morethanbabyfat

I cook huge portions too, but I bought these great 4 oz containers, and I package everything up and bring it to work for lunch. But I usually end up eating the same thing for a whole week, which is probably why I get sick of it, and then grab junk. Ok, so at the risk of letting ALL of my business hang out,I have to let you know that I have some assistance in the hair department. It's only mine because I paid for it! :lunch:

Hey EbonyRose, That is me, thanks for your kind words! I've had two fills so far, and I actually think I've got pretty good restriction. The problem is the slider foods. It's like the convenience stores call out to me...I live in NYC, so there's at least one on every block. I always feel like I need to go in a pick up a bag of cheddar and sour cream Ruffles (I believe those things are laced with crack). I've heard of the rubber band thing, but I also would be black and blue...and cranky by the end of the day! I can squeeze into a 16 right now, but I recently bought a size 16 dress from H&M that makes me look like a streetwalker, instead of like I'm going to work, which is where I want to wear it, so I've estimated that I need to lose another 5-10 lbs to wear it comfortably. It's hanging outside my closet door as motivation. I'm going to look into the charm bracelet too. That will definitely keep me motivated! Somehow, the thought of buying jewelry is more exciting than a bag of chips. Thanks for that suggestion...

Hi all, I don't post very often, but I really need some encouragement...was banded November 24th, and weight loss was great for the first 2 months. Third month, I slacked up on my healthy choices and lost about 7 lbs. But now, I'm a total mess. Chips, chocolate, donuts, you name it. Initially, I convinced myself it was ok, because I was PMS'ing. But three weeks of PMS cravings? I know I'm making horrible choices, but just can't get motivated. What's ridiculous is that I can't even really eat bread, so I'll eat a donut fully knowing it will get stuck. I exercise twice a week (two hour high energy dance class) after work, but on the weekends I just can't get off the couch. I find that the only reason I even make semi-healthy choices at work is because a couple co-workers know I'm banded and I wouldn't want them to catch me eating the wrong thing. I've already been to the nutritionist, and gotten a list of healthy snacks and meal choices. I just need to get it together!

I was banded just before Thanksgiving, and my doc said it was ok to drink a little for Christmas and New Years (in moderation of course). No beer though. I stuck to vodka with diet cranberry juice. As far as soda, I never really drank the stuff pre-surgery, and haven't had any since then. As far as I've been told, we really should stay away from carbonation.

Wow, I never thought I would tell my business on the web, but LoveIsLovely it seems like I wrote this myself...a childhood of sexual abuse, followed by a teenage sexual assault. Toss in a tense, broken family situation and here I am. When I went away to college I went wild with the food and I swore exercise was something only "white folks" did. And then the drinking began and I would find myself coming home from class or work every night with a 15 piece order of wings, a large order of cheese wedges, and a bottle of Paul Masson brandy. And I'd top it all off with a Black and Mild cigar. Real classy, huh? By my final year of school, I had gained 60 lbs. I never thought (and still don't think) I had a food obsession. It just tasted damn good, and I had nothing better to do. But I have since acknowledged my issues with alcohol and the underlying esteem issue. When I had my pre-op psych consult, I planned to breeze through with a pasted smile and a story about portion control. But I found myself spilling my guts to the doc, and I realized just how much my past has contributed to self-desctructive behavior. It's been a tough ride, but with God on my side, and the band in my belly, I'm working toward a truly healthy life.

I know that's right! My goal is to actually find one that will make me look busty though, because I know once the weight comes down, so will my cup size!

My scars are healing very well. I don't keloid. But I still won't be wearing any bikinis once I get to my goal weight because I have terrible dark stretch marks all over my belly. I think the stretch marks have been more embarassing for me than the actual weight gain. Especially since I have no children! Would the vitamin E work on them too, or is it too late?

Had my first fill today, and talk about painful! I wasn't even expecting to get one since my surgery was less than 3 weeks ago, but the doc seemed to think it was ok, especially since he doesn't have any appointments open before the new year. But back to the fill...I hate needles anyway, so that was the first thing. Then he wiggled it around for about 30 seconds before taking it out and sticking the needle in again:blink:. That time he got it, but I thought I was going to cry! And then he breezed out of the office without giving me so much as a Bandaid (which I really needed). I trust my doc, and have heard lots of good about his capabilities but he's way too pressed for time whenever I see him. I think that's why it hurt so much...

I'm on my thin puree stage, and today I had Beech Nut Stage 2 butternut squash (4oz), mixed with 1oz unsweetened applesauce, a pat of butter and a pinch of Lowry's seasoned salt. Nuked in the microwave for about 45 sec. Not very nutritious, I don't think, but so yummy! A nice savory change from the protein shakes and blended yogurt.

Hey Pat! Glad to see you're recovering well. Your holiday drink sounds great, I may have to try it. My surgery was yesterday at 8:30am, and I got home around 4pm. I've been sipping broth and having sugar free jello. It's funny, I feel super hungry but when I do "eat", I can't get much down. I didn't have any gas pain yesterday but I feel a bit of discomfort from the gas today. I hope it doesn't last too long...

My surgery is at 8:30 tomorrow morning...I'm not really as nervous as I could be. It kind of comes and goes. I'm more anxious about the prospect of surgery, than about the actual band. I've never even broken a bone! Wish me luck everybody. I'll be sure to let you all know how I'm doing on Tuesday when I'm back at home.

Thanks Mocha! Good luck with your fill... If I could have scheduled my surgery a couple of weeks earlier, I might still be able to enjoy Thanksgiving. At least I could eat mashed potatoes! One of the things I think I'll struggle with (as silly as it may seem) is that food Network is easily my favorite channel, and around the holidays they air all these great specials with holiday recipes :thumbup: So I'll need to find another way to keep busy...

Hi all, My surgery is scheduled for the 24th, just a few days before Thanksgiving. I'm actually planning on staying home, because I'll still be transitioning from Clear liquids to full liquids and all the food around me will just be torture. Last weekend I cooked a mini-Thanksgiving for my mom and siblings and they'll just eat elsewhere on that day. I'm a little nervous (and sad) to be home alone on Thanksgiving but much of my extended family doesn't know, and I'd like to keep it that way.

I've found that the Target version of Spanx just doesn't hold up as well. I bought a set, and they ripped within a few weeks. It could just be that I'm too rough on them, but I far prefer the more expensive ones. They turn out to be a better investment IMHO.

Just found out my surgery date yesterday, I'm November 24th also WHOO-HOO!!! Only problem is, none of my friends or family is nearly as excited as I am. They're actually sort of nonchalant it seems...My doctor hasn't given me any specific pre-op diet besides eating healthier and cutting out juice so it almost doesn't seem real. Anyone else feel that way?

I went to te seminar, which was pretty informative. Decided to go with Dr. Roslin since I couldn't find anyone that used Dr. Shah. One of the nurses informed me that he performs more general surgery than bariatric procedures. Dr. Roslin was great, though I felt like he didn't spend much time getting to know me. But I get that's what medical histories are for?

Hey ladies, *I'm 23 years old (24 in two weeks woohoo!) *from Brooklyn NY *5'5, 261 and been overweight all my life. But I got REALLY overweight my 2nd-3rd year of college when I started taking birth control. 60lbs in one year *Not yet banded, I have my orientation/seminar tonight *I work as an event planner at a nonprofit *Proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. OOO-OOP to the sorors I've seen on this forum *Only my mom, boyfriend, and select girlfriends know about my decision. The rest of my family is just too negative Anyone around my age in my area? Would be great to have a buddy...

Has anyone used, or heard of Dr. Paresh Shah from Lenox Hill Hospital/ Manhattan Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery Program? I'm going to a seminar there tomorrow afternoon.

Hi there, I'm new to this forum, and new to the entire lap band process I guess. I'm 23 years old, 5'5 1/2, and I weigh 261. I've always been a little "thick" but gained about 60 lbs in one year due to the Depo-Provera birth control shot. Being overweight is kind of accepted in African-American culture (as far as men go) , so at first I didn't mind, but my family is really unsupportive of my weight issue (name calling and nasty comments when I eat), and I recently found out that I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol so time for a change! I have my orientation tomorrow, and I'm really excited but a little nervous. Never had any kind of surgery before. Wish me luck!