eljmom

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I was on this website. I am doing great... Still struggling for head hunger, but the results keep me going. I am at 60 pounds off by my hair is in horrible shape. I take my Protein everyday and I know this is the problem. Does anyone have a cure for Bad hair before I get it all cut off. It's just brittle and thin.. I have naturally curly and hair and have never had issues like this. It has to be weight lose. Anyone????

Congrats TwinMommy.. It's been along time since I was on line. Great to see so much progress in everyone. I feel like I abandoned ship, but I have been out enjoying life and my kids. Not so much time to spent surfing the web. Glad everyone is still checking in. Don't regret this at all, except the day I went to the Texas State Fair, no place for a LapBandster. I went the day after a fill, which was worse. But, made it through. Life is great. I went to a family reunion 2 weekends ago and my family flipped. They knew nothing of any weightlose, so I shocked them all. I dont live near any of them, which made it that much better. I love shopping. I finally had to break down and get some clothes. Went from a (can't believe it) size 22 to a 16-14, depending on the brand. No more sweat pants here, jeans all the way.... Thanks everyone, for just being...

I had my first fill today. It went smoothly, almost too smoothly. It was nothing. They nubed my spot, once they found it with the xray and in they went. I almost PB tonight, pushed it with some cheese and the Water got stuck later. All is well now. I hope this helps. I was getting real hungry, just couldn't get full. I hope this helps for a while. The weight has been coming off and I want this to continue. How is everyone doing out there?

It been a while since I have been on. Getting busy with life now. YEAH!! But I am so glad to read that we are all ready for fills. I too am starting to want more than I should and my head is only part of the reason. I got lucky with my first fill, but Dr. office will be on VC for the 2 weeks that I need the fill, so they are pushing me up to June 18th. YEAH. I can't wait. We go on VC the week of 4th of July and I will need that restriction for the VC. Of course my hubby picked an All Inclusive resort.. great, the test is on. All you can eat and drink? Not getting my monies worth this time, that is for sure.. but better in the long run. Way to go May Bandsters.... BTW.. What is the June challenge, I missed that?

Welcome TEXGAL61. This is a great site with lots of advise and support. I am in Plano and used Dr. Cribbins at Prysby Plano. He was AWESOME. Can't say enough great things. Good Luck on your journey. I am not even 1 month post surgery and so close to 30 pounds down. Worth every spoon full or soup and ounces of Protein shakes. I am feeling so much better about everything.

Get a heating pad. I felt your pain, is it in your shoulder? A heating pad was some advice I got on this website and it helped BIG TIME. Good Luck, it is worth the pain. Be strong.

Sarah, I love your quote about " being related to toxic people', I may have to steal that one for my own mental real being.

You will be fine. I too was and still are addicted to food. It is a Friend, but if your friend is not good for you, than you have to say bye. Easier said then done, I know. I was banded 2 weeks ago and when I saw the shrink and the Dr and read the post on here about, having trouble getting all your required amounts down, I thought they were crazy. I would never be able to not to get it all in and more. It is true... getting it all in is the hardest thing I have to do in a day. I find myself going long periods without thinking about food, because the hunger is GONE. It's wierd. This is the easy part, the liquid phase. The hard part is when you get past all this and have to learn to eat real food. But, for the past 2 weeks, I have learned one thing about myself, I really didn't need all that Ice Cream and pizza. I can l ive without it. Being around lots of food is still hard, but I put pants on yesterday that I haven't worn in 5 years. That felt way better than those Ribs last weekend at the BarBQ. I am 24 pounds lighter today than I was the beginning of March. That feels great. The band is the tool, what you do with it is what counts. Chin up and go for it. The pain of the first week was well worth it and I'd do it again, I only wish I would have done it a year ago when I thought of it first.

Hey eveyone, It's been a while since I was on the site. The week got crazy and then the holiday weekend come fast. My son is a 2nd grader and my daughter turns 4 tomorrow. How did that happen?:drum:. My shoulder pain was BAAADDDD!!! Oh my, then, Friday I went in for another procedure, Novasure (if you haven't heard about this one, you should). I was sedated again and woke up with NO PAIN... anywhere. The shoulder pain was gone and I haven't had any meds since I left my OB/GYNs office. It was wierd. I came home, slept from 3p to 9p, got up had some soup and went back to bed. The next morning, I was fine. Not sure what they did while I was sedated, but Thanks.... Today was a hard one. We had friends visiting in town from Pasedena and went to a mutual friends house for a BarBQ - swim party with the kids. The food looked AMAZING!! It was month watering. I showed up with my cup of Tortilla Soup from Tin Star. None of these folks knew about my surgery, just told them it was because of the Novasure, I could only eat liquids through the weekend. I dont see these folks exact about once a year, so they just need to know what they see the next time they see me. I put my head hunger to the test and I PASSED!!!. I ate nothing but my soup. And it was GREAT. My DH padded me on the back for my courage and will power. I didn't know I had it in me. Thats 2 BarBQs since I got my friend and I can do this. Well, I need to stop typing and start sewing. I am making 12 Groovy Girl backpacks for my daughters 4th birthday party on Tuesday. I have 8 left to make. UUGHH.. I always wait till the bitter end. That is what I will work on next, but I start working on that tomorrow.. :tea: I was wondering, is there anyway to figure out total pounds lost by the May bandsters? That would be an incredible number to see grow. Good night!!:notagree

MelissaO.. Im there on the pizza thing. & days post op and I make thin crisp pizza for the kids the other night, took off the pepperoni and crewed the crust for texture and taste and spit it out. Pizza is the one thing I LOVE to eat. Not anymore....

I agree, walk and rest. I had mine a week ago and with 3 kids and a traveling DH, I haven't been able to get the rest part in. You will have to force the drinks and broth in. It is hard, I haven't been able to do it. I feel full all the time and last week if you would have told me I would, I would have said.. never.. I am always able to eat. Not any more. I have lost about 12 pounds in 1 week. So, there is a good thing, but I think I am missing my Proteins. You and I have the same weight stats. I went in to surgery at 233 and I am 220.8 now. 233 was not my highest. I lost weight prior to the surgery. It will get worse, the pain, but it will get better. I think the pain is the part that reminds the head why we did this to our body. I just hope my head listens better than I do to advise. Enjoy your recoup. Do you have those great foot messagers? I loved those. Keep in touch. It is worth every $$$ and every pain.

Okay May 19th Bandmates... did your shoulders KILL you today? Mine were unbearable. My DH travels and I have to call in reinforcements to get them bathed and to bed. I couldn't handle it any more. Please.. those that are ahead of us, please tell me Day 6 is better!!!

Wenjea, The Golf ball in the throat feeling is gone, still dealing with the tight chest issues. Still passing gas and trying to get down liquids. I just dont have that much hunger, even my head hunger is not there right now. I am sure they will both be back, so I will enjoy while I can. I am a little scared to drink more than a sip or two of water. I dont want it ito hurt. I start Hard Liquids tomorrow, Cream of wheats and pudding. Pudding sounds good, but a little think to get down. I have had a few SF popsicles, there were good. So far so good. I overdid it today at a birthday party. I knew better, but my DH is not the best at those type of events. Glad the hear you are up and well. Keep in touch.

Hello May Bandsters... Well, it's 4:45am on Sunday morning. Seems my sleep routine is all messed up. I am not used to sleeping so much, but I am still taking pain meds. Doing well with the liquids, just don't think I am getting enough in. I am still not sure if I feel full or if I just fill gas pains. I have been passing gas okay, not much pain in that area. Did have some severe shoulder pain yesterday afternoon. Our neighbor has their Beginning of the Summer Backyard Pool BBQ party. We went and I did GREAT around all the food. I fixed plates for my kids and DH and didn't even feel like taking any in. It looked really good, but I was good with my water and even went home for a while to have some broth. The neighbors did not even realize I wasn't eating, I dont think. It was a nice day, the kids swam and we had fun. Even though I couldn't get in, I know now that it is possible to socialize and have fun without needing a plate of food in front of you. BIG day for me and my pshycy... My DH starts his new job on Monday, he will be traveling every week and eventually in 12 months, we will have to relocate. My new life, having started Thursday at the hospital, will be real as of tomorrow. It will be hard not having him around every day. He will travel about 3 days a week. Don't think it will effect the schedule around here much, but it will be harder at bedtime. Well, we have a birthday party this afternoon for my daughters best friend, I should get some sleep. Thanks everyone for saying what you say. It's nice to hear everyones stories, the hit home.

Twinmommy, I got home about 12:30p as well. Sore is about all I feel. trying to get the 2 oz of fluids an hour. Thought I would never say this, but it's hard. I am not hungery nor want anything. I helped feed the kids tonight and I didn't even want a nibble while preparing thier food. I thought it would be hard, but it wasn't. I'm drinking 'Natural' apple juice and chicken broth. How are you doing with the liquids? How is the gas pains? Are you up and walking? I had 3 C- Sections and this was easier than that. My staff was good as well and my Dr... Awesome. Day after, I would do this again. Going to take some meds and head to bed. Got a 9a Hockey game for my son tomorrow. Good Night May Bandsters.

I can't believe yesterday came and went. I was in PreOp with all kinds of bad thougths in my head, I was uncomfortable and just knew this was all wrong. The Dr.came in and said. "Are you ready?", I immediately answered "Are you?" He assured me he was ready to go, the Anesthetiologies said, "Let's go see the Wizard!". I looked at my DH as they were pushing me out of the room singing "Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Follow the Yellow Brick Road." in that munchkin voise and the next thing I know, I felt foot massagers on my foot. I remember saying, I am going to remember going into the room and I did not even remember getting pushed in the elevator. That Drug Dr. is good. So, I am home after my 1 night in the hospital, which I always refer to as a spa stay, for those with kids, csections and this was a spa stay to have a night with no kids and nurses at your every call. I feel tight in the chest, which is Gas, but I can handle it so far. I have my GasX and meds for pain as needed (which will be needed). I just need to figure out that Full feeling. I am not drinking much, as I dont know if I am full or sore in the chest. The feeling is so strong. Dr. Cribbins assures me that in a few days, the pain with subside and I will begin to learn Full. That the head and the band will figure it all out, with my help. So, I have my Sugar Free juice, SF popsicles (which I am bout to go get for this sore throat issue.. not as bad as I thought it would be though..), broth and even have all the thinks I need for the mushy 5 week phase after the clear liquids. I have walked alot today, so I am headed to bed before the kiddos get home with the nanny. Thanks everyone. Don't any of you personally, but I know that we all read and understand what is being said. Nothing taste as good as Thin feels, and I am ready to experince some of that thinness stuff. Those about to head in. Think positive and you really, even with all the thoughts while waiting on the Dr. Drug, dont feel or remember a thing about the procedure. You wake up, droogy and woosy, (I had nausea meds given to me, so I did not experince that at all), feeling like a train hit your chest, but the price for freedom from what we were doing, is worth the feeling. As we say in the Referree world, Keep your Chin up!! Good Luck to the rest of t MayBansters. Think of all of us out here. I thought of you all while I was waiting on this. It truely was nice to know you were all here. Funny one. When I checked in at the hospital, the admitt lady had her band placed in Nov and said most of the nurses have them too. That was comforting. She used my Dr. partner and said most of the staff at the hospital use them too. Dr. Cribbins, Plano PHOP Surgical Center. He ROCKED my world and was easy on the eye. A-MAY-zing we are. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Thank you for all the thoughts and wishes. I am getting very nervous. The anesthiologist just called. It is really happening... TOMORROW... YIKES. This has been a whirl wind for me. I am ready for what is ahead and will attack it head on, the process to get there, will be worth it.. RIGHT??? I will see you all on the other side.... Banded for life. I will admire the scar free tummy the rest of the night. When can I start applying Maderma? Or is Vitamin E better??

Hey all 17th May Bandsters, I am getting really nervous. Can't eat anything today, I feel really sick. It all my pshcy, my head and nerves. I fill extremely full and I have not had anything to eat or drink since 12n today. (it's 9:50p) Feel asleep on the bed about 6:30p and just woke up. Do any of you feel this way. Is it all preop jitters. I go in at 11:30a on Thursday, surgery at 1p. I am not on a liquid diet, just nothing after midnight Wednesday night. Can someone tell me if this is typical? I think my mind is starting to talk over my hunger, which I guess is good. Thanks everyone for all thier support! We are A-May-zing, aren't we.

Okay.. I might have missed this thread somewhere, but I will be going in Thursday for my band. Any tips and information on what I will need pre and post op in the house, in my bag. Thanks for any information you can give me. I am getting nervous, as I am sure I should be or something would be wrong. Thanks everyone.

Okay.. I might have missed this thread somewhere, but I will be going in Thursday for my band. Any tips and information on what I will need pre and post op in the house, in my bag. Thanks for any information you can give me. I am getting nervous, as I am sure I should be or something would be wrong. Thanks everyone.

Has anyone ever been reimbursed by insurance after getting the surgery and having to pay for it on your own? I am just curious. I just found out that I have to pay out of pocket for a 6 mos medical assisted diet, in order for insurance to cover the surgery. It's a catch 22. They wont pay for surgery to solve the weight and health issues up front, and they wont pay for a medical assisted diet either. What up with that? Any ideas??

Good Luck to you... Let us know how it goes. Those of us who are waiting for the days till ours, will need your advise and wisdom on how to make it through this. ELJMOM

SillyWillyMommie, Do we have the same hubby? Their support can be a slap in the face sometimes. They just dont understand the scope of how big this problem is. My DH is so fit and in shape, yet he always is saying, 'I need to go to the gym, I'm getting a gut, I need to ref more, I'm getting out of shape.' As innocent as those statements my be, they are a knife in the back that I not doing the same thing. :thumbs_up: I am 12 days from surgery and so scared of what will life be like after. I have spent so much time thinking of myself as the Fat girl, that I have started trying to think the other way. It's like a light has gone off and I know will have THE TOOL, to make this work. Thanks for the words, I felt like you were talking to me. I see you and I have something in common.. "The best kids in the World". :Banane43:

Hello everyone, I am at the beginning of my Quest for the Band. I have AETNA and have to do the 6 month medical assisted diet. My question is, once you complete the 6 month diet, say you lose lots of weight, will you still be able to get banded once the 6 months are over? Will they band you even if your BMI goes down under 35. My BMI right now is 38.5. It was higher a few weeks ago, but I have watching what I eat, prior to going to my appt and lost more weight than I had thought. Sounds ridiculos, to be upset to lose weight. But it's all about the numbers. If you have AETNA, how hard was it to get approved? :help: Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feed back.

I know where you are coming from. Telling my DH made the whole time real. It was the hardest thing to do, to comfort him with my mistakes and lifetime of struggles. To admit that I failed in this part of my life. He meet me in the 'skinny' stage, so all the weight to him was Baby fat from 3 kids. He had no idea the struggles my whole life. After hearing more about it and seeing how much this meant to me and that he would have the 'ole me' back and running, we was convinced and said 'Go for it'. How did I tell him? In bed, with all the lights off. I didn't want to see his face. It made it easier if I didn't have to see the disappointment. Of the disappointment I thought he would have. I am sure he did, but I left it up to my imagination, that he didn't. He loves me the way I am, this I know, but my moods are effecting our marriage and he wants me to be happy. This is the first of my steps in making that happen. I am lucky to have him and I want to make sure I keep him. With this and therapy about my mom, it will last. Good luck to you on your Quest. Mine was a fast journey, cross your fingers nothing happens in the all the test. I hopes goes as fast too.