DizzyLizzy

YUMMY MEAL IDEA Hope you all are doing well, wanted to share this because when I made it, I wasn't sure if I'd like it..and not sure how original it is, so don't laugh at me, lol: For lunch I had 3oz of Swanson chicken (canned in water, drain off the water) mixed with 2 tbsp Ortega salsa, a little bit of shredded cheese and a little bit of hot sauce. Tasted like a chicken taco/burrito minus the shell...yummy!!! about 170 calories 23g of protien and maybe 2g carbs!!! Great for after you're off liquids! Soft enough to puree or just eat as softs.

For lunch I had 3oz of Swanson chicken (canned in water) mixed with 2 tbsp Ortega salsa, a little bit of shredded cheese and a little bit of hot sauce. Tasted like a chicken taco/burrito minus the shell...yummy!!! about 170 calories 23g of protien and maybe 2g carbs!!!

As far as accountability, I just shelled out a good $5,000 for pre-op testing and will be paying off a $15,000 loan over the next several years for the surgery itself. So, that right there will hold me accountable...lol! This WILL work for me!

I've been kind of conflicted as well. I want to tell everyone, but I know how people can be...smile in your face and say "oh that's great" and then talk about you behind your back. I had no problem telling my immediate family, I know they love me no matter what. And even my in-laws, I had no problem with telling. I had to tell my boss because I'm a bad liar and couldn't think of any good reason to give for my time off. And I ended up telling a 4 of my co-workers (didn't really want to) because we were discussing what to do (eat) for our holiday party which took place during my pre-op liquid diet. So, I couldn't give any other good reason as to why I didn't care what they ate and why I wouldn't be eating. And I told two of friends who are really into religion because I knew they would pray for me and be really supportive. And they are just nice people all around. But, other than that, I haven't told anyone. If people ask or if word gets around I will "admit" to having lapband, but I'm not going to shout it from the roof tops, you know. Especially not until I see some super fantastic results, lol! I'm kinda worried at this point not having a fill yet and I haven't lost anything in 2 days since I've started eating again, so I hope this works for me. I'd be pretty darn upset going through all this and paying $15 grand out of pocket for this to not work. And to have people know I did all this "for nothing", I feel like I might as well crawl in a hole and never come back up!

I was banded on 12/22 and have the same problem as well. It's like it tries to come up, but it won't come all the way up. Hurts like heck. Then, today, after I took a bite of food, I hiccupped, but just twice and it stopped. Very bizarre!

Thanks for the info, but what does "PB" stand for? And is it something that just happens or is it like a cough. You know when you get something stuck in your throat, you purposely try to cough it up, is it like that? I notice most times when I have anything other than Water, I'll have pressure between my breastbone and it goes away after about an hour. Even protien drinks will do it. Does that mean it was stuck? I don't have any Fluid in my band, but I thought maybe I was still too swollen for the Soup to just slide through.

Good luck the the rest of the December bandsters this week!!!

I think it all boils down to self esteem and personal experience. Yes, there are some fat people who smell, have trouble wiping their butt, literally eat like pigs, and look like slobs. I, even at my highest of nearly 400lbs, never had any of those problems, because I loved myself and cared about how I presented myself to the world. So, I always put my best foot forward, kept myself clean, made sure all my jiggly parts were covered, used eating utensils to eat. I didn’t go overboard like some do, trying to stuff my fluffly body into outfits meant for little folks just so I can be in fashion or anything like that, but I did the best that I could to look, smell, and behave decent. Some people just don’t care about their appearance. Some people are completely unaware. There are skinny people who do that too, think they are all that and a bag of Cheetos in their bikini just because they can fit a size 2 even though they are jiggly all over. There is a fine line between confidence, unaware, and insanity! And as far as anyone thinking that all fat people are lazy, that is just another common stereotype. I have been fat since I can remember, I was fat in pre-school! And I can’t blame my parents because my brothers and I sat at the same table and ate the same food and they never had a weight problem. The majority of the women in my family have weight problems and I happened to catch that gene. I was active in school, I was in marching band, had a job where I was on my feet all day at 15, so I wasn’t sitting around on my butt. I was happy at size 20 through high school, could run with the best of them without losing my breath. As an adult, I didn’t overeat so much, just didn’t eat the most healthy things. After each child I packed on an extra 50 – 75lbs. When I got to 390lbs, I started working out 4 times a week and watching what I eat. I didn’t want to diet because I didn’t want to do something I couldn’t keep up with and become a yo yo dieter or have an eating disorder. So, I changed my eating habits little by little. The weight came off slow, took me 2 ½ years to lose 80lbs. Then I was stuck…for 6 months I lost and gained the same damn 5lbs. Then I became frustrated and little by little stopped trying so hard and started gaining again. That is why I chose to get the surgery, because I needed help. I had the will to do it, and tried my best, but I couldn’t do it on my own. So, we are not all lazy. I like to work out. I like the “high” I get from it. I want to be able to run. I am so looking forward to being able to get back to my workouts. Each of us is different, we all have our problems and struggles and no one is better than anyone else. And I do feel sorry for those who can’t wrap their heads around others’ struggles, but that is one of their struggles!

I'm a new bandster...what is sliming & PBs? Thanks!

Anyone else having problem taking in the Protein drinks? I can drink Water just fine, but when I drink Protein shakes, shots, powder...anything else, I feel sick and very gassy! I was banded Tuesday, and yesterday, I was actaully able to keep track of my Fluid intake and I only got in about 45 oz of fluid and 43g of protein, half of what they are wanting me to do a day. I bought these protien shots that have 42g of protien in a 3.4oz tube, but it has taken me a whole hour just to get 1 oz down! Been trying to sip water in between but I just feel so friggin bloated that I can't! Any suggestions???

I used Care Credit as well. I had used them before when I had Lasik eye surgery, and they are great to work with. The online application was simple and I got approval right away. I put $15,000 on the card and my min payments are $349 a month for 7 years with 13% interest, but I'm paying more than the minimum each month and will use my annual tax refund and bonus from work to pay it down more quickly and reduce the interest that I will have to pay. Good luck!!!

I'm now banded! I am relaxing in the hotel. Surgery went well, just had some issues with nausea. The area near my port is really the only thing that's sore and that's only when trying to get up or down. Tried to drink some protien shake but my tummy doesn't seem to like it right now so I'm sipping some hot tea. This has been a far better experience than I imagined so future bandsters, don't be scared!

Well we made it up to my mom-in-law's in Chicago & I just got the confirm call from the hospital to be there at 5am tomorrow so it's on like popcorn! (man I would hurt someone for some popcorn right now...lol!) Good luck 12/22s!

Yeah, I forgot to mention that, lol. My hubby is overweight as well, and the other day he asked: "You're not going to get all skinny and start wondering why you're with this fat guy, are you?" I reminded him that his weight has no impact on my love just like my weight didn't matter to him.

For me, can't really say as I haven't been banded yet. I have lost over 70 lbs already, through diet and excercise, but that has been a VERY gradual loss...started in June 2006...so it wasn't a sudden change like it will be (hope to be) after I'm banded so nobody really noticed. However, I think it depends on the person and where they are "in their head" before hand. For instance, if I'm fat forever, it won't be the end of the world for me..my weight does not define who I am or what I do. But others will literally die to be thin because they just are not happy with themselves. I know someone who had lapband, lost a lot of weight and just went off, partying all the time, cheated on her husband, now she looks at fat people like they are disgusting, gross, and lazy...no matter who it is! She's thinking people don't like her now because she is skinny, but in fact, people don't like her now because she's turned into "one of them" you know those skinny people who frown down on the fat people, think she's all that and a bag of chips. Like she forgot her own struggle! It's ok to be confident, but you have to remember how you felt when you knew someone was making fun of you when you were fat. Lose the weight, but don't lose your darn mind!

My doctor pretty much told me that as well, that I'd lose 50 - 60% of my EXCESS weight, not current weight, so they were putting me at about 230 or so as well (I was 340 when I started seeing my surgeon). BUT, I know someone who started at 290 and is down to about 140, so she lost ALL of her excess weight. So, it is possible. I think they base their info on past data, and as with any weight loss program, so do very well, and some don't do well at all, so the numbers they give is average. My personal goal is 180, but if I can get under 200, I'd be super happy! Just to be able to wear and XL shirt and shop in ANY store instead of having to go to Lane Bryant or Catherines, not have to get an extender for the plane, fit in the rides at the amusement park, and excercise without tiring so easily, I'd feel my lapband was a success!

I can see it...I can totally see it now! I think I found my new addiction....music (well that's always been an addiction) and my treadmill! :thumbup: Been working out like crazy the past few days and I can actually see muscles! And last night I totally envisioned me on my treadmill joggin in some fitted workout gear..nice and curvy and toned! Maybe a far stretch, but dagnabit I saw me! I don't want to just be skinny, I want to be healthy and fit! I'm not scared anymore....I'm excited, elated...whew!!! Let's do it!!!! :ohmy:

He finally apologized...said that he thought since I was joking about not eating, he could joke about it too. I was like, no, that like me making fun of myself for being fat..that don't mean you can make fat jokes about me too! I have to admit, I've given in to eating during my liquid diet, mostly during the 1st week, not anything heavy, just a nibble of something in the evening. It's sooo hard coming home from work and the house smelling of dinner and the family chowing down! I only flipped out once over some buffalo chicken pizza...I ate a slice...at least it was thin crust...but I've been punishing myself with a hardcore workout or two everyday since. So, I'm still on track losing a pound or more a day! Surgery is Tuesday! I'm soooo excited! It's going to come quickly. Today I will be cleaning and getting packed and where heading to Chicago tomorrow to drop the boy at his granny's then over to Downer's Grove. I have to get my heparing shots from the hospital over there and then maybe we'll do a little shopping or something. Can't wait! Good luck all y'all being banded through the end of the month and congrats to those already banded! YaY!!!!

lol, I know what you mean! Last weekend I went to get my hair braided and knew I would be in the chair for at least 6 hours. I could have taken some shakes with me, but who wants to drink luke warm protien shakes...ugh! So, I drank one before I went in and stuffed a water bottle and a protien bar in my purse. That got me through the 6 hours..wasn't supposed to have the protien bar, and the luke warm water wasn't so refreshing, but that was better than falling to the Doritos everyone else was munching on at the shop!

yes, I'm starting day 12 and I am just not hungry. I am sick of protien shakes & broth, I just want to taste something different! sugar free popsicles are the best, though but I am only allowed 2 a day. C'mon Tuesday!

Good for you! Hang in there! Let us know how you dealt with the 5 hour ride home, as I will have a 4 hour ride home the day after surgery. My doc told me to stop every hour and get out of the car and walk, but we'll be between Chicago and Indiana and it's friggin cold! LOL!

Wooohoooo!!! Just got the call that my final blood tests and EKG came back fine and I am all clear for surgery next Tuesday at 7am....yay!!!!!

Lol, that's what you should have given him....a nice big cup of chicken broth! My hubby did apologize, he said he didn't mean it to be mean like that. He just thought since I was joking about food earlier, he thought it was ok to joke to. I was like, no, that's like me making fun about myself being fat, that don't mean you can make fun of me too! Men....lol!