June 2006 Band Crew

[barbara465 2]

I saw this link on another board and thought it was very good. It is 10 most common mistakes WLS patients make. Enjoy

http://www.nawls.com/public/333.cfm

[Melissa Lea 1]

Leecelove --Thanks for the congrats! I'm actually very excited but a bit nervous about the whole thing as well. I'll be glad when I start my new job and get settled in.

Aimee --I will be in Shreveport but my territory is down to Alexandria and South East Texas. I'm not sure how close Alexandria is to Baton Rouge but if it's close we will have to get together for lunch or dinner one day.

Barb465 --Those are excellent reminders. I will admit, I still drink with my meals. However, it's very seldom that I snack between a meal and I don't seem to be able to eat more when I drink. Since I've been on this plateau though for almost 3 weeks. I think it may be time to not drink with meals and see how it goes. And yes, more regular exercise.

[Randi L 0]

Barb465:

That link you posted hit me square dead in the head.

I was not doing 8 out of the 10 things.

I can complain all I want about how miserable the time has been,

but the truth makes me see:

I'm not doing enough, and in some cases doing too much.

I have come to view my band as an enemy.

It's time to make peace with this thing, and do what I was told to do.

Thank You for posting that link.....

[socalgal3 4]

Regina-

I got the "traveling pants" today. Thank you so much! I'll probably wear some to work tomorrow! One pair of the black ones were too big! Never thought a 16 would be too big!

[warmmorningsun 1]

Alexandria and South East Texas. I'm not sure how close Alexandria is to Baton Rouge but if it's close we will have to get together for lunch or dinner one day.

Melissa, Alexandria is about 2 hours from BR, but we could still possibly do lunch one day! or dinner.

[Pinkylee 7]

Melissa - Sooo excited for you. Must be good news month for new jobs. DS got a new one today with a much need raise that will enable him to move out on his own. Yikes!!!! This will make the 3rd time my nest has emptied.

Kimsretro - Good to hear from you

Thanks for the link Barbara. I need to be reminded over and over and over and over. Today was a good day for me. Let's hope the company we have doesn't give me license to cheat!

[Barbara12375 0]

Pinkylee, your message box is full.

Barbara465, thanks for the link. Great reminder information and good clarification. I know there have been questions on here recently regarding some of these issues.

I'm so not in tune with my band or my health. Grazing has become my way of life. Since my fill I do have better restriction so I am again limited on what and how much I can eat. Unfortuneately I've fallen into the habit of eating while watching t.v. or sitting here with the computer on my lap. I seem to always have something at hand to munch on. It has to stop!

I am hoping with the better weather here in Houston that I will get out more often. Even if I don't get motivated to exercise at least getting out of the house more will stop the constant eating. Boy! I need a hobby. Any suggestions out there? I'm even tired of going to the casinos and I never thought that would happen.

[rroswelltx 1]

Socalgal- so glad you got the pants and can wear them. What about the jeans, any luck with them?

Everyone else, it has been very hectic at work and homelife this week so haven't posted much. i miss ya'll. I haven't had time to update sig for challenge either, maybe tommorrow. g-nite all!

[Pinkylee 7]

Barbara465

You know I'm in for Celine, spa and suite. THANKS!

Also, I've had time to reread the link to the WLS article and it has me a little scared.

We had some friends over last night I hadn't seen in months. One is a bypass patient. She had regained quite a bit of the weight she had lost. She ate a few Cookies and some chips. Another friend is on and off weight watchers or south beach and she ate a few pieces of fruit and veggies. (she looked great) I sympathize with my bypass friend. Her choices had more to do with how easy food would settle on her stomach. I'm guilty of the same thing. I'll also be standing in her shoes some day if I don't learn how to say no to foods "easy" to eat. Brother, if I'll stoop to eating sugar out of a bowl I really do have a problem.

Has anyone seen any substantive information on what successful maintenance really looks like?

[juliegeraci 7]

Barbara12375, the only thing that save me during the day when I get the muchies is 100 calorie popcorn. I like the fact that I can fit it into my diet and it fills me up. The doctor said it slides down like sand that is why I can eat the entire bag. If you like popcorn it is worth a shot. Good luck.

[barbara465 2]

I think maintenance is the same. You may have less fill so you may eat a few more calories, but basically that's the only difference. We've got to use this time to change our habits, learn to love healthy foods, and shy away from all the sweets, easy stuff, chips, etc.

I have gained 3 lbs. I am so bummed. I knew I would gain some after the unfill. The weight you lose from not eating always comes back. I also find I can eat a little more than I think I should. I really need to step back and evaluate what I'm eating. Back to tracking my food intake to see the errors of my ways.

I am definitely drinking my Water, taking my Vitamins, and watching portion controls. Still not exercising. I am really trying to eat more hard Protein and then my vegetables. That seems to be working for me and I'm less hungry.

[cathgr8 1]

Hi Junebies,

I need some support. I found myself buying a bag if M&M Almonds yesterday (of course I chose that because it had 40 calories less than peanut!). I have been pretty good about following the eating plan, not so good about exercise. I find myself in a very stressful period of my life, and don't want to use food to get me through it. I'm trying to sell my house so I don't have to drive two hours a day getting my son to school and back (which does keep me from exercising regularly), and so I can save some money, also trying to get a new job (my boss is nuts, the atmosphere is intolerable), had an interview Tuesday and waiting to hear. (Imagine starting a new job and having to move at the same time!) My mom has apparently gotten Alzhemer's and my dad is depending completely on me, my daughter is bipolar and calls me hysterical 4 times a week, my son is depressed and seeing a therapist. I need to set boundaries and try to focus so that I don't backslide. Luckily things are good with my new relationship, but we only see each other every other weekend, and in between it's like we're lovesick teenagers. I'm feeling swamped.

[juliegeraci 7]

Cathr8, my thoughts go out to you. Don't worry too much about the house sale for 1. That will take care of itself in due time. Try and concentrate on your health and well being first. Break it down in buckets. Is your daughter getting help for her bipolar? I'm bipolar and am doing fantastic on meds. Good luck to you. M&Ms are not your friend. You can do this.

[barbara465 2]

Cathy first take a deep breathe. Take a few more.

Now list out all the things you can control. If you can control them, how do you do that? Next look at all the things you can't control. Those things you need to let go.

OK so let's get started. Take the house sale first. Can you control it? No. Can you take some positive steps to do all you can do about selling the house? yes. OK now list out what you can do. Work the list.

Go to the next item, etc. Take it from a control freak - you can only control so much. The rest you have to let go.

It sounds like your plate is very full right now. Remember you can be of no help to anyone if you don't take care of yourself. It's sounds selfish sometimes, but you need to take care of YOU. After that, the children. However, there you can only do so much.

Now about those M&Ms ......

They are your substitute for not being in control. I know that one too. Each of us has our "M&M" that help us get through the rough times. Each of us struggles with that. We all need to find something else to give us comfort when we are not in control. For some they turn to exercise. Others alcohol. Others shopping. Find something that allows you to take deep breaths (time) so the "need" diminishes and we can go back to positive actions.

I say all of this for my own sake as well. I go crazy when things are not in my control and always in the past turned to food. I haven't found the perfect substitute as yet, but I'm working on it. When all else fails I go to bed. SOmetimes going to bed early prevents me from snacking.

We're here for you. Let us know how we all can help.

[Leecelove70 0]

Hi all! I was not sure when it was good to post these two things that are happing in my person life that I wanted to share, but now I guess is a good time.

First is regarding me and my band. I had a scare with my band where I had the same symptoms that Socalgal was experiencing and I had to have a Fluroscope test this morning.

Well they did that test and there is nothing wrong with my band or my esphogas-Thank God!

My Nurse Np completely took out my 1cc that I was filled with so Iam now completly unfilled!

I have to tell you something sorta weird-- I believe in signs and I found a penny heads up in one of my shoes this morning while putting them on. This is supposed to mean good luck so I left it in there the whole time I had my test done and have not taken the penny out .

I guess it worked since it was good new for me!

Second, my husband who was born with an enlarged heart & gets stress test done every year and well this time they wanted him to have a specical one done, since last year with me having surgery he never rescheduled one for this year.

Well it was done on Monday and it showed that he has Ischemia which is a condition in which there is not enough oxygen rich blood supplied to the heart muscles to meet the hearts needs.

So they are going to do a chatherization next week .

Needless to say I have been very stressed out and also last month with the whole Depakote and being told not to have anymore children, my stress level is very high.

Ny Nurse NP told me that could have been the cause of my band troubles.

I did lose 5 more pounds since I last saw them on Jan 25th(I had my period then) and now Iam at 60 pounds lost ! From 290 to 230! I can not believe this -- I have never ever lost this much weight before in my whole life. I did it all with only one fil lof 1cc in October!

Right now Iam a little nervous of having my band unfilled and starting over again but, when it was unfilled before from June to October I had lost 40 pounds all on my own. Iam hopeful that I can do this again.

Iam going to step up my exercise and go to the gym everyday and also really watch my food intact.

Well, thats all to post for now.

Love, Hugs and friendship,

Lisa