lisalee

Sandi- Hi! It's nice to meet a veteran lapbander. I had mine put in in August 2006...kept up on the postings for about a year then dropped out. Still have my band and have maintained a 67-68 pound wt. loss (okay, so it's not what some have lost). Feeling discouraged after meeting with the nurse who focused on the last 22 pounds I need to loose... We are so hard on ourselves aren't we? Anyway, I was rummaging around on the site tonight thinking I need to get refocused and find some other old timers...then found your posting. Nice to see you are doing so well so many years out.! Lisa

Doesn't bother me a bit. They have those in IKEA parking lots here. I just look at it as another reason to park a little further away and burn a few more calories by walking :eek:

Dcprincess...often times I feel undeserving and it seems unreal that I have lost weight. I had an epiphany last week when I realized that "yes, I had lapband surgery but no one put an exercise band in me!" Really, the band has helped get me started but the continual success in exercise and fact that I continue to run in 90+ degree weather here in Texas is MY accomplishment and not because of that band of silicone. I like to mull over that from time to time. BTW I ran in Houston last weekend early in the morning and even at 0700 it was HOT. Way to go with your exercise down there! I had a strange experience several months ago. I was out with some friends in a club and was feeling pretty tipsy (not something I usually do anymore!) Well, I went into the bathroom and when I looked at the mirror I felt real strange. I hardly recognized myself. Surely it was the alcohol speaking but at any rate it was a freaky experience. I wonder if we have all failed to have good body images even before our weight gain years ago and consequently it was what got us to where we are today. I had a very good friend (also a shrink) tell me that I was ignoring my obesity because it protected me from being hurt by others. When I finally came to the conclusion that I could no longer continue to be overweight just the admission that I was truly morbidly obese was an extremely painful experience. I cried for days after I scheduled my surgery. I guess I was fearing losing another (in)effective coping mechanism. Dcprincess, have you ever thought of posting side-by-side pictures of yourself somewhere you can look at them on a regular basis? I just might try that myself....although I find looking at the former pictures very depressing. I just think of the years I put up with lugging all the weight around! Anyone else have any ideas?

Mommi-hammi....I also discovered that my band tightens up after flying! Funny huh? The anesthesiologist's bill really had me worried for a while. I was so concerned I was getting hidden bills that were not explained to me. When I got the confirmation letter that my bills were all forgiven, I filed it for safekeeping and never had a problem again. Oh, and I can chug water!

Hlyndes....I got a bill after surgery (I was self pay) for another $500 or so from the anesthesiologist. Turns out it was a mistake. I just called Dr. Spivak's office and they cleared it up for me. BTW....I asked the anesthesiologist's office to send me a copy of my paid bill (just to be on the safe side) and they did. I filed it away w/my records. The steri-strips should stay on until they fall off. After a week or so and showering they will just curl up and drop off. Mommi-hammi....I have a finicky band too. I can eat bread this week but come bad weather or the time of the month I tighten up and can only get soft foods down. Not real sure what to make of that and I'm going on my year anniversary. Still learning...

Three words.....yum, yum, yum!

I'm a Texan too! I live north of Austin about 1 hour and was banded by the blessed Dr. Spivak in Houston September of 2007....I'm coming up on my bandiversary! Carey, I've lived in Texas for 21 years and all over the place. The only hard part I find about it (I have lived in Portland, Oregon too) is the heat in the summers and usually everything turns brown. Other than that there's great TexMex food, a lot of history, mild winters and mountains, desert, piney woods and the gulf coast....all within a days' drive. Oh, did I mention Mexico and Louisiana aren't too far away either? TexasBecky...I waited 6 weeks for mine, just cuz I couldn't get in any sooner to see the doc. Eight weeks does seem a little long but each doctor has his preferences.

Hi all, I dropped in here a few weeks ago and love to lurk...I can relate to so many of your struggles and feelings! Someone mentioned a book a few pages back about dealing with body image issues....can someone tell me what it is called? I envy you Oregonians....I was up on the coast in May (Reedsport/Winchester Bay area) and felt like I could run forever. The weather was so great! Tonight I ran 5k in 90degree weather...that is at 8PM because it's too darn hot to run any earlier in the day in Texas. I hate to wish for life to go faster but I can't wait until it cools off in October! Thanks Y'all!

Denise822...I Love to run in the rain! It gets so hot here in Texas anything is a refreshing break. I see you had your band done in Coos Bay...I was just up in Reedsport/Winchester Bay visiting family in May. I could run there forever. The weather and scenery is beautiful! I ran along the Bay then up to the lighthouse one day....about 5 miles. It was absolutely delightful!

Vanessav....I still feel lost in the regular clothes department....I don't really know what size to head for. I know I wear a size 14 now but it's still weird to try to find the right size. I don't even know what's cute anymore. I've been looking at "fat cruise-wear" for so long...my fashion sense outside of spandex and knit clothing is lost. Mariecarmen....I know what you mean by "what now?" I'm not actually at my goal weight but I now weigh what I did at 21 (I'm 37) and don't feel as thin as I did then. Unfortunately, things haven't sprung back like they looked at 21 either. Jachut...I want the winter fruit recipe....sounds delicious! Efficka...I too eat out of loneliness....and boredom. OK, now that I am thinner...where are all the cute boys? BTW....how does one address the band issue w/a guy? At what point do you tell them? I have a friend who noticed my weight chart that I post in my office and asked me about it. He knows I have lost a lot of weight and even seen my tummy but seems to have no clue that I have had surgery. To share or not to share? :nervous It's different than telling a co-worker or family.

Thanks for the welcome Boo! I can really relate to so many things here. Bubble...I have a Bowflex...pre-band gift from my Dad to get me motivated to work out. It really is more gentle than the machines in the gym and less likely to cause injury. Did yours come with a video? I like to write down the weights I am comfortable using so I can measure where I am coming along in my progress. I think the hardest thing about using it is putting it together. Enjoy!

OK, I just realized my ticker and my normal BMI goals are different. Let me clarify...initially I had a goal of 138....which I still may do, but my current goal is to be at 150...which would put me at a BMI of 24.9. Either way I am healthier!

Ohhhhhh I love this thread! I am 24 pounds from a "normal" BMI and can identify with so many of the issues addressed here! It is so good to see that I am amongst others experiencing these. I hope y'all will let me jump in and join you guys! Lisa

I was on a low carb diet. Was told not to eat anything white. No sugar, no candy, cookies, potatoes, rice, bread, etc. It helps to decrease the size of the liver thus improving visibility in the abdominal cavity.

Yooper....my doctor tells me that you can't always feel erosion. Erosion is when the band rubs into the stomach...it may or may not end up going all the way through the wall. If it did you could have serious complications such as stomach acid spilling into your abdominal cavity. Erosion is irritation of the stomach wall, sometimes causing breakdown of the tissue. It can (according to my doctor) only be visualized on the barium swallow. Another thing that can happen is having your band slip. This is a little like having a tucked in shirt be pulled out a little. What it does is cause undue tension on the stomach, causing obstruction and sometimes pain. Again, it is best seen under barium. I think the important thing to remember is that you cannot always "feel" when there is something wrong w/ your band. They did tell me that chronic heartburn or reflux is a dangerous sign. I have seen people in the "fill office" that had no indicator or symptoms of problems but had to have their band unfilled completely to see if the problems resolve. Good reasons to keep in touch w/your doctor...mine says at least every 6 months to make sure everything is O.K. Good luck!