LittleBird

I've been having headaches every day for a week now! I can't tell what its from - I do get migranes, but not daily - maybe 1-2 times a month. Ever since Atkins this last week I have a headaches all day. Anyone else? I was told no tylenol or ibuprophen before surgery so I hope it stops!

Everyone I've talked to says "Walk, Walk, Walk" and "walk some more" to get that pain to subside....

I totally hear you on this - I'm thinking if I can do low carb and lose--- ahhh, but then I've said that HOW many times over the last several years?

Apparently you have the same problem as in my area - I found out about a support group - and posted it (I live in Arlington) but I got no replies online....I'm with you in spirit! I think getting together is a great way to stay connecting, have fun, meet new people and support each other in our common journey.

We'll I must be the only one on here who lives in Arlington....I was suprised to get no replies! I went that night and it was great. I needed to meet people in person and talk over my questions. I thought it was funny we met in a restaurant - but I had Soup and salad while everyone else had tea! I'm looking forward to participating more in the support group and would love to see more people attend - perhaps getting to meet more than one time a month for an activity or something.....

I tried to get my DH to let me go buy an AirConditioner during the heat - he said it was only a few days and wouldn't agree. :huggie: I spent time in the kids' pool the EZ Set and stayed in my car as much as I could! sleeping when its hot like that is a real bear!

Wow - I didn't get that information about the balloons...I wonder if cardio workouts count toward increasing the 'lunch" capaicity? (funny slip!)

My surgery is August 16th. My journal tells all about how I've been feeling....I'm glad to be a part of the August Bandsters! I can't wait till the day comes.

I'm a smoker - I read that I can't smoke 2 weeks before surgery...why do you ask? If I go that far, I'm just going to quit all together.

I'm just doing the low carb Atkins diet for my preop diet to lose weight. (I'm down 5lbs) but I wonder if I should be going low fat as well based on this conversation.....I was told one week before to just do protien shakes and green lettuce....Are you guys talking about something altogether different?

I have 21 days to surgery and I'm scared. Fear is the body's way to keep change at bay - we get comfortable in every sense of the word and change is a threat. I know this. I'm not going to give in to fear. Some one said having LapBand is like "freedom" and thats what I'm going to believe. Having already lost some weight - I think "I can just do this on my own" but then I remember how many times I've been down that road and it all comes back. I went to AA last night - haven't been in a while. Someone suggested I should tell my sponsor my plans, so I went with that in mind. I was pushed away - for real, not just my perception. I was told "don't let life get in the way of AA". Wow. That was the last place I expected to be judged for not meeting someone elses expectations. It's ok. I'll get my support elsewhere. On another note - they had cake - very moist yummy cake - I thought "I can't eat that!!", but then I had a celebration of sorts. I decided this may very well be the last cake I ever eat. I took the smallest piece and savored every bite - cream cheese frosting and rasperries with chocolate....I told myself to feel no guilt and just enjoy the flavor knowing it was the last for a very long time. So I did. I feel strong in my decision (in spite of fear) and every time I think about it - it comes in flashes of excitement and anticipation throughout the day - I get that little jolt of adreneline...you know the one??

I have 21 days to surgery and I'm scared. Fear is the body's way to keep change at bay - we get comfortable in every sense of the word and change is a threat. I know this. I'm not going to give in to fear. Some one said having LapBand is like "freedom" and thats what I'm going to believe. Having already lost some weight - I think "I can just do this on my own" but then I remember how many times I've been down that road and it all comes back. I went to AA last night - haven't been in a while. Someone suggested I should tell my sponsor my plans, so I went with that in mind. I was pushed away - for real, not just my perception. I was told "don't let life get in the way of AA". Wow. That was the last place I expected to be judged for not meeting someone elses expectations. It's ok. I'll get my support elsewhere. On another note - they had cake - very moist yummy cake - I thought "I can't eat that!!", but then I had a celebration of sorts. I decided this may very well be the last cake I ever eat. I took the smallest piece and savored every bite - cream cheese frosting and rasperries with chocolate....I told myself to feel no guilt and just enjoy the flavor knowing it was the last for a very long time. So I did. I feel strong in my decision (in spite of fear) and every time I think about it - it comes in flashes of excitement and anticipation throughout the day - I get that little jolt of adreneline...you know the one??

I feel "overlooked" because of my size but its not where I WANT to be. I want to be noticed for the me thats inside - the same me that will be here when I lose the weight - The men are in for a surprise! I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.

I work with a lot of men overall - but only about 12 in the sales department. Most of them are very nice - but they are just "guys" (sorry). I've been in auto sales for just over 3 years. I do love it too....

I agree with you - it goes both ways. doesn't even have to be the opposite sex, woman treat women poorly or pre-judge all the time.

Me too! My dad used to drink milk out of the jug, look at me and say "don't ever do this..." Now I say the same to my kids! My favorite thing is seeing green fields being watered by irrigation sprinklers. Reminds me of home!

Yes - My husband loves me - regardless of my size and for that I'm very grateful. It just frustrates me that some people literally 'overlook' people who are heavy. I think the words in this latest creation really say EXACTLY what I feel.... Since I've decided on the lap band -- I've noticed I have different feelings toward all builds right now - I appreciate the women with thin, beautiful, healthy bods and I feel connected with women who have a larger build too - like me! I guess its like when you think you might be pregnant, you start seeing pregnant woman everywhere....:confused:

I work with a bunch of men - as the only woman salesperson in an auto dealership, I see it all. The other day I wrote this while thinking about some of the comments and reactions we get when a "thin" girl comes in. Overlooked Inside I look the same I feel the same I smile the same As the other women the women the men notice the women men talk about. Its funny how women of slighter build get more attention than women of substance. Is the only picture men see the one painted by flesh? How sad how lonely it must be to always overlook the beauty of character. ~~Cindy W. 06-17-2006

I was reading this yesterday: http://www.azcentral.com/health/diet/articles/0718wsj-addiction-transfer18-ON.html They are talking primarly about "gastric bypass" which effects the digestion of the alcohol, but I think they bring a point that is worth looking at. As a recovering alcoholic myself, I relize I need to find my "healthy addiction" before I have my surgery. Tony Robbins says if something meets 3 of 6 human needs, it will become an addiction: certainty, uncertainty, significance, connection/love, growth (not physical), and contribution. For me - I'm thinking besides finding a new "excersise" addiction, it might be helpful to do so in a group/support way to create the accountability and "contribution" and "connection" factor - helping others while helping myself too. I do feel that I've isolated myself - since I quit drinking especially and don't want to make that mistake with the band.

I'm with you! This is what I do too! I used to work in an adult care facility and actually got good at folding sheets, including fitted, but why do it if you don't have to!

On the advice of an RN in the support group I recently attended, I contacted my PCP last week. Her nurse took the call. Since many of the employees have had the proceedure done and many of their patients, she was thrilled for me and very supportive. The call to my Dr. was to see if there were any tests she thought I needed before heading off to Mexico - making sure I'm healthy and ready for this surgery. I really think its about education. If your PCP is "against" you having surgery it probably is because she doesn't understand. Don't let that alone sway your decision. Look at all the aspects and do what is right for you.

I've been faithfully doing the low carb diet - the one I love - for a week or two anyway - until anything green makes me want to run and hide! The good news is I've lost 5 lbs in the few days I've been doing it. Considering that is the first time the scale has moved THAT direction in about 6 months, thats a real high for me. Taking in less carbs I feel my energy slowing coming back...Enought that I dusted off my treadmill and took a "walk" last night. Did just over a mile - slowly so as not to overdo it - overall with warm up and warm down I walked about 27 minutes. Now the trick is to keep that up -every day! My dad is having a breakdown about the surgery. He is sending me some article from USA today. I looked it up online. It's an article primarly about Gastric Bypass surgery that is based on old data and stats. I don't need his approval, but his attitude is frustrating. If I had cancer would he tell me not to do chemo?? I don't think he realizes LapBand and Gastric Bypass are totally different things.

I've been faithfully doing the low carb diet - the one I love - for a week or two anyway - until anything green makes me want to run and hide! The good news is I've lost 5 lbs in the few days I've been doing it. Considering that is the first time the scale has moved THAT direction in about 6 months, thats a real high for me. Taking in less carbs I feel my energy slowing coming back...Enought that I dusted off my treadmill and took a "walk" last night. Did just over a mile - slowly so as not to overdo it - overall with warm up and warm down I walked about 27 minutes. Now the trick is to keep that up -every day! My dad is having a breakdown about the surgery. He is sending me some article from USA today. I looked it up online. It's an article primarly about Gastric Bypass surgery that is based on old data and stats. I don't need his approval, but his attitude is frustrating. If I had cancer would he tell me not to do chemo?? I don't think he realizes LapBand and Gastric Bypass are totally different things.

Hubby and I went to Wal-Mart today to buy some stuff for the pool (it turned green overnight) and Atkins shakes - Wal-Mart is the cheapest place I know to buy them! While there, my husband, who is diabetic, said "I have to get something to eat". There is a 24 hour McDonalds inside Wal-Mart - go figure. Sitting in McDonalds - (the side salad tastes like plastic by the way) I looked around. There was a woman there in a mobile shopping cart - very obese. My heart went out to her. I realized how lucky I am to be able to give myself this gift. An opportunity for a new, healthier me. I realize not everyone is able to or even knows that there are options for themselves. I weighed this morning - I know, I know...but I'm eager to see SOME results - and it looked like I was down 3 lbs. I'll weigh again tommorrow to be sure. My husband realized today that when I'm banded I won't be able to drink carbonated beverages - he was upset about that. I'm not sure why. I told him he could drink whatever he wanted, but he said he would feel guilty about it. I reminded him that soda wasn't healthy anyway....

Hubby and I went to Wal-Mart today to buy some stuff for the pool (it turned green overnight) and Atkins shakes - Wal-Mart is the cheapest place I know to buy them! While there, my husband, who is diabetic, said "I have to get something to eat". There is a 24 hour McDonalds inside Wal-Mart - go figure. Sitting in McDonalds - (the side salad tastes like plastic by the way) I looked around. There was a woman there in a mobile shopping cart - very obese. My heart went out to her. I realized how lucky I am to be able to give myself this gift. An opportunity for a new, healthier me. I realize not everyone is able to or even knows that there are options for themselves. I weighed this morning - I know, I know...but I'm eager to see SOME results - and it looked like I was down 3 lbs. I'll weigh again tommorrow to be sure. My husband realized today that when I'm banded I won't be able to drink carbonated beverages - he was upset about that. I'm not sure why. I told him he could drink whatever he wanted, but he said he would feel guilty about it. I reminded him that soda wasn't healthy anyway....