Lori_K

Congratulations on your success Gibson and Jaime! :sneaky: Warm hugs, you both deserve to dance a jig and be very happy! :leaving: I just struggled though the "Aunt Flo Plateau" and lost a couple pounds . . . it's been a slow month for me, but I'm still swimming! :sad: Hang in there with me girlfriends!

Yeah, I want that to be me too! I'm really not craving anything in particular, I'm just tired of the Beast-of-Hunger-Hell gnawing away at my stomach. :biggrin:

*Hugs* Queen of Hearts, your post made me smile! :biggrin: You are right, I've really been trying to eat slowly to avoid that pain again! However, the hunger monster is still beating on me. My hubby says I should schedule a fill sooner than May 28th, but I'm stubborn, lol . . . I just want to be able to do some of this on my own. Hunger is starting to wear me down a bit tho . . . I just hope my 3rd fill gives some relief! Keep hangin' in there with me sweetie . . . slow losers unite! :smile:

Amy you look gorgeous! Completely beautiful, congratz on all the hard work you've done, it really shows (although I admire you for running that marathon too!). I know the picture is about you (you sexay thang ) . . . but your dog peeking out from behind you is also very cute! :biggrin:

Hey Amy! :hurray: And hiyas my fellow double V's! I'm here and still swimming! Doing good, losing slowly, but's it's all good as long as the scale is moving in the right direction. I haven't had as much time for the computer lately, been crazy busy at home with projects around the house and in the yard. Amy, you've lost the same amount of weight as me! :Dancing_wub: Sadly a size 16 is still a dream for me, 214 pounds on a 5' 2" body is still too much for that, but I'm working on it, and feeling great with my progress! My second fill has given me some restriction - I swallowed a piece of fish that wasn't chewed enough, and oh boy, I felt the bandster initiation! :tt1: It didn't come back up, but it did get stuck for about a minute, and I was really surprised at how much "slime"/saliva you can make in that one minute, LOL! Bleh. I hope this is not TMI, just the truth of bandster life. Since then I've reeeeally slowed down my chewing and have been really paying attention to bite sizes and such. I know, I should have been doing that all along, but one forgets every now and again, yanno? :hurray: I am still hungry a lot, so I'm not sure what I'm gonna tell my doc at my next fill visit (May 28th), whether to push for just a small fill or leave it, since something got stuck. I really would like to be less hungry, but I don't want to be super-tight either. It seems the sweet-spot is very close! Ok sorry to ramble on here . . . I do hope all of my fellow Victorious Valentines are doing well . . . please keep in touch, and just keep swimming! (or walking, running, biking, etc., etc. :Dancing_wub:). *Warm HUGS!*

CHEERS! Congratulations BlessedTwice! :w00t: That must be such a great feeling, I'm so happy for you! Your body was just waiting to break through that plateau and give you a wonderful surprise! :smile: Bravo to you for your hard work and hanging in there! Please save room in onederland for a slow loser like me! I can't wait to join you there. :smile: And I agree with you . . . once I get there, I'm never going back!

Danielle! Welcome to Band-Land! :w00t: I've been away from these forums for a bit, but I had to stop by and see how you were doing. It's so good to hear from you, I hope you are continuing to feel better. Apeters gave you the best after-surgery bandster advice. :smile: Please do keep in touch and let us know how you are doing! Remember, when things seem tough, "Just Keep Swimming!" :smile: *warm (but gentle!) hugs*

Is it possible you are referring to the port site hurting? (the band itself around my stomach does not hurt at all). Anyway, the answer is no (at least for myself) . . . I'm a serious stomach sleeper, and hate sleeping on my back. I sleep on my stomach all the time with no problems at all. Right after surgery, I did give the port site time to heal, and I slept on my side with a body pillow to lean into and give some support. So I'm currently sleeping on my stomach, quite comfortably, just like I did before surgery! Best of luck to you on your lap-band journey! I hope you get your approval soon. Don't listen to the nay-sayers . . . just be sure to research, research, research and do what you feel is best for you.

Here's another fun idea, Edible Arrangements! They are flowers made from fresh fruit (with some chocolate dipping, but I'm sure you could order it without if you wanted to). A nice healthy alternative for those cheese/meat baskets (not that they aren't yummy! :party:) or nice for someone who doesn't like real flower arrangements (I know I'm not so fond of them, they die too quickly). My husband received one from his sister for his birthday (hubby can be hard to buy for as well! ) . . . and he loved it! (He did share with me :party:) Just an idea! Edible Arrangements® Gourmet Gift Baskets and Floral Fruit Bouquets

Hey Becca, welcome back, great to hear from you! I can relate to the plateau's suck syndrome . . . just came out of one! I can't wait to get to the 50 pounds syndrome though. :sad: I just had my second fill yesterday, and I can tell a difference, although I haven't had anything stuck yet . . . if I forget and take too big a gulp of Fluid, my pouch/stomach sure complains . . . "hey, take it easy up there!" :blushing: I watched your video, you are amazing! You are definitely a natural in front of that camera. Your fill experience looks identical to mine, my doctor numbs the area first too . . . I'm glad he does! Great job Becca, hang in there and keep swimming with us! You are an inspiration!

Thanks for the tip on the Muscle Milk Light Shirley! I would never have thought to check eBay. It sounds good, it would be nice to have something different. And thanks for the support group info! It sounds like fun, I'm gonna try and make it to the next one. Looking forward to seeing you too! Danielle (you're prolly sleeping for your big day tomorrow as I write this!) :blushing: just keeping you in my prayers for a smooth and successful surgery tomorrow! Please write and let us know how you are doing when you are up to it.

I take Bariatric Advantage VitaBand chewable Vitamins - they are designed to meet the needs of Lap Band patients. Bariatric Advantage - Bariatric Advantage VitaBand Chewable Multivitamin - Watermelon (180ct)

Hi Danielle, I'll be honest! lol I don't think the Isopure is the best tasting stuff, but if you drink it chilled/over ice, then the taste improves. You just need to find the flavor you like . . . I enjoy the Mango and the Punch. I'm drinking some right now, as I just had a fill yesterday and I'm on liquids for 24 hours. I hope you have a time soon for your surgery! Will you be staying at the hospital overnight?

Hiyas everyone! Hey Amy *HUGS* I'm here :yesnod: . . . I read the forums almost everyday, but not posting as much (ok I need to do better!). Congratz Amy on your restriction, and the 6 pounds lost! :w00t: I'm so happy to hear you have some restriction now. I had my second fill yesterday, just one cc this time (my doctor said the same as yours, if you're losing weight, they usually don't give you a fill). But because of my symptoms (hunger, no restriction) he went ahead and gave me a fill (and I really don't mind going slow with this). Right now I'm still on just liquids (for 24 hours), so I really can't tell if I have much restriction. However, even being on liquids, I'm not as hungry, so things are good. My weight loss has picked up again (oy I hate those plateaus!). Coolcrystal, your cruise sounds awesome! I sure wouldn't worry about 3 pounds, the fun time would be worth it! We have the band, but need to enjoy life too. :hurray: And the fact that you had no restriction is indeed a victory! Congratz to you for hanging in there. Just keep swimming everyone, and keep in touch!

Hi Danielle! Good luck with your surgery! There is a drink called Isopure that's sold at GNC stores, it has 40gms of protein, with no carbs or sugars. It looks like kool-aide and comes in many different flavors . . . but before you try it, be sure to ask your doctor FIRST to see if it's something he/she allows! Do you have a nutritionist/dietitian you are working with? They can help a lot with your protein needs. To Shirley (sstasevich) - I'm not that far from the 11 mile/Little Mack area, and I'd love to meet some fellow Michigan bandsters! So the next meeting is on May 7th? Do you know the name of the church? Thanks so much! Keep in touch Danielle, let us know how you are doing!

I was having some problems losing weight for a while too. :frown3: I put in a call to my dietitian, and we discussed several different options, one of them was maybe bumping up my calorie intake a bit. I did that, I was eating about 700-900/day, now I'm keeping it at about 1000 - 1100. I also discussed the low carb thing with her, and told her I was getting about 30-40 gms per day. She told me that was NOT enough - that you need carbs for brain function (I know I need all the help I can get! :grouphug:), and that I should be doing more like 100 gms of carbs a day. Now, she's not talking sugars and white processed breads, pastas and such . . . we discussed good carbs, like those you get from fruits, vegetables, beans/legumes and whole wheat products. I still focus my intake mostly on Protein, but I did bump up my carbs a bit - and it seemed to work, I've lost two pounds! I believe in keeping things balanced, it seems to be working. I do keep track of my daily intake on the Fitday program, if I didn't, I know I'd overeat. Especially right now, as I have no restriction! I have a fill coming up on Monday the 28th, and boy, do I NEED it! Can't wait to get in and see my doc.

Hi Elvisfan! There is a Michigan thread here regarding Sparrow: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f43/lansing-anyone-use-sparrow-49569/ Just research your doctor really good (try looking up your doctor's name on ObesityHelp.com, for starters). You can also use the search option here on LapBandTalk (just look at the thick blue bar at the top of the page for the search). Being nervous is common! We've all been there. :grouphug: You're starting a new life, and it's a good one if you do your research and understand how to work with the band! LapBandTalk is one of the best forums to get support - if you have any other questions/concerns, always feel free to ask! We have some great Michigan people here Best of luck to you!

Ah, BlessedTwice, I'm right there with ya girlfriend. I've been struggling with a plateau for the past two weeks, and it's starting to get me down. I'm either 220 or 219, I can't get past it. It seems my body lost 30 pounds, and it wants to stop right there. It's frustrating, because since the day I went on my pre-op diet, I've stayed right on plan. The only thing I can think of that might be a "cheat" was a glass of wine I had when I was out to dinner with my husband. But that was before these past two weeks. I have been keeping close track of my calories, fat, carbs and Protein intake - I use Fitday's program (I even bought and downloaded the program, so it's on my computer, and I don't have to worry about internet problems). I keep my fat and carbs low, my protein intake is about 70 to 90 gms a day, it's what I eat mostly. I do drink my 64 ozs. of Water everyday. Calorie intake is about 700 to 900 a day. And I exercise - two miles on my treadmill everyday, plus what exercise I get from daily chores, yardwork, etc. So hitting a plateau sure is frustrating. I just got done with wicked Aunt Flo, and I was hoping for some water weight to come off, so far nothing . . . still stuck at 219. So I hear ya when you say you feel disgusted BlessedTwice. You're not alone! I too feel like I'm making great food choices, then it's sooooo hard when nothing happens for so long. I know it's irrational, but I feel like my body's done with weight loss. ARRGH! I know weight loss is never easy, and tough times happen! I just gotta keep telling myself this will pass. It's hard right now, this is about the lowest mood I've had since I've been banded. Anyway, thanks for all the great advice everyone. I'm wondering what I should do to break this plateau - maybe up my calories to 1100? I always feel like I'm gonna gain if I do that. Sorry for the rambling and venting!

Hmmm, let's see . . . 33 pounds, I've lost a cinder block. :glare: Ok that's boring . . . I'm gonna break it up a bit. 10 pounds - Chemical additives an American consumes each year (UGH! That sounds awful! ) 20 pounds - an automobile tire (not the one around my waist apparently :Dancing_biggrin:) 3 pounds - an average human brain (so that's where mine went! ) Fun thread!

Ok, good things first: Rave! My weight is 219 today, woot! Finally out of the 220's, and into the teens! Onederland is feeling closer, some work to do yet though. TOM is coming up, I hope I don't go back into the 220's Dang hormones! Rant! at 219, my BMI is STILL 40. Bleh! The BMI moves so slow. I'm really not overweight, I'm undertall!

Ezma, you're doing great! Just Keep Swimming with us, and we'll all get to wonderful onederland! :biggrin:

Hugs Amy! Awwwwwwww ..... :scared2: you're making me blush again, you're so sweet! I'm blessed to have you as my "sister from another mister" (I love it! :wub:). Onederland by the 4th of July? OK, you're on! I love a challenge! Let's both think positive and say WE WILL DO IT! Half the battle is the belief that you CAN do this! We'll just keep swimming together! No race though, let's just support one another along the way. :tongue: I don't have any restriction right now, so I'm right with you! (I'll see how it goes on my next fill date). And don't worry about having any pitty-parties! I feel we're all entitled to a few of them, as long as we get back up and keep on going! Hey I've had mine :crying: . . . I don't know if it's wicked Aunt Flow or what, but my hunger has been raging lately. But I'm just trying to hang tough and do the best I can! I'm so proud of you too sister! And all the Double V's here . . . this is the best Lap Band family anyone could ever ask for! Warm hugs to all! xo Lori :smile:

Missing you too Karen! Hope all is well and you're doing great. C'mon back to us when you can!

Only one fill so far here, and I haven't experienced anything getting stuck yet. I still can't really tell the band is there! Ah well, another fill is coming up in about 2 weeks . . . maybe then I'll pass into some of the rites of bandland