babsyintx

Hi Guitarman, There were several things that were apparent to me after reading your email. 1) Your surgeon is not being truthful. Inamed does not put Fluid in the band to flush it. Your surgeon may have, but the manufacturer did not put it in there. 2) Some men have problems with the 9.75 and 10 Inamed lapbands. I have known men that had to be in the hospital on intravenous fluids because the band is very tight right from the get go. There is a fat pad around your stomach. Depending on the surgical technique of the doctor and the size of your stomach will determine how tight the band is before you even have restriction/fills. I have a male friend that had to stay in the hospital two weeks until he lost some weight and some of the fat around his stomach. The band loosened up a little and he was able to eat and drink again. Y0u will likely be able to eat and drink just fine now that the swelling has gone down post op. Also you have lost some weight and the band will loosen up over the next few weeks and you will be able to eat. Nausea can be caused by dehydration, anesthesia, lack of Vitamins, anemia and a whole bunch of other things. Hang in there. I promise it will get better. I do not obsess about my band , I eat what I want (generally speaking) and I cant imagine living my life without my buddy!!! Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi Deb, Donali is the queen! She rocks!! I may try this if I start falling off the wagon again. For me, I think the biggest problem is when I dont exercise. ONce I do, everything else falls into place again as well. So this week, everyday is a gym day til I get back to my good habits. Weekends are the hardest for me because I am tempted by what my kids want to eat. I am resolving this by getting more healthy food in my house to nibble on . Babs in TX

Hi Everyone, My morning report: I am back to 184, so dropped 1.5 pounds. My goal is to get back to 180 by the end of the week. I am trying to get in at least 40 oz of Water and decaf coffee this morning followed up by a 10 oz Carb COuntdown yogurt smoothie. They are great cause they have 13 grams of Protein and 100 calories. Plus yogurt is supposed to help in weight loss. I am headed to the gym this afternoon. I think the Protein shakes help (not to fill me up tho) because I am aiming for at least 80 grams of protein a day. I seem to lose faster when I do this. So who else needs to report here today? Babs in TX

NIck, I go out to eat at least 3 times per week. I either share with my husband (a main course and appetizer) or I order something on my own and take some home with me. The only thing that has changed is that now that I eat slower and chew more, my husband also eats slower so I am not last to finish. Sometimes its hard (cause I have small kids that wolf down their food) but if two are dining together or with friends, you would be surprised how satisfying it is to be able to eat less and taste your food. Have your husband read some of these posts. Most partners are just afraid of the unknown. He might be just using this as an excuse because he is worried that you will change or that something might happen to you because of the surgery. YOu can always come here for support!!! Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi Dallas Doll, I was one of those folks that had 0 restriction until my second fill. So dont be discouraged. I wish that someone would have told me how hungry I would be post op. At least nowadays people are more informed. I am so ancient that the boards were barely around for support! LOL. Trust me when I say that this is normal. Babs in TX 334/180/170

Hi Yalll, Made it to the gym and did about 40 minutes of cardio. Then I headed over to the smoothie King and had a low carb Protein shake. So heres the deal for today: Breakfast: 2 cups of coffee with fat free milk 1 Low carb smoothie Lunch: chicken (about 5 oz, which I PB'ed half! Havent done that in a year!) 1 bite of scalloped potato some cucumber 2 bites of banana pudding Late afternoon: Low carb 20 oz smoothie Dinner: 1/2 bowl of Soup 4 crackers with salmon spread 1 teaspoon of Peanut Butter Snack: Will have a 60 calorie chocolate lot fat pudding Totals for the day: 1050 calories 95 grams of protein Water: 50 oz but I am still working on it Well, tomorrows another day!!! Babs in TX Exercise: About 225 calories in a 35 minutes Net intake: 825 calories

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to share something that happened to me today. I had my first PB in over a year. I was out visiting retirement communities for my inlaws. ONe of the facilities invited my husband and I to lunch. On the menu was chicken, chicken and chicken. Now I normally dont have a problem with chicken. I was talking and I swallowed a piece of chicken that was too big. At first, I thought it was going to go through. Within 10 minutes, I had a golfball feeling. Then it progressed to very painful. So I finallly gave in and went to the ladies room. There was a little old lady with her walker in the bathroom. She must have been about 80 or so. She took one look at me and said, "Are you alright honey?" SO I told her with my eyes tearing that I got a piece of chicken stuck in my throat and it wasnt going down. She proceeded to tell me about some throat massage therapies that apparently work for her cause she has problems with achalasia of the esophagus. I am listening, but by this time I am turning green. I really wanted to throw up, but she was standing there and I felt uncomfortable retching over the toilet with someone else in the room. FInally, I just gave up and ran into the toilet and started spitting up slime. It progressed to full blown vomiting for a few minutes. It was awful. I dont PB often, but this was the retching kind of vomit and it really scared me. After finishing, I immediately felt better and came out of the stall. THe little old lady was still standing there and wanted to know if I was alone or if someone else were here with me. I assured her I was OK. The irony was I was in an assisted living facility and a senior with her walker is asking ME if I was OK.! It wasnt funny when it was happening today, but now I think it is hilarious. I am on liquids for the rest of the day So share with me, what is your funniest or embarrassing, humiliating or most painful PB experience since you have been banded? I am pretty sure not too long ago I was doling out advice that usually when a PB is coming on, most people have enough time to go to a public restroom to resolve the issue.... Never expected to have an audience in there tho... Babs in TX 334/180/170

Vinesqueen, You are so funny. "DIe you gravy sucking pigs"! I will defintely write this cheer down! Babs in TX

Hi Everyone, I am freaking out. I got on the scale today and realized that I have gained 5 pounds. I have been sitting at 180-184 for the last 6 weeks. Today, I was at 185.5 and I almost popped a gasket. Yeah, I know what I am doing wrong, so dont beat me up too bad. I am not exercising. I am eating out a lot and making poor food choices. I have been testing the boundaries of what I cant and can do. I am full of self loathing and disgust. I dont want to gain, I dont need a fill, just an attitude adjustment and some accountability. So I ask for your help. I will report here everyday for the next 30 days. I am going on vacation on may 26th and I want to lose 10 pounds before I go and see the mid 170's. SO the goal is to lose 10 pounds in a month. Now I know this is ambitious, but I think if I go back to the gym at least 3-4 times a week and do liquids twice a day with one real meal, cut out the junk for a while, I can do this. So guys, rally around and give me some support. I really like being thin more than food and I feel I can do this. No more complacency... Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi ALex, Congratulations on the 14-16's. I completely understand the body dysmorphia and the need for reassurance that I am in the right store and trying on the right size!!! Of course the biggest compliment is when someone says that they could never imagine that you were a 28! I get that a lot lately.. Babs in TX

Hi, My husband was supportive, but a little leery at first. He just wanted me to be sure that I did all my research and knew what I was getting into. Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi, You band is too tight. The coughing is actually reflux. You could aspirate, so you definitely should get some of your fill taken out. Babs in TX

Hi Rachel, Alergies will make you more restricted.My throat is irritated from allergies now and it affect my restriction cause I have a little swelling in there. I am used to it though. THis is my second year of dealing with these issues. Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi, I am really disgusted with the show last night. OK, Anwar wasnt going to win, but sheesh.... He is so much better than Scott and Anthony Federov. Maybe I should go to the gym instead and get buff instead of worrying about this ..... Babs in TX

Pally, Without the band, I would surely be dead by age 50. I had a BMI of 53.9. I have small children and want to be around when they are in their teen. I am 39 years old and still have my whole life ahead of me. I could not walk up a flight of stairs without stopping three times. I could not fit without an extender and physical pain when flying, so I stopped going places by airplane. This was life 22 months ago. Now, I have a BMI of 29.0. I lost 154 pounds. I can do most anything I want. I go on planes regularly. I go to theme parks and ride the coasters with my kids. I run up the stairs without any breathing issues. I can get on a treadmill or an elliptical for 1/2 hour without barely breaking a sweat. The only bad news is that I am cold all the time cause I dont have insulation to keep me warm!!! I never felt guilty about taking the surgical way as assistance in my weight loss. The band is just a tool. You get what you put into it. It will keep you from having the constant hunger that drives people to eat crap. You will be the one making the decisions what you put in your mouth, how much you exercise and how much you want to lose. I have to admit that I never really dieted pre band. ONly once on Atkins for 8 months. I was in total denial about my weight and fear set in only when I reached 330 pounds. I was banded at about 334 pounds or more. My home scale did not register anymore and I was weighed about 5 days preop on a scale at the hospital which gave my weight as 348. I asked them to weigh me again and it showed somewhere between 334-338. So there ya go! If I can do it, so can you. Guilt will not make you thinner and healthier. Being proactive will. Babs in TX

Hi Kendra, I believe perception of what is sexy has a cultural aspect as well. I am Puerto Rican/Italian and the women on my fathers side of the family have always been full figured. Latin men like full figured and voluptous woman. As long as I am a brickhouse (solid), I can live with being voluptuous. I dont think there is anything attractive about a saggy baggy size 14/16 where everything is loose and jiggly. Thats why I work out and will be having plastic surgery. I want to be happy with my clothes on or off. I dont know if a lot of people know this, but Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. I started off in a size 28/30 and now wear a 14 on bottom and 12 ish on top. I still have a big butt and big thighs, small waist (imagine that!!) and a 38 C on top (down from a 46 D). Most people tell me I look fine now, but I think I could lose a little more (maybe 10 pounds plus 12 more from plastic surgery) This would put me at a weight of about 158-160. This would still be considered slightly overweight for my height which is 5"6". Also, in some cultures like the Arabs, they see a plump woman as a sign of wealth. A thin woman means that you dont have enough money to feed her prooperly. So I guess its all in perception. I went on a trip to Bahrain and the men there thought I was the best thing since hummus. They were offering me jewelry, yachts and vying for my attention because I was obese. So anyway, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the most important part is that you are healthy and happy and I dont see anything wrong with wanting to be voluptuous. babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi, I have someone in my past I would like to meet at a dinner party. It was the therapist that turned me down with doc #1 who said I had anger management issues and would not do well with the band unless I had preop therapy. I went to see her (before banding). I had never met her and she based all of her information about a life changing decision for me on what an intern told her and an MMP panel. Since then, I heard that she is not practicing anymore and that she herself has had some really severe emotional issues. Heard it direct from the original surgeons wife. I had to pick another surgeon and I picked my own shrink who said I was normal and had no major issues that would get in the way of me having a lapband. People are not always right in their opinions. At least your doc admits that she was wrong about her assessment. Kudos to you. It only takes little steps to change perception. Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hey Dallasdoll, If you need a local person for support, contact me. Hey, if I can lost 95% of my excess weight, so can you. What makes you think you are so special? LOL YOu will not fail at this...!!!! Babs in TX 334/180 -154 new goal: 170

Penni, I set a realistic goal and achieved it. I mean 180 lbs to most people would seem to be fat, fat fat! Yeah, I would like to see something in the 170's, but if my body doesnt want to lose more and this is where it is comfortable, then so be it. I'll take an average 12-14 anyday over being a size 28/30!!! I dont know where they get these bogus numbers. the Tanita scale says I could weigh 146. We will see...... Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi Denise, Welcome to regular size shopping. It actually sucks though. I can by a pair of Lee 14's and they fit real well. Then I go into a store like Cato and cant fit into a size 16. THe 14's are too tight and the 16's are too big. THen if you go to a store like walmart, the sizes are grouped together. For instance a 12-14 or a 16-18. I mean talk about ridiculous! The 12-14's fit me but are kinda snug and make me look like a wannabe thin person and the 16-18's are falling off. Also, I am forced to buy only separates because I am tiny on top 10-12 and on the bottom I am a 14. No matter what I buy, unless it is separates looks really big on top and OK on the bottom. For some reason, I like to go to Lane Bryant and the Avenue knowing that nothing fits me there. Its the comfort thing cause I used to be a size 28 and feel like I still belong there. I know the Lane Bryant people think I am a lunatic tho.... Babs in TX 334/180/170

Hi Michelle, Congratulations on the size 10 pants!!! That is really wonderful. As you know, I carry my weight on the bottom, so I dont know that I will ever see a size 10, but I'm gonna keep on trying!!! Babs in TX 334/180/170 -154

Hi Donali, I own my own franchise for Management Recruiters International, but I dont know anything about the travel business. This would be my take though. In my business, it is essential to have E&O and liability insurance. I have two separate policies. One is to cover me if one of my clients sues me for a placement gone wrong and the other is for my office and contents. It costs me about $2500 a year for a 1,000,000/3,000,000 on liability and E&O. This is very cheap because I own a franchise and we have 1,000 offices. Dont quote me on this, but I dont believe that you have any liability if there are waivers signed by the participants regarding bodily harm. You could offer (or the travel agency) them health, life insurance policies through a third party vendor, but I dont see if they sign a waiver how you could be responsible for their well being on a trip. I know that the show the "Amazing Race" has a huge waiver/disclaimer that the participants sign that waives all responsibility to anyone associated with the show. You can go to CBS website and take a look at it. I actually wanted to be on the show.... I would call a couple of travel agencies and outline what you are proposing. Pick the locations, get a quote and add on your administrative fee. I am just throwing out some random number, but lets say it cost 2,000 dollars for a 10 day tour to Mt. Vesuvius. you could add in 500.00 admin cost x20 participants = $10,000 x10 trips would equal about $100,000. COuld you live on that? Or would you need more? And then of course, you would have to line this up with a few ivy league schools. You wont find students with big budgets in community colleges. I know I probably havent been much help, but I have started created conceptionally and sold two companies before the one I have now over the last 11 years. I believe most anything is possible if you do your research, put together a preliminary business plan and then find a way to make it happen. Babs in TX

Hi Judy, I actually have really good insurance. They paid for my lapband and made a decision in one day! They are paying for my tummy tuck, but did not feel that the pics and clinical data was adequate to approve the thighplasty. I am appealing and still have two appeals left. Hopefully, I wont have to use them all. Not many insurance companies want to pay for thighs. Most of them dont want to pay for anything. I think statistically only 40% of people who get the lapband actually get their insurance companies to pay for it. I am here in TX and have the Motorola Rewards PPO administered by Humana Choicecare. Things used to be easier when CCN was the network provider. They do pay for my fills (I have had 7 and they paid for my band, so I cant squawk too much. IT is disappointing to be turned down, but I think with an appeal, I should be able to win this. We shall see..... Babs in TX

Hi Lisa, I love Bohemian Rhapsody and I love the choices Constantine made to date. Its the cheesyness of the performances that turn me off. He doesnt seem sincere. If ya think I am opinionated about Idol, talk to my sister. She had all kinds of conspiracy theories about this as well...... Babs inTX

Hi Again, If you go to media, you can see his new music video. Yeah, I know its in Dutch, but I can translate the lyrics for ya.!!! Babs in TX