Anwyn

Kathy, I long for the day I hit below 200 - good for you! I just got off of the elliptical (gasp, choke!) and I was able to get in 30 minutes. I was hoping for 15 minutes, so I'm feeling pretty damn proud right now. Dust off your elliptical too - you'll be so proud of yourself!

With all of the excitement on the board recently, I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who is re-dedicating themselves to "treating the band right". I have been guilty of the following sins against the band, and here is my confession: 1. I don't take my supplements regularly. 2. I have no idea if I'm getting enough Protein because I'm not keeping track. I suspect I'm only getting in around 35 grams/day. 3. I don't get in 8 glasses of Water a day. 4. I am eating few (if any) fruits and veggies, but always manage to find room for crap. 5. I'm not exercising. 6. I'm eating too quickly and beyond full to the point of pain at least once a day (not PB'ing, but pain cannot be good). So, in front of God, Allah, Buddah, and my fellow bandsters I vow to do the following: 1. Start my day with my uber Protein shake BEFORE I let myself drink coffee (1 scoop unjury plus carnation plus milk = 35 grams of protein). 2. Exercise 4 days a week. Today is the day I dust off my $3500 elliptical machine (yes, you read that correctly - I'm blushing in shame). 3. Drink water and learn how to time it correctly so that I'm not washing my food out of my stomach. 4. Take my supplements EVERY DAY. 5. Slow down, slow down, slow down when I eat. Stop eating at the first sign of fullness. 6. Eat at least one piece of fruit for a snack every day. I know this doesn't seem like a lot, but it's a big step up from nothing. I've just taken my supplement and I drank my protein shake. I'm heading upstairs to drag the workout clothes from the mothballs. Wish me luck!

I'm feeling the same way. My stomach is tied in knots today. I can't stop thinking about the ladies in surgery today, and railing against the unfairness of it all. I've had heartburn at night the last few days and all I can think is that this is the beginning of the end. It's irrational (I hope), but that's the way I feel. They try to drum home that this is a permanent decision, which freaked me out at first. Now I'm afraid that it's not permanent at all, and I've blown the last month not exercising and not eating properly. I feel a huge time crunch to lose weight. Good luck with your endo on Wednesday! My positive vibes have been used up today on the surgeries, but I'll be sure to stock back up for you.

Wishing you all a speedy recovery. I hope you're all safe and sound in your recovery rooms and headed home to us soon. Please keep us posted on your status. My stomach has been in nervous knots all day for you ladies!

Hi Laura, Don't despair! I think that the hardest thing about getting the band is that the surgery date isn't the start of the weight loss for some people. There are many, many people on here who have had to wait until fill 2, 3, 4, or even 5 before they find the right level of restriction. I know that stinks, because we're constantly told to be patient (wait for insurance, wait for an insurance date, wait for solid food, wait, wait, wait!). I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a hard time. Unfortunately, it's all about making healthier food choices until you get the restriction you need. I know.. easier said than done during the holidays, but it can be done. Try concentrating on exercising instead of food right now. As far as the period, that's another common thing. I didn't have a period at all for 2 months after getting my band. For some reason the surgery throws a lot of us out of whack. I used to get my period like clockwork and I'm still out of whack. Hang in there, and good luck with your second fill. Hopefully you'll hit that sweet spot!

Glad I could help!

First, create your ticker. At the bottom of the final ticker factory page you will see three boxes of code. The top box is the code for bulletin boards (like LBT). Copy everything in that box. Go to edit signature on Lap Band Talk and "paste" the code. Click on "preview signature" at the bottom of the screen. The ticker should magically appear. Click on "save signature". Good luck!

I am so thankful for my family. My husband and kids are the best. Last Thanksgiving was a pretty dark time for me because of health problems. I spent my turkey day hopped up on vicodin and valium after a back surgery. I no longer take pain free days for granted. This year feeling good is a gift, and I have my band to thank for it. Happy Turkey Day Everybody!

Cindy, I hope you are having a great birthday! Don't forget to save room for some cake with your pumpkin pie (just a sliver though! )

Hi guys. My friend is considering gastric bypass surgery. She has had a hard time getting pregnant and she has been told by her fertility doctor that losing weight could really help. She won't consider the band because her insurance won't cover it. Her husband had a bypass last year. I'm just wondering... I went to a gastric bypass orientation and we were all told that we would "have to get an abortion if we ever got pregnant after the RNY". I had never heard of this before. Obviously I ended up getting the band so I never asked the surgeon about it. Has anyone else ever heard this? Does anyone know women who have gotten pregnant after RNY? If so, did they have any problems with malnutrition, low birth rate, etc.? I don't want to scare her or come off as anti-RNY. I'd appreciate any info that I can pass on to her. Thanks!

Yes, that's pretty standard. Most docs say 2 days liquids followed by 2 days mushies. Good luck with your first fill!

I'm sending happy thoughts your way. It will be over before you know it!

Hi DeLarla! I've really missed your posts. I'm glad to hear that you are speaking with your brother again. It will help to have your siblings to lean on during this stressful time, even if you don't always get along. More people to help with the burden is usually a good thing. Good luck with your upper GI!

That's not a small SV, that's huge! Congrats Jessiebear!!

I read a thread earlier about about some bandsters who were having problems with their cholesterol levels, but I can't find it. So, I'm starting a new thread. My husband just forwarded me this article... I thought it might explain why some people who eat an otherwise low cholesterol diet are having trouble. http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8328

NJChick, dinner is at 2. Bring the chocolate cake. ReneBean, I forgot to list the olives! We ALWAYS have olives at any family dinner. My in-laws won't eat any of them, but it doesn't seem like a holiday meal without them. Anyone have a good recipe for cranberry sauce? I'm making it for my MIL, but I've never done it before.

Oh no, I'm not making potato salad for Thanksgiving, that was a barbecue. I'm making: turkey stuffing mashed potatoes gravy sweet potatoes (sister-in-law is bringing) green bean casserole deviled eggs corn cranberry sauce rolls cheese and crackers pumpkin cheesecake chocolate mint bars snickerdoodles cherry/raspberry pie lemon curds Gosh, do you think that's enough food? My turkey is only 23 lbs. (lol) I have a weight problem too... I can't "wait" until Thanksgiving is over. I'm gonna gain 5 lbs.

I'm sorry - I don't have anything to add to the list. I practically lived on refried Beans. I mixed in cheese and salsa. Yummy. I also tried lots of different Soups. I was told that I could puree anything I wanted with a little broth in the blender for mushies, but it never seemed worth the effort. Congrats on using a fork again! It's the little things...

I wouldn't have thought to take the turkey to a BBQ restaurant for cooking - sounds yummy. Better than microwave turkey anyways... I'm cooking the traditional dinner for my husband's family for the first time, and I'm nervous. I have back up gravy in the pantry in case I mess it up. They believe a holiday dinner should have tons to choose from. I'll never forget the first barbecue I ever went to at my mother-in-law's house when DH and I were dating years ago. His mom served pork steaks, chicken legs, ham steaks, and hamburgers. Plus, a vat of potato salad and a bunch of other side dishes. There were only 4 of us. If you haven't guessed, my mother-in-law has a weight problem. Anyways, now I feel like I should have 15 side dishes and 5 Desserts... I don't want to disappoint them. Fortunately, I'll probably be too busy to eat.

Welcome to Bandland!

Great Job!!

I have a big sweet tooth, and I believe in indulging it often. I don't want to live in a world without chocolate. The difference is, now I eat 1 or 2 cookies instead of 12. I've been very successful with my weight loss. I'm not saying I won't have to buckle down a little when I start to plateau, but I think one of the great things about the band is our ability to eat everything, so long as it is consumed in moderation.

I've been thinking a lot about what plastic surgeries I'll be needing once I lose weight. I know we won't know for sure until we're down and see all the hanging skin (ew!) but I was wondering what everyone else is thinking. I know I'll need a tummy tuck and the fat/skin on my upper arms removed (not sure what that procedure is called). In reality, I'll probably "need" the lower body lift, but just the thought of that makes me cringe. And the scar is so huge, frankly it scares the crapola out of me. I already have a c-section scar, a 6 inch lower back surgery scar, and of course my lapband scars. If I get a new scar around my entire lower body I'll be plaid! I've also been considering a small (1/2 cup) boob enlargement. I can't believe I'm thinking of doing that, but the idea has been lurking around my mind for a while now. I'm not looking to be Pamela Anderson, I just want less sag. Too much information, lol? I'm going to visit a plastic surgeon when I get to about 175 (in other words, it'll be a long, long while) but I think about this all the time. What are your ideas about plastic surgery? Share with me people!

I would go straight to your husband's work and talk to HR. Explain the situation to them. Because you were already preparing for the surgery they may allow insurance to cover it. I think you have an excellent case for an appeal with the insurance company - don't give up now!

You poor dear. I'm not sure what your doctor is going to say about whether you should have surgery or not. It's true that you want to avoid nausea. There are anti-nausea medications that I've heard of people taking when they get the flu (it's called phenighen or something like that I think). Maybe you could take that when you feel a migraine hit, but your symptoms are so severe... I just don't know. I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I hope that everything works out for you. Feel better soon!