Sharpie

after being banded 2 years I am so used to not drinking with meals. I actually just trained myself to not drink. If I go out to eat I usually sip a little Water with lemon before my meal arrives. After eating I will usually take a to go cup of water if I'm not going home right away so at about 30-45 minutes after eating I can drink. My family is so used to this new deal with me they dont' even fix me a drink when we all eat together. I drink mostly water but occasionally I like chic fil a diet lemonade. Of course my morning coffee is a must.

I think Starbucks is good. The frappucino, Lattes etc. are a good treat now and again. I think they are terribly expensive for what you get but if people are willing to pay that much its their business. I told my surgeon that the deal breaker for me is to tell me No coffee.. I love my morning with half and half or cream and truvia. now and again especially in cold weather I like a afternoon coffee. Like others here I find it difficult to waste my calories on fruity drinks or fru fru coffee (my husband's words) he is a no nonsense coffee person. Actually if I have to leave home without coffee for some reason , like bloodwork where you aren't supposed to eat or drink beforehand, I drive thru McDonald's afterwards, they have some of the best coffee out there. you can get sugar free syrup in them if you want. It's interesting to see how different we are in our taste. I used to love those McDonald's frappucino's too but found out those babies had about 660 calories..

Kelly I am so sad to hear that you were in so much pain. The one thing I do know first hand is what happens to family members when someone ends their own life.. I know it doesn't seem to be the biggest problem you have right now but trust me after my husband's son took his own life my husband suffered greatly. I want you to know that there is always hope, I have friends who have overcome many things including disability and super morbid obesity. Watch 600 lb life this week and see how some of those people overcame their obesity to become productive , happy people . You have so many great years ahead. I agree with another post that todays sadness can change overnite. Your life has not played out yet. Take care of yourself and do your very best to get healthy, the rest will follow. I will be praying for you.

you can google it, it's 5 day pouch test. good luck I hope you get back on track.

It is good to get in a bathtub and not worry if you will fall getting out. I had a fear everytime I took a bath or even in the shower that I might fall . My mobility has increased dramatically since my surgery. I now park my car far out in the lot so I will walk . That is something I would never do pre surgery, tying shoes and getting dressed without huffing and puffing is a real plus. The best part of losing weight for me is being able to keep up with my granddaughters In the mall. I hope I never take any of it for granted and continue to be vigilent about my weight.

I so appreciate your frankness and positive attitude. I get weary at times reading all the band bashing posts and people whining about their disenchantment with the band. I know there are legitimate problems sometimes and some are not necessarily the persons fault but I know form my experience, If I don't do what I am supposed to do, I will have problems. My hardest thing to learn has been listening to the signals, eating slower, chewing more and not eating things that do not agree with my band. I am not as dedicated to exercise but I am more active than I was 2 years ago. The band has literally heped me get healthier get off of all meds for diabetes blood pressure and reduced my cholesterol . AS for the easy way out well, I've certainly found out that it's not easy but better than anything I have done in the past .

Our family has always had food celebrations. We still have Sunday dinners. As my child gets older (42) she ha become more health conscious. She is not obese at all, she is 5-3 and about 125 but she knows as she ages she doesn't want to have the same problems I had. My granddaughters are all healthy active teenagers who rarely eat fast food and they keep the Snacks to a minimum at home. My having lapband surgery has made me change the game, I no longer cook big high fat meals and Desserts. We celebrate with healthier choices and if we have dessert it's fruit with a little whip cream. Between my surgery, my son in law developing diabetes and my husband having heart surgery last year we are all on food patrol.

Good to know Liz, I had gone to the Bahamas' many years ago on a cruise but was lots younger and lots skinnier so I wasn't concerned about gaining weight. When hubby and I got married 39 years ago I weighed 93 lbs.. lol so,, we will be going to Alaska and I am back down to 127. so maybe by then I will be down more. I'm not stressing too much because I have been to all kinds of parties, family gatherings and the holidays and didn't gain.

Buttercup, I weighed 198.8 when I went into surgery.. Even the nurse who walked me back to get ready made a rude comment "I guess they have lowered the standards for weight loss" You don't look like you need it. I replied well I don't know how fat you are but I am plenty fat thanks. FYI I no longer take diabetes meds , was on the verge of taking insulin, my blood pressure and cholesterol are back to normal. My mobility has improved drastically. I purposely park way out so I have to walk, You know you and you know how you feel. Doesn't matter who thinks it's a good idea or not, you are making a decision to improve your health. Once you start losing they will probably make comments as to how long it will stay off. I am 2 years out and I feel like a new woman. Love my band.

well, if I looked like you honey I would flaunt . You have earned it. I think we tend to stay out of the spotlight as obese people. I know I hated to have my picture taken and I tried to avoid it but since my surgery and weight loss I feel more confident about having pictures taken.

B52, I went to Cancun years ago and the food was terrible. I am like you I doubt I would care now but getting Protein is a problem. going on a cruise in Aug to Alaska I am hoping the buffets and dinners have enough protein in them. I am finally getting to the point where leaving food doesn't bother me . I try not to eat out much anyway. Had to eat at Cracker Barrell yesterday, ordered a bowl of Beans. Ate half and left the rest.

OMG I was on facebook tonight on the bariatric support group and Paula Rubin Jones friended me. She is the lady from 600 lb life who was featured on the show recently. She had los her husband and was 574 lbs . she is the one who kept dying her hair green and yellow etc. She looks marvelous. She was just approved for skin surgery so hopefully her follow up show will air after that. She has come so far, she is now under 200 lbs. I think she had by pass but doesn't matter what WLS you have when you can overcome so many things and come out a much healthier person you have won. I am in awe of her and the others on that show . When I feel down because I can't get my last few lbs off I should be ashamed cause they all have had a much more difficult time than me.

Lolo what a beautiful girl. congratulations on taking control of your health . Other than that "bulldog" shirt you look perfect (lol I am a Gator Fan). keep up the good work.

I am contemplating a panniculetomy I have a apron . I have about 10 more lbs I want to lose then I will go for consult. Was it painful? how long was the recovery?

so happy to see this post. I am anticipating going to Alaska in Aug. I have a bit of fear about the buffets however, right now my band would not let me eat much solid food. But I am a sweet addict. I know those ships have marvelous Desserts so I am really going to have to watch it. I agree though about the struggle, there are times when it's so difficult but I know I would be immobile or possibly crippled by diabetes . I also had high blood pressure, real threat of a stroke. so, I will take this struggle over losing my life to obesity.

I love to see long term bandsters and successful . congratulations, I wish you many more years of health and well being.

I have seen this before about a Dr. recommending sleeve or bypass vs. Band. Not sure why they feel it would be better than having a less invasive surgery . I am totally happy with my band. I have lost almost to my goal and I feel like a million dollars. I do have to do my part but you have to do that with any WLS. My husband is a cancer survivor, if he only had part of his stomach he would not have survived without being tube fed. It's your body and your choice. Go with what you feel comfortable with. Any WLS is better than being unhealthy and unable to move.

did you already have surgery? if you just had it it is pretty common to feel like you made a mistake. however you owe it to yourself to give it a try. I thought I had really messed up the first few weeks after surgery but as time went on and I learned how to work my band it has been a blessing and the best thing I have ever done for my health. discuss your options with your surgeon and hopefully you can adjust to your new way of life soon.

yes it will go away . use a heating pad and try to move as much as possible. I think my shoulder pain lasted about 10 days. I still get a little pain in my left shoulder if I eat too fast.

Keeper you have done great in 3 months. I know in a year you will feel wonderful and look awesome. I had my surgery 2 years ago and much of the same issues that you had are gone. no more heartburn (I took Prilosec everyday) . No more diabetes, no more high blood pressure, no more high cholesterol and finally no more knee and foot pain. I was almost immobile. Only regret is taking too long to make the change. Keep up the good work I will look forward to seeing more of those positive reports.

I haven't had a soda in over 2 years. can't say I miss it but I was never a big soda fan. I use Wyler's peach tea, lemonade or flavored Water (non carbonated). I also drink coffee . not sure if there is anything out there to take the place of a soda.

I had nausea and I had to get off of the pain meds. they finally gave me a phenagran (sp) suppository to stop the nausea. you do not want to be throwing up . once I got off the pain meds and got the nausea under control I was better. You need to sip on fluids if possible. are you at home or in hospital?

the pain is normal and it will get better with time. I used a heating pad and lots of walking. I did not try gas x figured that was for stomach gas but if it works try it.

throwing food out is my biggest struggle.. I was raised in a household of no waste. My mother lived through the depression and to her it was a huge sin to throw food out. We had to clean our plates no matter what. She saved little bits of vegetables and meat for weeks and then we had vegetable Soup. Thanksgiving was big . she saved every scrap of food and made turkey hash, turkey soup, turkey and anything. so when I have to throw anything out it reminds me of her and how much she would hate it. I try to eat leftovers but don't find them to do well with my band. I order small portions when I can if we go out. My husband is not a big leftover fan either so if I make anything like a stew or spaghetti I have the kids over or send it to their house. I love your pastry story though and my dog would enjoy those but I don't feed him anything human. my vet says it's a big no no. Our dogs we grew up with could eat anything .

okay I watched 600 lb life last night,, Amber was the patient. She is a young girl 23 I think. I almost cried when I saw her. Her legs are so huge her feet look like little hands. I am praying she does well with her surgery. Her parents bless their hearts moved her to Houston and then left so she could gain some independence. Of course she has a boyfriend, not sure what he does other than help her but apparently she needs him. at the end of the program she had lost 100 lbs and was driving again. She is a intelligent young woman and I feel strongly that she will be successful. It's motivating and inspirational when we see someone with such a long way to go and the struggle they go through. I like the idea of TLC doing a show about Weight loss surgery patients but instead of the drastic cases like hers I would like to see everyday cases like most of us who live in the real world of work, family, etc.