enjoythetime

Jim, Wow! Congratulations on your success and thanks for sharing your story it provides hope and just goes to show that hard work and dedication DO pay off. You're truly an inspiration and I'm so happy for you!!

@@JustWatchMe really 61#'s since March???? With an extravogant vacation added in there, girl you're killing it:-) Good for you!!!

You need to add some sort of phyiscal activity to your life style, now with that said, that doesn't mean you need to be a gym head. You can do gardening, yard work, vigourous house work, walks around the neighborhood, taking the stairs every chance you can, parking in the back of the parking vs., in front of the door, etc., etc. I think some times people just hate the work exercise it's a negative thought for them so if you can add more activity into your daily life then I think this may help you get over that hurdle but yes some form of movement is necessary to keep things moving in most cases:-)

I've seen several posts regarding discouragement, doubting decisions made to have the band and/or other WLS's because it was harder than they expected, wondering what they're doing wrong because they didn't wake up overnight and lose 50lbs., I've cheated on my band or on my pre-op diet is all hope lost, etc., etc. So here's a senario to consider when you find yourself in these places. Stop and look at it this way, if someone were to offer you a chance to win the mega-milions, with no strings attached other than to follow a few simple rules, you would do it in a heartbeat right? Not only would you do it but I bet 99% of us would be successful in following the precise rules laid out in front of us in fear of losing the life changing opportunity in front of us right? Oh and I forgot to mention there are NO limits to the number of winners, every person who follows these rules receives the same reward. Who throws away an opportunity like this? I mean there are so many life events that winning this kind of $$ would change right, like starting a family, buying your dream home, sending your kids to college, paying for a wedding(s), taking dream vacations etc. Life changing right??? For me this journey has been just that, like winning the lottery, the jackpot of all jackpots, the mega-millions!! I can't put into words the transformations that have taken place in my life over the this past year because of my decision to get the band, it's just simply amazing. I'll be able to enjoy watching my kids grow up and not just watching them but actively participating in their lives, I'll be able to one day (waaaaaay in the future:-)) enjoy my kids weddings, the opportunity to be a grandparent and those vacations that are coming up oh yeah, I'm there. I gained all of this because I made the decision to follow the percise instructions that were set in front of me by my doctor. Don't throw away your opportunity to be a healthy millionaire. We've all made mistakes, we all struggle with something along the way but the key is to dust yourself off and get right back on course. No one's perfect so don't dwell or beat yourself up over your mistakes, learn from them and keep moving. A healthy new you is priceless, there's not another like you anywhere so take care of yourself and remember why you chose this journey in the first place. Live the Life you Love, Love the Life you Live!!!!! If you can do this you're already a success!!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Slider foods are foods that don't stay/fill your small pouch that has been created by the band, it slides right through the narrow opening between the stomach pouch and the rest of the stomach and they never give you a full statisfied feeling. In other words you could eat these all day long and still feel hungry and as you can see from the examples are unhealthy choices anyway:-) Hope this helps! Some examples are: Ice cream Cookies Cake chips Crackers Popcorn Candy Some people say yogurt and certain Protein bars can be sliders, but they stick with me for some reason so?? There are many many more but this gives you an idea.

You've got this H&H!!!! You're going to do greaat!! Prayer sent:)

Jamacia here I come with a whole new wardrobe baby! :-) I can't freaking wait!!! Parasailing, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach in my swimsuit, shopping, possibly a jump off the cliffs:-) BTW I love your posts!! They're fun and motivating!! Thanks and have a great weekend!

Congrats girl!! So happy for you! You're doing fantastic!!!

Not a thing!!! Nothing and I do mean NOTHING is worth the miserable hell I lived in before getting this wonderful tool!! I was a soda drinking fool, I would have 6-8 cans of soda a day and quit cold turkey because I reached the point mentally that enough was enough and I was done and I can honestly say I don't miss it one bit! I've gained my life back and that's worth giving up whatever is necessary.

Yay! So happy for you! You're fiance stuck around because he's a smart guy, you're a beautiful person inside and out!!! Great job!

I've been contemplating this for a month now for the same reason you stated. I love the fact that it's only 25min. so I think I'm going to give it a whirl. Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear you've had such a tough start, but whoa 31lbs in a month is great!! I know right now you're miserable but I assure you this too shall pass! You will get everything evened out, it just takes some longer than others because we're all so different. Whatever you do, don't give up. Is there anyway you can add in an extra Protein shake maybe add in some fruit? Or maybe mix some Protein powder into your yogurt or your broth so that you're bumping up those calories and protein?? 350-400 calories simply just isn't enough to keep your body going which is the reason for the weakness and truth be told probably most of the reason for your nauseau! At first it was hard for me to get alot of things in too, but day by day little by little you are able to get more and more in. Definitely stay in contact with your doctor. You're doing the best you can with what you can and that's all you can do. Just hang in there! Hope things smooth out for you soon!

Congrats on being banded! Always go by the instructions given to you by your doctor. They provide these for a reason, if you advance yourself before you should you risk the chance of damaging something.

This is awesome Justwatchme! I'm gonna justwatchyou take over...watch out here comes the awesomeness!

Hey Betty guess what??? I am the BIGGEST baby in the world when it comes to needles and I've had two kids:-) I literally just about pass out at the thought, BUT with that said this is easy breezy, truly It was fine. Of couse I don't love it but if I'm going to get stuck, this is the best kind to get:-) It just feels like a little bee sting. I just told the dr. not to show the needle to me and we would both be alot better off....hahaha

@@LapbandKAB This is just my opinion, and you know what they say about those:-). My doctor recommended I strive for 1200 calories per day, along with that I am to hit a target of 60-80g or Protein per day and consume 64-80oz of water(strive for 80). I eat 3-4oz of protein along with 1/2 veggies and then a startch if I have room. I eat my plate in that exact order, protein, veggies, and then the starch which I often find I can't fit in, ok no biggie. Snacks are ok, I eat 2 snacks a day, like 1oz or 2oz of cheese, some times I will have a SF pudding, etc. This is what I would start doing, for a few days just to get a feel for where you are, I would start tracking those calories either by hand or by using my fitness pal whatever works best for you, I would aslo track the amount of protein. It sounds to me from what you've listed that you're making the right choices but I'm wondering if either a) you're consuming too few calories which is causing your body to go into starvation mode holding onto every ounce you put in it OR you're maybe not getting enough protein or a combo of the two. Do you exercise at all?

Wow B-52, talk about a transformation!!!! Very inspirational and encouraging! Great job!

For me I chose the lapbad because it's the least invasive, and only adjustable/removable surgery out there! You are NOT too big to lose the weight you need to with the band. Look at me, I was 289lbs on a 5' 1" frame and a year later I've lost more weight than I actually weigh, but you have to want it and be willing to commit 100%. If you work the band, the band will work for you, but then again so will the sleeve and by-pass. It's completely a personal decision. Like others have said you can gain the weight back with ANY WLS you chose to have, each are meant to be a tool, you have to do your part by making proper food choices, feeding your body with nutrition not junk and properly feeding your mind with motivation and positivity. Best of wishes on your decision!

If you're still concerned you should call your doctor back and have them check you out. I'm sure you're fine, and it's normal to have some discomfort in that area for a while but sharp pain should never be dismissed and it's always better safe than sorry plus you have the piece of mind. I wasn't able to sleep on that side for a while and I remember it being tender for maybe 6-8 weeks and then of course if you bump it on something it will let you know:-) Keep us posted!

Amazing job! You look fantastic! As the saying goes, nothing tastes as good as skinny feels! This is soooo true!!!

Not sure how medicare works but I know in general just like with anything it needs to be documented, documented, documented. So, go to your doctor and just keep on it, if you have a rash from it be seen, if you are in pain because of it be seen, etc. Not sure what the end result will be but without this dicumentation no insurance will cover it. Good luck.

Now that it's summer there are lots of things you can do for fun. Go to the lake, the park, go swimming, if there's an amusement park this is always a treat for the kids, go shopping with your mom, go to the drive-in movies with your hubby or go for a scenic drive and listen to reto country saturday night:-) (that's my fav), but you also don't have to cut out eating out all together! Anymore you can find something at almost any restaurant you go to that fits in your new lifestyle. If you don't see something on the menu that suits what you want find something close and then ask them to customize it to your liking (I'm the queen of that:-)).

So by looking at your stats, you were banded in 10/13 and to-date have lost 8lbs total is that correct? So that we can maybe help you a little can you tell us what your daily calorie intake is and an example of what you're eating?

@@CarolinaGirl thank you! You're one of those people I mentioned that have been a huge inspiration to me and I really appreciate it! You just keep making me smile today girlie!!! Thanks! I started my journey at 33 years old, weighing 289lbs on a 5'1" frame, and looked like I had no neck or eyes:-) My blood pressure was 180/98. This surgery was my ONLY hope because without it I knew I was only going to get bigger and the healthy issues more severe. So, One year ago today I remember checking into the surgerical center and waiting to be called back for my surgery; I was nervous as hell and wondering if I was making the right decision. Well today, 1 year later, I'm confident I made the right decision and would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!! This has truly been a life changing experience for me on so many different levels. I'm definitely not the same person I was a year ago, I'm healthy, happy and just thankful to have my life back! I didn't realize how much of life I was missing out on until I was given the opportunity to live again! I feel like I can do anthing now with no restrictions! Has this been a cake walk?? Well, honestly, for ME I never really thought about it, i just did what I knew I had to do and with every passing month I was less of a person than I was the month before:-) Several people have asked, how did you do it, how did you lose all that weight in a years time, even the nurse at my doctor's office asked me this and the honest answer is, I'm nothing special, I chose to follow my doctors instructions to the T, I chose to believe in myself, I chose to have a positive attitude. Going into this I told myself failure wasn't an option, I knew there were certain things I was going to chose to give up forever, I accepted that, moved on and never looked back. The best piece of advice I can give to anyone starting out on this journey or is needing a restart is believe in yourself, if you put in 100% you'll get 100% back, don't set and dwell on the things you can't have, think of all the things you can have because you made the choice to kick some unhealthy habits out of your life. The reward will be so much sweeter than anything you can imagine!! We all started this journey out with similar worries and fears, always keep that in your mind and remember that one person(s) that encouraged you through the tough times, pay it forward!!! One of the greatest joys for me is being able to help someone else who is where I was. That's why this site is so great! So if you find yourself stuck in a rut one of the greatest ways out is by helping someone else. May 14, 2013- Before Pre-op Diet- 289 May 30, 2013- Day of Surgery- 273 May 30, 2014- 147ish (I haven't weighed, go for my check up next week) Total weight lose- 142lbs I started out wearing a size 20-22W in pants A size 3X Shirt (24-26) TODAY, I'm in a size 5 pants, and med/small shirts! My blood pressure is 128/78, my cholestorol is NORMAL, my liver is NORMAL I've almost lost more than I actually weigh now:-) I'm just thrilled! I HAVE A NECK NOW AND 2 EYES THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE!! I MAKE IT A POINT TO MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH EVERYONE I MEET NOW INSTEAD OF WALKING WITH MY HEAD DOWN. Just know if you stay the course you will achieve your goal!! way to go...so so very proud of you and happy for you look in dictionary and your name/picture is next to success and GORGEOUS

Thank you so much! I did ask my doctor for an x-ray and he graciously went along, he showed me everything was right where it was suppose to be and then asked if I wanted to do a Barrium swallow and I said no that's ok, this is all I needed to know. Now, Deep breathe, moving on, got my cutsie shoes on and I'm ready to keep rolling! Don't know what I would do without your encouragement!!! ((Hugs)) well speaking for myself, i tend to make tidal waves out of a slight wave..i think you do need to relax..continue to exercise..continue to eat clean *leave the processed/boxed items on the shelves at the store*, eat fresh fruits, veggies and lean Proteins..i think you need to look at yourself and see where you are now and you are sitting pretty on a healthier weight..... I went in yesterday for my monthly follow-up appointment and am down another 7lbs, which puts me 10lbs below my goal weight. I never thought I would get here and I'm thrilled, I haven't been this weight since I was like 14:-) Here comes a statement I never thought I would say..... I don't want to lose any more. I'm happy where I'm at right now, I don't want to lose and I don't want to gain, I just want to stay here. I'm not sure how to level this thing out:-) I asked my doctor and he said the band will stop at a certain point but that doesn't mean it will stop at MY point so, he suggested I start adding in more calories, which of course is the logical thing to do BUT it scares the **** out of me! Since I've completed my once a month follow-up care plan for the 1st year I know the typical thing is for them to see you every quarter for the second year, so I asked my doctor if it was ok with him if I just kept coming in every month and he said absolutely, he would do whatever made me feel more comfortable and if that's what I needed to do then he was good with that. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not complaining, I'm just trying to figure this out. My doctor basically told me I just need to relax a little and things will fall into place, but you see I'm such a control freak that the thought of not being in control and flying by the seat of my pants has got me in a whirlwind. I feel like being out of control with my eating is what got me at 289lbs in the first place so I need honest truthful advice. Am I just making more of this then I should or is this a typical concern? @@2muchfun @@B-52 @@catfish87 @@gowalking @@CarolinaGirl i do not have to go to my dr except as needed.....that being said i go every month because i want to and i like knowing where i stand and let them know i am okay...i get an xray under fluro every 3 months to be sure all is well..its called being responsible and that my dear is exactly what you are .......besides being gorgeous...and you are in control of yourself..you are controlling what you put into your body (eating wise) and the WLS is helping you say when..what a great thing. now chin up, shoulders back, slide those tootsies into some high heels and work it girl and encourage those on this forum who need it...as you are a success story..proud of you..