finallyncontrol

Fantastic!! So glad it went well! Just take it easy and make sure to heal properly and you will be on your way to a wonderful success story!!! Take care and keep everyone posted!!

I know a .25 put me over the edge..and at that time we realize that my band was very sensitive as well. It can be a good thing! It allowed me to find my sweet spot quickly and I didn't need any more fills after that...actually I only needed to unfills. So I would take it as a positive!! Take care.

Great Job!!!!!!!! Keep it up and following the doctor's orders is the best thing you can do!!!

You crack me up!! I am a scale whore that is for sure...daily, totally naked, first thing in the morning must pee first but right after that. I have done the poop test as well and was completely surprised/deflated on how little it weighed!! Only one day did I weigh all day but that was because I read a posting like this and the poor girl was devastated about her gain so I thought I would try it to see...I kept telling myself to beware that I was going to have an increase throughout the day and sure enough I did...at that moment I said never again!! I am pretty strict about my scale..it cannot be moved..it has to stay in the same spot..pretty hard with having a 3 yr old. He has his own scales to "play" with but as he is getting older and "understanding"...it is getting better. Maybe it really is because I am at goal and I don't have to worry about losing an ounce today?? Take care and now I wonder what your next post will be about...hmmm

It is an amazing thing to go off of medications isn't it!! I would tend to agree with Anglov and keep the med handy just to be on the safe side!! I never went off my heartburn medication. I want to state that there is a VERY SMALL % of people who do not go off of their medications I am that person. So since I am that minority the rest of you don't have to worry! LOL Even my surgeon said that I am his only patient that didn't come off at least one medication!!

LoseIt could not have said it any better!!! Sorry!

It is hard to come out of our shell! So happy that your finally able to accept it now! Glad you are enjoying you life and having more self esteem and pride in your self!! I think sometimes when we are large (heavy) we lose ourselves and we shouldn't but we do. (I know I did) Keep up the awesome work!!

As LoseIt said..being prepared is so important!! I absolutely love your "handy dandy notebook"!! Being creative in what you eat is so important! I don't know how many times I have stated that I eat a ton of chicken..if I eat it 15 times, I ate it 15 different ways. I can't and will not get bored eating it. I need to enjoy my food and it needs to be healthy. This is a lifestyle change not a diet since this is the way of life for the rest of my life not just for today or tomorrow! I wish you the very best it sounds like you are starting out on the right foot!!

I was going to say the same thing...second hand shops or consignment stores..for either way you go..if they don't have what you want sell/donate (tax deduction) what you buy. I have been so fortunate that I was a hoarder and I saved clothes swearing that I was going to wear these clothes again so my shirts fit great..the bottoms were ok (shorts, skirts & dresses are fine--pants a little baggy in the leg & butt). My sister in law who only buys the finest..only wears her stuff once or twice if that...was shocked to find out I finally got as thin as her if not thinner (she will not admit I am thinner than she is) so she cleans out her closets once a month (so she can shop for more). Besides bras and undies I have not bought one new item...and I went from 3X on a good day to a 5/6. With having my sister in law as my "stylist" it helps me stay on track as well!!

Also, as you said this is only a temporary problem and soon you will be at goal and you can build your own empire of clothing...what fun that will be!! And I will be watching you..yes from Florida...lots of colors!!!

Cangel I have dear friend of mine that is not banded and she is in the 200's (well was)...she is so addicted to Zumba. She has lost 50 lbs doing Zumba and said it is so addicting once you get your butt in there. She says it is attitude not looking at each others body...if you want to go in there and have fun shaking your body then it is the right class. If you are already at the gym..I would take the extra step!! You go girl!! Take care!!

I know this weather is driving a lot of us crazy!!! Keep up the jumping jacks and walking around the house!! Count down those days and then the banded life begins!!! :-)

Love your enthusiasm!! Keep it up it is so encouraging!!!!!

Sometimes you need to take a day and regroup!! I always feel totally refreshed, refocused and ready to take control of the world after a support meeting!! I hope you feel the same after your meeting tonight!! It does take quite a bit to do damage to your band..I know we all go there thinking the worst but it is all new to us. I hope you feel better soon!

I think you have got some of the best advice already from the messages above! What I would add is to make sure you add variety to your diet. Yes, I eat a lot of chicken but I cook it 15 different ways...I can't let it get boring. Unlike Bklynike I do love protein shakes so I do continue to have one of those a day (I am not a breakfast eater). So make sure you get your protein in each and every day..that is extremely important! When you are in the puree stage..remember you can puree anything..you just may not want to look at it but it will taste the same!! As Bklynike said routine is crucial..whatever exercise you do..stick with it..it is very important! I never went to the gym but I never missed a day in my pool!! Stay online, go to support groups and follow your dr's direction and you will be a huge success!! If you do not feel right question it..do not let things get out hand!! I wish you the very best on your journey!!!

I am so sorry that you are feeling so yucky!! Please make sure your surgeon knows this!! You really want to go into the surgery room on a high not a downer!! (not that I think he will postpone your surgey!) Stay positive! I wish you the very best!

You will be in my prayers!! I am so happy that you opened the letter and you are taking care of it!!! Please keep us posted!!

To this day and it has been 13 months I have to tell my family members every day I no longer drink with my meals and they will still bring me a glass to the table. My husband still orders me a soda when we go out to dinner. My mom always gets me a straw if I am with her. They offer me bread (when we are out) and then wonder why I didn't serve them bread when I made dinner?? These are things I am adamant about that I don't do. They have finally let me make my own plate so I can try not to waste so much or make the smaller servings and now we are getting smarter when we are out and share meals.

It is hard because it is so mental and everyday all of this goes through our minds and it constantly has to be reinforced. To me it seems second nature but I have to remind everyone around me.

You are so strong natured and structured I know you are going to bounce right back. You just had your brake and you are motivated. You will be in onderland before you know it and then on to your next goal!!

Take care!!

Hey excitement like that is so worth it!! I am sure you even worked harder!! Keep up the hard work...can't wait to read about your next goal that you met!!

You wait 10 minutes inbetween bites??? I don't think you need 10 minutes at all...it should take you a maximum of 30 minutes to eat a meal so that would mean you would only get 3 bites?? I take a bite, set the spoon/fork down, chew (many times) my food, swallow and then pick my utensil back up and then repeat the process. This may take a couple minutes per bit but not 10. When I first got banded it did take me longer than 30 minutes to eat but then I found out that the longer I allowed myself to eat the more food I ate and then I started asking nutritionist and doctors they said the same thing.. It would be like eating 2 meals if you took an hour to eat..your band will process it so you need to finish your meal within 30 minutes.

I am with Marnetta with the puree...when I had to puree foods..I put anything and everything into the blender even if I had to wear I blindfold to eat it. It all goes into out bellies and mixes up so why not mix it up before hand..it all tasted the same so that made me happy and I got to eat what I wanted.

Take care!!

I always told myself that if I cheated now that I would cheat myself out of a bright future and somehow that got me through the toughest days. I know it is really hard right now but you need to follow your doctors orders to a T or as jmunks said you can call them and see what they have to say (some people do require a little more than others). You are in the healing stage and during this time you are preparing your body for the rest of your journey...the better you heal the better your journey. Stay positive, keep your head held high and I wish you the very best on your journey!

You do not have to be a runner. I have lost 130 lbs and never went into any gym and never ran a step (well I do chase a 3 yr old). I don't walk really either (do to other medical conditions (shin splints, sprained spine, back issues). My form of exercise is in the pool..I use water resistance weights and I swim. My surgeon also believes that walking or swimming are the best forms of exercise. With the swimming there was less if any pressure on my joints so I actually felt better after being in the water and I got a work out. It worked for me so don't say "it is just walking" like it is bad..it is one of the best things you can be doing!!! Take care.

I agree with everyone above..It isn't that I don't like some changes but jeez this one was big and bam there it was.

Is there any way you can select a different drink? I drink EAS Myoplex Lite and have been for 13 months and still love it. I am not a breakfast person so that is why I still drink one a day! I had a two week pre-op that was 3 shakes a day with nothing else. No cheating. I agree with Amy..if you want it bad enough you CAN do it! You have to find a drink because you have to do the drinks whenever you get a fill. I know Bklynike (one of the supporters on here) she disliked all of the drinks as well...she came up something similar that worked. You might want to touch base with her and suggest it to your doctor?? Just a thought. Good luck with your journey!!!

Oh one last thought..are these premixed or are you mixing them?? Do you keep them in the frig or are you drinking them room temp?? Mine are premixed and I keep them in the frig..they have to be super cold but you cant freeze them.

I hate to be an ex smoker and to preach..I quit smoking 4 1/2 years ago when I got pregnant with my son and now I can't stand the smell of it. I am allergic to caffeine so I am like an alcoholic with that..I have been caffeine free since June 6, 1990 (my sobriety date LOL). Anyway there is no better time than now or as soon as you get banded to quit. I always feared gaining weight before but with the band it will keep you on track. Also, before one of my smoking friends got banded I asked my surgeon straight out what damage does smoking do...he looked at me straight in my eyes after I convinced him I wasn't going to start again (I have known my surgeon for 5 years now)..he said erosion & ulcers and you never want to go through that so if "you" can convince your friend to quit do what it takes but have her quit as soon as possible.

As for the caffeine headaches...when I went through the withdrawals (I was drinking on average 8 mountain dews a day) I had cold sweats, chills and massive headaches for 5-7 days but after that I started living a normal life without have peaks and gutters throughout the day. Once I balanced out my attitude and temper were also balanced were as before the amount of caffeine played so much of a factor I didn't even know until I didn't have it. When people say they don't function until they have their coffee...it is really the caffeine but once they learn to live without it it is amazing how balanced they are without that "java".

I wish you the very best on your journey!!

You are so true!!! People have laughed at me for counting the ounces that I lost that day!!! Those ounces add up in a week and then a month... it got me to lose 130 lbs in 12 months!!! Positive reinforcements and down an ounce..what a day!! You have done so well! Keep up the excellent work! I wish you continued success!! You will reach your goal!!