jhawkchick75

B: Quaker weight control oatmeal (1 package) L: Kraft easy mac w/ tuna mixed in S: Two small pieces of chocolate (grr...) promptly followed by two benefiber tabs - i'm starving! D: Frosted flakes cereal (dry) - tummy was upset was only thing that sounded good! S: Michalena's light pizza snacks Calories so far: 1,000

My resolution is to cut dairy by at least 50% and hopefully aim for 75%. I am allergic and lactose intolerant and there is a lot out there that shows it will help me out lot. Otherwise, i'm also going to take time for me and also take more risks. I'm not good about and I figure no risk, no reward!!

NEVER too late to get back on track!!! I think we all can slip so easily and it happens in small little steps that you don't notice. I have slowly let myself slip on some things and I am challenging myself to get back on track before it gets too far. Been doing to many slider foods so gonna try to get back to basics. Glad to have you back!!

Sorry I went MIA for a while. I was off at one of my jobs since Xmas eve and I've been running all around since. Now i'm back at work full time and so I can get back in my routine. I wasn't too terrible over the holidays, but I think I didn't lose. We shall see on Wed. B: Breakfast burrito L: Campbells soup at hand tomato S: Chex mix S: Sliced turkey w/ mayo and applesauce D: Taco salad Calories so far: 1,100

Welcome and congrats on your decision! Yep, I had mine done at OCC and I do follow up care here at home. They will give you a bunch of stuff at your surgery, but here is a Cliff's Notes version of it for ya: 1st week: Only clear liquids - gatorade, soup broth, special k20 protein drinks, etc... 2nd and 3rd week: Creamy liquids - soups like tomato and creamy ones like that. There are a bunch of recipes on this site which are great to use! They let you do DanActive during this time too. Then you are back to solids and the fun really begins (insert sarcasm there) where you just have to feel it out and see what you can eat and what you can't. Until my 2nd fill I could still eat anything so just had to use portion control. Doing the same now I had to have an unfill so i'm just having to do what I can until I can get back in for another fill. Good luck and any questions you have just ask! I think coffee is OK after the first week but i'll let others respond b/c I don't drink coffee.

Great idea!!! Wow...lots to think back on you all gave me some great ideas i'm sure i'll miss some but here we go... - Started and completed my Masters Degree and started into big girl world (graduated from college in '99) - Moved to NE for my first post-Masters job which was a real eye opening experience - very low point for me - Moved back to the KC area and made some really fantastic new friends and reconnected with old ones - Got a new roommate (my brother) and is still my roommate now 3 years later - The birth of my niece - she is the center of my world and the reason I was banded - Lost an aunt, uncle and great grandmother - Was able to be in many weddings of great friends also saw many of them give birth as well - Bought a house - Committed myself to a healthier lifestyle and ran in my first race - Had my 10 and 15 year HS reunions - Saw my Jayhawks and Celtics win national championships - in the same year!!! - Met Dick Vitale and Bobby Knight on the same day - Attended my first Celtics game at TB Banknorth garden - Went to Puerto Rico, Vegas (again), Florida and of course San Diego and TJ - Demoted at work but resulted in a great second job that might turn into something more - Almost lost my brother in a car accident but thankfully he is healing and should be home in a couple months Here is to a wonderful 2010!!!!!

So good to see you post! I also am making a promise to myself to get back to basics and back on track. I've had a really crappy year personally and am hopeful that the new year will bring some better luck to my family, but I can't use it as an excuse and need to get my rear in gear. Don't be a stranger! Glad to see you back!

Just what I was gonna say! Definitely look under post op diet and food and many of us journal our food each day. For me, I had no restriction until a couple of fills in and I will never forget my first PB was on an english muffin. I think I had two fills under my belt by then. Getting sick stinks, but it is a part of band life. You just have to listen to your body and when you learn what your signals are you learn to stop eating. Very few people have good restriction with no fill if you do get it that is awesome, but it is rare.

Ditto to what everyone said make sure you are drinking lots. I always had this weird kind of empty burning sensation in my belly, but i just took it one day at a time and worked through it. Also, head hunger is a real b*%*ch!! That was something that I had to fight really hard. Just try to keep yourself occupied and busy and take it one day at a time. Good luck!!

That is really interesting i'd love to hear more about it! I am German and Irish mostly with a little bit of English splashed in there. I am allergic to milk and lactose intolerant, but for some reason my whole life i've just craved dairy like crazy. This will be by far the toughest one i've done, but I need to. TMI, but dairy stops me up sooo bad and I know that is hindering me. It's tough since i'm single and its just me to cook for, but i'd also like to cut out as many processed foods as I can. I work two jobs so it is tough, but i'm gonna try.

Grrr....gained 1.6 this week but it's my TOM i'm not gonna get too upset. Bad news bears they had to cancel my fill on me this morning and can't get me in until the 14th! Ugh I really need that fill i'm able to eat wayyy to much, but i'm gonna get crackin and really try to eat well. I'm cutting my dairy by at least 50 to 75% so i'm hopeful that will help. Will be really hard, but I need to do it. I'm currently eating the chese that is left in my house to get ready. Hope you all have a great rest of the week!!!

B: None, good ole vacation slept in! L: Cheese soup and crabcakes D: Macaroni and cheese Exercise: Shoveled my driveway again for about an hour. Ugh i'm so tired of snow! And there is a layer of ice under it so it was a heck of a workout. Arms are like jello! Looked it up and it says that one hour of shoveling burns 500 calories...sweet!! Calories so far: 900

B: None, on vacation so trying to sleep in as much as possible! L: Chicken, green beans and mac and cheese D: Chips and dip - so bad, but trying to eat all the cheese in my house. Reducing my dairy intake by 50-75% as soon as I eat what is left in my house. So you will see me eating a lot of cheese in the next few days! S: Vodka and crystal light Calories: 1,100 Exercise: Ran 2.5 miles and did some weights

Mine would cover it, but I had to work there at least three years and had only been there 1 1/2 and I was not willing to wait. I was self pay - went to the "First Bank of Dad" and am paying him back at a great interest rate! Many pull from their 401K or take out loans. OCC can also tell you about some lenders that you might look into, but those were at an insane interest rate so I did not go that route.

Oh jesus chips and dip that is killing me! Yeah, even at my best fill I could still do chips and dip. Now, depending on what type of dip it was I got full pretty fast, if it was my chicken dip I make I can eat it fine, but would fill up much faster than say like chips and salsa. That is something I struggle with big time. I'm about to nip that in the bud though b/c one of my new years resolutions is i'm cutting my dairy intake by at least 50% and really aiming for 75%. I've been talking to a lot of folks at work (I work at a gym) and dairy is just bad news for the most part. I know the reason this last 10-15 isn't coming off is dairy and so i'm gonna nip that in the bud! I get another fill tomorrow and I can't wait!!! Hopefully it will get me back up to where I was which was almost perfect. Back before my brother's accident I really felt like I was almost perfect - here is an example of a good day for me back then: Breakfast: Quaker weight control oatmeal (could eat about 1/2 to 3/4 of a package) or about 1/2 cup of kashi cereal (dry) Lunch: packet of tuna and carrots w/ ranch or ham dipped in mustard and carrots w/ ranch Snack: some days I needed a snack some not. Would do a cheese stick or a 90 calorie pack of quaker mini delights rice cakes Dinner: Varied, but would do either a Lean Cuisine or WW meal (about 3/4 of it) or some chili or would make a taco salad (would eat about 3/4 cup of it) I've never been so tight where solids were out at breakfast, but did have to be careful of what I ate. Back at good restriction my meat intake was hit and miss. At dinner most were OK if I took it slow and chewed well as long as they weren't dry. I am hopeful that tomorrow's fill gets me back on track. I'm now eating what is left in my house that has cheese (I hate to waste) and then i'm significantly reducing my dairy intake which I think will make a big difference. The more I read the more I see it is a real detriment to me. Hope that helps!

I so completely understand what you are going through. I have been there too - sometimes I drive by a Wendy's and just want to scream that I can't have a cheeseburger or one of those damn Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits!! So please know that i've totally been there and still experience it quite a bit. I'm with Lisa - when i'm at a good fill I don't count calories I just watch my portions and do try to make sure I get those proteins in. Right now i'm counting until i can get filled back up to where I need to be. I don't care for exercise either, but once I get myself in a routine it is much easier. Also, make sure to find something you like to do. For me it is Zumba I LOVE it! I also started running which I don't particularly live for, but it gives me a goal to reach and it makes me feel really good when I increase my distance or finish a run. Just know i've been there and feel your pain! For me, this time of year is terrible. Not just all the pot lucks and what not, but also I get a little bleh this time of year. Reminds me that another year has gone by and all the things I haven't accomplished. Don't get me wrong, i've done a lot, but it is always easier it seems to focus on the negative sadly. Keep your chin up!!

Too cute!! They say children don't lie!! I love water but my issue is that at work I don't have a lot of time to take breaks, so I hate drinking at work I feel like i'm running to the bathroom all the time. But that is also a focus of mine for my new years resolution. On my nights that I don't work, i've been really focusing on drinking my water as I watch TV. I have a mug that has the ounces on the side and I try to drink at least 3 of them. Doing that as I type!

I would say across the board it seems that most folks can't do bread. When i'm at a good fill there are other things I can't eat. Most fried stuff is out the window and then for me unfortunately it is kind of hit and miss. As the day goes on my band loosens up and I can eat more, but in the morning most solid stuff is out and I do oatmeal or protein shakes. Hot dogs have never been a problem for me, but any meat that is too dry comes straight back up. Not sure what your situation is, but i'd be more worried about him saying that insurance is an easy deal. I know most folks insurance won't cover the procedure, so make sure you are reviewing all your options for payment.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!! Sitting here watching A Christmas Story marathon and watching the snow come down and it does take me back to last year. It is so amazing how much has changed!!! So many things have happened this year and i'm so thankful and excited for what 2010 has to bring us. I hope you all have a great holidays!!!!

I sooo used to do the same thing at WW! I would be like oh shut up I don't even want to hear it, but now it is really nice to be "that girl"! Glad to see you back Anne! I had a partial unfill as well and hopefully can get back to where I was with this next fill next week. I've got about 10-15 to lose and I am bound and determined to get it off!

I can't remember how long it took to get the glue off - 2 weeks maybe? But just wanted to say keep up the great work!

Mine have all been done here at home. Would have liked to have gone back but I just can't afford it. But luckily I have a great doctor here. Lord can't remember how many fills i've had but it is in my signature line when I post this. Before my unfill I was at what I think was a perfect spot so hopefully with my next one on the 30th I can get back there.

B: None S: I small piece of chocolate - really need vendors to quit bringing us stuff! L: 3 coconut shrimp about 4 fries and a few bites of cottage cheese. Got full fast was great! D: Leftovers from earlier S: Relaxed and listened to music and had some red wine Calories so far: 1200 Points so far: 19

So glad it went well! Keep us up to date on how you are doing!

Ugh i'm sorry! I was already through my 21 days by the holidays, but I had no fill so was in bandster hell trying not to eat too much. And, with a family that shoves food down your throat and questions why you aren't eating more. So I can relate. I agree on the getting someone else to cook and I also kept myself really busy to stay away from the food. Kept mingling around the house talking always w/ a drink in my hand and helped get the gifts ready for the kids and things like that. You can do it! Keep up the great work!