finallyncontrol

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!

Congrats!! Awesome job!! You will reach your goal!

Qtney1...you would have made it through it on just shakes!! That is what my diet was..3 shakes a day for 14 days. Anyway, I am not a breakfast eater so I continued the shakes afterwards as well. It will also help ensure that you are reaching your protein goals!! As for when I get stuck I use pineapple juice...it relieves it within minutes. Good luck on Thursday...on if you check back..same to you latin_starr

I hope this fill works well for you..remember though that being overfilled is the worst feeling ever!! Take care!

Good for you! That is one of the hardest things to do! I am actually allergic to caffeine. I feel like a junkie...I have been caffeine free since 6/6/90. I wish you the very best on your journey..you are already making great strides!!

Try Health One Financial or Elan Financial..they do medical loans. Don't get this far and let little things like this stop you!!

I hope you get better soon!! I know I have already got my flu shot..I hope it works! Take care!

I wish you the very best! Keep in mind everything happens for a reason so the 29th is the magical day! Bklynike could not have said it any better..as soon as you can..get up and walk, walk, walk and when you think you have walked enough..walk some more!! I have lost 120 lbs in 10 months..I have absolutely no regrets...well maybe one..not doing it sooner!! I wish you the very best on your journey and stay in touch with us!!

If your blood pressure is dropping already you might want to keep a close eye on it. Even though I was heavy before my blood pressure was perfect..120/80...every since being banded my blood pressure is 90/60...I was never on any meds and we still haven't put me on any. Sometimes it will drop lower than that. So when I read your blog I thought I should share that with you. Take care.

You are probably still very swollen from the surgery so you will feel full! Make sure you get fluids and protein (or whatever you prescribed plan is). Once the swelling goes down then you will be able to eat more..this time phrase varies for everyone. I wish you the very best.

I think you got some wonderful advice here! Forget the past and start fresh tomorrow! Stay on this website we are all here to support you. I have found that staying on here keeps me more accountable even if it is just to myself! This is not the easy way out as others may think! Once you lose a pound or so you will get the positive feeling you need to keep going!! I wish you the very best!!

I am on blood thinners and will be for life..for a totally different reason. If I recall when the topic came up it was going to be a shot prior to surgery and then one shot afterwards. I know even with me taking warafin (blood thinner) they did give me a shot of heparin right as they were giving me the anesthesia. Regardless any questions or concerns that you have..make sure you thoroughly discuss them with your doctor. You should have no questions when you have your surgery. I wish you the very best on your journey.

I count ounces (LOL) so 6 lbs is awesome! As HEALTHY said always by proud of your accomplishments!! She wrote it up beautifully! It DOES all add up and believe me when you get closer to reaching your final goal..you too will be counting ounces! Also, never get down if you go to those darn scales and you didn't lose a thing..they play games with you..the next time you get on maybe you will have a significant loss. Take care.