edieparks

I remember. I went to the seminar in May . Surgery (self pay) in July. I felt like it was too fast but I knew my history of diet and then gain it back was NOT going to change. That told me that even if I felt rushed I needed to grit my teeth and go thru it. Money well spent. edie

I don't have trouble with corn or flour. Of course I cannot eat 1 whole one just small portion of one. edie

Tinker, I changed my food hobby to a exercise hobby. Today the weather was so nice!! I walked 3 miles in the sun with my pet. I used the time for just "me". I also met my gym buddy and did another hour with her. I just walked right up to her at the gym last summer and we have become close friends. We share our up and downs while we are helping our health. Last June (06) I could only walk 15 minutes without worrying about injuring my bad knees. Make your new hobby something that will help your band. Start slowly and the energy will come. edie:) :)

Love my beans. edie

Good luck to both of you. Some people are so petty. edie

Jason, I consider my liquid diet the LAST diet I will have to ever be on. Maybe this will give you some more strength. You have made a GOOD decision for your health. edie

It is the VERY HARDEST part of banding. It drove me crazy. I wanted to chew something so bad. I ate a lot of sf popsicles. I had never been on a "liquid" diet before. Just brace yourself. I consider it now the last "diet" I will ever be on. I guess about 4 to 5 months I was able and brave enough to leave the comfort of my safe foods. Tonight my hubby and I ate out at his fav restaurant. I cut the tops off of two yeast rolls (crusty part) generous with cinnomon butter , ate them, had 1 large meaty rib smoked with bbq sauce and ate most of half of baked potatoe with sour cream. I not missing out on anything am I? So was the liquid diet worth it? Yes. Your band sister, edie

I think you should be trying to get a carnation instant Breakfast down too. I am worried that you will go into the dreaded starvation mode. Hardly any calories = no weight loss = very discouraged . I am not picking on you but worry about the 500 to 600 range. I care about all of my band family. Your band sister, edie

I stay away from carbonation and bread. Never tried it toasted. The only food That doesn't want to agree with me is baked chicken. At 7 months I don't stay away from anything. Just eat small amounts because my band watches over me. I do eat alot of fruit popsicles. I like carmel popcorn rice cakes . I love any soups. Love the new multgrain honey graham rice cakes. I guess I am choosing better food for myself. I probably stay around 1000 calories a day. At first I had to be careful with my food choices. Now when we go to a family get together I get a small (I mean small) portion of everything and usually can eat most of it. I feel like I don't miss out on anything anymore. edie

Neal, You look like a regular guy now. You don't wear you addiction for all the world to see now. You don't get stared at now or pitied. Neal I am so happy for you. I know it is not easy . The brain habit is still there , not in the front but somewhere in there. I can appreciate what strength it takes. edie

Donna, You memtioned the self pay of 16,000. I justified mine because it was costing me a lot to support 250 plus lbs too. Think about it that way. Do you think you spent a just a little money each day on food? edie

Dear Dec, Looks wasn't what got me banded either. I was VERY worried about a stroke or worse. You are making a very good decision. I do miss the volume of food but the variety at six months is wonderful. The liquid part of this journey is VERY HARD. My family said they were so impressed with that part. I was JUST doing what my doctors instructions. So wear this part as badge of honor . edie

Bandstar, I would have went crazy without this site. If I had any questions I could find my answers or start a thread . Its a soft place that I could come to. Only people with the band know how it feels and what comes along with it. You have come to the right place. Welcome, edie

I knew I could lose it AGAIN but keeping it off was my decision for the band. I still have to walk the walk on this keeping off . I feel for the first time I will not be getting to my goal and forgetting the diet. Im not dieting now. Am I making better food decisions?? YES. I get FULL NOW. My band is wonderful. edie

LOL. I wanted to get this one to the top again. edie

Interesting thread. I am addicted to exercise now. I have switched from one addiction to another. I do exercise (for me) once a day. Exercising the pet I consider icing on the cake. You have given me food for thought. I saw a show about how some people after wls switch to drinking or sex addiction so..... edie

Don't forget to puree Campbells New England Chowder. Yum. edie 27 lbs!!!!!! 19 % of your excess weight :) :)

I used sf banana popsicles as a crutch . good luck, edie

I have been on depression medicine for at least 15 years. I have anxiety. Have you thought about going to a head doctor? I don't see mine except for every 6 months. I remember I would be cooking dinner and would not have an ingredient. Well I would beat myself up for it . I would get SO UPSET. I would tell myself I was stupid, couldn't do anything right..... Now I stop and go get the missing ingredient from the grocery and enjoy my dinner. Just a suggestion, edie

My groceries have really gone down. I am not buying the DAILY candy,cookies and ice cream to feed my habit. I would be ashamed if someone called me out with a figure. All you would have to do is look at the daily charges on my credit card to Krogers. The days I didn't make it to Krogers it was Walmart,Target or the Dollar General. I used to get embarrassed because some clerks would be freindly and say stocking up? Ha it was for that late night only. edie

Try the Special K protein water too. edie

I loved carnation instant breakfasts with 2% milk. edie

Special K protein water,sf fudge popsicles,sf jello made with apple juice or pineapple juice. Hang in there . You should never have to do a liquid diet ever again . edie

O'Charleys - 3 coconut shrimp and 2 bites of smashed potatoes or most of baked potatoe soup Tony Roma's - 2 ribs and about 4 bites of corn cake Cracker Barrel - most of egg in a basket , strip of bacon GD Ritzys - 1/2 burger w/o bun, 2 fries it will be okay edie

When I reach my goal I want cute clothes. Outfits. Earrings to match. Shoes to match. Not expensive clothes because I will still shop at Wally World, etc. We are taking our 25th anniversary trip in Sept 07 and I am going to stuff at least 2 suitcases of cute clothes. I just realized this a few weeks ago and it made me really happy. For years I have taken maybe 3 bottoms and different tops . Now I realize outfits. SWEET. edie