marcyinak

Mona: What a way to spend the holidays! I'm glad you're on the mend. LA: It's totally awesome that your mom's helping with the surgery! My parents (who are loaded), cry poor all the time and that they just can't help! I know mom's not too supportive over the whole surgery thing because she's had complications with a hernia surgery and thought that I would too...she also this that I'll fail at this too...since she wasn't able to keep off the Adkins lbs. she lost...we're clones you see. OK - TMI coming up, but need help. Got my tubes tied with my last kid and since then I have two added problems: I crave chocolate a week before my period (I don't normally like the stuff) and my blood flow is more than it's ever been. So, after sleeping through this past week I realized last night that I'm low on iron! No wonder since I can't eat meat and usually I just have a steak or two during "that week" and that keeps me going. Any suggestions on getting my iron up? I'd like to start working out, but can't get out of bed! Ahhhh! It's getting cold here...almost zero today...thank heavens we have a Rec Center!

Phyll - I'm assuming you're referring to a wet-suit/neoprene top thingy for swimming (we have those for the kids...even the indoor pools in Alaska are cold!). Here's the thing...you ARE working out, it's not like it would sit in a closet or become some sort of clothing rack (like so many of our treadmills), but you'd actually USE it. So I say, get it and then when it gets too big...take it to a tailor and have them take it in ...should cost less than $20 to do that. I think it would be a worthwile investment! :biggrin1:

Brandy - I was able to advance to mushies within a couple of days...for Dr. K it was just to be comfortable and HEAL. I think out of MANY folks here on lapbandtalk I was into real food before most and my pouch isn't stretched and I healed fine. I really felt that my body/mind regulated what I needed to eat and what I didn't need to eat pretty well....I didn't have any issues with "missing" food..not for a couple of months anyway. Really, listen to your body (something we've all had to learn to do) and do what's right for YOU. Honestly, I think some docs say to stay on liquids for so long to make THEM look good (ie. "I had a patient lose 40 lbs the first 2 months!" Easy to do on a liquid diet!) Take it in stride, listen to advise, and then do what YOU feel is best for YOU! Good luck!

Jackie - we got a Wii too! Haha! I'm glad it keeps the kids active...they just CANNOT sit down while playing. Even my husband can't just let them play, he's got to be in on the action. Unfortunately, I have issues with video games and until I feel comfortable not getting virtigo...I'll just be reading the posts here while everyone else plays. I'm debating whether or not I need a fill...need help deciding. -I know I can eat more than 1/4 cup of food...sometimes up to 1 cup (depending on food - Cereal I can eat too much of so I just stopped making it an option and have a shake instead) -my weight loss has somewhat stalled...nothing for a couple of weeks, then down 2 lbs then I "hover" again. -I admit that I'm not working out a lot, but I'm just trying to survive winter -food gets stuck often, but after the initial "stick" I can continue to eat more...hmmm So...what do you think? Weather is *nice* today. We had some more crazy wind last night, but today it's 15 degrees and calm. Would like the sun to come out though!

OH, by the way... Merry Christmas to everyone! Sorry I missed you all yesterday. I hope the holiday season is going well for everyone, regardless of what you celebrate, and that we're all remember the TRUE reason for our celebrations!

Michelle - I, too, have found that it's just toooo easy to eat the crap! I've just downed a handful of Almond Rocca (do the Almonds count as "good"?). My grandma sent Harry and David fruit:hungry:, but I can't eat fruit for some reason...get's stuck. I made some pear coffee cake with some of the over-ripe pears tonight and well, THAT went down ok! Go figure! However, I DID eat a handful of truffles the other night at a party (not much else) and lost a pound! Haha! You never know! Sorry I missed out on all the Merry Christmas well, wishing. I hope everyone is having a good holiday season and getting some TRUE meaning about what it's all about!

Yes my dear Distant...doesn't it just suck that the good stuff (chicken and other meat, veggies, and fruit) just doesn't want to go down easy, but throw in some chocolate, cookies, and candy and well, we've got ourselves a winner! I, on more than one occassion, have proven that it's sooo possible to cheat the band and be fat if that's what we want!:angry Sadly, this is a reality we're going to have to deal with. I told my DH last night that I was just irritated that I can't eat a few bites of grilled meat, but I can eat sausage easy as pie - which goes down pretty easy too! My grandma sent some Harry and David fruit (by the way, if sending a gift to Alaska...Harry and David fruit is an EXCELLENT way to please someone!) and I can't even eat a couple of bites of an almost too ripe pear! So sad! I actually ended up making a pear coffee cake...now, add some sugar and cake and it goes down ok! AAAHHHHH:eek:!!! Well, off to the races...not really, it's bed time here in Alaska! It's getting cold outside and my husband thinks he's going moose hunting in a couple of days! Haha!:confused:

Mal - thanks for thinking of me...is the pin in the right place? Or just on the state itself? I'm in the upper left, on the coast....maybe I'll get my friend to do it and there'll be TWO pins for us?! I feel special now!:biggrin1:

I paid for it with a credit card (need those Alaska Airlines miles) and then switched it over to another card that offered me 0% for a year (time to pay it off). We have excellent credit and that's what we do for some of our "larger/costlier" purchases. Keep in mind that this CAN be a medical cost deduction...along with the travel, car, food, etc. so keep your receipts!

I like just about anything in vanilla...there was some Eat Smart from GNC I liked, but the price is heafty...comes with flavor enhancers and doesn't have the tell-tale protein shake aftertaste. I've started using some Nutrilite stuff from Quixtar (Amway) that a friend introduced me to. The price for a big bucket is $33ish and I can mix it with water or milk...no real aftertaste and tastes ok. Now, if you don't care if there's aftertaste: Myoplex Lite is a good idea. There's a little bit of aftertase and you can mix it with water, comes in packets that travel easy...I ALWAYS take this when I go to get fills and have 2-3 shakes a day at that time. I've also found some whey powder from bulkfoods.com that was VERY inexpensive and doesn't have ANY taste...it's just pure protein powder so you can add it to anything (I usually add an extra scoop to my shakes or to soup). I know there's a thread out there with this information, but this should get you started. Also, I've heard that there are several places for bariatriceating that you can buy a big sample box.

Mal - knee/s are fine now...no surgery needed, just rest. He was doing great until he fell through a pallet getting some firewood! Doing better today and he knows he's not allowed to whine. Now, I married a man who could wrestle with a broken hand, thought it was "cool" when he separated his shoulder, has had more injuries than most people can count...why do I get the whiner?!?! :tired Gotta love him!:kiss2:

LA - I travelled from Nome, Alaska to see Dr. K last July. The travel, cost, and care was worth it. I, too, worried about aftercare, but I made sure that I set that up before I even STARTED the band process. I have to fly to Anchorage to see my fill doc ($225 a pop and I have to stay there a few days just in case...makes for an expen$ive fill - so I've only had 2). Dr. K "guarantees" his work so if there are issues (ie. flipped port, leak, etc.) he will take care of that - for a year. As for emergencies...get into a group at your home base to get info on docs who at least regularly see WLS patients so you have someone to at least CALL when you're having a problem. Way out here, I'm still confident that if there was an immediate issue I'd still be able to get someone to at lest TRY to help me. I'm losing slowly, but since I can't get filled as often as others, that's just something I'm dealing with. I echo Michelle in that you really start to realize your problems with food 4-5 months out...I just thought I was fat and didn't want to be one of those people with a food mental problem...guess what? I am! Food after the band is tricky...some can eat some things, others can eat other things...you'll just have to try and see what works for you. (For instance, I can drink soda just fine, but can't eat chicken AT ALL!) Also, recovery was a snap for me, didn't have much pain, just stiffness and I was sleeping on my side/tummy within days of the surgery. Dr. K also lets you progress on foods after surgery as you see fit...I was only on liquids for a few days and then mushies for about a week...eating regular food (with some protein shakes) by week three....others seem to need a little more liquid. Really, your body will dictate what is best and what you need at that time. GOOD LUCK! Mal - I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this sadness at this time of year...maybe Christmas will give your family a little hope for the future? Kiss up the boys for us!:think Anita - I just love it when you say something your disappointed in and say "rats"...it's soooo something my mom would say! Just don't become ALL like her - she's a little nuts! :biggrin1: I'm working on getting into the Christmas spirit. It's getting cold here (-15) and starting to get crappy...and of course this is the week with all the Christmas programs and Christmas parties....Thank Heavens for Auto-start! I'm in a total work-out slump and KNOW that I need a fill...I can eat cereal for breakfast (when I'm usually tight and just have a shake)...this is BAD, cereal is my nemisis!:angry

Kristin - I, too, have had an issue with a bad PB and some (for lack of a better definition) "swelling"...I've found that I need to just have a liquid breakfast and lunch sometimes, which is fine with me...means my band is working (and, boy to I like to test it!). I'm suckin' with head-hunger right now!

Phyl - Now, as I've said before, paying for an Alaskan cruise is pretty asinine for me...but, I'll be in Ketchikan the end of July/early August and can arrange a NICE excursion for a group if a cruise was set up for that time...just something to think about. (I've got connections there!) ssanka - I've also heard that if you get unfilled, or de-banded, that you'll just gain the weight right back, but I have a friend who was banded in 2002, lost a TON of weight, got a total unfill then continued to lose weight and has been able to maintain that for over a year! Pretty incredible, but at least the band is there ... just in case. Indio - I like the gift exchange idea!:biggrin1: Kathy - NSV = Non-Scale Victory (not, a stupid moment, I still haven't figured out what imho means....I guess I just don't "chat" enough!) Something I've noticed...we've been told not to drink liquids while eating - because it'll make the food mushy and, therefore slide down easier and then you can just re-fill the pouch. Well, I have learned that I CANNOT drink while eating...I get stuck EVERY time and have to go PB it out...nnnniiiiiicccceee!:nervous I've been reading my daily messages with the previous day's posts, but haven't had an opportunity to actually get on the site and write. Christmas is suckin' for me...a little anyway. I make fudge as my "gift" to others...what was I thinking? That goes down easy - and it is currently sitting right in front of me!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! I need to package it and give it out or else I'm just going to die! A slow, painful, sinful, gluttonous death! I'm in need of a fill, but something wonderful happened with food the other day. We had a "progressive dinner" (don't know how "progressive" it was since it only entailed two homes, but it IS Nome and it's freakin' cold right now - and I'm used to colder, don't know what's wrong with me). The main dish was Prime Rib...I was so disappointed because I've had such an issue with meat so I made sure I "stocked up" on some shrimp at the previous house. Well, I decided that I'd try a very SMALL amount of meat and...what'dya know...I was able to eat it and not PBing! Must've been cooked just perfect! It was so yummy and I've saved enough to make it for two meals for the past two days..I'm good at eating left-overs...and it IS protein so not too bad...now if I can just get the fudge out of the house! I was able to lose a couple pounds right after the cruise (3 weeks ago), but now, I'm stable...not losing a thing...kinda sucks. I'm trying to stay active, but it's hard when you don't want to go outside. I've done my share of shoveling though and that makes me feel good. I'm in a slump, but I'm planning a trip into Anchorage in Jan/Feb for another fill and I'm going to try to start being on the losing end of the game again. Still, I've managed to lose on average 4lbs. a month since I started this journey and that's better than I was doing. Good luck my Lucky 7 folks! It's been a good year for us all!:whoo:

Yes, we see the Northern Lights here (aka Aurora). There's a whole study post in Fairbanks where I lived for over 20 years. They still fascinate me and I'll pull over when driving if they're out just to watch for a bit...they DO "dance". I've never seen red ones, but I've seen white, green, blue, and a little pinkish (red is rare). I had a friend who's job it was to take tourists out on snowmobiles so they could get a look at them...he knew where to find them EVERY night! Apparently, it's good luck to conceive under the northern lights (Asian thing). In Alaska there are A LOT of Asian tourists in the winter! Haha!

Kerry - well that just is the pits for you! And you're so young! At least you have time to clean/clear up your credit and get back on track. Sadly, I have always felt that if I were to lose weight I'd earn more money (of course, I'm an at-home mom now, but when I was working and I weill be going back to work someday). Maybe this will work for you? :-) So, I have a plan...my daughter will be able to go to preschool next year so I've decided to try to find a job next year and work (part-time). I figure I can save money and put it aside for my tummy-tuck (which is becoming more obviously needed now more than ever)...I "announced" this to my husband and he thought that was an ok idea...then I explained that the next thing "my" money would pay for is a plane for him...he was TOTALLY all for it. Haha! Swell guy I've got. Maybe I'll add a boob job just for him?

Salsa - HOLY CRAP!! 24%!?!?!?! That's outrageous! Can't you put it on a lower credit card or something...at that rate you'll never be able to pay it off. If you're in the position to buy a house, you're in the position to have a lower interest rate...PM me and I'd be happy to give you some pointers! There's no reason you should be paying that kind of rate...even if your credit sucks! I'm sure there are others here that feel the same way - I hate to see people get into situations like these! Snowing here...I actually HELPED the kids build snow forts last night. I shovelled and scooped snow for about 2 hours last night! It was great! Now...I need some snowpants!

Salsa - I find that when I'm having a head hunger moment I just eat...eat something I KNOW will get stuck! Yeah, it's a little sadomasochistic, but it works, every time! It gets stuck, I feel like crap, and then I just stay away from food for a couple more hours. Yes, this can go on all day for me. You really just have to listen to what everyone says and choose what's right for YOU! Now, on to bigger and better things: ATTENTION - I asked my doc to send me a letter stating my medical necessity for the Lap-Band (short and sweet, about 2 sentences long). This I can use to deduct the expenses for the Lap-Band...ALL expenses including travel and hotel...I encourage all of you to get this same letter. As much as we all paid for it, we should be able to receive the deduction if we itemize...it's actually easier than it sounds. Good luck!

Tay - Congratulations! So....did you name him something more English? Or are you keeping his Guatamalan name? OK, update: I got my letter yesterday from Dr. K about the Lap-Band being a medical necessity. PLEASE make sure you call/write Marilyn for the same letter to include with your taxes. You can also deduct the travel expenses, room, meals, etc. for the trip to get the procedure. This is probably the easiest to understand paragraph in the tax code! Don't deprive yourself of a little deduction!

brispenny - I also have the 4cc band and didn't have much restriction until I was filled to 3.0cc. He filled me up on a Wednesday to 2.5 and I called the next day to say I was just able to eat too much so he filled it up to 3.0. I'd say it's a pretty good spot...there are times I feel I could eat more, but the band stops me from doing that (as was intended). I'd say go for another fill...I just happened to know right away that it wasn't enough and needed more. (I have to travel by air to get to my doctor and have to stay a week after a fill for adjustments/issues.) Can't say that I've lost a TON of weight, but I don't mind losing slowly... Carol1951 - I have the 4cc band and was told that it will actually hold more than 4cc. Make sure there isn't a leak in your band/tubing...have the doc pull all the fluid out to make sure that there's 3.9cc in there before adding more next time. Good luck!

kcval810 - Congrats on the 37 lbs.! Weight loss is different for everyone, but 37 lbs. seems to me (through my own bad math and remembering what everyone else has lost) that you are actually just above average on the weight loss. Those who started with a higher BMI tend to lose faster than those who had lower BMI's. As for feeling like you could eat more...have you "tested" it out? For instance...TRY to eat more than you usually do...does the band stop you? If not then you need a fill. (I test mine on occasion, using foods I know are easy for me to get down.) I'd say that most of us can eat more than 4 oz. at a meal so really, that's no biggie as far as I'm concerned. Now, as for the amount of Fluid...this IS different for everyone. I have a 4 cc band and have 3.0 cc in it right now and am darn near perfect on restriction...I know people who have less than 1.0 cc and are more restricted than I am. I really depends on YOU...there is a thread about fill levels, but it wasn't really helpful to me when I had the same question...just proved that everyone really IS different! And that's OK! :-0 We've got a good thread here with lots of advise so keep in touch!

OH, FYI, I sent Marilyn a letter for Dr. K to sign about medical necessity and the Lap-Band...this will work out great for my medical expenses and taxes. I have yet to see the letter, but I'll let you know when I do.

Brandy - WOW! It's coming up fast! Michelle - I LOVE your statement "This waiting for skinny is lousy." I posted it on another thread I read. It is sooooo true! I've had a pannis (the sagging fat/skin on the tummy) since my first son was born (he weighed 12 1/2 lbs and that caused me to stretch out a bit) and it's just worse now! It hangs down far enough that I don't really need underwear to cover me up when I'm naked if you know what I mean. It's getting frustrating with clothes. I need a size 20 on my waist, but a 14/16 on my legs and upper-body - so this screws up jeans and dresses! What a pain! I told Andrew last night that as soon as Stormy is in school I'm getting a job that will pay for first, a tummy tuck, and second, a plane for him...he sounded ok with the deal! :-) But the waiting for skinny IS lousy!

I just read a post on another thread I read...she said, "This waiting for skinny is lousy." I second that!

All this talk about clothing sizes...does anyone else have THIS problem: my legs are probably a size 16, but 16s won't go around this ball of fat/skin that hangs down in front of me! I have to buy 18s (and they're TIGHT, but keep me from eating crap) and then they're loose on the legs! Same thing with dresses...have to buy the bigger size for my damn tummy, but it's loose everywhere else! Now I blame this pannis (technical term) on my 12 1/2 lbs. baby (and subsequent large babies) and just a little on my weight gain so sometimes I think I DESERVE to have this "badge of honor", but I'd sure like to have some pants/jeans that fit properly! I'm not having trouble with holiday treats...but I do make fudge for Christmas and ALWAYS have too much of that...maybe I'll do something different this year? ...... nah, I'll just work out more! :-)