Anwyn

Hi everyone, I had a severe increase in restriction starting last Wednesday. The acid reflux was horrible and I couldn't sleep for 2 nights. I couldn't get anything down but Water. I was really worried about slippage, only secondary to my fear that I would freak out go postal on my family (I don't deal well with sleep deprivation). Anyways, I went in on Friday to see my doctor. They tried to do a complete unfill, but only .5 cc came out of the band. So, it's either lost in the ether or still in there. They had to poke me 8 times to get the fill out. Did I mention I was sleep deprived? Grrr.... Fortunately, they were able to get me in right away for a barium swallow to check for slippage, and everything looks good! What a relief! Now I need to wait a month for a fill. My restriction is way down and I'm trying to fight the urge to go eat everything in the fridge. It's scary to be this hungry all of a sudden. It's going to be a long month.

Just a reminder - even if you haven't been checking in weekly, don't forget to post your results for the End of 2005 Weight Loss Challenge. I'll post a new thread with everybody's results on 1/4. Send me a PM if you don't want your name included. It will be fun to see how much we've lost as a group over the holidays!

You guys are all so wonderful... thanks for the support and the great advice. I'm not going to pretend that I had a great weekend, and I'm sure not looking forward to logging in my weight tomorrow, lol. But, I feel like I took a short break and now I'm geared up and ready to go. I've already stocked up on healthy foods and I'm going to start tracking my calories on fitday. I think Lisa's challenge will be key... I need accountability right now. Thanks everyone! Vines, I'll probably skip the TSP but I may pick up my cross stitch again. Hmm.. do you think my 2 year old will let me sew undisturbed...?

Too funny!

Your yard is beautiful! Unfortunately, the only way you're going to be sure to get a great photographer is to pound the pavement and visit them to see their work. My SIL ended up with a shiny nose in every picture, so I made the photograper my biggest splurge. I spent $2700 in Michigan and it was worth it. On a side note, I was measured for my dress 3 months before the wedding. It came back at a 24 but I made them order me a size 18. Talk about inspiration to lose weight, lol! It fit perfectly after 3 months of Jane Fonda and starvation...

Hey Porclndoll, just popping in to give you a huge (((((((HUG))))))) since I know you're probably stressing about your DS being away tonight. You obviously have your son's best interests at heart. He's lucky to have such an amazing mom.

My mom went to a place in Canada for laser treatments to quit smoking. It didn't work for her, but it was obvious from the get-go that she was in no way ready to quit. She and her friend were puffing away in the parking lot afterwards. My mom did quit with hypnosis for a year and a half (this was a while ago). Good luck to your DH - you never know what will work, you just have to keep trying.

Eating around the band is when you make food choices that the band can't stop. For example, you can have great restriction, but that's not going to stop you from eating a pint of ice cream because it goes right through the band and on into the larger stomach. Hope this helps!

I had a hard time in the recovery room too, but it was all downhill from there. If you stay on top of your pain meds you should be fine.

Renebean, I was sorta here while you were posting, but I made the mistake of trying to type a long post while the kids were in the bathtub. Let's just say, it didn't go well! I dropped my DS off at kindergarden and headed off to the hospital for my appointment this morning. They did a complete unfill (NOT fun - looks like my port is tipped a little bit. They're going to use Fluro for my next fill to find out). They wanted to take my entire fill out but they could only get 1/2 cc (I had 1cc). I'm already able to eat more, which is a relief and scary at the same time. We're going to see how it goes and I'll come in for a fill in a month if I need one. They were worried about the level of restriction so they had me do a barium swallow. Everything looked good, so no slippage (whew!). Eileen, I'm sorry that you didn't get a fill! I know this sounds weird coming from me since I just needed an unfill, but I don't understand why he wouldn't give you a tiny fill if you're hungry all the time. Congratulations on that 6 lb loss though! If you can lose weight over the holidays you're doing something right! Betty, good luck getting the new job! It sounds like you have it in the bag. It's nice to know that they recognize your talent. I must admit, I'm a little envious... I've been home with the kids for 5 years and every now and then I think I'll go crazy if I don't get a job outside of the house. I started to go back to school for accounting but I dropped out when I hurt my back. One of these days I'll figure out what I want to be when I grow up... For now I'm grateful (most of the time - I swear, lol) that I can stay home. Cindy, congrats on fitting into an XL!! Isn't it fun discovering "new" clothes in the closet? I hope they carry Zone bars at costco (a Sam's type place up in MI). I need to find a good Protein bar for Breakfast. I'm lucky if I can find the coffee maker in the morning, so I need something simple. You're a teacher, so you'll love this... My sister was at her eye doctor's today making chit chat during her exam when the optometrist, for no apparent reason, started ripping on how he thinks teachers are OVER paid!!!! Needless to say, she ripped him a new one. What a moron. Patty, I have to admit, you're a better person than I... I think my exacto knife would have "slipped" and opened that package, lol. Doc, good luck with your surgery! Less than one week to go! Beanie, I hope you had a good workout tonight! The first thing I did when I got home from the hospital today was jump on the treadmill. I think getting that unfill scared me straight, lol. Have a great weekend everybody!

Hi everyone! I'm having a weird week... I was extra restricted last week, but it was my time of the month so I didn't think much of it. But, it never went away and the last few days I've been so restricted that I'm stuck with liquid (water keeps me full for hours). So, it's off to the band doc for an unfill tomorrow. I'm not sure why I'm not nervous - I know this can be a sign of slippage, but I'm optimistic that my restriction is just fluctuating and I need an adjustment. The over-restriction is causing reflux at night so I haven't been able to sleep. It should be interesting... I only have 1cc, so he can't take out that much. I don't know if he plans on following me up with further testing - hopefully it will resolve and I'll still have enough restriction left to keep losing. Wish me luck tomorrow! Sorry to ramble... Really I just wanted to wish everybody a good night!

Then "End of 2005 weight loss challenge" is over. Here are the results! Hopeful: -12 banded_for_life: -14 mousecrazy: -7 LSasha: -24 cissy: -8 Tricia K: -14 Tess L: -14 CCBSTX: -14.5 Rockin' Robyn: -20 Daisybelle: -14 Bostonfatgirl: -12 Anwyn: -14.5 That's a total loss of 168 lbs! Many participants were also able to maintain during the holidays - a MAJOR accomplishment. Great job everyone!

I agree with what has been said... this is Sami's day, so her feelings come first. If Dad wants to contribute money to the wedding, he should offer. He's obviously not going to respond well to being put on the spot. I'm sorry this is so stressful for you. Weddings can be a nightmare even when everybody gets along... On a positive note, you're going to look hot at the wedding!

Melissa, I'm so jealous! My DH leaves for San Francisco on Sunday without me. He's going to MacWorld San Francisco. I'll be home alone with the kiddies... Think your dad would watch my kids too, lol? Have a great trip!

Maybe we should have a seance... All together now... Light as a feather... Stiff as a board...

Wait just a minute (cue ominous music) I think I've uncovered a Christmas conspiracy here!! The same SIL who gave my son the 24 pack of Playdoh... Gave my daughter a zylophone!!! I'm not kidding! Oh, she is in so much trouble next Christmas. Her 2 year old is getting a full drum set. Actually, the conspiracy may be me against myself... I asked for the zylophone! Irene, thanks for the welcome! This thread is so much fun. I wish I lived in NJ so that I could meet everybody. Pat, I love the LBT clothing store idea! It makes sense - I just hauled a truckload of stuff over to my sisters house so that she could put it on eBay. Paypal makes buying and selling so easy now. I hope it works out. Zan, I don't blame you for skipping the ball drop. Standing in that crowd would be a nightmare for me. I don't even go to Walmart on Saturday because I hate it when people are in my way, lol. Sherry, congratulations on your band date! February 13th is right around the corner. When do you start liquids? I'm so excited... We had bedroom furniture delivered today! We've been married for 8 years and we've never had matching furniture in there. For the first two years of marriage we used one of those big wardrobe moving boxes for a tv stand/dresser, lol. Now I just need to pick out curtains and pictures. I love to decorate. No dreadmill today... I have to get moving tomorrow. Hope everyone had a great day!

Leslie, I think the general consensus is that hair loss is caused by not enough Protein in the diet. Try doing an advanced search for more info. My nutritionist wants me to get in at least 60 grams of protein a day. No hair loss yet, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. How are y'all doing today? Cindy, I get tired just thinking about being a teacher. I thought about being a teacher once upon a time and I decided that I didn't have the patience. Congratulations in advance on your retirement! Those kids are really going to miss you! Pat, sadly I have only myself to blame for the Lite Brite pegs. They were a gift from my mom, but I suggested it. Hmm... MY sister-in-law gave MY KIDS a huge box of playdoh for Christmas!!!!! I must've done something to tick her off, LOL. I know what her son is getting for his birthday... Betty, I love your name. My little girl's middle name is Elizabeth. I hope you were able to get those errands done today. I went into town to do a few things and it was so nice not having the holiday crowd around! I've never decorated for Valentines Day before, but I bought some fun hearts and garland to put up. My son was so excited when he came home from school! He already told me that I'm not allowed to take them down. I think he's traumatized from losing the Christmas tree, LOL. What do you guys do for a living? I know that Cindy's a teacher, but I'm in the dark on everyone else. I'm a stay at home mommy now, but I'll probably go back to work in a few years. Speaking of, it's bath time so I have to scoot. Hope everybody is doing well with those pesky new year's resolutions!

1/1/06 ~ 3/1/06 LBT WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE LIST OF FABULOUS PRIZES! 1. Gift basket from Slumber Parties by Lisa (DeLarla) 2. Shanna 3. Anwyn I'm going to be a buttinski here too... If there are going to be prizes we need some rules. Obvously someone who is 350lbs is going to lose more than someone who is 170. Maybe whoever loses the largest percentage of their excess weight...? I volunteer to compute this at the end of the challenge. That way I can fix the numbers so that I win (LOL). It would be nice to reward NSV's too but it's a hard thing to measure... Maybe we can all nominate our choice for best NSV by PM'ing Debby at the end of the challenge. Just my ideas... Debby, feel free to tell me to jump off - it's your challenge.

Congratulations!! Hop hop

((((((((HUGS)))))))) I'm so sorry the news was bad. Puddinpie is right - you're going to make wonderful parents no matter how you get there.

That looks like fun! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Happy birthday to both of you!

Every time I read about phantom band syndrome (or PBS as I like to call it) I get that damn theme song from Phantom of the Opera going through my head for hours!! You never know... maybe you'll always have some restriction. That would be so great! I'm so glad you're feeling better Lisa!

Nobody ever comes around my neighborhood selling Girl Scout cookies! PM me for a quick sale!! No. Just kidding. Wait. Send Cookies. No. Just kidding. One box couldn't hurt, right?! RIGHT?! Mmmmm... cookies....... Can you tell I'm stressed? DS just got out of bed for the 5th time (grrr) and I just finished picking up 8,352 lite brite pegs from various rooms of the house. On the plus side, I managed to fit in a workout today. That's 2 days in a row!! A first since my surgery... Have a good night everyone!

Oh yeah, I guess those are state run... Oh well.