SanDiegoUbermom

You look marvelous! (yes I remember Mary Poppins--lol)

I too just went through this kind of thing. I went rouge for 3 years and came back just this last May. I started with my food journal again. This was my down fall like water is to you. It just took up too much time to write everything down, find the food in the book or on line and then count the calories. I keep a journal now. I keep times of when I eat and what I eat (i.e. breakfast burrito/ sm flour tortilla, 1 egg, chdr chz, salsa, pork-comments too – ate half, got stuck…) but I don’t count calories and I’ve been on top of it each day without a problem. That was my first step. Second; I picked up some of those water flavored packets (5 different kids) and now I can drink 64oz (4 16oz bottles) in a day. I have some in my purse, in the car or in my snack tote I carry w/me every time I leave the house. Third; got back into doing exercises twice a week. I found a Zumba class and have been enjoying it immensely. I’ve lost 15 inches of off my whole body since April. Fourth; I now watch the amount that I eat and what I eat. Started by eating half and half only. Found that it was really enough, started listening again to my body when it was satisfied – not FULL. I eat about every 2-3 hours (meals to snacks) and try my best to stop at 7-7:30pm (some days I do this, others days I don’t, but I keep trying) One thing I’ve learned is to own up to my mistake, deal with it, learn from it if I can and then move on. I went back to the doctors for the first time recently, I handed since him since 2007. That was last fill I had had too. At this visit the doctor this added ½ cc to my current 8cc that I already had. I’m proud to say that I’ve lost 3 pounds in just 8 days! I mentioned this earlier, keep snacks with you at all times. This will stop the urge for fast food—the quick fix. I will have fruit, yogurt, string cheese, almonds, crackers, 100 cal snacks and of course 1 or 2 bottles of water (that have been pre mixed w/flavoring) Keep posting! I would like to hear how you’re doing. You can do this, I have faith in you!

I have had my new fill now for about 2 weeks. It was tight the first few days and then it felt like it loosened up and I could eat just like I had before. Well in 8 days I’ve lost 3 pounds!! I step on the scale each day and I see it just going away. I was teetering between 196 & 198 and now I’m over it and melting the pounds away. But I’m still thinking I may need ¼ more at my next doctor’s visit in September. It feels so good! My lowest weight ever, since I started was 189 and it feels really good that I am getting closer and closer to that once again. My kids are great; they’ve been so supportive during all of this even though they feel they’ve lost their fast food fixes. We still go but just not as often as we used to, instead of going EVERYDAY we go maybe every other week if that. They’ve learned that if we do go, FRENCH FRIES are right out! I will get grilled this and no bun that. The other day the twins (DDs) wanted to go out to Jack’s for breakfast. They earned money and needed fast food fix. The girls ordered french toast sticks, hash browns, and a breakfast jack. I mulled over the menu and decided to have an egg, cheese and a sausage with hot sauce. It took all I had not to have the croissant that would have companied this. But by asking to hold the croissant, I took control and enjoyed my breakfast with-out feeling denied. (out of sight, out of mind—and not missed) I am able to get my bread fix, we have mini plan bagels in the house right now, and I will have a half a bagel w/cream cheese and a deli slice of ham. This I do have to REALLY CHEW! I have noticed that with this fill, bread isn’t my friend anymore. I eat more flour tortillas these days than I ever have before. It isn’t a bad thing mind you but, who knew? The other thing that has been on my mind is my tummy. I see that my core is getting smaller (thank you ZUMBA!!) and my tummy skin is sagging more. This will be a costly fix when I’m at that point to get it removed since I’m sure my insurance won’t cover it. I'll be looking into this soon, so I can start saving.

I have had my new fill now for about 2 weeks. It was tight the first few days and then it felt like it loosened up and I could eat just like I had before. Well in 8 days I’ve lost 3 pounds!! I step on the scale each day and I see it just going away. I was teetering between 196 & 198 and now I’m over it and melting the pounds away. But I’m still thinking I may need ¼ more at my next doctor’s visit in September. It feels so good! My lowest weight ever, since I started was 189 and it feels really good that I am getting closer and closer to that once again. My kids are great; they’ve been so supportive during all of this even though they feel they’ve lost their fast food fixes. We still go but just not as often as we used to, instead of going EVERYDAY we go maybe every other week if that. They’ve learned that if we do go, FRENCH FRIES are right out! I will get grilled this and no bun that. The other day the twins (DDs) wanted to go out to Jack’s for breakfast. They earned money and needed fast food fix. The girls ordered french toast sticks, hash browns, and a breakfast jack. I mulled over the menu and decided to have an egg, cheese and a sausage with hot sauce. It took all I had not to have the croissant that would have companied this. But by asking to hold the croissant, I took control and enjoyed my breakfast with-out feeling denied. (out of sight, out of mind—and not missed) I am able to get my bread fix, we have mini plan bagels in the house right now, and I will have a half a bagel w/cream cheese and a deli slice of ham. This I do have to REALLY CHEW! I have noticed that with this fill, bread isn’t my friend anymore. I eat more flour tortillas these days than I ever have before. It isn’t a bad thing mind you but, who knew? The other thing that has been on my mind is my tummy. I see that my core is getting smaller (thank you ZUMBA!!) and my tummy skin is sagging more. This will be a costly fix when I’m at that point to get it removed since I’m sure my insurance won’t cover it. I'll be looking into this soon, so I can start saving.

I think their just scared. They may not understand just what will happen. Do you have any local support groups that you all can attend? Here in San Diego we have support groups every month for family and friends to attend with us so we all could be on the same page of just what was going to be expected before, during and after. You will eat, you must eat to survive. Your eatting pattern will change and change for the better. Your amounts will change too. Your family may learn from this also on how to eat in a better way, I know that mine are. It will be a journey like no other for you and them. If you read forums on this site, you will learn a lot. Keep posting, let us help you.

You will be ok. Keep writing down what you eat & when. This will help! Don't forget about the water. I bring a lunch tote w/me when ever I know I'm going to be out for more then an hour. (I'm a SAHM-so I do't have to worry about work) I bring snack; almonds, cheese, crackers (yes crackers-1oz), yogurt, carrots, fruit and one or two water bottles. Don't starve in between meals it will just get you in trouble. I eat about every two to three hours, meals to snacks through out the day and I try not to eat after 7-7:30. But with 4 kids, that's not always the case, but I try. Keep us posted on your journey.

Hello Newbie Jojo, Welcome! You need to follow what your doctor says to do on your pre op. I know that it's hard but you can do it. When I did it I actually lost 16 pounds before surgery. Don't know about you but I had to be on the liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery. That was the hardest and longest 2 weeks of my life! :thumbup: Hang in there you can do it.

Do you like strawberries? I cut up some, put a packet of splenda and let it sit. When I have sweet tooth later, I have this ready to go.

Cherly, Glad to have you back! Keep us posted, please. m;)

Thank you everyone. I can't wait to meet my next goal of 185. I'm trying to do it 10 pounds at a time.

But you do see the difference! You said it yourself "over 20 inches" and ""My 24's and 26's jeans are too big...I'm in a comfortable 22 and a fitted 20". Don't think that your only success is shown in your weigh alone! You wrote about a "non weight triumph". What others do you have? Mine: notched my belt one loop tighter this week, my kids tell me they can put their arms around me now when they give me hugs, I can last a whole hour in my Zumba class w/out having to stop for water or an extra breath... Those count too! I see that you measure, have you been taking pictures too? I use that so I can see the difference. You are doing great--really, keep it up.

I made a goal in 2007 that I wanted to get to 195 by December of 2007. That would have been 13 pounds from my surgery date weigh in. When I last journaled in Nov I see that I was at 198. Oh so close and I think that's why I thought I could do it on my own. Didn't need anyones help, I was working it and it was working. Oh what I know now. I met my goal this morning of 195!!!:thumbup: I would have told you a year ago that writing in a journal really didn't make a difference. I'm here today to tell you that it does. I don't count calories, I just write down what and when I eat and how much water I've had. I listen to my body when it tells me it's satisfied, not full but satisfied. I bring snacks and water w/me where ever I go so I won't be tempted. But if I want a peice of candy, french fry, buttered popcorn or what ever - I have some, not a lot and don't feel guilty about doing it. I've always known that exercise is a great help but I do believe that for the first time I've found my "sweet spot" on an exercise program called Zumba. Thank you everyone who has responded to my blogs, been there in chat and who has posted. You all have done so much for me!

I made a goal in 2007 that I wanted to get to 195 by December of 2007. That would have been 13 pounds from my surgery date weigh in. When I last journaled in Nov I see that I was at 198. Oh so close and I think that's why I thought I could do it on my own. Didn't need anyones help, I was working it and it was working. Oh what I know now. I met my goal this morning of 195!!!:smile: I would have told you a year ago that writing in a journal really didn't make a difference. I'm here today to tell you that it does. I don't count calories, I just write down what and when I eat and how much water I've had. I listen to my body when it tells me it's satisfied, not full but satisfied. I bring snacks and water w/me where ever I go so I won't be tempted. But if I want a peice of candy, french fry, buttered popcorn or what ever - I have some, not a lot and don't feel guilty about doing it. I've always known that exercise is a great help but I do believe that for the first time I've found my "sweet spot" on an exercise program called Zumba. Thank you everyone who has responded to my blogs, been there in chat and who has posted. You all have done so much for me!

Great job on you weight loss. I too have been tossing all those BIG clothes and swearing that that size will never enter into my house again! Oh I totally know what you mean. One day I was on the road, in a rush and late for an appointment and hadn't eaten. Stopped at a fast food joint and thought "I can do this, I'll be ok". Well no sooner had I had two big bite of a hamberger (ya I know--that was stupid) I was stuck. I tried everying, hitting my chest, sipping some water, trying to burp--NOTHING HELPED. I was choking now from all the saliva that was in my throat that had no where to go. I pulled over to the side of the road, told the kids to just stay in the car and that I would be ok. I was there for at least 5 min. vomiting. I was so scarred and once I got back into the car my kids were too. They knew about my band but had no idea that this could happen. I threw up so hard that my chest hurt for a few days afterwards. Keep up the good work! m:)

I have been going to the beech so much this summer with my kids and actually enjoing it. I have been actually going into the water and swimming or boogie boarding with them. :thumbup: Today I swam out into the ocean as far as I could with my oldest son. I haven't done that since I was a teenager. It was such fun! I can see that my kids are happy that I am not just sitting on the beach watching them and taking pictures, I'm really out there with them. I started in a Zumba class back in April. I know that this has given me so much from energy to self confidence. I am up and out and not just sitting around. I've dropped 11 inches and 7 pounds! :smile: LOVE IT! I really started focusing in getting back into the right frame of mind on how to use my tool to its potential back in January of this year. I started by journaling my food and finding blogs that would help me and going back to the doctor. When I stopped going to the doctor back in November in 2007 I had left at the weight of 198 and thought that I knew what I was doing because I was losing weight. In January of this year I started at the weight of 205, I am now lower then I was in November of ’07, I'm at 196. I am so happy that I’m working on this again! :tt1:

I have been going to the beech so much this summer with my kids and actually enjoing it. I have been actually going into the water and swimming or boogie boarding with them. :smile: Today I swam out into the ocean as far as I could with my oldest son. I haven't done that since I was a teenager. It was such fun! I can see that my kids are happy that I am not just sitting on the beach watching them and taking pictures, I'm really out there with them. I started in a Zumba class back in April. I know that this has given me so much from energy to self confidence. I am up and out and not just sitting around. I've dropped 11 inches and 7 pounds! :smile: LOVE IT!:thumbup: I really started focusing in getting back into the right frame of mind on how to use my tool to its potential back in January of this year. I started by journaling my food and finding blogs that would help me and going back to the doctor. When I stopped going to the doctor back in November in 2007 I had left at the weight of 198 and thought that I knew what I was doing because I was losing weight. In January of this year I started at the weight of 205, I am now lower then I was in November of ’07, I'm at 196. I am so happy that I’m working on this again! :thumbup:

Thank you. I love support!

Thanks for keeping an eye on me. I want on Thursday to the doc for the first time in over a year. I now have 8.5cc and can feel the difference. I'm already finding that's it's harder to drink like I used to. I'm getting back on track! I now need to commit myself when I go out to friends houses for parties. Just got back from a b-day party and had more then I should of (the bad stuff that is-chips, cupcake/no frosting...but I did find the veggies and fruit too!) Good luck on your up and coming surgery too.

You have NOT failed. We don't fail, we just adjust, own it, learn from our mistake (if there is one) and move on. Yes, Yes; it could be more of the mental then the physical. You are not used to your new tool and the change in eatting habbits. Keep logging your food and times. This will help you understand when your hunger cycle is (my worst part of the day is between 3-5 cause it's the busiest time for my family, we're winding down from the day and they demand more of me) and a snack could be the trick to get you by till your next meal. Do you bring a tote or cooler w/you where ever you go filled w/food or drinks you can have at a moments notice? Or do you have that quick grab and go food at home when the feeling comes on? Think of those if you haven't already. Having 4 kids, they have a lot--I mean a lot of the wrong kinds of "grab and go" food. I've placed theirs at the other end of the kitchen so mine is the easiest to get to, even in the fridge too. Fills: they (my doctor did) usually like to go slow at first so you my not fill a big difference but there will be a difference on how much you can eat. By logging your food and making comments will make you more aware of the differences. "One day at a time, one day at a time"

Thanks. I'm working it "one day at a time". Have a great day! m:)

Okay, I can tell you that I was truly nervous while waiting in the waiting room. I haven't been here in over a year, not sure if he would do a fill or not, would he ask about my journal... After getting weighed and finding out that their scale showed me to be 4 pound heavier than my home scale, my feelingss where hurt. "I've been working really hard this past month and I thought it was working!" But after I calmed down and remembered that each scale can be different and that it's ok to go by my scale at home (the one that shows I've lost 9 pounds since June) I felt better. So...he came in and I really felt it was like a wham pam thank you mame kind of visit. He let me know that I really should have been coming in. Said that in order for this to really work I need to visit at least every other month. He asked if I felt restricted- "not really" Do you want a fill - "yes" Do you have reflux - "yes" Sleep apnea -"yes" I told him that the last time he and another doctor tried to give me a fill that they had a problem finding my port and that I wanted a local cause it hurt. He said that he really didn't do that and that this shouldn't hurt. WRONG - He had a problem, took longer then it should have and each time he moved the needle around it would pinch me in the inside. But he did eventually find it. He pulled out 8cc, my records indicated that there should have been 7cc in so we both were surprised to find more. He added it back along with a half cc more. I found restriction while drinking the water in the waiting room and then later when I ate lunch and at dinner, I could feel I was fuller a bit sooner. It was a strange feeling though when to took out the 8cc. You know how it feels when your pants or belt is to tight after you've eaten and then you undo and fell relieved? I could feel the opening of the band and of it being filled back up. I think I will be looking for another doctor too.

Okay, I can tell you that I was truly nervous while waiting in the waiting room. I haven't been here in over a year, not sure if he would do a fill or not, would he ask about my journal... After getting weighed and finding out that their scale showed me to be 4 pound heavier than my home scale, my feelingss where hurt. "I've been working really hard this past month and I thought it was working!" But after I calmed down and remembered that each scale can be different and that it's ok to go by my scale at home (the one that shows I've lost 9 pounds since June) I felt better. So...he came in and I really felt it was like a wham pam thank you mame kind of visit. He let me know that I really should have been coming in. Said that in order for this to really work I need to visit at least every other month. He asked if I felt restricted- "not really" Do you want a fill - "yes" Do you have reflux - "yes" Sleep apnea -"yes" I told him that the last time he and another doctor tried to give me a fill that they had a problem finding my port and that I wanted a local cause it hurt. He said that he really didn't do that and that this shouldn't hurt. WRONG - He had a problem, took longer then it should have and each time he moved the needle around it would pinch me in the inside. But he did eventually find it. He pulled out 8cc, my records indicated that there should have been 7cc in so we both were surprised to find more. He added it back along with a half cc more. I found restriction while drinking the water in the waiting room and then later when I ate lunch and at dinner, I could feel I was fuller a bit sooner. It was a strange feeling though when to took out the 8cc. You know how it feels when your pants or belt is to tight after you've eaten and then you undo and fell relieved? I could feel the opening of the band and of it being filled back up. I think I will be looking for another doctor too.

Hello All, How are things? I have a non weight triumph for today!! Took the kids to the beach and for the first time I wasn’t terrified to walk around w/out my shorts. I took them off after getting there and never put them back on. I even got sunburned on my legs. :wink2: I was in the Water so much, it was great. I was out playing with the kids instead of just sitting there watching them. Do we have a meeting place yet? Have a great day! Oh ya; have my doctors appointment tomorrow. I'll post later w/what they have to say.

Hey Teresa, Good for you on losing what you have and watching what you eat, that is always one of the hard things to do. When I had my first fill, they couldn't find the port. The kept trying and then they did. It didn't hurt much, no more than a pinch. But after that I did start asking for a local. I felt my first restriction after my second fill and then of course more after my third. Please remember that everyone is different and feeling restriction could be on the first on w/you. Filling full: It's hard to recognize at first because we are so used to eating and eating and we just don't know just what full is. For me it's not a complete feeling of full as much as it is a feeling of being comfortable. I do eat between 5-6 times a day. Three are meals and the others are snacks. I also try not to eat after 7pm. (today that didn't work L ) I keep water coming all day long. I am getting better at drinking my 64oz in one day and there are days when I even drink more! I do use those flavor packages too. Even if you never get to the point of feeling full, stay w/in the menu you have prepared, your stomach and your mind have to get used to its new routine and substance amounts. Hint: I now prepare a car tote. It has extra water and snacks in it. The snack could be veggies, fruit, cheese, nuts…what every you want to bring so if for some reason you are stuck and all that is around is a fast food—you can just say no and go to your tote. Keep up the great work Teresa! Melia/SanDiegoUbermom

Just stay on it and on top of it and things will go smoother for you and then. Good luck, I know it's hard but you can do this! ONE DAY AT A TIME one day at a time