pizzicato66

I'll volunteer to swim upstream on this one. 1. She's in a foreign country. It behoves people in that situation to consider the culture and their values if they want to teach that culture's children. 2. yes, the punishment is extreme in our eyes, but again, we're not part of that culture, so it's not our place to say how they should live. 3. the issues in Darfur have nothing to do with the Muslim tradition. It's people of Arab descent killing blacks. Before you judge another culture, it's in your best interest to at least learn about what's happening and why, and stay your tongue before blasting a religion you know nothing about. Islam shares the same old testament as Christianity and Judaism, and the vast majority of Muslims are not extremists. Don't forget that extremists exist in Christianity too (bombing abortion clinics, quoting the bible to support the KKK, Protestant/Catholic struggles.....) For the record, I'm agnostic and white, but I do find some of the statements here ignorant and racist. There's something to be said for showing an interest and learning a bit about others before piling on stereotypes and generalizations.

Gometros, looks like you and I had surgery the same day, but you've got about 10 lbs on me for loss. Nice work! That's a really impressive loss.

Candle, that means you're only 1 lb from being IN the 220's. I have a feeling you'll beat us there!

That sounds pretty terrific, actually. Wanna trade?:clap2:

Yeah, I get the "pizzacat" thing all the time. I'm actually using my first cat's name "pizzicato" - it's a music term that means you're plucking a violin string instead of using the bow. As for me, I'm down another 2 lbs this week. Not as big as my average, but I'm okay with it. I've been a bit more loose with my eating habits so I'm working on getting back to the rules and hopefully it will all fall back into the 3-4 lbs a week range. My next post-op is on the 17th, so if I stick with it, I'll hopefully meet my xmas goal by then and be in the 220's. 5 lbs to go!! Candle and Badonkadonk - how's that push for the 220's going for you two?

Well put, Salsa! Pincham, what you're feeling is totally normal. We've all been through it before surgery. Use the rules they give you and it WILL work!! Hang in there!

related story.... So, yesterday at work I was thinking - "gosh" these pants were too big - now they're a little snug in the waist. Did I gain??" Then I looked at the tags and realized they weren't the 22's I used to wear... they were the 18's that were almost too tight to wear the week before! Apparently I'd tossed the bigger ones into the donation bag last week already. BOY, was that a great feeling!

Thanks - that does include 12 lbs from the 10 day fast but in general, it's been really easy for me so far and I'm pretty happy. Make use of the food rules they give you and you'll do great! Amy the PA swears the new AP bands are a big help too (I have to agree). I haven't gone to the support group yet but I'm goign to shoot for it this week. I hear there's a group that meets on the other wednesday nights for dinner at Perkins in Bloomington, and I may check that out too since it's on the way home for me. I figured I'd just get a big pile of the slimfasts and keep it simple. SInce it's only 10 days, it's not that big a deal (kinda helps to treat it like a "prescription" and just take it on regular intervals so it feels more official and you're less tempted). I had some carnation instant breakfast too but found it wasn't as filling. Just don't buy more than you need, since the sugar in the slimfast is a no-no once you're post-op. I feel really blessed to have my band, and that I've had so little trouble with complications etc. The group at PNC is wonderful too, and I really feel like they're a great resource, even if I only see them for my monthly postops. I spend a lot of time out on lapbandtalk and obesity-help.com too. Just make sure you read with a bit of a filter, since there are someposts that may be misleading or can deflate your motivation (it does happen). Congrats on the upcoming surgery! Let us know how things go for you!

Candle, you look great!! Congrats on the continued progress. Nice to see a face to go with the posts too!

Crystal, I just posted a response to another with Dr. W but thought I'd reiterate. He's a great surgeon and will do a great job explaining everything (you'll get plenty of info from the nurses in your 1 hour preop class too). He's a smart guy and an able surgeon. Once you're past your surgery, you won't see much of Dr. W, but will probably work with his PA Amy, and his nurse Carol. They're WONDERFUL! I look forward to my postop appointments every month. Stay in touch if you want to get more info. Let us know how your appointment goes!

I had Dr. W too, and he does good work! You really don't see him at all once surgery's done, but his PA Amy is WONDERFUL! His nurse Carol's a doll too! The preop fast can be frustrating but you need to just keep your "eyes on the prize" and know it's only 10 days and you win a bouncing baby lap-band when you're done! I just used the canned slimfast shakes 6 times a day, and filled in with broth or clear juices between meals. I also cut all caffeine during the fast. It helps a lot if you can find other places to be when people in the house are eating, and find a craft or activity to keep your hands busy so you don't get tempted to eat. Feel free to drop me a message if you want to chat more!

Since I decided I had some stuff to work through as I lose this year, I've gone back to therapy and went back to the woman I worked with during my divorce in the 90's. My GOD, she's a brilliant woman! While we were talking last night, we got into my relationship with my sister and how it feels like a competition a lot of the time, and how I was having trouble being around my sister these days, especially since surgery (my sister is nearly disabled by her weight now but isn't considering surgery or other programs as far as I know). My therapist made this amazing insight. "Ask your sister why it is that you both are so HUNGRY all the time." Not just about food, but about money, posessions, attention, etc. Wow. Definitely has me thinking! What happened as we were kids to make us feel like we wouldn't get enough if we didn't fight for it and take all we can right away? Not that we don't share or help each other out - we definitely do, and we're VERY close. But maybe our compulsion to eat, shop etc. are our attempts to fill something that's missing emotionally. Anyway, I'm curious - are any others out here working on stuff that deep right now? What have you figured out?

Hi All, I didn't realize there is a Minnesotan forum here! I've been out in the August 07 forum a lot but it never hurts to find another group! I was banded 8/22/07 at Methodist with Dr. Wetherille. Everything's gone swimmingly well so far! 50 lbs down, and at least that many to go. How's everyone else doing?

Wow - thank you everyone for opening up. It's amazing how much emotion can be tied to food, isn't it? As they say, your childhood happened, but you have the control now and can decide where things go from this point on out. That's a nice thing to think about!

I picked up a few things today over lunch. I'd put on some khaki's I never liked, thinking they might fit better now, and realized after I got to work why I hate them. Not only were they too short, but the crotch now droops several inches AND they're high-waters! I couldn't handle it any more so I stopped in at the Avenue, grabbed some pants, undies and a couple clearance items, and wore the pants out of the store. What a relief that was! Great sale going there right now, btw! I did realize thsi morning that I donated my "official fat pants" that I was keeping as a reminder and for goal photos. Dang!! I think I have some pajama bottoms that will serve the same purpose though!

Candle, Pizzi and Badonkadonk - cruizin' for the 220's, baby!!!

Candle, I think we must have bought the same pants at Avenue! I'm wearing my 18's from Avenue right now. In my experience, all their sizes vary a lot. I can wear 18's on the bottom and 14/16's on top in most things but their more fitted items are a size up. At Lane Bryant, I'm a size range up for everything. Avenue does cater more to the over 24 size range, so that might be part of it (just generally more full-cut size ranges). I've had to give up on Roaman's entirely now (and no, I'm NOT grieving that loss!). As for shopping, I generally buy things as tight as I can stand them, so I can wear them longer as I lose. It's a nice shift having to plan for being smaller instead of bigger!!

21 lbs is still less than you were (and maybe less than you would be, had you gained instead)! That's still a good thing. I've lost more (50 including 12 preop) but I've been really strict until this past week when I let myself have some goodies for the holiday and didn't lose for the first time so far). however, I had the AP band and started off with 2 CCs in my band (had one fill 2 weeks ago and I'm at 3.2 cc's now). Here's what a day looks like for me: Breakfast: a breakfast hot pocket, or 2 eggs and cheese Snack: 1 c skim milk, or yogurt (I often miss this one and just have coffee with creamer) Lunch: 3-4 oz Protein with veggies if I still have room Snack: milk or cottage cheese Dinner: 3-4 oz protein with veggies (same idea as lunch Snack: milk, cheese or other protein. I have the occasional popsicle now and then too. I try to keep the carbs and sweets to an absolute minimum and haven't really had many Protein shakes or bars at all because I've had very little trouble getting my protein in. Lately, I've been satisfying my salt and nibbling cravings with sunflower seeds in the shell. You have to work so hard to eat them you can't get through many at a sitting! Works great for long car trips (remember to have a cup for the shells of course). I think the protein meals are the biggest help for me in keeping full and satisfied. I'm probably eating closest to Atkins or South Beach and it's working well so far! Good luck!

186 is 100 lbs for me and I've got 50 lbs gone since 8/22/07, so it would be 50 lbs in 9 months. Unless I hit some wicked stalls along the way, I can't see why I can't be there or farther along! I set my initial goal for 180, but I'm hoping to be closer to 160 when I'm done. We'll see!

Well, I broke even this week, but I'm completely okay with that. It's the first time I haven't lost since preop and it's gone really well so far. I didn't really hold back much and just stopped when I got full (or a little overfull), and tasted whatever I wanted to. So, I'm back in the saddle again this morning and shooting for a good loss for the week. I tried half a caterpillar roll this morning (sushi), so I'm waiting to see how the rice does with the band. I feel REALLY full, but it's okay so far. I set a goal of getting into the 220's for Xmas and I have 7 lbs to go - that shouldn't be hard at all!

I read that weight loss releases a lot of estrogen in your system. Your body stores estrogen in fat, so if you lose fat, the estrogen gets released and messes with your body (your cycle, moods etc). That definitely explains at least part of the mood swings. The other part is that you probably did some self-medicating with food, and you can't do that post-op, so all that anxiety gets bottled up with no release. In any case, definitely get some help!! I'm working with a therapist for that very reason (and because I want to resolve some stuff I've never dealt with over the years). Hang in there and know we're supporting you online!

Not counting the 2cc's I got at surgery, I had my first fill Monday up to a total of 3.2ccs in a 10cc band. I did have some mild restriction right off the bat from surgery time, but I'm definitely feeling the difference already from the last fill! We'll know for sure when I weigh in again Monday.

Well, my first fill happened at long last yesterday! It was a lot easier than I expected (just some discomfort when they did the local anaesthetic). I knew I had some fill already from surgery time (I have an AP band), and finally found out that I had 2cc in from the beginning. She added another 1.2cc so I'm now up to 3.2. I do feel a little restricted but I'm sure I really won't notice until I'm back on regular food in a day or so. I haven't had a stall at all yet (just slowed down to 2 lbs a week instead of 3-5), so hopefully the weight will keep on falling right off!!

I have a 10cc AP band, as of August 22nd, 07. Because I have the AP band they actually started me with a fill (2cc right off the bat), so my first fill was yesterday at my 3 month post-op checkup. My doc added 1.2cc so I now have a total of 3.2cc. I haven't needed a fill until this month and have lost 2-5 lbs a week (usually 3 lbs). I've had to try harder and want to snack more the past few weeks so my doc figured it was time. I do feel more restricted so far, but I'm sure I really won't notice until I get back to regular food in a couple days.

I'm still here and doing fine!