Babe

i'm not banded yet, so i can't quite relate... however, it would seem to me that after losing all that weight, your perspective of what is acceptable or not changes. for as long you can remember you've probably fantasized about being 120, and now that it's within your grasp, you're naturally disappointed at not attaining it yet. maybe you should sit down with yourself and ask why you want to be 120. Is it realistic? what would it mean if you achieved that goal? what if you never did? would it change who you are or make you less somehow? you've gone through a drastic change in so many ways, maybe you should talk with a counsellor or with your doctor about this.

Well said Kat!!! He has all these super high expectations to live up to that are completely unrealistic. I hope that our instant gratification world can give him the time he needs before judging him a failure.

Regarless of what your politics are, you've got to admit that today is a pretty spectacular day in US political history. I'm not even american and I was glued to the tube watching Obama's swearing in and his mesmerising speech (man, his speech writers are good!). I was really struck by his focus on taking more personal responsability for our lives in order to get out of this dark cloud we're all in right now. It kind of fits with my my decision to get LB - instead of focussing on why i'm fat and how I got ther and who contributed, I'm doing something about it. It's about working hard to get what you want, instead of relying on something else to fix your situation. As you can tell, i was quite inspired by Obama's Speech. Would love to hear other's reactions.

Have you talked to your psychiatrist about this? Maybe he can prescribe a non time-release AD. I'm on Effexor and it's a capsule so as far as I know i'll be able to continue taking them in Water. Another alternative is to get a pill cutter and cut the pill in smaller pieces to better be able to swallow. Talk to your shrink and your pharmacist.

hey oblong, it's my understanding from talking to my surgeon's office and other bandsters that the band size is decided by the surgeon during the surgery itself.

Catho, I've been on a similar pre-op for the past 2 weeks and totally relate. 2 things that will help you: 1) Check how much protein is in your Atkins shake. I was initially drinking one that only had 12g of protein, and was tired and hungry all the time. I've since switched to one higher in protein (I like Muscle Milk 32g protein, but a lot of people on here recommend EAS Myoplex which also tastes good). This has helped big time! 2) Take a fibre capsule 2x a day (between breaky and lunch and again in the late afternoon). This will help you feel fuller, and prevent constipation. The first week is horrible, but it gets better. Hang in there!

Name___________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal_________ToGo *****<v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:crying:</v:shapetype>***********:thumbup:*************:cool2:********************* :scared2:*** Babe...............308............302.6.......199.......103.6 Brandy.............198............194.........166.......26 Cappy..............240............239.........130.......109 Chocolate_Snaps....244............229.........175.......54 Clarebear08........192............185.........160.......25 Donna113...........183............180.5.......126.......54.5 Ebonie.............307............307.........200.......107 FalloutGirl........282............278.........165.......112 FeliciaLevy75......200............194.........140.......54 FlordiaPete........413............410.........300.......113 GratefulHeart......226............223.........135.......88 health4life........279............239.........150.......89 janesays...........225............224.6.......160.......64.6 kimaly.............194............191.........160.......31 Lindar172..........246............239.8.......150.......89.8 Linksmom...........234............234.........145.......89 LocomotiveEngineer.311............311.........220.......91 Long2BThin.........216............210.........169.......41 lotzasunshine......270............266.........180.......86 Loveislovely.......216............216.........175.......41 ltgordon...........284.8..........262.8.......185.......77.2 lucyavery..........205............205.........140.......65 Mair...............231............225.........140.......85 Mamanmidwife.......264............260.........200.......60 mdgarcia31665......220............220.........165.......55 MissNilsa..........180............180.........132.......48 Tabithan...........240............240.........200.......40 Under200...........242............199.........155.......44 vzghj3.............202............202.........150.......52 WOWOX7.............173............168.........125.......43

i was told to lose 15-18lbs in order to shrink the liver and some of the fat around my stomach (my ticker shows my progress). i've been measuring myself, and that is definitely encouraging (i've lost an inch on my waist already!!). i'm just afraid that they'll make me reschedule if i don't drop this weight. i want this surgery so bad i can taste it. i really do appreciate all the encouragement. this journey is such a rollercoaster of emotions, its hard not to let it get the better of you. it's such a comfort to have this forum!

so i've been on this pre-op for about 2 weeks now and i've lost over 5lbs (which is nothing to sneeze at, i know), but i'm getting worried that i won't lose the required weight in time for the surgery next month. 12 more pounds to go... i don't have a gym membership (can't afford it), but i think i'll start wearing my pedometer everyday and try to increase my walking. maybe that will help?

sweetie, i'm so sorry you're going through this! my heart really goes out to you. are you still taking your meds for PCOS? maybe you need to get the dosage checked...? do you keep a food journal? if so, maybe you could show that to the doctor on tuesday and ask for feedback. or maybe book in with a nutritionist. i know this is tough right now, but i have faith that you WILL be able to lose the weight!!!

naynay, did i read this right... you've lost 115lbs since March of last year? That is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! What an inspiration!

Happy, you've inspired me! I've got a month to go til S-day, and I hadn't really thought about my clothes much. But my closet is a disaster, so I think I'll follow your lead so I can go shopping in my own closet down the road. Thanks for the idea!

Jay, here's what i've got so far: - Lo Sodium broth (mostly veg. and chick cause i don't like beef all that much) - Jello (Lime, Rasp, Straw) - 1000mg Vitamin C (it's supposed to help you recover from surgery faster - I bought EmergenC powders) - chewable vitamins - Gas X disolvable strips - SF Frozen fruit bars (the natural organic stuff tastes great and they have small chunks of real fruit in them) - Vitamin E oil (for the incision scars once they've healed) - Vaseline Cocoa Butter Body Lotion (to help prevent stretch marks and smell yummy chocolate while i get healthy) - Plan on getting: Cheesy Romance Novels, Magazines, more songs for my iPod, travel health insurance (cause i'm going to Mexico) - I'm also slowly emptying out my kitchen of any and all temptation/trigger foods i can't think of anything else i'd need post op... hope this helps!

With less than a month till my surgery, the panic is starting to set in. I've been reading a lot about post-op, stuff like PBing and not being able to eat certain foods, and I'm getting scared. what if i can't eat foods i like after this surgery? do i really want to make this sacrifice? even writing this i feel pretty pathetic... i mean what's food compared to finally being healthy and feeling good about myself?! i think the pre-op diet is starting to affect my sanity LOL

Just curious... How soon after getting banded did you start exercising? Did you stick to just cardio at first or weights and cardio? How about pilates? Could you do it like before or was there too much port pain? Thanks in advance, BABE

sounds like a circulation problem to me. i also get numbness (and a bit of tingling) when i use the eliptical or the bike. i've always thought it was due to my blood pressure. have you checked it recently? you might want to check with you doc.

yeah ivernous, i think i get it... i really want to make food a 'true friend' too. in my eyes, ideally, i'd like to use food a source of physical nourishment as opposed to what it's been which was a source of emotional support. i think it has more control over me than is good for me. i hope to shift that over the next couple months, before i start eating solids again.

i totally relate to this. this whole process is a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts. the whole thing about missing food really go to me. i'm on my pre op right now and i feel like i'm grieving in a way. food has been such a source of comfort, almost a friend for many years... i feel like in a way i'm saying goodbye to an old friend.

HALO, I was in the same boat as you, really tired, but I talked to the pharmacist at a natural health store, and he recommended taking Vitamin B (50 or 100 - its a mix of whole bunch of B vitamins). i've been taking them for few days now and i've really noticed an improvement in my energy levels. good luck!

i posted this poll a while back in the naive hope that what i was hoping for would be true. it kind of sucks to have that hope dashed, but i guess i always knew the truth of it LOL:). oh well, guess i'll just have to save up for that breast lift (an likely tummy tuck too)

Bumping... as a soon to be bandster, i eagerr to see how this one's ansered

February 16th for me... can't wait!

Canadian Butterfly, when and where are you going for the surgery?

Down 2.6, Yay! Looks like this pre-op torture is working. Name___________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal_________ToGo *****<v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:eek:</v:shapetype>***********:cheers2:*************:tt2:***********:wub:********** :thumbdown:*** Babe...............308............305.4.......199.......106.4 Brandy.............198............195.........166.......27 Cappy..............240............239.........130.......109 Chocolate_Snaps....244............229.........175.......54 Clarebear08........192............189.........160.......29 Donna113...........183............180.5.......126.......54.5 Ebonie.............307............307.........200.......107 FalloutGirl........282............282.........165.......116 FeliciaLevy75......200............194.........140.......54 FlordiaPete........413............410.........300.......113 GratefulHeart......226............223.........135.......88 health4life........279............239.........150.......89 Lindar172..........246............244.6.......150.......94.6 LocomotiveEngineer.311............311.........220.......91 Long2BThin.........216............210.........169.......41 lotzasunshine......270............267.........180.......87 Loveislovely.......216............216.........175.......41 ltgordon...........284.8..........262.8.......185.......77.2 lucyavery..........205............205.........140.......65 Mair...............231............225.........140.......85 Mamanmidwife.......264............264.........200.......64 MissNilsa..........180............180.........132.......48 Tabithan...........240............240.........200.......40 Under200...........242............199.........155.......44 vzghj3.............202............202.........150.......52 WOWOX7.............173............169.........125.......44

whatever you do, make sure it's high in protein - it'll help with the hunger pangs. Good Luck!