Southern Missy

I don't know about the rest of you but I am so psyched!! :tt2: I thought it would be fun to see how much we have lost ... say starting with your preop diet (or at least 2 weeks before banding) until now. I think it would also be very motivational for the rest of those who are still waiting to be banded -- give them something to look forward to and help shake those jitters! Anyway, I was banded on May 8, and as of today have lost a total of 20.5 pounds!! :wink_smile:

Love this new forum, just wish it had been around when I was searching. However, for those who are searching, FYI, I chose Dr. T because of the location (GREAT hospital), and his willingness to perform fills when you NEED them versus based on a schedule. He also just charges a copay for fills which is great when I hear all these people who have to pay upwards of $100 for a fill. Makes being compliant much easier! I'll be glad to answer any questions anyone has about Dr. T or his office.

Down this morning another 1.5 pounds. Whoo HOO! :thumbdown:

First day went GREAT -- as of this morning, down 2.5 pounds! :thumbdown: I wasn't able to exercise as I didn't feel well last night but I didn't beat myself up over it too bad since I had such a great day with caloric intake. I took in about 1100 calories and had maybe 2 servings of carbs. All in all -- I consider it a great re-start. Today has also been awesome; Bfast: 1 egg, shredded cheese, 1 sausage patty Lunch: 2 oz tuna, 1 tsp mayo, 4 fat-free crackers Snack: small Starbucks frap (ok! ok! IT was SMALL, though :thumbdown:) Dinner: Chili made w/venison, shredded cheese, 1 tbsp sour cream. I haven't totaled the day yet but before the afternoon snack, I had only taken in around 450 calories. Plus, I have had 6 glasses of Water today. Still no exercise but my brother-in-law's father died and we had obligations with that. Tomorrow, for sure, though. :thumbdown:

I know most everyone has abandoned the thread at this point (Hi Joe! me, too! :frown:) but the stories sound so much like my own. I have got to get back on the wagon. I gained 10 pounds over the holidays and the only problem is, I am scheduled for a panniculectomy with tummy tuck and breast reduction on 03/24/2010. I had really wanted to lose another 10 pounds before the surgery so that leaves me wanting to shed 20 pounds in approximately 5 weeks 1 day. I don't know that it is possible but I have got to do my best -- just because I want to be at the best possible place for the best results. I was originally scheduled to have surgery in January but I rescheduled because of the weight gain. However, I do think some of my problems may be related to an inability to see change as well as inhibiting optimal exercise capacity due to my large pannus so I have decided to go ahead with surgery as long as I maintain my current weight. Hopefully with a little accountability, though, I will at least lose the 10 I gained before then. I do exercise regularly but I want to ramp that up to 5 days a week for 1-2 hours and, of course, go back to low-carb eating. I don't necessarily think that low carb is for everyone but I know it is a necessity for me. It is the only way I have ever lost weight, band or not. My body just clings to carbs :wink2: which, of course, I love. So, anyway, here is to my 1st day (again) of holding myself accountable for my actions -- eating like I should, exercising like crazy and understanding that I may fall along the way but I will just pick myself up and keep going. It is indeed a journey. I would love to have some company, so if you are reading, please feel free to join in.... company or not, though, I WILL do this! :biggrin:

I also know of someone who happens to be printing some shirts for me this week. She also gives me a discount because we are part of the same homeschooling group. The order she is doing for me now is small but this is what she told me for future orders: to give you an idea for future printing orders, we could do a one color design w/ shirts included for about $7 if you have an order of 50 shirts (give or take) Just FYI and to give you a point of reference when getting other estimates.

Jason, Don't be sorry! You certainly can't control the weather (can u?? ) You have been so sweet to organize this and plan it without looking for reimbursement but I hope you will let kaninag see about getting your money back or at least a "rain check". lol Anyway, I just wanted to say what a great guy you are and we will all definitely have to get together soon! I will have to admit, with 6 in my family, my pocketbook is definitely heaving a big sigh of relief right now! Have a great weekend everyone!!

Absolutely no question, without a doubt, Dr. Schulman. If you check out his thread under Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, "Ask Dr. Schulman", you'll find answers to the questions you have asked as well as a pretty good idea of who he is. I am in Alabama and there is no way I could afford to go that far for surgery -- believe me, I have considered it. Anyway, not only do I believe him to be compassionate but also very knowledgeable and I believe he would do an excellent job. Just my 2-cents... HTH!

I have been cleaning out closets and found quite a few things I thought I would pass on. However, trying to find the clothing x-change on here took the better part of 30 minutes (boy they hid it good!) so I thought I would post a link. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/clothing-x-change.html I will be glad to tell you more about any of the items I have listed that you might be interested in but please be considerate of my time and if you aren't really interested, don't ask for pics, measurements, etc. I am glad to provide them, though, if you need or want them. I am only asking for prepaid shipping through PayPal. I have appreciated the gift of clothing through others on here and hope I can do the same. Have a great day! Missy

I have been cleaning out closets and found quite a few things I thought I would pass on. However, trying to find the clothing x-change on here took the better part of 30 minutes (wow, they hid it good!) so I thought I would post a link. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/clothing-x-change.html I will be glad to tell you more about any of the items I have listed that you might be interested in but please be considerate of my time and if you aren't really interested, don't ask for pics, measurements, etc. I am glad to provide them, though, if you need or want them. I am only asking for prepaid shipping through PayPal OR if you are going to be at the meet and greet on August 1, I will be glad to bring them to you then. I have appreciated the gift of clothing through others on here and hope I can do the same. Have a great day! Missy

I have been cleaning out closets and found quite a few things I thought I would pass on. However, trying to find the clothing x-change on here took the better part of 30 minutes so I thought I would post a link. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/clothing-x-change.html I will be glad to tell you more about any of the items I have listed that you might be interested in but please be considerate of my time and if you aren't really interested, don't ask for pics, measurements, etc. I am glad to provide them, though, if you need or want them. I am only asking for prepaid shipping through PayPal. I have appreciated the gift of clothing through others on here and hope I can do the same. Have a great day! Missy

I have been cleaning out closets and found quite a few things I thought I would pass on. However, trying to find the clothing x-change on here took the better part of 30 minutes (boy, they hid it good!) so I thought I would post a link. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/clothing-x-change.html I will be glad to tell you more about any of the items I have listed that you might be interested in but please be considerate of my time and if you aren't really interested, don't ask for pics, measurements, etc. I am glad to provide them, though, if you need or want them. I am only asking for prepaid shipping through PayPal. I have appreciated the gift of clothing through others on here and hope I can do the same. Have a great day! Missy

Starvation mode is very real and sounds like to me that you are in it. I have found that bouncing back and forth from 900-1200 seems to work well for me; what I mean by that is alternating highs and lows of those numbers from day to day which keeps your body from becoming accustomed to the same amount of caloric intake. Also, your muscles will also do the same thing when it comes to exercise so if you are doing the same thing 5 days a week, you may be spinning your wheels. If you haven't already, incorporate at least a small amount of weights so that you are burning fat even when you aren't working out and I think you'll see a substantial improvement. You might even drop back to 4 days a week until you are able to improve on your caloric intake; 300 calories is okay on a very limited basis but certainly not something I would strive for regularly. Which, if you are doing that because of the band, you may be too tight and need to have some fill taken out. It is definitely worth talking to your MD about. Keep up the good work -- you're definitely on the right track!!

I find that when I do follow it faithfully it also gives me a feeling of empowerment because, it is VERY HARD to self-impose a liquid diet when you know it is not required. To accomplish this on your own is extremely difficult and something you should take pride in because it shows a step of overcoming the behaviors that caused you to be overweight to start with. Keep up the good work, ladies!!

Don't count yourself out -- I think you'll be very surprised. Something I have always heard everyone say is that you have to be a year out from your weight loss and maintain during that time for them to cover it and here I am, still 35 pounds away from goal weight, and I have already received preapproval to have the panniculectomy (they don't cover tummy tucks, per se, but will cover removal of the pannus). If this is something you want to have done, then definitely let your physician handle that end of it -- seems like he's doing a great job of getting the ball rolling! :sad:

I absolutely LOVE what this does for me -- it helps me regain control of my eating again but best of all -- I've lost 5 POUNDS already!! :wink2: SkinnyOneDay -- go to the recipes section in food and nutrition and there is a sticky with tons of liquids recipes. Also, I always buy the "nicer" (if you can call it that) Soups when I am on liquids such as Progresso cream of mushroom rather than Campbell's. There is definitely a taste difference! HTH! LLBliving -- you went MIA, girl, how's it going??

I just finished up with liquids -- YAY!!! :wink2: However, I found a Starbucks frappuccino recipe and made it last night. I added a scoop of Protein to it and substituted splenda for the sugar. I didn't use chocolate syrup but used the chocolate protein mix instead. It was GREAT!! A nice treat for hot summer days, without the cost! Can be made with or without the chocolate syrup (I used chocolate protein). For a change, substitute vanilla ice cream for the sugar and ice (I guess you could try the fat free stuff? ). 7 min | 6 min prep SERVES 2 , 16 oz. each · 3/4 cup coffee (double strength and cold) · 1 cup low-fat milk · 3 tablespoons sugar · 2 cups ice (crushed seems to work a little better) · 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup or maybe the fat-free caramel flavor?? Blend all ingredients in blender and enjoy!

I'm going to join you just because I need to get back to eating right! Had a great week the week before and then DH was in the hospital last week so missed my exercise and normal eating habits. 4 kids, homeschool, work from home FT, live in AL. HW - 277 CW - 185 GW - 150 A L M O S T there...... :tongue_smilie: now I am able to say to my family -- I'LL WAIT UP FOR YOU!

:laugh::mad2::party::smile2::thumbup::woot: GREAT JOB!!! I know how elated I was to make it to ONEderland -- Welcome and keep up the good work! :w00t:

Hi ladies!! It's been a while since I visited this part of the forum but it has been great catching up on all of you! I celebrated my bandiversary with 90 pounds lost! :smile2: Whoo hoo! Like most, I wished for 100 by now but I'll take what I got -- gladly. GREAT JOB YOU BUNCH OF LOSERS!! :thumbup:

These last pounds are sticking like glue so I thought maybe I needed a friend who is at the same place to help each other over the hump. Maybe it means helping each other come up with a different plan for eating or exercising or BOTH -- it would definitely help to have someone to hold me accountable and maybe challenge each other. I really wanted to be down 100 by my bandiversary but I fell a little short. I'm trying not to get discouraged because even if I never lost another pound, I think I look great! :smile: BUT the goal I set for myself is attainable and I want to reach it. So...anyone need a buddy??

Thanks Libby... I know I will, too. I just want to do it yesterday! :smile:

Melinda, I am glad to help any way I can. First off, Dr. T has a great nutritionist that you are required to see. I got her email address and phone number and I didn't hesitate to use it! They will give you an extensive list of foods you can have which will give you ideas as far as the liquids go. My surgery was a breeze and I think it is really because I was super-compliant with the preop diet. I told him before my surgery that I should have a great-looking liver since I did so good on my preop diet and when I came out, he said my liver looked better than most he had ever seen; in fact, my whole procedure took 30 minutes or less because of that. No easy way around the head hunger. That 2 weeks of liquids only is HELL. I never looked at it as 2 weeks, though, or I would have gone insane. I just took it 1 day at a time and kept concentrating on how long I had waited to have the surgery and telling myself I could do it! Of course, I also spent a lot of time reading posts on LBT to keep myself motivated. I did a lot of walking outside when I thought I couldn't stand it anymore -- which helped with the gas pains, kickstarted exercise as well as got me as far away from the room with the refrigerator as possible! I'm sure I didn't answer all your questions but I'll be glad to talk to you any time! Just let me know!

I don't know if he did or not. The card I use is not a "credit card" but money from a flexible spending account so it isn't something you can use like at an ATM or anything. I also saw 5 other doctors besides him and he wasn't in the top 2. Like I said, he was nice but there were others I liked more. I have seen: 1. Dr. Eich 2. Dr. Beckenstein (a couple of years ago). 3. Dr. Van Hoy 4. Dr. Jack 5. Dr. Steinmetz 6. Dr. Bunch (Tuscaloosa) 7. Dr. Hedden I'll be glad to share my opinions via PM if you are interested. Dr. Beckenstein would have been my pick way back when but we had an issue with him last year with my husband and some skin cancers. I decided then that I wasn't going back to him. :smile: