lisapereira66

Hi all, I'm one of those people who struggles with head hunger from the time my kids go to sleep till I'm sleeping. I have been struggling with this for years and obviously since being banded its harder because before I would just give in and eat. Two nights ago I was really tired and after putting the kids to bed I went to bed myself, watched some TV and went to sleep, no snacking or thinking of food. Last night I did my usual, cleaned up a bit, watched survivor, american idol and some Pope stuff. When I got in bed I realized I didn't have a snack or even think about one. First I almost felt like I wanted to go back down and have something. (I found these really good frozen Greek yogurts from healthy choice that I love.). I digress! Then I realized, hey this could be the start of something new for me. Maybe I don't have to think about food all night and count calories in my head to see if I can afford just one more 100 calorie snack. Hears hoping! Lisa

A few weeks ago when I was picking my 7 year old daughter up from school, she pointed to one of the other moms and said, "see her mom, you look exactly like her and she's not fat"! Then yesterday, we were shopping, I had my back to her and when I looked up to find her she had a scared look on her face. She said, "oh mom, you're getting so skinny I didnt recognize you"! I think she was looking for me for a few seconds and didn't know it was me right beside her. Poor girl. I scared her. Makes me feel good though! I've been a little down since the new year because the scale has been moving very slow. But I did start using my new Pilates machine, so I guess the inches are still coming off. I have to say, this is a far cry from the child, who a year ago, while looking in the mirror asked, "mom, am I gonna look like you when I grow up? I said, "I don't know why? She said, "because mom, I just can't be fat! Broke my heart. I had this sergury for many reasons, my kids being the main one. Glad to say, i made the right choice. Lisa Banded May 30/12 Down 55 and counting,

I think it was Thursday, Dr. Oz did a show on revving up your metabolism. It was very interesting. I just checked the website and if you go to "episodes" you can watch it. It's in a few parts and you have to watch a Walgreens ad every clip but I think it's worth it. The Dr. that was talking about it also has a book out. I cant remember exactly, I'm gonna have to watch it again myself, but she has a plan of several days with different kinds of foods. Most of the tips seemed quite doable. Anyways, have a look if you have time, you might just hear something that hits home. Lisa

I am by no means an expert as I was also banded in May. But my opinion is, it would be very difficult if not impossible to stretch your pouch. As stated in some of the links that have been posted here, the food passes through your band within minutes. So that being said you would have to be taking huge bites and eating really fast to stretch your pouch. I was in your shoes just before Christmas and the nurse practitioner convinced me to get .2cc in my band. I was hesitant as it was just before Christmas but I trusted her. She was right! That little tiny bit of Water made a big difference. I have to eat a lot slower and feel the food passing through sometimes but it definately helped me feel full faster. Again, just my opinion but it sounds like you just need a tiny fill to get you to the sweet spot. Good luck, Lisa

So when this journey began I started trying protein shakes for the first time. I know why I never drank them before. They are disgusting! I have wasted more money than I care to think about with cases of ready made and cans of powder still in my cabinets. Finally, I have found the perfect protein shake for me. I put one Dole Shaker, one Chobani plain yogurt and a splash of sugar free liquid. Blend it for a few seconds in the blender and presto! A little taste of heaven! 20 grams of protein and 200 calories. Tastes like a milkshake and keeps me full till lunch. Slight warning that these are not cheap. The Dole Shakers run around $2.20 and Chobani yogurt about $1.30, so you're looking at $3.50 per shake but well worth the money! Lisa

I use Minute Made 15 cal lemonade but you could use crystal lite too. Really anything just a splash to get the blender moving. Yes I use the plain yogurt because the Dole Splasher s sweet enough and if you use the flavored yogurt it would add 60 more calories. Lisa

Sorry I dont know how to attach a link for the Dole Shakers but if you google it a picture will come up. They come from the freezer section where they have the frozen fruit and smoothies. The Dole Shakers have 100 calories and 5 grams of protein and the yogurt is 100 calories and 15 grams of protein. Lisa

Just heading home for christmas soon. Haven't told anyone I had the surgery. I'm planning on playing it by ear once I get there about who I will tell. I do however have a sister and one friend in particular that I would like to seriously talk to about the benefits of Lapland life. I was wondering if any of you have approached your overweight friends and relatives. Be it out of sheer concern for their health, or just to let them know how much better I feel since I've lost this weight. I would love to hear how you handled it and what your reactions were. Thanks, Lisa

Hi everyone, Thanks so much for your words of wisdom. I can totally see what you all are saying about hurting others feelings. I guess I just feel so good that I want everyone I love, and know is hurting due to weight, to have the chance to feel like this. There are 2 people in particular I wanted to speak to about this. One is my younger sister and the other a best friend. I didn't mention that my older sister passed away 3 years ago due to weight. Well she had a heart attack, but it was due to type 2 diabetes and her weight. I had to have a stint in my heart 10 years ago and I'm only 46 now. So I just don't feel like talking to my younger sister is a matter of being mean or nice, it's a matter of life or death. And my girlfriend. The reason I was thinking about talking to her is because when I began this journey I was talking to her and told her about how I was changing my eating and I was determined to get the weight off this time. I didn't mention I was having surgery. She agreed and said she was going to try to lose weight too. So the other day when I spoke to her and mentioned I had lost a little over 40lbs I could hear the sadness in her voice. Not that she was sad for me but, I could kinda tell she was thinking, **** if I really started when she did I could be 40 lbs down by now too. All this while knowing that if I didn't have the surgery there is NO WAY I would be down 40 by now. I feel guilty. I feel like I should tell her i had the surgery and if its something she might be interested in, she shouldn't be afraid, it's the best thing I ever did. Still not sure if I will even tell anyone. In one way I think it's no ones business but in another way I think if I tell people it may be easier for them to consider it for themselves. I'm not really concerned about my skinny friends and family because I know it's not something they will ever understand. Thanks for listening, Lisa

So I married an American and moved to Chicago from Mississauga Ontario a few years back. I had Lapland surgery in early June here in chicago. I'm heading home for Christmas soon and none of my family or friends know I had the surgery. I'm not sure who I will tell, I'm planning on playing it by ear once I get there. However I do have a sister and a few friends that i would like to have a serious talk with about the surgery, it's benefits and how happy banded life is. My question is what did you have to do to get a lapland paid for in Canada, Ontario specifically. Not sure if OHIP is different the other provinces plans. Would be curious to know if some from other provinces wish to share. My older sister passed away 3 years ago due to weight related problems, heart and diabetes. I tried to get her to look into the Lapland but she was convinced they would not pay and she could not afford it. Unfortunately she couldn't afford not to. I have heard some canadians on here say they had theirs paid for. I also have another sister a few years younger than me that has been overweight her whole adult life too and I want to have a serious talk about getting the lapland before its too late. I just think I might be able to convince her a bit more easily if I know whats involved. Thanks, Lisa

I had my surgery on May 30, so I'm almost exactly at 6 months. For the past 2 days I've been at 200.0.. I started at about 242. My first goal was to be at 190 by christmas and I'm still hopeful that I'll get there. The problem is that I thought I would fell better by this time. Instead I am grossed out that I let myself get this fat in the first place. 42 pounds down and no one even notices. I saw a picture of myself from thanksgiving and I still look just as fat as I always did. What did I do to myself. My skin is all stretched, so even WHEN I do get to goal I'm still not going to look good naked. Also, I weighed between 200-210 for most of my adult life but I had two kids within the past 7 years and gained the extra 30. This also bummes me out because if I never gained that I would be almost at a normal BMI by now with the 42 lost so far. On a positive note, I know for the first time in my life that I will be skinny soon. I am VERY confident that I can do this. I guess I'm just bummed that I let it get this bad before I took action. For those of you on the fence. Let this be a lesson to you. You don't want to wake up 7 years from now with an exta 30 to lose. Just do it now before you ruin your body even more, and get on with life. Lisa

Thanks is much for everyone encouraging words. I have not really changed the cloths I am wearing. Problem is I have a closet full of cloths in various sizes. I am fittng into jeans from 10 yars ago but for some reason I stick with my elastic wasted jeans for comfort. I was actually really surprised the other day when I did wear real jeans and, for the first time in a long time, I didn't have a huge red indentation around my middle by the end of the day. Baby steps. I was also wondering if once people actually start noticing do they usually ask how much you've lost?. In one way i want to shout from the rooftops that i lost 40 pounds. But, I feel I embarrased that I've lost over 40 pounds and still look this big. I feel like if I tell someone I've lost 40 pounds as soon as they walk away they'll think, wow, how much did she actually weigh? Maybe I'm reading too much into this. Thanks for listening. Lisa

I had this happen. I simply deleted the app and reinstalled it. All is good now. Lisa

Good to hear Judy. If the pain is only around eating time then I'm sure you are right about the gas. My pain was very random. I remember once while driving, sometimes just when watching tv and as I said, once it even woke me up. Again, I apologize and in no way ment to scare you. It just sounded a little familure and heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. I hope you're feeling better soon. Lisa

I have not been banded yet so I have not experienced the gas pain that comes with it. However I have had a blockage in my heart which required a stint. Everything you are describing is what I experienced. Feeling tired all the time. Sometimes a flight of stairs or doing a load of laundry and i would have to rest. Slept and napped alot. An intense pain accross my shoulders that would suddenly come on very strong and disappear just as strangely. Once it woke me up in the middle of the night. Never really timed it and it was 10 years ago but i would say it lasted around 10-20 minuites. When it went away it was like it never happened until the next time. A few weeks after it started in the chest and didn't stop until I went to emergency and they gave me nitro. I was admitted and the next day I had an angiogram and they found the blockage and put in a stint. Please don't let me scare you and if this does not sound like what you are experiencing please ignore this post. However I was only 36 years old at the time and never would have thought i would have such a problem. Women experience heart symptoms differently than men do. I'm sorry but if I didn't say something and something did happen I would feel horrible. I really hope it's just gas. Lisa

I feel exactly the same way as you. I do not have my surgery scheduled yet but I am supposed to be dieting now. They are estimating I should be scheduled early June. My mind is saying that I want this so bad but last night my husband was eating jelly Beans. I know I should not have them and was able to hold back for a few hours. But the bag was on the coffee table and it's like it kept calling me. I finally broke down and ate a few handfuls. My late night eating is usually stuff that wont be helped by the band like ice cream, candy, chocolate etc. I have a double reason not to eat it as my blood sugar is right on the boarder of being high but for some reason I just can't stop. I have also been doing the, better eat this one last time with take out food lately too. I really have been picturing myself skinny and joking with my husband about not buying any new cloths now because I will need to replace all of them soon, but I am so scared that my problem foods can still be eaten with the band. I really can't fail at this. I have 2 daughters age 7 and 5 and the 5 year old has Autism. My girls really need me and they are the main reason for my decision to have the band. I just hope that if I get a quick loss at the early stages due to liquid diet that will be enough to keep me motivated.

Have toy ever had your thyroid checked? Losing hair can be a sign of a thyroid problem. It was for my daughter and myself. Just a thought.

Went for my first appointment with the dietician yesterday. I was aware of most of what she was going to tell me from reading everyone's posts so not too many surprises. However the one that really threw me was she said you can never drink carbonated beverages with the band or it will stretch your pouch. I am not a huge pop drinker but I usually have 2 diet cokes per day. One with lunch and one with dinner. I know you cannot drink while eating and I already think this will be one of my hardest hurdles. The thought of never drinking any pop ever, for the rest of my life! kind of freaked me out. I know I should not be looking for ways to cheat even before I am banded but I was wondering if everyone gets told this. I know different doctors have different rules so I was curious. My husband said something to the effect of, well you did this to yourself. Not those exact words but it sure didn't help. Men say the stupidest things sometimes.

I don't want to freak you out but! I had a blockage in my heart at age 34 and had to have a stint put in. One of the major signs of this is getting winded and tired easily. Do you get winded doing other things like stairs, carrying laundry etc. I would definitely get to a doctor right away just to be sure. I could be way off here and hope I am but you can never be too sure.

I was wondering if some of you could tell me your average day food and exercise wise. I am gearing up for sergury, I have my diet and lab work up next week. I am trying to wrap my head around how things will change. I have been reading here for about a month now and I really want this to work for me. Also I'm curious if most of you tend to eat the same thing every because it's easy. And finally, I often have times when I am running around and don't have time to prepare a proper meal, usually I get fast food. What do you do when this happens? Sorry so many questions but I think for me to be successful, the more I know about what to expect the better.

I understand all of the stages. I was basically referring to after all of that once you are just living your life.