AnneGG

I would suggest playing it straight with them, let them flip out and just listen, and then stick to your guns. You are of age to make your own decisions, and as an adult can stand by your choices. Anyhow, they might surprise you with their response- mine often would.

I've been journaling as part of getting ready for my band. All my life, I have resisted journaling, hating the discipline of it, I guess. Anyhow, it is a very effective tool I've discovered. I was shocked at first about what actually went into my mouth, then I was shocked at how little I could eat at 1000 calories, which is my nutritionist's recommendation. Still shocked, still journaling.

I'm back- home in Connecticut, that is. The contrast between Tucson and New England could hardly be sharper. The desert is beautiful, but I do like green and trees. Everything here is coming out all green and flowers- so beautiful! I managed to eat well the whole trip, which I'm proud of. And I walked lots and lots. I like outdoor exercise so much better than the elliptical and the gym. Bob, glad you checked in- nice to know you're over there! Leigha, congratulations on BMI, NSVs and SVs! I like your idea of sectioning food. Christie- SV!!! Way to go! Denise, I hope things other than your weight stabilize! Stacie, when you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. Meds sure help me- sometimes it make sense to live better chemically. Jackie- I like your PWVSES. HB, I drag my ironing board out like once a year! Congrats on the medium scrubs! Betsy, as always, thank you. You give a lot even when things are tough for you. Bobbie, good luck! You do have a lot going on with you, girl! Can you get COBRA from your job? And I agree with you about this thread! I eagerly await new postings!

I'm in exactly the same place as you are, having completed all the requirements and still waiting for approval. My surgeon switched medical practices, and I find out April 20th if the requirements are met for his new practice. I'm pretty sure all will go well, but the waiting makes me anxious! Hey, I just noticed you are in Naugatuck- I'm in Farmington. Patience- God, grant me patience yesterday.

Love it! This will be my new mantra- thanks!

Welcome to the board, Abbie! It's a good place to be for finding out all sorts of information and experiences, as well as hanging out with empathetic people. I have a sister who lives in Sperryville, VA. I'm jealous because you have a date- I'm still waiting for mine. Love your band names!

Susi, I'm still pre-band, and I've been at the process since last October, not because of insurance reasons, though. With me, I got distracted because of a diagnosis of breast cancer, early stage. So I had to take care of that first. Then, when I had all my ducks in a row in terms of required tests and visits, my surgeon decided to switch medical practices, so that has put me off by at least another month. I very much empathize with your impatience, but time does pass. I've used the time to practice new behaviors and get as prepared as I possibly can. Reading on the site has been the most helpful. Maybe I will have surgery in May at this point! May we both have patience with our processes!

Hi, all, I'm avidly following the posts here even on vacation. It's so nice to have a place I feel understood and safe and not judged, a place where I'm so interested in each of you and your progress and ups and downs. It helps me with this early part of my journey- thank God I'm going to know what to expect! However, because I'm using my ex's computer, I have to keeps things brief, so individual responses will have to wait. Just know I'm thinking about all of you, especially those who are struggling right now. Re: depression, it runs in my family for generations, especially the women, including my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother, who turned to alcohol because appropriate medication wasn't available then. I've been on Cymbalta for years, and likely will be the rest of my life- it lets me feel normal, whatever that is (good definition of normal- a cycle on the washing machine). So you add eating problems to depression- an awful conundrum, it is. This trip to Tucson to see my ex (twenty three years divorced) has been the most interesting trip for me- lots of memories, laughs, tears, and forgiveness. Just glad (delighted? grateful? joyous?) I don't live with him anymore, that's all. Anyway, I'm thinking of all of you, and trust we will all survive with a little help from our friends... P.S. An addition to the door shutting/window opening saying- When a door shuts, a window opens, but the hallways sure are a b**ch.

Yes, Leigha! Great point! Those "only" pounds sure took a lot of hard work and butt-busting, pun intended!

From what I can tell, the band helps by causing pain when a person misbehaves- hopefully not too much pain- but certainly enough to hopefully learn- to make better choices. Amen.

I've been doing my food journal for the first time in my life, and the blessed thing is shocking! I am simply astonished at the black and white of what I put in my mouth; I'm also shocked at how little I can eat on a 1000 calorie diet, which is what my nutritionist says I need! I'm finding it non-negotiably informative, which I suppose is a good thing. I guess that's why they want us to do it in the first place.

Me, I'm a recovering cheater, self saboteur, issue-laden person, I am. For me, acknowledging that helps me simply state what's so, and then I can do something that approximates being accountable for my own behavior. I got fat because I cheat, because I don't want the rules to apply to me. So now I gotta do something about it, and you can bet your sweet patooteys I'm not going to let someone invade my body- for the good- and then figure out ways around what I've had done to myself. My behavior's gotta change, pure and simple, and whether I'm nice about it or rude to myself about it, it doesn't make a difference. Doesn't mean I'm going to be perfect, far from it, but I have to do it. What's that saying about how the violinist got from Penn Station to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice... Whew! I just gave myself a good talking-to:sneaky:!

Damn, I just lost the post I spent the last five minutes typing! Welcome back to your long lost friends, Bob! We did miss you! Hey, sashimi would probably work well with a band- I has it last night and it was so good. I've never liked it before. Bobbie, good luck with your interview! Way to go with your attitude, too! This will be quick because I'm about to go on a hike in the desert and mountains of beautiful Tucson- I'm here visiting an old friend I used to backpack with all over this country and Europe in my younger fitter days. Actually, he's my ex-husband- we make much better friends than we did spouses. I'll write more when I get a chance.

I realize I sounded like I was whining yesterday when I said I binged on sugar-free popsicles. Yes, it was a lot better than what I could have binged on and have binged on in the past, but it's the binging I hate- going into the zone of no self control. I just hate that place, and am hoping that's where the band helps. Will it? If it limits me to sugar-free popsicles (that was all I had in the house), maybe I'll make it. But, seriously, does the band help with binging? At any rate, I hope everyone has a great day! Denise, I hope the earthquake didn't so too much damage!

Me, nope, I'm not a runner, either. I walk, I do the elliptical, and pretty soon I'll sign up for the gym. I've never hit the endorphin stage, either, so for me exercise is work. Will it ever be fun???

I just wanna be THIN again- before, I stayed thin by smoking, and when I stopped smoking 20 years ago, I just blew right up. I was heavy during all my teens and early twenties, and took the weight off.

Froggie, thanks for your question. It's helpful to get the feedback. I'm behind you in the process, not having a date yet, but I can certainly say I've been obsessed with choosing foods and exercising and my surgery, and posting, etc. I'm hoping it's like learning to drive a car- lots of attention at first, and more automatic as you go along. I hope Wednesday is smooth and easy for you! I'll be thinking of you!

Walking is the place I like to start- walking every day, each day just a little faster and a little longer. Then I add my elliptical, and then when I have some strength, the gym. I think it's important to begin, and then build, slowly but surely. As others have pointed out on this site, walking helps when I get cravings- getting active distracts me. That said, I'm an exercise hater, I've never hit the endorphin stage, and I do it because I have to and I promised my mentor I would. I pray it gets easier to get myself out there!

Thanks for supporting your wife by standing for her commitment to the surgery and her weight loss! That took guts! My husband does the same thing for me; I don't like it at the time when he says no, but am I grateful to him! I treasure having a relationship in which we each are stands for the others larger commitments. No, we aren't each others parents; we are each others partners and teammates!

So, I've got a confession to make! I binged on sugar-free popsicles last night- ate like 10 of 'em :bored:. Am I ever looking forward to the support of the band! So today I'm going to let myself have a "grump" day- behaving myself but not trying to talk myself out of not feeling so hot. It is a gorgeous day today. Stacie, Denise, and Christie , great stories! Bobbie, I'm so sorry about your job- may another one show up very quickly. Use the anger and angst to spur you forward! Betsy, sending all sorts of good vibes your way. Humming Bird, thanks for your boost- it made me feel good. Love all the helpful hints here:drool:! To think that I used to have a phobia about vomiting- guess I'm going to get desensitized in a heck of a hurry! Happy Facebook to all- not on it yet.

Hi, all! I was hoping for April, but my surgeon got a promotion and is in the process of switching medical practices, so it looks like May at this point. All of my requirements are met, just need insurance approval and a date. I'm impatient, but trying to use the time to practice new behaviors, mostly successful:thumbup:, sometimes not:sad: (I binged on sugar-free popsicles last night). I am walking a lot and using my elliptical, and being mindful of and recording what I'm eating. I'm grateful to this site because it has let me know what to really expect, both positive and negative, which I find most helpful. I would love for the band to be magical, but have found out it's a tool that I have to use, it doesn't do the work for me. I have also found a mentor on this site, and she's supporting me staying in line (I do like to color outside the lines:rolleyes2:!) My nutritionist said I was the most prepared of any of the clients he's seen, and should be successful with the band. I do my best to not listen to the "fear" voice and think positively. Good luck and courage and perserverance to all our journeys!

I'm still waiting for my band and haven't even hit the pre-op stage yet, but I can't help wondering why anyone would push the envelope or cheat when you've staked so much on the process in the first place. The best thing I've learned in doing my research- when I went to my nutritionist yesterday, he said I was the best prepared patient in his years of practice- is that the band is only a tool, and I still have to manage myself in order to make it work. When it comes my being at the same stage, I hope I don't have to eat my own words!

Congratulations!!!! I'm looking forward to my day!

Hey, I'm proud of me and this site! I went to my nutritionist yesterday, and he said I was the best prepared of any client in his years of practice! Even told him a thing or two...And guess where I got most of my information! So, the moral of the story is that my waiting period is a good thing, even though the only way I have cheated is too many almonds and my weight hasn't budged. Thanks to all of you for your information and experience!

Hello, all, What a beautiful spring day we are having here! Ihad a great walk today with my little dog. Hope everyone has a great Easter, or Sunday, as the case may be.