Band_Groupie

Does the book come with a head-band? Thank for the suggestion...I'll check out the book (let me know how you like it). The brain and emotion piece of this are the hardest part. Heather...Haven't you seen the million and one threads on here 'I FAILED MY BAND'...this is nothing new to your doc and he may give you a lecture (personally I'd be questioning my doc a little if he didn't say anything because that's his job to keep you going and to help you get there), but mostly he wants to hear that you've committed to work on this so be proactive...walk in with a plan, tell him about the book, etc. Things are rarely as bad as what we expect. ((hugs)) -BG

170...2.5 this week! I'm headed for the 60's again! Have a great weekend all! I'm off to shovel...again....-BG

I'm sending snow to all of you! All the schools are closed here (and Pittsburgh has LOTS of snow-plows so this rarely happens). We shoveled twice last night and there's now several inches waiting for me this morning...and it's still coming down...4-6" expected today. Can I count shoveling as an aerobic exercise? DS1 is an hour away in the mountains for a 2 day ski trip...I'm wondering if they're going to get home today (have to get him back to college this weekend)! STAY WARM PEEPS! -BG janet- all internet pics, I just do a search

There's a Pregnancy and the LB group here under the Home page...check out the Threads there. Send me a message if you need help finding them and WELCOME to LBT. -BG

The Sweet Spot, as I see it: LAP-BAND

You can 'copy' and 'paste' the picture of your ticker here whenever you're proud of it! Congrats on the 5 pounds! -BG

Great job....60 lbs. is awesome! -BG

Here's what put my mind at ease. You need to ask yourself how healthy you are right now (besides the obesity). If you're a relatively healthy person, then your chances of dieing on the table are very very slim...keep in mind this is an 'outpatient procedure' at many hospitals. Yes, things happen, but the mortality rate mainly involves those that were already 'dieing' and unhealthy and took the risk. The docs I picked here are known for taking on the cases that the other hospitals won't do (I had three Centers of Excellence here to pick from) like revisions, the super obese, etc., so their mortality rate was a little higher, but all their deaths were people that were already very ill. Now all that said, I was so excited to get my band, but anyone who tells you they weren't at least a little nervous is crazy...it's normal to get 'cold feet'. Hang in there; you'll do great! -BG

Might be reflux developing (citrus, spices, alcohol, etc. make the burning worse). It's a very common banding side effect so keep an eye on things.

Well, you have my number 1 (when people tell you your stomach gets bloated...well, even my biggest pair of drawstring sweats bothered me). Hmmm... 2. My new Magic Bullet 3. SF Popsicles (when you need something that crunches) 4. Heating Pad (helps the gas pains) 5. The hospital 8oz. cups w/ounces marked on the side (to measure Fluid intake) 6. Anti-nausea medication (don't leave the hospital without an Rx...just in case) 7. FF Refried Beans....mmmmushies! 8. Greek Yogurt with SF preserves 9. Lots of frozen fruit (to make the Protein drinks palitable) 10. ...well, this should have been #1...LBT (for all my post-op questions and support)

'Shaper Monologues'...ROTFLMAO Yeah L- I'm all about comfort now...and xavier; I remember laying on the floor in college so my roommate could help me zip up my tiny skin tight (shaper) jeans.

You FEEL beautiful because you ARE beautiful!!! WOW! You continue to astound me girl! You're going to be in that Century Club soon! -BG

YAY!!! It's Christmas all over again!! Well, that make the wait worth it! -BG

You're doing perfectly on the 6 mo. undiet! I'm sending you more cold air...want some snow? -BG

11 out of the past 12 days...snow. 4 more inches tonight...4 more tomorrow. Please send sunshine! That is all.

11 out of the past 12 days...snow. 4 more inches tonight...4 more tomorrow. Please send sunshine! That is all.

Great job on the WL...and you can come cook for me anytime! -BG

Step away from the cookies....now get a large glass of flavored water and go find something to clean or organize for 15 min. If you're still hungry get some lean protein...some nuts are a good choice...at least fill your pie hole with something nutritious. No one expects you to be starving, but it's time to start learning the difference between head hunger and real hunger...it's the hardest part of this for me (I need a head band...so let me know if you figure this out!). You can do this! -BG

Remember that besides how you carry your weight (mine's all in the hips) part of this depends on how long ago you wore these sizes as the sizes now are much more generous/larger. I have 'saved pants' in every size and at 170 (5'8.5") now I'm wearing my old size 14's and 16's and I just bought a pair of 12's I can fit into at the store- and fit into all the size 12's there (I came home and tried on my old size 12's and I can't fit into one of them). Well, the good part about this is we older women feel better about the 'smaller' sizes we're wearing (I haven't been in a 12 in 20 years!).

LOL, yeah ym, it would be really good for men's use (and thank you Tx for 'fessing up for my scientific 'study'). The shaper comes all the way up to the bra line so that's why I said I was hoping for more 'boob-top' as a muffin-top isn't possible with it on (pic 2). The jeans are already uncomfortably snug (as is indicated by my muffin top (pic 1) and stretch wrinkles...that are sadly not premade 'age lines' that we pay more for on our jeans), but with the shaper on I felt the tightness of the shaper more than the tight spots (waist mainly) on the jeans. I don't think I'm ever going to be a daily shaper wearer, but I've learned never to say never...I can't wait to see how it 'goes' on my first outing.

Congrats! You're almost there! Start stocking up on things you'll need post-op and good luck with the appts. -BG

Eggs are an easily 'stuck' food for many (they're rubbery and tend to ball up together). If you know you're chewing really well and it's still happening today...call your doc for a small unfill (sometimes a tiny bit out makes a huge difference). Best wishes! -BG

Last Spring (when I was banded) there were very few docs doing the single incision procedure. From what I've seen, most are still doing the 5 incision old method (but you can end up with more if they have problems getting things done- I've seen one person with 9 incisions). I have 2 that are nearly 2", 2 that are about 1" and the last is just a puncture. If you want the single incision I'd start researching docs in your area or do a search here on LBT. Good luck! -BG

I could sleep on my side (sorta) after the second night (I used some extra pillows to prop me into a comfortable position-mainly behind my back). I also took a nap the first few days (only times in my life I could take a nap is when I'm on pain meds). Stay ahead of the pain by taking your meds on time even if you think you don't need them (until you're sure you don't). You won't believe how much better you'll be feeling in a few days. Make sure you keep having someone help you up and down as that's really the worst part and remember the post-op mantra 'walk, walk, walk, and sip, sip, sip!' Best wishes and CONGRATULATIONS Bander! -BG

WELCOME to LBT Dawn! I'm just north of Pittsburgh...snow, snow, snow...it's freezing here! Good luck getting started here, be sure to read the 'stickies' on each of the forums; lots of good information there! -BG