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I was 165, so up a tad but I think the dreaded "carb bloat" accounts for it! Groupie I am with you, I can eat a little of anything and be perfectly happy - I feel "normal" about/around food for the first time in my life! Loving, loving, loving my band :biggrin: BUT . . . still SO much head work to do! I had to deal with some super-intense emotions this week for the first time since being banded, and it was really hard because 1) I knew I could not "stuff" my feelings with food - it would all have come right back up thank you band!; and 2) I needed to avoid drowning my feelings with alcohol - the stats on bariatric surgery patients developing a replacement addiction with alcohol are staggering - like 35% - so I am hyper aware of that one (not that I don't drink, mind you; I only wish to avoid "needing" to drink). SO how do I deal with these feelings? I went for a run; I went to the gym and pumped iron; I went to church . . all of which helped, but the bottom line is that I can't avoid/stuff/medicate intense feelings anymore. I have to actually feel them, and they are uncomfortable . . . . it's hard, people! By far the hardest thing about this journey. Good luck to all in this new year!!
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feeling tight at first bite and then after "struggle" I can eat???
hmarko replied to IwannaBeHappy's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had this too. The advice I was given was what Jachut said - drinking hot fluids to relax things (or alcohol but don't advise this on regular basis - empty calories). Also I was told to take a bite or 2 to prep yourself then come back in 20 mins for the real meal - its the esophagus spasms. Anyway this went away.... but when I got overfilled I was sooo soooo careful w/ teeny bites and waiting that it never came back - and I've posted this before to keep myself honest until i get a grip i eat w/ a timer on. google online stopwatch. I often feel the food passing through I wait 30 seconds at least but sometimes as long as a minute or two. In hindsight I think I was still just eating too fast between bites. Or maybe things just changed over time. But I did not notice a difference until I introduced the stopwatch. I'm new at this so its a learning process. The tighter your band is the more you need to be super careful about eating slowly and chewing well as it will be less forgiving. -
Dudettes, if I had junk in my house I would so be eating it!! Tina you are so so right! Intensity in relationships scares the crap out of me, esp. right at the beginning - too much too fast! I refused to go out with Chris the first 2 times he asked, I was not ready. Pami, you need to tell this guy to slow the heck down because it makes you want to turn and run the other way. I have had to tell Chris that . . . I really, really like the guy at this point, but I only met his a couple of weeks ago, and already he wants a relationship? Well yeah I want one too, but how do I know that I want HIM, rather than if I JUST want "a relationship?" So we had this big talk and I kept telling him how scared I was of all this, and the intensity, so his reaction has to back off, which is fine and it MUST be what I wanted, right? . . . BUT . . . . then I start getting worried that he's quit calling me 5 times as day!! and then MY reaction to his backing off - which is to feel almost panicked - REALLY scares me! So he took all of his stuff home, no Chris over here last night, no phone calls last night, we hung out separately with friends and as it turns out I would rather have spent the evening with him. But I have to be rational and step back enough for my feeling to lose some intensity so I'm not blinded, right? So I don't call . . . I see him log on this morning and I quickly lof off - but I am feeling strangely vulnerable about the whole thing. Then he calls me on his way to work this morning, and as soon as he hung up he got in a bad accident, totalled his truck and just got out of the ER! Nothing is broken but he is banged up pretty good and his knee is all swollen - and I feel just awful! Argh! I hate feelings!! Honestly, this is my real first emotional challenge since banding. I am having strong feelings which are making me uncomfortable, and I cannot stuff them with food - even if I tried, my band would stop me. So then I am jonesing for a drink to stop the feelings, but that is REALLY bad because the stats on replacement addictions are phenomenal - something like 35% of weight loss patients end up having a problem with alcohol! I am super vigilant about that one, so what do I do with me feelings?? OMG, I am going to have to FEEL them! Even if they are uncomfortable. I went for a run & that helped, and to the gym and that helped, and to church and that REALLY helped, but the bottom line is this: I can't stuff my feelings anymore - I actually have to feel them. Blast.
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New Year, New You Challenge!
Band_Groupie replied to Lady Lap Band's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Woot!!! This morning I met my goal!!! I'm now 75 pounds down total!!! I can't believe I lost weight over the holiday...I ate and drank everything I wanted (a tiny bit of the bad stuff mind you, but even a cookie or two a day and plenty of alcohol). I love my band! Just 6 more pounds and I'll be 'NORMAL'!!! Thanks for the Challenge! -
1. Dysfunctional family (severly abusive + alcoholic father), never really sat down to dinner w/ my family. It was always fend for yourself 2. Decreased self-esteem and depression = comfort eater 3. Genetics 4. Stress 5. Easy, quick + convenient food during college, never developed healthy eating habits 6. Lack of exercise after highschool
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Down a pound this week...just .5 and I'll be at 75# (my next goal). I can't even believe I lost weight over Christmas...I ate snacks/appetizers, drank lots of alcohol and ate a little of everything, including a few cookies. I'm starting to feel 'normal' when it comes to food LOL! I love my band!
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I went through the cupboards & fridge yesterday and got rid of all the unhealthy stuff. Friends had brought over ice cream, full fat egg nogg, breads, dips, cookies and other stuff for our dinner and left them. I hesitated tossing good food out but after having the second slice of crusty bread with brie I knew I had to. I've always considered my relationship to food much like that of an alcoholic and an alcoholic would not try to live with unopened bottles of booze. Plus I live alone so I can have more control over my space. I did feel guilty and thought I could wait until Monday and perhaps give it to someone but when I started reaching for the ice cream I did what Weight Watchers suggests--destroy it! I put dish washing liquid on the ice cream and then everything went into a garbage bag and into the dumpster. I was on the edge of a full tilt lap band binge. I immediately felt so much better. Today I woke up, had my oatmeal and I feel so much better with my kitchen in order. I only have unprocessed healthy foods and this is the way it should be. For me.:smile::biggrin::biggrin:
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Why do we eat Pureed if we can tolerate Regular?
adagray replied to mepainting's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was allowed to eat almost anything 4 days post-op. The only exclusions are red meat and starches for the first month. I can have any other Proteins, fruits, and vegies (cooked only - no salad yet). And, I'm told to avoid juices, alcohol, and other 'slider' type foods that go right through the band and contain calories. So, I ate cottage cheese, deli meat, cheese, chicken, and broccoli all on my 4th day post-op without problem... chewing a lot, of course. My theory on why different docs take it slower is that it takes a lot of teaching and working w/a patient to have them fully understand how to eat properly w/the band. I had six months of working w/a nutritionist to learn new habits that will work w/the band. Of course, this counted as my 'diet' required by insurance, but it really was not traditional dieting at all. It was more psychological training and focused on forming habits that are specific to the band. My surgeon also required a 5 hour pre-op class, 3 hour post-op class, attendance of at least one support meeting, etc. to make sure the rules were not just explained once, but repeated over and over so there is no confusion about anything or any chance that we could forget what we are supposed to do. I think a lot of surgeons just cannot commit this much to education so they just have you take it slow instead. If you think about it, its a lot easier to just tell your patients to drink shakes and blend stuff up than to actually teach them how to eat. And, if you aren't actually eating, you won't ever get anything stuck so you'll never have a problem eating and you won't ever need to call your surgeon's office either. -
One day I can eat and the next I can't :(
hmarko replied to tica's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
OMG I just saw this - how scary I'm so sorry... Why did it get worse? Did you not stay on liquids after the unfill? Then again when I got unfilled I didn't have to.... BUT I was able to hold liquids and mushies w/ just some foaming no vomiting. I thought the .5 was better. I probably don't have to tell you but after my last time I learned I will let doc do what they think no negotiating. I am going back Jan 5 and I don't think I want her to fill me at all i'm eating no more than 1000 calories and most days about 700. CNR try this... literally take a stop watch there is one on line or if you have an iphone the clock does it. Chew 30 seconds; wait 30 seconds before you even put anything in your mouth after you swallow - see if that helps. I was having SUCH problems until I started doing this! Scotty how do you feel now w/ no restriction? How did it get like this I am so surprised to read this. Did you have a bad stuck episode or something after that initial fill? Did you try the MOTRIN? I didn't see ur post w/ the Pepto but MOTRIN can help get inflammation down (must be liquid - childrens) - I think we posted that in this thread. For future reference. Even after fills it helps. Someone else suggested it and I think it helps. Also the band reacts better to hot than cold. And alcohol one of our docs actually recommends it and if I have an 'event' i'll always have a glass of wine or two (but I"m told that drinking hot before eating has the same effect) as it opens you up. I'm sorry I hope you are feeling better - what a bummer that you had to deal w/ that over Christmas. -
I'm no expert, having just been banded on 12/11, but I'll share with you what I've been told, and maybe that will help: 1. You CAN eat as much as you like, pretty much as you always have been able to -- but that doesn't mean you SHOULD . Until such time as your band is filled to the point that it is causing some restriction, you may not feel full after 2, 4 or even 8 ounces of food. This is a time for good old fashioned will power. Do try not to over indulge, but don't get down on yourself if you slip up and gain a few pounds back. From what I can tell, it happens to the majority of us. Just keep walking and doing your best! 2. My nutritionist/doctors did not state how long I had to go without alcohol, and I don't drink so I didn't question further, but my understanding is that an occasional glass of wine or mixed drink is not going to hurt you. However, once you reach your restriction, a drink might very well may knock you on your tookus. Remember, there is only so much room in your tummy. A 4 oz stomach will only hold so much -- is it going to be food or liquor? My nutritionist told us a horror story about an alcoholic that got this surgery specifically because it is easier to get drunk, so please do be careful! 3. Bread/Pasta is not made of poison - of course you can eat it ... but get your Protein first, and be smart about the amount of carbs you're eating. Remember to treat carbs as what they are: sugar. Yumminess, and not going to kill you, but definitely something that will require (and here's that phrase again...) will power. Having said that, bread was on my top five foods that I tried in my mushie stage. Specifically, I mixed some stuffing and turkey with enough chicken broth to make it mushie. It was bliss after 21 days of liquids! Remember, the band is not going to do this for us. It is not a magic trick, it is a medical tool designed to assist us in strengthening our will power muscles! 4. My doctor told me no bending or lifting of anything heavier than 10 pounds for two weeks and no exercise for a month. I did heavy housework at week two and ended up hurting myself. Stick to walking until your doctor tells you otherwise. 5. I think it's sad that your friend is more concerned about damaging a 15 thousand dollar piece of silicone than she is about damaging her own, invaluable organs -- and I say this as someone who used to smoke. If this surgery does me no other good -- if it ends up giving me trouble and I have to have it removed, it will still have been worth it because it forced me to finally quit smoking. I cannot even imagine wanting to pick it back up again, and yes, I was totally addicted. If she absolutely MUST smoke, maybe she could use an electronic cigarette. Still a bad idea, as she will be taking in nicotine, but at least she'll spare herself the tar -- and she could work down to the nicotine free cartridges, but still get the satisfaction of drawing on a cigarette and blowing out "smoke" (vapor). Just a suggestion. Edited to add that in all things, you should follow your doctor's advice and see him or her before you try something you're not sure about. Gather advice and such, absolutely, but then bring those ideas to your doctor and question him. Remember that each of us are different, and each of our bodies need different things. I, for instance, have a Vitamin D deficiency, so foods high in D are on my list, right next to protein, but for you, probably not so much; and someone with a fatty liver might need a 2 week sugar free liquid diet pre op, while someone else may not. Your doctor knows your history and your body's needs far better than we do! Best of luck to you!
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Ok let's see ... 1. some people aren't full after 1 cup of food. Mushies stage for me I was eating about 1 cup but depending on what I ate I was hungry again after only 2 hours. If I ate just chicken I was good but if I ate oatmeal I was hungry faster. 2. the healing process takes at least 4 - 6 weeks so pushing yourself to eat solids might be harder to handle on the inside of your stomach. I've seen people on the boards who have eaten regular food a week after surgery. It won't damage your band but I would check with your doctor. 3. exercise is limited until the healing process is complete. Again at least 4 - 6 weeks. You don't want to stretch the stomach before everything is nicely healed around the band and port. But also call your doctor on this to check as well. I found adding more Protein Shakes helped me with hunger in the "mushies" stage as well. The alcohol and bread thing is again depending on how your stomach can handle it. With bread my nutritionist told me to not heat "doughy" breads because they can form balls and be hard to pass through the pouch. the alcohol is I believe due to the absorption rate now and empty calories. That's possibly what the answers are and what I've seen ... we'll see what others say about this as well because I'm definitely not an expert. :thumbup:
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Ok so I had surgery on 12/8. Im really confused about a lot of things, maybe someone can help. 1) Im in the mushy stage, how much can you eat? I find that i can eat a lot right now, im not full after 1 cup not even close....not good. I don't get my first fill till 1/20, I feel like I can move to soft foods, ill haveto ask my doctor, but if I do what can it do? can it damage my band or make it slip??? What if i eat solids?? 2) I know they say no alcohol for a year, but will it hurt to have a little glass of vodka and cranberry on new years?? just wondering. What could that do?? 3) and the bread thing....verry confusing!!! I have heard like 5 different things, and its making me go crazyyy!! Can you eat it??? I have heard you will never be able to eat it again, or you can't eat it for 5 months after surgery....whats the deal? 4) How long after surgery can you start going back to the gym?? I walk right now, a lot. Like the mall or just around my street, but I would really like to go back to the gym. If anyone can help answer my questions, it really would be a huge help!!! oh one mroe thing...sorry My friend had sugery 12/2 and she was doing sooo good not smoking, I for one was really proud of her. She just startd smoking again....I tried telling her that it could damage the band, but she told me it couldnt. What can happen so I can get the right facts to tell her soshe will stop!!!!
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Dear Board Members, Merry Christmas to you and your family. There are some foods you should avoid, including: Sugar and sugary foods, including: high-calorie soft drinks, syrups, honey, jelly, jam, cakes, Cookies, candy, ice-cream. High-fat foods, including: chocolate, chips, pies, pastries, ice-cream, bacon, sausage, fried foods, cream Soups, cream sauces. High-calorie drinks, such as milkshakes, soda, beer, orange juice, apple juice, other fruit juices, whole milk. Starchy and white flour foods, such as Pasta, rice, and doughy breads. Fats such as butter or oil should be restricted to 3 to 4 teaspoons per day. Alcohol is not recommended because it is high in calories, breaks down Vitamins, and has no nutritional value. However, an occasional small amount of wine or other alcoholic beverage may be tolerated with a few words of caution.
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Lucky #7 are still going strong !!!
cramerk replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
It sounds like you all are having a fabulous time with family and friends. We aren't celebrating Christmas until Saturday. DD#1 doesn't arrive until after 11 pm tomorrow. Just splurged and had a small plate of nachos for dinner, probably a fourth of what I use to eat, but I only ate 1/2 a hamburger for lunch, okay and a starbucks scone....BUT IT IS CHRISTMAS. Most of my family went to Christmas eve service, I bailed. Went for a walk with DD#2 and the puppies and my hangy downy really hurts. No excuse. Janet, I to am blessed by having you all. I can't wait until I get to meet all of you. I joined in January of 2009, so it is almost my year anniversary for LBT and 9 months for my band. I am looking forward to this summer when I will have a little extra money from working at the nursery. Well I have combined my sleeping pills with a little alcohol and it is starting to kick in, so HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!!!! -
One question my husband asked before my surgery was if I could drink. Dr. Aceves said the occaisional glass is fine, just count it into my calories. I do not feel the desire to drink nearly as much as I used to. I have had wine, vodka mixed drinks, and a margherita since surgery (6 months ago). It takes me much longer to drink and I found that the margherita was just too strong for me now - my husband drank most of that one. My friend also had some hard cider, that was a bit bubbly and made me burp a lot. I have felt fine with the wine and vodka mixed drink. I find that I do tolerate less (I used to be able to keep up with the big boys). But now, one glass of wine lasts me all night! Wine seemed to affect me a little more than the vodka drinks, that went down a little smoother and didn't make me feel tipsy. To lower my calorie intake, I have made some adjustments - I use crystal light cranberry or orange and a shot of vodka. This keeps the drink around 70-100 calories (depending on what kind/how much vodka you use). If you're going out, take the crystal light singles, order vodka and Water, and just add your own flavoring. Wine is about 100 calories for 5 oz. (depending on kind/alcohol content) or about 500ish calories per bottle to put it into perspective.
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Booze and your VSG
carolyn24seven replied to suziemart's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
MGambino: after only 9 weeks and you look like that? WoW you should be the poster child for VSG. LOL Please tell us that is a picture from a long dam time ago, that you are trying to get back to looking like. huge sigh. anyway, drink a small amount of what ever you want and if it tases/feels good count the calories and get on with it. I used to drink beer too, and still buy it for Hubby. I don't miss it though. I had some champgne punch at a party last night. No problems. I do not believe alcohol per se is a problem with the sleeve its self. I think the problem is the usless calories. And, the fact of staying hydrated. Alcohol will leave you quite de-hydrated. You need to protect your sleeve for awhile yet. I am really watching it until I get my lab work done Jan 15. Be cautious. -
I'm not a beer drinker so that has never been an issue. I was released for alcohol consumption about 3-3.5 months post-op. I didn't even attempt anything until just recently (6 months post-op), and I had 2 glasses of Reisling white wine over a 4.5 hour period with dinner in between at my husband's squadron Christmas party. I had absolutely zero negative effects. I never caught a buzz, I didn't feel drunk or tipsy, I did feel relaxed, and enjoyed the wine fully. I love wine, and my tastes have changed back to how they were pre-op so I had zero issues with taste. Some people report a burning sensation with hard liquor like vodka, rum, Jack D or Jim Beam. I'll stick to a couple glasses of wine here and there. I used to be a big rum/coke or Big red soda drinker, and I enjoyed many mojitos in my time before surgery. But, now I try to steer clear of sodas. I do have a Big Red soda on occasion, and the only thing that happens is I burp after each sip, and it takes me 12 hours to drink one bottle of soda. So, I haven't ventured into drinking true liquor drinks, but might have one on New Year's Eve.
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Pizza and my band..............
jalomum replied to nana1014's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Grilled chicken and whole wheat wrap sounds good. Good Protein, Low GI un-refined carbohydrates, fruit & veg, plenty of Water before, but not during or within an hour of a meal. A good Vitamin supplement and maybe some additional protein of some sort. No fizzy drinks or alcohol. That should about do it. There are no hard or fast rules but protein should be at the top of the list. Oh yes and of course don't forget to.... Cheer-up!! It's not the end of the world...more like the beginning!! -
OMG Charlene - That was WONDERFUL !!! It got me crying too (I am very emotional too - I cry at a pepsi commercial ;0) Apples - Sorry for the delay in Xmas - but you still will be having it - so that's what counts and you have your DH all to yourself for 3 days - and yes we know what you should be doing - but you would have to keep the house at 80 degrees - By the time everyone does arrive you will be full of energy for it all .. I too have worried about throwing up - but I can say I haven't had the stomach flu in 20 yrs (knock wood)- have had the other end but no throwing up - I have my lapband doc's cell phone # so if I did get sick to my stomach - I would call him and he could call in a script for me.. Julie - Here's and ugly Xmas tradition that I had when I was with my DS Dad - he would come home Xmas Eve and pick a fight - say he was leaving and I had to pack his crap and take him to his Mom's -- Christmas with him wasn't every very good.. Hugs on your loss - like someone said - we are never ready for death but at the holiday's it's just a little harder - I know my sis's dad died the day after xmas.. I think we all most likely have some bad crap that happens to us all - Sounds like both Deb & Cheri had dh's who drank - they went to alanon - to help them deal with the crap that we have w/pple in our lives who abuse drugs &/or alcohol I know that's why I went - I needed to talk w/others who have walked in my shoes - It's easy for us to give advice - but when you are smack in the middle of it - it's totally diff - you can't see the forest for the trees - and we think love will concur all - Cheri Hugs on the tooth issue - I love my dentist - but still hate the dentist ;0) Not fitting in - I always found that black pple accept white pple more than the other way around - My DS Dad was black - so as you said I have lived on the black side to - and I would say they were more accepting of me than the white side.. In fact I had a neighbor once and she was the older sister of a guy I went to school with - She use to watch DS when he was a toddler - We became Bff's - My DS calls her Auntie and I am Auntie to her kids - Her Mom & Dad have told me I am an adopted member of their family - When my bro died last yr and they came to the funeral - my DIL thought that Auntie Linda was DS Aunt on his Fathers side cuz she's black - I said nope - she's his Aunt on my side :0) The only real new freinds that I have are you guys and my #7's - But that's cuz I live in the same town where I was born - I have made good friends w/the pple I have worked with too - But I think some pple just click - My gf Candy who I met when I 1st started my job 30 yrs ago - heck we are like sisters. I think we all need pple like that in our lives - No Man is an Island - Great - I am glad you had a good day and are resting that knee ;0) LauraK - Did you get unfilled some?? Laura - Glad Nelson had a great early Xmas - they are so special at that age - to bad they have to grow up ;0).. Heck your weather is better than ours - it was 66 today with a little wind.. I don't remember my Stepmom being cold during Chemo but again - it's not as cold here as NC Eva - I hear you girl on the rain - heck 1/2 is almost flood conditions :0) Glad the soap & lotion fit in with your decor ;0) Well - I am off for the next 4 days - kids s/b here tomorrow around 10 p.m.ish - will hit the gym for carido in the a.m. - had gym tonite weights arms - think I will be sore in the next few days.. Gotta finish up my food shopping tomorrow and watch It's a Wonderful Life tomorrow night - Well the dogs need to be fed - who know who has posted since I started this 1 hr ago :0) Cbl
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Current Mood: Festive I think I have gained 4 lbs since the beginning of December. I say "I think" because it was 3 lbs last time I got on the scale and my behavior has actually gotten worse rather than better so I haven't gotten back on. I entered the holiday season with too much bravado and confidence for a fat person trying to lose weight. I thought, "I can't eat too much - I have some restriction - so I'll be ok." Not only did I make some seriously bad choices about what food to eat, but I also drank, and drank, and drank without regard to the calories. And, my habits suffered as well. I took the bus instead of walking because walking with a hangover was painful. I drank fluids with my meals because I was dehydrated from the wine the night before. I felt starved....And so on. I do not have a drinking problem. I do have problems with self control related directly to food -- thus the lap band decision. But, just as when I quit smoking, I find myself replacing one bad habit with another - this time it's red wine. I apparently forgot that the health benefits of one glass of red wine per day DO NOT extend to 4 glasses twice a week. The calories from 4 glasses, which now make me quite tipsy because of the lower volume of food, add up and fast. And, then when I have a few drinks, I feel a bit peckish and need a snack when I'm not supposed to be eating. It's a vicious cycle so, my new year's resolution is to avoid drinking alcohol. I'm not saying I won't enjoy a day-ending glass of red as a wind down, I just have to get out the recent holiday habit of downing booze at parties and dinners because I'm not eating. So, tomorrow evening, Christmas Eve, I have already invited over friends and family for mulled wine and cheese! Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 and this was my husband's idea more than 2 weeks ago when I still thought I had some control. We'll see how I do. In the meantime, my jeans are looser, I walked miles in the snow over the weekend and I actually got down in the snow with my kid to play and was able to get back up without a forklift. The scale may not be moving but I do feel better overall. January is my buckle down month...and then February...and then March, etc, etc, etc! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and successfully avoids the more caloric niceties of the season. Best of luck and Happy New Year to all! B
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Current Mood: Festive :cursing: I think I have gained 4 lbs since the beginning of December. I say "I think" because it was 3 lbs last time I got on the scale and my behavior has actually gotten worse rather than better so I haven't gotten back on. I entered the holiday season with too much bravado and confidence for a fat person trying to lose weight. I thought, "I can't eat too much - I have some restriction - so I'll be ok." Not only did I make some seriously bad choices about what food to eat, but I also drank, and drank, and drank without regard to the calories. And, my habits suffered as well. I took the bus instead of walking because walking with a hangover was painful. I drank fluids with my meals because I was dehydrated from the wine the night before. I felt starved....And so on. I do not have a drinking problem. I do have problems with self control related directly to food -- thus the lap band decision. But, just as when I quit smoking, I find myself replacing one bad habit with another - this time it's red wine. I apparently forgot that the health benefits of one glass of red wine per day DO NOT extend to 4 glasses twice a week. The calories from 4 glasses, which now make me quite tipsy because of the lower volume of food, add up and fast. And, then when I have a few drinks, I feel a bit peckish and need a snack when I'm not supposed to be eating. It's a vicious cycle so, my new year's resolution is to avoid drinking alcohol. I'm not saying I won't enjoy a day-ending glass of red as a wind down, I just have to get out the recent holiday habit of downing booze at parties and dinners because I'm not eating. So, tomorrow evening, Christmas Eve, I have already invited over friends and family for mulled wine and cheese! Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 and this was my husband's idea more than 2 weeks ago when I still thought I had some control. We'll see how I do. In the meantime, my jeans are looser, I walked miles in the snow over the weekend and I actually got down in the snow with my kid to play and was able to get back up without a forklift. The scale may not be moving but I do feel better overall. January is my buckle down month...and then February...and then March, etc, etc, etc! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and successfully avoids the more caloric niceties of the season. Best of luck and Happy New Year to all! B
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Eat what you want!
A New Woman replied to rmbj0721's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Great topic and lots of helpful things to consider if your weight loss slows down or stops. My doc said from the beginning it is calories in/calories out. The band will help us with portion control but it is up to us what we put in our stomach. That being said, I can tell you that like an alcoholic who takes it "one day at a time", I literally take it "one meal at a time." I basically eat what I want in moderation. Some meals I make really good choices, other meals not so much. The other day I went to Mongolian Bar-b-que for lunch which I think is a healthy choice. Pre-band days I would have had one bowl and gone back and made a second bowl. The other day I made one bowl and ate maybe a 1/4 of what I made and took the rest home. For dinner though I had a couple swedish meatballs with some mashed potatoes -- not such a good choice. Am I 100% perfect?? Not even in my wildest dreams. But I AM 100% better than I was 9 months ago. I don't say I am obsessive about what I eat, but I am conscious of what I eat and I do try and analyze what I could have done differently. For example, as an obese person I think my mentality was to eat until you're stuffed and I unconsciously was eating with my band with the mentality of "how much can I eat to be satisified?" I am trying to change that mental attitude to say "how little can I eat and be satisified?" I'm trying to tell myself that it's okay to not finish all the food on my plate regardless of how much or how little there is on there. The band is a huge tool to help us lose weight but the biggest battle I think is not with our stomachs but with our heads. -
Tiff is correct, you need go back to basics. BUT I also want to let you in on a little secret...I do not always eat super healthy. I really try to get my Protein in through food and don't use Protein drinks if I can manage it through food, but this is tough because I also try to watch the amount of calories and carbs, I don't want to be grazing all day long in order to get enough protein. I completely understand that it is a tough time to stay committed to healthy eating, but I've found that if I prioritize: what is coming up this week, which days do I need to cut back on carbs because I know this special thing is coming up? it makes it so much easier. Long before I was even thinking about surgery my grandmother sent me an article that compared thinner/average weight people's habits to overweight/obese people's habits; it discussed how the average person would naturally scale back in areas to compensate for a splurge where an overweight person might just "give up" feeling "I blew it now, I might as well enjoy it." I don't know how scientific this article was, but I'm really trying to live with a different mindset now and train my mind and body to naturally compensate. For example last Friday I had a holiday party to attend. So for all of last week I didn't allow myself many extras...didn't have orange cream bars in the house (my vice), didn't go out to lunch (although I usually only get salad, but with teriyaki sauce), and I don't think I even went out with my husband to dinner, just in preparation. I didn't feel deprived or sad, it was just life. On Friday I was able to snack on appetizers and NOT feel guilty. I did not drink any alcohol or have any of the Desserts because I wanted to snack and chat. It was great! I am in no means trying to make you feel bad for your eating, we all must figure out what works for us. Just trying to maybe give you an idea of the way things are working for me. It's not that I will never have junk food...today I got a bag of chips from Subway with a salad and ate a lot of them on the way home (I'm having cramps), but for dinner that means I have the second half of that salad and probably no evening snack. I'm okay with that because I made the decision (probably not the best one) to have the chips and I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Good luck! You CAN do this...you just need to find your rhythm, the pouch test might be a good way to start.
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Anyone know of Dr De Bruyne Chris
Carriejess replied to susanlondon's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I agree with Bobo, i do think that you just leave it out for a few weeks whilst you heal and i did find that i got drunk alot more quickly. Other than that i have no probs, i spend less money because i need less alcohol and it takes me twice as long as my friends to finish a drink in the first place. I love wine, in fact i can be described as a bit of a wine snob but i do find that after a few glasses it does cause a bit of acid reflux and throat burning, not sure why this is... vodka and orange etc is fine. I really disagree with all the Dr's who are food and drink nazi's i got the band to be able to think about food etc like a normal person, normal people go out and drink and have the occassional pudding. I find alot of the posts especially in America about Dr's instructions about how to eat with the band too constricting. If i was one of their patients i would have probably found it too hard to stick to like any other diet and then hate myself for slipping up etc or have turned into someone who still has major food issues! Sorry rant over...lol Happy Christmas everyone! -
Get back to basics. If you have to you can do the 5 day pouch test to help get you back to basics. Below you will find a brief list of the menu for each day. Please click the "Read more" links for further detail and hints and tips that will enable your success with the 5 Day Pouch Test. Days One & Two: liquid Protein low-carb Protein shakes, broth, clear or cream Soups, sugar-free Gelatin and pudding. Read more. Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Read more. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Read more. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game Read more. You have to be dedicated to the process. Yes, I understand that it's difficult during the holidays, BUT, you are in control of what you choose to put in your mouth. I wasn't even released for alcohol consumption until after 3 months. Alcohol is just wasted/empty calories. It has zero nutritional value, and all you're doing is sabotaging yourself and your sleeve. It's okay to have a "treat" here and there, but overindulging is only going to stall your weight loss, and build your frustration.