Sula

Angyl, to quote Billy Crystal...you look maaaavvv looose. You must feel such a sense of accomplishment.

I agree with what is said above. You are new to the band and it takes a while for some of us to make it work. You need to count calories and exercise. You can get another fill. Are you drinking when eating? Also for Eugina....several in the January 07 bandster site are doing the five day pouch test (goggle it) for people who may have stretched out their pouch. By reading the reviewed on it, it seems to be the answer for some of use who have stopped losing after a period of time.

Not much posting going on here...how is everyone doing? I"m working out, but not as hard I as I need to. I'm trying to get some daily consistency....like, do something everyday, six days a week. I did a pilates/yoga dvd yesterday and probably will repeat today due to work schedule. TOM started yesterday and I feel really achy and crampy. That happens about every three months. Blah. But I'm working on it.

Angyl--congrats on your success. That is really something. And very little fill. You must have worked so hard. I understand the temptation to be seduced into thinking 115-120 is the ideal. I remember that from when I was 16 and probably weighed 140. I got really sick and was in the hospital for a week and was down to 120. That was the magical number that said I weighed just right. It lasted until I felt better and crept back up (and beyond). I think that it the mental battle. I fight it at both ends now. Maybe I should settle for a goal weight above what the charts or BMI says...then I'd be successful or whatever. And then the inside thoughts...naw...120 is where it is at. I initially thought 170 would be my goal weight. I had a body fat test done years ago and that said I should weigh 173. But more realisitically, I should probably be at 160. Which sounds high, huh? Make myself crazy. Anyway, yesterday was successful with day one of liquids. I also did a pilates/yoga DVD at my office. So I was a good girl. Today is off and running. Probably do the same routine. It is funny how exercising so much self-control make you feel stronger.

ReadytoLose, I hear you on the fear of being filled a full as the band can go and it not being enough. My last visit the Dr. said that they didn't have much further to go with the band fills. That really panic-ed me. That is one of the reason I'm doing the 5 day pouch test. Hoping that it will shrink the pouch and give me some discipline to go further.

I am starting today with all liquids. Not planning on soup, but I also am going to take my quickslim30 to help me this week. Actually, this is good timing cuz I was really restricted yesterday and could hardly eat, so I'm in the right mind to be on liquids anyway. I thought the menu allowed for cream soup? I gotta read it again.

Found out they do a teleconference type support group, but only "central" montana qualifies. I think that is a shame. But I guess as more and more people get banded, each area can start a group.

Hi Mike, I'm sorry no one has replied. I only know of Sharon who is over there in the Kila area but haven't heard from her. I used to live over there and travel over there from time to time to visit family. I'm in Great Falls now. Do you come over here for your fills? Who did your surgery?

I went to Monterray a little over a year ago and it was a very good experience. I had Dr. Chapa, a last minute change after my planned surgeon was killed. The hospital was excellent (you can see pictures of it if you go to Dr. Sanchez' site (google it). Rumbault probably has a site with a link to the hospital it uses. I think medical care in Mexico, if you've done your homework and went with a known Dr....is better than up here. My Doctor and his assistant, came over to my hotel room, the day after surgery to check on me. Anyone have an american doc do that? A friend of mine went to Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana and reported an excellent experience. I would probably go that route if I had it to do over again, just because the travel time is so much less. The return trip wore me out. Good luck.

I'm good for Monday as well. I've been thinking about it and was actually thinking of extending the liquid stage for a week. My thoughts were to duplicate the whole process that we started when we got the band. I ate myself silly, portion size the past two days. A huge salad and then last night probably three cups of tortilinis. My bad. But, for this go round, I'll follow the process to a tea and see what gives me. WE can DO IT!!

I thought I read recently that Oprah has been diagnosed with some sort of thyroid problem, which has caused her weight to fluctuate more in the past year. I guess that may be why you can see one show and she is slimmer than others. I think she is pretty supportive of people why are on they own journeys to better health. I think she likes to show the pros and cons so she can help other people look at those angles. I agree, tho, a band, a trainer, a chef is just another tool. I could afford a trainer if I wanted one. I just can't get into that. But I'm loving my band! That was my "right" choice.

I'd like to have a breast reduction (and lift) at some point after I get closer to goal. I'm cautiously optimistic that I may not need anything else. I get real squimish thinking about a TT or lipo. I"ve seen the pictures and can hardly look at them. But I've thougth about a boob job for some time. I ride horses and have deep ruts in my shoulders from my bra straps. I've gone from a 44DDD to a 40DD (just last week actually). Is anyone thinking about doing that 5 day pouch diet? I"m considering doing that next week. I'm trying to do some reading on it and seeing if it does what I think it is supposed to do.

No budging the scale but the tape measure is singing for me. I hit the ellipital this morning..first time in a while. Cindi...I was just pondering the same thing. I work out like mad and eat right for a while, then just slack off. Aargh!!! I was thinking about my past year of workouts. Very sporadic...I'd walk 20 miles one week and nothing the next...then back at it, up down, up down. I think I need to take a close look at this lack of consistency and see if I can figure it out. I feel great when I workout. I don't really mind it all that much. But I keep having to go through the pain each time I start up again. Sigh. Old habits...are hard.

Hi everyone, Still sticking with it. Hope you are all doing well with eating and exercising!! I'm going to a local lapband support group tonight. I have attended before but it was pretty dull but tonight they are joining groups with the beginners and the year-or-better group. So, hopefully it will be more interesting and inspirational. As far as being more succepable to illness...I am like Juno...never felt better....I feel, most of the time, so strong and healthy. I still really have a hard time being cold, tho. I had the house boiling last night...my poor husband.

Wow 5jacks, you look terrific. What a lot of hard work and it really shows. You should be so proud of yourself and what you've accomplished. Way to GOOOO!! I've been away a few days sulking and it is good to be back and see the inspiration being given here. We've had miserable cold (46 below with windchill on Monday and NO WATER Until last night) and I've been just out of sorts and not wanting to check in, work out or eat proper. Gotta get back in the game tho...and I will. Feel better today...warmed up, took a shower this morning and I'm back with my support group. I am also going to a support group on Monday so maybe that will be an added boost. I'm just whining...I realized. Sorry. My life is soo good, all things considered. I'm just looking and using excuses. I'm checking out the pouch routine...maybe that will be the ticket. Thanks for sharing that.

Okay, Tonya, which one of those poses can you do? :cursing: I worked up a sweat just looking at them. I'm doing manual labor this weekend and paying for it. We are remodeling the bathroom and taking it down to the studwalls. I bashed my nose (no black eyes, but swelling and a lovely blackish bruise over the bridge of my nose and I smashed my pointer finger with a hammer this morning. (Only good news...I haven't broken a nail!). Losts of bending, squating, etc. Hope to get some sheetrock up today and then the backer board for tile on at least the floor. My house is a disaster!

HI all, I got a 1/2 cc fill yesterday, hopefully that will help out some. I hve not exercised a lick this week, other than surviving the snow (shoveling) and cold (shivering). My fill doc said something to the effect that we are nearing the end of what he can do for fills (I'm at 7.5 in a 10cc VG band) and that I'll just have to do the work the old fashioned way. I'm feeling a bit of panic over that. When I compare my fill to what others have with their 4cc bands and how restricted they can get, I don't understand it. I'm not giving up but I'm feeling a bit scared. Jens..the food journal helps me. But I think I'm at the point where I need to go below 1000 calories per day. And of course exercise more.

Way to go Sunshine!! That is really good news..no pain. I have often thought about your original workouts and how this must frustrate you at being hampered from something you seemed to enjoy. I do enjoy the ellipital...I liked the fancy one at the gym better but we got a pretty good Nordic track ($1000) so it works for me. My DH can actually read while on it but it wobbles a bit to much for my old eyes. I watch TV usually. I hope that you can continue and not have any adverse effect with your knee!!

I'd suggest you talk to your dr. You shouldn't be having that much trouble and maybe he/she can offer some alternatives. I had just two episodes of nausea...right after anesthesia and then later in the night when I moved my bed up/down too quickly. They don't want you heaving. So, make a phone call....take the worry out of it.

Hi all, Had PF about 7 years ago and went through Physical therapy and got some 200 dollar orthodics. I've lost 53 pounds and still occasionally hurt but don't wear the orthodics very often. Best treatment for the PF, for me....icing the heal and arch three or more times a day for 7 minutes at a time. Straight ice on the foot. It takes the inflamation out of it. Then stretching it. I do calf stretches and hamstring stretches against the wall. I also kneel down and put my toes bent at a 90 degree angle. Then push back so the stretch is in the arch. I have limited flexibility in my ankles and toes..so that was part of what began the problem for me. Ice, Ice baby..really works and oddly, feels good.

Sunshine, maybe a sweat band and a towel close by and you can work on the recumbant? Just keep the sweat blotted off your face? Or maybe just give yourself time to heal.

Chrishell, way to go. I think you have done fantastic wuth your 78 pound loss. I do think we need to keep our mind on the long haul, especially when we have a bit more to go to goal.

Sunshine, so sorry to hear about your trials. I know it must be so frustrating. But you attitude is so good, you'll get through this. 5jacks, great news, you must feel so proud of your hard work and dedication. Way to go. I hear you all about the sweets. I was totally off sugar for two weeks and about mid-week last week, went a bit hogwild. I ate a whole bag of reeses pieces yesterday. I have not had a drink at all, so in that area I'm holding strong, but just tidbits of other things that are screwing with me!! AND, I am really lacking workout motivation. I think it is the extreme cold/weather we are having...it is like I suffer so I'm entitled to eat or be lazy...sheesh. Do you suppose "healthy" people struggle with these same issues? It was 24 below when I left for work yesterday, not counting the windchill! It is warmer today...above zero, but 20 below with the windchill! Warmer weather is coming.... sometime!! Mommi-hammi---what does the sweet spot feel like for you? When you eat something...does it feel tight? I'm gonig in for a fill tomorrow...and I'm thinking only a 1/2 cc. I have a 10cc band (which holds more I hear) and am at 8 right now. I get stuck periodically, and sometimes daily, then it all goes away and I eat fine. I don't want to get to the point of Sunshine and have to start over tho...so I'm going to try to go slowly. But, I'm not dropping weight.

I'm here, and have checked in, but I was the last to post so I thought I should give someone else the opportunity. No loss this past week for me...I sort of went on some binging which I attribute to some cravings, but I don't think I was way out of line. Back on track now, again. I could not get myself going on exercise this morning. It was 17 below at 3 this morning and I set myself up to worrying about all my animals outside. I have five dogs in "heated" kennels and I worried....so my DH, so nice he was, got dressed and went out to bring them in. He sort of blew me off (they have heat in their kennels) but I worried. I didn't check the heat or fill up the straw so I thought, what if...and therefore didn't sleep for a while and then it took me a while to get back to sleep...for the second time that night. We also have six horses, but four were in the barn and two had access to a loafing shed..but they are my kids and I stress. All is well with them tho. So, I will have to figure out how to get a little bit of some sort of exercise today, right? I must set a goal.

Valstar--thank you for your feedback. I have been a bit surprised at the spots I have sore since doing my pilates on Thursday...so I guess, even though it wasn't a hard workout, it did hit the spots that needed it. I agree, a class would be better, but just not going to work for me right now. Maybe someday..altho I think if I ever joined a gym again, I would do a month of personal training or some such thing.