finallyncontrol

Way to go! I am so glad that you shared your experience! I think sometimes we forget that we need to change up what we do and what a difference it makes! Way to go and keep up the awesome work!!

Not that I have had any problem with them but celery was on my no-no list due to how stringy they are. I also peel and de-seed my cucumbers (just always have even before surgery..my dad has a problem with the seeds). The only thing I had problems with is onions...they gave me indigestion afterwards--not sure why..so I just cut back on them. As for pureeing...I put anything and everything in a blender...you may need to use a blindfold to eat it but the way I looked at it was it all goes into your stoma and mixes up in there so as along as it tastes good who cares how it looks...and by then it had been 30 days since I had had anything to chew..I was ready to eat!! I wish you the very best!

How far along are you? As soon as I was able to eat regular foods..I took out the word diet and made my "lifestyle change". I have always eaten normal everyday foods but very small portions. I don't eat breads but only because it fills me up so fast I can't eat anything else. I knew that I wouldn't be able to "only eat chicken" for the rest of my life and I didn't want to eat only a few things so that once I met my goal that I would instant gain weight. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 117 lbs so far. I have 9 lbs to go reach my goal. I feel fantastic. Whenever I "think" I am hungry I eat sugar free popsicles (sometimes 5 a day). I also get on this website, take a walk or read a book. Another thing to measure is..see if you are still hungry 15 minutes after you distract the hunger sign..it could just be in your head. Alot of the time it was only in my head and once I did distract myself it went away. Also, if you are able to eat solid proteins it will help you feel fuller longer. I hope some of this helps! Take care and I wish you the very best!!

Hello Paris! I wish you the very best for your surgery on the 23rd! The best advice I can offer you is to try a few different protein shakes..either premixed or you mix them..until you find one that you like. They are really important!! I really love the EAS Myoplex Lite Chocolate. I get it premixed. Making sure you get the proper amount of protein not only helps you keep up your energy level it also makes sure you are getting the right amount of nutrients when you are doing only liquids. Even after surgery you will have to do shakes periodically as well...when you get fills (well I should say most doctors require you to do shakes for a day or two but not all require this.) Stay positive and I wish you the very best!

Forget about the past and start fresh today! Stay focused and positive! I wish you the very best!

Excellent news on your tests!!! I agree with you..I measure ounces as well..any loss is better than a gain. As for the fill..this is what my doctor asks me..Can you eat a hot dog AND a bun? (I always tell him I don't eat bread so I can't answer that question) But I know where he is going. If I can eat a hot dog and the bun then I need a fill. He says that some of his patients will say "yeah I ate two yesterday". I eat hot dogs but I don't eat the bun. Anyway, you have done fantastic without a fill, it is totally up to you if you get one or not. I just thought I would tell you what my dr would ask me. As always...take care, you are doing awesome!!

she is beautiful!!!! I also have a miracle son..he just turned 3..he has been my inspiration now. God does work in so many ways! I wish you and your family all the very best! Try not to spoil her..it will be so hard as precious and beautiful as she already is. Take care!

I know what you mean...some days are just like that!! Just remember there is always tomorrow or the next day has a new beginning and a fresh start!! Forget what happened (besides mourning your rat) and press forward. I wish you the very best!!

With that kind of power you will be so successful!! Congrats on the 29 lbs!! Keep up the positive attitude it will take you so far!! You can do it!

LoseIt is right everyone is different. Mine was aggressive. I believe that I only got 4 fills total..the 5th one was for .25 and it put me over the edge. I was at 5.0 and add the .25 did me in. I have been at 5.0 for several months now. It worked for me..everyone hits their sweet spot at different times. I would ask them to be a little more aggressive but keeping in mind that just a little bit like .25 could be the magical amount needed.

Every doctor seems to have his own plan..mine is very strict and I will never forget his words.."Well do you want to end up in the ER?" so I follow his rules. Mine is 2 days of clear liquids, 2 days of protein shakes, 2 days of pureed and 2 days of soft proteins..then regular foods...Yes this is after each and every fill!!!

Yes Armywive I agree with Bklynike...not all losses are bad..35 lbs in 5 wks is fantastic especially with all that you just went through! I am sure your dad is so proud of you. He will be keeping an eye on you! Sorry to hear of his passing. I wish you the very best!!

Sound simple enough..and definitely yummy for my tummy!!!! Thanks!!

You are so awesome!! Even trying to compete with a 10 yr old..you make me laugh!! You are doing so good and keeping everyone so inspired!!

Hello! Congrats on being banded and making it this far!! I know this month or so is actually the hardest! Once you make it to your first fill it is hard! I will help you now and after that help you get thru this time!! Many people on this site will also help you!! It is so worth it. I was banded 11/23/9 and have lost 112 lbs. When you do start eating mushies? Are you able to drink milk or protein shakes?? What is your protocal? Where do you live? Please take care!

I think the best feeling that I have had is when I see people out and I have completely forgotten that I have lost 112 lbs and look completely different...well these people don't recognize me. They look at me and I talk to them..they get this weird look on their face like...I know this voice, she sounds familiar.. is that Michele?? did you lose weight? like a lot of weight?? Then I remember I haven't seen them in a while. I take this as the best compliment ever. Yes, I could let it go to my head but I don't! I can put on the sexiest outfits and get all glammed up..but only for my husband. But on an everyday all day basis..I am just me..just a lighter, healthier me! So that is my advice..just be who you are now and forever. You have to do things for yourself and no one else! Take good care of yourself!

B..I know you are getting close to your goal weight..would you do this now or would you wait until you actually hit your goal weight (or I guess come within 10-20 lbs if that is how much they would remove). I guess why I am asking is I would want the scar to be as tight as possible afterwards. I had the opposite happen. I had a tumor remove and the surgeon made it really tight..I gained a lot of weight and now the scar is kind of sagging. If I had a tummy tuck I wouldn't want the same to happen. So the question is your opinion if I was to do it...reach goal or do it if I was 10-20 lbs out (I am 12 lbs out from goal..it is in my belly and my thighs). Lipo might even be a better choice. I haven't seen anyone. Thanks.

I agree 83 lbs is fantastic. I usually go one week a month with little loss due to it being that time of the month. Not sure if that was what was happening in your life. If you lost 12 in one month that is excellent. The worse thing that can happen is to be overfilled..it does more damage than good. I would stay just where you are and keep trucking at 12 lbs a month!! You are doing great!! Keep up the excellent work!

Can't wait to see your pictures! As for you pushing out your fills..don't worry about it. I know one lady who didn't have her first fill until 8 months out. I am 12 lbs away from reaching my final goal...I am seriously planning on writing my first blog at that time and going to include before and after pictures. As for your feet..your feet do lose weight so your shoes might be too big and could be rubbing wrong?? Take care! Can't wait for the pictures!!

WTG on the weight loss!! Also, you are doing great on the fluids!! That is very important!! You have a wonderful attitude! That attitude will allow you to reach all of your goals in life!! Keep it up! Take care!!

I agree..I was torn but then I said..you will have no choice but to NOT gain it back! I had (have) clothes from size 7 to 3X in my closet & boxes..so yes I have been hanging on to the dream of losing weight for a long time!! When I am going closet shopping and doing my fashion shows now my husband will say "are you having a flash back to the 80s or what..or did that one come from the 90s?" I just laugh and tell him that these styles are coming back. With me getting rid of everything that is too big (16 & higher and some 14s) I still have a full closet and then some. I am wearing somewhere between a 9-14 depending on the cut. I am just happy not to have to go spend money on clothes!! I so keep going forward and don't look back! Take care!

Congrats debus! You are doing the same as me. I had to integrate my family into this as well. I don't even call it a diet. It is a lifestyle change for me. I cook about 90-95% of our meals (some are pre-packaged). I was banded 11/23/9 and have lost 109 lbs. I also walk and work out in our pool. This has been the most amazing journey I have ever been on BUT I have to have my family's support. I wish you continued success!! Take care!

I am in shock reading this..You go girl! I think they would have to put ME away before they could take my scale away!! I at least only get on it once a day..first thing in the morning with no clothes on. I sort of feel sorry for you but in reality I think of how much strength it shows that you have! If you can do this just think how much determination you have!! You will succeed in reaching your next goal and then some!! Once again...you go girl!!

Congrats on your first fill! The one thing I realized right away was that I could not eat the same thing everyday or for the rest of my life and my greatest fear would be was to hit my goal weight and then change what I was eating to only gain weight. So I dropped the word diet out of my vocabulary and replaced it with lifestyle change. Then I started going on different websites...sparkrecipes.com and others my criteria was high protein, low calories I found so many amazing recipes out there. My family eats the same things I do and I have lost 109 lbs in 8 months. I have made things I would have never tried before and only a couple I didn't care for. The bottom line is I believe you have to spruce up your menu in order to keep your interest in changing your lifestyle and you never know what is out there or just a click away!! Good luck and I wish you the very best on your journey!!

I still have a Myoplex EAS Chocolate protein shake everyday! I am one of those weird ones that absolutely loves them...still 8 months out and still loves them!! I also have the Protein Shots from walmart on hand just in case I don't get enough protein in that day..depending on what I eat that day or if I just feel like I want a little extra I will take the "shot" of protein. I drink the shake for breakfast due to I do not like breakfast food..unless it is biscuits and gravy with fried eggs (now doesn't that sound healthy...more like a heart attack waiting to happen!) Take care!