edieparks

Yes Kari, Protein first. I like to drink my vegetables (V8). Keep after it girl. edie

I am going to attempt to answer one. I think your bmi is what determines if you need WLS (weight loss surgery). Welcome and good luck on your journey. edie

Oh yeah!! edie

Have you tried Carnation instand breakfasts for your protein? That is what I use. edie

I think it sounds good. The portions are controlled , all different kinds of foods. What could be bad about it? your band sister, edie

You are probably doing this but.... eating slowly and sipping your liquids? Hope you are better. your band sister, edie

Llowe, This is the best decision and best money I have ever spent on myself. With following your doctor diet guideline , exercise (start out slowly) and getting your liquid in ... You will be a sucess. edie (at goal almost 2 months!!!!)

I didn't have any trouble when I added raisins to my walnut/raisin oatmeal. Yum. edie

You could just explain and educate!! Maybe they have a loved one who could benefit. edie

I have lost 100 in about 8 months and I didn't feel hungry just the opposite..FULL. edie

Wanted to get this to the top of posts. edie

Ruby, I started exercising about 6 weeks before my surgery. I would TRY to walk about 1/2 mile . It usually took me about 30 minutes. I felt large and like people were looking at me. I just told myself well at least I am doing it!!! After surgery I waited 7 days to start back on my 1/2 mile. I just wanted to be extra careful . I also bought a book called WLS for dummies. The best advice I got out of it was don't treat every meal like your last meal . I made sure I ate at my favorite restaurants too. Now at 9 months post surgery I have been back at those same restaurants and just couldn't the same volume. That was a myth I made in my mind. I thought I wouldn't eat again . Ha . I eat like a bander not a 255lb person. edie

Welcome to band land Allison, I am glad surgery went well. It is a wonderful journey. Remember do you best on drinking your liquids and try to get 30 minutes of exercise in each day. Help your band. Your band sister, edie

Welcome Amanda, You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. You SHOULD be so excited. I wish I would have heard about lapband years ago. My outlook on life is so much brighter now. Just going out in public (which my weight never stopped me from doing) and knowing that I am not getting stared out helps me so much. I always felt like announcing everywhere "there are all sizes of people in the world!! Get over it !!". Best of luck, edie

Bless you, Ditto on getting any tempting foods out of the house. Eat what she eats (but more of course) would be very helpful too. If she can, walk away from your house this evening for 7 minutes and then walk back. If she is not exercising yet help get her going SLOWLY. you are very sweet , edie

Dear Deanna, I too WAS a food addict. I would eat only one meal aday but it went from 2pm to 2am. Sometimes I would even wake up a 6 am and go stuff something in my mouth and go back to sleep. I would go thru a whole bag of candy in one evening. No small bags for me either. It has been nine months since my surgery and I really don't have the craving like I did in the first 6 mos. I really did miss the volume of food I wasn't getting anymore. My 20,18 and then 16 jeans felt so good. It made the loss of volume better for me. So like others before me have said it is a mind game that you and your brain go thru. Be brave and get healthy, edie

That is such an incredible feeling that you have in the dressing room ,isn't it? You feel like hollering it out for the whole store to hear. It is truly a "high" and I am happy for you. Yes, you dd is so CUTE and you should be so proud of her. Be proud of yourself for getting healthier for you and your family. your band sister, edie

I just bought the least I could to get by. BUT I am a dog groomer. lol edie

I ONLY used Carnation instant breakfasts . I would even buy the kroger comp . edie

Dear Laura, You have a good attitude. Your familiy could be saying , you shouldn't have done it, it won't work for you, etc. It does get even EASIER to be around food . Just expect their comments , you will get alot of comments . I love the one now , NOW you can eat right ? Like I haven't been eating. lol Hang in there and look foward to those smaller sizes. I feel so normal in a crowd now not the really fat woman anymore. your band sister, edie

Hey ya Beachgirl, When I stalled I was talking to my health coach at my gym and told her I was going to start walking more ... She said no just walk a little faster. Sure enough it did get the scales going down again. Then I switched back to my normal speed. I can walk 4 miles in 1 hr and 5 min. Your jULY 06 BAND SISTER, edie

You are such a pretty woman. I feel like we were friends chatting. I have done the plane jig. Hated it. Keep entertaining us. edie

We are almost at a 1 year anniversary. I am pleased to report that I am still in my size 12 jeans. First time ever in my life of yo yo dieting that I stayed in a size. Feels good and in control. Chris I want to tell you that it took me about 6 weeks to take off last 10 lbs. I was a little frustrated but knew I was ok and it finally came off. I was mega (lol) exercising and sticking to 1000 or 1100 calories so I was doing everything on my part. I figure my body was hanging on to it for a reason? I see that there are questions about my fills. I had two fills in 8 mos. The first about 6 weeks after surgery and the second around dec 8 2006. I didn't pay attentions to how much just put that in the hands of my surgeon. He had told my husband that most of his patients just need 2 to reach goal. Would you say he is probably aggressive with his fills. I am restricted. I can almost eat a large thigh of chicken and nothing else in one sitting. I take my mult vitamin. I drink v-8. I still love my creamed soups . I would say I can judge about 1 cup of food per meal. Soups the whole can. Sorry I don't have numbers for my fills. Does any of my July 06 bandsters need a cheerleader for exercise? PM me. I want to help . I promise I do not do any sweating . I do not like to sweat still!! your band sister, edie

Welcome Rashad, Happy that you are doing some research about banding. I am very happy with my band. This is the first time in my life that I reached my goal and was able to wear my new small size clothes for more than 4 or 5 days. I would always quit my diet when I reached my goal and start eating like before. Stupid but that is what I always did. It dawned at about 50 lbs that there would be no going off the diet and it made me happy . I get FULL with my wonderful band. Start trying to walk 7 mins away and 7 minutes back whereever you are. Don't worry about people staring at you. Best wishes, edie

Dear Corn, I think dear Daddy is scared for you. You have to make this decision on your own. I feared a stroke / heart attack with my climbing weight number. I was not going to stop at 250 , I could tell. If he brings it up again, tell him you have searched everywhere and could not find any evidence. edie