finallyncontrol

Awesome job!! Keep up the terrific attitude!! I ditto the heparin! I take blood thinners and will for life but for any type of surgeries I have to take the shots in my stomach..lucky me I have to give myself the shots! After a while they leave little lumps on your stomach!! Really nice!! Anyway so happy to hear about how well you did!! Keep walking it will do you so much good!!! You have just started your road to success!!

I think that if you reflect back to the early days of being banded...you had the same thoughts and same issues...a lot of us do. My advice would be the same to a newbee as to someone 3 yrs out...when you are bored you need to fill that time with anything that will preoccupy that time and I mean anything...get online, read a book, take a walk, clean out a closet, write a poem, draw/paint a picture, take up sewing, volunteer (I am looking into meals on wheels..ironic huh), write a letter to someone, write out a weekly or monthly food chart....I think you are getting the message. As for making good choices..plan ahead (see above task). If you plan out meals it will be less likely for you to make poor choices. Plan out as much as you need...if it is for the next day, for the week, for the month. Cook as much as often as can..this go along with the planning..you need to have the food on hand in order to cook it so it takes planning. I personally am not a journal-er but I fortunately did not have any issues dropping my weight (thank god) BUT I do believe that journal-ling DOES work. It allows you to see what you are actually eating...right there in black in white..sometimes you can't "see" until you see it either on a graph or on paper. I have seen too many people that all it took was to start the journal and bam there went that 10 lbs they couldn't lose. I hope this helps and I wish you well!

Amy...I didn't see Dr Rehnke but my Dr is Dr Gordon who also practices out of Palms of Pasadena. Another one of my friends saw Dr. Jessee however she doesn't get on Lapbandtalk very often. I would be very happy to help you out in any way that I can. I was banded on 11/23/09 and I have lost 130 lbs..I did this in 11 months..so I have been in maintenance mode for 2 months now and absolutely loving life!!! As I said I would love to help you in any way...just let me know! I just posted on "Another good day" and then saw this posting! Take care!

Stay in control! Maintain a positive attitude..I really believe that is one of the main keys to success! Take it one day at a time and the next thing you know you will be getting the fill...keep in mind that the fill may not take away all of those demons and the hunger..you normally hit your sweet spot or green zone on your 3rd or 4th fill. It just depends on how your body responds and how aggressive your doctor is. Just remember the big picture and we didn't get here over night BUT count each and every little loss as a success..this includes weight, inches, compliments and foods you passed on that you normally wouldn't. Give yourself the credit you deserve..little things really help.

the key word was "he"...that said enough!!

Yeah I watched Heavy..I thought it was awesome. I think we struggle just like they do/did. I find shows like that are very motivational. I just wish I had a trainer like they do. I think you are an awesome person who really knows themselves inside and out. You know exactly where you need to go and how to get there...you set your goals..and not unrealistic goals. I don't believe you are too hard on yourself either. I think sometimes you barter with yourself which I think is comical. I think it would be awesome if you could print out your blog and read it in 5 yrs, and then in 10 and 20...I know I would love to see it again. You are going to make your goal and I think it will be way sooner than a year..but I will be here waiting and watching!!

It will get better I promise!! Hang in there!! I know it is easier said than done...but I did do it so I can say it. Take it one day at a time...one hour at time if you need to. Remember the better you heal...the easier and smoother it is for your success!! Soon you will be on a regular routine eating regular foods. I never went on a diet..I made a lifestyle change and now 130 lbs thinner...I am absolutely loving life!! Spruce up your meals..no matter what that meal is..liquids, purees, or whatever it is..make sure it isn't boring you. This is how we are going to eat the rest of our lives so it needs to be satisfying. I wish you the very best and stay focused.

Fantastic!! So glad it went well! Just take it easy and make sure to heal properly and you will be on your way to a wonderful success story!!! Take care and keep everyone posted!!

I know a .25 put me over the edge..and at that time we realize that my band was very sensitive as well. It can be a good thing! It allowed me to find my sweet spot quickly and I didn't need any more fills after that...actually I only needed to unfills. So I would take it as a positive!! Take care.

pizza Soup 2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes with Italian Seasonings, undrained 2 cups of beef broth 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 small onion, chopped 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste 1/2 lb of Italian Sausage, casing removed (I use Johnsonville Italian sausage) Shredded Mossarella cheese 1. Combine tomatoes with juice, broth, mushrooms, onion, tomato paste, salt and pepper in a 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 quart Crock Pot. 2. Shape sausage into marble size balls. Gently stir into soup mixture. Cover; cook on low 6-7 hours. Adjust salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve with cheese. Makes 4 servings! Calories 240 Fat 7.1 g Potassium 792.7mg Total Carbs 28.6g Dietary Fiber 5.9g Sugars 13.8g Protein 19.3g

Great Job!!!!!!!! Keep it up and following the doctor's orders is the best thing you can do!!!

You crack me up!! I am a scale whore that is for sure...daily, totally naked, first thing in the morning must pee first but right after that. I have done the poop test as well and was completely surprised/deflated on how little it weighed!! Only one day did I weigh all day but that was because I read a posting like this and the poor girl was devastated about her gain so I thought I would try it to see...I kept telling myself to beware that I was going to have an increase throughout the day and sure enough I did...at that moment I said never again!! I am pretty strict about my scale..it cannot be moved..it has to stay in the same spot..pretty hard with having a 3 yr old. He has his own scales to "play" with but as he is getting older and "understanding"...it is getting better. Maybe it really is because I am at goal and I don't have to worry about losing an ounce today?? Take care and now I wonder what your next post will be about...hmmm

It is an amazing thing to go off of medications isn't it!! I would tend to agree with Anglov and keep the med handy just to be on the safe side!! I never went off my heartburn medication. I want to state that there is a VERY SMALL % of people who do not go off of their medications I am that person. So since I am that minority the rest of you don't have to worry! LOL Even my surgeon said that I am his only patient that didn't come off at least one medication!!

LoseIt could not have said it any better!!! Sorry!

It is hard to come out of our shell! So happy that your finally able to accept it now! Glad you are enjoying you life and having more self esteem and pride in your self!! I think sometimes when we are large (heavy) we lose ourselves and we shouldn't but we do. (I know I did) Keep up the awesome work!!

As LoseIt said..being prepared is so important!! I absolutely love your "handy dandy notebook"!! Being creative in what you eat is so important! I don't know how many times I have stated that I eat a ton of chicken..if I eat it 15 times, I ate it 15 different ways. I can't and will not get bored eating it. I need to enjoy my food and it needs to be healthy. This is a lifestyle change not a diet since this is the way of life for the rest of my life not just for today or tomorrow! I wish you the very best it sounds like you are starting out on the right foot!!

I was going to say the same thing...second hand shops or consignment stores..for either way you go..if they don't have what you want sell/donate (tax deduction) what you buy. I have been so fortunate that I was a hoarder and I saved clothes swearing that I was going to wear these clothes again so my shirts fit great..the bottoms were ok (shorts, skirts & dresses are fine--pants a little baggy in the leg & butt). My sister in law who only buys the finest..only wears her stuff once or twice if that...was shocked to find out I finally got as thin as her if not thinner (she will not admit I am thinner than she is) so she cleans out her closets once a month (so she can shop for more). Besides bras and undies I have not bought one new item...and I went from 3X on a good day to a 5/6. With having my sister in law as my "stylist" it helps me stay on track as well!! Also, as you said this is only a temporary problem and soon you will be at goal and you can build your own empire of clothing...what fun that will be!! And I will be watching you..yes from Florida...lots of colors!!!

Cangel I have dear friend of mine that is not banded and she is in the 200's (well was)...she is so addicted to Zumba. She has lost 50 lbs doing Zumba and said it is so addicting once you get your butt in there. She says it is attitude not looking at each others body...if you want to go in there and have fun shaking your body then it is the right class. If you are already at the gym..I would take the extra step!! You go girl!! Take care!!

I know this weather is driving a lot of us crazy!!! Keep up the jumping jacks and walking around the house!! Count down those days and then the banded life begins!!! :-)

Love your enthusiasm!! Keep it up it is so encouraging!!!!!

Sometimes you need to take a day and regroup!! I always feel totally refreshed, refocused and ready to take control of the world after a support meeting!! I hope you feel the same after your meeting tonight!! It does take quite a bit to do damage to your band..I know we all go there thinking the worst but it is all new to us. I hope you feel better soon!

I think you have got some of the best advice already from the messages above! What I would add is to make sure you add variety to your diet. Yes, I eat a lot of chicken but I cook it 15 different ways...I can't let it get boring. Unlike Bklynike I do love protein shakes so I do continue to have one of those a day (I am not a breakfast eater). So make sure you get your protein in each and every day..that is extremely important! When you are in the puree stage..remember you can puree anything..you just may not want to look at it but it will taste the same!! As Bklynike said routine is crucial..whatever exercise you do..stick with it..it is very important! I never went to the gym but I never missed a day in my pool!! Stay online, go to support groups and follow your dr's direction and you will be a huge success!! If you do not feel right question it..do not let things get out hand!! I wish you the very best on your journey!!!

I am so sorry that you are feeling so yucky!! Please make sure your surgeon knows this!! You really want to go into the surgery room on a high not a downer!! (not that I think he will postpone your surgey!) Stay positive! I wish you the very best!

You will be in my prayers!! I am so happy that you opened the letter and you are taking care of it!!! Please keep us posted!!

To this day and it has been 13 months I have to tell my family members every day I no longer drink with my meals and they will still bring me a glass to the table. My husband still orders me a soda when we go out to dinner. My mom always gets me a straw if I am with her. They offer me bread (when we are out) and then wonder why I didn't serve them bread when I made dinner?? These are things I am adamant about that I don't do. They have finally let me make my own plate so I can try not to waste so much or make the smaller servings and now we are getting smarter when we are out and share meals. It is hard because it is so mental and everyday all of this goes through our minds and it constantly has to be reinforced. To me it seems second nature but I have to remind everyone around me. You are so strong natured and structured I know you are going to bounce right back. You just had your brake and you are motivated. You will be in onderland before you know it and then on to your next goal!! Take care!!