Bamabander

Thanks Honk... That's what I thought, but good to hear it from someone else

Executive decision was done for today... Bed soon! Night all!

I have to say that this is by far the best thing I have ever done for ME! Having said that, the first week after surgery sucked for me. I had the "what have I done" feeling every minute. I was in pain, on liquids and hungry, just feeling blah overall but let me tell you by the end of week two I felt good and now at 1 month post op... well I am feeling great! The weight loss down and dirty... started pre-op May 25, weighed in at 262. I lost 8.5 on the 5 day liquid pre-op. I could only eat drink was protein shakes,sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, and 8 oz broth each day... i didn't cheat but boy was I tempted. Pre-op diet STINKS! I swear it is the hardest part, think about it, I can't control my eating and coming to have WLS and they tell me to basically starve myself... When you get through this, you have made it! Flash Forward- lost a total of 22 pounds 19 pounds because I gained back 3 going on a regular diet and one big cheat day, but I am doing 40 minutes a day in cardio and started some 1 pound weight toning, still restricted on lifting for 2 more weeks. I feel that if I don't move I am not going to lose, so as much as I love hate exercising I do it! Feels great to accomplish my goal each day! I can't believe that I am starting to fiut into my old fat clothes... I have been between a 14/16 to a 22 W in the last 3 years, yes I can lose, no I can't maintain, which is why I need the band! My fitness pal has become my BFF (BTW, add me- user name- neatnickk) I log EVERYTHING!! I strongly reccommend this... be accountable, dont cheat because the only person that you cheat is YOU! Make this day the day you decide to be accountable... We will do this together, I need support, you need support... We are all in the same boat! I have to give a big shout out to hubby and family.. they are so great! Hubby is down 15 since my surgery and 15 year old son (football player, 6'1" feet tall, 250 pounds and all muscle, is down 4 pounds, even though he doesn't need it) my girls are very supportive too... every one eats the foods I can eat and is loving this new lifestyle. We are all working out together and really having a good time, who knew my surgery would make us a closer family... like I said BEST THING I HAVE DONE FOR ME (and them)! I think the plication has really helped hunger but I still deal with head hunger, some days not at all, others like a hibernating bear having his first meal... but I'm dealing and improving each day! So tell me... where are you in the process? How are you feeling? Best tips? Worst nightmares? Share... that's why we are here!

First... yes, I do struggle. I feel some days I can easily over eat but compared to before surgery not nearly as much. My doc had me on 1 week liquids, 1 week soft and regular diet as tolerated. I had no problems with food. I get in my 70 grams of protein everyday... love premeir protein shakes (30 grams) but can drink a whole one without a problem. It sounds like you are doing everything perfectly... 20.8 since pre-op, WOW! SUPERSTAR... I'm a little jealous, but super happy you are doing so well! I struggle with the head hunger a lot... I love sweets, and constantly feel l need a little something, but have not snacked a lot and nothing bad. They make a greek frozen yogurt, Adonia... it is awesome and same nutrition as regular greek yogurt bu tastes like ice cream... so thats my go to when I want something sweet. Now what is plication... I guess I should do an entire post on it (and will) but in a nutshell the surgeon places the band and also plicates (pleats) your stomach. It is a series of stitches in your stomach that make it the size of a sleeve with no cutting. It is supposed to produce greater, faster weight loss in the beginning much the same as bypass but also has the long term advantage of fills.. its the best of both worlds. Additionally, it is supposed to greatly decrease the chance of any band slips. I was so happy when I read about it, I really wanted this surgery however it is a new procedure and all docs are not yet doing it. I am very happy so far and will keep you posted.

Today I got up, watched a gorgeous sunrise courtesy of TS Debby and hopped on the eliptical for 30 minutes. I did that for me today... what are you going to do today for you? We are here to be kind to ourselves... Go and BE KIND TO YOU!

Heat on shoulder, ice on incisions... Helped a lot!

That is insane to lie to people! The almighty $$ is more important than human life to these people. I have and allergan and will follow this, thanks for sharing!

Jen... that is wonderful news! Hanging in there together!

I am really not a nervous kind of gal... even when I was pregnant I never really felt nervous. Having said that I feel that my impending surgery has brought out my nerves. I have made my decision but I had a thought... well at least a partial thought today.... OMG!!!! I only have 3 days before my pre-op diet starts, 3 days to eat food... THREE. DAYS.. I wasn't having any cravings until this thought.. surviving on protein shakes for the next 2 weeks of my life.. and ..guess what.. I want cake, not just any cake decandent icing and ganache dripping chocolate cake with white filling, yes.. now as someone who is undergoing WLS in 1 week, is that r4eally what I should do? Do I give into the I want cake or fight it? Any thoughts? but I really want cake! I have few things I am really going to miss... I am an equal opportunity food lover and I do not discriminate, I love sweet and salty, carbs and protein... you name it and I promise I probably love it. I am trying to imagine what it would be like to not be hungry and have to make myself eat. You have no idea what a foreign concept that it to me... or perhaps you do. I'm sure this is a passing phase as I am really excited to start this journey... i deserve at least one freak out- right??

OK this is the low down... YES I did get that piece of cake but guess what... it wasn't that great, It did taste very good but IT IS ONLY FOOD!!! I think for years now my thoughts and cravings are more about my mind than my taste buds. Don't get me wrong it tasted good but not as good as my mind made it seem like it should be... I have given this extra dimension to food for years and have just realized it. I feel a little shell shocked still but let me say it again... ITS JUST FOOD!!! You know how you work so hard to plan the "perfect Christmas Morning?" Months and months of attending to every detail.. I make these gorgeous bows and make home made gift tags for each gift. I shop and shop and shop finding the a perfect gifts, I stress and spend and swear I will never do it again because every year they rip through the gifts with very little notice to the hours I have spent wrapping etc and inevitably we have a return pile for all those "perfect gifts" but you know why I do it... I do it because I am chasing the Norman Rockwell version of Christmas painted on a card, Not the real Christmas we celebrate, where our PJ's dont match, we have bed head and to be completly honest I will undoubtedly have smeared mascara on my face from being up so late making everything so perfect, that I fall asleep without even washing my face or brushing my teeth... Now the point is... (drum roll please)..... I have made every craving, every food fantasy into the erotic unatainable perfect "meal or snack or whatever" in my mind... it WILL NEVER be as good in my mouth as it is in my mind! Norman Rockwell doesn't live in CAKE!!! Can anyone else agree with me or have I truly gone off the proverbial deep end??

Money for new small clothes!!!!

Congrats and best wishes!

I have amazed myself, but not in a good way! I have been doing so well, until yesterday! I ate a whopping 1756 calories. What happened? I wasn't even hungry!!!! I did do 961 calories in exercise/ yard work in the morning, but then went to a party and just blew my whole day... Followed by a small bowl of Marble Slab ice cream... I have got to get my head in this game... I don't want to eat like a fat girl anymore but yet it is oh so easy to slip right back to the old ways... Who wants to kick my butt.., please go right ahead, I need it!

You have made my day... Plus I burned extra calories from laughing so hard! Thank you!!!

Y'all are so great! I really appreciate the butt kicking, advice, tips and shared diet disasters! I'm going strong today! Went to early church, came home and walked 2 miles,ate a great breakfast of southwestern egg beaters ( love love love them) with a TBL of FF sour cream! Planning for a great week... One meal at a time!

From discovery health.... Learned this at WW several years ago. Bottom line you will burn 70 calories a day drinking 64 oz of ice cold Water a day.. Doesn't sound like much but doing it everyday can make a difference! "So, considering that the definition of a calorie is based on raising the temperature of water, it is safe to say that your body burns calories when it has to raise the temperature of ice water to your body temperature. And unless your urine is coming out ice cold, your body must be raising the temperature of the water. So calories are being burned. Let's figure out exactly what you're burning when you drink a 16-ounce (0.5 liter) glass of ice water: The temperature of ice water can be estimated at zero degrees Celsius. Body temperature can be estimated at 37 degrees Celsius. It takes 1 calorie to raise 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius. There are 473.18 grams in 16 Fluid ounces of water. So in the case of a 16-ounce glass of ice water, your body must raise the temperature of 473.18 grams of water from zero to 37 degrees C. In doing so, your body burns 17,508 calories. But that's calories with a little "c." Your body only burns 17.5 Calories, and in the grand scheme of a 2,000-Calorie diet, that 17.5 isn't very significant. But let's say you adhere to the "eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day" nutritional recommendation. In 64 ounces of water, there are 1,892.72 grams. So to warm up all that water in the course of a day, your body burns 70,030 calories, or 70 Calories. And over time, that 70 Calories a day adds up. So, while you definitely shouldn't depend on ice water consumption to replace exercise or a healthy diet, drinking cold water instead of warm water does, in fact, burn some extra Calories!"

I'm sorry! It sounds like a lot of disappointment in one day. I don't know what I'd do but I would decide to decide. Give yourself a set amount of time.. A couple days and research, make your decision and give that decision 100%. Being in limbo stinks and once you decide you will feel so much better! Hang in there. Wishing you the best!

I started during my pre op... Got rid of a bunch of winter clothes that I never plan on wearing this coming winter! I was told to keep one pair of jeans/pants or outfit for reference. I took a picture in them and am holding onto th for inspiration. Almost 1 month out and they are loose! Enjoy the purge!

Congrats! That's 3 pounds a week. Keep up the good work!

That's great news! Congrats!