amrdmr

Hello, I have been posting since February and I, too, have had "what is wrong with me?" moments. I agree that it just takes patience and lots of posting (I did tons of lurking before I got the courage to post) to start getting responses. I don't think it is on purpose, I just think sometimes people are busy and you fall through the cracks, at least at the beginning. Anyway, you are not alone. AMRDMR

Hey, Chickie, I disagree that all posters are only interested in people who are in their same position/stage. I, for one, am extremely interested in reading posts for the "old" timers, especially ones like you who have reached your goal, your B and A photos are stunning. Plus, all your accomplishments. I have only been banded since 3/20/07, and I rely heavily on support from my local 2-year banded mentor and I believe that the experienced, successful bandsters who post on this forum are extremely kind and generous with their time, answering newbie questions, as many would just be getting on with their lives and not having the interest to spend time on LBT. So, from me, at least, a big giant thank you to you! AMRDMR

Hey, Jacqui, be sure to keep us posted about your biopsy results. I have got my fingers crossed that it is just these crazy hormones that are being released as we lose fat, plus thinking good thoughts for you. AMRDMR

Jacqui, you had me smiling, not so easy to do on a work day! Your progress from MO to Obese to Overweight has been fantastic and is an inspiration to me. I hope to follow your example as I move toward my mini goals and major goals. AMRDMR

Well, the scale read 202.2 this AM, I'll take it. One that that helped me was finding a thread on here about mood swings and also confirming it my "Mentor Bandster" in real life, Robin, Kitty Carmichael's (the fill ARNP's nurse). I have really been emotional lately, especially last week. Even though I no longer am having periods, it felt like a big case of "OH WOE IS ME PMS", plus I was weepy. Robin says that as we lose fat, the estrogen that is stored in that fat gets into our systems, something I hadn't thought of. She says it is very common to have all these emotional crap running through your head at times like these. On the thread, younger bandsters were talking about having 2 periods a month due to the excess estrogen. That's not happening to me, but boy, I have been all over the place emotionally, also tired. I wonder if this will go on as long as the fat is melting and releasing hormones. Anyone else experience this? This week, the hormones seem to have released their control of water retention, as I have dropped the 2 pounds a little earlier than last week. Jacqui, Dwarden, I hope to join you in ONEderland soon. I notice from my ticker the next milestone seems to be a BMI in the 20s, that would also be cause for celebration. Thanks, you guys, so much, for cheering me on my journey, it really helps. AMRDMR

FINALLY! After a whole endless week of bobbling around the same 3 or 4 pounds, the scale moved and I can report it said 204. I know that they say 1-2 pounds per week is great, but it seems to take forever and I just about lost heart that I would see ONEderland soon. At this rate, I guess it will be about 2-3 weeks before I do cross the border. Oh well, I'll take it, I've been working darn hard for it and any weight loss is great. Jacqui, I'm on your trail, hope to meet you in ONEderland soon. This thread kept me sane on those crazy days when the scale went UP a pound or two, despite my eating hardly anything. I was too down to post, but rereading the messages righted my sense of proportion and kept me from despair. Thanks guys, for helping on this journey. AMRDMR

Hello all, If you google telogen effluvium you will get the articles talking about stress-related hair loss. It is quite a common thing to happen, and can happen after any major stress, surgery being one of them, pregnancy being another. What happens is that the hairs all go suddenly into the same stage of growth, so, at 3-4 months after the stress, a large part of your hair reaches the end stage, telogen, and you lose of lot of hair all at once. This has happened to me twice and is not pleasant, I can tell you. However, eventually, your hair should grow back if you aren't having ongoing stress or nutritional deficits. Unfortunately, if you are prone to this, once the stress occurs, there is nothing you can do to stop the hair loss down the road. Just try to encourage the new growth to be healthy. AMRDMR

Hello Ferndale! I was banded in TJ on March 20 by Dr. Ortiz. Who did your bands? I have always wanted to see what Ferndale was like. Maybe when my husband and I retire......not for a long time, what with self-pay, even in Mexico, not cheap. But worth it! AMRDMR

Stanwood is in my neck of the woods! Next stop up from Arlington? Any Marysvillagers around? AMRDMR

I'm here, up in Arlington, an hour north of Seattle. Any other northenders? AMRDMR

The digital scale read 206.4 today, the lowest it has ever read in its life with me (it is relatively new), but I will take it. I don't know if I am still just swollen, but yesterday my first fill seemed to be working, just a few bites were enough, after the protein shake for breakfast, just to try to get some of the protein in. Even though 199 isn't far enough in to ONEderland to feel really secure there I still sure will be celebrating when that day arrives, can hardly wait. I will be right on top of adjusting the ticker then. AMRDMR

Hello all: I am currently 209.4 by my digital scale, banded 3/20/2007 by Dr. Ortiz. Live an hour north of Seattle. Just had my first fill, 1.4 cc 2 days ago by Kitty Carmichael ARNP, CDE up here in Arlington. Can't really tell if the fill is going to make a difference. I am still obsessing about food most of the time, struggling and struggling to keep the eating under control, only some of the time with Antonio's (banderas') help. I started the whole process/road towards banding January this year, and have lost about 20 pounds, most of it under my own steam, cutting out almost all carbs (potatoes are my downfall) rice, corn. I can't eat wheat/gluten, so that was already taken care of for me ONEderland is a place I long to be solidly in, I'll take 199, but 190 would be even better, of course. I would like to be part of this thread, it WILL be great to Celebrate that milestone (pound) with others in my same situation. Boy, it is true, the band is making me work harder to lose the weight than I ever worked before, and only some of the time helping. I know I need to wait a while to see if my first fill "kicks in", but I would really like some more help from Tonio. Got to get back on the exercise bandwagon, encouragement from you folks will help. AMRDMR

what brand are the parmesan cheese crackers? They sound great! AMRDMR

One of the most inspiring things one of the speakers at the seminar I went to for the first time looking into lapband was "I just paid off my Lane Bryant card and cut it up". YAY! Please God, let that be me soon, not even thinking about where to find clothes that fit. Only Wheetsin mentioned Silhouettes, I use them online still. I think Roaman's clothes are tacky looking. Online is good for a lot of things, except jeans and things you really need to try on. JJill clothes are really gorgeous, but SOOOOOO expensive. I wish there were some easier way to set up a clothing exchange, guess it is still somewhat difficult. Even with a goodly stash of "goal clothes" from before, it is still a little exciting to have something "new" to look forward to fitting into. There is something so liberating and a little scary to actually give away the larger sizes......I have always kept them because I have always eventually needed them again. Hopefully NEVER AGAIN! What I want to know is, what do people do about their wedding bands? It is expensive and not always possible to get them resized. As you lose weight and the rings fall off, do you wear them around your neck until you reach "goal"? It seems impractical to just keep buying sizes that fit. AMRDMR

:clap2:Hi BJ, sounds like there's a good chance you'll get your fill at 6 weeks after all, that't great. DH stands for "dear husband", DW is "dear wife", NSV is non scale victory, like even though the friggin scale doesn't move, you have lost an inch off your waist (which just happened for me). Inches gone are important because as you gain muscle mass, muscle is heavier than fat so that will show up heavier on the scale, which is a good thing because muscle actually burn the most fat. There is a thread somewhere I know not where, that explains all the "lingo". For instance, I am close, but not close enough for me to "onederland", that glorious place where the scale number starts with a "1" again. And there is a group of delightful people who started an "on the road to Twoterville" thread to encourage and applaud each others victories/goal, both big and small. AMRDMR

My DH is in-and-out supportive. I didn't take him with me for cost, animal care, and plain just he-is-horrible about health/doctor issues. I love the guy, but he is TOTALLY non sympathetic about bandster hell right now. I've been really trying with the protein intake. My huge obstacles are allergy to soy and whey......ewhhh....also, cannot tolerate artificial sweetners....SOOO, once again, I am devising my own stuff that hopefully will become a routine, at least once a day. In the AM coffee plus egg white protein powder (25 gm) frozen, latteed up with skim milk, maybe vanilla and cinnamon. Best so far. Considering how much and what I can eat, non-filled, it would be best for me to do some form of this twice a day until/after I have a fill that works for me. The protein is also 'cause of the hair loss, which I already have (not due to banding, due to other stress, seems I have a propensity for it, great:mad: , long story). Anyway, I thought eating after banding would be so easy, but not yet. Talking with you and BJ and my "bandsister" in Mississippi whom I met when we were banded the same day, both "low" BMI, both totally stalled on weight loss, after initial good results, both counting the minutes to the fill and praying with all our might that it works, really, really helps me every day. You know, I really, really wish I didn't have to eat at all, that I could take a pill or liquid supplement that would make food irrelevant. I paid all that $$$ for the hungries (not the head ones) to STOP! I should mention that I have celiac condition for 10 years diagnosed, so that I CANNOT eat bread or any gluten-containing substance without severe bloating, pain, intestinal gas, diarrhea, not to mention what else potential long-term results. I don't eat ice cream, drink soda, eating pastries....my big downfall is potatoes, but I've been pretty good about avoiding them lately. Ironically, if I already had not dealt with not eating bread, I doubt I could do lapband. Lord, if I don't lose the type 2 diabetes and these 70 pounds, I will be SOOOOOO devastated. And so much poorer.

:mad: Hi Babylovestoys, and BJLANG: BLT (Babylovesotoys)I've read a lot of your posts, so I probably should know this, where in Mexico did you get banded? I got banded in TJ by Dr. Ortiz. I have someone close by, thank goodness, who does fills, and I have an appointment 6 weeks to the day, as you say, my appetite seems unstoppable. My "bandsister" whom I met in TJ got banded on the same day and she is going back to get her first fill with fluoro with him. My person doesn't have access to fluoro yet, though she is working with the local hospital to get the $20,000 machine. (Kitty Carmichael). I too, am scared to beg her to fill me any sooner, as I want to do everything I can to safekeep my band. Poor BJLang what doc is making you wait 8 weeks? I am trying to be patient, but have good days and bad days, today is a bad day. If it were me, I would be a bug in that doc's ear to try to get an earlier appointment.(with the usual disclaimer about always listening to your doctor attached). Well, in about 17 (but who's counting?) days, BLT and I will hopefully be letting BJL know that we FINALLY feel some restriction (with NO problems). The docs at Ortiz'z clinic were constantly warning that Americans want their bands "too tight". I certainly don't want that, but there's no point to having the band at all for me right now. I read somewhere that you can't run an automobile without the gas and the fill is the gas for the band. So, fill 'er up! AMRDMR

especially if, like I am, not getting the fill under fluoro, and might need adjustments.....is 4 weeks post surgery TOO SOON????? Oh, God, that would mean I could get one next week, instead of prowling around, thinking of food and eating, trying not to for yet another 2 weeks. I have seen some having their first fill around 4 weeks. Are there any with that experience?? I am being "good", but it is possible to overeat even fish and vegetables and that is what I am doing. Salad, lettuce went down fine. I am not even learning the bandster chewing until it is mush technique because it is not necessary.. My hubsand say he thinks I am eating more since I got banded :paranoid It is indeed, a bitter plll to swallow.....which, BTW, I no longer have to cut up my pills or empty out the capsules, just throw then down that evidentally enormous hole.......:angry My hope and expectations and being a self-pay all lead to this impatience to begin the road to the real weight loss. This "healing" waiting period really sucks. I've read all the success stories and feel I am the ODD one outl Sorry to whine. Misery does appreciate company, at least I am not the only one be so frustrated and scared this will not work for me.

Hi Babylovestoys and BJLang, the ones who warned us sure weren't kidding about bandster hell, were they? Is the "honeymoon" really over? Or is it coming after a fill? I lost 20 pounds presurgery and right after, but now I am playing games with the same 3 pounds, up and down and up and down, no real weight loss. I KNOW, I Know it is all about healing right now, but as someone said on these boards that I loved and am stealing...."I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse and chase the jockey". UGH. I am counting the days to the first fill, 6 weeks after my March 20 surgery, hoping and PRAYING I will feel that "full", "no hunger" thing so the weight will come off and I can fit into some of my goal clothes. This period of time is a real bummer. Let's hang tough and hang together and hope our prayers will be answered. So scary having the "what did I do to myself", "did I waste all that $$$ for another weight loss failure?" I can pretty much eat anything, though I haven't tried lettuce yet. Salads were what I lived on pre-band, HUGE salads, I guess because I still had that unhealthy BMI. Oh dear. :help: :faint: :) :cry AMRDMR

Believe me, you are NOT alone. I was banded March 20, had lost 20 pounds prior to surgery, now have gained 3 pounds back. I'm still on mushies, and I try to stay with protein, veggies and beans, but nothing beckons me but potatoes. UGH! If it weren't for the kindness and support of those who have already gone through this taking the time to write us newbies messages of "chin up", "you will get through this", I would really being having even more of the "what in the world did I do to myself?" pity party. I wish to issue a widespread THANK YOU to all of you out there who write these helpful responses. My surgeon says first fill at 6 weeks, which is May 1 for me, I feel for you, having to wait 2 more weeks. Bandster Hell is aptly named and I guess we just have to grit our teeth and get through it the best we can. I have been keeping a food diary, amounts even, and it is just shocking me that I am not losing weight. I mean, how is it possible? It just really confirms my belief that my genetic heritage is going to be one tough monster to vanquish. I started with a "lower" BMI, just below 35, is that the case with you also? They say that is a factor in not getting the amazing weight loss starting right away. Patience, patience, patience, is my mantra now. I know my Irish potato-loving genes are going to fight me every step of the way. Anyway, I hear you and sure do empathisize with this nasty frustating time. AMRDMR

Well, not applicable to all newbies, just those susceptible to weeping at sentimental moments in movies, which I did tonight, 19 days post surgery (?) on 3/20. Our satellite showed "The Lakehouse" for the first time and I settled in to enjoy it on TIVO, while my husband watched another TV (he's a channel flipper). Get to the part where she's waiting all alone in the restaurant, Keanu Reeves doesn't show up, I KNOW he was the one killed by the bus, I start sobbing and my band started squeezing! In a place I never felt pain before (i.e. not my port site)! Yikes! Luckily, Hubby came in and did what usually lands him in the doghouse, tells me the ending and so I am able to stop crying. Actually, as soon as I felt that squeezing, I stopped crying RIGHT AWAY! Sheesh, scared me to death. :omg: It was a REALLY weird feeling, like having something almost alive in there. Boy, too stupid/ridiculous to risk ripping stitches or slipping the band or port flipping or all the disasters you read about on these boards over a movie! No more sentimental movies for me for a while, no comedies either, nothing to upset _______ (no name yet.....maybe I should name her Sandra Bullock?).

maybe I'm weird in that my stomach starts "shaking" when I cry or laugh really hard, but tonight's incident has made me forswear undue emotion as much as possible until I am sure that my band has healed in the right , the port is ok, etc. BTW, I do love my DH, but he is a zero when it comes to watching chick flicks with me! Nice to work out an arrangement to watching sentimentals versus rock-em sockem, blow em up movies separately. AMRDMR

I swear at this point I will never ever want to eat another blended Soup again. I have been using my Magic Bullet blender for everything and part of me wants to buy the accessories, the extra cups and rotors and lids, but another part of me hopes I never had to mush up perfectly decent food into pap again. (Gag) What's everyone's experience out there? After fills, is it liquids, then mushies? Or can I put the bullet in the back of the cupboard and forget about it? AMRDMR

Being a former Seattlite, living an hour north (where there are NO good restaurants), I'm curious, Jack. Was it McCormick and Schmicks? Anthony's? where did you have your first "real meal" out? AMRDMR

Thanks Susan! I probably slept in a weird position and irritated it (the vagus nerve), 'cause it's giving me jolts today and Gas-X, which worked early on, is doing nothing. I keep on waking up on my left side, where my port is, I hope I'm not doing anything damaging to any stitches anywhere. One more thing to worry about, trying to control how you sleep. Oh well, we do what we can to protect our investment. AMRDMR