ljv52

BBall and NewLife: I hope you have both gotten fills - you definitely needed them as PenFlair indicated. The greatest gift the dietician at my weight loss center gave me was written in red ink on top of my nutritional information a note that said "WHITE CARBS are NOT required! You do not need ANY WHITE carbs to maintain proper nourishment!" I've had very few white carbs (twice I've had a small baked potato with low fat sour cream on it) since surgery on 1-27. I've had a few bites of rice here and there but, probably less than 1/2 cup total. I do eat fresh fruit at least once a day -- mostly strawberries and a banana (for potassium). I don't even care about carbs -- maybe I'm just different, but I don't seem to miss them at all and before surgery I was carb crazy and couldn't get my fill of them. If I'd had a meal without a potato or rice or bread I'd have thought I was deprived. Since surgery, I've been perfectly happy eating protein first and then my veggie and fruit. If you get the proper restriction with fills you should also feel satisfied eating that way. One of the times I had a potato was a few days after my second fill and I got so full so fast I was miserable, but I had eaten my protein first so I was able to stop eating and feel satisfied. You should be restricted enough to get full after 3 to 4 oz. of protein and about 1/2 Cup of veggies and stay full for about 5 hours. If you don't have that, you need to talk to your doctor about getting a fill. I've had two fills since my surgery. First one was 6 weeks after surgery and the second 6 weeks later. My third is scheduled 6 weeks after the second. You need to get a little more aggressive with your surgeon or his staff. I wish you both the best of luck. If I can be of help, please let me know. LInda

Is everyone doing okay? Pen? Ms. Kelly? Carolina Mom? Anybody? I feel like the Twilight Zone episode where everyone is gone from the world except me. Hope everyone is doing okay, let's not let our thread die out, we need each other. Linda

I read Lap Band Companion by Mark Watson, MD. and Daniel B. Jones, M.D. before surgery -- it was very informative and accurate. Has a section for troubleshooting the band, frequently asked questions, testimonials and a section to keep photos of your journey. I ordered it from Amazon and it was pretty reasonable as I remember. Linda

Hi everyone. The good news is that my second fill on April 22 went easily -- only one stick, he found my port and no pain and no fluro. Thank goodness. I have lost a substantial amount of fat in my belly, and he said he could easily feel it this time, not like the first fill. So, I hope all of you have an easier time on your next fill. Harold, did your second attempt go better than the first? I can't believe she made you come back a different day. I think I would have demanded someone do it while I was there. But then again, I drive over an hour to get my fills. Let me know how it went. Linda

No, it's not a cake workout, but it IS easier on joints, knees, backs, ankles than dance aerobics, jogging or speed walking. So, I recommend it to anyone who is out of shape or who may need to take it easy on their joints, etc. I guess what I was trying to say originally is that if there's nothing else you can do because you're out of shape or you have joint or knee problems, to try water aerobics. It's a good workout without adding stress to your body.

Good luck to both Meredith and Lyndsay. Congratulations starting your journey. I'm loving my new life and enjoying the journey. I am tired of my job and there's a new position at work which I decided to apply for. I doubt I would have bothered applying for it before I had my surgery and lost weight, but this has given me renewed vigor for life. I probably won't know much for a couple of weeks. I retired once as a legal assistant (paralegal) but after moving to Iowa and not working for a year I decided to take a job in a call center. It's been a fun job but I'm tired of working nights and weekends and am ready to go back to a regular work week. So wish me luck! Julie, glad to hear everything went well at doctor's today -- try to get as much resting and relaxation in as you can so your body can heal. Today's food: salmon patty, green beans, strawberries, light yogurt, chicken/black bean soup, sugar free pudding, sugar free jello. Afternoon snack was 10 baked scoops and salsa. About 1000 calories total. Exercise was stationary bike (40 min.), strength training machines (30 mins.) water aerobics (60 mins.) Feeling strong! Hope everyone has a happy, lovely day tomorrow. Linda

Hi everyone, thanks for the congrats and all your support, it means so much! Julie, hope the doctor has good news for you tomorrow and you start to feel better. Will be thinking of you. Claudine, you're doing great -- such dedication -- keep up the good work. Laura, love your story about grocery store missing you. That is too funny, but I can see how that could happen. Hope your son gets better fast. 1Day, hope you get started on your meds and get well soon! Linda

Hi everyone. Well, the extra exercise and my fill last week paid off big time -- today was my weigh in day and I lost 4 lbs. Whoo hoo! It just seems that every once in a while I lose big for a week and then go back to the 1 to 2 lbs. per week. It's so exciting when that happens. Hope everyone has a great day. Rain has finally stopped -- beautiful sunshine today! Linda

Hi everyone, just checking in. Phyl, your shopping trip sounded like fun - I love to find good bargains. I bought some new blouses and only worn them a few times, and they are already getting too big, so someone at Goodwill is going to get great stuff that was barely worn, so I need to start shopping at used stores too. We have several nice used clothing shops in town. I never shopped there before cause I figured they wouldn't have my size so I bought most everything on line at Roamans and Woman Within. Long, congrats on that weight loss. How did your speaking go at the seminar? I bet you did a great job. Janet, your roses sound beautiful. I miss my roses that I had when I lived in Long Beach -- they were so beautiful. Haven't had much luck in growing them here in Iowa. Maybe I'm just weird, but I don't care that much about most carbs any more. It doesn't bother me at all not to eat that junk anymore. For example, my DS and family wanted pizza last night, it was the last night of their visit, so we ordered a couple pizzas from their favorite pizza shop. I sat right there and ate my catfish and green beans and could not have cared less. I used to be a bread with loads of butter nut but haven't had any or even really thought about it since my surgery. Maybe just the worry of getting stuck is what's keeping me in line. But truly, I just don't seem to even want that stuff any more. Now sweets is another story altogether, but so far have been able to pretty much take care of that with sugar free pudding, fruit and skinny cow treats, etc. MRose, sorry to hear about your being stuck. I fear that more than anything and so far, I've been okay. Hope everyone has a great week. Linda

Hi everyone, just checking in. Meredith, thanks for the kind words. Julie, I hope you start feeling better. I'm sure you just overdid it the past few days. Take it easy and rest. I know what it's like. I'm thinking of you every day. I bought a walking tape -- it's really neat -- it has 5 miles on it - it's 12 mins. miles which I used to do (20 yeas ago) every day. So, I put it in the machine yesterday and started. It's neat -- I did the first mile and felt tired so paused the tape and sat down and had a little break and drank some water, then got back up and did mile 2. I ended up doing all 5 (just kept telling myself to get up off my big butt and do it) and was proud of myself for it. I was going to go to a night time water aerobics class but just felt so tired I decided not to go. Well, when I logged in my exercise last night on the Daily Plate, I realized why I was so tired-- I had burned over 900 calories with that 60 mins. of walking! So, if you're looking to burn lots of calories, I recommend it. It's not really hard -- especially if you take little breaks - it's kind of fun. I ordered the DVD on Amazon and it was only $6, and you can do it at home in any kind of weather. I was amazed how many calories that burned. Have any of you tried the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches? they are very good - only 2 grams fat and I think 150 calories. I've tried the mint and the chocolate peanut butter ones and they are good - they really help me with my sweet/chocolate cravings. I have good restriction right now with my new fill and I'm so happy! I eat my fish or chicken and I'm pretty well filled to the brim. I'm hoping it lasts awhile. I am eating less at each meal. I really feel it when I get full - there's no guessing or wondering if that's what it is, I can definetely tell, which is good. Holly congrats on the pant size - that's great. I Hope everyone has a great weekend. Oh, the best news -- my Wii fit told me today I was only 46 in Wii years. That really made my day!! LOL. Linda

Hi everyone, thanks for the birthday songs and wishes. Yes, my ds is a great one! He treats his wife and his mother great. We are lucky girls. Okay, so I did make it to the gym and did 40 mins. on the bike, 30 mins. circuit training and 50 mins. in water aerobics. I try to do this 4 -5 days each week. So far this week just Monday and today as yesterday was DH's birthday and we went out for his b-day and I missed my evening work out. So far, the fill is good. I feel a litte more restriction -- actually right now I feel a little too full, I had a planned treat after dinner and I'm feeling it . Today's food: B: Egg beater omelette with 1/2 portion of sausage crumbles and 1 slice 2% Amer. cheese, 1 non fat yogurt and some fresh strawberries and 1/2 banana in the yogurt. Dinner was a very small salad with a chicken breast on top and shredded Monterey jack cheese, and non fat ranch dressing. Dessert was fat free frozen yogurt with fat free hot fudge on top (better than cake in my opinion!). Total of 840 calories, about 14 grams fat. Nay, as others have said, I had a lot of fear and doubts about getting the lap band, even the morning of my surgery. I kept thinking, "do I really want to go through with this?" even as I laid on the recliner watching the nurse put my IV in. When it was over, I was relieved but something else immediately clicked -- I realized I had a chance at a new life, I had a tool that would help me be cured from this terrible addiction and I just got busy on working on that. It truly is a blessing to have the lap band tool to help us. But it is only a tool, not magic -- we have to work hard, but it's worth it. Since January 13, I've gone down 4 sizes and look and feel so much better. But it's hard work, plain and simple. You gotta follow the rules and do the exercise. You can do it, trust me, you really can. None of us here are any different from you, we are each of us the same, we have all walked in the same shoes and all of us are here to cheer you and each other on. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Linda

Hi MsKelley, Glad to hear your dad is doing better. I'm doing great. Had my second fill today and it went so well -- my first fill was horrible -- surgeon couldn't find my port, I got about 15 pricks and then he sent me down to fluro where it went a little easier, but it was painful and had a problem for a few days after the fill with ab pain, similar to after the surgery. So, I was a little nervous about getting a fill today. But today was nothing -- one stick, hit the port, did the 2 ccs and it was nothing, no pain! Yeah! I was so relieved it went so quickly and painlessly. My doc is thrilled with my progress. Oh, today is my b-day and my son bought be a Wii and Wii fit. I'm so excited. Plus, he's here visiting and will hook it all up for us so we can start using it right away. I'm so happy! What a great son! I'm so lucky. It's so beautiful here today - low 70s, just gorgeous sunshine -- hope you all have a great day as well. Linda

Wow Laura, congrats, you are doing so very very well. I just had to do a quick report --got my second fill and it was a breeze -- just one poke and no pain and all done! I got 2 ccs this time, so a total of 5 ccs in my 10 cc band. I am thrilled there were no problems since last time. Also, my son arrived last night for my b-day and gave me my present this morning -- he bought me a Wii and the Wii fit. OMG! My mouth just hit the floor -- I cried as well. He told me he's so proud of me and wanted to do soemthing that would help me! What a great son! He's just the best! Hope everyone has as great a day as I'm having. I'm off to the YMCA for my workout! Linda

Hi, my doc tore all my tape off at my one week post surgerical visit. It kinda surprised me cause I remember reading to leave it on until they fell off, but he's the expert -- and he tore all the tape off. I think after 12 days it's safe to take it off. Linda

My doctor cleared me at my one week post op visit -- I was allowed to do water aerobics and walking. Within a month I was able to add recumbant bicycling and circuit training and haven't stopped since. Good luck! Linda

Hi everyone! Apples, thanks so much for the bday song and wishes. I baked an interesting (but good) cake today. I bought a sugar free white cake mix and made it with 3 egg whites and a can of fresca. Baked it according to the instructions on the cake mix. It seemed to bake okay, but it was done a little earlier than it should have been. I didn't think it raised as much as a regular cake either. Anyway, then I mixed 1 box of sugar free raspberry jello with 1 cup of boiling water, forked the cake and poured it over top. Then I took a box of frozen raspberries and put some splenda in that to sweeten it and poured that over the top and refrigerated the cake. Then I mixed a box of sugar free vanilla pudding with 1/2 Cup of skim milk and let it thicken and then mixed it with a container of Fat Free Cool Whip. Put that on top and then grated a little semi sweet chocolate on top (very finely grated - used my fine grater - it was just a dusting). Anyway, took it to work as we have 3 b-days at work this week and it was a big hit. According to Dailey Plate, it was 3 grams of fat per serving and 150 calories for the cake then probably a few more calories for the pudding and cool whip, but not many I would imagine. It was quite good, very fancy and no one could believe it was sugar free and low fat. You could make the same cake with strawberry jello and strawberries and black cherry jello with cherry pie filling. You could use the cherry flavors witih a chocolate cake. Yum, that sounds good. Anyway, thought I'd pass it along if you have company coming and want to try it. Julie, hang in there, just take one day at a time. That's what I had to do last summer and before long, I got up one day and realized how much better I was feeling. I know it may seem like that day may never come, but it will, I promise. Denise, congrats on Onederland -- you are doing great! 1dayatatime, glad you are going to doctor -- anytime pain in back is involved it could be a kidney problem, so please go and get checked out. Long, you have a lot going on, but you'll be terrific at the seminar on Saturday -- you'll be a huge inspiration to everyone who attends! Take care everyone! Linda

That's where I had mine as well Debbie. Hope it went well for you. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help you out. Linda

Glad you liked them which reminds me, I still have some in the freezer -- better eat them up soon. It was so good to finally meet you -- just wish the meetings were better - maybe give it another shot next month? It would be great if they would organize the topics and let us know what they will be discussing and if they would ENCOURAGE older bandsters to attend - I'll mention this to Chris this week and see what she says. I loved Pam, though -- she's great too. We'll make it through this - the three of us -- we'll be skinny minis in no time! Linda

Hi everyone, Just checking in and had a bunch to read as I've been busy the past few days. Joanne, glad to hear from you, congrats on your new grand baby. Hope you continue to lose weight and enjoy yourself on your trip. Hopefully the next tour will not be too long, I know how tough that is too. Apples, I also keep our solders and their families in my prayers - I was an AF wife for many years and I know how tough it is when one of your loved ones is in harm's way. Long, hope you didn't get too buried in snow! How much did you get? News said 20" in some parts of Colorado. We've had rain yesterday and today and supposed to be in the 80s later in the week -- thank goodness, as I've been cold all winter too. Can't wait to see how I feel in our hot, muggy weather (hopefully cooler than last year, lol). Okay, Janet, you asked for a lot of extra work. Here's what I ate today: brunch was egg beaters omlette, 1/2 serving of Morning Star Sausage Crumbles, 1 container of Yoplait light yogurt mixed with some strawberries and half a banana. DInner was taco salad I made with 1/2 C of 96% lean ground beef and black beans (I cooked together with taco seasoning and was yum) 1/4 C. 2% shredded Mex. blend cheese, lettuce, raw spinach, sweet onions and grape tomatoes tossed with non-fat ranch dressing. Tonight my snacks will be sugar free jello cup and sugar free pudding and later on I'll have a Skinny Cow low fat peanut butter/chocolate ice cream sandwich. Total calories: 984. My calorie budget is 1150 daily. I couldn't eat all my salad tonight, but I'll still count all the calories, as it's too tough to try to deduct some.I normally eat only two meals a day because I work nights (and don't go to bed until 2:00 a.m.) and usually don't get up until 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. By the time I drink a cup of morning coffee and then wait the 1/2 hour to eat, it's usually almost lunch time anyway, so I normally just eat brunch and dinner, it works well for me. I eat my snacks at night too, I don't think I could make it through without having a treat to look forward to -- it helps keep me in line all day. I don't drink milk and so my doc wants me to incorporate low fat yogurt, pudding and non-fat ice cream (in limited amounts) in my diet for calcium. I am finding Bryers non-fat ice cream delish (very creamy) along with some Fat Free Mrs. Richardson's Hot Fudge topping makes a truly satisfying dessert when you are craving chocolate. Unfortunately, it's NOT low sugar though, so I try to limit that treat to just once a week. I even put a little low fat granola on it once in a while for crunch or sometimes half a banana too. But only 1/2 Cup at a time (I used to think a serving was about a pint too). I've been very fortunate that I haven't had any problems so far with foods getting stuck (only had one fill so far). I really missed salads and was very happy when I could start eating them again - but I do chop up everything very well and chew, chew chew. I am getting my next fill on Wednes. please wish me luck -- I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will go smoother than the last one. Julie, so happy you are at home, that means you are getting better and I hope you start feeling better too. I hope spring comes along this week so you can get outside and get some fresh air too. I know I'm ready for spring to happen here. Janet. hope your jewelry party went well, I just went to one about a week ago. I have so much jewelry I could probably open a store, but always find something I MUST HAVE at those parties. LOL. My DS is coming on Wednes for my bday -- isn't that sweet? MY DH's b-day is Tues., so we have lots of celebrating to do. I found a low fat cake recipe that sounds delish -- I'll make that for us. Hope everyone has a great week! Linda

Hi everyone , just checking in. Good news - I weighed today. Didn't lose anything, but after spending last week in Vegas, am very happy that i didn't gain anything either! Linda

Debb, you're still in the healing phase and losing weight can be tricky during this time. I know I stalmated for several weeks after surgery and then lost 5 lbs. in one week and have continued to lose 1 to 2 lbs. weekly since. Although you may not be losing weight, you are probably losing inches. Are you weighing every day? If so, please stop and weigh yourself just once a week -- weigh yourself the same time each week (before you eat or drink anything). Keep up the good work, keep positive thoughts, this will work for you if you work the band. Remember, it's only a tool, not a miracle cure for obesity. Good luck to you.

Hello to everyone, happy Easter and welcome to all the newbies! I am just back from my trip to Vegas to visit DS and family and had a very nice time. DS and DIL house is lovely, up in the hills of Henderson and brand new. My step daughter and her hubby joined us for 2 days. We had never met our SIL before (they were in Spain for 4 years when he was in the Navy). Their work schedules have prevented them from visiting us since they've been back. I had to pay to use the gym at the Rio and so I made sure I used it each and every day that I was paying for! I also jumped in the pool and did my water aerobics every day as well. Most of the time we met everyone for a big dinner every night (usually a buffet), but I just ate the protein -- crab legs, salmon, sliced turkey, etc. The other foods don't even tempt me anymore -- except for the desserts. I managed to limit these temptations to mostly a "bite" here and a "bite" there and did have some low fat frozen ice cream a couple of times. Won't know for sure until I weigh in on Tuesday, but hopefully I didn't gain any weight. I walked more than normal, so that probably helped also. Long, your pic is beautiful -- you look gorgeous, bet you found some great clothes on your shopping trip. Julie, so glad you are doing better, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and hope you can go home soon. As someone else said, your health is what matters, there will be lots of other Easters and holidays with your family. Just take are of yourself and get well. Don't forget that positive thoughts are important when you are ill, although it can be hard to be positive when you are so sick. Apples, you are so wonderful -- and thoughtful -- what a beautiful, generous soul you are. Cheryl, Phyl gave you great advice -- I usually eat about what Phyl does -- usually a small egg beater omelet -- I use Morning Star Sausage Crumbles (only about 1/4 of the serving size) and a slice of 2% Borden American cheese. For lunch usually a piece of fish or homemade salmon patty or a small grilled chicken breast with soured green beans (or small salad) and the same for dinner. I love fruit and have a small bowl of mixed fruit (fresh strawberries, melon, mandarin oranges, etc.) once a day. I also eat a non-fat yogurt and a low fat,, sugar free pudding as a snack at night because I don't drink milk which helps me get some calcium in. That's usually between 800 to 1100 calories a day depending on what protein I've had. I track all my foods on thedailyplate.com which I know Janet recommends -- it's a good way to be accountable for the foods we put in our mouths. Someone asked how we figure out how many calories a day to eat -- I use thedailyplate.com for that as well - you put in your current weight, height and how much you want to lose per week and they will give you the number of calories you should eat for that formula. It's easy and it's been very accurate for me as I've averaged 2 lbs. per week since my surgery. I also exercise 3 to 5 days per week. Oh, I almost forgot -- I was worried that no one would notice my weight loss -- I hadn't told my DS or DIL that I had the surgery or that I was losing weight -- when they got to the airport, they couldn't believe the difference -- my DS showed me a pic he had of me when I was in Hawaii just a week before my surgery and then took a new pic of me and showed me the difference just to prove it to me. I did look so much better! LOL. Just one of those moments we all need. It gave me a boost for sure. Linda

Hi Happiness, Good luck to you and I hope your insurance approval comes soon. Keep in touch and let us know when you have a surgery date. Linda

Debbie, are you still out there? Have you had your surgery yet or do you have a surgery date? I'd love to hear how you're doing too. It's been a busy month, sorry if I haven't been around much. Linda

Hi and welcome Sgrmag31. I think you've made a great decision and let me know if I can be of any more help. I am a relative newbie to the band, but would be happy to give you any support and advice I can. Keep us posted on your progress. I wish you the very best. Linda