finallyncontrol

I also have only told my husband and my parents. I feel it is my secret and mine only as well!! Just like imaluckydog, I don't lie when people ask..I eat small portions, protein first, don't drink with my meals or before/afterwards, I eat very healthy, rarely snack besides on SF popcicles. I say it is similar to adkins only on a smaller scale (instead of eating 3 hamb patties I eat one). I see my doctor once a month. I walk and work out my pool almost daily. I have journals proving I have lost 96 lbs in 7 months. All of this is true.

Keep in mind that everything happens for a reason..when you go in on the 9th..that is the date you should get a fill..not before. As for the head hunger..I try to stay as busy as I can. I stay online on this website (or facebook), clean my house, clean out a closet, read a book, take a walk..anything that can distract me from thinking about food. Another thing I do (I know this sounds crazy) but I go thru cook books or surf online for recipes I would like to make (www.recipezaar.com). When I go online I type in requirements of low calories, high protein..there are thousands of recipes to sort thru. The point is that it takes up time. Also, we started playing a game with the recipes..there are people in my household from 3 yrs old to 69 yrs old..we voted on the recipe..how long it took me to make it, how it tasted and if everyone wanted to have it again. It spruced up my diet, took up time and my family thinks it is fun.

Prayers going out to you for all of your efforts as well as everyone in the Panhandle. I am in Seminole (St Pete/Tampa area) I know we are praying for our beaches as well. You are a wonderful, courageous woman but please don't forget to take care of yourself!!

What you need to watch about the fruit is that it is all carbs..no protein (maybe 1 gram if that). I just checked the bag in my freezer..1 serving is 17 carbs, 1 gram of protein. My doctor went bizerk when I asked him about a "fruit smoothie" and keep in mind I have lost 96 lbs in 7 months. By the end of the appt he said that I obviously understand my body and my "diet" that if I want one here and there it would be ok but he wouldn't recommend it to anyone newly banded. Fruit should be for someone who understood how to deal with carbs or someone who has met thier goal weight (which I still have 30 lbs to go). I haven't made a smoothie yet but I do eat grapes... This is just me and my doctors two cents.. I believe the reasoning about the citrus posting by jmunks is because of how stingy it is and it could possibly get stuck.

Way to go!! You are doing fantastic!!!!! Your thinking will make you very successful. Keep up the positive thoughts and take care!! Wishing you the best!

Awesome posting!! Not sure if it is stress or avoiding the "raiding of the pantry" but my house is spotless...your message hits it dead on--you have to keep yourself occupied one way or another and eating isn't the option I choose any longer unless it is the appropriate eating time.

I totally agree with you! I used to think that if I didn't eat it all then someone else would so I better..now doesn't that sound crazy. Now I am completely in agreement with you..I eat to live and yeah sometimes I do have that craving for it to be extra delicious but for the most part..I think of it for for energy and nutrition. I know God is looking out for me..as many can eat ice cream and can treat it as a slider..I can't eat it at all..it makes me slime. That used to be my all time favorite food. Now isn't that knowing that he is delivering the message??

Caity I would be happy to help you through your journey! The first thing you need to know is that you are not alone. This is a very emotional process that you are going through especially the first month. Just as you mentioned you are changing your eating habits drastically. Right now you are probably not even eating foods..you are probably still in the liquid stages or maybe starting the mushies. The best advice I can give you is to try to remain positive and keep remembering why you chose to have this surgery to begin with. Picuture the end results..it will happen. Try to only have healthy foods in your pantry, that will lead to less temptation. I am currently addicted to sugar free popcicles...my life used to revolve around ice cream. Your taste buds will change throughout the process..things you used to love--you may not like any more (normally the bad foods). Once you start to eat solids, remember to eat small bites and to really chew your food to avoid getting stuck. You probably do not have any saline in your band right now but you still might feel some restriction due to swelling. You need to concentrate on healing right now. Whenever you are scheduled for your first fill, then you can concentrate on feeling restriction. You just had a major surgery so let it heal, walk as much as you can (that will help with the gas as well as make you feel better) and make sure you are getting enough fluids & protein in each day. I hope this helps. You can send me a PM any time and we can talk more! Take care.

You can count on me to help you through this journey!! How exciting to be getting banded and to be moving to the US as well. Feel free to contact me with any and all questions you may have!! I was born in Maine..I live in Florida now. I wish you the very best!

First of all I have to say that I have been told that I am not the normal patient. I have consistently lost 13 lbs (if not more) a month each and every month. I have always listened to my doctors orders. I am a self paid patient so I have always feared that if "I" did something wrong and ended up in the ER because I did not listen to "his rules" I would have a large medical bill for being stupid. That doesn't mean I haven't "cheated" here and there or haven't been stuck for not chewing my food properly or learning that I can't eat certain foods like scoop chips. My doctor is strick...when I get a fill I have to go back to the basics...2 days of clear liquids, 2 days of shakes, 2 days of mushies and then start solids..not all doctors do this. He feels that it is in the patients best interest. I follow his directions to a T and always have except for introducing new foods..I introduced foods to my band a little quicker than he would have liked but I did discuss it with him. I don't drink with my meals. I eat until I am satisyfed..not until I am full..that is a big difference. I see my doctor every 30 days regardless if I need a fill or not. I have 5.75 ccs in a 10cc band. I am currently ready for a fill but I knew I was going on vacation and I didn't want to risk having any tightness problems. I only want him to be the one who "messes" with my band. I have complete trust in him. I hope that this helps. I know I am just blabbering but to me having faith in your doctor, following his or guidelines, a positive attitude and the desire to succeed really helps you get through this!!

I am so addicted myself! I may not blog but I am so grateful to those who do and to those who posts questions!!!

I pretty much use the same philosophy in weighing..I say I am stingy with the scale...I will take every ounce to motivate me to do better each and every day. I know that is how I got to where I am today. I have only had a couple of up days and that has been around that time of the month and I have been craving salt. So far I have only had 3 bites of ice cream in 7 months which I cannot believe since I used to a pint a day. I am hopefully I have that under control now. Looking forward to your next blog..keep up the awesome work!!

Hello! Goodluck on Monday!! You will be fine! I am assuming that you are having your surgery and released the same day? You will be fine to go see the surgeon the next day..sore but ok to go see him or her. A lot of people live by the gas-x strips. It will help with the gas that you will have from the surgery. Also, the more walking you can do will help. I have never heard of any dr asking you to stop the birth control. It is small enough for you to swallow, a lot of women trying to get pregnant get banded to lose weight to increase thier chances..so I would like to know his reasoning behind that. Just relax (easier said than done)..you will do just fine!! I wish you the best!!

I think that every one has a hard time not focusing on trying to lose weight since that is why we did get banded but try not to let it get you down or worried. Get your fill and then you can focus more on it. When your Dr said not to use protein supplements he was probably trying to make sure you were not "drinking" all of your protein and was able to make good food choices in order to meet your protein goals. I am not a Breakfast person so I always have a shake for breakfast. I know others who are too tight in the morning to have anything other than a shake in the morning. I hope this makes since.

way to go! and what a great attitude..it does wonders! I think having a positive attitude is a major key to success!

Hey Browneyegirl...I think you were doing great with the loss of 1-2 lbs per day..I am assuming you had been on liquids, mushies and then just recently went to solids?? A lot of times when you first go on solids (or during the mushie stage) you can actually gain weight since you haven't had food up until this time only shakes mostly. Most doctors will tell you that ANY weight lost before your first fill is nothing but bonus weight lost. You are suppose to be concentrating on healing during this time. Once you get your first fill and from then forward then you concentrate on losing weight now is not the time. I hope this helps you..keep in mind you are doing great. This is just the begininning for what will be the best journey ever!

And then you have people out there like me who have had a stroke and had to relearn how speak, spell and get their memory back. I do use the spell checker or it would be a lot worse. These words will get past the spell checker because the spelled right, just when I am phonetically saying the word it just might come out wrong. All I can say is I try my best. I used to be a fabulous speller up to three years ago...now it is something I work on daily!! Sorry if I offend anyone.

I am so glad to see an update of your progress I was getting quite worried about you!! I have no doubt that you will make your 1 year goal and then some...you have so much determination! As like you I have had my ups and downs but i have been pretty faithful to my band. That time of the month..I try to limit it but yes I know what you mean. My overall goal was to lose 126 lbs..I have 34 lbs to go so I feel great about that. I just had my 6 month check up 2 weeks ago. I am like you I have to set my goals and be determined to meet them. I still have to pinch myself to make sure this is all happening...92 lbs in less than 7 months..really?? LOL I wish you the best and hope to see more postings soon! You are terrific inside and out!!!

well said and what a great job keep up the awesome work!

I am laughing so hard right now but visualizing me doing the same thing. When I use my treadmill at home...I use the home stereo system and hold on to the bars. I am way too clumbsy to have anything else close by. Keep up all the hard work though! You are doing great!

keep that positive feeling going..it is the best therapy to have!!

Way to go! You sound great and did all the right things...the more you can walk the better you will feel!! Know your body..when you need to rest..rest! Take care!!

Well you can definitely get it!! Forget about what happened yesterday and start tomorrow as a fresh start. Go back to the basics. I am certain at this point you need a fill. Probably the hardest thing you need to do is make that call and go see your doctor and get a fill. Your doctor needs to be or should be behind you. You can also google the 5 day pouch test..it can help you restart. Keep your head held high and look forward! You can reach me here or offline at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com I wish you the very best as you begin your new journey.

Here is my take on restriction..once you start getting fills you must take very tiny bites or you can risk the chance of getting stuck. Many people are tight in the morning. Some people drink something warm and that might loosen you up a little. I am not a breakfast person so I always have protein shake for breakfast. With the proper restriction and eating the right amount of protein with each meal you should be full for 4-5 hours in between each meal. When I got banded (11/23/9) I said that I was making a lifestyle change not going on a diet so I eat a huge variety of foods with this logic I have been able to lose 92 lbs in just shy of 7 months. I cook a lot but I look at recipes and see how many carbs and protein is in it. It must have 20 grams of protein and never more than 30 grams of carbs (the lower the better). At first I ate a little bread but I have since gave it up..it filled me up too much..protein must come first or you will not have enough energy. I eat a lot of chicken, beef, steak, pork..pretty much you name it. I hope this helps!

Keep it up! You are doing wonderful! The milestones you are making for yourself are really an awesome way of achieving your goals. I am doing the same thing and it is such a great feeling when you can relate it so times in the past. You are very motivating!! I look forward to reading your posts!!! Take care!