chichigirl

I have been following fitness magazines, shows, books, you name it, if it had the word fitness somewhere in it, I devoured it to see if I could find what it was that I was missing. I was convinced that there was this secret that thin people knew about and I didn't. I was sure that if I could figure out their riddles, then I too would be able to finally be thin. There's no big secret that there is a lot of conflicting and contradiction in many of the articles put out there or discussed. It seems you get different answers from different people. Okay, so I tried to sort through all of this confusion and make an intelligent choice as to who was right about the things they were telling us. After all I am a fairly intelligent person, decent education and logical and reasonable, yet flexable and open-minded. So can anyone tell me why we keep saying that if someone is not losing weight, like during a plateu, or if they are not losing fast enough, we tell them to increase their calories. That by increasing your calories you rev up your metabolism, thereby burning more calories. Exercising is encouraged, but not a part of my confusion, the exercising part I get. My confusion comes in when I find out that people who have RNY surgery take in very few calories a day, and yet it's a well known fact that they drop weight at such a rapid pace their skin cannot keep up with them. Then you have the anorexics and bullimics. Anorexics consume as few calories as possible, with their ideal caloric intake average being between 200 to 300 calories a day. Bullimics may gorge themselves with very high calorie meals, but then purge it all back out. They know how to time it just right so that their bodies can only gain nutrients from as little as possible. There motto is, if you have waited an hour to purge, forget, you've lost the window of opportunity to eliminate all that you had taken in. Again, they have a general caloric intake of between 500 to 600 calories a day. Higher than the anorexic, which explains the difference in their appearances. I am soooo convinced that all eating orders are somehow interconnected with each other, which is part of the reason I have researched the information on anorexics and bullimics, as well as binge and compulsive eaters. My conclusion is that everything points to the lower the calories, the smaller the body, period. I am most certainly not advocating for anorexia or bullimia, please don't misunderstand, I recognize them as potentially fatal diseases. It's just that I question the validity of those telling us that our bodies go into starvation mode, lowering our metabolism, and stop us from losing weight if we do not consume 'enough' yet they don't usually tell us what enough should be. We often have to play around to figure that out and that is hit or miss at best. Maybe I'm just a crazy lady who's been battling her weight most of her life and I am frustrated. Do any of you ever question these things? Or is it just me? Does anyone really have the answer. I know we are all different, so the answers must be different, but to be at polar opposites doesn't make sense to me. Cindy

I tell them I haven't lost enough to discuss it yet and would appreciate it if they didn't ask again. If they should persist, I simply ask them what word did they not understand from what I said before? If that still doesn't stop them, I simply say that they're being offensive to me and I don't talk to people who offend me, then I walk away. Not very snappy, but I try the polite route first and gradually build from there. Three strikes and you're out! It's really ashame that people are so hung up on the numbers, including myself I have to admit. If it's not weight, it's age or money or how long you have done something wonderful, numbers all numbers, I hate them!!!! Sorry, off on my own little issue here. Hope this helps, but no matter what, you keep your head high and know that you are a truly wonderful person at any age or at any weight!!! You are beautiful inside and out!!!!! Cindy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND BEST WISHES FOR A FABULOUS YEAR!! EAT DRINK AND BE MERRY FOR TOMORROW WE MAY DIET!! ENJOY IT ALL, YOU'VE EARNED IT!! (((((((((((((BDHUGS)))))))))))) Cindy

(((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))) That's a really big hug for a really big accomplishment!!!! Congrats and thank you for giving us all inspiration that it really can and will happen for all of us!! You rock!! Cindy

Congrats on the super weight loss. That's really great, but somehow I'm not surprised considering your activity level. Wow, I am really impressed and encouraged at how much you do. I think it's wonderful and believe me, it's one of the best things you can do for yourself. I also love that you obviously enjoy your activities, it's a good reminder to all of us, that exercise can be fun!!! Keep up the good work, you're of to a great start!!!! Cindy

Anesthesia today has got to be very safe today, as opposed to years ago. I know that I had the surgery after I had a heart attack, quadruple by pass surgery, diabetes and heavy smoker for over thirty years. Talk about your high risk patients, kinda hard to beat my track record, and I swear I breezed through the whole thing. Was home in less than 24 hours, no pain meds were ever needed, no complications whatsoever. And to beat a dead horse into the ground, everyone is different, but I really believe this to be a very safe surgery. IMHO It's good that you're asking questions though, especially on a board that will get you a lot of responses. The more info you have the better off you will be. I think that's true for anyone considering elective surgery. I wish you the best of luck in both your research and your surgery, should you choose to have it done. Cindy

Considering what happened to Lisa after others started posting(last wish envy) I have decided to wait until everyone else has posted and steal the best ideas! Whadaya think? That's 'cause my brain is already fried and I just haven't had the sense to give up the ghost yet, lol! Thanks Lisa for starting such a great thread!!!! Cindy

Toooo cute, thanks Lisa!!!! Cindy

Glad to hear everything worked out in the end for you, but oyyyyy!! What you had to go through, what a shame, so glad you have recovered and able to share your story with us. Like they say, every surgery is different, and what you went through definitely qualifies for really different. Please keep as posted on how you are doing. Cindy

Thanks you gals! Those are really cute and both have me laughing out loud. I always appreciate anyone who can make me laugh. It's one of my favorite pastimes, laughing that is. Keep 'em coming!

All of you are really great. I appreciate all of the information and sharing of your own personal experiences. I too believe in losing weight in a healthy manner and that includes exercise, as much as I hate it, I know that it works. I am a diabetic and am insulin resistant, this means that it is very, very hard for me to lose weight. By exercising, I am physiologically changing my body and the chemistry within it, thereby, increasing the body's acceptance of insulin and lowering my blood sugars. There is no way I could tolerate a diet really low in calories, nor would I even try, it's just not worth it. I got the band to lose weight for health concerns, multiple co-morbidities, all weight related. So I would not damage my body further by losing weight in an unhealthy manner. You all have been so very helpful. I honestly feel that obese people have more knowledge of fitness and nuitrion than the average person. I know we are constantly searching for what will work without killing us at the same time. Thanks again to everyone. Cindy

Please don't misunderstand me, like I said, I do not advocate low calorie diets, I don't believe those are healthy and I have no intention of following them. Seriously, I'm was just questioning as to why it is we stop losing weight and say that we are not getting enough calories, that by adding calories you increase your metabolism and therefore will start dropping weight faster. You know what I mean? Jachut - Your comment about the idea is to eat as many calories as possible and still lose weight is the perfect combination, makes more sense to me than anything else I have heard or read. Thank you for helping me to understand, I really mean that, because before you said that, I wasn't getting that, but it does make a lot of sense. I appreciate you both answering my questions and your concern over my possibly doing something unhealthy is very much appreciated. But really, that's not what I was trying to say at all. And again Jachut, thanks again for that explanation, it's amazing how putting things into different phrasing can suddenly trip our switches of understanding on in our brains. Rene - I also wanted to let you know that I think you are absolutely wonderful and are one of the most positive and supportive people I have seen posting here. Thanks for being there. Cindy

I am so glad you took the time to share with us your feelings. This is a very supportive group, as you well know, and everyone is more than willing to be there when things go haywire, it's nice to hear something that is so positive. I echo your words of gratitude and share in your feelings of being blessed. Thank you again for sharing with us and I hope these feelings continue as you heal(quickly). There's nothing better for morale than good news! Cindy

Oh Bunkie, So very sorry to hear about all your troubles. Life gets rough sometimes, but the good thing about being so low is the only place left to go is up(not weight wise though,LOL). I am always amazed and in awe of those of you have taken a break from the weight loss for as long as you have and you don't gain and you think you're terrible because you didn't lose. Maintenance is 99% of the battle if you ask me. I have always been able to lose weight, it's been keeping it off that I have trouble with. I had all of the fill removed from my band and after a year I regained every single ounce I had taken off:-[ But as the wise ones who answered you earlier, the band is still there, patiently waiting for you to be ready to go again. As for your doctor yelling at you, I don't think he will if you haven't gained any of the weight back. Mine had a fit with me, but that was only because I gained back over 120 lbs. I really deserved that yelling at I have to admit. But he's been fine ever since and is pleased that I'm taking the weight off again. I too had an insurance change at one point, all I did was call the customer service number on the back of my card, explained to them what I needed and they said no problem, and it wasn't, they covered every fill, including the ones with fluro. I am sending you ((((HUGS))))) and I will pray that things get better for you. In case you haven't realized it yet, if you're considering trying to lose weight again, you are already on the mend. Cindy

Randy, What you are feeling and thinking is perfectly normal. It's not anything different than what the rest of us felt and thought just before our surgeries. I have read a few posts from people who were just banded that were questioning their decisions immediately after their surgeries, as they were having a rougher time than most in their recovery process. Unfortunately, unless you have had surgery before, you may not know what to really expect as far as how you will recover. For myself, I have been through a ton of surgeries, everything from open heart to carpel tunnel. On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the worst, the lap band surgery would get a 3 on my scale. I had no problems, just some slight soreness in the muscle where the port was put in, and after a couple of days, I didn't even have that. But everyone is different. Because it's done laproscopically, it's a much less invasive surgery than one might think. I believe one of the biggest problems people have afterwards is the gas. Not everyone is subject to it, I had none, but a lot of people do. The solution is having some GasX in the house, because you may need it. As for success stories, I would recommend you visit the Before/After pictures thread on this board. It's several pages long and chock full of some of the most inspirational pictures you could ever ask for. I love going there when I am frustrated with my weight, diet, exercise, or with myself in general. My story is a little different than most, but then so am I, LOL :-]. I was banded in February 2002. Within 18 months I had lost over 120 lbs, when I freaked out psychologically and emotionally. I couldn't handle it, so I went and had all of the fill removed and over the course of a year put it all back on! Pretty dumb, I know, but that's what I did. Fortunately, I have received counseling and believe I have worked through these issues I was dealing with and after putting all of the weight back on, I decided it was time to lose it, this time for good. In the early part of August of this year, I went in for a fill and have been losing ever since. That's the beauty of the band, if you need to readjust your thinking and take a little break you can!!! The band will still be there patiently waiting for you to come to your senses. As far as the problems some people have had, unfortunately there are always some percentage of people who will end up with something going wrong. That's a small risk, one most of us felt, was worth taking. Questioning this over the gastric bypass, that's normal too. I have had that thought many times, but the truth of the matter, my decision not to have the RNY was well founded. For me the risks were too high. I believe this is a much safer option and actually feel, that this is much healthier, IMHO. I wish you all the best and will keep you in my prayers that everything goes extremely well for you with the surgery, the recovery and the weight loss journey. Cindy

So you got a cold doin' the haunted house thing, huh? It's amazing that it's a head cold and not a chest cold, LOL :-], I saw your costume, still waiting for the pics though, were you able to take at least one? I hope, I hope, would love to see it. Sorry you're feeling so lousy, but another thing that might help is something called Cold Ezee. They are lozenges, but fair warning, they are yucky tasting, but they are suppose to be really good at kicking colds in the butt. Hope something helps, but like they say, it takes two weeks for a cold to run its course. I hope yours doesn't go on in the severe stage too long. Cindy

I don't think so. It usually only happens to me if my band is too tight or if I eat really, really fast, but my doc only warned me about vomitting in regards to possible band slippage. Did you have a really strong bought with hiccups? It can be so embarrassing especially if you are trying to talk to someone on the phone. I swear everythings I'm a heavy drinker, LOL:-]. And I am, but only with Protein drinks, I don't care for alcohol and never did. Anyway, if you are really concerned, give the docs office a call. The nurse there should be able to answer that question I would think. It might cause some inflammation of the stoma though, which would make it more difficult to swallow. If that happens, stay on liquids for a couple of days and that should clear it up. Hope this answers your question. Cindy

Eileen you crack me up!!!! But the truth of the matter, I feel that people who are making these comments are the same people who would make comments when I was heavier and would reach for something sweet or dare to order potatoes with my meal, God forbid. What I eat or don't eat for that matter is my business and certainly not theirs. If they were really so well intended, they'd keep their comments to themselves unless they were asked for their opinion. I have tried to learn the difference b/w those who are really concerned with my well being and those who simply think they know everything for everyone in every situation. To me those who ask those ridiculous questions are the same people who tell someone they know is a diabetic, ohhhh, one little piece of cake, pie, cookie, etc, won't hurt you!!! It's like they're trying to kill you. As far as their intentions, if they are truly well intentioned then they will ask me how my band works, not question what I am eating, especially while I am eating it. Cindy

Okay, here are todays stats, such as they are: Weight 308.5 loss of 4.6 Measurements that same as last week: Under bra 43.5 Waist 46 Hips 56 Good luck to everyone and as always thanks Nana~ for doing all this for us. Cindy

Loulou, It's about 'existing' until we learn how to live. I pray that you do realize that you are having an awful dip in your depression. I hope that you seek the help you need from your doctor. That's not what you need to hear right now, but as my friend here on the boards, if I could I would be taking you to see a doctor, even if it meant going to the hospital to do so. Go ahead and get angry with me, I can take it. I truly know this is not what you wanted to hear, but rather, what you need to hear. I know the black pit of depression and have known it since I was only 12 years old. I know what I am talking about. Because you are so heavily medicated, perhaps the meds need to be changed, what you are taking right now does not appear to working for you to well. Promise me that you will at least call your doctor TODAY!!! Please and let your husband and other loved ones know how you are feeling. The worst thing in the world for you to do right now is isolate yourself. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! There are alot of people who love you and this dark feeling is only temporary I swear. It will pass and then you can breathe again. If you need or want to, my email address is cspiller@earthlink.net. I will be more than happy to talk to you anytime. I have seen you here on the boards and you have also been so positive, and right now you can't. Let others help you as you have helped them for so long. Please take care of yourself. You are far too important a person in this world and as they say here in America, you're one of the good guys and we need as many as we can get. To lose even one means great sadness and loss for us all. ((((((((HUGS))))))))))) Cindy

That's fabulous! I too am a scalaholic.(Confession time) I will try also to only get on the scales on Monday morning as I belong to the holiday challenge and need to record my weight for the week. I think you belong to it as well. Anyway, I do think that's a major NSV!!!! It's certainly a huge accomplishment and means you're on well on your way to 'skinnydom". I wish you the best and hope I can follow your example!!! You go girl!!!! Cindy

The only way I know they can check for a leak is with the fluro. Bit of a pain in tush to have to go through that, but I don't know how else they could check. Does your doc remove the old fill before injecting the new fill? Mine does, and that way he can check how much I had left, then injects that amount plus whatever he's going to add. That might be another way to check if that's not the way your doc does things. Otherwise, I have no idea how you would know. I noticed before, when I lost over 120lbs, that getting restriction was much harder and the fills didn't seem to last nearly as long as prior to that. ?????? Cindy

Hi, Wendy. Congrats and welcome to the banded side! You may be questioning things right now, but once you heal and start the process, you will feel differently. It's hard not to regret doing something that is causing you pain right now. But the pain doesn't last forever and you will see a difference after that. For right now, you are very inflammed and swollen, particularly in the stoma area, that's where everything goes down. It's perfectly normal to have difficulty swollowing anything at this point, but as the days goe by it should and will diminish. I can't tell exactly as everyone is different and you did have other work that was done. But be patient, it will pay off. As for getting the 'ticker' at the bottom, simply go to www.ticker.com and follow the directions. Be sure your choice is for weight loss and then you will be asked to choose your strip and then the little counting figure, in my case I have a candy corn. Then it will ask you the stats on your weight and weight loss, after that it will tell you, your ticker is completed. It will actually give you three different url's but just highlight the very first one and cut. Then you come back here and go into your personal profile. Go to the area you wish for it to be displayed on the page and press paste. What will first come up is the url address, but when you select to view your profile, that's when the actual ticker will show up. I hope these directions are clear enough for you to follow and I hope my memory is serving me right, it's been a while since I did mine. Good Luck. Feel better soon!!! Cindy

I know exactly how you feel, I lost over 120 lbs, but because of all of the compliments, particularly from men, I totally freaked out. I had all of the fill removed from my band and proceeded to regain each and every pound and then some in less than a year!!! I couldn't shove the garbage into my face fast enough. I was obsessed and ate myself back into oblivion. Not to bright. Instead of confronting my issues, I reverted back to just covering them up with food. Stupid me, I still had to confront the issue and finally did. By then it was too late about gaining weight back, so I had to start all over again. Thank God I have the band, because I went back in early August and had a great fill done. I have steadily lost weight since then am proud to say continue to lose almost on a daily basis. Sure I do slip from time to time, but I just restart right after I fall. I cannont tell you how much freedom I am feeling from this weight loss. Unlike before, I am paying close attention to each and every benefit I receive from the weight loss. I am actually looking forward to getting my weight down, which is something I never really did before. I am no longer afraid to feel sexy and attractive to the opposite sex. That's a very big deal to me. I wish you well, please if you need to get counseling, do so. You have worked so hard for so long to keep yourself hidden, it's time to shine, you so deserve it. Cindy

Well, no you can enjoy your vacation, knowing all of this has finally been settled. Getting the insurance approval is always the harderst and longest part. I am so very happy for you and wish you a very successful surgery and rapid recovery. Have fun on your vaction. Keep us updated and let us know when you have an actual surgical date. Cindy