Sula

Hi and welcome, JFK You are a long ways over there! There is a band buddy in Glasglow, tho. I'm sure Dr. Rohrer would do you fills as well. How have you done so far? Any problems or even better, successes you'd like to share? The Montana thread is not terribly active so you might want to also join another thread, such as the July bandsters. I get a lot of my support from my January group and do pop in fairly regularly. It helps keep me motivated. I'm getting close to my goal of not needing a mounting block to get on my horse. I may need to qualify that as I just got a giant horse that I may always need something, (HA!) I think beside being so overweight (I've lost 48 so far) that I have a mental block about it as well. Working on overcoming that. So, hope to hear from you soon and congrats on your new journey! Shawn

My 9th anniversary is tuesday...I'm hoping to hit the 50 pounds lost mark on that day. If not...another day. My relationship is very solid. DH has been sooo very supportive and solicitious..and usually he is a bit self-centered and unaware, so there are good things happening here. Sex is better as we fit better. He needs to lose a bit and I for a while he was doing well, but sort of lost his motivation. He started exercising with me this week and I think we will keep after it. He is usually the exercise nut and I'm more reluctant. We live a very active life...no matter how large I was. I am pleased to have so much more energy now. I think, for those of you who are wondering about problems looming ahead...go to counseling now. Make it your safe place to talk about touchy issues and then when things get rough, if they do, you will not have a fight to get him/her to the therapist. (I am a therapist!) someone above talked about their DH responding in anger...confront the anger...DH..did you know that when I say/do..... you respond...thus and so? I'm not pro-divorce...at all. I was single till I was 40. But...life it too short to be miserable. AND I always wonder what is being modeled for the kids. Okay, I' m done rambling. Thanks for listening to me!! Shawn

Someone, earlier this year, commented on a seatbelt extender that she got and took with her, so that if there was a problem with the airplanes belts fitting, she could ( and did) use it without making any sort of fuss or embarrassment. I thought that was a neat idea and very empowering. I flew from Montana, to Salt Lake City, to Guadalhara and back to Monterray Mexico...12 hours. Not the best, but not bad either. I fit in all their seat belts. On the trip home....first flight by small plane from Monterray back to Guadalahara and could barely get the best fastened. I struggled. I was sooo upset..tired, wore out from the surgery (missing my husband and hand holding...I went all on my own) and knew I had lost weight on the days of the surgery...blah blah. I got it done and sat their. My biggest problem was that almost immediately after the surgery, I was cold. And there were no blankies on that plane. But...I would absolutely do it all over again. Nothing was that bad. Just a nuisance. Today, I'd fit in the seat comfortably and have no problem with the belts...8 months later!! If you're worried about being uncomfortable..think about upgrading your seat to first class. You decide if it is worth it. Best of luck. The band is GREAT. Shawn

Hi Maria, I faded today. Only did 2 miles...just pooped out. My back was aching last night and I went to bed early. This is sort of a pattern of mine...run around and wear myself out and then crash. But since I committed to five days this week, I was going to do it. Feet are doing better and I know the trick of ice...it really does feel good. As for talking to myself...I do that all the time:)) But I have to say to all of you..I do use this site for support so whether you have good or bad news or just chat, it really does matter to me and helps. I can't explain it. Maria, I do hope that all is well...I can't imagine what might be going on, but you can do the liquids...sometimes it is just easier. Take care of yourself. Lisa, phenominal weight loss...but oh oh on the eating thing. What do you think is going on there? Renee, no word yet from Sunshine. I know she said she'd be doped up with pain killers and might not be able to get to her computer..but I'd think she'd be past that now. I suspect she is feeling very frustrated, being laid up and not able to keep up her exercise routine. Lets all send her our good thoughts!! You guys have a great weekend. I'm not going anywhere in particular so I'll be checking in! Shawn

Hello all! I feel like I'm just talking to myself here! I have made my walking goal for four days in a row so far. I'm having some nasty aches and pains in my feet, legs and lower back. Been doing some stretching. Oh,the good news..DH was with me on two days. He travels so misses some, but it is nice that he is getting up in the morning to join me. He has always been the exercise buff in the family but I taunted him by saying I was going to outwalk him during hunting season!! Usually I'm whining about him going to fast and if he'd just slow down, I could and would be with him longer! I don't think that is going to be a problem. It is so nice that the weather has cooled off. Makes doing things in the evening better! How are you guys doing? Shawn

Hi Marie, I'm two days out on my mini walk-a-thon. 8 miles in ..how are you doing so far? WE CAN do this!! I responded to a thread that talked about emotional eating and one lady identified that she was not an emotional eater, but rather an "entitlement" eater...she deserved to eat such and such because ....fill in blank.... Mine would be...he has this much why can't I? or, I had a hard day, I deserve this, or I this thus and so, I should reward myself. I am an ENTITLEMENT eater. Finally, I get that. So, the thread continued...why don't we deserve to be healthy? Or deserve to have workout time? OR or or...you get it. WE do deserve to be healthy..we do deserve to be a priority in our daily lives. Lets get going!! Shawn

Hi All, I made my four mile walk this morning..first time in about three weeks and it felt GREAT. I think I'm mentally lined out to do five days this week. Anyone else up for getting on the exercise bandwagon this week? Boy, I had my worst PB/vomit session this saturday. I think it was corn on the cob and I finally resorted to some meat tenderizer to clear the way and that just gagged me so I had a legit vomit. I, obviously, didn't eat anything after that and then went to soft food yesterday. This last fill should have me minding my P's and Q's but habits are hard to break and I just start eating sometime. Juno, am I reading correctly...you might be PG? Wow..that will be an interesting lapband journey as well. I hope you will keep us posted! Tonya, if you're out there, how are ya doing? Shawn

Hi, Yippee it's friday!! Juno, what advice did you get that helped with the WL? Loser, yep, I was on a plateau for 6 weeks...finally went in for another fill. My WL goes in fits and starts. Will hang on to those pounds for a week or two, or bob up and down and then finally settle down. The operative word "DOWN!" I stepped on the scale this morning and am down two pounds...I think I weigh less now than when I got married almost 9 years ago. I'm shooting for three more pounds by Sept 4th, my anniversary, which will put me at a 50 pound weightloss since surgery. I think I will have to put up notes around the house to remind me of my goal. Something to keep me visually motivated. I did not go for my walk this morning even though I promised my dog. She is sooo disappointed in me I haven't been sleeping well (for no particular reason) so those extra winks were too inviting. Hope you are all doing super well. Tonya, hope the surgery went well and you're up and running soon. Shawn

Jennifer, Thanks for all these helpful tips. I'm sorry that the lady said the wrong thing. I've been frustrated that people haven't been saying anything. I get, when I egotistically mention my weightloss, "oh, I thought you looked thinner, but didn't want to say anything." It just brings home that we really need to do this for ourselves and plug on without the comments of others. Maybe that is what this group is about here...we can give all the positive feedback we want to. And do!! I just got back from a week of "dog trialing" in eastern Montana. I did a lot of movement but managed to eat a boatload of homemade chocolate chip cookes and snickerdoodles. Sigh..my downfall. My fill has given me a couple of problems and this is the first time. My DH says..eat with your left hand..it'll slow you down For the first time, eggs wouldn't go down!! I love omlettes but didn't get to finish mine yesterday. I took it home and heated it up for lunch. I finally figured it out that I think it was the mushrooms in the omlette. (lightbulb moment!) Hey, Sunshine, welcome back. Sorry to hear about your mishap. I was on a cruise last year and a member of our party fell over a thresh hold and had to be airlifted out for surgery in the US. We were in Ensenada, MX at the time. Well, more later folks, I gotta get to work. Shawn

Hi, Minor victory here. I put on a pair of jeans that usually I have to suck in to fasten, let alone get on after washing them and they were loose!! No change on the scale tho. I can really feel my fill and pay the price if I hurry or get too hungry. Nothing too serious such as a PB but certainly that tightness and pain...and the burps...swallow, burp again..you don't gain any ground. Hope all is well.

Good Monday Morning all Lazy today and didn't do my walk. We are extremely smokey from all the fires here in Montana and the wind really kicked them up yesterday evening. So it is pretty thick. I can really feel my fill this time. I had a hard time eating much yesterday. I had a banana, salad with canned chicken for lunch and scrambled egg for dinner. I did manage some ice cream... I worked on my liquids...I usually do pretty good but could tell I was behind in my consumption as I felt thirsty most of the day. How'd you guys do?

Canoing sounds like so much fun...expecially when it has been so hot. I ran errands all day. We are having a dog trial and my DH and I cook the banquet dinner so it was getting stuff to take "camping" out in the toolies. Mustn't forget a thing because there are no groceries available!! We leave on Wednesday and since I work Monday and Tues, I have to get it all done now! But I think I'm ahead of the game. I did plan on proper meals for me...I'm taking my Protein stuff for breakfasts and they will probably provide lunches...lunch meat and cheese probably for those..then except for our dinner...a cafe for lite dinners. AND lots of water! I'm good. I didn't even buy any cheat food for me!

Hiya Patsy, I think we all struggle with making good choices and certainly the exercise component. I do good for a while then fall off. When I get a fill that sort of gets me going again and keeps me on the straight and narrow. I do believe that exercise is necessary for WL. And I truly believe that it needs to be a part of our lives. I would bet that if you started something, like walking, and did it consistenly for 3-4 weeks, then you'd come to at least enjoy it when you're doing it. I started getting up early..5:30 and going and I do enjoy it. I struggle with portions. I sometimes have to get out the salad plate and use that to keep my portion sizes right. I generally always eat my protein first, but old habits..a bite of meat, a bite of veggies, a bite of carbs. Never eat all the meat first...then veggies, then carbs.

Mac and cheese, the homemade kind, was the first solid food I ate. I had a potluck to go to and found a wonderful recipe online with all sorts of good quality cheeses and then put some sausage in. I didn't eat the sausage but I was able to eat the mac and cheese part mushed up quite well.

Some of us are still plugging away here...but it appears we don't do so well without Tonya. Hope she is having a marvelous time on her cruise. I am going to be gone next week through part of the following week, so others will have to keep the posting up! We need people to post and keep us updated. It really does help all of us and keeps us motivated. Please take time to check in and let us all know how you are doing!! My fourth fill was tuesday...7cc's in a 10cc VG band. Feeling great about it and it has slowed me down..which I really needed. I'm hoping I will see some weight drop off rapidly for a while. I want that 50# marks soooo bad! 4-6 to go depending on what the Dang scale says!

Okay, one more point. If there are foreign surgeons doing crappy work, why don't they out them..don't they have a code of ethics that requires them to do so? And what about the Dr.'s that do good work...why don't they recognize them?

I second what Wasa.... says. I went to Monterray and had a wonderful experience with the Dr. and hospital. I had Dr. Chapa after my own Dr. was murdered (Dr. Sanchez). I got a Dr's report after the Dr. and his assistant came to my hotel room the night after my surgery to check on my well being. (Can you EVER imagine an American Doc doing that!!). I got a card with my band info on it as well as the serial number correlation on the doc's report. You should have seen how caring and kind the nurses and the anesthesiologist was. I went all by my lonesome and said I needed a bit more support and they gave it. You should call around. And try Filldoctors USA or whatever it is called. I suspect in as populated areas that you have, there will be plenty. I have one option...and his fees kill me. Shawn

Butterfly, You will find that this is one of the most exciting journeys yet in your life. And I think, for my two cents, well worth it. I was just in for a fill at my docs and saw a phamphlet about paying for medical procedures with an interest free loan. So, there is another option.

5jacks, That is terrific. What a great thing for you. I find this band to be a miracle.

I was banded on a Tuesday night and wore sweats home from the hospital the next day, with my bra. Back to work on Monday and never had a problem. I do think, however, I was told to watch what clothes I wore as well as having easy shoes as it was hard to tie the left one!! It seems it just depends on where the incisions are and all that.

Welcome Tooslow. I'm sure when Tonya/Sunshine gets back from vacation she will put you on our list. How has the journey been for you? I went in for another fill yesterday and the Dr. was actually pretty pleasant. He wasn't much for personality but I was in rare form and being silly so I got him engaged!! He did check the saline levels and said it was all there. My weight loss was 10 pounds since my last fill in late may, he was pleased, but I want more!! I'm up to 7ccs...and I suspect that future fills will be done in fractions. But hopefully this will be the one and I can just drop some weight without struggling like I've been for the past four months. Hit the road again today...how are all you doing with your exercise?

Jacks Maybe you need to find a different exercise routine. Sometimes our bodies get used to a routine and it doesn't work as well. I think interval training is good but may alternate between running, biking, elipital, stairstepping..whatever. They tell me it is all simple physics...expend more calories than you take in. Good luck

You don't have to sue...just file a complaint with their licensing board. Usually they have a state website which lists how to file a complaint along with the forms. Pretty simple process. The therapist for sure broke confidentiality if you didn't sign a release. He/she shouldn't discuss your sessions or anything about you with another person without your consent. I would suggest you find another therapist. Many do pro-bono work. The fact that you weren't strong enough to stand up to your parents, dr's, etc, speaks of a pretty big issue that should be looked into. Best of luck to you.

Well, I made myself get going on my four mile walk today. It seemed for the past week I've been extra tired and haven't had the extra energy. Not to mention we are think with smoke here, having numerous big forest fires so it stinks out there. But I did it and I feel GREAT!! So all you out there who are struggling with the exercise today...get after it. You can do it!

Gayle, You know it...isn't it hard to take care of ourselves? But this band has helped me in that area as well. I've always been perturbed at my DH who could leave "chores" go to exercise or do something that he wanted to do, when I'd have the mindset that the house needed cleaning, corrals needed cleaned, on and on. I remember "spoiling" a hunting day trip because I was so stressed about the house being dirty. I told DH I needed to go home. BAD!! So, I'm happy for many reasons for the band. I had to change my mindset...I've paid so much for this out of "our" money, that I'd better re-prioritize things. Sula