cheryl2586

Its vitamin deficiency that causes hair loss not lack of protein my friend. I would hate to think I would have to live on protein shakes the rest of my life when I can eat enough food to get it. Making good choices in food is the key to getting enough protein.

I would really hate to think I was being paid a service and the person paying me did not take my knowledge that I went to medical school for 12 years enough that they would have to get help on a website for medical issues. I can not believe that people really refuse to call their doctors after surgery. They are getting paid to take care of you and a pretty penny I might add. Issues regarding pain, swelling, chest pain, can't eat or drink, throwing up, leg pain, what you should be eating are all questions that your surgeon should be answering. They are getting paid 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you are having chest pain dont post it here, get your butt to the er. If you are vomiting and cant stop, feel dehydrated, cant keep food down, have leg pain or any kind of unnormal pain then call your doctors. I dont know why you all are scared of them. I have my doctors personal cell phone that I can call anytime I am having an issue and he will answer every single time. We are not medical professionals and posting here when you are having chest pain you could have been to the ER or dead by the time you"re done typing it. Stop playing with your lives and your bands. Call your surgeons if you are having these issues. What really are you afraid of? That you're bothering them? Well bother them they make 4 times the amount that most of us make a year for a service. A service they chose to have.

Have you thought about selling your clothes on ebay? I am making good money getting rid of my good clothes. Why donate them when you can sell them and make some cash to go buy some nice clothes. It's worth looking in to.

It's ok we have two thats enough lol. But I would do it again in a heart beat. I was scared of them too at first but because she was so sick I had to just love her up.

Well I don't always blog about my band and weight and hunger so today I'm writing about my two year old iguana Anastasia aka Binky. Two years ago my husband and I rescued our little girl Anastasia from an owner that had about 20 baby iguanas in a ten gallon fish tank. A little about iguanas. Iguanas are creatures of habit, can not be housed together for long after birth because the bigger ones will show aggression and the smaller ones will end up dieing. The bigger babies will eat first, bask in the light first and the others will suffer. The are strictly vegetarians only eating collard greens, mustard, kale, and the list goes on for an eternity. Anastasia was the smallest igauna in the tank and I told my husband to get her. They are very fast when they are little like that so it was hard to catch her. At that time we didnt know she was a she because you cant tell their sex until they are about two years old. Iguanas need a lot of calcium in order to function, proper light and heat because they can not regualate their own temperatures. Yes I am giving you lessons in iguana care. Ya never know you might love one too. Anastasia soon developed calcium deficiency and she was paralyzed and could not move. She couldnt eat because her bottom jaw got so big that she could not chew her food. We took her to a reptile vet and they started her on calcium supplements. Metabolic bone disease is one disease iguanas get that takes a very long time to cure. Every day for seven months I syringe fed her Gerber baby food because I could not let her die. It was a fight day after day and her growth was stunted drastically. I still would leave her food when I left for work just in case she would try to eat, but she didn't. After seven months of not even eating breakfast to feed her, I was so ready to just give up (but I would never do that). Iguanas can live up to 20 years and all I could think of that I would spend the next 20 years syringe feeding this baby, that she wouldnt grow, and it would be like taking care of a disabled child. One day I cut some watermelon up into small pieces and placed it by her and walked away. When I looked back it was gone. I couldn't believe it. My baby ate. You have to understand it wasn't just feeding her but they have to be bathed every single day also because they don't drink water. She finally started dragging herself across the cage to get her food but I still fed her inbetween just in case. She finally started eating like crazy and growing like crazy. People think I am crazy for loving my iguana but you know what? I do love Anastasia. Now she has a bundle of eggs to be delivered any day. No there wont be babies because they are not fetilized but all I can say is this. I did what I had to for my baby girl. We spent hundreds of dollars on her at her vet (which is what good pet owners do with their animals) to make sure she got better. So when folks think on here things that I say are rude. No I'm not rude. I am a loving and caring individual who spends my life rescuing abuse animals, advocating for voices that can't be heard. Anastasia is a princess and she will be loved and cared for until its her time to go. Right now she isn't eating because it's what they do before they lay eggs but everyday just like before I syringe feed her Gerber baby food, give her calcium from the vets and bathe her til she lays her eggs. Then she lays on my shoulder while I rub her head and she goes to sleep. All for the love of Anastasia.

by early spring should be

and on my book cover lol

Thanks so much I have not stopped crying yet lol

Previously I cut all ties with my publisher for personal reasons. So I decided to submit my manuscript to one of the hardest to get published, publishing companies in the United States. I did this about six weeks ago and figured well they said I would hear something in two weeks. So I gave up. I continue to write everyday because I love to do it and well..... I think I am pretty good at it. So today came the email and I didn't want to open it because I knew it was a rejection email. After all this time it had to be right? WRONG WRONG WRONG! Not only did they accept my manuscript but said this: Congratulations Cheryl! Tate Publishing has accepted your book,"The Prevalence of Love" for publication. This email is to inform you that we would love to move you to the next step in this process and get you a contract to look over. I have been reading through your submission and I am certainly impressed. This is a project that we are really interested in taking on. I just want you to know upfront that I really enjoyed your work and we are excited about this opportunity. Please take some time to read through the material and let me know if you have any questions. It is important that you know what it is about your book that caught our eye and you need to realize that a lot of time and effort goes in to each review of every submission that comes to us. Your book has been chosen on the basis of writing ability, concept and most importantly- marketability. It is with great pleasure that we welcome you as one of the 4% chosen out of tens of thousands each year to become a published author with us. Congratulations![/font] I was moved by your short stories and the encouragement that radiates in your writing. We are very honored to have you come our way and look forward to working with you on this project. [/font] Yes they read every single submission they get and my book was picked! Over the years my writing has improved drastically. I not only just produce books but I write for Yahoo Voices, The Examiner, Angies Diaries and many other websites. With perserverence I have been given an opportunity that most authors never have the chance to get. It is hard to get published and while I have been publshed for quite some time by another publishing company that is being sued by many authors for their lies and deciet, I have broken through to a publisher that is by far hard as hell to get published by. So today I do my happy dance and now you all know what I do instead of thinking of food. I write.[/font] TIME FOR A BIG HAPPY DANCE

I know I used to love waffles and now I could care less if I get them or not. Yes it should be your choice but not a doctors to tell you that you need a protein shake to live off of.

Yes I am sure we could all eat 10 cups of food if we wanted too but constraint comes with the band also. Besides if you have an restriction forcing 3 cups of salad in to your pouch is a sure way to start the erosion process. So tell her eat up she will be losing her band in a couple years lol

I read a post that a doctor told a patient that you will be relying on protein shakes the rest of your life because you can't possilbly consume enough protein in one day for the requirements. I say that is utter nonsense and no doctor should expect you to live off of protein shakes. Even being tight in the morning you can consume some yogurt or oatmeal that has protein in it. Or add some protein powder if you have too. But you have to learn to eat with your band and if you are more then three months out and still relying on protein shakes then you need to rethink your eating strategy. Yes I am tight in the morning but I can get in Greek yogurt, eggs, Quaker weight control oatmeal, cream of wheat, without relying on protein shakes. I have not drank them except after a fill since I was a month post op. I want to consume food and not liquid calories. What is the point of having something if you have to drink your meals. You might as well skip surgery and do slim fast because that is exactly what you are doing. I can easily get in 90 grams of protein per day on food. If your doctor insist that you have to drink protein shakes the rest of your life then I would find a new doctor. There is no reason to drink them just for protein when all you're doing is drinking liquids that won't keep you full. It's everyones choice what they want to do but if you can't learn to eat real food with your band then what's the point. I would rather have a full stomach that will be satisfied for 4 hours then drink liquid calories just to get in protein. No way no how am I living off of shakes to get in protein. Just my thoughts and opinion.

It is beautiful

Yes we all have/are hungry at some point during band life. Whether it be during bandster hell or when needing a fill we all get hungry. I'm not selling nothing here but telling you what works for me during these crisis. Yes I love to feel hunger pains as I have never felt them my whole adult life, however sometimes being severely hungry makes you eat fast and those of us that have been banded for a long time knows what happens when we eat fast. Stuck, pain, puke, slime but not necessarily in that order. When hoodia first came out, I guess it really went crazy about a year after I was banded, I tried it. I buy the hoodia super thin from GNC and no other. They said it would take about a week to work but I stuck it out and what a difference it made when I was struggling with hunger. It tricks your brain in to thinking you are full (exactly what the band is supposed to do when you are in the green) and helps with hunger. Again I am not selling anything just telling you what has worked for me when I was in severe crisis. Sometimes we all need something to help even with the band. Most of you don't want to be hungry and this may or may not help you but it has helped me many times especially when I could was able to get a fill for a while. I have a very sensitive stomach and it really hates a fill. There are no side affects either so that was a plus to go with my other supplements as I do take chromium, biotin, and b-6 for my hair. Its just a suggestion for those of you who are struggling with hunger.

I have read so many times that people "Can eat more then they should" with their band. But let me tell you what is going to happen if you continue to eat more then you should. 1) Your pouch is going to dilate and cause problems 2) over eating and food backing up in to the esophagus is going to cause your esophagus to expand and make it slow down when pushing the food through the pouch. 3) Cause band erosion. Every single time you over eat, you are forcing your band into the stomach wall and causing pressure. This pressure will continue until it cause the band to wear in to your stomach. Once erosion happens you can say good bye to your band. Just because you can eat more then a cup of food does not mean you should. Eat what your supposed to and then if you are hungry a few hour later then eat again but do not over eat. All of these things can be avoided if you just do what you are supposed too. Stop over eating. There is no need to anymore. If you want your band then follow the rules if you don't then continue on your binging over eating ways and you will surely lose it.

You might still have some swelling but I think any fish is one of the easier things to eat. Give the swelling time to go down.

You are doing the right thing. Accountability is everything. You owned up to your mess you were in and now you will not only lose those pounds but a ton more. Congrats to your journey.

I find it hard to believe that so many lap band patients do not follow their doctors instructions. You are given post op instructions of liquids and upgrading your diet slowly for a reason. You band is stitched to the stomach and eating before you are supposed to YES CAN BE HARMFUL. When you eat the stomach has to work and churn and move and if you are filling it with food before you are supposed to then you are not giving your surgery sites time to heal. Its not just about your incisions but about the band placement too. Why risk it because you are hungry? Why take matters in to your own hands and eat what you want when you want then down the road you will be the first person complaining the band failed me. Any doctor gives you instructions for your health. Do you not take your routine medications like they were prescribed? Would you not take insulin or high blood pressure medication just because you didnt feel like it? Heck no you wouldn't. So why take a chance with the band? A month out of your life is not going to kill you to be hungry. Just do what you are told to do then you won't have to be asking did I do something to hurt my band.

Everyone goes bat crazy here when they are hungry but I love feeling hungry. Yes you may think I am crazy but this is why I love feeling hungry. All of my life I was obese and I consumed probably about 4 to 5 thousand calories a day and never gave my stomach a chance to ever be empty. I would even get up in the middle of the night and eat cookies, cereal, peanut butter and jelly or what ever darn thing I could find to stuff in my face. The very first time I felt hungry after lap band surgery I was pissed off but then I thought "I have never felt hungry before in my life". When I am hungry it means it really is time to nourish my body. The days following the post op diet of liquids only were not pleasant but from that time I welcomed hunger. I realized I was not going to die due to no food for a few weeks because I could drink as much as I wanted. I was not starved to death because that only happens when people can not afford to purchase food or live in a country that has no food or if someone is anorexic and refuses to eat. I was not in any way going to starve to death. I love feeling hungry, hearing my stomach actually growl once in a while. I know I won't die because of it. So when you are feeling hungry if it is true stomach growling hunger enjoy it because I guarentee you have never really felt hungry while you were obese. You are not going to die from being hungry but maybe just uncomfortable. If you are just head hungry then don't complain about it because our heads made us obese unhealthy people. The preop and post op is only a small portion of your life that goes quickly. Welcome hunger and know that it really is a signal to nourish your body with healthy food.

Sweet baby Jesus where did 50 years go? Here I am 50 today and I never thought I would make it this far. I feel great. My husband woke me up at 2 a.m. with a cake singing happy birthday. Ha I can't eat cake but oh well the roses tasted good at 2a.m. I feel good, looking great and the best is yet to come. Now if the time would slow down so I can do everything I want. You see this journey has been a great one and has given me my life back in a great way. Happy 5oth birthday to me and looking forward to being the healthiest middle age person ever. AARP was waiting in the mail for me but I dont feel that old yet. It is for old people isnt it lol. I did it/still doing it and hope everyone else succeeds in their journey. Breakfast in bed, a Vera Bradley purse and Bahama Breeze for dinner and yes I am drinking a Mohito with extra rum. You only turn 50 0nce. I'm making the best of it.

Even after three years I am still losing weight. Its been slow but a loss is a loss no matter how much it is. Even if it's an ounce its a loss. Today I went in to discuss my labs with my doctor and not one number was out of whack. Cholesterol and triglycerides normal. Vitamin levels all normal. I have never had normal tryglycerides which is what is harmful in Cholesterol. I lost two more pounds since last week. My next goal is to be to 150 by summer time and I will get there. Five pounds a month will do it. I love my life with my band and I enjoy traveling with my husband now more then ever because I can walk without getting tired or hurting, enjoy going out with friends for the company not the food. You can do this. You can succeed you just have to want it. I rarely eat meat but today I had a good old juicy hamburger and it was so good. I don't eat junk like that ever but I needed something in that beef. I sleep well at night and wake up feeling good. I eat real food and don't rely on protein shakes. I may get a fill next month because I havent had one in a year but that is undetermined right now because I still feel I have control. My doctor congratulated me for not gaining weight but losing over the holidays. I don't dwell on food anymore but am looking forward to eating some cake for my 50th birthday Saturday even if it is just the icing. I dont obsess over a pound up or a pound down because our bodies flucutate weight throughout the day. I am healthy and happy and could not have made it thus far without my band. 50 years has gone way too fast but hopefully the next 50 will slow down because I have so much left to do.

This is a sour subject amoung banded life. Everyone loses hair but why? Telogen Effluvium is stress related hair loss due to surgery, drastic weight loss, or other traumatic events that happen in your life. Some say because it is lack of protein, which in some cases it is true because hair lives on protein, but actually hair loss in weight loss surgery patients comes from vitamin deficiency. Your hair needs B-12, B-6, niacin, zinc, biotin and vitamin e. The stress of excessive weight loss and less nutrition will cause hair to start falling out. Taking these vitamins may not stop hair loss but not letting yourself get dificient to begin with may help you not lose your hair. We all hate losing our hair but if you are concerned about it then take your vitamins from the beginning. Once it starts falling out it's hard to get it back under control. It won't last forever but it can be very annoying.

I make eggs fritata with cheese, onions, green peppers and bake them in mini cupcake cups. Great for a snack too

Getting protein in does not mean you have to have lots of fat. Eating so much fat just for the protein will not help you lose weight. Just sayin.

These questions come up very frequently and they are all normal things that occur after weight loss surgery. Hair loss: Normal! There is really not many products that really work. It will end eventually. If you are having excessive hair loss then consult your doctor. Constipation: Constipation is normal when you are on a high protein diet. Again if you are having extreme issues and a little stool softener is not helping consult your doctor. Weight loss stalling: Normal! No diet in the world will not come with weight loss stalls. You just have to bear with it. Pain after surgery: Now I am not being rude but who has ever had surgery and not had any pain? I haven't. The severity depends on your ability to deal with pain. Some can and some can't. Gas: Normal. Any abdominal surgery you will have gas because your belly is filled with gas during surgery so they can see what they are doing. How long it stays is also indvidual. No one can tell you how long it is going to last. Diarrhea: Normal! Liquids in liquids out. No restriction: Normal! People get restriction confused as anything. Its not about keeping you from eating food its about keeping you satisfied for 3 to 4 hours or longer on small amounts of food. Until you reach your green zone you have to do some or not all of the work. Yeah it sucks but its the truth. Did I hurt my band: Probably not but if you continue to eat large amounts of food, drink and puke, get food constantly stuck because you are eating the wrong things then yes eventually you will hurt your band by causing erosion. Then your band will come out. Port Pain: Normal. The port area can hurt up to three months. Not normal things: Chest pain: this should never be posted in the forum unless you really are seeking attention. Go to the emergency room then tell us how you are doing. The time you spent posting in the forum you could have been on your way to the hospital. Leg Pain: Not normal. Could be a blood clot. Again do not post this in the forum go to the emergency room you could have a stroke in the time you posted this. Constant Vomiting: Not normal. Something is wrong and again call your doctor and or go to the emergency room. Throwing up with the band can cause slippage. Any kind of pain that you did not have post surgery is not normal. Constant heart burn: Not normal Not being able to keep any food or fluids down: Not normal. Seek medical attention. If you are having medical issues then call your doctor. Care enough about yourself to do that. We are not medical professionals to give you medical advice. Your surgeons are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week if you are having medical issues. They are getting paid to take your call. Call them, they don't mind after all that is why they chose to be a surgeon and knew what came with the job when they took it. Why fear calling them and distubing them. To this day I still have my surgeons cell phone number and can call him day or night and he will always answer any questions I have if I am having an issue.