lindata

So I ate a bite of something, didn't chew well, took a big swig of water - big mistake. Did I forget I was banded or something? Started PB'ing on my way to pick up my son and m-i-l. I had to take along a "to-go" cup so I could spit into it on the way. Yick! It is once again a learning curve. I believe I'm at or almost at proper restriction - I mean who knows what a sweet spot is until you get it, right - and I'm having to relearn to take small bites and chew. There were months there where I could eat "normally" so I lost my newly banded ways of eating.

Thanks steph and Lizzie. Your explanations did help!

Jachut, I really appreciate your input on this as you're one of the "oldies" on this board. You've been there, done that, and you're alive to tell about it to everyone else. :redface: I know how people on this board who have been here for a while get tired of hearing the same old, same old, but you're one of the rare ones who care enough to share your thoughts (in a nice way!) to us newbies. It is greatly appreciated! Cathy, take it from me, don't start eating the junk once you've been off it for a while. A little bit really will hurt you like it has hurt me! Shortgal and Jachut - you are very right about having an actual driving force behind your motivation, a real goal, other than just losing weight. Something to strive toward. I was on the phone with my s-i-l tonight who looks pretty damn hot after getting banded and she was helping me get back into gear as well. I've been exercising, but not as intense as I should or could. I know with more intense exercise, I will crave way less junk food, and it will all naturally fall back into place again. I'm going to start going to an actual gym (instead of working out at home), scheduling workout times with dh to look after my son, and get the ball back in the game. Thank you all SO MUCH for all your insight, wisdom and motivation. I feel like I've purged myself of all my bad vibes and I can start over again. Linda, a.k.a. reformed bandster

So do you want to look like Jillian or more like the Apple lady at the top? I don't have any huge aspirations, just want to look "normal". I want to blend in. I don't care if I have a bit of cellulite on my legs or butt - like every other woman on earth. I'm not into huuuge muscles but I'd like to be somewhat toned. I'll definitely show off my curves though - unlike Apple lady at the top. What's your goal look? Are you reaching for the "Iron man" look or to be a certain size or a certain weight? How will you know when you've reached your goal?

You're right not to have any of the foods in the house. I'm glad to know I'm not the only all or nothing person. I will take your advice and do a few of those things. I started reading The Secret and quit, but I'll have to dig it out again. I think I've kind of created a false image of myself. I think I look better than I actually do so I don't feel like losing weight as badly as I once did. Now that I blend in a little more when I go out and don't feel like I'm really noticeable, I don't have the urge to lose. But it's the difference between looking adequate and looking hot. And I'm a hottie inside, darn it! :frown:

Needto, I don't know what I'm going to do. I too hate having spent so much and gone through invasive surgery, for cripes sake, and I still can't control myself. I just have to dig in, find the willpower from somewhere, and completely cut the junk out. I may need to borrow Kendra's boots.

Got my first bill for fills. I had expected to pay $175 per fill. That's what they said it was going to be at the seminar. But they also tacked on a $53 office visit fee which was never discussed. Another clinic I phoned said they just have a flat $100 fee, whether you fill or not, so obviously all docs are different. I'm quite angry that this $53 fee was never discussed. And since my doc will only do .5 cc at a time, and I'm only at 3 cc's, it's gonna take a while for restriction = major moola. That's my main gripe. This is just an aside. I was supposed to get 90 days free fills. I mentioned that to my doc last time so he got me in a little earlier to cover that 90 days (as it was getting close to 90 days since my operation). I was actually booked for a fill 3 days past 90 days but figured the doc moved me earlier due to me asking about my free 90 days, so I thought all was Kosher. No, apparently not. When I phoned the person in charge of billing, since I was billed for this last fill, she beaked off at me, basically ranted and raved, would not let me get a word in edgewise (this was when I was still talking politely), and would not calm down. She had reacted as if I was screaming at her (which I was not). I told her well, the doc moved me ahead to be covered by the free 90 days. She said it's not up to the doc, it's up to the people at the desk. Well, if the doc already moved me up earlier to "cover" it, I just can't understand what the problem is. I know it's 3 days later, but I thought all docs have a little leeway. Anyway, this is all very confusing probably, but aside from the confusion on the 90 days I'm quite upset at how she was talking to me. About the extra office charge that was never discussed I told her, "FYI, maybe that should be discussed at your seminars." I ended up crying due to how I was treated and my 3 year old son said, and I quote, "You let me come with you to the doctor's office next time and I won't let that happen again." So it was a sweet outcome to a horrible experience with the office lady from hell.

Zipnqueen - sorry for taking so long to reply! I haven't been on this site for a while. I really like Dr. Gibbs. I think he is a VERY competent surgeon. I had absolutely no complications. And in the beginning you think every twinge is a slip or your pouch is distended or whatever "complication" you're reading about on LBT that day, so I'd call and they always made me feel so much better. They just seemed so competent that I never felt anxiety after talking to the nurse. But I would be VERY clear about what the price is. For example, I thought I was paying X for the surgery, then got a bill for blood work. I had to pay for the blood work. This was not discussed. I let that one go. I don't think he's done many lapbands (but that could have changed since I had mine done), but he's done a heck of a lot of gastric bypass (which is a way harder surgery than bypass). I figure if they're excellent with bypass then they're gonna be good with the lapband. The one I did not let go was the $175 fee for fills plus the $55 (or whatever it was) fee for the office visit. It stated very clearly on my forms I should be prepared to pay $175, no mention whatsoever of an office visit. I raised it and kept raising it with him directly until he agreed that I shouldn't have to pay it. Now that they've "learned their lesson" I guess from me, I would assume they're going to put it very clearly in their forms exactly what people have to pay. The reason they gave me for this flub up was that they're used to insurance-paid people doing it, thus they don't really care what they're being charged because they're not paying out of pocket, whereas people who pay it out of pocket DO care and it matters very much what is actually written in the brochure. Dr. Gibbs told his nurse that "we've got to change this" meaning the brochure they give out. So I'm just assuming they will change it to include the office visit fee. If you still want to pay that much, go ahead. I really, really like Dr. Gibbs. Like I said, he's very competent, but very busy (but then what doctor isn't). Another thing I did not like was a LOT of info on the band I did not get from the seminar or the brochures I was given, but right here on LBT. I've come to realize most doctors give out waaaay more info than I got - but then again I didn't go to Dr. Gibbs' seminar, I went to his partner's seminar (can't remember his name right now). I know Dr. Wellborn has free fills for, I don't know, 1.5 years, and then $100 thereafter (fills, including office fees all for $100), but I did NOT like that he wasn't in a hospital setting. I felt way more comfortable being in a hospital for my first ever surgery, in case something went wrong and they could hopefully "fix me" sooner than in a private clinic setting. I understand your nervousness. I was a basket case and crying and shaking. Then they put something over your mouth to breath in and you don't remember a thing! I would try to get a private room if I were you though. There was no end of interruptions due to the very old lady next to me through the day and night and I didn't get the rest that I should have. I guess the thing is you have to be your own advocate. So make sure you nail down your prices, and make sure when you're in the hospital they're actually doing what they're supposed to - I had to insist on getting those leg bands which help circulation. I kept saying, "Aren't I supposed to have those leg thingies by now?" and they kept looking for them, and then forgetting about me, so then I had to keep asking ... Any more questions? I think I've exhausted just about every avenue! haha Good luck on everything! Linda

Oh, I HATE that!! We live in a neighbourhood where our mailboxes are in these little "houses" on the front of our lawn. All the people with the little rat dogs (can you tell I hate little dogs? I've got a big one that scares them all away, by the way!) come and STOP and intentionally let their dogs pee all over my mailbox! I NEVER let my dog do that. It's so gross. People think their stupid little rat dogs are so cute. Guess what? They're not! They look like rats! For my dog to eat! Which he actually tried to do last week and we got a vet bill for it too ... but I digress.

Thanks Lizzie!

Hey shortgal. Thanks for your reply. I can't ever treat myself or I get out of control, period. Not even one measly Hershey kiss (and I don't even like Hershey products!). It was a huge struggle before I was banded, but once banded I then was eating according to all the rules, BUT THEN realized I could actually eat anything I wanted (due to absolutely no restriction), and that's when I hit the slippery slide down to where I am now. I've got to go cold turkey, and I need a phenomenal reason to do it, and I don't know where to get my phenomenal reason! I am halfway to goal, but the sad thing is I was halfway to goal about two months ago. I keep going up and down the same pounds. Thank you to ALL who responded. I really appreciate your comments and thank you so much for not getting "down" on me. These food issues I have are literally the demons in me I have to fight and I'm glad I can come here to talk to everyone about it, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who is feeling how hard it is to stop food addictions. Well, I mean I wish no one had to go through this, but it's nice to talk to people who understand.

Oooh, I like this one too. Or you could combine sitting on the porch with a shotgun AND a handheld sprinkler which you shoot at the kids (the sprinkler, not the gun). God, I HATE parents nowadays. Kids get away with EVERYTHING!!! ARGHHH! I would write down the license plates of all parents who drop off/stop to wait with kids, go out and let them know you've got their license plate numbers and are going to phone the police for vandalism and trespassing. You could also get one of those audiotapes of dogs barking on them - the ones people get to pretend they have dogs so nobody burglars them - and play it everytime a kid comes on your property. Hmm, can I come and live with you for a while? This all sounds like a lot of fun! :purplebananna:

Hey Annie. Can I ask if you're following a specific diet like from a book or is it stuff you've gleaned from various sources? I'm interested.

Name............Start.............Current...............Goal.......... ...To Go Momto1plus1....223...............220.26.....................210....... ...10.6 Hollyberries......267...............267.........................257... .........10 Skinny_Jill........180...............177.........................168.. ............9 Shalee04.........196................195.........................185... ...........10 Mariegabrieleee..250..............244..........................239.... ...........5 lindata ............189...............189.........................184...............5 Okay, I HATE challenges! I HATE THEM!!! ahhhhhh!! :purplebananna: But I've acceeded that I need this, badly. So please take me and do with me what you will ...

I know many people are looking at this and thinking I'm crazy for just getting the band not too long ago and eating crappy food. I just hope everyone has compassion when reading this and can be understanding. I thought a lot of my junk food problems would go away with the band but obviously they haven't, and obviously the band lets me eat a LOT more junk than I should. Quite frankly I'm not sure what to do anymore. I've tried so many things to help me stop eating junk - acupuncture, hypnosis, different diets, but it is literally an addiction for me. I hope to stay accountable to people on here. Now you all know, I hope I can get support. I'll probably start that challenge tomorrow (and I HATE doing challenges! haha)

Thanks Lizzie. I think we have a lot of the same issues around junk food. I have to stay away completely - kind of like alcohol and an alcoholic. The band doesn't control me at all with junk food either. But the best thing I love about the band is when I fall off the wagon I never gain back 20 pounds which is what would have happened pre-band. Now I might gain back two which is absolutely manageable. That's what happened these past two weeks - I ate absolutely horrible and I was cringing when I hit the scale and I only gained 2.5. I couldn't believe it. Now I have to find the strength to stop eating the junk again. How do you do it? Tomorrow I'm stopping cold turkey and going from there.

Longhorn, if you can't focus on a book, get lots of those juicy magazines on movie stars. They're brainless but lots of fun - and can get addicting!

Okay lizzie, my girl, you and me have got to talk. I need your opinion. I feel like I'm not at restriction because I can still eat a lot in one sitting but yet I slime really really easily if I don't chew until liquid mush. Did this happen to you? How did you know when you were at proper restriction? Or am I at it now? I thought I would know but I don't! And when you say you get discomfort if you don't chew well, what does it feel like? When I don't chew to liquid mush it hurts going down and i feel like I'm ruining something down there. Can you help me out? :purplebananna:

I'm thinking of you, Longhorn. Keep up the positive thoughts. The boot stomping visualization really will help. I've heard of people meditating and visualizing their cancer being eaten up, etc, and it has helped them. Visiting is always hard - you always try to be on your best behaviour. Well, I try but I don't do a very good job! It's nice to be home and be able to breath in your own space and "let your boobs hang out". That's what I do as soon as my m-i-l, who is visiting, goes upstairs to bed, I take that bra off and throw it in a corner! Just breath, take in the beauty of the spring season, and laugh lots! You've got a lot of new friends here rooting for you. Linda

Hollyberries - wowza! My jaw hit the floor when I saw your after shot. You are one hot mama! Way to go!! And you are such an inspiration to me. You are like a machine. Linda

Close, you don't know who Jillian is?!?!? You are watching waaayy too little TV, girl!! She's one of the trainers on the biggest loser and is mega-toned. Lizzie, the pic of your friend is exactly how I would like to look - except a mid-30's version so I'll probably be way more "droopy" than her. I know I can do it too, because once upon a time I did look like that. Curves in all the right places! sigh ...

You all look so great! Lizzie - you're like an entirely different person. I never would have recognized you. Beautiful - before AND after. Linda

Oh wow, I didn't think of it that way. I've lost my 3 year old son in weight!

Here's something just come to my e-mail box today from a natural news e-letter I get - I think it's naturalnews.com. Anybody wanna try? 1 Out of Every 3 Women Will Lose hair When a woman begins losing her hair, it is usually due to a condition known as androgenetic alopecia. The result of this form of hair loss is a thinning of the hair in the top, and front areas of the head. Androgenetic alopecia is hereditary and can be inherited from either side of the family. It is estimated that about 33% of postmenopausal women experience hair loss that can be contributed to androgenetic alopecia. Additional causes of hair loss in women include, stress, birth control pills, and hormone imbalance. Though distressing, hair loss due to these causes normally only lasts about a year. After giving birth, a woman may also experience some hair loss, and a number of women are extremely shocked when it occurs, but can take comfort in knowing that it is not usually permanent. Permanent hair loss can occur if the hair follicle dies, but if the hair follicle is in a dormant state, there is still hope to stop, and possibly even reverse hair loss. Fortunately there is a way to combat hair loss. Incredible Discovery: A Natural Nutrient Can Stop or Even Reverse Hair Loss Research has shown that by applying a tissue nutrient such as Emu oil, the tissue becomes healthier and more lively. In addition to restoring health to tissue, the regular use of Emu oil has shown to bring up to 80% of the hair follicles out of their doormat state. This allows for additional hair growth, and not only that, the hair is healthier. For hair loss in women, it is recommended that a small amount of Emu oil be massaged into the scalp about three times daily. At least twice a week, a heavy application of Emu oil should be applied and kept on the scalp for approximately 20 minutes, before washing the hair with a very mild shampoo. With regular use of Emu oil, there should be noticeable re-growth within 1 – 3 months. The best part about using Emu oil to fight baldness is that it is a completely natural alternative to some of the more expensive and intrusive treatments available today.