TerriDoodle

My doctor gave me a laminated card (his business card) and on the back it says: Patient Name: _________________ Please permit the above named patient to purchase a child's plate. He/She had gastric surgery which limits food intake. Of course it is still up to the restaurant mgmt. as to whether or not they will allow it, but maybe it helps. I've never used it.

Thanks, Angie. We just have to wait and see. The doctor said that sometimes they can discontinue them once they've past all that hormone craziness....maybe like his early 20's.

Here ya go, Roslyn....I re-sized your before photo. You look FANTASTIC!! Keep it up girl! You're gonna make all the boys cry!

Well, it IS something you could try....following a few of the bandster rules. Before I was banded i did wean myself off of drinking with meals and made a serious effort at eating smaller portions, more slowly and chewing well. It DID help me to lose 3 pounds ....but I was hungry much of the time. I'm sure that over time I would have resorted to my old habits, however. The band prevents that from happening....and that is the beauty of the system!

You didn't sound preachy at all, Tracy. It simply illustrates the difficulty of the decision and that in the end each parent has to decide what is best for their child in their own set of circumstances! For my DS, his symptoms didn't really start until puberty hit, then the depression followed and our world was suddenly in massive turmoil! His situation is totally different than yours. I would definitely have a difficult time medicating a smaller child just beginning school. If it were me I'm sure I'd try everything else in the book before resorting to medication. With my son we were running out of time and his future was at stake. Flunking out of high school was not one of the options were were willing to mess around with. I just thank God every day that he is better.

My 16 year old son was diagnosed last year with 'borderline' ADHD (i.e., he's not a severe case). I went thru all the research looking for any way to avoid putting him on medication (Adderal) but in the end we decided to try it just to see how he did. At the same time he was also diagnosed with depression and was put on medication for that as well. You can imagine how freaked out I was!! I did NOT want my son on these medications!!!!! But the doctor talked at length with us and we were convinced to at least try it for a few months and she assured us she would keep a very close eye on him. I am happy to say that he has done a complete 180 degree turn around. He was failing school, doing drugs and being VERY defiant and combative. Our lives were a living hell for several months. When treatment began we also got him into a drug treatment program for teens based on the 12 steps, so that was good too. He is once again his old self and his second semester grades were a B average. He doesn't do drugs or drink. I can't even imagine what our lives would be like now if he weren't being treated. In hindsight, his drug use turned out to be the catalyst for getting some serious evaluations done and discovering his illness. I think he's gonna be OK. WHEW. Bottom line about the ADHD drugs.... you can try other methods but if things don't get better don't dilly-dally. Precious time can be wasted as the school year rolls on. As they fail at school their self-esteem gets hammered and starts a cycle that's hard to break.

I've seriously got tears in my eyes.... It's so wonderful to hear the sweet sound of VICTORY!! God bless us all as we move farther along this path. Thank you for posting. I hope to hear from many more!

I was just thinking in the car earlier about this and thought I would ask you guys to share the list of things that have improved for you since being banded. Please let us know how long you've been banded, too. I've been banded since early April and this is my list: 1) I've lost 21# forever 2) I've joined a gym for the first time ever and am loving it!! 3) I've reduced caffeine from 5+ servings per day to 1, maybe 2 4) My recurrent back pain is almost gone completely 5) My plantar faciaitis is almost gone 6) I have way more energy and feel much stronger 7) I move with greater ease 8) I feel sure my bloodwork will be much improved 9) I always have at least 64 oz of Water each day 10) I have reduced my alcohol intake from 6-8 cocktails/week to maybe 3 per month 11) My blood sugars are completely stable (previously hypoglycemic) 12) My salt intake is greatly reduced 13) I have hope 14) I have a bunch of new friends on LBT 15) My sex life has improved 16) I take greater pride in my appearance & self esteem has improved What about you?

Faith -- trust me.... you won't care anymore. You'll just be glad you can be satisfied on a cup of food and want to do a happy dance after every meal! Yes, paying $20 for your dinner would be a huge waste of money!! Maybe you could make some kind of deal with the manager since you are good customers.

Our home remedy for hiccups is either a tsp of sugar or to eat a banana! The banana trick we just learned about recently...and it works! Sorry Haydee :eek: That would drive me nuts too!

Aren't we just paragons of virtue all of a sudden?? :eek:

I have been having real issues with this lately, too. DH and I used to eat out a lot. I just hate to cook! Anyway, DH misses that social time we had so we still go out to eat every few days or so and I always am so amazed at how much food is on my plate!!! Yesterday I ordered a taco salad and that thing looked like a MOUNTAIN! I had maybe 1/10 of the thing. Simply amazing. But the thing that is really getting to me is watching my DH shove food into his mouth....it almost grosses me out. He takes huge bites, chews a few times, takes a big swig of drink WHILE he's still chewing, then swallows.....followed VERY closely by another big bite..... OMG!!! He hasn't changed. I HAVE. I have tried to gently suggest he TRY smaller bites, slower eating and cutting back on his drinks during meals. HA!! I might as well be talking to a brick. It just took me 30 minutes to finish 1/2 c. of cottage cheese. I'm very happy I've been banded.

I was self pay so I didn't have to deal with the insurance headaches (Thank you, God!)....but as I understand it, one of the things the insurance companies are looking for is whether or not you can be disciplined enough to lose weight. The statistics show that those who have the most success with weight loss surgery are those that have lost weight in the past (but not necessarily are able to keep it off). Comprende? So maybe a conversation with your insurance representative is the one you should be having....to find out what happens "if"... Best of luck to you. I feel your frustration

There's something that drives me nuts. I've belonged to weight loss boards before and now this one. I don't understand how somebody can weigh the same amount as me, be essentially the same height as me and FIT INTO CLOTHES 4 SIZES SMALLER than me??? Saw a girl posting that she wears a size 12, but other stats are the same as mine. I wear a 14W for cryin' out loud!!! How is that even possible? 1) She's exaggerating (or lying) 2) She's been working out and has rippling muscles of steel (NOT!) 3) She carries her weight differently (maybe, but 4 sizes??) or 4) She has to use tools and winches to get into her clothes ?????????????????????? I just don't get it.

Oh, wait! Does it make me a perv if I have a deep desire to (one day) post my pic on the B&A thread so people can check ME out??? Now THAT gets my motor goin'!!

It'll fly by! It's only a month away! Use this time to start practicing the bandster rules. Small bites, chew well, eat slow and NO DRINKING WITH MEALS.

JACK!!! I miss you!!! Above all, I just hope you're alright. Let us know, ok? Give us a sign! Any sign!!

Apparently you're the only perv here!!

Ditto what WAS said. Might need to vary your exercise, too...perhaps your body has adapted.

Boost Glucose Control Chocolate drink - 16g Cabot Low fat white Cheddar Cottage cheese with fresh berries 12g per 1/2 cup Sweet & Spicy Tuna w/ mayo & a few crackers Slices of canadian bacon Nuts, but can't seem to eat them anymore

Check out this poll! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/would-you-do-again-30418/index5.html#post504967

Bumping up!

No, i haven't seen that!! Wild!.... and so affordable!!

I would tell her also that being nervous is very normal and she should communicate that to her nurses and doctor. They will take extra care to make sure she is comfortable thru every stage of surgery & recovery (if it's a good hospital)! Reiterate to her that the anesthesia is awkward when you first wake up because you are SOOOO drowsy and disoriented, but other than that there's nothing to it. The pain that she might experience is managed very well with medications and post-op instructions. Since she is so young, she should be doing very well within 2-3 days. Also, tell her that 92% of the folks polled on this board have said they would have the surgery again....in a heartbeat! That's pretty darn good. Once you get underway with your new life, and especially once you lose a few LB's, that surgery is a distant memory!! I wish you all the best.

Ok, Kat...Here's the recipe. I'll post it here 'cause others might like it too. DH and I (used to) make 1/2 a recipe, mix it with roasted chicken or turkey from the deli and that was dinner. It's delish! Tina's Strawberry Romaine Salad Dressing: 1 c vegetable oil 3/4 c sugar (I use Splenda...always...even for company) 1/2 c red wine vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. paprika 1/4 tsp. ground white pepper Mix all ingredients in a jar, cover tightly & shake vigorously. Refrigerate for up to one week. Advance prep is not necessary, however. Salad: 1 large head Romaine lettuce 1 head Boston lettuce 1 pint strawberries, sliced 1 cup (4 oz) shredded monterrey jack cheese (I use feta, but less) 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted Tear lettuce into bite size pieces. Combine lettuce, strawberries, cheese, and nuts in a large bowl. Shake dressing and pour over salad just before serving. Toss gently. Serves 12. I'm suddenly very hungry!!