JanetC

Go Nanster!! I love your self-talk! Hope it's as positive in the "real world"! I'm crossing my fingers for you Stacey!! I'm praying you feel restriction TODAY!! & can start feeling the band take some of the weight-loss burden from your shoulders! For those of you down on your weight loss (myself included), the "turtles" have a great spokesperson -- Vinesqueen (Crystal). Btw, they define turtle as losing less then 1 pound a week. (I keep praying I don't fit that definition!) VQ only lost 15 pounds IN A YEAR!!!! (She's being tested for Cushings.) Anyway, VQ recommends starting a NSV thread -- or journal if you don't want to post it here. Write down EVERYTHING that makes you feel better about you & this surgery. When the scale's not moving, it really helps to see positives elsewhere! If you want, we can start by putting an "NSV for the day" on our thread. Here goes mine for today: It's getting easier to get up off the couch. I no longer require a boost from Mikey, woohoo!!

So last night was my time to get depressed... in a BIG way. I woke up in the middle of the night & couldn't sleep. I ended up looking at old pictures & bawling my eyes out. I finally woke Mikey up when I couldn't stand it anymore. Poor guy! LOL. He didn't know what hit him! **sigh** I eventually got to sleep, but today I've got that "I cried all night" headache & eye ache, lol. Serves me right! I can't even point to what was wrong... just hormones, I guess. Bleh! Go Nanster with the NSV!!! That's awesome!! I can't wait to feel more energy! Wow Tammy!!! Grats on 9.5 pounds! WOW!! Stacey: I can feel my port, but I also seem to feel another set of "something" that's above my scar (my port is below). The upper set aches from time to time. I THINK (Dr Janet here, of course, lol) that it's where he sliced to get the camera in. It's pretty large & seems to be through my stomach muscle. I'll have to ask the doc next time I see him! My port itself is sometimes irritated, though I haven't noticed it feeling "hard". More... um... warm. Especially when I get gassy. I have to wonder if the gas makes the saline move around, lol. I sure get creative with my explanations!! Ms Vicki: Hang in there, fills are coming!! Hopefully your doc will attack those fills with a vengeance! Glad to hear you're not PB'ing!! And Tammy with the loose rings, awesome!! Congrats!

Oh my goodness, Kathy!! I missed the date & that this was a bump, lol. I was so scared for you!! Glad it all turned out ok!

The smallest band holds 4cc, the largest holds 10cc. At least that's what I've been told. Mikey's with you guys on the starving part. And until he got the 4.5cc in his 9cc band, he didn't even really have to slow down or chew. At least now he has to go slow... but he's still starving. He said he hasn't been full since the surgery. Poor thing! Hopefully all you with the bigger bands will get more saline & feel the restriction soon! That's cool that you were one of the first to get banded in Vermont, Julie! Though it does stink to not have a group! Maybe you could drive down to Boston... or up to Maine or something. I don't know if any of them have get togethers, lol, but it's a thought. I'm soooo glad this Monday is over! They always seem like the longest days!

Wow, gorgeous backyard & what an NSV!!! Congrats & way to hang in there!

Our psychiatrist had a great phrase that is helping me stop fighting myself (I'm faking it until I make it!). He suggested we stop saying, "I have to..." or "I need to..." and start saying, "It's in my best interest to..." or "It's smart to..." I won't say I've conquered my demons yet (by a LONG shot), but when I say, "It's smart to exercise every day," I find I WANT to exercise, lol, 'cuz I've always wanted to be smart! Now the problem is getting myself to use those words!! (( Hugs )) Diane! Thank goodness the refill is coming!

Oh my word, that's awesome Carrie!! Cannot wait!

Tammy, am I understanding that your doc gave you a fill without your chart on hand? Oh my goodness!! That would terrify me! If you do have a 9 or 10cc band, you won't feel anything less then 4 (imho). At least I know for Mikey, he's BARELY feeling 4.5 in a 9. It doesn't limit his amount, just how fast he can eat -- and how much he has to chew. He's really hoping next month's fill limits his amount. I think he's jealous of me! **preen** Which is only fair, since I'm angry at him because he can still eat a lot, lol. (We're twisted, twisted people! ) Maybe try calling his office & asking them what size your band is... and then mention that you're not feeling your restriction at all. They may still want you to wait a couple of weeks (some people react to fills over time, so some doctors are cautious). Good luck & keep us posted!!

Ah... Mondays are NOT my favorite day! We went nuts this weekend... Saturday we went to Jason's with folks from LBT that live in the DFW area. It was fun! We all had soup, lol. Then Sunday we ate out every meal. NOT good for diet plans! But we didn't stray TOO badly -- the band really limits the portion size! I'm loving it! Now back to normal, lol. I'm looking forward to a protein shake! (Never thought I'd say that! LOL) Hope everyone's doing great today! (( Hugs!! ))

Heh, no worries, Carrie! We'll take ya as soon as you can come!

I'd go for re-banding. If my doctor wouldn't do it, I'd find one that would. I chose lap-band over by-pass for a reason. My reasons are still valid & my choice would still be made today, even if I was eroded. I may someday have to go with some other WLS, but it won't be this year! Keep us updated, Tracey! That's awesome that you've maintained while your band has been out!! (( Hugs!! ))

We missed you, Carrie! We've started a thread for April in the Texas forum. See you there!

I don't know anyone in San Antonio, I'm afraid, but a bunch at the DFW lunch were recommending someone... Dr Maese, I think. He's south of Dallas -- in Ferris. They were saying that he'll take folks from other doctors & knows his stuff. Good luck! Dr Maese

Oh my word, talk about a rabbit!! Congrats on your weight loss... and on the size 12, woohooo!!! Keep it up!

LOL, yeah, I'm obsessing over it at the moment... customizing my exercise & my foods, tweaking here & there, lol, resetting my goals, it's a sickness!! You hid your fear really well, though I did notice you jump to the back row quickly, lol. But you're tall, so you got away with it! Mikey thanked me for covering him up, lol. Guess I know my role! Good luck with the DDR, we love it! We'll have to have a dance-off... someday, lol. There's a new version out there that let's you go online & dance against folks... or put in your own songs. It sounds cool to me, but it's going to have to be a reward for a goal met. Maybe when we get to an hour of DDR a day, lol! I'm really glad ya'll came... it makes the board seem more like family, ya know? Can't wait 'til next month!

LOL Strawarts!! I totally agree with your theory! I came to the same conclusion, but wasn't brave enough to try it out! Mia, go easy on yourself & realize that this is healing time. Some lose, but some were eating 6000+ calories a day. ANY calorie restriction will bring loss at that amount. For me, I got a tracking program from www.fitday.com (I bought the PC version for $20). It shows me the calories in versus out... and really puts the ball in my court. I feel like I'm in control again. (Ok, not in control over my food demons, but at least I know why I didn't lose this week!) Hang in there, the 2 months really does go fast. You'll be there soon! (( Hugs!! ))

Ya know, Magic, when I did karate, I wore a chest-guard... it extended down to my stomach area. I bet it would have covered my port (mine's about at belly-button level). It would be noticable in boxing, but in karate, your gi covers it up. If someone did see it, just tell them you have a bruise or a tender spot or whatever...

Congrats jtrek & welcome to the journey!! Be nice to yourself for the next month or so... and don't get on the scale too often!

I agree with Donna, surgery is a big, scary, expensive, drastic measure. And yet, looking back at my life, there was a period at where I sat at 190 for a long time. If I'd gotten banded, I never would have creeped higher! It's a VERY personal decision. If you have a lot of co-morbidities (high blood pressure, depression, high cholesterol, diabetes, et), you might qualify with ease. If not, you may have problems finding a surgeon for 40 pounds (I don't know that for a fact). Either way, good luck! I hope you can tackle your food demons & not have to get any higher!

And the 2nd half.

LOL, why not, Paula! 50x50 is SMALL!! I won't be offended if you don't use these for avatars, lol. And it'll take 2 posts, they only let you upload 5 attachments at a time! :biggrin1:

Happy Saturday everyone!! We had lunch at Jason's with other folks from LBT that live in the DFW area. It was fun & cool to meet people! I'm on liquids today after an evil PB/slime incident, so I had soup -- it was delicious! **sigh** When WILL I learn to slow down!! Hope you all have great days!! Stacey: Ouch on the PB / slime!! Hope you can avoid those in the future!! I've had my first one too, augh!! NOT fun! Michelle: That's awesome news about your in-laws leaving none the wiser, woohoo! Have safe travels! Tammy: Grats on your fill, woohooo!! Now the fun starts! Chew a LOT! Julie: YAAAAAAAAY for solids!!! I think that if you're losing successfully with will power, I might stick it out until after your vacation. For me, I'd get the fill as soon as I could. I have ZERO will power. There is a learning curve after your fill, but it's not as bad as post-op, not by a long shot. Having Mikey doing this with me is the ONLY way I could do it. We're food buddies, we SO would have sabotaged each other! Tammy: Yeah, I get headaches when I don't eat enough. Protein seems to stave it off for me. I've been trying 1 ounce of Isopure Zero-Carb Ready-to-drink protein an hour... trying to find out how much I have to drink to avoid the headaches entirely. I've been using liquid Tylenol when necessary. PJ: Welcome to the Febsters!! We're glad you're here!! 30 pounds, that's awesome!!! Becky: I'm impressed with you & your will power!! You go!! 1200 calories, no wonder you're losing! Sherry: Congrats on the weight loss, wooohoooo!! And grats on a fill date! Sandybells: Welcome to our little thread!! How great that you found us! And you're down overall, that's awesome!! Keep it up!

We had a blast at Jason's, but decided to have it at a, um, more "adult" restaurant next time (we'll alternate). Jack Astors Grill & Bar (635 at Macarthur, north of 161 -- next door to Jason's) 7701 N Macarthur Blvd Dallas, TX 75240 972-373-0100 lunch -- say 1:30 pm. That way we catch those that work nights & such. If that time doesn't work, speak up! I just plucked it out of the blue. Vote for a date! Thanks! Janet Here's a pic from the March get-together at Jason's.

Just got back... I had a blast!! Thanks to everyone that came, what fun!! We decided that next time it'll be a place that's a little more, um, adult.

To me it tastes like squash, but not when you add garlic & I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray (0 of everything except sodium). Then it tastes ALMOST like spaghetti. We love to put it on the bottom of the dish & then put chili over it. Yum!! I saw a recipe somewhere online (I need to find it again) that said you could bake it UNCUT!! I need to try that... the cutting is the worst part, in my opinion. I make Mikey cut it, then I do the rest. The recipe I use (I got it off a squash's label, lol): ================================================= Cut lengthwise Remove seeds Bake: cut-side down 45 min at 350 degrees Turn & bake until skin is tender Microwave: 7-10 min cut-side down in 1/4 cup water covered with clear wrap. (What would you cover??? I've never tried this.) Boil: 20 min in covered pot in 2" water. (Haven't tried this either, we always bake it.) After cooking, release strands with fork. 66 calories per 8 oz serving. ============================================ Quite possibly the perfect food!