mousecrazy

Guess what my sister and DD brought in this house! Both of them had Blizzards in hand when my sister brough my DD home...I swear. I handled it, even as I had visions of grabbing my DD's spoon and taking one little bite...she's a big girl, but I'm still a little older and wiser....LOL! HOWEVER, I didn't! So, another temptation resisted! Score again, for our team! See ya at the gym, Darcy! (wish!) We're gonna do this! Cindy (my daughter asked me if it was Lent again...remember, I gave up ice cream for Lent! LOL!)

Welcome to BandLand! Take it easy and be SURE to let yourself heal up good and proper! Stick with those liquids, and sip, sip, sip! Walk around, and sip some more! I'm excited to see your progress!

That's some crazy stuff to think about, diva! Hey, at least we'll be able to actually do something physical, just in case!

Where is everyone? Are ya'll hiding out with Eileen's choc. cake? Nothing going on here...just had some delicious chicken soup for dinner...it had some really small pieces of chicken in it, and I chewed it really good. So far, so good, but I feel really full, and it was a little bowl, maybe 3/4 cup. Mmmm, this restiction thing....do I like it or not? How's everyone doing?

I drank a protein drink for breakfast, because that is easy and I have a long commute. Oatmeal or scrambled eggs would be good, too, if you have the time. String cheese, applesauce, cottage cheese, tuna/chicken salad, egg salad, soup...all of these are great for lunch, and easy, too! Wendy's chili is always pretty good for a lunch out. Pack an extra protein drink for later in the afternoon if you find yourself hungry before you get off work. Hope this helps!

Congratulations! I know how excited you are!

Great attitude! These days are only temporary...all the beautiful food will be there later, and you will enjoy it again. For now, you are doing what needs to be done, so you can stay a healthy and active mom and wife... That was really important to me, and I am so glad I did it! You will be, too! I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress! Cindy

I'll pass on the advice I received here, sip, sip, walk, walk, sip, sip, repeat! It will be okay...the gas pains were the hardest for me, but don't bother some people. My doc did prescribe some liquid Lortab and I took it for 4 days, I think. After that, I just didn't need it anymore. You're on the mend, be good to yourself! Cindy

All right! You are an official bandster! Life is grand with hope, isn't it? It will get better and better. Please, when you hit a wall or a bump, come here for some support and ask any questions, and you're sure to get some good advice, some hugs, and maybe even a kick in the pants if you need it! I've received all of the above, and am very thankful! Good luck! Cindy

I like both you and your friends' names for your bands...I find my band to be a little fickle, too...some days, pizza is okay, then the next, I have problems with chicken breast...kinda like living with someone with mood swings! Can't Touch This! LOL! Seriously, mostly I think it has more to do with HOW I eat, than what I eat, so your nutritionist seems right on track! Good luck to you! Cindy

I'm still working toward my goal, but I'm happy to continue to hang out here and offer help to those who are new, just like others did for me when I was starting out!

Congratulations! You are getting through the hardest part, and doing well it sounds like! Keep posting here, and reading everything...I have learned so much from the people here, no doubt helping me make it through the first year. Keep a big picture view and enjoy the ride! Cindy Have you tried that Campbell's Soup at Hand Blended Vegetable Medley soup? MMmmmmm!

You know this already, but this woman's comments say OH SO MUCH about her, and really not much at all about you (in the area of character). So, if she says you can "almost" notice your weight loss, I would interpret it to mean, "Way to go! You look great!" It's all in the interpretation. It's an NSV, bona fide!

Did I read somewhere that it is suggested to have a glass of water before bed to wash any remaining food out of the pouch before lying down for the night? I think I remember this, and it would make sense to avoid irritation in your esophagus/stoma....????

Sweetie, don't worrrrry. I know that's easier said than done! You're just getting started, and it's a long road, so take it one step at a time, and it will be a lot better for you. What size/type of band do you have? I'm guessing a Vanguard with that big fill on a first fill...so it won't really make sense to correlate BMI's and fills, because there are different band sizes, too. I get my fills under flouro (x-rays), and when I'm lying down, it looks like there is more restriction than there actually is. It's just the way my esophogus/body is. So, I have to stand up, and then be x-rayed again, and they can see the true nature of the restriction. Each body is different, works differently, and thus, each fill will be different, and should be adjusted just for you. It really won't help at all to compare yours to anyone's, because it's like comparing apples to oranges. Does this make sense? I'm hoping to calm your worries, and help you relax and enjoy your own personal little journey...keep posting and asking questions! I learned about all these things from reading posts here at LBT! Cindy

Hi, again...I just responded to your prayer request on the prayer thread... Family trips are so great! If you think your family would love it, then do it! We took a family trip to Disneyworld Christmas 2004, and my mom passed away the following summer. That trip has a very, very special place in our family's hearts forever. There is no price on memories, and they can never be sold in a garage sale! LOL!

You have been blessed by two very special parents, chevygirl. Your family is in my prayers, and I'm sure they will be in many other's prayers. They have blessed so many, and have been blessed, and God will be merciful to you. I'm sure they have passed their wonderful gifts to you, too. Hugs, Cindy

Tommy, the things you have said are right on target, and sound very much like another of my favorite guys on the board, Jack...have you read his posts? Ya'll think alike, and have some of the same experiences. DEFINITELY, you have described the very key to learning how to handle our head hunger issues. Our willingness to learn it will determine our success. Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your experience, and sharing it with us! Congratulations on your incredible success, and many more to come! Cindy

Donna, I bet I saw you there, if you were in Texas, ever. You look so great! Kathy, a frat party! I bet you were the life of the party, though!

Fantastic! This is always great news!

I'm not a doctor, but even a week out from surgery, the pain you are describing could still be gas pains. Are you taking liquid GAS-X or something similar to that? Try a heating pad under your shoulder, or wherever it feels good to you. Try a warm bath. Move around, walk. It took a full two weeks for me to be free of the gas pains in my body. They are not just contained in the intestines! I know it is uncomfortable...you will feel better soon, though! Hang in there, and call the doc if it doesn't improve! Cindy

I have had to vomit since being banded, due to migraine headaches. It has been okay. I just had a new fill yesterday, done with flouro, and the band is perfectly fine. If you have any problems or symptoms that are different, though, I would let your doctor know immediately. Each of us react differently to situations, you know? Good luck, Cindy

Happy Friday! Dianne, have you ever said what kind of magazine you do? If you do, I don't remember...it seems like it would be really exciting! Eileen, thanks for taking the cake off...although I was considering it a character building experience! LOL! I actually had some trouble eating my SF popsicle...I have a feeling this fill is going to be a little different.... Darcy, how's it goin' today? Are you at the gym this morning, or taking it easy? Donna, I watched your video collage again last night, and got chills all over again! It's so cool! Sherry, I hope you are back to solid land already! And, I saw on the Christmas wish thread that you've shed those cruise pounds already! Great! Betty, hope you have some rest and fun planned for the weekend! Weekend plans...nada. The regular stuff, plus packing for DD's church camp, which begins next Tuesday. DH and I will drive her out there (about an hour away) Tues. afternoon. On this Sun. afternoon, the kids going to camp are having a swim (and ice cream...but not for me!) party at one of the kids' house as a kick-off party, and a way for them to kinda bond. That'll be fun since we actually like the families of the kids in Haven's group at church. So, that's about it...ready to face Day #2 of the ICAC Challenge!

Congratulations! I know you were an inspiration to me when I was just a newbie, and you still are! Have fun! Cindy

The amount of time it takes will depend on your insurance policy and company. It will also depend on your medical history, and how much of your previous attempts at weight loss are already documented by a doctor. Your insurance company may require more tests, or less tests. You'll get a range of responses, because of that. It took 4-5 weeks from the start of asking about it, to having the surgery, in my case. Good luck! Cindy