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Thanks, kgl. I am just so amazed at what the band has done for me as far as hunger goes. I get hungry at the appropriate times (every 3-4 hours) but it is manageable. I am so happy to now want food 24/7!

Good afternoon girls. I wanna put my feet up, too, Long!!! Take care of yourself and hope that this injection works for you. I had tremendous trouble with my right knee especially. Completely healed now. Yahoo!!!!!!!! Just checking in. Gotta go unload a semi at the grain dump. My job this afternoon. Extremely windy and 15 degrees this afternoon. I have two pair of long underwear on today! Talk to you all later.

A tiny little girl at birth...just 5lbs but came out screaming for nourishment. My mother said that I was ALWAYS hungry. And, for as far back as I can remember, I never really seemed to have that "satisfied" feeling. Was put on a diet by my mother at 4 yrs old and dieted most of my pre-teen, teen years and adulthood until I got sooooooooooooo tired of dieting and just gave up. At the age of 38 is when I ballooned and continued to year after year until I felt totally out of control. After being banded and getting two fills, my hunger finally stopped. I am so thankful for my family, my friends, my accomplishments in life. But, this Thanksgiving season I am also going to reflect on my new life and be thankful that my hunger is no longer with me. The lapband has given me a chance to live a "normal" life starting at the age of 53!

Good morning, Alli and all the rest of the June people...cold here in MN. I'm off to my volunteer job at the hospital this morning. I am wearing a wool turtle neck under my boiled wool cardigan. A year ago I would have died...been too warm. This thread has been pretty quite lately. Hope everyone is doing well. We need to find a way to revive it a little bit and get it out there as a reminder. It would be fun if everyone would post to say how they are doing. Please?

Becky...congrats on you 50# loss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Denise...you sharing your experience with the rest of us can only make us more aware to watch for certain symptoms. It makes me wonder how many people have problems like yours but never get checked. Thank goodness your doc found what was troubling you and I hope that you can heal quickly and get back to getting your fills and back to a restriction that is comfortable for you. Take care and try to be patient.

Congrats on your bandiversary, Aubrie and also congrats on your weight loss and newfound lease on life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So strange...did not ever order steak or even eat it at home b/4 banding. The thought of steak made me gag even though we always buy a half of beef from our farmer neighbor and my DH cannot live without this farmers steak. Well, went out for a friend's bday for lunch. Tired of chicken, salads are always such a waste so thought I would try their butterflied sirloin (5oz). Best damned meal I ever had. I savored every bite......ate about 3/4 of it. I just don't get my taste buds. I swear they have changed since being banded. So many things I eat now that I never would have b/4. Hope everyone had a good day and wishing you a GREAT day tomorrow.

Gypsy...your message is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing. It is amazing that a few words and life experience can change lives. So happy that you and your DH lived through your experience and that you came through it with such a positive attitude towards life. My moment of realization was one day not being able to walk 50 yards without my heart fluttering and thinking I would drop right there. I, too, made an immediate call to the LB surgeons office to start the ball rolling. I wanted to be around to live these years with my DH and sons. I wish great success on this journey and many years of happiness with your newly banded stomach!

Hey Phyll, in case you can't see me I am doing a pre-birthday dance around my kitchen table for you!!!!!!!! Let us know what you end up doing to celebrate. Oh gosh...I hope I don't come off as making you guys think that my farm life is soooooooooooooooooo tough. It's not. I actually appreciate my job and how flexible it is most of the time. The point I was making is that everything is such a breeze now with the weight gone. It really was a huge chore when I was heavy.

JoAnne...you are going to do so great at this. If the one and only reason I feel it is that you are soooooo informed about what you are in for. As far as I'm concerned, I think you really have your sh__ together on all of this!!!!! You are such a positive and encouraging person. Those traits will come through and help you in the first months after banding. I have had far too many surgeries to keep count anymore. The one and only time I cried b/4 surgery was with my band. I was fine until they came to get me and I walked down the hall to OR. No, not sad tears or tears because I was afraid. I think that day was the first time I ever felt like I was getting things under control and I was crying "happy tears". A couple of the surgical nurses came running to try and calm me down. But, after explaining that I was happy to say goodbye to the old me, they smiled. I have felt that control every day since surgery. There will be days, JoAnne, which I am sure you are aware. But if you go into this with a positive attitude and tell yourself you can make this work, you will sail through after surgery. :smile2:

The way I felt a year ago, I didn't think I would make it to my 55th. I can honestly say that I have as much energy as I did when I was is college. I am constantly on the run. My job here on the farm requires ALOT of physical work (not like my DH but always in the truck running for parts, moving the guys from field to field, running to the grain dryer to catch a batch and unloading trucks when I need to). The last 14-15 years of harvest have been hell for me to keep up with. This is why I invited my good friends with me for the weekend to celebrate a new life and a new me!

Finally caught up on posts from the weekend on this thread. How inspirational. Congrats to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Janet. Bday is on the 23rd. Birthdays at my age are just kind of another day...but this year I am going to celebrate my new life and the fact that all my medical woes have cleared up and that I feel so YOUNG!

Janet....isn't it a great feeling to walk in a store (that would've had nothing that fit you months ago) and things are too big? Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!! And a doughnut treat besides. I have heard so many people say that they get stuck when they try doughnuts. If you used to be like the rest of us pre-band.....we wouldn't have stopped at one doughnut. I, too, went shopping today. Found two Woolrich boiled wool vests and two Jones New York turtle necks to go under my wool sweaters. I have lost my insulation. I have slept naked for as long as I can remember. I am now wearing my cold weather Under Armour to bed. My DH actually thinks they are "cute". Hope everyone had a good weekend. Ours was good even though we worked most of it. (Harvest). Can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. We should be done by Wed. or Thurs. Always a good feeling to be done. Noticing that it is getting much easier for me to be out and about socially and eat. It took me quite awhile to feel comfortable and not feel like everyone was staring at me. I always carry something in my purse just in case but usually there are things wherever I have go. My friends are pretty considerate when I am with them at meal time. Last time I did a "girls weekend" I was stressing for a week. I head out for another "girls weekend" this next. I qualified for a 3 card poker tournament at a casino a couple of hours away. Also, my 53rd bday and the girls are coming along to help Celebrate. I have a lot to celebrate. This have been quite a year. The lap band is one of the best things I have done for myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My surgeon suggested a goal weight and we came to an agreement what it should be based on BMI. I did struggle once I met goal for a few weeks to find the amount of calories it would take for me to maintain my goal weight. My doc is very strict in that he wants all his patients to eat 1/2 cup meals 3xdaily and no snacks. I needed to throw in two healthy snacks a day in order to keep my weight at goal and not lose. I usually have a snack of Greek yogurt (15gr protein) or some high fiber cereal and low fat milk. My food plan has been working for me.

Welcome Mimi...the more the merrier! Also, congrats on your weight loss success. This is a very friendly and helpful group. Wishing you continued success!

I lost 54# on my 6 mo diet pre-op. I think the reason I was successful in losing was because I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I knew the band was going to help me for the rest of my life. I could take weight off but could never keep it off because of constantly being hungry. All that is under control with the band and I am loving the fact that I can be a normal weight and not have the HUNGER ALL THE TIME.

Well, Janet, I am lucky because I have NEVER been a sweet eater. My downfall was always snacky/salty things. My one 100 cal bag of popcorn a day takes care of that craving. I have not buckled to temptation even once in my year of doing this. I have treated myself on special occasion but I do not see that as cheating. I see that as something deserved. But, not like it used to be. As I have seen so many others post, b/4 this process I would have eaten a huge bowl of buttered popcorn. Now I'm full on my little bag. I could just cry every time I think of how well my band has worked for me.

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that it makes a lot of difference when it comes to harvest. We just keep it up until we get it done every day of the week. We'll get there. Just seems like a really long fall this year. Running at 2/3 capacity because of the dryer fire the other night. Will get it back to 100% after the new unit is put in later today. Think I finally have this maintenance thing figured out. I think I have stressed more in the last month than I did the entire 11 months of losing. I dropped 7lbs below goal but slowly getting back to where I should be. Had to defy my doc's orders and add a couple of Snacks (he really advised against it but no way to maintain on 1/2 cup meals 3x daily). 600 cals a day that doc recommends was not cutting it for me. I'm at 1200 cals and it feels right. I don't want to come across as "bragging" about being below what I want to be. I almost went into panic mode over it all. I am an extremely active person and now know that I was burning more than I was taking in. All I can say is that life is GOOD. Did a little internet shopping on the Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic site last night. I got totally great deals on some shorts, t shirts and capris. $9 capris and $6 t shirts. That even included two pair of denims. I love a good deal. New York and Co had some good deals also but their site was not working. I should be all set for our FL trip and for next summer. Better get back to it. Haven't done my daily baking yet. Making whole wheat/honey/cottage cheese bread this afternoon. Love the smell in the house when bread is baking. Heading to karoke with friends tonight. Think DS will be joining us. He's this kid that is 27, usually listens to alternative music but sings Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Jr. songs. He can really get a crowd going. Hope everyone is having a good day and will have a great weekend!!!!!

I noticed that the gas subsided about three months after surgery. Gassy days are rare now. I am eating the same diet as back then. Not sure what happened but I'm much happier now. GasX really didn't help much that I could tell.

It would be great to include other groups! We might even get a cut rate on a block of rooms!:thumbdown:

That's five to six months and you could easily be at goal or close to goal. What about a June date to meet. I know it's pretty warm in Vegas that time of the year. Maybe the others would be willing to go then so that it would be easier for you to make it. Just a thought.

Let's see who steps up and wants to plan our "Girls Getaway". I would love to help plan but don't have a lot time time right now. After Jan 1 I can dig in and find some rates, etc. Anyone care if we see a show while in Vegas? Something to think about. I am so excited that we are considering this.

Sorry you had such a rotten evening, Janet. Computers can be sooooooooooooo frustrating. We have a neighbor kid that works for a computer service business in town and he just swings by on his way home when I am having trouble. So nice....I hope he never moves away. I am up for anything and anyplace to meet. My Vegas trip in March is now off. The volunteering I am doing does not allow me to leave that week. We are having a huge community send off with a meal,(serving 1500) appetizers, dance, govenor and others speaking at the ceremony. It falls smack in the middle of when my trip was to be. I am co chair for the group that is planning, etc. so I have to be here. I don't feel too bad about it though cuz want to do what we do for our boys and their families. I guess my point is...anytime after March would work for me. I think we should elect a committee of two to look into it and plan. How about that??