July Bandsters....lets Here You....

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

Lucy, (hopefully I didn't post this already) but one thing that is really helping me too is to premeasure my portion. I make dinner for the family and make sure that my portion of meat doesn't exceed 3-4 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards) and the additional food (ie. vegetables) added to the meat doesn't exceed 1 c. of food. So I measure essentially 1 c. of food (meat and veggies together) and serve it on my plate. That is my dinner/meal. This way I am less inclined to over serve myself and I mentally know that what I have on my plate is what I am allowed. The fact that you have gotten foods stuck and are not full makes me wonder how fast you are eating too. It is taking me a lot to slow down (and I need to more so than I have). I know there are phone apps (silly as it may sound) that you can use that time your bites so they are spaced out enough and you slow down that way. I think the phone app is called "eat slower".

Good luck! Even if you aren't getting a fill for a couple weeks there are things you can try to do in the interim. Also, try to avoid having those really tempting foods in the house. Trust me, I am HORRIBLE at dieting and food is so tempting but we owe this to ourselves. The couple of minutes of euphoria isn't worth years on the body!

Lastly, I am not as active as I could be... but one thing I am making myself do is to go for a walk after dinner. I would normally be inclined to go plop on the couch to watch tv or play on computer but I am making myself go for a walk. Even little things can add up to being successful. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Best of luck to you in finding strength and perservering!

[lucy2.0 57]

I do the same things you do, I measure my food, I eat my Protein, and veggies and fruit, I'm eating 2oz to 3 oz each time, the only thing I do not tolerate anymore is the Protein Shakes but I think I just need a break, I'm active every day (I have a 2 year old and work) I'm not cheating on my diet, I drink a lot of Water (I don't like sodas or flavored water), and the stuck episode was because I forgot to chew that one time lol

Today I'm going to start walking with my husband, I hope this helps.

I know this is not a magic pill, I'm just frustrated that everyone (family) is watching me and asking me about it

Thanks for your support ladies

[Melissa41 27]

Believe me- hear you when you say family is watching. I love my family and am blessed to have them. But ALL the women in my family are perfectly fit and appearance is a big deal for them all. For example- we all spent the weekend at the lake and my mother complained all weekend about putting on weight. She is a size 6 now (oh no!!) from a size 4. My sister-in-law is always very happy to report she has lost the final bit of weight from her pregnancy and is now back to 125lbs. Its just a nightmare. Only my parents know about the surgery and they are just so relieved to know I will finally be healthy. its not exactly the most affirming place to be trying to lose weight.

But the good news is I have my first fill on Wednesday. Has anyone who has had surgery in July had one yet? I'm down 15 lbs or so and am pretty hungry now. I feel like I need the extra help of the fill. I think I have to go back to liquids? Yuck. I hate that!! But if I lose another 10 llbs that will be the thinner I have been in years. So...I am excited.

All the best to everyone. I so enjoy reading the encouragment and am looking forward to when our group is the group of people who have lost the 50 and 100 llbs.

Melissa

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

Sounds like you are doing everything right! Hang in there!!

I understand the feeling of "being watched too". My daughter, thankfully, just got her license. She has piano lessons w/ my dad tonight. I was dreading the thought of going there as I feel like I haven't lost much yet since the surgery and don't want to "reveal" myself just yet. (Aside from the fact that my stepmother drives me crazy - lol). So tonight she is taking herself for her lesson.

[taylor94 9]

Hello everyone....

So today was fill day first one too....didn't eat before I went....and didn't wait long the surgeon said everything looks good and that my liver was great during surgery....then I got up on the table and he proceeded to poke and poke and this went on for about 10 mins....he finally got it....geez....now my clinic makes you drink 2 dixie cups of Water before leaving....just to make sure not too full...I have a 9oz band and he put in 3oz....

WOW I can totally tell the restriction....so yes on liquid for today and tomorrow then mushies on Wed....but drinking...I am totally full....I can so tell....

Now I have lost 34lbs and the clinic says I am loosing too fast...can you believe that? I haven't really moved down in about a week and I was getting discouraged guess I was wrong...I have never been told to slow down losing weight....I was wearing a 24/26 now I am in 18/20 and just into that size...

[lindabug 69]

I also seem to be stuck got to 14pds and that's it but I have no restriction in the band. I am being very careful about what I eat, don't think I'm getting enough Water and still not really exercising. I still have quit a bit of pain in my side. My fitness pal says I'm not eathing enough everyday but I feel I am pluse I am taking Vitamins.< /span>

[kkccmom 37]

wow, girls, everyone is doing so GREAT!! I have def rounded a corner, since sunday...feeling almost "me"...tummy still a little "goofy" - I think its just taking time to figure out what, exactly, its "saying" to me!!??

I love the idea of putting EVERYTHING into a one-cup measuring cup...that makes it so much easier! Thanks to whomever suggested that (I know you're up there somewhere!!)...that's a great visual boundary for me. Easy to just "guess" - esp for those of us who are career WW'ers...we "think" we know what our portions are.

Oddly, I am finding I forget to eat in the middle of the day!! I have a cottage industry business in my home - I design paper-crafting items (mostly commissioned and bazaar sales)...so I spend virtually all day tucked away from the house, particularly the kitchen. THIS DOES NOT MEAN I AM NOT HUNGRY...it just means I am too lazy to get up and go DOWNSTAIRS (that means walking back UP) and fix something. I am also not good at "preparing" a meal...I want QUICK. Most of the time I rely on WW Entrees (a few I really love), and call it good.

Not sure that is gonna cut it. When I finally do get downstairs to the kitchen, then I'm REALLY hungry and start the gnoshing on whatever is handy - including chips, etc. I've got to strategize this situation. SOON.

I ate some grilled Mahi last night...a 3-4oz fillet, and I literally forked it to 'mash' before eating it with a TINY bit of "dirty rice". I did not really measure any of it...I eye-balled it, and know I ate too much rice. I had nothing else the rest of the evening, other than Water, tho, so calorie-wise I'm sure I was well below what I 'should' have had. Still, I had a gut-full of gas and went to bed feeling like I wanted to explode!! GasX must've helped in the night...and the hubby did wake up!! LOL

I see the dietician tomorrow....I've been keeping a food-log but I am sure she'll find fault with it. I am WAY below getting in the right amt of Protein. HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING THAT?? Esp if you cannot stomach the shakes?? I am planning chicken for dinner this evening, but find daytime is the hardest time for me to get in a good amt of Protein. SUGGESTIONS??

I had 1 c of oatmeal this AM...went down fine, I guess. I went LIGHT on the brown sugar, or I'm sure it would've tasted better! Knew to go easy on that, but it was def noticeable.

So, here we go, girls!! Taylor -- W2G on your loss....wish you lived near me...I have a closet-full of 18/20s you could wear while you continue to shrink!! I'm in a 1x today, and feeling happy about that. But we won't be "Here" for long....lets all be good today...DRINK UP and get in that protein...and MOVE. That's another sore spot w/ me...sitting is easier! LOL

Blessings!

--Kim

[lucy2.0 57]

OMG all of you are doing this harder for me lol everyone is doing great!!! and I'm still on the 10 lbs :/

I have a Dr. appt next monday and I'm hoping for a fill cause I don't feel restriction anymore

I was wondering if you have any good recipes to share

Have a great day ladies!!!

[taylor94 9]

hello everyone....

OK had my first fill yesterday....I have a 9cc band and got 3cc's added I am on liquid yesterday and today....

I went swimming with my friends kids yesterday for a few hrs....and I woke up this morning and my abs are killing me....I don't know if it is due to the fill or swimming I do have a small bruise where the surgeon was poking but I am hoping someone can tell me that the fill will not cause pain then I can relax knowing it was prob the swimming and playing with the kids....

I hate being on liquids only

[lucy2.0 57]

I read in other post that sometimes when you swim the band gets tighter, maybe that's the reason, you got a fill and then went in the pool now you are just too tight

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

As for getting Protein during the day and not wanting to cook - here are some suggestions, have some tuna salad or egg salad prepared (make ahead of time to last a few days). But don't eat with bread, eat by itself. Another idea is cottage cheese. Have some lowfat cottage cheese on hand as it has good Protein. Lastly, make a (healthy) pot of Soup to last a few days. I find that Soup goes down well for me and is mushy. They had some lentil soup at work that was really tasty. I also just bought a tub of premade refrigerated chicken tortilla soup from costco. It had about 15 gr of protein and only 130 calories for a cup.

I had mentioned measuring your food so you are not exceeding 3/4-1 c of food at a sitting. I find my eyeballing it or allowing myself to serve my portion unmeasured ends up with me eating more than I should. Heaven knows I don't want my band to potentially slip or to dialate my stomach too much so this helps me tremendously.

Hope that helps!!! Glad you are back to being you again...

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

Ugh, so I thought my port site incision was infected (red, inflamed, yuck, pain). I went to see surgeon today and he said it was part of the stitches that didn't dissolve. He gave me a local pain killer (couple shots) and had to reopen part of the incision to remove the tail end of the stitches. Apparently, they tie a knot at the end of them and sometimes it doesn't dissolve.

My tummy is sore (not even where the incision was). It just feels so sore all over and somewhat queasy today. Not sure if it is just because the procedure still hurt while he did it or just more healing. It is just weird that my whole belly area is sore. Anyone else have any issue with their incisions?

[lindabug 69]

Yes I have the two larger incisions seem to be taking forever to heal and they are both red and sore. Around the incisions my skin is very dry and itches to the point it feels like fireants however I did have an allergic reaction to the bandages. It seems to be getting better slowly.

[lindabug 69]

Just noticed you had your surgery a day before me and you have lost 25 lbs, Wow you are doing great!!!

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

Thanks. I lost 10 lbs. during the pre-op diet and 15 since surgery. I, too, was very itchy from the steri-strips they put over the incisions. I got a benadryl type spray and sprayed it on my belly which helped.

If your incisions are itching that bad, and if they are red and irritated, you may want to consult your surgeon as it could be the issue I had with the stitches. It started with the itching profusely for days and then became inflamed and sore.

Thanks for the compliments! You are doing well too.