PuraVida37

Thank you Sweet! Just what I needed to hear. I am a high school teacher, so it's hard to stop for potty breaks, but I can squeeze in a bottle before school and mid day. I like your idea of not eating til I drink. I'm at a stall and not eating quite right, so this will be a good goal to help get me out of the slump. Thanks again!

I'm filled probably where I need to be--my hunger is under control, but I'm just not thirsty. I'm sure I'm dehydrated frequently, though. I find it a chore to drink Water. Pre-band, I used to be a chugger and could down a bottle of water in seconds. Now that I have to go slow I'm just like Meh. Any tips?

IDK exactly because the skin is so odd now. Like a popped balloon. But the dark skin I had on the back of my neck looks tons better. I think it also has to do with making better food choices. My acne has cleared up a ton, too!

When I was banded just under a year ago, I didn't really pick a weight goal. That didn't hold any interest for me. Instead I picked a physical challenge goal: running a 5k. I did it today!!! I RAN THE WHOLE THING WITHOUT STOPPING!!! I had my best time too!!! It's only going to get better from here!! My next goals are: --making it to 100lbs loss (soon, I think!! Only 10 lbs to go) --finishing a 5k in less than 40min (today's was 42) --doing a headstand (IDK why, it just seems cool?) --getting to size L (I'm XL now) A friend invited me to do a mini-triathalon with her next April. I think I just might do it!!!!

I was in your exact position. My husband was convinced I could do it on my own. Yeah. Ok, in 20 years I hadn't, so how one earth was this time gonna be different? Sheesh. He's also the guy who thinks you can lose weight just by exercising harder. Yeah, at 300 lbs it's so easy to run. ha. But when he saw how serious I was about the pre-surgical diet, he came around. My weight loss has brought a balance to our family and ALL of us has lost weight. We exercise as a family, I'm more energetic than ever before. But honestly, I was going to get the surgery no matter what he said. I was mentally prepared to get a divorce or separation if it lead to that (glad it didn't!). All I could think of was THIS IS MY LIFE. THIS IS MY BODY. I ONLY GET ONE. I HAVE TO DO THIS BEFORE I END UP AT A POINT OF NO RETURN. I definitely agree to have him go to a support group meeting with you. Is he scared? of losing you? of changing how things are now? of him having to change too? or just of the unknown? It can be a scary thing for everyone involved.

I think it's time to go back to the doctor. Coughing and spitting up is not normal.

PS I explained the liquids only on hiatal hernia surgery...that you have to shrink your organs so they can get in more easily (true) and the special diet is doctor's orders (true also!!).

What is something that is working for you? I don't mean the band itself, I mean like a special meal you like, a routine, an exercise, certain kind of support or motivation. What's something that you do that's working for you?? I'll start: I love my NutraNinja blender. It makes blah Bariatric Advantage shakes come out like a dream. Please share!! i need some motivation lately. Thanks in advance.

I don't eat bread anymore and I really don't miss it. Pasta and rice too. I can get them down, but I'd prefer not to get stuck, and that healthy fear keeps me away from them.

@@ChubMuffin Once you tell, you cannot untell. How supportive is your coworker? Will she blab to everyone in the office? if she does that, how comfortable are you with it? Will she resent you for "changing" your routine with her? She'll notice that you're eating differently, that's for sure. If you don't tell the truth, you'll have to lie about things. Will she give you grief about it and judge you for it? Only you can guess that. I chose NOT to tell, and I'm glad I did. People at my job are super gossipy and judgy and would probably accuse me of "taking the easy way out". Instead, they cheer me on. I just tell them that I'm on a low carb diet (true) and that I run (true too). This is the first big secret I have ever kept to myself. I kinda feel proud because it's part of me taking back control of my life.

I work in a VERY gossipy workplace. I chose not to tell anyone at work, not even my best friend. I told my family, and 2 friends. That's it. Nobody needs to know my business. They all know I am working toward being healthier, but no one needs to know details.

Hi folks! I'm doing a program called Couch to 5K which trains you to be able to run a 5k at the end of 8 weeks. I'm week 4, and can't believe that I can run a whole 5 min stretch! Never been able to before ever! However, I am noticing that my port area is tender after these runs. Am I doing damage, or am I stretching the muscles, or what? Any ideas? I am 4 months post op. I will ask my doc about it at my next appt in a week.

Glad you are mending! That must have been so scary!!

Once I went on the liquid diet, it helped a LOT. I saw immediate success and it helped convince me to take better care of myself. Hopefully you can feel the same success. GL!

It is possible the sudden resistance is swelling. Did you eat something/some way to perhaps cause some swelling? if i were you, I'd call your doc ASAP or go to the ER!! You may have a slip, and if liquids aren't even going down, you know that is life threatening. Better safe than sorry!!

I still get tender a little, but the doc said not to worry, it's minor. I do notice that I am sore after I do ab workouts too. PS I ran my first 5k (ALL the way running!!) in Sept. I love Couch to 5k for getting me started! Woooo

At my latest support group (which is banders and sleevers) the nurse pointed out that newly post op patients should ask their docs about using the bullet blenders because they can add too much air into the shakes. Good to know.

OK folks, what's your plan for food today? Breakfast - Cinnamon Bun Protein shake (Bariatric fusion brand, I give it a B+. Good taste, no texture) lunch will probably be 1/2 cup chili with a sprinkle of cheese. dinner will be homemade hamburgers (actually turkey, and no bun) with veggies on the side. Snacks will be cherry tomatoes and peas from our garden with some deli chicken. What do you plan to eat today?

I have always struggled with a B shaped belly. Well now the bottom apron of fat is disappearing pretty nicely, but as I wear smaller clothes, the muffin top is getting worse looking. Besides Spanx or something similar, is there any way to encourage loss in that area? I've done crunches and all sorts of exercise, but the soft muffin flab is really looking horrible. Any ideas?

@SandyM OMG!!!! SO FUNNY!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:

I think the basic question we all should be asking ourselves is: Are we better off than last year at this time? Are we going in the right direction? Journeys of any kind take a while. It doesn't matter how long, as long as we are making progress.

You've been under once, you'll be fine this time too!! Glad they found what was wrong. You'll be healing nicely soon!!!

¡Bienvenido!

I am glad I didn't tell anyone at work--they are such judgmental ignoramuses sometimes!! My bestie at work wouldn't even understand. She can't understand my unexplained weight loss to begin with, and seems very jealous of it. I don't care. To the original poster, I would confront the gossipy person and make them feel like the heel that s/he is!! Just be honest and say calmly, "You know, I heard about what you said and it really wasn't very nice. Why would you say something so cruel?" and then sit back and watch her/him squirm!!!!!!!!! hahahah

@arch002 Just keep to it!! From about March to July I didn't really lose much, but now it's coming off again. Yours will too!