Bozlee

Congrads to everyone who got their stuff done this week. I need to kick my ass because I didn't do as well as I had planned. I go for a fill next week so maybe that will inspire me. Here is something I received at work and thought I would share with ya'll. Enjoy! Make a Fresh Start: 10 Tips Tuning in to what motivates you can help you make a big change, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, starting an exercise program or reducing stress. 1. Know yourself. Think about what drives you. You may feel pride in a job well done, enjoy getting praise from others or be inspired to change by a personal event. 2. Choose realistic goals. Look toward results that are specific and reachable. “I will lose 10 pounds by the summer” is easier to reach than a general one such as “I want to be thinner.” 3. Take one step at a time. Break down large goals into small steps. If you want to reduce stress, you might start by learning one new calming technique, crossing one item off your to-do list or setting up a space in your home for quiet reflection. 4. Set a time frame. Mark your start date and deadlines on your calendar. 5. Build confidence. Do easy tasks first to create a positive attitude. 6. Recall your purpose. Why are you making this change? Perhaps you want to feel and look better, live longer so you’ll enjoy your grandchildren, have more energy or be successful at work. Use your values as inspiration. 7. Cut out distractions. Make reaching your goal a priority. Schedule it into your day like any other appointment. Recognize that you might need to get more rest and cut back on obligations as you work toward your goal. 8. Plan for setbacks. Know that the road may be bumpy. Decide now what you’ll do when you have a tough day, such as calling a friend or doing something special for yourself. 9. Ask for help. Set up a support network of people you trust who can help you meet your goal. 10. Reward yourself. Every accomplishment, no matter how small, deserves recognition.

I have only had 1 fill and I don't have much restriction either. It is also good to remember that everyone loses differently. You might want to check out this article: the total plan for fatloss

You are doing awesome! I need to get my ass in gear. I have only lost 40 lbs so far, but it is because I have ate some bad things. Plus, I need to exercise. Keep up the good work! You are helping to inspire others!

I guess I missed this forum...my surgery was on September 4, 2007.

I am going to give this a try! I had my surgery in September and have been doing well, but I have not been exercising. I know I need to do it, but I cannot seem to get motivated. Instead I seem to sabotage myself and eat bad things, which sucks. I would rather exercise, and at least doing it this way I won’t feel like I am alone.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Welcome to the group ackmaui! Dorr, I agree with Lucy, you look awesome and I can't imagine how you will look after the surgery! The guys will be knocking down your door. It is almost that time again! The only good thing about Christmas is all the walking we get to do while shopping for stuff. The only weird thing is I have people stare at me now, which feels really weird because I am used to being the fat kid. Anyways, I think I have finally plateaued. I can't believe how well things have gone so far. I need to get my ass in gear after the holidays and start working out. How are ya'll doing? Is everyone done with their shopping?

Damn boy! Talk about your hotties! I may have to dump Sean and move south! You're looking mighty fine there Edd. (I have to admit, I am curious as to what other components of the Santa suit you may or may not have been wearing when that pic was taken :heh:). Don't worry about the weigh-ins. I went through a phase of weighing every day and would get very frustrated when I hadn't lost something. Now I weigh whenever I think about it. I'm still at a plateau, but trying to get my restriction right. I went for a fill last Thursday and only got 1 cc. Now I'm too tight again so I'm going back in on Monday to have .5 cc taken back out.:tired I'm very sensitive to fills apparently. That one cc was the difference between feeling like I could eat anything in sight and not being able to keep hardly any solids down. Oh well, I knew coming into this that it was a process. No worries. :eek: Awww, thanks Eddie. As for your curiosity, I could answer that question, but it would mean sending you to another site for the answer. Thanks, I was beginning to think I was crazy for not wanting to weight myself. I know I am losing because my clothes are getting looser. Plus, the women at work keep groping me. My parents got happy when I told them about that because they think some "woman" will make me straight..lol. I have only had 1 fill so far because my doctor says I am doing fine without any additional fills right now. I wonder if I will be as sensitive about them in the future as some of ya'll are on here. I am curious to see, but I will admit I am not crazy about getting then in general.

:cry some people are just no fun..lol Ho, Ho, Ho!

I am almost done with my shopping. I have two things left to get and i will be done. I hate the stores this time of year, except for the additional cute guys out and about...lol. Which might be why I took a Santa pic last week. I am curious, did any of you go through a period in which you just didn't want to weigh yourself? I haven't weighed in almost three weeks because I just don't want to know. My doctor seems to be happy with my progress, so that is a good thing.

Wow, Eddie I am sorry to hear about these terrible events. I also hope this is only a small bump in the road for you and Sean. I wish you the best. As for me, I am doing fine. I went to the doctor today and I lost more weight. He says I am doing fine and didn't give me a fill. He told me I need to focus more on exercise, which I plan on doing. I will keep ya'll posted.

Everyone is welcomed here. The more support the better. It is just nice to find a place where you can fit in and be yourself.

Just wanted to drop in and see how everyone is doing and let you know I finally got around to creating my blog (its in the signature line). Also, I have had a cold for about three weeks and it really sucks. I am finally getting better thanks to some good ole antibiotics. I go back to see my doctor next Wednesday. I am not sure if he is going to give me a second fill at this time. I’ll keep ya posted.

Gotta love a honest and feisty woman. BTW...Stevee, don't lose hope...it is simple math...you can't eat as little as you do and not lose, it just takes our bodies time to figure out how to react to the situation.

Maybe just a little, but it might be what is needed.

Hello Everyone! I am sorry I haven't been keeping up, but things have been hectic. I work during the day and sometimes at night. I am feeling great now that I am off all the meds. I am still losing weight, which is always a plus. It is kinda weird losing a lot of weight because I am seeing things and situations in a different way. I have a really positive attitude these days and try to spread that through my work team. I have also been eliminating a lot of negative people/situations out of my life for good. It has been a refreshing process. I am also in the process of creating a MySpace page that will serve as a blog for my lap-band journey. I will keep you posted on how that is turning out. I figured it would be a good way to keep up with photos. I went back to the doctor today and he gave me my first fill. It was really awkward and it feels like there is a little lump in my throat. I am guessing I won't notice it in a few days. He made sure everything was okay and I could drink Water before I left his office. I go back in a month. I have kinda given myself a mini-goal to lose a total of 50 lbs by Christmas. I have more energy so, I am going to start working out. I hope it helps, but even if I don't reach that goal, I am really happy with what I have done so far. BTW...ya'll are great and inspire so many of us. Eddie you are doing awesome and I think you will reach your goal before you know it.

Hello Wasa, I am really touched at your concern. I think I will be ok tho. I think now that it must have been the way I had my leg under me when I was sitting on the couch. Once up...I was fine and could walk alright and all. I will make an appt to see my regular doctor tho. I haven't had a check up in about three years so it is about time for one. Thanks again for your concern...I really appreciate it. Take Care....bev

Juli, I just wanted to say I think you are doing an awesome job. Keep up the good work. It gives all of the rest of us newbies hope!

Thanks! As for the advice, I listen to everything because this is a new experience for me. I am guessing I might get a fill because I have stopped losing weight now that I can eat again.

That doesn't sound like a very good way to lose weight! :rolleyes Looks like this room is getting very lively. Lately, I have been busy trying to get lots of work done and behave around food. I have obtained a new general doctor and after running some tests he has taken me off of all my meds, which is great. I am looking forward to going to Dr. Grossbard on the 17th to see if I will get my first fill or not.

Cheri52 – I wish my doctor was that nice, but we don't follow the typical process most surgeons do. I think my doctor runs about a week or two behind the regular schedule. It is now week 3 and I am on full liquids, which means I can have creamy soup. My mush/puree phase does not start to week 5. They have also told me to start adding the protein powder to stuff, which should help. I am glad I keep losing weight, but I don't want to lose it too fast. I am sure it will slow down once I start eating. Chris61 – Congratulations on your wife's surgery and I hope yours goes well today. Keep us posted! ManhBill – WELCOME!!! I so agree with you about the labels and as much as I hate them I have tried to fit into a couple of them, but I don't have much luck. I am really not sure about the gays and lesbians theory because we all seem to get along pretty well here. In fact a lot of the gay guys go to the lesbian clubs to avoid the “meat” market scene in our clubs. I guess it is different depending on where you are living. I wish you the best on your surgery. Keep us posted. As for me, I went to the doctor for my 2 week follow-up and they gave me their new nutritional guide. I am now down 30 pounds total, but I wonder if that will decrease when I start eating. They said as long as I eat less than 1,000 calories I should still continue to lose weight. I am now of full liquids and can have creamy soup, pudding, smoothies (which taste like medicine to me) and anything that I was eating previously. I also found out the hard way what happens when you are around sick people and you are still healing. I was so happy to go to the grocery story yesterday and buy some soup, but then the cashier I got had a cold, which I didn't know until I got up there to check-out. I didn't realize I would catch it, but last night when I went to sleep I got cold chills for three hours until the fever broke and the pain in my joints was crazy. I didn't go to work this morning because I felt sore as hell and I could hardly talk. I thought at first it was something with the surgery, maybe some kind of infection, but the doctor says it sounds like I got what the cashier has because she could hardly speak too. It is weird how our body reacts. Oh well, it is just another phase in my process and I will take something to get rid of it. I go back to the doctor in a month and I guess that is when he will discuss with me if I get a fill or not. I hope everyone is doing well. Keep us posted because I really enjoy hearing how those of you that are further along are doing with the surgery.

Just checking in with everyone. Thanks for sharing the picture Kity. You have a very beautiful smile. I am doing pretty good, but I am sooooo damn tired of Clear liquids. I have been on liquids for a month now and even though I enjoy losing weight, I don't feel satisfied. I don't have a desire for hamburgers or anything like that, I would love to be able to just try some tomato Soup or something. It is really frustrating and I hope when I go back to the doctor on Tuesday that they put me on puree/mush stuff. I know it is worth it, but at this point I am really losing the energy to do anything. Tell me it gets better when you can try things other then liquids. I don't mind being on liquids for a few days, but this seems forever.

Wowsers! You look great and it has only been 6 months. Just imagine what you will look like in 6 more months. Keep up the great work! Tricia - I wish I could help ya. I still have my steri strips on and I am not sure if I take them off or the doctor does when I go back. I know you are suppose to wait a certain amount of time before you go into pools and such.

I received my band on Tuesday (09/04/07). I not quite sure how I feel right now other than sore. I am so glad it is done and I am sure the pain will go away in time. As for now, I am on the wonderful liquid diet too.

Flipper, My doctor puts all of his patients on a two week liquid diet. We have to take Opi-Fast every three hours five times a day so we get all of our vitamins. We were also allowed to have water, juice (with no pulp), crystal light, sugar free gum, sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, and various types of soup broths (chicken, beef and vegetable). After surgery we have to do a two week clear liquid diet, which is still all of the items above minus the Opi-Fast. After those two weeks, we go on another liquid diet but I am not sure how long this one last until we are put on the mush/puree phase. I will admit the liquid diets are not easy because you seem to have more time to think about all the things you can‘t have again or would like to be eating at that moment. It is all in how much you want the lap-band. Plus, after the first couple of days you start to get used to it. If food is a big trigger for you, avoid TV commercials and people eating. I spent a lot of time on the computer doing research and playing games to help make the time pass. I really helps looking at the before and after pictures to give you more encouragement that this is worth it. (http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/before-after-pictures-pix-only-4642/) I hope this is able to help you. I wish you the best on the liquid diet.