JosieK

hi icetexas, where are the thursday meetings? i didnt know about those. i have attended the tuesday meeting thanks ahead of time

hi dorisa, everyone's experience is different. before my operation....i read many posts and was scared to death....and most of it never happened. i went in at 6:30 am. they operated at 9:00 am. i woke up at 10:30. took a little nap. then they made me walk 4 laps around nurses staion (1 at a time) and also i had to pee before they would release me. i was out by 2:00 the only issue i had was major nausea from anesthesia for about 10 hours after surgery and left shoulder pain. the key is to walk, walk walk and also do the breathing exercises they have you do. this is to avoid blood clots in the legs and pneumonia. these are possible complications from the anesthesia (they are rare but i was scared and followed their orders) i didnt have any pain from the operation.....the first day for me was the worst and then every day afterwards....i felt better good luck and dont worry (altho' we all did) when i did worry i thought of all of the positive people on this site that went before me and said they would do it again.

hi, 2 weeks after surgery... my doctor ok'd to spin, abs (which i was surprised) and light weights i am in my second week of spinning. i do 60 min classes and feel fine. i now have to start weights and abs (i dont love either which is probably why i havent done them yet) ha! have a great day

hi tammy, allow yourself this little splurge. it probably is PMS and will certainly pass soon. also when i'm cranky sometimes just saying that breaks the spell. keep your chin up....

hi thanks for the post/info on the papaya enzymes when i first found this website..i went out and bought anything anyone recommended. when i got the papaya enzymes in the mail...i was like.."what is this for?" i just had trouble drinking and Protein shake and took 3 of them..and voila...i'm fine.... have a good day everyone

hi heather, in my past surgeries...i never had any reaction to anesthesia except grogginess. for the lapband...i had pretty severe nausea for the first 12 hrs. i was talking to a nurse where i live and she said the type of anesthesia they use here in texas may be a factor. i dont know if i believe that.....but they have medicine for nausea. the key thing is to get up and walk, walk, walk after the operation and do the breathing exercises. they want to avoid blood clots and pneumonia which can occur after anesthesia (it's rare but i didnt want to take any chances) hope this helps

hi laura, i just looked at alloy.com. how do you equate the sizes to the ones in plus size depts? they have really nice straight leg denims

hi, bloomingdales has a really nice plus size dept. you can also shop online. i like their casual and business clothes. they also have dresses for special occasions i cant wait to shop in regular depts. this is one factor that motivates me to keep going

hi everyone, checking in....i'm now putting myself on full liquids to see if that helps. i have gone backwards and cant eat again. i've been doing protein shakes and vitamins so i feel fine now. my doctor said as long as i do that and HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE....i will be fine i'm sick of complaining and am just going to "suck it up" for the next few weeks.... guns and roses: you are right...it's funny how "sexy" we can feel with just a little weight off. i feel a little "wiggle" in my step now. i also feel better when i dont cheat 1 day. oh juli: i take "tylenol rapid relief liquid". it has been helping with the shoulder pain. but i know what you mean about ibuprofen. i used to take that like vitamins ha!!!.....especially when i get cramps....my dr says only tylenol but i'm not sure why we cant take the others...maybe because it's harder on the stomach bandstar: i'm sure we all have those embarrassing stories. one time i went to astro-world. i forget the name of the ride but my brother and i waited for a long time to get on this thing that went straight up and then dropped you down quickly. there were what seemed like millions of people on line and the line wrapped around the ride so everyone could see you go up. well...when they went to put the bars down for me...they wouldnt go down. i was mortified....i looked like "dead man walking" when i walked off the ride... BUT....that doesnt ever have to happen again if we follow the bandster plan. tammyj: what kind of challenge are you thinking about? i used to belong to one in weight watchers and they committed to various things like exercise, water drinking, journalling. and when will you start it? i have to go to new york next week for 10 days and i wont have alot of access to the computer. i'm already having withdrawal...YIKES! have a good day everyone

hazelbunny....i DEFINITELY can see the difference in your pics.....looking good!

hi tammy, any of your 3 suggestions for our may title are great. my personal favorite is "March into May" but any of the 3 are clever thanks for organizing this.

hi everyone, well i have to say my problem is getting a little better. i was finally able to eat a little yesterday. but i have to be careful not to overdo it. also i really have to remember i cant eat in the manner or the quantities i used to. i'm throwing out or storing alot of food as a result. ie.....i used to eat a full can of soup. so i make it...and only eat half. or i used to be able to eat a fillet of fish...now...only half. so i have alot of leftover food. this new way of life really takes alot of thinking on what used to be very simple concepts/tasks. the whole eating small bites slowly sounds like a simple concept....but it isnt the other thing I do....i dont drink while eating (which is difficult in itself) but i always order ice tea before i eat at a restaurant....then have a drink wasted. all i have to say is my family is getting lots of leftovers. anyway... Sophie: hope you are feeling better....how are you today? thanks for your advice on drinking warm liquids and the nausea meds.... Sugarbear: thanks for advice i warm liquids Kyethra: yes the hernia was fixed during my lapband surgery. that's how i knew i had it. Luckily, i hadnt felt anything beforehand. i understand what you are saying that its good for people to read but for me interaction is key...otherwise i could just keep a journal. what made me notice the issue on this thread is...i happened to look at the april 2007 bandsters...it's full out support. having said this...i will commit to participating more in our thread Tammyj: i really do enjoy your posts... anyway have a great day everyone

hi areellady, i had the same emotional reaction you did the first 2 days after surgery. i felt like a "failure, why did i have to have this put in me to lose weight and why am i so weak". i was embarassed as well that someone would know i got the lapband. and no matter what anyone in my family told me to encourage me....didnt help i think some of this came from the anesthesia but i needed to process everything the good news....my feelings have changed.... i really started looking at this as a tool...and after some weight comes off....i'm actually ok with this the reason i'm telling you this is so that you know others have similar feelings i belong to a 12 step program and they say "feelings arent facts" and "this too shall pass" anyway take care

....starting this Thursday 4/26

hi the Katy meeting is at 6:00 pm at Starbucks on fry road and park row in the Hobby Lobby shopping strip thanks

hi marg, dr christine Ren in NYC is one of the best doctors for lapband in the country. she was part of the original FDA trials. shes honest and straight forward explaining the good, bad and ugly. i investigated her when i lived in NY. i have a few friends that have been very successful with her. i decided against it because i just wasnt plain ready back then. not sure if you want to travel to the city....but in case you do

thanks alexandra...

hi everyone, we are forming a group in KATY. the group will meet on thursday at the starbucks on fry road + park row near hobby lobby we will meet this thursday for the first timeto frame out "how often to meet; etc" all are welcomed. if you are interested just let me know.

hi, my doctor came in recovery (i thought it was a dream but he later told me it was real) and his office has been actively following up. i have to say...i think the post op is more if not just as important as the operation itself. i feel very lucky i chose dr spivak for this reason.

hi, i have to tell you...i dont know why i'm posting on this thread as i sometimes feel like i'm talking to myself....(sorry for being so direct but in past when i kept these things in..i ate over it) i am posting because maybe if someone has the same problem i had...it can help i was having trouble eating anything in the last week (even mushies). the weird thing is the first 2 weeks i was fine... i was really concerned so i went back to the doctor on thursday and he did a fluroscope and everything was fine the nausea +pain would start as soon as food hit my esophagous. lo and behold...yesterday i was able to eat my first little bit i had a pretty big hernia and they think the recovery of this may have something to do with it anyway the upside...i havent been hungry and weight has been coming off. but the downside is..i've been shaky and a bit weak. so hopefully this is over...

hi, can someone help?:help: when i post a message..it doesnt appear under "new posts" do i have my settings wrong to do this? not that i want to "look at myself" ha! but sometimes i want to get back to the thread quickly or even see if it went through. thanks ahead of time

hi storm, what myoplex shake do you use? i am using the isopure shakes but i have used mypolex in past and they are pretty good. so far my hunger hasnt returned and in fact i am having trouble eating (get nauseous) so my doctor said to keep up with the Protein shakes, Vitamins and hydrate. i know when my hunger returns food keeps me satiated longer then liquids.. thanks

hi sugarbear, no i've lost 16 lbs since surgery. my eating problem is getting worse so i will call them tomorrow. i couldnt even eat soup tonight. i am allowed to eat soft food (mushies, fish, soft veggies) i'm living on protein shakes right now this started right after i went to see him last week about my shoulder pain. oh well...it may just be the healing but i'd better check it out. i'm starting to spin tomorrow :clap2: ..i love those classes i'm also starting a "body for life challenge" on monday. this is being started by sunshine on the exercise forum on this website (if anyone is interested) have a good night

hi hazelb, actually i didnt go. i really wanted to see the cosmetic surgeon but i didnt feel like driving that far. last thursday night i went to see dr S and got lost coming home. how was it? actually there is a potential katy group starting from the other website "houston bandsters.com it's a hard site to get around....doesnt have forums and topics like this one so it's hard (or maybe i'm missing something) do you want me to forward the email to you or give the person organizing your email? let me know. after this i will go on the site to see if i can find how to direct you to the girl she is just trying to come up with sites to meet and days. it's 8 people so far have a good night joanne

hi everyone, checking in. i just got back from NY. i had to attend my friend's fathers funeral...noreaster' and all. i am having a BIG problem eating anything.:help: i'm worried something may be wrong. i went to see my doctor last week as i was having severe pain in my left shoulder while i ate. he said i had a pretty big hernia that he fixed during my surgery. he was surprised i didnt have reflux. so my stomach needs to recover both the band and the hernia. now i cant get food down my esophogus. so i'm living on protein shakes and sugar free ice. i can eat small amts of cheese but i dont want to eat it due to the high fat/calorie count. does anyone else have this issue?