MiniMi

Accountant in the house: 401k withdrawal is subject to: the plan penalty ( whatever the plan penalizes for a withdrawal. Check if they wave it if used for medical) Income tax ( withdrawal amount multiplied by your tax bracket federal and state. Remember that your tax bracket may be higher now that you have this lump sum distribution from your 401k) Federal penalty of 10% If in California additional 2% If you itemize then you can take the deduction. The deduction is anything 7.5% over your adjusted gross income. So if AGI is $100,000 then anything over $7,500 is deductible. You have to figure that about 45-50% of what you will withdraw is gonna be eaten up by taxes and penalties. Taking out a loan is a great way to go IF your plan allows for it. There is interest calculated but guess what? You pay the interest to yourself as it all goes into your 401k account. Either way, you should run it by your accountant before making the step.

I believe willpower is just white-knuckling through a situation. That's no way to live. I think you have to set up your environment to one that is conducive to a skinny lifestyle. So, I guess I fall into B-52's mentality that using willpower as a dieting tool sets me up for failure. Having said that, when presented with a situation TODAY, I do not need willpower because I'm not even tempted. The band will help me with the TOMORROWS where I will be tempted. That's my guarantee that I won't gain it all back once I'm at goal!

Scary! Keep us posted!

Missy and Sojo couldn't have voiced my opinion better. Any time you have to medicate daily to survive its not a good thing. I was wondering if your surgeon knows your approach. It seems dangerous to me. You can lose weight with the band without taking the approach that you have. Maybe you could find a happy medium between never losing and being too tight. I'll be happy to hear that you never developed the conditions that I fear you are heading for. Best of luck to you!

Don't act crazy! Just kidding. I was nervous too but it really is nothing. They just want to make sure you are sound of mind, that you know what is entailed. You will do fine!

Oh then please keep your passengers safe and we wish you the best!

I have the Realize band that has a flat port and is positioned differently that the lapband. I can feel it but can't see it even if I lay down and put my arms over my head!

My annual deductible is $3k. I had used some for reg dr appt etc. sleep tests were the most expensive. By the time I had all the preop hoops to jump my surgery was free.

Anyone thats ever had a traumatic event in their life can relate to what I'm about to say. I spent a lot of time in the counselors office talking about forgiveness. Forgiving your abuser and those who supported the abuse, either by denial or by complacency is more about healing you than giving that other person anything. I never once in this whole process ever thought about forgiving myself. I was watching a recent episode of Heavy and one of the counseling sessions was about forgiving yourself. There is so much guilt associated in childhood trauma, at least there was for me. I can honestly say that I have forgiven those involved, but I have never forgiven myself. Part of this journey for me is to work through the reasons I turn to food for comfort. Part of my realization is that I have not forgiven myself; I did not allow myself to break free from my abuse because of the guilt. I feel responsible for what happened, because I didn't speak up, I didn't tell anyone, I didn't make it stop. Why didn't I? Logic sets in and tells me it was because I was only 2,3,4,5,6,7 years old but my memories are processed through my mind, an adult's mind. I am mature enough to know it is wrong..now! But then? I remember saying " this is wrong" and him saying " why?" and I couldn't answer him because I didn't know. How could I not have known? These are the things I am working through...it's not a sob story, so don't feel bad for me. It's just my reality, one that I've lived with my whole life. I'm working through it now. I have no choice because I can't consume large amounts of food anymore to avoid working through them ( thank god!) I'm just telling myself every day that I have the right to what everyone else has and that.... It was not my fault! It was not my fault! It was not my fault!

Wow so I also have the realize band but thought they were all 14cc bands. So I now have no idea which band I have. I am up to 5.5cc and I can't say I " feel" restriction. I'm less hungry between meals with each fill. I go back jan 28th for my forth fill. Everyone is so different, that I don't think that anyone can really answer your question. I do know that with the realize band it takes longer to get to the green zone. I'm am very successful so far because I live like I'm in the green. Measure and track everything, only eat healthy foods, only eat 1/2-1 c of food at a time. Cal usually 800 cal a day. Until you hit the green it's just another diet..IMHO of course!

Update: 49.2 lbs lost so far..I just did my weekly weigh in!

Start 235.5 Week 1 233.4-lost 2.1 Week 2 231.2-lost 2.2 Week 3 229- lost 2.2 This week: Week 4 226.4 lost 2.6 lbs

I was unsuccessful with weekly protein shakes in the past. You do it before surgery for medical reasons, nothing more. Having that mind set makes it really important to stick to. After surgery you are healing so you aren't really hungry. Bandster he ll comes after healing and before the green zone. That can be challenging. I'm not in the green zone yet. I'm almost three months post op and I've lost 47 lbs so far. Once your body is used to eating only a little bit then it's easier to control the hunger. I do not allow myself to even taste foods that I'm not supposed to taste. Pies, cookies, chips, ice cream, candy,fast food etc. Being that I have little restriction I could really do damage with these things! The emotions behind why I turned to food in the first place is the biggest "job" I'm working on. The food part is easy!

Good to know Cheryl! I only drink hot tea and water as a norm. Maybe that's why I don't have a problem with the sugar cravings!

Thanks! It seems that reprogramming is really important. Looking at the mountain seems daunting but looking at one step at a time is un eventful. Thanks again for sharing!

I don't have a story because I'm new but from what you wrote I'm glad you got your fill of food ONCE. Now start tracking and don't let yourself get too hungry ever again. Congrats on your success so far!

Donna, I also am not an ice cream fan. Not really a sweet fan at all. Since Wls though I've had a craving or two. Sometimes a sf hot cocoa can fix that. Also I got a sf hot chai tea mix that is awesome ( trader joes or world market I think) it is 70cal because of dehydrated milk but is so worth it! The pudding cups too are a god send. My family has junk all around me. I've trained them well on how to tackle me if they see me reaching. But so far I haven't allowed my mind to go there! Ups and downs of sugar intake in the diet can make you really emotional too and I have enough of my own emotions to deal with without adding the cookie jar to my problems! Hang in there!

If you do have a bad band some insurances will pay for a revision to something like the sleeve. It's worth looking into. From what I've read here, when everything is good it's REALLY GOOD but when it's bad it's the pits! Sorry your having such a hard time.

Pain is all normal. I slept in a recliner for a week. I was on mushy, baby food consistence by day 5. Soft foods by day 10. No issues. My port is right above my belly button.

Almost makes the hunger spell you were dealing with worth it huh?! Good job on going and getting yourself a scale. I know we aren't supposed to be a slave to the scale but good grief, it is what we've got for now and it sure feels good when the scale agrees with us! congrats!

solid food can cause the band to slip. When the band slips it actually can tear a hole in your stomach because of the stitches. It's no joking matter. And to answer your question, no I never ate solid foods in any quantity before I was instructed to do so by my surgeon. I didn't want to risk bleeding to death internally.

If you are not taking pain meds that made you unable to drive safely then you can go ahead. I drove two days after surgery AND I was off pain meds.

The 30 minute rule is for when you are on mushy, soft, and then solid foods. Broth does go right through, as does water etc. The purpose of having these things during this phase is to give yourself some nutrients (they will help with hunger too) but more importantly is to keep you hydrated. So have at it!

Ok so this morning I did a little research on these algae supplements that I take. I found the equivalent online . It is called Chlorella. http://www.biochlorella.com/weightcontrol.html