vinesqueen

You two just continue to rock and rock hard! Excellent news on the size 14 Leatha, but Kathy! WOOT! that's awesome your BP is NORMAL!!! WOOT!

I started a call to action thread here http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14403 I really think that some of us really do have metabolic issues, I know I do, since I've been diagnosed with one. Please take the time to read the thread.

This weekend is really rough. I go back for the results from the latest round of test on Tuesday, but that feels like a lifetime away. I found a message board for Cushing's and now I'm completely freaked out. I've gotta stop doing this to myself. I cried myself to sleep last night over the things that I read on the board.

YOU'RE speechless???? what about me???

TURTLE POWER!!!! We are slow losers. But we need to demand answers. I've been thinking about this for the last forever. Or at least it feels like forever. Why are we so different, why doesn't the weight fall off of us like it does our rabbit sisters and brothers? So, I decided that instead of ranting and raving about not losing weight, crying to the folks that can't help with the underlying problem, I decided that I would start crying to medical doctors, not to therapists. I went to my PCP and demanded answers. He couldn't help me, other than putting me on thyroid meds, which as it turns out I needed. But he couldn't help beyond that, and I haven't seen much activity scale wise from the increased thyroid function. He said I should find an endocrinologist, and good luck. Not much help there, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he was baffled, well, basically because he told me "I'm baffled." So I went to another doctor demanded answers. He couldn't do anything, but he did refer me to an internist. She's wonderful; she doesn’t downplay my problems, or my concerns. She doesn't blame me for being fat, she doesn't view all my problems through that if-you-lose-weight-your-problems-will-go-away lense. And who here hasn't had all their medical problems blamed on their weight? I think that might be why we, as turtles, haven't demanded answers, demanded that they figure out why we can't lose Wight on 1200 calories, or 1000 calories or even less. We think that if we just follow the Bandster rules and guidelines like good banisters, that if we do, the weight will fall off of us. I mean, this works for everyone else, why doesn't it work for us? Because I think there has to be something else going on with us. Medically speaking, there has to be something that is keeping us from losing weight. If all the literature says that women will lose 1 to 2 pounds a week eating 1200 calories a day, if all the banding literature says that we should expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, if we follow the rules. Well, we are following the rules. We are eating within the stated guidelines, or if we are too tight we eat less, we exercise, we drink water, we attend support groups (LBT if nothing else); we do all these things and in most cases see a 1 to 2 pound loss a month. So, how long do we beat ourselves up? Why shouldn't we get discouraged and stop trying because, just like every other wild hair-brained scheme to lose weight, this one doesn't work either. Someone said that their doc said that if the thyroid med didn't work that we couldn't blame the medication, which I took to be one more example of blaming the fat person. The implied message that I took away was if it doesn't work, it's your fault, again. Well I say rubbish. It may be that the thyroid medication isn't the answer, but there has to be an answer somewhere. So, if you are a true turtle, or even a winded wabbit, call your doctor and demand answers. Don't take no for an answer, don't take, "if you just lost weight" for an answer. If your surgeon's office can't help, talk to your PCP. If she can't help, demand a referral. Cry, weep, and threaten a break down if you must, but demand those answers. Don't let them shuffle you off to see a therapist as the only course of treatment either. I think we owe that much to ourselves. We owe that to ourselves, our families and loved ones. We even owe it to the other turtles who come after us. But mostly, we owe this to ourselves.

TURTLE POWER!!!! We are slow losers. But we need to demand answers. I've been thinking about this for the last forever. Or at least it feels like forever. Why are we so different, why doesn't the weight fall off of us like it does our rabbit sisters and brothers? So, I decided that instead of ranting and raving about not losing weight, crying to the folks that can't help with the underlying problem, I decided that I would start crying to medical doctors, not to therapists. I went to my PCP and demanded answers. He couldn't help me, other than putting me on thyroid meds, which as it turns out I needed. But he couldn't help beyond that, and I haven't seen much activity scale wise from the increased thyroid function. He said I should find an endocrinologist, and good luck. Not much help there, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he was baffled, well, basically because he told me "I'm baffled." So I went to another doctor demanded answers. He couldn't do anything, but he did refer me to an internist. She's wonderful; she doesn’t downplay my problems, or my concerns. She doesn't blame me for being fat, she doesn't view all my problems through that if-you-lose-weight-your-problems-will-go-away lense. And who here hasn't had all their medical problems blamed on their weight? I think that might be why we, as turtles, haven't demanded answers, demanded that they figure out why we can't lose Wight on 1200 calories, or 1000 calories or even less. We think that if we just follow the Bandster rules and guidelines like good banisters, that if we do, the weight will fall off of us. I mean, this works for everyone else, why doesn't it work for us? Because I think there has to be something else going on with us. Medically speaking, there has to be something that is keeping us from losing weight. If all the literature says that women will lose 1 to 2 pounds a week eating 1200 calories a day, if all the banding literature says that we should expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, if we follow the rules. Well, we are following the rules. We are eating within the stated guidelines, or if we are too tight we eat less, we exercise, we drink water, we attend support groups (LBT if nothing else); we do all these things and in most cases see a 1 to 2 pound loss a month. So, how long do we beat ourselves up? Why shouldn't we get discouraged and stop trying because, just like every other wild hair-brained scheme to lose weight, this one doesn't work either. Someone said that their doc said that if the thyroid med didn't work that we couldn't blame the medication, which I took to be one more example of blaming the fat person. The implied message that I took away was if it doesn't work, it's your fault, again. Well I say rubbish. It may be that the thyroid medication isn't the answer, but there has to be an answer somewhere. So, if you are a true turtle, or even a winded wabbit, call your doctor and demand answers. Don't take no for an answer, don't take, "if you just lost weight" for an answer. If your surgeon's office can't help, talk to your PCP. If she can't help, demand a referral. Cry, weep, and threaten a break down if you must, but demand those answers. Don't let them shuffle you off to see a therapist as the only course of treatment either. I think we owe that much to ourselves. We owe that to ourselves, our families and loved ones. We even owe it to the other turtles who come after us. But mostly, we owe this to ourselves.

Oh dear gawd no! My DH has lost 200 pounds and still has at least another 100 to go!

Oh my gawd! I REALLY needed this laugh!

I've been really stressed waiting for the test results. Off the scale stressed. One of the things I cannot do is go to McDonald's and buy a quarter pounder with cheese and french fries. Well, I could, but I can't eat them. I have a sneeking suspicion that buying a quarter pounder with cheese and french fries and putting them in my pocket just isn't going to have the same effect as eating them. (we crave high fat foods when we are stressed, they make us feel better, which is why high fat foods are usually the first choice when medicating with food.) I could eat ice cream, but I don't want to (YE Gods! I think the world will be coming to an end because I don't want ice cream. I'm sure it is one of the signs.) So, I need a new coping mechanism. A new way of dealing with the stress, the worry, the whispers. Last night I wore my fairy wings from my halloween costume. Another night I put on way too much eye make-up and watched movies and drank vodka drinks. I haven't felt like I wanted to go out, and it's been really cold. So, what new ways are other people coping? What are you trying, both silly and serious to deal with stress, now that quarter pounders with cheese are no longer practical?

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Baths are no good, since I just stew in my own juices. I just don't find them relaxing. Maybe if I lost weight I wouldn't feel this way. Maybe I just need to get some battle ships. I dunno. I've only had trouble with the Sun Salutation, but that was because it actually put pressure on my band and not the port.

If I'm in public and have to pb I head for the rest room pronto. Sometimes you dont make it, and well, that sux. My DH always has a glass of something so that if he gets the slimes he can deal with it on the sly. When I spent amonth too tight I was PBing 3-5 times a week. But I got an unfill and all better. I don't track the number of times.

I don't have a tattoo, but I'm thinking that I might need one that's infused with healing energy. When I was 15 I lived in a group home and all the other kids were giving each other a prison tats to that they wouldn't forget. They were mad at me because I wasn't about let some 16 year-old kid use a safty pin and Bic ink to give me a tattoo.

I don't see how the band could be interfering with the B12 production. My guess is that it's a diet thing.

actually, it depends on whether you actually have to lose 100 pounds. It might be that you have a higher fat free mass (FFM) than you think. Which is a very good think indeed! The band will help you loose slower than any of the by-pass methods.

I don't think so. Since banding I make the most amazing noises! It might be while I'm sitting drinking Water, or just after I'v eaten or for no good reason at all. Get used to the fact that you are going to be much more noisy... burping ... farting... gurgling....

I would go talk to your doctor about this. Some folks experience a hormonal change after banding, and you've lost a whack of weight. Fat holds estrogen, and you've just dumped a large amount of it into your system. A sudden loss of desire and libido could be a sign of something serious. Oh, all the other suggestions are good too. But "duty fucks" are bad for you, I believe this in my heart of heart. I was a navy wife for many years, and that's what we called them. When you reduce sex to a chore you are reducing yourself and your relationship. (I firmly belive that sex and passion are gifts from the gods.) Instead of creating a sense of intimacy and closeness, duty fucks don't do a damn thing for you.

Okay, I have to admit. I'm afraid of trees at night. Like they are going to attack me. Hey it happens, I saw The Wizard of Oz you know....

Bones? oh sure, make fun of the fat gurl.

Hello Dawn, well, you had your first fill 5 days ago, I'm not sure what you are expecting. Most people don't lose until after they've had their first fill, any wight lost before the fill is bonus, and not what the band is designed for. Please be patient with yourself. If you continue to not lose weight after your fill, then you might want more answers. Please be kind to yourself. I know that we all have expectations with the band, and it's hard to not compair with other people. Cheers, and it will get easier.

I had to laugh because lastnight I was wearing my fairy wings, because I was feeling so down. It's hard to be depressed wearing fairy wings. I actually slept with them on my bed too. I know, what am I? Five? Okay, maybe part of me is, but I can't go down to McDonalds and get a quarter pounder... okay, maybe I can go buy one, but I sure couldn't eat one, or fries...what am I going to do? put them in my pocket? No, I think not so I need to come up with some other coping things. Last night it was my fairy wings. Thank you so much everyone. Please keep them coming, cause I sure need 'em. Tomorrow is only just the next round of tests. After tomorrow there will be more tests. Then more tests after that.

drinking with meals is probably my toughest one. Love water while I eat.

I don't know that there is a generic answer to your question. I know that my son is starting to feel pressure because DH is losing again. The answer to your question could be yes to both, nor no to both, or somewhere in the middle. I'm sorry I can't be of more help

My DH was the first to be banded between us. He was 600 pounds, and something had to give. He was either going to lose weight, or he was going to lose me. It didn't come down to the point where I had to give him that ultimatum, but it was coming very close. I did tell him that I was considering leaving him because I couldn't watch him kill him self, the waiting for him to keel over dead was more than I could handle. He finally got the message, and started to research WLS and discovered the band, and the rest, as they say, is history. Or maybe it's ourstory.

check out your local community colege or your parks and rec department. Ballroom dancing is so much fun. Okay, any kind of dancing is so much fun. Cheers... (VQ, LBT's official Bellydancer)

That's true, you could die on the table, but you could also die from a chunk of skylab falling on you, or a bus crashes into you, or there could be a freak kitchen accedent where the fridge falls on you or industrial robots could go on a wild rampage or you could be drinking a bubble tea and choke on one of the bubbles.... The list goes on. There is a reason LBT doesn't have a memorial page. We've only lost one bandster as far as I know. And she died because her tractor rolled over on her. She was Blossom, and very very sweet. I suppose her death could be attributed to the band because without it, she would have never had the energy, strength or desire to go do something she loved.