Corridor72

Just got approved and scheduled for July 29th! I start my preop liquid diet and have an upper GI on the 15th. It's getting real now
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have a card given to me by my surgeon but have never used it. I usually just take the leftovers home and have them for lunch and/or dinner the following day.

FairLife milk!! 13g of Protein per 8oz serving!

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on here. It's been almost 2 years since I had my lapband. I've done great. Met my goal weight about a year ago and have maintained since then. However, I have to admit that over the past couple of months I have noticed some of my old habits creeping back up. Eating too fast. Eating slider foods. Not exercising as much. The problem is that A) I'm extremely stressed out right now as I am in school working on a master's degree and my husband and I are getting a divorce. And I think some of it is that, having met my goal and maintained for a little while, I've gotten a little too comfortable, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm trying to get back to the basics of eating the right foods, eating slowly, chewing everything to mush, etc. In addition, I'm trying to remind myself of how much better life is now than it was before so that I remember why I don't want to go back to being what I was before. And it needs to be more than just "being skinny and beautiful". So, here are some of the things I've come up with that I can do now that I couldn't do before my surgery and weight loss:
*Tie my shoes without difficulty
*Run
*Shop for clothes in the regular size section rather than the big girl section
* Apply lotion to my own legs & feet
* Wear knee high boots
*Go to the gym without feeling embarrassed
* Walk up hills or stairs without becoming winded
* Ride roller coasters with my kiddos
* Fit comfortably into restaurant booths and theater seats
*Squat(who knew this would be an accomplishment)
* Get myself up off the floor/ground should I choose to squat/sit/lay on said floor or ground
That's all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment.
So, what are some things that YOU can do now that you couldn't do before? Or, if you are just starting out, what are some of the things you are looking forward to being able to do?

By the way, I LOVE both of these! I remember being excited to buy new clothes as I lost weight but frustrated when they didn't fit for very long. I was so excited last winter when I got to buy my winter wardrobe because I was at my goal weight and knew I'd be able to wear them again this year! And I was determined I wouldn't need bigger clothes ever again!lol...and I'm still determined I'm not ever buying bigger sizes.
And posing for pictures...wow! I used to hide from the camera and now when someone asks me to pose for a picture, I'm happy to do so! No more hiding from the camera for this girl!

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on here. It's been almost 2 years since I had my lapband. I've done great. Met my goal weight about a year ago and have maintained since then. However, I have to admit that over the past couple of months I have noticed some of my old habits creeping back up. Eating too fast. Eating slider foods. Not exercising as much. The problem is that A) I'm extremely stressed out right now as I am in school working on a master's degree and my husband and I are getting a divorce. And I think some of it is that, having met my goal and maintained for a little while, I've gotten a little too comfortable, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm trying to get back to the basics of eating the right foods, eating slowly, chewing everything to mush, etc. In addition, I'm trying to remind myself of how much better life is now than it was before so that I remember why I don't want to go back to being what I was before. And it needs to be more than just "being skinny and beautiful". So, here are some of the things I've come up with that I can do now that I couldn't do before my surgery and weight loss:
*Tie my shoes without difficulty
*Run
*Shop for clothes in the regular size section rather than the big girl section
* Apply lotion to my own legs & feet
* Wear knee high boots
*Go to the gym without feeling embarrassed
* Walk up hills or stairs without becoming winded
* Ride roller coasters with my kiddos
* Fit comfortably into restaurant booths and theater seats
*Squat(who knew this would be an accomplishment)
* Get myself up off the floor/ground should I choose to squat/sit/lay on said floor or ground
That's all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment.
So, what are some things that YOU can do now that you couldn't do before? Or, if you are just starting out, what are some of the things you are looking forward to being able to do?

daveintx,
First, congratulations on your weight loss. That is a huge, huge accomplishment and it shows your commitment!
My first question is whether you have mentioned your thoughts to your wife. Is it possible she is for some reason thinking about this as “your journey” instead of “our new life?” Have you invited her explicitly to join you in a healthy lifestyle – in a non-threatening way that tells her you love her, and not in a way that says you’re now better than she is? In a way that lets her know you’ll support her and be patient as she starts to act a little healthier?
And – maybe a lot harder – have you let her know that it’s not really optional for her to help you get healthy, and in the process, get herself healthy? That you NEED her to help you because you just can’t be around someone who isn’t helpful?
Good luck. It’s a really hard thing when one of the two in the couple wants to get healthy, and the other doesn’t.

Thank you for posting these. I've been struggling with watching my husband eat himself to death despite warnings from multiple doctors. We share a primary doctor who told me my husband would be dead within ten years if he didn't change drastically. He has diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic pancreatitis and gout. So I'll be a widow by the time I'm 40 years old. I've somewhat accepted that sad reality. What I haven't accepted is the in-between. I am in no way, shape or form a caretaker. I don't want to see or experience how diabetes slowly kills. When he has to have his limbs removed or go to dialysis I don't see myself being able to emotionally handle it.
We tried counseling. It didn't get very far. I've stopped trying to discuss the subject because it is a very sensitive one and he gets very angry and defensive if I bring it up. I'm a planner, always thinking and planning for what is ahead. He very much lives in the moment. I feel all I can do is keep praying and trying to set an example and be there when he finally reaches the conclusion he needs to. Or he will stay on the same path and I can only hope he doesn't suffer too long.

Yup. As a fat woman, I really fooled the public when I got an extra small cup of fro-yo or a baby cone of ice cream. I am sure NO ONE noticed how fat I was because of my obvious restraint and dainty portions. HA!!
Now if I were to get a teeny portion, people would URGE me to eat more because I "need to" or "can afford" it.
Oh, how things have changed.

Just had an interesting interaction at work. An admin stopped into my office asking for a pen to borrow to sign off on a lunch order for a meeting. I like to kid around so I said, 'sure...but it will cost you a cookie.'
As a fat woman, I would have never said that. It would have been embarrassing because I would have expected her to think that the last thing I needed was a cookie. But as a normal sized person, there is no embarrassment when it comes to 'bad' food. I don't think twice if I have ice cream in my shopping cart...or some other item that once upon a time would make me look around and wonder who was checking out what I was eating.
And by the way....she brought me two Cookies. I told her that I was only joking and all she did was wink at me.
I know people say all the time that they have not changed...only their bodies have changed. I know that everything has changed for me. Yes...I'm still basically the same woman I always was, but a better, more outgoing, comfortable in my skin woman now. Not that I don't have my issues still...nothing is perfect. But even little interactions are different..and big ones as well.
I look people in the eye now. I used to look down. I have a sense of confidence I didn't have before. I'm understanding that it was the confidence and satisfaction in my life that attracted my boyfriend to me...and not just that I was a small body. Especially as he's seen all the loose skin, hanging boobs, etc. and he tells me how much he loves to see my naked body..how it turns him on. He's seeing something else in his mind's eye...and not my physical 'flaws'.
I just think we don't always see or realize all the changes. We notice the big things...the typical NSVs but not necessarily the daily interactions that shift as we change...or should I say 'evolve'.
Anyway...just wanted to get my thoughts out on a post. Back to work now...

By the way, I LOVE both of these! I remember being excited to buy new clothes as I lost weight but frustrated when they didn't fit for very long. I was so excited last winter when I got to buy my winter wardrobe because I was at my goal weight and knew I'd be able to wear them again this year! And I was determined I wouldn't need bigger clothes ever again!lol...and I'm still determined I'm not ever buying bigger sizes.
And posing for pictures...wow! I used to hide from the camera and now when someone asks me to pose for a picture, I'm happy to do so! No more hiding from the camera for this girl!

I'm sorry to hear this. Yes, it is tough. In fact, it freaking sucks.

By the way, I LOVE both of these! I remember being excited to buy new clothes as I lost weight but frustrated when they didn't fit for very long. I was so excited last winter when I got to buy my winter wardrobe because I was at my goal weight and knew I'd be able to wear them again this year! And I was determined I wouldn't need bigger clothes ever again!lol...and I'm still determined I'm not ever buying bigger sizes.
And posing for pictures...wow! I used to hide from the camera and now when someone asks me to pose for a picture, I'm happy to do so! No more hiding from the camera for this girl!

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on here. It's been almost 2 years since I had my lapband. I've done great. Met my goal weight about a year ago and have maintained since then. However, I have to admit that over the past couple of months I have noticed some of my old habits creeping back up. Eating too fast. Eating slider foods. Not exercising as much. The problem is that A) I'm extremely stressed out right now as I am in school working on a master's degree and my husband and I are getting a divorce. And I think some of it is that, having met my goal and maintained for a little while, I've gotten a little too comfortable, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm trying to get back to the basics of eating the right foods, eating slowly, chewing everything to mush, etc. In addition, I'm trying to remind myself of how much better life is now than it was before so that I remember why I don't want to go back to being what I was before. And it needs to be more than just "being skinny and beautiful". So, here are some of the things I've come up with that I can do now that I couldn't do before my surgery and weight loss:
*Tie my shoes without difficulty
*Run
*Shop for clothes in the regular size section rather than the big girl section
* Apply lotion to my own legs & feet
* Wear knee high boots
*Go to the gym without feeling embarrassed
* Walk up hills or stairs without becoming winded
* Ride roller coasters with my kiddos
* Fit comfortably into restaurant booths and theater seats
*Squat(who knew this would be an accomplishment)
* Get myself up off the floor/ground should I choose to squat/sit/lay on said floor or ground
That's all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment.
So, what are some things that YOU can do now that you couldn't do before? Or, if you are just starting out, what are some of the things you are looking forward to being able to do?

Divorcing here too. It's tough.
I can:
Cross my legs
Eat a normal size meal
Stop eating before "full"
Walk a LOT
sleep much better
Wear the same clothes a year later
Fit in an airplane seat without a belt extender
Ride a horse
Ride a bike
Climb stairs easily
Shave my legs
Dress up for Halloween without wearing a robe-type costume
Happily pose for pictures

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on here. It's been almost 2 years since I had my lapband. I've done great. Met my goal weight about a year ago and have maintained since then. However, I have to admit that over the past couple of months I have noticed some of my old habits creeping back up. Eating too fast. Eating slider foods. Not exercising as much. The problem is that A) I'm extremely stressed out right now as I am in school working on a master's degree and my husband and I are getting a divorce. And I think some of it is that, having met my goal and maintained for a little while, I've gotten a little too comfortable, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm trying to get back to the basics of eating the right foods, eating slowly, chewing everything to mush, etc. In addition, I'm trying to remind myself of how much better life is now than it was before so that I remember why I don't want to go back to being what I was before. And it needs to be more than just "being skinny and beautiful". So, here are some of the things I've come up with that I can do now that I couldn't do before my surgery and weight loss:
*Tie my shoes without difficulty
*Run
*Shop for clothes in the regular size section rather than the big girl section
* Apply lotion to my own legs & feet
* Wear knee high boots
*Go to the gym without feeling embarrassed
* Walk up hills or stairs without becoming winded
* Ride roller coasters with my kiddos
* Fit comfortably into restaurant booths and theater seats
*Squat(who knew this would be an accomplishment)
* Get myself up off the floor/ground should I choose to squat/sit/lay on said floor or ground
That's all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment.
So, what are some things that YOU can do now that you couldn't do before? Or, if you are just starting out, what are some of the things you are looking forward to being able to do?

0. What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Lap-band
1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? Since December 2014
2. What's your current height and weight? Ht:5'6" Wt:135 lbs
3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight? I have no idea since I don't actually track calories.
4. What kind of focus do you put on Protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? Protein first, always and at least 60 grams per day, minimum.
5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? During the weight loss phase of my journey, I tried to stay under 100 grams per day. After shifting maintenance, I don't really count carbs anymore. I do try to avoid foods that are highly processed and full of added carbs though. However, I eat fruits, vegetables, and grains in liberal amounts.
6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain? I eat only when I'm hungry and only until I'm satisfied, not stuffed and then I stop. I choose Protein first and if I'm still hungry, then I will eat some veggies and fruits.
7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Junk food and Pasta
8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow? I spend 30 minutes to an hour on the elliptical followed by some weight training 3 days a week. I also run 3 or 4 days a week. My runs are anywhere from 3-8 miles at about a 9 min/mile pace and I'm currently working my way up to being able to run my first half marathon this fall.
9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success? I haven't officially had any counseling, per se. However, my surgeon is one who spends lots of time with his patients discussing everything from diet and exercise to life circumstances and coping mechanisms. That has helped tremendously.
10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? Choose a surgeon who cares about YOU as a person and who will provide the follow-up care that you need and then do what he tells you. The "rules" given to you are there for a reason. Obey them. Forever. And understand that whatever surgery you have is just a tool to help you reach your goals. It is not a magic fix. It will not do the work for you. You have to do the work of utilizing your tool appropriately and making it work for you. Otherwise, you may lose some weight initially but you will eventually gain it back if you don't make lifestyle changes. You have been given an amazing opportunity-make the best of it!

0. What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Lap-band
1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? Since December 2014
2. What's your current height and weight? Ht:5'6" Wt:135 lbs
3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight? I have no idea since I don't actually track calories.
4. What kind of focus do you put on Protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? Protein first, always and at least 60 grams per day, minimum.
5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? During the weight loss phase of my journey, I tried to stay under 100 grams per day. After shifting maintenance, I don't really count carbs anymore. I do try to avoid foods that are highly processed and full of added carbs though. However, I eat fruits, vegetables, and grains in liberal amounts.
6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain? I eat only when I'm hungry and only until I'm satisfied, not stuffed and then I stop. I choose Protein first and if I'm still hungry, then I will eat some veggies and fruits.
7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Junk food and Pasta
8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow? I spend 30 minutes to an hour on the elliptical followed by some weight training 3 days a week. I also run 3 or 4 days a week. My runs are anywhere from 3-8 miles at about a 9 min/mile pace and I'm currently working my way up to being able to run my first half marathon this fall.
9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success? I haven't officially had any counseling, per se. However, my surgeon is one who spends lots of time with his patients discussing everything from diet and exercise to life circumstances and coping mechanisms. That has helped tremendously.
10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? Choose a surgeon who cares about YOU as a person and who will provide the follow-up care that you need and then do what he tells you. The "rules" given to you are there for a reason. Obey them. Forever. And understand that whatever surgery you have is just a tool to help you reach your goals. It is not a magic fix. It will not do the work for you. You have to do the work of utilizing your tool appropriately and making it work for you. Otherwise, you may lose some weight initially but you will eventually gain it back if you don't make lifestyle changes. You have been given an amazing opportunity-make the best of it!

0. What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Lap-band
1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? Since December 2014
2. What's your current height and weight? Ht:5'6" Wt:135 lbs
3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight? I have no idea since I don't actually track calories.
4. What kind of focus do you put on Protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? Protein first, always and at least 60 grams per day, minimum.
5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? During the weight loss phase of my journey, I tried to stay under 100 grams per day. After shifting maintenance, I don't really count carbs anymore. I do try to avoid foods that are highly processed and full of added carbs though. However, I eat fruits, vegetables, and grains in liberal amounts.
6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain? I eat only when I'm hungry and only until I'm satisfied, not stuffed and then I stop. I choose Protein first and if I'm still hungry, then I will eat some veggies and fruits.
7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Junk food and Pasta
8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow? I spend 30 minutes to an hour on the elliptical followed by some weight training 3 days a week. I also run 3 or 4 days a week. My runs are anywhere from 3-8 miles at about a 9 min/mile pace and I'm currently working my way up to being able to run my first half marathon this fall.
9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success? I haven't officially had any counseling, per se. However, my surgeon is one who spends lots of time with his patients discussing everything from diet and exercise to life circumstances and coping mechanisms. That has helped tremendously.
10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? Choose a surgeon who cares about YOU as a person and who will provide the follow-up care that you need and then do what he tells you. The "rules" given to you are there for a reason. Obey them. Forever. And understand that whatever surgery you have is just a tool to help you reach your goals. It is not a magic fix. It will not do the work for you. You have to do the work of utilizing your tool appropriately and making it work for you. Otherwise, you may lose some weight initially but you will eventually gain it back if you don't make lifestyle changes. You have been given an amazing opportunity-make the best of it!

I've been looking into this myself and while I haven't made the jump yet, I've come to the conclusion that I don't think it will be as difficult to get the Protein in as I previously thought. Quinoa is high in protein and is a complete protein so it's a good addition. It essentially takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with. Chia seeds are high in protein and can be added to yogurt, oatmeal, salads, etc. If you are doing vegetarian and not vegan, you can still have milk, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese. There are actually higher protein milk varieties now. The best I've seen is made by Fairlife. It has 13 grams of protein for a 1 cup serving. Kroger's carbmaster milk is 11 grams per 1 cup serving. I plan to use Fairlife milk for my Protein Shakes and to make my oatmeal with. Speaking of oatmeal, Quaker makes instant oatmeal that has 10 grams of protein per serving. Add some chia seeds and use milk instead of Water and it's even higher! Greek yogurt is also a good choice and you can add Nature Valley protein granola to up the protein content there. You just have to look for ways to add protein to what you're already eating as you eliminate the meat from your diet.

I would not call myself a True vegetarian....but once I hit the Green Zone with the Band, it became difficult to eat red meat...
For years my Dr.'s, especially my cardiologist, were after me to cut back.
So I took advantage of the situation and stopped eating meat altogether....that was over 4 years ago.
chicken has to be "Perfect" to go with my band, and unless I prepare it myself, it's hard to find chicken that tender.
So I don't eat chicken all that much either. Free range chicken is best.

I am mostly vegetarian. I eat lots of Beans, tofu and almond milk. Also low fat string cheese. There are some pretty good veggie meat options, too, like burgers and hot dogs. I also supplement with Protein Shakes. I use

I wonder if he was just trying to be complimentary? I'm 18 months post-op and have been at my goal weight for close to a year now. In the beginning, there were tons of people commenting on my weight loss. At first, I enjoyed it. It made me feel good about what I was doing for myself. However, it went on for so long that I began to worry that it would never stop. I wondered if I would ever just be "normal" again rather than being "the former fat girl". I was tired of it. Really. I'm not sure when it happened really but eventually that all stopped and I became "just another person" to all of the people I'm around all the time. However, I still get some pretty interesting reactions from those I haven't seen in a long while. And I can understand what you're saying...Eventually it just gets old and you just want to be "just a normal person" and you want to forget that the former fat girl ever existed. You just want it to all be in the past. And then someone you haven't seen in ages brings it up. Again. I've learned to just accept the compliments gracefully and then quickly change the subject. I think most people mean well and when you've lost as much weight as we have, it's shocking for them and they almost don't know what to say either. So they try to compliment you. Unfortunately it doesn't always sit well.
Having said all of that, if he he was truly just trying to be a jerk and point out your history of weight problems, I'm with the rest of the gang here...kick him in the coconuts next time!

So it's summertime and I'm craving what else? None other than ice cream and milkshakes! Ugh! This was becoming a problem. Until I remembered how I used to make a nice little chocolate smoothie from Protein Powder, ice, and a little bit of milk during the early post-op period. So I decided to try something similar. I used 1 scoop of Quest Peanut Butter Protein powder, 1 cup of Silk Cashew Milk, and some ice. Threw it all in the blender and WOW! AMAZING! It's just like drinking a peanut butter milkshake. You could do a little less milk and more ice to make it thicker too. Anyway, it ends up being something like 135 calories for the whole thing AND you're getting your protein in :-)

So it's summertime and I'm craving what else? None other than ice cream and milkshakes! Ugh! This was becoming a problem. Until I remembered how I used to make a nice little chocolate smoothie from Protein Powder, ice, and a little bit of milk during the early post-op period. So I decided to try something similar. I used 1 scoop of Quest Peanut Butter Protein powder, 1 cup of Silk Cashew Milk, and some ice. Threw it all in the blender and WOW! AMAZING! It's just like drinking a peanut butter milkshake. You could do a little less milk and more ice to make it thicker too. Anyway, it ends up being something like 135 calories for the whole thing AND you're getting your protein in :-)