bandiva

Baby got back...it went good. I am a little irratable tonight. If you don't believe me you could ask my husband. I watched that surgery. Wish I hadn't. Gross. It scared me a little. I don't know what I thought they were going to put into the incisions...maybe itty bitty straws. Congrats on day one of your preop. I am eating 1 protien shake, 1 salad, 1 lean cuisine on most days. I am very excited. Have lost 11 pounds since around the beginning of the month. Goodbye fatty liver!! TTYS.

Hi Nathalie. Man does that suck! You have every right to have a pity party, just remember that parties only last a few hours. I have often found that when I am trying to make positive changes, I have huge obstacles appear out of nowhere...(and some of them have a strong resemblance to the ex.) Just remember, you WILL find another day care provider...maybe even someone that you will be happier with. You may look back and say, am I ever glad that happened otherwise I would have never met ________. I went through hell with my boys dad for about 10 years. They know exactly which buttons to push and how to manipulate you. I finally started taking the time to do some emotional healing. I stoped having contact directly with him. If I had to speak with him I killed him with kindness but let him know that if I became uncomfortable with the conversation I would have no choice but to hang up. I figure I left him for a reason, so I certianly don't need to maintain a friendly relationship with him. I just needed to take really good care of my boys and provide access. Some wise person told me I don't have to try to be everything to everyone. I felt that took some pressure off me. Your surgery is one really positive thing you have going for you right now. You are taking back control of your life. You deserve to do this for yourself. I am really proud of you. I can tell you are a very strong person. And one more thing, quit making the rest of us look bad by the amount of time and effort you are putting into the elliptical trainer. Jeez, I got tired reading it! Hang in there....this too shall pass. Big Hug.

Well, one more week left for me. I have booked myself heavily so I hope this week flies by. I woke up this morning and my teenager is still awake, has been playing video games all night. When I reminded him he has to work at 2 pm he says ' its not like I have a physical job....' Grrrrr Anyways, today is going to be a great day. I will work hard and eat well! I still need to lose about another 4 pounds before my surgery to make my Dr.'s goal of 5% of my body weight so I need to stay focussed. Hope everyone has a great day today and that your teenagers don't drive you crazy too.

I am spending Christmas eve here with my hubby, boys, and hubby's relatives. Then Christmas morning I am flying home (Grande Prairie) to have Christmas dinner (ya right) with my family. My mom and dad don't know I am coming so I am very excited. I fly back to my Victoria home on the 29th.

Miss Chrissy 67- Thanks for asking, I couldn't figure it out, so I was just assuming it was a local freezing. lol. I really am a natural blonde!

Cloe, you do not sound like a bitch. It sounds to me like a healthy dose of self esteem. I am usually a very private person, but I have been telling my clients about my upcoming surgery...I tell the ones who I believe will be happy for me. Still haven't told my family tho, just because I don't want them to worry. Congrats on telling people, maybe they will be even more supportive now! Yeah for you!

You guys are awsome thanks. Had another big cry for breakfast and now I think I am over it, atleast for now. I love that you have given me permission to mourn...I never thought of it that way. Thank you.

Hermosa #1 - Here is my two cents, for whatever it is worth. Sometimes our husbands / family etc. actually think they are encouraging/ helping / motivating us when they say stuff like that. I know that when I got down to a 14 it was..'well I bet you would like to be wearing a 8' or if I say 'I did 1/2 on the treadmill today' I would hear 'When did you go on it last?'. I don't know if this is the way it is with your DH or not, but sometimes they think by challenging us, they are helping us. They don't realize they are putting more pressure on us. OR Maybe his comments have come after the surgery becuase he is feeling a little jealous or insecure. I went through that last time too. I am hoing me and hubby have worked the bugs out of that one. I hope you are feeling better soon, and you are right things do turn around. That is the joy of marriage right, if you stick around long enough you will see, hear and go through almost anything! I am sure he doesn't realize he is hurting you but that still doesn't make your pain go away. I hope my 2 cents worth helps.

Mandi, you look fantastic. Dan looks great too. You both look so much healthier and vibrant. I hope you have a great Christmas. Naked pothole thing...My mom is from Leader. We used to go there when I was a kid, but I havent seen my mom's side of the family in about 20 years. I have this idea in my head that they are all perfect, so until I am I stay away...crazy thinking eh? Anyways, I hope it is not any of my perfect relatives in that calender...then I would really need therapy. By the way, get a bed! I have heard it is much getting a good sleep is important for weight loss. When I moved to Victoria I splurged on an awesome bed. I love it, however I have trouble turning my brain off as well. I also wake up ridiculously early. I take my Wellbutrin at bed time, I wonder if that has anything to do with it. It is a slow release tablet. I may have to try taking it in the morning and see it that helps. Thanks everyone for the idea.

Hello Maria, my name is Victoria. Congrats on your 67 pounds. That is FANTASTIC. You must feel great! Awesome stuff!

Congrats on your loss, that is big news! Ithink the mental struggle will be easier once you pass 1/2 way. Good for you. As for Mr Yoda. I can relate. My hubby used to lose weight easily and I was happy for him but it really made me mad. You will have to give him lots and lots and lots of extra love and support. Mine needs to lose about 75 pounds but is still of the mindset that it will be 'no problem'. I sure hope he is right. Warm fuzzy thoughts to both you and the mister.

Well, I made it through a really low point yesterday. Cried real big self pity tears. Ended up eating about 1000 cal yesterday, which is more than the 800 I have been sticking too, but at the end of the day 'big deal.' I think it was the stress of knowing that I leave in a week, and I was feeling very deprived cause all my friends were going out without me AND to my favorite restaurant. I guess it is self centered to think the world will stop for me! I actually feel bad for a lot of my friends, because they have done Jenny Craing, Herbal Magic, etc...throughout the year, spending tons of money and are now eating every chocolate and holiday treat in sight. It's amazing how food can make us lose our sanity and logic. I really believe it must be a powerful addiction. And to those of us with addictive personalities, it is our drug of choice...we can control it for a while, and then we have a little slip and fall right back into the addiction. That is how it is...no, was...for me. I have to beleive those days are behind me and that I am now in control of what goes in my mouth. It is really unfortunate that food addiction is not something that is recognized by our health care system. I am very fortunate to have a great doctor who focuses on weight loss. He has worked all over the world and says that there is no place with the illnesses that we have in North America because of what we eat and how much we eat. He has been very supportive. He is good friends with the only bariatric surgeon on the island, so I am hoping he will be able to apply some pressure for me for my fills. We will see. He has watched me lose 90 pounds and gain 110, so he knows me well. I haven't been exercising, just too tired after work. I work in a spa, so this is a very busy season. Unfortunatley everyone has been giving me chocolates. I have thrown some out, and given some away, but I haven't had even one bite. I am the kind of person that if I have one, it is game over for the rest of the seasonn. I will go on the treadmill today, I want to feel powerful and strong before my surgery. Have a fabulous day everyone, I really appreciate you and all your witty, charming, funny, and inspirtational thoughts. I am glad I found you.

Hi everone. Seems like it has been a tough week on the 'food front-lines'. I had a really hard night last night too. I won the fight but I still ate more than I should have. I was supposed to go out with a group of girls to Japense Village, but I declined because it my favorite restaurant and it would have been torture. It is not the kind of place you can order a salad. So around 7pm, me and hubby were trying to think of something to do and I started crying...'I never get to do anything fun...I never get to eat...I want Japenese Village...etc'. I am pretty sure I heard him lauugh but he handled it pretty well. We went to the movie store and then to the grocery store to but some post op food. I ended up eating a lean cuisine, a 1/2 can of LF mushroom soup, and a SF apple sauce. Now that I right that down, it isn't as much as I imagined in my head. Yesterday has been my worst day so far. My hubby says it's just another week and I can do anything for just one week out of my life. He has been dieting with me which is great as he has about 75 pounds to lose. Anyways...I made it, and today is a new day for all of us. Good luck StephC...you really deserve this. Glad you are well Carol and thininde. You are inspiring and reassuring in my decision. xoxox.

Thanks Edie! It is amazing how we live to eat. I just got up to go to the washroom and somehow ended up standing in front of the fridge, door open, ready to have some cottage cheese until I remembered that I am on a diet. Totally mindless eating. It's a mystery to me. :clap2: Thanks for the encouragement, I can't wait to eat to live. I have felt so powerless for so long when it comes to food. It makes me feel inferior and that starts a whole new eating frenzy. Then I go on a diet the next day, until 3 pm when I fall off of it. Then I eat, then I diet and so on and so on. So much of my (lack of) self worth is tied up in my food addiction. I am ready to move on...this time for me.

Cloe, about your funny story....last time I lost weight, I had lost over 70 pounds before anyone from my husbands family mentioned it. My sister in laws boyfriend finally mentioned it. It was so pathetic it had become funny to me. I made it into a game to see how long it was going to take before someone figured out that I went from a 22 to a 14. Keep in mind I saw these people weekly. I don't know what makes people behave that way. Now having said that, I am not without sin... I recently ran into someone who had lost over 150 pounds since I had last seen her.(Gastric bypass). I was super jealous and part of me wanted to not bring it up or acknowledge it, but I felt stupid talking to her and not talking about the obvious transformation. Wierd eh? Now about the ginch thing, we can hardly discuss it without mentioning it's equally fascinating counterpart....gonch.

Hi Sunsreturn! I was just coming to this site to get your PM info to ask you about fills. You read my mind! Thank you! (Superpowers of the band, no doubt). I think I will go to TJ for atleast my first fill as well. I can get a return flight Vancouver to SanDiego for about $350, so it makes sense to me. Furthermore, I would rather have someone with Dr.Ortiz' experience looking after me. I don't understand why we are penalized for going out of the country. Ofcourse we would like to stay in the province and have it covered with our MSP rather than self pay. I just don't get it. Thanks for your help, you are an inspiration! I am not going to worry about the other stuff. It is what it is, and I am blessed enough to have a job that will allow me to earn an income and to plan my schedule around my health for the next while. Life is good, and I appreciate all of the little things that make it that way. Take Care!

Carol, I am glad you are doing well. You are the first person that I have 'known' both pre and post. BTW, I love your tag line, it is so true and it makes me think about it everytime I read it.

Thanks Cloe, I didn't mind doing it at Christmas becuase it will give me more rest and time to adjust to having the band without being at work. I have my surgery on the 18th and then will return to work for the 21,22,23. Then I have a week off. I should be a pro by then. lol I just went out for dinner with hubby, we are both cranky. I ate about 1/4 of what I usually have. I feel like I want to eat, but I don't feel hungry, so I guess I will live. Just a little PO'd cause I would have liked to have so much more. However, I will have to work on that attitude of mine in that regard! I can't wait to have this done. I am afraid that next week is going to drag. I have booked myself 10-12 hours a day, and with everyone excited for Christmas that should be a good distraction. I want to get everthing ready before I go, so I can just relax and not feel pressured. I am having about 10 people over for turkey dinner on christmas eve, but hubby says he will help. I am flying home (Grande Prairie) on Christmas morning to suprise my mom and dad. They don't know about this surgery, I am not telling them because they would be worried sick. I'll tell them when I am there, maybe boxing day. I talked to the local bariatric surgeons office today. They said they won't fill patients that have been banded in Mexico. Basically, I told them of all people who disregard and disrespect obesity I wouldn't have thought it would be them. The waiting list here is over 3 years. At the end of the day it appears the almighty dollar speaks loudest. I am really disappointed. Anyways, I am not stressing about it, these things always have a way of working themselves out. One of my clents used to be the director of nursing educator for BC ( I think that was her title). She is very supportive of this surgery and says she has never met anyone who has regreted it and that Canada is just getting into the swing of things. That is encouraging and a positive way for me to end this post. Just think about how smart we all are...

Babygotback...I sent you my list through PM. I have no idea if they are good or not, I'm sure we will get more ideas when we are there. Many of you are home and mending, you lucky little devils. I am still counting the days...10 left. I can't wait to join you on the other side of banding. StephC, you must be so excited. I think nesting sounds like you are listening to your body. That is very good news. I am supposed to go out with the girls on Saturday, they want to take me out to Japanese Village and partying all night for one last bender. It doesn't appeal to me at all. I am going to just tell them today that I don't want to go. I have worked to hard getting these 9 pounds off to blow it that way. I don't want to put myself in that position either, it is not the kind of place where you can just order salad. I would rather go grocery shopping for post op food, so I guess I am nesting too. Good luck.

Hi everyone. Yoda, 60 pounds wow. A couple of years ago I had lost 60 pounds and my dr said I should go to home depot, pick up a bag of cememt and try walking around with it for a while. It was very powerful. I have to go to work, but I have a funny story this morning... My kids are the world to me and I usually put them first, and maybe I spoil them, but I like to think that I just overly love them. I think I may be a little self centered right now... My youngest son (18) works night shift. So this morning he comes home from work and says "how is the food situation going mom" I said "great, I have lost 9 pounds" he says, "that is great mom, but I meant what is for breakfast!" Hope you all have a great terrific amazing day! Bye for now.

It was great to come home after a long day and find all of these messages. Thank you so much. I have been snooping around many of the Canadian threads for the last few weeks, so it is nice to converse with you here. I just devoured a lean cuisine (tried not to) and I am considering having another one. I only had 300 calories today....not on purpose. I was so busy at work that I didn't sit down until 6:30. I finished work around 7:30 only to come home to find my cats looking at me like they were starving (out of food), so I went to the grocery store and here I am. I don't like days that are this busy, it causes me to sabatoge. I have to learn to pace myself. Sunsreturn...I was hoping I would get to chat with you. Thanks for your post. I am concerned about my fills, the expertise of the doctors here etc. How have you found it? When you got picked up at the San Diego airport did everything go OK? I have visions of riding in the back of a truck with chickens...OK, I might have exaggerated a little. Hope you all have a fabulous night, thanks again for your words of encouragement. I really does help, thank you.

You are all so positive, this thread is such an inspiration. And you are funny too! I am also kicking butt on the pre diet, over did it today...to few calories and a very active day at work. I am just getting home now, and having a lean cuisine. Trying not to devour it. Bye for now!

I decided it was time for me to start a little 'home' for my journey. I am being banded Dec 18/06 with Dr. Ortiz in TJ. I live in Victoria, BC. I have struggled with weight my whole life - no kidding. I am tired of it. I want to be in control of food, instead of the other way around. I am very confident in this procedure, and in the results I will have after it. I am a hungry person, and not a happy person when I am hungry. So then I eat to control my inner grouch, and get fatter and more depressed. I am sure you can all see where this is going. I am married to a great supportive husband, and have 2 boys who are 21 and 18. My youngest is supportive of this procedure, but my oldest wants mommy just the way she is. He is worried about safety. My youngest is only worried about money....hmmm.... I might have to chat with him about that.:guess I am off to work now, I hope anyone who pops by this thread, finds something of interest. Best wishes to you all.

Hello everyone. Thanks for the great food ideas. I keep 3 papers by my computer labeled week 1,2,and 3. Everytime I read an idea of what I can eat I jot it down. You all are very helpful. (The trick will be remembering to take the lists with me when I go shopping!) I live on Vancouver Island, we have one bariatric surgeon here. My reg GP has given him my name. I am to call him and see if I can get a consult before /after my surgery. I plan to do that today. Don't know why I am procrastinating. I guess I am afraid he will rain on my parade. I also know he takes over a year to get in to see, so I am assuming I will be out of luck. I need to think more positively in that regard. My pre-op diet is doing well. I have lost 9 pounds in about 10 days, so I know it is mostly Water. I am still hungry but not as hungry as I was the first few days. Dr. Ortiz' office suggests losing 5% of your body weight prior so that is 14 pounds for me. I am glad to hear you are all doing well. I think we all worry for everyone going through the low days, but having this web site will pull us through. Another 11 days till I get banded! Yeah! I am so motivated. I wish it was tomorrow. Take care of yourselves!

Audree, I think it is great that you are thinking of your daughters. We live in such a weight obsessed society, that if they have a home that is not weight obsessed it should really help them. I don't have daughters, but my sister does and dhe has mentioned that she thinks her low confidenceabout her appearance has had a negative effect on her daughters. Ironically, she looks fine, but the tapes in her head keep telling her she is ugly. It is really sad. I guess it is a good lesson in changing the way we think as well as the way we look. Hope you are all doing well. It is encouraging to read about your journey.