zil

I made it through Thanksgiving. What a wonderful day. I had the full blown holiday meal for my family. I am proud to say that I did not gain any weight, in fact lost 1 more pound. I am also proud to say the worse thing I ate was cheese. Yes, I did eat 2 pieces of cheese. It did taste good. Being Italian, we had all the appetizers and I did good. I stayed away from potato chips, spinach dip and bread, corn chips and salsa, salami, pepperoni and crackers (3 kinds). I did have some shrimp and a couple bites of cheese and a couple of carrots. Dinner came around and I had made up my mind I would have only ham, broccoli and a bite of sweet potatoes. I did have a small glass of wine. No bread, stuffing/dressing, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy or stuffed pasta shells. I also stayed away from all the desserts. I sat back and watched everyone else stuff themselves, and I had a good feeling. Next, it will be Christmas. I am a little worried about that holiday because one of my favorite things is cut out cookies with icing and colored sugars. I always make about 12 dozen for Christmas morning. I also think we wiil be having homemade tamales, rice and beans for Christmas dinner..,.I know, Italians eating tamales??? Being from the SW, we like Mexican food too. Oh well, I will just make up my mind to eat healthy. Happy days to all my fellow bandsters.

OMG, it finally happened yesterday...since I did not have a decent meal for lunch (did eat banana and yogurt and was full) but was hungry when I got home from work. So, in the process of fixing dinner, I grabbed a small piece of left over chicken and took a bite and then a second bite. Then about 30 seconds later, I felt a tightness like I had never felt before. You can imagine what happened next. So, while I knew the lesson, I did not follow the rule, of dime sized bites and chew, chew, chew. Don't think that will happen again because I did NOT like the feeling. I have never stuck my fingers down my throat before, but did it twice yesterday to get unstuck. UGH. But am happy to say I still love my band. This was just another way (although be it yucky) of me utilizing my tool. HAPPY THANKSGIVING BANDSTERS.

Well, good morning. Today is 11 days post op. I go to get the staples out today. Thank goodness because they are itching. I think I am going well. According to the info I received from my Dr, I was able to start consuming thicker liquid items such as cream of wheat, soups with noodles (blended up), mashed potatoes, etc. Doing pretty good. I found that as soon as I started eating semi-solids (or thicker liquids) the gas in my shoulder seems to dissapate. Oh, if anyone had told me that gas in your shoulder could be so painful I would have laughed...not anymore. It was awful. This is such an exciting time in my life. I have been overweight for 25+ years, and no matter what I tried, I could not shake the weight. Oh, I would diet and lose 20 or 30 pounds only to put it right back on. I truly believe the lapband is the tool that is going to become my best friend. I still have to wait 3 weeks for my first fill, but I am eagerly anticipating that day. Until next time. Stay healthy, happy and stick to the rules. Zil

Daisy, you will be fine. Just go in with a positive attitude. I was so looking forward to my banding, which I think helped me a lot. I only had 3 weeks from the day I decided to do it until surgery. I was excited each and every day. Had surgery on a Friday and believe it or not, went back to work the following Monday. The only issue I really had was gas in my shoulder, but that was not even all the time. The pain meds tasted yucky (and I mean really yucky) so I switched to tylenol caplets which worked so much better than the liquid stuff they gave me. I remember going to the OR and when they woke me up in recovery, the nurse told me to drink (she had a cup of hot sweetened tea and room temp water) and about 20 minutes later I was handed my clothes and told to put them on and then I was escorted to the restroom to make sure there were no problems with my waterworks. The next think I knew I was being walked to the entrance and put in the vehicle for the trip home. Really never experienced any pain until Sunday when it just felt like I had done about 50 situps. But again, the tylenol helped with that. I had a hyatal (sp) hernia repair at the same time I was banded. My surgery was at 0900 hours and I was back in recovery by 0940, out the door by 1030 and home by 1130. I only share because I want you to know that it really won't be that bad. This surgery is nothing like a c-section or natural childbirth. Think positive and take both your mom and Hubby with you. They will get a lot of questions answered if they just ask. I wish you lots of luck.

DOWN FROM 5 TO 4. YIPPIE. Finally made it into the 240s this morning. Only good things ahead for me. I love my band. The best choice I have ever made. Down 50 pounds (which includes my pre-op diet phase) Looking forward to losing the next 50 pounds. I know I am blowing my own horn, but if I don't, who will. Saw some pics of me from last week, and hardly recognized myself. Going for my 5th fill this afternoon and believe I will firmly be in the green zone. I am a happy camper. thanks for listing and letting me brag.

Hi Sarah, congrats on getting the band. Sounds like you are experencing the same thing I did. I would lose a few pounds and then plateau for a week or so, maybe longer, and then lose a few pounds and plateau again. I have found out that is the way my system works. The best advice I can give you is to stick to the rules and don't let the fact that you aren't losing at that moment detour you. Stick with what you know is right and even if you aren't losing weight, you will probably be losing inches. Think about the "new you" waiting at the end of the road. Best of luck

BEAUTIFULLY PUT. I am so proud of you, your progress, your willingness to tell it like it is and not sugar coat it. As Arnetta said, you are a true inspiration and angel. Please don't ever stop blogging because I love your posts. I only hope that I can be a size 12 at my year anniversary. Happy Holidays...I am sure I will be seeing you here again.

should have said "had" another fill yesterday.

thanks for all the positive comments. Have another fill yesterday. Hoping this will set me firmly in the green zone. I love my band.

banded 8/19/2011

DAISY DAISY DAISY - this is a decision only you can make. Sounds to me as if they are afraid you will find out just how strong you are and how committed you can be. Please don't listen to them. They are holding you back. My husband comes from a very strong Italian family, and everything is centered around food...no matter what we do it is food, food, food. And like the rest, I found myself stuffing my face all the time. I love good foods, whether it be the main course, salads, desserts. I grew from 120 pounds to 300 over the years just because they eat, eat, eat. I was banded 8/19/2011 and have lost 50 pounds. All because I have stayed focused and used my band as the tool it is meant to be. I still cook all those wonderful foods and watch them stuff their faces, while I eat healthy and consume much smaller portions. I am even planning a traditional Thanksgiving dinner complete with pasta (after all Italians always have to have pasta). I do not want to deprive my family from the foods that they love. But just as much, I am not going to let myself get derailed. I will still be sticking to my convictions. Daisy, I know you can do the same thing. Keep focused and keep positive. They obviously don't know how you feel inside with the added weight and do not realize that you are only keeping yourself from them by being overweight. Go for it girl. You can do it. I AM PULLING FOR YOU. If I lived by you, I'd even give you a ride home from the hospital. Best of luck. Zil

See your dr asap. It is always better to error on the side of caution. congrats on our promo. and rest assured, I will keep you in my prayers. Best of luck.

My sympathies on your loss. Time will ease the pain. I am happy for your success on your weight loss before surgery. Even in light of the fact that you ate out so much you still managed to lose weight which is fantastic. Congratulations. Ready, set, go. I will be thinking of you as you join the banded bandits.

We often find support where we least expect it. My immediately family (instate) have been extremely supportive, but I hesistate to tell my out-of-state sister and brother...I think they will criticize. I plan to keep them guessing forever. Best of Luck.

Texas B - you are going to do it. I am so proud of you. 38 pounds in 2.5 months is fantastic. And I know you can lose another 38. then another 38 after that if you want. Please don't beat yourself up if you can't exercise more than you already are. Just stick with what you can do. Just keep following the rules and do what works for you. CONGRATS!!!!

Well, here I am again...almost 3 months post banding. I must say, my trip on this journey has been very informative. I, like most people, thought the band was going to work miracles. In an a sense, it has. I am now so much more aware of what I eat and how much I eat. The band has made me very aware of my food choices, and how often I eat. The daily trip to the scale has also helped to keep me on track (although I really hate getting on the scale), but that is one of the two things I have to face every day whether or not I like it. The other is exercise. I am not someone who has ever exercised, which is evidenced by my girth. However, I did start walking somewhat after surgery and found that was not my thing. So, my middle daugher hooked me up with a bicycle and BINGO, I really enjoy it. I have a wonderful friend who I usually ride with if our schedules permit, and at times my hubby has even riden with me (but he doesn't go as far as I like to go). I even joined the little gym close to work and have managed to get there during my lunch a few times a week to utilize the treadmill and/or stationary bike (only do the statinary bike if weather is bad outside). But what is so amazing is...(my daughter and her boyfriend had their youngest baby Christened on Saturday at our house. So, needless to say, we had to prepare food for about 25+ people)...the amount of food everyone ate, and what they drank. I don't know where they put it. We served pulled pork, with 2 different toppings and one plain, they we had ranch beans, potato salad, veggie tray with dip, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips with onion dip, pickles, olives, big rolls, cake and coffee. OMG, then we had beer, wine, soft drinks and iced tea to wash it down with. They ate like they hadn't seen food in a week. Well, and here is another AMAZING thing, I ate some of the pulled pork, beans, and veggies. Oh, and I had about 5 tortilla chips and homemade salas. NO CAKE, POTATO SALAD, POTATO CHIPS, ONION DIP, BREAD, BEER, WINE, SODA POP FOR ME. So, the really amazing thing, is what people eat and I know they are truly not hungry. I continue to be amazed. So I just sit back, stick to my convictions and watch my scale move backwards. I LOVE IT! I even managed to ride my bike Saturday and Sunday because I told everyone I had to do it, and they all supported me. AMAZING! THE POWER MY BAND HAS GIVEN ME. I thank the good Lord every day for pointing me in that direction. I think my husband for being willing to pay out of pocket. I thank all of you for supporting me as well as each and everyone else. We are in this together, and we will forge ahead. Zil

As I wrote yesterday, I had my 4th fill yesterday. Now I have 7.5 ccs in my band. I am definately seeing (feeling) a difference. I have a full feeling just about all the time, and not thinking about when my next meal is. I am doing good with the water, too. I am so excited. This ride is so much fun and rewarding, I hope it never ends. If things keep going this way, I will have to cancel my next appt for a fill, and just weight in for pure enjoyment. Did I tell you that I am so excited? Oh, I am so excited. I don't mean to repeat myself but I am really feeling good, and I have only lost 46 pounds, I can only imagine what it will be like when I lose another 46. OK, enough jubilation. I AM JUST SO EXCITED. Oh, there I go again

I was the same way after my surgery. I just figured I would be tight and not able to eat much...we all know that didn't happen. So, I stuck to the rules as best I could...I chose to eat healthy, even though it was a little more than the 1/2 cup they wanted me to eat at each meal. I have stayed away from potatoes, bread. pasts, flour, sugars, sweets, rice, all those carbohydrates. Instead, I eat healthy - usually having oatmeal or a protein shake for breakfast , Then lunch is some type of protein (usually grilled chicken) and a salad or some other type of veggies. Dinner is veggies and protein and maybe an apple. I drink lots of water or sugar-free lemonade for a treat. I won't say it has been easy giving up some of my favs like popcorn, ice cream, candy and fried potatoes, but I have made the commitment to use my band to the fullest extent. Keep positive, and keep reading the rules. You will eventually get there. I had to have 4 fills before I started to feel restriction. I have a 14cc band and have 7.5 cc's in it and I think I am going to get 1 more on the 14/Nov for good measure. I LOVE MY BAND AND I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE FACT THAT IT HAS MADE ME CHANGE THE WAY I LOOK AT FOOD. I EAT TO LIVE VS LIVING TO EAT.

Congrats on 2 pounds. Great Job. With your positive attitude, you will do great. HAPPY BANDING!

Forget their support. You go for the gold...in this case, the band. I was lucky when I decided to get banded. I only told a couple of people until after the surgery. Then I started telling everyone. I have found a lot of support, but mostly, I made the decision myself to do it for no one else but me. I have family and friends who are always trying to sabbotage me and derail me, but I stick to my convictions. Just remember, you can always come to this site for support. We have all been there and know exactly what you are going through.

Everyone is different. I know that I lose about 3 or 4 pounds and then I hit a plateau for about 7 to 10 days, then drop again. The important thing is not to get discouraged and remember the wonderful tool you have. Be sure you are cutting back on your portions, but make sure you are eating healthy foods. The other thing I found out, I have to exercise. I don't like walking much, so I ride a bike. But I did join a small gym close to work and go there on my lunch hour and walk the equivlent of 2 times around the track (it equals 1/4 mile) which is not much, but every little thing helps. As I get faster, I will walk more and be able to cover more feet in the same amount of time. But, again, don't get discouraged. Just put your mind in the right spot. I had my surgery Aug 19, and have lost 46 pounds since 7/26 (when I started my pre-op). I didn't put this weight on over night and it won't come off in a day. My dr says 1-2 pounds a week is a good thing. Best of Luck! Zil

FANTASTIC!!!. GOOD FOR YOU. I feel your happiness. Hope I get there soon.

WOW, had my 4th fill this morning. I am so psyched!. Weighted in at 42 pounds down and 7 inches off my waist. WOO HOO!!! I even think the fill has put me in the green zone...way to go...my journey is wonderful. My boss even told me turn around today and when I did, he said my backside was getting smaller. WOO HOO AGAIN. (good thing I have known him for more than 20 years)