lunasa

Good Luck Teachlady.. TracyinKS...thanks for the encouragement... You're doing so well in that mad food house of yours!! I'm lucky my pre op diet is only 10 days.. I'd defo be doin some sort of illegal substance if it were any longer!! LOL:cool: This is a profound turning point for me right now... I am finally facing my "Break Up" with the behaviour that got me here.. I am walking out on it & I am scared.. I am worried that I won't cope well without what I leave behind...but I don't know.. I may cope very well... I am starting to realise why I am the way I am... I FINALLY understand the "pay off" I get from staying this way..I never understood that.. I'd always say what could I POSSIBLY be getting from this?! i'M MISERABLE But now I honestly see that being this way suited me, I made it suit me & why.. An epiphany...THANK YOU GOD! For everybody on this thread I am going to light a penny candle for us all at mass today & pray to St francis That we all get the strength we need to commit to these new, more rewarding & exciting lives of ours.. The Prayer of St Francis... God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference

PS WASHBURN.... I agree with the straw technique... it defo makes the liquids a bit more "treaty" and luxurious! I even put an umbrella in mine today! I am coming to the end of my first day on pre op diet... Can hardly believe I did it...and quite easily... It's the first time in AGES i made it a full day on track! Mind you it's only 7.30pm but I'm absolutley fine today.. SAYING THAT...I won't be getting smug JUST YET... I am only waiting to well.....:frusty:...if you know what I mean!! LOL Now Tomorrow will be a challenge, the whole family is having easter dinner & drinks here together (oh...GOD NO!) but Rather than stressin about it... I have a plan so as not to be alienated from the dinner table...:pout: I am going to have turkey & veg with them...Now... how about that! It's high protein after all & I don't think I'll do any liver damage....unless the turkey's been drinking!! :pound: BUT.....I WON"T BE DRINKING ... bummer I feel very lucky to be in the position of being able to get my band... Therefore I know I can do this.. It is the way to what I truly want & look forward to ... I'm nobodys ...:angel:... didn't get here by pretending to be either.. ... But as of now.. I am My ANGEL & I will look out for me... I will make this happen To be a better sister, daughter, wife & friend...what's a little wine worth to achieve all this!!! TODAY I ROCK :rockon:

Hi everyone... finally got the courage to tell me mother about the "procedure" As expected she was fine & happy that I'm doing this. Funny though she of went into the whole Sharon Osbourne thing & said I should try to get in touch with her to talk about it!! LOL... my mam thinks she knows these people, because she sees them every day on TV... she talks about Oprah as if she's upstairs! Anyway I told her there was no need to contact Mrs O as I have my own supporting gang of buddies on line to talk to about it! Funny though.. SARA MOS...I saw a few pages back you had trouble breathing in recovery & also post op... are you ok? I am a smoker too & now I'm wondering if I'm gonna have a bit of difficulty. :phanvan

Thank You Lovely Ladies!!!! :girl_hug: Your ever extending encouragement is so much appreciated! I'll try bed bath & beyond for the magic bullet...I thought it was exclusively Wal Mart.. Panda.. (my Brother used to call me that when we were young!)..thanks for the link.. I'll check that out too. I live in Co Clare in Ireland... I'm origanally from Dublin, but a country girl at heart. It's really beautiful...even if I do say so myself!! I'm in Florida until next Thursday. I start my pre op diet tomorrow!:eek: Luckily my clinic gave me my shakes etc to take with me, so I don't have to worry about going out on a Protein hunting expedition while here! I'm trying to build myself up to telling my mother about this over the next few days...I'm looking for the right moment as I don't want to burden her with any more worries. She just lost her own mother & another good friend of hers is dying of cancer (sudden diagnosis)... I really don't want to add this to her list of woes but as my sister rightly suggests, mam would rather know before the fact than after. She'll support me I know, I just feel a bit guilty & selfish throwing this into the mix of everything else she's dealing with... I guess these are the situations we have to face as we approach our dates! I am really looking forward to a new pace in culinary life!!:nervous :nervous Thank You all again...xx As for that flight attendant mouthing off at your husband...I would have been so mortified & offended.. WHAT WOULD I DO? I would have cried.. my sister (who was with me ) would have KILLED her!! COW!:mad:

Hi everybody... I'm checkin in from florida now.. after a S**t journey over... Why? Because I experienced quite a low point on my travels.. I was too big for the aerplane seat!!! Well, in saying that I was IN it but let's say I didn't need a belt to KEEP me in it... It was an emergency exit row & the tray tables were in the armrest which meant the seat was narrower & the armrest didn't go uo... IT SUCKED! I was really upset.. It was a 6 & half hour flight & I was so uncomfortable for every second of it.. I just kept thinking how did it get like this!! Only for I'm BOOKED to have this surgery I think I would have been totally devastated & in despair, the thought of it coming to an end kept me from actually breaking down. You all sound great anyway..plenty of banter & advice going on..Thank you all.. I went to Wal MART today & couldn't find this magic Bullet thing!! Could someone please tell me what it actually is.. I asked 2 staffers & neither knew what I was on about...One of them actually thought I was asking for bullets!! For God's sake...if I had a gun Missus.. I'm assuming it's a blender, but perhaps my lack of a description from me didn't help either...Anybody?? Christy, I feel the same re above... I am having emotions & worries about what I'll uncover about myself not having food to turn to as I always have.. I'm arming myself with hobbies & non food involved ideas to support my lifestyle change.. I'm quite artistic & creative so I'm taking painting classes & I also write & have drawn cartoons before which I'll take up again. I'm buying myself a camera on this trip too. Where I live there are a lot of beatuiful peaceful places I love to go with amazing scenery & surroundings & I want to start taking pictures for my new home (we're building) These places are good for the soul. You're lucky you're hubby is in the same boat as you...you guys can work together. I'm somewhat worried about me & my Husband, how or if our relationship will change.. eating alone (we've no kids) or any social occasions involving food with him & his family. He is quite overweight too but would never consider LB... I don't even know if he'd do anything about his weight.. but that's his choice. BOTH of us Being overweight has definatley affected our relationship anyway...if ya'll know what I mean:rolleyes Whatever about us both...if I can inspire him by getting MY groove back that's a start...xx Big long post...but I was due... COULDN"T HAVE YIS ALL MISSIN ME NOW!!!!:kiss

LauraJ...nipple rings......how kinky!!!! LOL I'M SORRY I COULDN'T RESIST THE BONKING BANANA'S!!! LMAO when I saw them I'm a durty bird!! :p LAURAJ...I had surgery & Had a new piercing in top of my ear (not kinky!) and I said I dont wanna irritate it by taking it out & they were fine with that but covered it with blue band aid... So ask before you take them out.... I'm signing off now for a couple of days...I'm off to Florida for a week...so LOTS of fun with the pre op while I'm there... I'll check in with you all when I arrive & get my blender set up...xxx Good luck to all you Thursday & Friday Banding Babes...XXX :girl_hug: :girl_hug: Lunasa :eek:

Hi Allure... Sounds like we pretty much are in the same boat..same weight & clothes size!! As for that girl at the party & her comment...what a cow! I HATE people like that, but obviously she is very unhappy & taking a dig at you must have kinda made her day... Insensitive bitch though! I'd probably have not been able to be ladylike there & knowing me would have made the situation very uncomfortable for everyone by making a horrible remark back as I am unhappy too & how dare she think she can have all the fun! You are so right in your decision to have this surgery...massive weight loss followed by regain can really break one's spirit & soul & if we can do something to help ourselves we are mad not to... Life is too short. Also, you got a glimpse of yourself 10 years on in that unhappy woman that day & that's where you will not end up... I applaud you in your realisation of that.. BRENNERS... as for the pre dietary advice.. check out the last few pages of the April Thread there are lists of shakes etc on there.. Mind you a lot of them are americans so theyt have a much wider choice than we do, but worth a look all the same. Slimfast shakes were mentioned.. Also EAS shakes, which I know you can get here if you look around.. my personal trainer (ah the skinny me) Used to stock them & they are good...nice & milky. My pre op requires me to takes 4 shakes daily, two soups (also made from powder he gave me) One portion of fruit & A portion of Veg throughout the day...2 litres Water minimum also...surprise surprise!! I will also eat fish if I have to eat out,, because I will have to eat out.. But just think fish, chicken & veg..no sauces & stick to high Protein with veg... no enemy carbs...the usual really!! you're looking at about 800-1000 calorie intake daily Take care both you & I hop to see you on the April thread too... I saw you Brenners a few days back...Lunasa...xxx

Hello everybody... Oh my God this thread is moving along fast! It takes me ages to catch up every time I sign on! Firstly KAT817... great post about husband & communications And thank you for your words of encouragement! I agree, the poor husbands feel like they're walking on eggshells & spend most of their time quietly trying to figure out how to best support us. I know how my fella is anyway... I think he doesn't be tuned in to me at all sometimes & when I pull him up on it he reveals his own depth & just how well he knows me & how he is constantly trying to tune in to me... as he says I am extremely unpredictable...and he's right, I am! It's sad really, I always feel bad then... he says there are times when I'm "unbalanced" (my word not his) that he doesn't know what he's coming home to! He's so stable & keeps me so grounded that I wish I could do the same for him! That is one of my reasons for wanting to get this surgery done, I want to unburden my self from all my mood swings & self absorbed issues so I can contribute more to US, to me & start looking to a future where we can start a family. I don't want to do that right now because I don't want to pass on my insecurities to my children. I want this self esteem issue to end with me & to be strong enough & happy enough to raise a confident child! I am finding out things about myself I never knew as I was always able to STUFF it out with food... Everyone in my life thinks of me as the strong one, the one who'd say anything & sort everything out..a straight shooter.. Turns out I think I'm an anxious person.. I'm a big scaredy cat! I only realise this as I am not STUFFING at the moment & am having to deal with fleeting moments & thoughts I normally wouldn't allow myself to have... I think I'm going to like the new me!! I can't wait... Sara Mos... Good to hear from you! Congratulations... Terridoodle...My Thoughts are with you as you are being banded & can't wait to hear from you... you're my kinda sista!... I love your sense of humour ...you're gonna be fab!! Everyone else... for those of you.. going in :eek: coming out :bandit starving :hungry: loosing . Love to you all :girl_hug: :girl_hug: :kiss2: :kiss2: Lunasa

Oh My God Terri.... :mad: :mad: :mad: I HATE THAT!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: I have a fashion show every day... My wardrobe is actually FULL of clothes that don't fit.. My bedroom is upside down most of the time over the daily clothes saga!!! I HATE getting dressed..it takes ages I mostly wear tracksuits (that's sweat suits to those in the US of A) because I feel totally Squished & suffocated in anything else... I am most happy (well, happy is not the right word) in PJ's at the moment... :notagree :notagree :notagree Yesterday I came home, went upstairs & literally RIPPED off what I was wearing to get into the PJ's..so I could breath.. I rushed back down & My husband did a double take..then said "eh.. that was quick" I was up & back before he even noticed me gone haha... Superman in a phone box...that's me Can't wait to be able to leave the house within an hour of getting up wearing something CASUAL...that's not a tracksuit! I can only "dress up" in black at mo...I look like an undertaker all the time... I am in mourning for my lost wardrobe...:cry :cry :cry :cry

hello Allure.. It's great to have a few Irish on here! The consultation will assess your BMI... Most require it to be over 40 or 35 with co-morbidities ie high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea etc... they will also evaluate your dieting history, how long you've had weight prob & how you've dealt with it & yoyo dieting.. they will also assess how you will cope with life after surgery..ie.. committment to lifestyle change & your understanding of having to live with & commit to those changes. I am focusing on the behavioural aspect of what this band will help me achieve.. I want to end my yoyo paterns & have a balanced relationship with food. I had my consultation yesterday in the UK with healthier weight centre & all went well. My BMI was 40.4 which surprised me as I thought it was 38.. My blood pressure & all was fine which also surpeised me...I though it was high, as I wake up in the mornings with a dead arm..that because of the weight of me sleeping on it! Nice... I hate that... Anyway... I'm all set to go for 17th April.. Brenners...as for the pre op diet it is to shrink your liver & every bander's doctor has different requirements to do that.. I will be on a weeks holiday during that 10 days which will be interesting. I know I won't be able to ONLY do the shakes but if I have to eat out I will stick to Fish & Veg or salad which is also high protein!! the pre op diet is more nerve wrecking than the surgery!! I'm gonna add you both to my buddy list so we can keep in touch.. As a personal goal for myself I have signed up to do the Flora Womens mini Marathon in June.... 10k..so I have a physical goal set & am looking to achieve that... My focus is not on weight loss as I will be throwing the scales out... I am not gonna get wrapped up in that game anymore.. I'm leaving these issues behind me now & when I can walk 10k I KNOW I will have achieved that goal... and weight loss will be a side effect of having reached it!!!!

Hi Tracy... Chewing gum is a big no no It does something to your insulin & blood sugars hence cravings / hunger It sucks rope...WE'RE EVEN F***ED FOR CHEWING GUM....:huytsao If I were you...I would never eat chewing gum again because it defo does affect hunger levels... anyway, think of your teeth...:biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: Terri doodle... did you set your hair on fire yet?

Hi Again Brenners....Hello Nikki Brenners...it's not cheaper in UK...with flights & the exchange rate (which sucks) it's working out dearer..but I don't really care. I had my consultation yesterday..I travelled to London for it & everything went well. I left with boxes of Soups, shakes & puddings for a pre op diet I've to follow for 10 dys pre op.. My date is April 17th. You should Jump into the April 2007..head start for spring thread. That's where all the april bansters are.. I'm nervous but excited too...I'm actually more nervous about the 10 day diet before hand!!! It'll be hard around family & friends etc... I'm actually away with them for a week during that 10 days! I've only told my sister so far but I'll prob have to tell my mam too so that they understand the sudden change in eating habits!! Brenners.. I once looked into OA & made contact with my local group, but I felt scarlet about actually going..:embarassed: Can you tell me a bit more about it?

hi Everybody! My first post since it became April (was away yesterday) Good luck to all you who are... Going in for surgery today/tomorrow & this week Starting your pre op diets Starting your excercise... Very exciting. I am flying to London today for my consultation with Dr Ashton... I will let you all know how I get on...A bit nervous. I have signed myself up to walk the Flora Women's mini marathon in Dublin on Mon June 4th!! :faint: That is 9 weeks away... It is a 10k walk. (that will be 7 weeks post op) I entered it to mark a turning point for me. That will be my first goal. I am not interested in breaking records, I am doing it FOR ME... It is a great incentive to get going!! :cheer2: So.....I've lit the fire under my Ass:flame: I am the eye of the Tiger!!! :rambo Roaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr!!!!:girl_hug:

Edited my profile so I could look like a pro.. just posting to check that I done the ticker thing right... Haha...cool..YEY! Haven't really lost 1lb...just wanted to see what way I set it to count.. Headcase...defo

Hi Sara... I can see your pic! Lovely background too!! Good luck with your surgery...can't wait to hear from you when you get back! :bandit

DITTO Terri.... I'm so much more confident in my decision having made the connection to this site & you all...:clap2: Also Ordered that book by MJ RYAN... thank you...love those books! I also feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders having 'met' you all here.. Also, I feel more relieved or something around the people I see every day in my own life here.. I don't feel as "judged" now that I know I have this April 'club' behind me!

Hi Jen... get that movie more clear in your head...do it now!! you need to concentrate on what you will feel, smell, hear & see at that water park. Really...please define it more...make it real.. You HAVE to trust your self & not allow any vagueness or doubt.. those are our enemies.. As far as anyone else, they prob are not calling you a fat ass or talking about you...I totally understand what you mean though.. you have to get that fear out of your mind, you have no control over other people's thoughts or gossip, whether it's happening or not.. "Feel the fear & do it anyway" is a great book for those issues.. I'm getting a feeling of un ease & doubt from you... I am willing you to get clearer in your future successes... Get that movie going! Only pick one scene to start with & work on getting it so vivid it becomes something you actually can experience!! Hey...When the Surgeon knocks me out..I'm gonna think of you Jen.. I'll travel over to NY in my mind machine & check the water park to see if you're there! Then when I'm awake you'll be getting knocked out & you can come & visit me in your mind machine & see me out in my garden planting!! I'll make you a cuppa tea!!! Haha...I must sound like a headcase! :nervous :nervous :nervous I'm not... I just want you & all of us to win, to be happy & to give ourselves the life we've always wanted...xxx:D :) :D :D :D

Hi Jen, I have decided if I'm doing this, failure is not an option. I already have my movie playing... I am very happy, very confident & very changed.. but only because I am ME in my movie... I haven't become anyone different..because that is what I am now...I am different to who I really am. In my movie I am free, busy, creative, peaceful, productive & artistic.. writing, gardening, taking photos, painting, early mornings & smiling.. Free from panic & frustration, trusting & thankful... Jen we are getting done the same day... I tried editing that spread page but couldn't...Lauraj23 is same day also... What's your movie? HEY TERRI!!! Brain neurons that fire together wire together!! Totally..it's great.. Create You DAY!!:bandit

OOOOPS Here it goes!!!! it basically works on the theory that whatever thought process you have or you allow yourself to have your subconcious will do everything it can to get you there...like a self fulfilling prophecy. So in a lapbanding example...if you imagine yourself getting the band & still struggling & being disappointed with it, you are directing your subconcious to experience that..Mainly because your brain doesn't know the difference between what's tru & what's not when thoughts occur, and your subconcious wants to prove that thought to be true.. On the positive side..if you play a movie in your head of how your life will be after lapband, that everything's better, happier, easier & you're confident & changing well then that's the direction you will go too.. You're subconcious is an amazing & complex thing. It is based on the idea that mind, body and language interact to create an individual's perception of the world and that perceptions, and hence behaviors, can be changed by the application of a variety of techniques. Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is based on the idea that with our senses we are only able to perceive a small part of the world. Our view of the world is filtered by our experience, beliefs, values and assumptions. We act and feel based on our perception of the world rather than the real world. Sorry now...long winded approach & it can be a can of worms, but it's definatley worth looking in to. I have found counselling bringing me round in circles & focusing my energy on finding blame & circumstance...NLP helps me open up to the future... I suppose Amazon or something like it would have a good book... I prefer to go to a bookstore for books like this.. I prefer to browse. NLP is an amazing way to train your brain into getting you to places in life or in your head you want to go. It can be largely based on imagery... And most of all it needs to be practiced BIG TIME...You have to break assosiations & make new ones Do a google search to find a therapist. Also...check out the movie "What the bleep do we know" It'll blow your mind Sorry you asked?:faint: :D

Hi Anon... How are you getting on today? Any better?:nervous

Yeh, I like that Idea, Although I don't know what I'd buy as I haven't my eye on anything in particular!

LeeinDe Sounds like a challenge! I have no photos to share right now, but I'd love to make a project of it... I'm going to buy myself a decent camera next week. Great Idea..xx

In case it looks familiar...this is part of another post I did but I didn't know how to move it so I just copied & pasted it.. I just thought it would it be an interesting thread subject.. could anyone identify with it? This is gonna sound weird but Recently I discovered something about myself..I love being outdoors, well I always knew that, I love scenery, gardens, discovering new places, top of hills, valleys streams etc etc but only experienced the actual buzz i get in my spirit being in those places recently.. I also have had an interest in taking up photography & painting for ages but never acted on it & thought to myself.. is the reason I don't indulge in this nature buzz or didn't know that about myself before or persue those hobbies because I'm too busy indulging in food, at home, out of sight. I tend to be a bit frantic about getting home to eat & then too tired to move after.. I don't think I'm expressing this right, but I wonder if Food & weight has kind of distracted me really from who I am? Does anyone understand that? As I approach my surgery date I find these thoughts crossing my mind!:faint:

Hi Brenners!! I've been floating around on this site for about a week now & was mad to find an Irish voice of experience too! :mad: :mad: :mad: It's a great site.. Would I be right in saying I saw you post on Rollercoaster? I tried signing up to that site but kept getting an error page! Anyway, I'm having the op done in UK with healthier weight ctr.. looked at AC in Dublin too... didn't not choose them for any reason in particular only that I booked with UK first... I'm going for consult next Mon & booked for surgery 16th Apr...Fingers crossed.. I'm assumiing you're with AC? Have they group support meetings? What's your history to be at this turning point?

hi libra...I'm a libra too! Good for you... shine on!:clap2: