TexasBecky

Michee, you look wonderful. Congrats on your weight loss!

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems. How long have you been having these symptoms? Have you spoken to your band doc? I think you should call your doctor first thing tomorrow. You definately should be checked out. Good luck.

Hi Pizzi! I've been thinking about you and wondering how the move went. So glad you are enjoying the change. You look wonderful (and so happy) in the pictures you posted. Keep checking in. That's the great part about online friends. It doesn't matter if they move. I got in an hour of cardio and lifted weights this morning. Have a great day Crazy Ates. Crazy Ates MayExercise Challenge 7/20 Cardio Sessions 2/8 Weight Training __________________

OMG Salsa! You just blow me away. You've turned into a real athlete. You must be so proud of yourself. I know I'm sure proud of you. Keep it up! Dave and Jody, I don't understand how your weight can be stalled as much as you both work out. I think you need to just stay off of the scales. They lie, lie, lie. I did my hour of cardio this morn. I plan to be back posting weight training later today. Crazy Ates MayExercise Challenge 6/20 Cardio Sessions 1/8 Weight Training

Candle, you look wonderful! Congratulations. All your hard work has really paid off.

Well, as I've been making phone calls and faxing copies of reports I am trying to tell myself the same thing. This is just a minor inconvenience for me. Others do have much more serious and pressing issues. If this doesn't work out on my time frame then so be it. It will eventually work out. My lap band doctor wants me to come in, but not until May 21st. The plastic surgeon wants me to be seen sooner so that any other necessary testing can be done well in advance of June 12. He actually said he'd call my lapband doctor and see if he can't see me sooner. So again today, I'm waiting on a doctor to call me back. As I type all of this I really do feel like I need to just calm down and see what happens. In the scheme of things, this really is no big deal. Thank God I'm not waiting on a call from an oncologist about some life threatening situation. Frangi, thanks for helping me to put things in perspective.

Being average is sooooooooooo good! I've finally started throwing the plus size catalogs straight into the recycling bin, but I do still find myself wandering through the "women's" department. I get a little thrill knowing that all those things are too big for me.

Frangi, I was posting at the same time as you I guess. It sounds like we are both having a frustrating time of it right now. I'm not good at waiting either and I have the same fear about my timing getting screwed up. I hope you are able to get it sorted out tomorrow. I hate to go through another weekend with so many things up in the air.

Awhhhhhhhhh Jody. That is the sweetest post. You always make me smile with your kind and generous comments. You've made my day more than once. I agree, this is just such a smart, funny, hard working group. You've all helped me find my way. Ok, on to my pre-ps testing. When I did not get a return call from my doctor by 4:00 this afternoon, (after calling his office twice today) I just called the facility where I had the CT scan done and said I'd like to come pick up a copy of the report. The place is only about 10 minutes from my house so it was no big deal. The good news is that the lungs look good - nothing to worry about. The bad news is the report says that a "hiatus hernia is present". It goes on to say, "the proximal stomach is cephalad to the lapband appliance at the gastroesophageal junction. This is an unusual appearance for patient after lapband surgery.....Endoscopy or barium swallow is indicated." Of course, I've still not spoken to my doctor so I'm not sure what to make of this. I have absolutely no symptoms of any problem and I just had a fill with fluoroscopy in February with no signs of any problem. I am thinking that this radiologist does not know what a lapbanded stomach looks like and he only saw a limited image of my upper abdomen anyway because the scan was really of my lungs. None the less, this now is going to require that I follow up with my band doctor, blah, blah, blah. Frangi, I feel your pain. I just want to get this all resolved and move on. My surgery is just a little over a month away! Thanks for letting me ramble. I'll keep you posted.

:Banane44:Yeah Frangi. Its another dancing banana event! I'm so glad that you got good news. Keep us posted when you know more. :frown::Banane44::tt2::Banane44::Banane44::Banane44::Banane44: I haven't heard a word on my CT scan. I take it to mean that there is no urgent reason to call me. I'll be calling them tomorrow.

Hi Babs. Glad you stopped by. You've come to a good place for support and encouragement. There are several of us regulars here and many others who check in now and again. As you can see, this group has been fabulously successful with the band. I can't help but believe that some of that is because we do support each other and share ideas. There are also many, many success stories on Lap Band Talk in general. I was so encouraged by the success of others when I first started. I hope you'll find a connection here. Hi Judi, Glad you checked in too. I check your blog pretty regularly, so even when you're not checking in here, I feel like I'm keeping up with you. I'm glad things are going so well for you (except for being overworked). Making new, good habits is wonderful isn't it? Be sure to fill us in after your trip. Did you ever find some swim suits?

I did an hour of cardio and strength training this morning. Crazy Ates MayExercise Challenge 5/20 Cardio Sessions 1/8 Weight Training

I just finished my hour of cardio. Sounds like its been another great exercise day for everyone! Crazy Ates MayExercise Challenge 4/20 Cardio Sessions 0/8 Weight Training

You are all so insightful. I do think it helps to talk about these issues and work through them. This is not exactly a subject that I feel comfortable discussing with just anybody. The fact that we are all dealing with the same issues is very comforting. When you are 100 pounds overweight it just can't help but shape practically every aspect of your life. I too regret all the years wasted with obesity controlling my thoughts and limiting my actions. I can't get back those years but I don't want to waste any more time being, looking, or feeling fat. I want my body to reflect all the changes I've made in my life. I don't expect it to be perfect, just normal looking and an accurate reflection of my actual size and weight. I think that is a perfectly reasonable and healthy attitude.

Frangi, please keep us posted as you learn more. I do hope that it all comes together perfectly for you. I had my CT Scan this morning, so I hope to hear something tomorrow or Wednesday. I want to get past all this so that I can really start to get excited about my upcoming ps. I know you must feel the same way Frangi.

That, my dear, deserves dancing bananas!:Banane44::thumbup::Banane44::smile::Banane44::blushing::Banane44::Banane44::glare::Banane44::wub: CONGRATS! You're doing great!!!!!

I did my hour of cardio today. I'm hooked on the energy I get from a good workout. I'm the last person I thought I'd hear saying that, but its true. In the class I just finished I learned that I now fall into the "active" lifestyle category. I no longer have to check the box that says "sedentary". That's another big NSV for me. Keep up the pace everybody. I'm going to try to kick it up a notch too. I want to get as fit as possible before my ps. Crazy Ates May Exercise Challenge 3/20 Cardio Sessions 0/8 Weight Training

Yeah Boo Boo! You've worked so hard and waited so long for this. Since you already look fabulous the ps will no doubt make you feel as great as you look. Best of luck to you.

Frangi, I agree with Jody. That was a great post with really valuable information. You should consider posting it on the main PS thread so more people might see it and benefit. I'm sure others would be interested in following your story too if you don't mind sharing with a broader group.

I see everyone is off to a good start. I'm late checking in, but you know I'm in for the May challene. I'm sticking with my regular routine - 20 days of cardio and 8 weight training sessions. I'm also just being an all around active gal. I've been spending alot of time working in the garden and doing some serious spring cleaning. I plan to get everything in shape around here (including myself) before my PS next month. I'm really focusing on getting stronger now. I think it will help with the recovery. Salsa, I'm glad your foot problem isn't too serious and you can keep up your training schedule. Good luck finding a pair of running shoes. I know it will be worth the investment. Go Molly & Frangi!! You girls are going to see the pounds melting off with your new running program, not to mention how great you're going to feel. Dave, I'm sure your weight loss has slowed down because of all the muscle you are putting on. Stepping up the exercise is a great way to bust a plateau. Good luck. Jody, I'm sure you didn't really gain 2.4 pounds. The salty chips and the wine make you hold extra Fluid. You'll be back to your pre "party" weight in a couple of days. Sometimes you just have to let loose. I had wine Friday and Saturday night! I did my hour of cardio yesterday and today. Crazy Ates May Exercise Challenge 2/20 Cardio Sessions 0/8 Weight Training

Yes, I'm having some issues with this. I think its pretty common, since most American women have distorted body images regardless of their size. When I've got my spanx on (the ones that go up to the bra and down over the thighs) I feel pretty trim. But without a shaper I still feel very heavy - especially when I'm sitting down and the excess skin spills over my waist band. I know the plastic surgery will fix that issue, but I also think it is just going to take some time to adjust to the difference in body size. We've had a pretty dramatic change in a short amount of time. Yesterday I went to the dermatologist that I've been going to for about 15 years (damned psoriasis) and her nurse didn't even recognize me. When the doctor came in they just went crazy and called another nurse in to see me. I know if people are reacting this way, I really must look dramatically different. None the less, if I don't feel happy with my size after the ps, I may talk to a therapist. I don't want to be one of those people who is never satisfied. It has always irritated me when my thin friends complain about all their flaws.

Fabulous Post! You're going to inspire everyone who reads this. Being at peace with food is the best prize of all. Well, maybe the flat stomach is. Congratulations on this huge accomplishment!

Thanks everyone. I think I'm in somewhat of a state of shock that all this has/is happening. I'm anxious and I'm a little bit afraid. I've just encountered a little bump in the road. My chest xray revealed an area described as "a patchy infiltrate" on my left lung. They say it is likely scaring from some illness years ago, but they want me to have a CT Scan just to be sure. Of course this adds another dimension to my anxiety. I'm scheduled for the scan on Monday. I know Frangi posted on another thread about a medical issue that has come up for her too. It leads me to believe that high malpractice insurance premiums have forced doctors to be overly cautious in all their testing. I hope that is the case and that both Frangi & I really have nothing to worry about. I guess we'd rather them be overly cautious than miss something important. Candle, I know what you mean about the clothes. I really do hate that I still have to look for shirts long enough to cover the tummy. I can't wait to tuck in a shirt. I don't think we should have to carry around a constant reminder of having been obese. There will still be plenty of reminders - that's not something you can forget. We deserve another chance. In my mind plastic surgery is a small price to pay.

OK, I'm scheduled!! I'll be getting a lower body lift and medial thigh lift on June 12! Less than a year since my lapband surgery. I never imagined that this could be possible. I am thrilled. I just can't tell you how blessed I feel to have been able to get banded and now to be able to have PS. It is all a dream come true. I am soooooo grateful. Don't get me wrong. If I could not have PS I would still be a happy woman. I've hated my body for years. I always felt like my body was my enemy and since losing 100+ pounds it really is a wreck. But, if I look past the saggy, flabby skin, I can see muscles and feel bones. I have a waist, and hip bones, and my legs still look pretty darn good. And in a cute new outfit, nobody knows what a mess lies beneath the clothes. I'm amazed that this old, abused body has responded so well. In spite of all the damage I've done to it, my body has cooperated completely with my decision to change everything. How could I go on hating it? The plastic surgeon gave me a list of pre-op testing that he requires to clear me for surgery. He said that many of the WLS patients that he works on are malnourished to some extent so he ordered all kinds of blood work to check my Iron, folate, prealbumin, Vitamin D, etc., etc., etc. I saw my primary care doc on Monday, so he went ahead and did the lab work (it took 6 vials of blood for all the crazy stuff he checked), chest xray, and EKG. The nurse called today and said that all of my blood work was normal. I try really hard to eat well, so I was going to be shocked and disappointed if I had some kind of deficiency. This is so exciting for me, because 100 pounds ago, I assure you my labs were not all normal! On May 12 I start my pre-op diet. Yes, the PS has a pre-op diet! Thankfully though, it isn't about losing weight or shrinking my liver, lol. He just wants me to add Protein supplements to my regular diet to aid in wound healing. Salsa, didn't you say your PS does that too? Ok, enough from me for now. I just wanted to share my excitement.

Salsa, be careful with your foot. If it is still hurting, don't push your luck. It could be a sprain, but it might also be a stress fracture. Probably not, but you don't want to make it worse and set yourself back for a long time. If it hurts don't do it. Jody, I'm glad you got back out on the trail. Life gets in the way sometimes, but the important thing is that you got right back on course. You may be losing more slowly than some, but you are losing and getting fit. So what if it takes you a little longer? You are still going to get to goal and in the mean time, you are making some great new habits. Keep it up. I just barely made goal this month. If I hadn't pushed myself these last few days I wouldn't have made it. I did cardio this morning and just finished weight training this evening. See you all next month on the May Exercise Thread. Crazy Ates April Exercise Challenge 20/20 Exercise Sessions 8/8 Weight Training Sessions