TheGh0st

OMG!!! I had the same thing happen just a couple weeks ago with the undies. Both the double take on wondering just who's undies were the ones that now fit me and then deciding it high time I toss out those double sized drawers.

Hmmm...Interesting... Very Interesting... Do you lose your posting history and restart at zero count or does it just transfer all the history over?

How about a frozen frut pop? Would that help or a no sugar added frozen fruit dessert? If your doctor will allow it I like to blend a cold chocolate Protein drink with half a frozen banana. That might also feel good on your throat. Once he clears you for soft foods like puddings I love freezing SF chocolate pudding with some Protein powder mixed in until its the consistency of soft serve icecream. I stir in just a little Peanut Butter to take the edge off the fake chocolate taste, but I've heard of others stirring in things like a pinch of instant coffee instead. Good luck this phase will be over before you know it.

Hey there BooBoo - I know I just had PS and all but I can completely relate. I have battled the same 5 pounds for over 10 months! Even now post surgery I'm no lighter though they say its due to swelling. And according to the BMI charts I am still not considered to be in the "normal" healthy range of weight for my height. I am 81% of my way to get to a BMI of 25, and only 72% of the way to get to the same BMI you've listed as your goal ticker. I've only mention the second % for comparison's sake. I realize each of our goals are a very personal issue. Just to be a devil's advocate I will say your current BMI is under 25 and as such would classify you as having gone more than 100% of the way in some people's eyes. But then again the ONLY eyes that matter are yours and I am NOT trying to imply your goal is too low. It is yours and yours alone to set. Honestly, part of me still wishes that someday I'm re-evaluating my goals and bringing mine in line with yours. Then the other part kicks in and wishes I could just be happy where I was at and quit striving for more. I realize for me a lot of the problem lies in motivational or head issues as well as exercise. I only walk 1-2 times a week for 1-3 miles, barely working up a sweat (or not). More than that I've been falling back on some old bad habits. The form they take today is nothing like pre-band but they are still unhealthy. Pre-band I might have ate an entire frozen pizza and a pint of Ben & Jerry's with Fudge & Peanuts added in, PLUS all my day's normal overly large meals. Today I might eat the top off 1/3 of that pizza and 1/4th of the pint of Ben & Jerry's (still with the fudge and peanuts added on and maybe some chocolate Protein Powder mixed in for good measure) but now not only is that less than half of what I ate before on those "bad" days it generally ends up being the only thing I eat for the day. Not healthy by any stretch of the imagination but still if its not a daily occurance much better than my pre-band diet. It seems from watching this site that those who have made it to whatever they call 100% did it through the good old standby of healthy diet and lots of exercise. Something I just have not yet been able to incorporate into my life the way some would say I should. Sorry if I didn't have any great advice. Right now I'm more focused on trying to decide if I can be satisfied with where I'm at. But I'll be watching this thread with interest to see if anyone else out there can get my head back into this game.

I keep thinkin can this really be me? Have I really turned into one of the skinny Bi#@es that are always cold? I've actually used a small heater under my desk already this year and I bought an electric throw blanket to use in front of the TV at night. I can remember being outside in nothing but a sweater on a day that was in the mid 40's pre-band and thinkin what's all the fuss about it being cold? This is just a nice brisk day. This year there have actually been many times this summer I complained to my husband he had the airconditioner set to cold even in the car.

My DH & I are still battling over the thermostat. ONLY now I'm the one turning it up hotter and he keeps turning it colder. UHGHH!!!:faint::biggrin1:

Love this thread - Will have to scan it from start to finish when I've got more time. My real name is Diane. TheGhost comes from the fact that the last name of my favorite Grandma (God rest her soul) was Casper. I always liked that name better than my maiden name and always felt an affinity towards Casper....THEGHOST because of it. It also has suited me as I've spent most of my life either depressed because I felt like I was or depressed because I was wishing I was, invisible. A little off subject in highschool I use to frequently sign pictures with a symbol of a cube with a "-0" in it as I felt like a square peg who both a Social Zero as well as someone who was "too smart" getting no marks taken off much of my homework. Sometimes I'd like to change my ID to something more related to the band or my evolving & blossoming life with the band but after 2 years I'm pretty stuck with this one.

Thanks for asking. I'm actually feeling pretty great. My drains came out Wednesday. Boy that hurt. Not a 10 on the pain scale but definitely an 8+. It was pretty quick though and the nurse was great. Shed had a tummy tuck herself 4 years ago so she understands what I'm going through and is able to answer my questions better than someone who has only watched people go through it. I'd say my energy level has nearly doubled since the drains came out. I'm still not 100% back to my presurgery levels but I'd rate it at 80% or better. I'm also finally out of my pj's and back into my old jeans. A little bummed that they are still a bit tight and not falling off of me yet. But the nurse said it took nearly 3 months before the swelling came down enough for her to need to start buying smaller clothes. Julie, are you out there? How long did it take you? I will say they fit better, they are snug but in an all over way not like before where I could have swore it looked like I was wearing a small fanney pack under my jeans. I am 17 days out from surgery now. And the incision is doing pretty well. Today is the first day I'm trying to go without any gauze along it. It's fairly well healed with only a couple small scabs, and a few blisters from a reaction to the steri-strips. I'm a little torn as to whether to get my neighbor to take a couple pics now for everyone to see or if I should just wait 2 weeks until my 1-month post op visit at the doc where they will be taking some after pics and the blisters have had time to settle.

Mariposa - You and your entire extended family are in my thoughts and prayers. I feel for what you are going through. Not being in that household there is just no way for you to know what was really going on much less any of us. I agree with everyone. All you can do is be there for your daughter. Try to support her as best you can. Another avenue for outside help may be CASA though I'm not sure if they would get involved since she is not a direct party to the allegations. Still they are a great resource. Sticking my neck out ever further I'd say no matter how much you may grow to believe in his innocence (or guilt) as a his ex you need to stay as clear of his case as you possibly can. Support your daughter's support or lack of support of him wholeheartedly but don't get sucked into the middle of the actual legal proceedings. Longterm I just can't see any good coming of that. Not that I'm suggesting you would or that I have any grounds for giving this advice. I'm sure you will handle this the best it can be under the circumstances. We are all here for you.

Perfect Ticker! I can't believe how fantastic you are doing already. Keep up the great work! You know its strange there are people out there like Jachut & JulieNYC that are my heroes and I look to them as what I can only dream of being someday, it still feels lightyears away most days. But I also look towards bandsters like yourself for motivation. Your energy and enthusiasm (spell?) for this journey you have just begun is addictive and helps me when I feel like dragging my feet on this last leg of my own journey. I look forward to seeing you around and watching your future successes.

OMG!!! I could have written that post verbatum. My MIL and god knows I love her. Has been driving me absolutely nuts for practically the last two years of this band-journey. If she isn't on my case about "when are you going to start eating normal/healthy again?" then she is either making "joking" threats about beating me up if I regain my weight or telling me yet again how all I really need to do is read that god awful book "Why French women aren't fat." If I hear one more freaking thing about French women and how they are so blankety blank perfect I might have a coronary. (This also crosses over to a completely off topic book about how French women potty train their kids as infants rather than toddlers - I am just not going there) I actually did blow up at her over this same issue back on 4th of July in 2006 in the middle of a party no foul language but was yelling at her to drop it until she left crying (so unlike me) and here it is the fall of 2007 and she is still on about the same issues. I'm at my wit's end with her I tell you. Funny thing is even though we still have these roles to play where I'm the chubby flawed one and she's the healthy and fit one giving me her words of wisdom. I looked in her closet the last time I visited and realized all her trousers/jeans were 2 sizes larger than mine. OK she is a few inches taller, but still once my swelling goes down it will be an even bigger difference. Not too mention her High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol that is beyond through the roof. Last I heard it was still over 300! No joke. I do lover her and its not the size that matters or bothers me. Its the constantly trying to treat me like this band is just another "phase" and that I need to find another cure for what ails me. Personally I think I'm feeling healthier than I have at probably any time in my life. Hmmmm maybe she ought to start asking me for advise. OK I'll step down from the podium and let someone else vent now.

Hey Tami - glad to see you hear too.

There is a website TickerFactory.com that has a bunch of tickers to choose from. Once you've made the ticker it gives you several strings of code to choose from for copying and pasting into signature line on Lapbandtalk. BUT!!! to be honest I've never figured out how to make that work myself. Instead I just highlight the picture of the ticker I made that they have at the top right click on my mouse and hit copy then paste that picture directly into my signature line on Lapbandtalk.com's User CP screen. Oh and one other tip for some reason it won't let me highlight the picture unless I start on the end of the line above it. If I click just to the left of the ticker it acts like I'm not allowed to highlight it. Go figure. Of course if you figure out the "right" way to do it feel free to let me know.

I don't like it either but think I could stomach (oops pun) it better if it meant less commercials like the old days of practically "commercial free" TV where the show actors would regularily break to personally say how great a particular laundry detergent (or cigarette) was. But to have to watch all the product placement and the same riduculous amount of commercials annoys me. Oh and with TIVO and all the re-cap, and those commercials the show is more like 30-45 minutes (even the so-called 2-hour episodes)

Hey everyone - Just thought I'd drop in. I'm from Fremont/Lincoln but living and banded in Kansas City back in 2005. I'm curious about the exact time/place of the Lincoln support groups. I would love to drop in on one sometime. I'm up visiting relatives nearly every month or two. Oh and for the person that posted about going to Mexico for his fills because of the cost. I don't know what the docs in Nebraska are charging but there is at least one doc here in KC that I know of that will fill Mexico patients (as well as others not banded by him) and his fee is only $100 per fill. I'd think the cost to get to KC would have to be cheaper than Mexico. Let me know if you'd like any more info. The doc I'm referring to is great. He's performed over 900 band surgeries. He ONLY does the band not RNY since he thinks its the better choice. He is a proctor for Inamed and has actually trained several of the Nebraska docs that are now performing the band surgeries. I actually wasn't banded by him but ended up switching to him after meeting several of his patients at local support groups.

Lizrbit Laurend WasaBubbleButt I probably shouldn't put my two cents in but I am so sad for the three of you. I have loved reading posts from all 3 of you on and off the RNR area. You are all AMAZING women and have much to offer. I wish it hadn't come to this for you three. Take a step back, block each other if you must, but please don't let this continue to grow to the point one or more of you end up leaving this website. I would miss everyone of you. Each of you have been of personal help to me at one time or the other wether you ever knew it or not.

If you really want to go crazy. Use the slimfast as a replacement for milk and make sugar-free chocolate pudding with it (adding a dab of Peanut butter if you want) then freeze the pudding until the consistency of soft-serve icecream - MMMM Yummy!

I use the low carb version of slimfast as well. It has more protein and less carbs than the slim fast that is labeled high protein. Go Figure. As far as changing the taste. First off I have to, Absolutely HAVE to drink it ice cold. I put it in the freezer for 10 - 15 minutes before drinking it or pour it over crushed ice and drink it through a straw. Other things I have done would include blending it with a couple chunks of frozen banana (about 1/4-1/3 of a banana) or 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter, or mixing in Nestle's Low-Carb Hot Chocolate mix (only 25 calories and very few carbs - sorry can't remember exactly how many right now but think its in the single digits)

I know he was just "playin the game" but darn it I was so hoping they'd bust his @ss and kick him off after that stunt. And what about Amy and her trainer. I am so with her on switching trainers. I couldn't believe it when the trainer had the audacity to say "come back and talk to me about this... It's the least you owe me!" WTF! After she practically demanded the other teammates vote Amy off last week I would have laughed in her face for saying I owed her anything if I was Amy! Even if I understand the trainers reasoning, they really need to stay as far away from that side of the show as possible if they want to maintain a proper motivational relationship with the contestants for as long as they are there.

I recently had PS and was given some very good advice on how to help reduce scarring post surgery. I only wish my surgeons from previous surgeries (band, gallbladder, c-section, etc.) had given me the same info. What he said was after the first 2 weeks you should start a massage routine over the incision sites, even the smallest ones. He recommended a cream called Nutri-E from CVS or any Vitamin E lotion that contained a minimum of 10,000 I.U. of vitamin E. He also said you should be able to it for around $4-$8 per bottle without having to pay for some of the more expensive name brand creams that can cost as much as $30 for 1/2 the size. But even more important than the vitamin E lotion according to the doctor was the massage. He recommends massaging the incision in FIRM, small circular patterns, spending 1-minute per "circle" (i.e. a 2-3" port scar might take 2 minutes). And you are to do it twice a day though I'm not sure for how many weeks. It seems the firm massage helps break down the build-up of internal scar tissue before it can take hold. Sorry, but I don't know if this would help for scarring 6 months or further, but it couldn’t hurt. Oh, and one more tidbit for anyone out there that hasn't had the band yet. I don't know if it would be possible but now that I've gotten to the stage of PS I really wish I'd had the foresight to have tried to talk the band surgeon into placing my port incision a little lower. Not the port, just the incision. Even if it had meant a larger incision if he could have placed it closer to my belly button and reached up in from there to place my port then when I'd had my TT the scar would have been completely removed with the rest of my excess skin. As it was, the scar was about 3" too high and very visible. Although the Plastic Surgeon said that when I get my breast reduction next year he may be able to re-open that incision and "re-seal" it better than it was done the first time so I might have a chance at a less visible scar.

Look who's talking. Girl you look pretty amazing yourself.

Believe it or not I too feel that jealousy from time to time but it is only in love, I swear. Lapbandtalk wouldn't be the same without the success stories like yours & Chickies out there. And I'm appalled that anyone has flamed you with PM's or openly about your making 100% of the way. After all I can't believe there isn't one of us out there that wouldn't love to be right there with you. You, Chickie, JulieNYC, Puddin just to name a few are my inspirations. So are some of those a year behind and 100 pounds heavier than me. On those days where I just can't seem to get my head into the game I'll search out and read the excitement and energy in some of the "newbies" posts and then look for a few of you "old-timers" if only to see your inspirational tickers and then I feel properly butt-kicked and dive back into this journey.

Thanks, I did actually. For my 2nd bandversary I gave myself an "early present. In August I signed up for an annual membership to a chain called "Massage Envy" The $49 monthly fee gives you 1 1-hr massage with additional massages at $39. I had only ever had one massage in my life prior to the band and now I am practically addicted. I think I've had at least 5 massages in the 8 weeks running up to my PS, and I am absolutely itching to get back for another one. Ofcourse I haven't mentioned this to the DH yet. He thinks I've been out walking with friends on the nights I was getting a massage. Shame, Shame on me. But oh how worth it.

Soft Serve Ice Cream - I have no idea what the deal is but I've heard of many that have a problem with this. For me it has actually caused me to "foam" at the mouth. A PB I guess but with absolutely NO effort not even a hiccup. Salad - I've hated them my entire life and actually latched onto the tidbit that they might not be good for a band as a great excuse for never having to feel bad about not eating them in the future. However, ironically I felt forced to nibble on one a few months back at a restaurant with my boss and now I LOVE them. But seriously, the issue is that if you don't chew the lettuce well enough which is really hard to do at times you are at a risk of the lettuce becoming a flap closing off the hole in your band. A much undesired effect, supposedly even more difficult to remedy than a piece of stuck bread or meat. Though I've personally had no problem with it. I just cut or shred my lettuce up very well and add a lot of nuts to give it a more crunchy texture that seems to help me chew it more thoroughly.

I have heard that some people develope a small amount of swelling while laying down, which causes the tightness in the morning. Do you notice if a ring you might wear feels any tighter as well or if your feet/ankles seem a bit swollen compared to later in the day? One suggestion I've heard for tight morning bands is to start the day off with some warm tea or another warm drink people claims it helps "loosen" their band. More accurately it somehow relaxes or loosens up the stomach tissues inside the band but same results.