mousecrazy

The best thing you can do to prepare is to read, read, read...EVERYTHING! Use the search feature. I did that...found some lists with stuff that sounded good. Liquid gas medicine was a big plus, liquid Tylenol (Sore Throat...not that you'll have a sore throat, but it's in liquid form) and sugar-free popsicles, applesauce, yogurt and protein drink. I like Atkins. Carnation Instant breakfast is good, but doesn't have as much protein. A heating pad. The mental prep is more important. Be sure you have a few days that you don't have to do anything big...you won't sleep that great and you will be tired. I have spent lots of time on LBT, and have learned most everything here. REad the good stuff, and the bad stuff. Ask questions (like you are!). The hardest part of being banded is just adjusting my thoughts...and being patient. Good luck! Cindy

Congratulations, Patty, on your new position! Goodbye's are hard, but you have go through them to get to the next place. Good luck! Anne...hope your DD is doing a little better today...strep throat? That can be tough! So far, DD does not have pink eye. I am at work right now! yea. Betty, it's your turn now...now that we have all our body parts back (from Beanie's "crossings"!) we can cross them for you! It's fast and furious here...when I'm out a couple of days, their world doesn't rotate! Later, Cindy

Jan 11, 2006, Wednesday B: coffee and Zone Perfect L: Zone Perfect S: Zone Perfect D: Lean Cuisine frozen meal, ice cream:rolleyes Water: 12 oz I don't even want to talk about exercise. I took my vitamins and calcium Cindy

:clap2: CONGRATULATIONS, BEANIE!!!!!!!!!:clap2: This is the best news so far this year! It might even be the absolute best news of 2006! OH, that's YOU dancing in your Santa hat! Life is good. :high5: Hugs and more hugs, Cindy:girl_hug:

Calm down. One baby step at a time. Panic will not help you, right? Do ONE thing. Just ONE. If you feel overwhelmed, that will just fuel your desire to eat. You know what to do. Hugs, Cindy

Great NSV! I hadn't thought of that one, but you're right! Cindy

DEFINITELY! Get a fun substitute ring for now...but if you love your real wedding rings, get 'em sized more than once! You deserve it!

Good for you! Do you mind me asking...what size did you start, and what size are you now? I love to daydream about stuff like this, so inspire me! Please? Cindy

I'm so excited for you, I don't know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I can uncross everything now, and finally breathe a sigh of relief. I'm so excited I might just burst into a round of aerobic exercise! I'm proud of you for sticking with it, and fighting this battle. Hopefully, you will have also helped somebody else while doing so! Congratulations, Beanie! Hugs, Cindy

I hope you will consider the following as support; it's meant to be. I know the physical pain you have is something that is just "there." But the emotional pain is something you might consider changing. My suggestion is that you change the way you THINK. Like Jachut said, "dieting" is a term we made up to mean "deprive." Normal weight people do not think like that. WE think like that. WE think WLS is "cheating" instead of a tool that we have chosen to use to help us solve our food problems. The key is to know yourself. Some can have a few bites, some can't. Some like to follow a structured eating plan, some don't. Who are you? What makes you tick? Figure it out, and map out a plan that is right for you. Don't wait on the magic bullet. Like the Good Witch in Wizard of Oz said, "You've had the power all along." (or something like that...) Good luck, Cindy

HI, Keri! We have a good time writing to each other in here! So glad you found us! I am home today, because now I have pink eye in the OTHER eye! Oh, well. It's just another day at home... Crossing everything for you, Beanie! Betty, who is wearing tank tops and shorts???? Apparently, someone who would rather show off than be warm! Thank goodness we are smarter than that! Of course, I see girls wearing flip-flops when it's in the 30s...I just imagine they have no idea how to dress. Sometimes I ask them if their toes are cold, and they say, "yes..." with a bewildered look on their faces. Geez. Eileen, work is fun! Right? Ann, (do you have an 'e' or not?) having time of your own is just necessary, I think. ARen't you glad there is some already built in with his trips? I bet Keri would like that! I'm just hanging out today. I'll check back later, Cindy

Hey, Anne, NO I['m in the "who cares" category as to whether (or not) Star, Oprah, or whoever have lost weight due to surgery or some other means. It doesn't matter to me. I tried to post that on one of the threads, but I think I'm writing in some other language...the only part that really concerns me is that "we" (lapband people) are actually confusing having WLS with the "easy" way out...I tried to say that even though we have lapband, we ALSO have to practice portion control and exercise (well, we should!) Unfortunately, this reflects the feelings we have toward ourselves that we have "failed" before and WLS is "cheating." I hardly think so! That's why I don't care. I care lots more about what my friends here are thinking, feeling, and doing than someone I have never met. Dang! That soapbox got pushed down here to Texas; it Is a long jump off of it! Ummpph. I'm getting away from this computer for a while...thanks to all the get well wishes...I feel pretty good except for blurry eyes that burn. Think I"ll just take a little nap, with my pile of pets!

So exciting! I'm experiencing the same thing, just that I am so excited to get into my size 20s! It seems like it's going so lsow, and then - voila! The pants zip up and realize how far you've come! Thanks for posting about your success and inspiring the rest of us! Cindy

Is "pink eye" a Texas/Southern term?...it is really conjuctivitis. It is easy to catch when you are a teacher. We have great immune systems from being exposed to every virus and bacteria and germ on the planet, but we also get stuff like colds and conjuctivitis. Your eye turns red all over, and burns or itches, and when you wake up, it is matted shut with goo or whatever. It's very contagious, so they don't want you at school spreading it around. It is not dangerous, though. Thanks for asking. Cindy

Jan. 10, 2006 Tuesday B: coffee and Zone Perfect L:Zone Perfect S: beef jerky and pita chips D: Fruit smoothie (made by me!) and Zone Perfect Water: 40 oz; lots more coffe than usual Exercise: Vitamins/calcium yes Cindy

Sherry, sorry about your DH's grandmother. Mine passed away in November, and I do miss her. I don't know why you time out...maybe it is your ISP, not LBT? Glad you're in on the chat here, and glad we have made you laugh! Beanie, your dip sounds delicious! I hope you get your band, too! Just mentioned John since he's so inspirational. I know why you want to avoid the obsession-phase...that's all I've ever known, until now. I guess I'm still a little obsessed, though...thus, all my time spent here. But I"m giving this everything I've got, and the support here is amazing! The "hacking off" I was referring to was in the Star Jones post...I was just kinda pointing out the irony of people being upset that she didn't want to tell about her alleged WLS, but also not wanting others to know about THEIRS. Sometimes I am just honest about things, and that is not what some people want. But, I say, it's good for them! Ha! I came home with "pink eye" today. Probably will be home tomorrow, depending on how fast the medicine works! Good night, Cindy

I get email notifications of thread I'm "subscribed" to...which really just means I have written a post in a thread. Otherwise, go to User CP (Control Panel) and pull up a list of your subscribed threads. There you will see all the threads you have participated in. That should help. Also you can set up on the control panel, a check box to receive instant notification via email to any threads you are writing in. Hope that helps! Cindy

Congratulations! I know it must feel amazing! Cindy

Well, I don't know why. I guess we're just not here at the same time...? There is always someone around to help out...I've always felt greatly supported here. Cindy

I've not had any big problems with any particular food. The problem will occur if I am upset when I'm eating (too big of bites, eating too fast, not chewing enough). Anytime I take too big of a bite, and swallow too fast, I will get that pain in my chest, golfball feeling. I don't like the way carbonation feels, so I don't drink it. I have had bread, shrimp, meat of all kinds...never much of a rice eater, so I really couldn't tell you about that. I know it's probably not going to help you, but try not to worry about what will be...I know I couldn't follow that advice, but it's good advice, just the same! It will all come together for you, if you work hard and pay attention to your eating habits and your band! Cindy

Welcome! I have a little girl, too...she's 8. She is a little chunky already...but I also want to role model better for her! Are you scheduled for surgery yet? Where are you in the process? You'll love it here! Cindy

You are one brave woman! I like your style! I just buy one size smaller pants, and keep them in the closet and try them on from time to time. You are much more courageous than I! Cindy

I"m proud of you for taking the risk to be honest with your friend. I know it is hard. When I have told people, I have only experienced truly positive support, and I am so thankful! Good for you! Cindy

1/9/06 Monday B: coffee and Zone Perfect L: Zone Perfect/iced tea D: grilled boneless pork, 1/2 c. mac and cheese S: Zone Perfect Water: 40 oz Exercise: :embarassed: Took vitamin/calcium Cindy

Mandy, I just read your post this morning, but God knows the prayers of our hearts, and I know He knows that my heart longs for you and your family, and especially your DD, will be happy and healthy. I would look this up, but it would take too long, but the scripture that says that God knows the plans He has for you...not to harm you, but to benefit you. You are taking action and getting the help you/she need...you are turning to God and asking for prayer. The teacher sounds like she is in tune with the situation. When my DD was 5, she developed a little OCD in regard to trash (weird), and I have some books on OCD that I read...we worked with her, and now she doesn't have those issues anymore. Never did the prescription, but I know your DD has a different situation with the fever and all that...You have my prayers, I never run out of those! Hugs to you, Mandy! Cindy