Janine

First I have to say thank you for all the kind words. You guys are the best. Well, a week ago I lost my lapband, strangulated stomach. I have cried till I can't cry another tear. My emotions have been all over the place. Mostly just sad and scared as hell. So here is where I am now that I have a clear head and have mourned my friend, my tool, my life as I have known it for 11 months: I am very determined not to gain back this weight, as of today I weigh 208 lbs, started at 271. I have given all my fat clothes away, they are gone forever. Being rebanded is not an option for me until June, as the doc said I need time to heal. But I am high risk and at this point, I have no idea if my insurance will pay. I am the first at this hospital to have had this happen. But I made an appointment with the dietitian who leads the support group, and I have a great repore with. She pulled out my original paperwork and said, "Janine look at your original goal, you said you wanted to be anything under 200", this is doable you can do this. She was very encouraging, and I have decided I am going to work my butt off then hopefully in June instead of another lapband I am going in for a tummy tuck. I think I can pull it off with my insurance because my stomach looks like a train wreck. 2 vertical c sections, hysterectomy, and now the slashes of this. What is life like unbanded: Guys it is hard. But interesting enough I find myself not drinking with meals and still chewing, chewing, chewing. My appetite has come full circle to pre banded days, I really thought my stomach would have shrunk. But I am doing sparkpeople, and have loaded the house with healthy choices, I will never step foot in a buffet for the rest of my life to try to maintain my stomach size if in case it has shrunk. Happy Anniversary you guys, you are doing great thanks for letting me loiter around.

HI everyone, I am going to need your support like never before. On Sunday morning I ate about 1 cup of Coco wheats then I was moving a 500 lb trundle bed down some stairs. I was using every muscle in my chest and stomach. For dinner DH got KFC. I had a piece of chicken about the size of a thimble, and about a tablespoon of coleslaw. I immediately began to slime. I could not stop the slime or the coughing and gagging. I heaved from 7pm to 5am then finally went to the ER in excruciating pain like the golf ball feeling only alot worse. My blood pressure was 215 over 70 indicating I was in severe pain. The ER doctor on call said my lower stomach was in spasms against my pouch from heaving and with a little pepcid and a shot of demerol I would be better. I did feel better and went home and slept all Monday. Monday night I got up and had warm tea that gurgled down. Tuesday I went to work and decided to try some applesauce I had 2 tbs, and was back to heaving, sliming and was in utter misery. I went back to the ER. I had 4 shots of demerol that made me woosey but did nothing for the pain. They called in my Lapband doctor who gave me an immediate unfill and then a upper GI, realizing that nothing was going down and that emergency surgery was in order. He was upset that the ER doctor from the day before did not call him as soon as I came in. I had surgery that showed 1 of my stitches had come undone and my band was tilted. But the worst problem was that the lower stomach with a main vein was logged up through the band cutting off circulation to my stomach. Essentially part of my stomach was beginning to die. He had to cut off the band which gave a good blood flow back to the vein and my stomach is fine. But I am completely devastated. I have officially lost 60 lbs, and was on the home stretch. He is not objecting to rebanding but said that often same problems will occur. I don't know if my insurance will even cover a rebanding. I no longer fit the criteria. On a good note he said my insides were totataly different then when he banded me. I had initially had fat all around my organs especially my liver and stomach. He said it was like it all melted away. We are not sure what happened, did I strain to hard moving the bed, did I heave to much with the sliming, or did my belt loosen from not having all the fat around it(that is his idea maybe). All I know is my little buddy is gone.

Mrs. Husker' I am a ice tea addict, it is scary. Unsweetened, naturally. This is how bad, I am, I love the passion fruit ice tea at Pf Chang's Chinese restaurant, it is a chain that is phenomenal. MY DH is like what do you want for your birthday, Hanukkah, mothers day, valentines day, sweetest day, it is always the same answer bring me PF Chang tea. technically they don't sell it to the public but my DH is a sales men he loves to haggle and deal so he is always able to achieve this for me. They also sell it online through Target. The name brand is china mist, there is other flavors. I have a commercial size coffee pot and I brew gallons...............LOL now you got me started!!:thumbdown:

well I can't eat Chicken, and I officially can say I can't eat corned beef either. Boy, this is hard sometimes.

Whitepants- do you think it was a loss in Protein? The foods you listed are not high in protein. I try to eat a egg everynite that seems to help with headaches. Julie- You are such an inspiration, I love a gal with a lot of Chutzpah!! Ok, so I went to my Bariatric group which is run by the dietitian and the nurse. She was showing us what we should eat at a typical meal. here goes: 1)a 1 0z. piece of protein size of like a lime. 2) 3 table spoons of green Beans 3) 3 tablespoons of a starch (mashed potatoes) 4) a half of a peach she showed us this typical meal in the rubbery fake food. She was telling us to layer the food in this order. I was like are you kidding me, I could get half that amount in maybe. And again I feel I have perfect restriction. What do you guys think? Also I told her that I am tight until noon, and I could never do a meal like that for lunch. My typical lunch is a cheese stick and a container of applesauce. I work up from there until bed time.

I hear you hazelbunny. I am not sure where you live but I think if you are in a colder climate it makes it so much worse. Also the fact that it gets dark early. I am driving my husband crazy, we have about 18 inches of snow right now, we have had a ton of snow days so the whole family has been cooped up together. I keep on telling him I have to get out of here, just being in 50 degree weather would be like being in a tropical heat wave at this point. I drink cup after cup of hot tea during the evening hours, it seems to help a little. Sometimes I eat a hard boiled egg, that will really fill me up fast and hangs with me for awhile. Anyone have any other suggestions on what to munch/drink in the evening hours to take the boredom edge off?

Hey Mary Hope your son is feeling better. Oh my gosh, we have so much snow here in Mt. Pleasant. I wanted to get back to you, if you are ever in the mt. pleasant area again for a conference, please let me know I would love to meet you. Stay warm this weekend. Congrats on breaking your plateau:thumbup:

Hi Julie I agree what a great picture. I was really studying your picture I see that your 39 years old. Your skin has really bounced back very good after losing over 100 lbs. Your arms and chin you just look so nice

Hi Shalom, Shalom back at you, I am Jewish up here in Mt. Pleasant Michigan. I think that you are nauseous because of the manipulation of your tummy insides. I get very nauseous after fills. I am not a doctor but this should pass. Also if you are taking the liquid codeine for pain that could cause It too. You have done the right thing, you just are hurting and probably a little scared right now, but with each day you will feel better, and the lbs will melt away. it will be OK. Use this forum we are your support system, there is not a feeling you are having that probably someone else has not gone through. Good Luck and welcome! Janine

I have perfect restriction, I want to scream it from the roof tops. It's kinda like that O thing, you don't really know that your achieving it until you do, and then it feels soooo good. OOOOH LALA, Baby! It is so freakin cold here in upper Michigan, the highs on Saturday is suppose to be in the low single digits! My 20 year old son and I are driving to Detroit this weekend to go to the Art museum, I am so looking forward to that. Oh and by the way, Spark people is helping me a ton too! You guys who have not journaled should really check it out it is amazing. Have a great day!!!

Hi Guys Thank you so much for your warm words. Mamma Lampert you had me crying, your writing is so touching. You should be so proud of your childrens accomplishments. I know what your saying about those special times. On Christmas eve we were at a hotel. I am as bad as the kids with tearing off my clothes, putting on my bathing suit and literally running down the hallway with the kids to the swimming pool. Dh, all 3 teen sons, 6 year old daughter and myself jump into the pool. There was plenty of laughter, splashing, and wonderful family time, there is not a place I would have rather been. Whitepants and Julie thanks for reassuring me too, you guys are all the best. OK, fast question when you exercise to you ever shake? What is that? Nighty Night everyone.

So it seems that 1000 -1200 is the target number of calories. That sounds good to me, don't want to go into starvation mode. Also your right Gwen maybe keeping it closer to 1000 to leave room for the misc. 200 eaten unconsciously. Whitepants I forgot about burnt calories you brought up an interesting fact. Mamma Lampert isn't the sweet spot a beautiful thing, it has been a long time since I have had it. Thanks for asking about my kidos. I love the phrase little kids little problems big kids big problems it is so true. There is nothing fatal, or thank god, legal, just day to day issues. My oldest son turns 20 today and is quite interverted, he is over 300 lbs, and my heart cries for him to be more social and have a better self esteem. He has however, figured he will major as a graphic designer, and I now see a sparkle in his eye to succeed. My 16 year old son is sexually active with a girl from a terribly dysfunctional family. My 13 year old son has a "girlfriend" and I am constantly telling him that what his older brother is doing is moralistically wrong. My daughter adopted from China is doing wonderfully, WHEW! My DH travels a ton so I often am on my own in making crucial decisions. Did I mention that my DH, my 20 year old and 13 year old are severely ADD. Just to keep life hopping a little more. Oh, since June my hubby has put on 40 lbs, he is bringing all kinds of stuff into the home and eating poorly on the road. I have a hunch some how my lapband journey is tied into this, I just have not figured out how or why. My life in a nut shell. Sorry to be so self absorbed guys, I didn't realize just typing it out would help take some off my shoulders. Have a great week everyone!

Hi everyone, It is so nice to see our group so active. Everyone is so pumped!! So I have a nice amount of restriction. FINALLY. Anyway I just got over the dreaded stomach flu. I was absolutely terrified but it was not tragic. I am going to get a little graphic. I think that with the bands and not eating a lot of bulk like before there is not a lot to come up, and also the fact that the band is on most went down. I did have a very hard time keeping hydrated so pushing the H2o today even harder. My hair is officially growing back. It is so true what they say that at about 5 mts you lose it but then it grows back, so true. I have little 1/2 inch bangs and little side burns, whoooo scary! Does anyone know what is our aimed calorie amount a day? I would like a 2-3 lb loss a week opposed to a 1-2 lb loss. I am so picky I know, but I am so anxious to be done, and maintaining, and I also really want a tummy tuck over the summer so I have goals in mind. I am 5' 4". Have a good weekend everyone!

Thanks for the support and advice and input, Dems and Julie. Julie I love your comparisons. Ok, I have to say I love Sparkpeople. It is very interesting, I have already figured out my downfall of snacking little snacks here and there especially Hershey kisses. Wow baby, those little things add up the calories fast. That darn old chocolate anyway.

Happy New Year! So I still have virtually no restriction, so my doctor is going to do a fill under the fluoroscope. I feel bad that I seem to be such a difficult patient, but I know that I have been successful in the past, I adore my band and my doctor I just need to have some restriction. I know what restriction feels like and have not had the proper restriction since September. I feel that the office staff is losing patients with me:think. Anyway, HAS ANYONE HAD A FLUOROSCOPE, WHAT IS IT LIKE? You guys are so upbeat, this is so wonderful and so good for moral!:clap2: Do you guys feel the crunch, now that the anniversary date is approaching? I just can't get it out of my head that statistically most people lose their weight in the first 18 mts. The clock is ticking louder and louder. My hair is growing back, it is so funny, I have these little 1/2 inch bangs under my bangs. I bought a pill that is a Protein Gelatin pill, I feel better. I also bought the restraining bands, I like them they are brutal to work with, I like brutal, I want to hire Jillian off of biggest loser to kick my a**. You guys want a real motivation, you just have to watch biggest loser it is soooo motivating. There has only been 1 show so you can get caught up easily. Toodles, Welcome all the new people that have joined recently.

Hi White pants- I think a lot of us took a beating over the holidays. I guess we can look at it this way, the average person gains 7 lbs over the holiday. We are not the average people, speaking for myself I know that my gain would have been more then that without the band probably over 10. My holidays in the past were soley wrapped around food. What Cookies, brule's, pies, gravies, casseroles would I eat next. The key word was butter and heavy whipping cream in everything. White pants I would rethink a full 1.0 cc maybe .75??? Also I have definetly found that as weeks pass it can get tighter and tighter. Jan 1 starts a new biggest loser on TV, this highly motivates me. Thread/Friends-I have to share with everyone my little problem. I have been having a great deal of problems getting a tolerable amount in my band. 1.7 is to loose and 2.0 has me sliming and barley holding down liquids. I talked my doctor into getting me to 1.9, it is a better. Anyway, he is a very kind man, but he said he has 2 other patients that are "like me" and that I should remember this is only a tool and I have to work harder. I know he is right but now my feelings are hurt and I am afraid to go back. Also what is exactly fluroscope. He does my fills and unfills by feeling around, he said that he thinks my port has become unattached. What do you think is going on? I have told him that I have very good insurance and having a x ray or whatever is completely fine with me. But thus far he is still just guessing. It seems alot of my fill sits in the tubing. Happy New Year, Everyone!!!

I had my surgery on March 20 2007. I am down around 55lbs. I have a 4cc band. Here is my dilemma, at 2cc's I am so tight I am on liquids mostly and very thinned out soft food, anything more and I have major sliming episodes. 1.7 cc where I am now results in practically no restriction (can eat a hamburger). I honestly do not know where to go from here. I have a fill appointment on December 26. Do you think that having like 1.8 or 1.9 would really make that much difference? I can't believe between 1.7 and 2.0 I am seeing such a huge difference. Has anyone decided just to lose the entire weight drinking the protein shakes and just being done with it.? I have a very large stomach overhang and want to have a tummy tuck over the summer. I am 40lbs away from the number that the doc has chosen to consider the tummy tuck.

Hey guys, I am so lazy I actually am pasting my question on the bottom from what i have posted on the general board. HE HE! Have a wonderful Christmas! I had my surgery on March 20 2007. I am down around 55lbs. I have a 4cc band. Here is my dilemma, at 2cc's I am so tight I am on liquids mostly and very thinned out soft food, anything more and I have major sliming episodes. 1.7 cc where I am now results in practically no restriction (can eat a hamburger). I honestly do not know where to go from here. I have a fill appointment on December 26. Do you think that having like 1.8 or 1.9 would really make that much difference? I can't believe between 1.7 and 2.0 I am seeing such a huge difference. Has anyone decided just to lose the entire weight drinking the Protein shakes and just being done with it.? I have a very large stomach overhang and want to have a tummy tuck over the summer. I am 40lbs away from the number that the doc has chosen to consider the tummy tuck.

I am having the worst time with the fill amount. I think I am driving my doctor crazy. I seem to be on this every 2 1/2 week fill/unfill routine. I have a 4 cc band. 2 cc's has me hacking up slime all over the place, literally. With 2 cc's I am pretty much on mushies and liquids. When I drop down to 1.7 cc I can eat most anything. I seriously need like 1.8.5 cc's. Rosi, you could not have said it better. I am so glued to that darn scale. I can not believe how I can go for weeks at the exact same number. Before I had the lapband I would fluate several pounds over the week, not now. I am just so thankful I have my Lapband going into these holidays. Toodles,

1. I can tie my shoes without losing my breath! 2. My eyes don't shut when I smile! 3. My big hips have less bruises! 4. I can feel my bones! 5. I can see my feet! 6. I can wear an underwire bra! 7. I can run! 8. I can feel my muscles! 9. I can see my cheek bones! 10. I can walk much further without getting tired! 11. I can cross my legs! 12. I look younger ( I got carded twice in one week!) 13. I can shave my legs in the shower! 14. I Have Dimples In My Cheeks.....they Are Coming Thru! I Can See Them! Now, As For The Dimples In My Butt!!! I Hope I Will One Day Never See Them!!! 15. I can get out of the bathtub without 911 on speed dial! 16. I can bend over and..... GET BACK UP! 17. I can shop......anywhere! 18. I have so much energy especially after I exercise! 19. I can bend down without getting out of breath! 20. I'm more flexible during sex! 21. My big bow hips have went down more than 20 inches! 22. Men are turning their heads constantly! 23. My face is so much thinner and prettier! 24. I have collar bones! 25. The fat from my back is disappearing! 26. I feel so good! 27. I'm starting to like what I see more and more! 28. I have a Fricking Rib cage and can feel it! 29. I fit comfortably in an airline seat! 30. I can ride all of the rollercoasters I want! Whee! 31. I can curl up in a chair with my knees up like a little kid. <!-- google_ad_section_end --> 32. I can give myself a nice pedicure. __________________ 33. I don't have to wear a wide shoe anymore.

Oh Julie I have a bread problem too. Which does not go good with a lapband ouch! Anyway, does anyone have an idea that gets them through that craving for bread. I just crave that constituency of cake, muffin, bread, sweet and soft.

Hello everyone, Whew, are we glad to be past the first holiday hurdle? YES, YES. Damn guys, not only do I have to contend with Christmas eating but we also celebrate Hanukkah. Those darn latkes get me every time LOL. I am pretty restricted Jmcambra, I am kinda where you are in limbo between 2.00 - 2.04. Hey Thick Chick how is drinking alcohol, I am frightened to death do you get buzzed quicker the usual? Mrs. Husker you crack me up in knowing the exact calories of things, congrats on not eating those cheesecakes!! Kythera good luck on your interview sounds like you need to treat yourself to a trip to IKEA friend. Slickchic I guess those darn PBing episodes keep us in check. Oh Julie you will be losing again in no time. I think of it like this in a couple days we will be in December and back out again. Who here does not get motivated after the new Year? I bet we all have, it has been our life for years after the holidays I am going to diet we say it will be different this time we say, only this time we don't have those 7 pds extra that most people have put on. We are just continuing were we left off with our lapband friend and for the first time ever it is different it is doable!!!!!:clap2: So lets support each other good through December, not beat ourselves up for slipups and look forward to the new year, the new us, and our approaching 1 year anniversary. Also I think I mentioned this a while back. There is a book called "Water with Lemon" that is a phenomenal book that everyone should own. Everyone should add this to your holiday wish list. Speaking of books does anyone own Weight loss surgery for Dummies. Also is there any magazine subscriptions for people that have had bariatric surgery? Toodles, guys sorry I am so chatty

Hi Everyone, As we go into Thanksgiving week with apprehension and hopefully a nice fill, I wanted to take a poll and ask what do you plan to eat during the Thanksgiving meal, specifics please? I get so embarrassed even with my immediate family when I get that "oh no, I have had 1 bite to many, I think I am going to PB across the table look":eek:. I don't want to do that at Thanksgiving in front of 30 people. LOL

Mamma Lampert it sure has been a year for you. Has the doctor ever told you why your band needed the extra fills? Oh Julie you can get those last 3 lbs in no time! Mazel tov on 100. Did you get your bugg thing going yet? Dying to here about how that works. Sophie thanks for the words of wisdom Mrs Husker, you are a saint for doing that job. I am a city girl and have moved to the country. I know that hunting is the circle of life but I just love those darn deers. I will be spending deer day at IKEA in the city. I am currently reading a book that is phenomenal called Water with lemon. It explains 8 ways of eating for the rest of your life. The author Zona also has a show and has a cookbook . It is a novel written by 2 doctors in a very easy form. It explains how fad diets (Atkins etc do not work). I have 4 kids so I am not much of a reader but i can't put this one down. A friend that is very very close to proper weight has put the book to the test and has dropped 20 lbs so she is at her ideal weight. Later guys,

So you guys enlightened me, I did not know that after a severe bout of Pbing it is advised to go on liquids for awhile. This I feel is a very important piece of information. I am so happy that Halloween is over, Miss piggy over here with the chocolate. I feel so sick to my stomach,my face is red, I am dizzy I hate feeling this way. The girls at work were saying that they would give up sex for chocolate. I said "I think having sex with a big hunk of chocolate in my mouth, would be the ticket. Seriously, why is it so good, and why do women crave it so bad. And I am not talking about sex. So now I am going to get back on track until turkey Day. Happy November 1st everyone! Taking it one day at a time.