the best me

Tyler update...tinkling is no prob. He likes dong that part and if he doesn't have a diaper on, it's usually good! Well, execpt when he's distracted. He tinkled in the church nursery today! But, no luck with the pooping. Time to get the toothpaste! I'm not pushing it. I wish wish wish we could just stay home for a week and run around naked. I KNOW that would work! But real life is getting in the way. I have every confidence we will make it, so we'll keep plugging away! All this advice gives me a vision and some great perspective for where he is in this process. Thanks everyone. I'm so encouraged! Even though it's not happening overnight.

Okay Melissa, you are 35 so it's time for your basline mammogram. I had mine at 35 and they found a fibroadenoma (benign solid tumor) in my right breast. At 40, it had grown a little so they biopsied it, still a fibroadenoma so it's all good. Now I get mams every year. Welcome to aging! LOL Get that Mamo! Don't waste time, especially if you can feel your lumps. It's probably nothing but don't take chances! Post when it's scheduled cuz I'll be on your butt about regular Mamos, kay?! You, too Dianne!!!!

You HAVE been busy! I love reading these little tidbits about your life. That bra is GORGEOUS!!!!!! I can't wait to see a pic of you in it, with your costume on. You belly-dancin' thang! I'm really, really looking forward to hearing about your tests. Git 'er done, Vinesqueen!!!!

susan this is your thread, so post away! It doesn't have to be lapband related, it's your LIFE! and it's bigger than just your band. I can't relate to the pain you suffer, but I'm still interested. Please keep your pain issues above the board! Lots and lots of folks read and don't post. We all benefit from one another, no matter what our personal issues. I'm glad you are able to get what you need from this wonderful board. Your chronic pain struggles posted here are a great way to help others at the same time. (((hugs)))

I'm so ashamed, we DIDN'T!!!!! Sigh. Breakfast is a hard bandster meal to enjoy out. It was yummy, but I was stuffed and we had 2 stuck/slimes today! I like the idea of the food Court...coffee, smoothies, whatever we need is handy and we can walk the mall! I may bring Rachel that day, especially of Karah comes! It's a nice change of pace, and I think we penciled in a May date for Ruby Tuesdays? One thing at a time though. April 22nd coffee/smoothies at the Carolina Place Mall in Pineville. 10am? I'm there!

Yay Jess! Prayers on your behalf spoken from my heart tonight and all day tomorrow! I'll be looking for posts that you are home and healing, so until then, peace and good health, wise and strong doctors, and very little pain is my prayer for you! Can't wait the see the pics!!!!!!

Mo, you should go ahead and start a Thread or Journal of your NSV's, your Non-scale Victories to keep you focused on the wonderful things happening with your body and life even during those times the scale doesn't move much, if at all! Blood sugar readings improved is a WONDERFUL accomplishment! How cool is that?! WTG! I lost 4.4 pounds in March. Yay! Here's to a great April everyone! Welcome to 'da CLUB!!!!!!!

Awww, you are so sweet!!! It's hard to believe it was a year ago. I love my band. I did the Dog food thing at the grocery store the other day. I usually find a 38 pound bag, but this time, I found a 50 pound bag! OMGosh!!!! That thing was heavy! I have lost about 60 pounds in 2 years. 20 on my own, 40 with my band. How in Heaven's name was I able to carry all of that extra weight around?!! It blew me away anew! It's fine to give your friend my number. I'll be glad to talk to her! No pic from today! I thought about it as I pulled out of the parking lot. Kim had to scoot out for Curtis' party and me and Melissa talked a bit, but we never took a pic! Shucks! We had a nice Breakfast though. Happy April everyone! I'll have my 9 year wedding anniversary this month, too. Lot's of celebrating, and Easter, too! Here's to a wonderful April. No more illness, no more frumpies, happy marriages, healthy frindships, and consistent weight loss for everyone! Yay!

Sounds like being Home is feeding your soul. You make me smile!

Big Thanks to your BIL for his bravery and commitment to our country! Congrats on the Purple Heart, what an honor! Thanks for sharing.

Okay, I have begun my journal. It's been a heck of a year with my band, but I'll start with my weight as far back as I can reasonably remember and go from there. I love looking at the numbers. So this isn't about NSVs for me. It's stats. It's seeing where I've been, and remembering how far I've come. My One Year Bandiversary is approaching, and I have measurements, weights, dates, milestones for my Journal. They are currently on posts all over this board, or on little pieces of paper in the pencil drawer in the kitchen, or on big sheets of paper tucked away all over the office in my home. I will gather, sort, organize and post my little numbers game here. I can't wait to see it all done!

He's doing it!!! He has had Superman undies on all morning. We left at 10am and went to Mrs. Lady's house and stayed there till almost 1pm. He tinkled on the potty (the toilet, no potty seat) there once, no accidents. I'm waiting for the poop. We drove home and he went down for his nap with no diaper or pull-up, just the undies. We'll see how he does. I think he needs just one good poop in his pants and he'll be more inclined to sit on the potty for that one! I hate to hope for an accident, but that's how they learn. We are going out for pizza tonight for supper, then to see Grandma at the nursing home. We are NOT doing diapers! But I think he'll be fine if he will just poop at home this afternoon. If he poops in the potty, we are DEFINATLEY getting a Monster truck or Spiderman at Wal-mart tonight! I hope this stays fun and doesn't get exhausting. My baby is getting so big!!!! :cry:

Hey! He was 3 in Feb, so 3 and 1 month. He's still young. It's just that Rachel was all done with all this at his age! Boys and Girls are sure different. I think at this point I'll work on no diapers or evil pull-ups during the day, and a pull up at night only till he gets a clue about getting out of bed himself and going potty. That's just over his head right now. And the potty seat converts to the seat that sits on the toilet. The bucket part comes out, of course, and the seat part locks onto the big toilet seat, and the bottom part turns over to become a step-stool in front of the toilet. Very handy! I guess I'm letting him call the shots for now. He's most comfortable sitting on the potty seat, but the potty world is getting bigger. And I really prefer that the poop go in the toilet! So it's a flexibility factor at this point. I'm ready for anything! LOL The weather is turning, and today might be a good day for Tyler and Daddy to water some trees. SOME things about going potty need to be fun! And Rachel and I bought Tyler a little fishing pole with magnet fish for 2 bucks at the store. I have it handy for reinforcement today! No pull ups or diapers all day today!!!!!! That's the goal. And we are going to work today at Mrs. Lady's house for 2 1/2 hours. He can do it!

3Loves, here's what I plan to do when we get to the poopy thing...and I know this is an issue because he has barely pooped since I slung that one onto the floor...Glycerin Suppositories. It sounds terrible but I think it will work. Here's my opinion, feel free to disagree anyone! Get the infant sized gylcerin suppositories. When you KNOW he has to poop, sit him on the potty and tell him Mommy will help, don't worry! Put that thing up in there gently and hold your finger over it so it stays inside for about 30 seconds. More if he can do it. You want it to melt a bit. Then say, "are you ready?! Go poopy! Go go go!" and it WILL comes out! They HAVE to push with that thing up in there! Then the poop comes out too, nice and easy, and they did it! Yay! Big party! I'm thinking this kind of takes the mystery out of it, it's a bit of guaranteed success. My daughter was scared to death to go poopy. She didn't want to sit and grunt and moan at Day Care (I went back to work for a bit when she was 2...dumb idea) so she would hold it and hold it. For days! By then it hurt to go. So she wanted to keep holding it in. So we did the glycerin supps and it worked. She hated it, but I had to explain that it isn't healthy to keep your poop inside, it needs to come out! God made our bodies this way, just the way it's supposed to be to work great, and holding it in was not healthy. If she didn't go on her own, I had to get the supps. Now she sits for the longest time having a ball in the potty, singing, thinking, going poopy! Anyhow, glycerin supps are on my list for the poopy issue, when we get there, that is! Tyler tinkled in the potty this morning. Last nights diaper was a little wet. Not bad. He has on Superman undies this morning. I'm gong by the consignment shop for a dozen more pair today. I only have 3 pair right now. Happy potty-training everyone!

Sparkling, you are very fortunate that your post-op is going so well! It's ideal that internal swelling go down quickly and you are left feeling like nothing has happened; feeling like you could eat a pizza. Don't worry, it's most likely not a slip. You are one that won't feel much restriction at all until you start getting filled. At this stage of the game, you need to follow your doc's post-op eating plan and let that band heal. Don't eat things that make your tummy have to move alot. Give it a rest. You need to concentrate on eating things to keep your hunger at bay. Keep those mushies in you, don't worry so much about weight loss, just get through it until you start getting fills and you WILL feel the difference! I'm glad you are back on the mushy track!

Okay gang, I have been reading with great interest all of your posts and perspectives. It's so helpful! Thanks already for your input. Here's how it's going. It's Wed morning (yesterday) and we have the whole day at home. So I get hubby and Rachel off to work and school, turn around to Tyler standing there in the kitchen, and say to him "Are we gonna tinkle in the potty today?! Let's be a Big Boy and use the potty! We're gonna wear BATMAN underwear! Yay!" So I bend over and kiss him and hug him and get his pants to his knees, unstick the diaper tabs, and whip off that soppy wet diaper right there! Only to find out he pooped and I just slung it across the kitchen floor. I pick up the poop, get him cleaned up and into his BATMAN! undies, go back and disinfect the floor (sigh and gross!) and we have a GREAT day! He tinkles in the potty (Yay and Wow and High 5!!!! We are gonna hafta go to Wal-Mart and get you a big ole Monster Truck with BIG wheels!) on and on. And he even takes his nap with undies, no accident. I tried to get him to pee on the potty after nap, but nothing. We drive to pick up Rachel from school, get home, he wets. Hubby puts on a pull-up (we gotta get on the same page...this is part of the problem. Hubby and I don't disagree, we just aren't communicating. I talk so much to you all, what do I need to talk to him for anyway, right? Sad, huh? LOL ) and at bedtime I take off the pull-up, barely wet, he tinkles, and goes to bed with a nakie butt. I don't know why he wanted to sleep with just a shirt, but he did and I let him till a few hours later when I went in and put the diaper on him. I couldn't bear the thought of wet sheets in the morning. He's not there yet on getting out of bed himself and going to the potty. Now it's thursday morning. Diaper is barely wet in the morning, and he tinkles on the big potty since daddy is in the other bathroom with the fan on. :confused: Undies all morning, and then we go to church for a Ladies Bible Study with childcare. I'm prepared with change of clothes and pull-up if he has an accident. He does. Ms Joy asked him every 15 min if he needed to go potty, nope, and he wet his pants. Too busy with all the other kids there! So the pull-up stays on in the car, he falls asleep on the way home and takes a nap in it. Daddy is home when he wakes up, I have gone to pick up Rachel from school, we go grocery shopping, to the bank, and don't get home until almost 6pm! All afternoon, he's outside playing in the pull-up and Daddy's not helping AT ALL! He didn't tinkle all evening till he got in the bathtub. Geez. This is wearing me out. I like the no-bullsh!!-ing approach, but we seriously aren't home for a week at a time. I have a little part-time job 3 days a week sitting with an elderly woman and Tyler goes with me. THAT's an issue. I could take the potty seat, but he needs to sit on the big potty, and he did do it once, so I know he can. Then the whole pooping thing... It's gonna be a loooong next few months. But if I have bought my last pack of diapers and wipes, I'm happy. We are muddling through it. Every day is a fresh start with a new approach. It will all come together and I'll know what to do, and then I can be consistent. Until then, it's a crap shoot...pardon the pun. Thanks everyone, I'll keep you posted, and keep throwing out your funny stories and advice. There are LOTS of us going through this!

Okay, just checked the calendar and it's 10 days banded...STILL!!!! LOL

Huh?! Waht's that, 9 days banded and you are eating pizza?!!!! I could just wring your neck! But I'll hug it first. Sparkling, you are healing. That's why your port is sore, you were hard on your newly placed band. You probably haven't slipped, but you'd better get your soon-to-be-skinny-butt back on your doctor's post-op diet right now! Go blah about eating a slice of pizza AFTER you have healed and you will get understanding and encouragement. Less than 2 week post op gets you a small but loving thrashing. :confused: Step away form the pizza. Follow your diet like a good bandster! ((hugs))

Okay then here's my advice. The band loosens up with weight loss. We have fat all through us and when fat comes off around the stomach the band will loosen and we need another fill. So, if hubby isn't trekking back to TJ for an unfill anytime soon, then he'd better adjust his diet and start counting some serious calories. I have a theory about the steak/chicken stew dliemma, but I'm not a doc, a nurse, or anything medical, just a bandster so take it for what it's worth. He eats steak successfully one night. Chews well, goes down fine, but he's been hard on his stomach. It's tight, and now he's a tad swollen from the hard to get down meal, even though it went down. So the chicken stew comes along, and the band sends it back from whence it came, saying, enough already! You are overworking me! I'm thinking hubby needs to get a visual on his band and eat foods that avoid ANY small amount of swelling, which will cause the next meal to come back up, which causes more swelling, the vicious cycle continues. Which is why the week of liquids worked. If hubby can count the calories of very mushy and liquid foods, don't over do it, drop another 20+ pounds, he may be able to work with his then-loosened band a bit, and work more solid foods like steak and chicken into his diet, then start eating like a big-boy bandster...solid protiens first, then veggies, then anything else if he's still hungry. My guess is that right now the solid protiens are causing swelling because he's overfilled. The problems with all that are 2 big risks: 1)erosion. chances are increased with too much band restriciton and 2) slippage. Lots of PBing (Productive Burping...when the band send the food back up) increases chances of slippage and that is not good. He'll need a complete unfill for a good while, at the least, and emergency band removal, at the worst. I can point you to folks who have experienced this, if you need. Anyhow, long post just to say that I think hubby is too tight, and if insists on staying this tight, he needs to adjust his eating correctly to avoid band damage. Do you want some links to other threads that might be helpful? Or have I said enough for now?! LOL Good luck. Thanks for helping hubby be a good bandster!

LMBO. I love that you and Rachele are still here. Thanks, as always, for the balancing perspectives, ladies.

You have every reason to be soooo proud! Fine young men, both of them! I just want to read your son's T-shirt, though! "I like to let my mind wiadspoitqeor but it never comlkasd;fhoihen" Huh? Will you fill in the blanks? LOL Luv 'em up, good, Penni!!!!

Hey Lisa! How are you? What ever happened with you and your fills and your doctor? I have wondered about you. 55 pounds is so cool! I am down about 40 from banding, 60 over-all from 2 years ago. It's a long slow process but I'm totally happy so far! Good to see you here!

I'm 5'5" and 183-185 these days and still in an 18. They are loose (the ones I have anyway) but I still can't get into a 16. It's the lower-belly-I-could-use-a-tummy-tuck that's keeping me in an 18, but even then, my butt and thighs are substantial enough that a 14 would be SLENDER for me! My 14 is someone else's size 8. Okay, 10 or 12! LOL Anyhow, I know how you feel. Curves are yummy!!!!! (keep saying that :confused: )

You did it! Yay!! Welcome to bandland!

Okay Janet, my opinion is a bit off the map from Anwyn and Strawarts but I'll throw it out there anyway. I have heard nurses talk about this CO2 gas pain being consistent in just about all patients having lap surgery, whether it's gall bladder, hernia, whatever. I think post-op CO2 gas pain is real but it doesn't last 6 weeks. A week, maybe. The body is pretty handy about getting rid of it, so no, I don't think you have CO2 gas issues. The other typical band surgery gas is bowel gas. The stuff that causes constipation, the toots, the farts, the burps or the non-burps, or anything bowel-related. We all react differently. And THAT can last much longer then the CO2 gas/shoulder thing. I DO agree that it sounds like referred pain from the band in the diaphragm area. But I think you might be too tight. That's my honest opinion. This pain happens around eating times and after, when your stomach has been busy churning. Ouch, it says! An unfill would make it a bit easier for your poor ole banded stomach to get food down past the band and avoid the pain of the referred pain from the diaphragm. Did you know that the top part of the stomach above the band squeezes and churns to force food down? That's why reflux is a big bandster prob, if the food won't go down, it gets forced up into the esophogus. Not your issue, but if you tummy is working too hard, and I think it's telling you just that...I'd ask for an unfill and give your healing a few more weeks before trying again for more restriction. I hope I didn't miss something in your post. Otherwise, my theory might just fall apart. But that's what I think anyway. (((hugs)))