barbara465

We don't have one in Kingwood yet. I live in Atascocita and have thought of starting one. The cloesest is The Woodlands. They are the North Houston Bandster group. Next meeting info. December 7, 2006 6:30 p.m. to ? Cafe Express 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380

Its so good to hear from so many of you today. Its funny how different, yet the same, our labband journey's have been. I do think there is some kind of normal that can be achieved with this band. I am finding that I can eat just about anything, but I'm scared to stray too far from my approved list. I do chew, chew, chew, and don't PB unless I've been overfilled. I had them double check the last fill to make sure everything was still there because I can eat too much. I still can and will go for one more fill next week. I'm glad to see that some are out there enjoying a normal life with the band and not obsessing about it. I think that's the best way to live with the band if you can. We got one tree finished last night. I have to put the final ribbons on it and declare it done. Two more to go. I also have some centerpieces to make and a few wreaths. All shopping is done so DH now has to wrap, wrap, wrap. OUr present to each other is the cruise. I just thank all of you for being so supportive during this journey. It has made it so much easier knowing you are here.

I wish my band would tighten up at night. It just seems to cry for more, more, more. It just loves blue bell ice cream. Yikes. I actually saw and black and silver tree in a shop. It was quite pretty. Very sophisticated. So if your 16 year old decides on black you can smile knowing its in style! Working this week. Its a great time to get thngs done since there are few around. Have a great day.

WOW what a difference a few days make. Everyone seems to be doing better and in better spirits. Great on the weight loss and the successful fill. Wish I could make bows. I need some new ones for the tree, but managed to get the ones to work that I have. I haven't gotten as far as I wanted in decorating, but will get with it now. I went for a massage and it felt wonderful. I do think that helps us lose weight too!!!! Have a great day everyone. The weather is beautiful here in Houston. I just love it.

I am able to eat way too much too Melissa. I'm going in for a fill right after Thanksgiving. I have too much to do that weekend to chance getting stuck. I'll see if I can get some restriction with the next fill. I ate too much for lunch and I'm miserable. Way too full. That doesn't happen often, but it did today. I don't think I will be able to eat dinner. Its now almost 5 and I'm not hungry. Went to hairdresser today. She said there are no bald spots and I'm just shedding. We went ahead and put the highlights in so I hope I don't wake tomorrow bald. Back to decorating the 10 ft Christmas tree.

I like the 100 calorie packs of cheetos and pretzels, sugar free pudding cups, a tsp of Peanut Butter on several keeble whole grain crackers for Snacks. Lunch: Fat free ham slices rolled up with cream cheese and salsa Chili con queso, fat free refried Beans, w/baked tortillia chips Soup Leftovers from dinner Dinner Taco meat, chili con queso, lettuce, tomatoes turkey and gravy, whipped potatoes, vegetable pork chop, sweet potatoe patty, vegetable, applesauce tilapia, vegetable, applesauce Lasagna made without noodles, spinach, fat free ricota cheese, moz. cheese baked in the oven Thin crust homemade pizza - eat the toppings and leave the crust I still drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning and then switch to Water. I drink water most of the time with an occasional crystal light.

Remember, the children grow up and you are alone with him. You must want to do this for you, not for the children. Your one son is in college and your daughter doesn't have many more years before she will also be out of the house. Do this for YOU, not for the children. It is never a mistake to try and make things work. It is a mistake to do the same things over and over in hopes that it lead to a different result. It sounds like you are making some positive steps and taking inventory. Counseling should help with all of this and allow you to work through the issues. Dropping the divorce would not have been my first move. I know that the threat of it over someone's head is like "I don't believe this will really work". I guess to some it's like a prenup agreenment. However, I don't think prenups should be viewed that way either. Its done now so you need to let it go. If it turns out that you need to divorce, you will just go through the process again and chalk it up to one of life's expensive lessons. I do worry with his "manipulative" ways. At least that is my interrputation of what you say. His contacting everyone that you are back is an example. That was not for him to do. What was his motive in doing that? Do you think it was from relief or "I got her to come back" type of action. Did he want to make himself look good, while making you look bad? I would start looking at his motives and what makes him react as he does. Although all of us on here have opinions, the ones in this are you and your DH. You are the only one who can make the choices necessary. We are here for you. Take what we say, but do what your heart tells you to do. I gave my first husband a second chance. I really tried, but knew right away that it was a mistake. We were together another 3 years before we parted ways. I can say that I gave it my all, but the relationship was not meant to be. I laid down the terms and conditions of my return. When he dishonered that, the choice was easy to make. The next time I left it was without any doubts or what ifs. You need to take care of you above all else. Please take time to pamper yourself and get your energy back. Once that is done you will be in a better position to tackle the issues at hand.

I am so sorry you had to endure this. It is awful the one people think they can treat others. This is in no way a reflection of you, but of his ignorance. There was certainly more going on than the fact that you were overweight. We'll never know and really we don't care. He is a lunatic and like others have said, will get his just rewards later. Too bad you won't be there to see it. I do worry about your reactions and your own personal safety. Remember no truck, car, or vehicle is worth your life. Although it was good to take his license plate number, it was not good to put yourself in harm's way. There is no reasoning with people like him and he could have just as easily pulled a gun. You just never know. It brings up one of my own personal safety points. I never go out at night to the store, to pump gas, to the ATM, etc. alone. I try to plan as best I can so I'm not in those situations. I know you were in pain and needed to make the stop. Next time drag DH with you.

I feel like I have peach fuzz growing out of my head. My hair loss is not stopping and I'm afraid to do much with it. I didn't wash it for 3 days in hopes that I could keep some of it. It doesn't seem to matter whether I wash it every other day or not. It just keeps coming out. I go to the hairdresser tomorrow so I think I may not get my highlights done. I'm afraid to put more chemicals on it in fear it will fall out faster! Now I know how men feel!! I'm still feeling pretty good. I still can eat too much and that seems to be a daily challenge. I was really, really hungry last night. I drank lots of water yesterday and made many trips to the ladies room. I think that also counts for my exercise!!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm going to decorate some and get a jump on this. I have 3 trees to decorate. I love it though so its not a complaint. My DH is in the act so if we can agree, it might be fun.

I heard on some TV show that when head hunger hits put one of those disolvable listerine breath strips in your mouth. Its supposed to stop the urge to eat. I don't know if its true, but I thought I would get me some of those. Head hunger is the hardest. Our minds want us to eat, even tell us we are hungry, but we really aren't. I think this is something we will fight for quite a while. Good luck

I think most of the lapband doctors are also general surgeons. Some of them started with various stomach surgeries, etc or laporscopic procedures such as gall bladder. I would find a lapband doctor and then look to see how they are listed.

In my opinion we should be careful with seeds. They can cause irritations in the intestines and esphogus. For some, like most foods, it depends on the person. I don't digest seeds well so I stay away from them. There is liquids, clear, and then thicker liquids, like cream soups. Then mushies. pudding and applesauce fall between thicker liquids and mushies to me. You might not be able to eat applesauce because it is cold and/or the acidity of it. You will just have to experiment with what you are able to eat. It all changes after each fill I might add.

Don't forget that you can't carry liquids through security. You must have them in 3 oz containers and all fit into a quart ziploc. Don't lose expensive makeup, etc. because you tried to carry it onboard. Get up and about every hour or so and walk the aisles. Everyone does it so you won't look weird, etc. It's good just to get up and see what's going on. I would carry your own Snacks as you don't want any episodes while trying to travel so long and far. Put a pair of socks in your carryon and change into them once onboard. They keep your feet warm and you can take off your shoes. I wouldn't wear hose, even knee his as you don't want anything too restrictive. Same for a sweater. Have fun

I wasn't going to weigh today since it wasn't my day. However, I just thought I would give it a try. Down 2 lbs. I'm claiming them before they run and hide from me. That makes 4 lbs since the fill so I guess I'll wait and see what is happening. I hate this up 2 lbs, down 2lbs syndrome. It takes me weeks to settle and finally believe and see that the 2 lbs are really gone. The big news is I put on my khaki pants today. I knew it was going to be a stressfull day and I wanted to be comfortable. I've tripped over my hem a few times. In the ladies room I discovered these pants are just too big. Period. The legs could fit a few more people in them and my stomach is taking up the slack in the hemline. So another pair going to Goodwill. I'm not complaining. PeggyLee and I had Mexican food last night and went I went home that's what DH fixed as well. I didn't eat very much and I was full. It stayed with me all evening and no snack. I just got to figure the right foods to get that full feeling. Welcome Laura. Glad you found us. Please go and talk to doctor about the heartburn. That is an early indication of trouble. You don't want that to get out of hand. Also, eating late and going to bed with the pouch full of food can also cause reflux. You might try eating earlier and then having some water before retiring. It seems to help others. Have a great day. The weather is cool here in Houston and we're enjoying it while it lasts.

Just got back from having lunch with PinkyLee. We had a great time. Don't under estimate the time you can spend with other bandsters. It was so good to be able to talk about "things" with someone else who knows. Of course it's our sparkling personalities that get along so well together that makes the difference. :peep: I've been thinking about this for a few days, but it certainly became clear during lunch. I have just got to chill about all of this and let life take me on this journey. I am losing, I'm not PBing, I'm not getting stuck, I'm not carrying a cup with me to spit into, I'm not in pain. Life is good. It will take me longer to get to goal and to get to restriction, but that's OK. That is a very big lesson to learn. Remind me of it when I falter.

I'm tired just reading about all you are going to do!!! You go Telly. Good luck with all the training. You look marvelous. I've been tracking your progress. At my age just getting around the block is a good thing. :peep:

Lookin good Cindy! You are having such success. Your hair looks nice and long so you should be able to hide the hair loss. Mine is short and if too much more comes out I may look like a cue ball. :peep:

All the meds I take can be crushed so crushed they are. I take them on a tablespoon and put a little Water on the spoon. I get it to a paste like and take it with a couple sips of coffee. Luckily my pills don't seem to have a aftertaste, just gritty. I've also tried taking them with my activia, but find the spoon method best for me. My doctor wants all meds crushed forever so I try to comply. I don't want to get stuck on a pill.

Sorry to hear of your complications. As the others say there are risks, we just don't think it will happen to us. Most of the surgeries are routine, but there are those that for them it is not. I'm sorry you were one of the exceptions. Glad to hear you are doing better now and on your first fill after 3 weeks. While that is fast. You should be well on your way for Christmas.

You will do fine. This is a fast procedure and pretty painless. I have mine under fluro. I don't get any numbing shot or cream before. It's over before you know it. The trick is to not eat solids on the day of the fill and go on liquids/mushies for a few days afterwards. Pamper yourself as everyone reacts to a fill differently. The procedure itself is no big deal. Good luck

I can eat lots as well since my last fill. Since I'm going for such small fills this may take me a while until I get restriction. I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving, but I'm really considering going before. We aren't having company or cooking, so why not. I can still make with relative ease my DH a turkey dinner. I just want to get this going and the last fill isn't doing it. I've read that we need to be careful with hard fibers like asparagus. I've just eliminated it from my diet. I eat brocolli flowers, but not any part of the stalk. I wouldn't try apple skin either as that would hurt if it got stuck. Same for potato peels. I tried one kernel of popcorn once and got so scared that it wasn't worth it. I can eat a hard pretzel and get the same effect and know that I can chew it to pulp. :peep: I do think the weather changes the band, just like flying. I feel the effects in my bones when it rains, when the weather changes, etc. so why not my band? There's got to be a nice middle ground between restriction and too much with pain. We shouldn't be PBing at all if we are at the right restriction and eating slowly and chewing. I too want to get to goal and then have mild restriction. I want this band to last the rest of my life and not give me problems. Have a great day everyone.

Trust me, not all bandsters spit in a cup. I've never done this or had to do this. It sounds disgusting and I wouldn't want to live that way either. The only time I get in trouble is after a fill, 6-10 days later. It's because I was overfilled and my stomach can't take that. I've learned now that I can only have small fills. Don't let this thread discourage you from having the surgery.

Follow your post fill instructions. That is a large fill in MHO. I can't tolerate big fills so I always cringe when I see something more than 1 cc at a time. I can only do about .3cc at a fill. Good luck and enjoy.

Since you've had your fill for 3 months it doesn't probably require an unfill. I would stay on liquids for a few days and see if you can reduce the swelling. SOme drink a little aloe vera juice several times a day to help with the swelling. Good luck

You will get port pain from time to time without being sick. You will also feel your port, especially after scar tissue starts to form. I don't have personal experience with coughing and band slippage. I would think this is highly unlikely, but don't know for sure. Your band doctor is your best source of information for this. Maybe getting you a cough suppresant would be a good thing. Feel better soon.