LollyMoe

To FF: Actually I have had times when I needed advice and help from others on this forum. You are the only person that has ever been rather accusatory towards me, so, I have considered the source and will leave it at that for now.

CONGRATS to you! I'm glad to see that your band is working for you. Keep up the hard work and I hope your team wins.

Sorry if you don't like what I posted. It was my own opinion and I'm entitled to it as you are to yours. I've lived long enough, been on enough diets, had enough medical problems, etc. etc. to learn that "what goes around, comes around" as the old saying goes. As for being JUDGEMENTAL as you accused me of being, everyone is somewhat judgemental...just as you have been over my intentions of my post. You're right that I don't know her situation, your situation nor do you know mine.

Swirl, you ask me what has changed for me food wise and what I eat now that is different than before. To answer your question, in some way my food "type" has not changed as much as my "behavior" towards food has changed. I have chosen to give up certain foods that everyone knows is not exactly the most healthy things you can be eating. exam: rich sauces, fast foods too often, cakes, candy, soft drinks. excessive fried foods, too many carbs. Do I ever have fried chicken...yes...but I only eat 1/3 of a fried chicken finger...not the whole piece or several pieces. Do I ever eat out...only once in awhile but that's mainly because I am now retired and can fix my own meals. I have chosen to eat smaller bites, slow down my eating, and be more aware of my choices. What I have done and chosen to do for myself, was to search out my "trigger foods" and "trigger situations" so I'm not put between a rock & a hard place where food is concerned. I educated myself prior to surgery and determined beforehand what the band could do for me and what it would take for me to make the band work for me. I searched for a surgeon and a good support group that would continually give me information and support so that I wouldn't find myself out on a limb hanging on for dear life.I paid for a good nutrition class in order to learn the "what cans & what nots" I got my family members and friends on board with their support and help. I cleaned out my pantry and got rid of my trigger foods. My dear hubby, who doesn't need to lose anything, has chosen to give up a lot of his junk foods so I don't even have to buy them anymore for him. Another benefit I have had during this time beside the weight loss, is I no longer have to use the C-pap machine, I no longer have to take 19 pills a day, my respiratory system is in better shape, I can now climb stairs, I have more energy, and I am very thankful for all of these benefits. My primary care physician now thinks I might actually live pass my 70th birthday and when you're in your 69th year, that's fantastic news. Better odds than when I started all of this journey. I am 18 months out, have lost 90 pounds, have 9cc in my Realize band. Has it been easy street for me....I can honestly day that in the beginning, it was easier than it is now. I haven't lose anything for 2months. I have had to "revamp" my program, increase my Protein intake and get rid of too many slider foods. In other words. I looked in the mirror and decided that I wasn't giving up! I have worked hard and the band has been doing it's job for me...so why stop now. All in all, the BIG scheme of all of this is a Behavior modification lifestyle and it's up to each individual to make their decisions about health and weight. I just wish I had learned all of this years ago instead of spending my life Yo-Yo-ing with my weight & health.I now choose " to eat to live, not live to eat"

I'm so sorry to hear about your pain level. As someone has already said, everyone is different. I had my surgery 18 mos ago. I had more trouble with gas pains than actual surgery pain. I was sent home with meds for pain, nausea, and gas discomfort. I didn't use the pain or nausea meds but I sure used the gas-X strips. Walking helps the pain & gas. I lost 17 lbs in four days and to date I've lost 90 lbs. Just hang in there, it gets better.

I'm so sorry that you feel this way about your band. The band is a tool and it's only as good as it's operator. You get out of it exactly what you put into it. It's not magic. It takes a lot of long hard work to get to the end of your journey. Too bad you are giving up so soon.

Support meeting --December 18, 2010. 10:00 a.m. Come one, come all. We miss you. This is the last one for this year. Merry Christmas everyone.

What you are feeling is completely normal. Everyone's body is different and they all react in different ways. Follow your doctor's orders, keep your head up, remember your overall goal and you'll make it. I didn't feel restriction until I had 9cc in my 11cc band. Most of the weight I have lost had been b/c I followed orders and didn't go off on a binge. After I got the last fill, I knew I had restriction. In my monthly group meeting there is a guy that is over a year out on his journey and he hasn't had a fill yet! He's lost over a 100 pounds. Just remember that this is your journey and it's up to you to make it a good one and also remember that the band is not magic....it's just a tool to help you with the hard work.

My doctor says that you are inclined to take in too much air when you use a straw which can cause the pouch to swell and eventually droop over the band. You are suppose to be taking small sips of liquid, not glups. Also, I am not allowed to drink at all with meals. I can drink 30 min prior to eating and 30 min after eating.If you have a Realize band, the band also advises against using a straw. My nutritionist said I could order a glass of ice cubes and whatever liquid has melted at the end of the meal, I could drink slowly. When I go out somewhere that is where a straw is usually placed on table along with whatever you ordered to drink.....I don't order anything but the ice. Don't "play" with the rules. You will only hurt yourself. Good luck on your journey.

I'm thought I had seen a site for menu's. Can anyone give me the link or did I just dream it?:laugh: I am really tired of eating the same old, same old.:smile2:

Congrats! Happy to hear that you habe done so well. I too didn't have any problems. Now, you are on the road to a life time journey.

Thank goodness, I'm not a chocolate lover. I feel for you that are and glad to hear that you have found ways to solve your cravings. So far, I haven't had any cravings for anything. In fact, I have reached a point of not caring whether I have food or not. Some days, I have to make myself eat. One those days, I at least make sure that I get a couple of protein shakes in. Food just isn't the love of my life anymore. However, I can see now that I'm going to always be broke on clothes when I get to where I want to be...beautiful wonderful outfits.

I hate getting stalled! It frustrates me to no end. I have to stay off the scales and then all at once, I "feel" the loss and it's there.

I have been doing the same thing. One of my friends can wear all of them and I'm sending them on to her. My SIL is sending me her clothes that I'm just now beginning to get into, so I don't have to buy anything.

Froggie, drink a protein shake in the afternoon.