MissyC

I am really really going to have to check out Heinlens books. I just finished Cell by stephen king. I was surporised to find that I enjoyed it, I have not really liked much of his work in recent years. Love his old stuff tho. I am finally starting Odd Thomas by Koontz, which I have been intending to read for years, just never go around to. I bought the new Iris Johansen paperback last night...so its on my TBR pile.

Hi shyrose, Congrats on your surgery date. Kutia which size band do you have? I have the 13cc vg and I am going in for my 3rd fill jan 7th. yay.

To me, New Years is like the ulitmate painful couples holiday. I hate new years. I always schedule myself to work, and this year is no different. I plan on working dec 31st and jan 1st. Night shift baby, me and all the looney tunies...lol

I highly recommend research as well as the seminars. I am slow, I actually read and researched for over 2 years before I ever made the WLS decision. I looked extensively into all the different alternatives. There are laundry lists of pros and cons with DS, RNY, and lap-band. Doctors will always have their preferences and that will always be what their "pitch" will focus on. My preference turned out to be for lap-band, although I seriously considered bypass, I decided against it and glad I went for lapband. Its just hard to to be fat for your whole life, struggle with weight and all the "issues" that accompany it and not want to view WLS as the Miracle Cure. Its not. I am a nurse, I worked on a unit for 4 years that did 6-10 RNY's per week. (this was 2000-2004), I saw first hand the side effects of that, I would say about 70% of our pt's were back in the hospital within 3 months for one thing or another. Fast, fast wt loss at first, but many were gaining again within 3-5 years. And while lap band has its share of side effects, I think the overall percentage of serious side effects is much less. I am happy with my lapband. I think it was the right decision for me.

I am a very "slow loser". I have not lost the weight as quickly as alot of bandsters, but most of the time I feel good about my progress. I have lost 37 lbs in the past 6 months. Losing the most quickly immediately post op. Then I have slowed down to 3-4 lbs per month. My doctor told me to expect it to take 18 months to 2 years to achieve my goal of 139 lbs. And that he was ok with 1/2 lb to 1 lb per week. 4 lbs a month doesn't seem like much BUT.... for the 1st time in YEARS, my scales are slowly moving down instead of up.

1. I want to be able to cross my legs like a lady. 2. I want to be able to tie my shoes with getting short of breath 3. To be able to buy a pair of knee boots that fit my calves. 4. I want to graduate out of "granny panties" 5. I want to be able to wear bracelets that don't need the "extra link". 6. I want to loose that "buffalo hump" on the back of my neck. 7. Buy a pair of pants off the "regular" rack. 8. Raise my arms or walk without worrying that my "shirt is riding up", and my butt is showing. 9. Not be the "fat girl" in every photo. 10. Ride in an airplane without a "seatbelt extender". I guess I could go on and on....but these are some of the things I think about, dream about and hope for.

That is wonderful! One of my goals is also to be able to wear boots someday. I have always had fat legs/calves and have never had a pair of boots since I was a teen. I love the look of riding boots with long skirts. that is one of my "clothing wish" goals.

Kayford, I know exactly what your talking about, I hear those same dogs barking girl!! I have been single many years, have not really dated. And EVERYONE in my age group/peer group and in my circle of friends, family and aquaintances is married. I have been a fifth wheel for so long, its hard (for me anyway), not to be discouraged. But I have hope.....

Katina, I have that kind of appetite after 6 months banding. I have the same problem you do. My band constriction is very minimal and I am able to eat more than what the considered/recommended amts are supposed to be. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND how frustrating it can be. I mean, why bother with surgery when you can still eat your way to a wt gain. My surgeon refused to give me a fill also, because I had lost greater than 1/2 per week since the last fill. He won't give me a fill if I am losing 4 lbs per month. He told me last time, don't call for a fill unless you have gone 1 whole month without wt loss. So....I am trying very hard to listen to my body's red flags...that 1st tummy signal, that says...you are full! That voice in my head that say's, only one spoonful, not two. You get the picture. I see that you have lost 30+ lbs so far, that is actually very good. Hang in there....you can get back on track and loose that 6 lbs. 30 lbs in 6 weeks is great.

Thanks for the info, Jules I will definitely be interested after to holiday rush. hope ya have a happy day. Missy

I too know how you feel. I don't know why sometimes I am surprised to hear that there are other ppl out there who share the same feelings, struggles and feelings of "being the only one in this boat". I have found myself encouraged just reading about the accomplishments of fellow bandsters. Good luck to everyone in the coming holiday season.

I'm just wondering, I haven't seen anyone else mention a band which holds 13cc. Is there anyone else who has this band? How many fills/how much to get restriction?

This sounds good, I'm thinking I may have to try it!! :girl_hug:

I have a terrible time when I have to stick with these high protein liquid dietary supplements. I gag at dairy products, and even tho I KNOW, there is no dairy content, in my mind, they TASTE like they are a milk product. Pre/post op diet was very challenging for me. The best of the bunch for me was the chocolate flavored Atkins drink. low carb/high protein. I could get it down if it was very, very cold.

Thanks Pat, I don't think its working either. I recd no messages or alerts. Appreciate you checking on this. Anyone else able to navigate the buddy list?

Marz, congratulations, thats great news. Mvpo, That is absolutely wonderful news and encouraging too, that slippage can be corrected non-surgically. Drew, thank you for the "quick link" tip the other day. ?? What is the "I have a dream challenge"?? and how does that work? I think I may have missed that post. How do the challenges work? thanks Missy

Hi Cherg, May 22 is my bandiversary too!!! Marz, how are you feeling now? 24 hours post fill? Any difference? Keep us posted. I am eager to hear how its going. I have the larger band also. My VG holds 13cc. I'm at 9cc right now. I would LOVE to get restriction with only 1 or 2 more cc. Because right now... I feel like I have none. I have an appointment Jan 10th for a fill. When I called 2 weeks ago, that was the soonest available appt!! I can't wait!! Good luck everyone.

Hi, Computer noodle-head here. I have met several wonderful ppl on this site and have been trying to figure out how to use the "buddy" list. When I go to the User control panel and click on the buddy/ignore icon. A window pops up with six spaces and a message at the time which reads: "To remove a user from either the Buddy or Ignore Lists, un-tick the box next to their name and click the 'Save List' button. To add a user to either list, enter their name in the empty boxes for that list and click 'Save List'." There are 2 spaces for buddy list.....2 spaces for ignore list. And 2 spaces for journal buddy list. The problem is.........the only one on my screen that has a "click" button, is the save journal buddy icon. There is no save option for my buddy list. I have tried to add names and press enter, this just deletes my entry. What am I doing wrong? Help....I need buddies.........:help: thanks Missy

I've been reading the older posts and it sounds like ya'll had a great time. I live in Shady Shores which is just south of Denton, about 30 miles north of Dallas. I live right off I-35. I haven't been on skates in probably 30 years.... But it sounds like an awful lot of fun. Maybe if you choose a place north of or this side of Dallas, I could join you if I'm off.

Dr Jayaseelan also did my surgery. I found him to be very friendly and personable but........ If I hadn't taken the initiative to inform myself and become an internet research fiend, I would have been out of luck. I didn't find the office very forthcoming with information. I was never given a nutritional guide of any kind, with the exception of a 1 page sheet of paper with some yes/no foods listed on it, in preparation for the surgery, liquid diet etc. The office girls are nice/friendly but don't chat or give info freely. If you don't know the right questions to ask....they don't volunteer. No one from the office ever called me to follow up...see how I was doing. I don't mean to sound negative. I haven't had a bad experience, I just feel like they should make sure their pt's are prepared. The asked me very very few questions to assess my knowledge base. I guess they just assume if your interested/inquiring about the surgery, you've done the research. A+ to Dr Jay for personality, skills and experience. (He's right on with fills too). B- for pre/post op pt preparation and support. (I'd say this is more an office problem than a surgeon prob.)

Even with all the struggle and ups/downs. I would do it again in a minute. I too have several aquantances over the years with GB who have lost huge amts...only to gain it back a couple of years later. Its heartbreaking for them.

Hi everyone, Boy, I keep loosing this thread.......(maybe thats why they call it thread?? lol). Cherg...I was banded May 22 also. Dr Jayaseelen, Medical City in Dallas. Myra, please keep us posted on your slippage progress. My 6 month anniversary in 2 days! wow. I go in for my 3rd fill Jan 10th. Hopefully all will be well and I will be able to get a fill this time. In the meantime, I am preparing for the trip of a life time..(mine anyway I am going to Cambodia for 12 days...leaving on 11/29. Church mission trip. I am scared silly...not about the trip itself...about the 28 hour flight to get there! ) I hate flying anyway...they make those seats for 100 lb plastic crash test dummies I think...not real live ppl with hips, knees and elbows. I don't think my diet will be a problem...I am hoping that I can maintain and be ok. I am taking a stash of Protein bars and Atkins drinks for emergencies. I have NO idea of the food situation while there. I will be gone for almost 2 weeks. I get back just 14 days before Christmas so Dec is kind of zoooming at the speed of light. Can I participate if ya'll have a January challenge? It sounds like fun. Missy

I guess I am opposite of most, it doesn't bother me to tell ppl....WLS. I haven't really had alot of people asking me yet tho..mostly people I work with who know I was gone for 6 weeks anyway, and knew something was up. But telling someone your eating better, making better eating choices is not a lie. (btw...I didn't have complications...I just have a job with heavy lifting so I had to stay off til my wt restriction was done).

Joan and Terri, Good luck with these new relationships. Be sure to keep up posted on how things are going. Pink, I know exactly how you feel, in my relationship graveyard, I have ruined a couple of relationships because of my low self esteem, lack of self worth. I am trying hard, but can't seem to get past the ugly me. I have no trouble believing that God and my family love me. I just can't believe that anyone else could. Its a very real problem. I wonder sometimes if I project a huge, "go away" sign on my forhead, because I have not even been asked out in several years, and know that other heavy women have active dating lives. me.....a work in progress.....

:hungry: My mom and dad host a family reunion with my dad's 9 brothers/sisters and families every year. It is a huge ordeal, approx 75 to 125 ppl every year. This is our 14th year for the "annual reunion". Sometimes I look forward to it.....and sometimes I dread it. This year is a dread year because I work so much. I am actually working thanksgiving, but the party goes from Thurs-Sunday morning. Its a HUGE amt of work and prep every year. Most of the family stay at nearby hotels, but all of our houses have guests in every nook and corner, and my parents house filled to the brim with ppl all over the house/floor. As you can imagine, we have lots of fun, but it is lots of work for my parents and me and my siblings. Every year we have a small meal on Thursday, usually turkey...but low key. Friday is "theme day", Italian, German, Mexican etc. Most of the aunts and uncles bring food for that, we decorate for the theme, have music, food and dancing according to the theme. (This year is Italian, mom and I are making Cannoli, wish us luck...lol) Saturday morning is the annual tag football game, NO ONE IS ALLOW TO MISS...lol. You either play...or you cheer. Then on Saturday afternonn is our HUGE traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Typically 5-8 turkeys. 2-4 hams and the trimmings....you get the picture. Several years ago, my dad and uncles began frying the turkeys outside, with such large numbers, it works great, less mess/clean up and you can do several at a time. My dad or brothers will usually smoke a couple or turkeys or hams before hand also. During the 4 days, we usually have 4/5 crockpots with stews/soups. Today...my mom and sister cooked 6 pumpkin pies and 6 pecan. Tomorrow, I wll bake 2 sheet cakes and a batch of brownies. And the list goes on. Its all very organized, my parents have everything written down/planned, what to cook, when and what day to bring it. every menu for the 4 days is planned weeks ahead. My mom and dad have 2 freezers and 3 fridges in their garage where we store ahead of time. (They entertain alot anyway). For me, I don't think the temptation of so much food will be a problem, as usually I am too busy to eat, and I think the more food there is...the less hungry I am, or something. As you can imagine, when Christmas rolls around, our family goes for small, intimate and low key....just immediate family on Christmas eve. Its like a blessed sigh of peace. Whew.....get tired just typing about it. :)