Goal Weight Met! Some advice from a bandster.

[manderoo 2]

Melissannde........Tell us your tips and secrets for losing 208 pounds!!! This is a great thread, thanks. I am 2 weeks banded!!

[down in the dumps 5]

Great topic thank you. Im 4 weeks post op and starting to struggle!! this has given me a better sense of everything. Best of luck

shelly

[Hernandez 0]

Thank you for the advice I am going in for a consultation soon. I need to lose about 70- 80 pounds. Just finished with the nutrition visit, drs, refferal, and pysche evaluation. I needed to complete these steps after the semiar. I have a few freinds that have had this done and they look great. Your story to is inspiring. Thanks for all the information alot of great tips. Please keep us al posted.

[2FIT2BFAT 0]

thanks so much for sharing. You look FAB and have given me HOPE !

[2FIT2BFAT 0]

thanks so much for sharing. You look FAB and have given me HOPE !

[JAZZ2011 0]

You're right! That's funny! I've updated my settings. Thanks for the tip!

[JAZZ2011 0]

Wow! Very impressive!!! I am being banded in August very excited and anxious!! What a wonderful note to all of us! You look GREAT.

[MissMay 1]

Great motivation! You look fantastic!!! I'm just a week post-op. I lost most of my weight already with the liver-shrinking diet and just being on liquids. I'm nervous about when I actually go back to eating. I'm on liquids only for another 2 1/2 weeks (yes, I'm counting down to mushy foods). I really want to succeed but am afraid of falling into bad eating habits. I really thought your idea of eating 5-6 small/snacking meals would make more sense because of the restrictions of the band but it sounds like the smaller meals work, which is different from what my doctor said.

What about social outings? Apparently, this is what the Psychiatrist said during my evaluation - that my triggers were social situations - going out with friends, having parties, going to parties. How have you dealt with these issues?

Thanks. May

[dert 17]

That's a GREAT question, May! How do social outings affect me? I've got to say, I find it really challenging, especially because I'm in marketing so my job involves taking people out to lunch all the time. Yikes! I've had numerous embarressing situations where I've been talking to clients over a nice lunch and have to interrupt them to run to the bathroom to barf. Oy!

For me, the biggest thing I have to watch is my alcohol consumption. It's very easy to continue to socialize and feel a part of the party by participating in alcohol, especially when you can't participate in sharing an order of chicken wings or nachos. So it's easy (for me) to turn to alcohol to kind of fuel that "I want to fit in with the group" need. If that sounds like you, then my advise is: (1) Sip your alcohol slowly; (2) drink Water in between your alcohol to slow you down; (3) choose lower-calorie beverages, such as choose vodka ("clear" alcohol") & juice over Baileys/Kaluha ("dark" alcohols).

But in general, when it comes to socializing with the gastric band, some ideas are:

* Socialize in non-eating situations, if possible. Go for a walk, a bike ride, canoeing, horseback riding, etc. You can get exercise, enjoy your social gathering, and not feel the pressure with food. To effectively do this, *YOU* should make the recommendation for the gathering first, rather than rely on other people to choose your activity.

* Talk a lot. When you're talking, you're not eating.

* Invite people over to your house. That way you control the food being served, you keep costs low (eating out to dinner is expensive!) and you can keep busy playing hostess, which means you're not spending so much time eating.

* Choose restaurants with good Soup. Soup is my best friend!

* Share dishes with your close friends/boyfriend/husband. That way you don't waste

* Check out any local tapas bars. Small portion sizes!

* Don't forget to chug a large glass of Water before you eat. This will help slow you down, make you feel full, and prevent you from overindulging.

* There can be a distinct juxtaposition as to when your body says you are done eating versus when your brain thinks you are done eating. When you body is done, immediately throw your (paper) napkin on your plate, turn your fork & knife over, push your plate physically away from you. This will help you brain understand that meal time is OVER.

* When you're socializing with people that don't know that you've had weight loss surgery, prevent an embarressing situation by announcing before your meal that you may have to get up from the table. I might say, "Just so you know, I kind of have a medical issue where food gets stuck in my throat. So if I have to excuse myself from the table, please don't think I'm being rude!" It honestly does help make those abrupt departures a little less quirky.

I hope a few of those tips help! Feel free to share your own tips, too!!

[MissMay 1]

Amazing advice! I can't thank you enough. I am in Marketing as well and my husband is a chef so we are out quite a bit or out with friends. I do understand that things have to change and will change but I wasn't sure how to handle "going out." Your tips are invaluable and so practical. I was very nervous because I lost most of my weight prior to surgery (during my pre-op diet) so I thought I would have a lot of time to ease into having my band. I haven't had a fill yet and I'm not on food yet - I don't know how much more weight I'll lose in two weeks before I'm actually eating so I was really afraid that I would fall back into thinking I could eat and drink like I used to. I'm sure the band will remind me!

I am a little worried about "barfing." It sounds as if it has happened quite a bit to you. I'm still two weeks out on liquids so easing into mushies and alcohol and the such is making me nervous.

May

Pre-Op Diet started: June 7, 2011

Surgery Date: July 22, 2011

That's a GREAT question, May! How do social outings affect me? I've got to say, I find it really challenging, especially because I'm in marketing so my job involves taking people out to lunch all the time. Yikes! I've had numerous embarressing situations where I've been talking to clients over a nice lunch and have to interrupt them to run to the bathroom to barf. Oy!

For me, the biggest thing I have to watch is my alcohol consumption. It's very easy to continue to socialize and feel a part of the party by participating in alcohol, especially when you can't participate in sharing an order of chicken wings or nachos. So it's easy (for me) to turn to alcohol to kind of fuel that "I want to fit in with the group" need. If that sounds like you, then my advise is: (1) Sip your alcohol slowly; (2) drink Water in between your alcohol to slow you down; (3) choose lower-calorie beverages, such as choose vodka ("clear" alcohol") & juice over Baileys/Kaluha ("dark" alcohols).

But in general, when it comes to socializing with the gastric band, some ideas are:

* Socialize in non-eating situations, if possible. Go for a walk, a bike ride, canoeing, horseback riding, etc. You can get exercise, enjoy your social gathering, and not feel the pressure with food. To effectively do this, *YOU* should make the recommendation for the gathering first, rather than rely on other people to choose your activity.

* Talk a lot. When you're talking, you're not eating.

* Invite people over to your house. That way you control the food being served, you keep costs low (eating out to dinner is expensive!) and you can keep busy playing hostess, which means you're not spending so much time eating.

* Choose restaurants with good Soup. Soup is my best friend!

* Share dishes with your close friends/boyfriend/husband. That way you don't waste

* Check out any local tapas bars. Small portion sizes!

* Don't forget to chug a large glass of Water before you eat. This will help slow you down, make you feel full, and prevent you from overindulging.

* There can be a distinct juxtaposition as to when your body says you are done eating versus when your brain thinks you are done eating. When you body is done, immediately throw your (paper) napkin on your plate, turn your fork & knife over, push your plate physically away from you. This will help you brain understand that meal time is OVER.

* When you're socializing with people that don't know that you've had weight loss surgery, prevent an embarressing situation by announcing before your meal that you may have to get up from the table. I might say, "Just so you know, I kind of have a medical issue where food gets stuck in my throat. So if I have to excuse myself from the table, please don't think I'm being rude!" It honestly does help make those abrupt departures a little less quirky.

I hope a few of those tips help! Feel free to share your own tips, too!!

[takethelbsaway 0]

How inspiring!! You look great!! I'm in need of some advice. I'm 3 months out from lapband surgery & have only lost 10 lbs. I've had 2 fills since surgery & still feel like I can eat anything. I'm back to drinking pop too. I have no motivation or energy. Also how do you eat healthy when money is tight & you can't go buy all the fresh fruits & vegetables that I should be eating? Any ideas as to how I can get back on track would be great!!

[ireallywannabthin 286]

how amazing! I love this!! Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!

[Lady VS 1,147]

Great advice. Thanks and you look great by the way.

[Joy1961 134]

Wow. I can so relate to your post. I agree with all of your tips i have also lost just about all of my weight. I was a size 22 and now 7 months later and 80 pounds lost a size 10. My dream size. I really cant add anything to your tips. They are all spot on and have worked for me! Only wish i had done this 10 yrs ago. I am 52 now but feel 32! Congratulations and keep up the good work. It is so worth it. The best decision of my life!!

[goalseeker 695]

Great advice and very well written. Thanks for sharing!! Congrats on your amazing success!