mousecrazy

If you're going to weigh all the time (I can't make myself stop!), you are going to have to adjust your brain to accept normal (yes, normal!) fluctuations in body weight. You are not going to lose every day. Not. You will even gain on some days. You will stay the same weight for weeks, possibly. Then, your weight will drop a few pounds. I know everyone is not the same, but I think these things are universal. Don't get all worried about things that are normal. I know it's hard not to, but trust the band, and work with it. You're doing great!

Hurray! Hurray! I am so happy to see your happy little face and signature here tonight! I am proud of you and praying for your comfort and rest, and healing! You are now a "lapdancer" as my funny DH calls all of us, no offense. I think it's funny, too! Beanie, I'll look for that chapter. If it doesn't make it, I'll PM you the addresses again, maybe I wrote them down incorrectly? Glad to hear that the NJ storm wasn't much of a problem, if any. I guess we like toa dd a little drama to weather freport now and then...a simply beautiful day down here! High of 69, blue skies and sunny. I don't know about ya'll but I just feel 100% more at east knowing Eileen is safe and sound and on drugs, er, um, proper medication. Good night, everybody! Hugs, Cindy

GREAT pictures! What a difference a year makes! Congratulations! Cindy

Hey, Beanie? I don't have your chapter yet? You're probably busy...but wanted to check to be sure you knew, or see if it's in cyberspace somewhere. Can't wait to hear about Eileen!!!! How's the weather in NJ? I think I heard you all were having a big storm? Nothing much different here...same school, same kids, same grading! I'll check back later for a weather report! Cindy

Zippity-doo-dah! I've been thinking about her since 4 PM yesterday...hope the storm up there isn't interering with anything! Welcome to the bandland!

Great idea! Keep us updated (one in a while, not obsessively, LOL). I can relate to what you are saying because if I focus too much, I will drive myself crazy...I even sabotage myself sometimes. Good luck with your modified plan!

I have eaten candy bars in the car, and hid the wrappers to throw away somewhere else. I have made a bowl of ice cream in the middle of the night, and made sure the dishes were washed up and put away so no one would know. Most of my eating is done out in the open, except for the sneaky candy bars. Things I haven't done because of my weight...those are more like activities...less swimming or boating (those darn suits do not hide enough!), or not hiked up a hill, or not walked as far or done as much as I would have liked to. I have pretended the seatbelt was buckled on a plane, when, in fact, it couldn't Great thread, and reassuring to see that we all mistakenly believed we were really getting away with something, when, in fact, there is no such thing.

Just off the top of my head, I'm guessing it's not WHAT but HOW MUCH. It is hard to recognize the "soft stop" warning; for me, I feel it sometimes, and ignore it, because the food tastes so good I don't want to stop eating it. Is that happening, do you think? The band is kinda like computers...you get out what you put into them! I get pain if I put too much in... Just a thought. Hope it helps, Cindy

I've been there. I'm sorry for your loss, and it is a loss. He is in doggy heaven now, running and playing with all the others, and some of our human angels are handing out treats like crazy! Let the angels you know comfort you, too. Hugs, Cindy

Hi, everyone! Just checking in to wish Eileen a great banding, and happy recovery. I understand your feeling about your DD, but remember you are doing this to give her a happy, healthy mommy, with a better chance of a longer, healthier life. How old is your DD? Try not to get too freaked out and dramatic. It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay. Repeat as needed. Love and hugs, Cindy

Get it for post-op, and you'll probably need for a week or two. Some people need it every now and then afterwards. I haven't used it since the first month after surgery...but the gas pains after the operation were the one and only thing that truly caused discomfot for me. I am not extremely sensitive in the area of pain, so the port incision pain was uncomfortable, but didn't cause me extreme pain. It does for some. In all abdominal surgery, lots of gas in pumped in to separate the parts so they can see them better...that gas "travels" around until it can be released from the body...almost always up to the shoulder. It does get better. I also bought some baby tummy drops, which is just simethicone in liquid form, and you only take a couple of droppers at a time. You might like that. Hope this helps, Cindy

Welcome! Glad you found us and came out of hiding! I lurked around for a few days before jumping in, too. Couldn't have chosen a better place to learn, get support, and make some great friends! Keep posting! Cindy

I'm in the holding pattern at my new weight of 249. I am happy with that. I may meet your challenge when you posted of losing 10 by Thanksgiving...I'll have to check back, but I think I've lost 4 since then, and we have 7 weeks (I think). PinkMary, you've lost a lot of weight! Keep after it! Cindy

Way to go! You're a big loser! Doesn't that sound funny? Keep up the good work! Cindy

Hey, it's going to be just fine. Your nervousness is completely normal; it would be weird if you weren't, right? I had the same doubts and anxieties as you express, and all my friends around here assured me it was going to be okay, and it was. I bet there are very few people who totally and completely follow all the rules all the time. I know I don't. The reason the band works for me is because I follow the rules most of the time, and if I don't, the band is right there to put the brakes on it! I enjoy having brakes, for a change! You can ask all day what people eat and how much, and the info is useful as a frame of reference and experience, but only you will be able to determine what is okay for you, and what your band will tolerate on any given day. It is a learning experience and a journey, and you will be very happy with your decision, I predict! Good luck Monday, post when you feel up to it. Cindy P.S. Get some kind of liquid Gas-X!

Good morning, all. DH took the early shift, taking DD to church at 7:30 for set-up and rehearsal...I get to leisurely arrive at 9:40 for brunch, then my nephew and I will watch her play in the last service. Eileen, Ivan brought up a Very Important Point: "Before" pictures! The day before my surgery, my DG took 3 pictures: front, side and back. Then on each month anniversary, we take the same pictures. I save them in a folder on the computer call "Lapband progress". I am taking my 3 month pictures today. It is amazing! While you can't really "see" your progress, those photos don't lie! One thing I noticed especially was on the "back " view, where you can actually see that my neck is thinner! Those are measurements women just don't think to take! Beanie, I'm gonna PM you my work/home email addresses, so you can email me your chapter...I am looking forward to it! Maybe you can mentor me in a direction to write mine? We'll chat and discuss my possibilities. Love to you all, Cindy

Robin, where are you? I sent you a PM, in case you haven't checked it. I"m a former Al-Anon member, also. Great orgnization, and I learned a lot. Between that and God, I have a whole new life. Good luck, Cindy

Becky, good luck! And if you don't mind, I'll cross my fingers AND say a prayer for you! Please let us know what you find out! If you need anything, let me know; I think you're fairly close by, Cindy

Eileen!!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!!! I couldn't get on here last night (no time, it's DD's birthday weekend, and it all revolves around her, OF COURSE!) and so when I got home this evening from Birthday, Round 2, and saw your great news, I jumped for joy! OR, I would have, but my feet hurt from wearing my cute high heel clogs! Let's just say I am jumping for joy in my heart! I can hardly wait, and I know you are excited. Don't get nervous. I feel like I know you, and you'll take the whole thing in stride. I'll say special prayers for your health and guidance for the surgeon. If your surgery is scheduled for 4PM, you should be home and resting by 9 PM at the latest, right? BETTY---you were in SANGER!!!!! The next time you do that, give me a call. PM me for my cell number....You were right here in my town. Now today, I was in Denton, at my dads for the family party, but I'm usually around. It would be great to meet up sometime. Let's grab BEANIE, too... I'm excited about your book, Beanie...I'll edit for you just for the fun of it! Don't judge my skills based on these posts, because here I am just having fun, and writing like we talk, okay? Like Beanie said, get that GAS-X or something like it...that was my biggest problem. And, it will take some practice to find the right way for you to get out of bed. I watched a lot of TV the first couple of nights because I couldn't sleep for more than 3-4 hours at a time, without needing to take a pill, or get a drink, or go to the bathroom! But, pretty soon, all that is over, and you are back to 100%. Tomorrow is a long day, but fun! The weather is beautiful, sunny and cool (not cold). I think I"ll wear my new cheetah print skirt and a sweater to church! Hugs to all, and I'll check in tomorrow night, after Birthday, Round 3! Good night, Cindy

Kathy, you are the coolest! I have enjoyed reading everything on here! Thanks for all the good ideas, and pointing out that it's the little things that count; in fact, they add up to ONE BIG SUCCESS! Cindy

It goes like that for me, too. I just survived a month of no scale movement, before this week...yet, in that same time frame, my pants were getting baggy, I had to move the 22's forward to the front of the closet, and people were commenting on how much weight I'd lost. Some smart lady around here wrote about "back fat" and I think she's onto something...we have fat stored all over the place, and fat doesn't weigh much, so you can lose just a little fat on your neck or back, and the scale won't move, but you'll look better, and your clothes will be loser. It made sense to me. Cindy

Chichigirl is right on the money! Too much apologizing for mistakes that are made by everyone, skinny or MO. Acceptance of self is a step to change. You made decent decisions, how much more can one ask of oneself? Good job, and good luck with the fill! Cindy

Seriously, I used to despise the term "Morbid Obesity" until it came to being covered for my Lapband sugery! Now, it's music to my ears! Cindy

Hang in there...and keep asking questions. These insurance companies count on people taking their first answer....ask again. I was BMI 45, no comorbidities besides joint pain, like you. My insurance co. covered the surgery at 70%. All insurance companies are different, and if there is not an exclusion, you may well be in luck! Cindy

Thanks to whoever bumped this thread so we can check in on each other! First of all, everyone is doing great! Isn't it great to feel successful at the weight loss thing for once? And know it isn't going to go away? I'm going to tell what is my "overall" weight loss, from a highest weight of 285. Now, I am 248, so my total loss is 37 pounds. This does not match my ticker, because I started it at 282, my weight at my consultation before surgery. I have lost about 4 inches pretty consistently at every body measurement, like chest, waist and hips. I am two sizes smaller than I was before surgery. Definitely, my weight loss has slowed from a very fast rate at first, but I've only had one fill, by choice. I'm learning to work with the band, and straighten out my head hunger. I need a little wiggle room to do that. Keep on going, July bandmates! Cindy