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congratulations on your 40 lbs loss.. Concentrate on your Protein first then veg's. I do not eat many raw vegetables except an occasional salad. Lettuce is not my friend so I am very careful when I eat any kind of salad. I do cook things like collard greens which are really good for you and green Beans , I also try to make squash and sweet potatoes. I had my band last Jan and have lost almost 60 lbs but like TMF I have to get back to work to get the rest of my weight off before I get to my goal. Keep on working towards your goal . We are all here to help you.

Welcome T-Bear. You will find an abundance of information and support on here. We all have our demons to deal with. I believe Sugar is as addictive as cocaine. I also had diabetes.. There was no pre-diabetes to it. I was on Metformin and had to monitor my sugar every day. Diabetes is a very dangerous disease if not addressed. Good for you to get it under control now. I had my band last year and have lost almost 60 lbs. I no longer require meds for diabetes, cholesterol or blood pressure . Being healthy was my main motivator but looking good is also important. I can now feel good in my clothes. I still have some lbs to lose and I will get to my goal this year. There will be days ahead that are difficult for you but remember that you want to be healthy and happy .. We will be here for you.

I am a Grandma.. I know I would do anything to protect my girls from harm. She surely knows you are obese but is afraid of the surgery. I know I almost backed out just from fear but so happy now that I remained steadfast instead of giving into my fears. Tell Grandma that you are unhappy being obese and in order for you to be happy and healthy this is necessary. After living years on some kind of diet program without success I can honestly say the Lapband saved my life. Good luck honey you will do fine.

so happy for you. I was not obese as a young person but see so many young people now who are . Good for you for getting control of your health now.. I am 67 and had my surgery last year. It has been the best thing I have done . My health has improved dramatically and after diet after diet and every gimmick known to man to lose weight I am finally able to keep my weight under control. You sound like a very smart young lady and we will all be here to help you along the way.

My Dr. said it should be fine so I flew to Colorado in Aug. did not feel any different.. I will say that I did not eat anything major .we had to eat in the airport at one point and I had some blackeyed peas and baked chicken so I was fine. Enjoy your trip.

I am glad to know someone else that looks into grocery carts.. I know how mine used to look and what I buy now is totally different.. used to be lots of Snacks, ice cream and unhealthy foods period.. today I try to get vegetables. lean meats and yogurt, eggbeaters (which I never ate before) turkey sausage and wheat thins... I saw a lady the other day poor thing was in a mobile cart or lark hoverround or whatever they call them.. she was huge and I had to help reach something for her. I thought there by the grace of God go I... I was heading for the lark and Thanks for my band I am a fit and healthier 67 year old.. She had so many cakes and Cookies and chips and case of soda in her basket. I thought to myself that her size reflected her choice of foods.

I like muscle milk because it is light and the flavor is good. no weird aftertaste. but everyone's taste is different.

You look wonderful. I know you feel better and you look very happy.,

I did muscle milk and GNC Lean shakes while on my pre-op,, I don't think ensure was on my list.. I know it has protein but too much sugar for me..

yes Karen I am very excited. it's 7 night cruise out of Seattle.. can't wait.. it will be nice in August . I have always wanted to see the whales and glaciers.

Really great ideas for rewards on here... I love jewelry and I don't need an excuse to get it.. lol Ilike manicures and pedicures too.. my biggest reward was to be able to ride my beloved horse again..I know he appreciated not carrying around my extra weight.. I think I heard him say thanks Mom.. lol.. I am working towards my goal so when we go to Alaska in August I will be healthy and fit.. This is the trip we have wanted to take for years but due to health challenges for both my husband (who is cancer free) and myself with diabetes, etc. we were afraid to take the chance.. It's onward to Alaska and that is a good reward..

great goodness Cheryl you have lost a person.. You did good ... I think it does take time to realize that it is possible to get to a healthy weight.. I am now 15 lbs or so from my goal and I am not stressing about it.. I will get there I just have to remind myself that it won't happen overnight... thank you for posting your pictures..

I played softball with my youngest grandaughter for about an hour.. it's pretty cold here in Sunny Florida... lol so I haven't been out walking as much as I should.. Zumba classe are on Wed.

good for you Walking..it's a good feeling to be smaller.. You are doing wonderful.

Happy Birthday to you... I hope you live to be at least 100... I thought I was too old to get my band too but my Surgeon encouraged me to go for it... I had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.. I am 67. I am totally off of all meds... Your story is encouraging and hopefully other older people will be inspired to get the band...

I did the liver shrink diet with GNC Lean shakes and Muscle Milk.. they are not bad.. are not thick at all.. I could substitute a protein bar for a shake if I wanted ... I would alternate,, breakfast bar, lunch shake, dinner bar, then lean cuisine.. You need to call the Dr. and ask if it is okay first....Good Luck, it will all be worth it..

Jaimilyne.. what an accomplishment... You should be so proud and happy... I know you will be at your goal before you know it.. Best of luck...

yes the peanutbutter chocolate thing is my nemisis.. over the Holidays my grandaughter made Peanut Butter chocolate balls.. I could not resist them.. I ended up throwing them out of my house so I wouldn't eat them..I'm back on track.. starting my New Year off with eating good and started Zumba.. Part of the band life is willpower but it is easier to control what you eat with the band..

I love the sayings Jack.. Wag More Bark Less is a good motto...Sometimes we are our own worst enemy... I try to read all of the positive post so I will stay positive.

Hey Chris I just noticed you are from Ocala.. I am in N. Florida up near Lake City.. I come to Ocala often maybe we can get together sometime.. I will be glad to be your support or band buddy... let me know you can private message me...

I have to start the day with protein.. eggbeaters, turkey sausage, wheat toast, coffee.. lunch is either chicken salad with some wheat thins or chili, vegtables and sometimes fruit if I have room.. cottage cheese with fruit is a good go to.. if I am out and about I eat chic filet, chicken tortilla soup.. dinner is meat , veg and fruit.. sometimes I have a snack of greek yogurt or protein bar.. I try to keep my calories to 1200 a day.. it takes time for you to realize that you don't need huge amounts of food to keep you satisfied.. satisfied and full are two different things.. I made homeade beef vegetable soup last night.. and it was really good by dinner time.. there are so many choices and you will develop a taste for things as you go along...

Your Dr. is orchestrating your care.. that is what you paid for.. I think you meant you had a fill which didn't allow you to drink and then you had an unfil then went back a month later and had another fill.. but I could be wrong.. some people love to argue and always want to be right so, I don't care about them.. I hope you figure your band out and will be comfortable.. it's no fun being too tight.

so in reality your band has not failed... Getting re-motivated is difficult but you can get a fill and restart... Best of Luck to you in the future.. We are all here to help you.

Super Job Blue... I know that made your day.. Sounds like you have a great hubby too.. keep up the good work..

You are not wrong for wanting to improve your health.. obese is obese and you know how much you need to lose to get to a normal weight.. I was told by the nurse who took me into the surgical suite that she was surprised that I needed to have weight loss surgery... well at 5' tall and 200 lbs I'm pretty sure I needed it.. I had tried every diet ever invented and I failed every diet.. The lapband surgery was not the easy way out and it certainly requires constant care.. You learn to eat slow, chew good, and don't try to eat til your stuffed.. It works and if you do what your Dr. tells you you will be successful.. Other people don't live in your shoes so do what is best for you... do your research...