slikchik10

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

Girl, you and I are in the same boat. But, I tend to be a bit "Pollyanna" about things....you still have LOST. I agree, it would be nice for life to move along a bit more quickly than it does, but to me, pounds down, is still pounds down. I look great, feel great and am still losing. It took me 20+ yrs to put it all on...I don't expect to remain healthy and it come off overnight. CHIN UP! Annette

Yeah, the Dr. at the Urgent Care gave me a scrip to use when needed. I figured I would call my regular dr. on Monday to give him a little update to ensure that it was in my chart as an item that worked VERY well for the heaving/vomiting. I had a scrip from the surgeon that only lasted for about 1-2 hrs. (supposed to have lasted for 12 hrs. before next dose) So, since zofran worked so well, I would like to keep it as my known med for this little problem.

Hey all, I just spent my evening yesterday in the Urgent Care battling severe nausea & bouts of dry heaving (nothing inside to give). My question relates to vomiting with the band. When I came home early from work yesterday, I took meds given by the surgeon for nausea & vomiting that I received post surgery. Those lasted about 1-2 hr. (was supposed to be a 12 hr. dose). After that, the dry heaving started and that reallyhurt, so I was afraid I would do something to the band. After going the "on call" merry go round with the Dr. office, I went to the UC. Now...any advice for the future? I was given Zofran (AWESOME stuff) but I would like to know if there is something I can do as better preparation for the nausea & vomiting that comes with the flu. Thanks, Annette

T'giving was great. I'm pretty sure that although I was traveling, I didn't gain while on my trip. I might not have lost, but at least I didn't gain. I did become friends with the PB experience again. Sheesh, traveling reeked havoc on my eating and not PB. I'm glad to be home. Annette

Ok, I know that things might seem like a ghost town around here, but there are some of us that read, but don't necessarily post a lot. I'm one. I love reading the Marchies postings and hearing how alike we all are. I just had my 4th fill Tue. and I think I'm the turtle...slow and sure. I'm down to the size I was 15 yrs. ago, and the weight I was about 10 yrs. ago. Losing this time is different and I definitely feel more successful than I have in the past. Thanks to all those that post regularly, it's great to read about your ups & downs and plateaus. I'm hoping to be in Onederland soon, VERY soon. Chin up, we're doing great! It took us a while to put it all on...it's gonna take a while to get it all off again. Annette