Cindy2013

AJ, what you have done is helped those of us who think we are the only ones who cheat know that everyone does. And what you've done is helped yourself get recommitted. Your last sentence shows your dedication to staying thin. Don't beat yourself up over this. I'm so impressed that you made it this far. I'm way behind where you are, but I'm looking up at people like you who have gotten to their goal, and telling myself that if you can do it, I can too!

You go girl!

Congrats! From here on out it will get easier. The first 2-3 days were the worst for me. Of course, I'm only a few days ahead of you so I don't know what happens next, but I am just about to switch from clear liquids to full liquids. Can't wait! I have some egg custard calling my name, along with a glass of milk. Anyway, I agree with Bubie1916, walk walk walk. And make sure you get lots of fluids. Good luck.

Terry, doesn't that just frustrate you that people who have been thin are able to just back off a little bit and lose 5 pounds when they need to. I watch my adult daughters eat and eat and eat and they never gain an ounce. I eat probably 1/3 of what they eat at meals, and I've always packed it on. Frustration. But that is great that your wife can eat that way. Speaking of normal, I had a discussion with my doc today and he said he hates diets. What? Isn't this whole thing a diet for the rest of our lives? Restrict portion size, restrict calories,carbs, fats, etc. But he said he will not prohibit breads, pastas, rice, cheese, sweets. We will lose quicker and easier if we don't eat those things, but he wants us to find a normal way of eating that will blend well with our families and going out to eat (healthy places). Of course if breads get stuck, we can't eat them. But he said after the initial 6 weeks recovery, he encourages his patients to just find as normal of a lifestyle of eating as they can, only limit portion size. It must work because he has many successful and happy patients.

It's great to hear you are doing well.

Aw, that is sad to have to lose your pets. I hope you will still be able to visit them at their new owners. What kind are they?

Spaness2012, you are very welcome. I'm glad I remembered about it. Today has not been so hard, and if tomorrow is, I will come back here and read it again. I'm happy that my words helped you. Good luck on your surgery. I'm just a few days behind you.

thanks for posting the photo. I've been wondering what it will look like. I'm sure every doctor is a little different with how they position everything. which side is your port on? I can't tell from the incisions. Can you feel it under your skin? Sorry you overdid it a bit. But how amazing for you to go to a 6 hour class. You are made of steel. Is orange juice not recommended during this first week?

Day 6 of my pre-op diet has been difficult. With weird noises coming from--well, everywhere, sugar lows, weakness, headaches, and even envy as I watch my family munch down on mint chocolate cookies and milk, it has not been a good day. I'm almost watching the clock until I can say 6 down, 8 to go. It has always been difficult for me to diet. My stomach rumbles telling me that it wants food, any food, all food, and quick. I've always been able to lose 20-30 pounds as I diet, but eventually I would quit and then gain back everything plus some. I will not repeat that cycle this time, because I am not going to stop until I make my goal, and then my new way of eating will be habit and I won't go back. I am more committed to this plan than I've ever been to any of the other myriad of diets I've done. So while doing all the reminiscing of diets through the years, I am reminded of one in particular. One of my doctors graphically explained weight loss in the following way: He said it comes down to the basic fact of less calories in than you burn, and that he has never seen a picture of a prisoner of war who wasn't skin and bones. He showed me a couple of pictures even, and gave me a chapter of text to read where some POWs were starving to death, yet they still had to drag themselves to the local coal mine for 12 hour shifts with nothing but a handful of rice for the entire day. Then they drug themselves, step by step, sometimes crawling, sometimes pulling or pushing one another, back to the prison camps where they were lucky to get a small amount of water and another handful of rice. If they searched for a morsel of something else, or complained that it wasn't enough, they were tortured even more. Often these POWs prayed that they would pass during the night, knowing that their frail bodies just could not continue on. Others prayed for help to sustain them just one more day. As we are struggling through with our limited shakes or various different diets, I am reminded of those POWs and how they survived on a handful of rice for days, months, even years, all the while working hard labor in their camps. Tonight when I am hearing my stomach rumble, I'm trying to be thankful for what I have. With that in mind, 700 calories doesn't seem so small when compared to the lives of our brave prisoners of war in history.

I love the clipart! Thanks so much for sharing this information. Questions: 1) How many incisions do you have? 2) Where is your port? 3) How large are your incisions. My surgeon told me I would have 5 incisions. I have a history of scar tissue from other surgeries, and he told me if he gets in there and I have too much scar tissue, they will abort the procedure. I hope that doesn't happen! I'm just curious if the standard is 5 incisions, or if this is something specific to my doctor. Not really worried, just getting information. You sound fantastic. I'm glad your day 1 went well. Cindy

I'm the author of the post Cheryl is speaking of, and the patient of the doctor above. Cheryl, my doctor does encourage good eating habits. His point in suggesting that we drink a protein shake daily for the rest of our lives is because so many patients don't get enough protein. If I feel I am getting enough protein, this is certainly something I can discuss with the nutritionist on his staff and get her recommendations. I already have some hair loss from a prior time, and I don't want to lose anymore, so I am definitely going to follow his orders initially. But everything is negotiable, other than drinking carbonation. The point of his instructions are to give his patients an outline of what will provide them the best health. He is the one with the years of experience of following his patients and seeing what they need. The protein shake is the simplest way to ensure that his patients are meeting their daily 80 grams of protein. Hopefully I'll be like you and will eat enough in my foods to get the required protein. If so, I'll talk to the nutritionist. But I do need to be aware of the need for protein even 20 years from now. People's eating habits change as they get older. I think he wants to make sure that we are all okay and that we understand the need for protein. If the shakes are driving me crazy, I can always throw a scoop of protein powder in a recipe and get it that way. And yes, it should be my choice. It is my choice whether I follow his instructions, or whether I find a way to adapt them satisfactorily. One thing for sure, I now know how important it is to get that much protein FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, and if I am not getting it through my food, I will be drinking a shake. Premier Protein ones are quite tasty and easy to have in my purse wherever I am.

Good for you! If it were me though, I'd be putting those cookies somewhere out of sight. I've already told my family that if they bring sweets home, they can't leave them out on the counters for me to see. And the ice cream stays in the downstairs freezer so that it isn't easily accessible to me. With your attitude, you will be a success story. Tonight, you already are. Sleep well.

Congratulations Cheryl! I know this is early on, but what is the timeframe for when your book hits market?

I love your statement "To accept that I am worth this." I am brand new lapband. My surgery is February 11th. I've read a couple of your blogs. Please keep going. I'm so concerned about the menu part and feeding my family at the same time as I restrict what I eat. When members like you post their menus, it gives me ideas. I can't really give advice on the 2 pound weight gain, but congratulations on the overall 30 pound loss! Cindy