A New New Dawn

First, today is a new day and you can start eating healthier starting right now. Honestly, I don't doubt you have a demanding job but you can make the time to eat right if you want. I am a single mother of 2, demanding job and back in college. I would always tell myself I didn't have time to exercise, plan meals, etc. and quite frankly I had the time if I wanted it. We have to stop making excuses and do what is best for our health and happiness. It's really up to you to make those choices. I am not trying to sound harsh as I know this is a struggle for all of us but we have to face reality that we can do better. Where ever you are accessing these slider foods, stop. Don't keep them in your house and don't buy them at work. I keep healthy (on the go) Snacks in my desk for those moments and at home. I have some weight watchers icecream bars in my freezer and sugar free chocolate mousse in the fridge so if I feel that craving I have a low cal option. It really takes no longer than eating the slider food. It is a matter of what I have on hand. If it isn't in the house, I can't be tempted. Also, as others mention and as I feel many times I have to do this hour by hour at times. I am tempted with parties at work, etc. At first, I may feel like I will just take a little and when I get past that feeling and avoid the "treat", the desire passes and I forget about it. It is a good feeling I know I "made it through" another tempting moment. Start by making your Breakfast and lunch or at least bringing a healthy lunch to microwave. Have some healthy options or low cal options on hand to avoid the unhealthy options. You CAN do this if you want. It isn't easy as we all know but it CAN be done and you are worth it!!! Best of luck to you!!!

As for the itching incisions, yes, that is normal. I went to Walgreens and bought a hydrocortison spray to help stop the itching and just "misted" my belly with it. It helped a lot.

Great job!!!! Kudos to all your efforts.

I am sure your turkey stuffing is delish but I don't think it would be a great idea. For one, bread can get stuck easily and 2, you really need to focus on foods that provide nutrition and protein (stuffing has minimal, if any). Sure the turkey itself does but you need to fill up on the protein first, then veggies and leave the bread/stuffing for last.

Chewing gum helps me too when I have the urge to chew or snack. Good luck w/ everything. That is a lot of lifestyle changes all wrapped up into one. Also, if you used to drink a fair amount of caffeine you may experience headaches during the "withdrawal" it will subside after 2-3 days. You CAN do this. We are all proof. If we all had will power of steel we wouldn't need the band. If we can do it, you can too.

I know exactly what you mean! Sometimes we need to learn the hard way and many of us do. It is so hard to undo a lifetime of eating habits immediately. I had this same experience from meat that was too dry and not only was it scary from the pain, but also feeling like I couldn't breathe since you cannot swallow. We went for a walk and I was walking behind my fiance like a rabid animal foaming at the mouth (aka sliming). It was a painful lesson but kicked my butt in gear! Sorry you had to endure that and I hope you don't have to again. I agree with Grider above too that sometimes the same food can react differently. I have eaten eggs many times and last weekend had a painful stuck episode where I spent most of my meal in the restaurant bathroom. I didn't even get one egg down. Hang in there... even w/ all the trials and tribulations, I wouldn't trade my banded life! I am down 42 lbs and loving it... still much to go but I will get there.

They have a lot of experience in submitting these. If they are confident, I would trust they know what they are doing. Have you checked with your insurance too, to confirm what their requirements are? Good luck to you!

Don't be discouraged. This is quite normal. You are bloated and swollen still from surgery. You should not be focused on losing right now and just healing. Truly, most of us were up a pound or two (or more) post surgery. Seriously, the next 2-3 weeks just focus on healing. It will start to come off before you know it.

One thing that has helped me with hunger is listening to my dietician's advice. First, I will say, because we are all newly banded we probably don't have the restriction and are nowhere near our "green zone" yet. That is part of the initial frustration because we feel like we should be feeling it but it takes most people several fills to get there and then we will be "satiated" with our meals. As for my dietician, I told her I was hungry in between meals. We discussed what I am eating and she told me to try eating differently (which I am doing) and it has HELPED. Essentially, I was getting by on Soups and Protein Drinks. She told me to focus on more "solid" Protein in my meals and not liquid meals that will not keep me full as long. So, for breakfast, I have had an egg and that helps or a low cal Protein Bar. For lunch, no more soups for me.. I have tuna salad (low fat mayo) or chicken, etc. and same for dinner. Perhaps focusing on some more solid Proteins to start your meals may help with the hunger issue. I still have my moments but it has helped!

They have them in the produce refrigerated section by the bean sprouts, asian vegetables, etc.

I can only imagine how hurtful that was as you had told a trusted friend. Sorry you had to experience that. That was very insensitive and rude how he behaved. I am glad you will be having a conversation with him today. I hope that goes well.

Well said! I notice your surgery is just around the corner ~ congrats and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Try to focus on why you had the surgery. The trials and tribulations you go through now will all be worthwhile as you recover and the weight starts coming off.

I can empathize with you and have felt this way before. However, I felt if he wasn't embarrassed, why should I be. Just think how impressed they will be the next time they see you and you have lost a lot of weight.

Glad it wasn't too eventful. Nice that you're able to get fills more rapidly too. I only had one minor one. I LOVE my surgeon and all but he isn't hung up on the "cc" of how much fluid he put in so he didn't tell me. I am sure if I would have asked he would but he said it's really irrelevant as everyone is different and it doesn't mean the same thing from one person to the next. I have no idea if I have 1 cc or 10. Nonetheless, I definitely need a 2nd fill as I feel I can eat anything lately. I am trying to stay good and am but it's a struggle not to overeat. Best of luck to you!

I had surgery on 7/25 and have lost about 30 lbs since. I noticed my pants were loose but really didn't believe I was ready for a size smaller... Much to my surprise, I was ready for ones TWO sizes smaller!!! YAY ME!!!

I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties and pain you have been enduring. Thank you so much for sharing your story too as it could be very helpful to others. You have an admiral amount of courage and strength as you work through this. I hope the doctors you do have trust in can get to the bottom of this very soon. I wish you the best and lots of strength and courage to continue on your recovery.

Congrats and best of luck to you through this process. I believe you will be successful as you seem very commited to the process and what it takes. I truly hope it helps you become healthier and minimize some of your back pain (if I recall correctly you mentioned back troubles). Best wishes!

You know, not to encourage anyone to go to McDonalds but if you find yourself there a hamburger kids' meal is 365 calories. I am not encouraging it, but it would be the lesser of many evils there.

I WAS having an issue with it until I dramatically upped my water/fluids. I would urge you to make sure you are drinking a lot during the day as it will help tremendously. I still don't have a daily bm; however, they are "normal" now. It was very painful and that has gone away. My doctor told me it is ok not to have one every day as we are not eating a lot of fiber (since we are focused on protein and only eating small portions of fiber).

I am not sure about fat but you should be taking in about 1000-1200 calories per day and 50-60 grams of protein.

I agree. I didn't agree with everything in the article - however the current and projected obesity rates were very alarming to me! I'm going to do my part to lower that #!!

Well, you have been eating poorly... but today is a new day and you can start anew. Don't throw in the towel - YOU CAN DO THIS. The best thing to do is not to have the chips in the house. You have come too far to throw it away. Today is a new day and you can choose to eat healthier starting right now. If you don't keep the chips in the house, you won't have them at your disposal. Also, if you "must" have them, find healthier alternatives. Allow yourself 2 corn tortillas (they are 50 calories each), cut them in 4's spray a small amount of olive oil and salt and bake them to make your own lowfat chips. Only allow yourself that once a week or something. Also, it may help if you plan your meals so you are not grabbing what is easy and have thoughtfully planned out a tasty and healthy meal...... You deserve to be healthy and happy and YOU can do that!!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-report-obesity-rising-dramatically-in-illinois-nation-20120918,0,3401712.story

Patriceaa - you have done a great job! When was your surgery?