bwaydiva

Wait til you have the right fill... My weight loss was super slow and almost non existent the first six months. It helped me get my head on straight but once I got restriction things really started to move. Sure I had some restriction before but once I found my sweet spot things started to be well... SWHEEEEEEET!!!! =) Hang in there. ~ Sheila

Hello Fellow Banders, I've been away for a long time. I've tried to do this on my own and I've finally accepted that I need your support and help. You are all amazing women who are soooo inspirational. I'm sorry that I just disappeared and that I didn't respond to any private messages. I'm doing okay and now that I've finally have some restriction I'm starting to lose weight. People are starting to notice that I'm losing weight but whenever they make a comment, I react by eating foods that will slip through the band. Does anyone else have trouble taking a compliment? You were all so wonderful to me pre-surgery and I would LOVE an opportunity to help you all. I want so badly to succeed but I need your help to do it. I'm seeing a therapist, I'm exercising and for once in my life, I'm actually hopeful about my weight. You were all so helpful and kind to me and you all offered wonderful and practical wisdom. I'd really appreciate your help. I hope that all of your are well and happy. With love, Sheila PS I need to update my ticker and my signature. LOTS of things have changed. =)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I swear in my day to day life, I'm never in crisis like I am on LBT. I don't live my life like this. Posting... well it's like therapy or something. By telling you guys about my food issue or "confessing" to you all about it, I actually acknowledge what's going on and I can see the big picture. Once I post, I begin feel better. And then your phenomenal responses! Seriously, I couldn't ask for better group of wonderful, wise women. Not to mention skinny! Thank you all so much. Today was so much better for me. I discovered that I REALLY like refried beans. Those are definitely mushie!! I also got on the scale and discovered that in one week I've lost 9 pounds. Definitely water weight but still helpful in lifting my mood. Talk to you all soon. Thank you. I'm truly so grateful.

Sorry I've been away. Dealing with family stuff, new job and the reality that I AM actually banded has kept my head full. Guys I have not been doing well. I'm a week out from being banded and I'm already back to eating crappy foods. I'm supposed to be on mushies for another week. I'm so disappointed with myself. I'm still eating significantly less than I used to.... but snacking? I can't believe that I just gave up going back to school for another year for this band and I can't seem to only eat three meals a day?! Ugh!! I am thoroughly disgusted with myself. I know it's all head hunger but I don't know what to do. I have NO willpower... just like before surgery! I am so sorry to hear about Alan's problems. I hope that those resolve within the next few months. We're all sending positive thoughts your way. Tracy take loads of Airborne and Zycam. That combo always does the trick for me. A food challenge sounds like a really good idea. I haven't been keeping track of my exercise but I have been doing it every other day. Doc said no biking til after my first fill so I've been doing lots of walking with my ipod. You guys have been so supportive. Hope everyone is doing well. Sheila

Angie that web page is really neat! I'm feeling so much better today after sleeping with my heating pad on my tummy. Mmm feels so good. Anyway, off to work! Hope everyone has a great day!!

I REALLY do think that being younger has it's advantages. I had my surgery last Wednesday and, except for some port pain, I feel good. I'm self pay so I'm REALLY hoping that my skin will just firm up naturally and no TT will be necessary. However, I would like to have decent legs at goal and right now... well that doesn't look too promising. Ladybug I totally understand the Old Navy and Gap dilemma! It's so frustrating being able to only buy earrings or a scarf. Shopping will be FUN!! (I'm a girl, I get excited about things like that...lol) Best of luck on your surgeries and let us know how they go.

You look amazing!

Reqgoddess, although I do only have the perspective of a 20 year old, I think you would be laughing your butt off at my sincere inability to go from laying on my couch to standing. Currently I have it down to something like a roll!! =) I definitely still have pain at my port site as evidence by the fact that it's midnight here in California and I can't fall asleep because I can't find a comfortable position!! I was just trying to be encouraging and for me, sometimes a little push can go a long way. Charolette, I was merely trying to be encouraging and I hope that my comments will be viewed more as empathy than sympathy. I hope that you're sleeping well and comfortably.

Hello fellow band sister. I was banded on April 11th and I had all the problems that you're having yesterday and this morning. I called my Dad who is an ER doctor and my Mom who's a nurse and they agreed that it was all perfectly normal. They urged me to keep walking and keep drinking two litres of water a day. So yes it is normal... at least for two of us. I've heard people saying that drinking milk or dairy products can really irritate your new tummy. Drink your water or soup REALLY slowly. I did little medicine cups full of soup; one every five minutes. You'll feel better if you have some protein or at least some calories. I KNOW that it hurts but you have to get up and walk around. It's the muscles underneath the incisions that hurt... at least for me. So grab a heating pad and set your timer for every hour and walk around your house when that timer goes off. I PROMISE it gets easier but you have to push yourself. If you have a fever or you get really dizzy that doesn't resolve itself within thirty seconds, call your doctor. If you're still worried, call your doctor. That's what docs are for! I hope other people can help. Best of luck. PM me if you need a walking or drinking (he, he) buddy. Hang in there!

I had surgery on Wednesday and I feel like I got in a bar fight! It feels like someone punched me in the stomach a couple of times... more sore than acute pain. But it's a lot better than Wednesday, better than yesterday and I feel pretty good today. Get your butt out walking and you'll feel better and stronger.

I just got banded on Wednesday and although I'm not depressed, I have noticed that my mood has taken a turn for the worst. It's hard being dependent on people and it's hard feeling sore and tired. Keep in mind, the band is not a panacea. I was on meds for depression before the band and will be on meds after the band. It runs in my family. I think it's pretty normal to have a wtf moment post-banding. That's when you just have to get on the Before and After Pics thread and set goals for yourself. I'm going for a walk today and taking my meds for the first time since Tuesday. Being afraid of being depressed or a little sad isn't a big reason to not get the band. I came to the realization that I would be even more depressed if I didn't have the band. The band gives you faith that you can be successful this time... And if depression is a mild side affect for hope in my life... Well I'll take the blues.

Hi Team April! I missed you guys but I'm happy to say that I am officially a member of BANDLAND!! I'm still pretty sore but I'm feeling a lot better since I got off the vicoden. I have a quick question. I take serotonin uptake inhibitor and I was wondering if anyone has tried swallowing pills yet? It's a pretty small pill to begin with and I was hoping if I divide it in two and then take a swig of water it would go down....any thoughts? How are my other April 11th band sisters doing? I'm on full liquids and tomorrow I move to mushies. I've never been more grateful to eat cottage cheese in my life! Are you guys hungry at all? I don't know what hunger feels like but my tummy sure is making a LOT of noise. Hope you are all doing well. Good luck to those having surgery, in recovery or anxiously waiting. With love,

Oh and did I mention: I'M FINALLY BANDED!!! (See there's always something to be happy about!)

Hi guys. This is my first post since having surgery. I'm pretty out of it still and typing is a little difficult. I'm off the vicoden and only doing liquid tylenol. I'm definitely going through the "What the f*** have I done stage?!" I know that this is the right decision and that now is time for healing. I'm just tired and sore. Drinking Water 2 litres of water is hard and I'm exhausted from only 5 minutes of walking around. My port is right below my sternum so breathing is pretty painful. Thanks for letting me vent. However, I am excited about the future and I know that this discomfort is only temporary. But...Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. You guys are all such an inspiration....I can only hope to be as successful as you all a year later! With love,

Hi Team April! I'm so glad people are posting on this thread again! I've really missed you guys and I hope that everyone had a great Passover/Easter/Weekend. My weekend was VERY eventful. This month is just gonna be a new start for me in MANY ways. First a little history, my Dad died two years ago when I was a senior in high school. He died very unexpectedly and I renounced God and Christianity. I couldn't understand how a just and loving God could hurt my family so much. Weight wise I packed on over 100 pounds in the year following his death. I was always overweight (BMI +30) but never obese. I also moved across the country and tried, VERY unsuccessfully to start a new life. Anyway, I was consumed with anger and pain and I directed it at God. This past weekend (after 1.5 years of therapy, 6 weeks at an inpatient facility for bulimia/binge eating disorder, 5 months of cathecism classes, and a LOT of 12 step meetings) I became Catholic. I took my first communion and was baptized into the Church this past Saturday night on Easter Vigil. While this may not seem like a big deal, I'm a really spiritual and artistic person and not having God in my life was well...devoid of life and passion. I AM NOT trying to push religion or hurt anyone's feelings. I just wanted to share what I view as a big step in my recovery from my Dad's death and my addiction to food. I am strongly against "religiosity" and the "show." I think it's pretentious and well, stupid. Maybe this isn't even the right forum to post this... it's just that you guys know me the best of LBT and as fellow banders you'd understand how feeling devoid of goodness can lead to a chocolate binge. Please don't judge. I just wanted to share my excitement over a big step toward the new and improved Sheila. Now I'm being banded in 36 hours...well I'm just grateful for a fresh start. Thanks so much for reading this VERY lengthy post. Sometimes you just need to see things in black and white for them to be real. I hope I didn't offend anyone. If I did, feel free to PM me. You guys rock! Seriously, with all your record breaking, goal setting and humor, I just feel grateful to be part of this group of extraordinary people. Thanks so much. Sheila

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/april-bandits-exercise-t32404.html?p=438542 Go to this Thread and it will explain on the first page all about our little exercise challenge. It's just a way to motivate one another to get out there and exercise. I'm doing the tin foil challenge which is 14 sessions that are 20 minutes long. AHHHHH!!! That's all I have to say about my surgery being in two days!!

What happened to our thread?! Well I'm currently at 5 exercise sessions. Today will be 6! I'm getting into the biking and although my rump is sore, I'm beginning to enjoy the wind in my face and the gorgeous weather. (Why YES I do LOVE living in California right now!) Today is my last day of eating. I'm nervous and excited. Tomorrow I travel to Fresno and I'm on clear liquids. Wednesday is the big day! I'm off to GNC to pick up some protein powder. Still need to do the laundry and right my letter saying I understand everything. Oh yeah and work. Yikes, Sheila get your butt off LBT!! Love you guys. Hope you're doing well. How did everyone's Easter/Passover/Weekend go? I miss you guys. AHHH I HAVE got to go!

Panda.... AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! :omg: :omg: AHHHHHHHH!!! GRRRRRR!!!! Did it work? My attempt was to scare the hiccups out of you. :nervous You could also try standing on your head. Just a suggestion. :rolleyes Hope you feel better.

Hey younger bandsters! How's it going? How's the weight loss? I get banded in only a few short days. I'm very excited. Hope you guys are doing well.

I completed my 3rd exercise session. I rode my bike to church (practicing for 1st communion/baptism/singing this Saturday) and then I rode my bike to the bank. It was neat knowing that I could easily have taken the car but I CHOSE to ride my bike. Maybe I do have some willpower... who knew?! In all honesty, one of the man reasons I'm posting is to see my little ticker being updated. 5 DAYS PEOPLE!! I'm VERY excited. Anyway, take you ya'll soon. Guysis, that game sounds fun! Julie, you'll be running before you know it. Thanks for all the support and encouragement. have a great day!

Another question: (I promise to be less "needy" after I'm banded!!) Did you all have self-discipline before you were banded? Post-op is it easier to follow a food plan and an exercise plan? Just curious. I'm in for the long haul so you don't need to sugar-coat the answers. Just wondering. Thanks Team April!

:think Seriously, I got a little teary eyed when I looked online and found all your encouraging responses. Thank you so much. I am so grateful for this thread and for this group of extraordinary women. You know when you make a big decision you can feel it in your gut if it was the right or wrong decision.... I KNOW I'm making the right call. But to not have the support of my own mom... well it's just hard. My Dad is an MD and my step-Mom is a nurse and both think that this surgery is a great idea. I'm working with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and eating problems and she thinks I'm going to do well. Anyway, thanks so much for the support and the inspiration. If I could even lose 50 pounds in a year and keep it off, I would consider this a sucess. :clap2: I'm going to get on my bike today again. I've had a sore rump since Monday but I feel great. I tackled a big hill for the first time on Monday. Okay it's not THAT big but it feels big! :nervous Julie, I hope that you continue to feel better. I'm on a leave of absence from NYU so when I come back to New York maybe we can get a chance to meet face to face! Guysis, what's Mah Jongg? Glad to here that "Poppops" is doing well. (In my family it's Poppy!) Eficka, thank you, thank you, thank you. Boo-Way to Go!! A 9:30 min mile! Wow. I am impressed! Kat-You are officially "fierce" in my book! A cowgirl by day and a lady by night. You could single-handedly play all the parts in a western melodrama. You guys rock. And yes, by this time next week, I'll be in bandland! In honor of Kat, "YEEHAW!!"

Hi team, I've been away a few days dealing with the "repurcussions of my actions." :faint: The actions being that I will be banded next week and will be self-pay. And oh, my mom, a nutritionist/dietician, thinks this is the worst decision I have ever made and that I'm too immature to even make such a decision. :cry I need some support guys. :help: If you were 20, would you have this surgery? I don't think I'm too young. I moved three-thousand miles away from home to go to school and even though I'm on a leave of absence right now to deal with my weight, I've made huge progress regarding my physical and mental health. My mom's friends have been calling me non-stop to tell me what a terrible decision this is. One of them is a doctor and told me what a high failure rate the lap band has... One of them told me that I should wait till I was 25 to make this decision because I'm too young to see the big picture- as if on my 25th birthday I will magically wake up and be wise.... One of them told me that because I don't have a comprehensive team under one roof that it's a terrible idea. PLEASE LBT friends tell me that I'm making a good decision. I KNOW I'm doing the right thing... :clap2: But sometimes you need it from an outside source. I'm scared and having pre-surgery jitters, like everyone else, and all this negativity and self-doubt is not helping me. Thanks for reading my emotional purge, Sheila P.S. On a positive note, I have completed two exercise sessions on my bike. Tin Foil Challenge: 2 out of 14 exercise sessions (20 mins)

Welcome back Julie!! YEAH!!! I'm glad that someone else is joining the Tin Foil Challenge with me. Once the tubes come out, you'll feel much better (according to my friends and family who have had PS... I can only wish!) Take it easy. Watch feel-good movies. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Sheila

I finally found the list that I was looking for! I hope that this is helpful for others! Breathe in breathe out. We're all gonna do great Love you guys, Sheila PREOPERATIVE SHOPPING LIST This list contains items that some patients wish they had before their surgeries but didn't think of til later. It is compiled from suggestions by Mandy, Photonut, Archermom, NancySmiles and her LBSG support group (including Nancy, Del, Cindy, and Toni), Gadgetlady, and NancyRN. Feel free to post your suggestions to add to our list. Hope these suggestions are helpful. List put together by NancyRN FOOD For fluid stage: • Bottled water – plain or flavored, some like Propel or Fruit 2-0 • Popsicles (sugar-free as needed) • Crystal Light • Crystal Light “On the GO” in different flavors - add to bottled water • Jello (sugar-free) • Gatorade • Bouillon or chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)* • Ensure, Boost, Glucerna - or whatever protein drink the Dietitian asked you to drink based on your history* • Protein powder for shakes* • Frozen fruits for protein shakes • Clear soups • Decaf tea • Hot cocoa mix (sugar-free) For creamy stage: • Cream of Wheat • Creamy soups • Applesauce • Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit • "Imagine" Soups - in cartons (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups.) • Soup-at-Hand soups • Small pudding cups (sugar- and fat-free) - Take a spoonful to get meds to slide down easier •Sugar-free gum (ask your doctor) •Sugar-free breath mints (Ask your doctor) *Make sure to taste each item before you buy them in bulk DRUGSTORE • Liquid medications Tylenol (adult strength) Pain medications Gas-X or Phazyme You will want these meds right away when you come home. It can be very difficult to find them in a liquid form. Check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or how far in advance you will need to order them. At your preop visit (or earlier if needed), ask the doctor for prescriptions so that you will have them ready when you return home. • Chewable vitamins • Stool softener • Antihistamine cream, if you tend to get irritated by tape or bandages Do not put directly on incision. • Heating pad • Flexible ice pack • Pill cutter • Gauze pads 4x4 • Non-irritating tape, such as paper tape • Kitchen timer – for 15 minute sip intervals for the first few days • Blender • Wet Wipes or “adult baby wipes” like Cottonelle • Toilet tongs (long barbeque tongs) – Use if you are just too sore after the surgery to reach around and wipe your “behind”. Just wrap the wipes around the end to get an additional few inches so you don’t have to contort yourself. OTHER THINGS TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE • A few books or movies • Comfy clothes, such as loose-waisted shorts • Slip-on shoes • Squishy pillow for car ride -to cushion seatbuilt • For women, a sports bra – “doc said no underwire for a few days” Don't forget to bring chap stick with you. THINGS TO DO BEFORE SURGERY • Prepare your advance health care directive form, so key people can carry out healthcare decisions important to you if you are unable to so. Discuss your decisions with these key people, including family and doctors. One excellent way is to fill out your “Five Wishes” booklet. Obtain several weeks in advance from “Aging With Dignity”, 1-888-5-WISHES (1-888-594-7437). You can obtain other formats from your hospital or online. • Cook some chicken before surgery. Save the broth and freeze it in very small containers (ice cube trays work well). This broth has less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem. • Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness). • Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital. • Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. • Catch up on your laundry and housecleaning. • Make arrangements for someone else to prepare family meals – You may not feel like cooking for some time. • Get a manicure or pedicure.