Lorien

BodyBugg Question: I'm soon to be banded, so as a newbie which purchase do you recommend first: A treadmill (I like using them in the past and want one at my office so I'll use it very day before I go home) OR A BodyBugg?? Here's the twist ... I have three damaged disks in my back which make waking difficult. I used crutches for anything over a short distance. My weight loss will improve that condition, so it shouldn't be too long before I'll be able to start using the treadmill. AND ... As far as logging-in exercise to my BodyBugg, there wont be much of that at first, until I'm able to walk again. You can see why I'm torn. If long-term banders felt like the BodyBugg was a something they wished they had from the beginning, I'll probably get one now and get the treadmill later. If it's more of a tool to motivate after you've hit a plateaus, then maybe I should go with the treadmill to get me started exercising again. All suggestions appreciated!!!! Thank You!!!!

I want to purchase a scale before my surgery, but sadly I need one that will read over 300 pounds. Does anyone have a brand that they particularly like?? Thank you for your help!

Thank you so much - You all just saved me about $50! I followed your advise and found several scales on the Wall-mart web page. Many weighed up to 330 lbs, some to 350 lbs, and like brez said, they even go up to 400 lbs. Many track weight-loss, BMI, and some even do fat/water analysis, and will track several different people in your family! I ordered one, and they're shipping it to my local store, so I don't even have to pay shipping fees on it. Thanks again!

I've been so embarrassed to ask the skinny flight attendants for one, that I've actually tucked the belt up under my tummy (so from the side it looked like I was belted in), and strategically draped a coat over me and pretended I was sleeping. I've also purchased an extra ticket, so that I'd fit into the seat. You still get that, "I hope I don't have to sit by her" look as you get on the plane, but once you're seated you're comfortable. (I travel during the Christmas holiday and it was cheaper to buy 2 seats than to go first class.) If I get approved for my surgery (aiming for late August) I'll probably want the extra seat this Christmas (because I have a lot to loose), but I definitely wont need it the following year! One time I was at the Grand Canyon, and went to sign-up for the mule ride into the canyon. I was dismissively told by some thin college kid, that there was a 2 year waiting list, to ride into the canyon. Then he added, "Besides you have to be under 200 pounds, fully dress and including your gear". I was about 175-180 at the time, so I started to say something and he interrupted me to say, "They will weigh you". I just walked away feeling humiliated.

OMG ... FurEllie, you are TOO FUNNY!!!! :dance:

I had my evaluation today and it sounds like mine was very similar to k2k07's experience. My doctor (Michigan/UofM) was wonderful. We talked though my expectations of the surgery, what weight-loss methods I had tried in the past, and what were some of my strategies for making the wls work for me. I actually worked with two people today. The first man (I can't remember if he was a Doctor or not, but said to call him by is first name) administered the tests. When those were competed, I had the meeting with the Doctor. They were both very nice and supportive. It was an emotional 3+ hours, because it's very draining, really looking at yourself and going though the self-evaluation process. However it was not a bad experience at all, and maybe even a little enlightening!

:clap2:Just popping in to say that I hope everything went well today!:clap2: We're looking forward to hearing from you when you're back online!:ranger:

When I was on Atkins I had 3 days of hell, as my body withdrew from the carbs and sugar. I did it over a weekend and I actually felt sick (sort of like a mild case of flu), and I stayed in bed for two days. Then as suddenly as it started, it was over - and I felt great. I hope it will be the same for you (not the hell part)! :tape:

I love this thread!! It's nice to get the real scoop from people who are also Teachers! I hadn't thought about that - and you're right!! We have a "no shop-talk" rule in our Lounge (unless it's a student who has a hardship that we all need to know about). The conversations really get rolling sometimes, and we laugh so much that we don't' finishing eating! Once I've managed the fear of PB'ing then I'll probably want that socialization. Thank you for the meal suggestions. It's helpful knowing what works for different people, so we can plan. :hungry:

I'm a Middle School Music Teacher in Michigan, where I teach Band. So I've been "banded" for years ... just the kind that includes trombones, and clarinets! I'm looking forward to getting my surgery in late August, however I wish it would be during the summer vacation, and not so close to the beginning of the school year. I would have like having the summer to have adjusted to the new way of eating. I'm going to take people's advise and plan on eating in my room. I'll keep the meals real simple until I get the hang of things, to try and keep the sliming incidents down! I'm also very close to the Teacher's Lounge, so in an emergency I could get to the bathroom quickly. Due to back pain I've been on crutches most of last year, so getting around my classroom was difficult. I can't wait to be able to jump up and walk around my room!! My kids were ultra-cooperative last year, but it still was a pain to have to ask them to do all the little stuff (ie: close the door, open the shade, erase the board, pick-up the paper, etc)!

Thank you Pamla!

I'm also highly prone to gout. Is this complication only right after the surgery or is it a long-term problem?? thanks

:gossip: Thanks for the info! I'm not that picky of an eater, and I'm much more interested in having food handy, in the correct portion size, and nutritional balance (that I don't have to keep frozen)!! I have a set of NS meals ordered for my pre-op diet, and it sounds like they may be a key to my late work-nights!

What you need to do is make sure you're sitting next to a large plant, and when he's not looking ... Water it with your soda!!!

How difficult will it be to drive myself home? (I will be spending one night in the hospital). It's only an hour drive, and I've never been married so I'm used to doing stuff like this for myself.

GR8 - Great photos, you look wonderful! :clap2: I appreciate it when people put photos up. I've spent my entire life trying to not get caught by people with cameras, but it's really encouraging to us newbies when we can see the success others have had! Thank you!

In the process of getting ready for a Banded-Life I've been buying a lot of those kinds of foods. My favorite was the Cajun one, even though I'm not a fan of really spicy food, I thought some of the other ones were a little too sweet tasting, but I love the Cajun flavored one!

Wow ... I feel a LOT better about going out to eat - thank you everyone!! The only "usual" restaurant (other than a fast-food regulars) is a nice bar and grill where everyone in my Department goes about once a month. I was worried about not being able to join them (and our "usual table") is not near the restroom)! There's not a child's portion on the menu (however that's a brilliant idea for other places)! Now, I feel like I could tell the waiter no rice/potatoes, and give him the "knowing-nod" or eyebrow-lift. He'll get the message. He'll probably think it's a low-carb thing - but that's okay. I was thinking that with dating someone new (which I hope to do in the future when I don't feel like such a blob), I don't want to carry around a doggie-bag after the meal. I also don't want the guy to feel like he's paid for a meal that I didn't eat, so I'll have to be creative in ordering - but it sounds like it can be done.

I've got a movies & dinner buddy at work. We don't encourage one another to make bad food choices, but we do "facilitate" one another when it comes to chocolate, popcorn at the movies, etc. For example, there usually is a bag of Dove chocolates in our of our desk drawers, for when a project or deadline is creating stress. I'll sit down an my computer and find 3-4 "doves" sitting there. It's a nice gesture, but not helpful right now! I've told her that I wont be able to keep chocolate around me, and that it will be torture for me to go into the lunchroom and watch others eat (until I get back into a routine and can bring my own food to work), and she understood. I hope she's as understanding when it comes to going out for pizza. IF I'm able to eat it in the future, I can manage one piece when I'm at home, but to sit at a table and munch on one piece, while everyone else is slamming it down with beer will be too much for me! I figure this time - it's about me, and if a social-friendship suffers due to jealousy after I start loosing weight or because the friendship is based on eating situations, then I'll adjust.

I'm so glad you started this thread because I'm in the same boat! My pre-op appointments in 2 weeks, and surgery in 6 ... hopefully!! I'm not "looking for trouble", but when I get a chance to have a food-treat, I've been taking it. Thinking that soon I'll be in Lap-Band-Land and I'll face several weeks of liquid dieting, mush eating, and experimenting ahead of me! I'm a little afraid of the liquid "omni-fast" type diets, so I have ordered nutrisytem on my own. I figure that way I can diet most of the time (unless there's a special night out) in the next 2 months and I'll keep the doctor happy and keep it easy for myself. I will find out in 2 weeks if the doctor agrees... LOL!!

I was wondering about that. It seems like as I loose weight my port would become less buried in my fat and would stick out more (... trying to think of a nicer way to word that)! LOL I also wondered if it could become a problem in romantic situations?

:faint:Do they put you out with anesthesia when you get lypo?? :notagree

Thank you for posting your journey. As a newbie it's great to have straight answers to stuff. Showing your photos, really helps a lot of us know what is possible. :photo: :confused: You have helped many people - more than you know!

I really appreciate this thread. I'm just getting started, but I have a LOT of weight to loose!! There have been times when I wonder if the Band is the best way to go, however I don't like the risks of the Bypass. There are a lot of success stories here about loosing large amounts of weight, so I do feel better about my choice. We have a bigger challenge than most - excuse the word-play! I want to try and remember the mini-successes along the way. I was on Atkins and lost 88 pounds. I never felt like I had approached "normal" weight however when I look back at photos, there were times when I looked good - even thought I wasn't all the way to "thin". The problem is that I never felt that I looked good while dieting. I kept looking at the final goal and missed the successes along the way! I want to set-up some rewards this time, and celebrate the successes. The first one is that as soon as I can walk without my crutches, I'm going to buy myself a nice treadmill. I hate going to the Gym, and I hate walking in the winter, so it will be a reward but it will also be good for me. LOL ... this IS what I look like when I walk!! :crutch:

James 2539 & Teachlady, Thank you for your help. Even the thought of MESSA messing-up makes me nuts!!! I'm finally getting things rolling with my appointments, so I guess I'm finally on my way. :crutch: I've been walking with crutches and heavily medicated for the last year due to severe back-pain (three damaged disks), so I've been desperate to get the surgery ASAP. Not only did the UofM folks tell me I had to wait 12 months, but I called MESSA and asked them myself. They told me it was an elective surgery, there was no way they could wave the requirement. I told them it was a back pain issue, and I could have a Doctor's recommendation on their desk in 2 days, because it was my Doctor who originally suggested the surgery to me!! MESSA still said no. :blah: Then I contacted UofM about a private-pay option. They said they do not take private-pay patients. (Private-pay would have been a huge financial sacrifice, but I wanted to know my options). After all this waiting and literally a year of pain and restricted mobility, I will go nuts if I learn that someone just messed up (in both offices)! :confused: