lapbandgirl4life

Hi everyone. Congrats on everyone's success! This thread is so inspirational. I'm going to read it everytime I start to feel sorry for myself. I was banded 6 weeks ago, and as of today have lost a total of 48 pounds. I had my first fill yesterday, so I'm hoping now I won't be so hungry at times. Like most in this thread, I'm exercising on a regular basis. I workout at the fitness center 6 days a week, and even though I don't work out on sundays, I still manage to walk 2-3 miles outdoors. I just hit a milestone... I'm under 300. 297 to be exact. I'm well upon my way!

Sorry for double posting, but I wanted to share this poem with all those struggling and adjusting to their new lifestyle, because eventually, with enough courage, we'll all soon be walking another street and finally stop this cycle of self-destruction. Poem In Five Chapters By Portia Nelson Chapter I I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost ---- I am helpless ---- it isn’t my fault. . . . . It takes forever to find a way out. Chapter II I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place ---- but it isn’t my fault. . . . It still takes a long time to get out. Chapter III I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in . . . . It is a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately. Chapter IV I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. Chapter V I walk down another street.

I'm sorry your fill was cancelled. I was banded on 2/5, so it's been 5 weeks since my surgery. In that time I've lost exactly 40 pounds. My first fill is on 3/17 and I can't wait. Like many others, I have been having the hunger pains, but it' more head hunger than anything. I find if I pop a piece of sugar free gum, or take a walk or do anything to distract myself for a few moments, it passes. My doctor doesn't believe in snacking or protein shakes, so my meals are small, but packed with protein, calicum, and fiber. I've discovered FiberOne (original) is a great tasting and crunchy alternative to chips. I eat 1/4 cup with every meal. Also, drinking water between meals is essential to staying satisfied. I can honestly say that everytime I've gotten head hunger, it's when I have been slacking on my fluid intake. I realize water gets boring, so to change it up a bit, get some crystal lite. I really enjoy the lemonade. It's tart and refreshing and is a great substitute for soda or sweet drinks. I'm also very careful about sugar intake. I tend to make sure the things I eat have a low content or are sugar substituted, as well as caffiene free. The dietician told me both of those things can increase your appetite. I hope this helps. :mad2:

I was banded exactly 3 weeks ago. As of today, since surgery, I am down 31 pounds. I have to admit though, it's not been easy, but then again, I knew all along it wouldn't be. My first fill is on 3/17, so needless to say, I have very little restriction at this time, but just because I physically CAN eat anything, doesn't mean I'm going to. I'm not even going to try. It defeats the purpose of everything I've done to get here. I have been following my Dr's rules, which includes exercise and I've found that working the band as its meant to be worked give the best results. Best of luck.

You're exactly right, texasnole, don't stop now! I was also on a pre-op diet and let me tell you, once you're banded, the dieting part is sooooooo much easier! I was banded on the feb 5th, and as of today, since surgery, I'm down 21 pounds. So dont second guess yourself! :tongue2:

This is a great thread, but I was just banded on 2/5 and I don't start the mushy stage until 2/23, and then no solids until 2 weeks after that... so it may be a while before I can contribute with any accuracy on what works and what doesnt, but you definitely have the right idea. My doctor stresses organization and plan, plan, plan. So I'll be back, and I'm looking forward to swapping recipes then!

Hi Ale78, You nailed it when you mentioned that you needed to figure out how you got to where you are now. I'm actually scheduling an appointment with a therapist to do a bit of searching myself. From your post, it seems like we have a lot in common when it comes to mothers. I actually told my mother and it's been a rocky road. Before I got banded she actually said (and this is a direct quote) "i dont care how much weight you lose, I'll never support you because i dont believe it's right". I was banded on the 5th, and since then, her conversations have revolved around nothing but food. Food this to Food that. When my sister-in-law even said something to her, my mom's response was "she needs to learn to deal with it" haha. Yep. It's rather daunting and a bit depressing to realize someone has such awful intentions, but i guess that's why i probably need to see a therapist, so I can learn new ways to cope with such insanity! :thumbup:

Hi. Not sure if this has been answered yet, but this is the shopping list my Dr. gave me (I was banded on 2-5). -Measuring cups and spoons -Artificial sweetner -Crystal Lite (any flavor) -Instant hot cereals (cream of wheat, cream of rice, or cocoa wheats) NOT oatmeal -Applesauce -Smooth yogurt (no sugar added, no fruit chunks) -Sugar free popsicles -Fruit juice pops -Sugar free jello -Custard (no sugar added) -100% fruit juices (apple, orange, grape, fruit punch, pomegranite, etc) -V-8 juice (NOT V-8 splash) -Skim or 1% milk -Cream soups (Cream of tomato, chicken, mushroom. (Must be chunk free) -Broth, Bouillon, Consomme -Multivitamins (any brand children's COMPLETE) chewable. Hope this helps!

Hi. I'm having my physical on Thursday. I guess the physical is like any other physical, pap, blood work, etc. In addition to this I guess my doctor also wants a pulmonary function test and a chest x-ray. I'm looking at my check list here and it seems like there's more that he could have ordered to be done but did not - such as EKG and a cardiac echo. Hope this helps you out.

congrats! I'm scheduled for the 5th. I also have to do my prep class (for meds, etc) on jan 28th, and have my pre-op physical (which I'm dreading!!!) on jan 29th, but after that I'm smoooth sailing.

My band date is also the 5th!! :yikes: I have already started on my pre-op diet. I'm scheduled for surgery at 8am, but have to arrive at the hospital by 6am. I cannot wait!

I completely understand, but when I said the same thing to my doctor, her response was, "a friend? a friend wouldn't kill you, would she?" From that point on, I stopped looking at food as a friend, in fact, I stopped grieving. I'm not waving goodbye to food, instead I'm choosing to say %$#@ you! If food was a friend, I'd be able to think back upon the memories and recall all the great times, but for me, that is not the case at all. Changing isnt easy, but it's going to take a lot more to set me back this time.

I have BCBS and I was approved in 5 days! Granted, I started researching and prepping several months before my surgeon submitted it to the insurance. Prior to seeing the surgeon, I completed my psych eval, sleep study, ekg. I started on a supervised diet and have lost 44 pounds, and it was only after taking these steps and showing how motivated I was did I schedule an appointment to see the surgeon. At that time, they submitted everything and as I mentioned, within 5 days, I had an "approved" so all the hard work was well worth it. That said, I truly feel the hard work is just beginning. I yesterday I have received all the paperwork including the liquid pre-op diet I need to be on to shrink my liver. I'm actually staying very positive about it and I think this liquid diet will also help ease me into the strict post-op diet. I can't tell you guys how excited I am for all of us. I know it sounds so corny about this being a new lease on life, but for me, I truly believe that's exactly what it is, it's a new start. I hope we can all keep in touch and give each other support throughout. Surgery date is Feb 5th. I have to be at the hospital at 6am and they cut me up at 8am! I have to stay overnight, but I'm okay with that. How is everyone else coming along?

YES! I am finally approved and scheduled for Feb. 5th!!

Hi Erica. Congrats on the banding! I just had my consult last week, but all the paperwork will be submitted to the insurance by the end of the year, so I'll know the first week in January when I'll be able to get the banding. It's tough right now with the holidays - especially since I'm not banded yet, but I'm just taking it day by day and know that next week the holidays will be over and it'll be back to normal- whatever that is! I understand about the weight. I'm only 5'3. Have you found an exercise program that works for you? If not, maybe we could buddy up since we weigh about the same and go through this together. Feel free to privately message me, if you'd like. I've found some decent programs that seem to get me moving without causing injury! So how did the surgery itself go? What was your weight on the day of the surgery and how did you fair with recovery?

Does anyone else dream about food, or am I just plain nuts? I have not been banded yet, but I am on a six month supervised diet which has me on a 1200 calorie diet (and I have been strictly adhering too). Just today I had a dream that I was gorging down cheesecake lol. It was crazy and so vivid that I woke up thinking I had sabotaged my entire diet! I wish I could say this was the first time I've had these sorts of dreams, but it's not. Since starting my diet, I've been having at least 3 a week. I guess I shouldnt be all that surprised though. When I quit smoking I dreamt of cigarettes too and woke up thinking I had smoked lol. Anyway, I hope I'm not the only one here that does this sort of crap. :biggrin:

Why are you guys WAITING for men to ask YOU out? Approach them! Are you scared of rejection? Well, guess what it happens, and we all have gone through it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Also, like others have said, you really need to start loving yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.

I have not been banded yet. I'm still doing a six month supervised diet. However, I have started NOW. I am on a 1200 calorie diet and I plan and document everything. I find it keeps me honest, and l also feel a sense of achievement looking at my weight loss each week. I not only plan my meals, but I also plan my exercise. Heck. I even have Thanksgiving all worked out so I don't "fail". I realize this sort of strict structure may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm a food addict, and I cannot be trusted yet! lol

I'm down 5 pounds for the week and I feel really good about myself. I saw the dietician today as well as a fitness coordinator, so now, as of tonight, I've started coordinating exercise into my diet routine. I also spoke to the doctor and she was totally supportive of banding, which was a great relief. Things seem to be rolling in the right direction and I couldn't be happier. I am scheduled now for weigh in's at the doctor's office every 2 weeks, so that additional structure should also help me get through this critical time.

I'm down 5 pounds for the week and I feel really good about myself. I saw the dietician today as well as a fitness coordinator, so now, as of tonight, I've started coordinating exercise into my diet routine. I also spoke to the doctor and she was totally supportive of banding, which was a great relief. Things seem to be rolling in the right direction and I couldn't be happier. I am scheduled now for weigh in's at the doctor's office every 2 weeks, so that additional structure should also help me get through this critical time. :confused:

Well, I've caught the seasonal cold that is making the rounds. My nose is like someone turned a faucet on. The upside is that I am not at all hungry. Anyway, I got my cpap machine and apparently I am a mouth breather. Lovely huh? Boy oh boy I cant wait to drop this weight so I dont need that stupid machine! I guess I wouldnt mind it, but when my throat is raw or I wake up feeling like I'm suffocating - it's a little off-putting lol. Wednesday is weigh day and I'm excited. I also see the nutritionist, so we'll see what happens then. I am still waiting for a call from the mental health clinic for my psych eval. It'd be really nice to get that out of the way already.

Well, I've caught the seasonal cold that is making the rounds. My nose is like someone turned a faucet on. The upside is that I am not at all hungry. Anyway, I got my cpap machine and apparently I am a mouth breather. Lovely huh? Boy oh boy I cant wait to drop this weight so I dont need that stupid machine! I guess I wouldnt mind it, but when my throat is raw or I wake up feeling like I'm suffocating - it's a little off-putting lol. Wednesday is weigh day and I'm excited. I also see the nutritionist, so we'll see what happens then. I am still waiting for a call from the mental health clinic for my psych eval. It'd be really nice to get that out of the way already.

I'm with you BeverlyJane. I am only a few pounds shy of being under the 60 BMI mark, but I doubt I'll be moving to the 50 BMI group anytime soon, simply because this is where I started and this is the group of people I feel most "connected" to and hopefully people will still hang around to support those who are well into their journey and those just starting out. :biggrin:

I'm on a 1200 calorie diet too. I'm going on my second week. It can be difficult at times, but I've found "fitday" to be wonderful. It's a journal and an excellent teaching tool. It always makes me feel really accomplished to put in everything that I eat, even down to a squirt of ketchup. It helps you find where you're having problems at too. Some other advice? Keep busy. Read a book. Clean a closet. Brush your teeth to get that "hand to mouth" craving satisfied. If you do something, anything, you'll find the craving passes rather quickly. I'm not just talking out of my ass either, lol, I've been smoke-free for a year now.

Congrats to all. I still have a few months to go. In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through you guys!