finallyncontrol

Hey excitement like that is so worth it!! I am sure you even worked harder!! Keep up the hard work...can't wait to read about your next goal that you met!!

You wait 10 minutes inbetween bites??? I don't think you need 10 minutes at all...it should take you a maximum of 30 minutes to eat a meal so that would mean you would only get 3 bites?? I take a bite, set the spoon/fork down, chew (many times) my food, swallow and then pick my utensil back up and then repeat the process. This may take a couple minutes per bit but not 10. When I first got banded it did take me longer than 30 minutes to eat but then I found out that the longer I allowed myself to eat the more food I ate and then I started asking nutritionist and doctors they said the same thing.. It would be like eating 2 meals if you took an hour to eat..your band will process it so you need to finish your meal within 30 minutes. I am with Marnetta with the puree...when I had to puree foods..I put anything and everything into the blender even if I had to wear I blindfold to eat it. It all goes into out bellies and mixes up so why not mix it up before hand..it all tasted the same so that made me happy and I got to eat what I wanted. Take care!!

I always told myself that if I cheated now that I would cheat myself out of a bright future and somehow that got me through the toughest days. I know it is really hard right now but you need to follow your doctors orders to a T or as jmunks said you can call them and see what they have to say (some people do require a little more than others). You are in the healing stage and during this time you are preparing your body for the rest of your journey...the better you heal the better your journey. Stay positive, keep your head held high and I wish you the very best on your journey!

You do not have to be a runner. I have lost 130 lbs and never went into any gym and never ran a step (well I do chase a 3 yr old). I don't walk really either (do to other medical conditions (shin splints, sprained spine, back issues). My form of exercise is in the pool..I use water resistance weights and I swim. My surgeon also believes that walking or swimming are the best forms of exercise. With the swimming there was less if any pressure on my joints so I actually felt better after being in the water and I got a work out. It worked for me so don't say "it is just walking" like it is bad..it is one of the best things you can be doing!!! Take care.

I agree with everyone above..It isn't that I don't like some changes but jeez this one was big and bam there it was.

Thank you Elfie!! My mom met with a surgeon today that 80% of his patients are diabetics!! She is really sold on the band. I am so happy for her. I didn't mention to her what you said in your message until after the meeting. I totally agree with you on the healing. Thank you so so much!!

I started from day one..well as soon as I was allowed food after surgery we all ate the same food. I never thought of this as a diet...it is a lifestyle change. I didn't want to think of this as a diet or eat only certain foods because if I ate that way that once I hit my goal and started eating other foods I would gain the weight back. Plus I feel that we all need to be eating healthy. Since being banded I cook 95% of all of our meals. We enjoy family time so much more now. We vote on the meals to see if we want to make them again or never again or maybe once in a great while. We still have fast food night every so often...Wendy's works...I can order chili and they can get whatever they want...we also do Taco Bell. I have found deserts to make that has no calories that are very good. As I said me doing this has helped us in so many ways...much better homemade meals...I may eat less than they do but we all eat the same thing. I hope you can do the same...it would make your life so much easier. Good luck!!!

I also agree with the salad part..well at least the lettuce. I changed my whole outlook on life once I was banded. I didn't go on a diet I had a lifestyle change. I started being more creative in my thinking on how I cooked (yep, started cooking instead of eating out or eating take out) and what I actually ate. Everyone thinks that well know we "can't" eat this or never eat that...well my goal was to make sure I never felt like I was lacking or craving something. I am one of those eaters that does feel totally satisfied on 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup max on most meals..it does depend on what it is...soups are generally 3/4-1 cup but most other things are 1/2 to 3/4 cup. I do eat 5 times a day. To me I think most of us used to eat large salads thinking how healthy it was but in reality it really didn't give us much but a lot of lettuce (for the most part). Now a salad to me is tomatoes and cucumbers with Ken's greek salad dressing. Sometimes I don't eat this during either lunch or dinner..I eat it as a snack. I still have a pizza craving..well I don't eat bread..not that it gets stuck..it just fills me up too fast and I can't get enough protein in. Well I found a fabulous recipe for Pizza Soup. It is fabulous, made in a crock pot. I have even found another recipe that uses mashed potatoes as a base..I haven't tried it so I can't say what It tastes like but you make it like a pizza..so it is next on the list to try. So if I eat one slice..I will be full. A normal chicken plate for me...chicken cordon blue, mashed potatoes and green beans...2 oz of chicken, 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes and 2 tablespoons of green beans. Another thing is to stop eating when you feel satisfied not when you feel full..that might help. It is an adjustment. I guess I lucked out due to I get the hickups and that identifies that I am full. I wish you the very best!!

Is there any way you can select a different drink? I drink EAS Myoplex Lite and have been for 13 months and still love it. I am not a breakfast person so that is why I still drink one a day! I had a two week pre-op that was 3 shakes a day with nothing else. No cheating. I agree with Amy..if you want it bad enough you CAN do it! You have to find a drink because you have to do the drinks whenever you get a fill. I know Bklynike (one of the supporters on here) she disliked all of the drinks as well...she came up something similar that worked. You might want to touch base with her and suggest it to your doctor?? Just a thought. Good luck with your journey!!! Oh one last thought..are these premixed or are you mixing them?? Do you keep them in the frig or are you drinking them room temp?? Mine are premixed and I keep them in the frig..they have to be super cold but you cant freeze them.

I hate to be an ex smoker and to preach..I quit smoking 4 1/2 years ago when I got pregnant with my son and now I can't stand the smell of it. I am allergic to caffeine so I am like an alcoholic with that..I have been caffeine free since June 6, 1990 (my sobriety date LOL). Anyway there is no better time than now or as soon as you get banded to quit. I always feared gaining weight before but with the band it will keep you on track. Also, before one of my smoking friends got banded I asked my surgeon straight out what damage does smoking do...he looked at me straight in my eyes after I convinced him I wasn't going to start again (I have known my surgeon for 5 years now)..he said erosion & ulcers and you never want to go through that so if "you" can convince your friend to quit do what it takes but have her quit as soon as possible. As for the caffeine headaches...when I went through the withdrawals (I was drinking on average 8 mountain dews a day) I had cold sweats, chills and massive headaches for 5-7 days but after that I started living a normal life without have peaks and gutters throughout the day. Once I balanced out my attitude and temper were also balanced were as before the amount of caffeine played so much of a factor I didn't even know until I didn't have it. When people say they don't function until they have their coffee...it is really the caffeine but once they learn to live without it it is amazing how balanced they are without that "java". I wish you the very best on your journey!!

You are so true!!! People have laughed at me for counting the ounces that I lost that day!!! Those ounces add up in a week and then a month... it got me to lose 130 lbs in 12 months!!! Positive reinforcements and down an ounce..what a day!! You have done so well! Keep up the excellent work! I wish you continued success!! You will reach your goal!!

Yeah stay on top of things with the doctors office...see if you can schedule any of the appts yourself instead of the drs office doing it for any of the testing..be as flexible as possible. If you are waiting for the insurance companies approval...call them as often as possible. Also, as Marnetta said you can use this time to do more research in getting prepared. Find out what kind of pre-op diet you will be on..get whatever post-op diet as well. Get your house stocked for this..you do not want to go home from the hospital empty handed. Just remember good things happen for those who wait...

Yeah your port will get easier to find and it will be easier for you as well!! If you really think it is bad a lot of doctors will numb it for you. Sorry it is so bad for you. Take care.

I didn't say free falling...I said a leap of faith. God only hands me what I can handle..he certainly wouldn't let me get into this if I can't handle it right? I know he likes to challenge me to the nth degree and allows me to make some little mistakes in order for me to grow but something big like this..he has to bless it in some way first. Once I figured that out..I was ready and never looked back! I wish you the very best! Stay in touch and you will get a lot of support from here!

So happy to see your blog!! I absolutely LOVE your goals and so would love to go to London!! I know you will be there! I am so happy that your girlfriend was happy for you...I remember how you spoke about her being glazed over with your constant talking about the band and band life but it is our life and when you are so successful..how can you not talk about it!! Be careful with your goals...get to where you want to be and then stop. I had to have 1cc taken out yesterday due to I can't seem to stop losing weight. Sounds weird to say and thought I never would say it but I am within 7 lbs of being too thin. I told my dr to take out .5ccs and he said no nothing less than 1cc. So now I am at 4ccs in a 10cc band. I now weigh 137 and lost 130...amazing numbers but I have to quit looking at the numbers. I do eat 5 times a day..1/2 cup each time and all of my blood work is perfect..just need to eat 3/4 of a cup. So just watch your goals and quit when you get there. I wish you the very best in reaching each and everyone of your goals! I look forward to reading about them all!! Take care!!

Just keep focusing on the big picture!! Stay busy and preoccupy your mind. Most of the time it is our mind that is hungry and not our bellies so if we can occupy our minds (which isn't easy) then it gets easier. Whenever you think you are hungry..take a walk, get online, read a book, clean out a closet...do anything that will distract you from wanting to eat or think of food. Don't compare yourself to anyone else (including your husband and especially men). Everyone loses weight different. Remain positive...that actually was one of my best contributors to losing weight and it was something I also had just it was hidden deep down inside! I wish you the very best!

Well once you get banded and start dropping the weight..just think how much easier it will be to chase your son it will be. I have just lost 130 lbs. and I have a 3 yr old son. I still can't keep up with him every day (I wish they bottled all that energy) but at least I can catch him most of the time where as before I couldn't even get up off the floor to even try to run after him! LOL I wish you the very best on your journey!!

I cant wait to watch you succeed on your journey!!! I wish you the very very best!!!

Take all the compliments...they make you smile and remain positive...to me that equals continued success!! As long as I am positive I lose weight..when I am down..that scale always went the wrong way! I know it is mental but it works! Take care!!

Glad you did so well with your surgery!! Don't over do it being so aggressive with your workouts. I know you will only push yourself so far!! Really looking forward to your blogs!! Take care!

Well one of the best things you did was find this sight! You will find so much support here it is incredible!!! We are a huge family here. You can ask anything here and get answers from all kinds of people that have been there. Some of us are just starting this journey, some are in different stages of their journey and then there are others in the maintenance stage of the journey. I understand the need for energy..I have a 3 year old son...I am in the maintenance stage now. I was banded 11/23/9 and lost 130 lbs. On most days I can keep up with my son. I wish you the best on your journey!!

Very well said!! Congrats on your 64 lbs!! Keep up the excellent work!!

The other thing to try is if you see that you are eating the same kinds of food..try to change up the foods. Also confuse your brain..I don't know how much you eat but use your own numbers here but for example do this calories wise per day...800/1100/800/1100/800 if you consistently have been eating 1000 calories your brain has gotten used to that amount of food so if you lessen it one day and then "over feed " it one day then it will wake up your metabolism and make it move again. ( do this for a week or less) Good luck! I wish you the best.

Is this the 6 months supervised diet? It looks like it is very comprehensive.

Happy Birthday!! Just think next year will be even more fabulous!! I wouldn't be too concerned about the pain...your body is still adjusting to having a foreign object being installed in your body and it is healing. On your next visit to the doctor make sure you bring it up just to be safe but otherwise I really think it is healing. Take care.