They have added a forum for us - let's post here... So we can share with the new people....

Janet & Phyl - I've been enjoying your posts on your "Lucky #7s" thread & just had to comment. First congratulations to you both, I see Phyl lost another 4 1/2!!!!wow and Janet you are down another 3! Great job, both of you. But you have a unique group and it's inspiring to see where I can be in 6 or 7 months with hard work & determination. Thank you!

I'm 4 weeks out from surgery & have lost 17 lbs! I'm thrilled, shocked and the only thing I'm not feeling is the energy I had hoped to have. But I'll be patient and take it as it comes.

Janet - One of your posts I read on another thread has been on my mind since last week & I just need to respond. It was regarding your gs 's interest in school changing this year. He may not be "aware" of it, but your example; determination, loyalty to yourself & your health & he sees what hard work can accomplish. He is a lucky young man to have you so close in his life. (IMHO)

Carol

Carol - Congratulations on 17lbs you are doing GREAT.... The energy will come - give it time - think positivly - When you first wake up in the morning tell yourself - Oh I feel strong today (as you drink your coffee to wake up:w00t:

Yes - Our Lucky #7 is a GREAT group and we leave the door open - anyone can join us - we have people from Aug & Dec who post with us. It's all about the support and sharing - ranting and raving about jobs - dh's etc but not at each other :tt1: - but we do have 2 food angels :regular_smile:

My GS is really my child that's how I feel in my heart - I have felt that way from the Day he was born he was with me for the 1st 4 yrs of his life then I got him back when he was 11 - If fact my son would get pissed if he hurt his self and he would come crying to me and not him... He gave me a lovely Birthday card that was for a MOM not Grandma - Alot of his motivation for school was a Car :blushing: but whatever works :biggrin:

Thanks as ususal for your kind kind words...

xoxox

Janet

Hi Everyone,

I had my lapband surgery on Monday and so far, so good. I'm not hungry at all, but the liquid diet is a bit dreary. I'm doing mostly Isopure for Protein. I tried milk w/ vanilla Protein powder this afternoon and it was ugh, ugh, ugh. No go. Anyone have any other suggestions for downing protein in a palatable way?

I guess what I'm feeling right now is anger, believe it or not. I'm angry that I had to resort to something so radical to get my body back to a normal size. The thought of not being able to eat my favorite foods forever more makes me angry. Don't worry -- I'm not angry enough to buck the system -- but I'm angry that I can't be just a normal person who knows when to stop putting food in her mouth. I guess I'm in mourning for my food. What else can I say?

I'm tired -- I need a few short naps each day so far. I walked for 15-minutes today in 5-minute intervals. I'll push it up a bit tomorrow.

I need some lapband pals -- people to whom I can write and who will write to me so we can encourage one another. Anyone game?

b.

Bonnie

I am so glad to here you are on the mend.. Thats Great!!! Welcome to Bandland.

Protein drinks - I add yogurt and fruit - bananas are great in covering up the taste - - I blend mine in the blender with ice to make a shake - I had choc unjury & unflavored powder - You can add Peanut Butter. I think on the food thread there might be some idea there.

Angry - Never being able to eat your fav food again - Yes you will - you just won't be doing it everyday and you won't be eating tons of it - I think i mourned my loss of food prior to being banded not after - but it's a natural reaction - heck we have all been using food for so long to comfort us to soothe our feelings to insulate us from the world.

The band is the tool that helps you be "normal" about your portion sizes.

On my bday - i was so tight I couldn't eat so I made one of my fav dishes - white cream gravy over mashed potatoes - well besides being too tight to eat it - it really didn't taste as good as it use to - My taste have changed I love my heathly meals - they are more satisfingy - Sugar - well - I gotta say I can miss it at times - but my sf stuff takes care of it mostly and every now and then I will allow myself a treat. So don't worry - you will eat again and but you will learn to control what you eat with the help of your band.

Congrats on exercising - imho that is key to your weight loss - you know the old adage - less calories in - more calories out = loss

We are all here to support you - if you need a buddy - I will one :regular_smile:

Oh yeah, I went though the anger period. Still do, sometimes. I wonder why I hated myself so much that I would make myself so ugly with fat. FYI, you'll probably be angry again, when you see what your skin looks like later. But we are in the place we are and would have doing NOTHING to change things be any better? No way!

Favorite foods, you mean the ones that got you fat? You didn't get fat eating too many green Beans, right? Yeah, me either! LOL.

Hopefully some of your favorite foods might not be off the list forever and hopefully you'll enjoy them in moderation.

I have pretty much said farewell to Twizzlers for a long time or maybe forever. Band friendly treat? I don't think so, even in moderation. I'll bet it's like a lead bullet in the pouch. And I'm sure we'll find too many bad foods later that go down our pouches real easy and we'll be angry about that, too!

Oh well, hang in there. It does get better!

Carol - Congratulations on 17lbs you are doing GREAT.... The energy will come - give it time - think positivly - When you first wake up in the morning tell yourself - Oh I feel strong today (as you drink your coffee to wake up:w00t:

My GS is really my child that's how I feel in my heart - I have felt that way from the Day he was born he was with me for the 1st 4 yrs of his life then I got him back when he was 11 - If fact my son would get pissed if he hurt his self and he would come crying to me and not him... He gave me a lovely Birthday card that was for a MOM not Grandma - Alot of his motivation for school was a Car :blushing: but whatever works :biggrin:

LOL! Oh, a CAR! That it explains it. I still stand by what I said, you and the way you live your life is & will always make a difference in his life.:regular_smile:

I'll try some of that self talk tomorrow morning. Still no coffee until I go in for 1st fill & meet with the dietician! THAT'S what is wrong with my energy!:tt1:

FYI, you'll probably be angry again, when you see what your skin looks like later.

You didn't get fat eating too many green Beans, right? Yeah, me either! LOL.

!

Shortgal - I love when your sense of humor comes out :biggrin:

Tonite when changing after work - I looked at my body - OMG - Ya anger - look what and the heck you have done - you have lost all this weight but still look fat cuz of all this skins.

BTW - ya you can get fat on green beans - when you cook them with bacon and tatoes :regular_smile:

LOL! Oh, a CAR! That it explains it. I still stand by what I said, you and the way you live your life is & will always make a difference in his life.:tt1:

I'll try some of that self talk tomorrow morning. Still no coffee until I go in for 1st fill & meet with the dietician! THAT'S what is wrong with my energy!:blushing:

I am so lucky my Doc didn't forbid coffee - I gotta have a cup or 2 in the morning to get me going - no caffine I would not be moving in the mornimg

OK. I'm a sucker. I just ordered the book How Not to Look Old. I read an excerpt, and I agreed with everything, and certainly recognized myself as being stuck in the last decade in which I enjoyed buying clothes! I'll pass along any earth shattering tips.....

BetsyJane: I would love to hear excerpts (advice) from the book! Give us some tips.

Janet: It's a good thing I have never had green Beans with bacon and potatoes! I never knew a choice like that existed. I eat a lot of different foods but there are some things that I've never been attracted to.

dips and Guacamole are examples and I've stayed away from those things for years, but then someone will insist I try something new and then I give in and find out I like it. Well, thanks a lot "friend" because now that's one more food I like I have to try to resist or limit. Oh yeah, well now I like guacamole!

The same thing happened at Thanskgiving. We always had what my family had made, until we started visiting our married daughter for the holiday and her husband's family brought things they always had. Wow, green bean casserole is very good! And corn pudding! Ha, never had it or heard of it before, now I think it should be required at holidays!

I can tell you my husband will start drooling when I tell him about your green bean receipe. I'm a carb/sweet person, but he's the one that likes the fat in the food, so the bacon for him is king!

BetsyJane: I would love to hear excerpts (advice) from the book! Give us some tips.

Janet: It's a good thing I have never had green Beans with bacon and potatoes! I never knew a choice like that existed. I eat a lot of different foods but there are some things that I've never been attracted to.

dips and Guacamole are examples and I've stayed away from those things for years, but then someone will insist I try something new and then I give in and find out I like it. Well, thanks a lot "friend" because now that's one more food I like I have to try to resist or limit. Oh yeah, well now I like guacamole!

The same thing happened at Thanskgiving. We always had what my family had made, until we started visiting our married daughter for the holiday and her husband's family brought things they always had. Wow, green bean casserole is very good! And corn pudding! Ha, never had it or heard of it before, now I think it should be required at holidays!

I can tell you my husband will start drooling when I tell him about your green bean receipe. I'm a carb/sweet person, but he's the one that likes the fat in the food, so the bacon for him is king!

Shortgal - you must be on the east coast??? if you haven't had these foods My dad from NJ - Mom from TX - so I have a big variaty of foods in my Repertoire - I am a miss my fats the most - as I can get my sweet tooth satisfied with my sf stuff... I agree with Emeril - Fat Rules -

Yup, you guessed it. East Coast, New England girl! And yes my husband agrees with you and Emeril that Fat rules!

Bacon, I can take it or leave, no problem. Sweets, tostitos and ice cream CANNOT be left alone with me in the house! I cannot stop thinking about those foods until they are gone if they're in the house. It's like they sit in the frig or cabinet and just scream.... come get me!

We haven't had those foods in the house for awhile now.

I am very focused right now about staying on track, but soon we'll have some social things coming up and I know it will start getting harder when exposed to these choices. But that is something I will have to learn to cope with, as that is real life that these foods will always be around to tempt. Right now, my son's upcoming wedding and the thought of buying a dress has keep me on the straight and narrow!

Yup, you guessed it. East Coast, New England girl! And yes my husband agrees with you and Emeril that Fat rules!

Bacon, I can take it or leave, no problem. Sweets, tostitos and ice cream CANNOT be left alone with me in the house! I cannot stop thinking about those foods until they are gone if they're in the house. It's like they sit in the frig or cabinet and just scream.... come get me!

We haven't had those foods in the house for awhile now.

I am very focused right now about staying on track, but soon we'll have some social things coming up and I know it will start getting harder when exposed to these choices. But that is something I will have to learn to cope with, as that is real life that these foods will always be around to tempt. Right now, my son's upcoming wedding and the thought of buying a dress has keep me on the straight and narrow!

I have always said I wanted to eat my way across America - Clam Chowder Lobster - Crab - that's the stuff I would eat from your area :tongue2:..

Truely - I didn't have a hard time during the holidays - my office was loaded with junk - but like you I am still very determined and it was pretty easy to say no - I would just look at the calorie content - and said - Ah H*LL no 2 little pieces of candy - not worth 250 calories..

Besides being healthier - your goal for a dress for your Son's wedding will give you the strength you need to Just Say NO..

Hey girl you are looking good...I am going to have my band Feb 21..I am a little worried about the loose skin thing...but more concern with health in gen...ready to get started, i will soon be 54. need to loose 70... is their another site where our age hangs out for support??? elaine

You only have 17 lbs to go????

That is freaking fantastic girl.... its the excersise for sure.. I am so proud of you!!!

Hey girl you are looking good...I am going to have my band Feb 21..I am a little worried about the loose skin thing...but more concern with health in gen...ready to get started, i will soon be 54. need to loose 70... is their another site where our age hangs out for support??? elaine

Elaine,

This is THE best place to hang out! You might check out the Lucky #7s thread... those of us who were banded in July 07, but we welcome ANYONE and we have one gal from Dec and I think a couple of Aug & June.. Best of luck to you!!

I am new to this forum but after recently having knee replacement surgery I found that these forums are life savers! Here is my question if anyone is interested in answering. I am seriously considering lapband surgery and have an appointment on Wednesday to have a upper GI series done to see if I am a candidate. The reason for the test? I had Gastric Surgery in 1980 (one of the first in the country) and that will complicate any attempt at the lapband. But the bottom line is that I am hoping I can have the surgery because I HAVE to do something. For the first time in my obese life I honestly feel that it is this or death. I have always considered myself to be fairly healthy, held down a great job and had an active social life. Suddenly I have turned 58 and my body has gone to pot! Details: I am female, married, 58 and weigh about 400 lbs. My weight has been between 300-400 since college. I did lose down to 230 lbs with the gastric and again on Phen-Fen, but mostly I have dieted and then just gained it all back. You know the drill. So, my question is....does the lapband work for us? How much can I expect to lose and how fast? I will be a self pay and the thought of going to Mexico scares me to death. Anyone had that expereince and if so, what did you do for followup and fills? I am thinking of just going to a well known surgeon in the Salt Lake City area and paying the price. Any thoughts?

I am seriously considering lapband surgery and have an appointment on Wednesday to have a upper GI series done to see if I am a candidate. The reason for the test? I had Gastric Surgery in 1980 (one of the first in the country) and that will complicate any attempt at the lapband. So, my question is....does the lapband work for us? How much can I expect to lose and how fast? I will be a self pay and the thought of going to Mexico scares me to death. Anyone had that expereince and if so, what did you do for followup and fills? I am thinking of just going to a well known surgeon in the Salt Lake City area and paying the price. Any thoughts?

I can't answer your questions about banding after bypass surgery. As far as how much you can expect to lose and how fast, my dr. says 1.5-2 lbs. a week is a good loss. I have lost almost 40 lbs. in just over 40 weeks BUT I didn't get any restriction until the 10th or so fill and now, after 13 fills I THINK I might be at proper restriction. I'm the same age as you but had a lower BMI when I started. Also, the first six months of my banding were the most stressful in my life. I tried to follow the rules and feel I succeeded very well but I don't think my body wanted to give up the fat because of the stress (father diagnosed with cancer, passed away, sold two houses, built another, lived with children for 2 months, furnished new house, took care of two daughters during high-risk pregnancies and then subsequent births, etc.--it was crazy!). SO, I feel happy that I've LOST weight instead of gained it. I think I'm one of the slowest losers who was banded last March.

As far as your Mexico question--MANY people on here have made that choice and are very happy with it. Like you, it scared me to death and my husband wouldn't entertain the idea at all. I was self-pay, too. I lived in Provo, UT (now live in Midway, UT) and went to Dr. Hansen at South Valley Surgical. I couldn't be happier with my decision to use him. The two people in Utah that I am in contact with who went to Mexico have had trouble getting fills and adequate support in Utah. FWIW. When I figured the cost of the airlines, the fills (mine are free for a year--thank goodness-- and then I can pay $500 for another year), and the support (dietitian, nurses, support groups, dinner groups, and a great Christmas party with awards), I feel I got a good deal staying here plus the peace of mind that my drs. are just a phone call or an hour away.

Good luck! Those are big decisions. I hope your GI goes well--keep us posted. There is a thread called "anyone in Utah want to talk" that may also give you some good feedback on the Mexico vs. Utah question. Keep us posted!