shortgal

My fifteen year old Golden. Poor guy is really getting old. These days he sleeps 90 % of the day. He is the last remaining of four pets, (two dogs and two cats) we had at the same time. This photo was taken last year at our vacation house. He loves to sit outside but it was hot, so my husband set up the beach umbrella for him. He looked so funny that I snapped this photo!

Hey Foofy! Looking good girl!

I'm staying on plan today because I broke into 170's barrier and I am NOT going back to the 180's! I cannot remember the last time I saw 170's on the scale. I know it's more than TWENTY years ago. The 160's are calling me..... yes, I hear you, I'm coming!

I was advised if I wasn't that hungry to concentrate on getting my protein in first. so I drank the Isopure CLEAR premixed drink. A half bottle (10 oz) has 20 grams of protein. Some people don;t love the taste, but they have many flavors and ice cold they're not bad. But it's really not about the taste, it was about getting the protein in. I don;t see you've listed anything with a lot of protein in it. did your office give you a mimimum protein requirement that you want you to get in everyday? Liquids in = liquids out.

Yup, me too. Went for stress test, everything was ok.

You are all pronounced NORMAL! But maybe we should ask some of your friends for their opinions! Hang in there guys, it gets better! And you'll be eating in a few weeks and Yuck, won't feel like you have to lick the TV! The first few weeks, I was beginning to think all commercials were about food. Now I don't even notice them.

I worked in a Dr's office and I can tell you that in our office, medical records weren't a priority because so many other things were and that always got pushed back. My suggestion: Call them and tell them what copies you need, get the person's name you are talking to and then tell them when you'll be in to get them. give them at least two to three days for the date you'll pick them up. Tell them you'll sign any release paper they need when you get there. When you show up, ask for the person you spoke to on the phone, ( ask in advance if they work on the day you're coming) if the copies are not ready, tell them you gave them advance notice, they knew you'd be coming and that you'll wait for her to copy them. Then bring them or fax them to the surgeon and keep a copy for yourself, just in case!

WW helps to re-inforce the type of eating we need to be successful at maintenance, not just as weight loss, so learning those skills is helpful now and later. Teaches portion control by weighing and measuring and tracking. I say go for it!

Name..............Start...........Current.................Goal........ To Go Lizzie_07.........233...............231.....................220 ..........11 Osangriared.....252...............249.5.....................232 ..........17.5 Skinny_Jill.......180...............178.....................168....... .....10 Sades.............197...............197.....................185....... .....12 kandiceb..........187...............178.....................175....... ....03 shortgal............183..............179....................175....... .....4 TxArcher..........328..............324......................308....... ....16 Peaches11........217..............208.....................199......... .10 Momto1plus1.....223..............219.0..................210........... ..9 zippykat...........173..............167.....................160....... ...7 Trixie...............219.5...........215.....................199...... ....16 wnt2lose..........219..............217.....................209........ 8 plump_princess....215.............211.....................199........1 2 Mariegabrieleee....250............250......................239........ 11 Foofy..............239.5............237.5...................230....... .7.5 Shalee04..........196..............193......................185....... .8 Hollyberries......267...............264......................254...... .10 Lindata............189...............189.....................184...... ....5 I'm down three! Got another fill and that helped. Don;t think it's the sweet spot but it feels different (so far) and feels like I'm a little closer to THE spot. I think another .25 or .5 cc will be right. I'm at 8cc now! Next appt is after vacation, May 5th. I have two weeks until we leave, don't think I'll reach challenge goal but as long as it goes down something, it's all good. I'm finally in the 170's!!!!!!!!

Kendra, Great news and you sound so happy and optimistic (or is that the "special cookies" talking!) Ha! I smoked a couple times, didn't care much for it, never had it in a baked goodie though. Come to think of it with my love for sweets that would have most likely been the way to go for me! Maybe it's a good thing I never tried it that way. Look at the wonderful people you are meeting. This is one of the things about finding out you have cancer or other disease, it can become such a positive experience, even though it's hard to believe that. Such a learning lesson and teaches us whats really important in life. Great, great, great news!:huh2:

My understanding of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver,to make the surgery easier for the Dr and YOU. I didn't have to do liquids, but had a low calorie, low carb diet to follow. I would not suggest that you don;t follow your Dr suggestions, but perhaps you could call them and discuss this. I would think the scone was not the best choice and possible a fatty dressing on the salad. so I would think if they know you might "cheat" it would be better for you to cheat with low fat cottage cheese or a small serving of grilled chicken at dinner. If we were good at dieting, we wouldn't need the band. But usually there are good reasons that Dr's have us follow certains procedures, so get back on track or call the nutritionist and discuss a strategy. You'll also be way ahead in weight loss at the time of surgery by following the liquid diet. :thumbup: You'll be happy about that in a few weeks!

http://www.core.monash.org/assets/documents/research-papers/2005-52.pdf Link to Lengthy clinical report on the problem.

Gosh, you've had so many tests with no results. It would be a shame to remove band only to find out that is not it. Have you done ob/gyn exam just to rule that out, too? Ultrasound to rule out gallbladder? Have you discussed this with your primary care Dr or just your band Dr.? I've had all three tests ( before being banded). Upper GI ( found hiatal hernia) Endoscopy ( becasue of reflux) Colonoscopy ( just for routine colon cancer screening. So I've been through all those tests. I hope you find an answer.

Well, be sure to check in with us when you get home. Congratulations!

Lower left doesn't sound like where the band is. If you look on the web sites for lap band where they show a silhouette of a body and the band in relationship to the body, the band appears closer to between the breast area. You say you had an unfill recently, did you ask your Dr about the pain? Do you have the pain all the time or after eating? This is something for the Dr. to check out. Maybe it's something else and not related to your band. Female trouble? Kidney? Gallbladder etc should all be ruled out if the pain is chronic.

I have read some people have been totally unfilled after reaching goal, but others get a slight unfill at maintenance. I think it depends on the person and how tight they were to get to goal and what foods they tolerate and if they continue to lose while they are really just trying to maintain. Good news is, if you and the Dr make an error in how much they take out, you can always get a little put back in.

First question: Do you have any health problems now? Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea? Second: are you sure you are 5'11"? Lots of people overestimate how tall they are and an inch makes a difference in your BMI number. With a BMI of 35 and two co-morbidities ( health problems) your ins. if it's covered under your policy might pay. If it turned out your closer to five feet 10 and at your current weight you are very close to a BMI of 35. Weighing in at the surgeons with clothes and shoes on, you're there. If you have no co-morbidities, then most likely you'll have to self pay. Many people on the forum have gone to Mexico and been very satisifed. Prices are much cheaper, but a lot depends on where you live for receiving good after care for fills etc. Keep reading on the forum and you'll get lots of info. There are sections based on what state you live in (you could get a reference to a Dr from someone in your state) and sections for checking out Dr's and hospitals and sections about insurance.

there is a previous thread on this subject, just search around a little you'll find it. It's happened to others.

Tami, You look way better than just "OK". I don't see any stretch marks on your tummy and just love what your PS did to your side belly (upper Hips). The upper and lower body is now in much better proportion. I'll be waiting for those thigh photos, but I still can't see from that photo that you need that done! Your photo is the one, I'd bring to the surgeon with me. I have the same problem areas.

Go Linda! :thumbup:Go Linda! :thumbup:Go Linda! :bananajump:

Starbux: It's normal to gain a few pounds or have the scale stall once you start mushies. Food in our system holds water weight, that's why we lose so fast on liquid diets. Eventually it all evens out and you'll start to lose again. P.S. Keep your protein levels up and the inches will come off. sharona: Ouch, hope you're better soon.

Yes Linda that is a problem. After losing half we feel better, we fit in better and we become complacent. When my husband complimented me, it made me feel good "enough" and I reminded him to be careful with the compliments ( even though I appreciate them and glad he's noticing the changes). But having another goal is helping me. Because I am short, I need mostly petite clothes, a few short sleeves shirts in regular sizes are ok) but the selection of petites is limited in size 16, where I am now. And the choices are better at size 14 and under and petites are generally sized about 1/2 inch smaller than regular sizes, not just shorter, for many manufacturers, but not all. One of the things I hated about being fat was buying clothes, so I know I have to stay on task to get to a goal of having a much wider choice of clothing to choose from. It's bad enough that many items, like sleeveless, will be off my list due to the saggy arms, so getting to size 12 or 14 petite is my next goal and I'll evaluate from there. Hope you find your personal motivation to stay on track.

Hey Dee, Our Ct. banded family is growing! Nice to have you join us.

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