PhotoNut

Karen, it's great to hear an upbeat tone in your voice. How you're managing that with all of the stress you must be under right now, is beyond me. You and your loved ones will be in my prayers - I pray that you and hubby get great news on all counts and that your mom comes through surgery quickly and finds her life so much better for it. *hugs*

Sooo... let me get this straight. Your skinny jeans, the ones you've dreamed of wearing again, the ones you've been waiting to fit into again.. are too big?! Seriously??!! That's fantastic! Now you can buy some even skinnier jeans! w00t!! Grats Carla!

Hey Shanna.. sorry to hear about this. I'll be keeping good thoughts for positive result of the unfill. Best wishes and lots of hugs.

All I get is a blank page. Is it just me, or is something screwy going on?

No worries. Don't rely on your veggies for protein, rely on animal protein - fish, chicken, dairy, and red meat on occassion. Veggie proteins are not easily broken down by the body so only 30% of the protein is absorbed. The rest lays in your colon and rots, creating gas problems. An no veggie by itself is a complete protein, so you'd have to research with ones to eat together to make a complete protein. So, that's the good news yea? Veggies are important for carbs - good carbs. Broccoli is a great source, and if you only eat the tops you'll have no problem. It's the stringy stalks that can cause problems. Fresh might be a problem as well, not sure. I use frozen. Raw veggies such as lettuce and carrots are an option if you just don't care for cooked veggies. Like Alex, I eat my protein first and am usually getting pretty full before I start on veggies, then I only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of peas- n-carrots or broccoli-n-cauliflower a day, usually at dinner. So veggie haters can relax.

I will do 30 minutes of cardio every day. (Only did 15 - I've been bad about keeping up on this. I figured on a few days of doing the usual 15 to get back into the habit, then move up to twice a day.) I will drink 6 - 16.9oz bottles of water every day. (Drank all 6 today!) I will write down every bite I put in my mouth - quantity, calories, protein. (Yup, keeping up on this.) I will take on one realistic self or home project per day. (Spent all day running errands, visiting with friends and our grandson is staying with us, keeping me very active.)

Mo - I make the changes to the page. You can either PM me or post it here. Thanks. Skye - Nothing I could possibly say could make things any better for you, so.. *big warm encouraging hugs* Hang in there. You'll get through this.

Happy Happy Happy Birthday Keri!! :happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2:

*laughs* Yucky fat stats. That's funny. :confused: You certainly don't have to put them up. That's only for those who want them there. This club has no rules. We are all here to get from it what we each need. I've got you up there and that's all ya need.

Hey Mo! You sure can join! We welcome anybody, anytime. Check out the list of club members on page 1 of this thread. You'll see many who are pre-bandsters. Everyone needs encouragement and support, at all stages of the journey. So welcome to the club! :confused: After you look at page 1, let me know if you want any of your current stats on the board and I'll add them.

Dear God, please watch over Penni and help her eyes to see only the healthy foods on the menus. Direct her to desire those foods which make her healthy and give her a happy spirit. Amen There, you asked for it, you got it! *hugs* I hope youre having a lovely day with your grandson, Penni. I have been enjoying mine so much. He's napping right now. Ah yes, there are benefits to them being 2 1/2 :confused: My whole day has been off. I haven't walked or drank enough water. I did tan (day 2) though. I've had Ethan and two of my friends showed up today as well. This is the first moment to myself I've had all day. I'll try to get in the water and walking. Er.. I should just get up and do that now huh? Ok! Good idea! *gets offline to walk on the dreadmill*

I'm thinking about ya Philli. Hope it all went smoothly and that you'll be home and recovering nicely in no time at all. Good luck with yours tomorrow, Kebabish! :confused:

I thoroughly agree. It's always invaluable to be able to talk to someone and get the benefit of their first hand experiences. I've been thinking about this thread a lot. And I think my biggest concern is for those who are having a hard time sticking with the bandster "rules" and are getting discouraged. I'm not sure how to put this well, and please don't take offense if it comes out wrong - I'm concerned that people will abandon their efforts with the band and jump on the "what else can I try" train. To me, it almost seems like the same old thing that we've all seen over the years, people flock to the newest thing coming down the pike. Now, I know that the RnY is NOT the Newest thing but it's becoming the Next thing to try. For years I've seen people running from this fad to the next, each one promising to have the answers to success. Each one claiming to have broken the secret code for weight loss. And really, each one is just a new way of making someone else rich and leaving us disappointed, yet again. Let's get real folks. Whether we have the RnY, the Band, the Sleeve, whatever.. it still comes down to this. If we eat crap, we will look and feel like crap. If we eat healthily, we will be healthy. If we eat too much, we will weigh too much. It's really just plain ole common sense. Someone else said it on this thread already, but it bears repeating. If you can't get control of yourself enough to succeed with the band, then chances are you won't have long term success with any other weight loss surgery. Eventually, we all have to come to terms with the fact that it boils down to responsibility for our own actions and choices. It's just a fact of life folks - you reap what you sow. If you have a "healthy band"... be grateful for it and USE it to your benefit. Don't flounder around, sabotaging your own goals and then toss the band aside in your excitement about the next thing coming down the road. Short of cutting your stomach out all together, we all have to take responsibility for what we put in our mouths. I pray for each of us as we struggle to find our way through this nightmare that's led us to this point in life. I pray that we wake up to the realization that we are only imprisoned by ourselves and we do have the power to get free.

Oh gosh I love threads like this. I rely on them for my daily dose of laughter!

I see a snack of popcorn as being a bit different than having a meal. I drink iced tea with my popcorn snack in the evenings. I don't worry about it washing it through because I've had all my meals for the day, I'll be going to bed within a few hours anyway, and I don't think it's such a bad idea to wash the pouch out before bed. It's drinking with your meals that is a nono because you need to stay full longer. Make sense? And you know, even with the iced tea, that small bag fills me up! :confused: Glad you liked it Pugmum! Kryssa, the foods you listed would be easy for anyone to get down. chips and popcorn chew into practically nothing, and ice cream is just liquid anyway. Popcorn is a great snack, and if you like ice cream try frozen yogurt or the fat free/sugar free ones maybe? Chips? Er.. empty calories. Head for more solid Proteins and you'll probably have fewer desired to graze on such things. *hugs*

Penni - So very happy to hear that you are feeling better. What a neat gram you are! Adopt me and take me to fun places and cool restaurants?! And you know what they say, no rest for the wicked... or was that weary? *laughs* Daisybelle - Hun, nobody in this club is required to post weights if they don't want. It's just an option for those that find it helpful. I don't blame you for putting the scales away. Just don't drift away from us. We can be an ear when you need it, a friend to lean on, and a shoulder to cry on if you need it. *hugs* Pappy! Oh my goodness girl. I'm so glad your daughter wasn't hurt! And I'm so sorry you were! Isn't it amazing how accidents can affect us emotionally? I agree with Stacey, you're doing great by recognizing the warning signs of emotional eating. That's half the battel right there. And yes, you were missed! I was wondering where the heck you'd run off to! I never dreamed you were out tackling semi trucks! Skye - I see you reading the thread. How are you doing? I've been thinking about you and your family so much these last few days and I'm praying for miracles. Aww, I just wish I could hug everyone into a big safe hug and make all the bad stuff go away. Just know that you're all being prayed for and thought of and cared about. :confused:

*laughs* No, not really. When I reached the same weight as Dawg, it had to stop! He had already been losing as I was gaining. He started at Errr! LOL! Typically he leaves me in the dust when we diet. Men lose so much faster and he's younger than me too. But this time we are neck and neck, usually within a pound of each other. It's bee cool. But soon, I'll be passing him by because he is getting close to his goal. Double -50 sound so good, doesn't it?? :confused: Hey Penni girl.. feeling any better yet? Hope so! Woohoo!! These are fantastic NSVs! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Wonderful news! The bubbles were disturbing! *laughs* Be careful that you aren't just allowing this because you're seeing progress, ok? I've seen so many posts about slippage, where they've said, "I knew I was too tight.. but.." *hugs Kim* I'm glad you're back, Sis! It really is, isn't it. What a great group of folks we have here! I want to see a post soon, titled, "How EmileeKaye Got Her Groove Back"! *laughs* Not bad at all m'dear. You are being so patient! Check out Mychevygirl's posts about how's she's losing about 3 pounds a week, pre-banding! She's such an encouragement! Paula! About time! I added you to the Member's page *grins* I'm going to let someone else answer Heather's questions.. I've run on far too long already! *Laughs* Love you guys!! Truly!

Yup, me too. One piece at a time. Chew, savor, chew, savor. Those little 100 calorie bags are so perfect! It's the only time I eat and allow myself to drink at the same time. I make a nice tall glass of iced tea, with a slice of lemon and splenda. Mmm.... perfection right there.

THAT is the sign of a good diet! (diet = food intake, not diet = weightloss program) If you add up the calories you eat now, and then look at a day of eating carbs and figure up those calories, you'll see that you can't eat nearly as much for the same amount of calories. When folks say they are starving all the time, it's a really good indicator that they aren't really looking at the big picture and seeing that they really can eat a lot more if they are making the right choices. And carbs leave you hungry, and fat leaves you feeling sluggish and tired. Ask Mychevygirl.. She is preband and is losing about 3 pounds a week or more. Her secret? Protein! She's just staying away from carbs all together for now. It's amazing what Hope can motivate and strenghten us to do, isn't it?

*Gasps* This means I have to stop eradicating the little demons in green uniforms and start working on the Easter um.. bunny, chicken, thing.. whatever lays those damn evil eggs!

*laughs* I see you're still here Phili! You'd think you have a big exciting day ahead of you tomorrow or something. *smiles* Go get some sleep. You're going to need it. Be sure your doctor sends you home with very clear instructions on what you can and cant eat, and when you can eat it. That's really important. You'll do great! You're also not alone. There are a few people being banded tomorrow. Best of luck to you. See you on the other side!

Hi Brenda! Happy to have you join us! *hugs*

I'll be here, eager to talk. I love sharing stories and all of the mutual support that goes on here. You'll find many many folks with such good hearts that are so willing to hold you up when you don't think you can go another step alone. Just keep posting and you'll meet them all eventually.

What a cool post. What a cool mom! My mom made my dream come true too! I waited and dreamed about this for a year. Thanks Mom! You'll do fine on the pre-op diet because you'll know that it's not forever. We can do anything for 8 weeks, right?! And that 45 min a day thing? Um, I'd fall over dead trying! Start slowly. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can work your way up. And you can do 3 15 min sessions. Focus on eating chicken and fish for Proteins, with steamed or raw veggies, and raw fruits. Eat 1,000 - 1,200 a day and stay away from anything white, or contains sugars. Drink, drink, drink your Water. This is a no-fail formula. In eight weeks you'll already be so excited about your progress! Then getting the band will feel like a mini vacation! hehe I think is so awesome that you learned so much here. I have as well. Isn't it great to have a brain and that you use it?! LOL One last thing. I broke down too. It's such a huge mix of emotions. Overwhelmed by the idea of finally being "normal" again. Overwhelmed by the thought of such drastic changes in my life. Scared to death of it failing. Feeling extreme guilt over having to spend so much when all I have to do is get control of my stupid self and lose the weight. Oh, it went on and on. You're not alone. And prepare yourself, because it gets more intense as the time draws near. This is all perfectly normal. Like Jack said... buckle up and HANG ON! You're in for the ride of your life! I'm loving mine!

Hey Sparkling You've only been banded a week ya goober. Settle down and give your body time to heal, just like you said. Until all of that swelling goes down, how will your Dr be able to tell how much fill is really right for you? You don't want that band scrunching down on a tender, swollen tummy do you? Did your Dr let you move on to mushies? If so, there are a ton of choices you can go for that fill you up longer than liquids. Are you getting in your minimum of 60 grams of Protein per day? Protein will keep you from getting hungry for a longer period of time. Remember, this six weeks is all about the healing process and letting that band get settled in. Don't worry about how often you need to eat, just watch your calorie intake and stick to the foods approved by your Dr and you'll be just fine. Also, don't be surprised if you even see a slight increase in your weight before your first fill. This is common. Going from a strengent pre-op diet, then onto liquids, and then bringing more solid foods back into your diet will take you on a mini roller coaster of weight fluctuations. I know you're anxious to really get moving, but try your best to get in the mindset of 2 pounds a weeks is perfect progress. Anything beyond that is bonus!