A New New Dawn

How are you coming along now? Are you resting, but walking as able and sipping water throughout the day? Hope you are doing fabulous today.

try some recipes online, I like emilybites.com for low-cal tasty dishes (lasagna cupcakes, meatloaf cupcakes). Make sure you are getting 60+ grams of Protein per day and start your meals with solid protein (lean meats, lean ground meats, low fat cheese). I really like chili and making it myself I know it is low-fat and healthy w/ the Beans and meat. It is very filling and an easy reheat too. No more than 1 cup of food per meal too. If you are hungry between meals, start with a drink of sf something or Water and if you are still hungry, then opt for a healthy snack (Greek yogurt, low fat cheese sticks, small amount of nuts, cottage cheese), etc. Hope you are able to find some recipes that pique your interest.

Fill or no fill, is this visit part of your follow up visits or was it specifically a "fill" appt? If it was a regular followup, I would recommend going to discuss this with your medical team for their input. It does sound like tweaking your eating habits is what's in store but a frank discussion with your dr. and/or nut may help guide you as well. As Cheryl mentioned too, it may help you to try for a few meals of following the guidelines of 1 cup of food (starting w/ 3-4 ounces of solid protein) and see if you are really feeling hunger or if it is just head hunger that you need to reel in. Best wishes to you. And people think we are taking the easy route w/ wls - ha! This isn't easy but sure is worthwhile!!

thanks, I checked Jewel and nothing.. will ck Wally World

I will have to try this! Where do you find those syrups by the way? I was looking for them recently at the grocery store and couldn't find them. I am in the Chicago area so we have everything here and I should be able to get them easily.

on the mio sf flavoring, they come in a little bottle (at grocery store, walmart, etc.) I really like the strawberry watermelon, tastes like fruit punch.

I have seen many people that were banded years ago and really benefited from meeting w/ their surgeon and nutritionist again. I know it is easy to forget the guidelines along the way and a refresher could really help and to see if you could benefit from a fill or not. A quick guideline I was given is for my meals not to exceed 1 cup of food per meal, to start with 3-4 ounces of solid protein (meat, Beans, cheeses, eggs, etc), then 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup starch. By starting with the protein, it will keep you fuller longer. Also, to stick around 1000-1200 calories per day, and 60+ grams of protein per day. Let this new year be the start of a new you! If you have a smart phone, the lose it or my fitness pal app can help you be accountable for what you are eating every day and where you can improve. Best wishes to you!

I did go through this and now it has actually working in my favor. Things I wouldn't touch before, I am eating (seafood, mushrooms, etc. that I would have never touched before). Definitely try mixing things up. I add mio flavoring to my Water and love it or peach flavored iced tea mix. It will pass as you are still healing and your body is going through a lot right now.

I can understand your frustration and the one thing that it makes me think is how strong you are! We all want fills but have to trust in our medical team that there is a reason for why and what they are doing. I see you are doing well with your eating hanging in there. Give yourself credit for how strong you have become and been able to stay on track. Just keep making sure you get your 3-4 ounces of Protein at the beginning of your meal. Also, my NUT says if I feel hunger between meals, it is often thirst so drink something and then in 10-15 minutes if I am still hungry I have a healthy snack. She advised me to plan my Snacks ahead too so I don't graze or grab an unhealthy item in the moment of hunger. Are you having snacks between meals? Hang in there and congrats on staying strong, and driven and on your success thus far!

I am not a doctor but mine has told me that dehydration and potassium can cause the leg cramps. Make sure you are getting enough fluids and potassium.

sounds like you are getting closer to resolution though as for the counseling, i didn't have to do any ongoing. I just had to go for an evaluation to make sure I was of sound mind essentially before the procedure.

Well, they are erring in the side of caution for your safety. I know it's frustrating but this is a bump in the road, not the end of the road. Just stick to your prior eating habits (1 c of food, healthy choices, etc). Try not to think about it being unfilled as you don't want to take advantage of being able to eat larger quantities. Hang in there!

I am so happy to hear it was nothing concerning! Great way to start the new year!

I understand you have an injury that may prevent you from many exercises but they should still be able to give you some exercises to do. People at all levels have some sort of exercises they can do, they just need to be tailored to your ability. So they should be able to help you achieve that requirement. I know it's frustrating but try to hang in there. Also, I would keep trudging along even though your husband's insurance may change. Even if it does, the requirements are often the same or similar w/ any carrier so you will have already made progress getting things done. Also, I did the blood test but I just went to the local convenient care and it took a day or two. I had to do a psych evaluation too, so definitely ask about that. It was pretty harmless but they want to make sure you are stable to have the procedure done. I also had to go to the pulmonologist for a breathing test.

I, too, have BCBS of IL and my approval went very quickly and very smoothly. I have to believe the doctor's office didnt submit things appropriately. My clinic has an exercise specialist and 2 nutritionists on staff. I had to meet with both of them and I believe it was for my benefit but also to help the approval process. Once it was submitted, I was approved on the first try in a couple weeks. I would follow up with the clinic as they should be doing this for you and should know what the insurance is looking for. Please don't give up. Anything worth having is worth fighting for and your life and health are worth having!! Try not to get discouraged!!

You have made great progress so far and can do this again! I would recommend reconnecting with your surgeon and if he/she has a nutritionist in the office it would be good to speak with them as well. I have seen many people who have been a couple or more years out and seem to benefit from a refresher on the guidelines and methods, etc. New Year, new you!!!

I love dogs and they are all sooooo cute!

Great job! Sometimes we have to take this in baby steps and taking it one day at a time is a great way to do it. One day closer. As for "a new Dawn"... no kudos for me, since my name is Dawn I came up w/ it pretty easy.

I recovered very quickly from the surgery and don't remember taking the prescription pain meds even. I didn't get the gas pain that many do and only was uncomfortable getting up and down from a chair and in and out of bed. It was pretty minor for me. I have a desk job and went back to work after a week. I was a bit uncomfortable sitting on the 2nd week as my side was still swollen in the port area and it felt like the tubing was jabbing into my ribs. The surgeon told me it was normal from the internal inflammation. It wasn't really a pain and was more of an "uncomfortable" feeling. It really is different for everyone and their pain threshold. I happen to have a very high one so I had minimal discomfort.

That's awesome! Keep drinking. Also, many times if you feel hunger try drinking something (my nutritionist told me that) and then if I am still hungry then I can have a healthy snack. Last night I really felt like I wanted to eat something and I drank a big glass of water w/ sugarfree mio flavoring and wasn't hungry at all. Also, not to sound gross but make sure you are drinking plenty of water or you will get "backed up" and it can be very uncomfortable. Congrats on your success.

Enjoy it... now when you are having those cravings this will help remind you why you did this!!! When you start seeing results it makes it all worth it!

I have a cousin and uncle (father/son) that are plastic surgeons in my family. Rest assured one of them will be hearing from me when I reach my goal!!! I can't wait to have a rockin' bod!!! Now, if I could just find patience till I get there.

I am 5'3" and have lost 67 lbs so far since July. Sadly, some have noticed and many not. I am down from size 22/24 pants to 16/18. I know I feel better in how I look and feel and my blood pressure has come down too. I just hope that after I get under 200 more people will notice. I don't expect everyone to say something as they wouldn't feel comfortable or feel it isn't appropriate to say; however, even some close family haven't... Oh well, I know I feel much better and look much better... Heck, I am down a couple chins too!!!

Some doctors like their egos stroked so perhaps he was offended in how you asked him something, perhaps he was having a bad day, who knows... You may try calling the office and talking to the office manager or nurse for their take, or see if he is like this the next time you go (in case it was just an off day w/ the holidays, etc), and/or have a conversation with him. Most surgeons will not accept other surgeon's patients unless you have moved to a new area and need a new one. They will typically tell you to work it out with the one you have. My surgeon just told me that as I will be moving next summer and asked him if it will be a problem. I have seen others on here w/ that experience of having difficulty finding a new one. You may want to have a heart to heart with him the next time you see him and if it persists then see if another one in the area will accept you. Let's hope he just had an off day.

To each is own on this method and I am not commenting either way. Since you are very newly banded, if I recall correctly, please check with your surgeon before trying anything new and make sure you follow your post-op instructions for now as you are healing. Not trying to preach or discredit just want to make sure you heal up well!