Countryheart2000

You're very welcome. You've probably noticed by now that humor makes my world go 'round!

Oh my goodness I never in a million years expected these kind of responses, wow. I'm touched, and thank you so much. To address some of you, yes I will and do cherish every moment with my mom, she is my rock and has been here fore me during my divorce and losing my dad, who was the strong one there, her when daddy died, go figure, it was here husband. I know she didn't mean to be insensitive but it just hit me wrong I guess. I will check out a local gym next week, I promise. And yes, I will sit outside and take in the wonders of what God has created. Thank you again for all you're responses.
Donna

Donna, I truly understand the knee pain. I'm currently awaiting knee replacement. I know some ppl here who have had the same knee problems as me and they are telling me once they hit 150 lbs, they no longer need surgery and they go to the gym and workout like crazy. I'm counting on that and trying to exercise the best I can, even if its just strolling around a store or park. Yea, it hurts, but it is getting better.
I also believe that food addiction is just like any other addiction, but I also believe that no one can beat that addiction unless their soul catches up with their head. We can say we want to quit, but deep in our heart, we don't want to, we like the feelings we get from it and then get upset we fail and medicate it again with our addiction. A vicious cycle. The ones that beat their addiction are the ones that go cold turkey and thats how I am with my sweets, just don't touch them,period. I use to smoke and until I said no matter what my head wants, my heart says NO.
With food its the same thing, my head is saying I need it, I want it, even though I'm saying I want to lose weight. When I have those feelings, I do find other things to do. It can be as simple as sitting outside and enjoying the beauty God has put in front of us. Its free! Our earth is an amazing thing. Get in touch with it.
Birds,plants,animals,the sky moving across the universe, the sounds of nature. LOL, at night I even go check out the stars and night life. Its free 24-7!
IMO, you need to get out of the house. Go to a park or bench outside of a store and tell anyone walking by "good morning", beautiful day isn't it or just a smile. You know you can really bless someone with just a smile and in turn bless yourself. Its free!
I hope you don't take this as judgemental, I want to help you.
Its just what I've found works for me.
Give, it will be given unto you!
You know mom means well and she wants to help you the best she can.lol just like me. Hence, the gym membership. It really wouldn't hurt to talk with a trainer and tell them your issues and see if they can work around them, before signing up. What have you got to loose. Gets you out of your house.

as others have said, cook the same meal just vary the portions. Healthy is healthy, no matter what.
At least you're lucky, my boyfriend flat out refuses to eat anything if he finds out it's lapband friendly. Then again I do like weird things at times like meat substitutes and he doesn't like that. It's been kind of rough though, he seems to be finding all the weight I'm losing (thankfully he's a fairly skinny guy) because I cook and he refuses to eat and goes to get fast food.
What can you do? The ultimate thing it boils down to, if he doesn't like what you make, he better be learning how to cook for himself :oP

So today is the 3rd day( not including surgery day) since I got my band! I kinda just wanted to post something about my experience so far since I know most people on this thread are about to have their surgery very soon. The first day after surgery, I was just very very sore. It was Hard to get up and down, just a discomfort in your stomach. Try your best not to drop anything, because you won't be able to pick it up without some pain. A lot of people I know who have had the surgery recommend gas x strips. Thankfully, I haven't had to use mine much, but they come in handy to get rid of painful burps or hiccups. Overall it has been pretty easy, until today. Around noon I started to experience these horrible aches in my left shoulder. My friend who has a lap band had warned me about pain in your shoulder after surgery, and it is definitely painful. I found what works best for me is the Bio freeze roll on cooling gel. It worked within 5 min to get rid of all the pain. Now on a happier note, lol, after being on my liquid diet since Tuesday, I have already lost about 15lbs! I'm so excited for what's next! I hope some of the things I mentioned above will help you after surgery! Good luck everyone!!

Got approved today! Hope to have my surgery date soon!

This may be a harsh opinion, but it is mine. Unless something is physically wrong with either you, our your band... The only thing responsible for failure is YOU.
I see a lot of you bitching about how your dietician our surgeon didn't give you good advice, or the advice you wanted. Who cares????? You need to be proactive. Go to a library. Read some books. Order some off Amazon (there's TONS out there about WLS). Actually make your surgery and learning a passion. DON'T rely on anyone else. The only person who controls their success with the band is the person operating it. Everyone knows it's not a miracle cure.
Plan your work, work your plan!!!!

In short: Did the LapBand fail you or did you fail the LapBand?

Did the band fail or you? My cousin had bypass and said it failed, which BS, she failed. She likes to have wine every afternoon, a cocktail when dining out and loves snacking. Went for lunch recently and she had 2 large bowls of sausage Soup, salad and dinner rolls. She failed and she's an RN and her mother also failed with bypass. I wish you luck with what ever you decide to do with your weight loss.

I have been honest to everyone. I am proud that I made this decision. What other people think might vary but their opinions are their opinions...just like politics! I am a strong person with a strong sense of self...and I made this decision with my health in mind. Not their health! It is my life, my weight, my struggle - and nothing to be ashamed of in my book. We all deal with things differently.
In my opinion - those that criticize you for who you are, what you are, what you want. Need to stop and look in the mirror and fix them first. Everyone has issues of some sort or another – weight is one of them that you SEE!
Be proud of you – be proud of decisions you make, and be proud that you made this decision – it might save your life. I know it will save mine.

I love what you said, I didn't do it for you. Great line.

Congratulations Janette! I'm right there with you. I was banded on 5/14 and I'm down 14 Pounds. After the first few days of thinking What have I done! I started to feel much better and wonder why I haden't done it sooner. But this a journey and I realize it's just the beginning.
Continued success to you!!

Congrats on your surgery and your positivity!!!
I use my son's toddler plates, spoons, and bowls... Haha.

Great tip about the silverware at Kroger!!!!! Thanks!!! And I'm so glad my post was helpful to you. CMJanssen - hang in there! This sounds silly, but every time I look at how someone else is eating, or I see something sweet at the grocery store that I would have normally binged on, I simply tell myself over and over, "THAT WAS THEN, AND THIS IS NOW". Somehow it really works.

This is the kind of post that starts your day out right! I haven't gotten my band yet, but yours is one of the most uplifting and exciting post-surgery stories I've read. I've also found some very cute appetizer plates and tiny silverware and you're right, it makes you really want to use them - so dainty! Kroger sells tiny utensils that look like real silverware and I can't wait to go and buy a box of those, too!

Congrats, I pray for continued success!

Well, I've made it 1.5 weeks with my band, and I'M IN LOVE WITH IT !!! It's everything I was hoping it would be. I would like to talk about my first couple of days though, in case someone is in my shoes and can find hope in it. I kept hearing that you could "have your surgery on Friday, and go back to work on Monday". Well I was skeptical, so I took Tuesday and Wednesday off as well. Friday after my surgery, I was numbed up pretty well, but then came SATURDAY. I got a little cocky and tried to eat Jello, then go outside to do my walking that I was encouraged to do. I felt like I had to burp, but couldn't, and it hurt so bad. Then came the nausea. I kept thinking, "No, no, no, no, no, I cannot throw up!!", but I did... and boy did I. Dry heaves, and it wouldn't stop. I was terrified I was messing my band up. I took my medication for nausea and it knocked me out for the entire day. Then came the gas the next day. Excruciating pain!!! It wasnt the surgical gas. It was the GI kind of gas, and it wouldnt move up or down. I have to admit, I had a few thoughts of, "Crap! What have I gotten myself into?". If anyone else is there right now, behold.... IT PASSES (and I mean that more ways than one) hahahaha. Come Monday morning, and some GasX, I was a new person!!! I had no desire to eat and felt like I could conquer the world. Now 1.5 weeks out, I have lost 16 pounds (counting my 1 week preop diet), and I can't believe I'm not hungry!!!! I am so excited about the future!!! Here's a good tip.... buy a pretty little appetizer plate (4 or 5 inches) and a good oyster fork to eat with. It's just so cute, and it makes it exciting to eat when I look at the new tiny portions, not depressed like you would think. Yes, I miss my old friend food, but the future looks bright!! I'll get over it!!

It kind of bothers me that I can eat rice, bananas, salads, etc. and I don't have problems. I often wonder if the band is really there, or if it needs a bit more fill. I do track calories and Protein, but I wonder how of my success is due to the band, or just being motivated after undergoing serious surgery and wanting this to work.

you will get many different responses here but i can only speak for myself...being banded 11 months, i havent gotten stuck or anything...i chew alot, take wee bites and go super slow....i have been able to eat anything i want too with no problem...that only thing that has changed is what i eat now... i do not eat junk/processed/not filling my tummy foods...anyhow, best of luck and congrats on your recent surgery.

How do I get a ticker? I am a newbie!

I am on my way! I had my Dr. consult today, and now to get all my documentation, nutritionist visit, and physiologist visit scheduled. I am so excited to begin the journey. I am 52 years old, and I want to get healthy.

Great for you guys! That's great that you have chose to pursue a healthy life!! Good luck along your journey. I will be getting my band on Monday. There are tons of experienced bands tees on this forum, ask as many questions as you can think of!! People here will help you with whatever you need. Good luck as you go through all of your doc visits and pre-op tests!!

I had mine today too!! I go back on may 23rd for psych eval, EKG. Etc. looks like I should have surgery in July. Dr Debarra to me he wanted me to lose 131 lbs. I'm aiming for 100. 80 lbs the first year. If I lost 131 lbs I would be skinnier than I've ever been since I was in middle school. A lonnnng time ago. I just turned 43 Monday and am so ready for this!

Good for you! Welcome aboard the band wagon!