enjoythetime

Thank you ladies for your input and support! The another thing I need to do is get my butt on this site more frequently. I always feel better when I do.

In May I will have been banded for 2 years and I'm still learning about myself and this band. I got back into the dreaded scale habit. For the first year and 1/2 I was banded I didn't own a scale, I would only weigh myself at my monthly dr. check-ups, well then my surgeon basically overnight became no more and I found myself in the position that I had to find a new dr., so after 3 months without a weigh-in it was driving me crazy I knew my clothes were fitting the same - (which is the all time measurement), but I broke down and bought a scale. At first I did well, I weighed myself once a week. I had my first consultation with my new dr. and my weight was exactly the same as it was 3-months prior. The following week we went to Jamaica for vacation and I didn't allow myself to worry with calories etc., that is until I got home and then the first thing I did was jump on that scale and the numbers revealed what I had feared, I had gone up almost 4lbs. For me this was the first time since being banded that I SAW my # on the scale go up. It undoubtedly did along the way but because I didn't see it, no harm no foul. Immediately I went into panic mode because I new the next couple of weeks following was Christmas and then New Years, blah, blah, blah, so for the last month, I've been on that dang scale 1-2 times a day. Seeing those same 4lbs go up and down. Bad habits die hard. I need to go back to what has worked for me all along and only allow the scale to see the light of day once a month. Since I seem to know the answer to my own problem, why aren't I doing it? Fear is the answer. Is 4lbs a big deal? No, not at all, we all know we can flex 5lbs over night due to Water retention, stress, BM's, for ladies that TOM etc., but for anyone who's struggled with weight the real concern isn't about the 4lbs., it's about the fear of those 4lbs. becoming 10lbs., then 20lbs.,etc. Has anyone else had this same fear? I mean we've all been through these vicious cycles before. BUT wait, what have I forgotten???? Oh that's right, I forgot, that I'm not in this alone, I now have a tool that helps me navigate through these times. A tool that I'm incredibly thankful for and one that I need to rely on more than my brain during these times. The fear of never wanting to be where I was when I started is a good thing, It's that fear that keeps me in check!!! I'm still finding things out about myself along the way and will continue to learn until the day I'm no longer on this earth. If you can identify with what I'm saying I would greatly appreciate your input! Thanks!

Yes, I made several posts just like yours. Finally I went to my Dr. after losing 5 more lbs. and he put me on this machine calculated my current weight, entered my height etc. and it told us the # of calories I need to consume daily to maintain the weight I'm at. It produced my basal caloric intake needed for maintenance, (this number doesn't factor in any physical activity). Since having this target number and sticking with it I have maintained the weight I was that day for the last several months. You may ask your surgeon at your next follow-up with they have a tool like this. It really helped me eliminate the guessing and proves to be right on the money. Good luck in your journey! You will figure it all out!

Hey lady bug! I've missed you too!!! I've been crazy busy enjoying this new life:-)! You're doing fantastic BTW!!!!

Oh yes girl you definitely should! It will soon become your new bestie! Good luck!

You look absolutely amazing!! Great job!!

Wow! Congrats on your success! YOU DID IT!!!

Whoaa!! Look at you! What a wonderful accomplishment you've made for yourself! This is just amazing!! Way to go!

If you're a Wal-Mart shopper price match. I know it's a pain but it REALLY does save you a lot of money in the long run! I do this with meat and produce especially. Not sure if you have an Aldi's but for example they will have avocodos advertised on sell for like .25 ea. where as wal-mart may be $1 ea. Same with apples, etc. so I just take their ad in and they will price match for the same item. I do this with the family FRESH pack of chicken breasts in the meat section (not the frozen stuff)and it makes 2-3 meals for our family. Go on Pinterest and look for healthy recipes, you can make just about anything with chicken. Crock-pot meals and Soups are easy and inexpensive and you can add all the fresh meat and veggies it can hold:-) Now is a great time to make large pots of Soup. I made one the other day and have enough leftovers for the entire week, yes I will be souped out but it's cheap, easy and healthy and I don't have to think about what's for dinner.

Crazy isn't it! Good work!!!

Mornings are always hectic, finding clothes for the kids and myself and getting everyone out the door, well I'm sure you know how it goes. So this morning I'm getting ready and I hear my son say Mom I found my clothes and I'm all ready to go BUT, these jeans......where did you get them, they fit but they're way too long. So I come out to see what he was talking about and immediately start laughing, he grabbed my skinny jeans thinking they were his:-) He was right they fit around his stomach but were about 12" too long. When I told him they were mine he just started laughing and said wow mom, you can wear my jeans now as capris:-) Have a great day everyone!

@@Bandista congrats to you! You're doing an AMAZING job and you look wonderful!!! You should be so proud of your transformation both mentally and physically! You're rockin' this thing:-)

Jimmy John's Unwich. Super Yummy! I do the Italian Nightclub. Instead of bread they wrap it in lettuce. At first I thought this is gonna suck but it's actually very good and since they're in my building at work, it's a regular if I forget my lunch. I eat about 1/2 and it's around 300 cal. Wendy's Chili Wendy's Caesar side salad and an order of spicy nuggets. I eat all of the nuggets and 1/2 the salad. Approx. 300 cal. Arby's-1/2 of a turkey Swiss wrap (but I sub the Swiss for Cheddar:-)) Approx. 260 cal. I will go to taco bell and get 2 regular hard shell tacos- 340 cal. Popeye's- on occasion I will do the chicken strips (2). I typically do the naked ones instead of fried but some times I get crazy with it and get fried:-) Steak N shake Grilled chicken taco salad- I pick out all of the chix first and then eat the salad. Get the dressing on the side We have a great local fast food Italian place in KC and from there I will get a small side salad and 1 meatball (they're about 3oz.) I've found there really are a lot of things you can get no matter where you go, even fast food, we can eat, enjoy and not kick ourselves about. it later.

@@gowalking I'm so happy for you!!!!! You are and have been such an inspiration to me all through this journey! I can hear you smiling through the text. Now that's happiness!!!!!

I love rolling up meat with cheese and zapping in the microwave, just long enough for the cheese to melt and then dipping it in Okio's non-fat Greek Yogurt Southwest dip.......yummo:-)

First of all congrats on your 34lbs. that is fantastic!! Every person and body type is different, so how do THEY know how much you should be losing? Right answer: THEY DON'T. It's easy to stand on the sidelines and be a critic. Obviously you're losing exactly what you should be losing for YOU. Keep in mind that you did this for you and not anyone else! In my opinion I think you're worrying too much about what other people are saying and thinking which is making you stress, which is what may be impacting as you said "getting into your old habits". Block those people out! Remember who you did this for and why. Get that motivation to prove them wrong and to yourself that you can and will do this. I don't know how far or what you mean by getting back into old habits so if you want to share what some of those are maybe I can give you some more specific pointers but if it were me and I knew that I had gotten way off course, then yes, I would reset from the beginning with pre-op, maybe not for 2 weeks but for a few days, then slowly progress to your mushies etc. You can do it, just get all of that negativity out of your head and get that determination and you WILL succeed!!!

Hey all!! I haven't been on in awhile, life has been crazy busy but I haven't forgotten about this wonderful tool or all of the wonderful people that makes this site what it is!!! I've just been enjoying every moment and living my new life to the fullest, and with every passing day it only seems to get better!!!! My weight has been stabilized for about 3 months now, so I can truly say I'm now maintaining. Of course there's still that 5lbs +/- area that we all deal with but I know what my core number is. I was scared to death of this stage but in all honesty the journey lead me to this place and now it's just as natural as waking up each morning. Sure there are days when I go off track but the great thing is that I know tomorrow is a new day and I get right back at it. This is what the band has allowed me to do. Before, getting off track once seemed to derail me and eventually ended in a train wreck, but now I know I don't have to worry about that. I know this tool is with me for the long haul and it's carried me through thus far so I'm not going to doubt it now. I found a new Dr. and will go for my first follow-up visit with her next month. I'm familiar with her because she used to practice with my original doctor so all should be good. I'm down 160lbs and am literally a new person. My attitude is so much bigger and brighter, my energy is through the roof, I feel great every morning when I wake up. I have clothes, more clothes than any one person should have:-) My 7-year old and I were walking into a store last week and he stopped and looked and me and said "mommy, I am so proud of you", I said thanks but why and he said "for losing all that weight, I knew you could do it". Now THAT is what THIS is ALL about!!!! I recently planned a big event at my work, the theme was "Old Hollywood Glam" so everyone dressed the part, and for the first time I was able to wear a formal THAT I LOVED (not just one that fit me) and I owned it:-) We had a photo booth and for the first time in I don't know how long I was posing for the camera, loving every second vs. running, dodging and hiding behind people. I had to stop myself for a minute and say who is this person:-) It was great to feel so free. So what have you been doing with your new you? If your answer is nothing, turn that car around!!! Take full advantage of your accomplishments, they're ALL huge and you should be proud and enjoy every minute of your hard work!!! Life is short and precious which is probably why a majority of us decided to have this surgery in the first place, so never lose sight of that and all along the road stop and enjoy it! I can't wait to read your responses!!!!!!

@lisacaron I do the EXACT same thing, at least I'm in good company!

Honestly I still have a love hate relationship with the scale. Since starting I haven't owned a scale, I only weigh in when I go in for my check-ups but now my check-ups are getting more and more spread out and I find myself going crazy because I have no idea (other than how my clothes fit) if I'm properly maintaining especially if there are days that I haven't been so compliant. So I've been considering purchasing a scale and having it under lock and key so that I only weigh myself once a week. I feel like I need something to definitively tell me all is ok, is that weird?

Thx Bandista!!! You ladies are truly amazing!! Thank you for the encouragement! I really appreciate it!! I feel bad for everyone involved.

Thc Justwatchme!! It will all work out its just a huge let down. I really respect him, he gave me my life back and I just never would have expected this, BUT, life is full the the unexpected!! Thx lady!

Thx labwalker!!! Yeah its all over the news here. Im guessing he won't be practicing any yime soon, they reported his license is in inactive status. I just remembered another Dr. That used to work with him and she's now operating in the hispital where the surgeries are done so I'm going to call her Monday. Its just sad all the way around!!

So, I find out tonight on the local news that my lapband surgeon (very popular in our area and the best) just packed up and moved out of his office in the middle of the night, with NO notification to his patients or employees. He had his own office and performed surgeries at a local hospital who made a statement that he no longer was employed there. WTH!!! This was my doctor, the guy I respected and trusted with my life!!! I'm pissed, frustrated and right down disappointed!!! I mean I've been in his office every month for the last 16 months of my life. I do feel badly for him, all of his employees and his patients!!! What about our medical records where are they how do I get them to go somewhere else? Now I have to find someone else to trust and for me that takes a lot!! I'm doing good, maintaining, I just now feel lost. Any suggestions and/or words of encouragement is appreciated!

I think you did great! That's the glorious thing about this little ring, it's there for you even when you're on vacation (it doesn't get a break). You have the right attitude and frame of mind and realize this isn't a diet it's a lifestyle change so you're going to be just fine. Think about how much you would have gained if you hadn't had the band.....3lbs is pretty darn good in my opinion and I bet you alot of that is just Water retention. The last cruise I went on pre-banded I gained 10lbs in a week. I'm getting ready to go to Jamacia and couldn't be more exicted about trying all the local flavors; I'm not going to watch every little thing I eat, I'm going to enjoy it; It's one week out of the year and when I get home, life will resume as normal, we're not doomed and gloomed any more:).