momlambert

Good luck with your fill, Juli. You'll do great. I remember being so nervous about my first one but now (after 6) I just hop up on the table and get 'er done. This last fill actually gave me a tiny bit of restriction so I'm getting hopeful. I have an appt. for my next one in 10 days. I'm torn, though. I mean, I'd LOVE to lose weight but right now I am on vacation with hubby and enjoying the most wonderful meals. I won't even titillate you all with my current diet. I seem to be holding my own--not losing and not gaining. It's just been so much fun. But I can eat WAY too much--three pieces of pizza, ribs, steak, rolls, etc.--without any problem. Oh, I guess I did titillate. Sorry! I just wanted you to empathize with my non-restricted self. I did have my second PB the other day but it was my fault--we were at friend's house for Breakfast and I gulped down a piece of thick-sliced bacon without chewing. Oh dear. Pain in my shoulder, stuck-pill feeling next, then the burping and sliming, going to the bathroom, and a good cough. It was over quickly and I went back to resume breakfast. I avoided the bacon but ate pancakes, sausage, etc. without any problem. I'm hopeless. The problem is, I can always "diet" for a few months and then if I'm not seeing success I just can't do it anymore. I've been banded for 5 months now and I'm sick of doing it on my own. Plus we just sold our house and moved out of it and so are homeless for a few months. STRESS! Right now we took a little vacation--I'm still in the mentality that vacation means unrestricted eating. It's so hard for me when my patterns are disrupted and I'm stressed on top of that. Whine. whine. whine. Sorry, friends. Hope you all have a wonderful week. I'll try to do better. :paranoid

Good luck with your decision--it is a tough one. You ask some good questions but I only have a second here to respond to let me be quick and if you have more questions or need clarification, let me know and I'll have more time later. I don't have any problem going out to eat with friends. I order a small meal or an appetizer or I share dinner with my husband--that works for us since we are older and people know we can't eat as much. Anyway, if anyone asks (I didn't tell anyone but my husband and children) I just tell them that I'm "cutting back" on my eating or "trying to watch what I eat." Since I've been on diets all of my life, no one wonders about this. I'm away from home and using someone else's computer but if I can get mine working, I'll send you a link to a site that compares all the weight loss surguries. That may help you with the pros and cons. There are also lots of threads on this site about that topic. Good luck!

Congrats on your date! We'll be anxious to hear how you are doing. As far as going back to work, I was banded on a Monday and went back on Thursday. I was tired but fine--I do have a desk job. I was glad to see the weekend come but it all worked out just fine. Also, the day after I was banded my 80-year-old father was diagnosed with colon cancer and I was driving 40 miles each way to see him the day after surgery and every day except the days I worked. I remember sitting down by his hospital bed VERY carefully that first day and my mother and sister asking me if I "hurt my back or something." I told them I had had surgery to repair a hiatal hernia but that I was fine. Seemed to work and everyday I got stronger. I hope it works out for you as well. Good luck!

DITTO! Same story with my surgery and hiatal hernia. And, especially, DITTO for the positive thoughts coming your way. May you feel peace in your lives and in your hearts.

Unfortunately, it all had to be paid at once. Well, almost at once. Half was due at the office visit before surgery and the other half the morning of surgery, if I remember correctly.

Welcome, Daisy! Glad you are here--I live in Utah county, too (at least for a few more days--we are moving to Midway soon). There is a whole discussion topic on here about fills--you will get lots of info there. Basically, the band is not inflated when it is put on. Depending on the doctor, you can start having fills around six weeks. It has taken me a while to get restriction (6 fills) but finally seem to have a bit since Tuesday. It's sometimes difficult to find the right fill level--not too tight where you can't eat anything but tight enough that you have help controlling your hunger and food intake. If you are banded in Mexico you will need to go back for fills or find a place where you can get fills. I have no idea how much fills are in Utah or where you can get them. I went to Dr. Hansen in Sandy and was very happy. I self payed and it cost around $13,000, which includes fills for a year plus seminars and consultations. I'm glad I haven't had to pay for a fill every time I've gone! As far as weight loss--it really depends on a lot of things. I haven't lost a lot but I am older and started with a lower BMI. Others who were banded when I was in March have lost lots more--maybe 60-70 lbs! And some without fills yet. People do lose weight slower with the lapband than with other WLS but it is safer surgery and reversible. Check this out for a great comparison of surgeries: Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared I don't know about pregnancy but some people on here have had lapband babies by being unfilled during their pregnancy. I'm sure there are threads on here about that. Hope this answers some of your questions--there is a plethora of info on this site so take a few days and explore. Let me know if I can help in any way. Good luck!

Good luck with your insurance--I had to self pay and it's tough but very worth it. We had to use our retirement but I decided that if I died early because of obesity then the retirement wouldn't be worth it anyway. I went to Skyline, too, but graduated about 25 years before you! Did you happen to know Tiffani Strong or Kori Lambert? I think that one of them may have been in your class--one is my sister and the other my daughter. Let me know! Yes, this is a great site. Glad you dropped by. Good luck on your approval! Karen

Have a GREAT time, Mary and Juli (and all your other vacationing Marchies)! Relax and enjoy!

You are in my thoughts and prayers, Lessofme. Good luck--we'll be anxious to hear how it goes.

Hey, Marchies! I had my sixth fill two days ago so I'm hopeful that I will finally have restriction (I'm at 2.8 in a 4 cc band). The great news is that this morning I was down 5 lbs! I'm so excited, since I've been on a plateau for over a month now. I'm not changing my ticker yet because I do fluctuate before really settling into a weight but if this holds, I only have 3 lbs. to go before ONE-derland! I'm setting the goal to be there by the end of August. I can do it if I continue with my average of 1 lb. per week since surgery--of course, I'll be THRILLED if I do better than that! Woohoo! Happy August--keep up the great work Marchie friends.

The water is hard, isn't it? I was always a HUGE water drinker during meals. The waiters at restaurants usually ended up leaving a pitcher on the table because they couldn't keep up with me. So not eating with meals is still a challenge for me. My dr. says I can drink up until the first bite of food but then not for 2 hours after eating! Argh. It's hard but I make myself wait the 2 hours and then I won't allow myself to eat again until I've drunk 20-24 oz. of water. It's hard but doing that throughout the day is helping me get the water in.

yeah, Janine. I can only get enough protein if I use protein drinks but I do hate spending nearly 300 calories early in the morning and not feeling full. I really like the chocolate Isopure powder--I mix one scoop (which is half a serving) with 1 1/2 cups of 1% milk in my Magic Bullet and it gives me 37 grams of protein--so that's about half of my protein for the day. I know it's better to chew the food and get satisfaction from that but I really like the drink and it does hold me until lunchtime. I figure that if it helps me with my hair, it's worth it. Good luck!

Thanks, Tammyj. It is, indeed, for me! I got to assist my daughter in the home birth of her first child. 36 hours of labor, 8 lbs. 9 oz. No name yet but he is absolutely gorgeous, of course. What a remarkable experience birth is! I leave in a few hours to go home, close the deal on our current house, live out of suitcases for 6 weeks, and then move into our new house. I hate to leave this new little family so soon and would love to be able to clean and cook and assist for a few days but I'm so incredibly grateful that he was born in time for me to see him and have the remarkable privilege of assisting. Life is beautiful!

Congrats, Sunny--welcome to Bandland!

Congrats, srsalas! That's great that you are on your way to bandland. 8 kids! That's awesome. I actually have 10 of my own--all boys but 9. Now I have four grandsons with the fifth coming (hopefully) tonight. Children are wonderful and grandchildren are beyond wonderful--no words to describe that. Pins and needles are certainly normal, that's for sure. Good luck with your tests next week. Let us know when you get your ticket to bandland. Good luck!

Thanks so much, Carol. We really do have similar stories--banded about the same time, close to the same age, and about the same weight lost. Unfortunately, I can still eat bread and all of the thick-crust pizza. My knees still hurt as well but I don't think it's quite as bad when I do the stairs. Small victories. My daughter's midwives approved the "castor oil treatment" so she did that an hour or so ago. We're going swimming now (I'm watching) and then settling in for a quiet movie and a good night's sleep. Hopefully baby will decide it's about time to see this big ol' world.

Hi everyone! I haven't checked in for awhile--playing Grandma is way too much fun (our reward for surviving our children, right?). I'm in Albuquerque now, having left new baby Tony in CT on Monday, waiting for grandson #5--he's being a bit stubborn and taking his time. He was due on the 17th but she is using a midwife and having a home birth so they won't to anything to speed the little guy along. I really don't like the induction rate these days but I do wish they would at least examine her and see if she is progressing at all. It's a different world these days in babyland. My eating has been just horrible. Last night at 11:00 I ate 3 pieces of Papa John's pizza--two thick crust. Can anyone say "NO restriction"??? I've had five fills and I swear I don't even have a band. Well, once in awhile I get the left shoulder pain after forgetting to chew well but if I chew and chew, I can eat anything--including 3 big pieces of pizza. I have another fill on Tuesday so maybe that will be THE one. I am walking a lot though. Walked two hours the other day and usually at least an hour on the other days. This hotel doesn't have exercise equipment so I just walk--20,000 steps on my pedometer in one day was my record. I have no idea how my weight is. I think I've gained some (pizza will do that for you). It's hard being out of my home routine--protein drink in the a.m., etc. Now it's Denny's for breakfast and the rest of the day goes downhill from there. Monday I fly back home whether or not baby comes. We close on the house we are selling on Tuesday and then will be packing the entire 4,000 sq. ft. house in 4 days by ourselves and then will be homeless for 6 weeks. We'll probably stay at my daughter's house for a good part of that time until our new house is done. When will I get my routine back??? Help. I feel so out of control of my life right now, but that is probably just my excuse for making poor food choices. Well, that's my story right now. I love reading all of your stories and of your ups and downs. You guys are such an inspiration to me and give me great hope that I can succeed. Oh, as far as August goals...hmmmm, I'd say surviving the month is top on my list. I think August will be the month when I'll lose my Dad (some of you may remember that he was diagnosed with colon cancer the day after I was banded in March). Add to that the homeless factor and being a guest here or there factor and also trying to make good decorating choices for the new house and be ready to move in by the end of September, I think surviving will be my major goal. How about surviving AND losing 5 lbs AND doing some sort of exercise 5 days a week. I think that might be manageable for me. What about the rest of you? I sound like such a whiner. Guess I'm frustrated sitting here in a hotel waiting for baby to come and feeling overwhelmed by what I have to do next week and during August but not being able to do any of it right now. Whine, whine. Sorry, friends. It's one of those gray days. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. I'm expecting to have a wonderful weekend experiencing the miracle of birth and holding this new little family member. Now, that would be wonderful.

I guess you are on your way right now, Mikesmom! Good luck. We'll see you in bandland soon--let us know how you did! Congrats.

Try this: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f91/shrinking-violets-april-07-bandsters-29472/index350.html

Thanks for the laugh, Green. Here's the website: Institute for Naming Children Humanely Homepage I wonder if my niece has a boy next she will name him Heroine? or Heroin? Hmmm. I'll have to ask her...

Thanks for your understanding reply, Monk--I wasn't sure how I would be perceived on this thread. I admire you greatly, by the way. 2-3 times a week???? That would have been manageable. We are talking 2-3 times a day when we were first married. I always felt like a failure for not having the desire as often as he did. Last summer I did a survey for the US Dept and Health and Human Services that asked a lot of questions about intimacy and sexual matters and for the first time in my adult life, I felt NORMAL. I would say that the average times most of the people I interviewed (who were in a sexual relationship) was 1-2 times a week. I could live with that I think. As far as the boys--yes, the statistic does seem high but it only applies to boys who FINISH the program and the program takes 2-3 years. Of course, it is much lower for boys who aren't in the program or who leave or are forced out before they complete. it's a court-mandated program--these are multiple offense offenders. As you alluded to, the recidivism for adult offenders is just the opposite--over 98%. Sad. I've often wondered if a big part of my weight gain was "protection" or maybe a hope for decreased attractiveness in some sick way to solve my problem of guilt over sexual intimacy. I don't know. I was hit upon so often as a young married and I never trusted myself to be able to resist every time. Although I always resisted, there was something in me that wondered if I would slip up and ruin my marriage and family, given the "right" (or should I say "wrong") circumstances. I like hugs--most of my kids are very huggy and touchy, though not all. I'm comfortable hugging "my boys" (the offenders)--of course, only side hugs allowed, no frontal hugs. Like you, I know that some of these boys have never had appropriate touching in their lives. Breaks my heart. They have a long way to go but we have seen some great successes and know they can make it if they are willing to do the immense amount of work that changing thoughts and behavior takes. Hmmm, changing thoughts and behaviors--that sounds vaguely familiar.

Hi, all. I've been lurking since before this thread began (actually on the thread that lead to this thread) and haven't jumped in because your stories are quite different from mine. But I've learned a lot about how my DH must feel when I'm not really "in the mood," which, I'm sure, is too often. We have sex 1-2 times a weeks so it's not like he's love-starved but I know he wishes it were MUCH more often. Once a week is about all I truly desire. I was on Prozac for about 20 years and I think that may have affected me--that and having lots of kids close together. I really was truly exhausted for about 30 years. I'm not excusing myself, just explaining. Anyway, how do you heighten your sex drive to be more in line with your partner's? Should you just cooperate because your partner wants it? I've done that many times and then it makes me desire it less. I've thought of your suggestion to try Wellbutrin because I'm thinking I really do need something. I can't say I'm textbook "depressed" but my emotions are way out of whack--especially toward people who I've always loved, then they do something I think is horrible, and I hold it against them forever. Why? I've never been like that but it just eats and eats at me. And it's stupid stuff that doesn't even really affect me (like my niece naming her adorable little daughter "Hero." I feel like it's emotional abuse and my niece has lost all credibility in my mind, I refuse to call her daughter that, and I label my niece as her husband as arrogant and pretentious--all because of a, IMNSHO, very poor choice). Okay, back on topic--kind of. I also read the texts about child abuse and cried. Oh, I'm so sorry that happened to so many of you. Again, my perspective is from the opposite angle. I work with teenage boys who are sexual offenders and, much to my surprise, I've grown to love them. They are honestly trying to change their lives and overcome so much in their lives that sexualized them unhealthily when they were very young then when they hit puberty they really hurt others. Again, no excuses--just an explanation. The good thing is that if the boys finish their program the recidivism rate is only 3%--I have great hope for them. Anyway, I wanted to jump in when that discussion was at the peak but I felt bad because of the feelings I have for these youthful offenders. My heart breaks for their victims but it also breaks for them. Oh, and yes, pornography was involved in every one of their lives before they offended--usually first used when someone offended them. A comment about "test driving"--I do think you need to date a lot before you commit to one person. Period. I don't think you have to do the driving in the bedroom. My DH and I were married when I was 18 (way too young) and he was 25. We were both virgins and have only ever had sex with each other (no, my head really isn't in the sand on this one). We have been married for 39 years. I tell my kids all the time that I was too young (luckily none have followed in my footsteps) but that I was very lucky and feel blessed to have my husband as my companion. Gadgetlady, that is a very generous offer. My husband and I participated in a marriage enrichment seminar years ago as representatives from our Church to see if we thought it was a worthwhile program for couples having difficulties or others who want to improve their relationships. We thought it was a wonderful program and I hope that you have two couples who will take you up on your offer--you all will benefit greatly. So on I ramble. Thanks for all of your sage advice--you really have helped me see things from my husband's perspective. I never have wanted to hurt him but I know I have. He pretty much lets me decide when we have sex--pretty unromantic, if you ask me. But, in a way, I like it that way because I feel less conflicted when I don't want to and he does. Hang in there everyone. I hope your lives and your marriages and your partnerships are on the upward swing and improving every day--as I hope and pray mine is as well. Families are what really matter in this world, I'm convinced of that.

Good to see you, Kyethra! I wondered what had happened to you. Oh, dear, that hair story is too crazy--sad but funny in a way, too. Sorry. Don't mean to make light of it but I can just see you in there with the scissors chopping away like a mad woman like we all are at times. Four or my daughters shaved their heads at various times in their teens-early twenties. It actually looked quite good, much to my surprise. I've always been a short-haired person myself. So I'm sure you look just as beautiful as ever and you probably lost 5 lbs in hair, right? hehe Enjoy Harry! Karen P.S Your weight loss is amazing--good for you!

Discouraging, isn't it Julia? I was banded a few weeks before you and have lost less than you. I finally have a bit of restriction--after 5 fills--but not enough yet. It's hard but we have to remember that we ARE losing! We are at least going in the right direction and that's worth celebrating. Let's hang in there and give it more time, wait for the fills to kick in, and be glad we aren't gaining. That's my story and I'm sticking to it

Oh, Trina, I'm so sorry for your ordeal! Wow. I'm glad you are feeling better and back home--hospitals are horrible places to recover. Good luck to you and keep us posted. You'll lose that 5 lbs in no time--that really isn't the worst thing that has happened. I'm so glad you are doing well now. Take it easy!