lisacaron

Hi Terry, I had to do the same this week. I was emptying out the fridge from all the left overs that no one ate. People in my house frustrate me the worst! They are ALWAYS complaining that they are hungry and there is nothing to eat in the house! For the holidays which I didn't even host...I made a huge turkey with stuffing, and a pork roast with Spanish rice. The leftovers have been sitting in the fridge for about a week now, and had to be tossed out. How do they say there is nothing in the house to eat?! They make me crazy if it is not some sort of junk food for they have to work to do more then open a wrapper something like opening a container and putting on the microwave that is too much work for these 20- something year old kids! Yes they are MUCH of my frustration and a HUGE trigger for me. However...this being New Years Eve, one of my resolutions for the coming year (which I have started already!) is to cook more at home and do less eating out especially less fast food! So last night I made baked pork chops, green Beans, corn on the cob and tatter tots (for the "kids" who don't like anything green!) The hubby and I had one chop each and a spoon full of green beans and we were done. My two kids went to town and loved the meal my step son, had tatter tots and corn. Sorry it's not a diner or Burger King and you can't have it your way. They don't all love the idea of making more food at home..but I LOVE IT! My step son could stand to lose more then a few pounds...and if he's not going to eat what I cook that might just happen! OR he'll get a job and go get his own McDonalds

Pongomp, Please come back and let us know how you are doing and what your doctor had to say.

I use the MIO drops in water. In the very beginning I had the same feeling of just wanting that taste of cola. I was afraid to even attempt a sip because of the carbonation. My husband and I were at a catering hall event and I asked the bar tender to mix some of the coke syrup with some plain non- carbonated water...I have to tell you that it was so sickly sweet and gross that it cured my want of ever having it again

Jean I would like this 100 times if it was possible to do so. Yes I work my band. It stops me from eating all that I would otherwise and thank goodness for it. However it does not stop how I "feel" emotionally about wanting to eat. It does not stop me from tasting anything. As those who are here because they are or were overweight know all too well, tasting can be the cause of several pounds over the course of a couple of weeks. So yes during stressful times, and during holiday times choosing to eat the cookie or taste the pie is not a horrible thing to do. The horror comes when you are tasting every single pie that your 40 plus family and friends brought by for dessert. The Cookies that your co-worker made, the home made candy fudge and toffee made special for the occasion. It is when you are having the pie, today and tomorrow and the next day because Christmas is 12 days of family food and love and fun, preceded by a week of Thanksgiving and a New Year that rolls (literally if you let it) into Valentines day...and boy oh boy can't you just see your way to tasting, just a bite or a lick of this and that and 15 pounds later....I'm sorry you were NOT dieting!? I'm not either...but I kept my mind set as such so that I would not bite and lick my way to a 15 pound gain! The band does not and will not stop any of that, I actually don't know of any WLS (maybe a lobotomy) that does. The choice of what passes my lips is MINE the band can stop me when I have had too much of any one thing, or the mechanics is not right but it doesn't care if it's loaded with fat and sugar and enough calories to feed an elephant for a month, but I DO.

I honestly think that this is where that support team that is part of many bariatric groups comes in. We need help seeing our selves as who we have become as much as we need that help in transitioning into who we are becoming as we lose the weight some of us have had for most of our lives. I was worried about the sunken in face, and the jowls that might come and the wrinkles that might suddenly appear as the weight came off. Sure I see the sag, and I see the wrinkles and yet I feel amazing! I am not 20 years old anymore, but I feel once again like I have a renewed vigor for life. I have lost a small child, it's no longer on my back and the load is lighter. I am moving around more and getting out more and feeling better then I have in years. I earned the sag and the wrinkles, they came from living. If they bother me enough I'm going to fix them since we live in a world where that is possible, why not? I didn't start this Quest with perfection in mind, just health and happiness!! I hope you all are finding that today as well!

Hi Friend, The stress has not abated one iota, though I am feeling less stressed. It took making a mental shift for me, but it was worth it. I needed to hit the breaks, unplug for a moment and refocus. Unfortunately for me and the ones that like to rev my engine..it usually takes hitting the wall before I realize I have had the peddle to the metal for too long Hope your Holiday has been awesome! Happy New Year!!

Sounds yummy! Might have to give that try for NYE!

I used the weight after the pre-op diet to start my ticker, but as Bandista said you can use any number that is motivational for you, as you watch the number go down down down. Measurements are also a great idea, the inches for me fell away faster then the number on the scale. Best of luck to you!

Great photo's! Keep up the excellent work!! I have awesome supporters at work also...and I have to say that I spend more time here then I do at home or with the rest of my family so having them all here to support me has been SOOO helpful to me! Shout out to the awesome lady at your job for being such a great supporter!

Sunnygirl, I can see that you are having issues with your band. If you want the band out then you should by all means start looking into that. If you want to work with your band you are going to have to go back to the basics reset and start again. What you listed in your meal plan for the day is a lot of food to be eating banded or not banded and the choices of the food are very poor. I understand that part of your condition is making poor choices and texture aversion, and I get that you like to eat meat like chicken and pork and there should be no reason why you are unable to eat the things that work for you. If you want to be successful with the band you are going to have to work on your choices and aversions and that means getting counseling and working with your psychologist and nutritionist to do that. Some of the reasons you are getting stuck and are uncomfortable right now could be that you are filling up and stretching out with carbonated beverages which are a TOTAL NO NO with the band. If you are eating and drinking at the same time you may be pushing the food down so fast it doesn't have time to filter through your band and instead is piling up on top in the pouch and then causing you to have that stuck feeling and causing it to come back up. The more things come back up the more trauma you are causing to your stomach, and your band which could have now since you last saw your Dr. in April have caused erosion or slip in the band which is giving you even more discomfort when eating solid foods. We are not doctors here and this is only speculations based on our individual observations and experiences. The best thing for you to do is to go back to basics and stick to Protein shakes and mushy foods until you can get yourself to your doctor to find out what's going on with you and your band.

I came across this message in my in box today, and I thought I would share it with you all. Recently we had a discussion in another post about adapting to the changes in our bodies and accepting our new bodies as they grow leaner. Reading this excerpt and working on some of the thought exercises has really helped me to refocus my reaction to certain stresses in my life, as well as to refocus some of the goals that I have set for myself now and in the coming year ahead. This is an excerpt from: From Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul On-Line Course by Deepak Chopra http://www.dailyom.com/cgi-bin/courses/courseoverview.cgi?cid=122&aff= Your body is boundless. It is channeling the energy, creativity, and intelligence of the entire universe. Are you ready for a radical change in the way you see your body? Before we can reinvent our bodies, we must be willing to let go of our old limiting beliefs about our bodies that continue to imprison us. Consider the following: • If the body is just a machine that wears out over time, then why do muscles grow stronger with use and bone density increase with weight bearing exercise? • If the brain is merely a biological computer, then would we be able change it through learning, meditation and the experience of compassion? • If our bodies are only a passive product of our genetic code, then why would our behavior be able to change the expression of some genes? • You share 60% of your genes with a banana, 90% with a mouse, and more than 99% with a chimpanzee. What does this fact tell us about our uniqueness in physical and non-physical terms? EXERCISES 1. Think of a personal experience from your own life, where the limiting physical properties of the body were superseded by a concept of the body as a flow of energy and intelligence. (For inspiration, read Aidan's story in the book, Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul.) 2. Make a list of any physical ailments you are experiencing in your body - these may be related to weight loss or gain, physical ailments, disease, etc. Next to each desired change, think about the thoughts related to each ailment vs the physical experience of each one. Now, make an intention to change your assumptions about these realities. (Ie. My intent is to think of a beam of sunlight radiating my soul every time I experience back pain. OR My intent is to think of loved ones when I experience heart burn today.) 3. This week, make a point to observe the thoughts inside you. Take extra note of the thoughts, images and memories that make you believe in unconditional spiritual love. These positive feelings are signposts towards a future opening in the expansion of your soul. Take notes on how you want to manifest these positive feelings of love even more in your life. For more information visit Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul

Our on site Doctor sent us this Wellness tip today, and I thought it might be something good to share. Please take care of yourself during this Holiday Season, and be well! Sadly, five flu-related deaths were reported in Texas over the last few days; some involving unvaccinated individuals. With peak flu activity taking place in January and February, such deaths make it all the more important to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the flu. The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get the flu vaccine. The H1N1 flu strain is a component of this year’s vaccine and can provide protection. Also, take these additional everyday precautions to help prevent the spread of germs leading to influenza: Wash your hands often with soap and water; or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to limit any spread. Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, stay hydrated and eat healthy. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Try to avoid contact with sick people. You should check with your doctor if you develop symptoms of the flu. Symptoms include: A fever above 101 degrees Chills and body aches Sore throat Headaches Remember: Influenza anti-viral drugs given within the first 24-48 hours can be beneficial. Hope these tips will keep you healthy during this peak influenza season.

Hi Bandista, You are so right about stress being cumulative! There always seems to be something that is earth shattering and gut wrenching going on. I realize that the only way I am going to combat it is to change the way I am reacting to and dealing with it. IF that means that sometimes I have to hide in the back of my closet so no one knows where I am then so be it! I don't think I will really have to hide in the back of my closet, but I do know that I need to be a little less accessible to certain people in my life that seem to only want to suck the life right out of me even if they are my own kids and family! To be 100% honest I took this whole weekend and got some things in my own life together for myself and that always helps to ease my stress. I am one of those type A uber organized people that don't function well in chaos. Or rather become too highly functional in chaos cause we are always the ones cleaning it up and bringing order back. So today...I am feeling GREAT! Got my space back in working order, cleared the debris, got up early and had a 20 min. work out. Blasted some tunes...(didn't care if woke the gremlins. If I'm up they should be doing something productive too! though I'm sure they rolled over and went back to bed!) Showered dressed and was to work on time! Happy Monday! It is...cause it's a short week and almost a New Year!

Hazel this is so true...however now that I am taking up less space, I am suddenly clumsy. I bump into things as I try to make myself "fit" when I already fit and have room to spare. It's odd, and I have lots of bruises these days as I'm getting used to the changes in my body and where it fits, and where it doesn't and I'm still changing every day. Thank goodness for me it's a slow moving process because I'm afraid I would end up in the hospital after tripping or falling off of something. My dimensions have changed and it's all taking some getting used to, in a good way though black and blue is not really a good color on me

I can so relate to your story. As a young girl I was never overweight. I was too skinny. I used to dance and practice 3-4 hours a day and had classes almost every day of the week. If I wasn’t doing that I was cheerleading! In all reality I looked in the mirror back then and saw a fat girl! I looked at myself and thought I was overweight and that I wasn’t as good of a dancer as the flat chested stick figures that were 3 years younger than me. My eating habits were terrible, and as I hit puberty my dance instructor always used to pick on me and tell me to watch out for thunder thighs and to strap down those boobs. (she was jealous, I was bigger than she was and I was only 12! I know that NOW…but then I just thought I was fat) My eating habits though never changed as I grew up and eventually stopped moving at the break neck speed I was and 120 pounds 3 kids and 5 pregnancy’s later I still looked in the mirror and thought I saw that 16 year old 90 pound kid. My clothing size and the number on the scale grew up but I didn’t want that to be me! I didn’t see how overweight I was. I always took photos to cover up the belly and the thighs and I always wore loose flowing clothing. Even when my mother in law would call me Gordita, I didn’t like it but I never took it seriously to mean that I was fat or ugly. I just kept doing my thing and didn’t change any eating habits. I chased my kids around but I never did any kind of formal exercise again. When the kids were young, It was always a struggle to get ahead and to keep my head above Water I never thought about myself or my size. I was young and I was healthy and I was able to keep up even if I was overweight so what was my thinking it’s not hurting me. After my divorce, I took a long look at myself and I thought…no man is going to find my fat ass attractive but that was NOT true. I had more boyfriends after divorce as a middle aged fat woman then I did when I was kid. Then I met my love, and when we got married I was at the heaviest weight I have ever been in my entire life!! It took my husband needing hip replacement surgery and being told they would not touch him because of his weight to finally get me and him to the bariatric surgeon and we have not looked back! Today I see me for who I am, I am a middle aged fat woman who is working her ass off literally!! I’m finally putting myself up front. Looking in the mirror today I see me, and I’m owning my body and my life and my choices. Here’s to being honest with ourselves and putting ourselves and our health up front and center!

You look amazing lady!

But congratulations for sticking it out through that!!! Don't let this surgeon's office staff stop you now! Start taking names, and call your insurance company yourself and find out if you need anything else to get that date set.

Hi Betty, Don't let the Dr. or his office staff run you off the phone. You are a patient there, you are going through pre-op even if you are not on the diet yet. If you are going to schedule surgery with this Dr. you need to get your relationship with that office staff going! I'm sorry to say that sometimes it takes more then a bit of tenacity on your part to get it going and established on the terms that you are willing to accept. If you want to see the Dr. he should see you even if it's to answer any additional questions you might about the surgery. I'm sure the office has a medical coordinator that sets up the surgical appointments and knows what data is required prior to setting that appointment. Ask to speak to that person, and if you can get to know a few of the people in the office on a first name basis you will be ahead of the game in your future dealings in that office. Best of luck to you and I hope it all works out!

Hi Tony, It sounds like you are too tight. Give your Dr. a call and see if he can take out even a tiny bit of Fluid for you. Right now all you are doing is making yourself miserable and irritating your stoma by getting stuck in effect making it more swollen and tighter. This could cause some severe issues down the line. I would stick to liquids for now, Protein shakes and the like to rest the stoma until you can get to the Dr. Sometimes even the tiniest bit of fluid in or out can make the biggest difference. Good luck and let us all know how your doing.

Hi Fred, Me and my husband are right there with you. I know my husband has been struggling over the last few days, eating some holiday Cookies and cakes and all that delicious stuff that seems to be everywhere! I need to get moving more and try to focus on implementing a program that I can stick to and at least get some kind of exercise in 3-4 days out of the week to start would make me very happy. I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost either. Not sure what the hubby's status is I think he's shying away from the scale right now and plans to do a bit of a re-set today to get back on track with his eating choices.

Good going Leepers! My husband and I still have issues when we attend family events at his parents house. Many of them there are also overweight and they all focus on food. Talking about eating and what they are eating what they have cooked and what they plan to eat as soon as they finishing eating what they are currently eating! Never noticed how much the conversation fixated on food as I do now. Hubby and I are not even thinking about eating anything else then what we are currently chewing. We appreciate the deliciously prepared food so much more now, and if we skip dessert these days it's OK and we mark it as a Holiday victory

I notice that sometimes when I'm around food and it's boredom that makes me want to eat and not actual hunger, if I can distract myself with something else and keep busy that helps. I read or I post here, or research something work related or I'm interested in.... If I really need that sense of chewing a stick of gum often helps, and if that doesn't sometimes a nice cup of coffee or tea with a flavored sugar free creamer will take away that craving. I know when your at work and the boredom strikes it's hard to find something else to do, but see if you can. Maybe take a quick walk to the rest room, wash your hands or better yet brush your teeth. That always changes my need to want to eat fast.

Thanks Friend! The holiday was a nice! I could use another couple of days off though, but it's right back to work manning the ship as the boss is out sick. I made a promise to myself that I am going to work on reducing the stress in my life! Has to happen one way or another, and it would be so much healthier if it was by choice and not by default. I hope you had a great holiday and the kiddies had big smiles!

Hi B-52, This holiday and during all my stress the band is my LIFE SAVER!!! (No not the fruity sugary ones that decorate the cakes this time of year!) I have to tell you though that the band does not go around my head, or my heart and when stress levels rise it's easy to fall into those bad habits if you allow yourself to. Sometimes we do fall because we are human, but the band can be our life raft, our foot hold to get ourselves out of there and remember that this is where we came from not where we want to be. Having had the surgery being able to see my scars in the mirror (and I am grateful for the scars! I have had other surgeries that left invisible in my belly button scars and they do not teach the lesson as well let me tell you!) feeling that port and knowing that the band is there for me gives me the tremendous courage that it takes to get through all the things that have tried to break me and drag me backwards. So yes while we all have stress some extreme and life altering stress that has to be dealt with. When it comes to food, we have a life saver built in and when it seems that all is sugar plum fairies and candyland, we can find a way through it to onederland!

I know for me when I feel like I'm headed off track an appointment with my surgeon's office always helps get me back on track. They check my fill level and they always have good tips to help get me motivated and restart making better choices. Maybe give them a call and set up an appt. and in the mean time make a list of what things you think you might be eating, doing or not doing that have put you off track and then start correcting those one at a time. That always helps me get back on course again. Best of luck to you!