vinesqueen

What she said! LOL! I think that's the hot tub, not a rain barrel.

I think the next step is to find an endocrinologist. I don't know what the answer is, ultimately, I just know that something isn't right

One other thing... It occurs to me that our Turtle-ness is quite possibly a symptom of some other medical condition. I would hate for a bandster to convert to a malabortive technique only to discover that if their condition was treatable, and with treatment they will lose weight.

you might find that there is no local group, but that LBT is a wonderful support group. We have so much differnt needs than RNY folks, and folks tend to get a little defensive over their choice of WLS.

Again, I'm suggesting that all Turtles go in for metabolic testing. It doesn't make sense that we drastically cut our caloric intake, yet loose nothing. Make an apointment and demand answers.

hey, perhaps your econ degree helps you understand this all the better. Understand the social costs, the intangible costs that cannot be quantified in dollars and cents easily. Or perhaps you can quantify them because you understand the value of the intangible.

Congrats Jonathan! Okay, I made this new rule, once you hit a Bandiversary, you have to list your top 10 NSV.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing! How are you feeling Sue?

You two just continue to rock and rock hard! Excellent news on the size 14 Leatha, but Kathy! WOOT! that's awesome your BP is NORMAL!!! WOOT!

I started a call to action thread here http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14403 I really think that some of us really do have metabolic issues, I know I do, since I've been diagnosed with one. Please take the time to read the thread.

YOU'RE speechless???? what about me???

TURTLE POWER!!!! We are slow losers. But we need to demand answers. I've been thinking about this for the last forever. Or at least it feels like forever. Why are we so different, why doesn't the weight fall off of us like it does our rabbit sisters and brothers? So, I decided that instead of ranting and raving about not losing weight, crying to the folks that can't help with the underlying problem, I decided that I would start crying to medical doctors, not to therapists. I went to my PCP and demanded answers. He couldn't help me, other than putting me on thyroid meds, which as it turns out I needed. But he couldn't help beyond that, and I haven't seen much activity scale wise from the increased thyroid function. He said I should find an endocrinologist, and good luck. Not much help there, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he was baffled, well, basically because he told me "I'm baffled." So I went to another doctor demanded answers. He couldn't do anything, but he did refer me to an internist. She's wonderful; she doesn’t downplay my problems, or my concerns. She doesn't blame me for being fat, she doesn't view all my problems through that if-you-lose-weight-your-problems-will-go-away lense. And who here hasn't had all their medical problems blamed on their weight? I think that might be why we, as turtles, haven't demanded answers, demanded that they figure out why we can't lose Wight on 1200 calories, or 1000 calories or even less. We think that if we just follow the Bandster rules and guidelines like good banisters, that if we do, the weight will fall off of us. I mean, this works for everyone else, why doesn't it work for us? Because I think there has to be something else going on with us. Medically speaking, there has to be something that is keeping us from losing weight. If all the literature says that women will lose 1 to 2 pounds a week eating 1200 calories a day, if all the banding literature says that we should expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, if we follow the rules. Well, we are following the rules. We are eating within the stated guidelines, or if we are too tight we eat less, we exercise, we drink water, we attend support groups (LBT if nothing else); we do all these things and in most cases see a 1 to 2 pound loss a month. So, how long do we beat ourselves up? Why shouldn't we get discouraged and stop trying because, just like every other wild hair-brained scheme to lose weight, this one doesn't work either. Someone said that their doc said that if the thyroid med didn't work that we couldn't blame the medication, which I took to be one more example of blaming the fat person. The implied message that I took away was if it doesn't work, it's your fault, again. Well I say rubbish. It may be that the thyroid medication isn't the answer, but there has to be an answer somewhere. So, if you are a true turtle, or even a winded wabbit, call your doctor and demand answers. Don't take no for an answer, don't take, "if you just lost weight" for an answer. If your surgeon's office can't help, talk to your PCP. If she can't help, demand a referral. Cry, weep, and threaten a break down if you must, but demand those answers. Don't let them shuffle you off to see a therapist as the only course of treatment either. I think we owe that much to ourselves. We owe that to ourselves, our families and loved ones. We even owe it to the other turtles who come after us. But mostly, we owe this to ourselves.

TURTLE POWER!!!! We are slow losers. But we need to demand answers. I've been thinking about this for the last forever. Or at least it feels like forever. Why are we so different, why doesn't the weight fall off of us like it does our rabbit sisters and brothers? So, I decided that instead of ranting and raving about not losing weight, crying to the folks that can't help with the underlying problem, I decided that I would start crying to medical doctors, not to therapists. I went to my PCP and demanded answers. He couldn't help me, other than putting me on thyroid meds, which as it turns out I needed. But he couldn't help beyond that, and I haven't seen much activity scale wise from the increased thyroid function. He said I should find an endocrinologist, and good luck. Not much help there, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he was baffled, well, basically because he told me "I'm baffled." So I went to another doctor demanded answers. He couldn't do anything, but he did refer me to an internist. She's wonderful; she doesn’t downplay my problems, or my concerns. She doesn't blame me for being fat, she doesn't view all my problems through that if-you-lose-weight-your-problems-will-go-away lense. And who here hasn't had all their medical problems blamed on their weight? I think that might be why we, as turtles, haven't demanded answers, demanded that they figure out why we can't lose Wight on 1200 calories, or 1000 calories or even less. We think that if we just follow the Bandster rules and guidelines like good banisters, that if we do, the weight will fall off of us. I mean, this works for everyone else, why doesn't it work for us? Because I think there has to be something else going on with us. Medically speaking, there has to be something that is keeping us from losing weight. If all the literature says that women will lose 1 to 2 pounds a week eating 1200 calories a day, if all the banding literature says that we should expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, if we follow the rules. Well, we are following the rules. We are eating within the stated guidelines, or if we are too tight we eat less, we exercise, we drink water, we attend support groups (LBT if nothing else); we do all these things and in most cases see a 1 to 2 pound loss a month. So, how long do we beat ourselves up? Why shouldn't we get discouraged and stop trying because, just like every other wild hair-brained scheme to lose weight, this one doesn't work either. Someone said that their doc said that if the thyroid med didn't work that we couldn't blame the medication, which I took to be one more example of blaming the fat person. The implied message that I took away was if it doesn't work, it's your fault, again. Well I say rubbish. It may be that the thyroid medication isn't the answer, but there has to be an answer somewhere. So, if you are a true turtle, or even a winded wabbit, call your doctor and demand answers. Don't take no for an answer, don't take, "if you just lost weight" for an answer. If your surgeon's office can't help, talk to your PCP. If she can't help, demand a referral. Cry, weep, and threaten a break down if you must, but demand those answers. Don't let them shuffle you off to see a therapist as the only course of treatment either. I think we owe that much to ourselves. We owe that to ourselves, our families and loved ones. We even owe it to the other turtles who come after us. But mostly, we owe this to ourselves.

TURTLE POWER!!!! We are slow losers. But we need to demand answers. I've been thinking about this for the last forever. Or at least it feels like forever. Why are we so different, why doesn't the weight fall off of us like it does our rabbit sisters and brothers? So, I decided that instead of ranting and raving about not losing weight, crying to the folks that can't help with the underlying problem, I decided that I would start crying to medical doctors, not to therapists. I went to my PCP and demanded answers. He couldn't help me, other than putting me on thyroid meds, which as it turns out I needed. But he couldn't help beyond that, and I haven't seen much activity scale wise from the increased thyroid function. He said I should find a endocrinologist, and good luck. Not much help there, but I have a sneeking suspicion that he was baffled, well, basically because he told me "I'm baffled." So I went to another doctor demanded answers. He couldn't do anything, but he did refer me to an internist. She's wonderful, she doesnt downplay my problems, or my concerns. She doesn't blame me for being fat, she doesn't view all my problems through that if-you-lose-weight-your-problems-will-go-away lense. And who here hasn't had all their medical problems blamed on their weight? I think that might be why we, as turtles, haven't demanded answers, demanded that they figure out why we can't lose wight on 1200 calories, or 1000 calories or even less. We think that if we just follow the bandster rules and guidlines like good bandsters, that if we do, the weight will fall off of us. I mean, this works for everyone else, why doesn't it work for us? Because I think there has to be something else going on with us. Medically speaking, there has to be something that is keeping us from losing weight. If all the literature says that women will lose 1 to 2 pounds a week eating 1200 calories a day, if all the banding literature says that we should expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, if we follow the rules. Well, we are following the rules. We are eating within the stated guidelines, or if we are too tight we eat less, we excersize, we drink Water, we attend support groups (LBT if nothing else); we do all these things and in most cases see a 1 to 2 pound loss a month. So, how long do we beat ourselves up? Why shouldn't we get discouraged and stop trying because, just like every other wild hair-brained scheme to lose weight, this one doesn't work either. Someone said that their doc said that if the thyroid med didn't work that we couldn't blame the medication, which I took to be one more example of blaiming the fat person. The implied message that I took away was if it doesn't work, it's your fault, again. Well I say rubbish. It may be that the thyroid medication isn't the answer, but there has to be an answer somewhere. So, if you are a true turtle, or even a winded wabbit, call your doctor and demand answers. Don't take no for an answer, don't take, "if you just lost weight" for an answer. If your surgeon's office can't help, talk to your PCP. If she can't help, demand a referal. Cry, weap, threaten a break down if you must, but demand those answers. Don't let them shuffle you off to see a therapist as the only course of treatment either. I think we owe that much to ourselves. We owe that to ourselves, our families and loved ones. We even owe it to the other turtles who come after us. But mostly, we owe this to ourselves.

Oh dear gawd no! My DH has lost 200 pounds and still has at least another 100 to go!

Oh my gawd! I REALLY needed this laugh!

okay, I'm finally home from school and work. *sigh* what a day, what a day. The good news is that the inital results from the tests are good, but this means that there are more tests to run. In the mean time she's going to treat my PCOS agressively, trying to deal with the underlying problem and not just give me birth control pills. She also gave me some anti-anxity pills. Apperently being stressed about not losing weight is not going to help me lose weight. Go figure. So, we still don't know what the matter is. I still need more tests. I'm on new meds.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Baths are no good, since I just stew in my own juices. I just don't find them relaxing. Maybe if I lost weight I wouldn't feel this way. Maybe I just need to get some battle ships. I dunno. I've only had trouble with the Sun Salutation, but that was because it actually put pressure on my band and not the port.

If I'm in public and have to pb I head for the rest room pronto. Sometimes you dont make it, and well, that sux. My DH always has a glass of something so that if he gets the slimes he can deal with it on the sly. When I spent amonth too tight I was PBing 3-5 times a week. But I got an unfill and all better. I don't track the number of times.

I don't have a tattoo, but I'm thinking that I might need one that's infused with healing energy. When I was 15 I lived in a group home and all the other kids were giving each other a prison tats to that they wouldn't forget. They were mad at me because I wasn't about let some 16 year-old kid use a safty pin and Bic ink to give me a tattoo.

I don't see how the band could be interfering with the B12 production. My guess is that it's a diet thing.

actually, it depends on whether you actually have to lose 100 pounds. It might be that you have a higher fat free mass (FFM) than you think. Which is a very good think indeed! The band will help you loose slower than any of the by-pass methods.

I don't think so. Since banding I make the most amazing noises! It might be while I'm sitting drinking Water, or just after I'v eaten or for no good reason at all. Get used to the fact that you are going to be much more noisy... burping ... farting... gurgling....

I would go talk to your doctor about this. Some folks experience a hormonal change after banding, and you've lost a whack of weight. Fat holds estrogen, and you've just dumped a large amount of it into your system. A sudden loss of desire and libido could be a sign of something serious. Oh, all the other suggestions are good too. But "duty fucks" are bad for you, I believe this in my heart of heart. I was a navy wife for many years, and that's what we called them. When you reduce sex to a chore you are reducing yourself and your relationship. (I firmly belive that sex and passion are gifts from the gods.) Instead of creating a sense of intimacy and closeness, duty fucks don't do a damn thing for you.

Okay, I have to admit. I'm afraid of trees at night. Like they are going to attack me. Hey it happens, I saw The Wizard of Oz you know....