giveyouthemoon

Hey Heather and Kelli! Well color me SHOCKED. I had my appointment with Dr Cirangle and he was actually NICE to me! Wow. He came in the room, started looking at my file and said "well, you are doing really great". I said "uh...huh? Wow. This is going better than I'd expected". He says..."you've lost 80 lbs in 9 months, you don't think that's good?" I said "*I* think that's good...but last time I was here you got on me about not losing ten pounds a month." He sort of shrugged that off, said "yes...well....anyhow, I'm happy with your rate of loss. Honestly, if you'd lost 40-50 lbs in the first year I'd call this procedure a success. It's good for me to see how much you've lost. It lets me know that it's possible for band patients to have results that are near what bypass patients get but with mush less invasive procedure. It also shows me what results are possible when people really use the band as a tool and don't expect it to do all the work." It ended up we had a really nice visit. We talked about lots of things...what to expect as I near my one year mark and other stuff. He was actually...um...NICE. Wow! He must have put the crack pipe down for a minute. This is only the second time (out of about ten times I've seen him) that he was decent. And when he's being decent he can be really interesting and articulate. Just wish he could be like that more often. In other news....I noticed that the way he spoke to me was far different than in the past. This just furthers my theory that Dr C doesn't like fat people....he treated me with more respect and deference than he ever has in the past...even the one other time he was nice to me. Sort of a strange profession to be in if you don't like fat people! And so it goes on with our respective crack head doctors!

It's cuz when you exercise you lose a lot of Water....when you sit about you don't. Yes, pee should be as clear as possible, it's the best sign of good hydration!

Here is one post on the subject...http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12506&highlight=naming+band But yes, I've named my little band. Her name is Katrinka, but we call her Trink. Her name came from the image I got when Jack called his band a little silicon fist. That made me think of a little tiny petulant ballerina so I went with a Russian ballerina sounding name. Thus Katrinka was born. The few people in my life that know I had surgery know her as Trink...and it's funny, they talk in Trink terms. Like the other day, my sis had a good meal and she and her hubby were saying "yuum, Trink would like this!" My boyfriend is forever asking me "Is Trink happy? Is Trink feeling ok?" and we refer to certain foods that work well as Trink food or Trink friendly. I figure if Trink is going to ride around in my body, we may as well be friends!

Vines.....you have done nothing but give beautiful advice and guidance to everyone here on this board, myself included. You give...and give...and give....maybe it's time for you to receive some of your own brand of love and support. Vines....this lap band thing? It sucks. I mean really...it blows. Big time. And there is nothing more frightening that that feeling of "I. Give. Up." Been there myself. I'm fighting demons I never knew I had and some new ones have cropped up. So girl...talk to me...what else is going on in your life? You are the most gall durned determined human I believe I've ever met. It's odd to hear this sound of resignation in your voice.... Are you tired? Stressed? Overworked? Need a vacation? Need a hug? Need a kick in the pants? I can provide some help on some of those. What's else is going on in your life girl? Talk to us. Know that you are loved and supported right here. We're your family. No not the crazy unhinged one that causes you more stress than good. Nope, we're the ones with hinges in place and worried look in our eyes wondering how we can help our sister stand up tall again. Talk to us......

Hey Kristin! Glad you were able to take a look at the patterns. Those durn demons of the eating disorder sure will find a way. Just a preview...the first thing my therapist did was to remind me that an ed is all about control. She asked "what feels out of control in your life" because my ed is always far, far worse when I have those ol' out of control feelings. For me...this time....honestly things seem to be going pretty well in my life....and I'm so used to being crapped on....so things going well actually scares the sh*t out of me....so I'm working on this stuff. It's a lifelong job to keep those ed demons at bay. I'm here if you want to talk!

Oh I'm one of the a couple times a week PB'ers but I'm working REALLY hard to reverse this trend. I started with a goal of just one day without a PB and managed to make it to eight days. Today I blew it, PB'd on some salad. Sigh. Tomorrow my "just one day" begins again. For me....eating too fast and eating the wrong stuff is key. I also PB when stressed from work or upset (had quite the episode when I got into a spat with my boyfriend over breakfast). Also, I'm VERY prone to PB when I have PMS and all the way through my period. So I have two weeks a month where I've been known to PB on a liquid! A liquid!!!! Also...if I let myself get too hungry to where I'm *starving*..the combo of probably eating too fast AND my tummy feeling tight from being so hungry is a damn near lethal combination. Can I just say I'm glad to see so many chimed in with the couple times a week? Sheesh, I thought I was the only one!!!!!

Ok...I'm super super in touch with what you are saying. I am a recovered bulimic but I have to admit I've recently been going through a similar thing. I eat too fast, too much, wrong food and of course I PB. I got to the point where I was doing this two and three times a day. I finally had to realize....it was the same old demons, they'd just found a different way. Now...you don't mention if you have had an eating disorder in the past. If you haven't....then I suggest that you are just in rebellion mode. The ol' "I can eat it if I want to!!" mode and fighting your band. I understand this. We all go through it. If this is the case, well...you have to sit down with yourself and decide what this band means to you and rededicate yourself to your goals. If you have had an eating disorder in the past....get thee to your therapist now. This is what I had to do. Got a mental adjustment and the rampant PB'ing stopped. Good luck. You've gotta find a way to give your band a rest from all the vomiting. I started with a goal of going one whole day without doing that. I was lucky enough to string eight of those in a row. Today I blew it...but tomorrow starts "one day with no PB" again. We're in this together.

Oh now that's funny!

Ok, now that is just funny. Oh the mental images I have!!!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I had to do a LOT of between meal Snacks to make it through at first....then over time that issue just went away. Like I said, your body will adjust over time. But in the meantime...YES, keep snacks handy. I've found when I get overhungry that my band really gets finicky and I almost always PB cuz I'm eating too fast (since I'm starved). So then it's a bad deal....VERY hungry, can't eat cuz I PB'd, MORE hungry and now upset. Oy! Keep a snack! Don't get into that crazy loop!!!

I came down firmly on the side of the straw. It helped me to sip and not gulp my protein drinks after surgery. I guess "your milage may vary" applies here...so if you think a straw might be nice, give it a try!

I had that problem when first banded and eventually it went away. It was like I was full in the small stomach but the big stomach was VERY hungry. I think your body will adjust over time......

Loooooove Pike Place Market. Was just there in Feb. Good stuff to buy! They have a Mexican import store that I *cannot* pass by. They have oh so very much of my money!

Well...I've told me surgeon a couple things and he's said "that shouldn't be happening" and I just look at him like he's the most profound man in the world and move along. As long as I'm not in major pain or suffering...I figure that skinny MAN doesn't know what my fat female body is feeling..... That and the big needle issue......

Just to add my .02.....this is EXACTLY what my surgeon said is the cause. So we have a dr confirming Alexandra's discription.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I PB more than I should. I've been REALLY fighting things lately. The old "I can eat anything I want" syndrome and not chewing enough. I'm my own worst enemy. So yes....when I PB it normally takes multiple trips to get it all out. I have tried the ol' finger down the throat but to be honest....that doesn't seem to help....I can't explain why, but a full on induced vomit doesn't always dislodge the stuck thing. It's a different process than a PB. I've found...and I probably shouldn't tell this...that drinking Water works better. It hurts like hell to add some water on top of the stuck thing, but the water often helps get the stuck thing unstuck. I HAAATE to PB...so you would think I would do it a lot less eh? I'm still a work in progress. For today, my goal is go to a week with no PB and build from there... *sigh*

Wow! I mean....WOW! That is really incredible. I'm also a chicken about PS but I can't get over the results you are already seeing!!!! In the first photos, your shoulders are kind of slumped but in the after photos you are holding your shoulders back! I love it!! Walk tall my friend!! You are beautiful!!!!!

Yup, I've seen Dr Feng when Dr C wasn't in the office (they trade off months for being in the SJ office). Yeah, for a while I actually favored Dr. F because he seemed so much nicer....until he ripped into me one day....and that smiling ass chewing didn't sit too well with me. Dr C just is surly from the get go....lol! So I see Dr C next week....gonna have to toughen up since my loss has slowed quite a bit lately..... Yup...and Dr C is tall and *skinny* too. Neither of them, from all outward appearances, have had weight issues. For a while I thought that Dr C just didn't like fat people. I figured he was in it for the money....but one of the ladies at the LAPSF monthly support group meetings says she goes in every other week (she wants her value for the money she paid) and says that when Dr C gets surly with her, she asks him "why are you talking down to me?" or "why are you so upset?" and he will quit and she said then she actually gets some good support from him. Gonna have to remember that.....

Ok Kelli...best to just brace yourself. The surgeons at LAPSF have a sickness....they want us to be anorexics. Just set your gut for the fact that he *will* have something to say....just smile at him condescendingly when he does....get your fill....then go home and comfort yourself!!! I've often said in regards to my surgeon.....In real life...I'd NEVER let that man lay a hand on me...and yet somehow I let him cut me open. I try not to think about such things. I have an appointment to see the evil Dr. on the 19th. Remind me about the advice I just gave you....prepare for him to be an assh*le and hope for the best......

You know what? I honestly think that this is a happy thing....the coincidences in the show you watched are too strong. I think your husband is sending you a little sign...just a "hello" I think. Smile and know that your beautiful man did and does love you very much. Now wipe those tears, beautiful! Now....about that trip to see your daughter! How fun! Let's focus on that, ok?

Well wouldja look at that? You are one pound less than my starting weight. Yup, I had issues with pee leakage when I was so heavy. Not so much when I stood up, but when I coughed or sneezed or laughed hard. Yup, lots of little leaks. Nothing wrong with my "stuff" either, it's all how it's supposed to be. It was because I was carrying about 140 extra pounds. I've lost 83 and yes, it's made a *significant* difference!!!

Yes, that's what I'm seeing. A group wants the FDA to pull it but I doubt that will happen anytime soon. Ok...honestly..splenda is "made from sugar" and they use, of all things, chlorine to split the sugar particles....not exactly good stuff....that being said, I'm standing by my little yellow packets!!!!

This is probably really appropo of nothing...but I've disclosed before that I was a raging bulimic for about 10 years.... In the heat of it there was a website that I used to frequent that was populated with anorexics and other eating disordered girls. The anorexics *swear* by Metamucil for curbing hunger and helping them to feel full. Odd bit of endorsement I know. But I guess that means it could work if taken in reasonable doses....I tried it a few times but it makes me poop so much it's hard to consider taking Metamucil very often......

Ah yes...he IS a crackhead. That OTHER crackhead in the practice...Dr C also gave me a ration of sh*t for a 6 lb loss in a month. This was back in January when I had to get an unfill. He harassed me about the unfill AND he harassed me about not losing enough. I lost really fast right after being banded and after losing the first 70 lbs the loss slowed considerably. I still thought that 6 lbs in a month was great but Dr C thought it wasn't right. And yeah...I had *quite* an altercation with their so called "nutritionist" over the 800 calories a day thing. They can BITE ME!!! I said to that tiny chick "don't you think it's a lot to expect a 300 pound woman to eat 800 calories?" And she just looked at me like *I* was the idiot......

My parents were married 46 years. Now, I can't say they always had the best marriage but they stuck it out together to the end. When my dad passed last year, my mom was devastated. So after a memorial for my dad, I asked my mom how they had ended up together....they often seemed at cross agendas. My mom's reply was something that sticks with me..."we just had so much in common. Our backgrounds were similar, our families were similar, we worked for the same company....he just always understood." Don't know if that helps...but it's something I've spent a lot of brain cycles considering lately.......