seajules

I was banded 01/08/2008 as well and I went through about a month of hell after I got off of Optifast and tried to go to only real food....my sugars shot up and I got very depressed, but somehow I broke through even though I didn't do anything different. I just tried to stay on the 1200 cal diet limit processed food and kept doing my best to exercise. The weight started coming off again...hang in there and really look at exactly what you are eating.

I was in diabetic hell for awhile....I managed to stay at the same wight, but it was HARD and with depression and major OCD....well I'm glad to be back. I'm off my Insulin and loosing again. My victory is very non-scale....taking control of my diabetes off all meds !!!!! and I can also work more than two days without dying....I did 5 this week (they are 12 hour shifts in the NICU) so I am really feeling great...Best wishes to everyone.

Thanks everyone for posting your NSVs.....here's mine for today.....I went out of the house with a sleeveless tank top on and my daughter wasn't ashamed of having me near her, she even said that I looked great.....coming from my teenage daughter I was pleasantly surprised. I never thought I would see 18 (that's what I am wearing now)and now i am just starting to wear a 16. My goal is to feel good about myself by this summer when my whole family is getting together in Cape Cod. Most have only seen me in a size 24. Keep up the good work everyone.:scared2:

Never heard of it, where did you get it and how is it?

I love reading everyone's NSVs....it has changed my intense focus on my weight to everything that is changing for me. Wedding ring is too big and spins around Hair is longer and I am actually fixing it (Before I just put it in a ponytail) Wearing makeup for the first time in............hum.can't remember. Size 24 to size 18, almost 16. Off 8 of my medications including 4 diabetic ones A1c is down from 13.9 (high) to 6.2 (normal) Normal Blood sugar readings for the past 6 weeks FEELING BETTER takes the cake. Having more energy Getting off the couch and outside. There are more and more all the time. Thanks for the re-focusing.

HI DX MOM, I saw your Avatar is a nurse. Are you a nurse. I am an RN and work in the neonatal ICU (at my hospital it is called the ISCU (infant special care unit) we also have a NICU that is the neuro ICU. Anyway, I love talking to other nurses, so if you are interested in keeping in touch my e-mail is sea.jules@comcast.net. Best wishes with your weight loss.

losingjusme....................................................................................................................... I am so happy for you. Please let us know how the surgery went. I am going to go through the same thing (hopefully this summer). I'm dying to know what to expect. Thanks

My doctor says I should only go down to 160 pounds. I am 5'4" and I want to be below 150 or at least a size 12.........am I being unreasonable or should I shoot for my goal?

I am trying to follow the diet plan, measuring most of the time, but I am starving. I can't fall asleep and usually end up getting up and having a snack. They are usually not the best choices either. I have had 1 fill but don't feel any restrictions...........the only thing good right now is my glucose readings. I am very thankful about that.:biggrin:

From day one my sugar reading came down. I was on 5 metformen, actose, 70 U Lantus and sliding scale Regular insulin. Now I take 35U of Lantus and thats it. In only 6 or 7 weeks I am off all my other diabetic medications, Off Lipitor thank god, because that one terrible, off prilosec too. It also cured my acid reflux......gone the day of surgery. That alone was worth the price of self-pay. I only check my sugar once in a while and My A1c came down from 13.9 (highest) to 6.2 (current)...I hope this stays this way. I feel so much better just taking off 25 pounds and eating better. I still don't exercise as much as I would like, but I am working on that.

I am 6 weeks postop and have been down with the flu for a week. I have been to the doctors and on meds, but what about eating? What is the best thing to eat? Is the low calories going to slow my recovery time? Any input would be appreciated. Down and out in Galveston.:tongue2:

kat817........Thank you so much. I really appreciate your post.

Thank you so much for writing back, You are right of coarse. I was panicking I have been lucky though and have not thrown up..ever...since banding. I find so much support in this forum.....so much more than from the home front. So, thank you again for responding.

look up ratatuille recipe....we found it after the movie came out. We love it. It goes with everything. I use protein shakes as well to keep the amount of daily protein up to 70gms. I love several of the recipes from South beach..

My doctor had a printout of an article that said there is a 73 % cure/remission in banded diabetic patients. I truely believe this. I haven't had this good control in forever. My A1c is now 6.2 When I started it was 9.4 and the highest was 13.9

Tried it..loved it. If you like eggplant look up ratatuille recipe online..that is fabulous also...enjoy. Would love to see more recipes postings.

I never have understood how insurance companies can practice medicine without a license????:tongue2:

My stomach felt the same after I was banded. I think It is because of the swelling. Mine has gone down and feels equal now. I can feel the port under the skin and it is still a little bit tender. Keep reading and keep posting it helps. Welcome to bander land:thumbup:

I had the very same experience. I was banded on the 8th and find it very hard to add food. I feel safe on the liquids, but am still pretty scared of real food. I don't want to gain and I don't want to hurt my band....I know it takes time, but when is this going to get better?

Count me in. I don't feel restricted at all, so I know I need challenge myself to exercise everyday. I hate it, but the positive message is JUST DO IT. just do it.....Thanks everyone one for sharing your lives.....ups and downs. this is what helps me. Thanks Julie

I got my first fill yesterday for a total of 3cc. I was told to do clear fluids for 2 days then full liquids for 2 days then mushy.....well I was sooooo hungry I came home and tried to drink some apple juice, then my protein drink, then IK finally ate some pb and cheese crackers....I chewed them up really well and did not feel any restriction or full feeling. I go back in 2 weeks for a checkup, I hope I can get a few more ccs so I can feel full or atleast restricted....I hear about people being able to only eat 1/2 cup or 1 cup and then are full...that is what I want.....I'm scared that I won't beable to control this eating thing......... any advice would be helpful...............:mad:

Yea, I just did 15 min. on the treadmill...3 mph with a 5% incline....I am going to keep a record so I can keep up with the amount of exercise I do...keep it up in my face.............:cursing:

I have had to add extra protein by drinking protein drinks. I have been using 100% whey protein and it's not bad. It helps be feel full and helps keep my calories down.....I am still struggling with the food so I am always looking to see what others are doing for their meals......

This is one of the best posts I have read. Thanks so much jacqui, you are an inspiration and I will keep this post so i can re read it everyday. I want so bad to exercise every day and hate it so much right now. You are right..just do it. It's got to be better than where I am right now. Thanks again. Julie Just do it was my motto in the early days. Just fricking do it. Get on, do the half hour, get it out of the way. I soon discovered its MUCH easier to force yourself to do half an hour on the treadmill than it is to avoid the cheesecake in the fridge all day. Tired or not, busy or not, I just bloody did it. Sooner or later, you get really fit, you start kicking real goals, things you thought you could NEVER do and one magical day, motivation strikes and you're an exerciser. I never have to force myself now, I have to force myself to take REST days! If you want to be one of the "lost only 60% of excess weight" statistics, then sitting on your behind and not exercising is a pretty sure fire way to become just that. __________________ Jacqui

I lost 21 pounds the first month then came to a standstill when i started adding more real food. I did not feel any restriction and could eat anything. I went for my first fill today. It was not too bad. I have a total of 3cc now. I am hoping this helps my attitude too. I really want to add more exercise to my daily routine. Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I hope you have a wonderful day.