Apples2

Cathychatts....(hollering) Where are you????????????????

Brownbear...happy things are settling down for you and that you were able to get your mother to a place where she will be comfortable. I am sure it was a difficult time for you. It's surprising what stress can affect our bodies. I am sure it was not easy to stick to eating right when you did not have power. I am sure you can get back on track and take those couple of pounds off. Take care.

I had to do the 6 mo. medically supervised diet which was required by my ins. company. I was told by my surgeon that the initial weigh in weight was what is used when paperwork was turned into ins. company. I would do the 6 mo. diet all over again, even if not required. It gave me time to wrap my head around what I was in for with the band. I was able to lose over 50lbs during that time period. I worried about feelings of deprivation after surgery if I was not prepared prior to surgery. Good luck to you with your approval and the entire process. I can honestly say that the lap band is one of the best things I have ever done and treasure the fact that I will hopefully have it with me for a lifetime.

Been banded 3 months and need to get some new food ideas so decided this thread would be one to pay attention to. Read back through all the pages and already have some good ideas. My doc has me on 3 one half cup meals per day....no snacks. I have pretty good restriction after two fills. B- Plain Oikos Greek yogurt with S.F. caramel syrup L- 1 Tbls. L.F. mayo, 2.5 ounces grilled chicken wrapped in lettuce leaves. D - 1/2 portabella mushroom, 2 oz. diced chicken, 2 Tbls L.F. cheese drizzled with F.F. Italian dressing and baked. Very filling and great taste.

Hey Brownbear...just checking to see how the eating is going. Are you still tight? Hope it's better. How's everyone else this week?????? I have a busy one. We are in the middle of harvest, closing up the lake place, trying to get my house all cleaned (b/4 surgery puts me down for awhile), and going through all the pre-op junk. All I know is that I have 110% more energy this year during harvest than last. I feel as if I could run a marathon. Hope everyone is having a good week. Would love to hear from you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!:redface:

Best of luck to you. I have also had a number of surgeries and the LB was by far the easiest.

Congrats V....those moments just need to be shared. For me it's even better than scale victories.

Don't be fooled. LOL. The band isn't that great. I lost over 50 b/4 getting the band. I was extremely faithful to my 6 mo. pre-op diet.

Thanks for sharing your story, Jachut. At the beginning of this journey, and as I watched my belly melt and sag, I was almost positive that I would need a TT. Now I am thinking that I can cover most of the flaws with finding the right fit in clothes, etc. I have had so many surgeries in the last 20 yrs that I would just as soon avoid another one if I could. I will give it all some time to see if any of the tummy skin corrects itself. I am wearing a size 8 jeans with no muffin top. I do wear tops to cover my lower tummy though. I will just give it time and will see what the future brings.

Brown Bear...I notice that when I am under stress or certain situations are not what I am used to when I have my meal, I am more tight. I have to be VERY careful under those circumstances to concentrate on small bites, chewing and waiting in between bites. I also notice if I have a cold, fever, etc., I am very tight. Your idea of eating mushies or liquids for a day or two might be a good idea.

I am about 10lbs from goal. My lap band surgeon insists that his patients wait at least 12 months b/4 considering plastic surgery. He believes that saggy skin might tighten up within that time period. I do have some saggy skin on the lower stomach but not too bad. I will most definitely consider a TT a year from now if my stomach is still in the shape it is now. The way I see it is; why go through everything that I have to take off this weight and have a poor body image because of the hanging tummy. I am 52 yrs old and consider myself lucky. I have come out of this weight loss with no hanging skin on my arms or anywhere else on my body except for some on the lower tummy. Would like some feedback from others who have similar issues.

I think I would go to my dr. A.S.A.P. It sounds like you are either too tight or you have another problem going on. Hope you get it figured out soon, Sue. Take care

Long...I LOVE Ann Taylor also. I bought three tops last week in that brand. I am also a fan of Jones New York. I am built opposite of you. I carried all my weight through my middle. My legs and arms have always been slim, therefore, the reason I can fit into the size I did today. I also am still in a 38DD so that makes the shopping for tops difficult for me. I envy people with a nice rounded hour glass shape. But, I am going to appreciate any shape I end up with once I get to goal. I had too many days while obese loathing my body. Aren't those moments great when you realize you most likely will never step foot in a "Large" women's department again? Woohoo for Long!!!!!

Hey all! Back at home today. Two more weekends and close up the lake place. "Sob"! We will be starting our harvest anyway and I love this time of the year on the farm. Busy but pleasant. Love the smell of the corn drying in the dryer. Hope everyone is doing good. Stopped at Walmart today and picked up some more OIKOS Greek yogurt. I have a tough time eating in the morning and these satisfy me and have 15g of Protein. I buy the plain flavor and put a few squirts of calorie free flavoring in them. Other yogurts usually have only 5g. Not sure if I posted about these b/4 but just a little tip. NSV...Also bought my first pair of size 8 Levis today. I need talls and was surprised that Walmart carried them. Figured it was time to buy new since I was at the point where I didn't have to unzip my size 10s...just pulled them down when I had to use the restroom. Hope this is not taken as bragging. Just an awfully good feeling and made my day. Looking forward to when I have access to the forum everyday again. Hope our June group stays close and continues to have daily contact into the future. Would be fun in a year or so to find a centralized place to meet for a girls weekend. I have the Mall of America near if anyone would want to meet there...there are lots of options and something fun to think about. I love to travel so ANYWHERE would be fine with me.

Thanks for the tip, Kat. I will have to look for that brand. I am also a coffee lover. I am hooked on a Texas pecan flavor. No creamer. I have always wished that a non-calorie creamer was available. Anyone know of one?

Cathy...congrats on the birth of Lylah. You must be on cloud nine. No grandchildren for us yet. Cannot wait. (My boys seem to have no problem waiting!) Also, happy to hear that your last fill helped and that you are losing again. That's what it's all about. Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I forgot to throw in that I am one of the cluztiest persons ever born. I did get the giggles once I got back into the dressing room.:thumbup:

OK...gotta share what happened to me today. Was trying on jeans at our local store. Had about six pair in the dressing room with me. Tried on the first pair and they were too big. Got excited. Was getting into the next pair...had my left leg in and tripped on the waist band getting my second leg into the jeans. Well, hit the door, door swung open and hit my shopping cart (quite the clang). Before I knew it, I was sitting in an open aisle in my bra and panties right in front of the deacon from the local church. What the hell was he doing lurking in the misses section by the dressing room anyway? Be warned: Take your time trying on those new jeans....even if it is a NSV moment!!!!!!!!!

My doc recommended just a daily Multivitamin. I trade off taking Centrum Silver (chewable) and Flinstone gummies (2 for an adult dose). Good luck as you begin down the lap band road.

Had that kind of a day last Friday....and WATCH OUT....they come in 3's! #1. My new couch that I got a month ago ripped all the way across the back. The fabric actually just frayed. We spent a little extra on it because we wanted quality. #2. Went to a concert and someone stole my new jacket (just purchased that day) off the back of my chair. #3. Mother of our god daughter called to let us know our GD was is SERIOUS trouble. All this in one day. I should have stayed in bed!

Nope...no mascara on the lashes. I had the eyeliner just put at the very rim of upper and lower. Didn't want too much. Turned out to be just what I wanted. I feel so free not having to wear liner or mascara.:party:

Go for the outfits!!!!!!!! Even though I am so happy I still have done the rewards thing. I did permanent eyeliner and eyelash extensions last month and my final reward will be a tummy tuck if it is needed.

I promised myself that when I reached goal that I would buy myself a tanning booth. Well, that doesn't seem so important anymore. I am just so happy with the weight loss that I feel I have been rewarded. (I still might get the bed....I hate to break a promise LOL).

Hey Kids! Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. We had a great weekend at the lake. 5 of us couples took a limo to see Sara Evans and had potlucks, campfires, etc. Had my second fill a week ago tomorrow and think that I am where I need to be for right now. I actually think the fill is perfect. Yahoo! Feels so good to just not even think about food when that hunger hit a few days a week. Hope things are going well for all of you. Let's get this thread going a little. I miss hearing from some of you June people. Take care.

Hang in there Strike...keep your resume out there. Always keep your options open. Sorry for the upheaval in your life. It's difficult enough getting used to banded life. You certainly don't need the added stress in your life. Take care and hope everything falls into place for you. Hugs!