SillyAuntDi

Awesome news!!!! Chin up...don't let the nerves defeat you. Think of all the wonderful things that are to come. Deep breaths and positive thoughts...we are all here to support you as you progress. Welcome to the family!

Welcome to the family! You have landed amongst very knowledgable and friendly people. Everyone will be here to support you along the way. Having the surgery was the single best decision I've ever made for myself. No regrets! It's not all roses and butterflies, but the struggles are worth it. Take deep breaths when the nerves start kicking in. It will be OK. Remind yourself of all the positive changes in your life that start now and will continue going forward. Number one rule....follow your doctor's orders and ask questions of them! We are here to offer the encouragement and the support...the doctor has the medical advice. I'm excited for you!

Oh no! I hate kidney stones...they are evil. I hope you find relief soon.

B-52...dude I think I love you. This approach is what I am aiming for. I'm not there yet. Still a "newbie" just 5 1/2 months out. I am still figuring out what works and what doesn't. I have the foundation for the healthier lifestyle and I just need to build on it. I'm getting better and better everyday. I don't want to be on a "diet" all my life. I don't want to feel like I have to choose one food over another...and eventually the habits I'm forming now while I am actively choosing the healthier foods over the less healthy foods will lead to effortless eating in the future. Thanks for showing it's possible.

Could not have said it better! For me, I had to come to terms with what I had done to MYSELF. It wasn't anyone else's fault I was 354lbs. It wasn't food's fault. It couldn't be blamed any longer on arthritis or allergies. It couldn't be blamed on the weather, the news, the book I was reading, my friend's babies...I had to shoulder the blame and then decide to change. I haven't looked back since.

I think this is fantastic! Count me in

I struggled right after my surgery with this. My surgeon told me to do whatever I needed to resolve it. That meant, to me, to speak to my PCP. She had me start magnesium daily. And, I had to back off my Calcium supplements for a little bit. I'm back on the dose the surgeon and the nut want me on and I'm careful to drink my fluids everyday. Good luck to you! I hope you feel better soon.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is great that you were able to spend time with your Mom. As for your pictures...awesome job! I hope you have continued success!

Great job! Life gets better and better, doesn't it?

I took my new bike out for a spin today! So much fun...enjoy!!

I agree..."Only" didn't belong there! And we are all rock stars!!!!

Welcome to the club! It's a fun, wonderful place to be

Congrats! Let us know how your recovery goes

YES! I met my goal..and I've lost 100lbs since my surgery in September. I'm beyond thrilled So is my doc. He was grinning like the Cheshire Cat yesterday at my appointment! Thank you for the kind words! I'm now going to start weighing only once a month...so no more weekly check-ins beginning in March. I was starting to see a bad habit forming of weighing more than once in the week and stressing over the numbers...it's not about the numbers for me. So, bye-bye scales. Happy Thursday to you all!

February 19 253.6

Fantastic job!!!!

Good luck today!

I had my first consult with my surgeon on May 15 and was banded on September 11. I could have been banded in July, but I chose to wait until September since I had several obligations in July and August that could not be rescheduled.

While my physical hunger has almost totally vanished, my "head hunger" rages at times. In fact, last night, totally caught up in a book I was reading, I reached over to the can of almonds sitting by my chair, grabbed a few and chewed away. I wasn't hungry. I didn't need those almonds. So....you have to find the things that trigger you and figure out why you eat even when you aren't hungry. Then...eliminate the temptations. That can of almonds is no longer by my chair. It's in the kitchen pantry. I don't keep Snacks in my desk at work any more, because I would stress eat if given half the chance. My band and I are shaping up to be quite the team, but I have to help it out. It's not the only player in the game. So, my advice...do some soul searching. Figure out why you eat when not hungry. Educate yourself on the role food plays in fueling your body. Then, make small changes, one at a time. Eventually, it becomes a lifestyle...and you won't miss the things you have left behind. Good luck on your journey!

My doc and I have not discussed a goal weight. I have 180 listed as my goal because it seems reasonable to me. A first goal, so to speak...I figure when I hit that, the doc and I can talk. When people ask me how much more I am planning to lose, I laugh and say "until I'm done." I personally would like to keep some curves...I got big bones...no really, I do...and want to keep some meat on them.

#1....follow your doctor's orders to the letter and if you have questions, call the doctor's office and ask. After that, the things I found helpful were as follows: Gas X strips Heating pad for the shoulder/back...not the incision sites Good books Good movies sugar-free popsicles (if your doc allows them) A pillow to hold against your incision sites if you need to sneeze or cough...trust me...it helps. I also had to fend off a cat that loves to sit on my belly when I'm stretched out in my recliner...so the pillow stayed there to remind her it was off limits. We are back to our routine now. Patience...it's a slow process, but so worth it!

I am no longer a member of the "clean plate" club and that is OK. I can say no to dessert. My 90-year old grandmother understands she can no longer show me love by making me biscuits, gravy and a pound of bacon. She makes me veggies and healthy Protein instead. It's ok to skip a meal if I'm not hungry. It's ok if the scale has a little uptick or it doesn't move at all. And the biggie....I respect myself again.

I am 5 months (today) post op and very very rarely feel true hunger like I felt it prior to surgery. My body gives me other signals to remind me to eat. I have had no fills and when I eat, I am good for several hours. Quite often I have to use the clock to remind me to eat.

McDonalds fries...I put one in my mouth a few weeks ago as a joke (never intending to chew or swallow it) and the taste was DISGUSTING. It made me smile...once I spit it out.

Best decision I've ever made for myself. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat!