vinesqueen

So glad you have found your resolve again Diane. One thing we need to realize is that we are human and we fall all the time. I think the clue is to make sure we get up again. Sometimes we can pick ourselves up, but othertimes we need to be dragged to our feet by the scruff of our necks. I know that LBT is so important for me, important to me because of the support. As for the Dove bars, as long as they are in the freezer, I don't need them. When I moved out of my apartment I had to throw out part of a box because I didn't want to eat them for breakfast. I know, what in the hell is wrong with me!?

Wow Susan, You sure have a tough row to hoe, as my cherrished Grandmother likes to say. I'm sure you will get some folks asking what you are eating, but they are just trying to help you analize your diet, or trying to get get an understanding of what it is like. I know know if we have anyother full-time vegies but I think we have some part-timers... You poor thing! I was overfilled for a month and it was so miserable! Towards the end of the month I was getting so weak from lack of nutrition that I would have a difficult time walking up a few flights of stairs. And all my hard work that month paid off with a 1.5 pound loss, which was completely errased when I went back to 1000-1200 calories and gained 10 pounds in a week. (yeah, I'm really that messed up.) Being overfilled will not help you lose weight faster, even though we think it will, and should. But it's a tricky thing. You should be tight enough, but not too tight that you cannot have protien. And you must have protien. I try to eat veggie once or twice a week, and really enjoy the bocca brands, as well as eggs and dairy. Being in chronic pain is so terrible. You really have my heart-felt sympathy Susan. I lost about 5 years to pain (((((susan))))). Do you know if you are a candidate for a tens unit? I don't have any answers for you Susan, I have more questions, but that's what i'm good for, asking questions. But I tend to push for answers too, part of my strength I suppose. I am currently pushing for answers to my problem, and I'm pushing others to demand answers as well. I know you are seeing a naturalpath, have you considered talking to an Endocrinologist to talk about your metabolism? Have you had your cortisol levels checked or your thryroid checked? Because you are ovbiously a special needs person, you will have to probably push harder for answers, since your weight can be pushed away. I know what you mean about some of the other boards, especially when you are trying to find answers and all you get are reciminations. I have found this board overwhelming supportive, and I think you will find the same here.

Poodles, this is an excellent question, but unfortunatley, I don't know if you will know you are a Turtle until you are one. When I was banded, I just knew I was going to be a rabbit, I was going to be a weight loss superstar. But things didn't quite turn out that way for me... :confused: There is of course, the possiblity that you will be a Turtle, but more likely you will be a rabbit, most people lose the "average" 1-2 pounds a week, very few actually don't. And like Cashley said, it is important to look at the average loss you have, not maintaining a weekly loss. I think a lot of poeple have unrealistic expectations of their band and expect to lose 100 pound in six months, or nine months. And that simply isn't realistic for bandsters. I think that 50-70 pounds a year is much more realistic, so don't get discouraged if you don't drop like a Bypass patient. Don't get discouraged when you hit those plateaus, since everyone seems to. They seem to be one's body's way of regrouping, and recompacting for the next weight loss push. I know it's easy for me to tell you to not be discouraged, but hey, that's what I do. I really believe that if you follow the plan, learing a new lifestyle that includes a sensible diet and excersize, you will not be a Turtle. But you know what? Even though I'm a Turtle, I think i have the most amazing list of NSVs, but only because I capture and hold onto each of them like they are some precious gift.

Wow Kellie. I'm amazed and astounded at your courage and generosity in sharing this part of your journey with us. I am deeply touched that you would do this for us. It just goes to show your kind and generous heart. I showed my son your before and after pix from this thread (the fully dressed ones) and the was amazed at the difference and how happy you look in your after pix. He said you fairly glowed, and he's right. You are glowing in the after pix.

Probably the number one thing I won't give up is moving to non-fat milk. I was raised by wolves and had to drink powdered non-fat milk mixed half strength. I won't drink non-fat milk. But I modify my calories to accomidate the one cup of lowfat milk I drink.

Rachele, we are very lucky that you have decided to stick with us at LBT. I can only guess at you frustration with some of the opionions. I know that my situation is fairly unique as well. I do know that at this point in my life, no WLS is going to do anything for me. I'm just happy that I had the band, and not a bypass. But that is me, and the best choice for me. It is quite likely that once I have everything sorted out and have my "cure" that I won't have any need of WLS. I'm sure that didn't make much sense, but anyway, I'm very glad we have folks who've had other procedures here willing to educate us on their procedures.

Thank you Darcey! I still can't get anything from the Endo, but my surgeon is going to write the referal I need to be seen at OHSU, and while the labs won't send me the lab results without 2 forms and picture ID, they faxed the results of the test to OHSU without any question. I am hoping to be seen by the docs in Portland next week, but I really don't know when. Because I look like I"m on a high dose of steroids (and feel that way) they want to see me sooner than later.

Sorry Dani, I know how frustrating getting the right fill level can be. But it really sounds like you need an unfill. I don't know what your fill history is, but see if you can get a slight unfill. Some people have really noticed a big difference with just .1CC removed. Being too tight is so very miserable, and I'm so sorry you are too tight! Compounded with the long drive, I'm so sorry!

According to the literature that I've read about the various bypass operations, there is tussue and stomach tissue removed. "Bypass" covers a wide variety of operations, not just the RNY. Several of the procedures do in fact remove a large portion of the stomach, some remove lesser amounts, while the newer procedures for the RNY do not remove the stomach, they do bypass it and part of the intestines, providing it with a blood-source so that the tissue does not die. Scuuder, I'm terribly sorry if you are feeling attacked for your choice. You are not being attacked. I do not know how I feel, or what I think about your statement that compairs the RNY to open heart surgery. I shall have to ponder that for a while. I do know that being banded saved the lives of both my husband and me.

Not sure why your camping fair would be any different? To me, being restricted means that I can't eat as much as I did pre-band, but not so much restricting the types of foods. (there are some foods I don't tolerate, so I don't include them in my diet now anyway.) Why can't you have all the wonderfull grilled foods you used to enjoy? You might want to try the Jim Beam BBQ sauce instead of the well known national brands. (I can't think of the name, but they are very popular....) The Jim Beam BBQ sauce has 20 calories per 2 tbls, instead of the 70-150 calories.

Fair points Kelli, but what if you were following the rules and you were still not losing? I'm not sure what you mean, do you mean that another thread suggested that you have thyroid or Cushing's? Or that this is an issue with the Turtles? There are not that many Turtles, we are just rather vocal. That doesn't make us a majority, but if the members of the Tribe say they are doing everything and still not losing, then I believe them. I don't doubt them. I tend to take everyone on face value. So just because you are not losing at the rate you want to since you say you are not following the rules, I believe you. But your reality is not mine. But this thread is not one of my Cushing's rants or a call to action to the Turtles.:speechles This thread is my answer to all the discouraged bandsters out there right now who want to give up, who feel that they are not getting all they expected from the band, for whatever reason. I'm reading a lot of threads where people feel that they've fallen and cannot get up, who are discouraged a few weeks out, discouraged before they have their first fill, or are disouraged months out of their surgery. I'm gaining weight again. On 1000 calories, I'm gaining weight again. I'm furious and pissed off and disapointed and a whole host of other emotions that I don't know how to identify. But I know what my problem is, I just have to walk that journey. Cash was right, and I think understands where I'm trying to go with this, that if one thing doesn't work, then we have to try something else. Mix it up. shake it up. But never give up. Never surrender. :hungry::faint::faint::faint:

I'm sorry you are having headaches! If you really need to take something, take it, just make sure you wash it down with plenty of Water. If you are having lots of recurrent headaches, you will probably want to get them assessed. Depending on the headache, I take alieve with a huge glass of water or excedrine brands. Feel better!

One thing to keep in mind is that the surgery and related stress will probably cause you to lose more hair than normal. The good news is that it will grow back soon enough. Personally, I've noticed that the extra protien that I eat has made my nails grow really strong and well... So that's a good trade for some folks! Sorry I can't offer anything else.

I'm sorry Miper, but you will not find an unbiased opinion here. I know you are looking for one, but you will not find it here. I think you will find about the same number of people converting to RNY as you will find converting to the band after a bypass. That is my guess anyway. I know the docs at my clinic have been doing the RNY convertion to adding the band, and they feel that the RNY is barbaric. That is their opinion, that there is no good reason for removing perfectly healthy tissue and organs. And I have to admit, I share their viewpoint. I'm sorry for the folks struggling to make a decision, because it is ultimatly very personal decision. Folks that are worried about eating around the band should be aware that it is easy to eat around the bypass too. If we are really determined to fail, well, I don't think there is any surgical intervention that can fix our heads. One other thing Miper, you said you are doing everything you can to lose weight, eating right, working out, the whole 9 yards. If you are not losing now, I would strongly recommend talking to your doc about this. If you are doing everything now, it is possible that you have a metabolic issue going on. If that is the case, then I don't believe that any WLS will help you. If you really are working (and I do believe that you are) then don't let your doc brush you off with "work harder" or anyother platitude. But I also think that the band is a good choice for the super MO or super super MO. My DH weighed 596 pounds when he was banded. He easily lost 200 pounds and is now struggling with the head issues. Once he gets those resolved, I really think that he will be able to go on and lose the additional fat he needs to lose. Notice I did not say "weight." I think that people get hung up on what the scale says, and not what is the true muscle-fat ratio.

I can only wait until I get to go on one again. Of course, for me, the wait is simply a case of timing, not size. I LOVE rollercosters!

Are you discouraged with your band journey? You can give up.... AFTER I DO. Lately there have been several threads where people are discouraged after a few weeks, a few months or even several months out because they are not losing like they want to, or think they should. So, you wanna give up? I hearby give you permission to quit. But there's a catch. You can only give up after I've given up, you can only give up after you spend as much time as I've put in. Are you a winded wabbit? Well my sisters and brothers, catch your breath and dust yourself off, and get back up on that pony. Just new and not filled yet or filled for a couple of weeks? Give that fill time to work, or make another appointment for another fill. I gained 5 pound last night. 5 pound on 1200 calories. But I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up on my band and I'm not giving up on myself. I know that the doctors will be able to treat me so that I too can finally lose the weight and bulk. I have to believe this. I've lost 15 pounds since April 05. If I haven't given up, neither can you.

well, currently, it is part of the decor, but that is about to suddenly change. And no, engine grease is not good for wood. Paula, there was no room for anything else in my car, so your 3 kids will have to wait for the next road trip, sorry. I've been wondering where you've been Zoe, I've been missing your smiling face. I just got off the phone with my doc's nurse, and she said everthing is ready and waiting for him to write the letter. Hopefully I'll be able to talk to him tomorrow. I was able to get down to the lab, but they couldn't/wouldn't release any information. The head office of the lab is going to mail a release form to me so they can get me the results. I'm ready to pitch a major hissie fit

oooh brave brave woman!

Hi Diane, it sounds like you've been in "diet-mode" since you got your band. Where you have been restricting yourself from everything since you've been banded, instead of trying to change your lifestyle. Bread is not our enemy. Eating an entire loaf of bread is. Eating one small dish of ice cream is not "bad" but eating an entire carton is not desireable by any means. I don't think I would care to live my life without all the foods I love, but I have learned to eat them in moderation. I buy a box now and again of those little dove bar ice cream treats, and I have learned to limit myself to ONE serving or less. One serving is 3 ice cream things, but one has 60 calories. And when I do have one or an entire serving, I savor it. Okay, I'm down 15 pounds total since April 05 and I haven't given up, so you don't get to either.

wonderful! wonderful! Oh Leatha, what a truely wonderful NSV! Please start your own NSV list so everyone can party in you yard with you!

Well, I'm all home. We got almost everything in the truck and my car except for my spinning wheel and 4 totes of stuff. My M-I-L drove back with me and we had a very nice time together. I've never really spent much time with her, so this was a chance to bond. It took what felt like forever to get everything packed and cleaned, but it only took a day. I left the apartment like I like to move into one, with a few hangers, a shower curtian, soap and TP. Once you have to pass Navy housing inspections, well you know how to leave an apartment! It snowed about 3 inches of wonderful wet big flaked snow Saturday night while we were packing up the truck. We'd gone to dinner in our t-shirts because the night was so relatively warm--high 50's. That's warm when the weather has been for months in the teens as a daytime high... By the time we were done, a big storm had blown in, and I do mean blow! The temp had dropped about 25-30 degrees in an hour, and was snowing hard! By the time we got up the next morning, late because the motel lost power, all the roads were bare and wet, so we didn't have to worry about that, but it was C-O-L-D with that wind blowing. But DH got off and only had to stop the truck about 8 times to re-secure the load. It was blowing so hard that he almost lost one bin--it was litterally hanging off the end of the truck by a bungie cord! The cheze lounge was almost a lost cause too, but he was able to get it home safe and sound! It took us about 14 hours to get home. That is a long-ass trip when you are crammed into a vihicle with a big chuck of your worldy possessions... And your MIL whom you hardly know. I did most of the driving, and had to stop when it got dark. I can no longer see in the dark. This started a couple of weeks ago, I can't read road signs until they are 2 seconds close. Not a good thing. So Mary Lynn took over and drove the last 4 hours home. Heh, I was Miss Cranky-pants when we got home, so I took my meds and went to bed. So, now comes the long process of unpacking and re-integrating myself and my junk back into my family. I already have a few rules that will change, like "thou shalt put the new roll of TP onto the spinner" and "thou shalt hang up your jackets" and "thou shalt not cover the antique furniture with your motorcycle parts and gear" to implement. I'm going to take a break from unpacking to drive down to the lab and pick up my lab results. I want to thank all of you for your love and support. It really means so much to me knowing that you are here for me, weaving a mesh of love and hope around me, prayers and white lights and positive energy combining to create a cocoon of kindness to sustain me for my fight. Thank you, most sincerely and honestly

Well, I'm all home. We got almost everything in the truck and my car except for my spinning wheel and 4 totes of stuff. My M-I-L drove back with me and we had a very nice time together. I've never really spent much time with her, so this was a chance to bond. It took what felt like forever to get everything packed and cleaned, but it only took a day. I left the apartment like I like to move into one, with a few hangers, a shower curtian, soap and TP. Once you have to pass Navy housing inspections, well you know how to leave an apartment! It snowed about 3 inches of wonderful wet big flaked snow Saturday night while we were packing up the truck. We'd gone to dinner in our t-shirts because the night was so relatively warm--high 50's. That's warm when the weather has been for months in the teens as a daytime high... By the time we were done, a big storm had blown in, and I do mean blow! The temp had dropped about 25-30 degrees in an hour, and was snowing hard! By the time we got up the next morning, late because the motel lost power, all the roads were bare and wet, so we didn't have to worry about that, but it was C-O-L-D with that wind blowing. But DH got off and only had to stop the truck about 8 times to re-secure the load. It was blowing so hard that he almost lost one bin--it was litterally hanging off the end of the truck by a bungie cord! The cheze lounge was almost a lost cause too, but he was able to get it home safe and sound! It took us about 14 hours to get home. That is a long-ass trip when you are crammed into a vihicle with a big chuck of your worldy possessions... And your MIL whom you hardly know. I did most of the driving, and had to stop when it got dark. I can no longer see in the dark. This started a couple of weeks ago, I can't read road signs until they are 2 seconds close. Not a good thing. So Mary Lynn took over and drove the last 4 hours home. Heh, I was Miss Cranky-pants when we got home, so I took my meds and went to bed. So, now comes the long process of unpacking and re-integrating myself and my junk back into my family. I already have a few rules that will change, like "thou shalt put the new roll of TP onto the spinner" and "thou shalt hang up your jackets" and "thou shalt not cover the antique furniture with your motorcycle parts and gear" to implement. I'm going to take a break from unpacking to drive down to the lab and pick up my lab results. I want to thank all of you for your love and support. It really means so much to me knowing that you are here for me, weaving a mesh of love and hope around me, prayers and white lights and positive energy combining to create a cocoon of kindness to sustain me for my fight. Thank you, most sincerely and honestly

Well, I'm all home. We got almost everything in the truck and my car except for my spinning wheel and 4 totes of stuff. My M-I-L drove back with me and we had a very nice time together. I've never really spent much time with her, so this was a chance to bond. It took what felt like forever to get everything packed and cleaned, but it only took a day. I left the apartment like I like to move into one, with a few hangers, a shower curtian, soap and TP. Once you have to pass Navy housing inspections, well you know how to leave an apartment! It snowed about 3 inches of wonderful wet big flaked snow Saturday night while we were packing up the truck. We'd gone to dinner in our t-shirts because the night was so relatively warm--high 50's. That's warm when the weather has been for months in the teens as a daytime high... By the time we were done, a big storm had blown in, and I do mean blow! The temp had dropped about 25-30 degrees in an hour, and was snowing hard! By the time we got up the next morning, late because the motel lost power, all the roads were bare and wet, so we didn't have to worry about that, but it was C-O-L-D with that wind blowing. But DH got off and only had to stop the truck about 8 times to re-secure the load. It was blowing so hard that he almost lost one bin--it was litterally hanging off the end of the truck by a bungie cord! The cheze lounge was almost a lost cause too, but he was able to get it home safe and sound! It took us about 14 hours to get home. That is a long-ass trip when you are crammed into a vihicle with a big chuck of your worldy possessions... And your MIL whom you hardly know. I did most of the driving, and had to stop when it got dark. I can no longer see in the dark. This started a couple of weeks ago, I can't read road signs until they are 2 seconds close. Not a good thing. So Mary Lynn took over and drove the last 4 hours home. Heh, I was Miss Cranky-pants when we got home, so I took my meds and went to bed. So, now comes the long process of unpacking and re-integrating myself and my junk back into my family. I already have a few rules that will change, like "thou shalt put the new roll of TP onto the spinner" and "thou shalt hang up your jackets" and "thou shalt not cover the antique furniture with your motorcycle parts and gear" to implement. I'm going to take a break from unpacking to drive down to the lab and pick up my lab results. I want to thank all of you for your love and support. It really means so much to me knowing that you are here for me, weaving a mesh of love and hope around me, prayers and white lights and positive energy combining to create a cocoon of kindness to sustain me for my fight. Thank you, most sincerely and honestly

yup, that was sliming. Lots of bandsters find eggs difficult, just so you know.

Welcome her to the Banded Gentry for us, will you Lady?