Electrawoman

You can download the cd from his website if you already have the book. Just look in your book according to the directions for the password.

I had my first big stress test today. From one family grandma drama to another family grandma drama to a flat tire and two 2-hour drives, I was faced with my first real stressed test since band placement. These type of days would nearly always end up as binge days but this time, I had to find new ways to cope that didn't include cookies, cake, pie and a binge run to various fast-food joints. I passed the test. The worst thing I did today was put a little extra queso on some refried beans at a Christmas party dinner and have half a bite of cake from my husband's plate. Maybe I ate a couple more spoonfuls of beans than I should have. Maybe I shouldn't have been eating beans or cake at all. But I am really proud of myself and thankful that I had the band to keep me under control.

Oooh what a good challenge! I am nearly 5'9 and I just got my band. I weigh about 305 post-op and carry all of it around my middle. My legs are long and were always my favorite feature. I have DD breasts. I am large-boned and not at all the delicate type. I think when I lose this fat my build will be considered to be the large-athletic type. I love girly stuff like fashion and makeup. I am a total makeup junkie but I choose a very natural style of application. I will be 40 next month but most people are shocked when I tell them that. My skin tone is that weird fair-olive that Jachut described. I freckle and burn easily in the sun so I stay out of it as much as possible. A friend fondly calls me "Battleship Betty" because I have a strong presence in appearance and personality. I think a nickname like that might offend some folks but I like it. My face (sans fat) is heart-shaped and my brown eyes are deeply set and dark. I use concealer to hide my genetically-dark circles. My features are fairly balanced but I have a slightly crooked smile and an overbite. I also have a cleft in my chin. My heritage is Italian, German and English. I have mostly German features but when I wear red lipstick, I look very Italian. My stylist is jealous of my eyebrows because they are perfectly arched and I have never plucked or shaped them (my chin, however is a constant site for annoying plucking). My nails are usually kept short and are sometimes polished in graphic colors (black with white tips or cream with pink tips, etc). I mostly do them myself but when I can afford it, I try to get professional manicures and pedicures. I am the first person in my friend group to try new and creative things in fashion or technology. I am known for my accessories addiction and get a lot of compliments on handbags, watches, jewelry, hats, etc. My hair is naturally dark brown but I have been dying it since I went gray at age 15. Now, it is usually black with a streak or two of a bright color. I colored it black and bright green for awhile. Now, it is mostly black with a blue streak or two. My hair is long and styled in a very glamorous cut but I rarely style it like I should. I often feel guilty for that because I know how good my hair CAN look and feel like I am not doing my stylist justice. My good friend is my hairdresser so we experiment a lot and try to have fun but now that I volunteer for CASA and have to appear in court frequently, I have to tone it down a little. I love love love a beautifully-designed shoe. Unfortunately, I broke my ankle and my choices are limited. Now, I try to find a stable, supportive shoe that looks at least halfway fashionable. This is not easy. I can look at zappos.com for hours just admiring the shoes and the designers who created them. I would like to dress stylishly but usually just wear what fits from the bargain rack. I also love retro/rockabilly styles but have a hard time finding my size and, because I am older now, can't quite get away with that look. I have been known to wear a dress shirt with yoga pants or pajama bottoms with a sweater in public either because I can't find anything that fits or just don't give a damn that day (though I will rarely be caught in public without makeup). I love long flowing hippie skirts. I haven't worn pantyhose in nearly 20 years but will wear tights occasionally. When I dress nice, I wear basics so I can show off my accessories. My style would be considered "eclectic". I envy women who always look glamorous and put-together but don't want to do the work involved in that look. Besides, it's hard to keep a perfect coiffure when you sweat all the time in this infernal heat.

This book and the visualization CD that comes with it has really helped me with similar issues. I can't say enough good things about how it has reduced my cravings for "bad" food. The book explains why your body may, indeed, want to remain fat. What an eye-opener! The Gabriel Method

1. get some GasX strips and keep them with you. 2. Dont be afraid to ask for pain meds 3. make sure you have everything you need for post-op diet because you may not want to go out and get it afterwards 4. If the hospital gives you a foam wedge pillow and you like it, ask if you can keep it. They usually throw them away after one use and sleeping on it will help with the gas/reflux issues you might have.

I am so glad you are back and happy! [hugs]

Where do I get ruby reds???!!!! Ive never heard of them!

I had my first big stress test today. From one family grandma drama to another family grandma drama to a flat tire and two 2-hour drives, I was faced with my first real stressed test since band placement. These type of days would nearly always end up as binge days but this time, I had to find new ways to cope that didn't include cookies, cake, pie and a binge run to various fast-food joints. I passed the test. The worst thing I did today was put a little extra queso on some refried beans at a Christmas party dinner and have half a bite of cake from my husband's plate. Maybe I ate a couple more spoonfuls of beans than I should have. Maybe I shouldn't have been eating beans or cake at all. But I am really proud of myself and thankful that I had the band to keep me under control.

I started menopause last year. I was on Bio-identical hormones for awhile this year and I loved them. They really helped with the hot flashes but did not help with libido issues. I stopped taking them a couple of months ago because they are expensive and insurance won't pay for them. Oddly, I started my period immediately following surgery. My first one in over a year. That was weird. Anyway, I found that Anti-Ds were the most helpful thing. I take Lexapro and wellbutrin and it keeps me from running folks off the road. (a true story that I may have to tell some time) but they don't make me any hungrier.

ONLY 5 or 6 lbs?! That's great for one month post op!

THe average weight loss for the band is 60% of your excess weight. To lose more, you have to exercise.

Personally, I wouldn't tell the MIL at all. You don't have to tell her why you are in the hospital or why your diet is changing even if you do live with her. Just say "abdominal surgery" and "strict diet" if she asks. I think that if they want to be so involved in what you do with your body that you should use that to your advantage. Every time they bring it up, you can suggest that they continue to show their "support" by doing the pre- and post-op diet along with you. They will shut up pretty quick. And speaking of selfish! Remind your husband that if he values your contribution to the family as a wife and mother so little that he would jeopardize your health for a hamburger, he certainly won't miss you when you are out doing what you want to do while he stays home and takes care of the kids and deals with his Momma.

I was in more pain today than I had been all week. Maybe it's because I cut down on the pain meds. Either way, I was very tired all day. Luckily my son cooperated and I got a 2 hour nap. My son also wanted to go to the gym today but I just wasn't up for it. I am wondering how long it took for other banders to start working out post-op. I have done some walking but that's about it. I am also very interested in this ab circle thingy. Has anyone tried it? How did you like it and did you see results?

I am still not really sure if I am eating what I should be eating after Monday's procedure. My list says "full liquids" and includes oatmeal, grits and cream of wheat. Both hot cereals are what I would consider mushies. I asked the bariatric coodinator about it and she said "we don't really do a mushy stage because anything can be made mushy if you chew it long enough". I took that to mean that I could do mushies starting today. But, I'm still not sure. Today I had: an Herbalife Shake, 1/2 c thick cream soup (baked potato flavor) with a few bits that I chewed the crap out of, and for dinner, some homemade mashed turnips which I made too thin to eat with a fork. Now I am worried about those turnips. I feel fine but what if they are too gassy and make my stomach do weird things? Yikes! I am also having trouble getting enough water. Tips? Advice?

Oh thank you BG! That makes sense. And I am definitely eating small and slow :thumbup: Thank you thank you!

I just got my band and I haven't gotten stuck yet (and don't plan on it) but I am wondering what you do if you do get stuck? I was thinking about it this morning and wondered if some apple cider (or any flavor) vinegar would help since it is so acidic and breaks down organic matter. Has anyone tried it or is there something better?

I got mine on Monday. Like SharSHar, I had a couple days of dry throat and I am a little sore but I really feel good, considering! There is a lot of gas and my tummy talks to me all day long. The GasX strips do help, though. I am having some confusion over what to eat but I am going to call my surgeon tomorrow and ask them. They put me on what they call "full liquids" today. Their list includes oatmeal and grits and cream of wheat as well as applesauce and puddings/yogurts. I would consider those mushies and, since I am not scheduled for another diet change (to real food) on January 8, I am assuming that mushies are cool. I asked the hospital nurse who said they don't really do a separate mushies phase because you can chew anything for a long time and make it mushy. I even had some mashed turnips tonight and feel fine. But I want to make sure so I will call tomorrow. I loved my surgeon and everyone at the hospital. My room was so comfortable that I kept calling it "the hotel". All in all, it was a good experience. I can definitely feel when I have had enough to eat or drink and notice a big difference in fullness when I stand up after eating. I love the feeling I have of not being a slave to food. For the past 25 years, I have not spent one day not worried about my weight or food. I feel like the pressure has been lifted from my life. Yeah, I am still fat but I am doing something about it so I can let those guilty thoughts pass right through my brain and keep going with my life. What a relief!

that's incredible! And you are so right not to buy that scale. Scales are bad :thumbup:

awesome pics!!!

That's scary. I hope I can eat veggies later. I love them. I was planning on mushing them until real food on Jan 8. I was a vegetarian for 13 years and had friend who were veg but hated veggies. Here are some ideas for you: V8 (they make it in fruit fusion now if you don't like the tomato version) pea, squash or carrot soup (very creamy and yummy) Add them to everything! Get a slap chop (or similar) and chop a little green onion, colorful peppers, tomatoes etc) very very small. Keep the chop mix in the fridge. You can sprinkle the mix in eggs, soups, tuna or chicken salads (try grapes in your chicken salad!) Mash veggies that you might not normally think of mashing: sweet potatoes, turnips, carrots (with splenda brown yum), smashed peeled eggplant (top with canned tomatoes and a little parmesean to make a light italian- style casserole) Choose fresh over dried over frozen over canned for more nutrition bang for the buck. If you can tolerate breads, use whole-wheat flour and bake a homemade banana or zuccini bread (easy). Get baby-food veggies and add them to other dishes---baby squash in curry dishes, baby vegs in any soup, baby fruit and yogurt in hot cereal. You can get in an extra serving and won't even notice they are there. Make oatmeal with apple juice instead of water. It is good and I hate oatmeal. Add lemon to your water and orange or lemon or grapefruit to your tea. Avocados are amazing and you can use them in many ways: guacamole, in a dressing with greek yogurt to top chicken or fish, atop refried beans, on veggie burgers, to add a creamy texture to soups Try tomatoes and s/p with cottage cheese Smoothies! (yogurt, frozen fruit, milk, blender) (My favorite smoothie in the world is banana/blueberry) Yoiu can add your protein powder and other packaged nutrients to these. Try juicing. Buy a juicer with a money-back guarantee in case you don't like it, you can send it back.

:thumbup: I am sorry you are hungry. Liquids are hard. BUt at least you get yogurt! How are you feeling? I have heard this is the worst part so just hang in there. :sleep2:

I hope I won't have to! Ick!

Thank you for posting that very well written story. You described the MOnster so well.

I lost 15 pounds doing low fat, low carb, veg for 10 days and clear liquids for 3 days prior and 3 days after.

I am still not really sure if I am eating what I should be eating after Monday's procedure. My list says "full liquids" and includes oatmeal, grits and cream of wheat. Both hot cereals are what I would consider mushies. I asked the bariatric coodinator about it and she said "we don't really do a mushy stage because anything can be made mushy if you chew it long enough". I took that to mean that I could do mushies starting today. But, I'm still not sure. Today I had: an Herbalife Shake, 1/2 c thick cream soup (baked potato flavor) with a few bits that I chewed the crap out of, and for dinner, some homemade mashed turnips which I made too thin to eat with a fork. Now I am worried about those turnips. I feel fine but what if they are too gassy and make my stomach do weird things? Yikes! I am also having trouble getting enough water. Tips? Advice?