Not having to be around all the delicious foods and sweets that will tempt me so early on in my journey! Haha I know there will come a time when I will have to face that but I def don't think I'm mentally strong enough now to fight it. But who knows I might be! All I know is I don't even have to worry about it! I will miss being "home" for Xmas this year but being banded was def well worth it! There will be many more! How did u guys make it thru your first holiday being banded and how long after being banded did it come about?

I was on liquids....just 2 weeks post op so I got to cook for my family....and not eat one damn bite. But I didn't care... I was so excited to lose this weight...and honestly I really didn't even want the food..I just enjoyed preparing it for others... I started mushies on new years day. Mashed potatoes and after 5 weeks on liquid they were the best thing I have ate in my life. Lol

I was banded just over a week ago (12/12) and have been to 2 holiday parties since and have 2 more this weekend. I find that I'm not even tempted to eat all the food because I have no idea how it would settle in my stomach and if I would get blocked or stuck or whatever I hear horror stories of, so it really hasn't even been all that tempting! Just knowing that i can't has made it all so easy to resist! Came into work this morning and my co-worker says, "Ugh. I feel so gross from all the sweets in the staff room and stuff" and I said, "I lost a pound and a half! ." That is a GREAT feeling! You can do it!

Just knowing that i can't has made it all so easy to resist!

That hint of power of the band is what made me successfull.... you will do great!

That's def how I feel right now! I've been making dinner for my hubby and haven't really had any desires. Now I'm finally starting to get my appetite back but I'm also afraid like u julie! Haha I have a holiday party tomorrow to attend but I feel like I will be fine! I def have the want power. The want to be healthy and get this weight off for good! Thank u ladies!

You are so newly banded its good that you don't try anything that is not on your doctors order. I've had my band since Augs and down 42 lbs..I track every bit but yesterday we were out shopping and could smell the charcoal of burgers and I wanted one so bad. We went in and I didn't order it but daughter did but I asked for a bite it got stuck and I was cured lol I love my band it takes out the I want out of it...I also don't put myself in a position where I might not stop eating like in the past. If I do (had chocolate ) I track it and make sure I don't go over my calories. plan, Plan PLAN IS THE NAME OF MY GAME

You are so newly banded its good that you don't try anything that is not on your doctors order. I've had my band since Augs and down 42 lbs..I track every bit but yesterday we were out shopping and could smell the charcoal of burgers and I wanted one so bad. We went in and I didn't order it but daughter did but I asked for a bite it got stuck and I was cured lol I love my band it takes out the I want out of it...I also don't put myself in a position where I might not stop eating like in the past. If I do (had chocolate ) I track it and make sure I don't go over my calories. plan' date=' Plan PLAN IS THE NAME OF MY GAME[/quote']

I know I think that's what will save me from trying a lot of things!!! Sad but true! I def have been following the rules and so far it hasn't been hard! I'm sure it will change once I start to feel hungry again but I will manage when that time comes! Oh no that stinks. Guess u learned the hard way! I "plan" on tracking my calories and if I want to eat a little extra then i will make sure I burn those calories first! When I was on a diet before I wouldn't eat anything sweet or bad for me unless I did an extra workout or went for a longer run than normal! It worked quite well!

Planning is def something I'm gonna start making a priority!!!

I am a year out and had an easier time saying no to all of it last year when I had just been banded. This year, different story. I haven't gained. But I haven't lost either.

Want Power!

dont let the holidays be all about the food....food is not the enemy. eating alot of it that is high in fat/calories is...so enjoy the holidays....i am...i am not on a diet and i intend to enjoy myself...but being aware of my 1 cup allotted amount....eat this or eat that and but enjoy every morsel...then get right back on track if you think you over did it..kinda looking forward to having a piece of my no bake fruit cake..

I had surgery five days before Christmas 2010... Beef broth, walked away from table was tired anyways just socialized with family....it was not easy. Now I can eat my one cup of food and yes I occasionally eat the goodies but I track all my food and stay within 1000 calories, exercise a lot around holidays more.