FLORIDAYS

It's amazing to me how I notice things I never saw before. There are a lot of overweight people. I never saw it before my journey. You have no idea how many times I see a person who is 100 plus pounds overweight I and I want to tell her all about my band. Of course you cannot do that with strangers but I seriously want too! I think I just want to say... Hey I did this and my health and life is 100 % better...

That's awesome! Congrats!!

At my first consult my dr asked me if hubby was supportive and did i have a strong marriage. I thought the question about the strength of my marriage was odd. I said yes hubby was on board with my decision because he was and is. I asked dr why he asked about the state of my marriage. He said he sees people every day that lose weight and become different people and it effects their relationships. He wanted me to be aware of that. At the time I thought that was crazy. I had been married forever... How could that be? Fast forward 23 months. I am almost at goal and while I still have a great marriage and hubby is beyond proud of the new me... It's different. I cannot really put my finger on it but either I have changed or he has changed and therefore we have changed. It not a bad thing but I am less tolerant than I used to be about certain things and in return it creates some issues we never had before. We discuss it and are working on learning how to live with the new me and the old him. We are deeply in love and I am not worried about the future.... But I can see how if the relationship isn't strong and you both aren't on the same track it could go sour.

Last time I checked we carry a baby in the womb... Not the stomach, I am not a dr but I don't see what the correlation is. There are several pregnant women who are patient of my dr so I think maybe if it's important to you ask mom to go with you to your consult and ask the question specifically. The dr will tell the truth.

I can't eat very well until after being up 3 hrs or so. During the week I have a carnation sugar free instant breakfast w skim milk. On the weekends I usually just eat after chores or errands.

I was banded on a Thursday, slept most of friday and worked from home on Monday and Tuesday becaus I couldn't drive until I was cleared by dr on Wednesday. But it wasn't until about 2 wks post op that I felt like myself

. One time several mths ago I ate one of my hubby's McDonald's fries. You would have thought I ate the whole batch.... My stomach was just having a fit and it came back up. Another time it was a small teaspoon sized bite of grilled cheese.... Same problem. And hamburger unless its very very lean does the same thing so I figured it's greasy food and I stear clear!

Caffeine free hot tea...... This from a former diet coke addict who had 2 downed before work!

Believe it or not no one will pay attention to what you eat if you don't call attention to it... I eat out a lot for business and no one ever mentions it. TheY are too busy stuffing their faces. Since you will be attending a buffet that's actually easier... Take a little bit of what you want and eat a few bites of it... I promise if you don't mention it... No be will ask since its obvious you have been losing weight. Happy holidays!

Ditto... My band doesn't like grease...

One set back early on shouldn't hurt your surgery... But make it your last time. It's just not worth it. I am guessing you want this more than anything ....right? So the next time you think you need a carb... Have a sugar free Popsicle. You must learn between now and you surgery that food is nearly fuel. And the shakes will give you the nutrients you need... The rest of it is just habit. As for the dress I don't know what size you a now but 8 months post surgery I was down about 90 lbs and about 4 sizes I think. Best of luck. You can do this!

I knew this was going to work. There wasn't any Doubt because I wanted it that badly!! I didn't tell people at work until the first hundred lbs was gone and someone asked how I did it. But personal friends knew beforehand... Hubby was so excited for me I think he blabbed first...and then it was over the holidays so they all saw me not drinking alcohol or eating munching at parties so I just embraced it. And now they all cannot get over the difference.

I read once that it didn't effect the calorie content if you didn't eat the skin...l would ast your nutritionist

Mine made me wait 2 months because I was losing steady.... But I was also dieting very strictly. Talk to him about it.

I lost 22 lbs on the 2 week liquid diet. Any loss is a good one and as my dr told me... You learn to live without food and you shrink your liver for a successful surgery Good luck

I think your post is on target in that the band works for you in whatever way feels right. There is no right or wrong way... Other than the part about being able to consume 8 oz of meat or other protein. That seems high to me .... but if you are losing at a steady pace don't worry about what I think... Keep on doing it. I did weigh my food for the first year or so so I understood how much an ounce really was... And I measured out starch like rice and mashed potatoes so I wouldn't over eat more than 1/4c As far as counting calories... I did that too. But I didn't exercise formally but I started walking occasionally after I lost about the first hundred. To date I have lost 208 lbs without formal exercise. But that may not work for you... So do what does and as long as you and your dr is happy with your progress ...good for you!!

In another thread there was discussion about shakes. It seems alot of you drink them on a pretty regular basis and I am wondering why? Are they for nutrition or enjoyment? Are they a Meal Replacement or in addition too? Please don't misunderstand. I am not saying anything is wrong with it... I just never was told to do it or felt I needed it for any reason. My Dr has me scared to death about empty liquid calories so I never thought to try them. Can you tell me for what purpose you drink them? I appreciate the knowledge because I havent had once since the pre and post op Optifast required shakes.. Thanks

You are kind. I feel like if I can do this anyone should be able to. Seriously its not rocket science.... you just need to want to more than anything else in your life. My husband even thinks my journey knocked him down a notch because I am so focused! Of course its the first time in more years than I can count that I have done something for me. ANd I would like to think my family will reap the rewards of having me around a bit longer.

The weather is mightly fine down here!!!

He told me it would take 2 1/2 yrs and I am at 22 months.... so I think he is very happy for me. Back in April he said I could come in every other month instead of once a month... I paniced and thought I would gain it all back for some silly reason. Of course I didnt and now its every 3 months... but I miss him!

I felt awful until day 4. Headache from hell and I was starving. I was on liquid shakes from Optifast and found if you add ice and put them in a blender there is more of it and its better... I was alowed 2 sugar free popsicles each day. And caffine free tea or coffee. broth was ok but not encouraged so I didnt. And of course Water water water. It was horrible to be honest but I was so excited for the surgery it somehow got me through it. The crowning glorig was on the day before surgery my Dr told me I lost 22 lbs in those 2 weeks. I learned that I didnt need to eat my way through a day and I still survived. All the best to you!

gotcha... well then like we talked about before...ignore them

If you are worried about it... come clean before you leave and tell the boss you are having a medical procedure and that you were too emarrased to say anthing at first but you value your job and love working there so wanted to be honest with him/her. You dont want to be recovering from surgery while worrying about your job

Unless I am paying their bills I have no right to judge but keep in mind that Marijuana is illegal in the United States. Just saying....

OK so you use it as a meal replacement. I have a SF carnation instant breakfast on some work morning too for the same reason... I dont think of that as a protein shake. Maybe I am confused. Are the protien shakes more healthy?