derbygirl

FALSE ALARM, EVERYONE!!! I guess I boasted a little too early about the 2 pounds I lost last week because they both found me again.

I haven't lost anything significant since June. I think it's because I haven't been going to the gym as much as I should. I just hate it. I've tried to become one of those "love to workout" people but it's just not me.

Speaking of those people...JC, thank you for the InDesign tips. That's an excellent idea they had. I just need to find someplace safe to store my prefs in case my hard drive goes out, which I'm expecting any day now with the way my week has gone. And, yes, I was kidding about the network guys--they're actually pretty great to me. I think it's pitty mostly. Usually when I enter their area I'm hyperventilating and on the verge of tears.

While we're on the subject of slips and such...I remember some girls on the other threads saying they had to sign a document promising never to throw up again. Did anyone here have to do that? For whatever reason I was thinking about it the other day and wondering why in the world a surgeon would have a patient sign that. Was it to avoid a lawsuit if slippage occured? It can't possibly be legally binding because it's an involuntary reflex.

It also made me wonder...Does anyone else carry prescribed anti-nausea medication with them? My surgeon gave it to me at my pre-op meeting. It comes in a little syringe-looking thing (without a needle) and you rub it on your wrists. It really works, too, but I haven't had any viruses or serious illnesses since I was banded--just the occasional "uh-oh" feeling when I was eating. I've never PB'ed.

Oh, Manatee, you look great, too!

Hey, everyone! Been a long weekend. I finally managed to make it into the office after 4 cups of coffee, only to find that InDesign (the program I work in) has been upgraded. All of my customized defaults and presets are gone. I think maybe the network guys in the back have it in for me. Today is definitely going to be a Monday.

Kristi, you look great! Congratulations. I don't think I'm ready to post my photo yet. I feel about 80% better than I used to, but I still have a ways to go.

On the upside--I'm down a couple of pounds from last week. Yay!

Chrispy and JC, you guys look amazing!!!

Manatee, you should go for it.

That's very sad about your son, JC. But I'm sure he's well adjusted since you care so deeply for him.

As far as the biking trip--I don't think I'm at a level where I could keep up with you. (I'm not sure anyone is...hehe.) And, heck, I don't even own a bike. But hopefully someday I'll be in a position to take you up on that offer though. I was just curious how you picked biking as your main activity and thought maybe you had a friend who was an avid biker or something.

Hi Yvonne, welcome to the group. I think dating is something you should put on the back burner for at least a few months. You aren't going to be 100% in a relationship while you're going through a divorce. Just a while to get to know yourself again. Find a new hobbie...change your hair...and quit worrying. I'm sure your self-doubt is unfounded.

JC, who goes on these journies with you? Are these friends you've always had or new friends? Did they get you into biking or did you already have an interest?

Denise, it sounds like you're doing well at your dad's but I hate that you feel like you have to hide the band issue. It must be difficult for you, emotionally.

I don't know if they will stick with me through this or not.

All signs point to "no." It's amazing how someone you care about so much can become your biggest roadblock. If they do remain friends with you, watch out for sabotage. I hate to be so negative, but I feel like people should know this surgery is going to affect their relationships with other women so they can mentally prepare.

:ranger:

JC, you are buying all sorts of new toys lately. I'm jealous!! :girl_hug:

Lawanda, that's very sad. She really needs counseling.

My mother isn't supportive 24/7 either, so I know where you're coming from.

You have to be ready to go this journey alone. Forget everyone else--this is not about them.

I think it just depends on how comfortable that person is with you. There are some people fairly close to me who have never said a word....and since I've lost over 100 pounds, it's very obvious.

I am feeling good and upbeat right now, it is amazing how just getting that stuff off your chest helps.

I'm glad to hear it, JC.

Chrispy, how come we haven't heard about any hot dates this weekend??

JC, what do you do for a living? Sorry you're feeling so overwhelmed at the moment, but this too shall pass. Oh, I got the impression that the surgeon you talked to this week is not the same surgeon who did your lap band. Why aren't you returning to the original surgeon? Did you go to Mexico?

Smilin'apple, Chrispy and JD are right about the barrium swallow. And, yes, it IS gross. But it's not horrible. I actually think most Protein Drinks taste as bad--at least this New Whey Grape Protein I recently bought. Good lord that stuff is bad. My surgeon doesn't like to do fills without fluro/swallow. It takes away a lot of the guesswork--otherwise they don't know EXACTLY where your port is and you might have to be stuck with the needle a couple of times before they find it. So if you haven't picked a surgeon yet, you might ask.

I just had a fill this morning. He commented that I REALLY needed a fill when he was looking at the flouroscope and I was drinking the barrium. They can tell just by looking??? I guess. I really think he measured incorrectly last month because I have starved for the last 5 weeks.

I wish I'd had the option of jumping through hoops.

I didn't have an EKG. It concerns me that everyone else apparently did.

That's cool, Leona!!

By the way, I wish I had the money to support a shopping addiction. That sounds fun.

Leona, that sounds really cool. What do you play? Are you worried about being a bandster in that environment?

PigsRFlying, nothing much going on here. I'm trying to decide what to do with the weekend. I have a band adjustment tomorrow because I swear it feels like they took some out when I was adjusted last month. So it's all liquids all weekend for me. I never want to be out amongst the living when I'm on all liquids. It's hard because, you know, you're constantly bombarded by food when you're with other people. My friends and family know I'm banded, but I told them from the beginning that they aren't supposed to act (eat) any differently just because I had this surgery. (This is because my mother wanted to cancel Thanksgiving dinner last year.) Most of the time, eating with non-bandsters doesn't bother me, but sometimes I can't help but feel stressed and a little deprived...especially on liquids!

Denise, if you weren't careful, would you gain a lot of weight? When I'm not paying attention and eating all the wrong things, I don't typically gain over 5 pounds...even if I eat junk for a month (and, yes, I have done that). I'm just wondering if maybe you haven't found your "sweet spot" and need more fill.

JC, I'm anxious to hear what you found out and, honestly, a little worried since you haven't posted yet. Hopefully you're just busy.

Denise, I asked about your progress...and it sounds like you're doin' great.

JC, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I might worry about others (including myself) in your position. Some of us have used the band more like a crutch than a tool. But I think since you're such an avid biker, there's absolutely no way (even if you lost the band) that you COULD return to your former self. I just don't see it--you've done a true 180. There are a handful of people here on the boards I look up to for their accomplishments, and you are one of them. You can reach your goal with or without the band at this point.

Yes, I'm interested in knowing what kind of Vitamin you're taking, too, Vintage. What did you take before getting preg. and what after?

5'6" here.

Chrispy, I didn't know you started this thread. Way to go!

PigsRFlying, get lots of rest. Sounds like everything is going normal if the gas is your only complaint. That was my biggest complaint as well.

JC, I didn't know you HAD a son. What's the Eagle Scout project? Hey, sometimes I go to Chuck E. cheese just for the live show. I like to hold up my glow-stick yell FREEEBIRD!!! Just kidding.

Welcome Donnaj! And I think I forgot to welcome you, too, Leona. I'm having trouble keeping up here lately.

Denise, how have you done with the band? You don't have a ticker or anything, so I'm curious.

Chrispy, it sounds like you're having a blast. I'm happy for you. I'm envious too!

JC, I'm assuming you haven't been able to work out like you were? You think it's just pent-up energy keeping you awake?

Try doing something very mentally exhausting. For me that would be, like, teaching my parents anything computer-related. Do you have young kids in the family near you? Treat them to a day out with Uncle JC. Go to Chuckie cheese and the park and maybe the zoo. You will sleep for a day and a half afterward. The next day you'll wake up cheery and rested...and you'll probably start researching a vasetomy.

Hehe.

Bionic, also remember that probably half of that is Water weight and will be gone within days.

I think there are a few reasons why he's acting this way:

1. He is scared you'll leave him when you're thinner.

2. He wants to lose weight too but is scared to have surgery.

3. He likes you the way you are and doesn't want you to change.

I don't have any advice for you because I think before you can address the problem, you have to find out exactly what he's thinking. You may need professional help with him, but it sounds like he wouldn't go if you asked him to go.

What about a friend who is close to both of you? Maybe they can get him to open up and fill you in on what he's thinking.

I am starting to do this same thing. My problem, I believe, is that I want to sample everything.

For instance, I had Mexican food last night with my parents. They wanted queso to start with. Since I was hungry, I had maybe three chips with a little queso. I drank some Water after this because I had already ordered my main course. Then came my fajitas. I ate one and I was "full". But I REALLY WANTED some sopapillas afterward!! I didn't get them, but I soooo wanted to taste them.

I want to sample it all, but you can't just order a tiny bit and once it's in front of you, it's hard to stop because even though you're satisfied, you're not stuffed like you used to feel when you pigged out pre-band.

When I'm at home, cooking for myself, I don't have this problem, but I do still crave sweets in-between meals a lot. While I don't keep sweets in the house, I find myself stopping for treats a lot more than I should--like daily.

I'm worried I'm not going to be able to fight this urge my entire life or even long enough to get remotely close to my close. My band is almost full...9 ccs out of 10...and I have a long way to go. I have tried talking to a psych. and she was useless. She basically told me to "just stop." I couldn't believe I paid her $100 an hour for that advice.

I really need ideas for something sweet that won't sabotage me.