donna12

ok, my surgeon has no problem with his patients drinking carbonated drinks but I choose not to because I've read enough about band slippage and besides I've always been a water drinker with crystal light. Anyway, tonight was lap band support meeting and in walks a someone with a Mt Dew and only 3 wks post op.

stop stressing, you'll be fine. I worried about that with my hysterectomy in '04, my 2 knee surgeries in '06 and '07, my lap band last year and then bam I had to have my glallbladder out in December so I've had my share of it. It's the best sleep. They should give you something beforehand to calm you then wheel you in the OR and guess what I blurted out to everyone in the OR half drunk "are ya'll nervous", I mean come on, they all cracked up at me and said no are you and I said nope let's roll, let's do this thing and before I knew it and I mean it was like 2 mins I was out and then I was waking up in recovery to 2 very nice nurses and my mom sitting there by my side. Next thing I knew I was chewing on ice chips and a popsicle.

Prayers going out to you my friend. You'll do just fine. Friday will be here before you know it and then bam, ur banded like the rest of us. And yes, we are always here for you.

I'm with ya girl, I have happy boobs too, I went from a 44DD to a happy 40D and I think I could do a 40C, just haven't tried it on yet. I have found a wonderful comfy Wacoal bra that I love. Can't wait to fit into a 38, woohoo, happy boobies for us.

Depends on what day of the pre op diet you are on? The entire purpose of the pre op diet is to shrink your fatty liver so that the surgeon can functionally work around in there. Mine told me that if I didn't follow the rules and he got in there and things were too difficult he would sew me back up. Not to scare you or anything but if you can't be disciplined enough to stick with this how can you when you have surgery. I know you want to eat, believe me I know, I have been there, actually 1 year ago last week was my 1 year bandiversary and my pre op diet was horrible, it was hell, excuse the language. Your body goes thru detox of carbs and sugars and you crave and you wanna eat like crazy but if I can do it, oh believe me anyone can do it. Just sip on that chicken broth like its a big ole pot of homemade soup and its the best thing you've ever had and drink your protein shakes to stay satisfied. Also I was allowed sf jello and sf popsicles and sf puddings. I will admit to you that I did pass out twice guess my sugar dropped and my surgeon allowed me to eat a protein bar twice so I don't think you did any harm. Just try and stick with it from here on out. You can do it!

Got stuck this morning on an egg, my band must have been tight for some reason because I can usually eat most anything now but I did get stuck and what came with it lots of PB'ing. My question is this, is PB'ing bad for the band, I mean, you aren't really forcefully vomiting, food is just coming up without effort. Now I know that I have aggravated my band and to take it easy and have today and will tomorrow. Will I ever learn... Donna

Oh my goodness, my boobs, halelujah! Actually all over really, like you I had and still have huge arms, although I've lost 68 lbs my arms are smaller but I have skin, they are still big but I'm exercising now so hopefully I can tighten them somewhat. My face, my belly, my hips, my legs, heck even my feet shrunk.

Missy that's exactly what I get at Chick fil A, lol. As for the other restaurants I would look online for their nutritional info and make choices before you get there. I"m afraid Moe's would be too tempting for me, love that place but I don't have one near me so I can't be tempted, I would have to travel to Nashville to eat there. There is a Chipotle near me tho. Haven't tried it yet but did look at their menu online and all their stuff is fattening.

2much, no its not every meal, just for some reason I couldn't eat an egg yesterday morning. This morning I had a slider, oatmeal, but then again I wanted to take it easy on my band too. When I do find myself getting stuck its usually because of too big of bites or too fast eating but yesterday I think my band was finicky.

I'm a seafood eater so when I go to Longhorn which happens to be one of my favs I order and share with my mom their Salmon. I also love Red Lobster. Fast food, I choose Wendy's chili or Chick-fil-A child's menu nuggets with applesauce. Haven't mastered steak yet, can't bear the thought of chewing it to pieces, just the thought of a piece of "meat" in my mouth for that long grosses me out. But I do have to admit I'm craving a good steak just can't step up and do it. at Cracker Barrel I order soup or their grilled chicken tenders off their children's menu. The thing I miss the most is a good sub sandwich from Subway, now I'd like to sink my teeth in a low fat turkey sub with veggies but can't handle the bread anymore. I do however eat the meat/cheese and veggies without the bread at home. O'Charley's I of course order Tilapia or Salmon. J. Alexander's I order Salmon, sorry I am just a seafood eater.

Chez I know, but that darn head hunger is awful, it's the devil I swear it.

I DVR'd the show Intervention the other night and just finished watching it. It was about a young girl addicted to heroin. Now some of you may know, I'm divorced 2 yrs this month, I literally watched my ex become an alcoholic the last 3 yrs of our marriage and I thought "how dare you do this to us". I didn't want the divorce, he did, in the end because I wouldn't go out partying with him, said we never did anything together and we had grown apart, well he had met someone too. Anyway, getting back to the Intervention, I never understood how anyone could be addicted to drugs or alcohol and do that to themselves and to their family members but tonight I looked at my mom and said "you know I no different, I'm addicted to food, always have been". Thus the reason for my surgery a year ago this week. I make better food choices now, yes its hard and a daily struggle with me with head hunger and sweets and sometimes I give in but I'm no different so I have no right to criticize anyone's addiction not even my ex's. Which by the way I saw my ex today, he always forgets to mail my alimony ck so I had to meet up with him, he looked awful. For someone that used to hold a corporate job and have a company car and make six figures now looks like he does is sad and breaks my heart, I feel sympathy for him. All I can do is pray not only for him but for myself with my head hunger in which I struggle with each and every day.

thank you all so very much and yes God is blessing me much every day, as you all know I'm deeply religious, southern Baptist girl here and I take my faith to heart. It breaks my heart every time I see my ex because like I said above, college grad, successful business man and now this to the man he is now. To hear his family talk, which I'm still in contact with, he goes out drinking all the time and comes in to work smelling like alcohol, just awful. I guess you are right Maddysgram he has to hit rock bottom to see his way up. I thought that would have been 3 yrs ago when he got a DUI but no, didn't phase him. Like I said, I struggle each and every day with sweets, it's my devil, but choose to suck on a piece of sugar free hard candy or occasionally have skinny cow candy or ice cream treats. God has given me this second chance and I intend on living it to its fullest.

thanks everyone!

Had a nice lunch with my mom and then we hit the mall, oh my, it had been a while since I had been shopping and boy was it fun. Ended up in a regular department store, plus size section but regular department store and purchased size 1X shirts, I was so excited. This time last year I was wearing size 26/28 and they were tight and 3X's were beginning to get tight. I still have big arms so I buy 3/4 length sleeves plus I stay cold all the time anyway year around so it doesn't bother me but these shirts were super duper cute. Just had to share. thx.

gotcha, now I know! Now you guys got me wanting it, bummer.

Boy what a ride this past year has been, gallbladder surgery 6 months into it with complications, whew, glad that's over. Proud to say I'm 68 lbs lighter and never looking back. Only regret, wish I'd done this yrs ago. Wouldn't take a million bucks for how I feel now and only good things to come when I lose that much more in the coming months. Slowly but surely it's coming off.

I know what plication is and my surgeon doesn't perform that but may I ask why you chose to have that done 4 yrs down the road? I mean you already had the lap band, I guess I'm confused as to what further the plication can do for you???

thanks everyone!

Toddy, I'm with you, my doc says I'm in the green zone, I don't think so, I think I'm just about there, I usually can go about 4 hrs between meals and that's good but the head hunger is awful, I mean awful and my sweet tooth gets me really bad. When I do snack its usually a low fat string cheese or greek yogurt but that's not every day. Nights are my worst enemy. I applaud the Govenor and for coming out with his journey to the public. Like you Toddy, I too still get physically hungry and have to eat...

I'd like to know how to update mine, it won't let me???

oh cool, kids are fine, I can help. Especially if you have strollers, girl we can hike and push,lol. Now listen, I still weigh 226 and can't walk fast and just have started walking for exercise but would love to get out and have a friend to share this journey with. I Celebrate my 1 yr bandiversary tomorrow, woohoo. Tell ur hubby thx for his service. I can only imagine how hard it is with 2 little ones and him deployed. I know you probably get up early with the kids but I'm not an early riser, ha., sorry. Let me know what you think. We could do a meeting or early afternoon lunch or afternoon walk somewhere. Have only been on Post a few times so not too familiar with getting around there so you would probably have to meet me off Post somewhere. Donna

I hit the gym for the first time today and my 1 yr bandiversary is tomorrow.

this is what she sent me this morning when I told her I was losing hair and not getting enough Protein in my diet. : "As long a you are getting around 4-5 ounces of protein daily, you are getting plenty! One ounce is equivolant to - 1 egg, 2tbsp Peanut Butter, 1/2 cup cottage cheese or Beans. " I thought and maybe I'm wrong, still learning here, if I eat an egg for Breakfast, lunch maybe some shaved turkey wrapped in a piece of low fat provolone cheese (I would eat 2 of these) and for dinner I may have Wendy's small chili or 3/4 cup of cottage cheese or a baked chicken breast with veggies. according to my nutritionist I should only eat 1 oz of protein at each meal or there abouts. Am I doing this wrong? Maybe that is why I'm at so slow at losing. But I am losing hair like crazy. Someone that has been at this a lot longer than me please chime in!!!

Stephanie I private messaged you. thanks Donna