hagerteresa

You have the cutest children!!! You are truly blessed, Teresa

I think the surgery itself provides some level of stress to. I kind of felt tired and dumpy the first couple of months. I find my energy is slowly increasing now though. I think you may just need to give it more time to heal all the way around. Also losing weight releases hormones that will surely cause emotional rollercoaster feelings. Best wishes to you, Teresa

I'm glad your back as well. I have never been to the east coast and would love to get back there some day. I love history so I know I would have fun exploring. Glad you had fun, Teresa

Thanks Sandy for that information. You are following the exact philosophy I have taken with the band. No deprivation, small portions. I love chocolate and allow myself one treat if I have been a good girl, and I try to stick around 1200 calories also. I see so many peoples different ways they do this and none have really been like mine, its refreshing to know there is someone out there that is doing things similarly. I am only 9 weeks out and was down 39.4 lbs as of last weeks weigh. You have done wonderful! Best wishes to you, Teresa

Hi folks, I've pulled my own stitches out many times before. I am the queen of stitches, had hundreds... from many seperate occassions. LOL... I have talked to Diane Beck before and its mighty interesting you know Anita Jordon too. Anita got banded about a month before me and lives in Portland Oregon. I have talked to her many times on the phone and I am waiting for her to start a support group. Not sure if we really "click" personality wise or not. Ann Marie gave me some phone numbers of people to talk to while I was researching the band and two of the numbers she gave me were for Anita and Diane Beck. Diane sounded like a really pleasant person on the phone. I keep meaning to send her an email and let her know how everything has gone. She would be a good liason I think. Definitely need to find somebody either way though. I've been occuppied the last couple of days and haven't been able to get on here much. Did 2 long grueling days of brutal yardwork and then went crabbing at the coast on saturday. Hope you all had a good weekend, Teresa

You will have a BLAST and I am definitely jealous! Forget the bikini just go skinny dipping!!! We will most definitely miss you. HAVE FUN, Teresa

Probably depends on what your one co-morbidity might be. You don't have sore joints, stiffness, possibly high blood pressure or anything else? Be creative No, I'm kidding a little. What does your family practitioner say? Have you spoken to him/her about it? Teresa

Thanks Michelle and Marie, Firstly EVERYBODY wants a smaller butt, so kudos to you Marie. Michelle, getting to 299 will be a major accomplishment!!! Last year I tried Zenixal. I was only initially at 340 and got to 321 so that was my all time low for the last 18 months. I think about 4 years ago I got into the 3 hundred and some teen number with weight watchers, so 299 would be an all time low for about the last 1/2 dozen years at least. I think everybody who has gotten the band and has lost something deserves a big congratulations. Thanks for all of the sweet kind words from everybody. Teresa

Hey Janis, I woke up that afternoon shortly after surgery groggy but they gave me pain meds that seemed to be working. The next morning was also a bit rough but I was up, dressed and showered all on my own and wasn't really in too much pain at all. I was surprised at all the bruising and kind of felt beat up but not actually in pain really. They were still giving my pain meds. By the time I left though I was fine without the meds. I got around the airport fine and even had a layover in Phenoix where I had to walk a hell of a long ways to catch the next flight. I felt fine. The worst thing was I was hungry. At the hospital they gave me Jello and that helped keep me satiated but otherwise Water and juice wasn't cutting it. On the plain I had a V8 and that really helped a lot. Definitely take slip on shoes. That would be my biggest piece of advice. Are you having it done locally or out of country? Best wishes to you and RELAX, Teresa

Best wishes and good luck to you! T

That is so cool! I am WAY off the charts!!! It will take me a while to catch up. Not only am I fat but I was bless with being the shortest one in my entire family geneology, I am talking LONG term history!!! Good WORK to you!!!!! Teresa;)

Hi Janis, It is perfectly understandable to be nervous, trust me I was very nervous especially on surgery day. I cried all the way into the operating room. I am a total wimp and baby. BUT, I am SO happy I did it now you wouldn't even believe it. The healing really isn't horrible. I had a broken ankle once and not only was the surgery several hours longer than the lapband surgery but I was wheel chair bound for an entire SUMMER because of it. I couldn't even get out my front door without assistance. With the band you might feel lazy and a little under the weather for a couple of days but it gets better and better. Things improve significantly as your food options get broader too. You will do fine. Try to relax and keep your mind occupied for the next couple of weeks. Best wishes to you, Teresa Dr. Lopez 5/8/04 362/322.8/? Down 39.4 lbs with no fills!

Thanks folks! I am really proud of where I am at and also realize I am ahead of the game. I am sure I will have plateaus at some point and keep expecting them. I would be amazed if I lost 200 lbs from this but when I think about it I am 1/5 of the way there in just the 8 weeks. I know it will get harder at some point, don't worry... I thought 1600 calories was a lot. I try to keep it closer to 1200-1300 calories. I eat so much better now and am a lot less hungry as often as preband. Thanks again for all of your support though. Teresa

Hi everybody, I feel so proud of myself and just want to share it and maybe inspire newby's a little too. I was banded May 8, 2004 (8.5 weeks ago) in Tijuana Mexico by Dr. Lopez. I went to weigh in today which I always do with a little bit of dread, and I had actually lost another 3.7 lbs bringing my total to 39.4 lbs. I still have not had a fill and keep waiting to either plateau or gain. I was especially amazed because this last week with the holiday weekend I had 3 days with my calorie intake around the 1600 range. Last week I had also weighed one day later so this weeks weigh week only included 6 days. I was just really happy about it. I started off a lot heavier than a lot of you and feel like I am making up for lost time. I started off at 362 and now am at 322.8. I would be very thrilled if this keeps going for awhile. Who knows... Teresa P.S. Last week I finally had to break down and get a few new clothes, all at least 1-2 sizes (or x's) smaller. Too cool...

I'd be willing to share a room with somebody to help on cost. Is this a leave your husband at home trip? I probably only afford my own ticket to get there so I think I'll leave him home anyway. Somebody mentioned at one point that they can get discounts on tickets thru her office. Who was that and how can we take her up on it? Thanks, Teresa

I don't think you really should do any excercise for 6 weeks after surgery. I started back in Water aerobics at 5 weeks post op and felt fine. You should focus on healing not working out during this period. I am 8 1/2 weeks out now and still only do water aerobics twice a week. I am a housekeeper so I get a lot of motion throughout the day everyday but otherwise I just don't feel like doing much excercise yet. I never had any criterias I had to do before surgery. In fact, from the time I found the doctor I wanted to use till the surgery date was only about 12 days. I didn't prepare at all and I came out all fine and dandy. Best of luck to you, Teresa Dr. Lopez 5/8/04 362/322.8/? Down 39.2 lbs!!!! No fills yet!

Hi Darcy, Glad you were sounding more chipper by the end of your post. Yes the puree period does suck and surely can cause mood swings. I remember being really frustrated about that time. I am sure healing could cause it too. Weight loss is notorious for causing mood swings too. I have gone in to weigh, lost several pounds and was thrilled beyond belief and 10 minutes later something could have me nearly sobbing driving home. It will all work out. You are a CUSTOMER when you enter their office and they should treat you like one. It is people like you that allow them to take home a check. DEMAND attention. Don't let them get away with crappy eye contact and ho-hum answers. I would have been pissed if they had forgotten to give me something back and I would have made them overnight it to me. I hate bad customer service and the only way things change is with people willing to ripple the Water and demand change. Don't be a wuss. I would have said, "Excuse me." very firmily but politely. Do not tolerate their attitude. This should apply in every facet of customer service. When I was a kid, things would come up that I really wanted my mom to help me deal with (bad teachers, unfair grades, this that or the other) and my mom would never help me. She told me that I will have to deal with problems as an adult and I had better learn how. I hated it when I was a kid but now find dealing with lame people kind of fun and entertaining. Keep your chin up and best of luck to you, Teresa

Hi Cindy, I am sorry you are having a difficult time with the band. I too love sweet sugary things. Honestly you are far more experienced about the band than I am but I have learned a LOT over the past 8.5 weeks since being banded. I never could do the atkins way either. I tried before being banded and HATED it. This is what I do: 1) FITDAY- I can't emphasize this enough. I never have been good about counting calories but for some reason I just love using this program and have become very good about it. I average 1200-1500 calories a day. 2) Allow yourself treats- I LOVE chocolate. I allow myself about 200-250 calories a day on 1 candy bar. I am probably not the smartest about it because I save it FOR bedtime but I depend on that one chocolate treat. Also find low calorie Snacks. I found Lite cheese puffs (organic even) at a local store and they only have 130 calories for 2 cups. I typically only eat about a 1/2 serving when I have them. I also found Turkey hot dogs with only 70 calories apiece. When I know I am going to be having a higher calorie dinner, I try to find a lower calorie item for Breakfast or lunch. 2 of these hotdogs dipped in a little catchup and mustard only have 150 calories. Healthy Choice ice cream products are DELICIOUS and very low in calories and fat. 3) Throw out your scale! I have never owned my own scale because I refuse to be dependant on it. I drive to my doctors office once a week, ask the receptionist very politely if I can use their scale and they are always more than happy to oblige. Their scales are far more accurate than a chinsy bathroom scale is anyday. You do NOT gain 4 lbs in one day no matter what the crappy scale says. Yesterday I was curious and happened to be at costco. I decided to check out their scales and check my weight. Know what I discovered? The first time I tried it actually said I had GAINED weight, I thought huh? so I stepped back on it a second time. It read 1 lb less but still more than my recorded weight last week. I went for my official weigh in today and guess what? I nearly lost 4 lbs!!! The scale at costco was one of those fancy digital ones but completely WRONG!!! 4) Excercise: Like you and everybody else, I absolutely detest most excercise but found I LOVE Water aerobics. Its fun, easy on your joints and it is truly a workout. It is especially nice this summer. 5) Get on this website EVERY single day!!!! You will make good friends here and we are all in the same boat. You have the band and now live with it. I am not sooo different from you really. I have not had a fill yet ever so my hunger levels shouldn't be too different from yours. Eat right throughout the day and then allow yourself a treat. I think by going back and forth between sugar overload and then no sugar you are definitely confusing your system and causing your own withdrawl symptoms. Try to level everything out. As well, weight loss will cause mood swings. I remember a couple of weeks ago I had just found I had lost 4 lbs and was joyous, and not five minutes later I was thinking about something and wanted to bawl. I did find a list of anti depressants on another band link that supposedly didn't cause weight gain but actually weight loss. If you really think you need those I can try to find that link again. Please do not give up!!! Teresa

I was searching for something in the forum yesterday and ran into this thread for Lori. I have been trying to find her and hoping we might live near each other but I have never seen her post I don't think. This is a very old thread. Hopefully she will check back here sooner or later, Teresa

Welcome Kyleigh, It is good to have you here. Please come back and join us often as we all need support now and then. Everybody here is really nice. Thanks for posting. Teresa

I think Penni was going to work on the room aspect too. Not sure what she has found out. Where is Lisa? I thought they were only camping for the weekend but I sure haven't seen her on the boards since the week started... T

Hi Marie, I am sympathetic too. That totally sucks and I think I would probably have killed him and would be in jail by now. LOL... My husband and I lived together for almost 5 years before we got married (been married about 5 years now too) and like you we had lots of mutual financial obligations. We were 18 and 21 (I'm the older one) when we got together so trust me there were times that I was ready to pull my hair out. A couple of times (long ago) he wouldn't show up at home from work on time. I would of course start wondering and worrying and many hours later he would show up very drunk and having blown his entire weeks paycheck at the bar!!!! It would often ensue in a battle and he would leave and go stay at a friends house for a few days until he came whimpering home. I hated those days and was glad we finally grew out of them. Nothing is worse than suddenly feeling like you are stuck with all of the responsibility that you signed up for together. I am very sorry about your situation and hope you will be able to make ends meet. On meeting guys: Like Donali said, wait till your ready. Then... I would try local things. Our church has a very big singles club and many many other social type events not neccesarily related to singles. Join a gym... Start hanging out with friends more. I met my husband because he was a friend of a friend. Our social circle just kept putting us together. We didn't even like each other much at first. At some point all that changed. Definitely find hobbies that you enjoy doing and you'll surely meet friends and maybe later ???? At least since you weren't married you won't have to go thru an ugly divorce and custody battle. Keep your chin up, Teresa

I am sooooo happy people are going to come. I love chatting with you all everyday and just can't wait to meet everybody in person. Alex I so hope you can come. It just wouldn't be the same without you. I am so excited!!!!!! Anyone seen Lisa lately? Thanks for the link info on the book Donali. I finally found the original thread that mentioned it. I still have a border certificate and their online store said they carried. I of course wanted it NOW so went to the local store but they didn't have it. I will have to order it from online. Oh-well sigh.... T

I agree with Donali. I had NEVER heard of it until I just happened to bump into something about it when I was researching weight loss surgery. I have the hardest time not wanting to stop and tell every over weight person I see about it. Then reality hits and I remember that it is expensive and it was only by luck that I was able to get it. I still spread the news as much as possible though. I would love to go on Oprah. T

Hello, Yes the band can stay in forever if you don't have any complications. There are a few of us that haven't had a fill yet. Personally I am just waiting to plateau before I get one. Why pay for one unneccessarily. For some reason it is a lot easier for me to follow all of the rules with the band. I suddenly am a very avid calorie counter, Water drinker, and less of a snacker. You do get full easier. I know some people with fills eat a LOT less than I do but as long as I keep losing I am happy with what I am eating. I average about 1200-1500 calories everyday. I don't know why some people lose longer than others prefill. The girl that got banded the same day as me has only lost 18 lbs prefill while I have managed 35.5 and still counting (hopefully- I weigh in tomorrow). I remember from past weight watchers experience that you had to stick with small meal portions and stay within your points. With the band it is easy to do that. You have to be WILLING to work at it though. It is easier than regular dieting but it doesn't just fall off either. Best of luck to you, Teresa