picardy3

Hey gang! :biggrin1: We have now entered the month of September. I see that our challenge thread is going strong. I've looked at it, but haven't joined, yet. Hope things are going well with everyone. I've just had my third fill :clap2: and I do believe that I now have the level of restriction that I've heard others talk about. :hungry: Chew to goo and not a lot of food is my mantra these days. Picardy3

Thank You! I've had a wonderful day! My students were cooperative, my principal came in for an observation and the students were super smart (always a plus), and I just got in from dinner with friends. Bandster rules kind of went by the wayside for dinner but I didn't eat like I would have in the past. Just can't pass up a margarita with tex-mex. :hungry: Picardy3

Nah, amourette, you're not the only one. I've just had a three day weekend so work has been strange today. Everybody tried to follow Monday's schedule instead of Tuesday's. I've met myself coming and going. Now I'm trying to get caught up on messages before I start in on my new grad school class. This is my fifth class and puts me halfway through with my Masters. WOW! I can't believe that. Pic

I now know how my band reacts to stress and it's NOT good. :huggie: I have a new principal this year and she is determined to make sure that we know she is the boss. Out of the thirty or so teachers on our campus, only 4 have remained in their original room. Everybody else has a new room this year. That wouldn't be such a problem if she HAD BOTHERED TO LET US KNOW! I found out from a co-worker that I had been moved to a new room downstairs that is LESS THAN HALF THE SIZE OF MY OLD ROOM! :huggie: I teach elementary music and we do much more than sing. I have no idea how I'm going to cover all of my objectives in "the closet" as I now call my room. Our campus has always been a family and now she has decided that being a family is not good. She's trying to make us business aquaintances. Not a good thing when you teach 4-11 year old students. The only people she is cordial with are the new teachers that she hired. It's very obvious in our staff development. She praises them, asks them to do things, and smiles at them. If anybody else tries to help they get shooed away and if we respond to a question we have to defend our answers. Anyway, I can now tell that there is a band around my stomach and it's not a good feeling. Breakfast was tough this morning, lunch not much better and I PB'd on my snack on the way home. I am now sitting here with a bowl of thinned down yogurt and planning on liquids tomorrow. I don't know when I'll be able to eat solid food. I've got to find some way to get things to relax but I just don't know what I can do yet. The only good thing is that I'm not eating over this. Stress eating has been a favorite of mine in the past but it's just not possible right now. Thank goodness! I've been through a situation similiar to this about 7 years ago and it raised my blood pressure to stroke level and I came very close to suicide. I'm here still through the grace of God. I know that I can deal with this but I need some new coping techniques, so I'm open to suggestions. I feel a bit better for having typed this out, but if this keeps up, it's going to be a L O N G school year.

Bettina, I wish I knew how the band reacted to stress. All I know right now is that if I get upset about something, if things are going badly at work, etc. that my restriction is definitely different. Even when I think I've gotten things under control or calmed down, it still makes eating a bit more difficult than usual. Thursday was a bad day due to being late to work, teachers late picking up students, and finding out some rules and procedures have changed without my knowledge. lunch that day was extremely difficult to get down. Today was relaxed and easy going and lunch slid down with no problems. My co-worker who convinced me to look into the band could tell the difference in how I was eating today as compared to yesterday. I'm hoping to figure out soon how and why mine reacts the way it does. And of course, yours might not react the same way. Everyone is different. P

then whammo! Why do things hit out of the blue? And why is it that once I get everything calmed down in mind and spirit does this stupid fickle silicon fist from hell like to rear it's ugly head? Hmmmm, gonna have to work on this some more.........

I only told three people before my surgery, but once I got back and people were asking why I was out, I told everybody. There are a couple of people who are now looking into the lapband because I shared my experience with them. Glad you figured out PITA. She showed us again today just how nuts she is. Today and tomorrow are work days in our rooms so we can get ready for the kids on Monday. Anyway, at 5 min to noon, she comes on the speaker and tells us that we can leave for lunch at noon but only have 30 min. I've been teaching for 15 years in three different districts. We've always had an hour for lunch on workdays, but not with her. Crazy!

Thank you for the replies. Today was much better. Our entire district met today for a convocation/back to school rally. Our keynote speaker was awesome! He gave us so many good ideas for attitude adjustments and getting rid of negativity. We can't wait to try them, on the principal especially. :heh: I'm not the only one having issues with her. A few talked with me yesterday afternoon and then the five of us who carpooled this morning discussed our situation. We know that whining and complaining won't help any of us, so we are banding together and supporting each other. That and the new hand signals we were taught this morning should get us started off and then we will figure out something else. I've talked with the counselor at my school also and she is wanting me to try meditation, so that's on my list of things to do. I can't really go to the school board because that doesn't follow the chain of command. This is the 8th largest school district in the country so I really have to follow the rules for things like this. I'm also in an inner city school and our parents are just happy that we have their children for 8 hrs a day that they really don't care what size room I have. Tomorrow is a work day and I will get down to business and see what can be done. There is a posibility that teachers will be moved again, so I might be able to get in on that. We'll see. As far as eating while in the car, I know I'm not supposed to, but I have a 30-45 minute commute depending on the traffic. It was late in the day, I had worked hard that afternoon packing up stuff, and I had an early lunch, so I really needed a snack. Unfortunately I just didn't know how the band would react to stress and now I know. There will be no more eating when I know that I'm stressed out. Most of the time I don't have any problems, this really was a new situation. I also know that I only have a year or two longer doing the job I'm in now. I'm in the process of getting my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction and really want to move into that area. I'm telling myself that I can do anything for a year and if not, God will find a way for me to make it. I wish I could say this was her first principalship, but the rumor we've heard is that this is her 3rd school in four years. Don't know if that's true or not, but wouldn't surprise me. She's also very anal about organization, quiet, and not moving when you're not supposed to, so I can't wait to see how this fits with my loosy-goosy freestyle of teaching with my students. I plan and follow my lessons, but I also think on my feet and adapt as I go along. She's more of a "by the book" person and I like to improve on the book. I also realized today that she has traits of the three principals that I've worked with in the past that I had issues with. That will give me a reference point for when I start dealing with things. I do have some experiences to draw on and that will help. Thanks again for the responses and I'm still open to other ideas, suggestions, techniques, etc. Audra

Yesterday was such a bad day that I forgot to mention all of the comments I've been getting at work: Wow! You look great! You have a waist! I can see your figure! I can really tell you're working hard! Looking good! Keep it up! Between my new boss being a PITA and the great comments, things are definitely strange in the emotion department.

This thread will give you an update on my school year. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=273121#post273121 Vacation was great! My mom, sis, and oldest nephew came over and we went to Six Flags. I rode the roller coasters for the first time in several years. :clap2: We went shopping at IKEA (lot's of fun) and watched lots of movies. That's the highlights. The rest has been spent doing grad school work, watching movies, and hanging out. Glad to hear you can get to your Dr. quickly. Hopefully you'll get things straightened out soon. If my stress level doesn't go down, I might have to get a bit of an unfill. I'm going to try relaxation techniques and other things first. food doesn't even look appealing right now.

OH MY GOSH! I go back to work tomorrow! Summer vacation is over! :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: Anyway, glad to hear our group is doing well. I think I'm down about 40 lbs. My scale keeps fluctuating so it's probably a good thing I'm going back to work. I'll finally get back on a regular eating schedule. Right now I eat when ever I feel hungry, which some days is a lot and some days very little. Nobody from work has seen me all summer so tomorrow should be interesting. I'm definitely wearing smaller clothes than at the end of the year. In fact the pants that I'm now wearing are beginning to get a bit of a saggy butt, but I'm not shopping for new ones until these are falling off of me.

I used a green Sharpie that I had at the house to mark my braline and waist line so that the surgeon could work around those spots. The remains came off in the next shower that I took.

Dr. Smith is my surgeon and he has been fantastic. His office staff have been great as well. It's been a great experience.

Hi Heather! Dr. Smith is my surgeon and I've had a wonderful experience with him. He's always smiling and in a good mood. The office staff have been great to work with as well. There are a few others on this board that have used Dr. Smith. Hopefully they'll see your post too. Audra

I've seen it mentioned on a few threads that bandsters are not supposed to take capsules? Why? I don't remember my doctor saying anything about this or else I've just forgotten, but I'm taking my effexor in capsule form and have not had any problems. I've also taken tylenol in capsule form. Just looking for an explanation.

My principals have always encouraged comfort over style. They would much rather I be up on my feet teaching in my old lady shoes than sitting behind my desk in the most fashionable pair of sandals. I would wear what's comfortable and if anybody has a problem with it, then let them know that they are welcome to pay the doctor bills for any foot problems that may arise from wearing the "cute but less comfortable" shoes. I wear shoes with lots of padding as well but if by chance I decide to wear the "cute" shoes to work, you can bet that by the time the first class is over I have on my extra pair of Ryka's that I keep at school. I look really cute going down the hall in my skirts, tights, and athletic shoes. :biggrin1: But my feet don't hurt and I'm up all day!

It seems there are quite a few opinions and variations on taking capsules. It doesn't bother me when I take them, but it is something that I keep in the back of my mind. Keep the info comin'.

Oh, my, gosh! I coulndn't find our thread. Well, I have officially joined the bandster club and am no longer a PB virgin. Not exactly what I had planned to do, but the pork chop thought differently. Slimed for about 25 minutes before the blasted bite FINALLY decided to come up. Meanwhile, I have two crying cats because mom is walking around, flapping her arms, and yelling at the stupid pork chop. Such a site to see! Anyway, I hope the rest (or most) of our group is still PB free. Audra

Ok, I can no longer find our thread so I'm starting a new one. How's our gang doing? Things are moving slowly here, but that's ok. It's been TOM so I was expecting that this week. I did get my second fill scheduled. It's June 19th. The first fill has been pretty good, some days I really don't care if I eat but then I have days where it's "Where's the fridge?":hungry: I have my 20th year high school reunion in a week. :faint: I'm looking forward to seeing people, and even though I'm not as small as I was 10 years ago, I'm smaller than I was 2 months ago. All I have to do now is finding something "dressy casual" for our big dinner. I have no idea what that means, but I'm sure I'll find something. I need something new but I also don't want to spend a lot of money on it because I don't plan on wearing it often. I want this to be a one time outfit. So that's about all that's happening here. How about the rest of you? Audra

TexasRose, I feel much the same way that you do. I'm 37, single, no kids, and not dating anyone at the moment. I've always struggled with my weight and now that I'm losing, I think "What happens if I meet someone and decide to have a child?" I have a feeling that plastic surgery is somewhere in my future, so I don't know if that will change the way I feel about things. I teach, so I'm around kids all the time and I've three nephews and a neice, so my mom has grandkids and doesn't pressure me. At the moment, I'm happy with life and my three cats and working on my master's. Audra

Wow! That's fantastic! Tell your DH congratulations!

I was with my students on a school field trip to Six Flags when it first happened to me. I had finally convinced one of the boys that he would just LOVE the Mr. Freeze roller coaster and that I would ride it with him. Well, lo and behold, they couldn't get the safty mechanism to close. I had to get off in front of EVERYBODY. Yes, it's embarrasing. No, I didn't break down there because that would have been worse since I was with my students. This is not the only time this has happened. Last Spring Break I went with my mom and sister (both skinny) to Fiesta Texas. I had just recently lost about 60 lbs. on my own and thought that surely I could ride the roller coasters. WRONG! There were still a few that would not close safely and I had to get off in front of everybody. But let me tell you the good news now. I was banded on April 3, 2006, and went to Six Flags last Monday. For the FIRST time since who knows when, I was able to RIDE every roller coaster that I got on. Talk about an adrenaline rush! I couldn't wait to get to the next ride! So hang in there, it will get better. I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one this has happened to.

I still have mine, but I'm expecting it will have to come out sooner or later. Everytime in the past that I've lost lots of weight I would have major attacks with pain, vomiting, etc. The only reason I didn't have it taken out the last time was that I was in a new town, didn't know anybody, and wasn't really sure where the ER was. I also didn't want to call 911. Don't ask me why I didn't call them. :confused:

We took our First graders at school to see this movie for a field trip. I wasn't sure that I wanted to see it at first, and then fell in love with it. I bought it the first day it came out on DVD and even though I've now watched it at least 15 times (I showed it to some of my classes) I still cry during the ending.

I'm finding the same thing happening with me. I've just had my second fill and wouldn't you know the week before everything I ate began to cause golfballs in my chest. Never PB'd, just hurt till I quit eating or slowed down. Got my second fill and now it's a crap shoot. In the mornings I don't care if I eat or drink and at night it's all I want to do. I think my band is just playing head games with me. :paranoid And both of my fills were the week before my cycle, so who knows what that's doing to me. Of course family will be visiting this week and we'll be eating out quite a bit, so this should be interesting to see how my band decides to react.