Afrykanvyolet

I take two flinstones a day...Doc says that all I need. I am going to buy some chewable calcium vitamins.

It's ok Ragdoll to have those feelings. Having the lap band or any type of surgery is a personal matter and you want to tell only those who you want to know. I had a similar thing happen when my partner told a few of her friends. Although I had told a bunch of people that was for me to tell. I kindly asked her to please not tell anyone else. If I want them to know then I will share. She understood and your DH will too. Since your business is out now, its time to just keep your head up and move on. You don't have to have conversations with these people to inform them about your progress - just be happy about your decision. Congratulations and I wish you nothing but the best!!!

Its the IV. I was told by the nurses to not freak out when I stepped on a scale and saw a gain. I gained about five pounds on the day of surgery. Don't worry, it'll all come out.

Is it me or does this website change within a blink of an eye?

Tammy: Sorry about your loss. You really have a lot going on right now. I'm just happy that you're feeling better after having a feww cc's removed. Lori: Congrats....doesn't it make you feel good to know that the doc is going to be happy with your progress. It proves to them that we can do it and its not some quick way out. Sue: I've done colincs too. It makes you feel so much lighter after a session. Now, I'm going to try some acupuncture. Anyone ever had that done?? Tracy: LOL about my brother. Its true though, he'll rather have a nice fancy car than have a real bed to sleep in. That's how these young guys are - their priorities are so different. And sorry that you have to shell out all that money and can't be drug store makeup feign like some of us... Juli: I think we could be sisters. But I'll tell you a secret that I tell no one. Sometimes I go to the beauty supply store to get make up, and I'm not talking about Sally's. I'm talking about the one's owned by the Asians. You can find eyeliners and lip gloss of every shade. I also get cute hair accessories like headbands for a buck each. Who said you have to spend a lot to be a FASHIONISTA!!!

I'm just a little shy of two months out from being banded and much to my dismay I don't go for my first fill till the 10th. I think people would ask when did you get your first fill and how is your appetite now. I know I am absolutely ready for my fill as I have quite a bit of an appetite. I have been doing ok though. I try really really hard to fight the temptation. I know its tough though. Even though I am not a senior bandster, I would say that if you are really struggling with controlling your portion size because you feel hungry, then make an appointment with the doctor. Congratulations and welcome to LBT!

You have done an awesome job. 90 lbs in 1 year is great. Did you incorporate exercise as you were losing?

Thanks Kyethra, I don't think you should buy the make uo from Sephora since you rarely wear it. Especially not for eyeliner, IMO. Go to the drug store where you can find some really nice products for a fraction of the cost. I do have the more expensive products for those special days but during my everyday wear, I wear my drug store products. I looovvveee MAX Factor, Loreal, and a few others. People don't need to know the cost of what's on your face. I've had a few people come up to me and say my makeup looks nice, what do I buy. When I tell them its Covergirl, they are shocked and say they thought is was a brand like Mac.

NSV...NSV...NSV My little brother came to visit me today. Well, he's 26 but little to me. Anyway, he was showing off his new car to me and in the middle of him talking about all the great features the car came with, he just stopped. He gave me this look, then said;" Yenken, you really look like you've lost weight." My family does not know about my band. I told a bunch of my friends about but no one in my family. I just couldn't believe it. My li'l ole chasin the girls, need to have a benz but no furniture in his apartment, brother of mine noticed. I had one of the Kool-ade grins . That really meant a lot to me.

I guess its time for me to come out of the closet on here. I am a lesbian overweight female that have NEVER been reaped, molested, or abused. ALthough I was always a bigger girl, I never had poor self image of myself. I was not teased growing about my weight. I believe my weight had more to do with genetics than anything. I cannot factually say that I was "born gay" but I do believe that many are. I went to catholic schools from k-12 and never really experienced a friendship with a gay/lesbian/bi. If I did, I did not know about it. It wasn't until I was around 24 that I became familiar with the "lifestyle." That did pique my curiosity. I began dating both women and men (never at the same time - too complicating). 5 years ago, I met a wonderful female and we have been together ever since. She is my biggest supporter and I lover her dearly. She is by no means overweight - very athletic shaped. She said she always knew she was gay and was Never raped, molested, or abused. I care about my appearance, I always have. I am a girlie girl - love clothes, shoes, makeup, jewelry, perfume, etc. My man decision for getting the lap band was to be healthy. We are going to have children in a few years and I want my body to be healthy. I consider myself a beautiful African American female. I do not subscribe to the idea that you have to be skinny to be beautiful. I love being plus size but want to be a smaller plus size. I don't care about anyone's chart (weight/BMI) to tell me that I am healthy or beautiful. SO........I guess I have to add myself to another statistic that is absolutely meaningless to me. I am fat because I am a woman, black, and now lesbian. Damn...lol...

I agree Lap dancer, I've always had clear skin but about 3 months ago I had this crazy allergic reaction on my face. YUCK! Well, I tried prescription meds and benadryl. finally my face cleared up but it just wasn't like what it used to be. Ever since I started drinking my 64oz a day, I noticed that my skin is just radiant. My face is dewey and I love it. My hair has grown a bit too. I wonder if its all the Protein I try to get in daily.

Demsvmejm: :target: LOL...you are so funny. That was a good workout though - gotta be creative. I love that! Kyethra: Please call the doc about the thrush and the UTI. I know you don't like peeing in a cup but you might need a little more than cranberry juice. Maya: :welcomeB: Glad to see you here. I'm also going on a cruise in August and I hope to lose about 20 pounds by then. I would actually like to lose more but I'm trying to set something reasonable for me. I'm a little bit of a slow loser but I plan to up the workouts. Anyway, good luck, girl!!!! My Birthday is MAY 11th. :clap2: I go for my fill on the 10th so definitely no b-day cake for me. I have been very good though, haven't had a sugery snack since a month before surgery. I would like to pat myself on the back for that because I was a cookie/cake freak!!!

Medge: I'm pretty excited about the Water aerobic. I need to get a cap so I don't get my hair wet. That would not be pretty. :speechles Tammy: Hopefully you'll be able to get some food down better. A lot of people on the site say to wait about two weeks. Some say that you may even feel tighter after your workout. I'm just jealous cause I haven't had my first fill yet. My time is coming soon. Nikki: Did you have a fill yet? If so, when? I would be calling the Dr too requesting that I come in earlier. Well, I did that but it didn't work. :heh: :faint: Rosi: Congrats your fill. 6-8 weeks seems a little long to see the scale move. I'm sure you'll lose before then.

WOW, Oh Juli - you're doing fabulous :clap2:

Thanks Tammy for starting the new thread. I am going to Future Fitness today to inquire about a membership. You're doing great with your weightloss! :clap2: Do you go to a gym or do you exercise at home. I'm a little stuck so I was a little bummed out. Then, I had to tell myself, that before I had the surgery I lost a little more that twenty pounds. Now I'm at around 34 lbs total! I wasn't exercising at all but I'm ready now. Can't wait to get my big ole behind in a bathing suit for some Water aerobics :paranoid . Anyway, I'm going to start on this month's challenge. By the way, the Fro looks good on you

Hi Jacki, Congratulations! I wish you much success during your journey to shedding some weight. I know I read a couple of posts where there were a few 15 yr old that had the surgery done in Mexico. Maybe if you do a search, you'll find it. I do think that you are doing a wonderful job in helping your daughter with her weight loss.

Wheetsin summed it up perfectly. As far as not needing to lose 100 lbs, that's ok. There are many people here that were banded and they do not need to lose the 100. I am going for 80 lbs, but I'll see what I look like when I get there. My main reasons for getting the band was to deter potential chronic health problems. Next, I just wanted to be able to look at myself in mirror and say that I look good. I mean, I do that now..lol..but I want to look damned good. If you're ready, it will happen. If you're ready, you can do it, even if you have to give up a couple of things. Only you can decide if and when you're ready.

Your monthly visitor may be the culprit. We females have these hormones that just have minds of their own. We do tend to gain a little bit around that time due to Water retention. Just do like Wasabubble states, relax you will lose. It does take time and can be very frustrating. I know. You are still very early. Allow your stomach to heal and you will be on your way!!!

Good luck in trying to convince your Dr. I know how you feel. I had my surgery on March 15 and was supposed to get my first fill 6 weeks out which was last thurs. UNFORTUNATELY, my doc is just so so busy and I can't get in until May 10th. I was very bummed out about that and also scared that I'll gain weight. To my surprise I have done well and I only overate 1 time. Won't do that again - felt horrible. Anyway, I can't wait on my first fill and it seems so far away. If you do get yours on the 9th, please post your experience.

I'm an 18/20...would love to be no smaller than a 12. I want curves. Curvy women are sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about a cruise. You can do one to the Bahamas or where ever. There's always good deals on Carnival but I'm sure you can find deals on any of the cruiselines. There's entertainment, gym, sauna, massages, food included, and you can get a chance to go to multiple places.

I've used Milk of Magnesia. Doesn't taste great but it works well. I also take two chewable fiber pills a day/every other day. It's sugar free and the tase is not bad. I read on a thread about baby prune/apple juice. Sometimes I drink those too - definitely not bad!! Good Luck!

Hey Laura, Where can I get the IDS test tubes. Like you, I HATE the powdered shakes. I've tried adding fruit, soy milk, yogurt, Peanut Butter, SF Hershey Syrup, and still could not stand the grittiness. YUCK!!! I do drink Atkins shakes in vanilla and strawberry, which I love. We all know how expensive it is. Not only that, Atkins has 15g of Protein and I would prefer about 25-25g.

I felt the same frustration as you, Grammi. I was approved 2 weeks after the request was submitted (they use a dummy date on the pre-certs). I only had to do bloodwork and a sleep study. The sleep study to forever to schedule and even longer to get the results out to the Dr. (I had to go there and request a copy so that I could send it out). Anyway, at the time, I opted for the RNY. As the time kept passing, I started to learn more about the lap band. I changed my mind and my nurse was furious. She questioned my new decision. Well...I kindly told her that it was my body, my insurance, my business! A new request had to be submitted to my insurance co but I had already contacted the ins co and asked. No problem. That only took two weeks for the new pre-cert. I started the process in May '05. I requested the lap band in Nov '05. I did not get contacted about a date until Feb. Had my surgery March 15, 2007. So yes...Its very frustrating and sometimes you feel like you want to yell at them. But, in the long run, its well worth the wait. Hang in there!!!

Wow Wheetsin, Thanks for the links. I took the test and for the most part, it was pretty accurate - kinda scarey too.