Ollie123

I was injured in a car accident 3 years ago and due to the chronic neck pain I was taking Hydrocodone for 3 years daily. I actually took them during the day to get me through the long hours at the office along with muscle relaxers. Thank goodness my Cervical Fusion in March relieved the pain, pressure and dull ache I woke to everyday. I was finally able to eliminate the fog the medication caused and haven't had to take either medication for over two months. Prior to my LB surgery I also gave up Nicorette gum which I had become very fond of for 18 months. Who knew it would be so easy to give up? What I missed was putting gum in my mouth so I switched to Sugar-free gum that suites me just fine. And now on to my strongest vice, food. My Lapband is helping me but the head hunger can cleverly disguise itself as the real thing. With the other two vices I can just say no but of course with food it is always present, always tempting and rarely disappointing. Here's to another day of fighting the beast. Ollie

I was injured in a car accident 3 years ago and due to the chronic neck pain I was taking Hydrocodone for 3 years daily. I actually took them during the day to get me through the long hours at the office along with muscle relaxers. Thank goodness my Cervical Fusion in March relieved the pain, pressure and dull ache I woke to everyday. I was finally able to eliminate the fog the medication caused and haven't had to take either medication for over two months. Prior to my LB surgery I also gave up Nicorette gum which I had become very fond of for 18 months. Who knew it would be so easy to give up? What I missed was putting gum in my mouth so I switched to Sugar-free gum that suites me just fine. And now on to my strongest vice, food. My Lapband is helping me but the head hunger can cleverly disguise itself as the real thing. With the other two vices I can just say no but of course with food it is always present, always tempting and rarely disappointing. Here's to another day of fighting the beast. Ollie

So it's now been 35 days since my surgery and although happy I've lost weight I'm sensing I'm getting to that place in the "Dieting" plan that I would historically have given up. I have always had the tendancy to compare my progress with others. I just left the Chat room and learned that another Bandster (male) that had surgery 1 week after mine had lost 35 pounds. He said he's averaging 5 pounds a week. What's wrong with me? I've been fighting to lose 17 pounds in 7 weeks? I'm very happy for him as I know how much every pound lost means to me but come on... Give me that unexpected gift of a 5 pound loss in one week and I'll do backflips while waving flags for the Fourth of July! After having my fill of 4cc in a 10cc band I now feel a little restriction and hope that as I introduce solid food back tomorrow I'll feel my band helping me. I hate the yo-yo feelings about my weight loss as I meant to leave those insecurities behind after deciding on this surgery but I'm learning to take a deep breath and relax. Ollie

So it's now been 35 days since my surgery and although happy I've lost weight I'm sensing I'm getting to that place in the "Dieting" plan that I would historically have given up. I have always had the tendancy to compare my progress with others. I just left the Chat room and learned that another Bandster (male) that had surgery 1 week after mine had lost 35 pounds. He said he's averaging 5 pounds a week. What's wrong with me? I've been fighting to lose 17 pounds in 7 weeks? I'm very happy for him as I know how much every pound lost means to me but come on... Give me that unexpected gift of a 5 pound loss in one week and I'll do backflips while waving flags for the Fourth of July! After having my fill of 4cc in a 10cc band I now feel a little restriction and hope that as I introduce solid food back tomorrow I'll feel my band helping me. I hate the yo-yo feelings about my weight loss as I meant to leave those insecurities behind after deciding on this surgery but I'm learning to take a deep breath and relax. Ollie

Saw Clint Black at an outdoor concert this weekend with my hubby of 27 years. When we first met we liked Rock and Roll, I'm talking Pink Floyd, Moody Blues and Yes. As all relationships change so do tastes in music. When my husband started listening to Country Music I was shocked to say the least. When I asked him why he started listening to Country he said he felt the lyrics were more real and he could identify with them. About ten years ago we went through a really tough time in our relationship and almost parted ways. Mike made me a mix tape that included a few of his favorite songs that included When I say I do. It means so much to me now and thought I'd share it with you. We have been through a lot, thick and thin and hope you'll find the lyrics inspiring too. Ollie These times are troubled and these times are good And they're always gonna be, they rise and they fall We take 'em all the way that we should Together you and me forsaking them all Deep in the night and by the light of day It always looks the same, true love always does And here by your side, or a million miles away Nothin's ever gonna change the way that I feel, The way it is, is the way that it was When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Well this old world keeps changin', and the world stays the same For all who came before, and it goes hand and hand Only you and I can undo all that we became That makes us so much more, than a woman and a man And after everything that comes and goes around Has only passed us by, here alone in our dreams I know there's a lonely heart in every lost and found But forever you and I will be the ones Who found out what forever means When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Truer than true, you know that I'll always be there for you That's what I had in mind, that's what I had in mind, When I said I do

Saw Clint Black at an outdoor concert this weekend, yeehaw! Ok. So maybe some of you are not Country fans? At the time that my husband and I married 27 years ago we were Pink Floyd and Moody Blues fans. Somewhere along the way my hubby who back then had long hair started to like and listen Country Music I couldn't believe it as you couldn't pay him to listen to it when we first met? When I asked what he liked about the artists he said they have more to say in their lyrics about the common person which he identified with. For those of you that have been in long term relationships you've probably experienced this type of change with your partner. Mike and I have been through tough times through the years and almost through in the towel 10 years ago. During that turbulant time he made me a mix tape that included a song from Clint Black. I love the lyrics and of course the song too. For those of you going through difficult times know that this too will pass. Perhaps Ollie When I said I Do... These times are troubled and these times are good And they're always gonna be, they rise and they fall We take 'em all the way that we should Together you and me forsaking them all Deep in the night and by the light of day It always looks the same, true love always does And here by your side, or a million miles away Nothin's ever gonna change the way that I feel, The way it is, is the way that it was When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Well this old world keeps changin', and the world stays the same For all who came before, and it goes hand and hand Only you and I can undo all that we became That makes us so much more, than a woman and a man And after everything that comes and goes around Has only passed us by, here alone in our dreams I know there's a lonely heart in every lost and found But forever you and I will be the ones Who found out what forever means When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Truer than true, you know that I'll always be there for you That's what I had in mind, that's what I had in mind, When I said I do

Saw Clint Black at an outdoor concert this weekend, yeehaw! Ok. So maybe some of you are not Country fans? At the time that my husband and I married 27 years ago we were Pink Floyd and Moody Blues fans. Somewhere along the way my hubby who back then had long hair started to like and listen Country Music I couldn't believe it as you couldn't pay him to listen to it when we first met? When I asked what he liked about the artists he said they have more to say in their lyrics about the common person which he identified with. For those of you that have been in long term relationships you've probably experienced this type of change with your partner. Mike and I have been through tough times through the years and almost through in the towel 10 years ago. During that turbulant time he made me a mix tape that included a song from Clint Black. I love the lyrics and of course the song too. For those of you going through difficult times know that this too will pass. Perhaps Ollie When I said I Do... These times are troubled and these times are good And they're always gonna be, they rise and they fall We take 'em all the way that we should Together you and me forsaking them all Deep in the night and by the light of day It always looks the same, true love always does And here by your side, or a million miles away Nothin's ever gonna change the way that I feel, The way it is, is the way that it was When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Well this old world keeps changin', and the world stays the same For all who came before, and it goes hand and hand Only you and I can undo all that we became That makes us so much more, than a woman and a man And after everything that comes and goes around Has only passed us by, here alone in our dreams I know there's a lonely heart in every lost and found But forever you and I will be the ones Who found out what forever means When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Truer than true, you know that I'll always be there for you That's what I had in mind, that's what I had in mind, When I said I do

Ok. Has anyone been through the nesting phase? I started cleaning my house yesterday at 7am. First the bathrooms, on to the dusting and I mean oiling the furniture including the kitchen cabinets. I took a break to have a protein shake and wipe the sweat away but then it hit me like a freight train... I must clean the windows, scrub the kitchen floor, and rearrange the laundry room. On to the bedroom where I cleaned my everything including my closet? I was possessed! I finally put the cleaning supplies away at 4pm and it occurred to me that I have not cleaned like this in 3 years. About the time I had put 35 more pounds of weight on. It really is the small changes in my journey that I appreciate. Incidently, I woke up this morning feeling so sore and it was a ssswwweeett feeling. Ollie

Nicely done. I too am walking everyday between 3-4 miles. It's a wonderful feeling when you're able to take off those tennis shoes and guzzle that bottle of water. Good luck in your journey and at this rate you'll hit your goal for sure in September! Ollie

Many years and pounds ago my very sweet husband purchased a Mother's ring for me. He commissioned to have it made from a small jeweler and asked that the birthstones of our children, his and my birthdays; Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire and Peridot, be surrounded by two rings of gold. I remember when he gave it to me. We took a Ski trip to Winter Park, CO, where he surprised me over the Christmas Holiday. He was so proud to give it to me as I was to receive it. Now twenty years later, the ring is still on my right hand but tight enough for a Dr. to suggest cutting it off? No way! I will lose the weight. At this point, it spins which is a good sign. Perhaps 30 pounds more and the ring can be taken off safely. Will I take it off when I can? Certainly not, but over my dead body will the ring be cut. This ring means more to me after 27 years of marriage than my wedding band. Small steps.. Ollie

My surgery date is just around the corner. In the last week I've found so much strength and comfort with this website. I hope others are as lucky as I to have found this site prior to their surgery. Today I had the Last Supper Syndrome. I chose Carlos O'Kelly's for a Santa Fe Chicken Salad for my last sensible meal before my clear liquids start tomorrow morning. I'm ready.

Why is it when I think about exercising I find so many "excuses" not to follow through. Here are my best: 1. I'm so busy, hard to find time... Reality- I'm blogging right now? 2. I'm so tired after working 8 hours... Reality- I feel energized after walking 3. My ankles swell after walking... Reality- My heart swells from not walking 4. It's too hot... Reality- I love the sun 5. It's too cold... Reality- I love to ski in wintry conditions 6. No one will walk with me... Reality-I like the peacefulness of not talking sometimes 7. My thighs rub together Reality- Swooshy pants fix that 8. I'm lazy Reality- I'm not, just put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walking on that door. So, as my Lapband birthday present I started walking again on June 7 and have now walked 28 miles since my present to myself. Here are my tips to you. Take your cellphone in case you fall, get blisters etc.. Take a bottle of water to hydrate yourself. IPOD's are great to get your heartrate up, especially "crank it up" music. At sometime in my "Fat Journey" I started making excuses. I promise myself to no longer make excuses about exercising as the gift of a strong heart far outweighs the comfort of my favorite soft cushioned chair and remote control, or laptop. Ollie

Ok. So the first month was not such a breeze as I expected? What did I expect? I wanted to be down 20lbs, perhaps one size? Instead after the scale kept jumping around, initially losing 15 lbs then regaining 4 after I started to exercise and now down again by 2 pounds leaving me at a net loss of 13. But I'm down so this is good. My Dr. told me that the two weeks before your first fill was the hardest because you have the band but no restriction and can eat solid food again. So why don't we fill that sucker up now instead of waiting?Patience is not my best quality. So I will continue to watch my calories, walk everyday to help clear my mind of all uncertainies and stoke up my metabolism. I'm trying to stay at 1200 calories but most of the time hit 1500 a day and 80 grams of protein. Keep me in your thoughts as I work through the last 5 days of my pre-fill journey. Ollie:confused_smile:

Hey Bama- Great work. Hope the next weeks go by quickly for you while you wait for your August appointment. Keep posted how you're doing. Ollie

Ninja- Chalk it up to inexperience...I thought it was a current posting and now realize quite old. Regardless, felt compelled to share my disgust. Ollie

Please stay in Indiana.... Nebraska appears to be a more loving, understanding and certainly respectful state. Ollie

Ok. So the first month was not such a breeze as I expected? What did I expect? I wanted to be down 20lbs, perhaps one size? Instead after the scale kept jumping around, initially losing 15 lbs then regaining 4 after I started to exercise and now down again by 2 pounds leaving me at a net loss of 13. But I'm down so this is good. My Dr. told me that the two weeks before your first fill was the hardest because you have the band but no restriction and can eat solid food again. So why don't we fill that sucker up now instead of waiting?Patience is not my best quality. So I will continue to watch my calories, walk everyday to help clear my mind of all uncertainies and stoke up my metabolism. I'm trying to stay at 1200 calories but most of the time hit 1500 a day and 80 grams of protein. Keep me in your thoughts as I work through the last 5 days of my pre-fill journey. Ollie:confused_smile:

Hi just checking how this is coming along? I have some recipes but don't want to burden you if this project didn't take flight. Let me know! Ollie123:smile2:

C-sections were much worse...Had babies to take care of to boot! A lot of gas but it subsides after a few days get up an walk as much as you can. I've had 5 abdominal surgeries. This one was a cake walk by comparision. I checked into the surgery center at 6p and checked out by 2pm Good luck! Ollie

usualy say 10-20 lbs = 1 dress size. Anyway, that's what I've heard.

My hubby took a double take and commented that my pants were getting looser. Also several have mentioned my face is looking thinner. I will get my first fill on June 23 and can't wait tio have restriction. I felt my first PB last night. My Dr said I could start back on solid food and had a hamburger, 1/2 ear corn, Beans. Way too much for my tummy. My brain just hasn't kicked in. I learned my lesson. Ollie (aka Kim)