finallyncontrol

I take Flintstones Chewables

I am also a self payer..I have lost 122 lbs with 4 lbs to go. I was banded 11/23/9. When I was banded I followed the rules to a T during the first 6 weeks (until my first fill) and then during a discussion with my dr I told him that this is not a diet to me this is a lifestyle change. I cannot be cooking two different dinners at night..one for me and one for my family...I wasn't going to eat a certain kind of foods until I reached my goal to only then start eating foods that could maybe cause me to gain weight..so I needed to eat everyday kinds of food that wouldn't do any harm to my band but were healthy for me and my family. My dr and I went back and forth with this because he was very strict and he wanted to make sure I didn't do anything that would case me to be in the ER. The thing he wanted was to slowly introduce foods to the band...I did that but somethings not as slow as he might had wanted or at first wanted. With my results he felt I had a good handle on things and did very well. Here are examples of a hamburger to me...a 1/3 of a hamburger patty cut up with ketchup and mustard served with a pickle..no bun or anything else. Spaghetti is 2 meatballs and 4 strands of spaghetti noodles with sauce. So my portions have changed considerably..they are much smaller. I do believe others do eat a full up hamburger...I just can't...nor can I eat pasta or bread. Breads fill me up and I cannot get the protein I need to have energy. I feel like I rambled on but that is my two cents worth. I wish you the very best!!

What an awesome feeling that is!! Keep it up!

do not just give up...there are medical loans...you can try elan financial services, health one, or go on lapband.com they may be able to offer other lending companies as well as your doctor may know of other places or ideas!! Remember if you want things bad enough you can make it happen! I am a self pay and then I saved all of my receipts..fought my insurance company and appealed their denials...11 months later I got refunded 70% of what I paid. Keep fighting...don't give up!!

All I can say is Amen sister!! My 3 yr old son is my biggest motivator besides my husband! Yes, it was hard to put me first but knowing I would be able to get up off the floor and then back down on the floor again to play with him again was so inspiring! I wish you the very best on your journey!!

As you know I think you are doing fantastic! The one thing you really can't do but since you asked..I always averaged 12-13 lbs per month. As for foods my thoughts from the very beginning was..can I live without this food FOREVER if so then I would not eat it. I eat mashed potatoes quite often. A lot of times they help to get some of the meats down. I don't eat breads. When I make spaghetti I will eat 2 meatballs and 4 strands of pasta (just to get the taste). As for lasagna..I have pretty much given it up even though I can make an awesome lasagna. I think you see how I live... If you want to lose a little faster you can go in for a fill..I don't think you are losing too fast to create sagging if that is what you are worried about..especially with all of exercise. Hopefully, I am not rambling too much!! Take care!

I say YOU GO GIRL!!!! If I was single I would do the same. I keep wearing my hair up and asking my husband "how does this look" and he keeps just shrugging his shoulders and says he likes it long. I think having it short and/or wearing it up makes our faces look thinner (at least my face anyway). I know if I was in your shoes I would be freaking out though since I have never had short hair..well maybe when I was like 5 or so but not since then. As you said if you decide you really don't like it then it will grow out..probably even quicker than you think since you just got a really good cut and it has really healthy ends now. Take care!!

Fantastic! You sound so motivated! I am sure you will be under 200 so fast you will not even know what happened..I know what happened...the baby and the 2 yr old!! I have a 3 yr old son so I know chasing him around is a huge motivator!!

Forget about yesterday and focus on tomorrow!! I agree with both Dad and Sandra..there are bumps in the road but don't beat yourself up..stay focused and remain positive...set mini goals and take some time for yourself..even if it is only 15 minutes a day..you deserve it. I wish you the best.

At the beginning you need to follow the doctors orders. You need to let your body/band heal. The better you let yourself heal the better you will be in the long run. I know 5 additional days sounds forever right now but it will be over soon enough and you will on your way. You should be able to eat sugar free popsicles, bullion cubes, crystal light, fuze drinks besides the broth and jello. Your doctor should have provided you with a listing of everything you are allowed..if not you should ask him or her or the nutritionist. Please take care of yourself! I wish you the very best on your journey!!

Congrats!!! I think you have inspired so many people including myself!! I agree with you on the boobs..not sure where mine went..but am not looking for them. LOL I have loved reading your work outs..you are so hard on yourself and so honest on your blogs!! Please take care and I hope you continue posting on here.

Excellent results..I agree with you...you can take a supplement and get it back in line! I wish you luck on the esophogram!! I know I was potassium deficient on the 6 month check up and have been struggling to keep it up so I am curious as to where I will be next month when I get my 1 year check up.

I am with you..I have a 3 yr old that is a wonderful eater but he also loves all the bad stuff too. When I got banded I finally get that hit in the head that I needed that if my son does like all the good foods why AM I feeding him the bad stuff. So for snacks we now have fruits and carrots instead of chips. We always did eat SF popsicles but now we eat them together instead of me eating ice cream. He makes me feel good by saying "my momma cooks good things for me" or "my momma is a good cook" where as before he only got home cooked meals from his grandmas. He has always been my motivation..he will continue to be...I hope your family will continue to be yours as well! Take care!

My pre-surgery diet was 3 protein shakes a day..so I found and absolutely love EAS Myoplex Lite shakes. I also agree with Shurmeka and Dadkins...walking, sugar free snacks will also help. Good Luck! If this was doctor ordered for the surgery you really need to stick to the plan to make the surgery smoother and prepare you for a smoother recovery! Once again good luck with your journey!

yummy!!! Thanks!

Love it Tommygunn!

It waseally my 3rd fill when I hit my sweet spot. We tried to add a little more after that and then I was too tight and and to take some out...but really the 3rd one was the one that was the magically one!! If you cannot go 4 hours without being starving...then I would call your dr and ask if you can go in for another fill. I am not sure how aggressive your doctor is. My doctor had a 7 day diet you had to follow after each fill and then you could decide after that but he was pretty strict. You do not want to rush things. Take care.

Sandradee is so right on...if the scale is controlling our emotions we need to throw the scale away or at least put it somewhere we can't put our hands on easily. We need to stay positive..so when you can put on a pair of pants or a shirt that you haven't been able to wear and it puts a smile on your face..then go with that as your result for the day. It isn't always losing a pound or even an ounce that counts as a measurement!!! Stay and think positive thoughts and stay on track..you will prevail!

I also ditto the exhaustion part! I don't sleep though..one day every so often I collapse and sleep but other than that I keep on trucking. I may not have an office job but I have a household to run and a 3 yr old to chase..that is plenty for me. Plus I can't just go through a drive thru for lunch and dinner (well breakfast too) anymore. So I have to admit..working 6-5 at an office, sending my son to day care all day and eating out all time seemed easier...but now I wouldn't trade for anything!! Have fun seeing your friend and your godson..you will have time to rest another day. I seriously do take one day and catch up about every other week or so. Take care!!

You are doing fantastic!! Keep up the hard work and Happy belated bday!!

FANTASTIC!!! You are so right it is so much like an alcoholic and now that we are where we fight so hard to get we have to fight even more to lose more (or maintain our goal)!! Keep up the hard work!! Congrats again on being under 200 and climbing the rock wall..that is awesome!

Ken (Giby) has some great recipes..I am a shake person for breakfast..then I shoot for 300 cals for lunch, 400 for dinner and that leaves me 200 for snacks throughout the day. I cook 90-95% of my meals. I use a lot of cook books that I have and I love, love, love Healthy Recipes and Recipe Calculator From SparkRecipes.com you can search for breakfast, lunch or dinner on there! I hope you enjoy!