TerriDoodle

Judy -- I ADORE IT!! YOU ARE NOW OUR OFFICIAL MASCOT!!! ps- I can tell you've lost weight in your face from your avatar pic!!! woo hoo!

Thanks Sara! :scales: The thingy they used for me to test my BMI calculated that I had 41% body fat! The math calculation method says I'm like at 33%...so that's a big chunk of fat to lose!...and a lot of muscle to gain! I've got my work cut out for me. Interestingly, he said it would probably take about a year to gain 10# of muscle...but at the end of that time those 10# of muscle will burn 500 extra calories per day AT REST! I can't believe you did all that exercise yesterday! You're a maniac!! Laura - When I was your age I used to worry about 'how I looked' at the gym...but not so much anymore! LOL I just want what I want and the others can jump in the lake. Besides, at least 1/2 of the people working out are obese+, so I fit right in. AND, at least I'm doing something and not sitting on the couch eating bon-bons. Have you ever heard this quote? "We probably wouldn't worry about what people think of us if we could know how seldom they do." (Olin Miller) Jenn - Congratulations on another 2#!! People seem to be coming off their stalls now, eh? Way to go!! Doesn't seem like you're eating very much, though....are you getting enough? Teach!!! - 11 INCHES??!?!? MAN! That's awesome! I'm tellin' ya....you need to be our mascot!! Would you be willing to dye your hair violet??

I was not allowed to lift anything more than 15# for at least 4 weeks! Some are even more restricted than that! Definitely need to discuss this with your surgeon...maybe there are precautions you can take, wear a support device or something like that. But don't take risks!

Hey all...I just got back from the gym and guess what I did!? I signed a contract for a personal trainer 1x/week for a YEAR!! Girlfriends, I am gonna be one hot honey! We worked my quads tonight and OMG!! I am gonna be in pain tomorrow! Anyway...I did it because I've been talking about how committed I am and IF SO, this is what I need to do...keep moving forward and behaving like a healthy person. I'm doin' this, people!!!

YES!! I actually was told by my patient advocate that it is common to experience depression 2-3 weeks after surgery. We talked about it on the Violets thread and determined that it probably has to do with fat cells shrinking and releasing estrogen into your system...which can cause PMS symptoms. Sound familiar? It goes away in a week or two....well, it did for me anyway. Hope you feel better real soon!

My mom is kinda hard to buy for. She's shut-in due to bad health, is 79 years old, but sweet as she can be. For the life of me, I can't figure out what to get her! What are you getting your Mom for Mother's Day?

Mine goes up and down 2-3 pounds every couple of days. I never know what number will show up! I've always been this way and so I'm used to it.

Thanks, dearie! Well, I think Kat was actually the first, as an honorary Violet. Compared to many of you Violets it's not such a great achievement. But what it does represent for me is seeing a number I haven't seen in about 1-1/2 years. That feels pretty good. Needing to clean out my closet of all the 18W's feels even better. I'm just so proud of all of us (yes, especially you, Michelle!)....no matter what the numbers are.

Hi Sara - I'm doing fine! Went out to dinner with my family last night and ordered a chicken dish...Madiera Chicken...which was delish, but OMG!! When they brought out that plate full of food I almost fainted right there! It was enough for 5 meals at least! 2 chicken breasts pounded thin, lightly breaded, covered in some kind of wonderful cheese and madiera sauce, mushrooms, asparagus and a mound of mashed potatoes!! That plate must have had 2800 calories on it! (Do people really eat this much food?? Did I???) I had 1/2 of one breast and the tips from a few asparagus spears. My hubby helped with some of it and I brought the rest home. Well, I either ate too much, too fast or bites were too big (all of the above?) because I got a little bit of that PAIN in my sternum that said STOP! So, I do believe I am feeling more restriction...actually it's feeling just about right. I also am becoming familiar with the hiccup that tells me to stop, too. That's pretty handy! MAJOR CONGRATS to you on the 2# loss!! I'm so proud of you!!! Judy - You REALLY are a water bug, aren't you!!? Glad to hear you have that first fill scheduled...that'll be here before you know it! I'm in a rut with my bkfst too, but have been for 3 years! Cottage cheese and fruit...same ol' thing every morning usually...but I still love it. Breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day. Michelle - I hope you woke up feeling better today! YOu've got a great attitude. You're gonna do just fine, I know it. Breathe deep, chin up and BELIEVE!! Kelly - Sounds like you're perfectly normal. We're all going thru those same things. I had my first fill last Friday and it does help. Don't fret at all -- you'll be doing great in a week. Have a wonderful day, lovely Violets!! :love:

((((MICHELLE)))) Please don't give up hope! It is extremely important that you keep a positive outlook and keep that vision of a healthy, thinner self in front of you at all times....especially now. Keep breathing and exude confidence! BELIEVE!! There is a good chance that there is some kind of mix up or simply that you will have to postpone it a while. We're here for you no matter how long this takes. You are forever a Violet!

WOO HOO !!! LOOK AT THAT BANNER!! BEAUTIFUL, LAURA! Did you make it? Making the rest of us look pretty bad, though!!

If I was having reflux, wouldn't I be having pain, stomach ache, indigestion, trouble sleeping?? I think this sore throat is just that...a sore throat. We have horrible allergens and high humidity here in Houston (but everything is GREEN!) and I was out in the night air for several hours. Next day woke up with cold-like symptoms...and eventually everything went away except for the sore throat!? Doc says it's prob allergies and drainage. Also, my kids have both had strep throat in the past month.

Fill/Restriction Update! -- I was filled last Friday w/ 1.5cc. I do believe I am feeling more restriction today than I have since Friday! I have read in a few posts that sometimes the restriction is felt days later....?? Kat?? A little confusing as I thought it was the other way 'round (more restriction at first then easing off). I dunno. All I can tell you is that I'm eating some finely shredded tuna salad and I can feel every bite go down. Hmmm. Just beware everyone---anything is possible! This band really keeps you on your toes! Went to my family doc today ...I have a persistent sore throat. Anyway, told her about being banded and she was very much OK with it. She just said, "well you realize this is not the easy way out and you have to be vigilant in your eating for a long time to come, right?" I assured her I was fully informed and had great ongoing support. She was happy...and I was grateful for her support. Life is good! Love you guys!!

Well some have chosen to start charm bracelets ...adding a charm every time they reach chosen milestones! Cool idea, eh? Here in the south, James Avery jewelry is very popular and they have lots and lots and LOTS of charms....handcrafted and very well made. www.jamesavery.com

Well, they probably didn't solder it because they didn't know where you wanted it on the bracelet. If you take it to a local jeweler they probably wouldn't charge you much to solder it on. Alternatively, you can email James Avery and ask them to correct the situation. They are very service oriented and would probably pay for the return shipping.

Did anyone see that HBO special documentary called "THIN"? All about a few girls' experience inside an eating disorder clinic. Extremely interesting (and horribly sad, too). But Kat -- is your SIL throwing up on purpose??? EWW!!! Well, in this documentary there was one young girl who was obviously very sick. She'd rather be dead than 'overweight' although she weighed about 90#. But in their group therapy one of the other girls said, "You just want to be the sickest one here."....and I thought that was a strange thing to say, at first. Then I watched that special three more times and think I finally understood it. I think we all know that anexoria and bulemia are all about feeling in control...and from the little I've heard that fits your SIL to a tee! Eh? I mean, she came all unglued because she didn't get her way about transferring Rick (for one thing) which is absolutely not her call to make, and then 'punished' you by not attending the family outing. Oh brother!! Good luck with that one! I have an ex-MIL that was 5x worse. She has 8 kids and only 2 of them talk to her anymore.

((Brenners)) I'm sorry about your trouble. You have a great attitude! Keep it up! Did he say why the port moved? Guess a stitch or two came undone!?

Congratulations!!!! Oh, how I DREAM of being a size 10!!!! You go girlfriend!!

the fact that scale had been doing nothing but going UP for 3 years, no matter what I did. I was headed for 275 and I could see it clear as day. I had been researching the band and then one day, out of the blue, my dear friend asked me if I had ever heard of the gastric band?...and that she was considering it. Well, she's a nurse and I respect her very much...we talked about it and that's what convinced me. I went to my doc's seminar and a month later I was banded (self pay)!! My friend is enrolled in her insurance 6-month program and is anxiously watching my progress.

Hey Jenn! That's what I drink too! I drink the Berry flavor, 20 oz of water and a big ol' slice of fresh lemon! Try it! It tastes like fresh lemonade! And that's exactly what you'll get! You sound so much like me ....well, probably almost ALL of us....and this band is great for just that: keeping you feeling fuller, longer. You are on the right track. You have confidence in your surgeon, right? Then, no worries!! Teach - congrats on the loss!! Just keep on keepin' on!

I looked real quick about b-12 deficiencies and only find that people who have had gastric BYPASS surgery have that risk and that is because food bypasses their stomach which is where B-12 is absorbed. The body stores B-12 so that a deficiency is pretty rare, unless you are a strict vegetarian. B-12 sources are meats and dairy products. Deficiency results in anemia, causing fatigue, weakness and sometime stomach upset. So, I suppose it's possible....but I'd talk to your doctor more or get a blood test before supplementing. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-vitaminb12.html

Hi everyone -- Thanks for all the WOOT's on my new shiny number today! Means a lot coming from you all. I've been reading posts and seems like there's a little bit of panic about stalls and worrying about gaining, etc.... Let me give you some reassurance for those of you who are starting to feel some hunger again. I know that's a scary feeling....like HEY, What the hell?? I paid all this money for this band, went thru all this pain....WHY AM I HUNGRY? I'm not supposed to be hungry!!!! Well I'm 2 days after my first fill and my calories went right back down to where they were 2 weeks ago. The hunger is gone again and the best part is that I don't feel drastic restriction! I'll bet this is what a "sweet spot" is all about! Anyway, i thought it might provide some encouragement if I showed you all my weight chart. Sometimes it helps to have a visual...see how my weight bounced around for a LONG time before finally heading down again:

The pre-surgery panic is perfectly normal. HOWEVER, you are right in taking a step back if and postponing it for a week or two if you are seriously having doubts. Make no mistake that this is a life-altering decision. With that said, I've been banded a month and now over the roughest part (I hope!). I have been eating the same 6 or 7 soft/liquid foods for a month or more and am so ready to move to solids. For the most part I know now that I will be perfectly content to eat small portions of whatever I choose. Yes, I'll miss bread and starches...but I've given them up before and know that they are truly addictive substances. I NEED to give them up!! This tool helps keep me in line and I love it! As for the sodas, I am also grateful that I am simply not allowed to have them. I have enjoyed trying new things and all the different crystal light flavors, etc. Right now my absolute fave is berry Propel with fresh squeezed lemon...I drink it all day, every day, and easily get my 64 oz in. The major added bonus is that I'm also withdrawing from all that caffeine which is helping to also control my hunger!!! It really has been a great experience so far. I am very excited about the future. Oh, and by the way, today I hit ONE-DERLAND!

1-9-9 :Banane43::woot::thumbs_up::thumbs_up::woot::thumbs_up:

Keep in mind that the people who get banded and are doing fine don't tend to post here...but the ones who are experiencing complications or problems are posting. So what you see here is a skewed picture of the experience. There is s a 'sticky' at the top of the General Lapband Discussion forum called something like "Share your Scar Stages" and it's full of pictures. We were all nervous before surgery...and for a few days after when we were dealing with the pain. But we're all here to talk about it and happily getting on with the business of losing weight! :Banane43: