BreadLady

I TOTALLY agree that we have an EXCELLENT support system with each other on the lucky # 7's. I have to admit that I haven't even looked at another thread on lapbandtalk since right before surgery. I was getting freaked out by some of the 'horror' stories before surgery so I had decided I wouldn't look at other threads b-4 and then I just never went back. I know there is alot of great info out there but honestly I get worried when I read some of those posts and we do have a great system right here in our own yard so for right now I don't feel like I need to look over he fence. LOL

:car: to all!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone is doing great tonight. I'll try to check back in later!!

I agree this is an awesome thread. I think part of what makes it great is we are all literally in this together. I mean we all got banded within a month of each other so we really are helping each other through probably one of the biggest transitions we have gone through! You guys are awesome. :whoo::whoo::whoo:

CeCe

Imho - I think not being able to snack is sort of setting you up for failure. 99% of any kind of healthy program has healthy Snacks and we are human - gotta have something we ENJOY once and a while. I am a firm believer in tweaking things to make them work for you. That's why I save my snacks for night - otherwise I would go over on my calories all the time. I can't help it - i am hungry at night... So I make it work for me.

Also to the gang - I gotta say we have a GREAT group of women here.

There are some post out there on general lapbandtalk that people really are getting into it - ck out the Catholic & Communne (sp) thread - We don't fight and get all pissed off if someone say they think it's ok - or if they don't - I just wanted to give you all Props for being a great group of women :clap2::clap2::clap2:

I must say I am so impressed by how much so many of you are doing. The gym, counting all your calories. IT IS AWESOME! For me that could be why I am not losing as fast but I know me, I would do it for a while then not anymore. I have sweets on a regular basis. For me if I didn't I know I would breakdown one day and that would be all I ate from thereon in. So I eat healthy but I must have my sweets - not nearly as much as pre-band. I exercise more than I did before but not all the time. I know this is causing (sp?) me to lose slower but I have to try to accept that. I mean heck - the quantities I eat are incredibly smaller than pre-band. In the long run it will be ok.

I hardly go to any other threads as well. Every once in a while I'm like "Oh yeah - there are other threads on this site!" and I will go out looking and learn stuff. This site is soooo big that it could eat all your time up!:hungry:

I highly recommend the Before and After pics thread. I find them so motivating. I feel like I am losing slowly so I look at the pics and feel encouraged. I also go to the before and after at the ObesityHelp.com website.

Hi everyone, I've been MIA for awhile, and too many pages to catch up on. Hope everyone is well.

I got my first fill and am doing really well on it. I can comfortably eat about 1 cup of food per meal, and do have a decent amount of restriction without being too tight.

I have had 3 PB's, but they haven't been too icky. 2 times in the morning and 1 time in the evening. Each time I didn't chew enough, and it came up really easily with no aweful feeling.

Every day I've been having 3 meals with 3 Snacks. This has helped me not feel too hungry, and has kept my blood sugar under control. I'm diabetic and my readings have been really good!!!

We had our court date on Sept 14th so now Sarah is officially our daughter!!! It was really amazing. My whole family came to the court to share in the moment and then we had a party in the evening to Celebrate. It was really wonderful. Family and friend, plus our social workers who managed the adoption all came, and we had it catered. They did an amazing job, excellent food & drink. With them doing all the work, we could enjoy ourselves. I've attached a couple of pictures of our special day.

I did end up eating a bit more than I "should" have, but really not an issue, and still right on track. I haven't weighted myself yet, but know I'm losing!!!!

I love my band!!! I was supposed to go for my second fill on Sept 27, but am going to Palm Springs in early October and don't want to be too restricted while I'm away, so will get it when I return.

Kathybad

:confused::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump::bananajump:

CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY ADOPTION!

Thanks for sharing the pics. The kids are adorable! You are looking great as well!

Chim - So sorry about your first PB. I have done it 2x so I know how you feel. On the positive side...at least you know what it's like now . And I am sure you know you don't want to repeat that! Be thankful it was a quick one. My first one was HORRIBLE it lasted like 30 minutes. Seriously. First it wasn't going down, then I slimmed then finally I PB'd.

Dini - Congrats on the weight loss! Good job.

Lindaa - WOW! That is so awesome. I know what you mean about booths. I am so happy for you. :clap2:

dmtjet - Thank you so much for the lovely comment on my photo.

Everyone else losing weight. Hats off to you. Great Job!!!!

I have a Vita-Mix and a Magic Bullet. I love the bullet if I am just making something for myself. I do find that if I put too much ice in it there will be chunks in my smoothie but otherwise it works great and I haven't had any problems. I highly recommend it.

I do make heavy duty smoothies and when I make those I use my Vita-Mix. When I say heavy duty -- I put kefir, oatmeal, flax seed, carrots, frozen fruit, Protein powder. It is big enough and strong enough that it will make several smoothies in one pop and it will blend it all so you would never know some of that stuff is in the smoothie. And they taste great! This works great in the summer when we (my family) are all too hot to eat something hot and need smoothies with substance to fill us up.

Hi Everybody!!

This is probably gonna be a looooong post but please read it.

I just got my 1st fill about 2 hours ago!!! WOO HOO!!! I'm so happy and excited about it but I had to convince the doctor to do it. He told me that I didn't need it because I was still losing weight at a good rate according to my chart. I had to explain to him that I had hit a plateau since 8/27/07 and that it finally broken with a weight loss of 2 lbs last week. I also had to tell him that I'm going off of almost sheer will power not to stuff myself. He explained that my exercise, what kinds of foods I'm eating, will power, etc. are just as important as the band. His further argument for not giving me a fill was that I have a 4cc band and that later down the line if the band is filled up too fast and I stop losing weight before I reach goal then there will be no where for us to go after that. We went back and forth for about 10 minutes and he finally gave in but he warned me that I should not expect a fill everytime I come in for an appointment. Hey....I got what I wanted so that's fine for now. He also said that with the rate I'm going at he expects that I will indeed reach my goal weight before my band is filled up.

The fill was nothing in terms of pain. The fill doctor felt for my port about 10 times (I asked him if he needed me to raise my legs and he agreed so that he cou;d make sure he was hitting the right spot). He numbed the area with lidocaine (Sp?) and then took a huge needle and did the fill which I didn't feel at all in terms of pain. I did feel like something was changing on the inside of my body when the Dr. was unfilling and then re-filling the band but I can't describe the feeling. It was just a little weird but not bad at all. After I got the fill I asked him if I could drink some Water. I took some small sips but didn't feel a difference. He said that the majority of his patients feel the difference in about 2 weeks. I do notice that I have a little pressure in my back right now (that's how I usually feel after I eat) so its kicking in guys. quote]

Got this off of Welcome to LAP-BAND.com

Check-Ups and Adjustments

It is recommended that surgeons see their patients every four to six weeks during the first year after surgery. Adjustments are performed as needed during these visits. During the first year, many LAP-BAND® patients have five to eight adjustments. Your stomach needs to adjust with you as your body changes. A few people never need an adjustment while others need five or more. It’s all about making sure you are losing weight safely.

Hope this helps some.

I think if you are not losing 1-2 lbs. per week then you should be permitted a fill at your appointment. You spoke up for yourself this time. Next time make sure you do and give him some data to back yourself up. Not that you should have to provide data, but if that is the way the Dr. is going to be then you might as well show up armed with data (your weight loss tracking) and maybe remind him, ever so gently, what the band is for. If you feel you need a fill it's YOUR body.

Best of luck to you.

Good idea Indo saving Snacks up for the night. Maybe once I get my hunger under control (at proper fill level) I should plan on doing that.

I still need a snack between lunch and dinner. Don't really need one between Breakfast and lunch.

Thanks for the reply.

Be thankful :whoo:. Ever so thankful . I can still eat too much even after two fills.:hungry:

I was thinking the same thing. I had mine done in Boston and it was a mere 28k. I think they must have triple billed it or something! Yikes!

Ok. :car:So today I ran out to the bank and figured I would bring the kids back box of munchkins (I had 5 kids total today - 2 mine and 3 from my best friend).

So...I figure I will have a few myself. Along with my iced coffee of course. WELL. Tonight I went to the Dunkin' Donuts website to see just how many calories those little buggers have.

3 chocolate Munchkins - Calories 200

Fat 10g

Three little ole munchkins that many calories. Just goes to show if I am going to have them next time I better be sure I want that much fat and I better really savor them! :hungry:LOL!

Gonna be kind of long trying to describe...

Eating after surgery (after about 4wks or so)- no difference than before surgery. Still eating large quantities and able to eat anything I wanted.

Eating after 1st fill - a tiny difference. Still able to eat anything. Noticing maybe a not eating quite as much, quantity wise.

Eating after 2nd fill (2 wks ago) - I still can eat way more than 1 cup but I do need to eat much, much slower and take smaller bites.

I am assuming just because I have to eat slower that doesn't mean I have restriction. I think I am getting there and maybe with the next fill or two I will see a difference. Does that make sense??

Does anyone understand what I am asking? I am kind of working this out as I type. I guess I feel like, it may be hard to eat some stuff and after the first fill I didn't have that problem, but I still feel that eventhough I have to eat slow it's still too much. Is anyone else in this same boat????

ANOTHER THING, I get so darn hungry at night. :hungry: You know like from a couple of hours after dinner until I go to bed. I always need a snack or 2. Anyone else have that problem???

To anyone who takes the time to read this and respond, I thank you . I know it is kind of long.

Well, I waited a few minutes then continued to eat. Albeit, very, very, very slowly. I'm fine. Must have just eaten too fast without even knowing it.

So I ordered Chinese because I was not feeling like cooking. I just ate a few bits and within like 2 minutes knew it wasn't going down. I puked it up. Yikes! So I am wondering - maybe I ate those bites too fast as I was real hungry - should I try and eat some more, it's still hot...

Or do I not try. Not sure if it was because I ate fast maybe without not knowing it.

Advice from anyone online???

Thanks.

I love when company comes over with the new coffee machine......there is something for everyone. Have you tried the new K-cups hot chocolate? ?? My kids love it!!

Hot chocolate - my kids would love that:whoo:. They love their hot chocolate after playing on a cold day. I am going to have to check that out. Thanks for the info.

iTS HAPPENING AGAIN....RANDOM POSTING!!!!!

I was saying....the Keurig machine makes the best cup of coffee..... I have not bought coffee out since getting it..............I am hooked!!

My husband got me one for my birthday about 3 years ago. We love it!!!!!:whoo:It's awesome too when we have company. No need to worry about Decaf or not. Everyone can have what they want!

I'm wondering how much experience your doctor has in fills. I have had 2 fills and my doctor gets is right the first prick of the needle. No fluoro for me. I like to stay away from x-rays as much as I can anyway so I am glad my doctor doesn't do them this way.

You may want to subtly see if there is someone else with a bit more experience with fills. Just a thought. :guess

I am sure there are plenty of others on this site with much more experience than me that can help more.

Best of luck to you.

``````````

Good Day to all,

I have to say, I am in a funk. I feel like the past week has been a whirl-wind with the kids going back to school. I expected it to be easier, but it has been hectic. I not in a funk about the band, just how crazy life is. I would love to just pack my kids up and move to a very small town (Norman Rockwell like)----OK- time to wake up now.

I can totally relate . I have spent the last 2 summers in NH with my kids (hubby comes on the weekends). We stay at this great campground. No TV, internet is not easily accessible. No mail to deal with, no bills to pay, no running around taxi'ing the kids around. My living space is 29 feet long and I actually love it. When I get home at the end of the summer I get depressed because I have so much to do and deal with. I mean I am thankful for all my blessings but sometimes life gets overwhelming. You know?

Breadlady- welcome back.....I am curious about "Breadlady"- what does it mean? I give you alot of credit for homeschooling your children. What are thier ages? I could never do that- I just dont have patients.

Thanks for the welcome back! The "BreadLady" name comes from the fact that I love to make fresh bread (all baked goods for that matter). Now when I say "fresh" I mean...get ready for this...you are going to think I am whacked...I make my flour for the bread fresh from whole grain. I have a grain mill. The bread is amazing. The kids (mine and my best friend's) will eat 2 loaves right when it comes out of the oven. You would think I was giving them candy! And when I make muffins they don't last the day. Everything is whole wheat so the kids are getting plenty of whole grains which is awesome.

I have a friend who has milled her own flour for years and I thought she was crazy but then I tried it and it is awesome.

As far as the homeschooling...it's not something I ever planned on doing but God just worked it out that way after my son was in school a few years. I felt like it was what I needed to do. I can't even believe it but this is the beginning of year 5 of homeschooling for us. My son is 11 and my daughter is 9. I pulled my son out of school October of 2nd grade and let my daughter finish Kindergarten then homeschooled her as well the next year. I am thankful for all the extra time I have had with them. They are growing up so fast. I know I am going to blink and they will be grown and gone :cry

Sorry for being so long winded. Thanks for your patience.

Hello all,

Well at long last I am back. For those of you that don't know me I am the first of the Lucky #7s to be banded if I remember correctly (actually banded 6/19 - they had a cancellation so I went in June instead of July).

I have been lurking for about a week now. Trying to catch up on what is going on here with the Lucky #7s. I was gone for the summer at camp and didn't have easy internet access so I was pretty much MIA all summer.

Well we have closed up camp and I am now home for good. I have started school. I homeschool my kids! Yes I am crazy :speechles.

I look forward to "meeting" all of you who have joined since I left for the summer

As far as my band journey...

I had my 2nd fill on 8/31. Thanks goodness. The first one did nothing and I had stopped losing. This 2nd fill seems to have helped and I have lost a bit of weight. It certainly has slowed my eating down considerably. I have to take much smaller bites now. This is good though.

I have to say, had I had this restriction right away it would have been quite the shock. I am glad that I was able to ease into it over a period of 2 months.

My surgeon does the fills (she's done over 1,000 fills). She is so fast it's not even funny. Before I know it she is done. No pain, just a little prick. Heck giving blood is worse than getting a fill.

An interesting note. When I had my surgery I had to have a hiatal hernia repair as well. My surgeon told me on Friday when I was there that she has noticed in her practice that those that she has to do a hiatal hernia repair on for some reason it takes longer to get to the right restriction. She doesn't know why she just knows that is what she is seeing. So it looks like it may be a bit slower for me but that is fine. I knew this wasn't going to be a sprint but a marathon!

Sorry for being so long winded just wanted to catch up.

I hope everyone's journey is going well thus far. Just remember we are in the very beginning so it's going to take TIME.

The word "Patience" should be printed on our foreheads for this time....

Looking forward to reading and keeping up with everyone now that I am back.

BreadLady

I am almost four weeks post-op now and I think I am officially in bandster hell! I have been so hungry the past 5 or so days and more importantly, not feeling satisfied. I feel like I'm being a whiner, but I feel so deprived. We went to a amusement park last night and I ate a corndog! I feel so guilty today. Definitely depressed like I am going to screw this up just like I have screwed up every other weight loss plan I've undertaken. I need my motivation back. My biggest problem is that I tend to do things obsessively, either I'm completely perfect or completely NOT! I'm going to go to soft solids today, not supposed to until Friday officially, but I have to figure this out. Maybe if I stop restricting myself so much I won't feel the need to dive off the deep end. :help::help::help: Any suggestions anyone? By the way, I have felt no restriction from anything so far, not even the blasted corndog. Everyone is having such different experiences. When I read that some are full after 2 oz several weeks out after surgery I can't believe it. I wonder if it is because I have the biggest band, the Vanguard?

Sorry for the pity party, just needed to get this off of my chest. I'm going to slug some Water down now and go for a walk. On a positive note I am exercising 4-5 times a week and am down 24 pounds. I can do this!

I haven't been around for a while been away at camp. I just read your post and wanted to reply.

Had my surgery 6/19/07. Had my first fill this past Friday. Don't worry. I am somewhat down in the dumps because I can eat so much. I just ate a all but one piece of a whole small pizza minus some of the crust :hungry:. Yes I have lost 25lbs. but that was mainly in the first month. Now the weight loss is crawling but my doctor said not to worry. I have to get the right restriction before it will come off as it should. I have read that sometimes it takes 3 or more fills before you get to that "sweet spot". Just be patient. Remember you are at the beginning of your journey :whoo:. The weight loss will come.

Personally I am not starving myself. I eat until I am satisfied. Most of the time it is more than I would like but I know in time it will get on track. I am exercising so I know that I am doing a good thing. Even though I can eat more than I should I still don't eat the huge amounts I used to eat.

I hope this helps. :confused:

Hello everyone! Many of you probably don't know me. Those of you who do. I miss you all terribly. I will be back online on a regular basis after Labor day! I look forward to catching up. I had to drive in to town from camp and am at Starbucks just to download my e-mail.

It's not as bad as it sounds. I love the simplicity of my summer life

Everyone should have had their surgery by now. I hope everyone had a good experience.

Update on me (if you are interested):

I am down 25lbs. Pretty good. I feel better.

Sadly:rolleyes, I can eat anything I want. bread, chicken, salad. All those things they say can be hard to get down. No problem here! I have my first fill in 2 days (Friday). I can't wait - seriously. It's crazy how much I can eat. Not as much as before but pretty darn close! I hope the fill cuts down on the quantity I can eat.

My weight loss has slowed down and I sure hope that the fill helps with this.

I PB'd a few weeks ago. Never want to experience that again! It was not pleasant!

Going to California next week. Hopefully the hotel will have wireless internet and I can catch up here. Otherwise I won't be back on until probably after Labor day.

To everyone - I hope the rest of your summer is GREAT!!!!

All the best to everyone.

BreadLady

How is it getting stuff down? Does it hurt or feel funny? Have you pb'd yet? How are your incisions? Did your docs use stitches, glue, staples...???

Stuff is going down VERY easy. Makes me a little nervous. I took it very slow in the beginning but now I can gulp ice water:) Maybe once they fill I won't but I am enjoying it now. Nothing like it on a hot day!

NO pb's for me. Of course I am still supposed to be on liquids. I have been trying different foods though. Hopefully I won't get yelled at too bad when I see the surgeon on Monday. Today I even at the grilled chicken out of a McDonald's snack Wrap. Boy was it good!!!!

Last night I was able to comfortably sleep on my stomach/port side. Yeah!

My surgeon used glue and steri strips. Most of the steri strips are gone.

There is numbness around some of the incisions. I remember this from when I had a Laparascopic Hysterectomy 2 years ago. It goes away though.

I know I am away on vacation. But I miss you guys. I miss all the posts asking me questions :cry.

I've lost 14 lbs. since surgery!!!!!!!

Havent' put it in my ticker yet as I am waiting for the official weigh in on Monday at the surgeon's office. Yes 14lbs. in 1 week. Not too shabby!

Dini - I do hope you are feeling better. If I recall Thursday was my worst day then it started to go uphill! I think about you alot during the days hoping you are progressing well.

Chimboree - I love the Bracelet. Can you just order the ID tag without the bracelet? I make jewelry so I figure I could make my own bracelet. Let me know. It is very nice.

Nelli - Thank you so much for the kind words.

Snaggletooth - So glad I could give someone a chuckle :girl_hug:

PattiC - 7:30 a.m. surgery that is good! It's always best to be first on the schedule - because they aren't backed up from other surgeries yet. Plus less time stressing for you. It will be here before you know it. !

Lynette617 - I am having a good time. It's been very hot in the 90s. I don't dare swim yet. When I see my surgeon on Monday for follow-up I will make sure all is good then I will hopefully be swimming. Right now my daughter comes up to me and gives me great big hugs and that cools me off because she is soaking wet from the lake. That's as far as I want to go at this point. I am so excited for you. You are going to do great next week.

I'll check-in again tomorrow. All the best to everyone!

Just zoomed through the posts hoping Dini had posted.

Marcyinak - Love the Pics

Chimboree - You are so furtunate that you got samples like that. I would have loved that. Spent alot of $$$ trying to find something I could tolerate.

Lynette - Are you getting psyched! Wait til the day b efore you will be beside yourself.

To everyone else...Here's my report thus far I have to be quick my kids are waiting at the lake to go in the Water :eek:

Liquids get better each day. In that you aren't as hungry as each day passes.

I am doing awesome. My 2 friends who know I had the surgery said you would never know I had this a week ago. I feel good. Some pain at port site when I bend down and don't hold the spot.

Someone asked about the gas. I was blowing like a trumpet all last week. No smell at least. Now I'm in the stage of I finally pooped (liquid in/liquid out). And the gas now stinks to high heavens. I don't know why. As far as the should gas pain. I did have it. I was uncomfortable but bearable. Just use the Gas-X for it. It does work.

Must go now. I will try and check in again.

Miss you all.

I will be sitting next to the lake while my kids swim. Maybe I'll sweat more weight off.

Lost 17lbs. thus far.

I am sitting here parked outside a building at camp that I know I can get wireless internet at. I feel like a spy or something! LOL!

I tried so hard to get somewhere so I could get online early enough. I am so sorry I missed you.

I tried IM'ing you - you must be TRYING to sleep. I hope you have more luck than I did the night before surgery.

Please know I am praying for you:pray2: tomorrow and the rest of the week of course. I hope all goes wonderfully well for you. I know it will! Just remember Walk, Walk, Walk!!! I can't wait to log on again and hear how it went.

Hello everyone else. Hope everyone else is doing well. Just in case I don't get back online before you have your surgery....

Lynette617, Laurend, Bobbert's Mom, MrsHorne, Cherrybomb

I will be thinking of all of you next week. Hope everything goes as smooth as can be.

Lynette so glad to hear the Relay for Life went so well. We just volunteered at our local on 2 weekends ago.

Talk to you all soon I hope.

I am exhausted - I did a lot today. But I was able to do it. I don't feel like I did too much either. I mean I am tired but that's it. Tomorrow is only a week for me since surgery. So you all have a speedy recovery to look forward to.

Good night. :notagree

Hello (I know I'll forget to put everyone's name) everyone,

I am headed to camp in New Hampshire about 2 hours from home. I will try to check in tonight to wish Dini well.

Hope all is well with everyone. I am doing great. The port pain is greatly reduced today and I was able to sleep last night without being propped up.

I'll miss you guys. But I will try to check in.

:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

You all are going to do great!

I need some suggestions on how to get the Protein drinks down. The after taste makes me want to give it back. I use ice with the drinks, which helps; however are there tricks for a better tasting drink?

My experience is I cannot do anything with artificial sweetener. So what I did was go to Whole Foods. I found a great whey Protein powder sweetened with Stevia. It has 25g of Protein per serving. It's on the expensive side but I couldn't eat any of the other stuff so there really wasn't a choice.

Brand: Jay Robb's whey Protein

Flavors:

FYI the Protein Powder contains no:

NO MSG

NO Aspartame

NO Acesulfame-K

NO Sucralose

NO Artificial Flavors

NO Artificial Sweeteners

NO Artificial Colors

You can mix it with Water, milk, juice or yogurt. I assume you could also mix it with Kefir if you wanted.