LoneStarLoser

I am in Austin, Texas. I was banded 10-03-08 and I have lost 75 lbs. I was just thinking about the Smashing Pumpkins. We were all so good about posting here. I hope you all are not like me and have gotten away from our strict diet. I still have 50 more lbs to go, but the summer has been real hard. Lots of parties and I feel so much better and look better too, but I have been cheating. I have got to get better and back to the diet. The good thing is that I have not gained anything. Gotta go. I have to bake a birthday cake for my grandson. (But I won't eat any) Dorothy

Edwina63. You are going to be just fine. It is just the fear of the unknown. But it is really not unknown. I had my surgery Oct. 3, 2008. All went well. I am 54 and I had no problems. Like Stacyiam said, have plenty of liquids on hand. I found that warm liquids felt better. Cold drinks seem to restrict me. But everyone is different. Just think, in just a few months you will be thinner and healthier. Month by month goes by and you get slimmer and slimmer and by next year at this time, A NEW YOU. Take care. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Lone Star Loser. Austin, Texas

Kaelin's G-Ma. Sorry to hear about all the negative things in your life, but you are doing well on your weight loss. I was on a plateau too, but as of today, I have lost 63 lbs. since Oct. 3, 2008. I will keep your Mother and foster child in my prayers. What is wrong with kids these days. It makes me wonder if they would have made it back in our day. I truly believe that we just have to put our faith in the Lord. Most of all. Take care of yourself. You can't care for anyone else unless you are fit and able. God Bless, Lone Star LoserKaelin's G-MaKaelin's G-Ma

I have sleep apnea also. I didn't have any issues. The hospital did ask me to bring my own cpap machine so if they needed it in the recovery room they would have one set to my needs. I did not need to use it though. I hope that with my weight loss that I will not have to use it much longer. I have lost 60 lbs and have 65 more pounds to go. Good luck with your surgery. Lone Star Loser

8 years, WOW. That's great. It has only been 3 1/2 months for me. So far, so good. Although I have gained 2 lbs of the 60 lbs I had lost. Do you still exercise? Are you very active? I go to Curves at least 3 times a week and work out with my Wi Fit on the other days. I still have 65 lbs to go to get to my goal. Thanks for the posting. Lone Star Loser

Of course I use butter tubs, cottage tubs, etc. I got tired of buying expensive containers to just lose them at work, school or people taking food home from my house. Small butter tubs are just perfect for making sugar free jello. I also take them to my Mom's house around the holiday to bring home left overs and I don't have to worry about returning them. My son comes over for dinner and I can send food home with him and not worry. But believe it or not, he brings them back. They are great for camping and preparing things ahead and just throwing them away and not having to wash them. I use Liquid Protein that comes in a container that looks like a big test tube. My DH uses them to store drill bits, screws, etc. I think everyone should reuse anything possible. Oh, kids love to play house or picnic with them. Thanks, Lone Star Loser

Hello everyone and congrats on the weight loss. I would like to join this challenge. I have set a goal of losing 10 lbs before VD starting today, Thanks, Lone Star Loser

Getting the Lap Band was the greatest thing I have ever done for myself. I look at myself in the mirror and can't believe it is me. I feel so much better. My knees and feet don't hurt like they used to. I have lost 60 lbs and have about 65 lbs to go. I am 54 years old and I already feel like I am 30 again. I have so much energy. I exercise at Curves at least 3 times a week and work with my Wi Fit the other days. Exercise really does help. I am not and have never been an exercise person, but it really helps me. I just feel great after I go to Curves. Even if you don't exercise, just walk, anything to get your heart rate up. Walk the dog, walk around the block, anything to burn calories. Good luck. If we can answer any questions just let someone know, that's what we are here for, to help one another. Lone Star Loser Austin, Texas

I have 3 fills and have not be numbed. Why get stuck twice? It really isn't bad. I think it is all in our head. Sticking a needle into our tummy. Its not bad. The port is not that far under the skin. But my Doctor, is great too. She has found the port easily each time. I go this Thursday for my 4th fill. Hopefully I will get the restriction I need. I am not complaining, I have lost 60 lbs. I was banded October 3, 2008. I wish I could get the restriction I felt right after surgery. I am so happy that I did this. I have ordered clothes for the summer, two sizes down. I found them on sale. I ordered shorts, blouses and capri's that were on sale for only 2.88 each. Try just one time without the numbing. I really believe that you will be surprised. Good Luck to all. Lone Star Loser

edwina63, I just love Jerry. He was so funny with his little fake food. I really felt comfortable talking to him. I am so sorry to hear about your job. Did you say earlier that you worked for Dell. I work for Dell and I am on a 60 day job search, ending Jan. 30. I have been there for 15 years. It really sucks. But I have come to grips with it. It will take me a long time to get a job with all the benefits I worked so hard for. Will you still have insurance to cover the surgery? I hope so. You can always get Cobra to cover it. Good luck with your visit with Dr. Marquez. Usually it is about 2 weeks after that visit because you have to go on the pre-op diet for two weeks. Keep us posted. Lone Star Loser (Dorothy)

I am with Dell-Humana EPO and I have not had any problems with the fills. I was covered for 90 days after the surgery. Lone Star Loser

Edwina63. You are exactly right the psych eval is just to make sure that you are committed to the life style change and to make sure that you are doing this for the right reasons. It sounds like you want control of your life again. You have probably read on the forum that the only thing people regret is, NOT DOING IT SOONER. I am happpy that I did it. Yesterday was Christmas and even with all the good stuff on the table to eat, it didn't bother me a bit that I shouldn't eat it. The only bad thing I had was just 1 bite of a cheesecake. And just that one bite satisfied my craving. Good Luck. Lone Star Loser (Dorothy)

Hi Edwina. I live in Austin. I believe that Dr. Marquez is in the same group of surgeons that my doctor is. My doctor is Bridget Brady with Southwest Bariactics. If Dr. Marquez is in with that group, I think you will be happy. Every doctor there is so nice. I had my surgery in Austin at Seton Hospital on 38th Street. Where did you go for the weight loss seminar? Seton also has a Support Group that meets once a month that really helps. I was banded on Oct. 3, 2008 and I have lost 52 lbs. Good luck with your appointment. Hopefully everything goes well and you will become a Bandster. Good Luck, Lone Star Loser

Yes, my throat was sore. It is from the pipe they put down your throat to help you breath. It doesn't last long. Your throat is just irritated because it was dry. Just keep drinking warm liquids. Glad to hear you are doing well after surgery. Lone Star Loser

I found it easier to drink warm liquids, like decaf coffee or tea. Cold things go down slow, but the warm liquids are soothing. Plus I have been so cold, it warms me up. Lone Star Loser

Hello All. Well, I 'm not sure how my December Challenge will go. I went my dermatologist today to have a "growth" removed from my face, really close to my eye and she doesn't want me exercising for 1 week. She doesn't want me to get sweat in the wound, (I have about 8 stitches). I want to go workout anyway and just be careful or walk more. It is cold out now, so maybe that would work. I can't just do nothing. I really think it has helped me lose. Any suggestions? Happy Holidays, Lone Star Loser :wink2:

I found some "Soy Nog". It takes just like Egg Nog, but of course it is not as thick. I usually only drink about 1/2 a cup. It satisfies my "want" for egg nog. I am (was) a beer drinker. Since I have quit, I feel so much better, not just because I am losing weight, but I don't feel bad the next morning. I am still losing, so I think I will just stay away from alcohol all together. It is hard this time a year when everyone else is drinking. But I can do it. We need to remember our goals. Lone Star Loser

Hello Everyone. China, I'd like to join the new years weightloss challenge too. I was banded October 3, 2008. I have lost 49.5 lbs. But I am stuck there. :girl_hug: And I am getting discouraged. I would like to lose 10 lbs before Jan. 1, 2009. I was reading another thread and it seems like most people eat like birds. I have had 2 fills, currently at 3.5 cc's. But I am losing my restriction. I am going to the doctor 12-11-08 and I hope she gives me another fill. Especially before Christmas. Maybe this challenge will help me get a little more motivated. I am working out at Curves, and we have a competition going, "Maintain, not Gain". I just need to get that needle on the scale moving again. Good Luck everyone. And Happy Holidays. Lone Star Loser (Dorothy):thumbup:

Don't give up. It took me almost a year to finally get the insurance to approve the surgery. I was so surprise when I got the call it had been approved. I rushed the surgery just in case they decided to change their minds. The weight was worth it. I was banded on Oct. 3, 2008 and I have lost 49.5 lbs. Don't give up. It will happen. Just try and not gain anymore until you have been approved. I'll be praying for you and that the insurance company approves you soon. Lone Star Loser

Why did your doctor make you stop taking Omega 3? Every doctor is different but both my nutrionist and doctor agree on taking Omega 3. And as I mentioned early in this thread, they suggested Coromega. I can tell if I don't take it for a couple of days because my skin starts getting real dry. Lone Star Loser

I'm not sure how true this is but I read a statement by Susan Marie Leach, author of "Before and After" - Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery, and this is what she had to say "Your body takes in what it needs for what is going on. No one knows how much you need for any given minute... and the needs vary. You float it on by and it gets sucked through the walls of the intestine... better to float by plenty so that you can make sure you get in what your body needs. There is an old internet tale that we only take in 30 grams at a time but it is not based on medical facts or studies. It is better to take in small amounts several times during the day... for example three 25 grams portions of shake rather than 75 grams all at once.... so that you are more likely to take it all in as you need it." I use the "New Whey" Protein bullets with 42 grams of protien, but I mix it with 32 oz of Water and sip on it for about 4 hours. Lone Star Loser

LongHornMom. I'm glad that you are doing better. Sorry you had to have an IV. I hate those things. I am doing well also. I had my first visit on Oct. 16 and the doctor said everything looks good. My incisions are healing nicely. I get my first fill next Thursday, 10/30. I can't wait. I am on the mushies now and I am getting hungry between meals. I get hungry about 2 hours after I eat. So I just drink my water and that helps. Since the beginning with my pre-op diet, up to now I have lost 30 lbs. I lost 16 on the pre-op diet. Hopefully after I get the fill I will do better. I know 30 lbs is good, but I want to lose more before Christmas when I see all my family. Good luck and get those fluids down. Carry a water bottle around with you everywhere and just sip it all day long. LoneStarLoser

Stewy929.. I had my first post-opt appointment last week and I am doing well. The incisions are healing nicely. The first three days were the worst I think. They were not really bad, I was just sore. The 3rd day I had gas really bad, but I used the Gas-X strips and walked and it all went away. I took two weeks off of work and just came back this past Monday. I have lost 30lbs. since I started my pre-op diet. Last week I didn't lose anything but Dr. Brady said that is normal and she was happy with the weight loss so far. I am ready for my fill. I am really starting to get hungry in between meals, so I just drink a lot of water. Good luck. Lone Star Loser

Stewy929, I'm in Austin too. I was banded on October 3,2008. My doctor is Dr. Brady also. Don't you just lover her? I took a list of questions I had, because I always forget to ask something, and she was just as patient as good be. And really made me feel good. I plan on going to the support group on Nov. 13th. I really enjoy this forum and I want to actually meet people that either have been banded or are waiting for the surgery. I go in next week for my first fill. Good Luck with your surgery and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Lone Star Loser

Just one dose a daily. And it really doesn't taste bad. I get the orange. There is an orange with a hint of chocolate and that one is good too. Lone Star Loser