doodleallday

I'm working with these two, primarily. The one on the right is a LOT harder than I thought it would be.

LOL! I know what your mom means. I haven't had a boyfriend in four years, much less a genuine date! (Sure, I've had a bedfellow, but I wouldn't consider that an actual date.) While most people know I am banded, I figure there's no reason I need to tell a guy I am "talking to" unless things were to get serious. When it comes to things like going out to eat, I would just push my food around on my plate and eat what I can, but get a box for later. Thankfully, for decades, women before us have opted for salads on dates and eaten smaller portions than if they're out gorging with their female companions. With that stereotype set forth, we're able to get away without explaining why we are no longer members of the "clean plate" club. However, one thing that has come up- sex. And, for the most part, I tend to be nude during such activities. :frown: Rather than let my partner see the scars but feel uneasy asking what they're from, I straight-up told him they're from surgery. If anything, he was proud of me, particularly once I told him that the band has not been an "easy way out" method like ignorant people think. It was fun explaining all the hard work I put into chiseling away at my underlying goddess.

I. An Update: My friend, Laurie, suggested that I set a goal for myself that didn't involve a particular weight at first. I figured it was time to start moving, especially since I had slacked off entirely and was eating all sorts of crap, just in smaller doses. I intend to track my weight each week, at the same time of day, and see how the exercise affects the scales. My week will run Sunday through Saturday, though I will weigh on Monday mornings. II. Goal Setting: Goal:Exercise a minimum of 3x a week x4 weeks Reward: Full body massage Materials Used: III. Progress: Week of June 29 [255.6] Monday, June 29: The Method Tuesday, June 30: The Method Friday, July 3: The Method Week of July 6 [255.4] Sunday, July 5: The Method Monday, July 6: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Wednesday, July 8: The Method Thursday, July 9: The Method Week of July 13 [251.7] Sunday, July 12: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Wednesday, July 15: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Saturday, July 18: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Week of July 20

I. An Update: My friend, Laurie, suggested that I set a goal for myself that didn't involve a particular weight at first. I figured it was time to start moving, especially since I had slacked off entirely and was eating all sorts of crap, just in smaller doses. I intend to track my weight each week, at the same time of day, and see how the exercise affects the scales. My week will run Sunday through Saturday, though I will weigh on Monday mornings. II. Goal Setting: Goal:Exercise a minimum of 3x a week x4 weeks Reward: Full body massage Materials Used: III. Progress: Week of June 29 [255.6] Monday, June 29: The Method Tuesday, June 30: The Method Friday, July 3: The Method Week of July 6 [255.4] Sunday, July 5: The Method Monday, July 6: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Wednesday, July 8: The Method Thursday, July 9: The Method Week of July 13 [251.7] Sunday, July 12: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Wednesday, July 15: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Saturday, July 18: Dance Off the Inches: Hip-Hop Party Week of July 20

LOL! Worse than the 2-week pre-op liquid diet was the "no food/drink after midnight" the night before surgery. I start my day with Breakfast. I always felt light-headed if I didn't get any calories in within an hour after waking up. My doctor required the 2-week pre-op liquid diet, but I was very liberal with mine. I would eat Wendys frostys on an almost daily basis and when I wasn't eating frostys, I was eating thick Soups. Then when I went in for surgery December 15th, the surgeon came in after I was prepped and ready (complete with IV and heparin shot) only to turn me away due to a rash on my thighs. (Turns out the rash was MRSA.) So I had to be on a pre-op liquid diet for a freakin month before I got banded! Believe me- I feel your pain!

The only scars I've considered getting tattooed are little stars I wanted to cover up scars from the shingles. I'm a little insecure about the ones on my stomach from the band, but they're not hideous. The smaller ones have faded to a point where you can hardly see them and I'm hoping the same for the larger one. That, and I cant imagine getting the larger one tattooed- it would warp if I ever got pregnant.

I wasn't as concerned with who knew. Everyone at work knows, everyone at home knows, most all of my family knows, and the majority of my friends know. In fact, the only people who don't know are my ex and my current crush. I'd just rather my transformation be a surprise to either.

I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror a few minutes ago when I decided to trace where I felt a twinge of bruise-like pain. The location seemed strange, so I laid down on the bed for Mom, a registered nurse who had the surgery back in March of 2008, to give it a feel. I know nothing about anatomy, but I assume the hard place I felt moved when I lay on my back, because as Mom found my port, it was below my largest incision scar. The second she found it (and by found, I mean prodded!) it sent a horrible pain through my abdomen very similar to when someone presses a bruise on your leg. I was banded 12/30/08 and the plastic booger still feels like a giant bruise. I swear it's more tender when it rains or is cold outside. I don't have a problem laying on my stomach, but I have to be a little more cautious when I shift into certain position. Am I alone in this, or do any of you still have tenderness to your port site?

Good luck! I hope you get approved!

Poor bb! I'm sorry you're hurting, but you definitely just answered your own question! I understand how it can be impossible to avoid picking up a child mid-tantrum, but you shouldn't be lifting anything over 10 lbs until after 6 weeks post-op. I found this out the hard way, myself. I went back to work within 2 weeks after surgery and lifted a series of "totes" filled with prescriptions to get them ready to be delivered in vans to local long-term care facilities. Big mistake. The next morning I hurt so bad I felt like I'd been hit by a bus and I literally could NOT go to class. Luckily, it was only the second day of classes or something, so I wasn't missed and they hadn't started to count attendance.

Whoa! They're giving you a whopping 4ccs at once?! I would NOT go back to eating solids right away! The PA tells us to wait 24 hours and stick with a full liquid diet between then. With that many ccs at once, I'd wait 48 hours only because your stomach muscle will be sore from getting squeezed tighter. But then, this is coming from the idiot who, after her second fill, gave up the 24 hour rec and ate the croutons in her Soup at Panera! LOL! Doh! It didnt hurt, though.

I will admit I am in serious desperation for motivation to get the ball rolling. I know exercise is what is holding me back from a higher weight-loss. I know what needs to be done. I just find myself sitting here, day after day, researching assignments and working on my undergraduate thesis (graduation in May, finally!) and I cant seem to make myself carve out time for exercise. I know it will feel good after the initial session(s), but I need help getting there. I realize I may get flammed for begging for a motivational, kind-hearted buttkicking, but what have I got to lose at this point, except more weight! I am heading to check out a local Lifestyle Family Fitness center with my sister tomorrow or Friday, so hopefully I will get motivated just setting foot in a gym after four years of absence. Until then, I ask you for: + Links to success stories + Links to your own blog + Links to motivational articles + Links to excellent "before/after" photos (preferably easy to navigate, unlike the hours I spend crawling through the sticky on LBT) + Words of Wisdom + What got you started? + etc. etc. etc.

I saw your rule about missing a day, but what if we just now stumbled across this challenge and it's 1:39am? Oy...

I know we're supposed to stick to full liquids for 24 hours after a fill, but holy cow I'm SO hungry! I ate a whole can of tomato basil Soup, and my stomach wont shut up! I know the responsible thing to do would be to make a Protein shake, but I'm wondering- Have any of you ever eaten solids (or even mushies) before the 24 hour restriction was up? What happened? Thanks!

Yeah, ever since my first fill, my port site has been really tender. My mother had hers done March 11, 2008 and hers still gets tender now and again, without exercise to spark soreness. I dont think biologically a tender port site signifies a slip of your band, though it's possible it could be a slip of the port itself. (I dont know how likely that is, considering it's sewn to your abdominal muscle wall, or so I thought.)

Also "ditto"ing the first response to your post. Make certain you remember that the band is a tool- not the solution. Rather, you have to work your butt off, same with any other diet (lifestyle change). I made the mistake of relying only on my band instead of making healthy food choices/exercise, and have only lost 30 lbs since December 2008. Granted, my portions are smaller, but I know I'll lose a LOT more once I quit being lazy and take this "lifestyle change" and own it.

It can take up to 4 weeks to feel restriction from the fill. Or, that's what Wendell Edwards said in the sticky at the top of this Thread Branch. (http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5059.html) And I quote, "A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill."

I was once told during a Weight Watchers meeting that eating the same foods can cause you to plateau. Try mixing it up. I read where you said you'd tried new recipes, but even if the foods are the same, you need to add spice to your life and shake your diet up a little. Try eliminating a food group temporarily. Get rid of bread for a week, or meat. That should "shock" your body enough into losing weight. Then when you add it back, it should keep right on losing, so long as your portions are correct. I dont know if that's medically sound advice, but it's worked for me in the past.

I had a meatless Egg McMuffin prior to my first fill and they made me reschedule. That was 2 weeks ago. I've been filled since then. I had a small glass of milk before the fill, but had a half-hour drive + 1.5 hr wait and it balanced out nicely.

*dances with her first-fill buddies* How are ya'll feeling now? I still wont sleep on that side of my torso. I'm one of the weirdos who sleeps on my stomach, with one knee pulled up toward me. Kinda like a lower-case h. I hate not being able to sleep on both sides. I feel some restriction, but not that much. I'm a little frustrated, though, because my portions have been cut almost in half. The only thing is, I eat half as much and am hungry sooner. Now I'm hungry nearly every 2 hours instead of every 3-4. Guhhh.

I'm sitting in the waiting room @ the doctor, anxiously awaiting my first fill. I'm a little nervous about the lidocaine pinch, but I'd rather deal with the temporarily than halt weight loss permanently! I've been sitting here 45 mins and still haven't been called back yet. Thank goodness for LBT or I'd be bored out of my mind! Just wish my surgeon wouldn't schedule all LB patients on one day a week. That may've worked when he first started banding, but this is my 3rd reschedule due to a long wait conflicting with my university schedule. He only works LB Wednesdays and I have a quiz in Calculus every Wednesday! Guhhhh!

... what would you include? I bought an 8x8 album from Walmart and one of the 20-pg 8x8 "Quick Page Pack"s. Now to figure out what all I want to include. So far, I have: + Before picture + Fact Sheet (date, weight, measurements, sizes) + Surgery Day (date, pics, thoughts/feelings, id bracelet) + Photos from the Metamorphosis (to be included) + After picture (to be included) What other things can you think of to include? Maybe a list of foods that dont agree with your stomach, NSVs, goals, etc.? Thanks, guys! :tongue2: