hollyberries

Sue Magoo- Big Patriots Fan here! I have decided that the last 2 weeks watching PATS game is not good for the ole "Band". I was sick on Monday night...sick sick sick! I think you actually get tighter when your are nervouse (LOL).

I like this idea from your Doc for eating 15 minutes and then stopping because alot of times I will just finish what is on my plate without regard to knowing if I am full or not. I am sure that once I start having fills and I reach restriction this may not be the case but right now I sometimes know when I am satisfied and other times I do not. Love this idea alot.

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs and a sausage patty from McDonalds Lunch: 2oz pot roast, 1/4 cup carrots, 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes & 1/4 of gravy (left overs) Snack: 2 oz of light swiss cheese Dinner: Taco Salad Snack: SF Choco. Jello and 1/2 banana

Well I got to admit that 6 weeks of liquids is really tough but yes this is the hardest part. You are only one week out and things don't look good right now but trust me in one week you will feel like a million bucks. You may to get creative with your liquids to keep you sane. There are alot of great posts in the "Food" section to help. I am a month out and feel wonderful. I am also down over 30lbs. since 10/25/07 (preop appt). When you see the weight coming off you will be glad you did it right now is way to soon to be happy about it. Best of luck .... oh, and you are normal.

First of all Welcome Chrissy! I agree with Wombat 100%. However, I must add that it is the best decision that I have ever made and how do you think you will feel if you wait a whole year if you could have off a good % of the weight by this time next year. It is a hard decision and one that you will have to pray about. Lord, you see Chrissy's struggle and you know the desire of her heart. Help her to make this decision with you at the forefront. Give her the answer in a clear and direct way so that she will know that you have helped her. Go with her and bring her peace through this whole new direction in her life. Chrissy, I also want to add that I was at complete peace when I made this decision. I had prayed about it and immediately knew that this was the direction that God was pointing me in. I was so much at peace that when I was being wheeled into the OR that I was not nervous one bit. When you know something is from God, he will bring you the peace and strength you need to get through it. Trust in him and you will feel the same kind of peace. Best wishes! Cindy

Carver checking in. Banded at Brigham & Women's by the best surgeon Dr. Lautz. At least to me he is.

Hello South Shore Bandsters! I live in Carver and I have Dr. Lautz at B&W. I just love him. I was banded on 11/6/07 and had my followup last week. Doing pretty good. My first fill is not until 1/3/08. I hope I will make it until then. I too, have not been able to get to a Support meeting. I would like to but the drive is so far from Carver. Best of luck to you all.

So true. Life was a bit easier when I didn't have as much responsibility in the church. I also lead worship and pretty much handle alot. My husband is the sound guy and the guy who fixes everything. Sometimes we feel like we are taking advantage of but we realize that we are servants to the Lord Jesus and that he put us in the positions that we are in. I hate to always have to tell the Pastor to slow down on spending because we are entering heating season; I feel like the Grinch but I know what it takes to run this little church and I know what we can and can't do. He has been pretty good about my military handling of the finances. I had a circumstance this week where my Pastor was asking about carrolling and decorating the church and when I would be able to do it. Because our family has always taken care of it but this year I am in a different place with having surgery and really trying to focus a little on me and this Band. I am unable to do what I could do in years past due to being physically tired. This surgery took alot out of me; more than I thought. What is good is that other people will have to step up to take on some of the things I cannot. The Lord is showing me that I am not superwoman contrary to my belief. I actually need the time to focus on what the Lord has me doing in our Worship setting and on Him. I guess my message in all this is that we have been put in our positions for a reason and God knows that we can handle it and if we can't; our focus must be on Him. I have this saying, "The busiest people are always the ones that get things done." This is so true of my husband and I and sometimes we just get burned out. Lord, you see our daily struggles because we are human. However, Lord help us to see the struggles through your eyes and to hand them over. Not just with our hands holding on tight but opened up for release. Help us to not depend our ourselves but on you, the author and finisher of our faith. Have a wonderful day everyone! Cindy aka Hollyberries

Cagstorm- You are so funny, you actually went to church high. It must have been a good service. I couldn't actually have thought about going to church the first week out. Good for you. Also, just wanted to add a little drama. The Dallas Cowboys can't be World Champions this year because they will have to get by the Patriots who have already beaten them! GO New England Patriots

I so can relate. I was constipated for a week. I was given Colace as a liquid prescription because the doc said that the narcotics can bind you up. However, the Colace did not work for me. I finally took a Correctol; out of desperation. That worked well but I don't recommend it because it was in a pill form. I also tried drinking watered down applejuice. Someone recommended prune juice as well. It will get better trust me. My doc recommended Milk of Magnesia. Good Luck!

It sounds like the Lord is bringing you through some trials. It is through trials that we are strengthened. The Bible says, "Lean not on your own understanding." He has your situation in control just trust in him and you will see how he will take care of it. I can relate to your husbands issue as Deacon of a struggling church. I am the treasurer at my small struggling church and sometimes I wish that I didn't know so much and could fade into the background at some other church. I see to much and wish I didn't. But God has me there for a reason, could be a trial. You will be in my prayers. Remember that He will bring you peace and by the way you are normal for ranting. Sometimes it make you feel better. Have a good night!

Hey everyone! I had surgery on 11/6/07 and had my post-op appt today (delay due to Thanksgiving). My Doc was very pleased with my progress thus far. We even double took with the amount of weight that I lost. I weighed 358 on 8/23/07 (consult appt) and 346 on 10/26/07 (pre-op appt) and 317 11/29/07 (post-op appt). Which means I lost about 30lbs since 10/25/07. He asked how I was doing with hunger and I said that I am satisfied when I eat that I have not had much hunger and only when I have not eaten in a long time and that when I do I eat I am fine. I asked about the shoulder pain. He indicated that it was common because the band may be sitting on a nerve that causes it. It may go away with time and weight loss. He asked how my diet was and I explained that I was following it to the "T". He explained that he thought that I had a small amount of restriction from just the band because I was not overly hungry. He scheduled my first fill for 1/3/08 (5 weeks away). Uggh! Hope I will make it. I hope that I do not get to hungry from now until then; we will see. I left the appt very uplifted and he did say that I was starting off real good and to keep it up. I am already seeing the weightloss slow down; which is what I wanted to happen as I do not want to lose to quickly. I want time for the skin to handle it. I was also told I can't circuit train with weights for 6 more weeks. I can do the treadmill but now lifting weights. I was a little bummed but I understand the time needed to heal. Sorry for ranting I was just excited about the visit. Cindy

Great post cQQlgirl! I agree with you. I was thinking about what you were saying because I sing this song by Ray Boltz called "Thank You" and it is about getting to heaven to see the people that you have touched and they were there to say Thank You! But the greatest gift is when Jesus takes your hand and says "Well Done". Dear Lord: Thank for this day. Thank that you sent your Son to save us and thank you for your Holy Spirit that brings peace in times of trouble. I pray for each everyone of the posters to this thread, I pray that you meet the desires of their hearts and they you show them your love and peace. I pray that you will help us with our "Band" and help us to make the right choices today. Amen "We are more than conquerors (sp) through Christ Jesus." Have a great day everyone and do know that I pray for each night. Cindy

Thank you so much for the advice. Well needed. I have been keeping my diary at Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople. I have found it keeps me accountable. I must admit I have the hungry horrors today, but I went up to the local deli and got 1 cup of vegetable beef Soup and believe or not 2 oz. of deli ham (protein). I agree that I will be super hungry before 1/3/08 but I agree that following the diet and drinking constantly will help. I also find that having a Protein shake once day helps keep me satisfied. By the way, you've done remarkable and my goal is to hit 100lbs. in year just like you. Thanks again much appreciated for you veteran bandsters.

Not sure what is happening with the band but I hope that she will feel better soon. It does take time for the swelling to go down and they are just airing on the side of caution. I am glad that she is staying in the hospital for them to monitor her. I hope that she will feel better soon. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Hey Guys! Haven't had much time to get on but have been praying for you. Just wanted to give you an update; I had my postop appt today and I was so pleased with it. My doctor was very happy with my progress. I saw Dr. Lautz on 8/23/07 for my consult appt and weighed 358lbs. I saw him on 10/25/07 for my preop appt and was at 346lbs. Today, I weighed in at 317lbs. He did a double take and said, "My you have lost about 30lbs. How are you feeling?" I told him that I felt great and that he did a great job. I also told him about the fact, I am having trouble eating Breakfast, he relieve me and said it is quite common with Bandsters. I also told him about my left shoulder pain, we explained that sometimes the band will hit or sit on a nerve that will cause the pain and that it is common among bandsters. It may go away with time or weightloss. I was relieved as it has been really annoying lately. It just comes out of the blue and I cannot even pinpoint when or why it happens. He also asked how my appetite was and am I hungry. I said, "That when I am hungry I just eat and am usually satsified." He explained that I may be having some restriction with the band even though it is empty. I am not sure why but I will take it because I know that I will difficult times. My first fill was scheduled for 1/3/08. Yikes, I hope that I can make it that long without fill. On a separate note, my son Brandon will be having a rather large surgery as part of correcting a Bi-lateral Cleft Lip & Palate birth defect. His surgery is 1/8/08. Please pray that God's hand will be with the surgeon. Brandon is a trooper and God really goes with him and he does remarkable in recovery. However, he gets more apprehensive now as he gets older. They will actually be building a gum line for him as he does not have one (bone graft). They have to take bone cells from his hip to do it and they say the pain in the hip is what is usually the issue. Sorry for ranting but I consider you all friends in Jesus. I just needed a good chat as I was so excited. Lord, you have bound this group together and I pray that you will bless each and everyone of us. Lord, go with us each day that we may live each day to glorify you. Lord, help us to reach one person with your love. Amen!

Lord, today is a new day and we give thanks for each new day that is given. Help us today to live for you and let our light shine to all that we encounter. Help us Lord to look past ourselves and see people in need. We commit our day and lives into your hand. Have a great day everyone!

Lord, today is a new day and we give thanks for each new day that is given. Help us today to live your you and let our light shine to all that we encounter. Help us Lord to look past ourselves and see people in need. We commit our day and lives into your hand. Have a great day everyone!

It is hard to believe that I have made it 19 days. It has been alot easier than I had ever thought. I survived the 2 week Pre-op diet which I thought was going to be hard and turned out to be easier that expected. The surgery went very smooth. The only thing that I thought was hard was recovery. I thought I was superwoman and started to do more than I could and my body told me that I was not ready. I started on Stage 3 of the diet the day before Thanksgiving; so I had something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving..."That I could eat real food". So far the diet has been easy to follow, I find that I am a little more hungry but I can just eat something small and no more than 1 cup of food. I feel satisfied. I do know that this is the homeymoon period and that things will change. I see my surgeon on Thursday for my post-op and I hope that he will be pleased with my 40 pound loss since my pre-surgical visit in August. I lost 24lbs prior to surgery and have lost 16lbs since surgery. I am pleased with the weightloss so far. "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you...." Lord, I can do all things through you. You have given me this Lapband as a tool to overcome my addiction to food. Please help to me to use this tool to help me. Help me today. I pray for all Bandsters that struggle..help them too.

I too, lost 4lbs...in the past I would gained 4lbs so a loss is bonus for me.

Cagstorm, Cute... But...Go Patriots...Future AFC Champs and Super Bowl Champs

Cute... But...Go Patriots...Future AFC Champs and Super Bowl Champs

My prayer is the everyone was able to overcome yesterday. We are overcomers through the Jesus Christ. Scripture of the Day: Romans 8:28-30 (The Message) "God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him. After God made that decision of what His children should be like, He followed it up by calling His people by name, He set them on a solid basis with Himself. And then, after getting them established, He stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what He had begun." Lord, you know the very hairs on our head, you called us by name. How then can we not put our trust in you to help us. Thank you that you set us on a solid basis with you and through you can do anything. Be with all my "Bandster" friends today and help them through whatever struggles they may have to endure today. God bless everyone! I haven't seen much action on this thread...where is everyone?

Congratulations! You are doing remarkable.

Best wishes for a quick safe surgery. See you on the other side.