lapbander081004

This is a great question. helps reminds us why we are doing this. My son got married Oct 11, 2003. When we got home fom Indiana after the wedding were loaded the pictures into the computer. AS we went thru them everyone would say "Dad thats a good picture of you" and I'd think Christ have I gotten big. Then I got to thinking My knees are crapping out from the weight and Drs are talking knee surgery on both of them, I have to wear this mask whenever I lay down even for a nap as I had developed sleep Apnea so badly Dr actually believed, had my wife not tattled to him about me, I would have died within three months because I vertually wasn't sleeping. My son got home from Honeymoon with videos and we watched then along with the wedding videos and I saw myself walking to my seat and got tears in eyes. So I got myself together and decied to check out my options. A chrurch member suddenly was losing weight so I asked him how he was doing it. He told me about the lap band and I checked into it. Sounded good as I went to the Pre Surgery mandatory confernece and after seeing the presentation I left looking for other options. I know I'm rambling and am just getting to "THE MOMENT". Kids started talking about they wanted to start working on having a baby. I told my wife I don't think I'll live long enough to see that and If I do I won't be able to hold the grandchild on my lap as there was no room. So I went to see the lap band Dr and we talked and I went for it. So far I have made plenty of room for a grandchild to sit on my lap and I intend to make sure if they have twins (which runs in both sides of theire familes) I will be able to hold them both. The Dr said I no longer will need to consider knee surgery because I amd walking three to four miles a day painfree, This coming Sunday Nite I will be in the Sleep Center being retested for the Sleep Apnea. My Nuerologist believes I may have conquered this problem too. Nor=w instead of helping me sleep the C-PAP keeps waking me up. Dr said actually tis is a good sign. I am a much happier person since and I intend to stay this way till the Day I become the happiest. And when I stand before him I will ask for forgiveness for almost destroying one of his beautiful creations. I know he'll let me in. If not I got back door key on my key chain here somehwere.... I think.

Yes I have thought about it. I'll probably have a good cry as things are going so well for me that I can't handle it LOL... but I'm going to take a Christmas drink as my treat. If for some reason I don't then no rum and flat diet coke LOL.

Want to let everyone know Michelle came thru the surgery just fine. I went to visit her at the hospital. They changed her time from 8:30 this morning till 11am. So she wasn't in her room when I got there but still in recovery. AS I was leaving to head home they brought her down. She look great. "said I'm hungry" lol She is having some gas pains but other then that she looks good and is smiling. She got the same room and bed I had. It was a good bed for me so hope its the same for her. I'm sure she'll be on here tomorrow when she gets home.

I just got home from the hospital. I got there at 1:30 expecting to see her wide awake and chatting away. But her room was empty. She has the same room and bed I did. They said she was still in recovery. But that all went well. She was scheduled for 8:30 amn surgery. I couldn't stay so as I was leaving they were wheeling her back to the room. So I waited and she woke up and is doing fine. Little sore from the gas but doing well. She had a girlfriend waiting in the surgery lounge so I just stayed till her friend got there. So she looks good and doing well..SHES a BANDSTER NOW lol And tomorrow Lainie you will be too.. Proud badge to wear. Good Luck. I'd come visit you too yiur just a hair outside my range LOL

Lainie Not to take away from your day but I just wanted to remind all that Queen michelle is presentily being banded as we speak. If all goes well she shold be out of surgery by 10:30am Detroit Mich time. Lets keep her in our prayers. I will be going over to hospital to see her around 1pm. Once again Lainie good luck tomorrow. Its a great adventure. I'm loving the new me.

Lainie Good luck with your surgery. You been up for 20 minutes. Well the problems start at the 25 minute mark LOL.. Your gling to be fine. Keep us posted as soon as you can. You'll be in out thoughts and prayers here in Michigan

Melissa, As you can see your not the only one with these ghosts hanging around. But what the two ladies have said is very true. You just have to fight the fight and be strong. This step (surgery) you took was a major step. But the demons weren't removed we have to do that ourselves. I can only tell you my desires for the foods that got me to the operating table have faded to a tolerable level and someday will be gone. I lost my craving for canides which has totally surprised me and I got off the pop(soda) and that alone has been a major victory. Just make small short term goals for your self and you will get there. Read as many of the treads you can and it will help you. You are not alone and we all welcome you and your struggles and will help you whenever we can. We only ask you give us your imput when you can as we will value it. Just like Lisa your welcome to pm me if you need someone to talk to. I can only give a male point of view but so many here have helped me I owe big time to anyone I can help. Best wishes Greg

Sharon. Che cosi fai?? It gets better everyday. We all react differently but seems your doing great. I wa able to sleep on my side(with the port) the first nite home. Normally the fluids slid thru faster then what you get to the soft food part. If your having trouble getting it all down just stop when you feel that your getting full. wait half hour or so and finish. Your stoamch is reacting to the surgery so the stoma will have swelling which can cause a bit more restriction then intended. Just be careful and it does get better and oopens a little as the swelling goes down. The gas was the only part of surgery I had trouble with but I even got lucky there. I had discomfort the nite of surgery from it but by 6am the next moring the surgery gas was gone. Won;t get into what type of gas replaced it but per my Dr that is normal. Try convincing the wife LOL. Good luck and keep us posted Greg

I use Crystal Light too and just found it at costco a warehouse store,(don't know if you have them in your area or not). Local grocery sells crystal light for $5.98 for a package with 6 packets in it. Costco has 18 packets for one dollar more. Also I used to stop on the way to work to pick up a bottle of Propel, which is made by gatorade. This drink has only 10 calories per serving and 3 carbs. I was paying $1.49 a bottle for it at store and Costco has it for $9.59 for a case of 24. Propel is good just like Crystal light because you can use it towards your Water intake for the day. Greg

Now Veronica, you have to get with the program here LOL.. Once a week...If I cando it anyone can. Of course when you get the the stage that the weight comes opff slower its better to only get on once a week. Keeps the depressions off. Welcome on borad here none the less... We want to hear how our doing at all times. greg

See Same here La_madam I weight myself as soon as I get up too. (well I make one quick stop, After all a gallon weight a few pounds). Since I work midnights When I get up at 10pm is when I get on scale. Sunday nite is my Monday thats why I was able to post it so soon. I'm not peeking during the week. It was hard at first but I'm used to it now and I don't keep glancing the way of the scale when I go in and out of the bedroom. Another addiction I kicked thru Banding. Wonder if it will work on Texas Hold-Em lol Greg

Delarla... Sounds lke you went for your walk and then came home and got on the scale. If you did you shouldn't. Your body will weigh heavier from the activity. You should rest for 20-30 minutes after any type excerise before weighing yourself. I learned this from Weight Watcher(at least I learned something there since I was a member 10 times). When they told me this I researched it with a trainer at the gym and he confirmed it. I even tried resting for a whole week once just to be lighter. lol Just a little FYI Greg

Michelle, Good luck from all of us. Your going to be fine I know it. CAn say that cause we have same Dr. 18 is really great for a start. Its down scale from here. Whats with the numbers after the period on your weight LOL. I don't count that. A pessimist would say at 200.5 I'm 201 and an optimist will say I'm 200. I'm an optimist. Anyway that extra could just be dust laying on the scale. lol Greg

Becky, As I pass you I'll stop and give you a hug. Greg

I blame it on the Dog greg

Well another "Scale Day" is upon us. 2 more pounds in the lost forever column. Makes it 67 since 07/29/04 :banana :banana :banana :banana See you here again next Monday Hope everyone else did well Greg

You'd look good in that now. pictures pictures pictures greg

Penni, Let me sign you to sleep, Rock a bye baby in a tree top etc etc etc.... LOL Have to save the voice for Choir tomorrow..(Well actually it is tomorrow) Have to sing La Dante Domini tomorrow. It pre dates Bach its that old but a beautiful Song. (all in latin) Hey maybe if I don't stop writting here I'll bore you to sleep LOL. Greg

Penni, Stay away from th jacuzzi. it will wake you up..ould be part of your trouble sleeping. Your going thru a lot right now so your body is just "out of sorts". You'll probaly surprise yourself and handle it and then pass out as soon as you get home. What works for me is to turn on tv and find a real good interesting program then sit and watch.. Never fails I'll faal asleep as soon as the plot gets good. Greg

Biggun, By the time we all get done with or advise here your surgery date will be here and gone.lol... just hack it out its worth it. I was told to use Boost but didn't like them and found Ensure to be equivilant and the Dr said I could use them. Got so hooked on them they had to order me off of them when I was done with the liquid diet. Said the shakes go thru to fast and you don't hold the full feeling as long. So I stopped drinking them. Now I can't wait to becaome a senior citizen and get back on them. Good luck Greg

Nancy, Thank you. It will feel good when I get to that goal.( Since I won't be seeing any goals in hockey) I have set small goals so far and have been able to meet then. But made up my mind not to get frustrated if I don't. That was always my down fall in the past. Greg

Penni, Obviously you have dealt with death for a long time in your former job and from your family situation last few month. But its never easy when its family....even when they are better off from health problems. We will continue to keep you in our prayers and if you can give me your Aunts frist name I will enter her in our Churches Pray book and we will hold her up this Sunday and for a month after we will continue to call upon God to watch over her (till she finds her way around there in heaven). I always say I want to died in my sleep like my 95 yr old grandfather did...not licking and screaming like the passengers in his car. (little humor to cheer you up) greg

Lisa, Let me know what you pay for that Hummer for New Hope. In june My nice married the guy who is charge of the Technology and crash testing on Hummers here in Detroit. They had a Hummer Limo. God it was gorgious. I think I have a pic on my home computer and I'll send it. Greg

Oh yes you do. And I'll need extensive theropy. Probably will involve travel for rest and all. Of course we could make this simple. Just cut me a check and send it and We'll let it stand at that. Greg

Penni, Our prayers and thoughts go with you during your time of need. When your aunt was born she came into the world crying and her family was smiling. Now the family is crying but your aunts return to the arms of the Beloved One has her smiling. Greg