We CAN do this

I have seen posts on other boards and know that it can/ and likely will be a struggle for some of us, so I wanted to post something here. Ladies and gentlemen, we all have an amazing journey ahead of us, some of the folks on this board have already had their surgery and others are about to, but either way we all have the same problem here... it's about food, and weight. Caters (another loser on this board) and I made a pledge today and I think we should all do this. When you have dealt with weight problems your entire life it's hard to break old habits. In the early stages after surgery we are very prone to stick to the post op diet for fear of vomiting or pain, but after the honeymoon phase we will go through emotions, fears, and even face our addictive behaviours and want to go back to our old bad habits. I think we all realize that we are at this point (having WLS) because we are at our wits end when it comes to our weight, but to get different results you must change your behaviour. So with that said, let's all pledge that after our surgeries this month, let's not try to find ways to cheat...there is no excuse for cheating. This will be a life change and it's going to be a tool that we can use to get healthy and stay that way. Cheating only hurts YOU in the long run, so let's pledge to stick to our post op diets and take daily supplements, walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip and take in lots of protiens and stay away from foods that will only slow the process of being healthier happier people. What do you say? Are you in? Lori

I am in!! My surgery date is Feb 1 please pray for me that day.

I don't know that people are looking for ways to "cheat" they have been told things to do that won't hurt their progress that may appear to be cheating to some, but if their doctor tells them it's "okay" then we really can't call that "cheating." Lap-Band is still pretty new and the original diet guidelines were taken from the RNY patients until they experimented and found that it didn't need to be that restrictive, especially in the beginning and people would still have good results and be safe. So I'm kind of glad they did that and are still testing food and drinks. Following your doctor's program is the best way to go forward and yours is bound to tell you that you can have something I can't. My doctor is dead set against artificial sweetener's. It's just not allowed, but there are lots of people out there that haven't been told that and not only use artificial sweetener but sugar. That's not following our program, so I guess that would be "cheating" by your definition. It's pretty un-realistic to think your going to be 100% perfect with your band. Infact it just won't happen, anyone who says they are perfect, if they list what they are eating will appear to be cheating by some doctor's instructions. I'm not saying we should be looking for ways to cheat either, I think people on this forum who ask about what they can eat are asking because their after-care is lacking the information. There is a lot of good information on the board, but when it comes to the food, I have to double check to see if we can do most of it. Most of the time it's "NO" so we don't pay a lot of attention to the food or drink advice, that's just what I've learned with my experience on the board. I don't think people will like to think they are "cheating" when what they are doing has actually been approved and works for them.

The cheating I referred to is eating something not on your Dr.'s plan. All of our Doctors orders are different, but for many of us on here (myself included) eating unhealthy foods brought us to this point. There are physical and emotional effects after WLS that cause us to miss how we used to eat...wanting carbs when we cant have them, eating junk food, drinking cokes (when our Dr. says not to) and other things like that. Those desires don't just go away because we have the surgery. I have read many many stories about food withdrawls after WLS, so my post was simply to say let's all agree that we'll make wise choices for our health that's all. We all have or will have a tool now to help us become healthier people, let's just agree to stick with it. We can do it! One of my friends who is one year out, shares a story of her post op experience and says that she was sticking to her Dr.'s plan really well until one day she had just eaten a protien bar and her daughter was eating a chicken strip...she watched her eat that chicken strip and finally said "give me one." So she ate it but her body told her "nope..not havin it" and she threw it up. She knew she couldn't handle that chicken strip because she was already full, but her mind said "I gotta have that" so those are the kind sof choices I'm talking about. Just being smart, and eating the protien bar and stopping there.

Very well said Lori! Katy B.

I'm in as well.

Count me in Lori!! I am determined to use this tool to help me become a healthier, thinner person. Anna

I'm in too. That's so true, everything you said. I just read something on LavendarLoco's page. ( http://obesityhelp.com/member/lavenderloco/ ) I've posted it below. I think that's helpful. When our minds get idle and we start thinking of snacking, we just have to have to use our own coping mechanisms to keep from doing the wrong thing. For me, I enjoy doing things for other people. So anytime I have the urge to snack, I'm automatically going to try and think about little nice things I can do. That's what works for me. 50 THINGS TO DO INSTEAD OF SNACKING 1. Imagine the new healthier you 2. Walk around the block 3. Call a friend 4. List my top 10 reasons to lose weight 5. Make a To Do list 6. Turn on music and dance 7. Jot a thank you note to someone 8. Go to bed early or take a nap 9. Read a book 10. Blog or journal 11. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure 12. Plan a healthy meal for your family 13. Surf the Internet 14. Complete an unfinished project 15. Walk your dog, pet your cat, feed your fish 16. Brush your teeth 17. Balance your checkbook 18. Donate time to animal rescue 19. Chop veggies to keep on hand 20. Give or get a massage 21. Clean out a junk drawer 22. Play a board or card game 23. Try a new route on your walk 24. Drink a glass of water 25. Kiss someone 26. Try on some of your clothes 27. Look at old pictures 28. Rent a video or DVD 29. Wash your car 30. Take a hot, soothing bath 31. Update your calendar 32. Work in your yard 33. Start your holiday shopping list 34. Shop on Ebay for bargains 35. Write a letter 36. Fold some laundry 37. Check your e-mail 38. Give your dog a bath 39. Send a birthday card 40. Meditate 41. Hug someone 42. Rearrange some furniture 43. Light a fire or some candles 44. Put your pictures in an album 45. Plan a trip (real or imaginary) 46. Straighten a closet 47. Clean out your files 48. Visit a friend 49. Clean out your trunk or purse 50. Do something nice for someone

Wow! That is an excellent list. I have made a copy. Thanks. Katy