Band_Groupie

Great job! 50 pounds is a big achievement! Keep getting those fills!

CONGRATULATIONS! Amazingly fast WL!!!

Thanks girl!

Today marks the first day of Autumn here. We put up the Fall decorations this weekend. I usually wait until the end of Sept., but the next two weekends are booked for DH/and or I so we're early this year (I need his help with the outside stuff). Plus I never got the Easter or Memorial/4th of July stuff up this year because of the LB, so I'm ready to dive into another holiday (I'm a holiday freak). I thought I'd take a few pics of my fall decorations to share for those crafters out there. I love to craft so I try to add one new thing each year (and usually get rid of old tired things). Dag, I forgot the outside...I'll take one this week to share. - Pic 1: My stairs with basket pumpkins (store bought). DS2 stepped on the big pumpkin coming down the stairs in the dark last night; crushed it in, but DH popped it back out...creases in the back LOL. - Pic 2: The lighted garland/bows (my neighbors tell me it looks nice at night through the glass front door). Closer to Halloween we add a giant spider web that goes across the whole 2 story foyer and up to the 2nd floor...the kids love throwing hundreds of plastic spiders up into the web (they catch and dangle down) and we have some flys and rats we wrap like a cacoon. - Pic 3: My foyer table. DS2 and I made the pumpkin flower arrangement a few years back when he was sick at home for a week. I'm not a silk flower lover, but it works for me with fall's bright colors. He grew all the gourds in his veggie garden and we dried them. Oh, and you can see my glass front door I've mentioned before in the mirror reflection. - Pic 4: My fireplace. I've been a Homeroom Mom for all three of our kids and as an ex-art teacher I always organize the craft. I've done the pumpkins on the right with each of their classrooms over the years. For other HR moms or those with kids (I made these up, but they're easy I swear): just a block of wood with a dowel hot glued on the top pre spray painted orange/green stem and ready for the kids to "pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch" (set them out on the floor) to decorate....raffia bows (we premade with green pipe cleaners -Kids twist around the stem with some silk green leves and older kids can make tendrils with the ends of the pipe cleaners by wrapping over a pencil, some glue-ons (spiders, etc.- they would bring to us to hot glue where they wanted) and for the face either sharpie or black sticker paper they cut depending on the grade of the class (did the black stickers with the kindergarteners- just give them large/small squares and they can cut shapes). We made DH make the big one on the right a few years back (under many protests...he hates to do art), but it didn't look right with one from each of us in the family and not him (the kids love his- candy corn wooden glue-on eyes). - Pic 5: Acorn trees in the Dining Room. I would suggest doing these to no one! When we moved here about 10 years ago DH collected a bucket of acorns from the backyard (our backyard is up against a large wooded hillside going down with huge oak trees). He brings them in and proudly proclaims...Here, we got these for you to do a craft with! .....Ummm thanks? No clue what to do...I got some styrofoam cone shapes, covered them with fabric and hot glued the acorns on and then sprayed them with a sealant. Well, I kept finding what looked like tiny wood shavings around them...finally figured out there were tiny acorn worms burrowing holes out of them DISGUSTING...bagged them for a year and re-sealed them really well...and every year when I get these out I still have to re-glue acorns on that fall off (have a few missing in the photo- need to get out the glue gun today)....but thanks Honey for the acorns!

Today marks the first day of Autumn here. We put up the Fall decorations this weekend. I usually wait until the end of Sept., but the next two weekends are booked for DH/and or I so we're early this year (I need his help with the outside stuff). Plus I never got the Easter or Memorial/4th of July stuff up this year because of the LB, so I'm ready to dive into another holiday (I'm a holiday freak). I thought I'd take a few pics of my fall decorations to share for those crafters out there. I love to craft so I try to add one new thing each year (and usually get rid of old tired things). Dag, I forgot the outside...I'll take one this week to share. - Pic 1: My stairs with basket pumpkins (store bought). DS2 stepped on the big pumpkin coming down the stairs in the dark last night; crushed it in, but DH popped it back out...creases in the back LOL. - Pic 2: The lighted garland/bows (my neighbors tell me it looks nice at night through the glass front door). Closer to Halloween we add a giant spider web that goes across the whole 2 story foyer and up to the 2nd floor...the kids love throwing hundreds of plastic spiders up into the web (they catch and dangle down) and we have some flys and rats we wrap like a cacoon. - Pic 3: My foyer table. DS2 and I made the pumpkin flower arrangement a few years back when he was sick at home for a week. I'm not a silk flower lover, but it works for me with fall's bright colors. He grew all the gourds in his veggie garden and we dried them. Oh, and you can see my glass front door I've mentioned before in the mirror reflection. - Pic 4: My fireplace. I've been a Homeroom Mom for all three of our kids and as an ex-art teacher I always organize the craft. I've done the pumpkins on the right with each of their classrooms over the years. For other HR moms or those with kids (I made these up, but they're easy I swear): just a block of wood with a dowel hot glued on the top pre spray painted orange/green stem and ready for the kids to "pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch" (set them out on the floor) to decorate....raffia bows (we premade with green pipe cleaners -Kids twist around the stem with some silk green leves and older kids can make tendrils with the ends of the pipe cleaners by wrapping over a pencil, some glue-ons (spiders, etc.- they would bring to us to hot glue where they wanted) and for the face either sharpie or black sticker paper they cut depending on the grade of the class (did the black stickers with the kindergarteners- just give them large/small squares and they can cut shapes). We made DH make the big one on the right a few years back (under many protests...he hates to do art), but it didn't look right with one from each of us in the family and not him (the kids love his- candy corn wooden glue-on eyes). - Pic 5: Acorn trees in the Dining Room. I would suggest doing these to no one! When we moved here about 10 years ago DH collected a bucket of acorns from the backyard (our backyard is up against a large wooded hillside going down with huge oak trees). He brings them in and proudly proclaims...Here, we got these for you to do a craft with! .....Ummm thanks? No clue what to do...I got some styrofoam cone shapes, covered them with fabric and hot glued the acorns on and then sprayed them with a sealant. Well, I kept finding what looked like tiny wood shavings around them...finally figured out there were tiny acorn worms burrowing holes out of them DISGUSTING...bagged them for a year and re-sealed them really well...and every year when I get these out I still have to re-glue acorns on that fall off (have a few missing in the photo- need to get out the glue gun today)....but thanks Honey for the acorns!

I had the worst diarrhea ever on and off until I was back on solids. Eating just mushies, a few solids, and drinking a lot (usually more than most of us drank before) doesn't give your systems enough solids yet. It should get better with more solids...I never have a problem now.

I couldn't burp on-cue pre-band to save my life. The more fills I've had the more I belch. I'm 5 months out today and might be at my sweet spot now; and I belch like a drunken sailor constantly even with just drinking Water. I do it so often I hardly notice it anymore (which scares me that I might 'let her rip' in front of friends or in a quiet restaurant without even realizing it). I know it's gotten really bad because my boys (who of course have always thought burps and farts are funny) are complaining...Mom! That's disgusting...stop that! Wish I could! I know this is a function of air coming out of the stomach as food or liquids go in...it feels like I have to burp to get the food to go through. It's a small price to pay for this wonderful restriction, but I want to know...Does this ever stop or are you still belching years later?

What exact products have you been using- what's Nioxin? Biotin? I'm still shedding although it's slowing down some (5 mo. out today). I'd like to get something that helps it grow back healthy...my hair is very fine, but there used to be a lot of it.

Sharon- Thanks girlfriend...you're always such a great cheerleader for all of us! Glad to see your scale is making major moves again...that 'slow and steady' can get frustrating when the losses are tiny...a big week now and then really helps...good for you! Angie- Isn't restriction a wonderful thing! It's great when you finally put a milestone behind you and start believing you'll never see it again! Next milestone...199 for you...Onederland baby!!! Keep it up!

OK, what's up with the no restriction and bands pretty full? I know I've seen others here on LBT who had their bands almost full before they found their sweet spot, but I thought you'd feel at least a little something along the way. Hang in there gals...restriction will come! Not being hungry is an amazing feeling. I'll post an update now as today is my 5 month bandiversary. 1. WEIGHT-Start 248, now 188, down 60 pounds total, 41 since surgery. Most of that was up to me as the band has only been helping the last 8 weeks. 2. FILLS-Have had 4 fills, 5.9/10cc band. 3. RESTRICTION-Have had restriction since the third fill at 5.6 cc's, better restriction now. I'm not hungry at all between small meals. Tighter in the mornings than evening. 4. RULES-It's harder now to get all my Water in when you have to eat slower. I'm usually trying to make up the loss in the evenings. 5. ANYTHING ELSE-This has been the hardest WL I've ever done, but so worth it (and I've been on EVERY diet). I'm at a good place now where I can still eat anything, I'm not PBing anymore (I'm a slow learner) and I'm not hungry between meals. I hope it stays like this and I see some weight loss where the Band is helping me finally!

Cut back hard these last few days (protein shakes only?) as it will lighten your liver. Don't worry, I didn't have a specific pre-op either and my doc said he's never not been able to do a surgery because of someone's liver size (and he take on the super morbid cases that the other hospitals won't in our city). Best wishes on your surgery! -BG

Bandster Hell is a normal part of the process for most until you get enough fills. Be careful you're not overeating as it takes at least 6 weeks for the stitches on your stomach holding the band to heal and you could cause complications. Hang in there! -BG

Haven’t you heard? Today’s the last full day of Summer; tomorrow is the first day of Autumn (well, at least up here on the top half of the World)! Yeah Baby, get out your bikini and run through that sprinkler one more time…Slip ‘N Slide?...Don’t mind if I do! I don’t know about you, but this summer went by like a flash. I know it will be one I'll always remember! Have you ever thought about all that beautiful sunshine and where it comes from? It looks like a speck of dust on the surface of the sun. But this spectacular picture shows the space shuttle Atlantis alongside the International Space Station (ISS) silhouetted as they orbit the earth. The image was taken in Normandy by French astrophotographer Thierry Legault. He used a digital camera attached to a $7,000 specially fitted telescope. The next image (below) is an enlargement. The shuttle and the space station can be seen in orbit 250 miles above the earth while the sun is 93 million miles away. Stop and think for a while about how far away the sun is from the camera compared to the shuttle and station. It will blow your mind. I thought I’d celebrate the last of summer with one last great summer sunset. Here’s some music to click on and play as you enjoy the sunset on another wonderful summer...click HERE. Enjoy… Keep reaching for the sun all!!!

Lifting- This week we had the week all the other teams had last week LOL...and USC lost! Hope the WVU game was good! O...H...

Thinin10- Yeah, I learned way more here than from my doc's office. And I do see my doc every visit/he fills my band. I went to 3 different hospitals/centers of excellence here before I chose who I wanted to use (seeing the same person each time was important to me). Marfar- 4 weeks isn't unusual at all, but you'll see others who were allowed mushies in the hospital even. Mine was unusual just because I wasn't allowed any full liquids, like the Protein shakes, just clears (talk about a low cal diet). Homeade broth and SF popsicles saved me...they make them in yummy tropical flavors now (get some- I was great to chew something). I've got great restriction now and I ate a tiny bit of Pasta with some pesto I made yesterday, not the best choice but the basil aroma in my kitchen was ovewhelming LOL and I don't eat pasta often. You'll figure out as you get your fills that how filled you want to be is a matter of choice. Some want their bands so tight they're still drinking their meals a year later. I don't have anything I can't eat...I want a lifestyle change I can live with, not another deprevation diet.

I missed that you were so early post-band. You'll be able to get in the cals. once you get the fruits and veggies week 5. The first 6 weeks is just for healing...not weight loss. The stitches, especially those holding your band to your stomach need to heal without you eating things that might disturb it. If you eat too many solids your bottom stomach moves around more when it's moving the food along and digesting the food...this can pull on the stitches...and filling up your pouch more than a few ounces would do the same thing. I'd ask if you're allowed more meals a day or some Snacks to get more cals. in. At least eat the 3 oz. max you're allowed and eat higher cal. items if you're allowed (red meat vs. chicken?). I was only allowed Clear liquids and skim milk (no full liquids) for the first 3 weeks...worst post-op diet I've seen here (but I could have things whenever I was hungry since liquids go right through). I did cheat the last few days, but with a few Protein shakes (I was so weak I was getting dizzy...and not because I'm blonde!). Then I moved to mushies and then solids. Don't worry too much about the weight too much until you're on the full diet (I know, I know...easier said than done). I promise the weight will start coming off again once you get enough fills (my blog today shows when/how I lost the weight so far). Bandster Hell sucks, but it's a small price to pay in the end. Hang in there!

You should follow your doc's rules, but I'm not sure why no fruit or veggies if you are on solids now? I'd call and review your diet to figure out what's going on if you're eating the amounts they gave you (I'm sure they want you to have more than 600 cals. by this point). Maybe ask about adding some Snacks for a little while if you can't get more in at meals. My doc's information was to get 1000-1200 cals per day. Also said anything around 800 cals. or less will put you into starvation mode and stall your metabolism so you'll stop losing (you'll lose for a little while, that's why we get a post-op loss, but your body will figure out it's not getting fed so then it stalls). Happy losing all!

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

bashful- Just a note. The LB AP doesn't come with a fill...some docs choose to put in a 'primer' fill (meant to only fill the port and tubing) at the time of surgery (I've heard that the LB manufacturer recommends this). My doc does not put the primer in so I left surgery with zero fill (He has some patients who NEVER need a fill). And yes, you're right, I know some who had too much restriction just post-op who had the primer, so it's a good thing to ask your doc at your consultation.

114lbs. is incredible! I can't imagine weighing 160...sounds like a great goal! Go girl!

Women's shelter...great idea! Thanks! -BG

Found these...hope it cheers you up. -BG

Congrats on your dates! There's a Low BMI group here on LBT (under 'groups'). We need to support each other as we lightweights certainly have a whole seperate set of issues in this journey (I was just at a 35 BMI when I started looking at this and was 37.7 at the official start...and yes, at almost 5'9" I 'carry it well'). I was lucky to read enough here early on to convince me to tell no one but DH. I need this to be as positive experience as possible and even the comments from all the preop docs and nurses 'You don't look like you need THAT!' were enough to reinforce that decision. I also had the added burden of having everyone see me lose the weight before (yes, I was starving). I spent 20 years drastically yo-yoing every second of that up or down and it took a toll on my health and my self-esteem. I, like others here, didn't get the LB to lose the weight...I got it to KEEP it off. Best decision I've ever made. The upside of this is that no one questions my WL now...they've all seen me do it before. The even better part...I've lost 30-40 pounds more times than I can count. I've lost 40-50 pounds at least 4 times before. Today...I reached 60 pounds. The band is the best tool in the world as long as you do your part. Let others say what they want...when you start to get the results you want it all won't matter! You've finally decided to do this for YOU.

I totally agree. I've PB'd many times and it's all 'operator error' (I'm a slow learner) and if you read the other posts carefully they're saying that too. I've got great restriction now and if I'm careful there's nothing that is off limits for me. I have no hunger between meals, but I'm not so tight I have to puree or drink my meals. Remember, how tight you want to be is a matter of choice. I hope to never get to the point that I have a list of foods I can't eat...I need a lifestyle change that I can live with...so far, so good!

But that's the plus of LB...it forces you to deal with all the issues as you lose, not after. You'll be that much more prepared for the maintenance...that's why we LB'rs don't usually gain some back. Sucks now, but the payoff...all worth it...and yeah, I wish a 'headband' came with it too. Best wishes! -BG