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voiceomt2002

LAP-BAND Patients
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Posts posted by voiceomt2002


  1. Hi Alex! I'm still around. I've had my ups and downs, including the death of my beloved husband. I gained about 30 lbs, sitting in that ICU room hoping and praying for the miracle that never came. It's been a struggle, but I've lost all but a few pounds of those I gained. Having a new job and no longer having the luxury of being a housewife made a huge difference. I'm still officially 50 lbs away from my goal weight, but I'm very pleased with my weight loss and the way I feel.

    You see, my early struggles with my band saved my life. I quit smoking and began exercising as part of the regimen to be accepted by my surgeon for getting a band. In December 2010, my husband had a particularly bad mold invade his lungs. Aspergillosis is very contagious and very deadly, with a 95% mortality rate. Had I still been a smoker, there would have been two graves instead of one. I was healthy and fit, thanks to my band.

    Strangely enough, my band had little to do with what has happened recently. A man I've known for years invited me to an outdoor event in February. While we enjoyed ourselves, he took me aside and begged my forgiveness, but he couldn't be silent any longer. He'd loved me for many years, but had respected my marriage too much to speak. He said he wouldn't expect me to answer for at least a year, but he hoped I might consider him as a new spouse after I felt ready to stop mourning. He placed a pearl ring on my finger as a vow that he would wait until I was ready to answer.

    So, that's my update. Life goes on, even when Murphy throws you a curve ball.

    Lena


  2. Hi Sharon! Yeah, Serenity had the right of it. You must follow your doctor's instructions, since they will be tailored to your needs.

    As for the foods I ate, my doc is a low carb kind of guy. 30g of carbs and not a drop more! LOL! I recommend stepping down in the carbs at least at first if your doc does that. Keep a food diary every day, and learn to do without anything white except cauliflower. White bread, rice, potatoes, oatmeal, and of course sugar. By stepping down pre-surgery, you set a course with fair winds and following seas for later.

    As for the recipes and foods post-surgery, you're welcome to read my blog here, and eventually you're welcome to take a peek at my off-site blog, where I have even more bandster recipes, even for holidays. The address is at my LBT blog.

    There are some common denominators for eating after surgery. Things like these (I've probably forgotten a few.)

    1. CHEW, CHEW, CHEW. Pay attention to what you put in your mouth and how long you chew it. Turn off the TV and pay attention. I'm not kidding!

    2. Take tiny bits. I whirl all my meats in the food processor until they resemble hamburger even today, but just for my portions. The DH still gets his steak the way he likes it. I still can't eat stringy meats without this. No, you don't need a Magic Bullet. (rolling my eyes) If you have a blender and food processor, you're set. (I also have a mandolin, but I love to cook!)

    3. Your portions will be smaller, so think about using a bread/dessert plate for less dish-washing later. (wink) No, you don't need the baby fork and spoon. Skip that purchase. However, a sippy cup right after surgery can help you learn not to gulp. I took a purple sparkly one to the hospital, sans the valve inside. It taught me and was given to my granddaughter a month later when I no longer needed it.

    4. Remember the band only controls VOLUME. You control CONTENT. Ice cream will slide right past the band and will not help your appetite. Eat slowly, chew every bite, and you won't need to eat much before you're pushing that itty bitty plate away.

    5. Do yourself a favor and eat Proteins first, veggies second, and THEN whatever you know is naughty and simply must have because we all test the band. A few times worshiping the porcelain god and then having to explain to the doc why you managed to gain a few pounds with a band should give you the mental spanking you need.

    That's enough to overwhelm you, I think. :thumbup: I see some of you scribbling notes. I did too. LOL! :wink2:

    Lena


  3. My family explained to me that they literally had no idea what to do with my new dietary restrictions. They'd also been a tad insulted when I refused to share Thanksgiving with them. We had a long heart-to-heart while I explained (again!!) why I would not be able to enjoy anything they cooked, not even the fried and dry turkey. Bless my Southern Redneck family, they don't know the meaning of healthy eating except collard greens. LOL!

    We compromised and I choose the restaurant from a short list of those who serve things I can have, like baked or grilled seafood. They took a year to come around, but now that I've lost more than half my excess weight, they're beginning to see the light.

    The patient application of a baseball bat to their stubborn heads when they try to serve me "bad" foods helps. (grin)

    Lena


  4. I too am a newbie and will take your suggestions to try different Protein drinks before surgery. What no one is answering is what does the band feel like and the port feel like after surgery after a month, two months. Can you feel them, are they noticable to unsuspecting people?

    Nope, they aren't noticeable at all! Most folks don't even notice the scars unless you point them out. I can find my port with my fingers if I press and dig around in the general area, but that's it.

    Yeah, try the different Protein Drinks. I wasn't on them long at all, and my doc was more worried about carbs. I was an unhappy camper during the pre-op diet, but it was SOOO worth it! Really, guys. Bear up. It's temporary. I made Soups and broths, then froze half of what I made for my liquid Post-Op Phase. Use Jello and sugar free Popsicles to give yourself treats. Go hunt up Torani and DaVinci sugar free syrups to flavor your coffee, tea, and yogurts. You miss your old bad diet a whole lot less when you have flavors to enjoy.

    Really, sprinkle glitter in your hair and call yourself a circus poodle for all the hoops you jump through, but it's really worth all the effort. Do it now and enjoy this coming year!

    Lena


  5. Hi, I am going to conference by the Dr. in March. I do group in March. I hope after that I will get the appointment for surgery.. I am excited but really scared. I have heard a lot of bad things about after the surgery. Lots of complications. It really worries me but, I want my life back. My weight now is 390 and I hate it because I can't walk much, can't do anything with my grandkids, can't sit in a booth anywhere because I don't fit.. So many things I can't do because of my size and I hate it.. I want to live and see my great grandkids, but with my size it's not going to happen. Please give me any info. you have on lap-banding.. Thank you very much....:sad:

    Honey, I'm one of the success stories of banding, and I used to be just like you. In fact, I was in a wheelchair anytime I wanted to go anywhere except a small grocery store. Now I'm down to a size 18 and it's been just a little over a year. It's worth all the trouble to get to the surgery. Be the circus poodle and jump through their hoops. Do what they say. Really, it's worth it. It really is. Trust one who used to be a borderline diabetic, had high cholesterol, rode around in a wheelchair, had to sew my own clothes because nothing fit, etc.

    Do I throw up when I've been naughty? Yes. I deserve to do so. Have I had a month where I gained a pound or two? Yes, and I deserved to. I lost it the next month, plus another six gone. Do I have bat wings on my upper arms from loose skin? Yep. Will I always have the varicose veins my lard butt caused? Unless I go have the lasers, yep, but they don't hurt anymore. Some are much reduced. Is life perfect? No. Did I have to learn new coping skills? Yep. (Start this NOW.)

    Life isn't perfect when you're a size 18 as opposed to a 26+, but it's a whole lot easier to be happy. (wink)

    Lena


  6. I love it BUT i have found that some friend have changed now that I'm not the "fat" friend. anyone have this happen?

    I've not lost any friends, but some are treating me differently now. Some friendships have grown closer, some moved apart. The good friends are still good friends.

    One man who told me before surgery that I was not sexy now is very flirtatious. If he didn't find me a good companion before, and now he does, I can pretty much guess he's in lust not love. Good thing I'm happily married and was never interested anyway.

    Biggest problem I'm having is getting my DH to remember I'm no longer in poor health and barely able to move. I *want* to mow the lawn and garden, doggone it! Gimme back my rake! LOL!


  7. Just curious as to how all of you have been doing since ur surgery in January?

    Are you happy about your band?

    Happy is too mild a term. I'm ecstatic.

    How do you love bandster life?

    I love my life now. I'm walking everywhere, getting more done, and the changes in my life are monumental.

    How close are you to your goal?

    I'm about halfway there. I've lost around 70 lbs, with about another 70 to go, if I want to listen to the doc. Heck, I could stay right here at a size 18 and be happy, but getting below 200# has become a goal in itself.

    Do you exercise everyday?

    Not every day, but three times a week I do a mile walk. The rest is "everyday exercise" like mowing the lawn, parking in the back of the shopping mall lot and walking in, or dancing the night away on a date night with the DH. :smile2:

    Do you PB alot?

    Sometimes yes, especially when I don't pay attention to how I eat. What I eat is easy. It's eating too fast that causes me difficulty more often than not.

    Once in awhile I come back here to blog or answer some of the blogs I subscribe to. I'll say that I'm happy where I am, and anything else that I lose is just the cherry on top. I'm happy just as I am now.


  8. Hey, Perfect! Yeah, things might be looking up. I had a lot to lose and definitely some roadblocks, but I refuse to give up the fight. Even if I continue to lose a mere 5 lbs a month, by next summer I'll still be very close to my goal weight. Here's hoping!


  9. I've been silent for the past few months because of personal family issues including my DH being out of work for six months. We skirted the cliff edge of disaster, and I didn't lose much weight with a carb-addicted sweet tooth that walks on two legs like my DH hanging around every day, bored out of his mind. Needless to say, we were both so stressed that I had to find new solutions for coping with stress or gain weight.

    I chose quilting and other sewing projects, and got a part-time job as a teacher in JoAnn fabrics shops. Those two things saved me. While I didn't lose much each month, I still lost weight. I'm now halfway to my goal, and almost half the woman I used to be. There's still another 70 lbs to go, but I'm already wearing the "goal clothes" I thought would never see daylight.

    Then, my 24-year-old daughter came to live with us. With my own clothes falling off my body, my daughter handed me some of hers. They fit. In fact, even my daughter agrees they look better on me. (giggle) She's still pouting that her 50-year-old mother looks better in her clothes than she does.

    Now the big day approaches. I'm fighting as long as I can out of sheer terror, but the time has come. I must go shopping for new clothes. In a regular department store, not Lane Bryant.


  10. Wow, Glenda!! Yes, girl! Wear those shorts and stop suffering. I've been wearing bermuda-length shorts for about a month, and I thought that was great. That is, until my frisky DH decided to see if the shorts were loose enough to be yanked down around my ankles without unbuttoning. Yes, they were! LOL!

    Do I resemble a Shar-Pei puppy? You betcha!

    shar-pei.jpg

    I've lost about sixty pounds. It's coming off more slowly now, but I'm happy with that.


  11. I look like a commercial! You know the ones where the person holds out their too-baggy clothes to show the "gap" between waistband and belly? That's me!

    My formerly-favorite jeans slid off my hips and hit the floor in a puddle recently. My daughter laughed and said, "Guess we're breaking out the sewing machine, huh Mom?"

    My wedding ring now resides around my neck on a silver chain after I almost lost it down the kitchen sink while doing dishes. I feel so naked!

    But the biggest triumph happened this morning. I have a pair of leather jeans that were my "goal" jeans for the past ten years. Ten years! The friggin' things cost $200 in 1997, and I was going to wear them "someday."

    Today was that day. They slid on, past my thighs. I gasped and pulled a little more. They came over my butt, as if it were greased. My face broke out in a sweat. I tugged the two front halves together, wondering if I could get it buttoned. YES! Then, the final test --the zipper. I grasped the zipper pull with shaking fingers and lifted. ZIP! All the way up! I stood looking in the mirror with my mouth agape. The leather jeans not only fit, they were comfortably loose! I didn't have to lay on the bed to zip them or breathe in shallow pants to avoid breaking the zipper. They fit. Really, really fit. My husband, watching from the chair, applauded.

    I'm still stunned. I don't have anymore "goal" clothes left. I'm done. I may still be overweight and no where near a correct BMI, but I've surpassed every goal I set. I guess this means I need new goals. Or a new set of pants. Okay, a new set of pants. LOL!

    I guess we are breaking out the sewing machine. :confused:


  12. This is my best recipe for a Breakfast "muffin" that's good for you, filling, etc.

    cheese.html?zx=4c0d14542bf8b3a3" rel="external nofollow">Fat Frog Diary: South Beach Sausage and cheese Breakfast Cups

    I love this recipe and try to keep a stock of them in the freezer to flash in the microwave before work. I make twelve at a time, but DH and the roomie keep stealing them for their own breakfasts!

    I've varied out the meats, veggies, and even the seasonings. It works just as well with bacon, bell peppers, cooked spinach, and even chicken if you cut it finely enough.


  13. Like everyone else, my rings won't stay on my hands anymore. Yesterday, I almost lost my wedding band in the bathroom, and today while fixing the roast bird for dinner my ring almost ended up as part of the stuffing. LOL!

    So, I went web surfing. Here's a place with different types of ring guards from the liquid to plastic to metal, depending on your tastes and needs.

    Click HERE. Thought I'd share.

    Lena


  14. I was a size 28. Today, I'm wearing my size 22 jeans. I keep looking at my "goal" jeans-- a pair of black leather size 18 jeans I bought over ten years ago (!!) when last I was at 205. Thirty pounds to go before I dare try them on.

    Today was a strange NSV. I'm having a garage sale this weekend. A gentleman older than myself walked up while my DH and roommate were inside. The customer was a flirt! With me! I froze like a scared rabbit for a few moments until he started teasing and I knew the answers to his riddles! Then my husband came out and the sweet thing had the most disappointed look on his face.

    Someone flirted with me. I'm still in awe. It's been thirty years since a man flirted with me.


  15. I don't know if this really fits on this thread. It isn't a specific food that I am having trouble with, it is the not drinking before, with or immediately after a meal. I am just having such a HARD time doing that. Occasionally I'll completely forget and take a big swig of Water between bites and it doesn't feel to good. But I am SO thirsty when I eat. Anyone else having this problem? Any tips?

    I don't know about the others, but I have a similar difficulty. I've had to leave my drink in the kitchen and have my DH police me. We set a timer as soon as I put my fork down and say I'm done. When the timer goes off, I race for that drink. LOL!


  16. (snip) Also, I have become OBSESSED with drinking crystal light lemonade. I haven't had heartburn once since my surgery and I LOVE being able to drink lemonade again without having to worry about sitting up all night in reflux hell.

    Everyone seems to be doing great!! Congrats to you all!

    OMG, I hadn't even noticed! I had a diet lemonade yesterday while out shopping and no reflux! OMG!! (Throwing confetti in the air)

    Lena


  17. You lost 30 pounds since March 8???????????????????????????????

    Which of us are you talking to? I've lost over 40 lbs but my surgery was on January 2.

    Start: 286

    Day of banding: 267

    Today: 242 (My own fault I've not lost more.)

    Lena


  18. Tell me I'm not crazy, please. Someone rewired my tastebuds!

    I used to hate chicken salad!

    I once turned my nose up at steamed or canned veggies!

    I pigged on hot or cold cereals!

    I lived on red meat!

    I made my list this morning of what needed to go in my food diary for yesterday and made the above shocking discoveries. I ate a chicken salad sandwhich for lunch, a salmon quiche and soft canned veggies, and...my mother nearly fainted...turned down sweets.

    Has anyone else discovered their tastes in food have changed?


  19. I've been really lucky that I can eat anything from before including untoasted bread and fried rice (haven't tried steamed rice yet). Moisture content is very important. If it's too dry it comes back up and it hurts:thumbdown: <snip>

    I'll add any sort of dry meat. If it's dry and/or cold, it's going to come back up, and I don't care how tiny a bit I cut, or how long I chew.

    Lena


  20. I noticed we're all starting to have NSV's (Non-scale victories) so I thought we might like to share with our January Hottie friends.

    We're all fitting into smaller clothes, no longer fighting to fasten our seat belts when driving, and crossing our legs in comfort.

    Mine's a strange little one -- I can wear certain shoes of mine again. When I was at my heaviest, my feet would swell and I couldn't wear my prettier or dressier shoes. Even my sneakers were no longer possible. I was stuck wearing Crocs clogs or flip-flops so I could just slide something on and didn't have to grunt and bend over to tie a shoelace.

    Now all my Crocs are too big, even at the end of the day. I tie on my sneakers by myself, hop off the chair, and I'm out the door without a thought.

    What are your NSV's?


  21. Hi my name is Gabby and new to the borads. I just got my 2nd fill yesterday. I will be on a liquids for the next 4days. I'm alittle freaked out that he put to much in, but he said no. I guess I will find out sunday when I can eat. Does anyone in her have 5cc in there band? I got my band 1-15-09 and i'm down 47lbs. Thank for you help.

    Hi Gabby,

    I've got 4cc's in my band, and probably could handle a couple more. At least, I'm going to ask for more at my next visit. No big deal, hon. You get what you need. Everyone's sweet spot is different.


  22. I can eat very loose or crumbly breads in small amounts, but sandwich breads, rolls, hoagies, and other dense breads are mission impossible. Like you, I'll BP.

    Haven't had the courage to try rice, not even brown rice or wild rice. I'm scared of what might happen, frankly.

    Since my fill, I also can't tolerate carbonated beverages unless the fizz is nearly gone. Yesterday while out shopping, I was desperately thirsty enough to take a swig of my roomie's soda and paid for it in pain for quite awhile. Next time, I'll go thirsty.


  23. no more bread for me. 2 bites of toast this morning... and up it came. which is better??? skinny or bread??? skinny of course, but dang im gonna miss that bread :scared2:(

    I miss bread too. However, I love my blubber being missing much more! (grin)

    ::Lena gathers up her baggy jeans and heads back to the garden::


  24. Congrats! I am so happy for you. Keep it up. I am now up to 12 minutes on the elipical but I have a way to go to get to 30 minutes on this machine. :thumbup:

    I don't own or have access to an elliptical, but I remember trying one when I lived in an apartment complex three years ago. I barely lasted two minutes, so I'm impressed with your stamina, Peanutband. You must have thighs of steel, girl.


  25. (snipped for brevity) I finally started eating salad last month, I missed my salads. The only real restriction I have is fruit skin. I haven't gotten it caught, but I have noticed it is hard to get down, so I just go ahead and peel everything. Has anyone had any food restrictions?

    I miss salads, but only because I never have room for side dishes anymore. Seems like I fill up just looking at food these days. Nice change, huh?

    Besides breads and things, the only real restriction I've had was with cold meat on a picnic. I'd been eating Scottish eggs with no difficulties, but they'd been warm. The half a cold one at the picnic had me yarking in a hurry. I took the other half home, warmed it, and was fine. Annoyed the heck out of me.

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