Band_Groupie

So, just for clarity Lili...Let me make up a pretend example using your categories pretending I'm about 1/2 way to goal date (let's say June 1st). Bunny's name ------ Bunny's target loss --- Bunny's start weight --- Current date --- Bunny's Current weight --- Bunny's target July 4 weight Band_Groupie---15 lbs.---228---6/1/09---220---213 Is that right? Then I just keep updating the current date/current weight figures whenever I want or do you want them once a week?

Today and tomorrow morning are my last days to prep for the graduation party. DD is now home from college and (sorry to ask her) will be helping me prep for her own party. DH has moved most of the heavy things and did all the laundry and the boys have been helping out too. We’ve really only have vacuuming, dusting/surface cleaning, fridge, bathrooms, and some food prep to do. Hoping we’ll get things under control today. I wish I could close off the upstairs, but I’m always working on home improvement projects and no one has seen the latest decorating reno. I completed; the Master Bath decorating (nothing major; paint, new trim, some added tiling, curtains, and lots of accessories). I’m feeling pretty good if I’m sitting and am on meds…problem is I need to be up cleaning and I don't last long; we’ll work it out. Everyone is staying at hotels (I just can’t sleep 20 more people here, but some of the cousin kids will probably stay over). I’m also enjoying the fact that I’m having this catered for the first time so this one should be a piece of cake! Oh, DEAR LORD! I forgot to order the cake!!! I’ll be making that call soon! D#*N these meds…I’m brain dead! We also have to prep some meals (Fri.- Dinner, Sat.- Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers and Desserts for Dinner, and Sun.- Breakfast). My Mom called yesterday because they’ve left a thousand messages for my birthday. They don’t know about the LB and I was back in the hospital on my birthday (I thought about calling back from there, but on the cardiac floor there were so many beeps, hospital noises, nurses taking blood all day, and that silly 'no cell phones on this floor' rule that I thought better of it...I'm sure my roomie who got a pacemaker appreciated that). Mom was "WHERE have you been? I've called your house phone, your cell phone..." She also wanted to know if she could come early to help me get ready for the par-tay, so I told her about the catering and how easy this party would be). Complete silence, then “You’re doing what?!!” I was expecting this. Remember my mom is a great cook and shows her love for us with food. So this is pretty much food blasphemy in her book! DH's family have all catered, so no big deal. We don’t need to spend the extra bucks right now with another kid off to college They should all just be grateful ‘the bad cook’ isn’t cooking for them. I’m just going to enjoy it (not the food, remember I'm on liquids, the 'having it catered') as I’ll be working my bum off for DS1’s party coming up. Wish me luck that no one notices that I'm not eating. Back to work! Why am I so tired?

Congratulations Sherri! It's so wonderful to get a date! Things are going to really speed up now, so hang on to your hat. "Bun-Dito"...ROTFLOL!!:thumbup:

Woot! Good for you Sandy...it must feel great to get to Onederland!!! Time for a new Avatar pic...and I want to see a smile please! -BG

WOW JA!!! You look great...and (don't take this the wrong way) so much younger!!! Keep inspiring me!!! You really need to spend some more time in front of the mirror!! -BG

WOW! Awesome post!!! ...and right in line with what I've been planning to do...so yea! I still don't get the people on LBT who are eating very low (like 800) cals. a day and wonder why they plateau, or even worse, the ones who years out from the band are still drinking Protein shakes...NO liquid calories after the post-op diet...one of the top Bandster Rules! Thanks again, I learned a lot!

LOL...little kids say the funniest things! I just got to take my bandages off today and showed DS1 (he's 18)...his eyes about bugged out...he started counting the incisions and said 'Those are Disgusting...what did they do, carve you up?!' I think he thought it would be one tiny incision when I said laparoscopic...guess I didn't prepare him too well.

I came home 10.5 pounds heavier than the pre-op weight...one week out today and I've lost 15.5 (so the 10.5 + some)...also averaging about 400-500 cals/day post op. So don't worry...weight will go as the swelling goes down.

Thin- I told the kids I had a hiatal hernia. I was (almost) hoping they'd find one in there (that's how bad I hate lying). My kids are older so they've heard about hernias before and they thought it was 'no big deal'. I'm SO SO SO glad I didn't tell anyone else anything...after re-landing in the hospital my MIL and FIL (nurse and Dr.) would have forced us to cancel the graduation party (I have NO doubt, none, they're like that). They are going wonder why I'm catering for the first time LOL. Wish me luck hiding all the 'tracks' on my hands (I can wear a long sleeve shirt for the arms), they're black and blue with needle marks everywhere (they took a lot of blood and 'missed' a few times). I look like a junkie...I'm thinking foundation and a few band aids. I was allowed to take off my bandages and steri strips today. The tiniest incision (just below my L breast and a little toward the center) is by far the most knarley (sp?) and is really bruised up...it's right ontop of my last rib, so now the rib problem is making more sense. I just don't get why it would take 4 days to have problems? Oh well.

WOOT! I'm SO Happy for you!!! You're on your way now! (doing the 'got-a-date' happy dance here with you!) -BG

LOL...I look forward to chewing on my vitamins and those heavenly calcium/D chews (liquids only now too). Come join us at the April Forum on LBT too! Click HERE.

Got my fingers crossed for you! Good luck! -BG

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

I've got a 3 week liquid diet also, but more restrictive than yours. The thought of a chocolate EAS Protein Shake is starting to sound WONDERFUL to me. I'm only allowed Clear Liquids and skim milk. I'll probably be breaking the rules and drinking some of those shakes before my 3 weeks is up...I'm not getting enough protein to keep the hunger monster at bay.

Officially home! I just loved the hospital that much, so I went back for a little visit LOL. It will just take the ribs a few weeks to heal up. Thanks for everyone's support. ((hugs)) to all! -BG

Hey guys, thanks for the notes!!! DH just got to the hospital (poor guy- it's his 50th birthday, no lie, today). We thought I'd be home by now, but you know how it goes waiting for test results. Doc expects everything to be fine and I'll get released. Went for the stress test very early this morning. I got down there and when they were asking questions one of them was 'any restrictions for the treadmill?'. I'd forgotten until then that my doc's discharge says no treadmill until the post-op visit. So they gave me the medically induced stress test and a slow walk on the treadmill (don't tell my doc)...only took about 5 min., but boy was that med. effect weird...you can feel it start to race, doesn't hurt, just weird. First part of the test (pre meds) was fine, and he expects the other part to be too. The cardio doc said he can't explain the pain either, but that one or several ribs may have moved out of placement in the surgery and they'll just have to heal. I keep asking everyone if it could be a problem with the band/slippage? (we new banders are protective of our new bands LOL), but they keep saying it's not likely. None of the tests show my ribs or my band (CT of the lungs but no simple xray of the chest), so they can't confirm/refute the ribs or the band. I'm doing better when sitting still, and breathing shallow doesn't hurt much at all...pain meds are a wonderful thing. I just feel silly being here! I was hoping they'd just say no clot- go home! I'll be glad to get home...good part is I'm still not hungry yet! Yeah!! Thanks again for the notes; good to know others are thinking of you. I'll update tomorrow to confirm I made it home. Bunnies Rock! -BG

Only have a sec. Read HERE. I'll post tomorrow when I get to go home! What a birthday!

Only have a sec. Read HERE. I'll post tomorrow when I get to go home! What a birthday!

...but hopefully for no reason. I was having shortness of breath, sweating, and a lot of chest pain with breathing (not gas). Started yesterday afternoon and I was hoping it would just go away. It didn't. I called when the surgeon's office opened, then twice more...finally heard from them this afternoon and doc sent me to the ER (I could bear the pain and the shortness of breath, I just wanted to know if it was normal...one of my sister's had 2 mini-strokes). Well, it's not a clot, but the EKG came back with an anomoly, so they're making me stay for a stress test tomorrow. I just got to my room and the heart doc said it's probably nothing (and that I probably pulled something in my chest) and I'll get to go home after results are in tomorrow. Sorry, typing fast..they're making DH leave and he'll take the computer. What a way to spend my 50th birthday! Gotta go!

Like they said, mine is next to my largest incision (larger not just for the port, but the band goes in there as well). There's probably at least an inch between the incision and where the port begins. They don't place your port under the incision as that would make it hader to fill with scar tissue as well as easier to open up. It gets stitched or clamped to you abdominal wall muscles so depending on where it is and how much extra padding you have there, you may/may not be able to feel it. Come join us at the April 09 Bandsters forum here on LBT...we're all in the same place you are! Click HERE

It’s my 5Oth birthday today (DH’s too, sort of). Age isn’t really important to me, but I haven’t been embracing this one; it just sounds…old. Don’t give me that c*@p about it’s not our Mother’s 50 anymore…the only thing that’s changed about 50 is the clothing sizes are much more generous so it's easier on us to go through our mid-life crisis’. I’ve made the conscious decision to embrace all the good things that come with being 50. For one, I’m now officially allowed to dispense advice as an ‘elder with wisdom’ and I plan to. Oh, com'on, suck it up, it’s my birthday. I know it’s a little hard to take after my day of gloating and being Lord of the Ring (that didn’t last long), but I’m feeling a little ‘deep’ today so bear with me! After eight years as a Teacher (art) and before my career in Business Process Improvement, we spent one year in Cincinnati where I was the Activities Director at a large daytime activities based Senior Center. I learned a lot from 'my seniors' that I can share. Maybe it’s the pain meds talking but here’s what I’ve learned in my 50 years. I’m not anywhere near perfect at any of these, but they’re the things I strive for. I should have started working on this before today, but you’re stuck with my rambling mind…my true friends will suffer through this (or at least tell me that they did).: · Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself- Several generations in one part of my family have been consumed by ‘wrongs done to them’, never learned to forgive, and it was detrimental to them. I learned that forgiveness isn’t about the other person (or maybe yourself), or the ‘wrong’, it’s a gift you give yourself in order to move past it and not let it determine your path in life. · Life is about choices, and the results or consequences. My kids know this ‘Momism’ by heart…it works when they can’t make a decision, or when they don’t make the choice, but leave it up to someone else..also when they’ve done great or when they made a poor choice. Don’t leave the choices up to someone else…learn to make good choices, but a consequence isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as you learn from it. I tell my kids that I make mistakes every day. The road of our life is just one choice after another, so hone this skill. It’s the choices we make that show us who we truly are. · Take risks. My seniors didn't regret the things they’d done as much as the things they hadn't. Some of my best memories are from risks I took; learn to recognize an opportunity when it comes and take it. Physical things like; rafting on a class 5 rapids river, spludunking through a treacherous cave system for 11 hours, completing a 40' up high ropes course. Experiences like; my first trip abroad being by myself in Paris for an entire week (DH in other cities), being the architect for our current house…the house is basically a rectangle, I got a small tattoo with some sorority sisters, or even going on a blind date (met DH). · Laugh and cry every day. The crying may be harder for some of you than me. Not a day goes by where I haven’t had a hearty laugh or felt tears running down my face (usually TV). I’m the mom that hugs every kid (and adult) who comes in our house. It’s important to wear your emotions on your sleeve especially around those you love and trust. They need to see your love, not just hear it. · Be the kind of friend/mom/spouse/daughter *or male version* you want to have. Show up. Be present in people’s lives. Go the extra mile for them. Drive 3 states away to your friend's dad's funeral. Don’t just send flowers when your friend is sick, take them yourself or make a meal for their family. Hold your friends hair when they’ve had too much to drink and they’re puking. · Don’t take your health for granted. I was in my 20’s and teaching aerobics classes at night. I thought some of the older ladies were ‘falling apart’…one came up and asked for help because she had incontinence and couldn’t jump…now I'm her. I remember going to the PCP for a CU and not having a thing to talk about; now I take a list. The healthiest seniors I worked with were very active. Most of the disabled seniors could trace their major health problems back to one single fall. Taking dance classes one day, and never driving and using a cane forever after…one moment changed the quality of their life. Appreciate your health and constantly work towards improving it (we’re all doing it now). · Never be too embarrassed that you forget how to play. My Mom will still sing and kick her legs to her high school fight song on request. I’ve be the audience volunteer for the Disney Show and danced with my sister on stage. Play video/board games with your kids. I crank the music when I’m cleaning and dance around singing (badly). You get old when you forget the joy of playing. · Learn something new every day. I can’t go to bed unless I’ve learned something new that day…I recently bought a set of French language CD’s. I didn’t know what a blog was 6 months ago. Keep setting new goals. When you stop learning your brain stops too. · Keep learning who you are. It took DH and I many years of experiences to realize what we’re best at (just in business). Most things we excel at can be traced to one basic skill. Mine is ‘Creative Change’ and DH’s is ‘Finding Things’. He’s been an Oil and Gas Geologist finding where/how deep to drill, to Director of Product and Market Development for a new joint venture that he ‘found’ the different pieces of and brought the right people and products together. Find your passion and indulge it. It's an ongoing process to keep learning who we are in life as well. · Find a way to give back. Use a skill or something you’re interested in and give back to your community. You’re the one who will reap the real benefits. Start with easy ‘random acts of kindness’. The active seniors drove Meals on Wheels to the shut-in seniors daily. Learn how to ask for help too. Remember the person helping you is getting the pleasure of giving. · Find the silver lining. I’m a cup is half-full person…DH calls me the eternal optimist. If you make an effort to find a silver lining there always is one and you’ll go through life a happier person. You may have to look long and hard, and it’s not always easy, but it’s there. And stop sweating the small stuff…learn that there are things you can’t change and let it go. · Surround yourself with others who have similar values. No, you can’t pick your family, but you do choose others whom you let into your life. Surround yourself with those that uplift you and are going the same direction. This might not be popular, but I’ve already told DD that there are a lot of men out there that she can fall in love with. You don’t know who YOU are going to be (let alone your spouse) 5, 10 or 50 years on down the line. Spend your life with someone who’s got the same values and wants the same things out of life, as those are the things that rarely change and bind you to the same path. I married my DH for his sense of humor (and other values); and he still makes me laugh. I enjoy helping people…I’ve learned that this isn’t always the best criteria for picking a friend…I’ve gotten pickier. · Be true to who you are. There’s nothing more important to me than family, but I’ve learned that I need to be the person that I’ve become, not necessarily the role I had growing up. I had an epiphany (or maybe it’s that mid-life crisis thing) heading into the last year or two. These past few years I’ve become more philosophical, more sentimental (my family would say that’s not possible) and more thoughtful. I thought I was becoming self-centered, and selfish. What I’m learning is that I’m just more confident in who I am and what I want. I know my real motivations for things and I’ve learned I can be selfless and still contribute to the world in a way that ultimately gives me pleasure as well. I’ve learned to say ‘no’ (I was always a 'doormat'), not because I’m selfish, but because I’ve learned that I can’t be all things to everyone, no matter how hard I try. I’ve learned that it’s better to say ‘yes’ with conscious purpose. I’ve learned to ‘put myself on the list’. How can others be happy with you if you’re not putting any time into making yourself happy (and healthy). That’s what brought me to the LAP-BAND®. Happy Birthday Me!

So glad to hear you're home!! Pnemonia is no fun!! I'm guessing they controlled your coughing with meds? I know I almost cried when they almost held me a second night...I feel your sorrow! My doc says we can't take anything larger than a Nexium (small capsule). I think you've probably got more swelling than normal right now (stress and illness can both swell the stoma), so you might ask your doc about getting liquids or even suppositories if liquids aren't available. I can feel the Nexium pill going down, but it's only slightly painful (5 days out). I also take some of my pills with hot decaf tea...I have it in my mind that they'll disolve quicker, although I have no idea. I constantly have a liquid by my side and I dose it out usually in 4oz amounts (so it stays cold or hot long enough). I'm sipping all the time and I write down every ounce. It hasn't been difficult after the first day or two to get in at least 64 oz. I have 2.5 more weeks of Clear Liquids, so I think it might be harder to get as much in once I add mushy 'meals' with no drinking before or after (except by that point the swelling will be down and I'll be wide open again so I'll be able to take bigger sips). Feel better soon!!! -BG

Way to go JT! Your first NSV!!! You described Bandster Hell to a 't'. Remember that many gain weight during this period and many more stay the same. If you can lose, even slowly, before the first couple of fills gives you restriction, then your doing better than most as it's all up to you at this point. Remember, we're not RNY patients...it takes several fills before the band really begins to help us at all. Hang in there...we'll all be twiddling our thumbs impatiently together!

At the top of any thread (the bar just above the first post on that page) look for the words 'Thread Tools' and click on it. Then go down the popup until you get to 'Subscribe to this Thread'. Now when you login, go to 'User CP' at the almost top left of the page and if any new post were made to this thread you'll see them there in the subscribed threads section (you can do the same process to unsubscribe). Another tip- You can subscribe to the 'April 09 Bandsters' Forum (contains pages of bunny threads) following the same process at the top HERE. New threads or posts will not show up, but it provides an easy link to our forum in your user cp where you can click to view all the latest things in our own forum.

Most insurance will cover physical therapy. I did it the first time this year and it helped my upper back/neck a lot. The lower back, not as much, but it did help some- I have curvature there though (you can take your xrays to them and they'll go from there). If you're at a 40BMI, then GET a copy of your policy...statistics are that you won't need anything else. All it takes is a simple phone call to insurance (mine showed me how to print it out online). GETTING THE WEIGHT OFF WILL HELP A LOT!