New Hope

You look beautiful and so young! And that cutie behind you looks pretty proud to me. Keep up the great job!

I like your sense of humor!!! I have asthma and hiatal hernia (seems they trigger each other) and have found both tremendously better since banding! Big reduction in symptoms and meds. Really helps the pocket book too. I haven't used my nebulizer since banding. You will get to do that skiing! In October, I went on 4 and 5 hour hikes in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. I would have never been able to do that preband! I didn't have to use my inhaler one time!!

I posted a sticky about Gastric Reflux, directions from my gastrologist. Extensive hints for eating, sleeping, meds, lifestyle changes, etc. Hope you get your unfill soon!

That is WONDERFUL, Nancy! Have a Happy New Year!

Rachel, I swear I wrote your last post! I've done all of those things for years. I can't even find any preband pics of me. I became such an expert at dodging the camera for years. I still don't like it. LOL

Me, too, Lisa! I'm going to continue "eating my way across Texas" through this weekend. Then Monday, I'm keeping that tuna salad made up in the frig., so I'll grab it instead of the blackberry cobbler I've become horrible addicted to. Yeah, I did good when I had my one daily snack. I was satisfied. Well, 2005 is a fresh start for all of us!

I'm currently unfilled, so yes, I do get hungry. But it's not the "eat paint off the wall" preband hunger. Also, I've been eating too much junky-junk over the holidays and that just doesn't "stick" with me and help me feel satisfied as long as the hard proteins (lean,moist meats) and vegs. I honestly feel better when I'm eating the right things. Eating these carbs makes me feel yucky and tired. There really is a lot of variety of good stuff. I love grilled shrimp and grilled pork chops.

I was just asked to follow a low glycemic foods lists. It wasn't difficult to follow at all, plenty to eat, just healthy choices. There's a thread posted here with that list, (search "glycemic foods list"). Following that is supposed to shrink your liver. I didn't want any troubles during surgery!

PM Jack, he was recently banded and is a diabetic. He's been pleasantly surprised since his banding. He can give you some accurate info.

Wow, you talented bunch! I just need to stick with something and finish it! Becky, did you know your crocheted hat can double as a two-handed hand warmer when you forget your gloves? Very soft and snuggly!

Best of luck to you, Jonathan. Please be sure that you have your aftercare lined up before your banding to avoid any unpleasant surprises. (Like your U.S. fill dr. won't accept patients banded out of the country). Please call them direct and confirm. If you're going to be returning to the dr. that placed your band, be sure that you've figured in all expenses (time off work, travel costs, hotel, foods, etc.). Getting fills is vital for your band to function.

Wow! Sue, you're doing fantastic!

Leigh, regardless of what you decide, please try to use good judgment on foods that can make your diabetes worse. French fries and breads are o.k. sometimes, but they are starches - which converts to sugar and elevates your blood sugar. Diabetes is a horrible disease that affects so many different things. But weightloss is one of the best ways to reduce or eliminate it. How much weight would you like to lose? Best of luck to you!

Good grief! Wasn't this catheter to help Patty with her chronic pain? I am so sorry that you both have been through so much. Sending prayers and (((hugs))) to both of you. Hopefully the drs. will get it right this time, Patty will get some much needed relief, and both of you can get a decent, uninterrupted night's sleep. The band might be tighter because of stress, but you have 51 less pounds to sap up your much needed energy.

Somehow I didn't gain from last week. But I seriously need to go to a "Betty Ford Junk Food Detox Center"! I'm going to have to relearn how to eat like a Bandster.

Audrey, that is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for sharing and encouraging us "newer" bandsters!

Wow, Alex, so glad no one was injured, everyone is on the mend, and you got a new car. Let's hope you got everything behind you and 2005 will be smooth sailing for you and your family! Get well soon!

Phyllis, it is very confusing to follow your posts. Would you choose one of the three screen names that you have here? Please advise me and I'll have the other two deleted. (FutureSlimMe, Phjyllis, or FatNHappy?) Thanks!

Christmas is long gone!

Dianna, the cost is going to vary by the doctor. They all set their own rates for "self pays". What part of the country are you located in? Several Bandsters who aren't covered by health insurance have been banded in Mexico. The best thing you can do is research and find out as much info. as you can first. Then check about health insurance. If not covered, then where you want to be banded (locally) or in Mexico. Just be sure that you have your aftercare covered before being banded. And it's not just about who will do it the cheapest. You want a dr. that knows what he/she is doing. Several being banded out of the country can't find a U.S. fill dr. to accept them afterwards. There really is so much to read up on. Try doing a "search" at the top for more info. on numerous topics. Best of luck to you!

Mom, please be careful with continuing eating too much. This can lead to serious problems with your band and your pouch. There's a lot of headwork to do. (I'm still working on it.) Have you tried to eat calmly and slowly for 20 minutes? Stop after then, get up and away from the table. Try finding some nonfood related hobbies. And I found watching t.v. bad because there are always food commercials on. LOL

"Mama, are we going on a road trip?" Too cute!!!

Good description, Paula! There will someone asking. I usually say it's like baby spitup.

Victoria, what type of foods are you eating and what size portions? Are you focusing on hard proteins first, then vegetables? These will "stick" with you and help you feel "full" longer. Eating soft foods will defeat the purpose of your band. Are you getting your daily waterload in? How about tracking your eating habits on fitday.com for a few days? It's free. Hang in there!

Be sure that you're doing something consistently. Pace yourself so you'll continue to do something. If you start extremely hard, chances are you won't stick with it. But if you can gradually increase your stamina, you'll find that you'll want to do a little bit more each time. I couldn't even walk once around our 1/3 mile block without huffing and puffing in May and my feet/ankles killing me. I gradually built my time up. Then progressed to bicycling. I've found that I loved it and have taken part in some bike benefits (20 and 25 miles). In October, I was able to go on 4 and 5 hour mountain hikes every day. I never could have done this in the past! It all begins with a single step!