cahuber

TruBlueSue, Been there; done that. It's been really hard this week with all of the (evil!) candy in the house for halloween! Better today, though because I finally remembered that someone told me, "If you fail to plan, then you'd better plan to fail!" Taking that to heart, I'm starting to make a weekly dinner menu. I take a lunch to work (so that I won't be tempted by burger/fries from the cafeteria). I have my Protein shake at Breakfast. Maybe something like that could be of some help? I know that I fall off the wagon so to speak because I get sometimes get too afraid of success ... what if I really do get to my goal weight and then gain the weight back? That negative thinking takes over (so easily) and then next thing I know, I'm sabotaging myself. I am beginning to recognize the thoughts earlier ... so that I can talk myself out of the negativity with positive affirmations ... but, like I said, this week has been especially hard with the halloween candy.

I'm 5' 4" and usually have pretty good luck at JC Penney. You might have to order online to get a better selection because the 'brick and mortar' stores seem to cater to the young kids that want their boobs to hang out of the shirts and their butts busting out of the pants LOL. I have often said that in my next life, I am going to design beautiful clothing in a full range of sizes. The fact that a lady is larger in size doesn't mean that she should have to wear clothes from two ton tony the tent maker! Beautiful comes in all sizes and colors!!!

Sweetrepose, Docs can charge different fees because they have clients that are willing to pay the fees. It's a matter of supply and demand. If there wasn't as much demand, the doc would/could lower the cost, thereby driving demand up. Many docs charge more because they have a heavier load of HMO clients. The HMOs will only pay a limited amount, which is often lower than the full price ... the self pay clients end up paying more to cover the 'loss' from the HMO patients (I am a HMO client and I mean NO offense to anyone else who is a HMO patient).

Your mom sounds like so many people that mean well but don't understand the fat person's psyche. They really don't know how to be supportive. As an example, my DH tries so hard to be supportive but often brings home Cookies or candy from work (he is a district manager for 7-eleven). He knows I love that stuff and in his heart and mind, he is only giving me what I love. I think I may have been successful in helping him to understand that I need his help to protect me from those foods that I love (because the weight they cause could well kill me). I couldn't tell from your picture ... are you 'of age' to make the surgery decision on your own? Sorry, no offense meant by that question. If you are a minor, that makes mom's concerns a bit more valid. If you are an adult, then her opinion is exactly that ... an opinion. Value it because she is your mom. Do the research; be absolutely sure of your decision and what it means and then do whatever is right for you.

I had my first fill on Friday, 10/27. Your experience during the fill itself and mine are so nearly identical, I could have written your post (or you were reading my mind!). LOL. My fill was only 4.5 ccs (not sure how much my band will hold ... it's a great question for my next dr. appt). I'm not experiencing much restriction, but I will wait for 2 or 3 weeks before I say anything to the doc. I need to practice slower eating and better chewing habits.

Ms. Sunnshyne Your scars itch like all getout because they are healing. The itching about drove me to scratch myself raw/bloody. Then I found the BEST cream in the world. Genes Vitamin E Creme. It has 100,000 IU of Vitamin E. It also has Vitamin D and collagen. It's thick and very rich in emollients. A 1 lb tub is $12.99 and it lasts a long time (a little dab does a lot of moisturizing. You can order it online at http://www.genesvitamine.com. I have also seen it at Sams Club.

Carlene, I am so very sorry for your loss. I believe that you made the best choice possible for Sarah and the fact that it broke your heart to have to do so proves just how much you loved her. I'm sure that you know this already, but dogs don't just age 7 years for each of our years, they also love 7 times stronger than we do...you are a very fortunate lady to have had such a doggie in your life ... you were truly loved. Time will ease the pain and you will be able to look back on Sarah's life and smile ... it will happen, I promise.

MaryS, Try keeping a food journal. I know it sounds silly, but if you keep track of what you eat, when, how much, etc. it's easier to figure out what's wrong. I thought that the person that suggested this to me was nuts ... well, she may be nuts, but it's a great idea!

Willow, Very well said my friend. Please, let us all remember that we have been in Sweet Sue's place, in thought if not in reality. With the lapband surgery, one expects the band to be a tool to help with the weight loss. If the situation is such that one finds that the 'bad eating habits' that plagued us before surgery are still 'do-able' one is very likely to push the envelope. I know that I have been in Sweet Sue's place and called upon y'all for words of encouragement and comfort. Y'all came through for me and I know you mean well when talking to Sweet Sue. Sweet Sue, At 25 days post op, it doesn't seem 'normal' to me that your surgeon would have approved the foods you listed. Have you tried calling the doc to request a fill? Have you mentioned your concerns to the doc or to any of his office staff? If not, please give them a call first thing on Monday a.m. Part of the fee that you paid for the surgery is the post op care and that includes 'panic attacks' (no offense meant by the term 'panic attack' ... I just cannot think of a better term for what you are experiencing.) I was banded on 8/21/06 and managed to lose about 25 lbs. It was an 'open' procedure because it was to fix a previous WLS. I has grossly swollen and bloated until about 2 weeks ago, give or take a few days. When the swelling went down, my hunger returned and tried to make up for lost time. I got a 4.5 cc fill yesterday and am doing better. One thing that helped me til I could get in for the fill: Drink a big glass of Water 30 minutes before your meal (not with or immediately following). The water will be in your belly and will help you to feel full ... w/o eating all that food. I also ate a lot of low calorie foods, salt free / fat free Soups, etc. as Snacks. I hope that your husband is supportive ... I know at halloween time, it's common to have candy in the house ... we had to put ours in a closed cupboard. If I don't see it, I don't want it. Best of luck to you. Call your doctor!

I had my original WLS in Jan. 2005 & a revision on 8/21/2006. The revision was an open surgery and I have a 6 inch scar down the middle of my tummy. The doc had to remove about 1.5 lbs of scar tissue just to get to the band to repair it and replace the port. To say that I was in pain is an understatement. I took a full two weeks off before returning to work and the first two weeks back at work, I worked from home, in my long sleep shirts and socks - it was all the clothes I could get on my body - I was so swollen and bloated. I am incredibly blessed to have been able to work from home for a full two weeks (and 2 or 3 days a week ongoing). I totally needed that time to recuperate. Please, take all the time you need, even if it means putting off a car payment (w/an extension from the lender of course) or borrowing money from your 401(k) ... whatever it takes. It's your health! If you don't heal properly, you won't be able to fully participate in your own weight loss to the fullest extent possible and that would be such a shame!

chicken is very rough for me. Hamburger meat, especially if it's a patty. Meatloaf is better, but not great. Bread is murder, unless it's toasted to the point of being petrified. My husband has a recipe for chicken baked in 98% fat free cream of chicken Soup ... thinking it might be a bit easier to get down. Hope so ... I love the taste of chicken.

50 calories for only 3 tiny little pieces of candy ... that seems very calorie expensive to me. That's about 10% of the optimum caloric intake during the liquid stage. For my calorie account, I'd rather spend 'em someplace else!

The book alone is worth it, IMHO! I have the book and it's becoming my bible. The fact that she writes so honestly about her journey is so refreshing and I figure if she can do it, so can I. GO FOR IT!!

EAS has a great protein drink ... EAS original. 310 calories/43 gm protein in an 11 oz can, but I only drink 1/2 a can at a time. You can get it at Wal-Mart. 4 cans of about 11 oz each for $11.00 or so ... and there is a $5.00 coupon on the carton. It's sort of thick, but not too thick. I LOVE the chocolate fudge. No aftertaste at all. You can also get it a Sams Club and it's a bit less expensive.

Kellers, Yepper, girl, you are going to have to quit smoking. Instead of smoking a ciggie, go for a short walk ... I know that sounds "pollyanna-ish" but it really does help ... I know because I have been there and tried that. LOL Best of luck to you & please know that your recovery after surgery will be much smoother if you don't have to worry about pneumonia

IF the state of Texas used the $8B (yes, BILLION) in lottery money on education (as our current governor says they did), we'd have one heckuva great education system. Instead, we rank 38 out of 51 ... tell me again, dear gov, where the money went? We know it wasn't to pay the teachers ... many of them have to have a part time job just to survive.

I love GW! Penni - what a totally awesome house you have and I love the kitchen windows!! If you do get to meet Jennifer Love-Hewitt, plz ask her about her eye makeup ... she has the most beautiful eyes and I'd love to know how her makeup folks 'do' her eyeliner/eyeshadow ... LOL

BeacheeGirl, Effexor will do it! I take 300 mg daily and it's killing me in trying to lose weight. Since I've been on solid food (no longer on pure liquids or mushies), I've been working on the same darn 3 pounds. I have my first fill on 10/27 and hoping for some help then. Effexor is famous for making weight loss more difficult ... as if depression isn't bad enuf! I have found that a good Protein Drink in the a.m. helps w/the weight loss. I use EAS original. 11 oz; 310 calories and 50 gm protein. (I drink 5.5 oz each a.m.). It's half my protein for the day and it keeps me feeling satisfied til lunch.

Roxy, I had the same problem when I first got my band ... it was muscle pain, due to the port being attached ... it's on the left side, right near the rib cage.

pumpkin, I too have Cigna HMO in TX ... they approved both my original WLS and the revision. They didn't take anywhere near the 30 days that they could have but it take Dr. Bryce getting on the phone for a 'peer-to-peer' review. Once the docs get the chance to talk to one another, the approval was very speedy. Wishing you success!

Hi Everyone, By way of introduction, my name is Christine. I had vertical banded gastroplasty in on 1/25/2005 (think 'non-adjustable' banding .. with staples!). I lost 60 lbs and then the staples blew ... and then I gained 30 of those 60 lbs back! YUCK! I had lap band surgery (as a revised to the vertical banded gastroplasty) on 8/21/2006. Dr. Ken Bryce was my surgeon (for both surgeries). He had lap band surgery himself and I figured if it was good enuf for him, it was good enuf for me too. I have lost 25 lbs since 8/21. I will be having my first fill in a few days and have read the "make the most of your fill" post - excellent info in that post. I am really looking forward to getting to know you all .. are there any other bandsters in the DFW area of TX??

Look into Dr. Ken Bryce in Rockwall/Rowlett. Lonestar Lapband is the office name. He did my lapband surgery and has had the surgery himself. He is very involved with the patient; doesn't 'pawn' you off on his office staff and most importantly, he listens when you talk!