Stitchy

Mine was gaining 20 lbs since the beginning of this year. I was at my all time high. It scared me. My mother had a BUNCH of weight related illnesses that started when she was my age now. I connected the dots and decided I just didn't want to go there.

This may or may not be related to the band, but I thought I would throw the question out there. I was banded on May 9. On May 31, I went to see the Cirque du Soleil. (present from DD - thank you) There was a lot of looking up. Since then, I have been so sore all over I can hardly stand it. The day after the show, I thought the ache in my neck and shoulders was from looking up so much. It has been about 3 weeks now and the pain hasn't let up. In fact it's everywhere. Neck, including turning my head to the side which makes for difficult driving, shoulders, upper arms, lower back, butt, legs. Mornings are extremely painful. It eases somewhat during the day, but getting up from my chair at work is hard. I limp and hobble down the hall for a few feet. This is getting very old. Does anyone have any thoughts? Or am I just old :rant: ?

I have the Inamed 4 cc band. And Jachut - thank you. That is how I feel. I am comfortable. I can eat, although I haven't tried bread yet. My DH is gluton intolerant so I don't have wheat products in the house, except for my crackers, so giving up bread isn't really an issue now. I eat the bandster way, chewing, no drinking (except wine, occasionally). I put what seems a reasonable amount on my plate. I didn't get this band to count calories or grams of Protein. I've already done that. I want to eat like a normal person and not think about it too much. If I am still hungry 10 minutes after finishing, I allow myself to eat more, but it hasn't happened, yet. Since I am losing weight, I am hesitant to step into the fill arena just yet.

I just read your journal. OMG!!! :omg: Thank you for sharing your experience. I will ride this until the wheels fall off. I only get really hungry occasionally, and then it is usually just before mealtime.

Why men shouldn't take messages

Why don't you just re-join using a different name?

I was banded May 9. It's about time for my first fill. And I don't think I want one. :nervous The fills come with the aftercare, so it isn't a financial issue. I'm afraid that if I get a fill, I'll start pb'ing and sliming and such. Like it will ruin a good thing because now I'm able to eat anything I want. I still eat small quantities but can eat normal sized bites. I feel full, and I am losing 1-2 lbs a week. I've only had one golf ball and it wasn't awful, just uncomfortable. Is the whole process really so much better after getting fills?

Subject: The Frog Gets a Loan A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see from her nameplate that her name is Patricia Whack. "Miss Whack, I'd like to get a $30,000 loan to take a holiday." Patty looks at the frog in disbelief and asks his name. The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that it's okay, he knows the bank manager. Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral. The frog says, "Sure. I have this," and produces a tiny porcelain elephant, about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed. Very confused, Patty explains that she'll have to consult with the bank manager and disappears into a back office. She finds the manager and says, "There's a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000, and he wants to use this as collateral." She holds up the tiny pink elephant. "I mean, what in the world is this?" (you're gonna love this) (its a real treat) (a masterpiece) The bank manager looks back at her and says... "It's a knickknack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan. His old man's a Rolling Stone."

Randi - Here is a thread that talks about PB's and sliming. I started the thread because I didn't know either. Hope it helps. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=17625

You are probably OK. My doctor said it just wasn't good if I would pb frequently when the stitches were new. Once or twice probably wouldn't be damaging, just don't keep on doing it. I wouldn't worry about it. If you were eating solids, I would give it up for a couple of days and go back to liquids. If it continues, I would advise calling your doctors office.

Thank you Rachel. Stitching gives me a great deal of comfort. I can feel the day's tension draining out when I pick up my needles and floss :rockon:

Everything has a gender You may not know this but many nonliving things have a gender. 1) Ziploc Bags are Male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them. 2) Copiers are Female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again. It's an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can wreak havoc if the wrong buttons are pushed. 3) A Tire is Male, because it goes bald and it's often over-inflated. 4) A Hot Air Balloon is Male, because, to get it to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under it, and of course, there's the hot air part. 5) Sponges are Female, because they're soft, squeezable and retain water. 6) A Web Page is Female, because it's always getting hit on. 7) A Subway is Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up. 8) An Hourglass is Female, because over time, the weight shifts to the bottom. 9) A Hammer is Male, because it hasn't changed much over the last 5,000 years, but it's handy to have around. 10) A Remote Control is Female. Ha! You thought it'd be male, didn't you? But consider this - it gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying!

DH = Dear Husband I had mine done as outpatient at NWWLS in Everett, WA. Cost $17,000. Included surgery, anesthesiologist, unlimited fills and follow-up care for one year.

Dear Soundman I'm so sorry. Percentages suck when you are one of them!!:cry

SherriJO Isn't prilosec for heartburn? Do you have heartburn now? If not, I certainly wouldn't. Don't borrow trouble. I came through my surgery just fine. I think that people are more likely to talk about the problems they had than to rant about how good it was for them. Well, I'm here to say I had NO problems. No shoulder pain from gas, no nasuea, no reflux, not much tummy pain (although I took the meds). I slept in my bed the very first night. On my side, even. Have never PB'd or slimed, only one golf ball (and I should have known better). Not everyone is a wreck when they come out the other side. Hunger: Well, I was never really hungry, but I did get bored with liquids. Was eager to start soft foods. Was eager to start solid food. I did not feel deprived. Actually, I like feeling a little hungry. (Sick, I know) I loved stepping on the scale (still do).

Since mine was in the spring and it was still cool (it's still cool in May in Seattle), I wore loose sweat pants with a wide band, a t-shirt, light jacket, NO bra, stretchy socks and sandals. All very easy to put back on. Actually, I think I didn't wear the socks going home. If your ride home is going to be long, someone suggested to me to take a pillow to hold against your tummy if the trip is jiggly. If it's hot, definately go with the Muu Muu.

I work for a church. Churches are always really tight with their budgets. This year, another worker and I both got our hours cut. We have both been there a long time (years) and have streamlined our jobs and do them very well and efficiently. Since our jobs no longer take all of our time, we have been in the habit of offering to help coworkers that are always overworked. So, when the church was looking for ways to trim their budget, guess what? Cut the hours of the workers that seem to have time on their hands.

This is full liquid: If it can be sucked through a straw (not that you have too). So, find your favorite soup and blend it. Thin with water/milk/broth etc until you could suck it through a straw. (chicken noodle soup blended tastes like chicken noodle soup!). True, yogurt isn't really a liquid, but a yogurt smoothie is. You can find it near the yogurt in the coolers. I don't like the Protein drinks, so protein rich soups really did it for me.

My husband and I eat in front of the TV, too. I know, I know, all the recommendations are to sit down and pay attention to your food. Well, that just feels odd, to me. We have always eaten in front of TV since the kids have left the nest. I am not having any trouble slowing down. I still have trouble wanting to eat too much and sitting at table doesn't change that. I haven't had my first fill yet, so that may change. When I think I probably have had enough, I get up and walk around for a couple of minutes (commercials are really long). When I come back to the food, I can analyze whether I am still actually hungry or just eating because it's there and it tasted so good. So far, I really am not hungry anymore.

I think I can understand it. My weight came from not being able to stop when I start eating. I love good food. I just want to keep eating and eating. So, I gained weight. Now I am banded, but those feelings didn't just go away. Yes, I am full after a few bites. but those old feelings are still there. I really don't want to stop. Last night, I was in that place. I was full, but didn't want to stop. Someone came to the door so I was interupted for a few minutes. When I returned, I was able to put the unfinished food away for today. Once I actually stopped, I was OK. I just didn't want to stop while I was eating. Does that make sense?

K@t - I willl pm you. I doubt that everyone here wants to know all the details.

Yep! I do all that stuff. I really got into textile crafts when I quit smoking many moons ago. I knit, crochet (but not lace), needle tat, hardanger, plastic canvas, and my passion, counted cross stitch. All of that is why my moniker is STITCHY! Some of my stuff is here: http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisin_kate

Ddiedre Thank you for that explanation. It makes lots of sense, now. And that is something I can explain to my engineering-mentality DH.

SherriJo You sound very normal. You are voluntarily doing something invasive to your body. It's a huge step. It's a huge committment. I had a lot of doubts. I was scared, nervous. You name it, I felt it. I mean, I had *only* 100 lbs to lose. But then I thought about it a lot more. Yes, I probably could lose a bunch again with a traditional diet. I have done it in the past. BUT, every single time, it would all come back - and bring some friends. What made me think that this time would be any different? This time, I wanted - really wanted - for it to work. To be gone for good. To have something more that my weak willpower working for me. My gatekeeper will always be with me. I still feel I made the best choice for me.

GAS!! Big wind! Oh, yeah. about 5 weeks out and still gassy. I haven't found any of the OTC meds that work. For that matter, I don't know if there are any that would work. I haven't complained to my PCP yet. I'm just grossing out my DH. :faint: