iamworthit

Hey Cathy, I was looking at the Wii Fit and wanted to get one too, but I have a question. Does it seem 'virtual'. What I mean is I am concerned that it will make me nauseous. I get kind of sick when I look at video games, etc. that are too close to real. I think it is the motion. I like the concept of the Wii fit though. I met with my personal trainer again this week and we measured for the first time since April 29th. I have lost 15 inches off of my body (YEAHHHHH!!!!). I was really happy because the weight is not melting off of me, that is for sure; however, my body has changed dramatically. I work out everyday for 1.5 to 2 hours so I know that is making a huge difference. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Wii...

I am right there with you! I had my surgery 07/01 and am not getting my first fill till Oct 15 because of scheduling issues. I am hungry all the time too, but I just follow the rules. It is tough mentally, but it can be done. I haven't been losing a lot the last several weeks, but I am not going up either. My body is changing and for that I am thankful. Maybe focus on the NSV rather than the scale and food right now? Good luck with your fill!

Oh my goodness, that is fantastic!! Can I ask you a personal question? Are you a man or a woman? I am really struggling right now. I was banded on 07/01 and have lost 17 lbs since surgery, but the majority of that was lost the first 2 weeks. I have lost 51 lbs to date through diet and exercise prior to the surgery. I just lose so slowly. I find myself getting a little frustrated but in reality I have only just started. I haven't had my first fill yet so I hope once I get resitriction that will help too. I do a lot of cardio and strength training so I can tell a huge difference in my body shape which is good. Again, congratulations on this huge milestone. You should be really proud of yourself. Know that you are an inspiration for those of us who are struggling! It can be done!

I agree too! I don't have good restriction yet as I haven't had a fill. However, I do follow the bandster rules and I take at least 30 minutes to eat so by the time I get to vegetables and starches I am tired of chewing and usually stop. I have to physically stop myself from eating now because quite frankly, I can eat just about anything. I am on pure mental willpower right now. I can't wait to get my fill and hopefully get some restriction! As a side note, my hubby and I are going on vacation for the next 2 weeks (leaving this weekend). We are doing a lot of hiking in multiple state and national parks in Utah and Arizona with a couple of days at the Grande Canyon. I cannot wait as neither of us have ever been out there before! Hopefully, I will be able to stay on my plan and not gain anything while I am away - that makes me a bit nervous.

I am a girl, so I am not commenting on that part, but I had to say this cracked me up! I am a huge Seinfeld fan and the image of frogger really made me giggle! Good luck with your surgery, you will be fine!

Are you still on liquids? If so, there is no way your stomach pounch has stretched. I too was hungry from day one. It was really hard making it through the first 3 weeks, but it can be done. If you are truly only doing liquids right now, you don't need to worry about the stretching. It isn't possible.

Glad to see you back! I haven't been posting a lot lately either. I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I was banded on 07/01 and can't get a fill till October 15th because of scheduling problems. I have been very discouraged but have not given up. I haven't gained anything, but I am not losing either. This is the 4th week in a row where I haven't lost anything. It makes it hard to follow the rules even though I know in my heart of hearts that is the only way it is going to work. I can eat anything, just like before my surgery and that makes it tough too. I haven't PB'd or slimed on anything. I still take a long time to eat and eat the protein first, but I am eating bread which I didn't think I would be able to. Hang in there Carrie! I keep telling myself that I am in this for the marathon, not the sprint. You can do this, we all can do this and I thank God every day for this forum because it keeps me strong when I am very weak right now. Good luck!!!

I completely understand what you are feeling. I haven't had a fill yet, I was banded on 07/01 and I found out yesterday I won't be filled until October 15th. That is the earliest I can get in the office. I cried... I just hope I can keep off what I have lost so far. I was down 1/2 pound this morning but that is only 2 lb's for the whole month..

Oh my gosh, this post is so spot on for me. I just got off of the phone with my dr.'s office. I need a fill (haven't had one yet). The soonest they can get me in is October 15, 2008. I had my surgery on 07/01. I just want to cry right now because I am so discouraged. I haven't lost any weight in 3 weeks and I eat as much now as I did before banding. I haven't gained anything, but I am not losing. Oct. 25th is almost 2 months away and that will be a total of 4 since my surgery. Waaaah!!!!

I lived on Sanibel during Charley. Our house was damaged pretty severely. Luckily, with Charley it was a small hurricane in terms of square miles. I just pray it fizzle out and doesn't hit anyone. Having lived in Florida my whole life, I have lived through many hurricanes but they are just not fun to deal with. I will keep everyone in my prayers!

Thanks! Yeah, my husband isn't the type to say anything either typically. He has been so supportive, kind and understanding. I think he knew I what I was doing because he knows how miserable I am at work. He was working from home today because unfortunately, we had damage from tropical storm faye and we were getting some estimates on the work that needs to be done. I think that too stressed me out, too. Thanks again for your kind words. I look to you, mamamichele, and kim2bslim as inspiration more than any of you will ever know. I have a very similar body shape to Kim and it is amazing to see her progress. I hope to be there soon myself.

I have been having a really hard time. I really hate my job but can't afford to quit and on top of that, I am not losing like I did in the beginning which freaks me out. When I got home from work today my husband asked me what I wanted for dinner (we were planning on eating out becuase we were both on call for work) and I told him Mexican! He looked at me and asked if that was what I really wanted. Well, after I went and got out of my clothes and settled down for a couple of minutes I realized I was trying to 'self-medicate' with food again. It is scary how much we rely on food. I thought I was getting some control on those feelings but I immediately wanted to self destruct. We ended up going to Carabba's and I got the grilled chicken and asparagus which isn't that bad. However, I did realize how much I wanted to 'hurt' myself with Mexican food. Why do I do these things? At least my husband had the sense to not fall for my whim...

I buy the fish fillet's like that too. I like the salmon and cod. The salmon I grill or broil and the code I marinate for a couple minutes in lime juice, cilantro and hot sauce and then grill. Yummo. As for my weekly shopping: skinny cow 100 calorie yogurts all flavors 80 calorie cheese sticks white albacore tuna fish high fiber cereal skim milk eggs turkey burgers spicy black bean burgers lean cuisines (variety) chicken (I usually grill or broil) Shrimp (boil, grill with a little old bay yummo) sugar free lemonaid

Fay was with us for some time too. I live in Jacksonville, Florida and it seemed as if it was never going to stop! Luckily, at our house we ended up with little damage. Just a tree that toppled, but luckily not on our house. We had some minor leaking in the roof, but again luckily it was in the garage. I am thankful that it wasn't worse than it was..

For me the pain wasn't bad at all. I didn't have my surgery at OCC, rather in the states. However, I wasn't in pain at all after the surgery, albeit the gas. For me, I just felt foggy for the first couple of weeks. I stopped taking in enough calories and ended up only getting 300 - 400 calories a day the first week and that didn't make me feel very good at all. I just suggest having enough liquid calories around you to keep your strength up. Buy some of the protein bullets and have plently of clear liquids to keep hydrated. I think that was the one thing I messed up those first 2 weeks not getting enough nutrition. After the first 2 weeks I felt great. I have short term disabiity at my job and I got 1 month off from work to recupriate which was awesome because I was home the entire month of July. I am thankful for that time because it allowed me to become one with the band (yes sensai).

Hi everyone! I haven't posted recently. I have been really busy with everything and this just kind of fell to the wayside. Anyway, I had my surgery on 07/01/08 and I have lost 51 lbs to date (I started dieting back in October of last year so don't get too excited). I have noticed the last two weeks I can eat. I consciously stop myself and stick to my diet of 1200 calories a day, but boy do I have an appetite back. I haven't lost much the last 2 weeks either, just ounces each week. I see my surgeon this Wednesday and I am hoping he will let me get a fill because it is scaring me that I can eat. Quick question... I have never PB'd or slimed or felt sick yet. How do you know if your pouch is stretched? I worry because I no longer eat just 1/2 a cup at a time. For instance, when I grill chicken, I can eat a leg without skin and a thigh without skin, plus brocolli without any problems at all. I take my 30 minutes to eat and I am full when I am done, but that does seem like a lot of food to me. Is this normal? Am I worrying for nothing? I hope everyone else had a nice summer. I am truly thankful for my band and have realized some personal weightloss goals the last couple of weeks. 1. I got off of the couch without using my arms. 2. I ran for 15 minutes straight on the treadmill. I am up to alternating 5 minutes running and 5 minutes walking for 60 minutes total. 3. I can walk up 2 flights of stairs without being winded. 4. I got rid of all of my size 22 and 20 clothes. I am officially in an 18 (yeah). Anyway, nice seeing you all!

Yep - you are right! 5 lb's is 5 lb's. You can't change physics. If Dr. O says that in the book, he is definitely wrong. Now, what I think is meant is 5 lb's of fat takes up as much as 4 times space as 5 lbs of muscle. That makes sense....

1. For me I didn't get back to my "normal" workout routine until after the 1st month. I walked every day while I was healing, but I didn't do the elliptical machine at all, or weights (still not on those) or swim. I just started swimming again this week and it is wonderful and I am back to running / walking and elliptical every day as well. 2. I see a nutritionalist every month. I was not banded at the OCC, so it was a requirement in the clinic where I had my surgery. I am thankful for the nutritionist both pre and post op because I learned a lot about my triggers as well as how to deal with food emotionally. I used to use it as a drug and now I just use it for fuel. Plus, the nutrtionist is great about offering help after the surgery with regards to what are the best choices eating wise. I struggled the first 2 weeks with getting enough calories in and I remember calling her and she basically gave me another complete list of things to buy that would help me through that difficult period. My energy went up after speaking with her and I was thankful for having that support. 3. Sun Dress. 4. I am not sure. 5. I did initially only because I used to drink a lot, like over 100 ounces daily. Immediately after surgery I dropped considerably with my water intake. Now, I am back up to my 100 ounces daily, but I really have to plan for it knowing you really shouldn't drink 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after a meal. My nutritionist has me on 1200 calories a day split between 3 meals and 3 snacks. It is a full time job some days getting the food / water in. I am on a good schedule now and it is working. I feel strong and the weight is steadily coming off. I think the 3 meals / 3 snacks a day is good because my metabolism doesn't shut down.. 6. My nutritionist recommended it but I just couldn't bring myself to do the baby food. I ended up putting everything in the food processer. It was easier for me. I would boil a chicken breast and then put it in the processer with a little chicken broth and pulse till it was crumbly. I would then add a little non fat mayo just enough to moisten and a little more broth. I lived on that a lot those first couple of weeks. Good luck and I hope this helps!

That is exactly how I manage it too, Lisa. I count calories, protein and carbs. If I go over on something, I cut back on another or up my exercise. We all need to remember it really is just math: calories in, calories out. Now, it is very important to get our calories from good sources and ice cream isn't the best choice, but in reality once in a while it isn't going to hurt as long as you plan for it and make sure you have the calories or exercise to burn it off. P.S. I love skinny cows too. They have 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein too which makes them even better...

Holy moly, that is great! I have had my husband take pictures of me on the 1st of every month, but I haven't looked at them since I started. I am 51 lbs down now and it only was this past week where people started commenting on my weight loss. It is pretty great to get the good feedback, but it scares me too. In the past I would self-sabatouge when things starting working. I am not doing that this time. I am worth it and I will succeed! Looks like you are well on your way too! Great job!

Me too! I used to suck wind when I would walk around the block (about 1 mile). Now, I am running 5 minutes, walking 5 minutes, running 5 minutes, etc. for 45 minutes then doing 30 on the elliptical machine on top of that. It is amazing how fast the body improves with activity. I started swimming again next week, at my local Y. I was able to swim 3 sets of 20 lengths of the pool. I would swim 20 lengths then stop for a couple minutes and jog in place, then another 20, jog, 20. It took me 45 minutes altogether and I was EXHAUSTED afterward, but boy oh boy I felt like I had achieved something. Paula, you keep up the great work and I bet in no time at all you will see a difference in your strength. My knees were bad too and I noticed the other day when I was walking down the flight of stairs at work, I wasn't grasping the handrail like it was there to save my life. I just walked down the stairs like a normal person. I love my band!

I too am a compulsive weigher, so I got rid of my scale and only weigh myself 1 time per week, at work. So far that has been good because I don't see the little fluctuations, just the steady taking off of lb's. I too order water whenever I go to a restaurant and then I just push it to the side. Giving up liquids with meals was tough for me initially, but now I am used to it. I do drink a full glass about 45 minutes after a meal though. Another tip that I have is I always stop before I actually feel full. I tell myself if I am hungry again in 2 hours I can have a small, less than 100 calorie snack, but to just see if this is enough. So far, I have never felt a need to go back. I just hit my 50 lb mark this week and people are starting to notice the weight. Funny it took 50 lb's for people to start noticing. That is when I typically self-sabotoge. I have refused to go down that path because I am in it for the long haul! Thanks Michele for your posts.. I always learn something from them, that is for sure.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that quote... I am going to put that on the wall over my desk... That quote is perfect in so many situations....

I am sorry it was so horrible for you. I didn't have my surgery at OCC. I had mine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN., as my insurance covered it there. I was wondering... If your husband is not comfortable with you going out of the country for your surgery, have you checked your options in the states; specifically what are your options with insurance coverage? My husband was not thrilled either when I started my program and it took the entire 6 month pre-diet portion to get him on board. I had my surgery on 07/01 and I can say he has been SO SUPPORTIVE since I have had my surgery. The funny part is when I had it and I was so emotionally drained the first week (I cried a lot the first week), he got on THIS SITE and looked up all kinds of positive information that everyone has shared. Moral of the story... Don't give up yet, Vix. Husbands are tough some times, but I suspect he will come around. Maybe you can try and educate him and if nothing else find out what specifically he is uncomfortable with. If it is purely the leaving the states part of the surgery, get it in your home state. If it is the fact that it is surgery, educate him with regards to what it entails. If it is the money, find out if your insurance will cover it. If your insurance doesn't cover it, get different insurance. Do whatever it takes, but do what is right for you. I am typically a very passive wife but when it came to this, I put my foot down. He knew I was doing it come he// or high water and by the day of surgery was on board. The night before my surgery my husband confessed to me that one of his fears is that I will lose the weight and then leave him. That was the silliest thing I had ever heard considering I weighed 130 lbs when I met him. He is the best thing that ever happened to me and that won't change. Maybe you need to encourage your husband with that as well. That could be why he is feeling the way he is... I will continue to pray for you. Hang in there, kiddo!

I hear you about worrying. I am in the same boat. I had surgery on 07/01 and I am still kind of afraid to eat. I met with my dietician this week and we went over my food journals. One thing was for sure, I am not getting enough calories (average 800 / day). She also indicated that I should focus on getting my calories from food and try and stay away from the protein drinks which is what I use to supplement. Psychologically, I am so afraid of failure, or losing control that it is just easier for me to not eat, or eat tiny, tiny portions and tell myself I can't have anything else. I stop eating before I am nearly satisfied and tell myself I can go back later if I want to which I never do. I am going to work on upping my calories over the next 2 weeks to get to 1,000. I have committed to not drinking the protein shakes anymore and trying to get my food through food. Hang in there, I think we all go through the period of being afraid. I have been lucky so far, not having anything stuck, or PB or anything and that frightens me as well. I just don't take any chances with anything new...