"This journey, regardless of how much or how little support we have, is an individual one. No one else can lose the weight for you. Take the encouragement, the support, the good w/the bad and separate the meat from the bones... and ultimately do what works and what's best for you! That is always a key in success!"
How does this tie in to honesty? Well, I'll tell you. I've noticed, not only in the few short days I've been banded, but in the entire time I've been researching lap band, that everyone has advice to give. We all want the keys to success; what it took for others to lose the weight; the exercises and the food they ate. But the truth is, what works for one won't always work for everyone else.
Not everyone gained the weight because they've over eaten or because they're lazy. Just like everyone has their own reasons for gaining the weight, everyone will have their own means of losing it, even if we are all using the same tool. Encouragement and advice are great and I know we all have a lot to learn on this journey, but it starts with being honest with ourselves.
We were honest (or vain) enough to realize we needed the lap band and now it's about being honest enough to admit our limitations and strongholds. Food is an addiction that we're trying to kick (we know that), but my food addiction isn't yours. My habits are not yours, and I have to be real enough with myself to understand that if I'm going to succeed, I have to do what is going to work for me.. and you need to do what will work for you. This starts with listening to your surgical team, dietician, nutritionist, etc.
If there's one thing that remains consistent in all of the advice I've received from successful lap banders, it would be, "If you follow the rules, you'll lose the weight." Not just the universal lap band rules, but those set forth for your individual program, for your individual needs. One of the dangers of trying to follow the regimen of someone else is that you may not be able to live up to it, because it's not tailor made for you. And on this journey, that is one thing I think is definitely a plus; the capability to contour the band to work for YOU! Remember that there are people that have health issues and co-morbidities that may affect their regimen. Don't waste time trying to compare yourself to everyone else, do what works for you!
We all want to be successful.. get this weight off and strut our stuff! Be healthier...be happier! For me, it's starts with doing what works for me and building from there! =)
O well, that's enough ranting for now. Just had a few things on my mind I wanted to share.
I went to the Dr for my follow up since my surgery on DEc 7th. Yep, down 20 pounds, but then I went to the gym and lost 3 more. yey me! I did not get a fill since I dont have much of an appetite. I go back in 3 wks and she said we would think about and adjustment then if I was eating more than a cup. Saw the dietition, of course she yelled at me for not taking my vitamins, but they make me hungry. So she suggested that I change my vitamin. I take Centrum chewable, but I dont think it the maker, I think its just me. So I will try again, but I dont like being hungry and I like taking in around 500-600 calories a day. The redness and swelling around my incisions are because I have a case of dermatitis and I am now allergic to the glue that is on the steri-strips and bandades. Great, turn 49 and now all of a sudden Im allergic to bandades. How does that happen? Oh well, All in all it was a good visit, she was proud of my weight and said I was doing great! another yey me! (crowd applause please!)
Banded day before yesterday, and yesterday the nurse said it was still considered day 0 since I was still in the hospital. So today is day one. Ooooo doggie, my tummie hurts this morning from my incision and its just a rumblin and grimblin in there. Still, I got up and cooked my husband breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs with ham and I am sipping on my hot apple cider. I know it has 80 calories in it, but it really goes down easy and help with my pain. I am going to try to walk a little at the gym today. Hope everyone has a great Friday!
