help...

[SweetCori]

I did so good for so long and I have a number of things going on which have made it difficult for me. I haven't lost much weight since my last appointment in the middle of July. I am going in for a new fill on October 7th but until then. I have lost my will power to keep at this. My busy, busy schedule has made it hard for me to stick to a certain meal plan, giving me the okay in my head to make not the best choices. My head isn't working right. I need to get back on track. I need help. I need a kick in the ass.

I am going to need to make sure I check in here more. I need to get on track again. What should I do? I should know this answer, but I'm worried I let myself go too long. HELP!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Hi Cori.. this is the hardest part of being banded... meaning the head work. It's a long slow process to get through our heads, and sometimes I think I may never totally get it. We just have to keep plugging along.. sit back and take a look at where you'd be if you didn't have your band... you've lost over 73 lbs so far.. that's FANTASTIC!! Try to realize too that this is something you'll have for the rest of your life.. there's no race.. no finish line.. just life in general. I know it's hard.. but it's true. Today I had someone ask me if I was going to diet tomorrow (we'd gone to a pizza place, I had a salad and 1/2 slice of pizza).. I told them.. I'm going to be 'dieting' for the rest of my life. I think that really made me think.. this is permanent .. it's a lifestyle change... we just have to keep telling ourselves that. k? Hope this helped a little bit.. call me if you need to.. I still want to meet up with you.. let's try it again.. k? Big hugs coming to you!!

[KristiR]

Cori, it's not too late. You can still work with this. You have to put you first, that's what will help. Take time for you. When things get hectic, we tend to put ourselves last. You need to realize that your needs are just as important.

You can do this. If you need to focus elsewhere, it's okay too. The band will be there for you when you are ready. You are still doing great. You've come a long way baby! Hang on to the rope and you will get there.

[BrendaC]

SweetCori, you have done so good. 73 pounds in 9 months!?! holy smokes. That is 8 pounds a month even if you have slowed down. If we could have our head banded we wouldn't need a lap-band. It seems everyone is so busy and making good choices is so difficult. I lost 50 pounds, gained 27 and now have lost 13 of that. I am like you but I didn't just have a lull I added the weight. I hope I have learned a lesson and NEVER gain that much again. I hate taking this back off AGAIN. But somehow it is different because I now have help where I didn't before. It is do able, where before I felt so defeated.
Hang in there band-sister. You have come so far and after all you are human so don't beat yourself up too much. I am so glad you came here for some ***hugs*** I'm looking forward to hearing how that fill works for you. it may be all you need to get that boost you need. My last one has sure helped me.

[Patrick]

Cori, you are doing much better than you give yourself credit for. Patience, Patience, Patience. All this weight didn't happen overnight, give yourself some time. OH, BTW, remember that the band is still there. It hasn't, and never will, give up on you. It is ready right this moment to start again on your journey. We all slip and slide sometimes. You have just joined us and made the rest of us feel normal again. Focus on getting back into the eating habits that you started out on. Back to basics. You might even do a couple of days liquid, then mushy then back to food. That usually helps me get my head back into the game. And stay active on the board for support, all of us know how important that it.

[christie]

Try to realize too that this is something you'll have for the rest of your life.. there's no race.. no finish line.. just life in general. I'm going to be 'dieting' for the rest of my life. I think that really made me think.. this is permanent .. it's a lifestyle change... !!

Ooooh, that is AWESOME advice. So true. So true. Cori, all I can say is I am more than a little that you've already lost so much. I'd be 2/3 to goal already had I done so well in the beginning.

BUT, this is forever. Honestly....if I only lose 40 pounds a year....I'll be at goal in three years and I'll be on my way to a much healthier life when I'm middle aged....I'm going to live to be 100 you know!

[SweetCori]

Thank you everyone for all your words. I needed them. I will be checking back here more often. I need to keep in check with other bandsters. I really wish I was going this weekend. But it's okay I'm not. I'll go next year!

We went to the Renaissance Festival yesterday and man my back is killing me. I was able to eat a turkey leg though with the help of my mom and one of my aunts. I can barely move but right now, it was worth it. I did finally get through to a back specialist and I have an appointment on the 16th and am on a cancellation list, in case something else opens up.

My mom is doing the Wii fit with me watching, I have to get back on it again and learn some of the other things. I only made it 10 minutes the first time. And right now, I can't do anything. It took me 10 minutes to walk to the bathroom when I woke up this morning. It should take me 10 seconds. I'm giving my back a few days to get back to normal. Until then I'll do stretches and some light exercises here at home.

I have been eating better the past few days and trying to stick with it. It'll also help that I get my fill Wednesday and will have to do liquids and stuff again.

Donna, yes we have to get together. Let's work on that!

[dolchanmom]

How are you doing today?

Brandy

[SweetCori]

I'm doing ok. Back's killing me. I'm craving a bunch of junk, but I am trying really hard not to fall for it! It's just trying to trick me that's all. We'll see what all happens. Hopefully the fill will work tomorrow.

[3labmom]

Cori,
Believe in what you read here because I feel better each time I read a post. Alot of great information here and positive feedback. It's a head game like everyone has said and I have cut/copied and pasted several bandsters phrases in my journal I keep on my computer. Patrick really has helped me along with Donna.
Second, a word to the wise about your back ice it for 48 hours then heat. I injured my back alot working on the rehab floor as a therapist and it ended my career so take care of it. Now I work for 9 neuro surgeons here in St. Louis and I work directly with the #1 back dr. in the U.S. I'm told. He has told me 95% of back pateints are NOT operative so don't let anyone cut on you unless you have a second opinion. Try physical therapy and pain management first. I just got 2 back injections yesterday and I'm feeling a bit better now with my sleep. My stomach hurts like H... because I had to lie on my stomach for the injections but I survived.
wooz

[SweetCori]

Yep, I agree everyone's good here. I'm hoping to meet Donna soon but she keeps ditching me! HAHA just kidding Donna. I got my fill today and he added .5cc and I'm at 5.5 overall. He said he was going to add .75cc but could feel it pulling. My water went down good though and I didn't have all the gassy bubbles. He said I'm still a superstar, far exceeding his expectations and he's happy. So I'm at 69 pounds lost according to their scale. But I had my shoes on this time (the one they normally lose is broken). So we'll see. I'm still ahead of what he said for my first year, which was 50 to 60 pounds. It's just frustrating to not see change myself.

I'm not planning on getting surgery. I just want to figure out what the problem is. I already did 16 weeks of therapy which is the max Medicare will pay for. So I don't know what else I can do but see what other non-surgical options are out there. One surgery in a year is enough for me tyvm!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Cori.. you're such a pistol.. ;) I'm still planning on getting together after I get back from Boise.. maybe this time I'll just tell Max he'll have to stay home so if they call him to work I'll still be able to meet up with you. I really felt bad about that day too. :( And go figure.. I wanted him to get lots of rest today because we have to leave early tomorrow morning and they called him in to work this morning. .he had to load at noon, and he's still not home yet.. and it's almost 9:30 pm!!!! We plan on leaving here for Detroit at around 2-3 am.. my stomach is in knots.. I really don't like going to Detroit. I'm just a country girl.. lol

3lab.. thanks for your compliment about me helping you. It means a lot to me to hear you say that.. and I just wanted to tell you that when I first started on this site, I had someone helping me with all my questions.. it's just paying it back .. so to speak. If you have questions.. please don't be afraid to ask.. that's what we're here for.