Band_Groupie

A 1 night stay was required by my insurance.

Check out my update on today's blog. -BG

I just had to share…I’m an idiot…OK, you knew that. For those that read yesterday’s blog, a quick update. I was trying on some pants and decided to see how my new body shaper worked under my new too snug size 12 pants (see pics, helps the muffin-top, but I can't tell the difference on the thighs...sigh). So I’m doing my aerobics and working up my usual sweat getting the shaper on…a tug here, a jump there…my crotch is still hanging low, so I go to tug it up… GUESS WHAT?!!! My finger happens to find a hole in the freakin’ crotch!!! I’m serious!!! I’m still in hysterics laughing. OK, I’m not sure how you would manage this hole in the bathroom, or whether they intended it for that use. I looked online, as their tags on it don’t mention this, but online it says a ‘split crotch’…no details on it‘s purpose (I‘m sure they‘re not going to make any promises on use for liability/embarrassment reasons). OK, it’s really not a hole as much as it is two pieces of overlapping fabric…and they overlap more than 2”…you know me, I’m a tester… Yes, I did…well….not really. I got so far as to take off my panties (which raises the question…are you still supposed to wear your panties under these contraptions?) and put the d*rn shaper back on and I sat on the pot. I could use my fingers to get the hole to be pretty big, but not big enough for me to even…ehemmm…risk trying. *Warning TMI (OK, I‘m a little late with that one, sorry)* I’m a ‘dribbler’…after that bladder sling surgery it takes me FOREVER to pee…and after I started the Vesicare pills it now takes an act of God, some serious meditation and prayer, and at least 10 min. So not only would I have to start doing aerobic workouts with my fingers daily to work up to the point where I could sit there for 15 minutes holding this open with them, but I’d have to pee so badly that I’d have a ‘normal stream’. So here’s what I need for my ‘study’….I need a 20 year old, who hasn’t had any children to give this a try and report back to us (I‘m sure I would have figured out a way to do this when I was in my 20‘s…and out to the bars drinking). In fact I’m sure one of you reading my blog had done this, but prefers to remain anonymous…feel free to PM me and share your experience/technique (I can then post for you anonymously). You know me though…if it’s stupid, I’ll be doing it at least once…let‘s just hope it‘s not like my ‘Horrific PB Event‘ when I‘m out to dinner (and decided I could PB between my legs while sitting on the pot)…I know, you‘re all placing your big money bets now…especially after you have that ’Ah-Ha’ moment when you remember I said ’I’m only going to wear the shaper for special events.’

I just had to share…I’m an idiot…OK, you knew that. For those that read yesterday’s blog, a quick update. I was trying on some pants and decided to see how my new body shaper worked under my new too snug size 12 pants (see pics, helps the muffin-top, but I can't tell the difference on the thighs...sigh). So I’m doing my aerobics and working up my usual sweat getting the shaper on…a tug here, a jump there…my crotch is still hanging low, so I go to tug it up… GUESS WHAT?!!! My finger happens to find a hole in the freakin’ crotch!!! I’m serious!!! I’m still in hysterics laughing. OK, I’m not sure how you would manage this hole in the bathroom, or whether they intended it for that use. I looked online, as their tags on it don’t mention this, but online it says a ‘split crotch’…no details on it‘s purpose (I‘m sure they‘re not going to make any promises on use for liability/embarrassment reasons). OK, it’s really not a hole as much as it is two pieces of overlapping fabric…and they overlap more than 2”…you know me, I’m a tester… Yes, I did…well….not really. I got so far as to take off my panties (which raises the question…are you still supposed to wear your panties under these contraptions?) and put the d*rn shaper back on and I sat on the pot. I could use my fingers to get the hole to be pretty big, but not big enough for me to even…ehemmm…risk trying. *Warning TMI (OK, I‘m a little late with that one, sorry)* I’m a ‘dribbler’…after that bladder sling surgery it takes me FOREVER to pee…and after I started the Vesicare pills it now takes an act of God, some serious meditation and prayer, and at least 10 min. So not only would I have to start doing aerobic workouts with my fingers daily to work up to the point where I could sit there for 15 minutes holding this open with them, but I’d have to pee so badly that I’d have a ‘normal stream’. So here’s what I need for my ‘study’….I need a 20 year old, who hasn’t had any children to give this a try and report back to us (I‘m sure I would have figured out a way to do this when I was in my 20‘s…and out to the bars drinking). In fact I’m sure one of you reading my blog had done this, but prefers to remain anonymous…feel free to PM me and share your experience/technique (I can then post for you anonymously). You know me though…if it’s stupid, I’ll be doing it at least once…let‘s just hope it‘s not like my ‘Horrific PB Event‘ when I‘m out to dinner (and decided I could PB between my legs while sitting on the pot)…I know, you‘re all placing your big money bets now…especially after you have that ’Ah-Ha’ moment when you remember I said ’I’m only going to wear the shaper for special events.’

It has done all those things for me, with the exception of 'lose weight faster than just a normal diet'. I think this one gets a lot of people disapointed here. It all depends on how heavy/BMI you are to start, your expectations and your level of effort. I've lost weight MUCH faster on other diets and MUCH faster when I've been more dedicated to exericise (on Atkins I could lose weight VERY fast). Many banders don't lose or even gain until they get some restriction and remember after that the average is 1-2 pounds per week. Having realistic expectations will keep things positive for you as you go along...it's not a race, we're all in this for a lifetime. -BG PS- I should add that I'll take losing the weight slowly for learning how to eat everything in small amounts and NEVER HAVING TO BE ON ANOTHER DIET!!!

Call your doc now and get an Rx today. I always suggest that people not leave the hospital without this Rx. You don't want to start heaving in the middle of the night and have to try getting in touch with your doc. I get migraines (sometimes with bad nausea) and have had to use mine twice since banding and I was so glad I had those little pills. Being newly banding is definitely a risky time to be vomiting before the stiches on your band have healed. -BG

Yeah, those phallic symbols must go through a dormant stage even in warm weather. Now I'm bummed that yours blooms!!! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS on taking your next step...and welcome to LBT! -BG

Pics can be added under 'manage attachments' below where you type your blog. Your ticker won't show up in blogs, but you can 'copy' and 'paste' it here from your signature. -BG

Yep, they need a 'head band'...the first step for me on that path was (after differentiating between hunger and head hunger) letting myself feel the emotions I was having when head hunger strikes (whithout stuffing it away with food)...harder still was trying to identify which emotion it was and much harder...triggers. Best wishes! -BG

You need a little unfill. You need to be able to eat solid proteins at every meal. It's been more than a month, so this won't change unless you lose a lot of weight/fat where the band is...and that doesn't happen very fast. Call your doc today. -BG

Throwing up is not a normal part of banding, however having the band makes it much more likely that this will happen if you're not careful. It's not really the same as 'throwing up' either as it's more like the food only comes up, sometimes just a mouthful (and no bile) and it's called a PB. Some banders never PB...me, I'm a slow learner so I've had my share of PB's but not often (always operator error- not chewing well enough or eating too fast). Any bander whose throwing up daily without it being 'operator error' is running the risk of a slip and they're too tight. -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander and welcome to LBT! Growling is normal BTW. -BG

Now that's some serious food porn LOL!!! Don't forget to take your 'before' measurements as well...when the scale doesn't move these can be motivating. Have fun at the pre-op! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS! There's nothing like an approval and a surgery date!! -BG

YAY Mushies!!! Congrats on the WL! -BG

Great story! I can't wait to hear the follow-up with the fast, as I'm sure you'll be leading everyone through this! -BG

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254...........170..............84 Babe......................265...............265...........199.... .........66 Band_Groupie........172.5...........169.5..........158..............11.5 BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6.........109...... .......117.6 BobbieND..............224...............224.............175..... ........49 Brigette.................198...............198.............150.... ........48 crzytchr.................217...............217..............180.... ... ....37 DANA36.................233...............233..............160...... .....73 destined4thinness...215.5.............215.5..........150.............65.5 ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5...........130......... ...68.5 HummingBird..........204...............202..............150........ ....52 Jennih...................232................232..............130.... .......102 Lisa65...................174.5............174.5.............145..... ......29.5 lotzasunshine.........247...............246.4.............175........ ...71.4 newdicarlo.............187...............187................135...... . ...52 ol55andahalf........184.................184................144.............40 RandaPanda...........194...............194................150........ ....44 scoutmama............270................270...............180........ ....90 SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ...67 TARASGIRL.............305...............305................225........ ....80 TeriLu....................250...............215................150.. .... ......65 TIGGER71G.............224...............224................130....... ......94

Just an update...I blogged here about my shapewear purchase experience...if you're interested click 1/5/10 Body Shapers - LAP-BAND

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254.................170..............84 Babe......................265...............265..................199.... .........66 Band_Groupie........170...............170..................158.............12 BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6...............109...... ......117.6 BobbieND..............224...............224...................175..... .........49 Brigette.................198...............198...................150.... .........48 crzytchr.................217...............217...................180.... ... ......37 DANA36.................233...............233...................160...... .......73 ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5..............130......... .....68.5 HummingBird..........204...............202.................150........ .....52 Jennih...................232................232................130.... .........102 Lisa65...................174.5............174.5...............145..... .........29.5 lotzasunshine.........247...............246.4..............175........ ......71.4 newdicarlo.............187...............187.................135...... . ......52 ol55andahalf........184.................184.................144...............40 RandaPanda...........194...............194.................150........ ......44 scoutmama............270................270................180........ ......90 SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ......67 TARASGIRL.............305...............305................225........ .......80 TeriLu....................250...............215.................150.. .... ......65 TIGGER71G.............224...............224.................130....... ......94

Nope, I've got 3.5# to go to get into the 'Normal' BMI range. For me this journey was all about getting healthy and for me, that means a healthy, normal, BMI. My Goal weight is now 12# away, so even further into the Normal range and anything after that is just gravy...I'm sure my body will decide the number for me. I remember when I stopped growing in HS and I started putting on a few pounds, I was appauled when I got up to 152 (I was 5'9.5", I've lost an inch)...so I know that 158 is doable and it's not skinny. I'm losing slowly, but I'll get there eventually! Would I still be happy if I never lost another pound, sure, but if I'm truly in this for my health then I'm reaching for the stars and I'm working to get there!

Thanks gals (umm crzy...'smart'...no...read my PB blogs LOL)! -BG

Yes, collecting rust is a documented illness...I'm glad to see that others have caught this highly contagious virus as well (and I always make sure my tetnus shot is up-to-date)! Doodle- sent you a VM about the spools. Plants: These are DH's cacti that live on my patio when it's warm...the two (center single stem, and a double stem on the left) are Madagascar Palms (not really a palm-PACHYPODIUM LAMERII). I call the one in the middle 'Phallic Symbol' and I keep trying to kill it, but it won't die LOL. By Spring it won't have a leaf left on it, but after spending a week outside it always comes back to life- d*mn thing (DH gets such a kick out of this). I'm guessing you have a 'Crown of thorns' they get lots of small flowers that are pink, red, or yellow and they usually have lots of stems. The one on the right with lots of angled (three sided) stems gets small leaves as well, but I can't remember its name. DH bought them all since we moved here and they were in tiny 3" pots and less than 6" tall (so within the last 10 years)...so be wary, they grow fast (probably faster in a warmer climate! Each year someone gets stabbed moving them in and out of the house as you can see they're now taller than the patio door...I don't know what he's going to do when they hit the 9' ceiling! ...and yes, I hung those ornaments from them LOL. -BG

What a great NSV! I know the docs I saw would push the RNY more for the people with diabetes...one said it's because diabetes is so serious and the RNY cures diabetes so quickly. My doc left it up to me. Glad it's going so well for you! -BG

If you haven't yet, call your insurance company and ask for a copy of your bariatric policy (usually they can direct you on how to print it online). It should spell out exactly what you need to do. I actually found that the insurance expert at my doc's office was most helpful as the insurance wording can be vague. I had to keep my weight above the minimum 35 BMI until approval and not lose more than 5-10 pounds (so I had to be a 'failure' at the 6 mo. diet). I also had to have one comorbidity that counts (only the big 5 count), or to be over a 40 BMI, which I wasn't. Even knowing I met the criteria I was still nervous...there's nothing like finally getting that approval! Good luck! -BG