LollyMoe

I don't smoke and never have, so it's easy for me to tell you that you need to stop. All the information is out there for you to make a informed decision about your health as you did with the band. If you were told that the band could give you cancer, you wouldn't have done it...right? Well, evaluate the smoking in the same way. It's your body and your health. Whatever you decide, good luck to you.

It gets better & better each day. Hang in there, you're not alone. I set my goal to lose 1-2 pounds a week and to take it one day at the time. It works for me better than a larger goal that I might not meet.

Happy for you! This is a wonderful thing you have done for yourself. Stay on track and before you know it, you'll be to goal. Loved your blog.

I had one instantly after my second fill. As soon as they let me up off the table, it started feeling better. By the time I walked out to my car, it was gone. The PA that gave it to me said that sometimes it happens and should go away very quickly.

I slept in my recliner for a week but now sleep on either side. My doctor ordered cold water and SF ice pops as much as I wanted. Water can have crystal lite. Watch the salt in the bouillion. No limit on any of it.

All my children & g/children are grown. I went to our church that was having "trunk-a-trick" for the kiddies. I purchased a huge bag of peppermints & tootie rolls. I don't usually eat either. I managed to give almost all of it away. When I got home, I told my mother (she's 89) and my hubby to hide it in their stash of Snacks just in case I developed a "need" for candy that I don't even eat. I figure that if I can't get thru Halloween w/o blowing it, how on earth am I am going to manage T'givings and Christmas holidays. This is a test to myself.

Soup is my lifesaver when we go out too. I won't go to a restaurant that doesn't serve soup. It's filling and cheap too. I can stretch out a bowl of soup until hubby is finished.

They can say what they want about the Gas-X strips but my doctor recommended them. I used them and they helped me get rid of the gas pain. I got a respiratory virus two days after surgery and was so sick that I was unable to walk, so I know that walking didn't help the gas. I still use the strips ocassionally. For me, they work...it's that simple.

I was able to shower two days after surgery as long as I didn't scrub over the bandages. Pat the bandages when drying.

I set a overall goal of 150 but my mini goals are 1-2 pounds a week. As long as I am doing that I feel I'll reach the overall goal eventually. I weigh each Wednesday morning on my scale and don't weigh on any other scale. So far it's good.

This has not happened to me but I do understand about your depression. To have surgery and to lose a position all at the same time can be depressing. In order to overcome the depression you are going to have to get off that couch (or whatever) and get to moving. Take some walks, go swimming if you have YMCA, do some armchair exercises, climb stairs. Anything to change your routine. As for foods, follow your doctor's orders and leave the rest alone. You can do it and you owe it to yourself. You don't want to get so down in depression that it requires medications if you can help it. Come on now, buck up...you can at least try.

First of all, have a talk with your mom and explain how it makes you feel when she does things like that and you don't plan to tell everyone. Do it in a polite manner and help her to understand that this is very personal to you. Hopefully she will refrain from doing it again. The first time my daughter & I went out to eat, I ordered a bowl of Soup. When the waitress ask me more than once if I was sure that that was all I wanted, my daughter looked at her and said" she has had surgery (didn't mention what kind) and if you would like to pay for what she can't eat, then she will be glad to order more". The waitress left the table to turn in my order. My daughter was very polite and the soup was wonderful. As for your hubby. Have a talk with him and let him know how it makes you feel when he keeps asking. Ask him if he is really interested or is he just asking to seem interested in what is happening to you in order to please you. Maybe he is really interested. I weigh every Wednesday and post the loss on a chart I have on the side of my filing cabinet next to my computer. I've seen hubby checking it quietly and then I usually get a hug or something a few minutes later. I know he proud of my loss and how I am doing b/c he has begun to tell other people how well I'm doing. So hang in there and don't be too upset when others are watching you. Sooner or later they will forget you have it and think the small amounts you eat is normal for you.

I buy MATRIX Vanilla Powder from the hospital where I had my surgery. The pharmacy carries it. It's $45.00 a bag but has about 400 shakes and the Protein count is 26gms per scoop. Don't know if it can be purchased online or not. I can add anything I want to it and I love it. I put it all in my blender.

YES..you need to refocus. Remember what it took to get to the surgery date. Why would you want to eat fast foods just because you don't have restriction yet. Re-set your mind & goals and get back on schedule. Stay away from the drive thru of fast food places. They are poison to you. Also, you need to know that it may take several fills before your band is closed enough to get to the sweet spot of regular losing. I am on my second fill and I can't tell I even have the band until I eat too fast or swallow big bites. It lets me know then and omg..the pain is terrible. So don't think that it's going to be okay at the first fill b/c it probably won't be. Now, forgive yourself and refocus tonight. You can do it and you're not alone in this journey. Oh BTW, don't worry about your coworkers watching you....."YOU" watch you and take care of yourself.

Hey City, we're not doctors but we have traveled this road and can offer good advice for you that some doctors aren't even aware of at all. So take as much advice as you can, use your own judgement, cheer up, and stay on your journey. One last thing. I weigh every Wednesday morning, same time, and I am pleased with my success so far. Just don't get too involved with the scale. Everyone is different.

I learned about my brother's friend the other day. He was banded and has lost 85 pounds and gained back 40 pounds. He has stretched out his pouch. What will have to be done for him to start losing again? Just curious!!!:thumbup:

Oh I'm sure he's eating too and that's what had stretched out the pouch but it's the 2 six-packs of Beer he consumes each night that is also putting on the weight. I was curious as to "How" he could get back on program and if it would involve another surgery. Could all the fills be removed, let the stomach relax, and start with the fills again? Or does he have to have another surgery? He won't go back to his doctor and I was just curious.

He said that his doctor was very mad at him and told him that he had probably stretched it out but he didn't go get it checked out. I don't think he cares....doesn't want to give up his alcohol enough. Oh well, I was just curious.

Hey Creed, I just wanted to say that from your pictures I can see the weight loss you have already obtained. Good for you! You seem to be a very busy person and I know it must be hard for you to keep on track. Try to find other ways of exercise. Park your car further away and walk. Take the stairs whenever possible. You would be surprised how much "armchair" exercises will help you. Instead of watching TV, walk your dog just a tiny bit further each day. You can do it...just find a way. As for eating...I'm no help. I have been so determined to stay on my doctor's approved eating program that I haven't cheated yet. My PCP said I wouldn't make it to age 70 if I didn't lose the weight and I am determined to get to better health. NO food is going to get in my way now. Good luck and keep on track. You have done really good up to now and you can do it. Be kind to yourself and keep losing.

I can't add to what everyone has said except to say that you can't do this to yourself. You have worked too hard to get to a surgery date, had the surgery, and are now on a life's journey to better health & weight loss. Be kinder to your self! Don't give up. Rethink what you're eating and the "whys" of what you're eating. Don't you realize that a snickers & chicken skin isn't worth it? Now start again and be strong!

Hey sweetie, this is your hardest time. Until you start getting fills it's up to you to remain strong and only eat what you're suppose too. It's called Bandster's Hell. Forgive yourself for eating the chocolate, get it out of your house, and stick to your good foods. You are only hurting yourself in the long run. You paid too much for all of this to let it defeat you. You can do it! Just have courage. Now about the exercising. You can walk, walk, walk. It won't hurt you or your band. It's good for you too. The other types of exercise can wait until your doctor give the okay. So get to walking! Please don't give up yet. You have only just begun and this is a long journey. You'll be dealing with all of this for quite awhile. You can do it. So go back to eating what you are suppose to and throw out that chocolate!

Click on my ticker and it will take you to the site where you can design your own ticker. It will show up the next time you post something. Remember to go back and change it each time you have weight loss.

Make yourself a Peanut Butter Protein shake. Here's the recipe: 1/2 cup 1% milk 1 c. crushed ice 1 scoop of vanilla Protein powder (I use Matrix powder) 1 pkg of Swiss Miss SF chocolate 1 TBSP Peanut Butter 3 pkgs of Splenda Tastes just like a Reese's Cup!

I sprinkle rosemary & paprika all over a whole chicken (some inside too). Place in a pyrex dish, cover with Saran Wrap, and cook for 30 minutes in your microwave. It tender, moist & delicious.

I'm a lucky one. I didn't have trouble with hunger until AFTER my first fill. Then I could have eaten the dog if I had one. Now that I've had my second fill, it's much better. I'm headed for my sweet spot! Good luck.