conniesueb

Hey Dr. Angela--I have a question for you--I have started working with a personal trainer, and she told me that taking magnesium will help with sore muscles after a workout. How much should I be taking? I got some 250 mg tablets, but I'm not sure if I should just take it once a day or more. Any ideas about that? Thanks. Where is evryone? Must be a busy week for everyone. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hey Pookie--I'm Connie from Pueblo--welcome to LBT. I hope everything works out well for you. If you go to the Colorado page, there is a thread there with several of us in Colorado--in fact, we are trying to plan a get-together this summer in Denver, so we'd love to have you. Not everyone there is banded yet, either. Welcome!

Well, I have had my knee replaced, but it was done before i was banded. I wish I could have waited until I had this done, because I am thinking that my rehab would have been a lot easier had I been thinner. I still need to have the other one done, but I have had bad experiences with knee surgeries, and am waiting until I absolutely have to do it. I know exactly how you feel, though. I really thought that once I lost weight(I am at 70 pounds now) that my knees, and ankles would feel better, but to tell you the truth, they just don't feel that much different. Although, there is improvement, because I can do a lot more than I could before, but still, it never goes away. I came out of my knee replacement surgery with nerve damage in my foot, which is apparently some freak thing that almost never happens, so don't let that scare you. I think you are smart to do them both at the same time, as long as you have all that time off. The best advice I can give is rehab, rehab, rehab!! It is so important to follow through with the rehab--and with 100 pounds ggone, it should be a breeze. Good luck with everything!

Hey girls! Yes, a weekend would definately be better for me. My husband is starting a big job in Aurora this week, so he will be working up there for several weeks, and I would have a good reason to come up there! In fact, I am coming up this weekend again. I won 4 tickets to a Colorado Crush game, and we are going this Friday. My son is coming up to tour a college on Friday, and then my daughter and I will come up after school. Have any of you heard of a place called Amazing Jake's in Aurora? It looks like an awesome place. We want to go this weekend while we're there. It's a big family fun place--I was just wondering if anyone has been there. How was everyone's Mother's Day? Hope you all had a great weekend.

Sure, Tom, rub it in!! Just kidding--you are doing awesome!! We are still waiting for a picture, however. I hope everyone had a great mother's day. Vikki--your kids are absolutely beautiful! I had a very busy weekend--my husband and I and some friends went to a street dance Friday night, and I actually managed to find a vendor that sold grilled chicken salads! Of course, the 2 wine coolers I drank probably override that, but oh well. The wine coolers were not such a great idea tho, because of the carbonation--I was soooo bloated! Then Saturday my daughter had a dance recital, and then we went to a wedding reception where they had fried chicken, pasta and meatballs and sausage, rolls, etc. Not great--but i actually only ate a couple bites of sausage. But the 3 long island iced teas I drank may have overrode that too. Do we see a pattern developing here? I did dance at the reception though, so maybe i burned off those extra liquid calories? Wishful thinking? Then Sunday, we barbequed for my mom and i didn't do too bad there. All in all, a very busy, fun weekend. Bad news today, though--my sister ended up in the hospital--she was at my house yesterday, and was complaining about her stomach, saying she had gasssy-like cramps, and looked a little bloated, and said her stomach felt hard. After she left, she started throwing up, and this morning went to the ER because the pain was so bad. She's got a bowel obstruction, and is really sick. So, she is in the hospital, where they are draining fluid out of her stomach, and hoping they don't have to do surgery. So, if everyone could say a little prayer for her, I would really appreciate it. She doesn't have any insurance, either, and that is really freaking her out! Well, hope everyone has a good week--let's make good choices!

Wow, that does seem a little weird--600 calories a day? I don't know how many calories i eat a day, but I know its more than that! I don't count calories, really, I just try to make good choices and eat lots of protein. I am working with a personal trainer now, and she really stresses the importance of getting enough protein when you are trying to build muscle. I am debating about getting another fill though--starting to get a little hungrier in between meals again. And Misty, I am really sorry to hear about your problems--hopefully things will only get better for you now.

Well, gastric bypass scared the hell out of me. I did not want to be opened up like that! This is laproscopic, easy, and succesfull. You control how restricted you want to be, and it is completely reversable. You may lose quicker with bypass, but I think this is much safer. Good luck.

Hey guys--thanks so much! The concert was awesome!! Lots of droolage! The place was packed like sardines, though! Well, I don't know if my days are average or not--I mean I don't always eat the same things. Fro breakfast I'll have either some eggbeaters with cheese, or a small bowl of cereal, or a whole-grain waffle with peanut butter. Lunch often is a Lean Cuisine or Weight Watchers frozen meal that is just meat and veggies--I try to stay away from pasta, potatoes, rice, and bread. Or a salad with some grilled chicken or turkey in it. Or, if I'm eating on the go, I like a small Wendy's chili. Dinner is crazy because my daughter has something going on almost every night, so we are usually eating out. I try to stick with salads, or grilled chicken or fish and veggies. Last night dinner was a small steak at Applebee's and a few bites of broccoli. I am also working out almost every day, and have just started working with a personal trainer. She is kicking my butt for sure!! Michelle in Pueblo--after your first consult with Dr. Smith, you have to see a dietician, and a psychologist--I actually had to go to the psychologist twice--then, after they get those reports back, it is about 3-4 weeks to schedule for surgery. And of course--the psychologist fees are seperate, and I had to pay for the actual report, too! But it all went pretty fast. Have you been to one of his seminars? That is a good place to start. I think the second weekend in June should be fine--pick a restaurant and let me know--we could probably get one or two meals and split them and still have leftovers!. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Hi guys--it sounds like a few of you are struggling. I know we all struggle from time to time, but just remember that you have this wonderful tool to work with. BetsyJane--I think joing OA is a great idea for working on the mental aspect of all this. So much of our eating habits are mental. But like Tom said, slowly is the safest way to go--with the best chance of not having all that sagging skin. I have just started working with a personal trainer at my gym because i felt like I needed a little extra push. I have been doing the 30 minute circuit 5 or 6 days a week for a few months, but felt like I needed a little something more. And with the strength training i am learning< i will start to burn more calories naturally. I have also slowed a little in my weight loss, but I knew that was bound to happen. I am just happy to still be losing! I can shop in the misses dept. instead of the plus sizes for the first time in years, and that feels great. Hang in there everyone, we will get through this! And happy 6 month bandiversary to everyone!

Are you sure it was Bon Jovi singing Dead or Alive? Lots of other prople have recorded that song--including Chris Daughtry! And Chris Cagle. Anyway, He is a hottie and I will be glued to the tv tonight!!

Hi Michelle in Pueblo--I am in Pueblo, too! I had Dr. Smith do my surgery and it broke down like this--$4000.00 for Dr. Smith, $1000.00 for Anesthesia, and $7800.00 for Parkwest surgery center. I think he is an excellent surgeon, and I have not had any problems--at all! I do know of two people who had Dr. Brown that got staph infections, though, so that is something to consider. Dr. Brown has done more procedures, but I still like Dr. Smith. He will not bill insurance, though--I had to pay up front, and am now in the process of getting reimbursed from my insurance company. It's nice to have someone else from Pueblo here! I am 5 months out, and doing great--I have lost 66 pounds, and counting! PM me or e-mail me at boonconburns@comcast.net anytime--I'd love to talk to you! Connie

June sounds good to me. Collector, I am glad you are feeling good as well. Did Denver get dumped on pretty good this week? We just got lots of rain and wind down here.

I felt so bad for Jordin last night--I think Ryan took 10 years off her life! That was just mean! I did donate. I think it was an awesome show. It's just not as fun without Sanjaya to make fun of though!

That's weird--I exercise everyday on my lunch hour--before I eat, and I have never had a problem. Just goes to show that we are all different, I guess. The important thing is that you are exercising, right? Congrats!

I know what you mean about the growth there--we got married in Glacier Park in 1995, and have been back almost every summer since, and every year it amazes me how much its grown. We are headed that way again this July. I just love being there--it is so relaxing and peaceful for me. Colorado is beautiful, too, but it's just different up there.

I'll be on vacation the week of July 4th, so that's not good for me. How are you feeling, Michelle? Any solid foods yet?

Wow, Misty--that sucks. I guess the silver lining is all the weight you have lost, but it sucks that you can't eat normal food. Hopefully, after you get your new band, everything will be better. Hang in there!

I would love to get together with you guys! Just let me know the time and place, and I will try my best to be there. A weekend would be best for me, because of work. I am in Pueblo, but would be happy to come to Denver. I will actually be in Denver this weekend--seeing Chris Cagle at the Grizzly Rose! So excited!

Hey Sharon--I am not in Montana, but my husband grew up in Martin City--just down the road from Glacier Park, and my inlaws still live there. I love Montana! We go up there every summer on vacation. Where exactly are you?

That is so awesome that you want to help her so much. I totally agree with BetsyJane. Just take your cues from her--everyone is differnet in how much help they want, so just let her know that you are there for her no matter what. I am more private about it, my husband learned not to ask me every day how much weight I'd lost, or how I was feeling, etc. Sometimes, I'd just rather not make a big issue out of it, and he has learned that. He is very good about complimenting me though--he is constantly telling me how good I look, but sometimes that can be overwhelming, too. Us women are fickle creatures, and I'm sure it is hard to figure out how to strike that balance between showing care and concern, and smothering! Like I said, just take your cues from her--I'm sure she will let you know what she wants, and if she doesn't just ask. She may think you know what she wants, when you really don't have a clue, so keep the lines of communication open. Good luck!

Tom, if you have a cell phone with a camera, you could stand in front of a full length mirror and take a picture of yourself. Just a suggestion! People should just mind their own business, shouldn't they? About your weight, I mean. Did those same people tell you that you were too fat when you weighed more? Some people are just very insensitive without even knowing it I guess. I work with a girl who weighs about 95 pounds, and it amazes me the number of people who tell her that she is too skinny. No one ever told me I was too fat, so why do they think it's okay to say that to her? And she's very sensitive about it, because she is trying to gain weight--the girl definately eats--she was just blessed with one of those speedy metabolisms. I hate her a little for that!

Oh my God Mark--you crack me up. It was definately time for him to go, but now who are we going to make fun of?

Ok Tom, maybe you should post a picture, so we can see just how skinny you are! I agree that you need to do what you are comfortable with. No one else can tell you what you should weigh--it's all about you being comfortable and happy with yourself. I do think that going to the gym and toning up will help--it makes a big differnece in how our skin fits our bodies i guess. Isn't it weird for people to call you skinny though? I am no where near my goal, but people have been saying that I'm sure getting skinny. I feel far from skinny! Skinnier, yes, skinny, no! I'm serious about the picture, though--I'm sure we'd all like to see how great you look(with clothes on, of course!)

Any chance you are not eating enough? I know that sounds crazy, but if you eat too little, your metabolism slows down because it thinks you are starving your body, and will hold on to every calorie. I agree that Fitday.com is a great way to track your calories. What about other liquids? Are you getting any extra calories there? It's amazing sometimes where we get hidden calories from. What kind of exercise are you doing? You might try changing the type of exercise you are doing to give yourself a jump start. Good luck

People ask me all the time what my goal is, and I tell them I don't really know. I have been heavy for so long that I don't know what weight I will be happy at. I guess I will know it when I get there. But for now, I can't really set a goal. I want to look good and feel good--I guess that's my goal.