bandiva

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!

Hi All! I am feeling better today...thought I might be 'overdrinking' but added it all up and I am sitll under 1000 calories. Back to work and a new year tomorrow. Hope it is as good as the last year...or even better! Just wanted to say hi...and that I am through another day and all is well! Lynn, I enjoyed talking to you as well, I am glad you found me! Let me know how your dr's appointment went. I will be here rooting for you! Victoria.

Yeah Skinnymom! Welcome!

Beversman...what's the past is the past. You obviously felt like you needed to do it and now it is over. (Hope you had one for me too!) Victoria

Welcome Charelene and Jessica! This thread has been great for me, I hope it is for you too. Has anyone set any weight loss goals for January...or is it too soon for that? Feedback? Is there a new thread for January Chat of December bandsters; mind you this is great just where we are as well. Just want to make sure I am in the loop...sometimes I get confused with the threads, posts, etc. etc... I haven't set any official weight loss goals for January, but I am hoping that 15 pounds isn't unrealistic. What do you think? I am usually out to lunch when it comes to how much I can lose in a month. I haven't really been 'hungry'. but I definately have the urge to eat. I am just trying to be strong and take it one day at a time. I am still on full liquids, but have been having a little soft food one meal per day. My Dr. recommends 1 week clear, 2 weeks full, and then right into regular food but eating in the following order: protien, vegis, fruit, carbs. (Carbs are very addicting to me so I am scared of the fruit/carbs part...who knows, maybe this time it will be different...) Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I just typed in a long message and then pushed the wrong button and lost it. grrr. Anyways, what I was talking about is that tonight I am feeling a little loney for hubby and the kids. The first thought I had on how to remedy that was to order in food. Kinda like inviting a friend over. Of course I am not going to do it, but it scares me how much I am going to have to change my thinking. I know it will take time. It is probably the same with alcoholics, ex-smokers etc...if they can quit, so can I! I will just have to think of ways to fill that hole...shopping, exercise, meeting new friends etc...It will be OK, I am just feeling a little overwhelmed by how much needs to change. It is not just the eating but my whole thinking process as well. I may be feeling a little stress becuase I had such a lazy day. I am going to go for a slow stroll on my treadmill. To Celebrate the new year I made myself some sugar free Jello...atleast I think I did...it hasn't hardened yet. I haven't made jello in about 15 years or more so it is a whole new skill set for me! It will be yummy and only 10 calories per 1/2 cup!

kkleslie- I am taking a childrens chewable that I got from the health food store. I doubled the dosage considering my weight. I don't know if that is a medically sound strategy but so far so good. They are called 'Progressive Vitamins and Minerals for Children.'

Happy New Year Wheezy!

Thanks Doriana...I am not set up on the MSN thing but I would love to chat. Maybe someday I will get all my little gadgets up and running. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone. Even though I have only 'known' you for a few weeks I really appreciate you and I am very thankful for your support. Yippee!

:party: You all are awesome...I love these! They are so inspiring!

kkleslie- welcome and congrats on your lap band. You and your daughter will have a wonderful life together. Good for you! Free to be just me- I felt good after a few days. Just make sure you are getting vitamins-I didn't and I think I got a little run down. Everyone is different, but I think you will just fine by the 8th (unless you operate a jackhammer or something like that.) Happy New Year! Denise822-I find that when I am really hungry I have something hot. Also, they say Protein helps to curb our appetites. I hope your body adjusts soon. Take Care. I am so excited for a new year....it always reminds me that it is a new begining. A chance to wipe the slate clean. We are going to have such a great year! Congrats everyone!xoxo

Same with me, about 5 days. (For the record, I was far more excited about it than my husband was when I told him...hehe)

Dr. Ortiz is awesome. You can read about my experience on "my life as a bandster". I wrote about how it went etc. I know that on the 'babygotback' journal she has a lot of info on Dr. Ortiz. I am just arranging my first fill, so hopefully it is not difficult at all. Best Wishes.

Thanks for the list Cloe. I haven't seen the rules before. They probably gave them to me but I don't remember because of my (then) drug induced state.

I know what you mean about the casino Cloe, I think whatever we do we do it in a big way! Lately, I haven't gone because I am able to tell myself that I am saving for flights, fills, and plastic surgery! I think I will add to my list to not go to the LOCAL casino. I will leave the others as fair game if I feel like playing. Mookie...that wasn't a list...think of it as a poem! It is going to be a great new year!