debbieperez55

You might want to try some Agave Syrup. It has a high glycemic index and is sweeter than sugar so you need less. Our chef at work uses it all the time as a sugar subsitute. Check our www.melissas.com And yes, I work there, but my Dietician approves of this sweetner. Also, trust me. Try this. Make a pitcher of Crystal Lite Lemonaide. Cut two lemons in half and slice some off. Put the slices in the pitcher. Juice the lemons. Add the juice to the pitcher. I use the bottled stuff and it worked. Add the lemon juice to taste. The tartness of the lemons masks the sweetner. This is how I got off of Diet Pepsi (40 year habbit) and started drinking Crystal Lite. Also, I add more water for weaker lemonaide. But try the Lemons. They will work for other related flavors too. And there is a little pulp in the drink so it looks real, it has fooled a lot of people around here. Please try this, it does work. I promise. :frown: Debbie

Funny, just when you think you don't need this site, you have a bad weekend and you realize you need the support of people who understand. Thanks so much Simone. It is really hard right now. I am not eating things I shouldn't, but I am eating ALL my allowed Snacks. Well I wanted slow, I have it now. :frown: Debbie

Riley, Hey we are almost neighbors :tt1: Well, you are North and I am South :sad: No, I found out after that there was no restriction at surgery. I did ask for a fill immediately so believe it or not my first fill was on my one month anniversary. I was just so determined to make this work and you know, you have swelling in the beginning. I had thought that 5.5 cc would last a long time, but now three months later I realize I needed a fill about 6 weeks later. I think the later fills are just minor tweeks and adjustments. I am hopping for that in January. I am HMO so I need authorization. But I can't be too down on the HMO, they did authorize my Band. :crying: I was on liquids, clear for 5 days and then three weeks of full liquids. Then it was mushies for a few weeks. Next came more softer foods and at 5 months I get a full diet. I definately want my fill before I go there. I have found that dry is bad for me. I have had steak, cut it in tiny pieces and chewed a lot. I got stuck on Soy Sausage, on the day I went to the Dr. He told me this will happen. Had to go back on clear, then full liquids then mushies then back to regular. You have to let your tummy rest after being stuck, it gets pissed off. The weight loss, actually, I got nervous, very very nervous about getting the band and got bad IBS. So I actually lost weight before I saw the Surgeon. Trust me I didn't try to loose weight, I just did. When you have diarreah every day several times a day you tend to loose weight. Once I saw the Dr I didn't do anything to loose weight until I got closer to my surgery date, then I freaked out. About a month before surgery I went to my regular Dr and had gained two pounds :sad:. I went on a personally induced diet. Two protien drinks and a meal a day. I asked my Dietician and she said it was okay. Of course she didn't tell me that they make you do this two weeks before your surgery anyway. Then of course I was on the liquid diet for about a few days before surgery. I was freaked about my liver and that helped me stick to the liquid part. I never ate anything that was not authorized by the Surgeon. :frown: By the time I got further into the process I was actually looking forward to the restrictive part of the band. I was so tired of overeating. I felt like I could eat half a cow and still be hungry and eat more. Not anymore! The band was the best thing I have ever done. No regrets, no looking back. I now love to walk and find it very relaxing and stress relieving. I have gone from a complete couch potato to a "mover and shaker" Okay, I walk funny. But I am down from a 26/28 to a 18. Not bad for an old lady. :thumbup: Debbie

I cannot believe all of you have had so many fills. I have an HMO and need approval. I knew something was wrong around Thanksgiving but didn't say anything. I didn't want the hassel, thought it must be me. Finally I knew, I felt no restriction except when I was upset. Go Figure, maybe I should stay pissed off all the time. Anyway I decided to email my dr and ask for a fill, to tell the truth I was afraid. HE SAID YES. So I called his assistant immediately. Seems he emailed her too. She said she had to request approval from the HMO, call back in a couple days. So I did, she told me there was nothing. CAlled back in a few more, nothing. Finally, right before Christmas she tells me, Oh they need more information and I am out until the 5th of January so if I don't get approval before then you are out of luck. Guess what, no approval. So I call the HMO. Talked to a real sweet person. Asked them why they approved me for the band if they are not going to let me get it adjusted/fills. She told me they received the initial request a week after I was told it was submitted and yes they did ask for more info, but never received it. AND YES, THEY DO WANT ME TO SUCCEED. They will approve the fills, they just need the paperwork. So now I find out it is the STUPID ASSISTANT! :Banane20: Guess who is going to get a call on January 5 beginning at 8am. So my fill is on hold. I will be fine, it is just so hard :sad:. It feels like I have no restriction at all, even though I know that is not true. Thanks for all your support. I couldn't do it without you. Debbie

I hit a GOAL - I am officially under 210!:hurray: 209 this morning. I cannot believe it, three weeks at 215 and I dropped it in a few days. 209 Next stop under 200. I cannot believe it. I am lower than I have been since 1987. I am down to a size 18 and I am taking some of my nice larger clothes to our gathering tonight. If larger relatives want them, they may have them. I cannot believe it. I love my band. It is hard work, but it is worth it. And my blood sugar is hovering around 101-105. I stop taking my meds at 99. That is a big goal for me too. I see my regular Dr in two weeks. I know he will be shocked. I can only hope that he allows me to cut back on my blood pressure meds. My Dr said he would be happy if I could just get under 200. That has been one of my goals for quite a while. I do want to say that I am not embarrassed to tell people what I weigh now. Telling people you almost weight 300 pounds is different than saying you weight 200. I feel better, I can breath when I go upstairs. I can walk and not die. I don't get chest pains all the time. I am just so blown away. I am speachless Debbie :laugh:

Teri, WAY TO GO!!! There is serious space between you and the door. I didn't think of taking my photos like that. That was a FANTASTIC IDEA. Look, this is a SLOW process. I swear my scale is basically standing still now too. Funny thing is I wear a smaller size, a lot smaller. So even though the scale is barely moving, I am shifting. I too posted some pictures. I hate pics of myself, but it is what I HAVE to do. I found a pic of my face at my top and I wanted to VOMIT. You are making good choices, you ARE LOOSING, I can see that door, and a lot of it. You can see that changes. Keep your chin up, you are doing a fantastic job. And the ney sayers, we all know why they are so negitative. Take care, I am so sorry to hear your boys are ill again. Hang in there. Huggs Debbie

Funny, if one more person had tried to "feel bad for me for not eating all the goodies" I was going to scream. Why can't they just understand that I am happy not eating holiday junk. I finally told them I choose not to eat this or that. Was I tempted - YES - but the memories of Holidays past and the amount of food I put away, HUGE AMOUNTS, and the loss of control were still strong memories. It's not one cookie, or one tamale, or one piece of fudge. I did however allow myself extra SF Dark chocolate pudding this holiday.:tongue2: Better choices all around.

Thanks Kiz, I know I was long winded. I liked the feeling so muh after my first fill and it lasted well over a month. See and I was right, TRUST YOUR BODY. You knew how you felt. I will be patient and just keep exercising. I think I just need a little more. I appreciate your help so much. Debbie And the scale finally moved this morning. :tounge_smile:

I agree, I don't have as much time as I use to and usually only look at the top few threads anyway and I know I am missing so much, but it is hard to keep up

Kiz, you have a Realize Band also. When I asked the size I was told they don't have sizes. I had 5.5 cc the first fill and felt great for a while. Then I noticed I was hungry. I didn't trust my body and it got worse and I am at a plateau. I have been stuck for two weeks. I finally emailed my Dr and he authorized a fill, thank goodness. I am waiting for the insurance to give me authorization then I will make my appointment. My Dr makes me do the Floura type of fill and only two Radiologists at USC University Hospital do fills. I am hanging in there but I don't think I will ever make it under 210. Did they have trouble getting the needle for your fills? Anyway, I was just shocked that you knew your size and have had so many fills. I could kick myself for not listening to what I knew was wrong. I didn't assert myself and the Dr Office people who answer the phones are asses and told me I have to see the Dr before I could ask for a fill. Because I am HMO I assumed have to get my Dr, need a visit, to get an authorization for the Surgeon. Then visit the Surgeon, then ask for a fill, then they have to authorize the fill. Now I find out I can email my request. At least I was able to skip a couple steps. But of course the insurance company is dragging their feet and now with Christmas I won't get in to for my fill until after the first of the year. I am so bummed. OH did I mention, The Hospital won't make the appointment with the Radiologist without authorization first. YUCK :tongue_smilie:

Thank you so much. I know the PBing is bad, but I occasionally still burp and I hiccup a lot. Some are very strong hiccups, but nothing life threatening. I just try to relax and wait for the spasm to pass. I thought I was alone. Thank you for makeing me feel normal. Debbie

Double click your ticker. It will take you to the web site. Put in your pin, secret code and hit the update weight data button. (You know I am having to do this while I write so I give the proper instructions) Scroll down to current weight. Enter your weight and the date - I have no idea why we put in the date but I do. Click on next. You are done, you can exit. Next time you go into Lapbandtalk.com your new data will appear. Hope this helps. Debbie

I have to share. I went to my Hubby, amazed at the total. He told me, Wow, that's 5 people. I didn't think of it in those terms, but he lumped all that fat into something he knows. Remember - September Samurai's Kick Butt Debbie

Trust me, once you get a fill, you will notice a difference. Right about now, the swelling of your stomach has gone down and your band is loosing it's zing. Once that fill happens you will get the restriction you need. I know that all Drs are different, but mine allowed Snacks. Also, soft food seems to last longer. Remember, don't drink for 30-60 minutes after meals. Hang in there, welcome to the roller coaster ride. Personally, I love it. I have never been happier. Good Luck and take care. Debbie

Okay, I am weird, I hate to shop for clothes. It has always been painful, nothing fit, and I always felt humilitated. Once I begun to loose a lot I went out and bought a couple things. I refused to go into the little hot sweaty try on room, so I guessed. My pants were too big, but much small than what I was wearing. Shirts, I tried them on over my clothes. I guessed with undies. How are you suppose to know!?!?!?!? Well - I am buying the wrong sizes. My daughter bought me some undies, okay I am dumb, I have no idea what size I wear. THEY FIT. Two sizes smaller than I just purchased. I cannot believe it. She also bought me two tops which I was sure would not fit, would be WAY TOO TIGHT. They fit, smaller size than I bought when I went out. In fact, on shirt is a little big, but it will work for a month or so. The shirts I bought, good grief! I am having trouble with my body image. How do you do this? I am so afraid I will go in the the size will be the same as it use to be. Undies, what do you do about that. Before I kept gaining weight. It was easy, just buy two sizes higher, you know, you stretch out your jeans until the seams bust and then you just get two sizes or so bigger. Usually they fit. Same for undies. Didn't have to worry. Now, are these sizes for real???!!!??? I am serious. Help me, I can't wear an 18-20, that is too small. This is so stupid, but serious too. I have lost 50 pounds, but my clothes were from the beginning of the year and I have lost almost 70 from that, I lost almost 20 pounds before I saw the Surgeon from nerves. Just any help would be nice. I know I should accept that the size fits, but I just don't believe it and I just can't face the stores. Debbie :thumbup:

Ok, not just the low rise pants, I am from the 60-70's so we wore hip huggers, but how about those stupid THONGS. I have spent most of my adult life picking my undies out of my butt, I don't want to have some damn string up my bum on purpose. And, since we are on clothes, when did it become okay to show your undies. It's the fashion to show the triangle and sides of your thong????? Consignment will have something nice for Christmas. A lot of people get dressed up and some never want to wear the same thing twice. I have something I have to wear before it doesn't fit. I wore it once to a Christmas Party. It was years ago, and I am I think twenty pounds lighter than I was when I wore it, but I is nice. I had spent $150.00 on a Christmas Party outfit I wore once, that I just gave away, a Velvet Jacket and Skirt. But it was from my highest weight and that was over 70 pounds ago. That day I was lucky to find anything that fit I was so large. I would have paid anything so I was not embarrased at the party. I wish we had consignment. My Walmart pants were not such a terrific idea after all. Live and learn. But I am not spending a lot of money right now. Let me know what you find. Soon we will have to post before and after pics. Yeah like I take pictures of myself! :cursing: Take Care Debbie

You know normally that is me. This is the fist time I didn't trash them, but I know I thought seriously about doing it. I did toss some, I am missing some stuff, I think, but it was SO LONG AGO - who can remember. Yeah, those waists are a pain in the tushie. I love Cords..... Oh and those damn Walmart pants - they shrunk, in the length, in the rise (now hip huggers), but not in the waist and legs. So they are big except they are low and short...... Good Grief! And now, all the small tops that were snug I swear just a month ago are huge. AND - Has anyone seen my boobs! I use to have boobs. Someone must have stollen them in my sleep, or perhaps they are hiding in my turkey arms! I should be so lucky to get some biceps! Stupid boobs! :smile2: Why can't the but disappear so quickly!!!!!

Teri, just remember, stress can cause physical changes. Stress eating can cause Water retention, salty foods.... PMS, I remember that, PMS can add LOTS. So if that 4 pounds is there next week, that is a gain, if not it is just part of everything you have on your place right now. How is your son? Were you able to take him home yet? Debbie

You know the worse thing is that I stick to the damn diet. If I would just eat a bunch a crap............ Yeah right. I just wish that my Dr would listen when I say how bad it is. And don't tell me to drink more Water. Next time I am going to hand him a copy of the Diet the Surgeon gave me. For now, Colace and suppositories will get me by. I am just so afraid to try the fiber therapy. Oh and by the way, I drink 64 ounces of just water a day. Since I can't drink and eat I have given up my Snacks so I can drink the DAMN water. I am just so frustrated :biggrin: But I am loosing so that is the only plus.

Please - what are you all doing? When I went for my post op visit the Dr asked about regularity, he wanted to know if I have a BM daily or how many times a week. I almost laughed in his face. I told him I would kill to go once a day again. I was told to drink more water!!! Give me a break. So he said I could take Colace. I was afraid to take too much, I guess you can take up to three pills. One and two don't work, so I am trying three. I hope they work. And if they do, you stay on them forever? I have tried baby prunes and I had hoped he would say I could take Benefiber or something. Nope, drink more Water. DRINK MORE WATER!!! I had IBS so I am not use to this. All I had to do was get nervous or eat something too fatty and YIKES. I thought for sure once I started eating mushies everything would become more normal. NOT So, sorry for the question, but what do you do? Or am I the only one who still has trouble. :w00t: Debbie

I cannot believe we have lost that much. We are such a small group.

Thank you all so much for being understanding. Yes I know I have to get over my phobia, but it is kind of deep. The dreaded "closet" of a changing room and then the shame that the biggest size didn't fit. When that happened at Lane Giant, I started going to the Avenue. But it is VERY embarrassing. I do agree about the bras. My Mom and I cut my straps and made them tighter, that has lasted a month but now the girls are hanging low. I was told that they would look like two wet tube socks hanging from your shoulders. I laughed, yeah right. So I am going to this place near here, Wizzard of Bras, they fit you. I think I would like a nice PADDED one. Hey, it's not fair. God give you nice boobs to compensate for your weight, right. So what does he take away first!!!!!! I will try used to find a used clothes store, but I did go to Walmart, but you are all right. I need to take in 4 sizes, and take one of the smallest I think possible and try them all on. Also, I think I will take someone with me. Thank you so much. Thank goodness I didn't throw away my "skinny" clothes. Almost 8 years old and now they too are getting big. Oh Well. :biggrin: Debbie