I love that title...Thanks Demmemoon!

March 2007 Bandsters! We have finally been banded!!!:confused:

We thought we'd never have this surgery behind us and here we are at the start of April and some of us are already at or close to the 1 month mark. Now, we are moving on to fills, real food, exercise, and watching those pounds melt away! I am looking forward to hearing about everyone's experiences. Keep posting!

HELP!!!!!!! I know I need a brain adjustment. 5 1/2 weeks out, 25 # gone but at a stand still, scheduled for a fill on Friday. I put on my old clothes at home and think I'm looking good. Yesterday I went to a store with my daughter so she could get some shirts. While waiting for her I looked in the mirror to see how good I looked and all I saw was that fat woman. How do you get rid of the fat woman? I know I'm a long ways away from where I need to go , but I've come a long way in 5 weeks but I must change my mental image.I know all about positive self talk but if you say it but don't believe it what good is it. I'm glad this thread is here so I can spill my feelings to others who would understand. Thin or average size friends just don't know what I'm talking about.

Every time you look in the mirror find something you do like about yourself and concentrate on that. For example - obviously at my weight I have a very fatass so instead of looking at my ass and getting depressed I concentrate on my ankles. I have fantastic thin ankles, delicate hands with long fingers, and beautiful lips and eyes.

So when I leave the mirror instead of feeling bad about myself I walk away feeling good and uplifted. *disclaimer* it does take practice to focus on the positive things about yourself.

Julie- I think at any healthfood store, and probably Traderjoe's and Wholefoods. Here I got them at the drugstore. They are little wafers, sweet tasting, kinda tart. Chew about three of them up and i swear twice they have cleared up the golfball and pain pretty quickly. By the way , I also have heard pineapple juice is awesome for this same thing.

You know it makes me think about meat tenderizer. If you look at them often they have papaya. I'll have to look at the science behind that! I bet it's the same thing. Breaks down the structure of the food so it softens and passes through.

Very clever! Of course I'm going to have to get some.

Thanks, Sue!

I would love to try Water aerobics but I'm too embarrassed to wear a bathing suit. Any suggestions?

Just get some long shorts, that are stretchy (that have some spandex included in the fabric) A tank top or long T-shirt, march right in that water and exercise away. It is less stressfull on joints etc. We are all embarrassed about our size or something. But you might be surprised at the encouragement and respect that might be shown to you because you have the courage to get in there and work to help yourself. We are all on a journey to better ourselves in one way or another. I know this is hard but if we don't take control and help ourself, no one else can do it for us. So treat yourself to the arobics, you deserve it. Take care.

Good Morning Everyone!

Medge, I did Water aerobics a few years ago when I was pregnant and I loved it! It is one of the easiest types of exercises you can do...at least I though so. Very easy on your joints and fun! I am thinking about doing it again this summer! Let us know how you liked it!

Afrykan, I wouldn't worry about how you look. Try going to a gym and being surrounded by teeny tiny women and muscle bound men, cause I do it everyday. I walk in there like I'm the Queen of the world, like I've got diamonds between my legs, with my head held high! I do my workout and leave. I am there for ME and who cares about them! At least with water aerobics, once you drop your towel and jump in the water no one will even see your body. Give it a try! You can do it girl!

MargAK and Janine, Hang in there! I've been in a bit of a slump as well! WE CAN DO THIS!

BandStar, you are such a sweetheart and I love ya!

Sue, thanks for the compliment! I feel pretty good and I do notice a difference in my clothes. I've lost 27 lbs last time I weighed-in. I weigh again tonight at the hospital so we'll see!

Juli, I found Papaya Enzyme at GNC too.

Have a Great Day Everyone!!!

I am feeling so out of control. I had my first fill a week ago and I am doing worse now than before I had the fill. I have OK restriction and the band is working, but I am making horrible food choices. What is wrong with me!?!? I was following all the rules before, Protein first, then fruits and vegetables, etc. The past couple days I've thrown those rules out the window. My period is due in a couple days and I am not the PMSing type of woman...never have been! Or maybe I am and always used food to soothe and comfort me. I have eaten chocolate, cheetos, doritoes! Thank GOD my band IS there because I could only eat a little! I am very irritable! I've been snapping at eveybody and that is just not me! :think

End of Vent

Thanks for listening!

hi

thanks for the post/info on the papaya enzymes

when i first found this website..i went out and bought anything anyone recommended. when i got the papaya enzymes in the mail...i was like.."what is this for?"

i just had trouble drinking and Protein shake and took 3 of them..and voila...i'm fine....

have a good day everyone

hi tammy,

allow yourself this little splurge. it probably is PMS and will certainly pass soon.

also when i'm cranky sometimes just saying that breaks the spell.

keep your chin up....

Tammyj - I've heard as we lose weight our hormones will change too. I.E. women who haven't been able to get pregnant can suddenly do so. Maybe the rapid weight loss has affected your hormones and the eating is a result of that. We're all gonna fall off that "good eating" wagon sometime but like you said, thank goodness for the band because it will only let you fall a short way..it's like the safty harness. You'll get back into it. You had some much discipline even before your surgery, I have no doubt you'll bounce right back.

And speaking of snacking (cheetos/doritos/chocolate) I have a question about drinking. I've been really good at not drinking 30 minutes before or an hour after a meal, but forget during the day when I have little Snacks, i.e. piece of cheese. If I were to not drinking before and after the little snacks or my mid-meals (doctor suggested more small meals to help with hungry before my first fill) then that leaves very little time to drink the Water I need. Do you guys stop/start drinking everytime you put ANYTHING in your mouth? I'll have like 10 goldfish crackers for a snack and so wonder if I need to stop drinking before and after something even that small?

I am feeling so out of control. I had my first fill a week ago and I am doing worse now than before I had the fill. I have OK restriction and the band is working, but I am making horrible food choices. What is wrong with me!?!? I was following all the rules before, Protein first, then fruits and vegetables, etc. The past couple days I've thrown those rules out the window. My period is due in a couple days and I am not the PMSing type of woman...never have been! Or maybe I am and always used food to soothe and comfort me. I have eaten chocolate, cheetos, doritoes! Thank GOD my band IS there because I could only eat a little! I am very irritable! I've been snapping at eveybody and that is just not me! :think

End of Vent

Thanks for listening!

I don't know about you but I am mourning food. I used food as an anesthetic against strong emotions and now that ability to "drug" myself is gone.

It is a grieving process I think. As far as the PMS - I was never aware of what or how much I ate before and I did notice a difference post-band with PMS-cravings. I think just because I was paying more attention to what I was eating.

hi

thanks for the post/info on the papaya enzymes

when i first found this website..i went out and bought anything anyone recommended. when i got the papaya enzymes in the mail...i was like.."what is this for?"

i just had trouble drinking and protein shake and took 3 of them..and voila...i'm fine....

have a good day everyone

I didn't realize that is what they were for. I have had one before - my mom is constantly shoving different vitamin "therapies" at me. They taste pretty good too.

Tammyj-don't worry, it is only temp. I am sure of it. Just get right back on track. The absolute best thing about the band is that it's not going anywhere. We just take alittle break, and we are off again. It's not a diet, we are in it for life. I kind of find it to be liberating. We are gonna be superstars..I just know it. Have a couple of chips and that's it...no biggie. Don't beat yourself up.

LLSibley- I have to think about a response to you...we have work to do in that category.It is going to take longer than 5 weeks grasshopper...i am only being silly, but i know that it is hard work. I think you got great advice from Hazel. We have to stay on the positives.

bbl...

I was going through some stuff. I came across some ballet slippers I had from when I was doing dance class for exercise a long time ago before my knees got messed up, and then I had moved to where I live now. Why I hung on to them I have no idea, because they didn't fit anymore...at least that is what I thought. So I thought I would try them on before putting them into the Goodwill bag just to be goofy....lo and behold, wouldn't you know they fit me now? I think my feet shrunk too!

And there's this little dance school down the street that just opened up that teach classes to all ages, but I am going to ask at the ortho appointment tomorrow if that kind of exercise would be good to strengthen my knee joints. I know it would be fun for exercise!

HELP!!!!!!! I know I need a brain adjustment. 5 1/2 weeks out, 25 # gone but at a stand still, scheduled for a fill on Friday. I put on my old clothes at home and think I'm looking good. Yesterday I went to a store with my daughter so she could get some shirts. While waiting for her I looked in the mirror to see how good I looked and all I saw was that fat woman. How do you get rid of the fat woman? I know I'm a long ways away from where I need to go , but I've come a long way in 5 weeks but I must change my mental image.I know all about positive self talk but if you say it but don't believe it what good is it. I'm glad this thread is here so I can spill my feelings to others who would understand. Thin or average size friends just don't know what I'm talking about.

I agree with Hazelbunny,find something to focus on that you do like about yourself and look at that part.

But how to get rid of the fat woman? This might sound goofy, but figure out why you kept her around for so long, thank her for her service and tell her she's going to leaving because you have other more positive ways to deal with what she was protecting you from.

I am feeling so out of control. I had my first fill a week ago and I am doing worse now than before I had the fill. I have OK restriction and the band is working, but I am making horrible food choices. What is wrong with me!?!? I was following all the rules before, protein first, then fruits and vegetables, etc. The past couple days I've thrown those rules out the window. My period is due in a couple days and I am not the PMSing type of woman...never have been! Or maybe I am and always used food to soothe and comfort me. I have eaten chocolate, cheetos, doritoes! Thank GOD my band IS there because I could only eat a little! I am very irritable! I've been snapping at eveybody and that is just not me! :think

End of Vent

Thanks for listening!

Don't you hate it when all reason floats out of your head?

Now you know a few chips won't kill you. And you can't un-eat them. So say, "oops" or "hehe, those were tastey" and, "eating like that will not get me to where I want to be."

Now, go drink some water and eat your protein first.

Not is all lost.

And watch out for the hormone changes. Word on the street is that fat stores estrogen and as we lose weight we get more frisky too. :girl_hug:

A bit of tough love-

And there's this little dance school down the street that just opened up that teach classes to all ages, but I am going to ask at the ortho appointment tomorrow if that kind of exercise would be good to strengthen my knee joints. I know it would be fun for exercise!

LoriPA-

Rock On! I think that's a great idea. Let us know what they say!