JustWatchMe

My surgeon didn't have a pound loss goal before surgery but did put me on a strict post op 800 calorie regimen. His nutritionist told me he liked to see maximum weight loss in the immediate post op period. She said it was a great kick start to the process. I lost fifty pounds before my first fill and she was right. It did create great momentum and build good eating habits.

It might or it might not, but it definitely means you need to chew more and eat slower. I thought the first few times I got stuck that it meant I was near my green zone. I was wrong. All it meant was I was getting closer. But the band demands thorough chewing and slow eating. At a small fill level I didn't know that. After about two fills I sure did. But it took four fills to get to green. I may be here for a long time or a short time. I don't know yet. But going forward I must continue to chew well and eat slowly. The benefit is that the slower I go, the easier it is to feel satiety. I'm actually reaping the benefits of the band now. It's a beautiful thing. Good luck. You'll get there. It's a learning process and you're learning how a band feels when it's working.

Grr. Up almost half a pound. Right before Thanksgiving. I need to exercise!! Well, this week my jeans got looser, I wore a shirt that used to be too tight, I found my collarbone, and I was able to put on my boots without huffing and puffing like I did last winter. All in all, a rewarding week. Time to move this body, and not go crazy on the holiday or during the prep cooking. Protein and well planned meals. My fasting days will be Monday and Friday. Ok? Ok.

Yep. Stress makes me more restricted and stuck a lot. Not fun.

I can see my collarbone!

Hello peeps. Today I'm making an apple strudel with my mom. It's not a food temptation for me but it's a nice memory of baking with my grandma. Mom and I haven't made one in a decade. I walked past a boutique clothing shop last night. It was closed. I found myself thinking, I'd like to come back when they are open and try on some of those clothes. !?!?WHAT!?! I actually startled myself with that thought. It wasn't a plus size store and no, I wouldn't fit in anything there yet, but the thought came as natural as could be. Wow. I was happy just realizing that. Maybe there's hope for this old brain yet. I've been surrounding myself with healthy, good-for-me people and it's having a positive effect on me. My stress level went down a bit this week. I want to acknowledge that because I was in such a bad place last week with stress and anxiety. My band was not happy during that time. I'm feeling better overall this week and I'm grateful. Prayer works. Thanksgiving is going to be nine people coming for a luscious dinner. I'm not running the entire show. (Most of it but not all.) I'm eagerly waiting for my girls to fly home from college Tuesday night. Life is good. Happy Saturday, my friends.

I just realized I haven't gotten stuck at all this week. Yay me. Eating good food, not sliders, so I guess either my stress has gone down, I'm chewing more and slower, or all of the above. I'll take it. I went off caffeine completely this week. I got some headaches for the first time since surgery, but not too bad. I was reading a few threads on this site about how caffeine is bad for WLS patients. My doctor didn't prohibit it but the comments from BP folks worried me. So full decaf it is. Not too hard. My jeans are getting looser every week. I'm so glad not to weigh daily anymore. Sundays are plenty. I've noticed that my fasting days of Monday and Thursday are oddly freeing. No real food worries, because I just have lunch and then move on. Sometimes I eat my "desk lunch", which is nuts and a Quest bar. I'm hungrier the next day, but it doesn't boomerang on me. Next week I will fast on Monday and Friday. Wednesday won't work because that's my cooking and prep day and I plan to taste a little bit while I prepare. Friday will be a good day to resume the routine, and since I'll be at work, it will be easier. I'm hoping to see a pound or two loss tomorrow when I weigh in. Maybe I will and maybe I won't, but either way, I know I need to step up my exercise. I haven't been walking outside since it turned bone chilling cold. My mom and I are making an apple strudel today. Not tempted at all since I never cared for strudel myself. But it reminds me of my grandma, so for me it's about the tradition and memories. Have a lovely Saturday everyone.

I am so sorry about your beloved pet. What a hard time for you and right after surgery. Please be gentle with yourself and find some time for yourself. To answer your question, yes a gain is pretty standard immediately after surgery. Don't expect any significant drop until at least three weeks post. You're swollen and filled with fluids and your body has basically been through a huge trauma. The weight WILL come off in a few weeks so just follow instructions and be patient. Try not to weigh too often. Kudos to you for walking. It makes a huge difference in pain management and weight loss. Take care.

Happy belated bday CG! Missed the boards all day Friday.

Sigh. I hear ya, sister. Oh. You mean a coat. Never mind.

Obesity gave me one of my closest friends. At age 15, she and I met in high school and started Weight Watchers together. She is still in my corner today even though we live states apart. She has lost over a hundred pounds through WW in recent years and knows the struggle of keeping it off. I was slightly nervous to tell her about my WLS, but she has been a cheerleader for me, and it all began almost forty years ago with bonding over a diet. If the question is what have I learned, from her I learned that some people can keep the weight off with hard work. I wasn't one of them, but that's why we have the LapBand.

Your coat gets a little roomier every day. The clothes you bought "snug" now fit. You've shrunk into a smaller size. That was always the plan but never happened in the past.

Congratulations !!

Some wonderful people who have reached out to me and given me strength as I go through a very stressful time in my life, and some WLS veterans who always inspire me by keeping it real: @@enjoythetime @@Bandista @@gowalking @@lisacaron @RJ'S/beginning @@CowgirlJane @@proudgrammy @@☠carolinagirl☠ @@Debbie3sons @@LipstickLady @@pink dahlia @@HealthyNewMe @@2muchfun @@B-52 @@terrydumont46 @@labwalker @@Alex Brecher And more names that I am forgetting right now. This board has been a lifesaver for me.

It works! No worries!

Nice!

If you have a dispute you should go through your bank that issued your credit or debit card. Call them and they can immediately give you provisional credit until the dispute is resolved. The merchant can only move as quickly as their system will allow, which is why it takes days for them to credit you.

Boundaries much!?! What the hell is wrong with those people? Teachers, yet. I'm picturing the loudspeaker calling you to weigh in during your class in earshot of your students. Good God. Silence and living well. That is all.

It should get better, not worse, with passing days. If not, call the doc.

@@Miss Mac, I saw what you did there.

Julie, the transformation is astounding! Gorgeous!

Simply beautiful!!!!

I just love this thread.

Normal. But to make it easier, today find one non-food thing that comforts you and do it. Like a bubble bath or a manicure or a hair salon appointment or a foot massage or a night at the movies (no popcorn). Do it. You'll need non-food comforts after surgery so may as well start now.

Ten degrees in Chicago. Had the last of the homemade lentil soup for breakfast. Yum. Must get this recipe from my neighbor.