Good Morning Everyone,
It is 2:03 AM and I have NOT gone to bed yet.   I tried to but had a emergency with one of my son's I had to take care of that.   I am wide awake and that isn't a good thing for me.   As we all know this is a daily Grateful post.   I am grateful for lots of things in my life.   I thought it would be better for me to begin this really early since ( If I go to sleep....not sure when I will wake up to do this post ).    I have learned over my almost 58 yrs. that life doesn't offer us any guarantees of ANYTHING at all.   That is why we should be grateful for every little tiny good thing that comes our way.    PLEASE feel free to share with us what you are grateful for today.    Today I am grateful for my Faith and answered prayers.   Prayers are very powerful and we all could use a double or triple dose of them from time to time.    Grateful for health insurance....I think lots of us take our insurance for granted.    There are many many people in this world who struggle on a daily basis due to no health insurance.    Grateful for my home and car and my husband's job.   Grateful for the love of my family and friends and all the encouragement that they give me when I get down in the dumps from problems that arise.    Grateful for Eric Klein...who started Obesity Help and all the many staff members that work for OH that you never hear about.   Grateful for Kim who arranges all the OH Conferences and all the work that she and her family do for OH.    Grateful for the upcoming OH Conference in New Orleans, La. Sept. 9-10.   That should be a awesome conference.   Hope you attend it.    Have a blessed day !!!

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Thanks so much for the support! It helps to hear that this is the hardest part! I am GOING CRAZY at the moment and starving! I often wonder if I would be hurting my suregery with the liver shrinkage part if I ate a checken breast. It would be so wonderful to be allowed to chew something. I have not cheated and hope I can make it till the 15th without...but I just am not sure! How long were any of you on liquids after the surgery and will I feel a fullness quicker in the days after surgery since I still will not have had my first fill?

Melissa,

There really isn't much of a difference between the Lap and Realize bands. It's like buying a Toyota and Honda.

I like what I read about Realize, and chose it. If you go on the Lapband board, you'll get different point of view.

Good luck. No matter which band you get, know we're here for you.

Amy,

 

Being nervous is a feeling you should embrace because it means you want to succeed. That that feeling, and harness it, and make it your key to remain diligent.

 

Remember this is a long distance race, and not a sprint, so while on the cruise enjoy yourself, but don’t go overboard (no pun intended). You have the tools, just use them while you’re away. If  you’re hungry, go for the sensible FILLING (aka PROTEIN based) foods. Remember this is a lifestyle. Before putting that food in your mouth, ask yourself “is this getting me to my goal"? That may help you decided to eat it or not. Also remember, you can always ‘defer’ that food for a “later date". Example, if there is a piece of chocolate cake, you may want to remind yourself there will always be chocolate cake around. So does it really matter if you have it now, or can you wait another 2 – 4- 6 – 8 – 10 – 12 – 140 months from now?

 

Finally, it may be a good thing not having a fill before going on the cruise. Think of this, what would happen if while on the cruise you realize you band is too tight? Do you think  the medical folks on board is equipped to handle a bariatric dilemma?

 

Good luck, and have fun on your cruise. Know we’re here for you.

 

Each Doctor is different how they approach fills. Some Doctors do it on a ‘schedule’ (x amount of weeks), others (like My Doctor) feel a fill should only be done when your weight loss slows/stops/reverses or you can eat larger amounts.

 

I had a fill done at 6 months, and 6 months after that (1 year). And haven’t had one since, and I’ve been 3+ years.

As for your weight loss, don't forget the 'average' weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds a week. So 15 pounds is great.

 

Good luck, and know we’re here for you