aubrie

My surgeon says NO Snacks.... Not never, not no how..... Well, I'm usually pretty good with that. I don't snack mid morning or mid afternoon. BUT..... I go to Water aerobics three times a week. I get home around 7:30 and I'm RAVENOUS. Something about working out in the water makes me exceptionally hungry. I can't wait an hour before dinner is ready, and that's my weak time. I hit the chips and crackers. I've discussed it with my surgeon, and he has now allowed me to eat a light snack BEFORE working out on my aerobics days. The only things he allows are a dozen almonds, a piece of LF string cheese, a slice of turkey lunchmeat or a tablespoon of Peanut Butter. Those are my choices. I've tried it a few times and it does hold me off. He's also told me I should be eating dinner earlier. That won't happen. It's either 8:30 at night, or not at all. I'm not going to get up at 4:00 am to exercise in the morning. They don't even have water aerobics at that hour. right now.... I'm doing the best I can.

I work in a law enforcement office, so I'm surrounded by male, uniformed officers. A couple will tell me I look nice if I'm dressed up for a meeting or something. I'm civilian, and dress professionally on meeting days. Other than that it's pretty casual. I don't mind if they compliment me. BUT, one gentleman on the Command staff (who should have known better) started hitting on me. I would just laugh and brush it off, but it got more frequent, and one day he went so far as to tell me not to lose much more weight, because if he was going to ask me out, he wanted a little meat on my ass!!! He crossed the line there. I just walked away, but another officer heard him say it, and reported him!!! I had nothing to do with it. Shit hit the fan. A big fiasco ensued and next thing I knew, he was announcing his retirement. So even other guys are offended by it. The reporting officer knew me, knew I was married and respected me, and knew full well the commander crossed the line. I was quite surprised at how they came to my defense on this issue.

It's funny. I wasn't always fat, so I know what it's like to be thin. Going from thin, to moridly obese, back to normal at this point (Not quite "thin" yet) I've made some observations. I may not like the older me looking back at me in the mirror. It was not what I had anticipated, but people's reaction to me is definately different. I've noticed that people associate "fat" with "stupid". People didn't take me seriously when I was a lot bigger. Now that I'm smaller in size, people seem to consider me more of a professional. I'm making friends easier. People want my company. People consult me on problems and ask my opinion, like I'm smarter now..... At social gatherings, especially for my husbands job, I dont blend in with the wall paper anymore. I'm exactly the same person as before, just with updated packaging. I still have the same passions, views, morals, opinions and thoughts. While I enjoy the acceptance, does it make anyone angry? Sometimes I get really ticked off. Instead of past conversations centering on my kids, where I went on vacation, who my dog's vet is, the latest recipe for pot roast....... People now include me in conversations about politics, world news and the economy. Like the number of pounds we have lost have been added to our I.Q.!!! I get pretty resentful of it. It's emotional for me at times. Anyone else?

I started having bad periods at 40. I thought it was just my age, but by age 43 I was miserable. I was passing clots the size of large plums regularly. I was anemic. My cervix was hemorhaging for no apparent reason during sex. My DH was mortified. He felt like he was hurting me. I started getting the ovarian cysts and then my uterus starting growing in size. I had cameras put up there and nothing showed up. I had pelvic sonograms. Nothing but the cysts showed up. I was on hormone therapy and my uterus continued to grow. My OB/GYN was puzzled. Then I started with unusual pap smears of my cervix. It was time to go...... When the doctor scheduled my hysterechtomy, my uterus was the size of a 5 month pregnancy. It was huge. After surgery, the doc discovered that I had several tumors growing inbetween the wall of my unterus. NO WONDER I was in such pain. He said it was fortunate that he did the surgery when he did, because I was not to far off from having it rupture on it's own. I would have bled to death before I could have gotten to a hospital. I still have my ovaries, and don't do hormone replacement. The ovarian cysts have stopped since I've lost all the weight. My hormone levels seem almost normal. I was told that fat stores the hormones and causes imbalances. I'm delighted that I had a hysterechtomy. Not having to worry about a period every month is like heaven, and to be able to have sex, without pain and hemhoragging, ANY TIME I WANT is wonderful. My sex life is WAY better after, and I don't miss any of my female parts. They did have to take my cervix, and my vagina is a little shorter than it used to be, but it hasn't caused any problems. My husband loves being spontaneous now. Yeah, I need a little Astroglide now and then, but big whoopty doo. It's the best thing in the world! (besides lap band surgery)

I fly a lot. I have found that a short flight at a low altitude is no problem, but the long flights at 40,000 ft. will give me some trouble. I will be very tight for a day or two after a long, high altitude flight. I now travel with mushy stuff in my suitcase so I have something suitable to eat when I arrive. Applesauce, slim fast, pudding cups, etc. I try and stick to Soup the first day. Then I'm fine. I haven't been on a roller coaster, but I do know that wearing a life saving belt in my Water aerobics class is not an option. I have to do the class without one. It's a tougher work out, but when I wear one it hits me right at my port and hurts like hell.

My surgeon forbids them, unless I've just had a fill or am sick. Other than that, they are off limits. I am to eat real sources of protein, that is dense etc. I am to learn to keep myself full from that, not shakes. they go right through the band. I'm also not allowed protein bars. He says they are to much like candy, and a bad habit to get into. I shouldn't depend on them. So I do what he says. I do add unflavored protein powder to things like a bowl of High Protein oatmeal, soup, gravey if my meat is dry, etc. I just beef it up a little. But no.... I'm not allowed shakes.

My God Laurinda. You post sounds like I wrote it. I'm a bit older than you, so my aging is probably a bit more dramatic. I'm dumbfounded at the more weight I lose, the older I look. I too am mortified by my arms. I thought my tummy was going to be the big skin problem, but it's not at all. I feel like I have mud flaps from a pick up truck!!! I don't think I was prepared for this. I imagined my youthful self. Beleive me I know how you're feeling. My huband is really enjoying the slimmer me, and we are having a great time doing things we haven't done in years, and our sex life has improved 100%, but I'm finding myself resentful. Isn't that stupid???? Why? Becuase we had no sex life when I was big? It's a lot of emotinal baggage I guess we just have to work through. I'm not "depressed" either, but it's a challenge. Just confusing and a little disappointing. I feel like I missed the last years of my youth. I don't want to be bitter. My hair used to be thick and full. It was fine, but I had a lot of it. Now it just hangs in whispy little strings. I've probably lost 2/3 of my total hair, and what's worse, is I've done everything that was suggested to prevent and/or correct it. Nothing has worked. It's not growing back at all. It started falling out about 4 or 5 months ago, with no regrowth what so ever. I'm taking 1000 mcg. of biotin, I upped my protein, using protein shampoos, etc. So I'm looking a little "tired" these days. What a bummer after all this success.

white meat Chicken is the one thing I avoid. It gets stuck every time. I have to do chicken thighs. Less dry.

Metamucil gives me gas so bad I'm crying the pain is so unbearable, so that's out for me. I was having the same problem as you, and talked to my doctor about it. My surgeon said stool softeners are okay, but he would rather I do it naturally if I can. If I get in trouble, the occasional Milk of Magnesia is okay. But he recommended. Prune juice or stewed prunes at bed time. I usually put three or four prunes in a little water and bring them to a boil and let them cool. They are softer and plump and much easier to chew. If I have them in the morning, pour the juice it makes over some cottage cheese, along with the prunes. It's actually quite good. He also recommended three or four sections of grapefruit once a day. Be sure to peel the pithy membrain off of each section, so it doesn't get stuck. These seem to be the ONLY things that work for me. Both work quite well. Keep drinking the water. Kellogs is making some new all bran crackers now that are not only delicious, but seem to really help me out with this problem as well. The garlic and herb flavor are wonderful. I have a few of them with tuna at lunch time.

Just walking around normally, you shouldn't feel anything. No pain. You should be able to drink liquids with no problem what so ever. However, when you eat dense, solid food, when you are full, you should feel some minor discomfort or fullness. Sometimes food will get stuck, and you'll have the feeling of a flaming golf ball in your throat. It will eventually pass through. I can usually feel mine pass and go kerplop into my stomach. If you have having PBs on a regular basis, and urping up your food and sliming a lot, you're to tight and need a tiny bit removed. You shouldn't be vomiting at all. It's dangerous and you can slip your band or cause erosion. Not to mention you're not getting the nutrition your body needs. You want to be healthy and lose, not sickly and lose.

sounds like it could be an insurance issue.

I don't seem to have this problem, but have had it in the past pre-band. Wine was the worst. I don't drink beer anymore. I have found that if I'm tight, a half glass of wine will relax my stomach a bit and I can eat better.

I too lose in stair steps. Nothing for a week or two, then BAM down 4 pounds. It's apparently normal for me. It think it is for a lot of people.

Mine advises 1 to 2 days full liquids and one day of soft food. I'm usually okay with that, but this last fill, I didn't have a problem until 2 weeks later. I was PBing every day for about 8 days. Then it eased up. I'd never had a delayed reaction before that, so I had to adapt.

I've had a recent desire to get a fairy tatoo on my butt. I've never had one before, and I'm "older". Not a tramp stamp, but a small one near my hip. Just to mark this milestone in my life. My husband is a dyed in the wool conservative, and would literally have a stroke if I did it. My best girlfriend, who's a cop, has offered to take me, and is encouraging me to do so. (She has a very pretty Asian tramp stamp) I'm so torn on whether to do it or not, so I'm in the same boat you are. My question is: Is it worth it to start a row in my household over it? It will definately cause an arguement, and I don't want that. So I keep putting it off. He doesn't have any tats either, but WAY back in the day he used to sport a pony tail and a fluer de lis earring. Should I ask?

Jackut. I don't do well with high protein either. I get bloated and gassey and so constipated I can't move. It's miserable. I recently got uncharacteristically tight after a long 4 day weekend away with girlfriends at a retreat. I ate very well, lots of veggies, etc. but wasn't drinking my water as I should. When I got home I PB'd 9 times in one week. Prior to that it was only twice in 10 months!!! I lost 4 pounds that week, but couldn't eat a thing. Three bites and I was in the bathroom. Dehydration hadn't occured to me. that was three weeks ago, and I'm still tight off and on, but I have to say, I have also been enjoying a glass of wine in the evening more often than usual, and I know alcohol can dehydrate you. I'm going to test this theory as well. Seems plausible to me. Let me know how you do with your experiment.

guacamole, applesauce in different flavors, pudding, whipped sweet potatoes, souffle, creamed spinach, mashed winter squash like butternut and acorn, hummus, oatmeal, refried black beans with melted cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, poached tilapia in seasoned chicken broth, egg salad, finely ground chicken salad, pumpkin pie filling made with canned skim milk, peanut butter, yogurt, flan, and mashed bananas. Be creative!!

Abdominal weight can be attributed to stress if you have a stressful lifestyle, job, marriage, etc. Cortisol is a killer in that respect. Limit the stress in your life along with the exercise.

Try making tiny little mini pizzas on whole wheat crackers. Zap them under the broiler for a minute and viola! I do much better with crackers than I do with any kind of thick dough.

Don't gulp your shakes. Tiny sips. Slow down. Drink then take a short break and then repeat. Try one ounce at a time. Put the shake in one of those little medicine dosage cups. That way you can see how much you're swallowing. For nausea, try peppermint or ginger tea. Fresh ginger is best. It works like a charm for me.

Regrets? Not only, no, but HELL NO. I got my life back. I feel good for the first time in years. I got my marriage back. I'm reducing my meds. My knees don't hurt. I look like "me" again. I'm active. I have friends. I have a whole new lease on life. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

My deep Water aerobics instuctor said that they tested her workout, and one workout gets rid of 500 calories!!!! I LIKE that..... I have lost all of my weight from water aerobics alone. I have bad arthritis and can't do much else. I love it. The belt hurts my port site though, so I do the whole class without the belt. It's a LOT harder to do it that way, but I figure I'm burning even more calories that way. The more weight I lose, and the less bouyant, the harder it gets. So it keeps me challenged. I highly recommend it as well. the regular water aerobics can be "geriatric" like Jachut says, but if you get the right instructor it can be brutal. I have three regular instructors and they go from one end of the spectrum to the other. My surgeon has told me that my muscles are nicely toned as a result, so I'm happy.

I wrap it in lettuce with a slice of avocado. I stick to the buffalo flavored chicken, cajun turkey and cajun roast beef. I stay away from ham and salami due to the higher fat. I like my lunch meat spicey. It's so bland otherwise. I don't have a big problem with 100% whole wheat bread, so I occasionally will even make half a sandwhich, but I have to put avocado and lettuce to help get it down.

My doctor only allows 100% whole wheat breads or whole grain, multi grain. NO WHITE bread. I also have found that it is easier to eat if it's toasted. when it's fresh it gets like a gummy ball and is harder to eat. As for cereals I eat the Weight Control Quaker instant oatmeal. It has a lot of Protein added to it, and it tastes better than the Kashi. I like the Kashi dry cereal though. It has a lot of extra protein as well. I make cream of wheat in the winter when it's cold. It's a comfort food for me. I make it with Water and vanilla slim fast and add extra cinnamon and vanilla. It's so good, I have to make extra for my husband. I don't even think he realizes it's a healthier version than he's used to. I add a scoop of protien powder to it, and regular oatmeal if I make it. It holds me longer. I use unflavored Protein Powder in a LOT of things. It's worth the investment.

We have several (not all)restaurants in our area that have all the menu items in a large and small portion with the price already adjusted. Now that I'm banded, I tend to frequent those restaurants more often. I think many restaurant owners are aware of the dietary needs of their patrons and are making adjustments. Find out if you have restaurants in your area like this, and try them out. Be sure to let them know you appreciate their efforts when you leave.