Lap Band Hospitalization

I hit this plateau a while ago and kinda sat there. I was at a "comfortable" weight where I no longer had to shop at Lane Bryant but could find my size anywhere. I want to lose about 30 more lbs maybe 40 depending on how I feel when I get to that 30 benchmark.

After writing this I kinda sat and thought about things for a while. Wasn't I already off the wagon for a little bit? I rarely followed the bariatric plan to a tee in fact I think one reason I was so upset about thinking my band had slipped was because I knew I had been going way outside the plan much more often than following it. I would make that excuse a couple times a week "Portion control matters more, so beings there is no water in the vending machine and I want something with taste I'll grab a pepsi instead" or at work getting chips out of the vending machines because I "forgot" to pack myself something when most of the time I am guilty of eating a large dinner and skipping other meals. I am not saying that I never followed the plan I just skirted along the edges more and more often once I hit that platuea and thought, "well, I haven't gained anything".

When the Dr. emptied my band the first thought that went through my mind was "OMG I am going to blow up". My husband never came with me to my adjustments/fills and wasn't there even when I had the surgery (he was travelling for work). So his knowledge of Lap Band is limited to what I tell him. He never read any of the cookbooks I have even though I have used them often. So me going into the hospital was the 1st time he met my Dr. and the 1st time he heard about the true bariatric diet. He even looked at me and said: "You have been doing alot of things wrong". He's right. I have. Going to the italian restaurant was nice but like hubby told me "Enjoy now, because I am going to help you stay on the plan."

My idea of being good is eating in smaller portions and carefully chewing to avoid stuck issues, but more often than not I wasn't eating the "right" things or making sure I am maintaining balance. I don't think I realized how much of a junk food junkie I have been until I wrote that yesterday. I need to get back on the wagon quick. No more junk food, no more soda, regardless that I can eat anything right now and not have to worry about stuckage. So far since I went into the hospital I haven't had 1 soda, so I guess that is a good thing AND I have been bringing healthy stuff to work like fat free yogurt and Atkins Advantage Protein Shakes. I also bring 3 bottles of water with me and brought in a little variety bag of crystal lights. I need to stop making those awful excuses and stick with the plan regardless of it's inconvenience at times (which is where I fail the most). I read that last paragraph and kringed...I need to do better, there was a reason I had this lap band placed.

So my goals this week:
No soda (NO MATTER WHAT)
No vending machine (I took all the change out of my purse and left only a $20 which I need for gas).
Pack healthy snacks and a healthy lunch every work day.
Drink WATER...I don't know if I have ever drank the full recommended amount of water a day in my life.
Maintain the same portions I was on before the band was unfilled. I am noticing I am still hungry after I eat the same portions I was eating before but I need to stick to it.