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luvlif's Journal
 

2/7

I LOOK GOOOOOOD!!!!!! TODAY SEAN SAID I LOOK LIKE I LOST WT. AGAIN I SMILED & SAID "YUP" KUTTI HAD TO HEAR IT IN THE NEXT ROOM HE HE HE! WENT HOME 4 LUNCH @ 3.30. HERE I'M BITCHIN' THAT I HAVE NO RESTRIC BUUUT! I HAD TO SLOW DOWN WHILE EATING MY LUNCH & COULD'NT FINISH MY COTTAGE CHEESE HA! THEN, I LOOK @ MY REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR BY THE DOOR, MY SHOULDER BLADES SAID"HELLO!". (I GUESS I SHOULD SHUT UP) THEN I TRIED ON MY BL LEATHER JACKET... IT FITS..I BUTTONED IT UP! B.1 ENG MUFF 100 + CAPONATA 30 = 130 L.3/4C COTTAGE CHEESE 135 + 5 CRACKERS 60+1 SLICE BOLOGNA 20 +1 HOT DOG 50 = 245 = 395 SUMMER IS ONLY 3 MONTHS AWAY!
luvlif

luvlif

1
My Lapband Journal
 

NSV Complete list, updated as I go.

Work in Progress   I been using my computer (posting, emails, etc.) from a chair for a month now. I guess I must say I am in a comfortable rocking chair thing with cushions. BUT its UPRIGHT and so am I.. lol   (Oh for those who dont know.. I always had to post from the couch, then later I got this neat lounge chair chaise (spell?) due to pain as I have some back injuries)   I bleached my hair three time in the last two months.. and to rinse it out, I leaned over the tub and rinsed it in the tub facet.   I mean I HAD to cuz I forgot my fancy disabled people shower thingie at my old place. (damn it, that was expensive!)   And it was basically easy. I mean it wasnt easy. But it was WAY WAY WAY easier. Compared to before, it was a SNAP.   I have had to do this before (use the facet) and it has left me in tears. I have had crisis interventions over this in the past. (I have to do my hair like every couple months)   I either couldnt reach the facet it well enough to rinse thouroughly and fried my hair, absolutely could not hold my possition and had to leave the area before I was done, cried alot, needed someone to come with a picher to help me, had to get in the tub and let the bleach run all over my body and ect ect... lol, seems like alot to go through to dye my hair, but thats life ya know.. you do what you gotta do and you dont think about it.. UNTIL NOW when its so different.       I can lay on the couch for more than an hour.   This couch from goodwill..It has two reclyning chairs on the ends.   I couldnt lay on it. It was extremely uncomfortable. (the mechanics inside, undetectable to the normal sized..)   I tried and tried to get a place on this couch because Um I NEED to lay down and I need to be in my living room.   I tried until it was completely clear that in NO way could I use this couch. My family loved it.. Its a pretty cool couch for everone else.   I only had the chaise lounge chair that I could tolerate for semi long periods and it wasnt sufficient. I could only sit on the couch about an hour in its upright possition with the reclyner out. (not quite upright.. lol) And EVERY time I regretted it (pain pain pain)   I had no where to "be" in my own living room if I was "bedridden' that day, I actually had to be in my bed.. and I dont like being isolated like that.   So... My stuff was in storage.. I just got a new place... and GUESS WHAT..   I went to lay on the couch.. and I could. AND I CAN.. I HAVE A PLACE TO BE IN MY OWN LIVING ROOM NOW! WOW   My Watch is loose.   My friend gave me the watch in christmas of 04, she got it fit for me and it fit perfectly. Now its always upside down, dangling and at least three links could be removed. I dangle it everytime I need a pick me up.   I can weigh on a normal scale and the scale at the ymca becasue I am under 350 pounds now. Nuff said.   I had my first Orgasm from a Man, that I didnt have to help one bit. I am 35 and having my first one, unassisted. I thought it would NEVER happen. I was OBESE by age 16 and not sexually educated before that....Three kids by 19 and never did enjoy sex. and it was dead ever since because I felt so crappy about myself.. I almost never even touched myself. I felt so discusted. NO looking even.   This O happened with a good friend who has never done anything wrong to me, who I have been seeing casually for over three years and who I have become increasingly comfortable with. (26 yr old hottie too) Last year on my 34th bday, I was able to have 7 multiple O's with him, (I did it, but it only happened cuz he was there and he was OMG AMAZING)   So.. Its a mixture of my becoming increasingly comfortable with him as well as with myself.. In fact, the whole sex thing was so much better that also made me ready and capible.. This was never due to HIs lack of skill, I know he has the skill, I have known that from our first time. But I was dead and his skills mean nothing if I am dead. I am still in shock.. I mean you go 35 years and your mom and sister and best friends ALL know you have never had an orgasm from a man.. and that last year was my first one with a man at all (assisted) (and I date plenty, and many have tried and tried well) AND now, its not my story anymore.. lol. (I havent even told them yet!)   Sex..Details later..MAYBE, kinda new and feeling too personal.. BUT ITS HUGE.       WORK IN PROGRESS
Nykee

Nykee

1
hopefull's Lap-Band Journal
 

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2006

Today I am up a couple of pounds from the water weight gain from salty foods and junk over the weekend. Today I am feeling more in control:clap2: , I hope it lasts., I will try hard. I went grocery shopping and bought my protein. Those out of control, need to push food into my mouth are so intense and sneaky that they are here before you know it. Missed the onset cue. :phanvan AM 3 bites cereal and millk coffee, splenda, cream
hopefull

hopefull

1
My Lapband Journal
 

Period. "cuz I can" Reese

ITS MY PERIOD!! YEAH. I got the cramps around 10pm and just now found some pink. So... I am gonna assume its my menstral. Now, I just feel so much better about it all. I dont know for sure, but I have a feeling I can stick to some lower calorie eating for a few days now. I didnt want this Journal to be about all this crap.. BUT, I guess it will be what ever it is... Go with the flow. ............. Tonight I almost went to the coast with my daughter.. she jsut got back today, but had to go back cuz Dono forgot his wallet in her car. I was gonna ride along. But in the end chose not to go. I was debating whether to go, cuz I know it would be painfull and it was a quick trip, not for any certain kind of fun or activity, but I have been bored and it was something to do.. Plus I could stay at my friends house for the night and thats something to do too.. BUt my daughter said "cuz I can" to something I asked her and I acted like I didnt want her company..... Well, that was obviously me using that as a way to justify my social anxiety and sheer lazyness and fear of pain. All of which I HATE allowing to control me. I layed on the couch and watched Southpark all night, helping Cry with her nonexistant family tree and fighting with Ambree to do her chore. I coulda been in bed with my friend feeling all calm and relaxed knowing the ocean was nearby and feeling wonderfully small. I have a date this weekend with Reese. I AM going, no matter what. If I find a way to weasal out, I may as well give it all up and But I am nervous. I think its gonna last Saturday to Monday cuz his work schedule. Well, I will talk about this later.
Nykee

Nykee

1
My Lapband Journal
 

Restriction kicking in?

Well, Its 8pm and I am STILL having problems.. sipping tomatoe soup and its sitting in my throat.. ugh.   EITHER its my period a coming, OR the restriciton has "kicked in" like many people have described it doing to them.   I will give it a couple of weeks.. Making sure not to irritate it to the point that It hurts or causing the chest pains. LASt thing I want is an unfill.   But OF course if I get the pain, I WILL get an unfill ...   I am KINDA excited and QUITE frusterated.   I want to lose weight like I did with my last fill.. BUT unlike my last fill, I am not so happy and overjoyed about NOT eating.. They called it the honeymoon period and I thought it was divine majic or something.. lol   I cant imagine I would get an unfill to simply be able to eat.... BUT, I also dont see it as impossible..   OF course.. 25 pounds or so will losen the band anyway.... well thats what happened last time..   MY calories have been averaging 2500, my fat 100 and my carbs 300.. I have GOT to be under that today.. But thats what I thought yesterday. lol   ..........................................   Today we had an appointment with Joe.. and tomarrow is the school and the center. Dawn goes to her thing on wednesday. Lots of changes. I need to turn in my request to MOVE!!!!
Nykee

Nykee

1
ReneBean's Journal
 

2/06/06 - Happy Band Day To Me!

Well, at last. The surgery is a done deal. And to my intense gratification, I never felt a moment of embarrassment due to any of the staff at the Surgery Center of Richardson. I felt quite at ease - and at 7am - there just weren't that many spectators - just the lovely staff.   Apparently, it is a miracle that my liver hasn't just given up the goat and stopped functioning. According to Doctor Fox, even after losing 15 lbs on the pre-op diet, my liver was still big, fatty and misshapen. (uh - yeah, just like the rest of me!) So, now, I can move on with the rest of my life as a banded person.   Personal goal: NO PB's!!!   I am sipping some lovely beef consume as I type and I am vowing to myself to do the best I posssibly can to follow the post-op diet to the letter. I can live for 4 days on protein shakes and beef broth, no matter what my brain says. I mean, my BRAIN said I needed a cheeseburger on the way home from the surgery. I can see we are going to have to have some words, my brain and I.   After that, I gradually move into what I would call mushies - but Doc Fox calls "full liquids". I think sugar free pudding and yogurt qualify as mushies...By day 8, I can have mashed potatoes, cream of wheat and bananas. By day 13, I can start with scrambled eggs and baked potatoes. I can survive this, really I can. All I have to do is totally avoid tv or any advertizing for the first week.   The Spirometer is a big old pain - but I guess I will do that, too. I don't want any collapsed lungs or diaphram issues. Well, I have to get up and walk, now...   Sip a little, Walk a little Sip a little, Walk a little SIP SIP SIP Walk a lot, Sip a little more...
ReneBean

ReneBean

2
hopefull's Lap-Band Journal
 

Monday 2-6-06

Bad day all around following hectic weekend. Very tired this am. Did not take concerta...Also note to self. Been thinking about TT and when to have it. Did I self sabotage myself today. Had 2 icecream cones, little debbie oatmeal pie....4 little tiny cookies, swig of choc milk...just like old days. Haven't done this in months. I have to wonder why. I have been plateaued for a week or two. HMMMMMMM Terrible Golf ball pain after swigging spaghetti with butter left over in daughters plate. PB'd three or four times. UGH Start over tomorrow. :think :nanahump:
hopefull

hopefull

1
luvlif's Journal
 

2/6/06

UGH AUNT FLO SUCKS! B 1 EGG 70 L S CHILLI 220 + 1/2 POT + 5 NUGGETS =645 D ENG MUFFIN 100+ 2 CHEESE 50=795 WATER WALK WEIGHT:phanvan
luvlif

luvlif

1
Dawg's Lap-Band Journal
 

2/6

Monday weight was 273 but I am holding this out until my official weigh in. Also saw 272.   I am going to increase my protein. I think I am losing too fast.
dawg

dawg

1
My Lapband Journal
 

Less food, same calories. Grrrrrr

FEBUARY 6th So, yesterday I felt like I could hardly eat at all. I never had a meal.   I sipped on milk and broth all day.. and around 6pm I was able to chew and spit some chicken and then I had some applesauce and pop and milk and almonds and candy.   BUt it all added up the same as every other day.. About 2500 calories, 100 grams of fat, 300 carbs...   So I didnt like that. It really goes to show how things can add up.. Like I had chocolate chips, two at a time.. but WOW the calories really added up and I had the smallest amounts of pop and those calories added up too..   Had I left out the pop and chocoalte chips, witch would of been so easy. I might of had a lesser calorie day for once..   Its been 4 days since I been loging my food.. and it seems like two weeks for something..   I think tomarrow I may break down and weigh myself.. I wanted to wait till the 14th but tomarrow I will be in the town that I can weigh on the real accurate scale.   Maybe if I see how far I am from Goal (75 pound of loss by Feb. 14th) than I will kick it in this last week??   I MUST BE 340 POUNDS... I JUST MUST.   I could drop 10 pounds in a week, if I really tried.. BUT whats the use? Just to say I made goal? I would just gain it back anyway.   AS USUAL.. I cant get a fill cuz I am too tight in the AM.   PLUS I am eating around the band anyway I can.. how obvious is that!
Nykee

Nykee

1
Julie*'s Journal
 

February 6

This Friday is my pre-op appt and the first day of my 10 day liquid fast. I find myself wanting to enjoy "every last meal" and then find myself thinking that I am being ridiculous. Isn't the goal a new attitude with food? I have only been working on this for years now!   I am so hopeful that the lapband is going to be the thing that finally helps me to get control. I read about others successes and I don't even dare to hope you that soon it will be my turn. I just want to get the show on the road- the anticipation is killing me.
Julie*

Julie*

2
vinesqueen's Journal
 

The Band is taking the easy way.

so many of our bansters, our celibrated Rabbits, it really does seem like magic. It has worked almost like magic for my husband, who most definately is a Rabbit.   Something that has me viewing eating as a chore many days MUST BE MAGIC. Something that has given me back my life MUST BE MAGIC. Something that has given me back my husband MUST BE MAGIC.   In many cases the only difference between magic and technology is understanding the science. Since they don't know exactly why the band work, because they only theorize that because of the way the band is place people feel satiated.   This is in some respect the easy way. I mean, I can't even begin to count the number of people who've lost 50, 75, 100, 150, even 200 pounds with the band. For the first time ever for so many people, they have success. THEY HAVE SUCCESS. Not only have they lost the weight, but they have kept it off. They have success. THEY HAVE SUCCESS.   This is from a thread earlier from this evening. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14566   So, what's so wrong about taking the easy way? Why does it make it better if it's a struggle than if it is easy to lose weight. Is the weight loss less valuable, less worthy of celibration than if every ounce is a struggle like mine? Need to start an entire new thread.
vinesqueen

vinesqueen

1
Tattooed TX Mommy's Journal
 

Started exercising today!

Started exercising today with my friend Tara. She came over today and we each did 20 minutes on the bike, 20 minutes on the elliptical machine, 80 crunches on the AB Lounge, free weights for our arms and my Pliates machine. I am going to be sore in the morning but it is going to be worth it. :nanahump:
Kathy473

Kathy473

1
My Life Change
 

My first skinny dream...

So last night my dream starts out with my trying to make arrangements for a babysitter. Don't really know why, but I can tell my friends are different, don't know why.:nanahump:   So the dream progresses, we get rid of the kids. My friends leave the house. That is when I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror(a dream mirror of course).:nanahump:   I put on my new lingerie, my first real lingerie, that won't double for a fishing net.:kiss2:   :shade:DH looks really happy...the rest is x-rated.
mini_me

mini_me

1
My Lapband Journal
 

Found NUMA and Mortal Chase!!

I found two long lost videos of my son and my boy on the internet.   I am so happy about that.   Now I got to find the ones of cry and amb..   I write this incase this is the brightest point of my day.   Havent done much thinking yet, cept of food .... it is almost 3pm and I am not open yet.. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrr ME want JUICE!! From fitday: Current Weight Your weight is 345 lb as of 02/05/2006.   Weight Goal Your goal is to weigh 315 lb by 02/14/2006   Goal Progress You are currently 30 lb above the target weight.   The deadline for your goal is 9 days (1 weeks, 2 days) away.   To meet your goal you need to lose about 23.33 lb per week.   LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL GOOD LUCK LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Nykee

Nykee

1
lianna's Journal
 

Feb 5

Superbowl Sunday   breakfast- protein drink lunch- low carb tortilla with ham and skim mozerella rolled up   Will be taking a crockpot of teriaki meatballs to the party later. I figure 3-4 meatballs and something off the veggie tray should do me for supper. The alcohol is a different story. Taking a bottle of Merlot with me, empty calories but oh-so-good.   Yeah right~~~I ate so much crap today. chips and dip, brisket, beans, tortilla chips and guacamole, etc... Gotta getta grip tomorrow.
lianna

lianna

1
chameleon's Lap-Band Journal
 

Superbowl Sunday....

Well, Its 10 days till the workshop, I am planning on having my surgery at Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Phillip Shauer. I am probably being too hopeful at this point about being allowed to have the surgery, I still have to be approved by the ins. co. as well as the dr.'s. I guess I passed the preliminary requirements though since they called me back to schedule me for this work shop. It did take some time though since after reviewing my information they also had to get the ok from my oncologist who would not give the go ahead until after my latest set of scans which turned out to be fine (Thank you God:rolleyes: ). I know I meet all of the basic stuff, ie: being at least 100 lbs over ibw...I'm about 135 over, having at least a 5 year history of obesity....try 18 years, having tried numerous commercial and Dr. assisted diets/weight loss programs...well lets see....how big can this journal entry be....started with amphetamines when I was 17 and not even fat, I thought I was but I wasn't at 5'7" and 130 pounds! then did the dexatrim thing that was so popular back in the early 80's. Then the Hilton Head diet (which is actually a pretty good plan if you are disciplined enough to follow it), The whole Susan Powter gamut, (great lady, a little bit of a man hater, but a great motivator),Then Mayo Clinic, Then more dexatrim, then Weight watchers (Great plan for those who enjoy the public rewards and patting ya on the back thing...but really the best plan out there today), Cambridge (yuck yuck and more yuck), Then optifast (Lotsa Money and Lotsa Yuck), Then the grapefruit diet, the cabbage soup diet, More weight watchers, Atkins, South Beach, More weight watchers, Revisited Susan Powter (just for a pick me up and because I was newly divorced and I was also a man hater for a little tiny while and then, because I really love sex and men and being in love, I just evolved into an ex husband hater-pitier), Interspersed in all of these commercial attempts were 3 Hypnosis attempts (Can you say too cynical to let the power of suggestion to be anything but a joke), One 3 month stint with redux (I lost 40 pounds in 3 months and didn't even have to try, of course it was ripped from the shelves after people started to keel over from pulmonary embollisms, and hear valve damage....wouldn't ya know it....the only thing that hs ever ever worked and it has to kill people!!! I am so twisted that I searched and searched for it on the black market even though it was deadly....Such is the power of the promise of weight loss and beauty...it's my heroine), the how can I forget Xenical....Oh Xenical the diarrhea drug...there is something to say about shitting yourself at will, or even not at will...It's lovely to put on a pair of panty hose and just have shit oil dripping outta you like you're a leaky oil pan....no not a pretty picture, I only lasted for about a week with that...I had to be at work every day, I didn't have the luxury of laying in bed all day with a diaper on!, the list goes on....ritalin, trim spa, Dr. Phil, metabolife (before and after ephedrine), and I am sure that I am forgetting another 10 or so. The weight history goes like this: 17 127 19 130 20 151(had my daughter) 23 163 26 178 27 199(had my son) 30 223 32 247 33 207 (redux!) 34 214 35 221 36 223 37 237 (breast cancer) 40 245 41 272 (quit smoking! metastisis of breast cancer to lung)   So...here I am, still alive and healthy except for the cancer which is gone or hiding right now, high cholesterol, and a herniated disk which waxes and wanes. But heres how I see it. Cancer or not I still want to feel good about my body. I may not be a good long term risk for the insurance company to invest in this surgery because I could live for 2 more years or I could live for 40 more years money's on less than 40 granted but whatever it is, I want to hold my head up high and enjoy the rest of my life being active and riding jet skiis with my son and boating and swimming with my husband. I love life and I want to do this so I hope the math doesn't stop them from giving me this chance, cuz if it does, there is no way I can afford it on my own. OK I'm off my soap box and getting ready for the Big Game!!! Go Steelers!:clap2:
chameleon

chameleon

1
Confessions of a Nervous Bander
 

Confessions of a Nervous Bander

*~Otherwise known as "Hopeful One Day, Scared The Next"~* :hungry:   Reading through erosion posts, pictures of infections, stories of slippage and removals, I sally forth to my meeting with the Psych doc and nutritionist, with what amounts to this month's rent money in hand to pay for this visit.   I don't take this surgery lightly. I was actually able to have this done by a different surgeon back in the Fall. But I needed more time to make sure I was doing the right thing. Let's be honest, going under the knife to be able to lose weight is a huge step, and a serious one.   I went to a support group meeting of this other surgeon and I was shocked at how quickly and without real research these people went and had this done. I was asking questions that we discuss here in the meeting none of them had a clue about. That shocked me. I guess for some the promise of being thin is enough.   Not me.     Yes, I am terrified of the actual surgery, going under anesthesia. (will I be that 1 in 1000 that won't wake up?) but my fears center more on what is going to happen after the surgery.   Will I heal? Will I become infected? Will I get pneumonia? Will it be freaky because there is a freaking device wrapped around my stomach? Will I become dehydrated?   And farther out: Will I pass out from PBing? Will I have terrible pain in my chest like some people? Will I erode? Will complications from erosion in my stomach kill me?     Emotional: Will I enjoy life without my food? Will I ever be able to enjoy food again? What will life be like without being able to just drink and eat whenever and however like before? What will I do with my time without it being centered on eating and cooking? What will I do with my thoughts and emotions that can't be comforted with food anymore??   So, my first hour is with the nutritionist. I am completely overwhelmed and set on edge by this meeting. If the seriousness of this surgery didn't hit me before, then it did now. I am a vegetarian, so getting protein is going to be paramount. The fact that I will have to be on a low carb diet was not what I expected. As a vegetarian, I eat carbs in beans, whole grains, etc. From the food choices I have, it seemed to me that food enjoyment is really going to be out the window. Yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, protein drinks. And water. That will be my diet. I was prepared for a change, but not this drastic.   What unsettled me the most was the water bit. I can hold off drinking at meals, but I guzzle water. ALL DAY. I used to be very athletic and I drank and still drink over a gallon of water a day. And I chug it.   When I don't get my gallon in, I feel dehydrated and can actually feel sick. SO this is a real concern for me. I just don't see how I can keep up the levels my body is used to all these years with a sip, sip ,sip sip all day.   So coupled with all that I have written above, and the fact that now I am just waiting on a surgery date has me up at night.   Am I doing the right thing? Will I be doing my body more harm than being fat if something goes wrong?   Anxiety and fear is riding me out. But every once in a while during the day I'll see a woman who is slim and I think "I can be that now. I actually have a chance at achieving that" or see an ad for travel and think "I can vacation now and not be miserable that I am so fat"   But most of all this is about getting healthy again. I can feel my body struggling and getting sick with this weight on, and I'm only going to get bigger because I am a food junkie and I have PCOS.   To be continued.....
NeenBand

NeenBand

1
Dawg's Lap-Band Journal
 

2/5/2006

Weigh in day: C. 276.5 N. 274.0 --------- D. -2.5   I need to up my protein a little. I will continue as I have been this week and I will get a new reading. If I have lost greater than 2 pounds I will increase my protein by 32 grams (can o' tuna).
dawg

dawg

1
Lynn B's Lap-Band Journal
 

All the stuff up until now....

6/3/05 Hi all, I have been lurking here for a few days and thought it was time to fill some of this in. First some general info - I am a 31 year old mother of two children. Joshua 14 and Elizabeth 12. I have been married for 15 years and have struggled with my weight most of my life.   I was always a big girl (pretty plus clothes from Sears most of my childhood). I did thin out a bit in high school but was never average. I gained 60lbs with my first pregnancy and have never dipped below 200lbs since then.   I have done all the diets - Weight Watchers, Diet Workshop, Slimfast, Atkins, The Zone, Body for Life. I think in the past few years I have become complacent - I felt because I was married and a mom that as long as my weight didn't interfere with my daily life then I would just live with it. I guess that what I didn't see was - even though I have very few weight related medical problems, it was still getting in the way of living.   I had thought about gastric bypass in the past but the thought of having my insides arranged in a way other than what I was born with scared me. I wasn't aware until very recently that there was another option. I made my reservation to attend an informational meeting on the LapBand at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston on 6/8/05.   I'm very nervous - I probably do not meet the criteria for "medically supervised diets" so I doubt I will be able to have surgery as soon as I would like. It is kind of funny to think that I will have to spend another 6 months doing what I have done for most of my life before I can receive the tool that I believe will save my life; but I am committed and will do what it takes to get there.   I guess that is enough for tonight - I will add more as I begin this phase of my life. Good night!   6/25/05 2am - Yes I am a night owl. I didn't realize that it has been so long since I've updated. I went to the info meeting on 6/8/08 and fell in love with Dr. Jones and Angi. I felt so comfortable with both of them that I am really excited about starting this process. I left v/m on 6/16 because I had not heard back from them on what I should do next. I then sent email on 6/21 as I still had not heard back from anyone. On 6/22 I got a call from the office. Everything looks good I need to call on Friday and schedule my first Dr. meeting (2.5 hours long).   Wasn't I surprised on Friday when I called to schedule my first meeting... they can get me in on Monday 6/27/05. WOW. Now I am starting to get nervous. There is a $500.00 fee to join the program....they wouldn't tell me to start the process (blood tests, EKG, etc....)and pay the fee if they weren't pretty sure that I am going to be approved? Right?   In the mean time I have given up soda and the majority of my coffee (I still have one or two a week). I have also given up smoking for the most part - but that has been hard!! I have had a couple of slips but I keep trying.   I cant wait to see what Monday brings...I will keep you updated!   TTFN   6/27/05 I had my first meeting today with the nurse and MD. 6 tubes of blood, a review of my application and a physical with the programs MD. Everyone seems to think that this will go smoothly and quickly for me. Next on my list - July 11th meeting with the dietician. July 21 - gallbladder ultrasound and psych eval, I think I will stay in the city after my tests to attend my final support meeting (another requirement done). So if all goes well with the next two meeting I will be setting a surgery date and having my meeting with the surgeon. I was aiming for surgery in September but if all goes well and dates are available (with the surgeon and my work schedule) I could be looking at late August. Oh I forgot - all pending that pesky ins. approval. Wish me luck!     7/15/05   The nutritionist meeting went well, I did find out that I a B12 deficient and will be following up with my PCP but everything else seems fine. They gave us guidelines for eating after surgery and the preop diet. I have psych and gallbladder ultrasound on 7/21/05. I will keep everyone updated on how it goes....getting close.   8/6/05   Hi, It has been a while again. I should update more. Let me see - Psych and gallbladder ultrasound went fine and I now have a meeting with the surgeon scheduled for August 10th. I spoke with Debbie in the office and she said that by the time I get to pick a date they will be scheduling for mid to late September. Kind of what I expected but as I went through all of the testing I started to get my hopes up for something a little sooner. Oh well....Good things come to those who wait...Right? I will check back in after my surgeons meeting. TTFN.       8/13/05   Well, my surgeons meeting went well. I love my doctor!! I have a date - I will be banded on 9/12/05. Yaaaaay. I also found out that I have gallstones - grrrrrr. I will be having my gallbladder out on 8/18/05. I guess it can be a practice run for the band as I have never been under general anesthesia before. It is funny...I am more nervous about the gallbladder surgery than the band. I guess I am worried about having parts removed - it doesn't bother me to have them added. I keep thinking, "what if something goes wrong with the gallbladder that prevents me from having the band surgery...then everything that I have done up until now has been for naught. I guess that is just normal pre surgery jitters-I hope. Well wish me luck, I will update when I have more news. Lynn     8/21/05   Hi all, I'm back from having my pesky gallbladder removed. It wasn't as bad as I thought (don't get me wrong - I wouldn't sign up to do it again just for fun). So for those of you who may need to have this done I will chronicle my day.   Arrived at 10am on 8/18 for a 12:30 surgery - it turned out the my surgeons first case of the day was a bit more involved than anticipated so I didn't end up going to pre-op until about 6pm. I was a bit crabby but I understand that we can not control all aspects of life. So, I go into pre-op, chat with the anesthesiologists, get my IV and my hat, booties and rear air conditioned gown. Right before we go to the OR my anesthesiologist give me a "cocktail". We roll into the OR and switch tables and then everything goes real fast.   I had people bustling around but mostly I remember the two anesthesiologists, one on each side adjusting my IV - attaching electrodes, etc.. Then on with the mask - "take deep breaths". Well I think I fought them on this because after the first few breaths I couldn't exhale anymore and I panicked. The good news is I don't remember a thing after that until I heard someone say "OK she's responsive" (I'm glad they thought so because I don't remember responding to anything.)   I was wheeled down to recovery about 8pm. I wasn't in any pain but I was dry and fuzzy (good for club soda not for me). I would say that I felt myself or as close to it as I could around 11pm but the nurses had decided that it was to late to send me home so I would have to spend the night (my wonderful Mom who came with me spent the night in the family waiting room of the hospital on a couch and the liaison got her some pillow and blankets - she was more comfortable than me I think). I was in my room at 1am and got no sleep - partly because I couldn't sleep and had really wanted to go home and partly because there was always someone in and out of the room for either me, my room mate or the trash barrels. The nurses were wonderful and brought me Jell-O and tea at 1am - I was starving as I had been "nothing by mouth" since 7pm on 8/17 and here it was 1am on 8/19. I was discharged around 10am after a lovely breakfast of eggs (I think), tea, oatmeal (I didn't chance it), sausage and cranberry juice.   I have been home for two days now and all systems are operating within normal parameters (no colace for me - yay). As for meds I had one percoset at 9:30pm the night of surgery and have been fine with Tylenol since. Hopefully my band goes as smoothly! Time for a nap - I'm giving work a shot tomorrow so off to bed early tonight.   TTFN     9/11/05 3am   Well, it is offically the "day before" and sure enough I can't sleep. I am not nervous more like excited with nerves on the side. I am forcing myself to go to bed now so that I am not a mess when I go to the hospital tomorrow. See ya'll later.       9/16/05   Well I am home and banded - Yay!! It is day 4 and I am feeling soooo much better. Here is my story   9/12/05-10:30am Arrived at BIDMC, waited about a half hour before being brought into pre-op, one of my anesthesiologist came and started my IV (BIDMC is a teaching hospital so although he got my IV in with no problems you could tell that he needed to practice more - he almost forgot to put on gloves - but he did a good job). 2pm still waiting to go into the OR - they were cleaning the room - must have been the cleanest one around when they were done. The anesthesiologist came and wheeled me into the OR - My main anesthesiologist is also my surgeons wife - Stephanie Jones, she was wonderful - she went out and talked with my Mom after surgery and told her that I wake up very well. 3:45ish Surgery went great - no problems, I lost 25lbs before so my doctor was able to fit me with the smaller band. Recovery - my first though "What in the hell have I done" I was in pain but that was quickly remedied. 5pm Into my room (my room mate had been taken to brain surgery and did not return until the next day) I rested comfortably - had a morphine pain button that I could dose myself with - Wonderful. Nothing by mouth until tomorrow but the mouth swabs are great for getting that dry feeling in your mouth and throat to go away. Vitals ever hour or so - I don't remember what time I got up for my first walk - it must have been around 8pm. One lap down the hallway and back - the nurse said that was enough for day one. 9pm-7am I don't sleep well away from home and this was no exception I was away every hour and the night crawled by but I wasn't in any pain. 9/13/05-9am my IV stopped flowing - I was getting back in bed from a walk and bent my arm and that was it - no more IV. A nurse tried to start one in my hand but couldn't get it - no fluids and no morphine - but still OK. 10:30am Transport came to take me down to have the barium swallow done - still no IV but my nurse got me a couple of Morphine injections - oww. Fluoroscopy was awesome (barium is not as bad as the clear stuff they make you drink first - gag) I got to see my port and all my plumbing - pretty cool! Back to my room - more walking - went to the solarium to read. Got to have my 1oz of water by mouth - it was sooo good. 12:30ish tolerated water well so I got to have 1oz strawberry CIB per hour. Not bad. Walking & resting. IV nurse came to start an IV - tried two additional locations with no luck - said that they should put a long line in my whole arm (I think not) - feeling like a human pin cushion. Got my catheter out - Yay. 1pm another IV nurse arrives - told her to go away that I was leaving in a few hours and she wasn't poking me anymore - she left. 3pm Peed - cleared to go home!!! 5pm Chocolate CIB for dinner - Yum. 6pm My surgeon stops by to check on me. Told me I could stay and leave tomorrow. I had to convince him I was good to go (I needed to get some sleep and it wasn't going to happen there). He reluctantly agreed (Dr. Jones is so over protective - I like that in a doctor) Home by 8pm exhausted, sore but happy. (all times are approximate as morphine has a way of making you a little fuzzy) More to come....       9/24/05   Time to update - My BMI has gone from 51.5 to 45.4 since surgery so I am no longer super morbidly obese! My unoffical weight at this time is hovering around 265. I have a follow up on 10/5/05 at which time I will get my offical weight.   So it has been 12 days since surgery and I am finally feeling about 98.2% myself. I no longer have insicion pain and can easily get out of bed or in and out of chairs with no problem. I am still having trouble bending over to pick stuff up off the floor but it gets better every day. I can sneeze and cough with no pain. I have gotten my hunger back but I am so disgusted with all of the foods on my list that I am struggling to down my protien shakes. Just 10 more days and then I should be on to mushies - what a relief. I'll check in as I have more to share.     10/5/05   Had my first follow up appointment today and everything is going well. I have lost 34lbs and been advanced to the stage 4 diet (mushies/soft foods). My incisions are healed and looking great according to the Doc.   So far I can't complain about anything except the liquid diet. Boy that was rough. Well I'm off to try some Tuna.....wish me luck!       11/2/05 Got my first fill today - 1.5 cc's in my 4 cc band. It was pretty cool my surgeon had one of his fellows do it and it was absolutely painless. Then he had me chug some water to see if it was to tight - I'm chugging away and he looks at the fellow and says "You might not want to stand there" - Luckily the water stayed right where it belonged - in me not on the floor. Also got weighed - down to 257.2 so that is -42 lbs. Yippeee. My scale has been lying to me for weeks (tonight when no one is looking I am going to chuck it out the bathroom window!).       11/7/05   OK I'm 1 week shy of 2 months but I felt like taking pictures today so I have some new ones. I am starting to be able to see the loss now - My clothes don't fit any more. This is a size 22 top and my baggy 24 bottoms (I didn't fit into the bottoms 6 months ago) I have been wearing 26/28 's for so long that I forgot that I owned some of the stuff I'm wearing now.         11/21/05   I haven't done a lot of self analyzing to this point but I read a good post this afternoon. "How do you change your eating habits". My response turned into a personal insight so I thought I would post it here rather than take over someone else’s post. My thoughts:   Cool, I have been wondering the same thing lately. I have a 1.5 cc fill in my 4 cc band and I don't think that I have any restriction - I go back to the doc on 1/4/05 and told DH that I was going to get more fill even if I had to fight for it (I have a feeling that because I am losing at the rate that I should my doc will not want to give me an additional fill) But then I started asking myself - "what is restriction?"   I don't want to be so tight that I can't eat the thinks I like - chicken, tuna, bread occasionally. But I have this mind set that says I need "restriction" - maybe we should change that word - to me restriction means a physical inability to do something. I follow the rules - eat how and what I should - I only eat when I am hungry (depending on what I ate last that can be 2-4 hours between meals), I don't drink with or right after meals and I eat until I am full (about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of food). I am losing 1-2 lbs a week on average. Funny - sounds like I may have restriction?   I have had bad days where a bag of pita chips and hummus go down no problem. So I figure - oh well its not like I have restriction. Instead I should be saying "that was a bad choice - don't do it again just because you can". If I get tightened up to the point where I can't eat a bunch of pita chips and hummus chances are I won't be able to eat chicken at all and that is not what the band is about.   Everyone is right - the band is a wonderful tool (I am down a total of 55 lbs since preop and feel great) but I need to wrap my head around the fact that the band will not do it for me - and that has been the hardest part. Just because I can eat like I did before - doesn't mean I should. And the band isn't going to help with that unless it is to tight - thus taking away my ability to choose what I eat.       12/12/05   Well it has been exactly 3 months since my surgery. I was feeling kinda down - didn't feel like I have lost much lately (gotta get another fill in 3 weeks) so I did my monthly measurements and pictures - now I can see it. Normally I wouldn't put these up on the web (me in a bathing suit....faints) but I couldn't resist - some day I will look back at these pictures and go - OH MY GOD, I'm awsome!! For now I just go.....Ok, I can see it, I think. Warning to those who are faint of heart and small children.......you might want to look away. Picture one is the day before surgery and each picture is at a one month interval ending with today -         I can't believe I just did that.....argggggh (trust me they will just keep getting better!!) Sorry about the wardrobe change...the first suit doesn't fit anymore....the girls just flop right out and this is a PG site!   Lynn     12/16/05 - Got a new hair cut yesterday - love it.     2006   1/4/06 To fill or not to fill - that is the question....well not really the question is where the heck did my fill go? I am a victim of the disappearing fill. I received a 1.5 cc fill in November and was going in for my second fill today. When the doc got the needle in he was unable to pull any fluid from my band. Where does 1.2ccs go?? Inquiring minds want to know.   I have a feeling that my first fill was not a great success (rather then there being a problem with the band itseld) maybe this is wishful thinking but I am going to ride with it a while. I do feel different after this fill (I now have 1 cc for sure) than I did on the first one. Life is a learning experience but next time I go in I better have at least 1 cc in my band!!   On a happy note - I am officially down 59 lbs 34 of those since surgery. My B12 is fine now and my cholesterol has gone fro 207 to 196 (baby steps). Speaking of baby steps - time to throw my but on the treadmill, like it or not!! TTFN       1/13/06 Hey - its been 4 months now so here are the new pics - left to right - day before surgery 275lbs - 2 months out 250lbs - 4 monts out 235lbs.         1/26/06 OK so how about some pictures with my clothes on?? Set one is one month post op, set 2 is 4 months post op. From a 26/28 now an 18/20 and still shrinking!         2/4/06 So here is my new band and resized solitare...aren't they beautiful!!! From a size 10.5 to an 8.50
Lynn B

Lynn B

3
Heather Joy's Journal
 

Lots of Stuff Since Last Entry

Lots of stuff has happened since my last entry. My fiancees grandfather died Sunday after a 5 year battle with Congestive Heart Failure. His sister, Tammy was there by his side when it happened. The nurse asked Debbie (Matts mother) Sunday morning if there was ANYONE who hadnt said their goodbyes to him yet, because usually people only hold on this long if they havent made "peace" with someone. While my fiancee's sister was by his side later that day, and after Debbie had told her about the talk with the nurse earlier, she thought that Dave her husband hadnt really had a chance to speak to him within the lst few days & maybe its him her grandfather is waiting to hear from. She called him on her cell phone & put the phone to his ear (he was in a coma) after a few minutes she took the phone, said she'd be home soon & hung up. Her grandfather took 2 more breathes & passed away... Gives you the chills doesnt it? I still dont know what exactly Dave said to him. But I did realize over the last week how close the 2 of them were- it was the 1st time ive seen Dave cry since Ive known Matt my fianncee (which has been over 6 years). The wake & funeral were absolutly beautiful-sad,of course (it made me remember my dads funeral soooo much I cried a LOT these past couple days) ...but it was a real closure to everyone. I met a lot of his family that I hadnt yet met (I met his grandfathers brother (who,sadly enough died on his sons birthday),Clyde-he lives in FL. He was so nice & told me numerous times how much he approved of me & that Matt had "done good" :nanahump: which was nice. Over this past week, through a trying & emotional time, I realised what a wonderful & caring family that I am marrying into-even my mom told me that-how proud & happy she was for me. That may sound strange,..but as they say trying times can bring people so close & that is VERY true.   ~Heather
Heather Joy

Heather Joy

1
My Lapband Journal
 

Ymca / Bored / Valium / Low cal Day?

Feburary 4th   I got up off my ass and went to the Ymca.   I took chase and cry. We played and I worked on my arms for 15 minutes.   I sat in the Hot tub twice.   They got a treat afterwards, and I took one bite of a candy bar and I didnt go to the store for any reses or cheetos.. It was hard. I also thought about getting that spinach cheese dip from Applebees and I didnt do that either, even though we drove right by it.   I am bored. I wish I went to the coast. But i went last weekend and I have a weekend date this coming weekend.. and so I think I should of stayed home and I am BORED off my ass..   Prolly take some valium and go to bed. (at leaste my food intake will end around 1000 calories today IF I do)   I am freezing. The electric Bill was 270$ something and Heat is a thing of the past.. NOt really, but it should be! I dont know how I am going to pay these bills.   I want candy.
Nykee

Nykee

1
Dawg's Lap-Band Journal
 

First Post

Start weight:307 Curr Weight: 276.5   Weigh day is tomorrow. Currently eating between 800 to 1000 Cal. a day. Depending on what I see tomorrow I will adjust my diet. If I have lost greater than 2 pounds I will increase. If I don't lose or maintain I shall stay where I am.
dawg

dawg

1

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