georgia girl

I know how you feel. I have a small son and dying from surgery was a big concern. That being said, my biggest fear was dying from being MO. I couldn't walk very far without almost hyperventilating (sp?), I couldn't do very many things with my son that required any physical activity. That's no way to spend life. This is one of the best decisions I've ever made. Good luck to you and I wish you the best.

A tradition that I have done for the past 5 years is to make candy baskets for each family within my family (if that makes any sense). I usually ended up making about 20 different baskets. I usually make pecan toffee, fudge, lemon cookies, chocolate covered pretzel, chocolate covered potato chips (I know that sounds strange but don't knock it until you try it, yummm), carmel pecan turtles, and more that I can't think of right now. I decided not to do it this year, because I am afraid that I won't have the will power to resist. Sweets are my biggest downfall, so I try to completely avoid them. For once, I don't want to gain weight over Christmas holidays.

hmmmmm.........that must be why I could never stay underwater for very long while swimming.........Everyone else could sit on the bottom of the pool and I would always float back up to the top. Oh well....... hopefully it won't be like that much longer. Hope the weather gets better, so you can enjoy your trip. Have fun!

Hi Buttercup, thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad to see you are doing well. Congratulations on the weight loss, you are doing great. Enjoy not being hungry, maybe it will last a long time for you. The protein shakes really helped me too in the beginning. You know, since surgery, I have had a lot of gas pains. Certain foods just cause gas now, I never really had much gas pains before surgery. The chewable Gas-X works good for me. Good luck and keep up the good work!

Quite frankly, wine and fruit or cheese baskets are outrageously priced on the net. You could make your own for less money. There is a website where you can select a food item (e.g. cheese, fruit, dried fruit, nuts) and it will tell you which wine compliments that particular food. Here is the link Eatingspot.com - Food & Wine Matchmaking Good luck, men are so hard to buy for..........

Congrats, that's a cool NSV.............can't wait to get there. Keep up the good work!

I'm not at all angry with my fill doctor and I do understand where she is coming from. It's a policy used for everyone, they don't want to run the risk of overfilling and they want me to lose it slow. I have been very happy with my doctor and all of the staff. I wonder if maybe I should just not be so strict on myself for a couple of weeks. I go back in 2 weeks and if I have lost 4lbs, she won't give me a fill. Maybe I should just try to lose 3 or something. I know that this is a lifestyle change, but I can't just switch overnight, it needs to be gradually(sp?). One day, when I reach goal, I hope to be completely unfilled, and be able to maintain it on my own. But it will take time. I hope I didn't come off as being angry with my fill doc, I was just frustrated about the whole "diet" thing. Thanks for the encouragement, I really appreciate it.

It really was good. This time of year, I find I alway love to drink apple cider, eggnog, and hot chocolate. This is the first year I've actually started thinking of healthier alternatives. Let me know if you like it.

Oh, buttercup, just wondering how you're doing. Hope you are recovering well.

Hi everyone! Hope you guys don't mind if I vent a little. I went to the doctor yesterday, thinking I would get a fill. I got there and weighed in, and she wouldn't give me one. She said because I had lost 2 lbs per week, she would not give me one. I told her, in a very respectful way, that I know I lost 2 lbs per week, but that was because I have been going hungry and exercising my butt off! I haven't have any restriction, except for about a week after my 2nd fill. I woke up on Thanksgiving day with no restriction and haven't had any since. I know that it is good that I am losing weight, but I've had to work my butt off. Don't get me wrong, I love the band, and I know it is going to be hard work, but I feel like I could have done what I am doing, without the band. I feel like I'm on a diet again. The whole reason I got banded was because I didn't want to diet for the rest of my life. Sorry I've vented so long.....just a little discouraged..........

I went to a Christmas party last night, and my friend made some spiced apple cider. I later found out she made it with apple juice and "Red Hots", the candy, and I know it probably had a lot of sugar in it, so I was trying to think of a way to make it without so much sugar. It occured to me that I could try to make it with chai tea, since it already has all those good spices in it. Well, I just made some and it was really good. I boiled some LOW SUGAR apple juice, and poured it into my cup with the tea bag, and steeped it for about 5 minutes. It doesn't need extra sweeter, IMO. Just thought I would share........

Bread - yes, toasted Gum - occasionally Carbonated beverages - no Caffeine - no, my nutritionist says it causes you to get hungry faster (I have never heard of this, but I listened, just to be on the safe side) Pasta - occasionally Rice - occasionally

My experience with rings, is opposite from all of yours. I haven't wore my wedding ring set in 3 years. I had to take them off when I got pregnant (probably should have taken them off before then) and haven't been able to wear them since. I was about 200lbs when I got married and I can't wait until I can wear them again. I still have an indention on my finger from wearing them while they were so tight for so long. I'm hoping I will get to wear them again soon.

You look terrific!!! I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Hi Rose! I'm glad to hear you are doing well. It sounds like you are doing great and it's good you are exercising. I believe it is the key to being sucessful. Keep up the good work!

Welcome to LBT, Holleyhobby! It's good that things are moving fast, my process was pretty fast too. It really has changed the way that I look at food. I eat to live now, instead of living to eat. Good luck at your pre-op appt and take care.

Hello and welcome to LBT! Congrats on becoming banded, are you recovering well? You'll find a lot of useful information on this site. Good luck to you and your wife.

Hi Heather! Welcome to LBT! My starting weight was close to your, 330lbs. I've set my goal weight as 150lbs. When I get to my goal, I may decide to lose more, who know's what I'll look like at 150lbs. I think it is realistic for you to set a goal of 140lbs. Good luck with your supervised diet and take care.

That's wonderful!! I'm doing the happy dance with you......

Hi Sandy, I'm glad you are doing well. Get lots of rest and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

It's only been just over a week, and you've lost 21 lbs.......that is awesome! You are doing great, keep up the good work!

That's great..........feels good doesn't it? Keep up the good work!

The first picture was me at 330lbs and the second was today at 280lbs.

Welcome back! Sorry you're having a difficult time right now. One thing that helps me, is that I spend NO MORE than 30 minutes eating a meal. After 30 minutes, I wrap up whatever is left, for another meal. It takes me a while to chew food, mainly because I have never PB'ed and I want to keep it that way! Many surgeons don't want their patients to snack between meals, but if I get really hungry (stomach growling hungry) I will snack on 1 oz. of nuts, a 100 calorie pack, or a piece of fruit. I try to keep snacks really small. Hope things get better for you. I'm sure you will get back on track and be at your goal weight soon. Good luck to you!

I take Flintstone Chewables too, they seem to work fine.