IndioGirl55

Jackie - Soup sounds good - with the cold weather we are having - I make more soups... Will give this one a try.. Peaches - We have tons of junk in the lunch room form all our insurance companies - harry & david - mrs. fields etc - thankfully i am in another wings of the office so I am not exposed to it - except when I go to the lunch room to eat lunch - but I look at the calories on whatever is there and it say 2 cookies 190 - I say forget it I don't want it that bad and it seems that its not as tasty as i remember - yesterday had soup for lunch and 1 cracker with the smoked salmon - and a gf mom made homemade cookie - they were outside her desk - I told her i have to walk by 4 times - so please put them where i can't see them - she did as i was going to walk the other way back to my desk - and when I looked they weren't there - so I went by her desk and told her thanks. Homemade will get me before store bought any day. I am saving myself for when I make xmas cookies w/GDers - I will allow myself 5 or 10 haven't made up my mind yet

Salsa - Couldn't have said it any better - this says it all - IMHO i think this is why we have all at one time or another gained our weight back and them some... I truely believe its all about balance and exercise. I will eat a whole small piece of cake for a special occassion (bdays etc) but I won't bake a cake and keep it in the house - I don't have that kind of control ...

Thanks Dr. Watkins !!!! My doc told me I had the new band (small) but since I am one who doesn't concern myself with how many cc's i get at a fill - I didn't know it held 10 cc - I do have a question - I don't know if it was this thread or another - but someone stated that their doc didn't/doesn't attach their band to the stomach or whatever it's attached too - (I am just a regular person I don't know all the medical terms as I am never going to be a doctor myself) - I thought this was very unusual.... as when my doc explained the surgery he said he attached the band - i thought this was to prevent slips.

Salsa - I understand doing a program - then stopping and can get back into the groove - WW was that way with me - we did it at work did great the 1st time then we all lost interest slowly - same thing with Jenny Craig... I know you will win this battle - Us Sisters in Blue (brother in blue like the cops) gotta be a good examples- helps to keep us honesty too,, And I am really glad to know that this is just to jump start your system - imho i think we will suceed in our battle of the buldge if we just learn to eat a well balanced food plan... 2Bskinny - Welcome - this is a great site for info and Lucky #7's is the GREATEST... 62 lbs iin 5 months is GREAT that's 12.4 each month:clap2: ( Had my colonoscopy on the 13th :biggrin1: of July. I know TMI ) I have been lucky so far as i have continuely lost each week - some weeks only 1/2 lb some 1 or 2 - Your body may be adjusting it's self - My doc did say that we will hit platuea (sp). I am afarid that my will be here soon. What are you eating - are you logging your food anywhere (fitday - sparks) or keeping a food diary and counting calories? Are you exercising? How is your restriction?? Are you getting enough protein and drinking your water. #1 reason to drink water is this is one of the ways that we flush the fat we have burn out of our system ( bet ya'll will start drinking your water now:p) This is hard, as, we have lost our best freind "food"- it is our drug of choice and it is very hard giving it up. We have to eat to live - I think it's harder for us than an alcholic - just think about an alcholic does limit their booze they quit all together - - but we have to have food to live - we can't just quit eating all together... We are all are having to deal with emotions that we use to cover up with our food - that emotion could be something as simple as boredom - or as tragic as losing a loved one or being abused. We now have to deal with those feelings and have to find ways to sooth ourselves with out food. We have to add exercise in to our daily lives which is hard since there aren't always enought hours in the days. We have to put ourselves first - which for some is very hard cuz they have always put others needs before theirs... But with the help of the band and the support from our friends (these ladies here are your friend - we all have been fat - we all know the feeling that you have we understand - go back to say page 400 and read forward what we talk about and you will understand what i am saying ) Tell us more about you and what you are doing and what you are struggling with and we will help you... Janet . Phyl - I see the numbers have moved some more :clap2::clap2: It's the water arobic (sp)

Susan - I think i lost 9 lbs the 1st week and have lost a little every week - some weeks just 1/2 lbs but so far have lost every week - What are you eating - are you counting calories or logging your food on fitday or sparks - sometime we under estimate the number of calories we are eating or it even could be you aren't eating enough - I started exercising after my 1st post op visit about 2 weeks after surgery (treadmill walking) I know that for me if I didn't exercise I would not be losing weight. Give me a typical days food intake.. Janet

Salsa - you are doing great on your weight loss and you were banded after me... I have to have a little carb - 1/2 c rice with dinner and had 1/2 red potatoe in my caldo res today.. If you don't want to eat snack at night don't - I don't eat snacks during the day - cuz I HAVE TO HAVE FOOD TO EAT AT NIGHT !!! Thanks - just watching them on TV is beautiful...

Crynside - I couldn't say it any better - I have BC CA I went directly to an approved surgeon in my book - after I called my carrier to make sure it was covered - 1st appt 5/31 - was banded on 7/17 and had tons of pre-op test cuz of my age and cuz I never go to the doc to get those nasty annual test. It's the best thing i have ever done - this site is so full of great info - keep reading and asking questions. We are here for you..

Hey Pam.. I am ok with salads too - I really don't have any no no's - sometime salami will stick a little - but I have had toast - grilled cheese - have rice most nites - only had pasta once in a great while and haven't in a long time - you get more rice for the calories than pasta.. I have pb'd on pudding or yogurt if eating too fast - for me that's what will bring on the pb being a little piggy and eating too fast....

Mango - Yep we are just to short for our weight You will enjoy being having an empty nest - at first it's a little hard - but then you get use to it and then they will want to come home:eek: - no more quickies in the living room

Jamie - you are ok - My doc says that some people don't need a fill right away - that the band in place is enought restriction for them - there was a lady at one of my support groups who was banded 4 months and never had a fill - it does happen :biggrin1: Tell your doc when you go in on the 11th - you may not even need a fill - if you don't you don't have to have one... Good Luck.. Stacy - I don't know anything about the french band - most of us who were banded from July on have the New AP band and for us it's stiched to our stomach (sort of) to keep it in place. You lost alot the first week and your body is adjusting. The band does not take away all your hunger imho - it helps but so much of what we consider hunger is really head hunger. I will eat feel full but still want to eat - Make healthy food choices and exercise when you are alllowed - You will do good

Linetta - You and I were/are lucky as we only had 7 days of pre-op diet where some have 2 full weeks or more... My diet was oatmeal, shake, and this awful tomatoe soup (that's all they had) and some good protein bars... Well I just could not do it - so I called the doc and asked if I could have a small piece of baked fish and a little salad for dinner - (i was going to do it anyway but did want their permission too) they said yes I could. Plus I had a colonoscopy 4 days before surgery so I had 2 days of that 7 that I was on clear liquids only - the day before surgery wasn't hard cuz I was nervous and for me nervse kill my appetite.. I hope that you understand that this is only a tool - you are in for a lifetime lifestyle change - 75% of the work is up to you and the band will do the other 25% - You have to change your eating from what it is now to a healthy low fat - low sugar eating plan and add exercise into your life. I am so very happy to be banded - and for an old lady :pthink i have done pretty well - but I choose to eat very healthy 98% of the time and I exercise usually 5 days a week We all think we are going to miss the foods that we ate pre-banded -but you know what - I really don't - when I do allow myself a treat - it's never as good as i remembered... And you can eat those foods every now and then - they aren't gone for life ... Good Luck !!!! You can do this .... You will feel so much better once your weight comes off you won't miss the food as much as you think

Yes - I think that what we all provide to each other - the helping hand... Ya - I haven't done the xmas cookie or tamales yet - was just looking at the calendar and thinking when did DIL tell me she was off - I think it's the 22nd so that's when we will be cooking - I will allow myself treats but I will exercise to make up for the treats.. Thank you Linda !!!- Sometimes I think I come off to ridged and truely give tough LOVE in my heart - I know the struggles that we all have with our trigger foods and right now is a very different time for us - cuz in the past we would have PIGGED OUT on all the junk - but do you really miss it - when i do have a treat - it's not really as good as i remember plus then I worry about the scales not moving on my weigh in day - I have been so very lucky that even if its only 1/2 lbs the scales have kept moving downwards - this band does help so much... Last nite had munchies - had some pig skins 8= 80 calorie - I had about 4 or 5 and was full - so where before I could eat half the bag if not the whole bag I had just enought - GREAT NSV for me - the last couple of nites have only gotten up and drank some juice (lite). Sometimes for me the first few bites go down easy then like you Linda - It will hit me - even with the pig skins last nite had just a tad of slime (tmi) Well, it's Monday morning another week of work - I have a dentist appt on Wed - I love my dentist - but ..... I am afarid i am going to have to have a tooth pulled - it's already had a root canal and I think it's loose - but will put off til next yr cuz I just did flex spending account for next yr to help cover the cost- I expect when all is said and done even with insurance - tooth pulled - new bridge i will be out over $1000 Well Ladies - Have a good day - MAKE GOOD food CHOICES & GET YOUR EXERCISE IN... I will check in later - if I can - depends on my el-groovo boss...

Kristin - For me it's can be the 1st or 2nd or 3rd - but yes - it's like taking it's sweet time going down - i can't say it hurts but is a little uncomfortable - I had 1/2 cup eat beatter omlette today - and the first few bites when down slowy - and felt them - it's like your band need to warm up ...

You lose some restriction once you have healed and the swelling goes down - this is what is refered to as banders hell - waiting for a fill I had to wait about 6 weeks before my 1st fill - it was good for about the 1st week and a half - then loosen up - called and went back 10/24 and now i am at my sweet spot - a piece of fried chicken isn't cheating - it might not be the healthiest food choice - grilled vs fried - but you aren't doing it every day so don't fret... 39 lbs thatin less than a month or did that include your pre-op weight loss too... You are doing all the right things - eating healthy 99% of the time and exercise - you will suceed...

Akis - my doc & nutritionist both state "healthy low fat sugar free eating program" You need to eat Protein 1st then veggies and if any room some carbs. This is a lifetime lifestyle change and not a diet. To lose weight eat healthy and exercise and with the help of the band as a tool to help control your portion size once you get proper restriction which can take awhile - a healthy well balance food program is in order as you have to retrain yourself and your eating habits for life..

I just read this article and though of us here - Great support system and encourgement is the secret.... People succeed not through will power but through a relationship with a person or group who shows them the way. Not just any relationship will do it has to be an emotional relationship with someone who inspires hope & belief. Who makes you say if she can do it I can too. You find others who are food eaters just like yourself – When you see your peers making the change in their eating habits & exercise you realize it can be done. 3 Steps Relating (relationship) Repeating (practicing) Reframing (thinking in a new way) You look for people who intrigue you and make you say “I’d like to be like her – how does that work for her Form relationships and learn from them – you can’t argue with a living breathing person in front of you who had done it – Model yourself after them – Act like your life depends on it (it really does cuz the fats going to kill you)

I just read this article and though of us here - Great support system and encourgement is the secret.... People succeed not through will power but through a relationship with a person or group who shows them the way. Not just any relationship will do it has to be an emotional relationship with someone who inspires hope & belief. Who makes you say if she can do it I can too.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> You find others who are food eaters just like yourself – When you see your peers making the change in their eating habits & exercise you realize it can be done. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> 3 Steps<o:p></o:p> Relating (relationship) Repeating (practicing) Reframing (thinking in a new way)<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> You look for people who intrigue you and make you say “I’d like to be like her – how does that work for her <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Form relationships and learn from them – you can’t argue with a living breathing person in front of you who had done it – Model yourself after them – Act like your life depends on it (it really does cuz the fats going to kill you)<o:p></o:p>

Gang Take the words of failure & cheating out of your vocabulary... Replace them with fell off the band wagon & treats. When you fall off you get up and dust your butt off and march on - and if you have a treat it's not a cheat - I agree with Jacqui and the all or nothing - It's not that one piece of cake that made you fat but the 2nd & 3rd on. I will tell you all my humble opionion - you do have to work at this - you have to make a lifetime lifestyle change in your eating habits - you need to make healthy low fat low sugar food choices and you have to add exercise in to your life. If you continue your poor eating habits and don't exercise you are not going to lose weight - plan and simple You can do this... Your life is at stake.... Food is our drug of choice and it's killing us.. Once you start eating healthy you will feel better and not crave those treat as often and once you see the scale moving down wards you will have additional motivation If you have a treat - pay for it by increasing your exercise and reducing your calorie the next day. I truely beleive in keeping a food diary and logging every bit of food that passes your lips - It will show you what you are eating - if you are eating too much or maybe even not enough. You gotta quit the pitty parties and thinking this is too hard - You gotta step up and do the work - they banded your tummy - but not your head and the real problems lies there...

Coney You can lose your hair some do some don't - depressed ??? losing your best friend "Food" is hard and even now I miss eating sometimes. You need to read read read everything on this board good & bad. The band is not the magic cure to your food issues - it's only a tool - you will have to eat healthier and exercise - the tool part is that you feel full faster once you have proper restriction and that can take a while and for some the band won't let them eat certain foods - such as bread, You can eat around your band - this means things like ice cream, milk shakes, Cookies and chips to name a few - go right threw and these are high calorie foods. As far as how long does it take - you are self pay so as soon as the doc has an opening. For me even with insurance it only took about 2 weeks to get approved - I had surgery 6 weeks after my first visit with the suregon. Good luck on your journey...

GOOD JOB :clap2: THERE REALLY ISN'T A RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER...

Marcy I was just watching good morning america - and they were talking about the northern lights - it's so beautiful - can you see them from where you are??

I use unjury unflavored & choc in the liquid stage - I get my protein now by real food - 1 oz of meat has 7 oz of protein... I only do shakes after a fill as my doc requires full liquid for the 1st week after a fill.

I understand both side - hitting begets hitting - but I am old school and i beleive a little swat on the butt isn't going to damage the child - my grandaughter was about 3 ran into the street after me telling her not to - she got a powpow as she called it and never did it again - she's 13 now and remembers it. I am lucky I usually just have to raise my voice with my youngest gd who is 3 now - Abuse can be verbal and phyisical ... I remember the verbal stuff more than i remember the spankings - I am against the State telling me what I can and can't do in my house and i am not talking about illegal stuff - but just normal every day things. BB has too much power...

Congratulation Phyl :clap2::clap2::bounce::whoo: Yes it's not raining any longer and to the east it's clearing up - but look south - dark clouds - I don't know which way the storm is comming from and my thingie says it's 49... Love it.. Looks like all next week will be sweater weather for us desert rats - it's going to be in the 60 this coming week -

CONGRATULATIONS :wow2::first::cheer2::horn: