Instyle98

Because you are. In order to lose weight you have to consume fewer calories than what you burn. It will be a bit different when you are just trying to maintain your weight, but until then it is a diet. This is actually how most normal weight people eat. They don't eat until they are stuffed at every meal or eat high calorie foods day in and day out. That's why it is absolutely necessary to learn how much is enough, to listen to your body and the signals it gives you, how to say no, and realize that you don't have to eat until you can't hold anymore just because it tastes good. I keep telling myself that food is fuel for my body and not just to give me pleasure. It's like a car - if the price of gasoline drops, I don't go and fill my car up for the sake of getting a good deal and letting the tank overflow, I only go if my car needs gas.

I've seen and read about those before and wondered about them. Pasta was one of my favorite foods. I was told not to have any foods that can become gummy because it could cause problems with my band. I know others eat those foods without any problems though.

Welcome! It sounds like you are in a good place for your upcoming journey. It's not as scary as you think and for me, even though I am early in my journey, it has given me back a sense of control that I thought I had lost forever.

Why should your co-workers resent you taking time off for an elective procedure? Are you not allowed to take time off ever and/or didn't you earn your time off? It's none of their business what you choose to do with your time! It doesn't matter what you do or how you do it, some people will always have negative opinions, and ask rude questions and make insensitive remarks. It's the nature of the beast and you just have to try like hell to not let it bother you. I think it's important to remember that just because someone asks you a question doesn't mean you have to give them an answer. If I don't want to answer a question such as how much did I used to weigh, what do I weigh now, was I always overweight, what size clothes do I wear, etc. I just try to laugh it off and give a vague response such as more than I do now, or less than I did before, I wasn't born fat... For those that don't have the sense to realize I'm not going to answer them, I politely tell them that I'm not going to give them that information. This is about you and what you choose to disclose is your business. I even had someone make a comment when I gained a little weight back (my doctor said I was too thin). I told him that people should pay more attention to what their scale says instead of worrying about mine. Don't let their ignorance control you. I used to be one of those who that getting WLS surgery was the easy way out. Now I know better. I still struggle with embarrassment and shame when I do confess to someone I have had surgery, but I'm learning to leave that behind. The embarrassment would be if I just gave up and quit trying. There was a period in time when I lost 165 lbs, no surgery, no pills, no special program. I went from a size 24W to a size 6 (I even had some size 4's in my closet). I went to this event that is held once a year in different parts of the country (at that time I was maybe a size 10/12) and when I came out of my hotel room this person yelled across the parking lot something like, "OMG! Look at how skinny you are! I mean you were obese!" That stopped me dead in my tracks with my mouth open until someone loudly chastised him. I mean really, what do you say to that? I think my comeback was something like, "Gee, thanks for telling me - I had no idea!" You would not believe how much things in my life changed and how differently I was treated by almost everyone. It's true that you really learn who your friends are and the true nature of people. It affected me so much that after I gained most of that weight back I became a recluse for fear that someone who had seen me thin would see me now. It pretty much paralyzed me. Well, this time will be different! I'm older and wiser.

I'm not supposed to have noodles, pasta, or bread in any phase!

I've always been a slow loser no matter what I have done to lose weight, so I don't expect this to be any different. What has been helping me though is to not stick to the same routine both with food and exercise. I think the body quickly adjusts to routines and once it's used to a certain weight it likes to keep you there. If you change things up it will give your metabolism a swift kick in the pants every so often. I haven't read the entire book yet on carb cycling and I'm not strictly following the author's program, but I have noticed that if every other day or so I add just few extra carbohydrates to my diet it seems to help. Sometimes I have a spoonful of baked or roasted sweet potato, brown rice or a multi-grain cracker to the menu and/or get in a little extra exercise (I'm kind of restricted right now due to a foot/ankle injury). I'm still avoiding the white stuff as they say such as potatoes, bread, white rice, etc. I also read that it is a good idea to try and eat Breakfast within an hour of rising. According to this book you should always have some sort of complex carbohydrate with breakfast. I've only had one fill and not feeling restriction, so if I really feel like I have to have something more to eat besides sugar free Jello, popsicles and that stuff, I eat something that is high in Protein and avoid any junk food. It's funny because since I've started this my husband has lost 11 lbs without even trying since I'm not cooking big delicious meal anymore and I pretty much only have high protein, low calorie foods around. It doesn't seem fair since he's not exercising, still eats out every day (most times more than once a day) and eats fast food and drinks Coke. It's sort of like collateral weight loss. You have to remember though that everyone loses at a different rate and if your doctor isn't worried, then you shouldn't worry either. It will happen. One other thing that helps is to not weigh yourself every day (says the pot to the kettle - I'm trying to work on that myself). That seems to make the needle on the scale move slower and even stop! LOL!

I went to look at the recipe and I was surprised! Cauliflower! Wow! I can't wait to try this. I love pizza and this looks so good. Just the other day my husband had commented that he thought the cauliflower mash I make tastes better than regular mashed potatoes. I might argue that one, but it's been so long since I've had mashed potatoes...

Oh yeah! If I had a nice tummy like that I certainly would!

If you complete your profile it will make it that much easier for you to find a buddy!

I just had my first fill at True Results on 1/31. I have a different insurance since my surgery and since I don't know if fills are covered I asked about cost. They also told me $75 but if you pay 6 months in advance they only charge $40 per fill or if you can't pay in advance you can sign an agreement to have $40 taken out of your bank account each month. Seems like a good plan to pay in advance or authorize the automatic payments.

I went through a lap-band surgical center. I was out of network but they processed my claims as if I were in network and I had to pay my out of pocket expenses the day of surgery.

I think that perhaps you can't afford not to go back. You could have something seriously wrong that could do more damage than you realize or even result in an ER visit and /or surgery to correct it if you don't have it checked now. At the very least you need to consult a medical professional who knows your history.

I take a chewable vitamin and although it's not horrible, I'm having trouble stomaching it. On the other hand I take the Wellesse brand of liquid Vitamin B, Vitamins D and C and those taste pretty good. I also have a joint supplement (Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin Sulfate, HA) that is horrible. That one I'm going to have to replace.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. Just remember that you didn't do anything wrong to cause this and it's just another hurdle to get over. You will be back on track before you know it. On the bright side, you will probably lose some more weight because of the surgery and goal wise you'll either be right back on track or ahead of your timeline! Best of luck with your surgery. l'm sending healing thoughts your way!

It could be worse! She could have said that it's about time cause you have such a pretty face! Whenever I hear that said whether it's about me or someone else, I just want to stab someone! She obviously cares about you and doesn't see what you see and probably has no idea the conflict and unhappiness that you endure because your weight. In the past when I lost 165 lbs and some people said that I didn't remember me being that large all I could think was that they were either being terribly polite or they had lost their minds! Perhaps you should consider giving her a chance and she may turn out to be someone to turn to for support and be your biggest cheerleaders. BTW, congratulations on your weight loss and good luck on your surgery! You got this!

Congratulations! Welcome to the "Land of the Band"!

My goal was/is 140. I'm still trying to accept that they doctor's office said I was only 5'3". I must have shrunk over the years! LOL! I was told yesterday at my first fill that their goal weight for me is 154. When I lost a significant amount of weight before (without the band) I struggled with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and was unhappy because couldn't get under 135 lbs even though I was a size 6 (I had never been a size 6 except for when I was a small child). I had health complications and looked unhealthy at one point. Now, I'm trying to be realistic and honestly since I am still at the beginning of my journey, my present goal is to get under 200 lbs and then figure it out from there. If at the end of all this I weigh 150 lbs, I will gladly accept it. My goal is to feel better both physically and emotionally, not to get to some size number that is acceptable to everyone. I realize I was not meant to be "willowy". There are many people who are healthy, fit and attractive that don't necessarily fall into the ideal slot on the weight chart/BMI scale.

I had my first fill yesterday. I must say it was quite uncomfortable for me. Perhaps next time will be different, if not, well as some say, no pain, no gain (or loss as in my case). I have to do liquids for 2 days, mushies for 1, then back to regular food. She did say I was more than on track regarding my weight loss. I was disappointed though when she said their plan had me hitting goal in 2 years and their goal was a higher weight than mine. However since my history with losing a large amount of weight in a short time was filled with serious complications, this is a lesson in patience for me. It's also one of the reasons why I chose the band/supervised weight loss.

I just had my first fill after surgery at True Results and the staff was very nice, supportive and knowledgeable. I didn't realize he had a separate Bariatric Practice, but True Results was much closer for me.

The Unjury is okay. My favorite flavor is the Chocolate Splendor. I don't really care for the Strawberry or the chicken soup flavor. I also got the vanilla figuring I could add flavoring to it if I wanted to. It's not bad mixed with orange crystal light. The unflavored does change the texture and flavor a little bit when added to jello. I've come to the conclusion that there really is no yummy tasting protein drink that is good for you. They are just not going to taste like Carnation Instant Breakfast, Special K or Slimfast shakes. I was told that I could add cocoa powder and zero calorie sweetener to them. I mix either light soy milk or skim milk with the Unjury brand since the have fewer calories than the kind carried by my doctor's office.

I'm supposed to get my first fill on Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. I think I'm ready for it, my hunger is increasing and I don't feel satisfied for very long when I eat. I always feel like I could eat more, but I don't.

Wow - mine was pre-op 2 protein shakes plus 1 meal of 3- 4 oz lean protein, 1 cup veg, 1 cup fruit for 2 weeks and then post-op 1st week clear liquids, second week thicker liquids, 3rd week soft/mushy foods, 4th week solid foods.

carolinagirl - you are hilarious! dolphintattoo - I'm sure you're not the first one to have a slip, nor will you be the last! You're only human. It is hard and although I am still in the early part of my journey, it will get easier, especially when you see the results of your hard work. Keep the faith and hang in there!

I eat Greek Yogurt, cottage cheese, meats and since I love cheese and refuse to give it up, I keep Laughing Cow around. I really like the Mini Babybel Light. You can also get unflavored protein powder (I use Unjury) and mix that into things like jello, puddngs, broth hot drinks, etc.

Okay - you need to think this through. First off, until you are under anesthesia you can refuse any and all procedures - even if you are laying on the operating table. Secondly - did you read what you wrote? If someone came to you with this question what would you tell them? I would hope you would tell them to stop and think about this. In every profession there are people who excel, people who are good, those who are average and those who really suck at what they do. Physicians are no different. They put their pants on the same way everyone else does. Ever hear of an impaired physician? That's just a fancy term for one that has a substance abuse problem. That stuff happens to them too. Doctors are not perfect nor are they infallible. They are human like the rest of us. You need to stop and consider if your sources of information are reliable. Both myself and my mother worked in a hospital for a very long time. I told one family member that she should really consider changing physicians and I told her why. She didn't want to because he was so nice to her. I had to remind her that I never said he wasn't a nice guy - that wasn't my point. Being nice to save lives or prevent mistakes. I don't mean to be rude, but I really think this is a no-brainer. Good luck with whatever you decide.