PrtyAntOvrYt

Bummer Dude! We have got to remedy this situation! Let's all exchange our phone numbers! Is Dr. K back in town? I'll send Natalie an email. I know she can't discuss Brandy with me because of HIPPA but she can maybe email Brandy and let her know we are worried about her... AND Miss Adorkable! When are you having your US? Don't keep us waiting and worried! Too many Moms here!

Thanks Mal!!!

Does anyone have Brandy's phone number? Even her last name? We could call 411 and see if we could call her before it gets too late. Just PM me. Or call her.

The fruit drinks are my fave! I wonder what the shipping would cost.

St. Vincent's East Surgical Weight Loss check these banders out, esp. Tami Tilkin!

Yes Brandy!! Come and let us know you're okay!!! All your Moms here are waiting to hear from you!

In charge of my own neurons! That is GREAT! I also love Low Carb Slim Fast. I get it at Sam's club and it's one of the only ones I like. I'll bring a Protein bullet to the hospital when I see you before your surgery. You can try it. Some like it, some don't. Do you have a GNC nearby? I drank the Clear Isopure Protein drinks post-op during my clear liquid phase. I poured them over crushed ice and added a splash of cranberry juice cocktail (with splenda) Woofay is the one who introduced me to these! I get my chewable Vits from The Vitamin Cottage. One day I was there and I sampled 4 different chewables. Then it hit me, that they were vitamins! Yikes! The one I take tastes pretty good. Like a Vitamin C. I also get my chewable Calcium from GNC, they aren't gritty... my doctor said I should eat them one at a time through out the day. So if I feel like a treat, I eat one. The other protein drinks, I like are the Atkins Low Carb vanilla and the Mix1 Fruit Drinks. I hope I can continue to lose weight, so that next year - I'll be closer to goal! So far, so good, but I know it can slow down after the initial 6 months. Do you have rewards for yourself when you've reached tiny goals?

Yes and I know that is a big part of the Mental/Emotional work, I have to do now! I need to get through the emotional part of being obese and allowing myself to get to the place that I ever needed a Band. It's a tough journey, isn't it? Your surgery is just around the corner! Are you ready? Have you been looking at Protein drinks, broths, chewable Vitamins and other things for after your surgery?

No, your sentiment came through loud and clear! You're totally right! I'm not sure why I have settled for so many years! I'm not sure why I still care about him and his well being. Why don't I value myself more? I know I deserve better. Sometimes, I think I am as big as I am today because of living in a love less marriage for so long and feeling so unloved.

No Mini! I could never be mad at your for being honest with me. I agree. I don't owe him anything. He had a marriage, a damned good marriage. I never cheated on him -- and not just because I was fat and no one would have had me, when I was first married to him, I met a man at the bank where I worked. He used to come and flirt with me a lot, it was during the time, when my ex had his first affair with someone whom I was very close to! I felt betrayed by the woman and by him. BUT I never strayed. I kept myself faithful to him! So I agree with you, he had it all -- and he threw it away!!! I don't usually eat when I'm depressed, stressed yes, depressed no. It makes my tummy feel like it's in knots.

Lap, I think you and me have scale problems. I had gained a lot when I weighed this morning. I was really good with my choices in Vegas and I walked and walked and walked. I was exhausted! BUT my ankles and feet are huge. The edema was the worst last night and only slighly improved this morning. We have 6 weeks left, Dear! We will get our scales moving again next week!

Thanks Mini, My ex and I talk several times a day. Actually, he is the one who calls me. We get along very well - as friends. We have always gotten along very well. While my other married friends fought over money and how to raise the kids, my ex and I never fought about those things. We actually never fought about anything other than his affairs. I've been crying all day and I return to work tomorrow. I need to get a hold of myself! Thanks for the hugs, kisses and tissues! I needed them!

Hi Everyone! Brandy, please post as soon as you come back from Dr. K's office. I hope everything will be okay. Adorkable, I am so sorry you're having trouble again! I hope they can figure out what is going on! It's horrible! Mini, Congrats on your weight loss with your pre-op. Do you find it difficult to follow? I didn't. I think we're so lucky that we didn't have to do a liquid pre-op diet. Some docs order their patients do the most restrictive liquid pre-op diets. I feel so sorry for them. Some can't even work during that time because they are so weak and dizzy. That's so funny we were in Cedar City at the same time! We stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites right off I-15(I think it was 15) Mal, Shelbi, Amieru, Marcy! You're losing weight! That's great! I didn't get to weigh on Saturday, so I put that I didn't lose any. Munchkin, do you have a goal for the next 6 weeks? Well, I'm back from Vegas. We had a wonderful time. I returned however, with a lot of mixed feelings. I invited my ex to come with us -- mostly because I felt my daughter would appreciate having her father there to celebrate her milestone birthday, secondly because our past vacations as a family, weren't always that enjoyable. I wanted my daughter to have one good memory of a family vacation. I can now say, this was a good vacation for her. For that I am very happy. I, however, have had a very difficult time since returning. I need to stop torturing myself. Allowing my ex to continue communcating with me regularly is something I need to stop. I will always love him but it's time for me to move on and let go of my marriage and the hope I have of having him in my life. He's a good man, he's the father of my daughter and the man I was married to for over 22 years, but he doesn't love me - I honestly doubt he ever did. I think he was close to me for many reasons, but loving me in a romantic, affectionate way, I don't think he ever did. Don't forget to give me your weigh in totals. We have 6 weeks left!

Bandito Goal --1st week-2nd week-3rd Week-4th week Dee = 20lbs +4.6lbs-7.0lbs-1.0lb+0.0 Bookholder = 15lbs+0.0+0.0-1.0:wub:(14.0) Brandy = 25lbs-4.5-5.7lbs+2.0:wub:(16.8) Woofay = 15lbs+4.0lbs-4.0lbs+1.0:wub:(15.0) Mal = 15lbs +0.0-2.8lbs-2.0lbs-1.4lbs:laugh: LA = 23lbs+1.0lb-1.0lb-3.0-1.0:laugh: Marcy = 15lbs+0.0-5.0lbs+1.5lbs-0.5:laugh: Lapdancer = 20lbs +4.0lbs-5.4lbs-1.7lbs+0.0:laugh: Shelbi = 20lbs -2.6+2.0-2.5lbs-3.0lbs:laugh: Amieru = 20lbs-2lbs-5.0lbs+2.0-5.0:laugh: Sidann = 20lbs-4.5lbs+1.5lbs-3.0lbs:wub:(14.0) Lifesaver = 20lbs-1.0lb-1.5lbs-2.0+1.0:laugh: John T = 15lbs-2.0lbs+0.0lbs+0.0-3.0:laugh: bahotmamma = 20 lbs -1.5lbs-1.0lbs-2.0:wub:(15.5) Munchkin=---------------------------0.0:laugh: Week One Losses 18.1lbs (6.8%) Week Two Losses 24.8lbs (10.2%) Week Three Losses 18.2lbs

I'm praying for you right now Brandy. Everything will be okay. How are you feeling tonight? Big Hugs, dee!

Hey Kidlings! I just logged on here a the hotel while I wait my daughter to finish showering. I slept like a log! I don't think I moved once! Mal! I felt the same way you did about the Sleeve. I always felt if I ever had to choose a different WLS, I'd choose the Sleeve too. But after what that woman told me yesterday, I'd have to say NO. She said that she had to do liquids for 4 weeks while her sutures healed and if she eats any larger than a pencil head bite or doesn't chew to liquid forms she vomits. She feels Bulemic. And the doctor told her that is perfectly normal. I felt really sorry for her. The funny thing is the Gastric Girls were thrilled and doing really well, but they all had episodes of vomiting and dumping. I'm so happy with choosing the Band. It gives you time to get used to eating properly -- And it's forgiving. I love my Band. MAL! We could have torn Vegas up!!! Lap! I know what you mean. I'm still having problems with my heel pain. It's a little better, but I think I might be like Munchkin. I hope you haven't injured yourself from exercising. I pray you will find relief from your doctor. Maybe some type of injection or other alternative method. I feel for you! One thing that has improved from riding my bike is my "Charlie horses" I used to get them every evening after working -- I haven't had one since losing weight. They used to be sustained spasms in my left calf. Since rupturing my achilles tendon and having that disability there -- the muscle isn't the same. Munchkin! Good luck with your recommitment! I think my fill has kicked in too! Okay, so Monday - Wednesday, I was feeling more restricted and wondering if I should get a fill or not because it had been three weeks. So I measured 1 cup at each meal and noted my time in writing, so I could see how long I was satiated. Then I ate some grapes between a meal on tuesday and they just sat there for about 3 hours. On my way for my fill, I had my other 1/2 of my Mix1 drink with some ice, it was pretty thin, I took a big gulp and I felt it just sit in my throat, going down slowly! That was it! Maybe it was T.O.M. or something else. Then get this, on our way out of town, we ate at Qdobe's -- we shared a naked burrito, no rice, only chicken and veggies. I ate maybe 1/3rd and I was stuffed - I thought maybe it was driving at 10,000 feet - through the mountains and the high elevations. So I guess, it's true. Some people's fill doesn't kick in for awhile! Mine kicked in! What a lovely time, I'll have in Vegas, my period, my fill! BUT at least I found some Spanx that fit AND a sexy pair of strappy sandals for free! YEAH! Mal! I need you in Vegas with me! Munchkin dear, just weigh in the AM and post your goal and what you've lost. Okay Peeps, we're on the road again!!! "Can't wait to get on the road again." Talk to you tomorrow from HOT HOT HOT Vegas! It's going to be 107 in St. George Utah today AND that's not even Vegas! Thank Goodness for A/C! Love ya, dee~

Mini! Are you really in Southern Utah? So am I! I'm in Cedar City. We are staying the night. We left Denver around 1230, after I had my appt with Tom and ran by Catherine's to get a new package of Spanx! We are about 125 miles from Vegas. The drive took a lot longer than it did last time, since we sat in traffic just before the Eisenhower Tunnel for over an hour! Then we stopped for Starbucks in Fruita and I ended up going to the Kohls and Lane Bryant there. Catherines didnt have the Spanx I wanted and I didn't have time, so when I saw the Lane Bryants, I stopped! The girl was so sweet, she gave me a free pair of sandals when I bought pair of Spanx, plus 2 dollars off the Spanx. Anyway, Ladies, I have to tell you, I didn't get a fill. Tom was wonderful! He is always so encouraging. I ended up crying! I lost 7lbs in the last 20 days. Anyway, like I said above, I left there and went to Catherine's -- I was looking at their sale rack and this lady was buying all kinds of stuff. She mentioned I should get more items since everything was like $9.00 an item. Cute Cute blouses! I even bought the most adorable dress for $19.00. I told her, I can't buy too much since I'm kind of losing weight. She said, "me too! I just got a Vertical Sleeve in January." I said, "I just got a Lap Band in January." Then she said, "My Mom -who was standing next to her got a Lap Band in December." This lady across the store heard us and she said, "I got Gastric last month." Then this other lady was around by the purses and she said, "I have Gastric too." OH My Goodness! 7 people in the store, 5 of us had WLS! We all started comparing our experiences. The girl with the sleeve had the worst experience! She said that she vomits about 4 times a day. She can't eat anything but cheese and protein drinks. She said they told her that she will vomit for the first 6 months and that is normal! She can't eat eggs or yogurt or any kind of meat. Her Mom said she isn't doing so well with the Band. The others with RNY were losing fast, but both were vomiting too. I was the only one who has not vomited since surgery. They were shocked! It was pretty fun! Isn't that incredible! Well, I guess, I better get some sleep! Wait, I have to tell you -- you know how I weigh everyday, sometimes, three times a day? I weighed this morning at home, then at Dr. K's office and when we stopped at the truck stop in Fruita, they had one of those scales in the bathroom -- I paid the quarter and weighed again! What a nerd! Hugs Everyone! Thanks for wishing me luck! Remember if you need to use my Naughty Chair, feel free while I'm gone! LOL! Bahotmamma, What exactly won't you do? I am just checking so I won't do it! :crying: Jillypoo! Welcome! Dr. K is a little more aggressive than Tom, but both are very mindful of the fact that being too restricted or too tight is when you can have problems with eroding and vomiting which can lead to other issues. I think personally, they are perfect. Some docs have a protocol they follow and it's something like 0.5/1.0/1.0/1.5 And they won't give fills for 8 weeks at a time. My friend has a doctor like that and she has no restriction -- it's been torture for her! Others tell her that is pretty normal procedure! We're so lucky Dr. K and Tom do the "drinking" method for fills! Brandy, If I win some -- I'll win some for you too!!!:confused_smile: Munchkin and Greenie -- I do believe that I need to start saving my pennies for my Boob Job! Definitely a lift and perhaps a little augmentation is in order! Lap, I love Suzi O. I think she has such good advice for people! Don't forget to weigh on Saturday and stop by to post your loss! I won't know mine, unless I come across another Truckstop with a scale!! HA!!!:eek: Love ya, dee~

First let me say, Bahotmamma! You're looking great! I love the picture with your daughter. I must say that you were always attractive, but now with your skinnier bod, you're very attractive! Brandy, I wish I had been your babies' nurse also. It's funny, but there are certain babies that I just fall madly in love with. And I miss them when they go home. One day I was at Dr. K's office and as I was leaving, I heard someone call my name. It was a Mom of a baby we had in our unit for over a month. She came running down that dark hall by the entrance. She said, "Remember me? -- we pray for you everynight!" I think there is no better compliment. Jlck98, Welcome to the Loser's Bench! Bandster Hell will be over soon! It's so common and you're fortunate to know about it while it is happening. So few docs tell their patients about it. I feel sorry for new bandsters who haven't been informed. It is a frustrating time if you're not expecting it. You have a great attitude. You're going to do very well with your Band. I go today for my fill. I am not sure when my next one will be, but if I'm in the area, I'd love to meet you too. Mal! I do remember your dancing Banana! Don't I look cute playing the piano with you dancing on top? I'm still so rotund, however! Is little Buster back to his old self? Munchkin! I'm so confused! I want a tiny fill, BUT my friend visited this morning unexpectantly (that T.O.M) -- Wouldn't you guess it would arrive just before I leave for Vegas? I'm feeling a little restriction - actually enough of it that I can stay satiated for 4 hours. I tested it Monday thru Wednesday this week. Measured one cup of protein, ate it and wrote down the time to see how long it took to get hungry. I might forego the fill. Well Ladies, I had an interesting NSV yesterday. I had my mammogram done -- it's not the most fun event a woman can endure, BUT I think since losing 75lbs, my girls can be manipulated so much easier, in other words flattened to the size of a turker platter! Oh MY Goodness! Prior to this weight loss, I had fairly nice looking girlies... fuller at least and didn't point south constantly! I think the mammogram works better for the girls who are deflated. I guess you could call that an NSV!:thumbup: Well, I better start my day! Hugs to you all! Wish me luck with my fill, if I decide to get one -- AND wish me luck in Vegas! I'm not taking my Naughty Chair with me -- so I have to be on my best behavior! If any of you all need my Naughty Chair you're welcome to use it!:rolleyes2: Love ya Chickies! dee~!

Hey Silly Munchkin Girl~ I wanted to tell you that after working in the NICU/L&D/Nursery areas of the hospital and still having to attend many deliveries each month, I STILL CRY WHEN A BABY IS BORN! Talk about pathetic! Oh my goodness! I get so embarrassed with myself! But I can't help it when the Mom sees her baby for the first time or hears that first cry! I just start tearing up! Thanks for the compliment! After finding that picture and knowing that my weight was my current goal weight, I am so angry at myself! I cannot believe that I allowed myself to get so dang fat! I hate what I've done to my poor body! My boobs will never be the same! I will need major plastics to be ready to even be naked in front of myself! Wow Girl, it sounds like you really have restriction right now! That's pretty tight! Are you getting in enough calories every day? Last Monday - before our time at RR, I decided I was going to recommit to the bander rules. I've done really well. I lost another 2lbs this morning. I'm getting in about 1000 calories a day. Trying really hard to make good choices and only eat when I'm hungry. Take care My Sweet Friend, Love, dee~

Ta DA!!! That's great! I know what you're saying! In the last 25 years, I've allowed myself to gain ~10lbs a year -- for an ugly total of WAY TOO MUCH! A year with no gains, only losses is a reason to Celebrate! Good Job!!! :party::cheers2::hurray::clap::waytogo::sleep::confused_smile::drool::scared2::tt2:(this is me playing the piano and Mal dancing!)

Shelby, that is pretty good news! I am like you -- almost stupid when it comes to Cardiac Health. You're not stupid, but I am... almost! Well, I can talk about Patent Ductus Arteriosis! Is your hubby open to assistance in getting his life in order when it comes to exercise and eating? Was the doctor able to date the approximate time of the MI? I am just curious, maybe Munchkin can answer that. I know a CT scan can date the approximate date of a ventricular hemorrhage with our preemies. Not exact dates, but approximates. I think it's wonderful that he gets a chance to make things better. I'm glad you have your band because I'm sure you'll be able to help him a lot! bless you, I hope you get a good night's sleep tonight. love, dee~

You know Mini! I have a confession for you! I started my first pre-op diet November 15. I lost 17 lbs, if I remember correctly. My surgery was cancelled... just prior to rolling me into the OR. IV in, meds on board, prayers said and boom! I returned home without a band. Scheduled the surgery for 3 more dates, 2 of which were cancelled due to problems with staffing. My heart sank. I ate and ate and ate. I gained in a matter of 2 months -- the 17 lbs back plus more! Much more! I had to start my second pre-op on the 15th of January. Instead I started it a week earlier -- According to Dr K, I lost 13 lbs with that one. But in reality, I lost 33lbs! I had gained 33lbs in a very very short time. Why? Because I lost myself - I was sad and scared that I would never get my Band. So that makes a tremendous amount of sense, doesn't it? Me, with a BMI over 60 - fearing not getting the band, ate like there was no tomorrow! It was stupid, BUT it was human, it was the behavior of a food addict. I knew what Dr. K's first consult weight was so I knew I had to get that extra weight off AND I had to lose more -- or he'd think I had not followed my pre-op diet. I've never told anyone that! It was between me and me. If you have to move your ticker, it's okay. <---- You move it -- you follow your pre-op, you lose and you have to move it again ----->. Then you get your Band and Honey, you'll be moving that baby again! AND this time in the right direction! The band brought me back to reality! It hit me over the head. AND yet I still mess up, but I know what I need to do and what I can do to get back on that Bandwagon. The band is there for us. We need it. It needs us. AND we need one another. thank you for being here... you make this little forum a much better place to be! Love, dee~ the pre-op diet is totally doable! YOU CAN DO IT!!! Your journey starts tomorrow! I AM So excited! (I'm sending you lots of oxytocin!)

Sidann, Brandy is right. There is not one Bandster out there who is perfect!! I am certainly not perfect. I lost less than one pound last month! After being on target for 3 months - I allowed my addiction to take over. We can't beat ourselves up when we are human. We have to support ourselves. For too many years, we have strived for perfection. And when we've fallen short of the mark, we've allowed our addiction to soothe us. It's time we accept our imperfections. Accept our human-ness and accept that this is a lifestyle change. got it Missy? be good to yourself! It's not easy, I know. But you deserve to be loved by You. dee~

No Fills Maybe it's not the same doctor! I hope it's not, because that would really suck!

thank you so much LapDancer! I needed that today! My addiction was so bad this last month. I'm ashamed of myself! I'm going to go and weigh myself. I know TOM is coming, so I kind of want to see what's happening with the scale!