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

[kkccmom 37]

....and after I wrote that, I went and made myself a MALT!! LOL -- oh my word. I didn't/couldn't eat my lunch today, so I figured this was "that"... pretty sure it was WAY more calories than my lunch would've been.

Linda....Lucy posted the pics. I've not tried it. But of course I have FEW pictures of myself along this journey. I'm sure someday I'll regret that....???

[Melissa41 27]

Hi Long Lost Friends! I hope you are all well. And from the looks of the tickers it seems like the weight in coming off for everyone. I know it is slow going. I wish I had lost more and the 1 year anniversary date is coming soon. But I am so much happier today than I was a year ago. I feel like I am about half way to my goal. I just started exercising again and am feeling a new waive of motivation. I have had lot of trouble with getting stuck. I throw up way too easy! And I do miss the enjoyment of eating as others have said. it is hard. But worth the struggle. Best of luck to everyone!!

[lindabug 69]

I have a new motivation!!! Over the weekend my daughter got engaged to a wonderful guy. He is a police man in Ga where she lives. I can honestly say I have never seen her happier, she has been through a lot of crap in the past 3 years now she has a good job in the field she went to college for and a good man in her life. They haven't set a date yet but are thinking 4/12/14 because she is a math geek and likes that this date is the same backward and forward! Anyway here is more motivation for me this time I want to look good in the pictures so she can look at them and be proud of her mom not kringe!

[kkccmom 37]

Hi girls...

sorry I've been MIA lately. Its been a busy time. I'm gearing up for my BIGGEST event ever, coming up next weekend. I'm a paper-crafter and I'm working on things for my booth. I do party/shower invitations, favors, etc...plus, magnets, framed art, and about 100 other things. Its lots of fun, but lots of stress getting ready for a show.

This is my first time to do this one: its our town's MAJOR summer event, drawing 50,000+ each year! YIKES!!! I'm one of about 150 vendors...exciting, but again, stressful. "What do I make? How many? What will sell? What do I need LOTS of??????" you get the idea.

Anyway, its been a REALLY tough week w/ food. Can't seem to get much down of anything...even my shakes seem a little hard to swallow (literally). Its been kinda concerning. Like I'm wondering if my band has slipped..but then I CAN get some things down, so its probably okay. But I've REALLY missed eating. And enjoying it.

I do see the surgeon tomorrow and I'll ask about all this. Its been 6 weeks since I saw him last; and I haven't had a fill since March. Can't imagine being any tighter than I am now. Problem is, I can still eat ice cream! And I've had some every day!! Only once, but sometimes its all I can seem to manage.

Not exercising like I should be...now its getting pretty hot here in IN so mornings aren't ideal.

I think I'm down about 44...so that's progress. I'd love to get off about 20-25 more...one year will be July 31, and I was hoping for 52 by then...probably won't see that. But like Melissa said, I'm soooooooooooooo much better off than I was a year ago. I'd do it all again!

Linda, congrats on your daughter's engagement. What a happy time for you all!! Have fun planning!!!

Enjoy your day, ladies!

Kim

[kkccmom 37]

me, again...

I just ate some lunch...leftover Pasta from Tuesday evening, with small shrimp. It has literally taken me probably 4 tries to eat that one meal...and today, it took OVER AN HOUR to get it down. Its as if I get MAJOR air trapped in my chest. I can feel and SEE my heart pumping in my chest...anyone else ever had that reaction? Its kinda scary, actually.

I'm trying to figure out if part of my problem is POSTURE - am I slouching over my plate? I know I tend to "fold forward" when it feels like its not going well. almost a "protection" mode...does that make sense? My hubby pointed that out to me, that I tend to slouch when I feel food-stress. So, I'm trying to keep that in mind and sit up straighter and, FOR SURE, to sit up after each bite, even leaning back a bit. Right now, there's a lot of pressure in my middle...right about between my "girls" - know where I mean??

anyway, thought I'd share those feelings while they are active to see if anyone else is experiencing any of that....?

Thanks!

Kim

[kkccmom 37]

Okay....had my visit w/ my surgeon today...and as I dreaded, he took OUT some Fluid. Felt it was the best start to see what might be going wrong.

They suggested that my 'pipe' might be swollen or irritated, which would account for the difficulty in getting things through. It may have happened with something I tried to eat, even a few weeks ago!, and just never had time to really heal...I also didn't give much thought to the fact that I have had some unusual heartburn - very unusual for me - so that could be a sign, too.

SO, he said lets take out some fluid...in 4 weeks, we'll move up my one-year "esophogram" - you know, the little xray to see how things look...and said, if things are not improved by then, it could mean the band has shifted some, and then we'll have to work from there.

HOWEVER, I am happy to say that l already can tell a difference! I came home, fixed a Protein Shake and had no problems getting it down!!! TALK ABOUT RELIEF...oh man. Can't tell you the last time it just went so smoothly!

The worry, FOR ME, is not losing because now I can actually EAT. I only lost 4 lbs in the past 6 weeks...yes, its a loss, but I was really hoping I could nail 1-lb-per-week...but no.

The other thing about this craziness, is what he calls "Mal-adaptive" behaviors = eating what works even if its bad = ICE CREAM. I can make a malt and down it in 5 minutes. No brain-freeze!! My dad can eat ice cream like that, too! ha But it just means I am eating non-nutritional foods which has LOTS of implications...and we don't want that.

So, today, I'm to stay on my shakes, then tomorrow SLOWLY try softs, then after that, try some soft meats/proteins. Same plan as if I'd gotten a fill.

I just worry that I'll have so much fun eating that I will put ON weight...so I must keep that in mind.

ANyway, thought I'd let you all know where I am today. I just cannot get over how much better I feel already. Maybe its just hopeful that now I can actually EAT and at least sort-of enjoy it!! Up till now, I've dreaded a meal, knowing I won't be able to get it down....

That is all!!

Have a great week!

Kim

[lindabug 69]

I've been having some of the same type things happen at times I can eat fairly easy other times everything seems impossible. I'm going to the beach in a few days and am a little concerned but I guess I'm muddle through it.

[marieistre 20]

Kim, I will keep you in prayer. I know you can do this, "one day at a time". I have been stuck at this weight range for way too long. I need to get down to business, I know what to do and I know I can do it. July 10th will be one year and I thought I would be down more then this. But you know like all of you have said, I feel 100% better then I did one year ago! And at a medical standpoint I am WAY better then I was a year ago!

Marie

[marieistre 20]

One year anniversary of my lap band. Oh how I felt that day! I thought what have I got myself into this time! Little did I know it was the best decision of my life. I have lost 55 lbs but I have "gained" so much more, confidence, my health, more energy. I have been taken off 2 of my meds also. I have more to lose & I am working on that.

MARIE

[kkccmom 37]

Marie!!

YOU ARE A ROCK STAR!! So so so awesome, Lady! We are ALL proud of you - certainly almost as much as you are of yourself, and as your family is!! That is just amazing, and SO INSPIRING! Keep up the hard work...clearly its paying BIG dividends for you!

As for me...I had that "withdrawal" adjustment a few weeks ago, and boy can I tell. Its eased up my eating issues, but now I fear I am over-doing it, and the scale is up a couple pounds! EEK!!!

I've had a TERRIBLE craving (and have given in!) to those "sugar wafer" cookies...Yesterday I ate AN ENTIRE PACKAGE!! Today, I walked right past then in the store...and there are no more in the house!

I am not really eating well, generally, so I've excused this behavior...but I'm getting a grip!!

My anniversary will be the 31st..I was hoping to be down 50 - but I'm going to be lucky to get in for my surgeon visit and have held steady at 44...I will have an "esophagram" where they will watch to see how things move thru the stoma and whether the band is still where it belongs. I was "iffy" on that one when I was having so many problems...but since he removed a smidge of Fluid, and I am eating fine now, THANKFULLY it would seem all is well...except for MY CHOICES.

I do notice lots of NSVs..my rings roll around my finger and are close to being down-right too big (not there

[kkccmom 37]

...ooops! Not there quite yet...

Bra is loosey-goosey, too, and that's not comfortable...Have to keep hiking up the straps. DRIVES ME NUTS! lol

Anyway, struggling to get back on the straight and narrow and get moving forward again...KUDOS to you, Marie...its just terrific!

Hang in there, gals...we will win!! Eventually -- and I keep telling myself "THIS IS NOT A RACE"!!!

Kim

[lindabug 69]

Uggg I am so frustrated mostly with myself. It's almost that one year anniversary and I'm down 48 pounds but I'm beating myself up for not losing more. It's my own fault I've become somewhat comfortable with where I've been but days like today I realize I'm still in the 180's and I'm only 5'2" so that's not good. I can't seem to get out of the 180's I've feel like I don't eat much at all but I'm still not losing and I hate exercise so that is something I need to step up. It's been a very busy social summer and I find it hardest to stay on track when in these situations. I'm wondering if I need a fill, I can eat more at one sitting when I can eat but that's just it I get stuck a lot so I'm just not sure what to do

[lindabug 69]

Some helpful reminder

info will come in handy when thinking about fills/adjustments. Great information. I have seen this information before and it is really good.

How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted

You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.

If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:

A. You may need an eating adjustment

1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day

2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber

3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories

a. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome”

b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram

(1) It’s also a stomach irritant

c. fruit juice is just sugar Water

4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of

foods?

a. Are you avoiding soft foods

b. You can’t just eat what’s easy

c. cheese is glorified fat

5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of Water a day between meals

6. Are you eating too much junk

a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly

processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a

healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you

feel deprived.

b. Stay out of fast food places

7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily

8. Do you always eat the Protein first

9. Then the vegetables or fruits

a. Five servings a day

b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable

10. Is your portion size appropriate?

a. meat or fish

(1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards

b. Vegetables

(1) ½ cup – the size of your fist

c. Starch

(1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need

much

(2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, Pasta

11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners

a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the

appetite

b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar

c. They teach you to like things too sweet

d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner

than people who don’t

12. Avoid most diet foods

a. Real food usually tastes better

b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes

c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not

that great

(1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet

margarine

(2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats

a. They may go into permanent storage

b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove

hydrolyzed fats from the body

B. You may need a behavior adjustment

1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?

a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait.

2. Are you eating three meals a day?

a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks

3. Are you sitting down to eat?

4. Are you eating consciously?

a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper

away, pay attention to your food and your companions

5. Are you eating slowly?

a. Put the fork down between bites

b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal

c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying

6. Are you taking small bites?

a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork

7. Are you chewing well?

8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals?

a. Practice water loading between meals

b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal

9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness?

a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough

b. Hard stop versus soft stop

10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.

11. Do not eat when you are not hungry

C. You may need an activity adjustment

1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3

times a week?

a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day

b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week?

c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?

2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your

physical activity?

a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators

b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding

c. Parking your car further away from the entrance

d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through

e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination

f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash

g. Playing with your kids

D. You may need an attitude adjustment

1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?

2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are

eating and exercising?

a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days

3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional

issues?

a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your

eating?

b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those

emotions?

c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?

4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?

5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?

6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?

7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss

journey?

8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating?

a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts

(1) Obsess about something else

b. Perfectionism

(1) All or none, black and white thinking

c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss

9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?

10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?

11. Are you giving up diet mentality?

a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day

b. Stop dieting

c. Stop depriving yourself

d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad”

e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food

12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?

E. You may need a band adjustment

1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate

portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?

2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large

portions.

3. You are having to struggle to lose

4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and

having a good mind set.

F. You may need your band loosened

1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down

2. You are vomiting too much

a. How much is too much?

3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night?

a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating

b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime

c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime

d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux:

(1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods

(2) chocolate

(3) Caffeine

(4) Alcohol

(5) Some fruits and vegetables

a. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers

(6) Peppermint

a. Baking soda toothpaste

(7) Carbonated drinks

e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals

f. If you smoke, quit smoking

g. Reduce stress

h. Exercise promotes digestion

i. Raise the head of your bed

j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist

k. Stress increases reflux

l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning

m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime

(1) Tylenol is OK

n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring

o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications

p. See your health care provider

4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if

a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest,

especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is

accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast

heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack.

b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise.

c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you

also have nausea or fever

d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee

grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar

in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention.

(Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your

stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.)

e. If your pain is severe

[lindabug 69]

Does anyone even come here anymore? In need of support

[lucy2.0 57]

I'm here Linda I on the same boat, I can stop eating bad things, I just too confortable in where I am now, but I need to remember that this is not want I wanted when I when in for the surgery, I'm also not a fan of exercise and I seem to find the perfect excuse every time I get home, I'm always so exahusted.

Today is my anniversary, I was hoping to be around 75-80 lbs but I'm still at 60.

I hope you feel better, if you want to talk you can msg me