babsyintx

Leatha, I am sorry you have been sick all week. I have had a house full of sick ones this week. Husband, 2 sons and pray that I dont catch it myself! I hope you feel better soon. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Hi Lisa, This incision looks so much cleaner and neater than the last time. I am crossing my fingers for you!! Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Hi Penni, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I know that I am not at goal. I think I am afraid to get there. Your are right. I need to adjust mentally to this weight and not worry about the numbers on the scale. I am having trouble with the "not being invisible issue". Lots of attention that I am not comfortable with or feel I need to prove my own self worth. I have not been to happy with myself lately. I am not focused and I need another challenge. I have also been looking at the choices I have made so far in my life, why I made them and what the pro and cons are as well as consequences. Its tougher doing the mental work now that I have lost the weight. Babs in TX 334/186/170 -148 6/23/03

Hi Again: I thought I would post this response from obesityhelp. It is profound and I am convinced this woman should be a psychologist! "So I guess my question (if I really have one) is what defines success?" What defines success IMHO is that you are healthy and you are living your life fully. Unless there is anything you are still NOT doing because you think you're "too fat," then I'd say you've arrived. Babs, might it just be the natural letdown we experience when a longstanding objective is achieved, or nearly achieved? Sort of the "is that all there is" feeling? Let's face it, the reality is that every dream once realized has consequences we didn't foresee (even a great marriage doesn't mean "happily ever after" with no up's and down's ... money truly does not buy happiness ... etc.) Maybe on some level you are "postponing" fully achieving this objective you've set because as long as you are striving to get there, you can postpone the disappointment that NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF YOU WEIGH A FEW LESS POUNDS. Or maybe the objective of a specific weight is arbitrary and not all that significant. The one idea I can throw at you is this -- would it help if you set a DIFFERENT, significant objective for yourself, one having nothing to do with weight, to give you another challenge to focus on? Maybe something you've always wanted to learn or do (speak a new language, play the piano, get a degree, take up skydiving -- whatever!) In any case, you are a great success story and inspiration. I would be PROUD to send hugs -- oh heck, toss in some kisses -- to such a star!

Rachel, Congratulations!!!! You will be a bandster in no time!!! Babs in TX 334/186/170 -148 6/23/03

Hi Lisa, I agree with Michelle. There is no one here on this board that would do anything to hurt or sabotage you in anyway. And none of us that I know are portless. I am really sorry that your body is rejecting the band. I bet though that you will go a long time without a removal and I still have faith that you will be able to overcome this. Hang in there and know we are all here for you. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/186/170 -148 6/23/03

Hey Brighteyes, Everything you describe is normal. The tightness you feel in your chest is normal. Your body is learning to live with the band. Most of us take in lots of air when we eat and drink. Since you now have a restrictive device , the air either has to come out or go through the band. Sometimes this will result in tightness in the chest or hiccups, both which are common til you learn how to swallow without gulping. Glad to see you are able to have some creamy soups now. You are on your way to mushies and real food!!! Babs in TX 334/186/170 -148 6/23/03

Hi Everyone, Count me in again! I had a great time!!! Babs in TX 334/186/170 -148

Hi Leatha, Yeah!!!!!!!! I know how it feels to be staring at the same number ofr a while. Just came off of a six week plateau. Good for you!!!! Babs in TX 334/187/170 -147

Hi, Wanted to give you my perspective on the situation. I have been married 10 years and I have two children. My husband is a nice well grounded man, good father, engineering professional who cant communicate if his life depended on it. I do love him, but since I have lost the weight, I find myself yearning for excitement, attention and affirmation of my new appearance . My husband does not offer me this. My weight loss has taken a toll on our marriage. I went into therapy to try to figure out whether the problem was him , me or both of us. Still havent figured that out. Until I do, I will stay in this relationship and try to make it work. The grass is not always greener on the other side. I can see why the statistics are high. I dont think they are 80%, but they are higher than the normal divorce rate. Babs in TX 334/187/170 -147

I was on clear liquids for 5 days, then creamy liquids for another 9 days and then mushies for a week. By week 4, I was eating solid foods. Yes, it is normal to feel a little down after surgery. I think it was about three weeks before I felt that I had made a good decision and I was starving until I got my first fill at 6 weeks out. Hang in there. It will get better.! Babs in TX 334/187/170 -147 6/23/03

Hi Everyone, I am trying to catch up on posts and I noticed there are lots of new folks here!! That is truly wonderful. I am presently fighting the battle to get the last 18 pounds off my body. Been plateauing for the last 6 weeks. Went to the gym today after taking a 6 week hiatus, so I am hoping that this will get me back on track. I am really monitoring my food intake and trying to keep it under or about 1000-1100 per day. I am leaving this weekend to go to Nashville, Baltimore, PA, back to Nashville and also Indiana to visit clients. I am meeting up with Shelly (Southern Bandgal) and Calvin on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. I am really looking forward to this trip and hanging with some bandsters and meeting some clients. I will miss you all. OK, I am only gone 5 days, but I am addicted to this board!!!! Babs in TX 334/188/170 -146 6/23/03

Hi Shelley, I am excited too! OK, make that 17 more pounds I have to lose. Got on the scale and broke my plateau. Down to 187.!! Babs in TX 334/187/170 -147

Hi Everyone, My hubby got me a gift certificate to Victorias Secret. So off I went to try on some lingerie. I just wanted a bolster holder that fits properly. Since I have lost 85% of the weight I need to lose, I really dont know what size bra I wear. I was a 46 D and now according to the measurements, I am a 38 C-D. I am inbetween sizes. The D's are too big and the C's are too tight in my opinion. Depending on the bra, they sometimes spill out. Or even worse, when they are pushed up, I now get to see all the excess skin being pushed up under my arms and it appears to be hanging over the bra at the armpit.! Yuchhhh! I was pretty depressed and I know now for sure that I am going to need a boob job in addition to a tummy tuck, upper thigh lift etc.. Yeah, my twins look great in a $40 dollar bra that lifts them to death and hides the flaws, but without it, they really look terrible and deflated. I have to admit, the expensive bras make me look great with my clothes on though, so that is a plus. And a good bra is necessary after massive weight loss. I have bony shoulder blades and cheap bras just keep falling offer my shoulders. I am really having trouble dealing with the fact that my whole body needs to be redone. I was hoping the hours of exercise over the last 18 months that I have dedicated myself to would have made it possible for me to not go under the knife again. And yes, it would be for vanity reasons. I am not comfortable walking around with 6-7 pounds of excess hanging panne and boobs that look like tube socks with sand in them. Its not really an issue now anyway, since I dont have the bucks (I could find them if I really wanted to..) but more importantly I dont have the time to go away and have it done. And thats not even thinking about the fact that I am frightened by the thought of plastics, the recovery time etc. Its one of the reasons I had the lapband because of the fact that it is non invasive and I am a chicken sh#&$. I think I want to go to Costa Rica to have all this work done. Not all at one time of course, since that would be too much for the body to handle. Just little jaunts to the Rosenstock Lieberman Clinic and then to hang out at a retreat with other plastic surgery patients for a couple of weeks. Doable.... I think... Anybody want to come? Instead of a Bash, lets go have plastics!!! LOL Any takers? Babs in TX 334/188/170 -146 6/23/03

Hi, My goal is to lose the last 18 pounds and finally get to goal (or beyond)! I want my business to thrive again and now my thinner self will just have to go out and meet some clients again. No hiding behind fat layers and a phone.!! And last, sell my house and try to be more organized!!! Babs in TX 334/188/170 -146 6/23/03

Ryan, You have a lot more patience than I do. I am really sorry that you and your wife are suffering because of inefficient care. Please get some rest and both of you feel better. Babs in TX

Hi Alex, Sounds like my month!!! I write this as I sit here sniffling with a hellatious head cold and feeling sorry for myself! LOL Earlier this month I was complaining about the hair loss, (which seems to have stopped since I got my hair cut), lost deals, a house that hasnt sold and numerous other things that have been going wrong in my life. Now the hair seems to be on the mend, a few deals came through and although it still aint great, its definitely an improvement from before. Everything is going to be fine and the New Year brings hope. And all of those folks suffering does bring alot into perspective. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/188/170 -146 6/23/03

Thanks Penni, I am meeting with my client on the 11th, but I am flying in on the 8th of January which is a Saturday. Gonna spend a few days in Nashville and then drive to Knoxville and jump on a corporate charter with my client headed to Evansville. Should be interesting. Never could have fit my fat butt on an 8 person charter before sooooo we will see how this goes!! Babs in TX

Hi Michelle, I am booking my tickets. I am heading to Evansville to see a client and wanted to know which airport is closer to you Nashville or Knoxville? Let me know soon. I need to book the tickets in the next day or so!!! Call me on my toll free. I tried your cell and no success!!!! Too busy with your lovely significant other.... I know, a guy wins out everytime!! LOL Babs in TX

Leigh, I do not eat healthy all the time. I eat healthy about 85% of the time. The first six months I stuck to a very strict eating plan cause I wanted to expedite my weight loss. THen I started adding some healthy carbs back to my plan the second six months.I limited treat to special occasions when I would have a piece of cake or a cookie or some french fries. It really depends on how fast you want to lose the weight. But generally speaking (which is what everyone means here) you will have to make some permanent lifestyle changes. Yes, I still have my treats, but if I want that piece of cake now that I am closer to goal, I have to work it off at the gym or take a long walk around the neighborhood just like most thin people do. I guess what I am saying is that all of us are metabolically challenged for life having been obese for so long, lapband or not. You will always have to eat less to keep it off. The band will help you do this cause physically you will never be able to eat what you previously did with proper restriction. But you still make the choices what goes in your mouth. What I do that works for me is I go out once a week and eat whatever I want. Of course with the band, I know that the amount will be much less. But it is still possible to sabotage yourself with any WLS and it is also possible to eat around the band. So your docs are being very black and white here because if you practice good habits early in your banding journey, most of those new habits will stick with you forever. Babs in TX 334/188/170 -146 6/23/03

Hi Becca, I would go for the boobies! Wait... you are married right? Hmmmm, that changes things a weeee bit. I was thinking with a good set of jugs and a nice chin job you could get a geezer to buy you a house or perhaps a new career as a showgirl in Vegas.! After our live bandaid for bandsters event, we should have enough money for the house and the boobs ..... Babs in TX

Hi Lisa, At least you are in the right city to do it! Land of plastic women with boob jobs that probably didnt even need them.! LOL Maybe we could organize our own charity event called "Live Bandaid for bandsters". For free plastic surgery, I would be willing to strut my stuff on a stage somewhere. There has to be a gimmick...... Babs in TX

Hi Jammen, My insurance will cover a panniculectomy but will not cover full abdominoplasty. I know they wont cover a boob job or thigh lift for sure. It really depends on your insurance company and what they qualify as medical necessity. None of the sagging skin is really causing me any major problems except for inner thighs. i havent really pushed the issue with insurance yet. I am starting a paper trail with my PCP so I can prove medical necessity as some point in the future. You should focus on one problem at a time. Getting the weight off is the most important thing for your health. Plastic surgery is a luxury issue unless you are truly having problems with excess skin. I know we are joking (kinda) about plastics cause most of us are still focused with ongoing weight loss. The truth is that I can live with my body if I had to. Im much better off than I was a 1 1/2 ago. I have lots of energy and my quality of life is very good compared to where I was before. Babs in TX 334/188/170 -146 6/23/03

Hi Lisa, The HOME SHOPPING CHANNEL! LOL I was just comparing it to the cost to have it done in the US! Hey, its cheaper than a lapband. Although I have insurance, I still had to cough up a couple of grand in deductable. I got credit card and will travel! Babs in TX

Hi Petunia, Its a shame that your boyfriend was denied, but there are options for him. Can he appeal? If not, is cash pay an option? Where there is a will, there is a way. As far as Protein powder, I made the mistake of investing in a big container at GNC that I never used. I did not have a pre op diet plan so I did not have to lose before surgery. After surgery, I was only required to do liquids for two weeks and moved on to mushies. I found the Carbolite shakes at Walmart to be the best bang for the buck. They are premade with 21 grams of protein per serving. No mixing which is a pain. I still buy them occasionally since I dont like to eat Breakfast at all. Anyway, whatever you buy, make sure that you really like it and that you dont buy too much. You will be on solids and mushies before you know it. Babs in TX 334/188/170 -146