mommytokk

WOW, Betsy!! You look AWESOME!! Keep it up! You have inspired me!

Stacie, Where does your daughter do gymnastics? My boys go to Acrosports. I didn't know LA Fitness was opening up in Bay Colony!! I thought 24 Fitness was...maybe they are both coming??? We belong to 24 Hour Fitness, so I can't wait till it is there...we live at 646 and 45 (Victory Lakes). Let's keep in touch. (are we supposed to talk back and forth somewhere else? I don't mind anyone reading all this, just didn't know if we use the forum for this...I'm new to message boards, so don't know all the etiquette stuff) Thanks! and hey!! You are doing GREAT!!

Hi Stacie! Nice to talk with you! How are you feeling now? You are off to a great start! I am having my surgery at Park Place (Park Plaza? Park Something!) I am nervous, but more excited. I think I am most nervous about knowing exactly what to do! On that note, I have some questions... Did you have any special pre-op diet? If so, how long did you follow it? I am supposed to be on low-carb, but it is so hard for me. I would rather count my WW points and go that route (but I'm not sure if it has the same effect). What kind of foods are you eating now? Is it hard to find things to eat while at work or when eating out? (we tend to eat out a lot...we have 2 boys playing baseball, and it seems we are at the ball park more days than not...then, of course, we go out with teammates!) When is your 1st fill? I think with Dr. Spivek I have to wait 4 weeks. Did you go back to work soon after your surgery? I am scheduled on a Friday, and plan to go back on Tuesday. Did you take much time off? And are you doing any walking or anything? I really do like to work out (believe it or not!), and hope that I will be especially motivated once the weight starts coming off. Have you tried anything? Gosh, this is getting long...sorry! Thanks so much for your reply, and yes, lets keep in touch!

I had that happen to me once also. The lady at the salon asked if I had been using any special products. I had been using Retin A, and since have found out that you shouldn't wax if you use it. Here is some info from Wikipedia: Users of Retin-A, Renova, Differin or Isotretinoin are advised not to have waxing performed; these medications tend to weaken the skin and tearing of the skin may occur when the wax is removed. I read of some others also, but maybe you should look at the products you have been using...there may be a contraindication to waxing. On that note...I have now started having threading done instead. Threading originated from the Middle East...a cotton thread is used to twist around the hair, pulling it out. It smarts a little, but I am glad not to have the redness and sometimes slight scabbing that I experienced with waxing. Besides, the lady who does it for me charges me $8 for my eyebrows AND upper lip!!! Amazing! Good luck...hope this helps! Kathy PS...only 16 more days to my banding!!! I can't wait!

Thanks, faithmd! I'll go looking for it!

Still doesn't work!! I tried eliminating all unused lines...??? When I look at others' signatures, they have many more than 6 lines...ie when they list all their fill dates, weight goals, etc. Any ideas?? thanks

Hi all! As I count down the days to my banding (17 to go...), I am pitifully trying to figure out how to use the Ticker thingy. Anyone willing to walk me through it?? I went on the website, got it created, etc, but can't get it on my signature. Is that where I want to put it?? I tried cutting and pasting the URL directly into the signature box (no luck), and I tried pasting it in the box below for the signature picture (again, no luck). When I try to update my signature, I get a message that says I can only have 6 lines in my signature. I can usually figure these things out, but I am just lost here!!! HELP if you can! Thanks! Kathy

Amanda, Good luck with your consult. Hopefullly we can keep each other updated, since we will be banded about the same time. Kathy And BigAsLife, Thanks for the info...sounds like you are doing GREAT!! Wow...23 pounds! You are doing awesome! Kathy

Terry, Thank you so much!! I envisioned sitting down at the table and popping open a can of SlimFast for the 1st several weeks!! You seem to be eating perfectly normal foods!! (and I love them all!!) You have eased my mind a lot... Have a GREAT day!! Kathy

Terry, WOW! You're doing great! You are less than 3 weeks out and have already reached 20% of your goal!! I know it will probably slow down, but what a great start!! Good thought about the liquids...I'm sure I will get sick of them soon enough! What type of foods are you eating?? Are you doing Protein shakes?? Are you pulverizing food??? Or are you choosing foods that are naturally soft? (Did you feel kind of "lost" at this point? I have tried to read as much as I can, but I still don't know if I have a grasp on exactly what I am supposed to do. I guess that's why I have so many questions. I hope I'll have a feel for what I can and can't eat. Have you experienced any spitting up at all?? I'm not sure if that happens with liquids and soft foods... Can you tell me what your typical day is like?? (as far as what you are consuming) Also, are you able to find places to eat out? I'm guessing you stick to Soups, etc. We are on the go so much, and tend to eat out a lot (one more reason why I can't beat this weight issue). I have tried to think about just what I'll order in the future. I wish there was a book "Lap Band for Dummies" or "Idiots Guide to Lap Band". Hmmm...now there's an idea! Thanks, Terry, and blessings to you! Kathy

thanks for your reply... I am self-pay, so do not have to go through the 6 month diet supervision. That would be so hard for me!! When I get my mind set on something I want, I want it NOW!!! My insurance (Boon-Chapman PPO) have an exclusion for "weight control" coverage, so I didn't even explore it. Maybe I should have sent an appeal, but right now, I don't even care. I want this so bad! Sienna Plantation area is nice...growing a lot, but very nice. I think that is in the Fort Bend ISD. We live east of there...more towards Galveston. We are in Clear Creek ISD, but my kids go to Friendswood ISD because my husband teaches there. FWD has exceptional schools, and it is much smaller than CCISD. It is so hard to move, especially when you have to make big changes. Are your kids involved in activities?? I know we have met tons of people through our kids' sports. I'm sure you will meet lots of great people. (doesn't make it any easier though!). Good luck to you...and I pray that you have peace about the whole situation. Who knows?? Maybe the move will be the 2nd best thing that has ever happened to you (the 1st being the band!! HeeHee!) God Bless, Kathy:)

Hi...my name is Kathy, and I live in the League City area (south of Houston). I have 2 precious boys, 6 & 8, and a wonderful husband of 12+ years. I have struggled with my weight all my life, yet have been blessed with good health. But, I am so very tired of being tired...I love to exercise, but just can't find the motivation to do so (once I get to the gym I'm fine...it's just getting there!!!) I am also tired of trying to find clothes that (1) fit, (2) look halfway flattering, and (3) look as if they were made in THIS decade! Anymore, I am satisfied with something that just fits. I am ready to get on the floor with my kids, and not be so stinking hot in the summer, and not be worried about the seatbelt when I fly on an airplane, and buy clothes at The Gap, and do so much more!!! I am soooooo ready!!! I am scheduled to be banded by Dr. Spivek on May 11th. I am nervous, excited, scared, thrilled...you name it, I've felt it!! I have been doing as much research as I can, but I have a couple questions... First of all, I have read a lot about pre-op diets, and it seems many are on a liquid diet for several weeks prior to surgery. Dr. Spivek only suggests a low-carb diet in order to shrink the liver. Does anyone have an opinion about that?? (like, are you glad you did the liquid diet??) I keep wondering if I would be more used to a liquid/soft diet following surgery if I were doing it prior to surgery (not to mention the added benefit of LOSING some of this weight even before the band!). Other questions: How soon did you go in for your 1st fill?? Did you feel restriction even without a fill (just because of the band)?? How soon did you exercise?? How soon before you were able to eat more "regular" foods?? Sorry this is so long...I wish I were sitting in a room with a bunch of you so I could pick your brains!!!!! I know Dr. Spivek has a support group that meets on Tuesdays...I guess I should just go to that and ask all my questions there!!:girl_hug: But I can't sit there in my pj's holding my cat Max while I find answers!! (like I am doing now!!) I am so thankful for this forum...I have read so many posts, and it has done nothing but get me more and more excited to jump on the band wagon!! Please wish me luck, and I wish all the best for all of you...you have NO idea how your words have helped me. I feel prepared, and ready to start this awesome new phase in my life! If anyone else out there is ready to be banded, let me know. We can muddle through this together (with the help of all those bandsters who boldly went before us, of course!!). God Bless!! Kathy