Band_Groupie

Wow...I was shocked at your doc's 4oz. goal...seems really low to me as I'd have a hard time getting in all the nutrition goals (not just protein, but the veggies and fruit too) with only 4oz. at each meal. I'll be interested to see how this works. Does your doc allow snacks too? Keep up the great work, you're doing really well! Best wishes! -BG

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Awesome job!!! How weird for us to be happy to be 'Overweight' isn't it LOL?!!! Obese is such a harsh word...and don't get me started on the 'Morbidly'! Keep it up! -BG

I didn't have any pre-op diet...my doc said he's never had a problem with anyone's liver and he takes on some of the largest people in our area. That said, I did cut back on things and I think anything you can do to lose weight and prepare for the changes will be a benefit to you. I'd at least ask my doc if he's ever had a problem or had to cancel a surgery because of an enlarged liver.

Best wishes to you...hoping for good news soon! -BG

Wow...the 34 inches is the most amazing part...awesome job! You'll start believing you're the skinny girl...you're eating like a skinny girl, so now you just need to believe it! Great job!!! -BG

Nope...everyones stoma tissue is a different size. Some docs spend the time to cut away all the fat around where they place the band, and some leave it and it disappears with weight loss. How 'tight' you like to be is also a big variable. Some like to only be drinking their protein and some like it looser so there is no food they can't eat. It's not that the band is whacky, it's just that there are so many variables. The basic question for me for a fill is...can I eat about a cup of food and NOT be hungry until my next meal...if the answer is no, then I need a fill. I'm finding that even the vomiting is a variable...many times it's just 'operator error' and not the band being too tight. If you're hungry between meals you need a fill. Good luck! -BG

I love that you keep such detail on your fill experiences...very helpful. This one will do it!!!

Wow you're losing fast girl! Keep up the great work. The skin will be what it's going to be unless you're really young...someone here said 'it's a badge of honor' LOL. Your exercise enthusiasm is great!

YAY! Whoops...(whispers)...yay (a small celebration!). I just know it will be good news! Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed here!! I'm sure you'll come up with a low carb cake for the big celebration. Hope this week goes fast! Best wishes!

Details of Part 1 of my vacation 5:15pm Monday- I'm sitting pool-side on vacation right now...all I need is a drink with a little umbrella, but they don't have them at this pool. I know, I know…no sympathy…YOU'RE ON VACATION! …but I WANT my umbrella drink! We've had a busy week….got up around 4am on Friday to take DS1 to PSU (college) for his big move in day (but I'll save the details as I wrote a blog for that one, but didn't get the pics loaded yet, nor did I have time to finish it). We got back home around 5pm (about a 4 hour drive from his college) and started loading the van again (and this time the car top carrier too) for our vacation (didn't I JUST load this van?). Saturday we were up early again and on the road for about 12 hours drive down to here (Seabrook Island, SC). The in-laws own a place here so we vacation here sometimes. Sunday was DD's 22nd Birthday and we spent the day on the beach and then out to dinner for her birthday. The waves were as big as I've seen them here because of the hurricane going up the East coast. I made DS2 (age 14) wear a life jacket, after many protests, because there were rip-tide warnings in effect and there are no lifeguards here (surprisingly the beach patrol was sitting and watching the area, which is the first time I've seen them do that here…no lifeguard, so I'm not sure what a gal in clothing would have done if someone was in trouble)…luckily this is a mostly retirement age group now as most areas have started school because if there had been any other teen kids on the beach DS2 would have stayed out of the water vs. wearing the life jacket. Today we went swimming early and then into Charleston for lunch and shopping. *Pic attached DS2 and I at the Charleston Market (don't know the other dude). 6:30pm Monday- OK, that's as far as I made it in my blog when my in-laws came out of the Community house (the only place around here with internet access *end note-we never got back there, so no internet) to sit with me (DH and they were checking emails on their computers sitting inside in the AC). My ancient laptop battery died while we were chatting so I didn't get to post anything. I'm back at the place now and we're heating up chili we made at home for dinner tonight. It will be interesting to see how much weight I gain this week. I'm not eating huge amounts, but just not the better choices I usually make. MIL made waffles for breakfast (I thought I was eating OK, but had to run to their bathroom 2 steps away to PB) and I ate an appetizer for the lunch in Charleston…two small crab cakes on a tomato and corn chutney…not a lot, but VERY rich. No internet here, so who knows when I'll be able to post this. Anyway, I now have my glass of wine in hand so things are good. In-laws are here (we're staying just down the road as their place is a 2BR)…GTG 12:00 Tuesday- DD went for a horse ride on the beach this morning. She's done that a few times here and always enjoys it…they walk the horses on a trail to the beach and then gallop up and down the beach and in and out of the surf (just a little way in). We were at the pool again (the close one next to us- no internet building) and now the kids are fishing and crabbing with DH on the dock…these places are on the marsh side of the island with a view across the marsh and toward the inlet where the shrimp boats go in and out every day…it's a beautiful view. *Pic attached: Horses way down the beach in the am. 10:51 am Wednesday- Just got back from watching the gang play tennis…a few sun showers, but they cooled everyone off. 3:21pm Wednesday- More crab cake appetizer for lunch at the ocean club here. I've had a relaxing afternoon just lazing around. 9pm Thursday- We took my in-laws out to a nice place for dinner last night (The Sanctuary, at Kiawha Island). I had the Shrimp and Grits. The chef sent over some steak tartar appetizers and I had a few of those while others ate the wonderful breads with flavored butters. DD wanted to switch plates with me, so that worked well …although the ½ bottle of wine didn't help. This morning we went to the Magnolia Gardens Plantation early. This was DD's one request here as she remembered the gardens there…except in August not much is blooming. We took the tram tour and then walked the gardens. *Pics attached: Alligator in the old plantation rice fields, Butterfly & Live Oak Tree.

If I told you how many Corona's and Lime I had at the beach this week I'd have to kill you LOL. My doc says it's fine after 12 weeks.

Thanks DB...made my day! Yeah I'm back with a few extra pounds! Butterfly and JerseyGirl, I'm so sorry for your recent losses. We're here to support you and I know JG that you'll get back in the groove. Come here to talk anytime.

LOL...but haven't you heard? It's all about ME, ME, ME! Feeling good about yourself? Priceless...and I hope it never ends...

You SO deserve this...2 pounds a week...AWESOME!!!! I want the details. How much in your band now? How do you know it's the sweet spot? How much can you eat? Are you getting stuck on anything? I'm guessing the carb thing is still self-imposed and that's not a list of things you couldn't eat (you're so dedicated!!!)? You're my inspiration! ...and I LOVE the quilt!!! I need to find some crafts to keep me busy this fall (wish I liked sewing more LOL). WAY TO GO!!!

Just back from vacation (no internet...and boy did I get a sore port boogie boarding LOL!) and glad to hear you're doing well! Mmmmm Mushies! Scrambled eggs...I still remember that...feels like you're having food for the first time! Congrats on the 15 lbs. lost...that's awesome!!!! Hang in there...your first fill will be here soon!

197...Hi all...sorry I've been MIA for 2 weeks. Got DS1 off to college-PSU and then had a week vacation with our other 2 kids and the in-laws for a week...gained 2 pounds each week as they were both stressful weeks (did I mention the in-laws LOL). I didn't pay enough attention and started the cycle of stuck and PB's on vacation and it just got bad the past 2 days...I'm trying liquids/mushies until things heal (my stoma/pouch feel really sore and it burns/hurts to eat anything). Hope I didn't cause any damage. I'll ditto what JT said about being unrestricted too long. I just can't learn my lesson to slow down now that the restriction is finally here. Have a good week all!

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AGENDA - Call to Order - Creed: Submitted for the group's Changes & Approval o I am a Scale *****. I wear this title with pride. Keeping track of my weight and use of a scale is an important tool in my journey toward or at a healthy weight. I am only one of many others like me and together we are a group. Although our journeys and choices may be different, we are bonded together by the common strategy of keeping a careful eye on our weight. I will share freely and will educate others on my strategies so that others may learn from my experiences. I will accept, respect and support my fellow Scale Whores regardless of their choices and alternate strategies without passing judgment, regardless of my personal views. I will unite with this group to defend against the prejudices and intolerance of others in order to preserve the support and accepting atmosphere of this group. I am here to teach and to learn, to find support and give it, so that I can more successfully reach or maintain a healthy weight. -Review of Qualifications for Joining SWA: o Join Us!!! If you're not sure whether you qualify as a Scale *****, read HERE on LBT. Otherwise, anyone who tracks their weight through use of a scale (either at home or at a Doctors) and enjoys doing so (OK, maybe 'enjoys' isn't the right word when getting on a scale) is welcome (so pretty much anyone who doesn't want help or doesn't think this is an affliction). - Role Call and Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting: o If you'd like more information; HERE on LBT is our 1st meeting on LBT in February, '09. - Swearing in and Initiation of new members: o Scales and Measuring tapes will be involved…don't worry, it's all done in a pitch black room and we've all survived…so far. You may put on your blindfolds NOW. - Announcements, Reports, Business, Program, Open Sharing: o The floor is now open for sharing of WL tracking and methods. Share how you use a scale and/or track your weight. - Entertainment, Social Activities, Just for Fun: o Arts and Crafts, games, teambuilding, etc. Share yours here and the group will participate! - New Business, Suggestions: o For Our Next Semi-Annual Meeting in February (or suggestions for anything else). - Closing Ceremony: o Dominoes Formation "Fall" with our Scales (symbolic of our weight falling down) o Until Next Time… o Until Next Time… *Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Glad to see you back and sorry about your loss. Sounds like another fill will get you back on track. I had a little restriction after my 2nd fill and good restriction after my 3rd (5.6 in a 10cc band now). Good luck with the fill next week! -BG

Mine were totally off before my 4 week post-op appt. and all but one were off by week 3 (have 5 incisions). Had a tiny end of a suture sticking out of me when the last one fell off (from an internal suture LOL...he just cut it off).

I've never used a fiber supplement before the band, but I did take a laxative post-op (I'm sure you're having explosive problems now...MoM works great LOL). I've started adding Benefiber to my meals to get in my daily fiber...it doesn't taste like anything or change the texture. Works like a charm. The other thing is getting the full allotment of water, but it sounds like that's no problem. Good luck! -BG

Centrum chewables 2X a day...orange flavored and they're fine (I was allowed these or twice as many of the Flinstones gummis). I take the chocolate flavored Calcium with D&K twice daily as well.

Just focus on the positive and know that it's all worth it. I was more excited than anything going into it, but even I got nervous the day of...if you aren't a little nervous you wouldn't be normal. This is going to make so many good and healthy changes to your life! -BG

WELCOME to LBT! Lots of great people and information here so take advantage of it all! Best wishes! -BG