finallyncontrol

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!

welcome!! Marw could not have said it any better...walk, walk, walk and then walk some more!! Follow your doctors orders to a T and stay in touch...you will be fine! If you have any questions always post them or call your doctor. The saying that there isn't a stupid question..it is so true!! Take care!

sounds very good!!! The best part is how wonderful your son is to call you with the recipe...it shows how much he believes in you and supports you! That is awesome!!

Since I was banded I probably cook 95% of our meals where as before we ate out or had fast food at least 80% of the time...what a huge difference. I dug out some old cookbooks, I get some recipes off TV, I love Healthy Recipes and Recipe Calculator From SparkRecipes.com and there are a couple more websites but I absolutely love to cook now especially knowing what a difference I am making not only for me but for my families life!! I have a 3 year...I need to show him the proper way to eat...not the way we were going!!

Well a couple of things that I practice is that I eat a lot of Sugar Free Popsicles..those are my snacks or when my head thinks I am hungry and it should not be time to eat. I also started to push the plate away when I felt "satisfied" not when I felt full. That was really big..but it had the biggest impact. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 121 lbs..I have 5 lbs to go. My last thought would be is make sure you look at your proteins..your protein is what makes you full..so making sure you are eating the best of the best protein goes a long way to keeping you satisfied longer. I hope this helps you. Take care!

Blondi I hope you saw my previous post you your earlier blog..wait until your surgeons response!! I truly hope this is not what has happened! If it is maybe there is something they can do!! I honestly feel for you. I will be praying for you. I know you have been sticking to the plan and have worked hard! Please keep us posted!!

Yea stay on them about that bill!! I know your house sounds crazy and it sounds like you are a terrific mom. If there is one thing I could ask you to do (not sure if it is possible) If you could have your husband handle the household for 15-30 minutes a day so you could take a walk around the neighborhood and have some "U" time. I think that it would really help you boost your weight loss and lower your stress level. Maybe your daughter could help out a couple days a week?? I know you are trying to help her but maybe she can help you too? I can't walk all that much but I need my swim time or I really get grouchy..finally my husband has figured it out! LOL Take care and keep on working it!!

Just a thought..but try amazon.com I have my kindle and I am ready to download it!! So I am sure others would want to buy an electronic version!!!

I get most of my recipes off of Healthy Recipes and Recipe Calculator From SparkRecipes.com I think if you go to that website you will find a ton there that you will like. My family does a thumbs up/thumbs down rating on the dishes as to if I will make it again...so far in the 10 1/2 months there has only been a couple that we are not going to make again!! I hope you enjoy the recipes!!

First off you look absolutely fabulous!!!!!! Now to the questions...How long can you go in between meals?? If you can go 4-5 hours..then you probably do not need a fill. If you are getting full on servings of 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of food and that is keeping you full for the 4-5 hours you probably do not need a fill. If your weight loss has stalled then you DO need a fill. If you are hungry in between meals you need a fill. If you can eat bread at each meal and your meal..then you need a fill.

That is about about all I can think of right now but once again...you look fantastic!! Another thing the worse thing to do is get overfilled but keep in mind if you do you can always have it taken out and go back to where you are today. Take care and keep up the awesome work!

The one thing to remember is everyone gets the jitters or the butterflies! Just keep focusing on why you began the process. The next you know you will be waking up in recovery!!! It will all be worth it! I know I would do it all over again in a heart beat...the only thing I regret is why didn't I do it sooner!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

you know happiness is contagious! so I am so happy you spread through your blog!!

I swear I am so jealous of the single life sometimes..I say sometimes because I have a wonderful husband and a son I would never trade in for anything. I just seams that I don't sign on for a week or two and then I find your posting...there you are going on another vacation..but I guess I am getting ready to go on one for 3 weeks my self with my parents in their RV to Key West. It will be my parents, my son and me. My husband will join us the last weekend. My parents are staying there for 2 months so we will actually take a 3 hour boat ride back to about an hour where we live...so that will be nice.

I know what you mean about how much we eat today vs how much we used to..it always amazes me!!

Don't look back..look at your future!! Don't compare yourself to others..they are not in your shoes! So happy your husband is home for you and what a wonderful job he is doing for all of us!! Oh, Happy Anniversary! Good Luck with your continued success!!!

Remember everything happens for a reason..I know that sounds cliche but I truly believe that!! Most people who have surgery have been thinking about or working insurance issues for at least 2 years!! So don't give up and as you said the new year is just around the corner!!!!! Take care and believe it will happen!!

The one thing I did was make sure everyone realize that I was not on a diet! I had made a lifestyle change and yes the very beginning was going to be a little rough (that is where you are now) and they needed to be on the wagon with me. I do all of the cooking of my family and we all eat the same thing! The only difference is I eat a much smaller portion. Yes there may be some candy in the house but I try to buy the kind I really don't care for. When I have to give in and have pizza..I eat salad..with me being almost 11 months out--I still cannot eat pizza...pizza rolls yes..but not pizza. Remember that if you do the shopping..you are the one in control of what comes into your house. If everyone fills up on what is at dinner or in their lunches..they will forget about candy. Also, you will find other healthy snacks that they will like. We do a "thumbs up (or down)" test on all the recipes I have introduced...from how long did it take to make it, how easy was it to make, the taste, presentation and so forth and if we ALL want it again. This maybe be something or something like this you might want to try. As I said we all eat exactly the same foods just I eat a smaller portion. When I do purees...if I can eat it...then it goes into the Magic Bullet...sometimes it is not pretty to look at but you will find that want different things (or certain things) so throw it in the blender and puree it..it doesn't change the flavor. Just as my surgeon said about the pizza..just don't put in the blender just to be able to eat it. I know I am rambling but I hope you get the drift of what I am saying! Take care and I wish you the very best!

Yeah I know what you mean! I try to cook most of my meals! One place that I love to get recipes from is Healthy Recipes and Recipe Calculator From SparkRecipes.com You can search it many different ways. It will show you the recipe, ingredients and the nutrients. I love it and hope you will as well.

Hang in there!! I had an endoscopy done by a non bariatric doc and she couldn't even find the band!! I flipped out and called the surgeon..he started laughing!! (I had been in the hospital for 5 days already) So he came in to see me the next morning and looked at the pictures and showed me exactly where everything was..our pouch is SOOOOOOO little that non bariatric doctors look "right past" it and say it isn't there. None of the other drs could figure out what was wrong with me so he signed my discharge papers and out the door I went! 6 weeks later we figured out it was extremely low potassium. My surgeon also told me to never again have an endoscopy done by any dr that wasn't a bariatric doctor..they could damage the band. I hope your results come out good!!! You will be in my prayers!!

Brina I was banded 11/23/9 and have lost 121 lbs and have 5 lbs left. I would do this over again in a heart beat!! My best advice to you is that you have to be completely ready before you go thru with this!!! This is a lifetime commitment. I believe people feel they have to post their nightmares because they want to makes sure that everyone knows that not every PERSON has perfect days 7 days a week. If you do not eat the right foods, take small bites and eat slowly then it will cause you to slim..it is just a fact. For those who chose to not follow the rules like ...they refuse to quit smoking..they will (or the risk is very high) to develop ulcers...it is a proven fact. The only thing I had to keep reminding myself is that I cant eat in a hurry. The ONLY food I cannot eat is pizza, Doritos and bread..I eat everything else in small portions without any problems. I also would love to be friends with you and would love to help you through this! I think having a positive attitude plays a major part in getting you through this as well!! Take care!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE your attitude!!!! Keep it going!

Don't be discouraged if people do not notice..you will feel it! I lost 42 lbs and 1 person asked if I got my hair cut! LOL Now that I have lost 120 lbs people do not even recognize me! I think it is fantastic that you were able to realize that you were at your sweet spot with 2 fills! You are doing wonderful!! I wish you continued success!! Take care!