bandiva

Astrotoes and MaggieC--:welcomeB: I lurk around sometimes too! I am so happy for you. This is such an exciting time! If you weren't scared AND excited I would be worried about you! Congrats on your decision. I look forward to getting to know you both! Yoda- You are a crazy one!

Hi everyone, I am still undecided about the China thing. I don't have to give him my final answer for another week or so. I am concerned about the short time, although it would be an fun expreience I am sure! I have had an 'aha' moment this morning. I have a huge addiction to carbs, and I think I had myself convinced that when I got the band I could eat like a 'normal' person, and eat high carb foods. Soooo, last night I made fish and rice for supper. Then I had another bowl of rice about an hour later...repeat...repeat. I have realized that I am still addicted to carbs and no 'implant' is going to change that. My body is very insulin resistant and that is just the way it is. So, I need to change my thinking, and remember that I have an addiction that is just as valid and real as a nicotine, alcohol etc...addiction. My husband is back in my good books, he apologized for his remarks and said that he doesn't want to sabatoge me. Then he was really really nice to me if you know what I mean!:kiss2: We haven't been 'really nice' to each other since before my surgery cause my doc said to wait for one month...no wonder I was getting so irritable...(was that too much information...I think not, I have read some things that you all have posted and jeez...turns out you guys are just saying what I am thinking! ) I have invited DH to come to China too, (my friend offered me two tickets) but he won't go for such a short time. He said that he gets PO'd when he thinks about me going alone, but I just think he needs time to process it, so I am going to let it drop for a few days. Thanks for your help everyone, I really appreciate your help. I am not well travelled, and to be honest, I am a farm kid from northern alberta who didn't get out much. Add to that, my mother a 'small town' minister, and you can see how I may have led a sheltered life....that is if you don't count my teenage years...but that is another story for another day!

Thanks Kirsten and Jill. That gives me some perspective. If I was addicted to carbs before the band, what makes me think I won't be after the band!! I am going to carry on with the renewed knowledge that I am addicted to carbs, and eat accordingly. Thank you. This is the beginning of a new week, time for new progress. I think we are all going to learn so much through this journey. Thanks for helping me see what was staring me in the face, and maybe I was choosing to ignore. (?)

I am feeling discouraged because of my lack of restriction and that I haven't lost any weight in a week. I have been eating really well, except for last night when I had fish and rice for supper, then about an hour later I had rice again, and then about an hour later I had rice again. I think I am still going to have to eat low carb, because I am definately addicted to carbs. Siyah- I know what you mean about the weather. I live in Victoria and I am soooooo sick of the rain. We don't usually get it that bad but this year it has been pouring - not raining, pouring for weeks! I expect to wake up and see Noah and the arc. Kay- I know what you mean about the food events. For me, food was/is my companion through good/bad/happy/sad/excited/depressed/stress/boredom etc etc. I really have to deal with that to get the most out of my banding experience. SkinnyMom- I have only had one experience of something not going down well. It was bread, and when you have the feeling of something that may get stuck, believe me you will know! It hurts! That will teach me for thinking I could have just a few bites. lol. I haven't really had gas pain, but if you are, are you using Gas-X. Works for me. I am glad we have moved on to happy thoughts. Nothing but love from here on in....:kiss2: Bye for now!

My scale is stuck too. I am eating about 100 cal a day. I am going to start journaling what I am eating this week. I am also going to add exercise and look into a fill. Glad you are all doing well. I am not really getting the burping thing, but I am getting random hiccups. I think that may mean I am still eating too fast but I am not sure. Take Care everyone.

:popcorn:I am going to believe it is evil....but now I am thinking about the naniamo bars at quiznos. You are in big trouble Mandi! Way to go Roxanne, you sexy thing you!

Congrats on the great fare! If you would like to meet for coffee etc while you are here, just private message me and I will give you my number! I know you will be here to spend time with your family, so no pressure.

Well it seems some people are not too happy. I don't really see what all the fuss is about. It seems some of the original december people have bonded and want to continue on this thread, and also to meet on another thread in order to continue to support each other. It all sounds fairly innocent to me. I don't think it was intended to hurt anyone and I definately don't think it was intended to be mean spirited. I hope that everyone can just see the big picture, and that is that we are all here for each other; no matter how many different threads we post on. Now on to the real important stuff... I have eaten a little (lot) too much today. I am worried that I have no restriction. My doc recommeds 6-8 weeks before a fill, but I want one sooner. How are you all feeling about restriction, fills, etc. I would appreciate any feedback you have to offer. Thanks and take care, Victoria.

Becca, I like the way you think! Thanks for the advice.

Yoda, thank you. I will take your advice. It's kinda like when my kids were toddlers.... hehe. The only time my hubby is allowed to food police me is at the movies. I used to talk myself into popcorn all the time. My doctor says popcorn is a thing of the past because it will make me sick. I am going to take his word for it and not try it. Thanks again for the advice.

Cloe, thanks for pointing out that it was a huge victory. I missed that somehow. I have a tendency to not give myself enough credit. My hubby is sabatoging again this morning and he promised me he wouldn't do that this time. When I pointed it out to him (his crime is that he said I eat out all the time...when I have done it once...) he just got put off and said 'oh, here we go...' which is exactly what I pictured him saying. I didn't let it go though, and I told him he can't be that way with me. We will see if he gets it or not. (Maybe I should re-phrase that!) China...my friend works for the airline. The flights are 12 hours there and 10 hours back. My objective is to shop till I drop for my spa. We are having an customer appreciation sale/open house to celebrate the second anniversary. I was going to go and buy a bunch of 'replica' designer bags, jewelery, some semi-presious stones etc... as that stuff if really hard to get here. I will recover my expenses from the sale of these items...it just makes me tired to think about it. I don't want to stress myself out causing me to eat, and I don't want to do anything financially that may take away from my ability to get fills etc whenever I want to. (Was that just fear I heard talking...I think so. Hmmm. I hate fear but I am also prone to self sabatoge...I think I need a personal shrink. Some people need a personal trainer, not me, a personal head dr!) You all are the best. I can't believe how awesome it is to have you to talk to....THANK YOU!

Yeah for Yoda!!!!

Yoda, I hope you are feeling better. Thanks for all the good info on fills everyone!

Carlene...loved your poem/story. I live in Victoria, BC but I am from Northern Alberta. You are right, when it snows heavily, we just push each other out...people stay with friends, and people without power get hot meals from friends and neighbors. When it is -30 and colder (Celcius) we leave our vehicles running throughout the night and take our kids to school and ourselves to work. Here in Victoria, the schools close at the first sign of snow, I think it is hilarious! Our weather in Victoria has been horrible for the last couple of months. We had rain for over 40 days in a row and it has been pouring for days, even weeks. If it was snow I can't even imagine how much it would be! I have had enough! Roads are flooded, people have been without power for up to a week at a time, and we all need some sunshine! Maybe I should go to Mexico for a fill...it takes about a week right? Anyway...this too shall end...

Hi Mandi, don't even start with the Quizno's. I was so addicted to that and subway. I would eat a footlong at work in about 2 minutes and then hurry back to work. I loved them because they were easy to eat fast and delicious. The cookies are pure evil! :heh: I know what you mean about the spelling thing...I don't type much anymore and sometimes I can't figure things out and I have always thought my spelling was a strong point of mine...for example see the previous paragraph...is that how you spell delicious? Looks right, but who knows!:embarassed: Thanks for your advice about food. You are obviously doing the right thing by just keeping it simple. It is funny how it affects (effects...who the hell knows anymore...) us when our men say stuff regarding our eating. Last night I had some soup with beans in it and my hubby said 'did you eat the whole thing' and it has bothered me all day. I think I need to talk to him and tell him that I am sensitive right now and do not need the food police 'helping' me. I will be nice about it though, because he probably doesn't even remember saying it! Well, I should think about going to bed...thanks again for sharing your secrets with me! Victoria.

Not doing so well on the exercise yet. I think it is becuase I have given myself permission to listen to my doc who says 'no exercise for three weeks...' as of Monday I will have no excuse. I have been looking into my fill, just trying to figure out dates. How are you all doing with your goals?

BK- You are so young and so smart. When I was your age I had two kids and was divorced and making every mistake in the book. I have always felt guiltly that my kids had to 'live with' my learning curve, but they are sweet boys and seem to have forgiven me for it. (Or maybe they have blocked it out and need therapy...) I am very proud of you. I am sure you are a great mother and that you will be blessed throughout your life because of your kind and generous spirit. Protien shakes...ya I am getting a little sick of them too, but I seem to do that. I will eat tuna everyday for a week and then not touch it for months. I am trying to have one (protien shake) every morning to start the day off right. I had solid food today. It was good, but not as good as I thought it would be. Thank God. Bevers- congrats on the falling down pants! There is nothing worse than tight clothes and nothing better than loose clothes that used to be tight! That must feel great. I have gone down 2 uniform sizes and I love not feeling like everyone is staring at my rolls of fat. Goal Weights...it seems all doctors have their own theory for this as well. When I saw the nutritionist, she figured out my goal weight by my height (140) and then added a pound for every year that I have been overweight. So her goal for me is 170, but I would really like to see 145. I will re-think this when I reach 170. You are all doing great! Have a fabulous evening!

I can relate to the sugar thing. I am totally addicted to sugar, which means no sugar for me. I had a little chocolate around christmas, just let it melt in my mouth, but I had to be really strict with myself to not have it again the next morning. I had my first 'real' food tonight. I went out with the girls from work. I had some chicken wings which I have been craving for 5 weeks...they weren't nearly as good as I remembered them being. For that I am thankful. Tried having a little piece of rosemary flat bread...that didn't work. I had one bite of my friends steak and that seemed to be ok. I was feeling like something sweet so I asked for the desert menu and then just looked at the pics and gave it back to the waitress. Small victory. I went to starbucks and got a tea with sugar free vanilla and that satisfied my sweet tooth. I have been in a very good mood today! I know I could flip that switch at any moment, but for now I will enjoy the good mood. I am so glad that food wasn't so special tonight. I really need to retrain my brain when it comes to food and use it as a tool for health and survival; not as a friend for good times, bad times, boring times, stressful times etc. Maybe I can change my food obsession into a health obsession. I will be as annoying as a reformed smoker! Right now, just for today, I just want to lose my weight; one pound at a time, and to maintain a good attitude. On another subject...has anyone ever been to China? I have a chance to go with a friend for next to nothing, but we would leave on a monday, and return on friday...what do you think, is this too short of a time, or should I just jump at the chance anyways just to experience the culture. I am a little concerned about missing a week of work (with no pay), and my hubby is not impressed, so I am not sure what to do. We would go the first week of Feb. Thoughts anyone? Bye for now!

Anne, sound like you have it together. You have certianly been more active than I have so give yourself some credit! I was told we can't go in a pool or hottub for a few months...sounds like you did it and lived, so maybe I will too. I have a pool membership that expires in a couple months so I would like to be using it. Take care and have a great weekend! Victoria

You are doing great Mandi! Do you generally try to eat low carb, or do you focus more on high protien? I am just learning, and I want to do what is best. I find that carbs make me very hungry (pre-op) and that they triggered cravings for me...I wonder if I will still feel the same way. Did you go through that as well? You are doing great. I can't believe you have lost almost 100 pounds...you go girl! Victoria.

Lynn, I am glad everything went well. I was worried about you. So much can happen when we fall. I am glad you are OK. I am doing well, a little stressed or irritable, but doing OK. I think it might be because I haven't been exercising and I am getting more calories now and feeling restless. My hubby and son are home. I am happy for that but my house smells like pizza right now. It was easier to be good when they were not here. I am off to bed before I eat something...take care everyone. I don't post often, but I 'lurk' through your sites almost everyday so I can stay in the loop of what is what with whom. Thank you for being so supportive Huge hugs, Victoria.

Hi Everyone...Yeah! A new home. By the way Nat, you are hilarious! I haven't started exercising yet, which I feel guilty about. My doc says no exercise for 3 weeks. He is probably using reverse phsycology but it is not working! lol. I will start on Sunday or Monday. I had some soft food today and it seemed to go OK. Not feeling much restriction anymore, I think I will go back to TJ for a fill in the end of Jan. Thank God for VISA. I am happy we all have our happy little home. Thanks for inviting me. Hope you are all doing great. I read through our december thread everyday just to make sure I am somewhat normal and to see how everyone is doing. Sometimes I just 'lurk' but I appreciate being able to learn and to laugh at all the crazyness! Take care all xox Victoria.

Kay, please add me to the list. Surgery Dec 18. Weight on surgery date 265. Thank you for doing this list, It will be a great way to keep track! Victoria.

Hi Audree, just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you...it is almost your turn!:clap2: :clap2:

Hi Lynn, how scary for you. I hope everything went OK at the doctor. I feel so bad for you. Big Hugs. I love your new years resolution...I always think of that when I fly and they say 'put your own oxygen on first'. It seems like you are on the right track. Take good care and keep us posted. My ticker moved! Yeah! 6 more pounds to lose and I have less than 100 pounds to lose. Feeling good todya. A little tired at word. I had a protien shake around 8:30, tomato Soup around 1, and then a protien shake again around 4 because I was feeling tired. For supper I had a very 'soft' lean cuisine. So far it feels OK, I hope I chewed enough.... Have a great night everyone!