SuzanneG

I use medical adhesive remover. SMITH & NEPHEW Uni-Solve Adhesive Remover: Compare Prices, View Price History and Read Reviews at NexTag You can buy it online or at a medical supply place. I had a major surgery a couple of years ago and was covered in that sticky mess. I tried everything and nothing worked until I found out about the adhesive remover.

Hey Guys, I just wanted you all to know I'm still here. I read this post everyday, but since I still can't run, I don't have much to add. The doc is giving me another 8 weeks before he decides if he'll have to operate on my foot again. I'm going to PT twice a week and it seems to be helping but I'm a long way from running. I can walk without a limp in running shoes, but can only walk on my heel in any other shoe. :thumbup: Keep your fingers crossed. I really need to get back to running. You guys are doing great! Keep up the good work.

Ha, Kristine, I love the scales idea. Although, I have serious old lady ass, so no way I'd tattoo that! ha ha I like the word idea. I might just pick one and do it.

Keep me posted on your progress!

Thanks for the ideas. I saw one time where Lindsey Lohan has one on her wrist. I'm not a fan of hers, but she had "Breathe" tattooed in white (so it's barely visible) on the inside of her wrist. I thought that was a really neat idea and would kind of like to do something similar, but not sure what I would put there other than maybe 01-04-08 (my band date). But that's pretty boring, I'd rather have some cool inspirational words.....hmmmm now I just have to think them up.

I rarely eat leftovers, especially meat because it's almost always too dry for me the second time around. Glad you're feeling better.

Ha ha Kristine, I love your logic. What did you get? I was also thining of a tatt on my foot, but not sure what I want.

Sounds like the first step would be to call and tell them that some information was missing from your package. sleep apnea, I'm pretty sure would get you approved under most insurances. I was denied throught BC/BS and ended up having to appeal. I wrote 2 letters of my own, plus asked each of my docs for letters of support. I've shared my letters with many folks on here and would be happy to send them to you if you end up having to appeal. You are wlecome to use them as a template. If you want the letters, just PM me with your email address and I'll send them to you. Best of luck to you.

What you are describing sounds like stuck. You already guessed it, you need to take smaller bites and chew longer. Also, I couldn't eat bread for the first year at all. For some strange reason I can now, but never before. You might want to considering cutting bread down or out of your diet for the time being. Full should just feel mild pressure, not painful and of course you should feel satisfied.

I have never given up my coffee, not on WW, calorie counting, and now the band. I drink decaf, so that's not an issue. I do, however, like mine sweet and creamy and I use the good stuff. But I only drink one mug a day so I allow myself the treat. It really just depends on how much you like it and how important it is to your day. For me, it helps to get my band relaxed so I can eat. Like most people my band is really tight in the mornings and warm coffee really helps.

I never heard of staying away from caffiene. Why is that? A lady here at my work used to be a personal trainer, she told me to take excedrine before my race and it would give me energy without making me have to go the bathroom the way coffee would. I tried it and it really worked! Of course I don't normally drink caffiene so I am sensitive to it. I have my last PT tonight before going to see my podiatrist tomorrow. He's going to decide if I need further surgery. I'm not sure what to think. PT is helping and I can pretty much walk without a limp now, but only in running shoes. I can almost do a two or three step jog, but with pain. My biggest fear is getting caught in the middle....good enough to walk, not good enough to run and unsure whether to have more surgery. I'll keep you posted. Keep your finger's crossed. Carol, good luck on your race. Kathy, when do we get to hear about the torch?

reneek, good for you! That's exactly the way I look at it, I look forward to my weigh in on Friday and days when I feel fat, I'm glad I'm not getting on them. Let us know how it works out for you.

Wow congrats! 100 pounds is awesome. You have every right to be excited. I feel a shopping trip coming.......;-D I rewarded myself with clothes shopping, OFTEN, during my weight loss and still do. Now I can't seem to quit. ha ha Good work everyone!

Restless, I have near hero worship of my doc. I ADORE him and he has been fantastic to work with. He too tells me how great I've done and that he's super pleased with my progress. He said he considers me "at goal", but I keep fighting to get to my ideal weight. As for the docs comments, it does kind of sound like a backwards compliment. After all 20 pounds is VERY good for your stage of the game. Good work and keep it up!!

Sounds like you might be too tight. However, you should never be able to guzzle liquid, that is a pre-band habit that you have to break. It was really hard for me. If you can drink your protien shake just fine, then give it a couple of days. My doc says liquid diet for 2 days, mushies for 2 days, then back to regular food. If you can do that, you're OK.

TSB, good luck to you. Def avoid the cigs. Why are you having to journal your food? Are they forcing you to diet while waiting for approval? My surgeon said once I did that initial weigh-in and approved by ins, it didn't matter what my weight did, the surgery was ON. I had so many "last suppers", you have no idea. I ate like CRAZY before I started my preop diet. For me, journaling is kin to HELL. I just can't/won't do it. Luckily the band will liberate you from that chore. Best of luck to you! Please keep posting throughout your journey. We want to know how you're getting along.

Neo, for me the big motivation was that I didn't want to risk my surgery. You work for and plan so long for this and you know it will change your life. The diet is intended to shrink you liver to make the surgery safer. There are folks on this board that didn't do that. My doc said if your liver isn't smaller when they go in, they'll close you up and send you home, sans your band. There was no way I was going to take off work, go through the insurance appeals and months of work and then be sent home without my band. I found fear of that was a terrific motivator. Besides, you already know it's only for a couple of weeks, so there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. The popsicles helped a lot. Good luck to you and congratulations on this life changing decision!

I'm with JuJu, for at least 20 years I weighed myself EVERY day. And it would control my mood for that day. 1/2 pound down and I was flying high 1/2 up and I was miserable. Even after being banded, I obsessed over everything. A very good friend of mine, who I met through LBT, asked me to make a pact with her that we would weigh only on Fridays. If it hadn't been for my commitment to her and my word, I wouldn't have survived the first few weeks. Literaly, for the first time in my life, I'm weighing once a week and it IS liberating. I too am happy to be rid of the monkey on my back. Some weeks I'm tempted to step on the scales, but a promise is a promise and I didn't want to have to tell her I slipped up, so I stick with my Friday weigh-ins and I'm a happier, gentler ME! So, you still sneaking onto the scales? Would you consider trying the weekly thing? JuJu - Congrats on making it to Twoterville!!!!! Way to go!!!!!

I lost pretty much the same way Jacqui did. For me, it's the only way that makes sense. Doing the other stuff is just like being on a diet. If I could do that, I wouldn't have needed the band. I can't stand the idea of being chained to a journal or weighing and measuring my food. I will say my doc harps on measuring though, but I seldom pull out a measuring cup.

Erick, Excellent advice! I've changed my whole way of thinking and try to think of myself as an "active" person now. I play tennis, run, swim and do any other physical activity that I can find. My daughter bought me a shirt for mother's day that says "Athletes Run". I love that simple statment.

I 100% agree with Jacqui. For me, running was the first and only time in my life that I saw results in my stomach. I never knew that running would flatten my stomach. I completed the Couch to 5K program (you'll see a thread on it here) and my stomach was drastically smaller, not to mention my hips and thighs. I've fallen in love with running now after years and years other workout vidoes, classes and other exercises, running was the first one to make such drastic results in my body.

Hey Everyone! Its so great to read about your successes. Kee up the good work. Jane - Thanks for the encouragement. I will try to find something that I can do until the foot heals. Lyn - Welcome back. I'm envious, but hearing your story encourages me. I walked for 30 mins today, it was rough, the foot was very sore. Malissa - Way to go! You're well on your way. When I started my DD could walk faster than my run, but I kept at it and it does get easier and faster! Good for you! Kathy - Thanks for your vote of confidence. Also, congrats on the loose jeans and great job on the cake. I can't wait to hear if you win the contest for the torch. Based on what you told us, I'd say you have a great chance. Mac - You're amazing! And still losing I see. You give me something to strive for. Everyone else, keep on keeping on! I hope to join you soon! ** I've promised myself a very fancy treadmill if I can get this foot to heal. Trying to make sure I keep my head in the game and keep my motivation up too.

Carol - Thanks for thinking of me. You should be really proud of yourself! You've stuck to your program and are making excellent progress! I'm so miserable with this bum foot. I'll find out on the 17th if I'm going to require more surgery. If I do, it'll be 6 months from now! I never thought I'd see the day, but I'm dying not being able to run or exericise. I desperately want to get back on the treadmill. I start physical therapy next week, keep your fingers crossed for me. Kathy - OMG that is so amazing. I so hope you get to carry the torch. And if you do, think of us and you can carry it for all of us here on LBT!!! I'd love to read your essay. You willing to share? I miss you guys. I'm feeling like a marshmallow, feels very much like my fat days and I'm losing my confidence that running had given me. Really hoping for a miracle with the foot....

Way to go Jane and Carol! I know you'll both do great on your upcoming races! Wish I was running too. Still limping... :thumbdown:

For me, I worked on endurance first, so I ran slower but for longer distance. I would think it works out either way, except if you are going for cardio fitness, the longer time is better for you than the short burst. Having said that, I'll defer to the real experts on here: Mac, Kathy, et al?