imaluckydog

I have had mine for over a year now and I love it. The BEST thing I ever did for myself. I love this site and how we all seem to help each other and we stick together. I am alone a lot so when I come here I always have friends to chat with. Best wishes and I am so happy for your new found JOY. imaluckydog

Break the habit(s) is the best solution. You CAN do it :-) The liquids also dilute the food particles you eat and not only will you NOT feel as full for as long but your body does not have a chance to absorb the proteins from your food you just ate. Protein is the only nutrient that is not stored in our body. We can't afford to push it through. We need all the nutrients the food will provide us. We are not eating that much so make your choices a high quality real protein food. I am over 1 year in and down 109 pounds and have made more mistakes than anyone I know on this site. Happy Happy Happy playing with my LB. Have a great day Best wishes. imaluckydog

Best wishes you are in my thoughts. imaluckydog

Keep venting. Get the upper GI and clean up with the food. You want it, I can hear it in your words. Keep blogging people on these pages will support you every step of the way no matter what it takes. Just keep coming back and read and post and Follow the banders set of rules you have the band. It is willing to let you help it to help you lose if you are willing to work with it. Make a commitment to yourself and let the past be in the past. Start today and have it be the first day of the rest of you're amazing life. Best wishes on your journey. I know you can do this, I believe in you and your desire to lose. imaluckydog

Bravo, What a great blog, Thank you. I have revisited my old blogs and it is always so moving to see how far we have come. You are an inspiration to all. Best wishes imaluckydog

Giving Back I was asked to speak to a newbie “introduction to surgery weight loss” group Monday evening. There where people from teenagers up to 70 years in age who attended. I would say about 50 people or more interested in surgery and some who have been interested for some time now. It was the first of many series to introduce people to GBP and the Lap Band Process and other forms not covered yet by some insurance companies. This is for many the first step they take. The night started with one of the surgeons showing and talking about his slide show and explaining to the audience what they will learn from having one of these procedures. He spoke about the many complications and there are so many. SO Many I was even thinking wow I had this done and there are THIS many things that could go wrong! Yikes OK, so I took the chance and I am SO GLAD I did. The Doctors spoke for about a half an hour and the Nurse Practitioner spoke for about a half an hour. Then it was my turn. I was invited to the stage with another gentlemen who had a GBP surgery. We were introduce and he motioned for me to go first. I said my name and proceeded to say I had my Lap band surgery a little over one year ago and have lost 109 pounds. I had a BMI of over 40, I weighed in at over 250 pounds and I am only five two, I was on medicine for High Blood Pressure and a machine for Sleep Apnea for about 7 years. It is all gone now that I have lost weight with my new tool. I worked well with playing with my Lap band. No more High blood pressure and no more medicine! No more Sleep Apnea or machines hooked up at night! I do not huff and puff walking up stairs and I feel great now. I pulled out a pair of pants the only ones I did not give away. I said and when I wore these pants I thought I looked like the cats meow!! I held them up to me and I can step into one leg. Although, I did not do that but it was clear I am a TINY person now. I said Yes, I thought I looked good but I did not FEEL GOOD about myself when I wore them. They are a size 24 plus and I was bulging out of them on a good day. All of a sudden the audience started to clap. Well OK, I clapped too. I was in shock I had no idea they were clapping for me. It made me feel good. I have done well!! The nurse said Between the two of them they (we) had lost over 300 pounds. I let him speak and he was excellent. I think it may be harder to have the GBP surgery. I can eat anything I want in small amounts, but the GBP patients are limited and cannot eat certain foods ever again as their bodies do not tolerate the same foods. One man in the audience ask 3 times if he really had to give up soda!! It is funny that people do not want to make little changes even when it comes to the smallest things that can make BIG difference to their health for the rest of there lives. It seems they only want to hear what they want to hear. It is not like they have to give it up forever. I some times have a soda for a treat. But not that often. I need to stir out the bubbles. I am so grateful I had an open mind and open heart to receive all the gifts this band has offered to me. The audience asked us questions and we answered them to be best of our ability. I felt good I was able to share in an honest and meaningful way with people who where generally and for the most part interested in these surgeries and wanting to be healthier. I heard them clapping for me!! I have done well! I thank myself and my LB for this everyday I eat Real Food, Not too much, mostly plants, with Proteins first. I do Not snack in between meals or drink liquids with my meals. Very little if any sugar because it always makes me want to have more. I also do NOT drink soda. I did explain I had a brief withdrawal period from it and I do not even miss it today. Best wishes on your journey. imaluckydog

That is a beginning place to start your journey. I was just asked to speak at one of these meetings in my area on Monday night. Must have been 50 or more people interested and they all had family with them the room was crowded. I was nervous to speak but I was just being myself and all went well. I have the Lap band and the other speaker had the GBP surgery. We both have done well. Between us we had lot over 300 pounds. I have lost 109 since June 29, 2009, a little over one year. He had lost more and also had more to lose. We both have done a great job getting our health back. I know I have added 10 or more years to my life. I do not take blood pressure medicine anymore. I no longer have Sleep Apnea any more and I can exercise which I could not even walk up stairs before weighing in at over 250 pounds. I was killing myself with food. I use this tool to the best of my ability. I so wanted to be small so I ate small amounts. I feel well if I eat Real foods, Not too much food, mostly plants with Proteins first. I stay away from sugar because that causing me to have cravings. I do not drink soda any more and I never drink with a meal. Kissed snacking good bye and I am as Happy as I ever wanted to be. I love my LB. Best wishes. imaluckydog

Thanks for sharing, I also hear you are ready to take control. That is a GOOD thing. We are all hear to support you. The first steps come from you. You want this and a slow start is better than No start. Take charge and get a fill or whatever you need to get back on the losing track. This band is a tool that can change your life is used well. Remember to eat REAL foods. Not too much, mostly plants with Proteins first. No liquids with meals and get sugar out of your life. You can do this. Best wishes imaluckydog

Hi I was also banded in June of 2009, I have also had many life changes and many upsetting family issues to deal with this past year. Here is the thing, Did you get the band to lose weight or to lose 20 pounds? I am not sure I can help but I know YOU can help yourself. Use the tool eat properly, and exercise. Get a fill if you need one. First be proud that you have lost 20 pounds. Secondly, I hear yourself saying you want to get back on the losing track. I know you know what it is you have to do. We have all lost weight a million times. Eat small amounts of food. Not too much, mostly plants with Proteins first. No liquids with meals. If soda is in your life get it out along with all those other foods that go down easy and sugar craves sugar. Get rid of it. We as banders need to eat REAL food. May I suggest getting into see your Dr. or have a nutrition consultation and get back on the losing track. This band is a tool and if used well it will make you very HAPPY. I believe you can do this. Best wishes imaluckydog

I hear you Best wishes imaluckydog

Nice job keep it up. You are an inspiration to all. Best wishes imaluckydog

I agree with all the above I would let him read. I keep my page open and my husband can read all he wants. He did not understand at first either. I told him I am not eating when I am on the computer. If he needs me I get off. He now has a fishing blog site that I need to ask him to get off so I can use my site. LOL It is all about the changes and in small strides we all get well. I love my band and this site. Best wishes imaluckydog

I have been very happy not telling anyone. My husband, daughter, son are supportive. My sister who had GBP are the only ones that know. My sister is no support what so ever even though she knows. She had GBP surgery 9 years ago she has gained weight and is someone I thought would be helpful but isn't. There is still friction between us. I use this site more than ever and get all the support I need here. I am also validated by the nurses and nutritionists at my hospital. I have found this to be a private personal matter and telling people at work or even my own mother was NOT an option. I have been able to do very well on my own with the help of people here. I am all for NOT telling. Best wishes imaluckydog

The first couple weeks is hard on all of us. Hang in there and it will get better. Best wishes imaluckydog

This site is a wealth of information. Just click away and you will find all kinds of interesting reading. I can spend hours learning and I have been banded for a year now. Following the band rules are so important. It is eating foods in certain stages that helps your body heal. I use a straw with no problems at all. Gum can give me mild gas so I choose not to chew it. I think the most important rule of all is not drinking with a meal. That was by far the hardest thing for me to learn, along with small bites, small swallows and chew, chew, chew, to beat the band!! Best wishes imaluckydog

Just walk, thats all for now it will take too much out of yourself if you try to do more. You are not getting enough calories yet. I was banded one year ago on June 29 th. I am amazed how fast this year has gone by. Go slow on the food and chew well with small bites. Rest and put fork down. You are still healing on the inside. Do not struggle with the exercise there will be plenty of time to get in a routine. WALK for now and it is easy and will work for us as we are on such a low calorie intake for first few weeks. Follow your Dr. orders and the pounds will fall off while you sleep. Best wishes imaluckydog

Best wishes you are on the right track. imaluckydog

Belts I never ever wore a belt before LB. My pants were always the elastic waist kind. I never tucked my shirt in ever! I needed to hide my rolls. I wear belts now and I love my new waist line. I am alway looking for new belts to wear. I tuck my shirts in a it is nice to be comfortable in my clothes. What a difference a year can make by using the lap band as a tool. I am down over 100 pounds and happier than I have ever been in my life. I am not fat anymore. I was even called tiny yesterday. I have never been TINY LOL. My head still does not see me as tiny, smaller yes Tiny no. It will take some time for my head to catch up I think. I am not sure when I will reach my goal, I am not even sure what my body will want as a goal weight. I am still losing. Thats even after 3 un-fills. I do hope my body will fine it’s set weight soon. I am still very happy where I am now. I am so glad I chose this tool and I would do it again if given the chance. Monday night I will speak to a newbie support group. I am a little nervous. My nurse said I have a lot to share and others would like to talk to me. I am just going to be myself. I have found this site to be most helpful. I have enjoyed blogging and reading about the journey others have taken. Best wishes to everyone and wish me luck for Monday night. I have never been a public speaker. imaluckydog

Good luck and Best wishes it is am amazing journey. We are all here for you. imaluckydog

LOL I slept in today too. I needed it. I also love my band and I wake up with a smile every morning. My life has improved 3 fold. I have add 10 or more years to my health. I am taking care of my own needs today. Blogging is a great way to start the day. I feel the friendship and warmth from all my blogging friends. We all have this in common. Best wishes imaluckydog

My offer for restaurant info will be - Put your fork down after every bite you take, as you chew, chew, chew. I used to make a game of how long it (my fork) could sit on the edge of my plate before I picked. Engage in the table conversation and sit there with a smile. Your own control will kick in and small bites is excellent practice. Mindful eating, chewing and resting. Your band and your are a team. It is scary eating out and it can be a worry I know I have been doing it over a year now. We are all here and we will all be there for you at your meal times even if you do not see us. Best wishes imaluckdog

I enjoy being on my own sometimes. It does prove we are able to take control and be all we can be. Thanks for the post. Best wishes imaluckydog

Great post Thanks. I love to start my day here it is rich in wisdom. Amen imaluckydog

I love my band. In one year I am at a 109 loss and a loose size 10. Best wishes imaluckydog

Thanks I will try this one. imaluckydog