Julie norton

Lisacaron Wishing the best for you and your digestive issues... Sounds like you have been through a lot lately and I am here to commiserate with you! I'm really hoping an empty band helps you figure out your allergies and stoma issues. I like how tough you are about keeping your band. Lots of others are not so strong, I think, as you are. I am fiercely protective of my band.... Even have it almost deflated now. I don't want irritation to flare up.... And like you, I'm not up to starting over. Hoping you also see results on your scale... You rightly should... Sometimes our bodies have a mind of their own. Jules

Good for you ... Taking care of ourselves can be a vexing issue. Then add controversy and it becomes harder to decide. Financial matters often make decisions harder. I'm guessing you will look and feel so much better.[emoji512] great birthday present.! I happened to give myself a TT for my 60th. Yeah , it felt a bit vain, but I adore the results.

I skip all the sage advice when someone is still preop And dispensing lots of info... From paperwork I'm guessing. Gotta be in those trenches for awhile... 18 months sounds good.

Well what do you know? I also can be quite good at cakes, brownies, cookies... I know my family always looked forward to my baking. Now, except for birthday requests, this baker has retired her skills. I'm just not strong enough to resist my own creations. Store bought? I can pass unless it is a fabulous bakery. Um, I don't go there.... They might miss me these days!

Sharpie I so get it. I feel like grief is not gonna be over.... We are gonna just learn to live a new way. It still feels new and I'm unsure about how to decide things. Bill and I always just worked it out ... Moving last week helped in some ways, yet so many decisions and so many memories to pack. Don't want to hijack this thread.... Just know we are thinking of you and hoping your family can surround you. And that you can catch your breath when the next wave of emotion comes.

I would like to be included in the play group. I'm headed for 10 years and I also get weary of " can I have pizza after 3 weeks?" Also" I haven't lost any weight in 3 days". Just a different mindset and goal.

It sure seems like there are both camps about lap bands. Pro and it works. Anti and it did not have success. As you might know, I'm firmly in the pro camp after 9+ years. I do see my doc regularly, and I do keep the saline level low. Personally, I get an irritation area if I keep my band tight, and I baby it by lowering the fluid level. I'm very afraid of not being able to keep my tool . It totally changed the trajectory of my life, and I adore it for that. Much of the maintenance is on me though... I do get that.

I thought. I'm really not that big. I eat fairly well. Perhaps a bit too much. But good quality food. I believed you had to eat right when hunger knocked. Ha. I have learned how little the body can get by on daily sometimes. I have learned it really is ok to be hungry for a couple of hours when you need to be , for a myriad of reasons. It all works out.

We are an honest and funny group. We can even discuss bodily functions .... Both ends seem to be big topics! I know I feel old when I'm concerned about how much or little I have to go... Reminds me of my darling Italian grandpa... That was his go- to topic. As I age, I understand him more [emoji171]

Yes erp! As hard as learning to lose with WLS, this maintenance program is difficult also. Most days go according to plan. And I do plan mostly.... Some days I'm just hungrier!!! Does anyone else have hungrier days?? It might be :yogurt and a protein bar along with my meatball and string cheese Or dense protein and extra protein milk. Or a premier protein.... (I still use those 9+ years out as old standbys) and good old chicken thighs and a sweet potato w/ a small vege. A salad with salmon or chicken is a favorite, if I can stop with the creamy dressing. YUM. Yes. Eating slowly, and not drinking, except for a wayward sip took some getting used to. We all have our challenges. And I wouldn't trade back for them for my 250 + life for money or fame[emoji93][emoji93]

It is kinda refreshing that every post doesn't need to be weight related. My cats adore a brand of catnip called Maui wowie . They paw the cupboard.... I laugh at them rolling in it.[emoji250][emoji250]

Good point Liz Debbie usually posts about summer bands and such. She has been quiet lately. I've grown fond of this group of veteran banders and hope not to lose any !

You seem to be doing well... With exercise and healthy food choices. Congratulations! So I say Trust the Process. It does work for many! Gotta have some faith that this was a huge step in reclaiming your life! Just keep being the great healthy version of your life and good things are coming your way The fills will truly help on hunger and portion size if the doc manages them right. Keep posting and let us know how you and your band are doing.

Please remember weight loss is a multi billion dollar industry. Advertising could get very clever and sometimes..... People are desperate to lose weight. I'm guessing some of us remember wanting to take off "X" pounds for some upcoming event. Sounds like it will make money to me. Sigh.

It may seem minor, but when I am at a concert, my peeve is the people that yell over the musician to chat about inane things. I seem to be located near them a lot. Had a fabulous time seeing Steely Dan Thursday, however Chatty Cathy next to me talked and called people on her phone. And yelled to them over the music. Sigh. She did move eventually. I was so happy to listen in peace and dance !!

Taking a break from moving by attending a wedding. Mother of bride is a florist and it smelled and looked spectacular!! 50 acres of redwoods and meadows and a train that circled around. Had a fabulous time. Needed it... Back to boxing up for the final time.

Sigh.... Yes old photos of the old us. I am moving after 34 years and going through hundreds of old photos. Like many of us, I did not know I was that round! There it is... In living color..., the old me from ten years and 100 pounds ago! Wow.. I am surprised how happy I look then. And I know I would not be happy now at that size. So WLS truly changed what my self image is and was.

I had my lapband surgery in 2006 ... Don't know if I can help, but I am available if I can answer questions. Feel free to private message me if you don't want to publically ask. I like the caring and sharing this site offers. Best of luck.

If like to see more trials and results from 2-3 years later. I wonder if you can use this multiple times with breaks inbetween? I won't be judgemental about something that can change someone's weight and their outlook on life. I'm also thinking this could be useful for someone who needed to lose weight in order to qualify for surgery... Say knee replacement for instance.

As hard as it is, I try a liquid protein shake day to start things back in the right direction. And I read the info from the doc about my band... And I ask ? here... Lots of support and info here about restarting weight loss. Best of luck to you. Try to remember why you had your surgery[emoji171]

Thanks cyber friends Off to get more boxes.... And again... Too much stuff My doc said " don't leave everything for your kids to have to go through". I'm taking his advice ...

Hi Banded friends, Hope everyone's summer is starting off right. We are having typical foggy mornings and pleasant afternoons on the coast . After 34 years, I am moving next Monday ! Not far, but jeez... Going through every drawer and cabinet and closet ! I have been boxing items up for over a month, and though I am tidy, I have entirely too much stuff! Had a great garage sale....still too many "things" ... Looking forward to changing my surroundings... Kinda Bittersweet, as a widow of 2 years, having to go through many old pictures and some of the last of my late husband's possessions. Trying to decide what will grace the walls....what to give the kids, what to pass to his sister etc. Trying to stay positive and not dwell on the past... Lots of memories here. Please wish me luck. I really need it. The emotions keep coming.

Well.. Closing in on a decade of this banded life: It truly is a life style make-over that we need to maintain through the years as I see it. No more on and off dieting.... Seems like a small regain is likely.... Though some have not experienced that.. By stats, many others must bounce upward. For me, a liquid Protein day occasionally does seem to help keep my hunger at bay for a period of time. If I (very) occasionally overdo , I seem to get more hungry the next day, and thus have to have a light day, or the lapband road is paved with land mines. Gotta say, this was one of the best decisions of my life, and I am grateful for the availability of WLS . Without surgery, I saw nothing but yo-yo, unsuccessful weight gain.... Now I feel like I can live at a comfortable weight and life just goes on..... May it always be so! I am thankful.

Enjoy everyday of your vacation! You work hard it appears .. So play hard now! Lots of stairs and walking and a gym on board if you choose . My choice was to bypass the buffets mostly and pay a nominal fee($5-10)for a "fancy" Sit down steak/ lobster type meal. Other ships have sit down/ waited-on restaurants for every evening meal. And...free room service if you just want a simple meal brought to you. Hope you have a blast with lots of family... And climb in and out of those tenders with ease, smiling as you vaguely remember your old, limited life. Bon voyage[emoji568]

As another long term bander... I also put my hands above my head and walk a bit to help a stuck band. I also lay on my left side on a heating pad if I can. Hot tea can help ...or sometimes come back up. Haven't tried to touch toes but will keep it in my pocket. My band is loose right now. Getting a small fill after some stressful things pass next month. Stress really affects my band. Happy with the results... Long learning curve for me, but coming up on 10 years and the days are all better than mine were at 250 lbs +. Nice to hear from other veterans