Hello everyone, I just joined lapbandtalk again after getting off the wagon. I am glad to be back. I lost about 35 lbs after banding in 2008 but have gained back about 20 lbs since then. "Life happens!" Also as I reflect back to my first experience with the lapband, I did not do all the things that I should have done to be successful and to make lifelong changes. About 4 days ago I had a small fill from my surgeon. I just finished a two day liquid diet and I am starting soft Proteins for two days. I also went back to my nutritionist and she is helping me tremendously. So I got my supports in place and I am more focus and plan to be very successful this time. I am working on not being so shortsighted, but think long-term, life changing goals. I look forward to us supporting each other.

A SlimmerJoyce

Welocme back good for you

congratulations on getting back on the bandwagon and good luck. I am hoping to achieve long term life changing goals, also.

Thanks for the encouragement. I wish you all the same. Joyce

Glad to hear you're back at it and working hard. I'm just starting on my journey and fear some of the same issues and struggles. I'm trying to arm myself with as much information, tools and strategies to become a success story. I just picked up a few reference books to help me in this endeavor and I thought I'd share a really good one that I picked up from Amazon--

"The Emotional First + Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Second Edition"

Cynthia L. Alexander; Paperback; $24.95

This has a bunch of good info and is an easy read. What I've learned so far in the first few chapters is to start developing healthy habits now, not wait until the surgery to make the necessary lifestyle changes.

I wish you all the best on your journey and look forward to reading about your successes.

Peg

Glad to hear you're back at it and working hard. I'm just starting on my journey and fear some of the same issues and struggles. I'm trying to arm myself with as much information, tools and strategies to become a success story. I just picked up a few reference books to help me in this endeavor and I thought I'd share a really good one that I picked up from Amazon--

"The Emotional First + Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Second Edition"

Cynthia L. Alexander; Paperback; $24.95

This has a bunch of good info and is an easy read. What I've learned so far in the first few chapters is to start developing healthy habits now, not wait until the surgery to make the necessary lifestyle changes.

I wish you all the best on your journey and look forward to reading about your successes.

Peg

Thanks Peg for your response and reference. I'll check out that book. Books like these will be another source of support for me. One of my biggest mistakes or I should say "weaknesses" was that I did not focusing enough on educating myself on a daily basis. I was not listening seriously. I thought I could do this "on the fly." I needed to put more thought into this, humbly listening to others with experience and training.

Most of all I am learning to respect my body more and respect my band. I'm focusing on doing it the right way and not on tricks or substitutes and such to get around the band. I'm not going to treat my band that way anymore and I will not allow others to influence me to treat it that way anymore.

A couple days ago I even told a co-worker, who tried to tempt me a few times to go to a restaurant to get a particular items that she KNOWS I love, "No, I am not going because my focus is on my diet plan...and I appreciate you respecting my decision." When I said that she looked at me differently and agreed. She was started to become more supportive with her comments.

So its more than just staying on the diet, but handling all of the other dynamics as well. Peg, we are not perfect and we will make mistakes, but we can avoid developing certain "habits" and attitudes that will surely sabotage us. Instead we should develop core values such as respecting ourselves, our bodies and our goals.

Have a great day! Joyce

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