djzlady96

:thumbup:2010 is certainly a brand new year, and it is certainly a brand new me. I am so excited about this year. I am now 10 months post op, and WOW, what a journey. I am currently 62 pounds lighter than I was on 3/9/09 and I am so thrilled. It is a new life all aound. Does anyone just sometimes sit there and look at yourself and feel totally amazed? I do all the time. Funny things have been happening that I am totally not used to have happening. I got whistled at by 2 young guys. I'd say 19. Had to laugh. Then I was on a business trip this past week, and three movers (Self Storage Business) were moving a lady into our store and they told my managers I was HOT. I bet I turned 15 shades of red. Totally not used to these things. In this journey I am learning a lot about myself. Right now I am learning that my mental has to catch up with my physical. It's ok though, I am getting there. I just wanted to check in and wish you ALL a terrific new year. I hope it is a huge success for all of us. My goal is to lose 17 more pounds by 3/9/10, wish me luck:)

:thumbup:2010 is certainly a brand new year, and it is certainly a brand new me. I am so excited about this year. I am now 10 months post op, and WOW, what a journey. I am currently 62 pounds lighter than I was on 3/9/09 and I am so thrilled. It is a new life all aound. Does anyone just sometimes sit there and look at yourself and feel totally amazed? I do all the time. Funny things have been happening that I am totally not used to have happening. I got whistled at by 2 young guys. I'd say 19. Had to laugh. Then I was on a business trip this past week, and three movers (Self Storage Business) were moving a lady into our store and they told my managers I was HOT. I bet I turned 15 shades of red. Totally not used to these things. In this journey I am learning a lot about myself. Right now I am learning that my mental has to catch up with my physical. It's ok though, I am getting there. I just wanted to check in and wish you ALL a terrific new year. I hope it is a huge success for all of us. My goal is to lose 17 more pounds by 3/9/10, wish me luck:) :smile2:

Well the holidays are upon on us and I was really nervous about them. I do all the cooking and you know how that goes, you nibble while you cook right? Well, I am proud to say that I did very well, and am pleased to say I didn't gain an ounce during the Thanksgiving Day dinner. YEA!!!! I ate about a tablespoon of different things and managed to please everyone but most importantly myself. I am so happy about not gaining because we all know that there is always a TON of food. Plus, I was the only person who couldn't do the whole pecan pie, and pumpkin pie or chocolate pie, and it was all good. I didn't really crave them too bad. I am looking foward to Christmas Dinner, but have to admit that will be the harder of the two. My weak spot is peppermint chocolate and those kinds of things. And wouldn't you know it, AFTER I have surgery, Oreo comes out with a peppermint oreo. Damn it. That is the ONE thing I have craved. Oh and ribbon candy. My husbands grandmother always bought me a box, and I guess I don't miss the candy as much as the thought behind it. She was the seewtest lady and loved carrying on that tradition. Oh well I am sure she understands and is cheering me on. Love you Gram!!!! Well I really hope that the holidays have been good to the rest of you. Take care and keep on keeping on. Wendy

Well the holidays are upon on us and I was really nervous about them. I do all the cooking and you know how that goes, you nibble while you cook right? Well, I am proud to say that I did very well, and am pleased to say I didn't gain an ounce during the Thanksgiving Day dinner. YEA!!!! I ate about a tablespoon of different things and managed to please everyone but most importantly myself. I am so happy about not gaining because we all know that there is always a TON of food. Plus, I was the only person who couldn't do the whole pecan pie, and pumpkin pie or chocolate pie, and it was all good. I didn't really crave them too bad. I am looking foward to Christmas Dinner, but have to admit that will be the harder of the two. My weak spot is peppermint chocolate and those kinds of things. And wouldn't you know it, AFTER I have surgery, Oreo comes out with a peppermint oreo. Damn it. That is the ONE thing I have craved. Oh and ribbon candy. My husbands grandmother always bought me a box, and I guess I don't miss the candy as much as the thought behind it. She was the seewtest lady and loved carrying on that tradition. Oh well I am sure she understands and is cheering me on. Love you Gram!!!! Well I really hope that the holidays have been good to the rest of you. Take care and keep on keeping on. Wendy

Don't feel distraught. I didn't feel ANY restriction, except like you right after surgery, until like my 3rd fill. I know that sounds horrible, but just keep thinking about the future and keep going. I kept following the rules and it was a struggle not to get disgusted, but it does get BETTER. Trust me. Some peope feel restriction before I did. We are all different but they do say it is common to not feel restriction the first 2 times. Wish I could say it differently but I wish someone had prepared me. Good luck and contact me anytime if you need to talk. Wendy :thumbup:

My Friends, I have reached another milestone in my lapband journey. WOW, it has been an amazing trip, and one I would do a 1000 times over. To date, I have lost 60 pounds. It has been 8 months and I am thrilled beyond belief with my success. I cannot say the entire journey has been totally easy...there are days when I feel like stopping at the nearest DQ and getting the largest banana split they can make. I am sure we all have those days. Despite these little hurdles, it has totally been worth every hard day. Last month I went to my support group. I have to say that without these support groups it would be really hard to be successful. Anyway, my social worker I see quarterly didn't even recognize me. It had been 2 months since I had seen her. My nutrionist also had to take a double take and was totally shocked at the difference. Anyway, it has been wonderful, and I wish for all of you the best in your journey. May you be as successful as I have been. My final goal is 18 pounds. You know what they say, 'The last 20 are the hardest'. They ain't kidding. Good luck everyone, Wendy

My Friends, I have reached another milestone in my lapband journey. WOW, it has been an amazing trip, and one I would do a 1000 times over. To date, I have lost 60 pounds. It has been 8 months and I am thrilled beyond belief with my success. I cannot say the entire journey has been totally easy...there are days when I feel like stopping at the nearest DQ and getting the largest banana split they can make. I am sure we all have those days. Despite these little hurdles, it has totally been worth every hard day. Last month I went to my support group. I have to say that without these support groups it would be really hard to be successful. Anyway, my social worker I see quarterly didn't even recognize me. It had been 2 months since I had seen her. My nutrionist also had to take a double take and was totally shocked at the difference. Anyway, it has been wonderful, and I wish for all of you the best in your journey. May you be as successful as I have been. My final goal is 18 pounds. You know what they say, 'The last 20 are the hardest'. They ain't kidding. Good luck everyone, Wendy

Have just recently hit the mid way point to my one year. The 9th of September was 6 months for me. So much has happened in 6 months that I just cannot believe it all. It all seems so sureal at times. 6 month check up went absolutely the best. The social worker I have seen for 6 months at the docs office passed me in the hall and didn't even know it was me. It had been 2 months since seeing her and she totally didn't recognize me. Great feeling. The nutrionist I usually see was totally amazed how much I had changed in 2 months. It feels good for people to see you so differently right? I have had to buy more clothes. Found a GREAT thrift store in Denver, man it is awesome, and I now how pants in size 12. I went from 22/24 to size 12. AMAZING. I have shirts that are medium and large. NOT XL, regular large. I am so excited about it. Even though the smaller clothes are great and people going on about how great you look is wonderful (ALWAYS encourage your loved ones or friends) the thing I love the most is HOW I FEEL. I really like me and I feel fantastic. I have hiked and done things I wouldn't have done 6 months ago. It is the greatest accomplishment in the world. No matter how good you look, how you FEEL is the greatest thing. I love the new me and would do this over a million times. I hope you all are doing well and experiencing the same things. It is a great thing to feel. Best wishes to you all. Wendy

Have just recently hit the mid way point to my one year. The 9th of September was 6 months for me. So much has happened in 6 months that I just cannot believe it all. It all seems so sureal at times. 6 month check up went absolutely the best. The social worker I have seen for 6 months at the docs office passed me in the hall and didn't even know it was me. It had been 2 months since seeing her and she totally didn't recognize me. Great feeling. The nutrionist I usually see was totally amazed how much I had changed in 2 months. It feels good for people to see you so differently right? I have had to buy more clothes. Found a GREAT thrift store in Denver, man it is awesome, and I now how pants in size 12. I went from 22/24 to size 12. AMAZING. I have shirts that are medium and large. NOT XL, regular large. I am so excited about it. Even though the smaller clothes are great and people going on about how great you look is wonderful (ALWAYS encourage your loved ones or friends) the thing I love the most is HOW I FEEL. I really like me and I feel fantastic. I have hiked and done things I wouldn't have done 6 months ago. It is the greatest accomplishment in the world. No matter how good you look, how you FEEL is the greatest thing. I love the new me and would do this over a million times. I hope you all are doing well and experiencing the same things. It is a great thing to feel. Best wishes to you all. Wendy

Well, it has been a month since my last blog, and it is amazing what can happen in that time. i have currently to date lost 50 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel absolutely amazing and am enjoying this new life tremendously. WOW, what a ride. It was so totally worth the whole thing. I still have a some fleeting moments, but nothing I can't handle. Just wanted to briefly say hey, and let you know how things have been going. Take care, Wendy

Well, it has been a month since my last blog, and it is amazing what can happen in that time. i have currently to date lost 50 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel absolutely amazing and am enjoying this new life tremendously. WOW, what a ride. It was so totally worth the whole thing. I still have a some fleeting moments, but nothing I can't handle. Just wanted to briefly say hey, and let you know how things have been going. Take care, Wendy

OMG!!!! I am so excited and so loving the new me. I know it has been a bit, but things are busy in the summer months for me. What a journey this has been. I have met so many fantastic people since the start of this and have had so many people supporting me. It has been incredible. I think if there was one thing I had to chose that has made all this worth it, it be... I LIKE ME!!!! Before, I couldn't say that, and now I can say I like me. I am so much more relaxed and calm, and I feel so good about myself. That alone has made it all worth it to me. The 42 pounds gone is great, and I fell better than I can ever remember feeling, but the liking myself takes the cake. Life is funny. We have all put this weight on for many reasons. Some easy to talk about and some not so easy, but for whatever reason we have for putting on the weight, I think many of you will discover that when you lose whatever amount it is that makes you like yourself, that will be worth everything we go through. I met a couple recently at a support group. Usually we break into lapband or gastric groups but it was so small we all sat together. We discussed items and the man of the couple said regardless what gastric people go through, he said they have it easy compared to lapband. They had a different opinion of what lapband people go through after hearing all the things we deal with it. They had thought of lapband as another "weight watchers diet", and let me tell you, it is NOTHING of the sort. It is a complicated, life changing deal. We have a lot of issues to deal with, and this couple really felt blessed after hearing all our stories. Whatever procedure you chose for whatever reason you have, make it the right one. I personally would not change a decision I have made. I have made the commitment to this lifestyle change and it was so worth it. On an ending note, I challenge you all in 4 or 5 or 6 months from your surgery to pick one thing you are most proud of. Really think about that because it is really hard to chose just one, but I know mine. I have known it since 2 months out, but never disclosed it till now. I am most rpoud that I have done this and stuck to it. I have not cheated or faluted in my journey. Many people probably would have told you that I start things and don't finish it, but I have continued on with this and every day I lose another pound just keeps me more motivated. I am PROUD of myself. I have people tell me how proud of me they are, which is absoluetly wonderful to hear, but to hear myself say that to me and really believe it is a feeling that will stay with me forever. I love the new me and cannot wait to see me in about 2-3 more months. Stay tuned all!!!! Best wishes to all banded and soon to be bandsters. It is a roller coaster ride that will bring you lots of fun. Wendy:thumbup:

OMG!!!! I am so excited and so loving the new me. I know it has been a bit, but things are busy in the summer months for me. What a journey this has been. I have met so many fantastic people since the start of this and have had so many people supporting me. It has been incredible. I think if there was one thing I had to chose that has made all this worth it, it be... I LIKE ME!!!! Before, I couldn't say that, and now I can say I like me. I am so much more relaxed and calm, and I feel so good about myself. That alone has made it all worth it to me. The 42 pounds gone is great, and I fell better than I can ever remember feeling, but the liking myself takes the cake. Life is funny. We have all put this weight on for many reasons. Some easy to talk about and some not so easy, but for whatever reason we have for putting on the weight, I think many of you will discover that when you lose whatever amount it is that makes you like yourself, that will be worth everything we go through. I met a couple recently at a support group. Usually we break into lapband or gastric groups but it was so small we all sat together. We discussed items and the man of the couple said regardless what gastric people go through, he said they have it easy compared to lapband. They had a different opinion of what lapband people go through after hearing all the things we deal with it. They had thought of lapband as another "weight watchers diet", and let me tell you, it is NOTHING of the sort. It is a complicated, life changing deal. We have a lot of issues to deal with, and this couple really felt blessed after hearing all our stories. Whatever procedure you chose for whatever reason you have, make it the right one. I personally would not change a decision I have made. I have made the commitment to this lifestyle change and it was so worth it. On an ending note, I challenge you all in 4 or 5 or 6 months from your surgery to pick one thing you are most proud of. Really think about that because it is really hard to chose just one, but I know mine. I have known it since 2 months out, but never disclosed it till now. I am most rpoud that I have done this and stuck to it. I have not cheated or faluted in my journey. Many people probably would have told you that I start things and don't finish it, but I have continued on with this and every day I lose another pound just keeps me more motivated. I am PROUD of myself. I have people tell me how proud of me they are, which is absoluetly wonderful to hear, but to hear myself say that to me and really believe it is a feeling that will stay with me forever. I love the new me and cannot wait to see me in about 2-3 more months. Stay tuned all!!!! Best wishes to all banded and soon to be bandsters. It is a roller coaster ride that will bring you lots of fun. Wendy:thumbup:

Well all my supporters, this has been a ride. I am just 3 months post op, June 9th, and I have lost 33 POUNDS to date, and 15 inches, 6 of which are in the waist. Amazing how great I feel. I have NO REGRETS at all. It is totally worth everything. I have had 3 fills. The 3rd really proved to make a difference in HOW I eat. There wasn't much restriction with 1 & 2, but 3 proved to teach me some lessons. I discovered a lot of things like eating slow, not to fast & not to big of a bite either. I had several days of something not going down right and that was NOT an enjoyable experience. Now I know what it feels like to be buliemic. Yuck!!!! Also, when they say don't DRINK with your meals, the are not kidding. That also causes food to not go well. Even through these "lessons" I have no regrets. I am fitting into a size 18/20 which I cannot remember the last time I wore that size. I move better, I sleep better and I just feel so great. I hear I look younger too which, hey, is ALWAYS great to hear right? I hope you all are having some great results. It isn't easy by any means, but totally worth the work. What I am most proud of: ME!! I am proud of me for accomplishing this. I have made total lifestyle changes and I have been loyal to myself. I haven't cheated, because really I am only cheating myself if I do. The things I have done, I never thought I could and that is a great feeling. Before, I probably would have said screw this and pass the cheesecake, but I have stuck it through and that is the great feeling for me. I am proud of what I have done. Thank you all for your constant support. It means more to me than I can ever tell you. Best wishes to all fellow bandsters, and good luck. Wendy:thumbup:

Well all my supporters, this has been a ride. I am just 3 months post op, June 9th, and I have lost 33 POUNDS to date, and 15 inches, 6 of which are in the waist. Amazing how great I feel. I have NO REGRETS at all. It is totally worth everything. I have had 3 fills. The 3rd really proved to make a difference in HOW I eat. There wasn't much restriction with 1 & 2, but 3 proved to teach me some lessons. I discovered a lot of things like eating slow, not to fast & not to big of a bite either. I had several days of something not going down right and that was NOT an enjoyable experience. Now I know what it feels like to be buliemic. Yuck!!!! Also, when they say don't DRINK with your meals, the are not kidding. That also causes food to not go well. Even through these "lessons" I have no regrets. I am fitting into a size 18/20 which I cannot remember the last time I wore that size. I move better, I sleep better and I just feel so great. I hear I look younger too which, hey, is ALWAYS great to hear right? I hope you all are having some great results. It isn't easy by any means, but totally worth the work. What I am most proud of: ME!! I am proud of me for accomplishing this. I have made total lifestyle changes and I have been loyal to myself. I haven't cheated, because really I am only cheating myself if I do. The things I have done, I never thought I could and that is a great feeling. Before, I probably would have said screw this and pass the cheesecake, but I have stuck it through and that is the great feeling for me. I am proud of what I have done. Thank you all for your constant support. It means more to me than I can ever tell you. Best wishes to all fellow bandsters, and good luck. Wendy:thumbup:

Well it has been awhile. I have been so busy with work and working out that sometimes I forget where I started. It has been quite a journey. I had my first fill a couple 3 weeks ago, and to my disappointment, I felt NOTHING!! I thought maybe they didn't hit the band, but when I called, they told me this is quite common for the first fill. THAT SUCKED. I was already hungru since surgery and was so looking forward to having a little restriction. I get my 2nd fill May 5th, and GOD I pray there is some restriction. I have started working out at the gym. Actually started that March 13th, but it is a normal daily routine now. I actually crave going. I am down 20 pounds as of today. Yea!!!! It is always great to lose another pound. I will try to keep things posted better. Thanks to everyone for the support. God Bless!!!!

Well it has been awhile. I have been so busy with work and working out that sometimes I forget where I started. It has been quite a journey. I had my first fill a couple 3 weeks ago, and to my disappointment, I felt NOTHING!! I thought maybe they didn't hit the band, but when I called, they told me this is quite common for the first fill. THAT SUCKED. I was already hungru since surgery and was so looking forward to having a little restriction. I get my 2nd fill May 5th, and GOD I pray there is some restriction. I have started working out at the gym. Actually started that March 13th, but it is a normal daily routine now. I actually crave going. I am down 20 pounds as of today. Yea!!!! It is always great to lose another pound. I will try to keep things posted better. Thanks to everyone for the support. God Bless!!!!

I haven't had all that bad a time. What are you hearing? I was banded 3/9 and beside the normal post op recovery, it has been great. I have talked to many here that have had good results. I learned that the complainers, really didn't understand what they were getting into. It takes dedication to this. It is not a "miracle surgery" and if you are not committed to this, you will have issues. Tip: Don't let the pain get out of control. I left the hospital with vicodin, but that was to strong. Make sure you are able to handle that without being able to eat food. I have started at the gym and since banding am down 14 pounds. It is not a bad thing. Good luck

It was very hard for me. I ate a lot of malt o meal because it stuck to the guts. I was so hungry by the time the first phase was over. Drink drink drink is what my doctor's nurse kept telling me. Good luck

Ok, I learned a rather painful lesson. It was actually by accident, but if I can save someone else the same discomfort, I will admit to the mistake. Yesterday, I fixed a protein shake. Seems rathe harmless right? Well it was if I had stopped there. Not really thinking, and THAT was the biggest mistake, I cooked dinner around the same time. Dinner got done before my shake was gone so I fixed my little toddler plate of food and sat down to dring the shake. Again, seeming very harmless. Well I finished the shake and made the biggest mistake ever to date. I took my little toddler plate and sat down and ate dinner. Fish, (more protein), some mashed potatoes, and green beans. Well 3/4 of the way through my little toddler plate, I began to fill so full I thought my stomach was going to explode. I think silently, I was hoping for that to relieve the pressure and pain I was now in. I suffered all night. I was lucky I didn't bring that all back up. Moral of the story....DO NOT EAT PROTEIN SHAKE AND DINNER AT SAME TIME. When they say not to over do it, they really mean it. I was very much not aware of what I had done at the time, but I promise you I will make every effort NOT to do that again. :biggrin:

It isn't to late. You can get back on track, and you can do this. Join a gym like lady fitness, get a trainer, and follow the diet again. You will probably be amazed how fast you can lose those gained back. Set your mind to it and you can do it. Best Wishes, djzlady96