Kareen022

Hey Ya'll!!!!!!! I was just wondering if there are any single guys in the Dallas area (I am in the Denton Area) between the ages of 18-23! I would love to hangout with a guy who is going through the same stuff I am and that is my age! :thumbup: Any girls live around here too let me know!

Hey Y'all! I am Kareen (Car + een). 20 years old Denton, Texas :thumbup: And Single!!! (age 18-23 please)

Hey Angie! Well, pain is a funny thing. Some people don't have that much pain and others, like me, have a lot. So you really don't know how your body is going to react. I do have a couple of suggestions though. First off, if you have a good friend or family memeber that could help you with your 2 year old for a few days, it would be a big help. You never know if you are going to be in pain, so I think its better to just kind of prepare ahead of time. Also, when you get your band the most painful thing for most people is the gas! The best way to fix this is to walk! I mean really walk. It doesn't have to be outside up hill--I mean indoor in the kitchen for 10 min, or sometimes I even did 30+ min, to try to help move the gas. Gas-X sometimes can help, but this gas is upper cavity so not always. The chewable gax-x is always worth investing in though. Also, heating pads. If you put them on your shoulder it helped a lot with the pain. Another thing is food. It's important to eat food, even though you won't feel like it, because it helps move the gas out. Also do not mix your Protein shakes. I found that they gave me gas, because the blender caused air bubbles. Instead i used Atkins pre-made shakes (Strawberry is bland, Dutch Choclate is better than Milk chocolate). So there are a few tips. I hope it helps. You will do great!!!! :thumbup: Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hey Alcine! I am so glad to hear that you have decided to get Lap-Band. It is a long road that you face in front of you, and its not always easy, but so worth ever second of it. I have been banded for two weeks since December 18th and have lost a grand total of 29 lbs. I love it. Its a lot of hard work, but like you, I was ready for a life change and to be healthy. :tongue2: I know you will do great though. You seem very excited about this new journey. I am happy for you. If you have any questions let me know. And post on here again when you get your surgery date set up!!! Oh and I am from Denton, Texas. So I am right around the corner from you. Way to Go Girl!!!

THANKS ya'll for the support. I totally have willpower, but it was hard as heck. Would you believe I baked 4 dozen cookies by myself 7 days after surgery for Christmas? God that was fun. And not a single bit. hahaha- I am glad to hear some of y'all are smelling random things too though. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK Y'all!!! :tongue2:

I want to do this challenge too! I am going to shoot for 3 pounds a week, so that would be at least 21 lbs putting me a beautiful new weight of--221 lbs! That would be amazing. So here goes, this challenge will be amazing!

DALLAS, TEXAS!!! :biggrin:

Hey! I was banded 2 weeks ago and I was in the same boat you were. Most people I have talked to don't hurt like that, but I understand. As far as the trapped gas--it took me 3 days to start to get ride of it. Just keep walking and doing your breathing exercises (if they gave you any). Its really frustration you can also take chewable gas-x. That helped a little. I coulnd't sit, stand, or bend without help. My mom had to help me with everything. It took me about 6 days to start being able to do stuff on my own again. You will get there, though! :biggrin: I hope you feel better soon!!! If there is anything you need let me know! Congrats on your new life!

Okay guys this is a funny story that happened to me a little while back--has this ever happened to anyone else? ________________________________________ Yes, today was hard. I was doing good and more determined than ever to beat this fat monster smothering the tiny woman inside of me. As my first attempt to not think of food—I simply went out with a friends. We were at the Verizon store looking at phones when it hit me. The yearning craving for cookies—warm, gooey, out of the oven, homemade chocolate chip Cookies. I swear, I smelled them too right there in that store. My friend laughed and said detox from food you must be hard, there are no cookies. My mother said it must have been a phantom smell. All I wanted today was a cookie and glass of icy milk. But no, I hate my lettuce. On top of these cravings for cookies, this week is “dead week”, or the week before finals in college. I was stressed beyond believe and all I wanted to do was to gnaw on some delicious piece of deep fried heart attack food. And so I went to the main lobby of my dorm seeking a distraction, and there it was! A care package from home, that my poor mother had forgotten she sent at the begining of school. I had never received a care package and skipped ,with this cute decorate large-no gigantic- tub, up to my room to see what was in. I sat down on the bed in a comfy position and carefully opened to lid. Oh my God--Cookies, candy, hot chocolate, all the junk food in the world right there making my mouth water! In fact I swear I heard those Oreo Cakesters yell, “Eaaat me! I will help the stress.” Naturally I wanted to eat those Oreos without the imaginary voice coming from it. But the healthy woman inside of me who is already lost in my body of fat did not thing that was a good idea. I literally through that bucket across the room and naturally like a girl cried for about a good hour. Those cookies look good, but I know being a size 8 will look even better. _______________________________________ So--does anyone else ever randomly smell food that isn't there? :Yawn:

Well Howdy Ms. Diane, My name is Kareen (car+een). I myself am only 20 and live in Texas! But I would love to help encourage you in any way that I can. I know how hard it is to stay on track, but you can do this! Congratulations on your new grandaugter by the way. I bet she is going to be just gorgeous. I want you to live a long time to see her grow up. :thumbup: As far as your doctor, he obviously doesn't know patcients. I know he was frustrated, but when you yell at people for gaining they'll do just what you did. But don't be discouraged! You can do this. You first step you already too by coming on here looking for support. I am ready to give it to you! My second peice of advice is to call around and try to find a new doctor and explain the whole situation to him. Now, the other part of this though is realizing that when you do gain--you might get yelled at. Now this Dr. may have been off his rocker, I wasn't there, however I do know that he was probably just trying to keep you on track. But lets do this for you and for your health!!! I would love to send you e-mails or just talk to you on here. Anything that is easier. Good luck and I can't wait to hear from you!!! :Yawn:

Hey Girl!!! Congrats on getting the band! :wink2: I hope it all goes well. I just got banded December 18th myself. My pre-op diet was 2 weeks before my surgery. I had to drink 2-3 Protein shakes a day and cut out all soda, carbs, and sugar. They wanted me to eat lean meats and as much green veggies as I wanted. But remember, ever doctor is different--so just because I ate this doesn't mean that you should. Here is what I can eat now though! ON stage I (2 weeks after surgery): Protein Shakes (2-3 times daily) *I highly reccomend the Adkins Dutch chocolate or Strawberry* Snacks (2-3 times daily) Some examples are: -Baby food (I like banana) -sugar free, Fat Free pudding (I like Jello brand) -Sugar Free Jello -broth (I just drained the chicken Noodle Soup) -Sugar Free popsicles -Applesauce (be cautious--wait until you're gas is gone because it can cause it) -Light Yougurt (I like the weight watchers brand, because it cannot have chuncks of fruit in it). I hope that helps!! But just remember every doctor is different, so follow your Dr. Instructions! I hope it goes well!!!!

Hey bud, yeah 4-6 oz always fills me up!

Hey startsgirl...I am on the liquid phase, about to be on the mushies!!! Are u curious what kind of food I am eating?

You'll do great!!!!!!!!!!

Howdy! I got banded December 18th and I live in the DFW area too! Texas is the best state afterall. haha How is life going for you?

Howdy girly! I am a full time college student, no husband, no kids! I life in Texas...but anytime you want to talk just let me know! Ohhh and I just got banded 10 days ago too! You'll love the results when you step on the scale. --Kareen, TX

Howdy! Well I am up here in Dallas. I just had my surgery on December 18th. I was soo nervous too. I had had many operations before in the past too, but it was usually taking something out not putting something in. So I was very nervous myself. A couple of thigns really helped me the day before! I tried to stay busy and talk about how I felt with the people I was close to. Cheesy! But it works. And I have to say--The number one thing that helped me was to go shopping and look at the hott stuff I would be able to fit into when I would lose my weight. It's really not that bad. I was in pain, but it has been total worth it. I know you'll do great! Tomorrow when your nervous--take a stuffed animal like I did hahaha! (What my Grandmother gave it to me, because she couldn't come). Keep me updated!!! -Kareen, Texas (the best state ever)

Well Howdy Sue! I am finding that being banded so far is painful. I am still really tender, still having gas, and just not doing well it. However, I love the weight loss and I am slowly getting better. I am very excited to see my results!!! I get my first fill on January 14,th. Which stinks for me, because I won't get to eat real food until January 20th and seeing as I am still on the liquid that means from December 18 until January 20th I am on mushy liquid food haha. Oh well! How about you? How has your band been for you?

Oh wow, good luck with that. My insurance was a mess trying to get them to cover it. Just keep calling and bugging them. That's what I did...it seemed to help push things along. It seems like you deal with so many different people and places that you aren't always sure who to talk to. You'll get there, just try your hardest to be a little more patcient. And like I said just keep bugging the heck outta them. Good Luck!!! --Kareen, Texas

Howdy Matthew! Here is what Lap-Band does. It's a tiny band that is placed around your stomach in order to create what they call a "pouch". You can only eat 4-6 oz of food at a time or else it will make you sick. There are also food restrictions. However, doest prevent you from getting hungry most of the time too. When the band is placed on your stomach they also put a port in your side. About once a month you go in for what they call a "fil"l. This is a simple shot of saline that is injected into the band around your pouch to make it tighter again. As you loose weight the band slips or loosens, making your pouch bigger and allowing more food intake, which is why you have to get a fill. When you have reached your goal weight, as long as you maintain within 5 lbs, they let your band become bigger so you can eat "normally" again. You still have eat healthy and learn your portion control. However, this band is only a tool to help you achieve your success. You, yourself have to realize that this band is not an easy way out. It is a life style change in your eating habbitts. I am 20 years old and just had lap band 1 week and 4 days ago. It's a tough process, but very worth it!!!!! -Kareen, Texas

Well mommy's alway know best don't u think!!!

Why thank you! :party: I am excited to be here.

Howdy! I am 20 years old and I just got banded two weeks ago and I have also been getting a little bit hungry. The reason for this is she is not eating her Protein shakes!!!! She should be eating 2-3 a day. If she is eating all three, then there is no way she is really hungry. She is probably having an emotional withdrawl from food. You can also contact her doctor to inform them of the problem too and they can tighten her band. However, I noticed you said you had made her runny mashed potatoes. I know you're trying to help--but don't do that. lol It can really hurt her. The reason the doctors want you on liquids for a week to two is so that everything inside of you can heal. It is imperative that you do not feed her the mushy foods yet. Here are some delicous foods that she can have on this liquid phase. She can have 3 of the following per day in addition to her protein drinks: -Fat Free pudding (Like the Jello premade cups) -Sugar Free Jello (Its so good) -Sugar Free popcicles -Apple sauce -Light yogurt (I recommend Weight Watchers, it cannot have fruit peices in it) -Baby food (I like banana) -And broth Also if she is having a hard time drinking her protien like I was I have a delicous receipe called Christmas in a Cup! It counts a meal replacment. Here are the instructions: (Only Consume after 1 Week after Surger) CHRISTMAS IN A CUP 2 Cus nonfat dry milk 1/2 cup palin coffee creamer (If you can't find powder you can use 1 tsp per drink) 1/2 cup Splenda 1/3 cup General Foods International Vanilla Creme sugar free drink mix 3 Tbsp Sugar free white chocolate instant pudding mix 1 1/2 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp ground cinnamon Sift all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To make an indvidual serving: Add about 3 tbs to 8 oz of steamy skim or 1% milk. You warm up 5 oz of milk in a pan, and then add the mix and enjoy! I hope that helps and tell your daughter to hang in there, because she'll be even more gorgeous and healthier when she's done!!! Good luck! --Kareen, TX