ljv52

Hi everyone. Went in for my fill this morning. He couldn't find my port. He kept poking and poking and it did hurt when he was poking around with that needle. Finally, he sent me down and did it under fluro -- but even then he had a tough time. He reassured me my port is fine (I could see it on the x-ray) but for some reason he just had a really tough time in locating it when he had the needle in hand. He promised he won't have any problems next time (which will be on my b-day so hopefully not). All in all, it wasn't bad, but I do have a bruse where I was poked and about 10 little holes where I was stabbed with the needle. I had a little burning pain for about an hour after the fill but seems to be going away now. Always seems like if there's a problem, it'll be a problem for me. LOL. I love my surgeon -- he's a good guy - I know he felt terrible. I lived to talk about it. Pen, have you had a fill yet? Funny thing is, I had to go to a luncheon at work right after and although he told me to have soft foods for a few days, I was able to eat a salad and a little meat and really didn't feel any restriction -- will have to wait and see. Linda

Hi everyone, just checking in and reading today's posts. I was gone all day and most of the night -- had meetings in Des Moines. Today was my weigh in day and managed to lose a few more, I'm now in onederland (barely, but still I am there). Have my first fill tomorrow so am a little nervous but sure I can handle it. I'll check in tomorrow. Janet, th pic was wonderful and you, Linda and Phyl and all your other lucky 7's are so inspiring to us newbies! Congratulations again. The pic was beautiful. I miss the ocean. Our weather turned cold again. Right now it's 17 out and lots of wind gusts. I'm sure it's much colder with the wind chill factor. Linda

Barb, sorry I missed your post yesterday -- I work on Sundays and it gets busy. I'll be thinking of you all day tomorrow and anxious to hear how you're doing when you come home. I may see you tomorrow at the meeting, I'm definitely going. If you feel up to it, would love to see/meet you. I would love to keep in good touch and maybe we can motivate each other and help stay on track (since we have similar ideas and goals). My e-mail is lvilcone@yahoo.com. Feel free to e-mail me anytime, but put Lapband buddy in subject so I know it's you so I don't automatically delete it. I get so much crap e-mail that once in awhile I miss one from friends/family. Just remember, if you have any pain, to take your meds and to walk walk walk -- it's the best thing you can do for the uncomfortableness after surgery. You'll do great, I know you will. Linda

Carolinamom, sorry to hear you're having problems. I'm wide open, can eat anything and experiencing a ton of hunger, so can't imagine that without a fill you are so tight, but they say everyone is different. Do you know if your doctor put saline in at the time of your surgery? Mine does not put any in, and I go for a fill this Wednes. I worry about getting my fill and being too tight, it seems to be the worst of the problems I've read about. Hope you are feeling better, I'll be thinking of you and hoping things will get better. Linda

Hi everyone, just checking in. I work on the weekends, so get too busy sometimes to post. Apples, we have one of the Geoge Foreman grills with interchangeable plates at work and it works very nicely. I'd never had one at home and I've been very impressed with it. I work at a call center and we eat all our meals at our desks while we work. Janet, hope you have a great time on your cruise, although we will miss you greatly. Thanks for posting the link to the instructions for the tickler. As you can see, it helped me greatly. DH wanted to go to a casino last night and eat the buffet. I did okay - had crab legs with cocktail sauce (not as good as the butter, but it was still tasty). I did have a bite or two of his prime rib and I also had about 1/2 a piece of cheesecake and a smidgeon of soft serve ice cream. I figure I've been good and exercising so will call it a "planned" treat. Got back on track today with no problem. Hope everyone has a great week! Linda

Hi Ms. Kelly, thanks for the update and info on your fill, I'm starting to feel less worried about it after reading your post. I too am starving and can't wait for my fill - right now I'm very hungry but I won't eat cause I already brushed and flossed my teeth, but I feel ravenous. Linda

I everyone. Seems like everyone is doing well. I'm pretty boring with my eating. Usually I eat 1 envelope of instant oatmeal cooked with water and then about 1/4 cup of skim milk added to it with a little Splenda brown sugar blend or I have 1/2 cup egg beaters soft scrambled with Morning Star Sausage crumbles and a slice of 2% cheese melted on it. For lunch/dinner I usually have salmon patties or oven baked fish or a boca or morning star veggie patty with vinegar green beans. I had my first salad today and that tasted great with non fat ranch dressing. I also usually have an evening snack consisting of sugar free jello, a non fat yogurt and a sugar free/low fat pudding cup (helps to get my calcium in as I don't like to drink milk). I've made a good chicken/black bean soup (recipe is on the recipe thread) which I really enjoy as well. I bought some tofu noodles and tried those but decided they aren't for me. It's great to read what others are eating to get ideas. Thanks. Linda

Carolina Mom, Somehow when I checked in yesterday, I missed your post. I'm so sorry you're feeling so lousy and having such a rough time. I do hope you start feeling better soon. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and sending you a big hug right now. Pen, what kind of work do you do? I was a legal secretary and worked at Woodburn, Wedge most of the time I lived in Reno. That whole area has grown so much it's scary -- I was back there in 2005 and I couldn't believe how much it had grown. My son graduated from McQueen H.S. in 1991, and there wasn't much out there at that time except the school and now there's miles and miles and miles of houses beyond that area. Unbelievable. The exercising really really works - I was pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale Tues. for my weekly weigh in -- I had lost 5 lbs. this week, so I was thrilled. I had so much gas after surgery that I stopped drinking protein shakes pretty early on. But I ate only very soft foods -- egg beaters, scrambled very soft (with some non fat or low fat cheese melted on them), salmon patties, Boca and Morning Star veggie patties (much softer than real meat), baked fish, and black beans, pinto beans. I eat a lot of canned green beans. I dice up onion and put the onion in the pan with a tablespoon or so of those real bacon bits (only 1.5 grams of fat per 1 Tablespoon) and cook that until the onion is soft and transluscent. Then I add a couple of cans of green beans and then some pepper and a couple of tablespoons of vinegar and letting that simmer for about 15 mins. I like them this way adn they're very low in fat and they are soft and easy to eat. I like a lot of veggies, but I LOVE butter on them which of course I can't have, so that's why I like these beans. I've only had carbs a couple of times since I started the pre-surgery diet. One time I had a small red potato with non fat ranch dip on it and I've had a couple of bites of rice a couple of times. I've never had any problems with getting anything stuck or PB'ing. In fact, today was the first time I tried salad and real chicken (I had a salad with grilled chicken at Applebee's) and boy did that taste great -- I'd been craving salad but was afraid to eat it (not sure why). I took my own fat free ranch dressing with me. Like I said, I've been so hungry lately and have to be careful when I chew cause sometimes I am eating way too fast. When I get restriction, I'll have to be careful. Can't wait to get that fill next week. Pen, have you had a fill yet? Good luck and let's try to keep in touch. Linda

Barb, you're doing great!!! You're losing about the same amount of weight that I did pre-op. I also had low potassium (in fact they had to give me a couple of IV bags of potassium after my surgery), so I wouldn't think that's a huge problem. Your having surgery on Tues., which is the day of the support group meeting. Do you know yet what time your surgery is? If you feel well enough, you should come down to the meeting -- last month it was only like 5 or 6 of us there, so it's not a big crowd. I'm planning on going, they are very informative. I get my first fill next Wednes., so I'm getting a little nervous about that. I've lost 43 lbs. since I started my pre-op diet, but I am "dieting", watching my fats and calories (I log everything I eat at www.thedailyplate.com -- it's a great website -- very easy to use. They recommend using that site to stay on track. I also exercise 5 days a week -- water aerobics Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs. Friday and on Mon., Wednes. Fri. I ride a recumbant bike for 30 mins. and do some weight machines for about 20 - 30 mins. My philosphy is to get the weight off and then after I lose it all, I will just eat regular food (just much less of it), but I want to get the weight off first. I don't know if you read many of the other posts on this site but so many lap band people have only lost like 50 lbs. after a year or so. I basically wanted to have the lap band done so I have a tool to help me not gain the weight back after I lose it (again). So it's exciting for me to say, 43 pounds gone FOREVER. After surgery, I was not hungry at all for several weeks. Your stomach makes noises and rumbles and grumbles, but I didn't feel "hungry" when it did it - but it does really make a lot of noise. I also had a lot of gas (I believe from drinking protein shakes -- I was using Iospure) and so I went off them pretty quickly after surgery. Make sure you take Gas X strips to the hospital and be sure you walk a lot after surgery -- it will really help you not to have as much pain. I started walking the evening of surgery (mine was at 10:30 a.m.) and I bet I walked 40 times around the entire floor of the hospital before I went home the next day at 4:00 p.m. It's hard, but you gotta do it. You'll have a big room, it's private -- very nice room. And they'll give you broth and jello for your meals in the hospital (I thought the broth was good) but didn't much care for the lime and lemon jello they gave me. If you have any other questions, please let me know and I'll be sure to check here in the next few days so I can answer them. Hope to meet you soon and I'll be thinking about you next Tues. Linda

Apples, I grew up on a farm in Ohio and even there we had "dinner" and "supper". Even my grandma in the city had her largest meal at midday and then a lighter meal for supper. I think about the all the food we ate back on the farm -- we were never fat -- worked much to hard to be fat, but boy did we eat. I love to cook also, but I couldn't stand to smell homemade bread/rolls rising and baking -- that would drive me crazy. Just thinking about homemade bread makes me hungry. Becky, that woman is so lucky you are such a caring person -- you saved her life. My MIL died at 87 when she was recovering from her broken hip when she got a blood clot. Congrats Julie on your loss, now try to stay off that scale for awhile. I love your GD's name -- that is so beautiful. My GD's name is Aylah which I also love. Holly, congrats on your loss too -- that's fabulous! I had a great day today -- a couple of my friends and me went to a bigger town (about 30 mins. south of here) and had pedicures and our eyebrows waxed, lunch (salad at Applebee's) and shopped. It was 73 here today -- a new record and it was heavenly! Sorry for those of you who still have snow. We might get some next week, which will be tough to take after this great weather. Phyll I loved your story -- that's a classic and congrats on your new weight loss milestone - that great and your an inspiration to us newer bandsters. Janet I do hope you're feeling better tonight, colds are the worst. Charlene, your little Charlie is so cute -- I have a little long haired dashound named Merry -- she's turning 10 this year, but is so sweet. My previous dog lived to be just a few months shy of 20 years old. Well, hope everyone has a great evening. I'll check in again later. Linda

Hi Holly, thanks for the congrats, but as Janet said, you are doing a great job too, so congratulations on your success as well. I have my fill next Wednes. and I can't wait. Girls, the noodles were not my favorites -- they are very chewy and I don't particularly like the texture -- they are like top roman noodles but much chewier. So I don't necessarily recommend them for us bandsters. Janet, hugs and hope you feel better. Sharons you too, hope you feel better tomorrow. Linda

Kristine, welcome to your new home. This is the greatest thread and everyone is wonderful here. Just make it a habit to check in every day and let everyone know how you're doing. It's fantastic that you have such an active lifestyle. I'm just getting back in the groove after a 10 year vacation from the gym (it's amazing how those years flew by and I can't believe it took me 10 years to get back to exercising). In fact I just returned from my workout -- recumbant bike, circuit machines and then water aerobics and I'm tired, but a good tired. My hubby goes to the water aerobics too -- he is disabled/retired as he had both hips replaced in 2000 and 2001 so water aerobics is good for him too. Kristine, I hear you when you say you have had teenage problems and financial problems. I raised my son (now 36) and then raised my three step children (from ages of 3, 9 and 12). The youngest is just turning 20 on Sunday and he's still a big pain! We had two kids with juvenile diabetes and they both refuse to take care of themselves. The 20 year old almost died at Christmas -- his girlfriend found him passed out - his blood sugar was 1500! The other one is my grandbaby's mother and she's 25 and still refuses to take good care of her diabetes. I look at how skinny she is and worry about her driving the baby in the car. As Janet said, we must repeat the serenity prayer -- because truly, there are things we have no control over and worrying about them all just makes us crazy. We'll keep you in our prayers and hope it all gets better soon. My girlfriend's teen aged grandson was just arrested for car burglarly. It's tough raising kids, so we just need to keep positive thoughts if possible. I was on Hungry-girl.com the other day and read about the tofu noodles, so I ordered some. They just came today -- have any of you tried them? They also had some other low carb/low fat items I ordered to try - a muffin mix and a brownie mix. Julie, so glad you made it to your water aerobics class -- good for you. Thanks to everyone who congratulated me on my weight loss this week -- it's nice to have friends to share it with. No one else seems to be noticing that I've lost weight - it's weird how no one mentions it (except my hubby and kids). I know it's gotta be noticeable after 50 lbs. Maybe they think it's rude to comment, not sure. I know Janet said the other night one of her co-workers and client never mentioned her weight loss either. It's just interesting. It's 51 here today -- I didn't wear a jacket when I went out today -- hooray for sunshine and blue skies! Have a great day/night everyone! Linda

I'm still losing weight too and am scheduled for a fill on 3-11. I want a fill because I'm hungry -- I feel no restriction at all -- I'm doing all the work, not the band. Does anyone know if they will do a fill under these circumstances? I want the fill because I'm tired of dealing with never feeling full anymore. I will beg the doctor for a small fill if necessary. Linda

Hi TX, thanks for checking in. I have my fill on 3-11 and I can't wait. I've been so hungry and although I've been making good food choices, I'm doing some bad things -- like eating way too fast, not chewing that well, etc. I never really feel full ever -- that's been going on for over 2 weeks and so I'm more than ready to get a fill. Let me know how yours is on the 5th. Good luck! Linda

Hi everyone, just checking in. Had a good day, tried a new water aerobics class tonight -- like it better than the ones I take in the afternoons. It's good to have options. Julie, you've had a tough week, you're doing great - you must be a very strong person to deal with everything you've been dealing with this week. Just remember to take care of yourself too. It sounds like you do a great job of taking care of everyone else, but you're worth the trouble too you know. Proud of you for getting on that treadmill. I love my water aerobics and hope you will get back to yours soon. Long, I loved that your grandma didn't recognize you at first -- that's wonderful - and I love your attitude about not being the fat sister any longer. It's someone else's turn. Good for you! Today was my weigh in day (only once a week) and I was happily surprised with 5 more lbs. gone! I was really shocked because I've been so hungry the last few days and felt like I've been eating more than usual, but was eating the right foods, just more of them. I'm looking forward to my fill next week. Hope you all have a good day tomorrow! We're supposed to have temps in the 50s here. Linda

Hi everyone, Apples, please do not worry yourself about what other people think! When I lost my 100 lbs. before (long time ago), people, including my own mother and sister told me I looked anorexic. I did not and was not, I was 5'4" tall and weighed 120. I think partly beause of the attitudes I encountered was some of the reason I stopped exercising and watching what I was eating and gained that 100 plus more back. Never again! As for those of us here, I am newly banded and I can say that I would not nor would I ever have thought you were bragging -- your problem is just another problem that can be encountered by someone with a lapband. We are all here to learn together -- whether or not we have the same problems, it's good to know what other people encounter so we are all the better educated. I do hope you are able to keep your weight somewhat steady and not lose more. I would hate to have to get up at 3:00 a.m. to eat! I do wish you luck and will keep you in my prayers. Long, you are such an inspiration -- congrats on your 9 months and your onederland, I know you've worked hard to get where you're at. I had a good day, did my bicycling, water aerobics and circuit training and am tired, but happy. Have a good night everyone! Linda

Barb, It's March first! Only 10 more days until your surgery! Have you started the pre-surgery diet? Hope you are doing great. Let me know if I can be of any help. Linda

Hi everyone, the website seems to be back to normal as I had no problem getting on from home computer and work computer today. Julie, how's your Mom? Hope it's not a seizure. Welcome Lizz -- good luck on your journey, you sound like you're doing great. Janet, your new clothes sound great -- good bargains too. Had tuna salad for dinner -- and had a couple of small dill pickles too --I was craving them -- hadn't had any since my surgery and they tasted great! Janet, I'm not sure if my surgeon does blind fills or not. I hope not, but will have to wait and see on March 11. Hope you all have a great week. Linda

Could not get on here earlier. Janet thanks for your help, I am getting a little nervous about my fill. My doctor does them on a time schedule at first. They say they are quite conservative when it comes to fills, meaning they put a very small amount of saline in for the fills, but I'm still nervous about it. I spent the morning cleaning out my closets and had a friend come by to try on some clothes -- she ended up taking the majority of them and the rest DH took to Goodwill. I'm excited to get those clothes out of the house as I am down about 3 sizes. Went to the gym for my workout and water aerobics. Ate the rest of my catfish today. Had a good day, spring is coming, it's the end of February! Linda

Pen, are you in Vegas? I lived in Reno for 15 years -- from 1979 to 1991. Let me know where you live in NV. I miss it so much. I left there and moved to So. Ca (Long Beach) and then we moved to Iowa 4 years ago (to live near my son and daughter in law). Guess what? He got promoted and moved to Vegas last Oct. But it's all good, I like it here, except the winters are a pain (too cold). But I'll survive. Linda

I think you're right, Pen. I stopped protein drinks altogether and the gas has pretty much subsided. My doc doesn't really want us on protein shakes (prefers we eat real food), it isn't a problem. I'm doing well, have been exercising a lot -- Going three times a week, Mon., Wednes and Friday -- doing recumbant bike 30 mins., then circuit training and then doing a 45 mins. water aerobics class -- I'm tired out after that but it's worth it -- I've been losing about 2 pounds a week since I've been doing that. I struggled and didn't lose any weight one week and then only lost like a partial pound the next. That's when I decided I better get to exercising and it does help. Wish we'd hear from Carolina Mom and Ms Kelly -- come on you guys, let us know you're doing okay. I've been doing pretty good with the eating -- trying to limit my fat intake -- that's a diet that always works well for me. I decided I want to diet until I lose the majority of my weight and then after that, just try to use the band to limit my intake of food. I have a goal -- I'm not telling my family that I did the band and we are all meeting in Vegas for my sister's 50th birthday party on August 9, so I want to surprise them all with the "new me" -- won't they be surprised? It should be fun. Pen, I actually tried a piece of toast the other day and it was okay. I just put some jelly on it. Also, when I went to my support group meeting, I heard about PB2 -- it's a powdered peanut butter that you mix with water. 1 tablespoon only has 1.8 grams of fat and a lot less calories than regular peanut butter. It's a good source of protein -- I had it on a graham cracker with some jelly for breakfast and it was heaven. I stopped eating peanut butter a long time ago cause it was so fattening, so it was a nice treat. Hope to hear from you and some others soon. Linda

Debbie, my surgery went very well. If you go to the monthly groups and look up January 27, 09, I posted quite a bit there about how my surgery went. I was very happy with everyone at Mercy -- everyone was very nice, very professional and very caring -- even the nurse who does the iv's was great -- and I never got a bruise from my IV which is probably the first time ever. The rooms are nice and big (all are private rooms). You'll have top notch care. The most important thing is to get up and get moving after surgery -- my surgery was at 10:30 a.m. and I was back in my room by 1:00 p.m. and up and moving around that evening and all day the next day, doing laps around the floor. It really helps keep the gas pains to a minimum and you feel much better moving around than just sitting/lying in bed. It's also good to prevent blood clotting. I haven't had any problems with my band, but I have followed the rules very carefully - did not try to eat any foods not on the list, etc. I never cheated on my 2 week pre-surgery liquid diet either. I decided if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. Everyone at the clinic is wonderful and I went to the support group meeting on 2/10 and really enjoyed that as well. I have nothing but great things to say about the entire program, it is top notch. Good luck and let me know what you decide, etc. Linda

I everyone. Sharons, I had trouble getting on here Wednes. night too, and I've never had any problems before. Tonight it was just fine. I was able to log on to other web sites, so it must have been something specifically to do with this one. Anyway, I had to go to lunch today with one of my friends. We live in a small town and have very few choices for restaurants, so I agreed to go to one of the family style restaurants. I wanted to order the baked cod, but I asked if I could have it without the "butter sauce" and was told "no". LOL. So, instead I just ordered the vegetable soup. I hate it when restaurants won't accommodate your wishes. It seemed a simple enough request. Oh well. I work out 3 days a week, Mon.., Wed. and Friday. I ride a recumbant bike (I've worked up to 30 mins.), then circuit training and then a water aerobics class. I am tired when done, but enjoy not having to go every day to the gym, so prefer this schedule. On Tues., Thurs. and Sat. I walk the dog, weather permitting. Catfish was on sale here this week, so I tried the recipe where you rinse the fish, season with salt and pepper and then dip it in the cornmeal coating and then bake it. For extra crunch, i broiled it the last few seconds and it really helped crisp it up -- tasted just as good to me as fried. I made my own tarter sauce with low fat mayo, relish, onion and lemon juice. I've been eating a lot of green beans with vinegar - I like them that way (keeps me from wanting butter on them), and I can make up a bunch and have them with my meals. I'm just to the point where I can have real food, but haven't tried any real meat yet -- I've had salmon, fish, tuna and some boca/morning star meats (which are soft) and a lot of beans but am a little worried about real meat. I guess I'll take the plunge in the next couple of days. Better do it before my first fill on 3/11. Hope you all have a great Friday. Linda

Hi everyone, Good to read everyone's posts. Phyllser I was an AF wife too -- stationed in Duluth, MN, San Angelo, TX, and Fairbanks, AK, so have seen my share of nasty, cold winters. I'm originally from Ohio, Youngstown area. After Fairbanks, I divorced and moved to Reno, NV where I raised my DS and lived until I met my current DH and moved to Long Beach, CA in 1992. He became disabled and we left So. CA four years ago and moved to Iowa (where my DS lived) and now my DH's daughter and 2 year old GD live here too. I don't miss So. CA much, I worked in downtown LA and don't miss the commute at all. We left at a good time, and are grateful for that. Janet, today was my weigh in day and I lost my two pounds for the week. I also recalculated my BMI which is now at 39 so I am THRILLED with that, which helps keep me motivated. Linda

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I'm doing well, just busy with work and life. Janet, your pics are wonderful and truly an inspiration -- thank you for sharing with us. And also thanks for discussing the sf foods -- I too have sf/low fat pudding and yogurt everyday because my dr. wants me to have skim milk, but I can't drink milk -- never have cared much for plain milk. My weight loss has slowed (only 1 lb. last week), but I'm so happy with progress so far. Julie, you and I are the same age, both 52 models (which was a very good year, you know). I live in Iowa and I am looking forward to spring as well. Long, congrats on onederland. Thanks to you all for your wisdom -- I find it all very encouraging and inspirational. Linda