Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

November Bandsters!



Recommended Posts

Fun exercise idea - I hate to walk, and forget about running, but my husband got me the neatest bicycle for Christmas - it's one of those old-fashioned ones, and it's pink. At first I felt silly riding it, but it's so fun. Yesterday we rode over 3 miles (stopping for lunch midway) and it was so fun, it wasn't like exercise.

I was a little sore after, but I'm sure that will change if I can keep this up.

As for eating - I can eat anything right now, but I've noticed I'm eating a lot less - maybe half of what I was. Still, I'm looking forward to my fill in January. Looking back, I wish I hadn't told my co-workers about the procedure - one of them saw me eating a cookie and said something snotty. And everyone keeps asking me how much I've lost.

Well, happy holidays to everyone!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It is just that I always think negative

And most of us always overate which is why we got the band. What we always did needs to be past tense. Change is slow. They say the only way to break a habit is to replace that behavior with another behavior. And that was my point. Every time you have a negative thought, make yourself find a positive to offset it. It will take some time to find the positive if you're not use to looking for it. Many of us here have already pointed out some for you. Just like being overweight won't be cured in a day, neither will negative thoughts. It's a process. But you need to make the choice of whether what you've always done is working for you or not. If not, then work towards making a change. You're not going to wake up tomorrow and decide the world is all warm and fuzzy, but maybe you'll see that it is partly sunny instead of partly cloudy. Baby steps!

Tom

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Looking back, I wish I hadn't told my co-workers about the procedure - one of them saw me eating a cookie and said something snotty. And everyone keeps asking me how much I've lost.

I kinda wish I hadn't told some people also for the same reason. We had a Breakfast at church a few weeks ago and this old lady (that I am not overly fond of anyway) looked at my plate and asked if what I was eating was on my "diet". It was a scrabbled eggs for goodness sake!!! :angry I could have slapped her! I had to stop myself from smarting off so I just told her I wasn't on a diet and yes, I could have eggs. Some people have got nerve!! I told my hubby that I wasn't going to anymore church dinners because I get so sick of people watching what I eat. UGH!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I kinda wish I hadn't told some people also for the same reason. We had a breakfast at church a few weeks ago and this old lady (that I am not overly fond of anyway) looked at my plate and asked if what I was eating was on my "diet". It was a scrabbled eggs for goodness sake!!! :angry I could have slapped her! I had to stop myself from smarting off so I just told her I wasn't on a diet and yes, I could have eggs. Some people have got nerve!! I told my hubby that I wasn't going to anymore church dinners because I get so sick of people watching what I eat. UGH!!

It's a double-edged sword. We don't want people to ask how much we've lost but we want people to notice we have.

I'm fortunate in that 2 of my co-workers have had gastric bypass surgery (one 8 years ago, one in February) so they're pretty understanding. The understand the trials and tribulations and are amazed at the speed of recovery I've had versus them.

Tom

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

ok Smarty Pants oBERHASLI.... A KICK IN THE PANTS, EH? This chronically mildly depressed defeatest person is leaving this desk to go dance in front of my TV for half an hour. thanks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Everyone! I havent been on in awhile, but I hope that everyone is doing ok and surviving the holidays! I have been a pretty bad girl...in the sense of eating...but I get my first fill on Jan. 5th which I am uber excited about! I hope you are all doing great, miss talking to you guys!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That IS an accomplishment as I too was a 12-pack a day person and am basically caffiene and carbonation free now. Trust me, if you can do that, you can do anything! Success is built on one small accomplishment at a time. We didn't become overweight overnight nor did we learn all of our eating habits that led to the weight problem overnight. Don't expect to unlearn those behaviors overnight either.

For me, the point of this is to recognize what we are doing right. None of us, I'm sure, are 100% "good". We can either bask in the glory of those things we are doing right or waller in the misery of our mistakes. Just like with a child, if we continually tell ourselves we're failures, we will be. If we continually tell ourselves we're doing great, we will! (And no, I wasn't a cheerleader in a former life. Those short skirts and my hairy legs just didn't go together. :heh: )

Tom

Very cute Tom...very cute! :biggrin1: the hairy legs and little skirt made me laugh!

PRBrooksie...way to go!!! That IS a BIG accomplishment...focus on the positive. We attract what we think.... we create our reality...I know you can create a reality where you have complete control of your eating and of your emotions towards food... really it works! If you have not seen What The Bleep Do We Know...rent it, it might take a couple of times to get it, but the concepts are life changing :clap2: :clap2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can't do diet pills. I don't like how they make me feel. Be proud, you went down two sizes. Congatulations!!! My positive thought would that I didn't gain weight over the holidays....how many non-banded people can say that??:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good news for today

Thsi morning at a restaurant, I had 2 scrambled eggs for breakfast, and it took me as long to eat them as it took my husband to eat his sausage and cheese omelette, hash browns, and toast.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My positive thought would that I didn't gain weight over the holidays....how many non-banded people can say that??:)

Congratulations!! Isn't that a nice change? I was so shocked to learn that I had actually LOST a pound on Christmas day! (I am one of those that weigh everyday. It's my new addiction!) I have never, ever done that. I always gained.

My fellow November bandsters: We are doing great!! I know it's hard to stay positive when we have failed so many times. Most of my family is negative so I grew up looking at the negative in everything. It's very hard to overcome and I most certainly haven't reached it. I struggle with it all the time.

This is the end of December, the month following our surgeries and I for one am very proud of all of us! We have all taken a major step to becoming the people we want to be. It won't happen over night, it may take a year or two or more but we made the step! We knew coming into this that it was going to be a long haul and a lot of hard work, but we can do it! We have already come a long way!! 2007 is going to be a great year for all of us!! Just take a few moments and fantasize about where you want to be next year at this time. I for one don't want a 3 in front of my weight...and I believe that I am going to make it!! I am going to have to work hard, but I CAN DO IT!

What are everyone else's hopes and dreams for 2007? Share them with us and we will help you along the way. BELIEVE that you can acheive it. Tom is 100% correct, our mindset makes a huge difference. We are going to have down days, but that's why we are all hear, for support, for someone to listen and be there for us. I have decided that when I am down, I am going to send a message to Tom and he will set me straight! :heh: LOL! He has the positive mindset that I want!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Denise...I can tell!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

PR Brooksie.... get a closer fitting outfit...they will notice.... and smile...that really shows! Every morning look at yourself in the mirror and pick one thing you like about yourself...it does not have to be physical...it can be pretty eyes, a nice smile, what a good friend you are, or a kind heart, etc. you get my drift? Then look at yourself...directly into you eyes and say to youself i am proud of being ME because I have a kind heart, or pretty eyes, etc. etc. a different one very day and you will see your mind changing... repeat it as many times as you need.... when you get the hang of it then you can begin to say things in the present tense that you want for your future as your subconscious will make it happen...but it must be in present tense like:

I am slim and beautiful!

I am fitting perfectly in a size 12!

I am a confident and positive person!

I LOVE myself!

etc. etc.

Actually we all ned to do this...I try to do this at least a few times a week...it does work.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tom is 100% correct, our mindset makes a huge difference. We are going to have down days, but that's why we are all hear, for support, for someone to listen and be there for us. I have decided that when I am down, I am going to send a message to Tom and he will set me straight! :heh: LOL! He has the positive mindset that I want!

I do like hearing I'm correct. ;-)

I have broad shoulders so feel free to contact me. I do, of course, hope those shoulders are less broad as we go along!

The two biggest things that helped my mindset was my grandmother's breast cancer and my step-father's multiple illnesses. About 10 years ago, my grandmother, in her mid-70's, was diagnosed with breast cancer. They gave her treatment options including a mastectomy. She told them that at her age she wasn't nursing and no one was playing with it so they might as well take it. She came home from the hospital the same day as her complete, radical mastectomy and cooked dinner for my aunt and her family. She was back to work, cleaning houses for the doctors that did her surgery, in less than 2 weeks. Her biggest problem was balance as she was rather "chesty". <G> I'm sure we've all heard/said "we hope we look that good/have that much energy when we're that age." I'd be happy to have her energy NOW! She approaches life as an adventure despite having many, many road blocks along the way. She had her 10 year check up and despite a small scare, is cancer free. At 86, she still cleans houses a couple days a week and until last year walked to many of her jobs 2-3 miles from where she lives. (She's never driven.)

On the flip side, my step father had bi-lateral knee replacement surgery about 6 years ago. Since then, he's laid around and waited to die. He's in a motorized chair, has caretakers in 2-4 times a week and ends up in the hospital at least once a month. None of his conditions were nearly as serious as my grandmother's cancer yet he's given up the will to live. While he's not dead, he has no life. My choice is to embrace life as my grandmother has or give up as my step-father has. Despite her being older (but only 6 years since my mother remarried an older man), she is so much more full of life and a joy to be around so I try to emulate her. I'm not always successful but whenever I start feeling down, I think of her, what she's been through in her life and her outlook and realize my problems aren't nearly as bad, to cheer up and move on.

Tom

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I My choice is to embrace life as my grandmother has or give up as my step-father has. Despite her being older (but only 6 years since my mother remarried an older man), she is so much more full of life and a joy to be around so I try to emulate her. I'm not always successful but whenever I start feeling down, I think of her, what she's been through in her life and her outlook and realize my problems aren't nearly as bad, to cheer up and move on.

Your grandmother sounds like a vibrant, funny lady! It is so much easier to get the mindset of yor step-father but what kind of life would we have? Your grandmother is a wonderful example to think of when you are down. She has come through so much and we all have so much to learn from people like her!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tom,

I had a feeling something like this had been part of your life due to your positive outlook. It is great you learned and are using this experience for yourself and to help others. It is amazing how a difficult time in our life can force us to learn and change...most people unfortunately wait until then to learn these secrets which can change our life for the positive.

Although I have been spiritual since childhood and with a tendency more for the positive, I still had bouts of self pity due to childhood stuff... I have always been into reading positive, growth related books...since I can remember... however it was not enough. With my only pregnancy I got sick with severe cramping and seizures...that was the first sign of something wrong...for years I experienced similar symptoms with no one giving me an answer. finally about 12 years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis...In a way I was relieved because I finally knoew what I had... the problem is that M.D.'s essentially wanted to put me in a wheelchair and told me I would probably not live a long and full life...HA!:faint: Their outlook in relation to chronic illness is So negative! I DECIDED I WOULD NOT let that happen to me. I began to do research and to change my life starting with taking yoga, and then meditation and lots and lots of reading about self improvement and learnig how our universe and mind really work. I also got massage and chiropractic and evrything natural. I began to reverse everything wrong! I became more spiritual, which does not mean more religious, and made sure i kept negative out of my life as much as possible...that includes, violence and negative topics on TV, movies and books. and staying away from toxic people... I do live in the real world so I am informed, but I do not replay these thiongs over and over in my mind. The point is, any person CAN CHANGE anything they want to change in their life through positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle. My one weakness has been the weight, in part due to not being able to do hard exercise and ride a bike...but I can walk and hike, etc. so I finally opted for the band so I can control portions...even healthy food is fattening when you eat too much of it :) After being in western medicine for many years I went back to school and got my Doctorate in Naturology/natural medicine and became ordained so I can help people physically as well as spiritually.

Anyway...who has had a life changing experience...something that changed the way you think in any way... and how did it change your life?

Sorry about the length, but I hope somehow this story and Tom's story has something click inside any of you reading this and can be a positive change in your life... :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×