Dadkins8

I was thinking the same things as you prior to surgery. How will I "live" without my diet coke? What??? I can't eat bread? However, now that I am into this journey over 6 months, it honestly is not that big of a deal. I really don't miss the soda. I have found so many other things to substitute it. I love the Ocean Spray Blueberry Lemonade that goes into the water. I was able to eat bread before I had my second fill...so I gradually started to cut back and I really don't miss not eating much of it.

It take a little time for you comment to show up. You will see a little black box that states loading. Your comment will not show up. However, if you go back to the blogs and click on the blog again you should see it!

It is so hard not to worry about something so major. I was misdiagnosed with bone cancer. I lived with those same fears for 3 weeks until I was able to get in to the chief orthoedic oncolongist at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. I had 4 children all under the age of 8. I was terrified. However, it did turn out that the first doctor was wrong. Be hopeful that it is nothing. Take it one day at a time. Your thoughts will be consumed by this until you get your test and talk with the doctor. It is normal. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for a good outcome!

I was like you and didn't like them. I did try the protein shots..fruit punch and grape...yuck! However, the orange one was not so bad. I have had a hard time finding them. As you get into your journey...you will find a way to make it work. Good luck!

HI, great to see you back on here! I am down 54 lbs and so excited about that being 5 months out. This site has taken me some time to get use to it. However, the more I play around with it...the better it gets.

Justplaintired...trust me I know what you feel like. I posted a blog recently where I mentioned that the greatest gift about the lapband was getting back some of my energy. It is such a wonderful feeling. I had to "push" to do anything before my surgery. Now....I am down 53 lbs and feel like the enegizer bunny. I still have about 95 lbs to go to get to my goal weight. Although, that goal could change as I get closer. My family has all commented on how much more I am able to do. You will get there. Keep perservering and it will happen. It is a journey that we just keep focused on to make it happen!

How long have you been at a stand still? My body is weird. I plateau for about 9 days and then lose 3 to 4 pounds. At first it was frustrating until I started keeping a journal and noticed a pattern. Try keeping a journal and see if you notice everything. I know it helped me.

You are doing great! I agree with having energy...I have so much now. I can't imagine what we will fill like when we lose the next 50 lbs.

Everyone's story and journey is different. I suggest following the doctors advice. Each doctor has their own preferences and they also know your medical history.I know those of us on this site share our experiences with one another and provide support when needed. It is not always an easy journey but one that is well worth the time and effort. I have found this site to provide me with so much support and new friendships from afar. This site is not for medical advice as much as it is for someone to help you gain perspective when things are difficult or to celebrate the victories/accomplishment of fellow readers. I find both very helpful. This journey is about you...you are off to a good start in recognizing that! Good luck on your journey!

I agree that you should just follow the directions of your doctor. I know it is different and varies doctor to doctor. However, he know your medical history and will be able to give you the best advice. I did have a few regrets those first few days on liguids. It did pass. Now it is just a blurry memories. However, I am now 5 months out and have loss 53 lbs....no regrets. I was better after I could add the "mushy" foods and move on to real food. Good luck to both your husband and you!

Keep your chin up! This is very normal. I had to "pretend" to be full before my first fill. I could eat anything. However, I really wanted to lose weight so I chose not to. It was so hard. However, my first fill did help some, but it was not enough. However, my second fill...really had me relearning everything all over again. There were some things that I could eat before my second fill that I couldn't eat afterwards. Just remember this is a journey and you will need to tweak things along the way as you adapt and adjust. Good luck!

Wow...you have done such a great job! I love seeing how well you are doing. It is truly a motivation for me. I am so happy to have lost 3 lbs this past week. I was at a stand till for about 2 weeks. Finally, the past 2 days it has dropped off. I know that when I feel a little discouraged I just need to come onto this site and read blogs like yours and it inspire me! Keep up the awesome job!

April you will find so much support on this site. I try to visit it everyday as it keeps me focused and motivated. It is my support group. It is so nice to have others who understand what you are going through. It is nice to talk with others who have gone through what you have gone through and not worry about talking too much about the lapband. I do share some with my sisters. However, most of my thoughts and insights I share on this site. I know there are people who think this is the easy way out. I tell them to try being on a liquid food diet for 14 days....that is not easy. It is a journey that can have bumps in the road...and it sure it nice to share with someone who knows exactly what you are experiencing and talking about! You have done a wonderful job so far...keep it up!

Oh...please know that there are many of us out there who felt the way you are feeling right now. I thought.....good grief if I could do this liquid diet for 14 days...why in the heck couldn't I do it on my own. I lived vicariously through the food network for those first 14 days. However, once I could introduce the mushy foods, I was well on my way. I now "love" that I had the lapband surgery. I am down 52 lbs as of today. Yeah!!! It does get better once you are a little further out from surgery. Surgery in general can just make you feel miserable. Then, adjusting to the new diet is challenging. Just remember...that you are worth it and embrace this journey that you are on with your lapband. Best wishes to you!

You can do it! I shared this quote with a few others. I found it last night while looking for positive quotes to motivate me. Quote:You don't drown by falling in the water...you drown by staying there. So....just remember not to "stay" in the water. I know often times before the lapband I would start a diet only to "fall off the wagon". I would get discouraged and stay in the water (so to speak). Just remember this is a journey and you may have a bad day. Just remember to get refocused and keep moving ahead with your goals.

Good luck..you are almost there! I agree with the others about getting enough protein. I found these protein shots at Sam's club that are 32 grams of protein and about 150 (or close to it) calories. When I have a day that is difficult to get enough protein, I drink one of these. It is already a little over half of the protein that I need.

Wow...what a difference a year makes! Last year my first appointment with the bariatric doctor was in January. I was banded at the end of July. As a reflect back on this past year, I am so happy with my decision to have the lapband. Trust me when I say...I did question it for a few days after the surgery when I had to do that all liguid diet. However, once I was able to get to mushy and real food....I fell in love with it! 2010 was a year when I finally started to take time for me. I didn't tell anyone about my decision to get the lapband until it was about a month before my surgery. However, I was fortunate that everyone was so supportive. As I look ahead...there are still a few things that I can do better. I do so much better when I document how many grams of protein, calories, dietary habits, and exercise. I have slacked off a little this past month with documenting and have found myself at a stand still with my weight loss. Therefore, I will put that journal out and begin to refocus on what has contributed to my success this far. That is what I enjoy about this journey. It is never an end. You find that the weight loss has stopped...you can take the time to stop and really take a good look at what you are doing right and what needs to be changed. It is not just a "New" year resolution. I think that many of us realize that this journey is about so much more than food and diets. It is about relationships....relationships with food...relationships with others...and most importantly....our relationship with our selves. We all need to realize and truly believe that we are worth it! Here is to wishing each and every one of you a wonderful New Year and much success!

Wow, you are doing so great! I am so happy for you! I have a ways to go to get to that point, but I love to read about your success. You truly are an inspiration! Have a wonderful new year...and hats off to a new you!

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 excited to finally have some energy. I know when I began this journey five months ago I couldn't walk 1/2 mile back the road without being completely and utterly exhausted. I could do little else that day. I am now down the official 50 lbs and can walk 3 miles rather easily. The biggest difference is my energy level. I love having the energy not only to exercise but to keep on going...cleaning the house...shopping....taking my 4 children to their numerous sport activities...helping out my dad or mother in law. I feel like I can do it all. Before the lapband, I was so exhausted all of the time. I can't wait until I lose another 50 lbs. I truly will feel like the energizer bunny! I went to visit my sister over the Christmas holiday. Before, I would try to help out in the kitchen but would need to sit down due to my back hurting or just feeling plain tired. This trip, I cooked breakfast every morning for all 12 people (needless to say my sister was thrilled) . I was able to stay in the kitchen and help with every meal without needing to sit down. It was such a wonderful experience. My sister could see a huge difference in my "looks". However, she was much happier to see the difference in my ability to do the things that I wanted to do. That is called living and not just being a passive observer. That is something that I want to do...live and make memories!!!! I am loving my lapband!

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!