Kat817

I try to eat some form of fiber---whether it be fresh fruit---or cereal---and it has seemed to keep things working! I use the bite size shredded wheat as snack foods---it works 2 ways---provides the Fiber, and gives me something to crunch and munch!!!! But less in will definitely mean less out, especially if your diet is high in Protein, and low in bulky foods. It sounds gross----not sure if you have ever had to perform doggy duty----and be the pooper scooper----but the higher quality of food you feed the dog, the less cleaning you have to do! The lower quality bulk filler they put in low cost foods, increase the output. We work the same way!!! When we take in less, and it is mostly things the body can draw nutrients from, there is less to eliminate. We spent a lot of years filling ourselves with junk, and getting used to having to eliminate it regularly just to fit more in. There is no longer a problem with that! It is really hard not to make a tacky comment about this being a "crappy" or a shi^*y thread!!! LOL!!!! Just could NOT resist! Kat

LOL Mighty Mouse!!!! I do go all over the place!!! I do a lot of responding in the Unanswered Posts area. I remember when I first got here, and no one would respond----I didn't know if it was because it was a stupid question, or they didn't "like" me---or what!!! Then I noticed, the same woman almost always responded! Penni-----and she talked me through all kinds of things, sent me boxes of books----very cool lady!!! They actually filmed some Ghost Whisperer episodes in her house!!! Well she was a moderator and there was a massive trouble maker, and things went bad, and there were several banned from LBT. She chose to go with the ones who were usually trying to calm things. But she always made me feel welcome, and not like an idiot for asking a question---whether it had been ask 10 million times before me or not. So.....I told myself, I would try to do the same for the ones following me. So Mighty Mouse---here I come!!! LOL Kat

I would without question discuss it with the Dr. They are often not aware of how the front end is being handled. 90 days of free fills is a lure in my opinion. Most Dr.'s require 6-8 weeks before your first fill anyway. Then a minimum of 2-4 between fills---there is no way to get much out of their free 90 day policy! Kat

I agree with all that has been said---does the pool have a handicapped restroom or changing area? Equal rights means that---equal, not special rights. You were well within your rights, and doing the right thing. You handled yourself better than I would have---you hurried, and tried to be nice to her. Her poor son doesn't sound like he has a chance!! Don't let her upset you. And don't let her push your family away from your together time---it is safer---where you can both be there, so if one of you turns away for a minute...... Kat

Feel better Haydee!!!!!!!!!! Tracy---you are not going to be different from any of us---'cept you'll be smaller!!! In everything someone has to pave the way, and someone has to bring up the rear, to keep us all together---we are just our little group, and we will tough it out together. If something horrible should happen and one of us lose our bands---we would never just consider them out of the weight loss group----as Pamela said, this has gone deeper----and you my friend are simply going to be the leader of the pack taking us all to goal!!! Pamela---will be sending you Purple Power to make your decision! Sorry it is such a gut wrenching decision for you---wish there was a way we could help! I have not received any comments on the board itself concerning weight loss---but I have more to go to get to goal. I got the one email hack! But....I have seen several different people make it to goal on here, and each of them has reacted differently---most do not hang around. I do not believe they move on because of rude posters....I think they just lose the cammeraderie. I think it is vitally important to the site to have successful bandsters here---I also feel they have important and helpful information to share. But you do have to admit, some of them do not want to share, they want to preach--the ONLY way they see that anyone can be successful is if you do it the EXACT way they did. That doesn't help the general populace of LBT. I am not calling anyone we have spoke of or anyone else out on this, but if you have read anywhere---surely you have seen it. Sometimes all the newbies want is simple support. You do not have to tell them that every little thing they are doing is ok if it isn't---there is no reason to compromise yourself----but just a supportive attitude goes a LOOOOONG way! Then again, the one mean email I got chastised me for having a supportive attitude! Go figure!!! LOL!!!! Kat

Same thing I did Pat----thought about it for awhile, trying to decide if I seriously wanted to commit....talked to Betty about it----thought WTH---and it was too late!! Decided THAT was my answer!! Have fun with it Sherry--you will do fine! Kat

Will either of them let you speak with former patients? Do they both use a hospital for surgery? Out of curiosity I would call the 2nd Dr.and ask for a consult just to see how his office handles it---if it is simpler to get into the 2nd Dr. and they treat you better, I would research with him in mind. I believe since the first Dr. was not at the seminar, you should be courted, and allowed to meet with the Dr. Sounds to me like they could care less if you choose them or not. Now you might try to reschedule a seminar where he IS going to be there---- Research them both thoroughly!!!! Be VERY informed!!! Welcome to LBT!!! Kat

One of the big reasons I chose to tell people was that I remember running into a friend of a friend one day, and she had lost tremendous amounts of weight, and we of course both ask how, and she give the moving more eating less answer---and I felt so defeated!! So much less than her! Of course my self esteem was already in the gutter, but I could not help but feel, I was a loser, it seemed others could manage to lose weight---just not me! I do not EVER want to make another person, feel like they are less for being unable to lose and keep weight off. In the end-----she had DS surgery----and has since had some serious medical issues---and it come out---but man it made me feel bad at the time! Plus it is next to impossible to keep it a secret unless you totally tell NO ONE! Not your best friend, not the nurse at your local Dr.----NO ONE!!!! Otherwise it is a simple slip by one person, and it is out, and everyone is upset you didn't trust them enough to share it! It is easier, for me, in my small town situation, to encourage, and tell all!!!!! Kat

I think it scares most people---but the stats are sooooo good!!! Try to enjoy the fuzzy....relaxing buzz, as you fade out, and wake up in a new land....band land!!! Kat

But I just clicked it----and it does not do what the other place used to.....it took me back to the forum--not the individual thread, and the place I was in that thread... Dangit! Kat

Well DUH!!!! I don't care where it is--just that I can refresh my thread!! Thanks Susan!! You are doing an awesome job! Kat

Well, I too can eat a cup and a half of something such as chili---I prefer not to be that restricted, I feel like my body requires more nutrition than a 1/2 cup of food per meal can provide me. I agree that the culprit may be the carbs---and the sugar highs and lows caused by the fruits--have you looked into any of the info around on the glycemic index? It might have some dietary suggestions in there to kick start things for you too. Now you said your legs were getting super skinny---but your pants are still tight. Sounds like you may be dealing with metabolic syndrome....it quite commonly displays itself outwardly with a larger middle. Have you had your blood tested? Do you know what your triglycerides are or your cholesterol? If this is a problem for you, then following a diet similar to a diabetic---watching the glycemic index on your food-----might make a huge difference!! Plus if you don't know those numbers--now is a good time to find out, and have a base number to look back on!! Hang in there, you know whether that scale is moving right now or not that your body LOVES you for working out and feeding it healthy! We feel the frustration!!! I would say I can commiserate, but I have not been anywhere near as faithful lately with my exercise as you are!!! Good For YOU!! Kat

I was picked up at my motel early the morning of my surgery. Taken to the hospital, where I was ask the same questions by about 20 people minimally!!! What was my name--what are we doing to you today---the usual!!! I was taken from admissions directly to my room. They got me undressed and in a gown, put my hospital bracelets on, did a blood draw, started an IV, the surgeon come in and discussed the band with me again--for the 3rd time! The anesthesioligist come in and ask me if I had any fears, and reassured me all was going to be fine. Then I had about 20 minutes where my DH and I just kinda sat there looking at each other!! Then they come after me! They gave me a surgical cap to tuck my hair up in...helped me put it on. I kissed DH in the room, then they told him he could walk down with me until just when they wheeled me into the OR. So he did. When we got there, they let him give me another kiss---they all made kissy noises and teased us! We rolled into the OR--and everyone was speaking to me--double checking who I was and what we were doing again, then they had me slide from the hospital bed I was in, onto the operating table. My surgeon told me this machine was what he would use to look inside and do the surgery....I was trying to look at it and talk to him, and they put some oxygen on me, and pulled one of my arms out to the side, and hooked me up to a blood pressure cuff. Then he told me he was going to give me a margarita--and he put something in my IV, I got very relaxed, and unable to really form words....almost out, then he said he was going to give me a 2nd margarita, and said "night night mija"....and that was all I remember!!! I woke up it seemed like seconds later, groggy and they kept telling me I was fine the surgery went well, and I would doze off, and they would wake me up again---pretty soon they kept telling me to breath deep----and as soon as I did that, I went ahead and woke up ok. Within an hour, I was not only back in my room, but getting up and ready to walk---not long after that I was walking every chance I got. I had no gas issues. The surgery was an easy one----nothing like others I have had. If that didn't answer what you wanted to know--let me know!!! Hang in there, it is not nearly as traumatic as I bet you are imagining it!! Kat

Read lots before your seminar and you will have a good idea of some of the questions you want to ask while you are there. The more informed you can be....the better!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

If I am following what you are missing....I am missing it too!! I used the little open book looking thing like a refresh button. I reopened that thread with the newest post---not on page one. It used to be on the top of each thread-----like a map of how you got there.....Which forum, then which thread....and on. Now the top of the page lists the thread with an opening sentence and the ability to refresh the page is gone without starting all over. I miss it too! Kat

Yep I agree with Marimaru-------the more ya get-------the more ya want!! For a set amount of time make sex part of your schedule. Do your best to enjoy it--use lubrication as needed--the theory behind this is, that once you trigger the reaction, it kicks itself back in. My best friend has the issue--and she has done all of the above---toys--movies (which btw Terry--she give me a word to the wise--avoid porn on the big screen TV, she says there are just some things you do not need to see on a 60" screen!!!!!) And then the Dr. had her try the prescription sex! She said she does think it triggered something in her-but also her DH got off her back about getting some, and since he was happy about getting it often, he picked up his feet and began doing things that she believes might have also helped trigger. She said they suddenly found a reason to have sex again whether her mind and body were always in it together or not. Kat

Laura that is exactly where this tooth is---bottom left side right behind the canine---or stomach tooth--whatever ya wanna call it. It is now after 5 and I have not heard a word from neither Dr. nor dentist. Tomorrow I feel fully justified in being a bi#*h! And plan on being! Kat

I babysit for my 3 year old granddaughter each day, and when we go to meet my DH for lunch, our choices are very limited, with regards to time, and what is close enough---so more often than not we end up at Taco Bell--where my granddaughter and I share a childrens meal!!! 2 Tacos---and she gets the cinnamon twists!!! If I am feeling like it sometimes I order a side of pintos and cheese, but then I cannot finish my taco!!! DH says we are a pretty cheap date the 2 of us!!! Oh yeah....she ALWAYS gets the toy too......no fair! Kat

I told my youngest DD one day to quit acting like a baby---she popped back that she wasn't acting!!! Kat

If I am at home, I tend to!!! I will just chop it all at once! If I am out, I cut a thin strip, and piece it up in tiny bites, then when it is all done, I cut another thin strip. Now pre band, the strips would have likely been a bite in and of themselves---but now they are many bites!!! I also never use a full size dinner plate at home, use the salad plates instead. But I have heard of people taking their child size utensils out with them--I have never even entertained the idea of actually using them, let alone taking them somewhere!!! LOL More power to those who do not let others judge nor guide them, they are better than I!! Kat

Ahhhh Tracy---the thing is we all need you! I believe you will find what I was talking about before, about maintaining being much easier than ever expected!! But for those of us still navigating the pit falls of losing the weight, we need you for inspiration--and proven advice for when we stumble. And someone to call a skinny beeeyotch sometimes!!! Kat

Hi Jean---I haven't made it to the 60-somethings group yet, but just saw your thread and wanted to say Hi from Farmington!! Nice to have another New Mexican on LBT!!! Good Luck! Next time I head to Albq---will be the 25th---taking my Dad to Presbyterian for a follow up appointment! Kat

Thanks for the reminder Laura!!! I logged on and both my refunds hit my account!!! Actually were deposited on Valentines Day---and I had forgotten! Still waiting to hear from anyone---I have to say that really, seriously pisses me off! Do not tell someone you will call if you have no intention of doing so! I had an NSV this morning. You know I said we had to replace the toilet in the main bathroom---so I kept the box---as anyone around kids learns to do--this allows for hours of playtime. Well Kinsey and I both fit in the box!!! I was not sure my neck would ever straighten out right again---but we fit!!! She is now napping in the box!!! Rick and I have tossed ideas around, we usually buy something for the house or have some sort of plan for our tax return----but nothing this year! We had the same issue with Valentines Day! We kept trying to come up with a fun thing to buy for ourselves...nothing! I got my rose---I get every year---and we went to dinner. But we shopped on Thursday----found nothing! We ended up buying new shoes (tenny runners) and joked that they were our Valentine gift! Several years ago after I complained about my roses dying after Valentines Day...I said if the season were different I could have a rose bush for the garden instead--I have a rose garden--as well as a big yard. Well then the next year Rick give me a heart shaped box of candy, and a catalog from Jackson Perkins! So now each year I get to pick out a new rose---we order it as soon as Mother's Day passes which is our usual last freeze---and then when it comes in he plants it for me and Valentines is officially over for the year!! Thinking about one of the hybrids they have that are so pretty! Or maybe setting out some miniatures .....not sure yet! He said to irritate his secretary when she ask what he got me for Valentines Day, he told her a new toilet!!! Would have loved to have seen her face!! I have a roast in the crock pot, hoping it cooks tender enough for me to eat with my tooth! I need to go finish up cleaning out the fridge, and loading the DW----all the fun jobs!!! TTYL~~ Kat

Looks like you got the hang of it~~~ Welcome! Kat

Hi Jeanie--- When you say you cannot eat meat without pain, are you seriously chewing it properly---in small enough bites to get it to the consistency it needs to be? The food in our bands has to be of the proper consistency or it will not pass or will not pass without pain. Once we chew the food to the right paste there should not be a problem with every kind of meat out there, or every type of Protein. Breads often cause problems as they break down due to the glutens in the bread---that is common. Chewing well does not seem to affect the bread issue. It does with meat. Some meats seem too dry to properly chew---to a pasty texture...and will cause pain. But not all meat should. My suggestion is to take very small bites, chew it very, very well. Then wait! Don't take another bite for a minute or 2---that is actually a lot longer when you are eating than it sounds! Then try another bite. Quit after half a dozen bites, and see how you feel. Then when you find some sort of protein you can eat without issue---make yourself a deal---no sweets or no fried foods, until the protein is in. Then the veggies---and no sweets until the protein and veggies are in. Train your body to accept the new food, and then trick yourself into eating it in a healthier manner. The more sweets, fried foods, carbs in general you eat, the more you want----so limiting the amounts, and eventually eliminating the vast majority is the best thing you can do, not just for weight loss but for overall health. I do not totally eliminate them from my diet, that is too hard core for me!!! But I eat so much less of them than pre band it is unbelievable!!! And the more I eat them----the more I want them~~so it causes an evil cycle. It is due to the raising of the blood sugars. It is not easy to get back on track---but boy the band makes it so much easier to jump back on plan that without it!!!! The easiest way for me to do it has been to pick a date, clear the house of off limits for now foods, and stock up on options for healthy eating, and tell everyone on here, so I have lots of support--and GO FOR IT!!! I know you can do it! It does not sound like an unfill situation to me, it sounds like you need to revisit the bandster eating rules----and work them! On another thread, I used an example of a cake decorating bag---with it being your stomach. When you chew your food to the proper consistency, it should be like the frosting in the decorating bag. It will simply sit there---not automatically flow through----which it will if it is too much liquid or you drink with your meal. But it should not stay there indefinitely....it should squeeze out just like the frosting as your stomach begins digesting, and kneading and squeezing the food out, just as we would squeeze the bag of icing. If you try to eat the meat, and do not chew it to the proper point, then when it gets to the stoma to pass through, it is too big, and blocks everything up--same as if you dropped something into the decorating bag----you either have to wait it out, and see if you can digest it enough to pass---or PB it-----either way it has to get out of the way of the opening. If you can keep a visual of how well you want to chew your food it will help. I would do some work with my band before I began the unfill/refill process. Kat