TerriDoodle

I posted a poll a long time ago called "Would you do it again?" ... out of 325 respondents, 91% said they would. 91%. That speaks volumes for the band! You won't regret it.... well, there's a 91% chance you won't regret it, anyway! I love, love, love my band!!!

Yeah, ya'll are right. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings...that's not the point.

Oh, I hope I remember to keep one pair of my old favorites for my "after" photo!! I'm so quick to throw them out!

"Ultimately if I do end up doing this it is because of my health but I feel really sad thinking I may have to give up on food." A lot of people have this fear before surgery. I have to be honest and tell you that some are justified. They didn't realize how much they depended on food for comfort and are now faced with all these "head issues". You say you're in treatment already, so that would be a very good thing to have that support already in place. As for myself and "giving up on food", the rewards of being healthier and thinner are worth the sacrifice....but I don't really feel like I AM sacrificing! There isn't any food I can't eat. I don't eat Pasta and rice simply because the carbs aren't good for me. Most importantly, because I am forced to slow down and take smaller bites, I have learned to enjoy the taste of every bite...to truly savor it....before swallowing. This in itself has its own reward. Print out your list above and keep it taped to your bathroom mirror. Review it every once in awhile. Keep visiting LBT and talk with your therapist. You'll make a good decision in time.

You have GOT TO BE kidding about being jealous of our heat!!! OMG girl!! It's like your pizza ovens out there! I was praying for you in the car on the way in to work this morning. I just know you were denied all those other jobs because this was the right thing for you. That's how God works, y'know! Gym Nazi says skip the gym today....you've got enough on your plate and you're tired. You'll do more harm than good if you go and that's not the point. Congratulations on the boat...that's REALLY exciting. Not nearly as exciting as you staying on your bike for 8 miles, but pretty exciting nontheless!! I'm almost finished with the bracelets! Love you guys!

I've lost 26# and nobody at work has said a word!! I figure they're just thinking "Oh, she's dieting AGAIN." No big deal. Been there, done that. Wait 'til I show them!!

Raspberries or strawberries blended, then mixed with (full fat) cottage cheese and splenda. I still eat it every single day and it's still my favorite meal!!

I have a pile in the bottom of my closet. As soon as I try something on that's too big, it goes into the pile. My closet is just not big enough to hang on to bad memories.

I have an idea. Read through the posts in this thread and see if there is anything appealing to you in these lists: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/share-us-what-has-improved-you-37441/ If so, then maybe that is a starting point for you. Make a list of what you would like to accomplish or how you would like to feel, that you cannot do now because of your weight. If there is nothing in those posts, or in the Before and After Photo thread, then perhaps this isn't the right time for you. If you are not properly motivated and eat the wrong things or too much of it, then you could harm yourself. I wish you the best of luck. Please let us know if we can help further!

I had an incision in my navel! I figured it was just one less visible scar!

I swam a total of 12 laps today!! Yea, me!! The most I swam at one time was 6, but I was very happy with that! I spent more time swimming and less time "aerobicizing" Ya'll have inspired me to keep pushing myself. Thanks!

But you won't LITERALLY be hitting the highway, right??

Good luck!! You'll love having restriction again!

Take a look at this HAWT CHICK!! Kat...... You are so beautiful!!!!! (Your new avatar is the last one! Nice improvement!)

Also.... Are you exercising? If so, are you changing up your routine every so often? Are you counting calories?

Hi...sorry it took me so long to come around! I think I know what you're asking. I am assuming that you're hungry or thinking about food a lot....more than you'd like. You're not getting stuck so you think it's time for a fill. When you get stuck a lot, do you also find that you stay fuller longer? What kind of foods are you eating? Give me a typical day's menu. I think I might be in the same place you are right now. I sometimes get stuck which makes me think my restriction is good. But I'm getting hungry in about 2 hours...which is NOT good. I end up snacking more because my hypoglycemia has taught me for 30 years that this is what I should do to keep my blood sugars stable. But in reality my hypoglycemia is well under control with the band....it is only out of habit that I eat as soon as I feel hungry. As a result of all of this my daily calories have risen slowly from about 1000/day to 1600 or so (before exercise is subtracted out). So I am looking at the head hunger vs. needing a fill delimma too. I am avoiding a fill until Sept. because we're going on vacation and I don't want to be having all kinds of restriction problems so I am working on the other side of the equation...the head hunger (?), food choices and calories. I need to seriously work on my habit of eating at the first sign of hunger and that is what I'm trying to do now by drinking more water instead or distracting myself with some activity. I am also adjusting WHAT I am eating....trying to add more fiber and eating more solid foods. In other words, I'm trying to follow the bandster rules more closely and see if that helps. The jury is still out.... Does that help??

Good Morning, Michelle! :welcome: I'm so glad you found LBT! There is so much information and WONDERFUL support here! Spend those 6 months here learning about the band and life after surgery. Use that time to get your head in the right place and maybe start a moderate exercise program. You'll be very well prepared by the time your date rolls around and you'll sail right through!! Best of luck with your insurance process. Please post often and let us know how we can help support you!

Kat - I'd be honored to to your pics for you. I'll PM you my email address.

These are just incredible inventories, you guys. You make me so happy when I read these!!! Life is soooooo GOOD! Who knew?

Just because you want to have a 1/2c of mac and cheese 4x a year doesn't mean you're not serious about losing weight. C'mon!

Have you tried warm tea or broth? Until you talk to your doctor you need to try to get as much Fluid as possible in and warm drinks may go down more easily. Sorry you are having trouble Hope you are better soon.

The best way to answer your questions is to refer you to the area of the board where the monthly groups post. Go look at the recent posts from the July and August 07 bandsters and see what they are going through at this stage. This is the stage when people post a LOT, so your questions will definitely be answered there. Or go to any month's group...I'm in April 07....go look at the posts from April & May in our thread....then you can fast forward to August and see how we're all doing now that we've had a few fills! (Hint: we're all doing great!!) Good luck to you and Welcome to LBT! :welcome:

I'll tell you if you give me the recipe!

Hey, Michelle! Welcome back! We missed you! I hate the beach too, for all those same reasons. Except here in S. Texas we don't have those kind of waves but the water is not wonderful. Give me a sparkling river any day. Rest well tonight and we'll see ya back here tomorrow. Kat - hope you did alright. I'd be a bit panicky too. I haven't ventured into the world of BBQ since I've been banded...maybe a little sausage here and there. I miss brisket!

LOL!! THAT's a new one!! Not recognizing yourself!