n2win

Awesome post! My hubby is also great and supportive. He did not hesitate when I told him I wanted the LB and it cost 10 grand. He said fine and the money was transferred the next day. He praises me on the fact that through self determination (not restriction) I stick to 1/2 cup (total) portions for all meals... absolutely no excuses!! (I am only 1 month post-op) He applauds me for not making excuses and being very diligent on how & what I eat. He has researched and agrees it is very important that I do not stretch out my pouch and will intercede on my behalf if someone tries to push more food my way. He has kept my wls a secret, as I wish, because he knows I want this to be a private journey. (at least until I'm closer to goal) He is supportive in only allowing healthy nutritious food to come into our home. (zero Snacks & nothing I cannot eat) He encourages only weekly weigh-ins at the very most and will weigh in with me. He compliments me on each new victory. He is so supportive and keeps encouraging me to keep walking every day. (he believes exercise is the key along w/portion control & food choices) He tells me that if I ever get bored with exercising at home or hit a plateau, that he will get me a gym membership & personal trainer. His prize when I reach goal is to gift me with a tummy tuck & breast reduction/lift that I want very much. He inspires me; encourages me to stay focused on me and my needs; he tells me to do this for me.... well in my book that is huge!

Thanks for all the info. I'm going to look into those books.

Congrats!!!! You look amazing!

Congrats!!!! You look amazing. I'm glad you treated yourself after all that hard work, and more importantly it has made you so happy---good for you!!

Huge Congrats! What an inspiration to us newbies!!! You look incredible!!

Try looking on: self-pay & Mexico forum That would give you a good start to see how others rated their Mexico experience. --I wish you the best!

HUGE Congrats!!! You look elegant & beautiful! You are becoming a poster-child for wls; I wish you luck on the shoot & have a blast!

EAS Protein shake (Optional) 2-4 scoops Protein powder --helps me get in extra protein-- 2 tablespoons instant coffee --just coffee, do not mix w/water-- sweetener to taste (Optional) 2 oz sugar-free coconut syrup --or any flavor you like-- Yum....its better than Starbucks!

My surgeon has me on 800 cal/day (high protein/low fat) My nutritionist has me on 80g protein/day & exercising (suggested 30 mins X 5d/wk) but I walk/jog on the treadmill 30 mins X 7d/wk. I was finding it hard to get in all my Protein but started a new regimen: Morning: EAS Protein shake & 4 scoops (equals 2 servings) protein powder: total 170 calories, 4 carbs, 47g protein --this kills my hunger usually 4 hrs but sometimes up to 6 hrs Then I have food protein for 2 more meals Had 1 fill (3cc) on post-op week 3 & next 2 fills scheduled at 1 month intervals. Down 38 lbs from heaviest & 27 lbs from surgery (7/16/2013).

A really dear friend of mine gave this advice Years Ago: People come into your life: for a reason and a season. (When you've reached a fork in the road where your lives need to take different paths you sometimes just have to let go!) You don't have to be mean; your don't have to be ugly; you just need to distance yourself. With that being said: like mis73 said; sometimes these situations are unavoidable or not on purpose and in reality we cannot expect everyone to change... fast food places aren't closing their doors just because of our nation has an obesity problem. BUT, we have a pretty good ideal who is actually unaware and who has dealt us a hand of sabotage. To those whom you know are sabotaging your wt-loss, well you just may need to add a little distance ... it's called self-preservation and there is nothing wrong with that! ..even when it's family!!! -- I have never been one to easily believe, "oh, I am so sorry! I forgot you cannot have that". REALLY because no one has EVER forgets we are OBESE, so nice try!

Congrats! You look amazing!!!!

Holy Smokes... I started my cycle in PRE-OP; I cannot make this up!!! They acted like it was no big deal; gave me a pair of mesh panties & a sanitary napkin and I went to surgery just as if nothing happened.

No shame in getting the LB ...with that said: I agree with hazelsbliss!!!! This is personal; being morbidly obese was my own personal hell and turning it all around is my own personal victory! The band is a tool but no doubt I'm busting my buns to accomplish my goal! It's just like my mom always taught us about religion: not everyone believes in Jesus or has made Him their personal Lord & Savior, BUT its their choice and no one has a right to judge or persecute them; whether agnostic nor different denomination let them be! I do not feel like I need to be a walking billboard for wls and I relish this being a personal/private journey. But I greatly admire and respect those who feel/desire the need to be an open book and share their story with others....if I should ever feel a change of heart about my own experience, no doubt I will share openly.

I am just trying to prepare myself: Can anyone describe a "STUCK" episode? What do you do when you get "STUCK"? How do you deal with a "STUCK" episode when out in public? Are there any known foods that cause these episode's for all bandsters?

Aleve was always my "go to" for any type of pain but no more NSAIDs. I now use Children's age 2-11 Tylenol oral suspension (its really thick and taste like sweet bubble gum) I prefer the equate brand from Walmart b/c it taste the best. ---hope this helps & good luck

NSAIDs List The list is in alphabetical order if you are looking for a particular NSAID. Aspirin (Aspirin is a brand name; the chemical is called acetylsalicylic acid) Celecoxib (Celebrex) Dexdetoprofen (Keral) Diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, Voltaren-XR) Diflunisal (Dolobid) Etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL) Etoricoxib (Algix) Fenoprofen (Fenopron, Nalfron) Firocoxib (Equioxx, Previcox) Flurbiprofen (Urbifen, Ansaid, Flurwood, Froben) Ibuprofen (Advil, Brufen, Motrin, Nurofen, Medipren, Nuprin) Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR, Indocin IV) Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail, Ketoflam) Ketorolac (Toradol, Sprix, Toradol IV/IM, Toradol IM) Licofelone (under development) Lornoxicam (Xefo) Loxoprofen (Loxonin, Loxomac, Oxeno) Lumiracoxib (Prexige) Meclofenamic acid (Meclomen) Mefenamic acid (Ponstel) Meloxicam (Movalis, Melox, Recoxa, Mobic) Nabumetone (Relafen) Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Midol Extended Relief, Naprosyn, Naprelan) Nimesulide (Sulide, Nimalox, Mesulid) Oxaporozin (Daypro, Dayrun, Duraprox) Parecoxib (Dynastat) Piroxicam (Feldene) Rofecoxib (Vioxx, Ceoxx, Ceeoxx) Salsalate (Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Disalcid, Salsitab) Sulindac (Clinoril) Tenoxicam (Mobiflex) Tolfenamic acid (Clotam Rapid, Tufnil) Valdecoxib (Bextra)

Can you explain this wristband?

Clarification... sensation after a meal = I hope will help identify my "satiety" trigger (when to stop eating vs finishing the entire 4 oz serving or feeling full. I am trying to note the subtle signs: slight left shoulder/clavicle pain, slight little pain in my chest & slight pain in my left jaw or behind my left ear.... hoping to eventually narrow it down to my "true" stopping point! rate hunger = helps me identify foods that keep me satisfied longer so far I have notices that (chicken keeps me fuller much longer than fish) so at the beginning of each entry I can see how my hunger has changed. ---hope this helps

I made a personalized food diary spreadsheet & also use my fitness pal. On my spreadsheet I have the usual's: time/food/amount/calories/protein/carbs ...etc but I also have extras like: rate hunger sensation after meal stuck episode tolerated meal ...as suggested by a friend who has been very successful 6yrs; i may not need those extras now (1 month post-op), but as my band is tighter and I stop & start new foods or hit plateaus, it will be very helpful to go back and take a look at what worked vs not (I plan to use highlighters to indicate different things like "stuck episodes" so it will be easy to flip thru and look for a particular color=experience). I also have: exercise LB cc's (so as time goes by I have the exact amount on the page) current wt/wt loss/amt to goal (i make weekly entries) In the past I was horrible about drinking all my Water, so I made a section that has little circles (each circle = 1cup/8oz/240cc) so as I finish a bottle of water I just simply fill in the applicable circles; at the end of the day I now have at least 8 circles filled in... very easy way to note water/fluid intake at a glance. Now I mainly use my fitness pal to scan barcodes and transfer info to my spreadsheet later in the day but it also acts as a backup. This seems to be working great for me. I actually like writing it all down b/c it makes it so much more personal. In the future I may only use an app, but until I reach my goal I want a hardcopy of my weight loss journey.

name brand: It Works! Global multi vitamin: It's Vital Core Nutrition (multivit: vitamins/minerals/antioxidants/phytonutrients) supplement: Greens (2 tiny scoops = 8 servings veggies) (I rarely get past my Protein so this helps me get in my veggies) --toss both into morning Protein shake or add greens to bottle Water Personally I find the greens helps kill my cravings & hunger; I just generally feel better & have more energy misc others: name brand: Hylands supplement: Bioplasma 12 mineral cell salts (dissolve under tongue) name brand: pH Miracle (products help reduce acids & increase alkalinity) www.phmiracleliving.com supplement: ChloropHeal w/ mint (add droops to water) supplement: Omega 3-6-9 (flax,borage,hemp oil blend) (this I take occasionally, when I need to poop) --not sure if I will continue these when supplies run out b/c I prefer the It Works products

Search PB2 on Amazon; also free s/h

I have heard incredible posts regarding: PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter I just ordered a combo pack: 16oz peanut butter flavor &16oz chocolate flavor (for 17 dollars). It may be worth getting something like this to add to your shakes to offset the aftertaste that you don't enjoy.

Thank you for the link... we newbies need to be aware & prepared for what's to come lol!!

Question: So when food is stuck and you get the excess saliva (slime) and eventually the food comes back up (PB=Prod.Burp)... is it forceful like vomiting?

I suggest starting in the lap band success stories.