Apples2

We can just visit on this thread if you would like. There may be others that would join in to give or get advice. To PM, just click on the person's name and a list will pop up. Click on "send personal message" and type your message in the box provided. There's no question that you should worry about asking. We've all been there. I received so much help from others when I first started out and enjoy paying back. What are some of the things your are wondering about? Fire away!:redface:

Welcome, Reece. Fire away with any questions that you might have. There's always someone with the experience and an answer to your questions. What part of Australia are you from? We have many friends from there spread out all over your great country. Sydney, Canberra, Melborne, Adalaide (sp?), The Entrance, Gold Coast, etc. Never met an Aussie I didn't like! There is an Aussie thread here. Just go to the home page and arrow down till you find the group. (Not that you are not welcome in any area of LBT). Being 15 months out, I can tell you that lapband was a very good decision for me. No regrets. Wishing you luck!

Allie...so sorry you lost your GF.. It's been fun watching you transform. Looking forward to you posting photos of your final results. Stay strong, but have a pity party those first few days. Any of my friends that have had TT, breat lift, etc. have said anything they went through with the pain (some say they really didn't have a lot of pain...just that the drain bags were hard to deal with) was worth it. It should be considered the final step in your transformation. Good for you for taking that step. You will definately be in my prayers. God Bless

Welcome Baybek....wishing you luck and a successful lapband journey. I'm 15 months out and would do it all over again. Just a little advice.....follow all your doc's rules, etc. Wrap your head around the fact that this is a lifestyle change and try to make the necessary changes earlly on in making good/healthy food choices. You will still be the one that makes the choices of what goes in your mouth and the band will be there to help with portion control. When it comes to hunger...listen to what your stomach is telling you...not your head. Take care and much success!

I have a very easy chicken chilli I will share. I LOVE to cook and do so on a daily basis. Feed a lot of guys on the farm and they love it. I do get it if you don't like to cook or do not have the time, the processed would be a good source of protein and quick. I make and throw in the freezer. Ready to grab. When I make chicken and there are leftovers, I just dice and throw in a freezer bag. Always diced chicken in the freezer to use in this chilli. 6 stalks celery diced 6 large carrots diced 2 Tbls chilli powder Add a couple of cups of water, cover and cook till tender (a diced onion is optional) Do not drain. Use a larger pan so it accomodates all ingredients. Add a large can of V-8 juice. (1 quart 14 oz size) 3 cups diced chicken 1 can garbonzo beans 1 can butter beans 1 can navy beans 1 can chilli beans Heat on low, stirring often.

I have a quick fix for you in a situation like that. It was taught to me years ago. Will never forget the time or place....I was so humiliated. A friend and I were eating in a restaurant that was having an "All you can eat" chicken dinner. There was a couple sitting next to us that kept staring. Finally, the women says in a very loud voice "Neither of them need to be eating fried chicken, let alone all you can eat". I know I turned ten shades of red. My friend told me to calm down and watch. First my freind spent about 15 seconds and just stared at the woman's shoes, then moved up to about her middle and then started back down again to the shoes. The women got so flustered that she got up and left. I have done this in situations where ppl have blurted rude comments. Try it, it works.

Each night I allot enough calories to still be able to eat some low fat popcorn each night. During the weightloss phase I popped the 100 cal bags. Something to look forward to and takes awhile to eat. If I was hungry a bit later I would eat a pickle, cocktail onions (a little bit of sweetness and only 10 cals for 5 onions). I always have a bag of melon cut and ready to grab. A few little chuncks do the trick. Also, I have bags of prepared veggies or open up a can of veggies to snack on. As others have said, get your trigger foods out of the house. Good luck!

Every morning I have a Pure Protein bar and pre-packaged Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal (either one or the other) when I am on the run. Aitkins and Myoplex Lite bars also work when I don't have time for a real sit down breakfast. I also cook up a pot of steel cut oatmeal and after cooked add raisins and Splenda. I put in individual freezer containers and freeze. Always ready and convenient to throw in the microwave.

Greek yogurt will give you needed protein. Just buy the plain and add some pureed fruit to get some flavor. Greek yogurt is much higher in protein than other yogurts. And, everyone needs a few carbs in their diet on a daily basis.

I guess the best way to start is to just throw your questions out there. There are many experienced banders willing to share their experiences. I remember the waiting for insurance approval. Was my most worrisome time throughout this entire process. The lap band is the best thing I have ever done for myself. You do have to work right along with the band in making healthy food choices and following your doc's rules. If you do these things, you will see results and ultimately hit your goals. Wishing you luck. Feel free to either email me our send a personal message.

Much worse things that you COULD have eaten. As others have said, don't beat yourself about it. Use it as a learning experience. Was the guilt worth it? Probably not or you would not have posted about it. Does the LB Goddess forgive? I think so. She loves all her children.

Now that it is chilly, I drink mostly hot drinks. I buy Alpine Spiced Cider mix and Walmart. 15 cals. I do mix with 16oz of boiling water instead of 8. Do not like things too sweet. Also, Swiss Miss or Nestles hot cocoa mix. I use 16oz prepared coffee, the mix and 1 tbls of Divinvi or Torini SF syrup...caramel or hazelnut.

Wishing you luck and a speedy recovery. Take things day to day. Everything will fit together and you will figure out (as far as you diet) what you can or cannot tolerate. I have always chosen NOT to be too restricted by the band. I did not want to eliminate certain foods. I do not mind getting hungry once in awhile. I choose to eat every 2-4 hours. I eat most foods....just less. I make far more healthy food choices than when I was obese. You will figure out what works for you. For now, just follow all of your doc's recommendations. Come back to LBT for support. There are people of all stages asking for advice, venting and just plain talking with other LB people.

I am sooooooo sorry I made that impulsive statement earlier about calling your mom. Sounds like it is not an easy situation with your mother and wishing you the best.

Tracy...just want to say congrats and thanks for your post. Puts it all together and hopefully will catch the eye of someone struggling or looking into having LB surgery. If you can inspire just one person by your post, you have done a your good deed for today!

Depends on what your doc wants you to do. Does he ask his patients to wait a certain amount of time? My doc did not have a restriction on coffee. I drink it every day. 16oz black coffee, 1 pck Swiss Miss FF (25 cal) and 2 tbls SF Torini syrup. I find it holds off hunger and is VERY satisfying.

I would do it over again no matter what it took!

Just personal experience here....I was banded June, 2008 (15 mo?). I have been at goal for about a year. About 1/2 way through the weight loss stage I was in a panic about the way things looked. When attending my initital seminar on the Lap Band, my doc mentioned that it's a good idea for anyone thinking of PS to wait at least a year or more after reaching goal when considering PS. Well, happy to report that I do not have a need for it. I realize that everyone is different when it comes to the elasticity of their skin. I am very happy with the results on this 54 yr old body. (54 in a couple of weeks) Wish you luck!

Ooops...just noticed that you are my age. If your mom is no longer with you as mine is not, call a good friend.

Me + Cold = Tight. Happens when I get a fever/flu type illness also. Just do your liquids and as someone else mentioned, liquid meds such as DayQuil/NiteQuil. Call your mom....that ALWAYS helps. Get well quickly!

Could be one of those foods that will just affect you for awhile. Have you tried Greek yogurt or just switching to cottage cheese? I can eat yogurt but certain dairy products do bother me since having my lapband surgery. Ice cream, milk, cheese. I have no explanation why. It does seem my tolerance is better than it was a few months ago.

Just go to top of any page and click on PHOTO and then go down til you see Apples2. Or, just click on Apples2 on any of my posts and will bring you to my public profile and just click on the photo that shows down below the friends list. In the album file

Hey Tina....I think your intitial post put it all in to perspective and how we have all felt. I would have done the same as you and refused to have my photo posted on a web site. We've all had those comments like: You have such a pretty face Aww...you're not "big enough" to get the band (WTH? 249# and 5'6"?) Come on...let's all go out on the raft...That middle part is even big enough for you to sit on, Karen. If you can lose over 50# b/4 you have this surgery, then you know you can lose it on your own. ETC., ETC., ETC........ I had seen your thread floating around the last couple of days but did not pull it up to read it. It piqued my interest this morning. Why? Last week I posted my very first b/4 and after on this site. It was very difficult for me to do. Even after reaching goal and being at goal for over a year, I still do not like to show the "real" me b/4. I chose the blurriest photo I could find and posted it. DH happened to see the post a few days later and convinced me to take the step to show more clear b/4's. Point is: I used to get that statement "But you have such a pretty face". First of all, I avoided the camera when I was obese. And, when the photos popped up on my computer I could not look at them. I had to dig down deep inside me for the courage to post my clear b/4 photos. Even at this stage I am so embarrassed by what I had done to myself and how I looked. But, reposting my b/4 photos yesterday was very "cleansing". Done, over with, get on with the new life. That WAS me back then. The after photo is me NOW and I'm going to run with that. In fact, I think I am going to print those b/4's and put them on my pantry door as a reminder. Congrats on your weight loss this far. I have said to people that questioned that if I could lose the weight on my own b/4 the surgery, then I shouldn't need it. Nope, I could do it cuz I could see the light at the end of the tunell. I knew I would have my "tool" to help me keep it off. Wishing you luck and keep us informed of your upcoming surgery date, how you are doing post-op and come back and post the success you have had with the band.

Hey Cherish...congrats on your weight loss so far. As far as your questions go...#1. Thigh discoloration. I remember looking there (at about the same stage you are in now) and noticed the strange color. After a few months, my discoloration disappeared. #2. Proportion of body. I've posted in other threads on how disappointed I was by the fact that I lost weight face first, breasts, arms, legs and even at 20lbs b/4 reaching goal I was still carrying around so much through the middle and lower belly. Yep, it all evened out. Just be patient. See what you end up with when you reach goal (actually give it a year for things to tighten and settle) Good luck!

I tried aspargus for lunch today. Roasted them just till tender (about 20 minutes at 375 degrees). Actually, like them better than my sweet potato recipe.