A thread for super-sized bandsters - starting BMI over 50?

[tann 2]

I have always been impressed with LAPBANDIT:scared: . Thanks for the advice.

[losingjusme 12]

Last year around this time I basically weighed 400 lbs with a BMI of 56, now I'm in the low 30's and working toward Onderland. AMAZING.

:faint: Lapbandit - - WOW WOW WOW! That is absolutely amazing... what an incredible inspiration!!

[faithmd 14]

Amazingly inspirational!!!!

[LapBandit 5]

You guys are so sweet! Thanks for the nice comments.

I started out struggling BAD. I just couldn't let go of those old "diet tricks" that we all have come to try over and over again. And, I would still watch infomercials about new pills or gadgets that should magically help me lose weight. All of this was really messing with my head so I basically had a meltdown in front of my doctor and admitted that I felt like I was messing this up...because I was still "dieting" and I wasn't losing weight at first. So my doc set me straight and told me that I needed to trust that he was trying to teach me a healthy way to lose this weight. He also said two of the best things ever...he told me that it was HIS responsibility to see that I was successful and he told me to eat. His exact phrase was "eat-just make sure it's healthy food". I was only eating about 600 calories a day and I was miserable.

So, I spent a weekend thinking about all of this drama I had created and decided that I was going to trust him and follow his advice as closely as I could. And by him saying he was taking responsibility for my weight loss helped relieve some of the pressure I was putting on myself. That weekend was the turning point...from then on out I considered us a "team" and it was the absolute best thing I could've done for myself. I wasn't alone, I wasn't dieting, I had a game plan and if I failed I could blame him (ha ha).

So, I don't believe I'm anything special. And, there are lots of people on this board who have done better than me. In fact, I probably had it easier than most because I'm young"ish" and had no major physical or medical issues to contend with. But, what I do have is the attitude that I'm committed to doing whatever I need to do to be successful. I want this FOR ME.

Sorry for the long post but I hope this info might help someone else who might be struggling like I was. Plus, I'm feeling nostalgic because my one year is coming soon!

PS-The eating plan my doctor has us follow is called "Eating For Life" by Bill Phillips. I have learned how to properly fuel my body with foods I truly enjoy. I can't say enough how much of an impact this book has made on my life.

[ihomeschool4 0]

:help:

I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Roberto Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico...my hubby and I are going together and we will both be having Lapbands placed.

We start our pre-op diets on April 2 (me) and April 4 (him).

I am researching the Protein shake thing and trying to figure out which ones are the most palatable.

If anyone cares to share any opinions, they would be greatly appreciated...I'm gonna ask here (on my favorite thread) and post a new thread in case everyone doesn't read our EXCELLENT WONDERFUL BEST EVER THREAD IN THE UNIVERSE....

:biggrin1:

Seriously...you guys have been my encouragers and my sanity over these last few weeks of finalizing my decision to do this...

Thanks SOOOO much for everything!

374/358/160

[maziemommy 8]

I went to our local "Healthy Weight Supermarket" (I think it's on line too) that was started by a bariatric doc. named Brenda Wells. They have a Protein pudding dry mix and recipe----Resees' meal replacment shake???-----

You blend 1 chocolate protein/pudding envelope with,

1 cup Water,

1 tsp. low fat Peanut Butter,

1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese then add

1 cup ice and re-blend!!!!!!

It helped me tremendously when I really wanted to "cheat and eat"! I felt like I was starving ya' know....then remembered this and after I felt full and it was not cheating!!! It will be great for post op too!!

[maziemommy 8]

Forgot to mention I'm down 16# and date is not until 4-2-07!! Trying hard not to cheat pre-op diet!

[Wheetsin 714]

The blended cottage cheese is good for a lot of things other than the Protein pudding (which I make using SF pudding and whatever I want in it... Peanut Butter, or a bod of SF strawberry preserves in Cheesecake pudding, etc.). It's a great sour craem substitute. I've used it to mix tuna or chicken in, instead of mayo. Heck, half the time when I ate it, I just stirred it into my cottage cheese... may as well cut out the mayo if I can do that. Casserole toppings, mousse base, etc. It has a very neutral flavor and a perfect consistency.

Instead of adding the cup of ice, try blending everything ahead of time (my last batch was blended cottage cheese + SF fudge pudding + crunchy Peanut Butter + chocolate Protein powder... do the pudding first, then mix in the rest), portioning out, and freezing. It will get really hard so if you want some right then, monitor it. Otherwise just take it out a little while before you will be eating. It doesn't have ice cream consistency... more like a mix of gellato crossed with popsicle, but it is enough (IMO) to kill he cravings.

[DeltaDawn 0]

Smilelee,

Yes it is possible!!!! I hope it goes well for you. I am almost at my 1 year anniversary. I have lost 169 lbs! And, I am running my first race- a 5 km on Sunday.

It has been tough, but the band gives me that tool that makes it possible. I had little restriction (1 fill 10 months ago), but it is enough to just remind me and then I am okay. I know I have been lucky. I added the exercise on when I weighed about 260 lbs (I found it too hard earlier) and then it came off more easily.

Best of luck to you!!

Dawn

Banded April 4th, 2006

Montreal

358/191/ 179 (but... I think I will want to go lower)

Exercise session this month so far= 17 sessions

[Maurdan 2]

I got my Protein shakes from GNC.

I had to do the pre-op diet for 10 days. I will be honest, it was hell. HOWEVER, it made everything after surgery so much better. I'm so glad I didn't cheat, not even one little bite!

[maziemommy 8]

OK I cheated alittle today on my pre-op diet---anyone heard of something bad comming from alittle cheating???? other than guilt????

Please give me some ideas to keep me strong....staying out of the kitchen is not an option because of my 17 month old DD, Mazie. I have to care for her and that means, feed her.

Next week I'm on all liquids/ no meals..I need advice...other than surgery coming quickly, I have much stress...DH who is usually in town for work is out of state.....real estate deal getting close to closing(with no agent to help me),..... Refinance of rental house not gone through yet......self pay.........fence was crushed by a branch, and now tiny dogs gets out, while I'm alone with baby.....blah blah blah....sniffle sniffle ya' know...

when it rains it poors...

Please offer me some tips to NOT CHEAT ANYMORE! SEND ME STRENGTH!

[synicalchick 0]

My advice... for what it's worth is..

Surround yourself with sugar free Jello and sugar free pudding and sugar free Popcicles.. that way when you just absolutely HAVE to graze.. it won't be so bad.

T

OK I cheated alittle today on my pre-op diet---anyone heard of something bad comming from alittle cheating???? other than guilt????

Please give me some ideas to keep me strong....staying out of the kitchen is not an option because of my 17 month old DD, Mazie. I have to care for her and that means, feed her.

Next week I'm on all liquids/ no meals..I need advice...other than surgery coming quickly, I have much stress...DH who is usually in town for work is out of state.....real estate deal getting close to closing(with no agent to help me),..... Refinance of rental house not gone through yet......self pay.........fence was crushed by a branch, and now tiny dogs gets out, while I'm alone with baby.....blah blah blah....sniffle sniffle ya' know...

when it rains it poors...

Please offer me some tips to NOT CHEAT ANYMORE! SEND ME STRENGTH!

[Maurdan 2]

Well, I finally got my act together and with the help of my bodybugg I was able to lose 7 lbs this week. It took me 3 months to realize the weight doesn't just fall off, I have to do my part too. I always knew it of course, but I didn't get motivated until I got my toy. So far, it's totally worth the price.

Now I have to decide if I really need my fill next week. I'm thinking I'll just cancel and continue doing what I'm doing. Then, I'll get a fill when I slow down or stop losing.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. It's Spring Break for me. Whee!

[synicalchick 0]

Well, I finally got my act together and with the help of my bodybugg I was able to lose 7 lbs this week. It took me 3 months to realize the weight doesn't just fall off, I have to do my part too. I always knew it of course, but I didn't get motivated until I got my toy. So far, it's totally worth the price.

Now I have to decide if I really need my fill next week. I'm thinking I'll just cancel and continue doing what I'm doing. Then, I'll get a fill when I slow down or stop losing.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. It's Spring Break for me. Whee!

What is a body bugg?

[losingjusme 12]

Synicalchick

a body bugg is a device that tracks calories in and calories out. you wear it on your arm whenever you are not sleeping. it is supposed to be really good and i'm thinking about getting it. the only drawback i found is that it does not calculate your heartrate.