the best me

All this is sweet, you are right! Thanks for smiling with us. :confused: LBT has all you need for an excellent life! LOL

hehe, I peeked!!! You look wonderful! What a difference! You are just shrinking...and I'm so jealous about your cute jeans. My jeans don't look like that on me...well, the ones I tried on last night anyway, I don't own jeans...but yours are so cute! And I love your bangs. You are such a P'nut! Good job posting pics. Yay!!! Okay, here's this week. The best me - H 242/ S 223/ J 188/ C 183.8 (-58.2 lbs total, -0 this week) And Paula...you go girl! Way to get me on the ball! :confused:

Sherri is right, this is serious. You can cause damage living this way. Call your doc. Get an unfill. Banded life is not supposed to be miserable, uncomfortable, damaging, or sleepless. Call your doc Prilosec Aloe Vera juice 2-3 ounces 2-3 times a day for healing liquid diet Banded weight loss should come with less food, better food choices, lots of Water, exercise. The American way, only with help! Weight loss shouldn't happen while being miserable. Take care of yourself. What you describe is not right, and you don't have to live this way. Let us know how you are doing!

How ya doin' sunshine? Here are my suggestions: Call your doc Stick to Full Liquids (anything you can drink through a straw, since that seems to be able to go and stay down) Drink a few ounces of Aloe Vera juice 2-3 times a day for a week for healing the esophogus and help reduce band area swelling. There are 2 scenarios I'd recommend, but without more info I don't know which I'd choose for you, so I'll tell you both and you decide. Get a small unfill. Start over, in a sense OR, some folks can make a tight fill work. One PB causes swelling, the swelling causes another PB, round and round you go getting nowhere, causing damage along the way. BUT, if you follow the bandster "rule" of 24 hours of liquids after a PB, you can give the swelling a chance to go down and prevent yet another PB. If you can eat comfortably, yet slower and more carefully, with your fill, you might can make it work. Just please be super careful about not causing damage. Too tight is NOT the bandster way. It's just that once you have a string of PBs, it's hard to say if you are too tight or swollen. You know your body and band. Get an unfill, a small one, and let your body rest and heal. If you are determined to avoid the unfill, stay on liquids till it gets better. Also, lots of folks have their fills "kick in" after a week or two, so don't let that first week post-fill be an indication. You may still be too tight. Let us know how it goes!!

ROTFLMBO and I'm a Republican! I just think that's too funny!

Alrighty, I just HAVE to back out on Sat. Hubby has to work and can't watch Tyler and we are going to Mooresville that afternoon, early, to work at my Dad's (yard work, housecleaning, etc) and it's just too much to fit into a day, especially with 2 kiddos all day. Whew! If I could come and relax and enjoy I'd squeeze it in, but I need to just wait and get together in May. I'll see where the chips fall on a weekend. We aren't going anywhere, so I should be clear for whatever Sat ya'll pick. 20th? Wasn't there talk of a dinner get-together? I'm confused. I'll keep my eyes peeled, though! LOL Ya'll have fun Sat!!!

Karen, I'm so sorry this is such a frustrating battle. I just almost feel guilty having my band! Girl, you have GOT to get through this. Don't give up. Get all the help you can with this, don't lie down and take it. Find your gumption, your steam, your WILL and keep at it! Please!!!!! I don't know what to do or say to help, but I'm sending prayers and big (((((HUGS))))) to help you along.

We are making progress over here! Today he went poopy in the potty. Yay! We went to Wal Mart and he picked out a "rocket ship" which is really a fighter pilot plane with a pilot you can put inside the cockpit with the dome cover? You know what I mean. He loves it! He was so proud, we called Daddy and everything! Then later he pooped his pants. sigh. oh well. It's progress. 3loves, congrats to your little man! He's doing so GOOOOD!!!!! I know what you mean about being sad, though. It's amazing how fast they grow up. Shed a little tear or two, then think about all the money you are saving on diapers, and soon, pull-ups! Then smile and grab him up and kiss him all over his sweet little face like you could just eat him up. Love that giggle. He's still a little boy, don't worry! ((((hugs)))) Paula and Amy, how are your little guys doing?

Okay, I think I'm going clothes shopping tomorrow night. When I get back, I'll either be depressed and mad, or I'll be excited and motivated. Either way, I'm betting I'll be in the mood for a jump start. So, My Body Fat is 38.5%. What's up with that?! That's over 70 pounds of fat on this poor ole ragged body. 70 pounds?!!!!!! I know I'm supposed to have SOME fat, but 70 pounds?!!!!!! That's more fat still on me than weight I have lost so far. Geez. What's it gonna take?! I went to Curves tonight like a good girl, and even took a brisk walk when I got home (I LOVE the time change) for about 30 min. So an hour of exercise today...cardio AND strength-training. Good, huh? Yay! But the whole body fat thing has me frustrated. It better start gong down, and I mean fast!!!!! Haruuummmph! ((((big ole squishy hugs)))) back 'atcha P'nut!

Amy, the apron removal I think is called a panniculectomy. Maybe google it? It's not the same as a tummy tuck, and would get extra skin out of the way, making it much easier to move and get your exercise in after you are banded and losing. I don't know how much apron you have, but I don't think it's a bad idea or a waste of money...it's YOUR money, of course so it's easy for me to spend, huh? LOL When you are closer to goal, then do the body lift, tt, etc. It's NOT a bad idea, though! Let us know what you find out!

hehe, unique taste, indeed, but Oh so good for you! Elisabeth gave you good advice, call your doc about adding some soft mushies to your diet. Runny mashed 'taters, cream soups, Cream of Wheat. Also check out the "Food Stages" Sticky in the food Forum. It has lots of good ideas. You won't feel like this forever, Flash. Hang in there. Editing: I'm rethinking the use of the word "soft mushies". You need to look for "Full Liquids" at 1 week post-op. Anything you could sip through a straw. Check with your doc, though.

Oh Yeah, the dog food aisle is my FRIEND!!!! I regularly stop there to lift a 50 pound bag. I have lost about 60 since my high weight. WOW! I love it! Then I lift a 38 pound bag and know this is how much I still need to lose. It keeps my eye on the prize. LOL

Oh no..."i'm scheduled for a fill" and "I am starting to get some acid reflux" in the same post?! Talk with your doc about the fill, even if your weight loss has stalled. You just had major surgery! If you have any reflux, a fill may NOT be a good idea right now. Let us know how it's going, okay?

Oh yeah! Sometimes ignoring the scale is a good thing! Nice work! That'd be my diagnosis. With what's been going on recently, I'm thinking you might be a bit distracted? I know when I get sloppy with my eating, even with a "valid" reason, I PB more often. It's hard, but your band is forcing you to take care of yourself! I'm in "no man's land" with a fill these days. I cold use one, but I really need to get my head in order and I'd do better. I'm planning to wait it out and see about a flouro fill in a few months, just to get a visual on my band. It's not an endo, but it will do. Hang in there, keep an eye out for reflux, and be a good bandster girl. I'm sorry about the drama, it must be hard. (((hugs)))

Amen! I had to fight the frumpies Easter morning. We had a super busy day. Hubby and I both play handbells at our church, and we rang at the sunrise service, then again at Worship. I also kept the nursery and having 2 young children myself...well, it was hectic. BUT, Christ arose!!!!! Hallelujah! Keeps life in perspective, huh?! :amen: Happy Easter everyone! Beauty, you'll be on Onederland before you know it! Well done! And P'nut! LOVE that BMI! Excellent work! You know that just a few more points (below 40 BMI) and you will no longer be in the Morbidly Obese range. How cool is that?!!!! Those are good milestones to keep in mind as you lose. I started out at MO with my high weight...well, check my stats (I'll leave my sig this post so you can see how my BMI has gone down with my weight) but it's a great "marker" for weight loss! You e-mailed me the formula when I panicked over the weekend with no LBT, but I just use a BMI calculator on my doc's website. The calculators are all over the web, and I'm hoping someday Mr. Alex will put one here on LBT. Beats crunching the numbers! LOL Anyhow, great job!

OMGosh, I was starting in on the DT's!!! I even e-mailed P'nut since she was on my list recently...I just needed to make sure you all were real! It did get me to thinking "what would I do without LBT?!!!!" Sad, sad, sad. I could just hug all of you for being HERE when I logged on today!! So, we had well over 24 hours of server updates, huh? Any changes you all have noticed?

Flash, post your surgery date and food stages...aren't you about 2 weeks post-op? I was very fatigued, too, when I couldn't eat very much. I did Egg Drop Soup and it helped alot. Keep up with your protien drinks as best you can. I also drank alot of chicken broth, but it's not as hearty as the egg drop. Can you do cream Soups yet? Hang in there. You'll get your energy back. There's nothing wrong with a 3 hour nap at this stage, especially when your calories are so limited right now. High protien, high calorie, even good ole high fat stuff will help. Healing, not weight loss, is the goal right now.

LMBO Just how did I manage to "acquire" you as my baby band sister, anyway?! LOL Sometimes I feel as though I'm a nosey big sister attempting to lead and guide someone perfectly capable of handling things on her own...like I stalk you all over the board checking up on what you are doing and how...making sure it meets my approval or something...which is NOT the sense I want you to have!!! I hope I don't drive you nuts just because I helped you when you were scared post-op. If you hate what I say just ignore it, okay? And don't stay up too late, and be careful who your friends are, and don't drink and drive. :Banane04:

Yes. Try some mushy chicken or tuna salad with crackers. Small bites, chew well, see how that goes. And check the Food Stages thread for more ideas. Moisture is the key. And I like Jack's idea (when do I NOT?!) about letting your mind be okay with a cup of food. Get into the bandster portions mindset. It's helpful. I was so danged determined to "feel normal" about my eating (after being sooo tight) I didn't embrace the waaaaay smaller portions. Most times, a cup really is enough. With solids, though, 1/4 cup may do the trick. Start learning those hunger/satisfied signals...pay attention! You will learn alot. Good luck and go get 'em! :Banane04:

YES! Wash liquid NSAIDS through, and do whatever it takes to get a pill/cap PAST the band while it dissolves. Dont' take chances having a pill sit on the band. Make sure it gets washed through. Here's some ABC's and pics from my 3yo son, who likes your pirate... :help: :clap2: :mad: :hungry: :faint: :kiss2: :huytsao :Banane04: :mad: that'd be the ABC's, clap, smile, Breakfast, letters, kiss, robot, snap, and the click (???) from Tyler. Glad your headache is gone!!!

Heh, yep, plateaus still happen. Take a look at my "Slow Loser NSV" thread and see my weight loss journal post on page 1. Here's the link. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10252 Don't worry, I'm not always a good bandster and I'm not one to be very tight at all. I like being able to eat, now! So my fill level is intentionally not too tight. This accounts for at least some of my slow weight loss and long plateaus. That, and my wrecked-to-pieces and shot-all-to-hell metabolism after years of abuse! LOL Anyhow, my reality may not be yours. But yours may resemble on occasion, as with your 2 up, 2 down thing you got going on. You CAN do better than me. Our journeys are all a bit different, so no worries. Come on Mo! Let's lose some weight!

Amy, never heard of Cantu. I'm a happy Dr Kuri patient. And I think you are getting good advice so far. Research well! FYI www.beliteweight.com is Dr Kuri's web addy if you need it.

I'm cracking up because poor Joe is in there snoozing while I'm on LBT...what's wrong with this picture?! Anyhow, we had a little rondevous LAST night after midnight, so technically, I got me some. :Banane04: Gotta love that kind of cardio workout! Beats Billy Banks by MILES!!!!! LOL I love being married to my husband. It was meant to be. And he bought me tulips today. awwww! Super weight loss everyone! :clap2:

flash, I e-mailed you. I thought you were a girl but above you mention a wife...you could still be a girl, I guess? but I'm thinking you are a guy. Are you a girl or a boy? LOL And I think the Maalox Max is good advice, or just Milk of Magnesia. Either, but Maalox Max has the acid-reducer with...hadn't heard of it but it sounds like it might help. Walk walk walk. Make sure your sips are small. Let the Fluid trickle down slowly and easily. Good luck!

I LOVE this question because you are over the hump, baby! You did it! You made it! And you didn't have to get your band removed and you aren't going to die of some wierd band problem and you don't have to sit around analyzing every little sensation and you can drink what you need to stay hydrated. You are a normal bandster! Yay Leener! Yup, I'd say you are right on track! :banana: