JustWatchMe

I was scared of altering my stomach because I watched my mom have stomach issues due to arthritis meds, and she needed emergency bleeding ulcer surgery. That whole thing frightened me since I don't know how badly damaged my stomach might already be from years of arthritis meds myself. The sleeve and RNY were so drastic in my eyes. The band seemed like a gentler way to go, and I figured if the worst happened to me, I could always have it removed. Now that I've done the band, I realize how much work living with a band requires. For me this is good work. I'm forced to eat well or else I get stuck. The green zone is a tricky thing, but the longer I live with my band, the more respect I have for it. I never want to get a slip or erosion.

I have 52 pounds left to lose to get to my goal. Congratulations on your long term success! Since I'm new and no expert I'll just say what I've heard before. Get back to basics and start like you were fresh out of surgery. liquids first few days, then introduce solids and Protein protein protein. Many people say when they do the liquid thing it resets their band restriction. Eating protein and really staying off carbs means longer satiety, at least for me. When I eat carbs they don't hold me and I can eat so much more of them. Luckily I like meat. Also, log your food. You'd be surprised what you're really eating once you keep track. I use MyFitnessPal and even if I have a godawful food day, I truthfully track everything I eat and drink. It's a wakeup call. And don't drink your calories. And don't drink with meals. I wish you the best. You're an inspiration to me!

Eating less food and higher protein, I don't go every day. But I found four ounces of prune juice gets things regular.

Not too bad. Got the stairs in, got my water in. Had 1520 calories instead of 1200 but it's okay. Off to an OA meeting now and then a bubble bath. Freezing my skinny ass off here in Chicago. Loving this thread.

I'm sorry it hasn't worked for you. This sounds miserable. Does your surgeon have any ideas, like a revision to sleeve?

Three trips down and up the stairs at work so far, and two to go before I leave. I didn't leave the building at lunch. Too cold. Brought hummus for lunch and had that. I'll fill my water bottle next and switch from decaf to water.

Alex, what would any of us do without you? Your site was the primary source of information for me and still is. Kudos to you. I will add a suggestion from my own experience. You can go to free WLS support groups from different hospitals. They usually meet monthly. I went to three different ones. I just kept my mouth shut at the ones that weren't my hospital, and listened to people talk. I share at my own. I needed more support than one meeting a month. I also attend RNY and Sleeve groups even though I am a bander, because most of what is shared applies across the board.

Yay for your new life!!! Tips from Bandland. Karate chops to your neck and shoulder. Ask a friend. Also walk walk walk. I had a treadmill and walked every day. Stay off the scale. It's normal to gain a small amount a couple weeks after surgery and it freaks you out. Weigh only at the doctor until your first fill, then weekly. Stay connected here and congratulations!!!

I did lose a lot of hair and it's starting to grow back now. I had thick hair to begin with. I'm worried because I'm having another minor non-WLS surgery this week with anesthesia and I'm afraid of losing it again. I just worry about the follicles giving up. My mom lost her hair twice on methotrexate for her RA and it didn't come back after the second round. She's totally bald and wears a wig.

Love my FitBit. I couldn't meet ten thousand very often so I lowered the goal and it helps. You get reminders when you're close and it spurs you to finish for the day. Today I will stay under 1200 calories. I'll walk the stairs each way at work five times (two flights). I'll take a walk outdoors at lunchtime. Hey, it's 23 degrees. Practically summer. Hold me accountable!! HMA! HMA! Pretty ambitious for a Monday, yes?

No, but morning is tighter than evening. It's a matter of gravity, with blood evenly distributed in tissues and organs while sleeping, but going to the lower extremities while standing up. Or so I read. Actually makes sense to me since I can see the same thing in my feet.

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. I'm looking ahead to plastics some day myself. I have no advice since I'm still in my first year, but just sending support. I hope things turn around for you.

Great job!

Now my eldest is sitting on a tarmac waiting for her plane to be de-iced. Gotta love Chicago winters. Not.

The salsa chicken was leftovers, and I actually just had a salad and was full, so I stopped at 800 calories for the day. Hard to believe I just typed that. Recipe for salsa chicken: Eight boneless skinless chicken thighs. One large jar of green tomatillo salsa. One or two packets of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix. I like two. Put it all in a crockpot on low for six hours. Serve with tortillas or rice. Yum. Yum. Yum.

I was told to avoid pasta in favor of protein choices. Not to say I never eat it now because I do. But that early out of surgery I was told 800 calories a day and make it protein based.

My pooch got his neighborhood walk today after missing it for a week due to sub zero temperatures. It was 27 balmy degrees this early morning, so back to walking it was! My goal for dinner is to keep it under 500 calories since my lunch contained Thai noodles and went over 600. So my plan is Protein. Salsa chicken and a salad.

Search relaxation on YouTube. I listen to motivational recordings on my lunch hour at work. I use a headset instead of earbuds.

Thanks, Arlene. I was afraid I wouldn't hear from her, but at 4am my time, I was already getting text messages from her demanding j remove the Facebook photos I posted of her kissing me goodbye. "Delete those photos NOW! I look awful!" That's my girl. All is well. I miss her already.

My dimples returned which makes my smile much younger. I do have a turkey wattle now but it seems to come and go. That sounds weird but I noticed that same thing happen on a good friend who lost 100 pounds years ago. I started to notice her wattle, but then a few months later it seemed to tighten up. So I'm hoping mine snaps back over time. No matter what, I look younger and happier than I have in years.

Sending cyber hugs to you.

Okay, it's midday in Madrid and she's at her host home, safe and sound! One down, one to go!

Good post, as usual.

Never ever ever give up on yourself !!!!

Ok so much for accountability for me. Totally blew right through my calorie goal. Aagghh! Ok, tomorrow is a new day. My daughter left for Madrid, and now I wait for a message after she lands. My other daughter leaves for her college tomorrow.