Electrawoman

You can do it! Mine came really fast, too. I thought I would have months to mull it over. I was banded less than a month after my seminar. Now, only one week post op, I feel great and think it was the best decision I ever made. I have always felt that when things just "fall into place" there is a reason for it. It means you are doing what you should be doing in your life. So, go for it! The universe is behind you cheering you on.

There are plenty of good men out there and lots of them who could love you for who you are no matter what you look like. But don't get a lapband to get a man. Once you feel good about who you are as you are, he will show up. Promise.

Great pic!

Wow! I just watched this documentary called Food Inc. It's much of the same info as the book, Fast Food Nation. I had tried to read the book in the past but just couldn't get into it. I am so glad they made this documentary. I am pretty informed about factory farming, especially where it concerns animals. I was a vegetarian for 13 years and did my share of pamphleting, protesting, and lobbying for animals but I really didn't know the extent of the Nation's food problem until I watched this documentary. It has changed me and will change the way I shop for food. Now that I am able to eat less food, I can afford to switch my family to whole, natural, locally-produced foods and that is what I am going to do. My husband is happily on board (rare since we usually disagree on "green-hippie" issues like this). He watched the film with me and is appalled at the state of our country's food processing methods. Watch it as soon as you can! It will change the way you look at food and what you learn from it could be a good companion to your healthy new lifestyle. Meanwhile, I had another good day with the band. For breakfast, I renewed my childhood love affair with Cream of Wheat. Man, that is good stuff. I added a little varietal (blueberry) honey to it and it was incredible. Later, I made chili for dinner and just ate some of the sauce. I am still having trouble getting all my water and protein, though. My Grandma stressed me out again today and for a second, I felt the old twinge to eat my feelings away. Instead, I just sat there feeling what I felt and then I felt better. I also had a ton of energy and felt like my old self. Since my car accident, I have not been able to do all the things I used to. My house stays messy because I can't keep up with it and it that been a constant source of guilt and anxiety for me especially now that I stay at home and feel it is my job to stay on top of this house. Today, I was able to do a lot of chores and chase after my kiddo and critters for 12+ hours. I even finished cleaning 3 rooms! That hasn't happened in 2 years when, before the accident, I could clean my entire house in a couple of hours. I am really really really happy that I got the band.

Wow! I just watched this documentary called Food Inc. It's much of the same info as the book, Fast Food Nation. I had tried to read the book in the past but just couldn't get into it. I am so glad they made this documentary. I am pretty informed about factory farming, especially where it concerns animals. I was a vegetarian for 13 years and did my share of pamphleting, protesting, and lobbying for animals but I really didn't know the extent of the Nation's food problem until I watched this documentary. It has changed me and will change the way I shop for food. Now that I am able to eat less food, I can afford to switch my family to whole, natural, locally-produced foods and that is what I am going to do. My husband is happily on board (rare since we usually disagree on "green-hippie" issues like this). He watched the film with me and is appalled at the state of our country's food processing methods. Watch it as soon as you can! It will change the way you look at food and what you learn from it could be a good companion to your healthy new lifestyle. Meanwhile, I had another good day with the band. For breakfast, I renewed my childhood love affair with Cream of Wheat. Man, that is good stuff. I added a little varietal (blueberry) honey to it and it was incredible. Later, I made chili for dinner and just ate some of the sauce. I am still having trouble getting all my water and protein, though. My Grandma stressed me out again today and for a second, I felt the old twinge to eat my feelings away. Instead, I just sat there feeling what I felt and then I felt better. I also had a ton of energy and felt like my old self. Since my car accident, I have not been able to do all the things I used to. My house stays messy because I can't keep up with it and it that been a constant source of guilt and anxiety for me especially now that I stay at home and feel it is my job to stay on top of this house. Today, I was able to do a lot of chores and chase after my kiddo and critters for 12+ hours. I even finished cleaning 3 rooms! That hasn't happened in 2 years when, before the accident, I could clean my entire house in a couple of hours. I am really really really happy that I got the band.

I have plenty of flavored powders but I get sick of the shakes. I love Herbalife's Formula 1 and I like whey protein in vanilla as well but only for so long. I want something I can add to foods like soups to work it in.

The energy you send out comes back threefold so think good thoughts!

There's nothing wrong with being hopeful. If your insurance won't pay and you really want it, you will find a way to get it. :thumbup:

I just got mine a week ago. Already, I have lost at least 15 lbs. Probably more. But mainly what I have lost is that nagging anxiety, guilt, and obsession about food. I have only lost weight twice in my life...a total of 32 lbs, gained back with extra. For the past 20 years, I have beat myself up on a daily basis about my weight and what I have done to my body. I don't feel that way right now. I feel free. Yeah, I still worry that maybe it won't work for me or something will go wrong or my food addiction will take over and failure will set it. But, when I look in the mirror, I feel better just knowing that I have some control over food now. I am still healing and sore from surgery but I feel GOOD. That good feeling makes it easier to love my body again. I have had two other surgeries in my life: a c-section and ankle reconstruction. This surgery was a piece of cake compared to those. At this point, I would do it again in a second.

Today is another high-stressor. MY kiddo is pushing my buttons today. He is just into EVERYTHING! ha ha We decorated the Yule tree last night and it looks beautiful! It's got a peacock theme. Of course the cats are trying hard to destroy it. We had 4 ornament casualties this morning. Anyway, I have to get some of that unflavored protein powder. I am neither getting enough protein or veggies in. Mostly, I am drinking and eating milk-based foods and that can't be good. Where can I get the powder without ordering it online?

Today is another high-stressor. MY kiddo is pushing my buttons today. He is just into EVERYTHING! ha ha We decorated the Yule tree last night and it looks beautiful! It's got a peacock theme. Of course the cats are trying hard to destroy it. We had 4 ornament casualties this morning. Anyway, I have to get some of that unflavored protein powder. I am neither getting enough protein or veggies in. Mostly, I am drinking and eating milk-based foods and that can't be good. Where can I get the powder without ordering it online?

Thanks ya'll! I do need a slap on the hand! :sneaky: Tough love.

One of my nurses told me to expect this. She said the first few days are kind of easy. I had my surgery on Monday and she told me to expect a "bad day" on Friday or Saturday. She was right and you are right on schedule :thumbup: My stomach is gurgling and I am having some gas pains too, but I find that the GasX strips. Since you never know when it will hit, keep them close. I found some TUMS Quick Paks today at Dollar Tree. They remind me of pixie or lik-m-stiks. The powder just dissolves on your tongue. Don't be afraid of your pain meds, either. That's what they are there for. Hang in there!

Good for YOU!!!!!!

Thanks, Serenity!

Thank you! I haven't worked out regularly since the SPring so it may do it for me :sneaky:

I ate a cookie today. Yeah, I am on liquids. Yeah, it broke down nice and smooth. I hate knowing now how easy it went down. It's impossible for me to turn down the cutest two-year-old on the planet when he hands me a pink frosted cookie and says "chuckie and mamma eat cookie wif each other" as he climbs into my lap. Those damned cookies shouldn't even be in this house but somebody stuffed them in my husband's hands as we left the party last night. He also scored half a chocolate cake which I am trying to pretend I don't know is in the kitchen pantry now. This shouldn't bother me too much. I am trying to break free of food, not continue to obsess over it in a brand new way. Ugh. In other strange news, I have a weird rash. I am not sensitive or allergic to any meds to date but I am wondering if it is from my pain medicine. I have taken hydrocodone in the past and never had a problem like this. I didn't take any today, though and the rash does not feel any better. It's just redness with itchiness..no bumps. I may have to call the doctor tomorrow to find out what's going on because it is way uncomfortable. Maybe I will try some Benadryl first. BTW, I ate that cookie slow slow slow and felt just as satisfied as if I had eaten an entire dozen. That is great news.

I ate a cookie today. Yeah, I am on liquids. Yeah, it broke down nice and smooth. I hate knowing now how easy it went down. It's impossible for me to turn down the cutest two-year-old on the planet when he hands me a pink frosted cookie and says "chuckie and mamma eat cookie wif each other" as he climbs into my lap. Those damned cookies shouldn't even be in this house but somebody stuffed them in my husband's hands as we left the party last night. He also scored half a chocolate cake which I am trying to pretend I don't know is in the kitchen pantry now. This shouldn't bother me too much. I am trying to break free of food, not continue to obsess over it in a brand new way. Ugh. In other strange news, I have a weird rash. I am not sensitive or allergic to any meds to date but I am wondering if it is from my pain medicine. I have taken hydrocodone in the past and never had a problem like this. I didn't take any today, though and the rash does not feel any better. It's just redness with itchiness..no bumps. I may have to call the doctor tomorrow to find out what's going on because it is way uncomfortable. Maybe I will try some Benadryl first. BTW, I ate that cookie slow slow slow and felt just as satisfied as if I had eaten an entire dozen. That is great news.

The way I understand it is that our bodies either feel safe fat or thin. In the overweight, our safety trigger is set to fat. In other words, fat=safe. So we have to retrain our primal brain to think that thin=safe. That's what the CD helps with.

Oh and little elm is near dallas and Denton.

You can download the cd from his website if you already have the book. Just look in your book according to the directions for the password.

Oooh what a good challenge! I am nearly 5'9 and I just got my band. I weigh about 305 post-op and carry all of it around my middle. My legs are long and were always my favorite feature. I have DD breasts. I am large-boned and not at all the delicate type. I think when I lose this fat my build will be considered to be the large-athletic type. I love girly stuff like fashion and makeup. I am a total makeup junkie but I choose a very natural style of application. I will be 40 next month but most people are shocked when I tell them that. My skin tone is that weird fair-olive that Jachut described. I freckle and burn easily in the sun so I stay out of it as much as possible. A friend fondly calls me "Battleship Betty" because I have a strong presence in appearance and personality. I think a nickname like that might offend some folks but I like it. My face (sans fat) is heart-shaped and my brown eyes are deeply set and dark. I use concealer to hide my genetically-dark circles. My features are fairly balanced but I have a slightly crooked smile and an overbite. I also have a cleft in my chin. My heritage is Italian, German and English. I have mostly German features but when I wear red lipstick, I look very Italian. My stylist is jealous of my eyebrows because they are perfectly arched and I have never plucked or shaped them (my chin, however is a constant site for annoying plucking). My nails are usually kept short and are sometimes polished in graphic colors (black with white tips or cream with pink tips, etc). I mostly do them myself but when I can afford it, I try to get professional manicures and pedicures. I am the first person in my friend group to try new and creative things in fashion or technology. I am known for my accessories addiction and get a lot of compliments on handbags, watches, jewelry, hats, etc. My hair is naturally dark brown but I have been dying it since I went gray at age 15. Now, it is usually black with a streak or two of a bright color. I colored it black and bright green for awhile. Now, it is mostly black with a blue streak or two. My hair is long and styled in a very glamorous cut but I rarely style it like I should. I often feel guilty for that because I know how good my hair CAN look and feel like I am not doing my stylist justice. My good friend is my hairdresser so we experiment a lot and try to have fun but now that I volunteer for CASA and have to appear in court frequently, I have to tone it down a little. I love love love a beautifully-designed shoe. Unfortunately, I broke my ankle and my choices are limited. Now, I try to find a stable, supportive shoe that looks at least halfway fashionable. This is not easy. I can look at zappos.com for hours just admiring the shoes and the designers who created them. I would like to dress stylishly but usually just wear what fits from the bargain rack. I also love retro/rockabilly styles but have a hard time finding my size and, because I am older now, can't quite get away with that look. I have been known to wear a dress shirt with yoga pants or pajama bottoms with a sweater in public either because I can't find anything that fits or just don't give a damn that day (though I will rarely be caught in public without makeup). I love long flowing hippie skirts. I haven't worn pantyhose in nearly 20 years but will wear tights occasionally. When I dress nice, I wear basics so I can show off my accessories. My style would be considered "eclectic". I envy women who always look glamorous and put-together but don't want to do the work involved in that look. Besides, it's hard to keep a perfect coiffure when you sweat all the time in this infernal heat.

This book and the visualization CD that comes with it has really helped me with similar issues. I can't say enough good things about how it has reduced my cravings for "bad" food. The book explains why your body may, indeed, want to remain fat. What an eye-opener! The Gabriel Method

1. get some GasX strips and keep them with you. 2. Dont be afraid to ask for pain meds 3. make sure you have everything you need for post-op diet because you may not want to go out and get it afterwards 4. If the hospital gives you a foam wedge pillow and you like it, ask if you can keep it. They usually throw them away after one use and sleeping on it will help with the gas/reflux issues you might have.

I am so glad you are back and happy! [hugs]