New Hope

Will, doesn't your dr. know that losing weight, eating healthy foods, and exercising will lower your triglycerides and bad cholesterol? And this will allow you to take less (or possibly stop) the medications and eliminate their current side effects?

O.K., Bright, enquiring minds want to know...how was the party???

It always helps to have facts and not rumors.

YES!! This is such a big, positive step in getting back control of your life. I cried going into the operating room. But they were "happy" tears! Wishing you a noneventful surgery and quick recovery. Please let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it.

Marie, sounds like you are developing muscle and losing fat. And 2 pant sizes, excellent! What was your beginning weight and height? How much weight have you lost? You may just have less "fat" to lose than most of us do.

Jane, congratulations on your new daughter! All of your children are beautiful! You are one busy (but happy) woman! Many chubby little fingers in your bath water right now.

Kristi, that's great! And congratulations on the 28 pound weight loss!

Eve, probably everyone here can relate to your entire post! You're very wise to check into doing something now before worse health problems develop. Best of luck to you!

Heartfelt prayers for you and your family! Hoping Nolan gains the necessary weight to have his heart surgery. Please keep us posted.

Denise, first thing (((Hugs))) to you! You have a tremendous amount of stress hitting you right now - from all directions. Please be kind to yourself and realize that these are extreme conditions and they will get better. It may take a while, but it will happen. You may not feel like this right now, but how about making a list of all the things that you have to be thankful for. Sometimes just writing them down and looking at them can really help. As far as your eating, perhaps keep track on www.fitday.com and see what you're eating and how much. Try taking things one day at a time. Perhaps tomorrow concentrate on getting your water load in. Then the next day on cutting out the junk foods. Then better food choices. Just a little change at a time. Your band is there waiting for you. Are you getting any consistent exercise? Just a nice walk can do wonders for lifting your spirits. It will get you out of the house and help you forget about some of your troubles. And it doesn't cost anything. You may not care for your son-in-law right now. But he is the father of your precious grandchild. And he's just lost his mother in a horrific accident. He's probably looking to you and your DH as family now. Hopefully he will get a job now. You have been generous w/your monetary support and probably will not be repaid the $$ you've loaned. But I think you're wise in cutting off any more $$. Your first priority should be you and your DH. Perhaps the July wedding can be postponed or simplified so your expenses can be reduced. You have done very well w/your weight loss, girl! I have to share w/you, I've been on a plateau since last November. I've lost and regained those same 3 pounds - just like you. But I recently started riding my bike again and making better food choices. How about coming to LBT more often and "talking" w/us? We have several challenges going on - a weekly weigh-in, exercise, etc. These aren't competitions, but forms of encouragement. After all, that's why we're all here - to share and encourage each other. I hope things turn around very soon for you and your family. Please take it all one day at a time. If you look at the whole picture, you'll just get overwhelmed. Take care and please keep in touch w/us. (((Hugs)))

"I think I can! I think I can! I know I can!"

Trish, how about canned chicken? It can be used in basically the same recipes and has a different taste. Hopefully, no mercury poisoning either. Wow, it's always something, isn't it!

I have to take Celebrex (very powerful RX NSAID) when my arthritis gets unbearable. My band surgeon recommended drinking a glass of water first, taking the pill, then drinking another glass of water to flush it through your pouch. An endoscope (for other problems) last month showed all is well so far.

Eve, how much weight would you like to lose? Do you have any pre-existing health problems? I did...asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, gastric reflux, high cholestrol. I was tired and "down" all the time...just sitting on the sidelines of life. But since banding, I take a fraction of the meds., have a fraction of the health problems. I feel good, physically and mentally. I've discovered I really like bicycling, have taken part in 3 benefits..a 20, 25, 24 mile rides. Our family has made some memorable bike rides together. Vacation, I hiked 4 & 5 hours in the mountains - every day. Could I have done this preband...no way! I wouldn't even have thought about doing them. I enjoy clothes shopping for the first time in years...gone from a 22 to a 10. Lost 58 pounds. The band gives us the extra boost needed to do what's needed...lose that extra weight and reclaim our lives. But it doesn't do all of the work for us. For me, it really hasn't been that hard. It's been exciting to see that weight and inches go down and feel my energy level go up. Please do lots of research. If you decide to get a band, you want to go into this w/ a positive attitude and please know that it works. Best of luck to you!

You are wise, try things out before you get stuck w/ a case of it! I just bought whatever Sam's or Walmart had on sale (unflavored protein powder) and added it to fat-free milk, then sliced a banana and frozen strawberries...blend very well. Tastes like a smoothie...delicious. You can change it up w/different fruits...peaches, blueberries, etc. The more fruit you add, the thicker the drink. The fruit will also help w/fiber need. Adkins Advantage canned protein drinks are good and handy...20 grams protein each. I like the Chocolate Royale. Hoods Low-Carb has an excellent chocolate flavor. Once you get to mushies, you can blend any foods really well (healthy of course!) that you prepare your family and eat. Taco Bell refried beans w/ cheese were my first mushy...yummy. I never had any problem with the hair loss that some bandsters have reported.

Well, happy Mother's Day to you, Bright!!

Once you're aware of what you're eating...quality not quantity, you'll be surprised how far 1000 calories will go. Try to choose lean meats, vegetables and avoid fried foods, breads. How about trying www.fitday.com to keep track of things for you? And start drinking tons of water (just not w/meals). A lot of time when you think you're hungry, drinking will really help satisfy you.

Laura, can you print out some information about the band, how it works, how your insides are not rearranged, some testimonies from bandsters? The lapband is a lifeline we're being offered, a chance that just might work! If we continue to gain weight, our health risks are going to increase...that's a fact. We want to live and be here for ourselves and our families. Not risk the very really chance of a heart attack, stroke, early death. Continually carrying extra weight only serves to increase your arthritis - the disabilities, the pain. It's one of those things that people can't truly understand until they've walked in your shoes.

"mell of a hess" "son of a biscuit eater"

(((Hugs)) sweet girl!

Isn't that a hoot? Is "tireder" a word? LOL He, his dad, and my DH came home and took a nap afterwards. But not me. I love my band!

This is so wonderful that you all can go through this together! Afterwards, being able to compare this and that w/each other will be so helpful. Congratulations to each and every one of you!!

I can honestly say my age has never bothered me. I do feel a lot better at 51 than I did at 41! It's amazing what dropping a few pounds can do for you mentally and physically. I've always believed being happy is the secret to good health and feeling young. I'm proud of my laugh-lines. I rode a 24 mile bicycling benefit today w/ an 18 year old friend (male) and had a blast. He was tireder than I was when we finished. LOL