ready2bthin

Carlene: Happy Belated birthday!! It's now Christmas day...so have a wonderful Christmas, too!! I always think that Christmas babies are special cuz they share a special birthday with Jesus!! Haven't been able to make it to Arlington lately for the dinners, but all is going fine with me. I'm down around 43 lbs. now. Been stalled some due to eating goodies, so I must get back on the wagon!! I hope to go to the next bandster dinner or maybe the Plano lunch to meet some of the dfw bandsters I haven't met, along with Heather who've I read posts from India and her mom. They sound like a lot of fun. Anyway, hope to see you soon and hope you enjoyed your birthday!!

Wow Olive!! Congratulations!! I hope to join you in the next month as I'm now at 43.6! You may want to take some type of mylanta or something to help with heartburn if you haven't already. I took Gaviscon when I had my little tummy upset in October on recommendation from my doctor. (You may have already done this but wanted to share what my experience led to) Okay, everyone else, let's be GOOD with our choices!! I've done better the past couple days and even saw a loss on the scale again which shocked me. We are on a journey with some twists and turns in the road and some bumps and some bad driving (that would be me). With the better "driving" I get closer to that goal!! We are doing this July group....I'm so proud of all of you and of myself. This was a wonderful "present" even though I had to spend $$$ on it!! We have the new year coming up with many of us reaching our goals or getting very close to reaching them!!! Can't wait for us to see our goal picture next to our start picture!!

Hello Everyone! I've been a bit bogged down with work, kids' basketball games, and getting ready for Christmas, but I wanted to drop in and say "hi" to my July bandster group. Haven't had any big losses, but I'm plugging along and am down another almost 2 lbs. I need a fill soon, but will wait till after Christmas (that will only be my second one). Ya'll seem to be hanging in there, although I noticed that many have not posted in awhile, probably due to "life". I need to get a handle on the Christmas goodies and "Just say No". My sweet tooth says "yes" though....lol. I've had so many compliments and some people who just look down at my body, don't say anything, but wonder what's up. Maybe they are afraid of saying, "have you lost weight?" thinking that would be rude...lol!! Have any of you experienced this..."the look"? Take care and post when able. Love to see what's going on. I read even when I don't post.

Sherrijo: I saw what happened to Dr. Sanchez on mexicanbandsters. For you who don't know, he was gunned down out at his ranch while there to pay his workers. I guess another doc...doc susan (sp?) was with him so she witnessed this. They don't have any suspects as of yet from what I read. There are probably other links on here you can read about it. I pray comfort and peace for his family during this shocking time. Kari: Girl, your schedule makes me tired!! I'm also going to be working some in the next weeks to relieve people who are taking vacation during the holidays and make some money to help pay for the cruise and we plan on going to Michigan to see my family after Christmas. My dad is now on hospice as the last treament of chemo did nothing for the adrenal gland tumor (it actually doubled in size) and he also still has tumors in brain and probably in other areas of his body, too. Thankfully, he has not experienced any pain really. Anyway, I will always have on messenger and "look" for you online, just in case you get a spare moment....lol...especially this time of year. Well, better get going for now. Time to do carpool....6:30 am...yes...crazy!!!

Hey Everyone!! I'm back from the cruise!! Had a great time, enjoyed wonderful food, including desserts, and weighed this morning thinking I would be in trouble and guess what?? I only gained 1 lb. Now, some of you may be thinking why would I be happy with that? I'm happy cuz I deserve to gain more....LOL!! But, my "handy bandy" helped me to keep the quantity down, while I enjoyed the quality. I also know that I need a fill, although I still have some light restriction. The cruise went well and I swam with a dolphin in Cozumel! It was wonderful. The weather on the ship was a little cold but they had a solarium with a pool and 2 hot tubs. The last night we went dancing and had fun, although the ship was moving so much from the waves/weather that we were having to keep our balance. We actually looked like we had a few too many trying to dance and walk on Sunday night! This trip was not just about FOOD, which again, is thanks to my "handy bandy". It's great to see everyone's updates: Steph: YOU GO GIRL!! Chris: Looking fine....but one thing....SHOW US YOUR SMILE!! You got something to smile about and we are all smiling with you! Kari: I miss you on chat!! Everyone else: I couldn't wait to check the July group. Welcome to our newcomers and those who have been "gone" for awhile. I may post one of my pics on here from the cruise. It felt so good to have on formal clothes and actually feel SEXY!! I'm gonna be dangerous when I get to goal which of course will be awhile!! LOL!!

Well hey everyone!! I am getting ready to go on a cruise with 15 other ladies. We are leaving either tomorrow night or Thursday morning, depending on this crazy Texas weather. Supposed to be getting rain, cold front, and it may be icey. We are all pumped to go. My weight hasn't moved much, but I'm okay with that for now. I know that it will come off slowly and will just keep on keeping on!! With the holiday season now upon us, we'll all be tempted to eat those goodies. Let's help each other with encouragement and ideas to be "samplers" once in awhile and not "indulgers" every day!! I like sweets so this is a challenge for me. Take care and BON VOYAGE!!!

Sherrijo: Didn't know you were in the hospital. Glad you are home now. Take care of yourself and be sure and get that nutrition in even if you are not really hungry and Get well! Never had kidney stones and don't want them from what I've heard. Take care of yourself!! Indianlight: Congrats on the NSV's. Both of those are reasons to celebrate, but especially what your doctor had to say!! Proud of you and hope to hear that the doc becomes HISTORY when you go back! Well, the scale has moved finally and I'm down another 1-2 lbs. Yippee!! Not sure that I will have 20 off by Christmas but if I can get at least 5 off, I'll be happy. Anything else will be my Christmas present...lol!! I am recognizing that sweets are my biggest downfall and that I must avoid eating too many. This is what I've done this past week and it's working. Okay, tomorrow is "stuff the turkey, stuff yourself day" but not for us bandsters! With the help of our band, we will enjoy the food but not be a stuffed turkey!! Have a good one and GIVE THANKS!!

Hi everyone! Great to see the posts! Beth, sorry to hear about your dog. My two are special to me, so I sympathize with you. Well, I've lost some more inches! I'm not down much more weight wise, but I measured today and have lost a total of almost 46 inches from neck to feet. That is an increase of about 5 inches from last month, with it starting to leave my hips and some of the "junk in the trunk" is leaving as well. I knew I was smaller and even had someone at church tell me I needed new clothes today! But, I don't want to stay at this size, so I need to find some good resale shops around here. She also said it looks like I've lost more than 38 lbs. So, that tells me that MEASUREMENTS are very important. If you haven't taken them yet, I would highly recommend this. The scale can be deceiving as both Stephanie and Indianlight can attest to by the compliments and surprise about weight they received from those around them. If you think about this, we all started out lugging around an extra 50-200 lbs. of extra weight. This had to cause our muscles to increase to do this work. MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT! So, even when we aren't seeing big movements in weight for awhile, the inches may be coming off...which I can attest to for the past 3-4 weeks. I am getting ready for a cruise I'll be going on Nov. 30 for 4 nights in the Caribbean, stopping in Cozumel. There are 15 crazy gals, like me going! I'm going to swim with the dolphins, too! I plan on enjoying good food (but not too much), exercising and having a blast with the group. We are gonna ROCK THAT BOAT!! I was thinking how much fun it would be for all of us to plan something down the road when we get closer to or at our goals! We could celebrate with a weekend get together someplace fun, a cruise, or a party! I know we all live in different areas of the country, but if we planned it far enough ahead and looked into keeping costs down, wouldn't that be fun? All of us gals and guy(s) (Chris...are you in?..lol) and spouses or significant others, too, if that's what's decided. Something to think about July bandsters! I am proud of all of you and of myself for the progress that's happening. We are all smaller and healthier than 4 mos. ago!! Let's keep it up!! Ya'll have become my friends and support system in this and I appreciate you! Since this is Thanksgiving week, I guess ya'll are on my list for what I'm thankful for, along with so many other blessings in my life!! God bless your week and Thanksgiving Day!

Congratulations Chris for reaching the 100 lb. mark!! Kari, Congrats on 30! Stefani, glad to hear from you and that you are moving right along with the weightloss, too!! Maybe this will "move" me from my plateu. No, I don't need a fill, I just have to quit eating JUNK!! Keep going guys! I can't wait to reach onederland! I still have around 26-28 lbs to get there. I know I can do it!! Charlie: I do know people who cannot tolerate cold drinks. One of them is the patient advocate who helped me with my surgery in Mexico. She does not do "cold" at all. So, I think this is common. I can do it okay, myself. Hey, you are doing GREAT, also and will be at goal soon! Keep it up!

lcain25: I DEFINITELY think you should tell your doctor. I don't think you should get another fill, but leave that up to your doctor. You can still do well even being pregnant. You didn't say anything about restriction, but from what I've read before, people either quit getting fills or even have fluid removed. You want to make sure that the baby and you will be getting the nutrition that you need. It will be important for you doctor to know and for you to have guidance on how many calories, etc. that you NEED...not want...I know that when I had my kids I felt like it have me a license to eat, eat, eat and that wasn't good. I gained most of my weight due to this and having 3 in a row. So, get the guidance you need and take care of yourself and baby!! You will do great!!

Indianlight: You are doing FANTASTIC!! I think that at this point in your weightloss 2 lbs. a week is still a good weightloss. Remember, losing it at a consistent pace will help with the excess skin, etc. The average weightloss with the band is 1-2 lbs. a week. If you are getting adequate protein, drinking your water, and doing everything right and start getting HUNGRY between meals or able to really eat at a meal and your weightloss stops, then I would get a fill. At this point, you seem to be doing fine. Well, yesterday was a better day for me! I kept my sweet tooth under control I've been struggling with SWEETS. Anyone else? I had some sugar free jello pudding to help with that.

KARI: YIPPEE!!! I'm so excited for you!! I miss chatting with you!! This may help to encourage me to become a LOSER again. Kind of staying steady around 38 lbs. off. Up a couple, then down a couple. EEK!! I need to get back on the bandwagon and get moving!! Well, everyone!! Time to sign off for the night!! TAke care and let's just be LOOOOOSSSSSEEERRRRSSS together!! Love ya'll!!

Hey, just checking in here. Had a beautiful day up here in northern Michigan. I went for a 40 minute walk this afternoon. Thought I could use some exercise while I'm away from home. Had pizza tonight and could only eat a slice and started a second and well, I knew that was it. I am a licensed physical therapist assistant and do homehealth care, and work part time in a rehab hospital and will start some work in a nursing home when I get back. I have 3 kids, daughter 16, son 15, son 13 and an exchange student daughter who is 16...So I HAVE 4 TEENAGERS living with me.....HELP!!! (Just kidding...they're great, really!!)

Hey ya'll!! I made it to Michigan. My dad looks pretty good for all he's been/going through. Left my house at 4:00 am!! Jane: Way to go girl!! I was wondering where you've been. I am still doing my 2x a week workout in the mornings, tai chi, boxing, etc. and yesterday I went for a walk while my son had drum lessons. Figured, I would make use of the 30 minutes in a positive way. Beth: Take care of yourself. If you keep having problems, go to your doc or try liquids for a few days to give your tummy a rest. Kari: Thanks for the well wishes. It's soooo COLD here!! My dad suggested going to a football game, but under 30 degrees sitting outside watching a game is NOT too appealing. My cousin is the local coach and they have a great team this year. Who knows, maybe I'll bundle up in a snowmobile suit (lol) and head out. Take care everyone!!

Hey everyone, I'm heading up to Michigan tomorrow to see my dad (he has cancer) and mom. I'll be up there until Tuesday night, But I'll try to check in with ya'll at least once. I'm still doing better, but I do need to SLOW down on my eating. This affects me negatively with more burping, etc. Guess we are just learning how to live with the band and what changes we need to make. Everyone, keep evaluating the changes that you need to make for yourself. I know that right now, I have really realized how much I depended on food during stressful times. This is an area I need to work on...dealing with my stress in a healthy way. Cuz we all know...the band ain't gonna let us stuff ourselves without repercussions....and none of us who've experience the sliming, pb, etc. enjoy those!! Time to pack!!

Glad to see some of you posting again!! Keep in touch!! Dezadoo: You didn't say what you were eating at lunch, but by lunch it doesn't seem like you would be too tight to eat. I have heard that many (incl. myself) have a protein shake for breakfast due to restriction being greater in the am. I'm wondering if you are trying to eat bread at lunch or taking too big of bites and eating too fast. This will all cause you to get stuck, pb, slime, etc. If you are eating bread, you may need to cut that out entirely. Many cannot tolerate bread. You may try eating tuna salad, chicken salad, shrimp salad, egg salad and maybe eat that on some type of cracker or just as is. This should go down fine. If you try this, be sure and report back. Remember...eat slow, and chew, chew, chew. Take your time...about 20 minutes to eat a meal.

Hey everyone, After being on liquids since Thursday, today I am finally feeling normal again!!! Yay!! So glad I didn't need to go back for another unfill!! Thanks for thoughts and prayers!! They worked. Guess I learned a lesson about once irritation starts...HANDLE IT...Go on liquids for a few days and take it easy.

Hey everyone, I haven't posted in a few days cuz I've been dealing with some issues....yes...band ones. I started feeling shoulder pain last week (Monday, I think). Now, I've had shoulder pain in the past when i've eaten just a little too much. This time the shoulder pain was even when I woke up before eating and with drinking water. Well, I kind of ignored it thinking it would get better and maybe I ate something tha caused a little irritation or something. But, I contacted my doc's assistant and she said to go on liquids and I did. Friday was my 2nd day of liquids and by Friday night I was having the pain. I was able to contact Dr. Stephanie Eisjink (spoke with her hubby) and he said I could come and get an unfill on Sat. Barbara suggested that I shoud get it checked out. So, after prayer with a friend on Friday night and getting some relief, I woke up Sat. and still decided to go and at least see my band on fluro and if I was too tight. Well, it was about a 31/2 hour drive and the barium flowed through just fine. I still had her take out about .1 cc (now I have .7 cc in my band which holds 4-5 ccs). I talked to Barbara and she said Dr. Rod wrote me an email and told me to take Gaviscon every 4 hours and stay on clear liquids for at least a day. I actually stayed on them yesterday and today as the pain came back last night. Today it's better but still there. I'm following all the instructions of my doc and hope that over the next few days, I will be back to "normal". So, the good news is that I've dropped another few lbs., but I would rather be able to eat and feel normal. I've also had more burping, etc. since all of this happened. If I'm not better by Tuesday I will be seeing someone locally as I'm going out of town Friday and Barbara says that I really shouldn't let this continue. But, i'm planning on feeling fine by Tuesday!! If you believe in prayer, pray with me!! I was feeling so good and this has been a little set-back.

Denise, Funny you should mention this shoulder pain. I was banded on July 28, 2006 and the only time I had pain was right after surgery and then when I would eat a little too much. I would get a slight pain in my shoulder. Well, I had my first fill Oct. 7 and all went well until this past Monday. I have had left shoulder pain and it's there even when I drink. I was told that I probably have irritation and that I need to go on liquids for a few days, so I'm doing that. Today I spoke with my doc's assistant and she said that it's possible that I've irritated it so much (who knows why...stress, etc.) that I may need a slight unfill. So, if this continues, and you've had a fill, you should probably ask the doc to remove some. You could try a few days of liquids and see if that helps. I'm making sure I mix in the protein and having a protein drink (Nectar) in the am. I was making a chocolate protein shake for breakfast, but thought maybe the chocolate and milk were irritating my tummy. If your pain is just after you eat, you are probably eating too much. That's what happened to me when I tried to push in that extra bite. This even happened when I was on mushies. Hope this helps!

I'd have to agree with the moodiness. It's better now, but boy, there have been days that I didn't want to hang around with myself...let alone my poor family having to suffer around me...lol!! Kari: I noticed you are at 200!! OH MY!! You are almost in onederland (isn't that what they call it when you get under 200?) I'm so jealous...I still have around 30 lbs. to go!! Stephanie: I was able to wear a pair of pants that have been in my closet for at least 6 years...they are jeans...so still in style. Congrats on wearing your sweater from your "someday bin" It feels so good!!

Born2lose: You look GREAT! Glad to see the band is working for you and you are working the band. Keep us posted! Sherri Jo: Way to go! Sounds like you had a good time shopping and I'm a Walmart gal, too! There have been plenty of times, I look and look for something and then find it at Walmart. Here you find your "skinny" jeans there! I'm so sick of Plus size clothing, that I'm holding off until I KNOW that I can wear a regular size. My clothes might start falling off me before I break down and go shopping for pants....LOL!! I'm down another pound!! Not much, but I know the inches are coming off. I had my daughter's piano teacher who hasn't seen me in awhile (months) ask me if I changed my hair. She said I looked good and what was different. Finally, I said about 30 some lbs. gone. I think she knew, but she was afraid to mention weight. I also told her that I have a band...she reacted very positively. So, I better go for now!! Love ya'll!!

Kari: Way to go!! I saw that you got on your treadmill the other day, too!! I am trying to increase my exercise some, too. I've been doing the 2x a week Tai Chi/boxing/etc. class and I think that if I started walking some, it would help those "problem" areas of the lower body and my trainer says that it will help me to continue to burn. Indianlight: That's too funny! Isn't strange how we notice our weightloss/inches in the oddest ways. I guess when we were "bigger" we didn't want to notice the opposite, huh? LOL!! Stephanie: You are doing so well!! I hope you are proud of yourself cuz we sure are proud of you. Those lbs./inches seem to be melting off your body. Sounds like you may have gotten to the "sweet spot" with your band restriction.

I paid $7,000 in Mexico, which was for the surgery, meds., 2 nights of hotel stay, a stay overnight in the hospital, transportation from San Antonio and back. I paid 44 each way for my plane ticket from Dallas to San Antonio. I also had a very experienced surgeon who has done over 3,000 lapbands. They've been doing it longer in Mexico and many of these surgeons proctored the U.S. doctors. For someone like me, who didn't have $16,000, this was a good option.

Brandi: Could you ask your mom-in-law to keep the "treats" in her room? I realize that ice cream has to be in the refrigerator but maybe the chocolate could be kept in her own "secret place". I do sympathize with you. I guess the band will not do the part of just saying "no" or walking away. This is the part where we have to work it. Indianlight: I am very sorry for the loss of your family member and the recent events with your friend. Please take care of yourself. I was glad to see that you will go to your doctor. Hopefully, that will take care of the cough. Praying for health for you and for your friend. Although, they "say" their will be "brain damage", that doesn't necessarily mean there will be. Well, at least I believe that healing can/does happen and know of many who have defied the odds. Beth: I am with you on the "weird" things that happen now in my body. I know my body much more intimately than I did pre-band. I am having a little difficulty with left shoulder pain, even before I eat. Of course, I had it when I was first banded due to the gas and then if I overate, I would get it. Well, i'm having it now before eating, etc. I do think that i can change a few things, though and it may help. I will stop eating in the evening. I don't think that I'm giving enough time before lying down. I think I'm having some type of "indigestion" or extra gas and it's showing up in my shoulder. I also drink a shake in the am and it is chocolate flavored. I'm wondering if the chocolate may be irritating me. If anyone else has any suggestions, let me know. Like right now, I haven't eaten anything, just drinking water and I have the left shoulder pain, the gurgling, and am burping some (I'm drinking water, that's it). Stesti: So glad you popped in and gave us an update. I was wondering where you were "hiding". You go girl!! You are doing great!! I guess with the holidays coming up, the posting will drop a bit. Everyone gets busy.

It seems that you are eating too soon. I was on 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks mushies, and then slowly introduced solids. I would recommend following the instructions of your doctor. The other thing I want to add is that if you are not getting enough protein, you will feel hungry. 2 pieces of toast for dinner is not protein. It's a lot of carbs and carbs will not sustain you for very longer. I would encourage you to always eat your protein first...when you are supposed to eat that is. On liquids make sure you are adding protein (unflavored) to soups, etc. or drink the protein shakes, on mushies, eat higher protein mushies or add the unflavored.