TerriDoodle

I remember having these exact same thoughts and is basically what I told my doctor when he was considering me for the band. I was "only" 215#, but doing nothing but gaining since menopause...so the future was pretty clear! I also remember having those same gung-ho thoughts about how I'm going to be a new person and exercise every day and follow the bandster rules to a "T" and I'm never going to fail...blah blah blah. I was gung-ho to the max....for about 7 months...I was even known as the 'gym nazi'. Then I hit a couple of stumbling blocks and life happened and I've been coasting ever since. The beauty of the band is that even though I'm not doing so well in the food and exercise department I've still lost a tad bit of weight....rather than gaining....and my doctor is thrilled with my progress. My doctor is also one who doesn't prescribe a strict diet...tells us to enjoy the foods we've always enjoyed, just less of them....and try to get 60gm of Protein in every day. My point is to all of you is to realize that this is a long journey and you will have periods when you are a LB poster kid and times when you're just human and it's all OK. Beating yourself up for being a fat failure is a tape loop we all need to get rid of....its dangerous! Recognize that there will be ups AND downs and try to have a support system (like LBT) in place to help you thru the rough spots. In the end you'll be fine. Be gentle with yourself and don't expect major behavior changes overnight. The band doesn't work on your head. Those changes are best done in little baby steps over a long period of time until they become the 'norm' for you.

Laura - Do you forget how much pain you were in? 100 pounds. Jeez-o-man. 100 pounds is a LOT of weight!!! I can barely lift 40# on a good day. 100 pounds is really beyond what I can even wrap my head around. 100 pounds is freakin' incredible. Please girls, don't EVER EVER EVER minimize that accomplishment....because it is probably the hardest thing you will ever do or have ever done in your life. :biggrin:

Well, this is something you definitely need to discuss with each of the doctors...the surgeon and the doctor that prescribed the medication. I have not ever heard of anyone being required to get off of their birth control before surgery. However, it would be a big risk to not disclose to your surgeon every medication you are taking before surgery... I hope that is not what you are implying!

KATSICLE............:biggrin:

I've done that!!! Palm Springs was my first (of 2) visits to California and I fell in love with it! You're so lucky to live in such a beautiful town! I'll have to come visit sometime and let DH play golf 'til he wears himself out!

Kat - That is SO cool about Marci and Shelley!! ...and it's good for the mom, too. I canNOT imagine a greater heartbreak than having to give a baby up for adoption! So how old are Marci and Shelley!?! Egads...I'd hate to think of starting over at my age!:angry_smile: Suzie - I WISH I was home doing laundry!! I've got lots to do at home and have to be here at work....where there is absolutely nothing going on. We're supposed to hit a record high today of 88 degrees!!! Isn't that wild? Spring Break starts this weekend for the kids...and our 'project' this week is to find a dress and shoes for my daughter to wear to the 8th Grade Dance! God help me. I've really been a good bandster but the scale is not moving. I WILL go to the gym this weekend!! :cursing: I am really concerned about my inability to eat meat. Kat, sharing fajitas with my dh is a fantasy for me! I could no more eat fajita meat than fly to the moon. I'm really tight and eating a LOT of mushies. I'll give it a couple more weeks, I guess.

Did ya'll hear about the woman who sat on the toilet for 2 years in the news today?? I've heard a lot of strange things in my life, but this was waaaay up at the top of the list.

"Super Moderator" was the default title that Alex bestowed upon us when we became moderators....that title was automatically attached to the avatar. I was just kind of uncomfortable with it for some reason and change mine to simply "forum moderator". R&R is the "Rants and Raves" section of this board. It gets pretty hairy in there and I just about always get aggravated when I visit....so i don't! :eek: I'd much rather hang here with you girliez.:grouphug:

** HAYDEE UPDATE ** Ok, I was worried...so I called her cell and she's in Mexico (I woke her up!...nice, huh?)! She's at her grandparents just taking a break from the stress in her life. She's better now and things with Juan are OK. She's travelling back today and said to tell you all HI! Whew!!

I'll find a pic eventually, Laura....or have DH take some this weekend. I just can't take my own with my Iphone.... the pic comes out lookng like it was taken with a fish-eye lens and my nose looks crazy-big. I've been out moderating and I'm pooped. There's some crazy people on this board!

I'm sorry, but I just don't agree with your 'logic' here. 3 weeks between fills should be the minimum waiting time. Some people (like me) get progressively tighter over a 2 week period. Not to mention that an aggressive fill schedule such as you suggest is downright dangerous. I am frankly shocked that your doctor was agreeable to it.

Are you sure it's OK for you to be eating meat only 2 weeks post-op?? That's unusual! Your doctor should have told you when to come in for your first fill. It's usually no sooner than 4-6 weeks. I can only eat about 3/4c. of food at a time... and if I'm eating meat, it's usually only a couple of ounces. I'm very tight right now.

I came over here to say something....now I can't remember what it was. :drool: Oh yeah. I sent out the flying monkeys to look for Haydee!! Where the h-e-double-toothpicks is she???

the sore throat is mystifying. the other things you mention just sound like you've got some good restriction going. I'd go ahead and keep your appt and discuss the sore throat symptoms with your doctor or his nurse. If you do opt for a fill, make sure it's a tiny one!

I disagree with this!! Every time I've gotten a fill I have gotten progressively tighter over a two week period! If I'd have followed your advice I would have had some serious issues! A "few days" is not long enough to judge whether or not you are ready for another fill....especially as you progress and are nearing your sweet spot.

Michelle,I think you are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! I love that pouty mouth of yours and your perky little nose...and you do NOT have a turkey neck!! I think you are just looking for something to criticize because you're just used to doing that! (I know I am!) Just look at the difference in these two pictures! Simply AMAZING and I am soooooooooo proud of you!!! Mmmmmuuuah!! I don't have one yet either, Jane. I generally HATE pictures of myself (do I really look like that?? :drool:) and no matter how I try I can't seem to get one I like! :teeth_smile: The last time I went to the doctor I had only lost 5# in 5 months....and he was thrilled!! I was like, "Huh??" Tracy and I have the greatest doctor in the world!! He is just happy that the scale is moving in the right direction and that's all he cares about....not whether it takes 10 months or 10 years, it's all good. He does not prescribe a strict diet either... "just eat what you enjoy eating, only less of it." When I heard those words in his seminar I wanted to throw my money at him then go kiss him on the lips. :teeth_smile: Suzie, it's very difficult to lose weight consistently. Some people do, but most don't. Don't beat yourself up...you've done a FANTASTIC job! I can't imagine that your doctor would have any problem with it if you don't lose for one or two or even three months!! As long as you aren't gaining 20-25 pounds he should be very happy. And so should YOU!

It WILL however, help you to feel less hungry on a lower calorie diet, if that is what is required to lose weight! Being hungry all the time is a real drag!! In that respect I do believe the band will help you.

I went to a weekend workshop last year on Past Life Regression led by Brian Weiss (author of [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Many-Lives-Masters-Prominent-Psychiatrist/dp/0671657860/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205340144&sr=8-2]Many Lives, Many Masters[/ame]). One of the exercises we did was to get a partner and hold one of their personal possessions (like a ring, or keys, etc.) while Dr. Weiss led us thru a meditation. We tried to connect to any images that holding the item would produce for us...and it was such a cool exercise. Anyway, my partner saw images of a white house, surrounded by trees, and rose bushes near a fence that were glowing and pulsating with color. When he asked me if this had any significance for me, i was blown away! I had just earlier that day been telling my friend about the times at my grandparents farm in the country and how they were the best times in my life. And yes, it was a white house, surrounded by big pecan trees and a white fence....along which my grandmother's prize climbing roses thrived. I thought it was odd that the flowers were so significant in his image because it was my grandfather that I was particularly close to....but I realize that in the heavenly realm my grandmother's love for me is as pure as anyone's and i thought that was her way of letting me know she was always with me.

Oh. :huh2:

Kat, I loved the story about your Grandma!! i mos def believe in guidance from above and I'm glad you were on the lookout for it. How cool is that!?

200 lbs????... She'd weigh 3! LOL

I'd be thrilled if you were to call me, Pamela! Anytime girlfriend!

Jennifer - Celebrate this new year, new you, new attitude, new body, new job....by giving that asshole a kick to the curb, dammit!!!!:huh2: This is just NOT who you are anymore!!!!! Make it a GREAT day....just to spite him!!! You are a beautiful, strong, independent woman!!!! CELEBRATE!!

Wherever your largest incision is ...that's where your port is located. Some surgeons locate them in the mid-ab area like you describe. Mine is located just below my sternum.

Y'know Kat.... we all reflect each others fears and issues. I hope it wasn't judgement that you were sensing, but perhaps it was their looking at you wondering how they could avoid such a situation themselves. I mean, we all undertook this surgery with very high hopes and there are so very many great success stories here! When i see someone who hasn't had "success" I admit I'm also curious....but certainly not judgemental. I realize that it could just as easily be me who is having a flipped port, erosion, reflux, .... or lack of weight loss! You're among friends. :smile: