Dadkins8

The first of everything is hard when you lose a parent. I lost both of my parents (my dad when I was 10 and my mom when I was 39). Trust me when I say I felt robbed. However, I am now to the point where I do see my blessing around me. I was blessed with a second dad (my step father). He is such a wonderful man. It does take a little time to get to the point where you will be okay with things. It is normal to miss your mom so much. I am glad that you are blessed with that wonderful memory of your mother. When you are ready and able you will start to see signs of your mother all around you. I agree with Chriper when she encouraged you to talk to God. He heard a lot from me and still does...both to give thanks and to ask for a little help and guidance when needed. A new year is beginning...and with it ....you will find hope in new beginnings!

I am so sorry about your mom! That was one of the main reasons I started on my journey a few years ago. However, it took me a litte longer to finally decide to get the lapband. However, I absolutely have no regrets!It is great that you came here for support. I have found this site to be a true blessing. It is a journey. I have loss 50 lbs in 5 months. I am still working on getting all of the exercise down. I know I could do better if I did that. You will find help and support by reading and learning from others. I do so much better if I check in and stay focused. So...you are already off to a good start!

I had that a lot after my second fill. I learned to eat real slow and chew...chew....chew. I know even with my first fill that I could still eat pretty normal bites. Trust me I didn't eat as much but I could still take my regular bites. However, once I had my second fill I threw up for 2 weeks. Let's just say that it took me a while to learn. I now know to eat a little bit...chew..chew...chew. Then, I need to wait about 7-10 minutes before eating more. It is working and I am learning to work with my band. However, if I wait until I am too hungry, I end up eating too fast or taking too big of bites and getting sick.

You are already planning which will go far in your journey. As I read your post, it made me realize that I need to get back to writing in my journal. I am more accountable when I do that. You list is a good thing...it helps you plan. Good luck as you get ready to embark on your wonderful journey!

Plan, plan, plan! I find that is so important to my success. I find myself in trouble when I wait too long to eat. I either eat too fast or am tempted to put food in my mouth that is not going to give me the protein that I need. This is especially true when you have little ones around. It can get very distracting. As Dolly stated.....use this site as a resource it has been very helpful to me!

I don't know how you do it, but you always make me laugh with your clever titles and humor! I have had a really good week after a hard day last week. The difference I guess was getting back on the wagon again right away instead of waiting for tomorrow. Tomorrow never gets here!!! I know i feel exactly like you. This site has given me so much support that I don't even feel in the monthly meetings that I was attending. Good luck the weight loss will happen!

Way to go, Gonnabefit! You have the right attitude. I can tell that you finally feel empowered and that is a beautiful feeling. Just know that we are out here cheering you on! It is a new beginning for you....and I wish you the very best!

Ryanthegirl, I think a lot of us would be better off if we were able to have counseloring weekly or monthly. I applaud you for taking that step to help you identify areas to work on. I know being an emotional eater myself that I have had to really focus on my mental well being. As another reader stated in her blog...I am worth it! I have taken her words and started to use them in my morning reflection before I begin my day. You need to remember that you are worth it. I know I run from sun up to sun down for my family. However, I now make sure to take time for me. Most of us who are overweight can attribute it to being an emotional eater or a stress eater. It does requires us to constantly work at our mental well being so that we can stay focused. Good luck with your journey!

Dolly, you have such a wonderful personality and outlook! That is going to really help you as you begin this journey. Great idea to find some videos to help you with exercises. Also, it is nice to include the hubby. Surrounding yourself with wonderful supportive people is key to success in any aspect of life. Good luck!

Way to go, lemonchick! I am also just a little past 4 months. I am to go into my doctor for a fill next week. However, I don't feel like I need one at the current time. I am down 50 pounds as of today. Yeah! I know my weight loss has really slowed down as well. I am okay with it. I know that I am doing what I need to do. Although, I do get hungry about every 4 hours. My last fill was a big adjustment and it took me several weeks to get to where I wasn't throwing up everyday. So, I do feel confident in staying where I am at currently. Keep up the great job!

Kelly111 I was just like you. I could eat anything until I got my second fill. I threw up for 2 weeks straight as I had to relearn everything ago. All of those tips from the doctor really came into play. Drink 30 minutes before eating, take super small bites, and take your time. I really don't do very well with bread or chicken. Both of these things I could still eat post band until my second fill. You will learn what works with your band and what doesn't. Good luck as you learn what works!

Gonnabefit keep your head held high. Please know that we all have those days. You are hitting a bump in the road of life. Many of us have been there. Know that "you" are worth it. Sometimes we let everything else take a precedent over all aspects of our lives. Take time for yourself and to refocus. Make it a point to see that you get the right foods for you and surround yourself with people who are going to support you. As far as the doctor...be your own advocate and tell her you want her to be aggressive with this fill. Stress how hungry you have been. Trust me when I say...it is possible for you to not be hungry on the band. My last fill...was like wow. I had a really hard time and for a while thought it might have been too much. However, after 3 weeks....I had figured out what worked and what didn't. I am wishing you much success on this fill for you! Again....remember...."YOU" are worth it!

I totally agree with Kelly111. I am working very hard to exercise and lose this weight....and I have loss 49 lbs in 4 months. I can't say that I will never have a bite of cheese cake again. However, I know that every once in a while, it will okay to have a bite or two. I have worked really hard to change my thinking with the lapband. To me a diet seems so restrictive. So, I tell myself that I am changing my eating habits for life...and it is okay to have a craving every now and again. So don't beat yourself up over this. Also, keep a journal and remind yourself that you are worth it. The one phrase that my doctor office gave me is HALT! I use this in the evenings which is the greatest challenge to me. H: Am I hungry? A: Am I angry? L: Am I lonely? T: Am I tired? I would also add a B: Am I bored? It helps if you can identify why? Good luck on your journey!

This is a journey. Sometimes it feels like being an alcoholic. Food is our alcohol and we fall off the wagon. However, your strength and determination will help you to refocus and move forward. I do use this website as my support from those who understand what I am going through. I am fortunate to have a supportive family, but it is nice to have the support of others who know what I am going through. You are refocusing and you can do this!

Sandradee, I am so glad that you are back. You feel like an old friend to me on this site. I was afraid that you didn't like the new format and you were not going to post. I wish you the absolute best on your interview. I am sure that anyone who meets you will love you. I do get the stress. I am an emotional eater who is learning not to use food as an emotional crutch. I actually loss weight over Thanksgiving as well. It was the first time in my life. Keep up the great job!

I was banded in July. I didn't have any food that I could not eat until my second fill. However, I did work hard to eat healthy since I want this to be successful. Now, I do have foods that do not go down as well. Also, I MUST eat a lot slower. I was able to eat anything even after my first feel. However, the second fill had me relearning a lot of stuff. I had to really slow down, take mini bites, and it takes me a long time to eat just a little bit of food. I did get sick a lot after the second fill. I do think that most of us felt hungry before the first fill, and I heard from my doctor that it is common for some people to actually gain a little weight during that six week recovery period. I now know that I don't need any more fill on my next visit here in December. I want to stay put for a while. You will find out what is right for you by working with your doctor as well.

I loved reading it! Thank you so much for sharing. I think that so many of us feel that once we "fall off the wagon" all is lost. This is truly a journey that we must work at for the rest of our lives. We are a work in progress and we know that there will be set backs. However, we must not look at it as a failure. We must pick ourselves up and move forward. Again, I thank you for sharing!

Yeah, my second fill took some getting use to. I threw up for about 2 weeks on and off until I figure out how to eat with my lapband. I am hopeful that you found your sweet spot. I know I will not be getting another fill on my next visit to the doctor. I have 4.5 and it is definately enough. Good luck!

I do sometimes take those when I am in a crunch for time. However, they are high in sodium and I don't do it unless I have no other choice. They are "my emergency" lunch. I make up things the night before that high in protein. I make solid white tuna salad, egg salad, bean with all white turkey franks (low fat and calories). Also, I look in cookbooks to get recipes to modify to meet my needs. Sometimes it is hard to plan ahead of time (4 children of my own). I would go ahead and use them as necessary. Good luck!

I was like both of ou lady and did not feel any restriction until after my second fill. Trust me when I say it took some getting use to. I was sick after every meal for 2 1/2 weeks. Part of this was due to the fact that I could eat any food up until that second restriction. I didn't understand what the doctor meant by take it slow as I left his office. However, it didn't take long for me to figure out what he meant. I use to eat some bread...not a lot as I was trying to cut out most carbs. I could eat chicken. Chicken is not so nice of a friend anymore. I had to eat so much slower, micro bites, and wait a long time to drink. I didn't need to do that before my second fill. Please know that you will hit platuea's along the way. I felt like I wasn't losing. However, when I went back to my journal I could see that weight was coming off. When I hit a plateau at the beginning, I started to really walk. It did help to get me jump started again. I had about a 2 week plateau and then this week, I have loss 3.8 lbs. Just keep working with the band and it will come off. Good luck with your second fill!

My doctor made me wait the full six weeks. I do know that I found myself in the same situation before my first fill. I could have eaten anything. However, I did not allow myself because I wanted to lose weight. If you doctor says no to the fill until your date in December, I suggest you plan and prepare ahead. This really helped me. I made sure my house was filled with lots of healthy choices and I did not consume more than 1100 calories a day with a high focus on protein. However, you are probably still on your liquid phase. I found it most difficult when I did plan and prepare. I still didn't have much of a restriction even after my first fill. I really had to have the will power. However, my second fill was different. I now KNOW restriction. I stay that so loudly because I had to adjust and adapt after my second fill. I was sick after almost every meal for 2 1/2 weeks until I ate slowly, chewed everything into micro bites and didn't try to drink so soon after eating. Good luck with these next couple of weeks. They were truly my hardest weeks. Please know that we have all been there. It will be over soon!

It is a big decision and it is up to you to decide on who you tell or don't tell. I didn't tell anyone right away because the first time I investigated gastric lapband I didn't like the bariactic group that I was associated with and backed out. However, I found another group that made me feel like they were truly there becaused they cared. It was not just a business for them. My insurance made me do 6 months of pre op stuff before I could get the surgery. I didn't even mention it to my husband the second time around (who is VERY supportive) until the 4th month. He didn't tell anyone. He said it was up to me. I only told 2 of my sisters until right before the surgery. Then, I told the rest of my family. They were all very supportive and encouraging. However, I did not tell anyone at work except my boss. She is an awesome lady who had mentioned getting it done herself prior to my surgery. I will be honest and wondered why in the world I got the lapband the first 2 weeks post surgery. However, I SO love it now. I feel so thankful and blessed to have it! Also....you will enjoy this website. It has been more helpful than the local support group in which I attend once a month. Actually, I didn't even attend it last month as I feel I get more from this site. Good luck as you begin your journey!