Mhuire

Thanks for making me smile this morning, you silly people.

Hi, y'all. I got my third fill on Tuesday of this week and, while I can feel it a little, it's not restricting me enough for weight loss. One of the tools I've chosen to implement is the Weight Watchers Point System. I hope it will assist me somewhat in my portion choices. Anybody else using WW? My band does keep me from the all-out binges I used to indulge in, but I still need help getting food choices down to size. I've only lost 17 pounds in two months. Listen to me. Only. I am SO grateful for the loss of those 17 pounds; I'm just anxious to move on and I've been stuck here for weeks because I can't control portions. Anybody else? The Eating Disorder/OCD part of me loves to count and that's why I think the Weight Watchers Point Plan may relieve some of my anxieties. Thanks. And bright blessings on you all, my fellow travelers!

Good advice, Sharon. I am learning not to eat veggies or ANYTHING until I get that fish or chicken or whatever protein in. So, you were banded just a few days ago? Congratulations, girl! We're on our way now! Are you still sipping broth or have you moved on to potato soup and stuff like that? What protein shakes have you tried and which do you prefer? I'm using EAS - both powdered and pre-mixed. The pre-mixed packages are good for carrying around (23 g. protein). And, of course, my personal favorite: Isopure from GNC with no fat, no carbs, and no sugar. Just a lovely 40 g. of protein! Good luck and yay!

Grace, I hear you loud and clear on the food addiction. We're all suffering with it in some degree or another. Mine has been a monster since I was 13 or so. I've been in therapy, hospitalized, on drugs, and in therapy some more. It's all about handling the pain in a more constructive manner. Sounds so easy, doesn't it? But back to the subject at hand: the WW point system keeps me in line, but frees me from the calorie-counting. THAT used to just send me right over the edge. Because there was no way for me to do that perfectly and I want perfect. Yes, I know that's not healthy, but I don't care. Give me the illusion of perfect and I'll be okay. Which is why the point spread is helpful. I have more of a chance to feel successful and in control. And starting over is easier. Crazy enough for you? Thanks, y'all. You guys are the best free therapists in the world!

I just love the idea of keeping up with and counting intake. Makes me feel like I'm in control (which we all know I am NOT). I've already found some useful info: a bottle of Isopure with 40 grams of protein is only 3 points. And it's so good for you! How far along the way are you, Sharon?

I agree with Irene. They are (1) jealous and begrudge you your victory or (2) trying to be polite. Either way, they're not supporting you. Sometimes instead of holding our sisters up, women will stand on your head. If you let them. Don't. You're fabulous and you've accomplished something wonderful for yourself. Yay!

Hi, Smarty! You know what I love about this whole deal? I love going out to eat and leaving food on my plate like a "normal" person. I feel absolutely giddy when I can leave food there. I actually do it on purpose. It's like saying to whoever is looking, "Hey, this stuff does NOT control me. I'm controlling it." It works even better when I'm feeling weak. If I can manage to leave something there, I feel stronger. Food issues are tough for us all. I love reading everyone's entries in here. I've gotten so many of my favorite tools from my fellow travelers. I do especially appreciate the one about using the smaller plate. And not stretching your mealtime out to the point where you can work around your band. Good info, all. Blessings!

Hi, Angie! I'm not your doctor, but I don't mind sharing my personal experience with you: you're freshly banded and I remember not wanting anything, either. Especially anything sweet. I couldn't even tolerate EAS protein shakes and my liquid vitamins. It did go away, though. The first two weeks post surgery I lived on Emeril's Beef Stock, Isopure drinks, and popsicles. You'll come around. It's my understanding that the most important thing I can get in my body are the "hard" proteins: lean chicken, fish, beef, pork, etc. So far, I've had no problem doing so. Unfortunately, I've also had no problem with thin crust pizza, etc. It's still up to us to make use of that little bit of space we have and put good fuel in there. Your body needs something to work with. You'll be fine. Keep up the protein and water. Keep your doctor apprised of what's happening with you. Blessings!

Marie from Dobbin, Texas. Howdy, y'all!

I was banded on the very same day as you! I must keep up with your successes --- it makes me want my own!

Fabulous! That's a wonderful achievement. I hope to get there someday... Blessings,

Rhonda, I've got a friend who's an absolute wizard with re-working tats. You want a flower where the loser's lips are? No prob. My friend re-worked two tats for me and they're great: he changed a naked fairy riding a lightning bolt into some beautiful lavendar poppies and my moon/star into a fantastic flying black horse with blazing green eyes (represents my man!). I may need another tat later....

I would absolutely LOVE to meet you ladies. Unfortunately, we are going into the busiest time of year around here. Also unfortunate is the fact that we REALLY need each other around the holidays. Maybe if we sort of keep our options open, we can coordinate something in spite of our schedules? I will be out and about running errands this next weekend for sure. I'm having a huge gathering at my home on Nov. 10th and am no where near prepared. But after that, I plan to slow up a bit. Even if the holidays are bearing down on us! I'm going in tomorrow afternoon for the 2nd fill. Lord, I hope this one gives me a little restriction. I've been eating everything that didn't get up and run from me. I do feel a little isolated. No one but us knows what the heck is going on with this thing... Blessings, sisters!

I suffer with an Eating Disordered Brain. Everything is distorted: what I've eaten, how much I've eaten, how hungry my body is vs. how hungry my mind is. It's an ongoing battle for me. I do find that mantras, or affirmations, actually help. Even if all it does is distract me, it does help. Pick one or two for yourself and have them handy. Sing them like a song to yourself. I have to walk my talk this morning. I weighed in this week 1-1/2 pounds heavier than last...I'm feeling sad and disappointed. Conveniently forgetting that I can start over right his second, that I'm getting a fill on Tuesday, that I've lost 16 pounds. There. A little better. Blessings on you all. Have a fabulous Sunday!

I'm going to take the blame for not getting anywhere with my band. I shouldn't say I haven't gotten ANYWHERE...I've lost around 15 pounds or so since being banded on August 29th. I'm stuck, though. My doc has a list of things that band patients do wrong and I'm going to review that again. I already suspect a couple that are impacting my failure here: grazing, not NEARLY enough exercise, wrong carbs (unfortunately I can eat anything right now), and drinking alcohol (I love dirty martinis). I have an important occasion coming up on Nov. 10th and I'm so disappointed that I won't be looking better than I do. I weight on Sundays and I'm up 1-1/2 pounds. Rats. Bless you all. Hope your Sunday is sunny and wonderful,

I would think jerky of any type would be a little tough on us. Let me know if someone eats some and doesn't choke to death....

Isopure at GNC is the best I've found. No fat, no carbs, no sugar, and 40 grams of protein.

Great advice, ladies. Thanks. "If a woman's place is in the home, why am I always in the car?"

I need exercise. It will help with my mild depression and I bet it will help with the stalled weight loss, too (I'm due for a fill this next Tuesday -- that will help, also, I hope). My problem is this: after I leave my office at night, I CANNOT force myself to go to the gym. And I LOVE my gym, my trainer, etc. I wonder how hard it is to start your day at the gym. Anybody do it that way? Any recommendations from the Vast Sisterhood? Blessings on you all,

I've looked around and found no references to what must surely be an issue with addictive personalities....there must be at least a few of us in here. I've gotten used to crushing a couple pain pills, mixing it with fruit juice, and following it up with a stiff drink in the evenings. I feel stuck in my tracks. I'll be calling my shrink on Monday and making an appointment. I know what's happening but I feel like I'm watching it from a distance and can't interfere. I tried the indulge in the old "bingeing" routine last night and I ended up a pound heavier. That pound attached itself to my heart. The steps to crawling out are imprinted on my brain. I need to activate them. This surgery will be the death of me if I don't quickly replace the old painkillers with the new ones. Help.

What a beautiful morning it is! Of course, I nearly slept it away...I just got up. Spring, huh? I have a friend that keeps an office in Old Town Spring and I come up there fairly often. I'd love to meet you (and you, too, Rhonda). We should set up a play date to meet at Old Town Spring.

GNC (and others, too, I'm sure) carries a drink called Isopure. It's no carbs, no sugar, no fat and 40 grams of protein. I keep one in the reefer and every time I think about it, I stop and get a swig or two. But it actually doesn't taste too bad and doesn't have that heavy feel that alot of the protein powders do. My favorite is the Pineapple/Orange flavor.

Oh, sweetie! That sounds awful. I haven't experienced anything like that yet, but it was my understanding that "PB's" aren't actually vomit. I think the food involved in a PB doesn't stay down long enough to become vomit. Am I right, y'all?

I think if you can't trust your physician, you need another one. And right now.

Sarah, I felt the same way. After my surgery, I realized how little I had researched this thing. I was just happy for the hope it provided. Now...the water thing. I was one of those people who constantly had a bottle of water in my hand. Still am. I just have to be cautious around "feeding" time. Sometimes I forget so I put a sticky note on my water bottle stating the time I can start drinking again. Oh. And I found the trick of ordering a glass of ice at a meal to be very helpful. It makes me feel less panicky if I know I can at least get a sip of water. You know how it is if you're a big water drinker...it makes you thirsty if you know you don't have (or can't have) any.