pink dahlia

i can eat anything, but my hubby is diabetic and does most of the cooking so 99% of whats in our house is diabetic friendly, and he doesnt care for sweets like i do. so......almost anything from a diabetic cookbook is healthy, they have recipies for pizza, tacos, hamburgers , also side dishes, breads and desserts. we make a diabetic friendly thick spagetti meat sauce and use it over whole wheat pasta or by itself. yummy ! we eat lots of baked fish, brown rice and salads too. also try the book called "Fix it and forget it diabetic cookbook" for the crockpot or the others in the series . great recipies ! try frozen yogurt or weight watchers ice cream for the sweet tooth . good luck !

i've had depression and it ain't pretty! been there , done that. when i had depression i used a product called Plus by a company called Mannatech. (Google it) check with your Dr. before taking it. All i can say is i dont know whats in that stuff, but it worked for me. it just took a layer of rage off of me (some people who have depression have alot of rages_) and it was a huge mood lifter in a healthy way. i was much calmer, less stressed,it was a lifesaver, literally i think i would of been in jail for murder. good luck to you !

you're awesome ! your 1st paragraph could of been written by me except i weigh a little less . i always looked like i was 9 months pregnant with a watermelon ! Down 29 lbs in 3 1/2 months and have lots more energy and clothes are fitting better or falling off of me. great job on your exercise time too ! keep it up !

eating all the extra protein has definetly blocked my intestines more, which for me is a good thing as i was having digestive problems before, ( too loose)

ive noticed i put more alot more effort into looking nice when i leave the house. People are commenting on how nice i look. Not only are alot of my old clothes fitting , which has expanded my wardrobe, but ive added several things (2nd hand) to update my wardrobe.

go to the library and look for a book called " Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld., ( wife of commediene Jerry Seinfeld ) She writes about the frustration of getting healthy foods into her 3 young kids. She started purreeing (sp?) everthing and slipping it into her familys meals. solved alot of the veggie problems. She recently came out with another book called "Double Delicious ." hope this helps ! ( I've seen her first book at 2nd hand stores too).

awesome job ! You go girl, and I'll be right behind you ! Are'nt nsv's fun ??? Way to go !

you should be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished !! Great job ! if anyone asks about your eating habits just say you have "digestive problems." and need to be careful about quality and quanity of what you eat. (true) Most people dont want to discuss the details of digestive problems so you should'nt have too many questions. Good luck at your new job !

do your research BEFORE you see your dr. Come to this forum often, attend seminars and support groups, and talk to others who have been banded. That way you can confidently discuss it with your dr, pros and cons. My longtime Dr., knew of my health and weight struggles, my family history etc. After discussing it all with me and realizing i had done my homework she was very happy to reccomend me for lapband. I was banded last December, down 27 lbs with minimal problems. Best decision i ever made ! good luck !

THIS IS NOT NORMAL. GET YOURSELF TO YOUR DOCTOR . NOW.

also i forgot to add frozen sugar free pudding, it taste s like ice cream ! yummy !

i like Boost protein drinks, hot chinese soup , Campbells chicken noodle soup ,or vegetable beef soup, or lo salt clam chowder , smush them up in your blender .

i want to be you....................except for the part about loosing "the girls". id like to keep what little i have. sigh.....Congratulations !

this isnt at home but if your Dr. ok's with it try swimming or a swim fitness class. Warm water and moving at your own pace. AHHHH, it heaven in the warm water. I hated exercise because i hated to sweat and be uncomfotable and my joints are stiff. Well the water classes make you sweat but you dont feel it because of the water. My joints are loosing up and because i like this class Im going 3-4 x a week. Down 27 lbs since last December , Woo Hoo !As i lose more weight and the weather gets better i'll walk more , and then my next goal is running ! So go swimming !

lovebug said it right "you have to believe in yourself before you start caring what anyone else says " You need to do whats right for YOUR health, not your friends. Ask them what research THEY have done to backup their claims. Do your research first and when they start talking smack calmly back up your opinion with the info you have . I did my research after 2 relatives were banded last June , and was finally banded last December. Im down 27 lbs and looking and feeling much better. (Started at 225 lbs, just hit 198 this morning , Woo hoo ! I got a nice compiment from a male co worker as i walked into work this morning "You're looking good, have you lost weight ?" "Yes, Ive lost 27 lbs thankyouverymuch !" The huge amount of positives far outweigh the few negatives. BEST DECISION EVER !!! Good luck !

Ooooohhhh !!!! i want to be in the 14 's too! I Congrats to everybody on their weight loss . big and small ! Im down from a size 1x-18 to a size 16 and thats just since Dec 13th. I ve lost 25 lbs and finally hit Onederland a few days ago. I havent been at 199 in over 5 years !! its so much fun now to walk by a clothing store and think" hey ,i could probably fit into their clothes!" It's been a looooonnnnng time coming. Way to go everybody !

lewilli- if you feel guilty about having frozen yogurt, try freezing a couple of sf pudding cups. Taste like ice cream ! i was banded last december 13th, i had the shoulder pain and soreness on the left side for about 10 days, then it was gone. Im down 25 lbs, just hit Onederland a few days ago ! Woo hoo !!! Good luck to all, it's a slow journey but the results are SO worth it. Good luck to all !

woo hoo ! youre awesome ! someday ill be a runner too !! Good luck !

if this is any help im the biggest baby in the world when it comes to pain. i had my surgery and was home 6 hrs after being banded, quit taking the pain meds for the very mild pain after 3 days, and was so bored by the 3rd day i went and did some lite xmas shopping. banded last december , down 25 lbs and feels great. had my 4th fill today, had a small shot, i said ow and she was done. in and out in 5 , yes 5 minutes. easy. yes i have 5 little scars, yes i have to watch what and how much i eat, yes i do a swim fitness class 3x a week and yes my clothes are falling off and yes i look and feel 100 % better in just 3 months. do your research, ask questions, and make a decision to get your body healthy. And YES, i would do it again in a heartbeat. good luck !!

way to go ! Whats your secret to losing 96 lbs since sept ? share ! i finally hit onederland last week for about 1 day, but oh it was a good day ! Happy me ! then i did'nt eat very well and gained back 3 lbs. oooops ! that will teach me ! Had my 4th fill today and im back on the weight loss wagon ! Congrats and good luck to you !

way to go ! Im 3 months out and have gone from 225 to 199 ! Onederland ! Feels good to lose that weight finally , doesnt it ? for the person who asked for advice, find a exercise class that you can stick with (mines a hard water fitness class 3x a week ) and try to make healthy food choices. my hubbys diabetic, so 99 % of the food in our house is healthy, but when i crave something sweet i have weight watchers ice cream or frozen yogurt or frozen sugar free pudding (it taste like ice cream ). A excellent book to get is "Pick it, Kick it" by Diane Hart , Excutive Editor of Oxygen Magazine. good luck !

before you buy a new pair of Shape Ups, look in the second hand stores. some people cant wear them as they hurt some peoples feet. i found an almost brand new pair at Goodwill last week for $13.99 ! They are my 5th pair, i love mine and find them very comfy as i work on cement floors every day. Good luck !

wow shellebell, congrats to you !way to go ! whats your secret ? what is your diet and exercise like ? im only 3 months out but down 25 lbs, i found a exercise i could stick with, ( a kick butt water fitness class 3 x a week,) and making healthier food choices ( having frozen yogurt instead of ice cream , etc ) , and i have my 4th fill tommorrow, but i could still use your advice. The only thing i can reccommend to anybody is a book called " Pick it, kick it - Simple choices, huge results - by Diane Hart , Executive Editor of Oxygen magazine . Good luck everyone ! .

you're my hero !

well e verybodys different. i ve been banded 3 months also, down 25 lbs, with 5 lbs of that pre-op im thrilled with 25 lbs and so is my dr. i do an hard water fitness class 3x a week, walk some, and try to eat healthy, but still have my struggles. i had about 10 days of restriction after my 3rd fill, then it went away, so i have a 4th fill next monday. when i did have restriction the weight really started coming off ! hopefully you'll start losing more soon, but you're doing great so far ! Stick with it ! good luck !!