PUG MAMA

Helloooooooooo, I am wondering if anyone drinks GT's Kombucha with the lapband. It's a fermented mushroom drink that aids in digestion and prioboitics. It taste like vinegar although you can buy it flavored. I do like the taste, alot of raw foodies drink it. It is expensive 3.49 a bottle. My question or concern is, can this be bad for the band? I would ask my doctor but I don't think he has a clue of what it is. There is a slight carbonation to it and I know that this is not approved for us. Does anyone know if this is ok to drink? Thanks

The motivation your craving needs to come from yourself. Stop looking for others to help you. You have a problem with food, you need to address your head issue with food. Try going to a support group or read books that may help you get back on track. Good luck,

Hello ladies, It was nice to get together. Good motivation and tips. For anyone in the area we are welcoming people that want to get together and share ideas and positive encouragements. We have all had a life changing event so meeting and staying on track is a wonderful modivation tool. looking forward to the next meeting.

Hey all, Just thought I'd share a little humor among all of life's struggles. I work among men that like to eat......Why me I ask myself. lol So, I had a three day training class at work and wouldn't you know it each day someone brought in donuts...surprise surprise. Not just a couple but 3 dozen and conviently placed in front of me each day for 9 hours a day. Talk about sheer will power. At first, I thought get these damn donuts out of my face I felt the smell of the donuts was in my hair thats how strong they smelled. lol. I gathered my composure and decided to make a game out of it. Me vs the glazed and of course the sprinkles. lol The game took on a mind of its own, especially when the donut crumbs got on my paperwork from all the shifting of those pink boxes. It was pure amazement keeping a tally of donuts consumed by each firefighter. I think the highest count in one day was five, of course the contender was 120 lbs wet. Maybe the cigarettes helped him digest the sugar. All and all, I think finding humor in life's struggles helps us get through the feeling of deprivation. Hope all of you enjoyed my little story of me vs. the donuts. Take care and fight the fight.

Reverse body dismorphia syndrome. Yikes, I feel like I am smaller than I am and then I catch myself in the mirror and say who the hell is that. It will be nice to have a mind with the right body...

Hey all, Thanks for the high fives of encouragements. It was difficult... I think the donut smell was in my nose too. I'm surprised it didn't get all over my face just sitting there. It pisses me off sometimes that some people mostly men but there are some women too usually under 12 years of age that can eat that **** and function and be skinny. Fight the fight.................................

Hello, Most gyms offer trainer I had one and paid 5000. for the year. It was a private studio. It was nice but really the effort has to come from within. You can workout and it will help but the trainer wont do the work for you. I think its helpful to have a trainer and will motivate you to go but it is exspensive so you need to make the committment. Good luck.

Hey there, Glad to see you are coming. Its in Orange, Ca. at the cancer center. If you park in the parking structure its free after 6 pm so thats cool. I really like these support meeting the info is good and it motivates me to stay focused and look at the big picture. I will be there I have short blonde hair and will be on crutches since I just had knee surgery thursday but I will be there so please find me and say hi. A few people that had surgery the same day as me will be there so there is alot of support. Even if you have to drive up why not its only once a month. Hope to see all of you there. If you get lost just go to the Pavillion its a part of St. Joeseph Hospital not actually in the hospitol but next door they will direct you there they are very helpful and friendly. T

Hey All, FYI this Tuesday Feb 1, in Orange at St. Joseph medical center there is a support group meeting. There are two meetings 5 & 6 pm. It is a great way to meet people share stories and keep in touch with fellow bandsters. The meeting at 5 is for newbies or soon to be and also all is welcome to both whatever stage you are in. At 6, a psychologist comes to the meetings to chat about issues with the band and food. All in all its a great way to meet people and stay focused. No one is judging and it's completely easy going, actually kind of fun. It's held in the cancer center located at St. Josephs hospital. I will be there if anyone has questions about it please feel free to ask. Hope to see you there.

Had surgery Nov. 15, and oh my gosh, I have joined a new gym and have been working out like an animal trying to tone up and get fit. Is anyone else feeling this way? After about 2 hours lifting weights my port area seems to start to hurt, feeling a weird pulling sensation, especially when I lift 20lb. dumbells above my head. I am in fear of the saggy skin syndrom, or maybe in my head I can look like Demi Moore someday. Doubt it. lol Would love to hear other peoples workout stories.

Hey there fellow banders... congratulations to all of us that finally did it. I don't know about the rest of you but I hate the pressure of the whole New Years resolution thing. Who came up with that crap? In my mind I'm not perfect but I try and do my best. Each day is like a new years resolution with the lapband for god's sake. Each day I think I am going to work out harder and be more positive, smiling at the idiots on the road and at the grocery store as I buy my selective items. Actually, speaking of grocery stores I just came back and the person behind me put a twinkie on my side of the barrier on the belt and the cashier said is this yours? I laughed uncontrollably and said HELL NO...... There was a day that I might have left it on my side of the belt but not now. The moral of the story, if it is one, is that life throws you choices and you have to make them. Oh, and by the way I dont like twinkies so it wasn't too too hard. lol Just in case anyone was wondering where "firechic" went that was my old name, I had to change it for anonymous reasons. Cheers to all of you and have a safe New Years. T

Hello I live in Long Beach and was wondering if anyone is from the LA, Long Beach or Orange County area to meet, drink water and chat. I would love to meet some people to swap recipes, stories or just hang out, drink water and go for a walk. lol Hope to meet some fellow bandsters. Thanks T

Hey topazz, I too am almost 1 month, on the 15. I have lost 30 pounds since Nov. 1 I can totally relate to what you are saying, I am hungry and can eat and have to try not to eat. I guess this is called bandsters hell. My fill is Jan. 4. It is hard, keep up the good work.

Hey Heather, Good luck on your surgery. We are definetly meeting tomorrow if you are interested or maybe another time. Your going to love being banded. I have lost 30 pounds in 1 month. It isn't easy but it does work. Looking forward to meeting you. Thanks T

Hello fellow banders looks like this Sunday a couple people are meeting to get together for a beverage and to chat. If anyone is interested in coming please feel free to join us at 2:00 at Portfolio coffee house in Long Beach on 4th street and Junipero Ave. Or you can email me if you have any questions. Looking forward to it. Thanks T

Hey all is anyone or everyone available for sunday? Sounds like most people are I hope and if not this time maybe next. There is an awesome place a couple of blocks from my house to meet for coffee or water whatever its a coffee house cute and very comfortable it has outdoor seating. If you guys are available I would love to arrange it. Let me know who can come and what time you all are thinking about. I can also whip up some shakes in my little to go cooler for those who need a little snack. lolol Please email me to get a feel for the time. pugngrove@yahoo.com Thanks T

Hi all, Wow I am so excited that people are nearby or close. I was banded Nov. 15, 2010 FYI. I am eating soft Proteins only and shakes if I want ......uggggg I did shakes for a month straight ouch that one hurts. I am following everything to a T but far from perfect I am normal and still think about food I just don't choose to have it. I am trying to make this work. I would love to start a group for anyone who is interested. All I ask is that people try to stay positive it's ok If you mess up I just want positive energy around me. Thanks mountain girl I apppreciate the kind words and I'm glad that your sticking to it also. I am currently available most days I have a very flexible schedule. Santa monica is pretty close and yorba linda and carson. Come all is welcome!!!!!! Please feel free to email me and we can all start figuring this out. Friday and Sunday works for me this week. Looking forward to some fun. T

A butt kicking you shall have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First and foremost you and I had the surgery on the same day so we are at the same place in terms of time. I too am hungry and could probably eat a hot fudge sundae in one bite but the concept is self control and getting your head on right. It sounds like to me you did this for a quick fix not as a tool. So get your head on straight and start figuring out why you are eating Cookies for god's sake. Throwing up can cause serious damage to the band so maybe you should consult with the doctor or nurse to see what foods you should eat. Also I highly suggest you run right out and buy Geneen Roth's books, "When food Is Love". She explores why we are eating and sabotaging ourselves. Also, the people who are telling you dont be hard on yourself are not kicking your butt which is what you are asking for. I have faith in you that you can do it or you wouldn't have gone through this serious life change. Get your act together and good luck.

Hey all, just wanted to let people know that there is a LOW PROFILE PORT available with the Lap Band. Basically, it's a thinner and smaller port for those that are worried about it sticking out of your skin. It's not really mentioned because it is smaller so most doctors don't want to deal with not finding it easily for injections. I have a smaller midsection so this is very important to me and my doctor said it wasn't a problem. So, if you are in same the boat it is another thought to consider. I am getting it and my surgery is on Nov. 15, so I let everyone know how it went. Congradulations to all.

Hi, I wanted to find people who were having surgery on Nov. 15, to inspire, chat and swap war stories. Nov. 1 is day 1 of liquid diet, butI wanted to start the no more coffee process today. If your surgery is for Nov. 15 jump in an introduce yourself. It took me almost 1 year of an extensive paper trail, but I finally made it. I have Aneta they are tough. I am excited. I am also worried at the same time. I like to gather as much info as possible so having a Nov. 15 group would be cool. Thanks

Hi there, sorry to hear about your port problem. Wow thats scarey to be pokin around in there. I think each person is different I have a smaller mid section compared to the rest of me so for me the smaller port will be better especially after the weight loss. I also lose the seight in my stomach first ass last so for me I think I'll work. My sugery is monday so I'll let you know what I think then. Take care

Hi all, 4 days to go . Yea, I went to lunch with my mom today and actually brought my shake to the table and drank it. I wasn't too bad being there watching people eat sushi and etc...Yes, it did look good but my shake is good and being healthier was worth more than the food. Then after the shake I was full and could care less about the whole food thing. I feel like I'm already making progress. I still have raging gas. I am concerned because I know we will have gas after the surgery....I just dont want to blow up like a bomb. lol Hope everyones doing well.

Hey there, it will get better also you will be losing weight and start to feel great and get into the whole process of eating new. I am on day 11... 4 shakes a day with absolutely nothing else. Please don't cheat any more you'll be hurting yourself. It helps your surgery better smaller liver smaller stomach etc.....Good luck to you

Hi all, wow sounds like everyone is doing great. I like reading all the post info. 11-15 is my surgery and I'm on day frickin 10 shakes and only shakes. No coffee for 2 weeks. No cheating although in my mind I keep thinking one last pizza won't hurt but I dont. my doc has a very strict pre and post plan. Mine is exactly like debs, 2 weeks prior and two week post. It has been so helpful reading all these essentials. I everybody off coffee as well, what is the point of no coffee after surgery? Take care all.

Holy cow were getting close. I can't believe day 10 of this darn shake. I don't think I'll ever want to drink a shake ever again. I am so sick of the sweet taste I am constantly thinking of broth. lol 5 days to go for some of us. I agree it is weird that the pre diets are so vast. Are you guys also on shakes fro 2 weeks afterwards minus the clear broth and popsclies. I am confused about the straw thing they say no straws but yet people are talking about using straws and the brochure for the lap band has a straw in the shake glass. Go figure. I went to target and bought chicken noodle soup so I can strain out the stuff and have the flavored broth. I was thinking the same for french onion. Yummy. Ok enough talk about savory items.