sleepyone405

hey everyone.. just checking in and from all the posts and tickers, I see everyone is doing well! I think of you guys so much, you can't imagine. sorry i haven't been here though.. I've come to a standstill, but I know why, so knowing why is half the solution. wtg to all your successes! I'm so proud of you ladies.

happy birthday natalie! I turned 46 on Friday the 6th... You are half of me! hehehe and soon we will both be half of ourselves! I'm having a really hard time guys.... I did so good until the week before my fill. and my hunger came back with a vengence after not feeling hungry for 5 weeks. I had my fill last thursday. Did liquid thurs and fri.. Saturday night I got stuck! my own fault.. I forgot to eat slow enough (I was famished as I had went 10 hours without eating anything). I knew it had to happen sooner or later and in a way, i'm glad its over so I know how it feels and what the warning signs are. I went back on liquids and soup. Today I tried some meat, and two bites into it, I felt the warning signs. The meat when in the fridge and I grabbed a Jello cup instead. I don't think its because they added too much to my band. I think its because Saturday's incident caused some additional swelling? I don't want to go get anything emptied. I really think it is just me. I chew enough now, but think I need to remember to take smaller bites. I refused to get a toddler fork and spoon as my dietician suggested, but maybe I should! Oh, and I did another dumb thing. I tried to eat breakfast! duh... band is tighter in the mornings! gonna start remembering to have a slim fast for breakfast. I used to eat breakfast, skip lunch and have dinner.. All the little things we gotta change and never thought of. I'm going to keep on soft foods, and by the end of the week, eating smaller bites and chewing and still getting stuck (its only happened two times)... I will call the doc and have them take a little out of my band.. I'm so sad though, because I am hungry, and I was looking forward to the next fill in two weeks.... I honestly think that my band journey is really now beginning, and though i was practicing Portion Control and chewing and healthy foods during post op, i think the fill really put me on the road to learning about my new life and getting my body used to it. At least I'm not struggling in my mind! Finch! Do not fret! and are you able to keep liquids down? what about softs? Maybe you need a tad taken outta your band? I'm worried that they jumped right to the upper GI considering you've been doing sooooooooo good! Do keep us posted. I'm worried about you. If you need anything, you aren't too far, I could drive up there! Natalie.. wtg on the NSV. that is actually one of my goals.. at least now I know I only have about 20 lbs to go! you are such an encouragement. Mom, so glad you are doing good since your fill!

OMG, tooooo funny! My husband has been warned, he cannot bring a pizza or even a picture of a pizza into this house, and popcorn is no longer allowed either (which is weird cuz i never liked popcorn before. I dont care if he eats his overflowing plate (the same dinner I used to eat), but there are just some things he has to give on. Luckily, he supports me and submits to most of my requests.... Thanks for the chuckle!

Welcome back Natalie, you were missed. Glad you did so well on your vacation, both with the exercise and with eating out. You should be so proud of yourself. I'm proud of you! Mom, I'm glad you got your fill and are eating smaller portion sizes. I guess your bigger band was what was allowing you to eat more. I can't wait for my fill on Thursday, but I'm so dreading liquid diet for my birthday! Oh well I figure more liquid diet means more weight loss! Can't wait to REALLY begin my journey!

if you have problems walking, try walking in a pool. Many people with mobility issues find that in the water they don't have the pain. Actually while walking in a pool is easier on your body, the resistance from the water that you don't even really notice makes it a good work out and no sweating is a big plus too.

I have depression and anxiety, along with MAJOR panic attacks. I find when I do exercise it actually helps all three conditions. Exercise is a good stress reliever and although anxiety and panic attacks don't have to be related to stress, exercising did seem to reduce them. Not to mention the extra energy exercise gives me. I sleep less, I'm less tired and I participate in life more. I too have been to the hospital with the panic attacks, I too have had the heart workup, and now I take medicine that controls my depression and anxiety. I haven't had a panic attack in three months. (They changed my meds three months ago). Talk to your doctor about it, and if you get no where, find another doctor who will work with you. Like has already been stated, its caused by a chemical imbalance and you need a medicine to correct that. When you do work out, your heart will beat faster though, just because you are working out. Don't get worried! If you go to a gym (or check with your doctor) for the optimum heart rate for you when you exercise and check it when you do. By keeping it in the right zone, you maximum your exercise routine and burn the most calories. Good Luck and know you are not alone.

when did you have your surgery?

a heating pad on your tummy will help, and laying in bed on your left side.

Focus on your eating healthy. Don't weigh yourself every day. You won't really get restrictions until you get fills. The first weight loss which is usually a combination of the preop diet, post op diet Water weight which makes it seems so easy. Let yourself heal. Get a few fills, keep exercising and you'll see that things will progress. While its fun to lose 12 lbs in 10 days, be realistic and realize that the average is only 1-2 pounds a week IF you eat right and exercise. Its also the healthiest way to lose weight and the most effective. Quick weight loss usually means quick weight regain. Hang in there.

BCBS of IL approved and paid for my surgery. However, your policy may be different. I would call their customer service line, since they have your policy and can tell you if it would be. I would think they would be covered, just as if something went wrong and they had to do surgery to remove or correct a problem, even if they wouldn't pay for the lapband originally, because it would then be a medical necessity. Of course, I'm an optimist. Call them though to be sure.

We all go through this I think, especially during our post op healing. Focus again on the reasons you chose to have the surgery. I look at the "little" I now eat, and am so proud and happy that if fills me up, even without the weight loss. The freedom I have found from food is amazing. Sure there are days I struggle and want that comfort food, I wont kid you. However, when I eat healthy I find its a victory, because healthy food is our new best friend. Sadness and anger are all a part of the grieving process. You will get through it! Every day I exercise, even though its only walking one mile, I have a victory. Each and every meal I have that is normal portions (even though it seems small to us overeaters) that is a victory too. The weight loss is another victory. The inches I've already lost off my tummy is a victory. The clothing sizes I've already gone down is another victory. You can choose to be sad and angry, or you can choose to stay focused on your plan. Focus on your reasons and the small victories, and before you know it, food will be your friend again in a new way. It won't hold you back! It will help you be healthy! The victories are yours too, if you reach out and take them. This is coming from the woman, who two days post op was crying in bed and I knew I made the wrong decision! The support I have gotten here helped immensely and focusing on my victories empowers me to continue to work with the band to improve my life. Pretty soon, your band and new eating habits will become your best friend too!

my doc told me to stay away from ensure. I like slim fast because its thicker and more like a shake so I feel like I'm getting "something", and I like atkins too, which is more like milk and I especially the strawberry. Its convenient when I dont want to pack a lunch, or when I dont make time to. you have to find one you enjoy. Its a good replacement. Try to stay with the low carb ones and the more protein the better~

Natalie, success hinges on our exercise program. The band controls the amount we can eat, and we can choose what foods we eat, but the key to success is burning them calories (and getting enough protein so we burn fat and not muscle)! Besides, exercise gives you more energy and less stress! no matter how much it wears you out! if you need a class to be accountable, find one. If you need us to yell, errr support you.. we are here. Even though I haven't posted when I walk (which is my exercise at this point), I think of you ladies every time I walk, especially when I am not sure I want to. I can almost hear you all cheering me on or yelling, errr encouraging me to get off my butt. Hear us cheering you Natalie!!! still hoping for a treadmill to find its way home to me... esp before the bad weather hits. but I have been having fun watching the sunrise as I walk the mile track around the lake. such a peaceful way to start my day. I never dreamed I would enjoy walking at 430 in the morning, before work! My goal is eventually to be able to jog, even if its not far, but to jog for more than five feet, which is probably all I could do now! and to jog, without my flabby stomach flapping against my body making those disgusting noises. I've never been able to run my entire life, because I've always been heavy. I may never run a marathon, but I sure would like to jog the length of the street in front of our house. Anyone have any specific exercise/activity goals for as they lose weight???

Debbie and Natalie.. when I have trouble finding time for breakfast, I still grab a Protein Shake. My dietician said having one or two a day is an excellent way to supplement the Protein most banders struggle to maintain. I find them handy for when I'm on the go too and don't want to bother with packing food. (Who would have ever though I wouldn't want food!!! now that's a NSV!) Natalie, though you might feel like you are eating too much, looking at your food log, your portion sizes look good. As long as you are eating less than 1 or 1-1/2 cups, you should be okay. Don't deprive yourself of the nutrients you need by eating less, just keep eating the right foods that you have been doing. Do you have your next fill scheduled yet? I go in for my first one last week, YAY! Have a GREAT weekend away! We will miss you. Debbie.. planter facitis.. i know your pain well! do you have a brace to sleep in at night. That helped me alot. I did the cortisone shots too, which would help only for a short while. I ended up getting ultrasound therapy for it and after about 6 weeks of 3 times a week, the pain left! Just in time too, cuz a month later I went to Vegas and got married. There's no way to have foot pain in Vegas! Mom, I'd talk to your doctor about your increased hunger after your fill. I think a 6 inch sub sounds like you are able to eat too much. Are you chewing enough and taking the full minute between bites? Drinking too fast after a bite? Maybe the better question is, are you still losing weight? I was advised to eat protein first, then my veggies and very little carbs. Carbs tend to make you hungrier and don't keep your hunger satisfied for long... I don't do the daily log, but I do want you all to know, I'm still eating good. I'm able to eat a little more which troubles me some but still within acceptable limits, I am exercising, and more importantly, still losing weight. Eating healthy has become fun for me. I take pleasure in seeing how much others overeat, knowing months ago I would have been right there with them. But the feeling the freedom the band has given me reassures me I'm on the right road. I am glad I eat less, I know my portions are what they should have been all my life and they are healthy! I have pride in my eating now, where I would suffer shame before because of my overeating. Though the journey is only beginning for us, find your victories along the path.

In the morning the band is tighter and is probably what is causing you to get stuck. Try Protein shake or eating a little later so the band has time to loosen a bit. lunch should then be easier, but watch dinner time so you keep to the healthier smaller portion sizes and don't overdo it. If waiting doesn't help and you can't do liquids either, I'd say you need a tad taken out.

Are you getting enough protein? Someone mentioned on another thread that Biotin is good for hair, nails and skin. I am going to try that, with my doctor's permission of course, because I've noticed I'm shedding more than usual.

2 miles in 30 minutes?? you sure you are walking! Now I feel slow cuz it takes me 20 minutes to do one mile... My port area is still sore, but not sore enough to stop me. I'm still not lifting much weight because of it, but I am becoming a walkalholic. Also, my skin on my belly feels like it has rug burn, but when I touch it, it doesn't increase the sensation. I'm guessing its the nerves sending weird signals to my brain from the trauma of the surgery. It doesn't hurt, just there constantly and feels funny.

I hear once you start getting your fills, the band is tighter in the mornings, and most people don't even eat breakfast. Since you already have a problem with breakfast, maybe a smoothie or a Protein Shake might be a good substitute debbie. Its great for on the go too! glad you are back and wow on your weight loss! makes it all worth it doesn't it. Since you had success with chinese, i'm going to try it! I'll skip the rice though. I've been a bit afraid of the veggies, because they are bigger and crispish, but I'll try them. Natalie, has your hunger decreased since your fill? i know you were having problems with that! I've been counting my Fiber intake and I don't think I'm getting enough... How's everyone else doing with fiber?

Thought that it might be nice to have a place to post recipes and ideas for people at different stages of post op eating... I've enjoyed reading some of the meal plans on the accountability thread and thought this might be a helpful thread to start. And for starters, I will request, who has the recipe for chicken white chili?? sounds yummy!

find some protein shakes you enjoy so you are enjoying those at least.

I doubt your port flipped. Around my three week mark, i started having sensations/discomfort in ways I hadn't had before. I figure its just that more of the swelling went down and I'm sure it will go away soon (as other people have told me). If you are really concerned, call your doctor, but I think its just normal healing.

breakfast lunchmeat and tomato rolled into lettuce lunch 6 crackers and some cheese dinner 6 oz cod and 1/2 cup rice walked 1 mile

I finally walked the one mile track around the lake today.. it was a beautiful way to start the day. the sunrise was awesome and I am so proud that i finally made that mile. Look out now world, i'll be walking all over you

my mouth is watering manda.. thanks for the recipe. ingredients going on my next shopping list!

thank you for the prayer eye and your supportive words Natalie! i do feel better today. i've learned with my depression its one day at a time, sometimes, like yesterday its one moment at a time. I wish there was a band for depression, because sometimes its harder to deal with than my obesity... today is a new day. a day i will succeed in!