m.simpson88

nothing like reading my posts and bandie calling me on saying just walked today.......YOU GO girl.......stay on my ass.....loving it

**yesterday at work**
i am pretty insecure but i do try hard to hide that..what is it called, thin skinned? i always think people are looking and laughing at me or that anyone with me is embarrassed due to my size and what i look like..
jenny, my co worker….we were talking last week about walking. my office building has a nice gym and i never go (are you nuts…..people may see me)
she came over to me and said lets go walk..and so i got up…thinking i could say my knee is hurting (which it is..rain is coming btw) and i did not have my sneakers (i took off my wedges and went barefoot) and well ran all these excuses through my mind BUT said fuck it ….and went to the nice gym and got up on the treadmill (*it had a tv*)..never seen that before
as nervous as i was, i tried not to let it show..i think she thinks i am more in control or self assured than i am…and trust me i am not..i am so scared of people judging me and lets face it, they do..
so there i was…up on the treadmill, walking and talking and thinking to myself..people may see me but maybe they will say if she can, so can i....

Me three! I am so happy but don't want to become complacent. The renewed relationship with food and with my body is wonderful but I am not satisfied with where I am -- time to chip away at the next twenty. We know how to do this. Thanks for the reminder about the liquid reboot. I'd rather consider that first before going back for another fill, which I think I need. So, taking steps! Keep us posted on your progress. And Onederland!

I am 16 months post op on 11/23. I have lost 60 pounds and have recently started working 2 full time jobs and unfortunately gained 4.5 pounds. I realized this and have decided to follow the pre-op and post-op diet to a T just to get myself back on track. Today is day 2 of liquids. I had a 5 day liquid diet before surgery and then 1 week liquids, 1 week mushies, 1 week soft and then the 4th week slowly introduced solid Protein and veggies back in to my diet. Thanksgiving I will allow some solid foods but only for that day and only 1 meal. The liquid diet is definitely an eye opener to how reliant I am still on food. I am in this for success and will make it there. I have about 44-49 pounds I would like to lose. I am 194 right now and a size 14/L. I started out at 250ish and was in a size 20-22 and a 2xl shirt. I just stared getting really comfortable with my size and realized I need to lose even more to be healthy. I am not in this to get "skinny", I am in this to be healthy. I will get there. Down 1.5 pounds in 2 days. Wish me luck!!!

Well I am down 5 pounds so far. I have 3 days of liquids left. I am rethinking the mushies stage just because the majority of mushies are carbs. Think I will do soft foods so I can have boiled eggs , tuna cooked Beans or peas but not refried. I will also do liquids like Soups with ground meat and non starchy veggies. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Let's try this again, I know what I need to do and I will be successful. Once I realized I was going in the opposite direction I stopped it instantly! We can only be successful if we commit to it!

I am 16 months post op on 11/23. I have lost 60 pounds and have recently started working 2 full time jobs and unfortunately gained 4.5 pounds. I realized this and have decided to follow the pre-op and post-op diet to a T just to get myself back on track. Today is day 2 of liquids. I had a 5 day liquid diet before surgery and then 1 week liquids, 1 week mushies, 1 week soft and then the 4th week slowly introduced solid Protein and veggies back in to my diet. Thanksgiving I will allow some solid foods but only for that day and only 1 meal. The liquid diet is definitely an eye opener to how reliant I am still on food. I am in this for success and will make it there. I have about 44-49 pounds I would like to lose. I am 194 right now and a size 14/L. I started out at 250ish and was in a size 20-22 and a 2xl shirt. I just stared getting really comfortable with my size and realized I need to lose even more to be healthy. I am not in this to get "skinny", I am in this to be healthy. I will get there. Down 1.5 pounds in 2 days. Wish me luck!!!

People were like that with me as well when i first had my surgery it fell off very slowly there were people who lost twice as much as me in the first couple of months but i learned that everyone is different and that it will eventually come off and it did when i fell back into my old habits i did get a small fill which helped then i got a work out buddy and we started working out together so that i could get into a good routine i still catch myself going to my old ways but then i have to remind myself that if i keep up my old ways ill be the old me and that pretty much helps me get back on track

I'm one of those folks who reminds people that we are more than numbers and to focus on NSVs during our weight loss journey. But even I am speechless this morning. I weigh myself weekly just to stay accountable. Yes...I know when I've eaten well and when I've not, but the number on the scale reinforces what I already know. Since I don't let the number rule my outlook for the day, or even the week, I am OK with the weekly weigh-in.
Well...got on the scale this morning and it said 119.2. I had to look at it for a few moments because I couldn't take in what I was seeing. I'm under 120 lbs. That's unbelievable. The very first time I went to WW, I was 15 and 127 lbs. I got down to 113. I was 125 lbs. when I got married and have never been close in all the years since. Oh...I got down to 150 in the early '90s but of course ballooned back up again.
Yes...I know it's just a number but it's also a watershed moment for me. I've accomplished something I never thought I would. I'm as small as I was as a teenager. I'm not a teenager though... My skin is terribly wrinkled and I only look good with my clothes on and in long sleeves and pantyhose. I hide the flaws same as anyone would. But...I'm alot smarter than a teenager now and feel that I'm mature enough to make good choices in my life and find future success in ways I thought impossible just two years ago.
If all goes as planned, I will be visiting my sister-in-law in China over Christmas. Imagine that...me going to the Far East. Was a time I couldn't hardly walk and now I'm going to the other side of the world.
I'm dating again. It's scary for sure, but I'm starting to get comfortable enough with my body that I can appreciate what others see. Not always mind you, but sometimes... It's still a work in progress.
Mostly I'm just grateful and happy to be mobile, healthy, and appreciate my life. I give all the credit to the band because that's where it started.
Have a great Monday everyone.

Good luck with the surgery. Hopefully the sutures will help keep that puppy in place. I had gastric plication with my band, which (I'm told) dramatically helps avoid slippage. Even still, ya just never know what the future holds with any of these surgeries. Even so, I have zero regrets, and would do it again 100 times over.
I hope you're feeling better sooner than later :-)

It's true that you crave the weirdest things if you stay long enough on a liquid diet. I had the strongest craving for a tuna salad sandwich...I told my husband and voila...he created this!
1 Hard boiled egg (chopped)
4 Green onions (just the white part) chopped fine
1 Dill pickle - small chopped fine (dried dill weed would do the same)
1/2 seedless cucumber, skinned, de-seeded, chopped fine
1 C low fat or no fat plain yogurt
Celery salt
White pepper
Dash white worcestershire (optional)
1 close garlic or squeeze from "tube herbs" (optional)
1 scoop unflavored Protein powder (optional - don't use with salmon recipe)
Mix all of the above in a blender, then add either-
1 can of Water packed tuna drained OR
8 ounces cooked salmon
YIELD: 3 CUPS (Approximately) :hungry:
We did this with the tuna first and I loved it. He made grilled salmon for himself one evening and at my request made it again with salmon. With the tuna, he made it with unflavored Isopure Protein which kicked up the protein a lot. We didn't think that the salmon would stand up to or needed the Protein Powder. The egg is absolutely essential...it evens out the flavors.
Here are the nutritionals on 1 cup Bruce's Tuna Soup with the protein powder:
Cals: 190
Fat 6.4 g
Carbs 5.6 g
Protein 26.4 g
Here are the nutritionals on 1 cup of the Salmon Supreme (no protein powder)
Cals: 226 g
Fat 9.3 g
Carbs 8.3 g
Protein 26 g

Just celebrated my one year anniversary. Have officially lost 71% of my excess weight! I celebrated by getting a pixie cut I never would have had the guts to attempt before!

Make sure to walk to help with the gas pains. Sip Water as often as possible and if you get nauseous you might try hot mint tea. It helped me a ton! You got this!!!

Lots of people have gone through 'buyer's remorse' so don't worry about feeling that way. Except for a few outlyers, most poelpe will find the success they are looking for as long as they follow the rules and stay strong when chalenges arise.
Just know that I didn't expect this to work for me either and I've lost almost 150 lbs. and gotten my life back so I'm sure that it will work for you as well. Good luck Keeper.

It works as long as you stay true to yourself. I am 16 months post op and have 42 pounds to lose until I am at goal. I fell off the wagon and gained 3-4 pounds and as soon as I realized it and was honest with myself I got back on track. Down 3 pounds in 5 days. Just be honest with your self and make the right choices! You will do great!!!!

A friend from work wanted to go eat pizza for lunch. I know, seriously? So obv I could not eat that. But I thought about it and said I will find something to eat there...and I did!
A meatball hero parmigiana, hold the bread. I asked for it it be given to me in a to go plate and ate 1.5 meatballs slowly and enjoyed it thoroughly. I packed up the rest and will be eating it tomorrow for lunch.

Let's try this again, I know what I need to do and I will be successful. Once I realized I was going in the opposite direction I stopped it instantly! We can only be successful if we commit to it!

I got my date (November 19, 2014). So excited. ???? I have even stated getting ready for the 2 weeks liquid diet. During the day I've been drinking the Protein Drinks along with all types of liquids, like broth, Jello and ice pops. I eat dinner when I get home. Then 2 days last week I went the entire day liquids. I did good. My family helped by cooking dinner, I went into my bed room ????. This test really helped me. The thought of going cold turkey all at once was causing me stress. I lost 10 pds already. I even thought of not doing the surgery but I know the 10 pds won't stay off if I don't get the lap ban. I took the 10 pd loss as a sign that I am ready for this and I can do it.
Lisa

Congratulations on your surgery date and getting started with your pre-op diet -- I remember how excited I was and can hear that in your post. In fact I'm STILL excited 11 months out and so happy with everything this last year. Weight loss is great but then the getting out of food jail part, rise in self-confidence and return to self -- so amazing. Wishing you the very best. When we choose ourselves and our healthy futures first, what happens is astounding. For me that's what choosing to be banded was about-- a gift to myself.

Jackie I was the same way I am one of those lapbanders that has to have quite a bit in my band to have the right restriction. I am at about 8 cc in my 10 cc band and finally have the right satiety when eating. I eat about 1/2-3/4 c and am good for about 4-5 hours. According to my dr.'s office it is perfect. They don't want you to go to long without eating because you need to be able to get the majority if not all Protein through your diet. The green zone is an elusive little stinker for sure.

I make my own Caesar dressing but it's the original way and of course loaded with olive oil(not that it's bad) but this looks like a very reasonable alternative. I'm kindof into Dijon mustard so I'd probably triple the Dijon mustard and quadruple the garlic
I'll let you know how it comes out. Good thing I work from home and no one has to be near me eh?

It's like a love/hate relationship I have with my band -- UGH! Damn if I do (with restriction) and Damn if I don't (a looser band).
I will tell you, after having a restrictive band year in and year out...sometimes it get OLD...at least for me.
With my old band, I had kiss a@@ restriction and lived with that for years, until I had saline removed and I honestly (welcomed it) because I was sick and tired of getting food stuck, slimming, etc. chewing, etc.
When my surgeon removed some saline back in 2012 due to a hiatal hernia and back pain when it was filled optimally-- I felt FREE.. a release from (lap band jail)...LOL....
I felt so free, I went wild....I ate a Five Guys burger, with melted cheese and fries without getting that ( Deer in the Headlights) Look...you know what I am talking about .
Then I had a delicious philly cheese steak sandwich with toasted bun, onions the whole nine yards....I was on a roll....
I continued my FREEDOM...Until my pants started to get tight...and then I had to go shopping again for a new size....
At this time, my band was still pretty empty, I could not fill it properly because I had back and chest pains from my hernia, so I continued on a downward spiral of FREEDOM....forget about ice cream and candy...you know the sliders we sneak and eat with a very tight band....I wanted REAL food...and I got it...
Well...50 pounds later and finding myself in a size tight 16-18 pants...something that I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN WITH A LAP BAND INSTALLED....HAPPENED TO ME...ME? I was the person that was obsessed with the scale, someone who walked at 5 each morning, in 20-30 degree temperatures for 6 straight years...because I HAD CHANGED MY LIFESTYLE FOREVER? EVER ...EVER?
Once I found a surgeon to HELP me repair my hernia, give me a second chance to get my "grove back" I was humbled and grateful..
THE MORAL OF MY POST IS...NEVER THINK YOU GOT THIS WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS....BECAUSE ANYTHING CAN COME AND TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU ....
When the lap band is UNFILLED AFTER YEARS OF EATING HARDLY NOTHING...your metabolism gets SHOT...and if you EVER have to get unfilled....THE WEIGHT CAN COME BACK QUICKLY...I GAINED 20 pounds in ONE month....
And oh yea....after I had ..had my feel of Burgers and Cheese Steaks....it was too late to eat Broccoli and baked chicken....no matter what I'd done with a LOOSE band...I could NOT get the weight off UNTIL I got my lap band properly restricted again.....
It took over 14 months JUST TO LOSE the 50 pound weight gain, I was FINALLY BACK to my old lap band fighting weight ...it sure was not easy like it was when I was first banded...
So while my lap band (SuzieQ) is working NOW in full over load.....I still want to stuff my face and I can't, I just can't do it.....and you know what? I glad.... ...
Please respect your band and cherish with love, because one day...you may find yourself IN FREEDOM with an unfilled band and that is a very SCARY place to be!

Welcome to banded life! Don't worry about being able to eat more than you think you should right now. It sounds like you've healed well and your swelling has gone down and now the hunger is kicking in...you're right on schedule. That's the good news.
For the bad news:
During this time, unless you had a fill during surgery (3cc's is popular) you're just in the stages of adapting to the band and it's not "turned on" yet. You're going to be hungry, you're going to be able to eat a whole lot of food and you'll worry that the band isn't going to be right for you. Sound about right?
Quiet those thoughts, what you are experiencing and what is to come is normal. To fill up without doing too much damage I ate:
Cream of wheat
Oat meal
Green Beans
Broccoli (crown only)
Salads
tuna
Boiled chicken
Crab meat
String cheese
Peanut Butter
Cottage cheese
Berries
It's been a while, I'm sure there were other things but this is a pretty good idea of it.

Thanks to bluegudren's reply to another post, I just tried having my daughter do short, fast, hard karate chops on my collarbones and shoulder blades for trapped gas post-surgery. What relief! Wish I knew this yesterday! I felt like a baby being burped, but so what? LOL. Anything that helps!