Betsyjane

I think we have to give our guys time to adjust! they don't have lapbandtalk to come to...or support groups....and it impacts them almost as much as it does us.

I went to Spivak's support group last night. There were a half dozen people there who had lost well over 100 pounds. I was shocked. The big losers were also aggressive dieters, eating around 600 calories a day, far less than I eat. I guess I have to decide if I have those aggressive goals. Here's a sample of a day's menu for these folks.... 1/2 yogurt for breakfast-save the other half for a snack. lettuce and tomatoes for lunch. meat and vege for dinner. no snacks except that half yogurt aerobic workout 5 days a week. Have I been in the dark???? I eat twice that much per day and I can't imagine filling up on half a yogurt.

I'd say about 50-60 people. The scheduled speaker was in a car accident on the way there and didn't arrive (she's OK), so it was an open discussion, which was probably a good idea for the first meeting anyway....

Call the company personnel dept and ask if they have group coverage. I'm covered under my husband's group insurance and have so many things wrong with me they probably hated to see me coming. but they couldn't refuse me or cover me at a different rate....

I went to Spivak's support group last night. There were a half dozen people there who had lost well over 100 pounds. I was shocked. The big losers were also aggressive dieters, eating around 600 calories a day, far less than I eat. I guess I have to decide if I have those aggressive goals. Here's a sample of a day's menu for these folks.... 1/2 yogurt for breakfast-save the other half for a snack. lettuce and tomatoes for lunch. meat and vege for dinner. no Snacks except that half yogurt aerobic workout 5 days a week. Have I been in the dark???? I eat twice that much per day and I can't imagine filling up on half a yogurt.

Did anybody go to the first Spivak support group meeting last night? I went begrudgingly and was pleasantly surprised. I got alot of good information and enjoyed myself. I think the man wants us to be ultra healthy party animals! He's having a Christmas party...sponsoring us in the Komen walk/run, and offering belly dancing, along with the usual educational stuff. I had heard that Speigel was making rule changes and wanting all fills done by him, slight unfills within 3 days or he'll completely unfill, etc. etc....so I asked about that for Spivak, and he's not changing anything. I'm so glad. __________________

did anybody go to the first Spivak support group meeting last night? I went begrudgingly and was pleasantly surprised. I got alot of good information and enjoyed myself. I think the man wants us to be ultra healthy party animals! He's having a Christmas party...sponsoring us in the Komen walk/run, and offering belly dancing, along with the usual educational stuff. I had heard that Speigel was making rule changes and wanting all fills done by him, etc....so I asked about that for Spivak, and he's not changing anything. I'm so glad.

Lana: That site is http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/ Had a great time. Lana and I went to Spivak's first weekly support group meeting downtown. He wants us to be healthy and party animals, I think. There's going to be a Christmas party and he's sponsoring us in the Komen breast cancer walk/run. I asked about similar changes to the Speigel changes, and there's nothing... OK to continue to go to the Surgicenter for fills, no change in procedures for anything, no required meetings. He seems more into door prizes, fun challenges, belly dancing...jeez! Anyway, the first meeting was terribly interesting. There were probably 50 people, I'd guess, and a bunch of successful bandsters. It was eye opening....it looked like the ones who had the aggressive weight loss with the band were also being serious dieters. Doing things like eating half a yogurt for breakfast and saving the other half for a snack, having a lettuce and tomato salad for lunch, and a protein and veges for dinner...total 600 calories AND working out 5 days a week. Just depends what your goals are.... They handed out some articles and I found that the one of how to deal with plateaus/no weight loss was especially good. Anyway, I have lots of thoughts going on in my head, and tomorrow will be a new day for me.... Most of all, I enjoyed your company, Lana. See you all soon.

It's a funny thing, this band. My "typical day lately has been that I can only stomach a protein shake for breakfast, a tiny bit for lunch, and a decent dinner. So now it's changing to a little food for breakfast, a big lunch, and a little bit for dinner. sometimes it's hard to keep up with this little guy. He has a mind of his own.

You're right about not comparing! It's so different for everyone. I read about people who never seem to need a fill! I didn't lose until my first fill, after my first or second fill...never felt restriction...and now I'm living the bandster life after 3 fillls...and some people seem to need as many as 7! I'm impatient short term, and keep needing to tell myself we are in this for the long term results. Hmm. Actually 19 weeks and 20 pounds is a major success! We're only supposed to average 1-2 pounds a week, so you are right on the money, without even having hit your sweet spot yet! I'd say that's WAY exciting. I get that back of the throat feeling too, but now that I have the right fill, it is my signal that I'm full, and it's not an after the fact thing. I thought it meant I was too full, but doc says it is a referred feeling from farther down and not actually in my throat, even though it feels like it. I've also heard someone talk about having an easily irritated esophagus and I'm wondering if that might feel like it's in the throat too.

Barbara-Here's the Spivak support group agenda. Does it look anything like Spiegel's? 2007 Wellness Program Schedule of Events March 13th- Grand Opening Night- Terri Lemons from DePelchin on "Volunteering for Self Esteem", Introduction to Wellness Program, Door Prizes, Discussion of concerns. March 20th- Mike Seay- Certified Vitamin Specialist from GNC. Will discuss the different supplements that are available to us and proper values we should be having on a daily basis, in addition to regular discussions of concerns. March 27th- Eugene Green-CPA on Medical Tax Information & Fashion Trade-in addition to regular discussions of concerns. April 3rd- Physical Therapist -Ingrid Hanna- Coming out to speak on how to start out exercising properly.For people with bad backs, knees. In addition to regular discussions of concerns. April 10- Kerry Monroe, Representative from CURVES FOR WOMEN, speaking about their program, they will be bringing 1week free cards for their Curves. Topic of discussion will be "The Power of Choice", in addition to regular discussions. April 17- Dr. Heller, Plastic Surgeon from Baylor College of Medicine, to discuss the different options. We will also have a Topic of discussion"How to take a Compliment", in addition to regular discussions. April 24- Fashion Trade. Topic of discussion:"How to Build Self Confidence". In addition to regular discussions. May 1- Kim Brock, Make-up Specialist, showing us ladies how apply make up properly with the right color shades and more. Door Prizes on this night, along with our regular discussion of concerns. May 8- Cindy, Cooking Healthy. Everyone is encouraged to bring their favorite "BANDED" recipes, ideas and experiences. Regular discussion of concerns and issues. May 15- Nutritionist. Discuss proper nutrition, specific diets that are proper for you, along with our regular discussions of concerns May 22- TBA May 29- Fashion Trade. Topic of Discussion:"How to Dress like a Million Dollars for under $20.00(or close to it)" Everyone is encouraged to share shopping ideas, best deal stores, etc. In addition to our regualr discussions of concerns. June 5- Dianna Kinkead, Licenced Phyco-Therapist, on mental aspects of weight loss. Regular discussion of concerns. October 6- OUR ONCE, MAYBE TWICE, A YEAR SELF CHALLENGE Our Team will be participating in the Susan G.Komen- Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer. We will be doing the short walk on October 6, 2007. Dr.Spivak will have our team shirts made for all participants to wear. This is a great event for all members of our family. More information To Be Announced.

30 pounds in 16 weeks is 1.6 pounds average per week. We're only supposed to lose a pound a week, two at most. You are succeeding. It's just hard to get used to how erradic it is, especially uuntil the fills kick in. Say it.... I am succeeding.

Hey, that was fun last night.

Are there any Houston area November bansters that would like to get together for a cuppa or a meal sometime?

Or buy a pair for $20 on ebay, and if it doesn't fit, put it back on ebay.....

Lana-I won't be able to go to Spivak's Tuesday. I'm up to my ears in dogs for Spring Break. I'll be in Humble Monday, but I guess I'll miss you there too. Enjoy your son's homecoming!

Call your doc if it persists. I went through exactly what you described and then it went away.....but better to check with doc.

Well, I never thought I'd be back at McDonalds, but if I'm in a hurry in the morning and going to (gasp) eat in the car, I drive through and order scrambled eggs. Suits me just fine. Any other acceptable fast food out there?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

To borrow from Judge Judy, taking literary license.... Fat can change. Stupid is forever.

I can only tell you the range of things that happen to me.... Sometimes something gets stuck and I feel myself making very thick saliva. I think it's interesting that the body can create this stuff that I've never seen before, to help something slide down. Anyway, there is time to go to the bathroom. Or at home to grab two layers of paper towels. The first time I did it I suffered. I just sat there making this gross stuff and hurting. And sweating. And sometimes with a runny nose for some strange reason. Now, I get my paper towels, spit that slime out a few times and then sometimes that's all. If that doesn't work, then I know I'm going to hurl, but it is usually a ladylike hurl of a small amount of stuff that comes up with minimal drama. Practice makes perfect. The only other thing I get is sometimes something is stuck and it feels really minor, and, thanks to another bandster here, I know to raise my arms over my head and sometimes it will go on down. I also know NONE of this stuff happens often if I sit up straight with good posture while I eat. Go figure..... I also know that some bandsters carry paper cups in their purses for emergencies. I like paper towels because they absorb. Maybe a paper cup with a paper towel in it is the best of both worlds.

Did you get banded in Beaumont? If so, you might ask your Dr. to refer to the support group......

Hey Lizrbit---you still in Galveston or did you wander home? How are you?

I had no preop diet and no preop testing. Just went to the seminar one night and then scheduled surgery. Then liquid diet for 24 hours, mushies for a few days, and on the solids. Doing fine.

If you are eating SOLID food...not soups, and you are still hungry after 2 hours, I think you need a fill. If you are eating liquid/mushie calories, or drinking with or after a meal, your pouch won't feel full...everything will just slide right through.