Dianechef

Wow Paula! Thanks for the wonderful post. I sooooo agree. Just get along!!! We're adults. We can do it. Not everyone is going to agree with everything, so just agree to disagree. As far as not liking the new people giving advice on weight loss. Who cares of they give advice?!?! If it's something that can help you - GREAT!! If not, don't use it. It's that simple. People are going to stop sharing if everyone dogs on them. Just be respectful. :nervous We are all a bunch of people who come here for strength, help & support. People should be able to say what ever they like. If it's about religion, sex or just personal advice on what they think works - FABULOUS!! We all need to simply respect each others opinions. NOBODY should ever attack another person & that has been happening her WAY TOO MUCH!! I am saddened by the amount of people who are leaving. I have come to see this place as my family. When nobody understands me at home, someone out in LBT land always does. Very sad that people are getting hurt & offended. I plan on hangin' around her for a very long time!!!

Hi Everyone! I've had a few people PM me & I thought I'd post what I have to say where everyone can see. :nervous First of all, thanks for the nice comments. I truly do appreciate it. There were several of you who said they were thrilled to see such a positive thread started. One person felt that I was boasting. I truly apologize if it came across that way. I have been a part of LBT for 8 months now. When I first joined, I was looking for posts that would help me reach my goals. I wanted to know what others were doing. I wanted specifics. I read several posts where people told us they had reached a goal & in my mind I was thinking - "Wow!! Tell us what you did! I want to learn from you!" So, now that I have reached a few goals, I am hoping that anything I have to share just might help SOMEONE!! I do not think that my way is the ONLY way, but it is what worked for me. And truly, even if I am boasting, isn't it okay?! I have worked my butt off doing things I have never done before. Working out?!?!? HA!! My family still laughs that I'm actually exercising. It's soooo not me. I have been a junk-a-holic for years. Taco Bell knew me by name. I am very happy that I've controlled some of my addictions. It's still a long road & I will have to continue to work at it the rest of my life. I, by now means, feel that I'm better then anyone else around here. As far as not having junk in my house.......it works for me!! It also works for my family. If that doesn't work for you then don't do it!! My family doesn't feel deprived in the least. They have THANKED me for making meals & sitting down together as a family. Before, we ate junk & it was never around the table. We are all feeling better & have more energy. Again, this is what worked for me. I am only sharing my story. I know there are lots of opinions on this board & I appreciate those who have shared theirs with me. Have a great day!!!

Wow!! Thanks Cissy!!

Thanks Everyone!! Gosh, I love this place!!!!

I thought I'd post a BEFORE picture so you could see the difference. This picture is the day of surgery. (Hence, he beautiful hospital gown!) Again, if someone can make this smaller.....THANK YOU!!! If they were put side by side - EVEN BETTER!! Photonut, are you out there?!?!

HOLY COW! That picture is big!! Uh, can somebody help shrink it a bit?!?! Sorry bout that!!

The pants are Goucho pants. (Did I spell that right?) They flare at the bottom. They look kinda funny in this picture, but they ARE size 16 & that's what counts!!! WAHOO!!

Great question! I had a fill 4 weeks ago & felt it was a pretty good one. However, I was still able to eat a lot more then I thought I should. I called & made an appointment with my doc for another fill. She scheduled me for 3 weeks out. Then, last week I all of a sudden tightened up & couldn't eat a THING!! I slimed just about everything. It took 3 weeks for the fill to kick in. Very strange. I am supposed to get a re-fill tomorrow & I canceled it. So, give it some time. Just wait & see how it goes. These bands like to play tricks on us. :confused:

:confused: HA!! You have a personal trainer living in your home!!!! Well then, you don't need any advice from me. You got all you need in the next room. I'm not sure if I should be happy for you or feel sorry for you. :straight So.....good luck with that!!! :clap2: And, I do hope your jiggly skin improves. :biggrin1:

Hi Nuria! I am from AZ & had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz & loved him! I went back for my first fill & was very happy that I did. They use Florouscopy & I could actually see my band & and the Water going down. It was a perfect fill for me!! As far as what you eat, everyone is different. Some days I can eat bread, other days I can't! I've always been able to eat rice. Here is a list of some foods that I typcially eat. (I only choose one for each meal, not all!) Breakfast: Protein shake/2 scrambled eggs/1/2 cup of wheat chex Lunch: 1 cup of Wendy's Chili/small salad/egg salad sandwich Dinner: Small serving of whatever I make my family. (spaghetti, casseroles, chicken & rice, Soup...etc.) I drink lots of water through out the day as well. I really can eat most anything - just smaller portions. I think you'll have to figure out what works best for you. Good luck!!

I hear ya!! I paid for a full year at a gym a while back & never went. Sucks doesn't it!? But, after having surgery I was determined to get in shape. The first time I stepped foot in the most recent gym I SOOOO wanted to run out the door & scream. I was very embarassed by my jiggly stomach, big ol' behind & fat legs. It was not a pretty sight. I even hired a trainer who probably thought it was a joke when she saw me!! When I stepped on the scale there was absolute SILENCE. She said nothing & it was very awkward. I went home & cried. I decided I wasn't going back. Except for the fact that I already paid the money!! BIG BUCKS!! So, I went back and endured the agony. And it was AGONY!! But, after 4 months I am feeling good!! I am lifting weights with the big guys. YOU CAN DO IT!! YOU CAN DO IT!! Get over the emberassment & get something out of all the money you're paying every month at the gym. ha!

Work out! Work out!! Work out!! I didn't touch the gym until 3 months after surgery & my skin was doing the same thing. Your body is very forgiving. I am at the gym 5 times a day & I have seen a vast improvement. My stomach isn't sagging anymore!! It works!! I Promise.:nod:

Illude!! I say you write BOTH Oprah & Dr. Phil!!! We are all 100% behind you. Do it!!!!!! It can't hurt a thing. I will be the first one to send my letter to encourage them. You got a whole team here cheering you on. Just give me the address & the letter is there!!! :confused:

I have read this post several times & have never been able to come up with a good solid reason as to why I'm fat. Obviously, I eat too much & eat the wrong foods. But why do I do that?? Now that I have lots 50 lbs, I have been able to look back & see myself in a whole new way. I grew up in a good home with great parents. I had a mother who made 3 good, healthy meals a day. I was loved & cared for. No problems at home!! I was never overweight until I got married & had children. Then, all of a sudden - WHAM!! I'm fat. It seems like it was overnight, but it took a good 2-3 years. I have always had a great self-esteem. I don't binge eat or get out of control with food. But yet, I'm still fat!! Through my weight loss process, I realized what happened & why I'm where I'm at. I am not very good about taking care of ME!! I take care of my kids, the house, my job, the husband, the lady next door, my sisters, my mother, the pregnant woman at church.....etc. I have always put myself last in everything. I would stop at fast food places for lunch as I was on my way to help my sisters. I would make a meal for my family & then run out the door to work & stop at a fast food place on the way home. (It was 10 p.m. at night!) I never exercised, I just didn't have time. Or should I say - I didn't MAKE time. All the years of neglect had finally taken its toll & I became 100 lbs overweight. Since being banded, I now put myself FIRST!! I felt very selfish in the beginning, but I have realized that if I don't take care of myself, I can't take care of anyone else. (Besides, noboby will be taking care of me - right?!?!?!?) I am so much happier & my family is too!! If Momma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy!!! I am now eating for MY health. I am exercising for MY health. It's all about ME!!!

Having a good fill changes your whole outlook about the band. You start to really love it!!!! Enjoy the upcoming weight loss!!

Sorry everyone!! Didn't get the pictures taken yet. As soon as I do, I'll send um over!!

And here's my youngest. She's now a yr. old, but this was her 3 month picture!!

Here are my oldest two on a trip in Colorado!!

I agree!! Not sure how to fix this unless you stick right by the computer 24/7 to get all the new posts. HA!! I bet there really are people out there who do this!! Anyone what to admit?!?!?

I started reading the thread about "parts getting stuck in parts" & realized it wasn't what I wanted to read & I went to another one. I wasn't offended by it or mad that it was posted on a lapband website. I just simply clicked my mouse & went to another thread. It truly is OUR choice what we want to read. I kinda have to agree with Alex on this one. I'm not sure that having an Adult Content area would be beneficial. We all still have the choice to go there or not. Just like we have the choice to open up a specific thread. Personally, I don't want this website to attract the weirdos out there who might google XXX & up comes lapbandtalk. Ack!! Scary.

Very well said Heather!!

I've had a baby, knee surgery AND gallbladder surgery. Lapband surgery was by far the easiest surgery I've ever had. I'd give it a 3 on the pain scale & the worst was really the few hours after surgery. I never had to take any pain pills. I could have been back to work the next day.

Hi Txkrause, I tried to reply to your personal e-mail & it didn't work. So sorry. Here's the answer to your question about drinking AFTER your meals... You want your pouch to stay full as long as possible so that you actually FEEL full. When you drink any liquids after you eat, it will wash all the food out of your pouch & you end up hungry again. I always drink all my liquids BEFORE my meal & it really has made a difference with staying full. It's one of the bandster rules!! Good luck!!

I agree with your husband. OUT OF THE HOUSE this weekend. Now that you know, you can be held liable.

Get this.... My husband made me an entire Valentine's Dinner by himself. (No, he is not a cook & normally never makes anything but cold cereal.) I was thrilled. He has never done anything like that before. Then, I saw what he had made. Steak & potatoes with pop to drink. HA!! I couldn't have any of it. But, it's the thought that counts - right? Oh yeah, he had strawberries with chocolae fondue for dessert. Do you think I should keep him?!?!