enjoylife

I was just lying here munching on cheetos... Thamks to you and your pictures of 1 and 5 lbs of fat, these cheetos don't taste good at all anymore. Thanks for the visual... I am not trying to gain any of that back. No more cheetos for me - especially in the middle of the night. I just realized that you just got banded! Yea You!!!!! Welcome to the Wonderful World of Bandsters!!!! Good Luck on Your Journey.

I have gone where I have never boldly gone before. I have posted pictures. Now I am waiting for the backlash... I must be crazy.

What happened to the Master Thread?

I have BCBS, I was approved and had surgery. My BMI was higher than yours, but still I’m wondering your surgeon can tell you that you won’t be approved without first having you to the tests. I had to do a six month supervised diet. I did, and I lost maybe twelve pounds – naw I don’t think it was even that much. I’ve read where quite a few bandsters went on those diets and simply didn’t try very hard to be successful. I tried, but hell if I could do an 1800 calorie a day diet on my own, I would not have needed a band. In addition, I had to get a psychological evaluation, cardiologist clearance, pulmonary clearance, and primary care clearance. Your surgeon simply looked at your BMI and weight history and made a decision? Go back to the doctor that diagnosed your back problems. Are you in pain? If so, tell him you are in pain. My orthopeadic surgeon was always telling me I needed to lose weight. If yours is the same, tell him/her to put it in writing. That goes a long way. I hope this helps you. Good Luck.

Oh.. a barium swallow!!! Ok I can handle that. Though my appointment for today has o be postponed. (not by me! - I got a call from my surgeon's ofc.)

Diva ...............+1.75 WhaT IS WRONG WITH ME!!!

What the heck is an esophogram! And does it HURT? I thought I was through with procedures (other than fills) unless something goes wrong! I’m already having my hip replaced this summer, and I’m pretty sure that I will have to have more uterine fibroids and polyps removed (sorry Fenton) and that’s if I’m lucky!! If not – I’ve had a problem for a while - then I may be looking at a hysterectomy (and unless that comes with a free tummy tuck – I am NOT looking forward to that!). Again I ask… DOES THIS esophogram HURT!!!!! Well I got a call from my surgeon’s office saying that my appointment would have to be rescheduled. Good… that gives me time to research this procedure. I wonder if I can wiggle out of it. I was just hoping for an x-ray or sonogram. I do not want anything going down my throat. I hate that – and “esophogram” so sounds like a let's send a camera or some crap like that down this poor woman’s throat, and hey, just to keep things interesting, let’s keep her awake during the procedure. Who else in here has had this done? How was it?

Congrats on making it to a size 12!!! You must feel incredible. I was really happy to read about your daughter's decisions - more than I was read of your success. It’s a beautiful thing that you have inspired your daughter to take better care of herself and to get up and get out. One of my big reasons for taking this journey is so that I can help to prevent my daughter from ever living in FATLAND. I want her to learn to value healthy living and being active. Obviously, you have already reached that goal with your daughter. BEST OF WISHES to You!!!!!

This morning I weighed in .25 lb heavier. I can’t even say that I’m upset. I mean it’s that time (sorry guys) and I usually gain then. I did not sit on my butt this past weekend so I’m ok. Of course if I don’t see some weight loss next Monday, I won’t be so chipper about it. I have yet to exercise, but I have been doing lots of house work. I just moved into my new home and I have so much work to do! I hate it, but it’s a necessary evil. Today I am going out into the yard and pick up sticks, branches, rocks, left over pipes and pieces of cement, scraps of roofing material – most of the stuff I thought the contractors should have cleaned up after they finish building a house). I need to cut my grass (for the first time this season). The grass is high now, but I won’t have my lawn mower until tomorrow. I hope I don’t run into any snakes. If I do, then I will certainly be getting some exercise then!!! J This fat chick will be hustling out of that grass so fast, you’d think Florence Griffith Joyner (FloJo) had come back to run through my yard rather than just plain ole me:lol:. My restriction is funky. I’m not really sure what’s going on with my band. Some days I can eat whatever and then other days I can’t eat anything. Then of course there are the times that only crap like a Snicker bar will go down and stay there. The last time I went in for a fill, I had to have it taken right back out. My doctor told me that I shouldn’t get another fill until I had lost about 25 lbs more. I think I’m five lbs away from that goal. I’m not sure but I think I was around 265 then. Well, I still have PBs, sometimes if I drink too fast and sometimes if I don’t chew properly I guess. I am well aware of my band at all times. I hate not being sure if I am going to be able to keep down the glass of water that I’m drinking. Of course I have not been back to the doctor since then – that was in October 2008 – I think – yeah that’s when it was – or was it late September? Well anyway…this week I got a letter from my surgeon’s office saying that I am due in for a check up. I made an appointment for May 5th. Who knows, maybe by then I’ll have lost 4.75 lbs to make that 25 lb goal, but I’m not looking to get a fill. In fact, I may ask him to check to make sure my band has not slipped. I really don’t want to know if it has, because I am not willing to give it up or be unfilled. I just don’t want anymore of a fill right now. In fact I don’t want one until I get to a point where I can drink a glass of water whenever I want (I know I cannot drink while eating) without the fear of having it come right back up. I think there is something wrong with the way I eat and drink though. For some reason I take in a lot of air which causes burping. (My doctor says the burping comes from eating too fast, but sometimes I burp even when I eat slowly). I’m always going to look at the before and after pictures forum, for inspiration. I look at those pictures and I tell myself that I can do this too. At first I was kicking myself for not losing as fast as others, but now not so much. I just want to do and be my best. I try really hard not to compare my journey to someone else’s – that’s always an easy task, but I’m working on it. So, usually I look at successful people’s photos and I feel hope and encouraged. Sometimes I need that. Sometimes I think, “I’ve lost 69 lbs and I’m still FAT!!!” But when I look back at some of my own before pictures, I realize that I lost a lot more than 69 lbs and although I am not thin, I am on my way to becoming the best me that I can be. Now THAT pumps me up!!!! (now if I could only get my living room cleared and my Wii hooked up…)

This morning I weighed in .25 lb heavier. I can’t even say that I’m upset. I mean it’s that time (sorry guys) and I usually gain then. I did not sit on my butt this past weekend so I’m ok. Of course if I don’t see some weight loss next Monday, I won’t be so chipper about it. I have yet to exercise, but I have been doing lots of house work. I just moved into my new home and I have so much work to do! I hate it, but it’s a necessary evil. Today I am going out into the yard and pick up sticks, branches, rocks, left over pipes and pieces of cement, scraps of roofing material – most of the stuff I thought the contractors should have cleaned up after they finish building a house). I need to cut my grass (for the first time this season). The grass is high now, but I won’t have my lawn mower until tomorrow. I hope I don’t run into any snakes. If I do, then I will certainly be getting some exercise then!!! J This fat chick will be hustling out of that grass so fast, you’d think Florence Griffith Joyner (FloJo) had come back to run through my yard rather than just plain ole me:lol:. My restriction is funky. I’m not really sure what’s going on with my band. Some days I can eat whatever and then other days I can’t eat anything. Then of course there are the times that only crap like a Snicker bar will go down and stay there. The last time I went in for a fill, I had to have it taken right back out. My doctor told me that I shouldn’t get another fill until I had lost about 25 lbs more. I think I’m five lbs away from that goal. I’m not sure but I think I was around 265 then. Well, I still have PBs, sometimes if I drink too fast and sometimes if I don’t chew properly I guess. I am well aware of my band at all times. I hate not being sure if I am going to be able to keep down the glass of water that I’m drinking. Of course I have not been back to the doctor since then – that was in October 2008 – I think – yeah that’s when it was – or was it late September? Well anyway…this week I got a letter from my surgeon’s office saying that I am due in for a check up. I made an appointment for May 5th. Who knows, maybe by then I’ll have lost 4.75 lbs to make that 25 lb goal, but I’m not looking to get a fill. In fact, I may ask him to check to make sure my band has not slipped. I really don’t want to know if it has, because I am not willing to give it up or be unfilled. I just don’t want anymore of a fill right now. In fact I don’t want one until I get to a point where I can drink a glass of water whenever I want (I know I cannot drink while eating) without the fear of having it come right back up. I think there is something wrong with the way I eat and drink though. For some reason I take in a lot of air which causes burping. (My doctor says the burping comes from eating too fast, but sometimes I burp even when I eat slowly). I’m always going to look at the before and after pictures forum, for inspiration. I look at those pictures and I tell myself that I can do this too. At first I was kicking myself for not losing as fast as others, but now not so much. I just want to do and be my best. I try really hard not to compare my journey to someone else’s – that’s always an easy task, but I’m working on it. So, usually I look at successful people’s photos and I feel hope and encouraged. Sometimes I need that. Sometimes I think, “I’ve lost 69 lbs and I’m still FAT!!!:thumbdown:” But when I look back at some of my own before pictures, I realize that I lost a lot more than 69 lbs and although I am not thin, I am on my way to becoming the best me that I can be. Now THAT pumps me up!!!! (now if I could only get my living room cleared and my Wii hooked up…):thumbup:

This morning I weighed in .25 lb heavier. I can’t even say that I’m upset. I mean it’s that time (again… sorry Fenton) and I usually gain then. I did not sit on my butt this past weekend so I’m ok. Of course if I don’t see some weight loss next Monday, I won’t be so chipper about it. I have yet to exercise, but I have been doing lots of house work. I just moved into my new home and I have so much work to do! I hate it, but it’s a necessary evil. Today I am going out into the yard and pick up sticks and branched. I need to cut my grass (for the first time this season). The grass is high now, but won’t have my lawn mower until tomorrow. I hope I don’t run into any snakes. If I do, then I will certainly be getting some exercise then!!!:tt2: This fat chick will be hustling out of that grass so fast, you’d think florence Griffith Joyner (FloJo) had come back to run through my yard rather than just plain ole me:ohmy:. Christine my restriction is funky. I’m not really sure what’s going on with my band. Some days I can eat whatever and then other days I can’t eat anything. The last time I went in for a fill, I had to have it taken right back out. My doctor told me that I shouldn’t get another fill until I had lost about 25 lbs. I think I’m five lbs away from that goal. I’m not sure but I think I was around 265 then. Well, I still have PBs, sometimes if I drink to fast and sometimes if I don’t chew properly I guess. I am well aware of my band at all times. I hate not being sure if I am going to be able to keep don’t the glass of Water that I’m drinking. Of course I have not been back to the doctor since then. Well, this week I got a letter saying that I was due in for a check up. I made an appointment for May 5th. Who knows, maybe by then I’ll have lost 4.75 lbs to make that 25 lb goal, but I’m not looking to get a fill. In fact, I may ask him to check to make sure my band has not slipped. I really don’t want to know if it has, because I am not willing to give it up or be unfilled. I just don’t want anymore of a fill. Not until I get to a point where I can drink a glass of water whenever I want (I know I cannot drink while eating) without the fear of having it come right back up. I think there is something wrong with the way I eat and drink though. For some reason I take in a lot of air which causes burping. (my doctor says the burping comes from eating too fast, but sometimes I burp even when I eat slowly. Special K, I’m always going to look at the before and after pictures forum, for inspiration. I look at those pictures and I tell myself that I can do this too. At first I was kicking myself for not losing as fast as others, but now not so much. I just want to do and be my best. So, like you I look at successful people and I feel hope and encouraged. Sometimes I need that. Sometimes I think, “I’ve lost 69 lbs and I’m still FAT!!!:thumbup:” But when I look back at some of my before pictures, I realize that I lost a lot more than 69 lbs and although I am not thin, I am on my way to becoming the best me that I can be. Now THAT pumps me up!!!!

+ .25 (I would feel sad, but its that time... sorry Fenton)

That is the cutest blog. It is weird to have someone flirting with you again. I used to be a big blirt and then I was just big. It's really nice to have someone pay attention to you - as long as they are not too forward. Enjoy the experience!!!

Thank you Special K.. in that case I weighed -5lbs!!!!!!!

Ok, I know I'm the oddball for asking, but may I weigh in late? I weigh in every Monday. This helps me to be good over the weekend. If at all possible, I'd like to submit my weight loss/or not on Monday evening (no LBT access from work anymore). If that's not working for you, I completely understand, I just thought I'd ask.

Congratulations:thumbup:!!! And Welcome to the World of Bandsters:hurray:. I pray that you reach your WL goals. Keep up the wonderfully detailed blogging if you have the time - there are so many out there that will gain from your experiences. I hope to start blogging regularly again. My life is hectic, but I want to record my journey. Take care of yourself and if you ever feel discouraged find the before and after pictures forum…that will definitely motivate you!!!

ValJeean and New&Improved, Thank you so much for your support. I am always saying that one of the things I love most about this site is the honesty that you find here. It is helpful to read another person's trials and it is cathartic to write about your experiences. It’s a Win - Win! A friend's mother was just (and I mean just - she babysat for me last night) telling me about a liquid supplement that she’s taking that sounds a lot like the one the you’ve recommended N & Improved. She said it also comes in pill form – the kind that I can twist open and shake into my food. I’m going to check this Web site out… Who knows, maybe I can actually get something for me…that would be an awesome event. –

I went through the same thing. I was filled on a Friday, and could not keep anything down all weekend. I had to resort to sucking on ice chips and then fought to keep that down as long as possible just to keep from getting dehydrated. Sucking on the ice chips was my doctor’s advice… either that or to take tiny sips of water all day. And that was only IF I could hold off until the following Monday. Fortunately I was able to. My doctor is 2.5 hours away and since I had taken time off on Friday, I did not want to do the same the very next Monday. So I went to work and sucked on ice chips only to have the water come back up shortly after finishing and took the drive to my doctor at the end of my work day. I felt horrible; I was tired, thirsty, and hungry. From Friday to Monday I had lost 14 lbs. That may sound wonderful, but really it is not. I had just had 1.5 cc added to my band. I wanted about .5 - 1 cc removed, but my doctor explained that my stomach was now swollen and that if he only took out a little I still would not be able to drink anything so he took out 1.5 cc. I regained about half of those 14 lbs in a matter of days – once I rehydrated myself. I have never been so happy to sip water, o veggie and chicken broth before in my life. I was very lucky though. I have a friend who experienced and overfill – she passed out. She also could not keep anything down including liquids. After passing out she ended up in the ER where a new local WLS doctor gave her a complete unfill. Of course she really gained weight after that and now she is going through the slow process of having her band refilled (small increments at a time). GO SEE YOUR SURGEON and have him/her take out what ever was added to your band on Friday… You can always try for that number of ccs again just do it in smaller increments.

Wow, you’re not cutting anyone any slack are you? I can understand how you may find someone else’s “whining” frustrating, but they are entitled to self expression. Reading about someone’s struggles helps those contemplating surgery make more informed decisions. There is no way my doctor could have prepared me for some of the tings I have experienced since being banded. Of course they tell you what to expect, but words mean nothing. When we are hearing that (well when I heard it) – I thought, “I can handle that” or “I won’t make that mistake.” You don’t know until you’re in it and then you have to deal with it one way or another… venting here helps some people to cope. In the end we all want success we just don’t all travel the same path to get there.

I have got to learn to respect my band. Yesterday I could not keep anything down. I mean nothing (not even water!!!) well I was able to keep a Butterfinger candy bar down:blushing:, but dammit I was hungry!!! The night before I threw up and I think it was because I didn’t properly chew up a few brussel sprouts. When it can back up there were a few whole leaves in there. I should have known at that point that I would need to take it easy for a day, but not me. Sometimes I’m a pig :eek: – but this is why I needed the band in the first place. Apparently I have not learned. I tried to eat a piece of cake for breakfast – yes I said that… I am ashamed, but I figured it would go down and stay since most things that we aren’t supposed to eat do just that. Well it did go down, but I stopped after about four spoonfuls. It wasn’t going down smoothly and heck I don’t need to eat cake for breakfast anyway. Maybe I’ll do liquids for the rest of the day – my stomach needs a break. Besides, I’ve been on spring break – and I have gained about two pounds – so much for that…. I need to get those 2 pounds off. When I go to weigh in on Monday I do NOT want to see 250 – anything. I need to see 249 or lower!!!! Well saying that means nothing without the right actions to get me there. So my new goal is to truly respect the fact that I have this band. It was my decision. Nobody forced me to do it, in fact of the few people who knew I was contemplating getting it, most tried to discourage me. I am down 64 pounds, but I was banded over a year ago (March 24, 2008). I’ve got to do better. I’ve got to exercise. The band cannot do all the work. I have to do my share. I need my hip replaced and have arthritis and bone spurs in both knees, but I can still do something. I have basically done nothing. I’ve used my joint problems as an excuse, a crutch. But I can move… I can walk, I can move my arms. I can even do Leslie Sansone 1 mile walk DVD at my own pace – which I am sure would pick up if I just did it on a consistent basis:bananapowerslide:. NO MORE EXCUSES AND EMPTY PROMISES!!!!! I’m trying for hip replacement this summer. I want to drop 25 lbs between now (Saturday, April 18, 2009) and June 18, 2009. I know it’s a lofty goal. I will settle for 20 pounds. Look out Wii Fit:boxing_smiley:… We’re about to embark on a serious quest!!!!!!

I have got to learn to respect my band. Yesterday I could not keep anything down. I mean nothing (not even water!!!) well I was able to keep a Butterfinger candy bar down:blushing:, but dammit I was hungry!!! The night before I threw up and I think it was because I didn’t properly chew up a few brussel sprouts. When it can back up there were a few whole leaves in there. I should have known at that point that I would need to take it easy for a day, but not me. Sometimes I’m a pig – but this is why I needed the band in the first place. Apparently I have not learned. I tried to eat a piece of cake for breakfast – yes I said that… I am ashamed, but I figured it would go down and stay since most things that we aren’t supposed to eat do just that. Well it did go down, but I stopped after about four spoonfuls. It wasn’t going down smoothly and heck I don’t need to eat cake for breakfast anyway. Maybe I’ll do liquids for the rest of the day – my stomach needs a break. Besides, I’ve been on spring break – and I have gained about two pounds – so much for that…. I need to get those 2 pounds off. When I go to weigh in on Monday I do NOT want to see 250 – anything. I need to see 249 or lower!!!!:scared2: Well saying that means nothing without the right actions to get me there. So my new goal is to truly respect the fact that I have this band. It was my decision. Nobody forced me to do it, in fact of the few people who knew I was contemplating getting it, most tried to discourage me. I am down 64 pounds, but I was banded over a year ago (March 24, 2008). I’ve got to do better. I’ve got to exercise. The band cannot do all the work. I have to do my share. I need my hip replaced and have arthritis and bone spurs in both knees, but I can still do something. I have basically done nothing. I’ve used my joint problems as an excuse, a crutch. But I can move… I can walk, I can move my arms. I can even do Leslie Sansone 1 mile walk DVD at my own pace – which I am sure would pick up if I just did it on a consistent basis:bananapowerslide:. NO MORE EXCUSES AND EMPTY PROMISES!!!!! I’m trying for hip replacement this summer. I want to drop 25 lbs between now (Saturday, April 18, 2009) and June 18, 2009. I know it’s a lofty goal. I will settle for 20 pounds. Look out Wii Fit:boxing_smiley:… We’re about to embark on a serious quest!!!!!!

Scrappy, I just really looked at your signature!!! You look fabulous!!!! I am jealous - yea I am, but I am also happy for you!!!!!! Ok - I've gotta do my happy dance for you. We started at about the some weight and you were banded a few days before me... you have made me see what I could have done had I been more faithful to my band and to myself (and if my hip didn't need replacing). But as HopeinApril reminded me… we are all different. Still, I know I could have done much better. WOW I am really impressed with your progress. Amanda, don’t sound so sad. I know it’s frustrating, but there could be a few reasons why your weight has not dropped. It could be that with all of your training you are gaining muscle weight – which really isn’t a bad thing… it just doesn’t LOOK good on the scale, but it’s great for your body. It could that your body is holding onto the weight out of sheer stubbornness – my body does that – and then bam – a sudden drop in weight seemingly out of nowhere. Sometimes when I can’t seem to drop weight I increase my Protein by drinking shakes. That helps. I lose more weight when I get more protein, but I’m not a huge meat eater. The very fact that you are in a duathlon is inspirational to me (and I’m sure many others). Hang in there – you will see a change on the scale eventually, in the meantime, try to focus on the changes in yourself (attitude, clothing sizes, strength and health). Christine, I’m sorry about what you are going through. I hope that everything works out for you. Please don’t become a lurker. One of the reasons I like this site is because of its honesty. I can get the good, bad, and ugly here. The lap band is not all roses for a lot of people (me included). Sometimes when I’m having one of my “can’t keep anything down” days (like yesterday) I ask myself, “What have I done?” Sometimes I’ve done nothing and sometimes I’m not chewing properly, and sometimes I’m greedy and try to out eat my band. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to come online and get some advice or reassurance, or wanted to Celebrate (my job has blocked the site – the IDIOTS!!!!) and I just moved into my new home and there was no internet where I was staying. This site (and particularly this group – helped me so much when I first got banded. It was (and now is once again) my support group, since I the place where I would go for meetings is over 2.5 hours away and meetings are on a week night. Even if you don’t think you will have anything positive to post but – it may be educational for your readers and in the long run that is very positive. But equally as important this is a place that you can come to vent, cry, ramble, and celebrate without repercussion or judgment. It, of course is your choice, but I hope you continue to post – you might be a help to someone who is in your same situation.

I have joint pain, but it's because I have arthritis. In fact I have to have my hip replaced. My knees feel tons better, but my hip hurts daily. Have you gotten your results back from your doctor? I hope it turns out to be something more easily managed then what I am dealing with. Exercising is hard... very very hard. Heck cleaning is hard. Simple things that most people do with ease are really difficult for me sometimes. There are some low impact exercise programs that you may be able to use. I am starting the walk away the pounds series by Leslie Sansone. I am also going to be playing Wii alot more with my daughter. I'll be losing, but at least I'll be moving. If I can drop another 20 - 25 pounds the end of June. Then I am going to go through with the surgery this summer. I need to go ahead and schedule it by early May because they like eight weeks notice. If I'm not losing like I want to, then I will simply post pone it.

To nycm00 thank you for the welcome back and the instructions. They were GREATLY appreciated. Thank you for the article Scrappy – I need all the advice I can get. SPECIAL K!!!!!! Yea YOU!!!! I’m doing the happy dance for you right now – c’mon and join me ~~~~~~~~~~~~ tap tap shooby be doo shimmy shimmy sssliiiide!!!!!! 100 pounds – that is incredible (not to mention my goal). I am happy for you. Keep up the great work of inspiring us all…. Now tell me – how can you hold 10.25 ccs?????!! I have a fourteen cc band and I am at 6 (or is it 6.5) cc’s. I tried for 7 or 7.5 and I was spitting up water before I left the doctor’s office. I can barely get liquids down now – but most foods go down ok… soft foods not so much, but hard or crunchy I am good with - usually. I miss applesauce, so I bought some, but the last time I tried it and I could not get it go down. Hot things seem to go down better than cold. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve drank something to have it have to right back out – followed by a bucket of slob. I am always thirsty. I miss water (the only thing I really drank before surgery) like you would not believe. Hot tea goes down well, but I don’t always have time for that. BUT I know my band is responsible for me losing 64 lbs… I love my band. It’s just difficult to figure it out. One year out and I’m still getting to know it. Hmmmm, my band must be male.....