slikchik10

I teach also, I took 2 wks. I realize that it might seem that you can go easy once you're back at school, but the 2 wks. did me good. I was able to get up around the house and work my way back to the level of activity I would have at school. Good luck, Annette

Yeah, she said the PB aspect of it aggravated her bulimia problems so she had the band removed. I know that I PB occasionally, but since I've never been a purger, it don't see that happening to me. A.

I can't say that I panicked after my band was put in, but I would guess that now that you've gotten the band, the full impact of the choice has hit. I know for myself, I remember that I sat in one of our support group meetings and began thinking that I really had no other excuses for my weight. I had SURGERY to alter things and now I had to put up or shut up. So, examine why you might have panicked. Cut yourself some slack, it IS a huge change, but one that will reap benefits over time. It's a journey, come here to the website for advice and support. Introduce yourself to the group that had surgery the same time you did. All these together will help work through the panicky part of this adventure. Chin up! Annette :smile2:

I used to think that I had a size goal, but with the band, my weight loss is so different from any other time I've done this in life. It's strange, the last time I was at my current weight, I was 2 sizes bigger. It's really odd how my body's been losing the weight, rearranging itself. :confused2: So, I decided to just go with the flow. My Dr. came up with a # for weight, but I don't actually see myself there, so I figure I'll just ride the weight loss train to it's final destination. :redface: Annette

OK....I know that my total lbs. lost might not be as much as others, BUT....I hit 60lbs. total lost yesterday. That's about my 50% mark. WOOO HOOO!!! :tt2: I'm so excited about it. In fact, I was talking with a friend tonight and I realized that I've lost 30 of those pounds since the beginning of the school year (I'm a teacher). Well, that's it. Annette :thumbup:

I think it depends on how you look at the clothes themselves. I know that I like my clothes, I didn't want to buy new, so I took them to a tailor and got "new" clothes. Are they smaller, yes. I have had other items that are now too big that I passed on. Some of my lingerie that my hubby liked is WAY too big now...so I gave it to a friend. So, it's a personal decision. I decided that if I had no fat clothes, then I'm less likely to slip up. But...the decision is yours. Good luck. Annette

Hey there. Glad you're making the step toward the band. Just to let you know, I am a teacher at a middle school and I know how we are planners and chained to our school schedules. BUT...I also went through the pre-op hoops and didn't do my surgery for 6 mos. after I made the decision to go for surgery. I did it over spring break and haven't looked back. As for what to do during the 6 mos. before surgery...read all you can about things on this board prior to your surgery. That was the best habit I began and I really haven't had many surprises in all phases of my band experience. Next, if you know which surgeon you'll be working with, find out if there is a support group attached to his practice. I began attending the group prior to surgery talking with folks about their own experiences. Also, use the pre-op experience to begin changing eating patterns/habits. I started eating on smaller plates, not drinking with meals, etc. to better prepare myself for the changes that HAVE to happen after surgery. So, sorry for my sermon, but really, the time frame will be worth it. I remember getting this same advice in the beginning and thought it was bunk! :tongue_smilie: But seriously....chin up, it'll happen. Annette

Ok...please take this with all the kindness I mean, but, girl....you just had SURGERY! It's OK to need help. You shouldn't have to be a super hero in all of this. I realize we women tend to feel this way about things, but I got some great advice years ago...."Don't beat yourself up with the yardstick you're measuring yourself with." Allow yourself time to heal and learn the process of all this. Lots of changes are going to happen through this process and allowing yourself to be imperfect and make mistakes will make it a more joyful journey instead of something that seems like little bouts of failure. Chin up girl!! :cry_smile: You're in band land now. Annette

I too have the ToM syndrome. I know it's coming, I try to pay attention to the tightness factor, but there is no rhyme or reason to how early or how long. I have finally gotten to the point where I recognize the tight feeling and just do Soups until the tightness passes. I figure that is part of the band experience. The tightness doesn't last long, but it's fairly regular with the ToM. I hope this answers your questions. Annette

A few months ago I dealt with a quick bout of stomach flu. I went to the urgent care and they gave me some REALLY cool stuff that killed off the nausea in less than 5 min. I know that my Dr. wasn't in the office so that was my only option. I would double check with your Dr. about what he would recommend for you to take. There is anti-nausea meds that you can take. Good luck, Annette

I too am glad to see all the action here on the LDS thread. I am someone that has been very open about my surgery. I agree, it's a tool, but everyone has been supportive (especially my DH). I dread the compound with the FLDS thing. My mIL will go off, about how it makes our church look bad (and she's Catholic!). Anyway, congrats to those finally gaining approval, and congrats to us all on the band journey. Annette

Welcome to band land. I didn't have high cholesterol but the cholesterol # I did have dropped by 29 points as a result of the changes made by surgery. I would definitely encourage you to read the boards here, attend the seminar where you are and even support group there if possible. I've been banded over a year. It's a great tool if you use it to it's potential. Good luck.

I suffer from migraines and abdominal cramps when PMS & during periods. I totally agree with the children's ibuprofen. I keep in in the pantry and drink LOTS of Water after I take my dose to move it down to my main stomach instead of staying in my pouch. It actually works faster than a pill for me. I only use it for those times when I KNOW nothing else will work. I'm not a vicoden fan, only took 1 1/2 pills post surgery. I'm a lightweight when it comes to pain meds, so this works well for me. Good luck. Annette

I spend most of my time freezing and I NEVER got cold before surgery. I sleep in PJs (didn't do that before) and have a twin size electric blankie on my side so I can stay warm overnight and get a decent night's sleep. My DH laughs, I stay bundled and he's in shorts & T shirts. I was told by a really fit/thin friend that she freezes all the time too. I plan on asking my Dr. this when I go in next. It's nice to know that we all are in the same boat. :thumbup: Annette

Hey there trucker! I've been banded almost a whole year (few days from now) and I will never regret it. I've had a variety of friends that have had the bypass, but the more I prayed about it, the worse I felt (for me personally). So when the band came along, I certainly thought about it from many angles of membership. I waited 6 mos. before I was banded due to my schedule and HMO. I thought that this was the best way for me to keep the WoW to the fullest. I will admit that I still have some carbs, but not NEARLY the amount I'd been used to before. As for the sacrament, I remember attending church the Sunday after my surgery and didn't stop to think about taking the sacrament...and then OH :smile: MY....I remembered that it was bread!!! (I'd only had the band a few days....LOL) I just said a quick prayer and I was fine. Have been fine ever since, in fact, I NEVER have trouble with the sacrament, but I have had trouble if I try to even sneak a baby size bite of bread. I figure HF is watching out for me and wants me to succeed with this. I've not lost great leaps of weight, but I am constantly going down, slowly, but down. I'm the size I was when I came home from my mission, and I just need about 40 more lbs. to be my high school weight. So I say go for it. BTW, I'm one of those southern WV chicks, so I totally get the food thing, but I do know that because I'm in my 40s, it's not coming off easily, so do it now, while you're young. Well, there you have it, my opinion. (For what it's worth) Good Luck!

I'm still here, and glad to be with the gang a year later. Can you believe it...WOW!

Ok...off topic. NSV for the day, I'm now wearing a size smaller Gs than when I first got them. I lost weight on my mission and didn't drop a G size...now, I'm down a size. YEAH!!!

Ditto to all the folks above. I was feeling the same way and it took a few fills for things to restrict and work for me. Chin up...it will get better, don't compare yourself to ANYONE on this board, just where you started and where you are now. Best of luck! Annette

OK...went to the Dr. today. I was really nervous because I thought I had until 2/12 (I had forgotten today's appt., until the call yesterday) to work better on things. (I maintained over the holiday, no loss). I know it sounds crazy, but in a way, going to my Dr. seems like being sent to the principal's office and being the "good student" I freak! So, I was hoping the #'s would be better than before.....AND THEY WERE!!!!! I was down 8lbs!!! I am so pleased. It may be going down slowly, but it's going down. WHOO HOOO!!!! Ok, carry on... Annette

Wow, we're moving up in the world I guess. Things are going pretty well for me right now. I've always been a bit of a slow loser, but I figure I maintained during the holidays so now, I'm almost down 5 since then. YEAH!!! Hope all is going well for the Marchies. I can't believe it's almost been a year. I realize that we've all had challenges over this last year, but I think we'd all agree....it's been worth it! Cheers!

Kyethra, I remember my g-ma's Dr. telling her to make sure she's getting enough potassium or she'd have leg cramps. Check with your Dr., it's most likely a Vitamin issue. I've heard the Calcium thing as well from my nutritionist. Best of luck. Can I just say that traveling/holiday has become a maintenance issue for me. Sheesh, what a pain. I know that I've been doing ok with it, but I need to create a better plan for when I travel. I've been visiting family over the past week, and it's crazy. I head home today and am looking forward to routine again. Happy New Year Guys! Annette

I don't currently have trouble with my restriction and the block meetings. I am hungry by the time it's over (9-12) but we go to the 11-2 schedule in a couple of weeks. I still don't think this will mean much since I'll just plan to eat before I go, or I'll take a snack. Frankly, being a teacher is more of a pain with this than church. 30 mins to inhale a lunch....lol, my inhaling days are OVER. Slime & PB are my friend if I go to fast, so, the block is actually pretty good. Anyway, I'd just take a snack. There's diabetics in the ward I'm sure and just like them, it's a medical condition. (I know, I really am not concerned if folks know I had surgery or not....don't care about other people's opinions all that much...lol) Good luck. Annette

Mr. NG...sorry to hear about your wife's decision. I know that the nutritionist I worked with had me stop drinking with meals BEFORE I even went to the surgeon's office. It was part of my pre-op stuff. I will admit, that since I did all that 6 mos. before surgery, it made it MUCH easier for it to be that way post band. Keep your chin up, she may see your success with the band and change her mind again...you know how we women are. LOL Annette

Ok, WP...I'm gonna quote my Dr. here..."You need a whopper of a fill." I can't eat what you did Fri night all day, much less at one sitting. I had my 4th fill in Aug, and the Dr. gave me a "whopper" and boy did it make a difference. I would ask the Dr. what he thinks. Also, is there a nutritionist connected with your Dr. office? I would suggest working with the nutritionist to help you design a plan that will work nutritionally as well as the type of eater you are. My nutritionist asked was I a snacker, and if so, she would have worked in alternatives for me until I was better able to eat the 3 squares the bandster should be doing. There is a link here that I found here that is great for helping decide the need for change (fill, exercise, etc.) To fill or not to fill? Good luck. Annette