leatha_g

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That's way cool Teresa!

Woohoo! Great photos! Looks like a great time! You're looking great, Lisa!

Poor Ryan! LOL, Sorry you had to do the laxative thing. That's not something I had to do either time, after all they're not operating on your intestines. ?? Oh well, it'll probably serve to make you more comfortable AFTER the surgery anyway. It's countdown time and I sure wished we could all be there to keep your mind busy before they take you to the OR and to be there waiting when they bring out safely. Just know that I have it from a higher source that everyone here is in fact a LBT Angel and that we will indeed be there in spirit. In body, we'll be praying for an excellent surgery and a very speedy recovery. Don't over-do anything, but when you feel up to it, please let us know that you've returned home safe and sound. We all love you very much and will be anxious to know you're okay. For now, ((((((((RYAN)))))))) hugs of strength and support that will hopefully sustain you until we can do better.

Not to revive skeletons, but I made a discovery this past week in getting ready to meet everyone in Galveston. I thought I'd share. To preface this photo, I'd like to say that I cried when I was able to look at this again. You see, my mom took these photos on the morning of my surgery and within minutes of my returning from recovery. I had asked her to take them for me as I had seen other bandsters photos on other forums and I had been truly inspired and encouraged by their tragic beginnings and their transformations and somewhere inside myself I longed for such a chance to change. As it happens, my mom did take the photos for me and she had them developed and even mailed them to me, along with the negatives, so that only I would ever have them. Once I received them, I was eager to take them on a trip for work and share with my co-workers where I had been and where I hoped to be going. Somewhere between the hotel and the rental car, I lost my pictures. Someone, somewhere in LA probably had a few laughs at my expense. I thought I'd never see them again. (I had forgotten that I had the negatives.) So, the other night, in preparing to leave for Galveston this weekend. I was going through some things in an organizer that I keep 'junk' in. Things that don't have a home, but seem to have some value, so I don't get rid of them and lo and behold, there are these negatives. I didn't know right away that's what it was, but I as I held them up to the light, I could see ME, in all my glory with my new bandster badges of courage and my drug induced smile and a 'thumbs up' for those to follow behind me, as if to say 'come on in, the water is fine'. So, to you, my fellow bandsters and those who may be lurking and seeking that solace of a kindred spirit who has known your pain and suffering and self-disgust, I share two photos that I am both appalled and deeply saddened by, but I hope that in some way can help to tell my story and possibly encourage just one person to take back their lives and their health and the love of themselves. On this day, I have lost 67lbs (I'm back to 183- woohoo!) and it has been a slow loss, compared to some, but to me it has not been a loss at all, but a gain. I have gained my spirit back and my health back and my desire to shout YES in the light of the silvery moon.. and THAT my friends is something to share.

Paula and Lisa_G, two very pretty and equally kind and gentle souls. Of course, I'm partial, you know, Paula is my band daughter.

I love the way you kiss me darlin.. oh, oh, oh, oh yess..oh yes, don't stop, don't stop.. OH!! - different forum!!:nervous

That's our Ginny!!

My trademark. unclear pictures. it's me, not the camera. Anyway, this one is of Marie, Betty and Lisa relaxing and watching the show. Big happy grins are apparent despite the bad photographer.

Here's our Ginny providing some very entertaining entertainment. She's a natural! lol

These ladies had SO much fun trying on clothes. Betty became their Fairy Godmother on this night. It was a joy to watch them try on the clothes and have a ball doing it. They were so cute!

You all know I don't take photos very well. Someday I'll read the manual. :rolleyes But I'll try to post the few I do have. This is taken in the Saltgrass Steakhouse, Paula, Betty(in the dark) and Lisa_G.

NY, Congrats on your banding !! Welcome to the other side! Yes. Diarrhea is pretty common during that first week for many and the reason is: liquids in, liquids out. I don't think it has a thing to do with how fast you drink anything, it's just the nature of the beast, ie liquids only diet. This too shall pass! I promise! Just watch your incision, but yea, it'll be sore for at least the first couple of weeks, getting better and better as time goes by. Please take care to constantly sip and don't dehydrate and walking is the best friend you have at this point. Walk, walk, walk.... good luck to you and have a quick recovery!

Well. I'm home! Where is everyone??? Where does one start? For starters, we missed you all, everyone who wasn't able to be there! But, what can I say? WOW! Although it was one night only, I am SOO glad I made the trip! Marie did an awesome job (and I do mean AWESOME) of locating a place for us all to stay. The condo that we rented was way beyond nice, it was fabulous, gorgeous, comfortable, fancy, did I saw AWESOME? Fantastic! I recommend we line up a yearly bandster pajama party at this very place! This place was a 4bdrm, 3 bath, gorgeously decorated and furnished villa with a wide sweeping view of the breaking waves just across the street. The weather did not cooperate, but the ocean view and the sound of the crashing waves was worth it! I picked Betty (Iluvharleys) up at 9:30am as agreed and she wouldn't have it any other way but for me to take a pic on her Harley. LOL. I'm interested to see how that turned out. <yikes> Anyway, that was fun and Betty and her husband have a beautiful home and I really enjoyed meeting them. Nice, nice folks. So Betty and I load up my Honda with bunches and bunches of clothing that we're bringing and we get on our way. Poor Betty, she got to know more about Leatha_G than anyone in the last decade has ever had a chance to know. See what happens when you live alone with no one to talk to? Sorry Betty. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/frown.gif lol We were in Galveston in no time and once we located our condo, we head upstairs to meet Marie (NewHope) and Nancy (claraluz). We arrived at approx 3:15pm and man, were we ever pleased with our surroundings. It was beautiful. Beyond belief! Shortly after we get our arrival hugs and exchange hellos, our friends Lisa_G, Paula and GinnyKElliott arrive and it is SO good to finally put some faces/voices with names that have become like family. We all sat down at the big dining table, just like old friends and smiled and laughed and genuinely felt as if we were 'home'. Sisters of the band, soon to find out we have much more than just a band in common. We talked as if we hadn't seen each other in years and pretty soon, the fact that NONE of us had eaten sent us seeking sustinence at the nearby Saltgrass Steakhouse. We had alot of fun there, too, talking, sipping a margarita, sharing meals amongst each other. It was just a genuinely nice dinner with much chatter about our bands, our ups and downs and losses and non-losses and finding out that these people are really as kind and loving as you've always thought, only moreso. We walked back to our little hacienda in the cool November wind with the ocean churning right next to us. Laughing, and more chatter along the way. When we returned, it was decided that we needed to take a trip to the local grocery for some munchies and wine and various other sundries. I won't tell how some of our more 'spirited' sisters harrassed the cashiers and sackboys at the grocery, but I can say he had a real cute smile. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Back at the house, our pajama party began with women shedding daywear and putting on their nighties to settle down for some old fashioned 'visiting'. It was nice to get cozy after a long drive in the car. Ginny, Lisa and Nancy are having a ball trying on the clothes and modeling them for us.. woohooo! That Ginny had a ball! My girl Ginny came prepared for a party, however, she brought her very own karaoke machine! Of course, those of us more shy folks had nothing doing but to try hiding from that, but Ginny put on a perfectly fine show all by herself! She's good! and pretty soon the ice was broken. I was coerced to share in a duet singin 'Black Water', one of my favorite sing-along songs. It wasn't all that long that I noticed everyone else was singing with us, which just makes it better. That was fun! We sang several, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun', 'We Are Family', 'Sweet Home Alabama'. severl more. Karaoke ain't so bad if everyone is singing. I did enjoy it and I think everyone else did too. Course, a few glasses of wine or a little margarita didn't hurt! After we sang a few songs, we decided to move back to the 'family' dining table and just share a bit around the table (at Ginny's suggestion) about who we are and how we came to be where we are today, band-wise, weight-wise and I am here to tell you in that one single room were some of the most powerful, poignant, touching, heart-wrenching stories of experience, strength and hope that I have ever witnessed. Of course, there were lots of nods of 'been there, done that' agreements, laughs, moments of heartbreaking truths and stories of God's gifts and revelations. I know I will not be the only one to say I have already deemed my weekend 'Truly Blessed'. One thing is for certain as we have all noted many times. Our lives do truly have a common thread. As much as it does certainly include trials and tribulations, I choose to think the single most common thing is our will to survive, our determination to triumph over tragedy and this small group brought together on a cold November evening most certainly has reinforced my belief in that. There will be great photos shared, soon to come, but what I will not soon forget is the love shared amongst those once faceless friends who have now become sisters of the heart. I love you all and I thank you for sharing this small part of your lives with me and allowing me to share mine with you. We are ALL beautiful broken shells.. .

Well. I'm NEARLY ready to go. lol. I'm bringing a huge box and suitcase full of clothes - size 2x, 20, 18 - mostly Petites. Maybe someone can use at least some of them. We'll see. We have music. I have maps and phone numbers. So, I reckon I better get myself to bed so I can actually get up in the morning. Go to bed, Marie and Betty. I know you're lurking.

Congratulations Christina! Please arm yourself with all the knowledge available. You'll find numerous threads here at this site and on many others that will help you to understand what you are getting into and hopefully ward off any surprises once you've moved to the other side! Research, research, research! Good luck to you!

Well, sometimes you don't really get the full effect of a fill for several days, even weeks, I've heard. Usually, I can tell some subtle difference right away. Some people get severe swelling, then eventually settle down. Everyone is unique, but my doc tells me if I don't feel restriction by 2-4 weeks, I need to come back. I got my fill on Tuesday. I did liquids/soft foods the rest of the day. Then tried it out with chicken breast the following day. It was apparent right away that I had more restriction than before. I can never tell much until I really test it with solid Proteins. I really hope yours is different. That's a long way to have to go for a fill. Good luck!

It's because your stomach is a very grumpy patient and when it's been messed with, aka filled, the docs think it's a good idea to do liquids for at least the first few hours. Mine says the rest of that day, some say 2 or 3 days. Of course you'll need to follow your own physician's advice, but that is the reason - to hopefully let it rest and maybe any swelling subside before you start agitating it with solid foods again.

Welcome Patty! Very sorry to hear of your friend's death. That is so very sad. While all surgery has inherent risks, the lapband is definitely the safer choice. There are trade-offs, but mostly healthy ones. The weight loss is slower, therefore more healthy. You do have the maintenance of the band (fills, follow up, possible annoying minor complications), but those are still minor comparatively. I think you have made a wise choice as long as you understand that it is a lifelong committment to changing your eating habits and don't expect the drastic results that gastric bypass offers in it's early stages. I love my band!

Thanks for that information, Pam. Very enlightening. I've had some severe problems with swelling of the lower extremities in the past. I'm so much better now, with my band!

pizza crust was the very first thing that I ever 'slimed' on. The dough (bread) is very notorious for sticking in your tiny stoma on the way down. Not fun! If there is some around, which we do at work sometimes. I will take it and eat the toppings. Some pizza crust is very thin and crisp and sometimes (depending on restriction) I can eat it. However, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that pizza is probably not the most weight loss conducive food available, right? lol. The answer is, yes, you will probably get to eat pizza on occasion, but I do think the band is more geared to 'hard proteins' which stay in your pouch longer, which help you to be less hungry, which have less calories, which help you to reach your weight loss goals. Honestly, since my first bad experience with it. I'm actually kind of afraid of it. Which is a good thing.

Isn't that the coolest thing??!!!! That is really such a triumph, Babs!! I am so proud of you! You have done one helluva job! Congratulations!

21 lbs!!! I am so proud of you, Ryan!! That is awesome!!

Wonderful Jen!! I really hope all goes well for you. Welcome to our little place on the web. We all just love it here and I think you will too! Please feel free to browse all the sections for some great advice, experience and lots of fun too!

Well, so far so good with my new fill. I am not overly restricted, yet I can definitely tell I have restriction. Yesterday, I only ate half a chicken breast for lunch w/ food lube, that is and I got my 'soft stop' signs, so I just stopped. Again at noon today, I was only able to eat less than half of a bowl of chili and I was able to feel the soft stop, so I am GLAD. It's been since June that I had restriction and I seriously did miss it. Even better, I'm not having the serious cravings or hunger either. I think my band is working! :banana :banana :banana :banana