TerriDoodle

Well, I think that's the gist of this entire thread, my dear!

I don't think my husband would agree at all that sex is just a physical function...but maybe that's one reason why I married him. I've also 'heard' that men express love thru sex and not necessarily with words. If your husband loves you, shouldn't he be willing to see a counselor if this is having such a profound impact on your happiness?

Suzanne - That's GREAT news! I always discount stress as a factor in restriction....so that's very interesting that the doctor put such an emphasis on that as a possibility. I'll have to remember that. I did make the observation eating with my DH the other night* that I seem to slime/get stuck only when I eat with him! Now isn't THAT interesting!? (*We don't eat together very often, believe it or not!....we both have fulltime jobs, then he goes to one gym and I go to another after work...and only have dinner together on our nights 'off' from the gym and on wknds.) I've always hated cooking....maybe cooking is stressing me out!! Hey! That's it!! Cooking = hazardous to my health!! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!

Grd murrnng viletchz -- oh, sorry my mouth was full of cottage cheese and raspberries! Work is really getting in the way of my personal life today. I've got several matters to take care of today and a pile of work 10" tall in front of me. I swear, it's either feast or famine at my desk! But of course, I had to stop in here first thing...THEN I can start my day! My official weigh in was this morning (the one I record for the week) and I'm still at 190. Kinda frustrating, but it's OK. One thing about charting is I can see the pattern emerge. 2-3 weeks at the same weight, up a week, then drop a couple of pounds. Since I started at the gym I've lost 13# in 14 weeks...so that's right on target and I'm happy with that. Here's the graphic... sometimes it's helpful to see that it doesn't happen in a straight line.

Y'know....the recurring theme I keep getting from these posts is that these men are comfortable where they are. Why should they change? Will they ever do the work that is required to change? Do they CARE enough to change? The answer seems to be a resounding "NO". So, assuming they aren't going to...the next question is....are you willing to accept the situation as it is for the duration? Or do you care enough about your own well-being to do what needs to be done? If you don't know 'what needs to be done' then I high recommend seeing a counselor to help you figure it out. The work done in a good counselor's office is an amazing thing. It doesn't have to be a psychologist or psychiatrist. The woman I credit with giving me strength to claim my own power was a teacher at my church. Didn't cost me a dime and she was there for me 24/7. She was incredible and shaped me into who I am today.

OH MY GOD. I would freak out!!!!! I am soooooooo sorry. Well, just hang out here for a few more days!!

Ditto here. I love my meals now...savor every bite....rather than seeing how much I can shovel into my pie hole.

My doc recommended 800-1000 calories for this stage.

Ok, Blabbermouth has one more thing to say (today).... .... I don't want any stinkin' money for the bracelets! They are my gift to my sweet violet sisters! The cost is miniscule compared to all I've spent on beads this year!!! LOL Just send me your addresses...it's my pleasure.

I prolly should have posted this in complications, but this area gets more traffic. Has anyone seen something like this?? I've posted a picture of my port scar....and next to it is a light brown area. I have no idea what this is. It's not a bruise, it doesn't hurt in any way, and it's shown up in the last 48 hours or so....getting darker and a bit larger as time ticks away. The only thing I can think of is that it's the Omnipaque leaking out of the port?? But it shouldn't be leaving that mark....the stuff is eliminated from your system within a few hours. It's freaking me out!! I'll email this to Dr. Spivak tomorrow to see if I can avoid a trip downtown for him to look at it. Maybe he'll recognize it right away. :cry

LOL...thanks! that's for sure!! This is the best place in the whole world.

JUDY!! I am so slow lately. I want to CONGRATULATE YOU on your incredible progress!! 50# already!!! You are definitely a mascot deluxe!! You've worked hard and provided a great example for all of us! Thank you for sharing your journey with us! ....and now you are being immortalized in jewelry! Yee haw!

OK, Whoever wants a WWJD bracelet, please PM your mailing address to me. I'll be working on them this weekend and sending them out on Monday. Pamela - I'll make an extra for you 'cause I know you're not around. Actually, I'll probably make several extra. I bought enough to make about 10...should be plenty. The design is a surprise....let's just say that some version of the violet color is involved!

Well, it just faded away! But I never was able to get to the doctor anyway. I'll take pics with me next time I go in and see what he says.

This is my 1000th post.....and it belongs here, at home.

You want to read a good thread about success?? Read this one: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/share-us-what-has-improved-you-37441/ TracyKS really nailed it, too. I'm not skinny (yet), but I will be! And in a word it feels: comfortable.

We all go thru this at some time or another, don't we? I do find that it's usually the sugar and carbs that ensnare me and hold me in their evil grip! Like Julie said, if I can just go a few days with purposely choosing healthy foods then it becomes MUCH easier after that. The bonus is that you lose a couple of pounds, too!....then that keeps you rolling. What also helps is not keeping junk food in the house. Unfortunately my house isn't the problem...it's all the skinny chocoholics at work that insist on keeping a bowl filled that sits about 8' from my desk. Grrrrrrrrr. I'm getting there though! Be patient with yourself.

Oh, and you asked when we started exercising. I started the day I got clearance from my surgeon to do so...and have ramped it up little by little each month. I don't exercise much more now than I did in April...just increasingly heavier weights and 45 mins of cardio as opposed to 30.

jmcabra sounds a lot like me. I'm not so much addicted to the exercise as I am to the way it makes me feel afterwards....both physically and psychologically. I really really like not having that cloud of guilt hanging over my head about how I really should be exercising. BTW, I have never been one for consistent exercise. I am very prone to laziness. This is just something I really wanted to do: to get in the best shape possible (within reason). I just REALLY want this. I want it so much that I paid $13,000 for surgery and now I'm paying $180/month for my gym & trainer. I have virtually not missed a session (except with good reason) for 3-1/2 months. For me, this is a miracle. Another member, josiebies, put it very well. She said that she observed two groups here on LBT. Those that exercise and those that don't. The first group has consistent positive results and great attitudes. The second group...uh....not so much. She wanted to be in that first group. She wanted to succeed (and she is!).

Wow!! That's cool!! Must be because you've cut back so much on carbs & preservatives! High Five!!:whoo:

You Can Do It!!!

I seem to have more phlegm in my lungs and throat since banding, too. Hmmm. I may have to ask the wise Dr. Spivak about that.

Yep! I've lost 25# and down 1/2 size to my normal size 9.

Yes, this will break your plateau for sure because it's a very strict low-carb diet which is diuretic...you will lose about 8-12# of Water weight. When/if you re-introduce carbs back into your diet you will regain the weight. Sorry! It certainly will not harm you to do this for 10 days. You will probably be light-headed, have headaches, maybe some nausea, and you may feel very tired. Just know that going in.... (I was a low-carber for 3 years.)

Nana -- Look around you at all these HAPPY bandsters!! You want to be one of us, don't you??? Well, there's this one little thing you have to do first..... Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll be GREAT!! In two short weeks you'll be good as new. Remember how lucky you are that you are even ABLE to have this surgery! So many can't but want it desperately. GO GIRL!!