Cindi

Tonya...I'm printing this out! What great stuff!

I'm back! I've missed y'all, and have been reading furiously to catch up on everyone:) We lost our "cabbaged on" internet connection here at home, and had FIOS installed today for TV, phone & internet. So all new (and all ours...LOL), and I'm able to get back on the boards. I'd do it at work, but as my office is arranged, people can view my screen from behind me. That's a no go. Sounds like some of us are struggling...add me to the list!! When I went for a fill 3 weeks ago, I didn't get one because the stress of my son's accident was making me too tight. So basically no fill for almost 2 months. I made an emergency trip to Big D today to get a fill (gal who fills me was gonna be out next week). But I'm jumping ahead! I had the endoscope to see how things looked from the inside out. The Dr. who did it is in partnership with my Dr., and was happy with my loss, until I UNLOADED my frustrations on him (really! I hadn't even had the twilight drugs yet! Poor man)! Conceded that almost 100lbs in a year was good, but that it had been 3 months, and the scale has only moved 7-10 pounds...despite my try try trying. After the procedure, he told me he thought I might have a stretched pouch...not really measurable from the endoscope...but if I was hungry, eating to much, and not getting full, that a stretch was possible. GADS! I was almost happy! I didn't want an excuse, but a reason might be nice!!! So, back to today. I did the flouro thing, and guess what? No stretch. I just needed a dang fill! OMG! Sometimes, I want to scream. You think I'd know these things...but now I am at 9.1 in my 10cc band. Not much wiggle room left. But already, I only had about 5 bites of protein during dinner, and the stop signs reappeared. I may have restriction again. My nurse told me to quit fretting...band is good, no stretch...quit trying to diet! If I am thinking of food, if I am eating too much, if I am hungry, I NEED A FILL! Didn't we all learn this? I am just surprised I was fighting it (and losing the battle) and blaming myself. She just told me to let the band help. Really...I felt like I was doing all the work, unsuccessfully, and beating myself up over it. Whew! Sorry for the vent! Onward! I've been keeping up the exercise, 4-5 times a week, adding a bit more each day. Now I am doing at leat 1-1.5 hrs of hard cardio (with some HIIT), and hitting the weight training 3 times a week at least. Concentrating on adding more abs work, and lats. I hate my "back boobs". Personal news - celebrated bandiversary at a real fine resturant. Son is getting some feeling back and moving fingers a bit. Daughter is still moving out...slow transition is good for both of us! Other daughter is going the winter formal dance this week. Business is (unfortunately) very good, and busy. Will head t the lake house this weekend for some much needed R&R. ok, ok..i'll quit yapping. Just glad to be back!

All I can say is this, Lap Band Solutions (AIGB), is the best...the doctors have scads more experience, the facilities are wonderful, the office staff is so thorough, polite and efficient, and the aftercare is without doubt, the finest available. They truly care, and the support options are amazing. All this to me was/is priceless. Choose the doc that fits you personally, and rest assured you will be well taken care of afterward...which is the measure of a great facility, IMHO!

I am so there with you! Have had this "unexplained" weight gain happen to me several times. I can offer some thoughts as to what is happening, whether they apply or not, who knows? But, without doubt, I can tell you RELAX!! It's OK! It's more than likely not REAL weight, but rather the body retaining water from exercise. This is soooo common...the body "insulates, cushions" the strained (injured) muscles by packing on the fluid. I know, I know...it sucks...but seriously...you did not consume 7200 calories extra...your body is burning more than usual (BMR)...so it has to be this, IMHO. Now, don't misunderstand...I KNOW how mad that can make you!!! A few tricks...extra fluids, more protein. Try a protein bar, slice of deli meat, FF string cheese. Always strength training BEFORE cardio. Eat small amount of protein 1/2 to 1 hour after workout. Back off any bad carbs if you're eating them. Ok...time to go practice my own preaching. I'm rootin' for you!

Tonya - anxious to hear about your eyes...good luck, I think you'll love it! I want that too, but astigmatisms and other weird things prevent at this stage...maybe lens implants later. They keep telling me it would be a trade off...so still stuck in contacts and readers for the time being. Hadn't posted in this spot yet, but y'all know I'm with you. 4-5 times a week, I hit the gym (Lifetime Fitness) for 1-1.5 hours. I do heavy cardio w/HIIT, and strength training, weight lifting, circuit training...whatever the term of the day is. Usually in the 7:00am hour, unless one of my daughters wants to join me...then it's after work. Weekends I take off...because I'm usually out of town. But I do stay active! I sweat, pant and push myself, and change it up daily, albeit it is all this type of workout. You think you're in shape til you try a new machine!! When I get closer to goal, I may do the classes, and try to alter my workouts some...but this is doable for me now. Funny, classes seem to be full of 130lb moms who look like they never had a weight issue, and have no real muscle. Is it just me, or am I being catty???? Sorry!

Shawn, It does make you stop and think, doesn't it? Your journey will continue, and you will get to whatever goal you set, as will we all. It goes so slowly now for me, that I feel certain it will take 2 years until I am at my goal....but as you say...individual journeys, and that's ok! Tomorrow is my bandiversary. Had to check my Outlook to verify! Seems like eons ago, doesn't it? What has changed? What hasn't?!? My habits are slowly becoming that...habits. I have been so intensely self focused this past year, which is a little bothersome. But maybe necessary to really change what was slowly destroying me...my weight! So many thoughts running through my head about this past year...I am thankful for my lap band buddies. And oh yeah...my waist has changed...dramatically! 20 inches gone. That was the only measurement I took back then, as I dropped the tape measure and fainted after measuring my girth.

debbie im on assurant health. sorry posting by cell. . . will answer fully when i get back home.

Lasics? Did I miss an earlier post? juno610Cindi -- Are you making sure you get enough water in between meals? That's a great point, and you're probably right! I DO need to up the intake, and just make it pure water (tea maybe) instead of coffee.. When is the last time you changed up your exercise routine? Maybe throw in some interval training with your cardio or switch your resistance training exercises around. Sometimes we just need to keep our bodies guessing! My exercise routine is pretty much ok I think. Heavy cardio 3-5 times a week, with HIIT training (lunges, sprints, hills, speed, resistance on either treadmill, elliptical or recumbant), with circuit/strength training/weight lifting 2-3X per week. 1-1.5 hours per shot. I probably could use to do more core work, maybe some turbo jam, pilates or yoga. I may let them redo metabolic testing...it's been years. I guess it's varied, but could use to change it up more? Creature of habit, know what I like/what I'll do! LOL Hope that helped a little. It did!Sounds like you are doing fantastic anyway though :eek: Thanks:) Sula, are you eating smaller quantities? Are the choices 'denser'? If so, maybe your 'pouch' is shrinking back a little, and responding when you eat bigger quantities! As far as the drinking, I've been told that wine can relax the band (and the drinker!) when tight...Enjoy the weight loss, and make the foods easy for the next couple of days, nothing that has possibility of sticking. I went yesterday for a fill, but we decided to not do one, because of my stress. Had a small loss by their scales, none by mine. Weird, I usually hate their scales. I'll go back in a few weeks and re-assess. I go in Tueday for a requested GERD test, the endoscope thingie. My doc encourages everyone to do this, to check the band at our 1 year mark. Anyone else doing this?? They gotta knock you out, slightly, and they don't unfill...use a pediatric scope. Also, found out my insurance will cover fills now! (was self pay, 1st year all inclusive). Woohoo!

Nancy, no dancing yet, but soon, very soon. It seems I have mastered maintenence. Could someone please send a memo to my arse that I have 60 more pounds to go??? I have been upping the workouts, rethinking eating, getting back to band basics, and I feel great...but the pounds won't budge. Sigh. Also some major personal stress (see Jan07 Bandsters posts) has played havoc with my band...more than I though possible. I just gotta remember that IN THE LONG RUN, over time...ALL GOOD BEHAVIOR will be rewarded. Sorry, I sound delusional now...LOL!

Maria, congrats, congrats! what an exciting year in store for you!! Baby....family...argh! Sometimes we get more grief from them than we deserve. Hold yer head high...this is your business, your life! Thanks all for the compliments on the pics. Still waiting to drop these 3 last pounds to reach 100 mark...then 60 more. Been brutal at the gym working out, and the stress lately has helped keep me from over eating...but no scale movage yet. I'm at 9cc's in VG band (10cc's). Sigh. But I'm NOT giving up. I've asked the last few times when I went in if this was it...60% or better gone, am I done? They assure me I am not done til I wanna be done. But all it seems like for the last few months is that I've mastered maintenence. Ok, I've stopped drinking with meals. I desperately try to get protein in first. No snacking. No sweets. 1.5 hours per day at gym. Resistance cardio and strength training (weights)...WHAT ELSE am I missing??? What can I do?!? Ok, that sounded a little paniced. Sorry, I don't wait well!

Sula! Great news on the pound droppage:) Found a silly pic of Justin and me at Christmas (I've never posted before...was waiting for the official 100lbs. gone). It's more silly than good, but may ut a face with the story! Will try to insert here...hope this works.

Ok, mark me jealous. I want to be satisfied on such a small amount! Glad you are back on track, know it's been rough for you. My committment this week is to lower salt intake, and watch the drinking while eating thing. I have been so hungry, and NOT being mindful of washing the food down. Guess my "lower" tummy is still huge and can't fill up. I kinda thought it would have shrunk by now...

I've read that using your arms, not just dangling them but pumping, swinging, any arm activity during treadmill workouts can increase your caloric burn by 5-15%. People behind me fall off their treadmills from laughing so hard, wondering what the strange woman flapping her arms all over the place is doing, but I don't care!

Tonya writes>> Cindi - update? How is your son doing? My DH & Son are avid gun users because they hunt, and my son also plays the guitar, so I certainly have empathy for your situation. I really hope your son is okay in the hand, and has full use of it again. I've had 4 hand/arm surgeries and I know it can be painful in the nerve area and also I know it is a long recovery process. Let us know how he is doing. Thanks for asking, Tonya. Surgery was yesterday, 4+hours. Brought him home today. Went as well as could be expected; bone graft, damaged muscles, tendon repair, nerve repair, metal plate screwed in to facilitate healing. Will need additional surgery to remove plate and free tendons thru scar tissue. Definate permanent nerve damage, and will have difficulty with small, quick movements...but the surgeon is hopeful! He had a lot of trouble with the anesthesia, his oxygen levels, BP, pain med tolerance, etc. Also, sleep apnea. He needs to lose some weight, and they were very kind in how they explained the current and future problems he may face at such a young age. He listened, and did not "explode" in defiance...as he is very touchy about his weight. Always better when someone besides family shows concern. Comments or suggestions from us always are construed as criticism. A definately rough week, but we're on the mend. Whew. Maybe by next hunting season all will be well healed, although he has sworn off of guns currently. He blames himself (needlessly...not a time for blame). I have such tightness from the stress. I took his twin out for dinner tonight, and gorged myself on the most over indulgient feast of tortilla chips and beefy queso. Guess a little guilt to add to my stress was in order. This week there was little gym attendance due to all this...tomorrow, I will set up a tent in the parking lot. I am thankful for everyone's support and friendship:)

Too weird, considering Justin is one of my twins! Congrats on doing the safety class. Been thru many, as well as my own CHL, renewed 4 times now. Our entire family is well versed, and uuuber safe, so this struck us as such a tragic happening. I think it is wise, if one is comfortable, to have knowledge instead of fear. It is definately a different world now, isn't it? Thanks for your prayers!

<TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 673938" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 align=middle width=125>whosyadaddy</TD><TD class=alt2>Go Cindi!!!!! We can hit the 100 close to each other. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> LOL, you before me, especially after tonight! In a moment of temporary insanity, went with daughter to On The Border, ate a bowl of tortilla chips and beef queso...so much I had no room for my grilled chicken dinner! Dang. Back to the gym in the morning for my punishment! I go between 4-5 times a week, 1-1.5 hrs each time, heavy HIIT training (mainly cardio). At leats 4-6 miles, uphill, downhill, sideways, lunges, sprints. Either I'm trying to confuse my body or I'm bored!! LOL! We can do this, but tonight's salt intake will set me back 3 days. Arrrgghh!

ahhh...spoke to quick (was in shock). Visiting your link provided now.....

Whosya Who needs a hero?!? OMG, YOU'RE IT!!!! 100 in 5 months? AMAZING!!!! Ok, spill. What are you doing? Feel OK? Wow...you really must be super dedicated...exercise? I'll go back to bemoaning my measly few pounds now...LOL! Congrats!

Thank you, Sula. I'm pretty calm now, which always amazes me...Mom's ability to keep their cool. No doubt I'll crash in private. Hubby on the other hand, is quietly and stoicly (sp) falling apart. Justin feels ten foot tall and bullet proof. Not. (Sorry! We gotta lighten it a little!)

January Friends, Please say a prayer for my son today, if you have a second! He goes into surgery this afternoon for an accidental gun shot wound to his left hand. It happened January 1st, happy new year....Long, gruesome story. I wanted to post earlier, but knew guns were a touchy/controversial subject for some. But this was an unknown - faulty misfire, no body's fault, no foul play. And now we just need prayers and support. We hope he will have use of his hand - may require additional surgeries. He is going to have a bone graft from his arm and a metal plate put in. Nerve, tendion and muscle reconstruction will also take place. Justin is my oldest twin, 21, my only son. He is an avid guitar player, and not playing again is his worst fear. He's a licenced funeral director and embalmer, and really needs great control of both hands in our line of work. Can you say nerve wracking? BTW, stress does affect the band. Thanking y'all in advance.

Good luck on your journey! Do this for you, and know it is for life...a better life!

Nancy, LOL!!!! I sure wish that woulda worked!! Gotta give it up to you for trying to help, though! It's kinda like the body slows down purposely just so you can appreciate the struggle and importance. Thanks for the encouragement :whoo: Just a bit more, and we'll be dancing:)

Could someone PLEASE wave their magic wand over my body and scales so I can FINALLY drop these last few pounds and officially join this amazing group of people???? Last few to 100 gone, that is! Then, 60 more!:heh:

Hi Karen! It takes a llooonnnggg time to reach good restriction with the larger volume bands. I have the VG11 band, and am almost filled to 9cc's after 12 or so fills in the last year. Changing eating habits, and wrapping your head around your new way of life will help tremendously. Band, 25%, self control and behavior modification, 75%. Start with DENSE proteins: chicken, beef, pork, tuna. Have a few bites. Eat s l o w l y...give stomach time to register with your brain that it's full. Give yourself a full 20-30 minutes to eat. Pick pick pick at food, small bites. After Protein, move to veggies (not starchy ones). If any room left, and still hungry, a small amount of carbs is ok...like 2 bites! Watch sauces...the calories add up. Do not drink with meal, and wait 30 minutes to an hour before resuming drinking. Don't drink anything with calories! Make this style of eating a habit, and then you'll be working "with the band". Good luck, let us know how it's going! You can do this!

Jennifer, I am so saddened (sp?) by your post, I must have missed the original one, also. How devastated you must have been! I hope that you were able to be rebanded. With the prior success you had, I know how it must have been...want to continue, but DANG! The MULA!! I hope hope hope things look brighter for you this year, and the complications start to smooth themselves out. Band life is hard enough to get used to...without the added strain of problems with the band, and scary debt and worry. Please keep us updated, and know blessings are being sent your way. We are here for you! Sula, glad the dogs didn't get sick from the sweets...been there, cleaned up that! Let us know if the journaling helps. I have up-ed my workouts the past 3 weeks to about 4-5 days per week. I want to consistantly go 5 days a week. It's getting easier (the going, not necesarily the doing! LOL) and I find one thing to be true...the more you go, the more you really miss it when you don't go for a day or two. Spent the whole day yesterday shopping with my daughter for apartment furniture (1 down, 2 to go til empty nest syndrome hits). She takes possesion tomorrow night, and it will be a month of hauling stuff up and down 3 flights of stairs. That will no doubt help my thighs! Great thing is, her new place is right across the street from Lifetime Fitness, where we work out, so I can pester her after my workouts (yet another reason to head to the gym)! I'm headed to the gym now, one final workout before NYear's...then we go to our lakehouse, where there is no gym, just food. But there are leaves to rake, so no excuses! Everyone have a great NY, be safe, eat well. I'll be checking in!