasn't, but it hasn't gone up either. Instead of buying crap (little debbie / french fries) I buy healthy things - fruit and veggies. I no longer buy any soft drinks, just crystal light flavor packs for water. I am married so I do have to buy for the hubs, but while he isn't banded he opted to adopted the banded life. He eats the same healthy foods I do just in a large quantity, but hey that is a step. We have opted to oust junk foods all together. So I no longer go down the junk isles. I use to buy a lb of sugar monthly, I have purchased one in 4 months now - don't use it any more. I use to buy hamburger, chicken and pork. Now I still buy chicken, but opt for ground turkey instead of beef and still do a little pork sometimes and a lot more fish. We also use eggs instead of meat - I made an awesome veggie quiche last night and it gave us dinner last night and breaksfast for today and tomorrow- that is the way to stretch a buck. I have learned that Mrs. Dash makes fish better grilled and broiled than it was when we ate it fried. So while my bill hasn't gone down, I feel like the quality of food I purchase is better and I like that. Fresh veggies and fruit are great. My hubs has given up high cal yogurt for apple slices and likes it better. So I don't mind that the bill hasn't gone down quality means more than quantity so that is the aim these days. What has being banded done for your grocery bill?

Thankfully, Duke has an awesome cafe. They have hummus and a HUGE salad and fruit bar. There home cook line has calorie counts to help you make a decision. They do have unhealthy options, but they have more healthy options. Great hospital, glad it's so close- it's saved many family members and it's where I had my lapband done. Today I was better on eating and after dinner my hubby and I are going for a walk on the trail behind our house.

My life has been a roller coaster since April. My brother had a stroke at 44 that gave me the push to have lapband. I had surgery in June. My Grandmother is on hospice and on her death bed and last night my brother had a heart attack. I have been trying to work this week since school just went back I don't want to take off, but trying to access from a distance if I need to go home and be with my mom with my grandmother getting worse. I was planning on getting up this morning and heading up for the weekend, but my mom called early to tell me my brother had a heart attack during the night and was in Duke in Cardiac ICU. So instead of heading to mom's I headed the 40 min to Duke Hospital to see my brother. It is so hard to eat well and excercise when being down and being on the go. I spent the day at Duke and in morning I plan to drive up to my parents (1.5 hours away) to check on Grams and mom since my brother seems stable. I am to tired and down to want to work out and I want to go back to my comfort foods, but I know I can't. I ate way to many calories yesterday and today and feel bloated and like crap - I have got to get back into the grove tomorrow. The first of the week I was doing great and then all the "stuff" started, it time to get it back on it.

A warm towel over you belly area will help ease discomfort and it help with the pain from the gas as well. Also, gas ex stips are great.

Mashed potatoes with cheese was my best friend during this time. Apple sauce was also good- I would freeze it so you kinda have to chew, but it melts by the time it gets to your belly. I would also let my cheerios get soft in milk a bit and eat them, make me feel more normal having Cereal. My nutrtionist ok'd this.

There is a risk with any surgery, but the risk of a high BMI is also death. I was scared to begin with and my husband and I went to seminar, after that we felt much more comfortable. Not to mention they do a lot of test prior to the surgery in order to make sure you are good for sugery. There is risk with everything from driving a car to walking down your steps, the question is are you willing to take the risk?

Yes, I do get constipation - badly. I talked to my surgeon about it. They told me not to use stimulate laxitave. To use the stool softener and to adjust the amount of it. That helps. My doctor said I would likely regulate myself in 6 months to a year. However, if I used the stimulate laxitive it can cause the body to become dependent on it. Talk to you doctor if it's to bad. Our bodies have been through a lot and having to make a lot of adjustments.

I had to make that choice to try again or have surgery. I have had 3 miscarriages in 2 years. I can get pregnant just can't stay pregnant. My doctor and husband felt that it would be best for me to lose weight and then try again. Due to the types of meds or shots they may give me that could cause even more weight gain it is important for me to be at a lower weight to start with so that me and the baby will be safe. I am 31, but my hubs is 39 so I feel like the clock is ticking for us.

You go!!! Great attitude and it will serve you well!!! Keep it up and keep us posted on your progress!

I understand. I have anxiety to, and it go horrible. Mine was centered around driving. My hubs is visually impaired so can't drive, so I have to do all of it. I was getting to the point where I couldn't or was scared to go anywhere. I tried therapy, didn't work for long. Then my doctor did some test and my horomones were off. I am on Paxil now and he said I need to stay on it for a while and get my body back straigh. Since I started it back in Feb I feel a 100 times better. I know a lot of people don't like meds, but I finally feel like myself again. I hated the way I was feeling before it was torture.

I had the same problem. I made it until day 5 and I was dying. I was drinking my protein, but it wasn't raising my surgar level. I was having fainting spells. I called my nutritionist and she told me to try very thin applesauce or plain yogurt - just a little bit - that really helped me. But I would recommend you speak to your doctor or nutritionist about it if it gets to bad.

Even though they say you can eat most all things with the lapband it's just if you should or not, I tell myself I can't. I use to love Cinnabon, when my husband and I went into the mall the other night and walked past cinnabon, I thought YUCK. He was drooling, I have conditioned myself that if I eat that my stomach will hurt really band and I hate stomach aches, so just smelling it turned me off. My BFF had gastric and a cinamon bun kills her, so I just told myself it would do the same for me. Yeah for conditioning.

My doctor only had me do the day before surgery on liquids, nothing more than that.

My hubs and I married 3 years ago Labor Day weekend, so even though our anniversary is Wed, we celebrated this weekend. Rather than going to Cheesecake Factory where we normally go (we got engaged there), we went to Moe's where I knew I could get something with my calorie range that I would like. Then we went into the mall where he got me 2 pairs of Danskos and then we went into a jewlry store where he bought me a new diamond. Totally awesome hubs!! Shoes and diamond a girls two favorite things- he said he was proud of me and he loved me so he wanted me to know it. On top of that I lost 3 lbs this weekend (upped my calories and that made it come off) tired the shock thing. Before heading out with the hubs I put on a fav pair of shorts- pulled them up, zipped them, button them and was like wait - these are hanging off me- I pulled at the bottom of the and they slipped right off. YEAH- I tossed them to the side. This morning I put on a pair of pants that I hadn't worn in 5 years and the fit perfect. Everyone at work has commented today on how good I look!! What a boost. Now at lunch, I heated up a Smart Ones Chicken and Peanut Sauce, I ate the chicken bites first and then started eating the other- well after a few bites I was like wow I just don't want any more. I tossed a 3rd of it. YEAHHHHH!! What a difference a few days can make in attitude. I am sure I will hit another low point, but boy do these high points feel awesome!

I am heating healthy. I eat good lean protein. I eat chicken, turkey, fish. I eat salads- with healthy stuff. I have stopped making meatload and such with hamburger and instead use turkey. I eat my protien first and a few veggies with. I am staying fairly satisfied. Only in the mornings do I get hunger pains, I eat breakfast at 6 and snack about 9:30, but before noon I really hungry again. I have been exercising, I did great up to this week. It's the first week the kids came back to school and I have worked late a lot and had work to bring home and been exhausted. Took one night off to get the yard taken care of, but other than that work has taken me over. I have to get back on track.

2.5 months post op, 2 fills and doing well with my nutrition. The odd thing that is happening now is instead of feeling hunger like I use to my belly hurts. I will hurt really bad then I eat and the pain goes away. If I don't eat I will get to the point where I was get nauseated and even have dry heaves. So I know when I hurt that it's time to eat. Has any one else had this issue?

I went on a road trip last weekend and did pretty good, even having to eat out. I turned down apple pie and icecream when every one else was eating it. Back at work this week, I turned down a awesome looking chocolate cake and donuts. I am eating what I am suppose to, drinking water even exercising, but am I losing weight, NO!. I know everyone hit plateaus, but this is ridiculas. Last week my weight got down to 216.4 on Wed, this Tuesday I was 218. Tuesday night I worked in the yard, push mowed the lawn and the raked the yard- out there 3 hours sweating. Wed morning I was down to 216.2 then this morning I was back up to 217.2. WTH?? I went through surgery and all the test, and I still can't seem to lose. The first few weeks things went great, but now it seems like I am losing less than a pound a week and sometimes not even that. Why am I eating like a bird just to stay fat? Ok, before I get a beat down. I know it's worth it, I am just frustrated and afraid. There are people out there that the band doesn't work for, what if I am one of those people. What if I went through all of this for nothing. I realize that the weight didn't come on me over night so it won't fall off over night, but geez. I was so hopeful and excited to begin with, but now I am losing hope and just feeling fearful. I am not stopping the band why, I am still eating healthy, because I have learned to like it. I just want to see results on the scales for all my efforts.

I didn't think they would after Katrina, but they opted to stay. No electricity, backed up plumbing, and water all around the house, but the house isn't flooded yet.

Many in my husband's family and a few in mine are down there. Living there their entire lives a hurricane is just a good excuse to have a party.

The start of the week my weight was dropping like a rock. I lost 4 lbs between last Thurday and Tuesday. Then I started going back up, 2 lbs, I know it is water weight. I am on the white pills of myBC pack, while I don't have my period I still seem to have the symptoms- this is common I only have a period every 2-3 months. I just hate the ups and down. I would love to get into a good pattern and say rather than going up and down so much. I know everyone says don't weigh every day, but I use it more to track my progress and fine possible patterns. I am a science girl, so sue me. I talked to a friend who had her band place a few months before me and she said that she always felt when the plateaus hit or she bounced up a day, she was always terrified that she had lost as much as she would and that was it. I realize that the band life is different from all the diets I did in the past, this is a new way to live, not a short term thing, so I will only fail if I give up and stop living the life. I am proud of myself that for 2 months I have stuck to eating like I should, and working out. I am enjoying tracking my calories on fitness pal. I ran into a gas station near my office this afternoon to get another bottle of water and find a snack because I was going to have to work late and I couldn't believe the calories in things that I use to eat that I never paid attention to before. OMG- no wonder I am fat eating that crap. I love the fact that I am more attentive to what I am putting in my body now. I am shocked at how horrible I was eating in the past. My attitude has changed completely as to what I consider a treat and what I am willing to treat myself with. I use to eat a pastry just because it was there even though it really didn't taste good, no more. If I take a bite of something and it doesn't taste good, I don't take another bite; it's just not worth the calories. I only wish I had the knowledge before I have now. No matter what my weight does at this point, I feel like I am successful because I have changed, I am paying more attention to what is best for me.

If you still have your gallbladder that may need to be checked. When mine was bothering me I hurt in my stomach area and always felt like I had a lump in my throat. It was hell for several months before they found what it was and removed the darn thing.

Don't drink liquid calories! Don't drink soda with carbonation - oh the pain! Don't forget to get your Protein in. Don't forget your Water. Don't forget to excercise. Don't eat more that one cup at a meal. Don't be to hard on yourself!!

I am 2 months post-op and this is the first time i have had an issue. Every morning at 5:45 am I eat one cup of Special K with a 1/2 cup of 2% milk. That normally keeps me satisfied until about 9:30-10, when I eat my morning snack. This morning I started feeling hungry about 7:45 and by 8:45 I was dizzy. I got nauseated and dizzy, I knew my BS must be low. I got my snack out and when ahead and ate it. And with in 5 min I was fine again, so it had to be my sugar level. It's my TOM, could that be causing problems with my BS? My routine this AM was no diffrent from any other for a month. I just had a fill last Thursday, so I wouldn't think I am need a fill again. I just don't want to start need more to keep my BS up, because that will mean more calories. I had my A1C (diabetic test) checked before surgery and I was fine, not even close to diabetic levels, so I don't think I am having issues with that. Any body else had this problem?