babsyintx

Hi Betty, I hope that I will not be stuck in "just overweight" purgatory forever. And I hope that I am not doomed to be a size 14 bottom/12 top forever as well. I still feel really fat. I am figuring like you said: ITs gotta be the chinese food and the sodium thing. I am also due to get my "monthly friend" today or tomorrow, so thats probably not helping much either. And thats probably another reason I feel like being mad!!! Babs in TX

Lisa, DId your incision open again? I feel my tubing all the time now that I am thinner. IT feels like an alien tapping me on the inside of my abdomen. So is everything OK? Babs in TX

Hi, I am really depressed again. Spent a whole week being good, eating right and exercising. Went from 185.5 back down to 182. I was really convinced I would get in the 170's this week, since I have been plateauing for more than 2 months now. I get on the scale this morning and I am back up to 185.5 again. How is this possible? I exercised for almost 4 hours at thge gym and jazzercise last week, walked on Saturday for about 4 miles or so and I am back where I started a week ago!!! I did not have a day where I ate more than 1200 calories except for Sunday when I ate at a CHinese buffet. For the most part, I made wise food choices except for dessert. I had a piece of cake and some chocolate ice cream. How can I gain 3.5 lbs from that? God I want to screaaaaammmmmmm!!!!! Uggggh! Give me some love here.... I am struggling and I feel like I am ready to go on an all liquid diet for two weeks to see if we can jump start this baby already. Babs in TX

HI Lisa, It could just be scar tissue. I have a roly poly in my leg, below my knee. My husband plays with it. Thinks its weird to have a pea size thing floating in there. Doesnt bother me at all. I broke my leg in three or 4 places when I was a kid and thats probably when I got the roly poly. Yeah, I would ask the vet about it. As long as there is no real pain, I doubt its serious, but one can never bee too sure!!! Babs in TX 334/180 -154

Ryanne, Lots of people have trouble with eggs and chicken, so if you are having trouble with it, stay away from it for a little while and try again in another two or three weeks. I know bandsters a year out that still have trouble with eggs, so it might just be a personal thing. Each person is different. I think we have a difference in terminology between what is considered soft or mushy. I personally would not eat eggs 1 week post op, but each doc is different. It really has nothing to do with anchoring techniques. The idea of a liquid or mushy diet is for you to get used to the band and allow the swelling to go down. I would stay away from the chicken unless it is pureed. I am almost two years out and have trouble with chicken unless it is really really soft. If you have trouble with a food choice, then you should go back to liquids for a day or so to help with the irritation. Even tenured bandsters do this, so I am not suggesting this just because you are a newbie!! Good luck with your banding journey. Babs in TX

HI, This is a beautiful picture. Thank you for sharing this with us. Puts things in perspective.... Babs in TX

Trooper, Sounds to me like you have already made up your mind. Personally, I dont think it is normal for 3 families to live together under one roof unless its a 150 acre ranch and all of you have your own house and share in some commonality like running a business or something. I realize that there are cultural differences where some families do live together for economical reasons (India for example) but this is the USA and this is not common practice here. Now if my mother needed to live with me or a sibling, my house would always be open to all of them. But NOT on a permanent basis if the relatives in question were healthy and able to live on their own without daily care. IT sounds like its time to move on, but wait until you are feeling better! Babs in TX

Hi, I believe in the sweet spot, but I dont believe that it is a constant thing. Last year, I had really good restriction, almost never got hungry and then it went away. Since then, I have not been able to find it again, but I do the best I can with what I got! As others mentioned here, it fluctuates from day to day, your body gets used to it, you lose weight etc... And then the search begins again.!!! So ya just keep trying!!! Right now, I am at 2.4 in my band. I have had more, but at this stage of my journey, I am more worried about maintenance rather than loss, although I would like to get to 170 or less.... Babs in TX

Hi Vera, Wow! Congratulations! THe long drawn out processes on these suits can really wear ya down! I didnt have a real estate case, but my car accident case lasted several years and was finally settled late 03. IT wore me down. They could have settled for less, but decided to drag it out indefinitely, hoping I would back down for some measly paltry sum that didnt even cover my medical expenses. You can be sure that Century 21 insurance co had the money in escrow earning interest hedging that you might settle for less. They were earning interest on it, doubling and tripling the principal (their insurance co) so they dont have anything to lose and its one of the reasons insurance companies dont settle quickly. And as far as Century 21 is concerned, they have insurance, pay premiums and just let the lawyers hash things out. THe lawyers do the best on these deals and you get the headaches and heartache. BUT YOU PREVAILED!!!!! YEAH FOR VERA! This is a major victory!!! Have a margarita and skip the champagne this time!!!! Babs in TX

Hi, I forgot my post from yesterday. Here we go: Weight today is 182.5 THis is what I ate: Breakfast: coffee 2 cups with fat free milk Lunch: 1 1/2 oz chicken breast 6 tortilla chips, two egg beaters 1 1/2 oz piece of ham 1/2 oz of cheese Snack: 2 teaspoons of Peanut Butter Dinner: 1/2 bowl of turkey chili 14 tortilla chips 1/2 oz of cheese 1 1/2 oz of ham Snack: Skinny Cow Ice cream sandwich Cup of tea 1 teaspoon of peanut butter Calories: 1110 Exercise: none today Protein: 70 grams of Protein Today is a new day!!! Babs in TX

Vikka, Many of the docs in this area will attempt to resolve a slippage by taking some or all of the fill out of the band and waiting a few weeks to see what has happened. Sometime they correct themselves, sometimes not. Babs in TX

Hi Jack, You are sweet. Thanks for the support. So this morning, I get on the scale and it says 182.0. 1/2 pound less than yesterday. So it is going down, but with lots of effort from me. I did the 1hour plus jazzercise class last night. WOw. I felt out of shape. It was a circuit jazzercise class and I am feeling the pain today. Two more times to the gym and one more jazzercise class this week will make me feel like I am making real progress. Everyone hang in there with me!!! Babs in TX -154

Rachel, You still have several months before you go. Do you think that you might be able to lose 20 or 30 pounds? It will make a difference and it could be a goal that definitely can be achieved. It might make the difference between needing an extender or not depending on your weight distribution. ONe of the things that made me feel better before a flight was to call the airlines, explain the problem and let them let you get on a similar plane to see how things fit before you go. I did this one time before I went to NY a few years ago. I was glad I did because the problem wasnt as big as I had made it in my mind to be. I used to have panic attacks before every flight, so I stopped flying for quite some time. Also, I would take a happy pill before getting on the plane. If you are feeling good or very sleepy, it would bother you as much. I would also ask for the extender before you get on the plane so you dont have to ask when you get on. Sorry I cant come up with better ideas. I do feel your pain though because I have been there myself. Babs in TX -154

HI Paula, She looks like a cherub! What a beautiful baby! I think that Vinesqueen had a good theory about her head. Lots of babies favor one side or the other. I hope everything is alright, but try not to worry too much. I know, easier said than done. Babs in TX

Hi Lisa, The first surgeon I went to worked for a hospital with state funding. Their protocol was very strict. I was told by the nurse practictioner that they turn down 1 in 9 patients or recommend therapy for them. The therapist that turned me down had major issues. She cancelled 4 of our appointments to meet and discuss the results and when I finally met with her, she made it clear that she was not happy with the way I treated her staff by calling for test results all the time. She also told me that she had passed out and had to go to the hospital multiple times for testing. It seemed she had some issues herself. Last week at the Texas Bandsters Bash, I met the wife of the surgeon who initially refused to do surgery because of the therapist recommendation. The surgeons wife told me that the shrink that I saw was unstable and that I shouldnt dwell on it. There have been a few times where I wanted to send her before and after pics just to prove how I have done. Many docs do the MMP panel. They ask questions like, "Do you see aliens?" " Do you love your mother?" Stuff like that. Any nincompoop could see through the questions. Its the interview that killed me! LOL Babs in TX

OK, Hi Everyone, My daily report: Yeah, I know you guys are sick of it already, but its keeping me accountable reporting here everyday even if no one is reading it! Heres the take on food, Water and exercise: Morning: 2 Cups of decaf coffee with fat free milk One bottle of water 1 Carb Countdown yogurt Lunch: 3 oz of chicken breast with one slice of whole wheat 40 calorie bread 1/2 oz of cheese, one teaspoon of fat free mayonnaise 9 tortilla chips Snack: 2 tablespoons of salmon salad 1 teaspoon of Peanut Butter 1 bottle of water Dinner: 4 oz of chicken breast 12 tortilla chips 1 tablespoon of salsa, 1/2 oz of cheese one teaspoon of fat free sour cream Snack: Popcorn Cup of tea 1 hour of jazzercise: 250 calories burned Total calories: 1000 Calories burned: 250 Net calories: 750 Grams of protein: 78 Babs in TX

Hi, OK, so I think I am gonna puke. I didnt like Constantine, but sheesh, once again Scott is still in the running. What the deal with that? Like, I said, time to work out at the gym and forget about it!!! Babs inTX

Hi, Happy Birthday!!!! How does it feel to be a size 10 on your birthday? LOL Different from last year! Have a great day!!! Babs in TX

Mandy, I dont mean to throw a negative wrench in the fire, but the first surgeon I picked required an extensive psych testing and consult which was a total of more than 6 hours. I was forced to see a shrink that was out of network that worked with the surgeon. I never met her until after the psych testing, but they did have me interview with a student on rotation at the hospital. The end result was that the therapist (who I had never met) decided I needed 12 + sessions of therapy to help me with what she perceived to be anger management issues. Said people with my profile did not do well with the lapband BLA BLA. It took me three weeks to finally meet her. I felt she owed me an explanation. Apparently the student who interviewed me had some strong opinions on whether or not I would be compliant. The therapist stuck to her opinion, I left her office in search of another band doctor and a therapist in my network. The second therapist who I personally selected met with me for 2 hours and said that I no major issues, I knew what I was doing, I wasnt suicidal and I diid not have an eating disorder. She wrote me a letter saying I would be a good candidate. Dr. # 1 would not consider a second opinion from another psychologist even though he told me he would. I found a new lapband surgeon, gave him the letter and had surgery 3 weeks later. I can understand why you would cover up the tatoos. When the psychologist review your testing and interview you, they are making decisions about your life for which you have no control. And they are not always right. In my case, they were definitely wrong. I am a success!!!! Babs in TX 334/180/170

COrgi, A fill is a very individual thing. My first one was 1.00 and a week later I was bumped up to 1.75. I had no restriction at 1.00. I do not have the swelling issues after a fill that some people talk about. I always test with a bowl of thick Soup. If this goes down OK, then I try a mushy food and then a solid by the end of the day. My doc only requires that I go the rest of the day on liquids or mushies. Sounds like you might be too tight though. Babs in TX

Hi Jamie, Keep up the good work!!!! SOunds like you are definitely on the right track!!!!! Babs in TX

Hi Everyone, Drumroll: I am now back to 182.5. I am hoping by the weekend that I can get back to 180. Will do a jazzercize class tonight and try to be good. Got my Water bottle sitting on my desk and a carb countdown yogurt and a cup of coffee. Lets see where we are tomorrow... Babs in TX

OK, Heres my day two report: Breakfast: 2 cups of coffee with fat free milk Mid morning: 1 Carb Countdown Yogurt drink One bottle of Water Lunch: 2 Egg beaters with a tablespoon of spinach 1/2 z of cheese and 2 oz of ham 2 tablespoons of salmon salad Snack: 12 tortilla chips, two teaspoons of Peanut Butter 2 bottles of water Dinner: 3 oz of chicken with mushrooms and two oz of steak with some mixed veggies and one tablespoon of brown rice Snack tonight: Fat free pudding Exercise: 45 minutes of treadmill and weight lifting at the gym Total calories: 1200 Calories burned at gym: 325 Total net calories: 875 Total Protein: 78 grams Water: 51 oz plus 20 for decaf coffee and 10 for tea this evening: 81oz Babs in TX

Debri, I have a friend of mine who is a dietician. She tells me that when she worked in the hospital and patients were on a liquid diet, it was quite common for the hospital staff to give the patients stuff they could chew on and spit out like Jerky for instance. I used to chew on bacon and spit it out when I was on creamy liquids. I just needed to chew, so that is really what most people miss is the chewing!! So no, you are not abnormal!! Babs in TX

How long have you been banded? 22 months What do you eat each day? Pretty much anything, but I start with the Protein first How much do you eat? Mornings very little, lunch about 5-6 oz and dinner about 7-8 oz. Do you eat sweets? Yes, but not a lot How much have you lost? 154 pounds so far... Do you feel its worth it? Most definitely! Babs in TX 334/180/170