chasingadream

HI Connie....from Long Island, New York as well!

Congratulations and much success to you! It is a wild ride and sooooo worth it! Embrace each day and be proud of your accomplishments...both big and small. Have a great day!

Cut yourself some slack...you had surgery and had a tool "installed" to HELP you...it is not going to be a magic fix! My surgeon told me not to worry about ANY weight loss for the first 6 weeks it was all about healing properly and learning your new mechanics. So to have the weight loss you have had is AWESOME....be happy and Celebrate it. I always try to remember this, because I also want it ALL OFF NOW....I didnt get to be my starting weight over night and the weight loss IS NOT GOING TO COME OFF OVERNIGHT EITHER Be happy, and be proud of yourself for helping yourself get to better health! Have a great day!

I don't watch the show but clicked on your link.....and....OH MY!

I agree...a favorite of mine too...never added cream cheese though..will have to try that yum, yum! Depending on what your doctor considers purees (consistency wise) ...here are some things I had. tuna , chicken , egg salad with light mayo pureed in magic bullet 93% ground beef made into taco meat pureed in magic bullet wendy chilis pureed in magic bullet with a little sour cream no-noodle lasagne....ricotta cheese and some parmesan cheese layered with spaghetti sauce pureed baked chicken w/ little bit of gravy and very smooth loose mashed potatoes If I could puree it I pretty much did....didnt always look that appealing but after 4 weeks of liquids it tasted SO delicious. Hope that helps you some! ENJOY!

I was ALWAYS hot...even in the cold cold winter...NOT ANYMORE! On the flip side, my hubby is hoping since my "temperature change" that the central air will not have to be so darn cold this summer in the house...LOL....time will tell! And since its so cold, icy and snowy in NY I'm looking forward to testing it out! BRRRRRRRRRR

Ditto to all of the above...everyone is different. Personally, 2 weeks all liquids pre-op (clear liquids a few days before) 2 weeks post-op all liquids then 2 weeks mushies than back to solids. Check with your doc at the consultation. Good luck...keep us posted on your journey!!

I used to be a constant, constant food grazer and I dont think I ever really felt hungry thats how often I would eat. And I would eat to excess...well past that thanksgiving dinner stuffed feeling! Since my band w/ plication I am no longer controlled by food. I eat to live and I definitely dont live to eat anymore. I feel lucky that I dont have the cravings that I used to have but there are times when I still want that something...anything. And I try to have a little of it. I find that I do eat whatever I want (within band portions) and I do NOT deprive myself of anything. I eat healthier than I ever have before and choose that first over crappy food. Is it hard, yes...at times. Recently, I've been going through dealing with some old habits of just eating to eat and I really have to think about what and why I am doing it. I've come so far...down 75 lbs and into a size 16 skinny jeans (havent owned jeans in well over 20 years). So, with that, I have to decide what i want more...that chocolate chip cookie or my size 16's. That choice is easy. I've come to far to screw it up. My point, it is work. WLS is NOT a magic wand. Things do not magically happen when you wake up from your surgery. It is a tool...a great tool that must be worked. You have to want to work it (a wise lady told me that...thanks CG), you have to want to listen to it, you have to want it to work for you! And you have to believe in yourself...you must believe that you can and will succeed. WLS is a huge decision. Everyone is different. I've had great success so far with no fills as of yet....I am proud of myself and still learning. Everyday I learn something new. I can't "cheat" my band...it will know. I can't pretend it isnt there...it reminds me. I can't ignore it when I'm tired and want to eat that certain food in quantities like I used to...it WILL remind me. With all that being said....I wish you lots of luck on your decision!! Just remember, you will not know how YOUR band will work until you have it...you will not know YOUR successes until you have it...you will not know YOUR restriction/fills needed/stuck episodes until you have it. So, I know you are looking for answers....many of those you will have to find within yourself. You can read all of our stories and successes and struggles but they are OURS....you have to make your decision based on what your heart tells you...what your research tells you and what your doctors tell you. Wishing you all the best....please let us know of your decision...some great people here who are ready to help and support each other!

That was an EXCELLENT post Katy...thanks for your honest story and for putting it all out there for us to see and learn from. It is great to see a success story out and about and just doing their thing. Hope you pop in once and a while to check on those still working on the beginning of their long term journeys....veterans are such a great resource! thanks again!

Good luck....let us know how it all went and how you are feeling!

I have a hard time finding this thread with the new format...but it pops up every once and a while and here you all are! Things are moving along really well and was happy to go shopping and fit into size 16 skinny jeans....emptied my closet this weekend of every 18, 20, 22 and 24 pair of pants I own and now I am left with the 4 new pairs of pants I bought and a couple of stretchy 14/16 which I can still wear and not have them look like clown pants. Wasnt sure if I should get rid of all of those clothes and then I figured I am NEVER going back to those sizes again...so clean, clean, clean I did. And it felt GOOD! I still have not had a fill and I believe the plication has a big part to do with that. I'm feeling satisfied with what Im eating and not deprived at all...and that is the key for me this time! Have my 5 month check up coming this Friday so we will see how that goes. Can't believe its been 5 months already! Wishing you all a great day!

I'm definitely not who you are seeking advice from but I wanted to say....CONGRATULATIONS AND WAY TO GO! Looking forward to the responses because I WILL be there one day too! NICE JOB!

Hello and welcome! This is an AMAZING site with some truly great people. Glad to hear you are feeling good and doing well. Sorry to hear of the additional issues you are dealing with....one day at a time I say. Having my band was one of the best things I've done for myself and i take each day as it comes and try to learn from it! There is a big learning curve with a band, in my opinion, and i get better as each day passes. I always remember that this is a long term journey and will be won in that fashion as well. Failure is not an option this time around! Good luck and keep us posted on your journey!

Good luck...dont let a little storm stand in your way to better health...it will happen!!! Keep us posted how it all went!

This is definitely an interesting topic for me. I had lap band with plication back in september and i have yet to have had a fill....guessing because of the added plication. I get hungry, not enough to have a fill, but also dont have the same desire to eat or cravings I once did. And since I havent had a fill yet, am I or will I ever be in the desired green zone....i wonder about this often. The weight is coming off and my doctor is pleased so I guess all is okay for now! Thanks for sharing your experiences veterans and not-yet veterans!

My port area was sore for quite a while (can't give you a specific time frame). I remember that was the last part of feeling better in the healing process, for me anyway. Even now, 4 1/2 months out, the port gets sore sometimes...maybe its just because im so conscious of it at times. If you are concerned or feel there is a problem give your doc a call.

My doc said I can eat whatever I can tolerate...so far that has been everything except triscuits make me feel uncomfortable. I dont love steak so no great desire there but there is nothing off limits for me. Every doc is different which is why you will probably read so many time to follow YOUR doctors rules and regs.

Well Jamilyne....we will have to keep up with each other and keep each other on track and motivated. I often thought the same about your posts as well when I read them...lol....Just seeing this post...I feel like I still can't find things on this new site and bump into old posts like this one....so its a week or so old but I'll respond just the same! Yes, I AM going to make my goal as are YOU....Lol...i like that lapband sister!

Take it one day at a time....the weight does seem to "fly off" at times especially in the beginning.....i'm 75 lbs down and 4 1/2 months post op and it seems bizarre to me....but im eating healthier than ever and meeting all of my requirements and that is what my body wants to do and my doctor is okay with it all...so I'm enjoying the ride and feeling proud of the hard work and the accomplishments so far. Congrats on your loss...and enjoy it!

Welcome....and congrats!

Never a regret --but like many say I wish I didnt wait so long....but each day is new and wonderful and its nice to not be controlled by food anymore. It is work and well worth it....feeling good about myself both physically and mentally. Wishing you much success ...keep us posted!

Great comparison....you are right....sometimes we dont realize how much our bodies carry because we have become so accustomed to it...i often think of carrying 15 5 pound bags of potatoes home at once...its crazy!!

Wishing you all the best...keep us posted... Day before valentine's day....what a terrific gift of love to give yourself!!