hopeandhealing

I too am still trying to figure all this out after 15 months! I cannot eat breakfast, except for cottage cheese or ricotta (usually with a v8 b4 eating) or a protein shake, so that is what I do. For lunch, I can usually eat salads, although I have to be careful to take SMALL bites and chew chew chew. Then in the evenings, I can usually eat a regular healthy meal with protein, veggie, healthy carb like sweet potato. However the part I am struggling with is remembering to eat SMALL bites and chew alot. If I do not do this, I run into trouble. And I get sooooooooo tired of having to take an entire hour to eat, that I find myself sitting in front of the computer or tv just so I can eat slower (which is what I am doing right now :smile2: I suspect in time we will figure it out..........in the meantime however.........:thumbup: take gentle care of you today, Dyanna

Yes and no. Yes I am glad I have the band. The #1 reason is that i can no longer overeat, i no longer have heartburn, and although i have lost only 30# in 15 months, it has not been horribly difficult. However, for me, it is definitely not easy. I still have to exercise, eat healthy foods, stay away from *easy* foods like soups, etc (which I LOVE), make sure I get plenty of protein, journal, deal with the emotional stuff, etc etc. So while it has not been an easy journey, it has been a great help. I am thankful, for today, that I have it.

I am almost a year out, have had several fills and have lost a total of 10 lbs! and that only in the past couple of months. My dr. told me to see if I have any restriction, I could eat 1/4 cup of food every 15 minutes (protein, veggies) until satisfied. I ate for 2 hours and 15 minutes and 2 and 1/4 cups of food!!!! I was not so much satisfied but mostly tired of eating. Needless to say I was still not close to restriction. Today I think I am. Although I still eat more than 1/2 cup at a time. However if I eat protein, veggies and fruit, I will fill up more quickly and stay satisfied for 3-4 hours. I am still a work in progress after a year. Be patient and do the best you can do for today and trust (as I am) that this will work. ((((((((((((((caring))))))))))))) Dyanna

I spoke with a Dr. today (new, I have not seen him before) and #1. He will only give me a referral within the system He/I work for (I work for a hospital), thereby excluding the other hospital which is where the majority of lap band surgeries are done. #2. He was very condescending and discouraging. Told me I would never meet the criteria for a lap band as my BMI is barely over 35 and high cholestrol and breast cancer and back and knee pain and depression and sleep problems and failing over and over again for the past 40+ years to take the weight off and keep it off are not enough for insurance to cover me. He told me "just eat a little less and exercise a little more. You can do it":sad: I will NOT go back to him again. However I did get a referral from him to see a lap band surgeon (the only one) in the system (albeit 70 miles away!) so I guess I will talk to them and take it from there. I am hoping and praying for help. I really believe in my heart of hearts that lap band is key to my health. I have run out of other options. Thank you for listening. Joy p.s. I have been reading here for several weeks now and have no doubt this is the answer I am searching for. For those of you who pray, please pray for a miracle for me. Thank you.

Hi everyone. I have been around here for several months now (but just found this group in the past few days and feel I have found my new *home*) and was finally approved (after 1 denial) a few weeks ago. I have surgery this Friday and I cannot wait. I am also turning 60 in August and I cannot wait for that either. I am hoping, praying, and hoping some more that some how the 60's will be a better decade for me and my family. 6 months after I turned 50 (which was the most wonderful birthday in the world as I was on vacation with my precious daughters and my husband and all was well with my world), my life was blown to bits by the death of my oldest daughter. She was 28, newly married, and a wonderful wonderful person. She was hit by a drunk driver. I instantly went into a hell I could not have imagine ever existed and it is only by the grace of God (whom I call LOVE) and my angels on earth and in heaven that I am still here today. In this past decade I have gained more than 50 lbs., (for a total of about 80 lbs. overweight) went through the menopause from hell, and much much more. So I am seeing the turning of a new decade as a chance for a new start in every possible way. I was once so good about having balance in my life in every area. I am desperately trying to get that back. I am very hopeful that this is a start in that direction. I am so looking forward to getting to know you all better and to be part of a group of very courageous people. (whoever said "old age is not for sissies" was certainly right!) Thank you for your friendship, support, wisdom and most of all the gift of HOPE that I have found here. :wub:I pray you will be gentle with you today. Dyanna

It is called the Flat Belly Diet. I had not heard of it until my sister told me about it. when I searched the internet I found tons of stuff and have signed up on their website for 4 months, which so far I like really well. it gives menus, grocery lists and recipes and like I said, it is very simple. oh yes and you get chocolate with every meal if you choose a MUFA. :wub:Dyanna

has anyone here tried this way of eating? I have been looking for a food plan that appeals to me and this is the best I have seen. It is designed by prevention magazine editors and is more of a mediterranean type of diet, with emphasis on healthy whole foods. my sister has been doing it and has had good success. I will start it next week (waiting for my book to come) and will report in weekly for my own accountability and to give feedback on my experience with it. I would love to know if there are others out there on this plan! thanks, Dyanna

so far it is great. i love the food and and ability to eat like this for the rest of my life. it is REALLY a HEALTHY and SIMPLE diet. I am only in my 3rd day but.............down 9 lbs this morning!!!!!!!!!! i am waiting for all the toxins/crap to get out of my body. felt pretty tired and emotional with a bit of a headache the first two days..........but definitely doable for 4 days and then you are switched to the regular plan. I will try to remember to keep in touch.. but don't hesitate to ask in case I get side tracked..........which is very easy for me:tongue: Dyanna

I have had my band for 5 months now and have lost a total of 20 lbs. which is surely not alot or enough. HOWEVER, I would not give it up for the world at this point. 1. My extreme acid reflux that I have had for years is gone! 2. I am going through the holiday season eating way too many sweets, BUT cannot eat them by the handful as I did in the past. today I think I eat rather "normally". 3. I am not yet at ideal restriction and believe that once I am the weight will definitely come off. However I am soooooo grateful to not be where I was a year ago. I am one of the lucky ones so far and have had no complications. My only complications thus far have come from the outside (dr., insurance, etc) but I believe and I believe for all of us. Merry Christmas and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I was banded July 24th and to date have lost 5 lbs. Not much considering I have at least 60 to go, but you know what, I will take it! I too have little to no restriction. I just got my first fill 3cc. on Tuesday. Still no change. I wanted to lose at least 20 lbs by my daughters wedding (oct 3) ain't gonna happen:unsure: but I do believe it will. It may take a year or two but I am just thrilled to have hope today. And I too am struggling with eating right and exercising more. So I have habits to build, work on, etc. We WILL succeed. We already are just by taking this first huge step (wls). and a year from now, I suspect we will feel and look quite different, as long as we do not give up. Hold onto hope today. Hugs, Dyanna:wub:

it works! it really works!! I was banded July 24th and have really been struggling since then. trying to find a way to eat healthy even though I have little to no restriction. I finally get my first fill next week and can't wait, but have been pretty discouraging at this point with the weight loss. Well I stepped on the scale this morning and I have lost 5 lbs since surgery and 3 inches on my tummy. now i know that to many here that may not be much of a success sory but to me OMG i am one HAPPY and encouraged girl it works it really works!! maybe not as fast as i would like but i will definitely take 5 lbs a month and every inch i can get off my tummy. thank you for sharing my succes with me today! dyanna

Jack LaLaine once said "If men make it, don't eat it" I think that is the path I will follow. what about if women make it?? sorry, couldn't resist:)

I will be moving there in a couple of months, and would like a few names to check out. I will be living downtown, so would prefer as close as possible, but most important would be a GOOD Dr/Center. Thank you for any info. Dyanna

Goals: 10 lbs at a time until I get to my ultimate goal, which is not a number... but a feeling. :w00t: I LOVE THIS!! This is what I want too but did not have the words till now. THANK YOU! what a HEALTHY way to look at this!! And to the dear woman who is struggling with her band. I am soooooo sorry you have had such a difficult time and so glad you were able to get it emptied. I am sending you positive thoughts and angels wings that you will find Hope and Healing. bE gentle WITH YOU TODAY, Dyanna

I really felt completely at peace leading up to the surgery. I KNEW in my heart it was right for me at this point in time and life. Today I wonder...................DID I DO THE RIGHT THING?? I am less than 3 weeks out but have really been struggling the past few days with *did I do the right thing by having WLS?* I have only lost a total of 4 lbs so far. I am scared that I will be one of those people who will fail at this too. I wanted to eliminate future health issues. As although I am fairly healthy at this point, I am almost 60 and am at least 60+ pounds overweight. My knees hurt, my back hurts, I have high cholesterol. The handwriting is on the wall. But now I wonder if I am just going to make things worse not better, as I read about ALL the problems people have with their band, and then after going through all of this, it not working in the end. I guess I am scared. I started this process about a year ago and did TONS of research, so really feel like I went into this with eyes wide open. Now I am not so sure:frown: Has anyone else gone through this? If you had it to do over again, with the same results, would you? Dyanna:crying:

thank you so much for posting this and for all the support that has followed. i have been feeling VERY discouraged today. just a little over 2 weeks out and i guess the *honeymoon* is over. i think my greatest fear was not losing any weight and i am not losing any weight! i am hungry alot, but am sticking to eating as healthy as possible. for example, for dinner tonight, I had a Protein shake, a bowl of vegetable Soup and a half a sandwish. I feel comfortable full. BUT the hospital told me I should never eat more than a 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of food at one time. when i do that, i end up so HUNGRY by the end of the day that i eat too much when i do eat. so i am going to just TRY to listen to my body and not the "others" and eat what feels right. i am soooooooo thankful for this board as my medical team has not been very helpful to say the least. thank you, dyanna

"My dog said after 3 weeks I could eat real food as tolerated" My dog told me I could eat real food after 3 days:tongue2:. sorry, couldn't resist. thanks for the giggle!

Not sure I can explain this correctly, but I will try. I am only 7 days out and on mushies, so still in the learning curve. But one thing I have become aware of is that I never feel full. Physically I mean. But neither can I eat much either. I think I am STARVING, but then eat a few bites and cannot eat more (can't give you an explanation for that either, just KNOW I CAN'T eat more). Is this normal or is is because I am still sore and healing. Thank you. Be gentle with you today, Dyanna

please forgive me for feeling like i needed to respond to this. no excuses, just not feeling good and it hit a nerve with me because of my work situation. i truly :redface:am very sorry i offended you. take gentle care, Dyanna and to the original poster of this thread, I am soooo sorry you are being treated this way. I am guessing this friends wife is very insecure for reasons other than you. You just happen to be a ready target. I am so sorry. PLEASE take gentle care of you, and run fast from those who would try to hurt you in any way. (that is after you punch them of course:tongue2: And BIG CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS!!! Dyanna

Today is day 6 for me and probably the worst I have felt since having surgery last Friday. I don't know if I am coming down with something or what. I feel absolutely exhausted. have a headache. my ears are plugged and ringing. I did call the clinic where I had my surgery done and spoke to a nurse. She does not think it is anything to worry about, just not feeling well and since my immune system is weakened by surgery, I just need to lay low, drink fluids and Protein and this too shall pass. I have had a cup of Soup (in the middle of the night) and a cup of Protein Drink in the past hour. I feel full but hungry?? does that even make sense? But mostly I feel very very tired. Is this normal? What would you do? Dyanna:frown:

oh gosh this makes me so sad. In my world, anyway, people are what count. Doesn't mean I have to be close to everyone, or even friends with everyone. But I hope and pray I continue to live in a world that values people over politics. I am currently in a work situation where many there belive in the "familiarity breeds contempt" adage. I have worked in MANY places over the years (I am almost 60) and this by far has been the hardest place I have ever worked. I think it is very possible to be friendly with out sacrificing the common good. In fact, I think friendliness greatly enhances the work place. Just my 2 cents for what it is worth. Take gentle care of you today, Dyanna p.s. I have been married 40 years so should certainly hate my husband by now if that was true (that familiarity breeds contempt). Truth is I love him more now than ever. :biggrin:

wish i could help, but too new to be of any. hope you find your way through this and soon. i would keep bugging my dr. until it is figured out. sometimes we have to be the *squeaky wheel*. be gentle with you today, Dyanna

yes blenderized soup is saving my life!! (This is day 5 for me) and i want it homemade. so my dear husband cooked potatoes, peas, and fresh herbs in a chicken broth till soft. Then I pureed it and added a bit of 1/2 and 1/2 and a spoon of butter. DELISH and VERY satisfying. I am going to make more tomorrow and add a can of chicken to it. When I am on only protein, some fat is a must for curbing hunger. try it, it works. Oh and if you do not have one, get one of those *bullet* thingies with the bunch of individual cups you can use for pureeing. they work great and are a great size. I have about 8 cups with mine and it has 1 cup and 2 cup sizes. perfect for our tiny tummies:tongue2:. be gentle with you, Dyanna

thanks Diana. I think that was the drugs talking last night!:tongue2: Had a rougher time of it last night. Couldn't sleep lying down. And felt alot of pressure in the middle of my chest. I am hoping it is all normal. feeling better this morning, but pretty tired. And I am pretty sure I will be behaving myself more today. Like not bending down, or sweeping the patio, or pulling on things. but all in all, it was not nearly as bad as I had expected. So far, so good. be gentle with you today, and know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers for good outcome for you tomorrow also. :seeya:Dyanna

Hi everyone. It is sat. eve and I had surgery yesterday morn. everything went REALLY well! very little pain and I feel so peaceful about it all. I feel very very lucky. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Dyanna