simmons775

Well, I'm sorry to hear that some people haven't been happy with their band. I'm biased because I've had such a good experience. It's truly the best decision I ever made and I rave about it all the time. I'm a different person, healthier and happier all the way around. I hope that more people from our group have had good experiences like myself.

I'm doing great. Glad someone is starting up this link again. I'm still not where I want to be but I've been a lazy butt and plan on kicking myself into high gear to shed the last of this weight. Hope everyone else is doing good. Kelly

I've personally tried them all because I threw up during both of my pregnancies. Every day until the day my boys were born actually. Anyway, I must say that Diet Canada Dry Ginger Ale was a favorite. I don't think it has that bitter bite that the zero products have. Just my opinion but I think it really helps settle your tummy. My doctor is fine with soda and the band so I still drink one soda a day. Good luck finding one you like. Kelly

nate1107, Just realized you are from Urbana. I'm in Champaign! How are you doing? I see you haven't posted in awhile.

I voted no. If you are old enough to have a teenage child, I don't think it is appropriate to dress like one. Actually, what I really believe is that after 25 it really just looks slutty and not cute anymore. Just my opinion.

I find your response very assuming of what has been said between my friend and myself as I have never mentioned in any of my posts that I have voiced my opinoins of her marriage and her husband to her directly. This just happened today. I was seeking other opinions and am not sure where you got your information from that my opinion of them is getting resistance since they don't even know how I feel yet.

Thanks everyone for all of your responses. I guess only time will tell how my friend will deal with her husband's disapproval of myself and my family. In the meantime, our kids will suffer, so I hope he's proud of his poor choices as he sits up there on his pedestal. I'll just feel ashamed for him. I can't change the world so I'll just continue to be a good person and surround myself with positive influences, not those who bring me down. All responses were appreciated. Good luck with your weight loss goals fellow lap-banders!!!

While I respect your beliefs, I don't agree with any of what you said. But, thanks for your response.

Don't get me wrong. I am just as upset with my friend as I am with her husband. I'm upset that he has only been in her life for 4 years, but he calls all the shots and she lets him. Like I said, I think he is just using religion as an excuse to hold over her head when he really just doesn't want her to be friends with people he didn't choose for her. I'm not seeing the connection between you and your friend and me and my friend except for the number of years. Sorry but I'm just not getting it.

My friend and I still hang out but it is rare and only when he is not around. He makes me uncomfortable and is not warm towards me. We are not included in group events with other couples they associate with unless she insists. She is a sister to me. We have been best friends and inseparable since we were 13 which is 17 years ago. We both have 2 little boys and we both pregnant together each time. Our first boys are 7 weeks apart and our second sons are 2 weeks apart. We are practically one soul. I think it is terrible that he says negative this about me to her because it probably hurts her heart hearing them and I think it is more sad to basically wish for you wife to lose her best friend.

We run our households the same. Same books, same morals, same everything. Except, her husband calls all the shots and my husband and I treat each other as equals. Same t.v. shows, same recreation except he plays golf and my husband doesn't. What I really think is that he doesn't want her to have me as a friend because I'm her only friend left that isn't a friend he chose for her to have. He's one of those types where if it is not his idea then he is not happy about it. I think the religion is an excuse to create a barrier. It's very sad really.

I appreciate your response. I wish is was that simple. As it stands, my friend said her husband would kill her if he knew she told me his feelings about the situation. This started just today when she told me our kids couldn't play 4 year old baseball this July. First she made an excuse about it being bad timing and then I called her on not ever spending time together and that is when she told me his beliefs that my children will be a negative influence because we don't believe. My children do not even know what God is because they have never been told. How could they be a bad influence? It just confuses. When they are old enough to make decisions on their own, they can learn about God and decide if believing is right for them. In the meantime, they should be loved for being kind and wonderful kids. It's not like we talk about our beliefs and try to make Christians become non-believers. It's not like we don't celebrate Christmas. At our house Christmas is about family and Santa and Easter is about the bunny, not religion. That is the only difference. I just hate being judged. But, not to rant again. Just thanks for your response. I appreciate any feedback on my situation.

I'm going through something and I need to ask other Christians about it because I am not a Christian and I do not have the answer. I just found out from my best friend of 17 years that her husband is not very open to the idea of hers and my children spending time together because we do not "believe" and he is afraid that we will be a negative influence on his family. I am appalled at hearing this and very hurt by it. My husbands and my position has always been that we don't believe but we still honor the right for our children to choose whatever they want to believe and we will support them 100%. We just don't think believing is something that should be forced down a person's throat just because of the family they were born into. So my problem with this is that I think from what I do know about Christians is that my friend's husband negative and judgmental attitude towards my family is very un-Christian-like and that he should be ashamed by his behavior. My family is accepting of everyone as long as you walk this earth as a loving and compassionate individual. I don't give a hoot what you believe as long as you are kind. Am I wrong to be hurt by what has been said? Are Christians supposed to stick to their own kind and shun everyone else away?

Yeah, I agree with the exercising. I exercise 4 nights a week after my kids go to bed and I think that makes a huge difference.

I'm still doing great! Not too much longer now!!! :wink2:

You know, now that I think about it, I'm probably tight during my actual period. But...leading up to it, like the 5 days before it, just put my face in a plate of food and I'm happy.

Is it me or does it not seem to matter how good of restriction you have because when you get your period all bets are off and you can still eat like a horse? Mine are terrible. About 5 days before my period I become ravenous and can eat just as if I never had lap band surgery at all. This is coming from someone who only has about 20 pounds to goal and has 3.6 cc's in a 4 cc band. It mesmerizes me. Today alone I've had my protein shake, a snack, mexican food for lunch and now I am eating sweets because I ABSOLUTELY have to have sweets during this time. :wink_smile: They medicate me somehow. I just wondered if this is an experience anyone has.

I've lost an elephant's penis. Go figure since my mind is always in the gutter.

I second that, Amy. I agree with almost nothing I have read. I have been dealing with nutritional information since I was a little girl and I feel like some of the worst information I have heard is cutting calories below 1000. You body doesn't like to starve. It likes energy. I think your portions are great and your choices aren't unreasonable. You just need to give it time and it sounds like you are doing just so. Good luck.

Amy I know you have heard this before, but really, try not to get discouraged. I started working out 5 times a week for 1 hour at the beginning of November. If you click on my ticker and look at my weight chart, you will see I lost almost no weight for a long time and I know there were weeks I gained and just didn't report it. Muscle weighs more than fat, but it takes up less space. So, you may gain a little weight for awhile, but you will look leaner and feel stronger. When you build up a good muscle base, after about 3 or 4 months, you will burn calories much more efficiently. Muscle burns waaaay more calories than fat so when you are sitting on the couch doing nothing on a rainy day, you will feel better knowing that your body is still burning fat because it needs to do it to feed the new muscles you have developed. Hang in there. It was hard for me to make the transition as well. Now, I am thrilled with how my body is taking shape. It is still a major work in process, but I actually have muscle definition in certain areas and my stamina has increased tenfold. It will happen for you too. Kelly

I told everyone about my lap-band because I am really proud of what I have done. The lap-band has been a tool for me because I have to work super hard to make the weight come off. It never just melted off. I have quite a bit to go still, and I just keep chugging away at it. I work out 5 days a week for an hour after my 2 little boys go to bed. Even if I have to wait until 10 at night, I still fit it into my life. I just know that I have to. Don't ever be ashamed about what you have done because there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Sometimes even the strongest most disciplined people need help. Kelly:biggrin:

Anyone else use the FIRM exercise program? I love it and am addicted. I would never join a gym as long as I have my FIRM around to kick my butt. Just wondering if anyone else uses it?

My doctor says to drink carbonation if it makes you happy. He says there is no evidence it has any negative side effects for a lapband patient, but that it can be painful for a gastric bypass patient. I drink a diet mountain dew every now and then for the caffeine if I am tired at work (I don't like coffee or tea) and I never have any trouble.:car:

I guess I'm still confused majorly about saline loss in your band. I just don't understand where it goes? I had my 3rd fill yesterday and I was supposed to have 2 cc's in my band. When the doctor checked to see how much was there, I only had 1 cc. So, he put me back up to 2 again. Where the heck does it go? He said I seem to still be replacing air with fluid. Okay? So, where did the fluid go? Do I have a leak? What the heck dude...? I need reassurance I guess.

I am so glad for you. I am hoping I experience that when I have my second fill next week!