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Dear Horseychick,
Most people on the boards know that (A) most of views are based on MY EXPERIENCES, and not scientific facts. So, I may tell you something, and you may hear something different from your Doctor, or someone else may experience different results. (B) I tell the truth (well the truth that I have lived). Sometimes MY TRUTH is different from another, but again it’s based on my personal experience (C) Some of my advice/suggestions/views may seem insensitive, but it’s not meant to be. All I try to do is be helpful. I want to see everyone succeed. And with this in mind, sometimes one needs to be “harsh" and not beat around the bush. And know what I am preaching to one is really me preaching to MYSELF (D) I can be long winded. So make sure you have enough time and aren’t drowsy – because you will be in the end. Now that you know me, I will answer your questions:
Tip: Remember the band is only a tool, and not a cure all. The band will not work alone. People need to adhere to the rules set by their Doctors and/or Nutritionists. Remember, they put the tool around your stomach, and not around your brain. There are a lot of “rules" you need to follow in order to be successful. The TOOL does not do it for you. YOU DO IT FOR YOU – the TOOL helps. Think of a hammer and nail – to drive in the nail, it’s almost impossible to do it without a tool. And when you have one, the hammer doesn’t do it all by itself. YOU need to SWING THE HAMMER. The hammer makes it a whole lot easier, but it’s STILL YOU WHO IS DOING THE WORK. – Understand?
RECOVER: Recovery is subjective, and everyone’s pain tolerance is different. In addition, it also depends how the operation is done (open vs. laparoscopic), and the Doctor’s skill. For me, the first 24 hours the only pain I had was what I describe as if I did 100 sit-ups (or in my case back then – 1). By the second day, I swore that I was “taken" because I had no pain. I could have gone back to work right away, but I waited a few weeks (that’s a different thread). Now, I know someone who had the same type of operation by the same Doctor and was in pain for a week. Just realize once the “operation pain" goes away, you should feel NO FURTHER PAIN (as long as everything is fine).
Exercise: After discussing with my Doctor I was back working out in the GYM in 3 weeks. However, the day of the operation you should “exercise". I won’t lie, this is an important KEY to losing weight. What I won’t also lie about is – I HATED IT!! The only gym I loved going to was Jim’s Diner down the street. But, now (almost 4 years later) I am running 5 & 10K.
For anyone who had this operation, and hates exercising this is what I tell them – you need to DO SOMETHING!!! I am not saying, go to the gym and become Arnold Schwarzenegger – but do SOMETHING. What I always suggest is the following "exercise" program. Day 1 – get up from the couch - walk to the front door – open the front door - close the door – DONE. Day 2 – get up from the couch – walk to the front door – open the front door – walk down the steps – go back inside – DONE. Day 3 – get up from the couch – walk to the front door – open the front door – walk down the steps – go down the drive way - go back inside – DONE. Day 4 – get up from the couch – walk to the front door – open the front door – walk down the steps – go down the drive way – go ½ way down the block – come back home DONE. Day 5– get up from the couch – walk to the front door – open the front door – walk down the steps – go down the drive way – go ALL THE way down the block – come back home DONE. Day 6 & 7 rest … Day 8 – get up from the couch – walk to the front door – open the front door – walk down the steps – go down the drive way – go ALL way down the block – go ½ down the other block -- come back home DONE. .. you get the picture … Once you're up to 30 minutes then keep doing this until YOU DECIDE you want to go further. .. Also, do the ‘silly things’ – such as if you go shopping; instead of parking in the 1st spot – park at the furthest end of the lot and WALK into the store, and walk around. .. When taking the elevator, go one floor below the floor you need, and walk up 1 flight of steps … If you need to change the tv channel – get UP and MANUALLY change it instead of using the remote.
Foods: For me I can eat ALMOST everything, but again this is all independent of the person. You’ll find some folks can’t eat meat/bread/fruit/vegetables/etc, while others can. For me I purposely stay away from things because I know it will be a trigger food. So while I could eat pizza, I don’t.
I hope this answered your questions.
OK, I now have bored the ^^@@ out of you. Just know (A) you’re not alone (B) I am here if you need.
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Hope you are having a great week. Can't believe it is already wednesday. It will be the holiday's before we know it. I want to personally Thank everyone who said prayers for my middle son as he had his 2 of his wisdom teeth extracted yesterday. He did wonderful and didn't take any Alieve for pain till last night ( he is a recovering pain med. addict so he could NOT take any pain meds other than OTC ). We ALL have so very much in our lives to be grateful for. I know I personally have been blessed with so much in my life it is so hard to say just a few things daily on here. Today I am so grateful for how my son handled the pain yesterday. So grateful for all the precious people on here who said prayers for him yesterday. Grateful for Obesity Help and all the great people on these message boards. Grateful for my life, health, WLS and all choices for WLS today. Grateful for my Faith and answered prayers. Grateful for the cooler weather we are experiencing and grateful for the upcoming holiday's. PLEASE share with us if you will and have a blessed day today !!
Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"
Set important goals. Take action on those goals.
- jlh
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"
Any tips for me?
I am excited and nervous at once. :)
How long should I expect for recovery?
How long did you have to wait to start exercising again?
Is there any food you absolutely cannot tolerate anymore?
Thanks in advance!
In a hour I am going to be heading 45 minutes away from my home to pick up my middle son who is in Teen Challenge for his heron addiction. PLEASE everyone who is reading this keep him in your prayers today. He has 2 wisdom teeth that has been causing him problems and he is having these removed today and he will NOT be able to take anything for pain at all. Thank you for this. We ALL have so very much in our lives to be grateful for. Even the tinyest of things we should be grateful for. We aren't guaranteed anything in life so we really shouldn't take anything for granted. Today I am SO grateful for my Faith and answered prayers, grateful for my middle son ( and my other 2 sons also ).....he finally came to the realization that he needed help for his drug addiction and turned to Teen Challenge which has totally changed his life 110%, Grateful for my husband of almost 35 yrs. Grateful for my WLS and all the choices of WLS for everyone to choose. Grateful for the cooler weahter we are having right now. Grateful for second chances at a healthier lifestyle since my WLS. Grateful for OH and all the message boards and wonderful people here. Have a blessed day and PLEASE share with us if you will.
Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"
Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"
Hope everyone is expecdting a great week to happen. I know I am. This week my baby son turns 21 yrs. old. Hard to believe he is going to be that age....seems like he was a toddler yesterday. We ALL have so very many things in our life to be grateful for. No matter how large or small they may be. I know I personally have more things in my life that I am grateful for I could never list them all. Today I am so grateful for my loving family. Grateful for my WLS and all the different choices today for WLS. Grateful for my weight loss even though I never reached my goal weight ( my tool of choice still works and it isn't impossible to reach that goal even at 6 yrs. post op. ) Grateful for my health and life, grateful that my kitchen remodel is compeleted and that I love it. Gratefor for my Faith and answered prayers. Grateful for all the friends who I have met here on OH and so grateful that I have such a wonderful and caring bariatric surgeron and his staff. PLEASE share with us if you will what you are grateful for today. Have a blessed week.
Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"
but we can always choose how to respond to them.
- Epictetus
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"