Mal

Book~I'm glad you got my appointment. I really wanted to get a tiny fill, but I just could'nt get in there! Happy Thanksgiving to all my Band Buddies, be careful....take it easy...

Thanks for the pep talk! Dressing rooms are my forever enemy~

Welcome! My BMI was at 50. Congrats on your LB date, being worried is normal. I just wanted to let you know that Dr. K is a superb surgeon.

Book~here is some info about fills, I think you might need an adjustment. I had an appointment for today at 4:45 that I had to cancel, maybe it is still available??? Let us know how it goes. Adjustments How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: A. You may need an eating adjustment 1. Are you eating 60 grams of protein a day 2. Are you eating 25 grams of fiber 3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories a. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome” b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram (1) It’s also a stomach irritant c. Fruit juice is just sugar water 4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods b. You can’t just eat what’s easy c. Cheese is glorified fat 5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals 6. Are you eating too much junk a. Chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places 7. Are you getting in two servings of calcium daily 8. Do you always eat the protein first 9. Then the vegetables or fruits a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable 10. Is your portion size appropriate? a. Meat or fish (1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards b. Vegetables (1) ½ cup – the size of your fist c. Starch (1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need much (2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar c. They teach you to like things too sweet d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t 12. Avoid most diet foods a. Real food usually tastes better b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine (2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats a. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body B. You may need a behavior adjustment 1. Are you eating only when you are hungry? a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait. 2. Are you eating three meals a day? a. With maybe 1 or 2 small snacks 3. Are you sitting down to eat? 4. Are you eating consciously? a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions 5. Are you eating slowly? a. Put the fork down between bites b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying 6. Are you taking small bites? a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork 7. Are you chewing well? 8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? a. Practice water loading between meals b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal 9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough b. Hard stop versus soft stop 10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. 11. Do not eat when you are not hungry C. You may need an activity adjustment 1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week? a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? 2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding c. Parking your car further away from the entrance d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash g. Playing with your kids D. You may need an attitude adjustment 1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey? 2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising? a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days 3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? 4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? 5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? 6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? 7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? 8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts (1) Obsess about something else b. Perfectionism (1) All or none, black and white thinking c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss 9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? 10. Have you learned how to take a compliment? 11. Are you giving up diet mentality? a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day b. Stop dieting c. Stop depriving yourself d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad” e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food 12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place? E. You may need a band adjustment 1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals? 2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions. 3. You are having to struggle to lose 4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. F. You may need your band loosened 1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down 2. You are vomiting too much a. How much is too much? 3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night? a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods (2) Chocolate (3) Caffeine (4) Alcohol (5) Some fruits and vegetables a. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers (6) Peppermint a. Baking soda toothpaste (7) Carbonated drinks e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals f. If you smoke, quit smoking g. Reduce stress h. Exercise promotes digestion i. Raise the head of your bed j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist k. Stress increases reflux l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (1) Tylenol is OK n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications p. See your health care provider 4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest, especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack. b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise. c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention. (Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.) e. If your pain is severe This was written by Jessie H. Ahroni, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., C.D.E., B.C.-A.D.M.

Aloha Gals! Woof~I know you are enjoying yourself with your bro. Taynuh~Tessa and Tanner...I love their names! How exciting!!!! Lap~I can deff see the loss! Congrats! Tied2b~the kitty is doing good. He has the sneezies though... 8lbs! WOW, good for you, keep it up! I had to cancel my appointment with Dr. K for tomorrow, I just couldn't make it...darn. I am hoping that I am at a good fill...after reading Lap's post, I think I will be okay for another month...I hope! I can't tell you all the last time I was in a fitting room to try anything on...what a terrible experience (now I remember why I stayed clear in the first place). I had a gift card for Kiohl's and thought I would try on a few sweaters. Long story short, I left with nothing and gave my gift card to my son! Monday, Monday...have a great day!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Woof~that is just GREAT!! I thought I was safe when I read that you were out the door to meet up with your bro, but I guess I wasn't...that's what I get I guess!

awww, I guess the picture of me giving myself bunny ears didn't make the cut (good thing)... When we discussed Thanksgiving, I thought I was having a quiet, just me and the boys dinner. I should have known better, my house?, quiet?....not gonna happen! Now we have about 10 people coming!!...So, I totally get Woofay's post about getting the house ready now. I'll be busy, busy!...at least my hubby does all the cooking. Tied2b~how's the pre-op going? Lap~I like your new avatar..coooool Dynamo~did you get my e-mail? You look great! Nice "side bar" discussion the other night, thanks for listening! HAPPY DAY TO ALL!!

Hey gals, what a nice turnout last night. Good conversation and yes, we did solve all the world's problems!

okay...so I also lost my cat of 13 years, here is Milo, he is waiting at Rainbow Bridge with my Buddy... and here is my new kitty Otis...

Putty~you are worth this, and you can do it! Take a deep breath, it is normal to have that fear of failing, but you won't. You have put a lot of thought and effort into getting banded and now you are on the path to a new life...a life that you deserve!! Stay strong and heal well.

I LOVE it..we are Dr. K's groupies!

awww, Thanks, Buster saved my sanity after my Buddy passed. Sorry to hear about your chow chow, losing a pet is soooooo hard to deal with. I LOVE Newfees, my friend has two Newfees, they are amazing companions!! I can't wait to see your pups! I upload my pics at photobucket, and I resize them there too, hope to see your pix soon!

I think it is normal to worry. Believe in yourself and believe that you deserve to be happy. Things will work out. You are in my thoughts.

Shelbie~well put! Dr. K is a great surgeon. Dee~The deal is done$$ Whew, what a feeling. I remember putting my check in the mail and then logging on here and promising not to remove the envelope before the mailman came. See ya' tonight!

Mare~sorry to hear you are having a bad band day.

Thanks for this thread...I LOVE my doggies!! My Buddy, no longer with us...waiting at Rainbow Bridge...I miss you! My Buster

Here is Otis with out the sleeping Prince...

Yummmm...sounds good, enjoy yourself1 See ya' tomorrow night!

Drews, you ROCK and you look AMAZING! I am sooo proud of you! You are an inspiration to those that follow you in this LB journey. Lap~Thanks for posting the info from Nikki Johnson. I get it!!! Dr. K did my last fill the same way he did yours and so far I like the restriction. I think I am at a good spot, however, I do find that I will choose Cookies instead of chicken because it goes down easier and I know the cookie won't get stuck.....issues...or am I too tight??? Interesteing read, I am going to think about this one. Thanks again! and I LOVE the pictures!!

Woof~I know my Chris is gonna be like "geee, thanks mom." I think it's cute, but I'm sure he won't be very happy with me...oh well, I'm the BOSS...LOL and the sweater....thanks but, eeeeewwww it's going!! Drews~It's nice to hear from you again...I missed ya'! Sorry to that you haven't been feeling well, I hope things get better for you. 75 pounds is an amazing loss! I think you look GREAT!! Don't be so hard on yourself. You are an active person and you have built up a lot of muscle. I think there is some over the counter antacids that work well, like Zantac (somethin like that).

sorry, it is the only picture I have so far. I was looking everywhere for the kitty and I found him snuggling up with my Chris...awwww!

Hey Gals! RR was FAB!! I just LOVE meeting with our gals, the support and info is sooo wonderful!!! I think you gals look AWESOME!! I HATE me in that sweater, I put it in the basket of "get rid of it" stuff. I think it looks horrid!! okay, ladies, I am setting some goals...will report on Tuesday! VA~I hope you can make a RR meeting when you come in for your fill. Lap~you were sooo missed!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures, I am so happy that you were able to see some Fall colors. I am excitedf or your new fill, I hope all the troubles are behind you now. Keep us posted on how it goes... Happy Monday!!!

Our cat that just passed was Milo and my son named him 13 years ago, he decided to name the new kitty Otis...awwww, and then when he was shopping this weekend, he found Milo and Otis on DVD at the counter, so he bought it. It was his favorite movie when he was a little guy.....brings back memories for me too