auntlucy

The Protein bullets are my favorite! I can't do those thick shakes. The bullets are the consistency of Jello before it sets. I mix it with crystal light. 1/2 of the fruit punch bullet mixed with fruit punch crystal light is my favorite.

If you try the Protein bullets, I really like the fruit punch. I like to mix mine with crystal light. The fruit punch bullet in the fruit punch crystal light is my favorite! I mix 1/2 of the 42 g bullet with a glass of crystal light. If you need a protein boost in a jam, you can just down in a couple of gulps half of the bullet. The have saved me!

Welcome Lauralee! You are in good company here. I understand the foot pain that you are talking about. I had it about 14 years ago and had a minor surgery. It hurt worse after surgery for about a year, and then it stopped hurting. Fortunately I haven't had other issues with it, but I can relate to the vicious cycle you are in. I had such severe back pain for years after a car accident that I couldn't exercise. Even walking was painful. Fortunately, I found a great pilates-based physical therapy program that really helped keep the pain manageable. But, after losing 50 pounds I can tell you that my back rarely hurts anymore.

We are glad you are here. Feel free to ask anything!

Where in TX are you from? I'm in McKinney.

Mamma Bellino, don't beat yourself up. So, you had a setback! It happens to the best of us. Walk into the doctor's office with your head high ready to face whatever that scale says. My biggest concern for you is that you don't have any problems with the band. But, at least if you go, you will know. In the past, if you were like me, you probably went on diet after diet. As soon as you blew it on a diet, you probably got off of it (I can't count the number of times I did that). What's important now is that you don't continue to regress. You have caught yourself, and now you can make a change.

Good luck at the doctor, and let us know how it goes!

I'm proud of you for going tomorrow! Remember, hold your head up high because you are taking control back. That's something to be proud of!

Here are some thoughts...

• I like the cookbook: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery. Here is a link: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-After-Weight-Surgery/dp/1569244537/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216243611&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery: Patt Levine, Michele Bontmpo-Saray, William B. Inabnet, Meredith Urban-Skuros: Books[/ame]
  
• check out the online store for other ideas at: SHOP
  
• My best friend got me the baby buddha bowls. I had given her the full size buddha bowls for Christmas, and she loved them. The baby bowl holds the perfect amount for me post-surgery. Here is a link: Peaceful Company - Detail
  
• I have been thinking about ordering Cooking Light for myself, so I think that's a great idea. Every month when she gets it she will remember that you are there supporting her.
  

You are a great friend, and she will need you during this time! Don't be surprised if she gets a little self-absorbed. I know I have, but I think it's because I'm finally putting focus on myself.

December, I'm so sorry to hear that. That must be very frustrating! Have you been following your doctor's plan? Is there any encouragement we can give you?

I'm on vacation this week, and when we were walking through Sea World today, I was carrying my 31 pound 2-year-old nephew. He was getting very heavy and didn't want me to put him down and didn't want anyone else to carry him. Suddenly I had the thought that I used to be carrying around that much weight plus about 20 pounds. That made me very happy about my progress and reminded me of how much better I feel without that extra weight. That was a great NSV moment! And, it gave me the momentum to keep going.

So, what analogy can you use to really make your weight loss come to life?

Well, I'm 3 days in to my vacation, and so far I'm doing well. I have no idea what the scale says, but I'm eating right. We are getting a lot of exercise in with all the walking and swimming, and I'm drinking a ton of Water to stay hydrated. So far, I've stayed around 1100 calories a day. The "provisions" I brought have been a life saver, along with my Protein bullets. I did have three small bites of carrot cake, but that's as bad as I've been. I should be on track for my 2 pounds lost by the end of my vacation if I keep it up. And if I haven't lost 2 pounds, I don't even care...I'm just proud of myself for sticking with the plan so far.

Kiki, good luck on vacation. If I can stick to it, so can you!

Thanks for your encouraging words NukeChik!

You are not alone in those feelings. It's all very natural. While I know it seems like an eternity before the surgery, I encourage you to use this time to prepare mentally and emotionally for the changes you are about to make. Good luck!

Sure...any time! I'm just a little addicted to this site and quite absorbed with all things lap band right now.

It's a small world! I've found the staff at Dr. Hamn's to be pretty good. Sometimes I feel like they are rushing me through, but I recognize that's the state of the medical industry overall. When I have questions and let them know, they always take time to answer them.

We had that ice/snow storm the day I was going in for my pre-op appointment, and I got stuck in traffic. I was an hour and a half late for my appointment. All of their other appointments had called in and cancelled for the rest of the afternoon. I kept calling them panicked that I was late and terrified that if I didn't make it that Dr. Hamn wouldn't do my surgery the next Monday. They told me on the phone to not worry about it...that they would wait for me. And they did. They couldn't have been nicer when I came in very late. They put me at ease. Dr. Hamn waited for me and was all smiles when I got there. That told me a lot about their way of doing business.

My port did stick out a little more, but it takes time for the swelling to go down. I can still feel it (some days more than others), but I don't notice it visibly. I think as I continue to lose weight that it will continue to go down.

I'm so happy I did it! I do wish I would have done it sooner, but the bottom line is that I wasn't ready for it until now. I feel fantastic! I've lost 50 pounds, and I still have a ways to go. But, my back doesn't bother me anymore and I have so much more energy. I finally put myself first, and I'm glad I did.

I felt the same way about my port, but it's not as noticeable now. Give it some time.

As for how my fills have gone: they take about 30 seconds once you get on the table. With the xray, he is able to get in and out very quickly with as little pain as possible. For the first one, I was very nervous, and I think it hurt more b/c I was so tense. Try to relax when you get it done. It's really not bad. Mine have left a nasty bruise afterwards though.

Who is your doctor in Dallas? I live in McKinney and used a Plano doctor (Dr. Hamn).

I have UHC, and my fills are covered. I just pay a co-pay.

Different doctors do different things. Mine uses the xray machine to do the fills every time. That way it's much more precise.

Thanks...we are planning to do alot of walking, so I think that will help. I'm also planning to swim laps.

I went to the store today and bought some provisions to make sure I'll have healthy, high Protein options.

JennyLynn, I am so sorry to hear that! I'm sure it's hard enough to find out your husband has had an affair, but when you find out it's with someone who's also close to you, that pain must be compounded. And then to also find out that drugs are involved. I can't even begin to imagine what you must be feeling.

Good for you...getting the counseling you need to work through this. Try to focus on what's best for you and your son right now. Don't worry about the future right now. Just take things day by day until you make your decision.

Everyone is different with their fills. I had my second fill Tuesday, and I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow morning. In my experience, if you have any issues, they are going to happen in the first few days of the fill, not a week later. I think you will likely be fine by then, but you need to do what will make you comfortable. If I were you, I would base it on how badly you feel like you need a fill. I had been battling the same 3 pounds for 3 weeks, and I knew I needed a fill. Plus, I'm determined to lose weight while on vacation. If you are still losing weight steadily, then you may not even need a fill yet. Also, if you are concerned, you could ask the doctor to not be too aggressive for the first one.

I write down what I eat using www.thedailyplate.com. It also tracks my exercise. It tells you how many calories you burned for the day.

I also keep sugar free gum and sugar free hard candy around (on my desk at work, on the kitchen counter at home, and in my purse). When I get the urge, I stick one of those in my mouth. My favorite hard candy is the sugar free werther's original hard candy and sugar free jolly ranchers. The sugar free life savers are also good. If I'm home during the weekend and just keep wanting to eat, I'll go do something...swim in the pool, go shopping, go for a walk around the neighborhood, play with my dog, call a friend, etc. I'm also thinking about picking up some of my hobbies that I haven't done in a while.

Good luck!

Yes, you did get that right. I lie down on a table and they move the xray machine over me. he injects the saline into the vband while under the xray. It's really pretty cool.

Your band has likely NOT slipped. Your band is probably empty or close to empty and it's not unusual to not feel restriction until you've had at least one fill. For some, it takes several fills.

wstone, I'm sorry to hear that you are having those problems. I had them too. I think it's very normal. I never had a problem with gas like that before, and you are right, it's not pleasant. Drink as much Fluid as you can and get up and move around as much as you are comfortable with. You will feel a little better each day.

I'm sure you will do great with your new band! It's been a good thing for me, and I'm so glad I did it. Hang in there, and let me know if you have any questions.

50 pounds lost since March 10th!

Tess, you should change your screen name to "Goal Setter"! I love that you are goal driven.

Here are some of mine:

• At least 100 pounds lost!
  
• Able to do the advanced moves in pilates that I can't even consider trying today
  
• Begin looking into certification classes to become a licensed pilates instructor
  
• Hopefully have a date by then (I'm really tired of being single)
  

Thanks again Tess for getting us focused on our futures! :biggrin:

MaryJo, wow! You have a lot of change in your life. I wish you all the best. I also work for an airline, so I hope you have good luck non-reving for your surgery.

newlife, you will certainly be in my prayers. You are doing great, and I know you can continue the good work.