lisacaron

I happen to think all this "reality" TV is really just for entertainment. Sure it may be happening..but it's all sensationalized for TV. The thing I take away from the show is how much her family and friends really do care and support her, even if her choices are not the best they don't berate her for them. Yeah they try to open her eyes to the harm she is causing herself by being so overweight...and haven't we all had that person or persons who did that to us? Maybe not as nicely as this family. She's in denial about her weight and the health issues that it can bring about, though I think she's starting to see that there are limitations and she is suffering to be "fat". I don't think you have to be an extreme of anything to love yourself and your body. You just have to be you...and eating in an out of control way no matter too much or too little or not nutritious enough...all bring harm to our bodies and our lives. We don't pour motor oil into our gas tanks...and we don't pour Water into them either. If we want them to run we put in the grade of gasoline that is refined and balanced to make our engine run efficiently. It's the same for our bodies. Too bad we don't have fill stations like we have gas stations. Where you can pull in, and fill up and it's always the right amount in perfect balance to get you where you need to be.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch I'll let you know how it is.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch I haven't been to one so I don't have a frame of reference for you on this. However I will say that most conventions are usually about networking as well as about learning something in your field of interest.

@WLSResources/ClothingExch I guess they are going to have a large turn out since the lunches were full. I wonder how many people were included for each topic... My hubby is also a lapband patient. We had our surgery 3 days apart:) and just like a man he is losing much better than I.

My hubby and I are going. Most of the "expert" lunch forums were sold out even though I registered before the early bird discount deadline....that was disappointing but I am looking forward to the event.

I have watched the show, though I have not watched the new season yet....I'm sure I am going to catch up on it at one point or another. I must say that I do get a kick out of her Mom and their interactions on the show. I think that said the show is a dichotomy of positive body image and obesity prejudice along with a bit of disillusion about what exactly being obese truly is versus being a "healthy" weight. To be fair they do try to portray the very real struggles of obesity along with all the health issues that stem from the disease such as PCOS and Diabetes. Making light of things such as "chub rub" and aching feet and joints and holes in spandex. In many many ways the life that Whitney is living on TV is the life many of us may have lived. We have been in the denial stages where we thought we were "healthy" or that it was our illness that caused us to eat and eat and then eat some more. I know for me I am an emotional eater and when I have days where I want to just sit locked in my bedroom in front of the TV and eat a gallon of ice cream the fact that I can't do that anymore actually adds to my "stress". I want to believe that I am healthy even if I am obese and the truth is that I am not. However the truth is also that the lady that sits next to me and is the "perfect" weight and body size is also not healthy. The young lady that goes to my Dr. office is only 22 years old and looks like a movie star, she's not healthy either. In fact on paper my health out weighs hers and she is half my age and weight. So who is to say what is healthy when it comes to size and weight? I applaud women like Whitney who stand up for themselves obese or not and let others know it's not about weight, size, skin color, religion, choice of wardrobe or what I put in my mouth. It's about ME, about who I am and what I have to share with the world. The show is entertainment television, that's the category you find it under if you are searching for it along with my 600 lb life and others. If you can relate to something positive or negative GREAT you got a takeaway for your time and if not..there's always the Bachelor? LOL

See, that's all I ask. Just a little attention. That way maybe my gyno's office will drop the restraining order. <------for those that just gasped....it's called sarcasm. OK, now your making me snort my cottage cheese out my nose!!!! Waaaaahahahaha!!!

Thank you all for the chuckles!!! It's just what I needed!

Here is an article that helps explain things the way the Dr. explained it to me. http://www.webmd.com/men/features/benefits-Protein There are issues with everything we do to excess. Trust me I have learned this lesson very painfully with a bought of pancreatitis in the last month. Eating one thing to any excess is going to cause some kind of reaction, but I will say that eating more protein is better for weight loss than eating a bag of candy ;P

So the reality is that our bodies can not and do not store Protein. It must be replenished every day. Yes there are certain amounts of protein that the body can metabolize...those amounts are based on what your body "needs" and that can fluctuate depending on age, gender and weight etc. If there is excess that the body does not need, since the body can not store it or turn it to sugar or fat or any other element like it can with carbohydrates your body excretes the excess. This is the main reason why our Dr.'s all focus on a high protein diet, so that we are using 100% of our intake of food as long as the protein is lean, low or no fat.

Something to put a smile on your face!! #RedNoseDay Yes we are working Hard today!!

@@Sophie74656 I think it's great that you come here and vent. I wish I had a place to vent when I was going through my divorce. I also want to say that you are being awfully nice to your "ex". I would go there when he is out and take what you want that's yours and leave the rest of it to him. Chalk it up to half the deposit that would go to you being lost and as far as damages the only one living there is him and he's responsible. You can prove you live else where and that should be good enough. He can try to blame you...but if your not there it couldn't be you. If he has changed the locks and you want your stuff call the police they will let you in and they can also document the "mess" that's there when you come in so nothing can be blamed on you. Good luck I hope it all works out well for you.

I have to say thank for the laughs here people!!! I know the topic is not funny but some of these responses have me laughing heartily! I'll have to remember some of them should I ever need a good retort!

I hope to be able to make it!

Hi all, thought I would pop in and say Hi! Been MIA for a bit...focusing on getting everyone in my house healthy again. Hubs was home for about 3 weeks in the hospital for 4 days with pneumonia due to flu virus!! I had pancreatitis which means I guess I MUST now eat the way I should probably have been eating all along. Nothing like pain and sickness to get your ass on track let me tell ya!! The good thing is that I am back on track, and not eating all the junk that just makes me sick. For the longest time I was eating "easy" to digest foods like chocolate and Cookies, cake or flour products because they were about the only things that didn't hurt my stomach. Of course you gain lots of weight from that...and they have the nutritional value of eating cardboard, so that drags down your immune system and guess what your sick. The only way to fix a flare up of pancreatitis is basically to not eat any and I mean any fat. There is definitely NO drinking alcohol but this is not an issue for me, since I have never been a drinker. The fat part...well that's harder. Even chicken and fish have some fat, fish much less so than chicken. Having the band well dry things are not my friend...but adding any kind of fatty condiment would mean hours of stomach pain nausea sometimes vomiting and then just feeling blah. It has taken a few months to get the hang of it and to realize that when in doubt just have a shake. Take a bariatric Vitamin that's easily absorbed by the system made for those who have had a bypass since the organs don't need to work as hard to break it down. I am finally feeling a little better than the walking dead although still feeling pretty tired on certain days, as I still learn to work this new curve life has thrown my way. I still want to be able to eat like a "normal" person, but the truth is that I gave that up when I got the band and this is just another reminder that most of my life eating has never been a "normal" function for me. Ah well...enough about me and my issues. How is everyone doing? It's a glorious day today in NY I wish I was not working and I was outside enjoying it more. I'm hoping the weekend affords a bit of it so I can. How about you all? Any exciting plans for the summer??

@@Basicwitch I want to let you know that you are NOT alone. I have had many many health issues since being banded, and not because of the band in any way. I have gained weight, and lost it again. Today I am back on track, and working my band and making my life healthier which was my goal all along. I read some comments in your post that are very concerning to me. The first was this: "I began to have problems about six months after the surgery and she dismissed my pain as gas. She is a very busy person, that's fine, and I don't blame her. " YES I blame her. I don't care how busy your Dr. is she is NOT your friend she is there to make sure that you are well and healthy. You pay for this and you pay your insurance company to pay for her services. She is there to be of service to you!! She should have investigated and found out that you were having such a serious issue. It is not normal to be in such pain with the band, even from gas pains after surgery, they should only last a day or so. The next comment that really concerns me is: Julie norton, on 19 May 2016 - 23:26, said: "It is hard because she is so glamorous and I can really tell when she is disappointed. Well, I worked up the courage to reschedule the appointment I cancelled this week. I have one in a few weeks. Maybe by then I will have lost a couple pounds from restricting calories?" If she is so glamorous she does not need to be a doctor...she could be in movies or magazines. You my friend are doing yourself a disservice by thinking of your medical team in this way. Remember she is a person, just like you. No matter her size or stature physical appearance monetary wealth or education. She is a person, and should be a person who is in your corner and wants you to do well and not by shaming you but by lifting you up and letting you know that it's OK we are all human and we all make decisions from time to time that may not be the best. My advice friend is keep your next appointment. In the time before then don't starve yourself this is NOT healthy. Instead go back to band basics. Go back on your pre-op, post op diet and work from there. Go to your appointment have your band checked out and if it's all in working order request a small fill and keep moving forward. Dr. Glamazon I'm sure is there for you, and wants to help you through this, be brave enough to reach out and if your are still intimidated see an associate maybe Dr. Hyde Good luck and please let us know how you are doing.

@@mngreeneyes I feel your pain. Now I am not union...I work corporate and the last 3 years every year I have gotten a great review. I have gotten raises and promotions..and this year my new boss tells me...well you know you can't be great every year.....excuse me? Why not? If I work hard and I put the effort into it. I change the scope of the way things are done in the company and make it a better place for all, that's pretty great isn't it? Shouldn't that be recognized and rewarded? Telling me I can't always have a great review...well makes me feel as though I don't need to work so very hard then, if I am going to be seen as "average" then I can do an average job and still make the middle of the road comfortably without much effort. I understand that there are budget restraints and changes and many other factors that drive a business I used to own one I get it, however for me it seems that it's a boy's club. They take care of their own, and I am the wrong gender in this mans game. Being new to the team I'm considered the expendable one when it comes to doling out the high fives....I don't like it at all...but it's the least of my worries in the scheme of things So I let it roll off my back and took my foot off the peddle for now. I'll conserve my recourse until I find a destination worthy of putting the peddle to the metal.

You know I had to read the original post a couple of times... and everyone has some great opinions here but something made me think to ask...is there something that you doing that prompts her behavior? Do you say out loud that you can't eat? I had a co-worker once who would announce everything she was doing all the time. It drove me insane, and when she would not get a response from anyone she would continue to repeat what she was doing and/or why. I never want to be out right rude to someone but I don't care if your going to the ladies room, or getting lunch or going to fix the hole in your stocking and the need to announce you every move can be irritating. So i started parroting her as she would announce her comings and goings and doings and soon she realized what she was doing and how she sounded and stopped. I'm not saying that your doing this....but it's another way to look at it and perhaps the only true way to change things. Only we can change our reaction to and behaviors around those that irritate us. It's just about the only thing we have some control over.

@@grammy4 how long have you been banded? I would say yes that the jalapenos could have irritated your stomach and even caused a bit of swelling internally. Give yourself a little recovery time, have a shake or two and let things settle down.

@@BlondieUK your not losing weight this week is OK. Your still in recovery, give your body a chance to heal and recover from surgery and making changes to diet and now getting back to work. Be kind to your self, and keep your Protein intake up and you will see your body will catch up.

How many times have I said OK I need to start over? How many times have I told myself just one more time…and then I’ll start again? How many times have I committed to recommitting? How many times have I told myself that I will write down every single thing that goes in my mouth? How many times have I told myself I WILL go to the gym today? How many times have I found myself feeling guilty because of my perceived failure? I go through these things and more too many times to count. My weight, my surgery, the scale, the gym, FOOD they are always on my mind. When I wake up in the morning I think I need to get a weight today so I know where I am….that’s what’s going to tell me and help me get on track! So I go about my morning routine and the scale shines from the corner waiting for my feet to step up and weigh in but I have just one more thing to do…and I walk past the scale and escape into the next room. I have defeated the siren call of the scale yet again! Sometimes, I drink coffee and think well now that’s not a “true” weight I just drank fluids! (Really?!) I have to go to the bathroom so weighing in will be better after that elimination of extra weight. (Really?!) Oops I just got dressed for the day including my socks and shoes and I can’t get on the scale now…that’s just too much extra weight and you know…you have to weigh with the least amount of clothing…and my scale needs bare feet and it’s cold and on and on and on….. I sit at work and my smart watch tells me it’s time to stand…it might as well read “the beatings shall commence”. It starts with the guilt trip, why didn’t you get that weigh in this morning?! It’s been weeks…and you don’t know where you are, and you need to know that. (Really?) Why are you sitting so much..you should be getting up and being more active! You should bring your gym bag in and get your butt down to the gym! (The side commentary often replies with the standard “it’s January and all the resolutioners are in the gym, working out so they can pretend they are keeping their New Year resolution to get healthy. They are clogging things up and you can’t get in there with all that going on!” Really?!) and the beating continues as I guilt myself throughout the day. I make the “healthy” food choices and for the most part when I am eating “food” I try to make sure I make the healthier choice steering clear of the fatty fried foods, eating my protein and drinking my water. So what’s my problem? My problem is that I am perfectionist. It’s all or nothing for me, and either way I have to do it to perfection! If I have a bad day…well it has to be the badest of bad days. Complete with not only with lack of exercise, but forgetting to take my vitamins, and consuming lots of all kinds of sugary desserts. If you’re going to be bad might as well eat the ice cream and chocolate and forget the chicken breast right?! If I am having good day well you know its perfect right? I wake up and the birds are chirping and the sun is shining and all is right in my world. My feet hit the floor and I can’t wait to step on the scale to see how wonderful I am and what a success I am! (Usually this is where the fantasy begins and ends) On these days it’s the middle of the road for me. Reality has woken me up and given me that cosmic 2x4 womp upside my head and for a minute the obsessing stops. It’s not about what I did or didn’t do. It’s not about what I ate, but more about what I will do and what I will eat. I don’t need to beat myself into submission to be perfect, I just need to live for this. Right here right now this very moment. I need to stop. Just stop, and be present. Right here right now. Nothing more and nothing less. Yes some of those moments are going to be “bad” ones and some are going to be “good” ones. All that really matters is the reality of all of these moments. I don’t have to dwell on the past or the future I just have to live in the now. It’s really all I am capable of these days. I don’t know what it is in me that strives for this “perfection” it is now and has been a flaw of mine. While it is true that in many ways it helps me strive to learn and grow and better myself, and it is also true that in many ways it holds me back and limits me, and it will even sabotage my success, when I let it (or use it as an excuse!). I will look at my weight loss to date and I say I have ONLY lost….as though it is a negative. When I should be focusing on the fact that I have LOST that weight and it has not returned. So today as I write this confession, and my smart watch is beeping at me to stand up and move around and I am taking that time to do just that and to look at it in a positive way. Not saying telling myself I am a failure for not getting to the gym today, but saying hooray you are moving more than you did before! I am not going to beat myself up for sleeping later this morning, I am going to allow myself the extra Zzz because my body and my soul needed it. I am not going to beat myself up for not stepping on the scale this morning, instead I am going to commit to resetting the darn thing tonight and setting it up to move forward. I am setting a reminder on my phone to prompt me to weigh in and take measurements and I am scheduling time for ME. Yes I am putting an actual appointment on the calendar to do things that I need to do for me. Including making lunch, getting to the gym, and having dinner out with friends. It’s important, and if I feel the perfection monster trying to sabotage me I’m going to come back here and refocus on the moment and get back to reality of being perfectly imperfect one moment at a time.

A dilation is when the stomach that is above the band expands too accommodate food and drink that is not passing swiftly enough through the band. The top part of the pouch can extend beyond the circumference of the band and cause greater complications. Think of your band as you might think of the center point of an hour glass. Though in the case of your stomach the top part of the hour glass is much smaller than the bottom half. As you put food in it slowly breaks down small enough to pass through the center or the band into the lower chamber for full digestion and dispersion of nutrients to the rest of the digestive system. If you put something in that's not being broken down or taking a long time to break down to pass through the center point (the band) and then you add more be it drink or food the top chamber unlike an hour glass will expand to accommodate thus causing a dilation of the upper chamber of your stomach. The way to relieve that, is to widen or open the band to allow the food/drink to pass through to the lower chamber and give the upper chamber a chance to heal and return to it's normal size. You are on liquids during this time to allow for this. If you go back to eating solid foods, you could run the risk of the upper chamber not returning to it's normal size and remaining dilated. I have had this issue happen to me before, and yes it's tough to be on liquids for a time especially once the band is open for a while but it's worth it to stay the course. You won't gain weight and you will reset your band and your mindset again as well. Hang in there you can make it through this!

I love love love Hawaii!!! My hubby and I hope to retire there in a few years... Here is a picture PRE WLS of hubby and I in the same spot John We stayed at the Hale Koa military hotel right next door I think it's time to start making plans to go back!!

@@UnderDaSea Hi ladies, I am just reading this post. I'm sorry that you are having so many issues post band removal and I really hope that you continue to push the Dr.'s to find out what's going on to cause all this reflux. I would think that by now your stomach and esophagus would have healed from the band removal surgery though there could be some remaining scar tissue and this could be causing some issues for you. All of the doctors you have seen and the first step should have been to do an upper GI or an endoscopy so they can see what's going on in there. You really need to make sure that you are taking care of yourself. Not eating and having issues such as pain and burning when eating foods is not acceptable and it is certainly not normal. I have several digestive issues, including crohn's and while yes there are some days that are very uncomfortable, and sometimes even a bit painful during a flair up I monitor my intake of food and closely watch and treat any symptoms that arise. You need to find doctors that are going to work with you and care about your health as much as you do, but it has to start with you. You have to care about yourself and your health. Put yourself as number 1 and let the Dr's know you need help and that giving you medication and saying try this and sending you on your way is not good enough. You need to understand why this is happening and how you can make changes to make things better for yourself. I wish you all the best of luck! Get to the bottom of it and feel better.

You know I have had this problem all my life. Even before surgery I could not drink plain Water without feeling nauseous about it. I could do a few sips here and there and on a very hot day after much exertion I could drink more water than not but never could sit and drink water by the cup or the bottle. I can taste he difference in the water from where it would come from, and still can depending on the bottle of water. Spring or purified. Tap water is the same. If you get water from different restaurants there are some places I can drink the water and other places not. My husband think's I'm crazy...but I know it's a thing.