SpecialK

Check out the New York forum thread and you hopefully will find lots of people in the NYC area that have had lapband surgery. It should be under the USA Local Forum groups. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f53/

Welcome Circleville from your neighbors north in Columbus. Congratulations on your band. Come on over and check out the Ohio forum threads if you get a chance. Here's a link over to it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f56/

I kept on traveling but had to use a seat belt extender and the whole airline flight attendants group could use some sensitivity about dealing with overweight people. I have discreetly asked for a seat belt extender only to have the flight attendant make a really big deal out of it and wait until the last second to give me one. Other times, God bless them, they were very quick in helping and discreet about giving it to me. So, yes, I kept traveling and just realized that the airplane flight would be the absolute worst part of any vacation but I tried to remember that suffering for a few hours on the flight was getting me time to enjoy other things. Second, I also took alot of tour buses and in some cases, they have hard fixed seat arms at the end of the seat that don't go up and down to help you get into a row easy and that is a real pain if you are overweight. It is a way to force 2 people into the seat without any hanging over into the aisle. Other buses, these went up and easily gave us more room to breathe. Forget about amusement park rides. I went with family and ended up babysitting all day for the little boy who was afraid of the roller coasters and I really felt I missed out on alot. Thankfully at Disney, there are plenty of choices where size isn't a restriction too.

Congratulations Barbararosa! That is amazing that you were on your way so fast! Best wishes during the Full Liquids stage, then you'll be so "thankful" for mushies!

Nope the endocrinologist doc not our bariatric surgeon group.

I'm trying to remember that I didn't GAIN this weight faster than 1-2 lbs a week (on average) over 2 years = 150+ lbs and so losing it now at that pace should be "normal" but of course we all want this weight off instantly! Oh where Oh where is my fairy godmother when I need a wish granted! Maybe I'll hold out hope that if I go see Santa or write him a letter and tell him I've been a very good girl this year, I'll get my Christmas wish to hit 90 lbs by January 1st!

Yes I also went to a doctor today and he is thrilled about my 77 lbs so far and said at the one year point, that I'd hit about max amount lost and I immediately came back at him with well, I'm going to prove you wrong on that and I know alot of other lapband patients that are blazing along and dumping that statistic in the dust. Come on Shrinking Shamrocks, let's show the medical community out there what we really can do when we set our minds to it... and set our forks down too!

1. SpecialK ...........................3/17/08........11/24/08............77 lbs 2. scrappy_friend .....................3/17/08........9/4/08............54.0 lbs 3. aJoneen.............................. 3/04/08........9/4/08............31.0 lbs 4. WestCoastMom..................... 3/27/08........9/4/08............60.0 lbs 5. julietj1970............................ 3/03/08........9/4/08............40 lbs 6. SugarBean........................... 3/24/08........11/20/08............100 lbs 7. Tess415................................3/10/08........11/20/08.........70 lbs 8. jegtlf.....................................3/24/08........11/20/08............74lbs 9. emmersglue ..........................3/18/08........9/5/08............48lbs 10. lglenn3000............................3/17/08........10/4/08............32 lbs 11. Busy....................................3/17/08........9/6/08............41 lbs. 12. tp78.....................................3/13/08........9/25/08............44lbs. 13.potatie..................................3/27/08........11/23/08...........82lbs 14. TKT2FLY...............................3/17/08........9/14/08...........63lbs 15. MSBoss08...............................3/06/08........9/17/08..........64lbs 16. Hazel-Eyes............................3/14/08........10/8/08...........33 lbs 17. hungry4help............................3/3/08...........9/18/08........65lbs 18. sisterc..................................3/17/08..........9/18/08........28 lbs 19. Anniedub...............................3/6/08............9/26/08........55 lbs 20. wishin4.................................3/26/08..........9/26/08........48 lbs 21. AuntLucy...............................3/10/08.........9/26/08........64 lbs 22. nycm00.................................3/24/08.........9/25/08........60lbs. 23.Desdemona............................3/19/08........10/03/08........58lbs. 24. stellabella............................3/26/08........11/3/08..........56 lbs. 25. Texgirly...............................3/4/08..........11/9/08..........50lbs.

I have started my holiday baking and candy making and its been a little hard keeping my fingers out of my mouth - two for the cookie jar, one for me. Nah, not that bad but definitely having sweets craving. I am enjoying the process and its definitely getting me in a holiday mood. Second, went to see a new endocrinologist today because I really was never happy with the first one I saw earlier in 2008. Bottom line, all prior test results are normal and there isn't much else he can do to run except he did draw blood today because he'd like to check my B12 and Vit D levels since my primary care doc didn't run that test during my physical. He does have experience dealing with weight loss surgery patients and he was very patient (and very young) but I was so much happier. Actually when I let go of the anger I had about that other doctor, I started to cry. He stopped and said what is wrong here. I explained how frustrating it is dealing with doctors who treat you like a number and as long as a test shows a certain number, then they don't want us asking questions and I hated that. Same with doctors measuring you all the time by your weight number. Anyway, got through that whole process and he does want to see me back in 6 months to see if any metabolism changes have occurred as I continue losing weight. That's the upside, the downside is he was very frank about the one year mark for losing weight being the key marker on how much a person will lose after surgery. I said I really wanted to prove him wrong and that I have many others I've met in WLS support groups who are blowing those old statistics out of the water and I plan to also! He said, great, let's see if you do, but there is a lot of statistical evidence on the patterns from the past. Okay, I love a challenge when a doctor or anybody says something like well, at a year out, that could be the max you will lose. Not going to let that happen! Okay, Susan and Juli -- let's blow those stats out of the water for those of us who are planning a 2 year journey to get to goal!

Rhonda - so sorry for your loss. Glad to hear you are getting through this a day at a time. Take care.

Looks like I won't be able to do the Jingle Bell run/walk after all but those of you who can, let me know how it is and hopefully I can next year. Also, I am doing my weekly weigh-ins at home on Saturday a.m. and was surprised to see -2.5 lbs this week even though I'd been getting into some sweets but I still got alot of exercise in and still was good on total calories. Anyway, I'm now showing less than 100 lbs to go on my ticker. Can't wait until I can say I'm 50% of the way there, or when I hit the -100 lbs mark.

Hi Laura. I'd try the Insurance portion of this forum and also use the Search capability of the Lapbandtalk site to see if any other posts with keywords like what you need pop up. Post there a question and you may have a broader audience than just under Ohio. Good luck Insurance & financing - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

I took these photos to use in scrapbooking my WLS journey. If anyone would like to use them, feel free.

Here's two examples of the Michelina brand frozen entree I try for my lunch: Nutrition Facts for Lean Gourmet ~ Beef Pepper Steak and Rice Serving Size: 1 package Amount Per ServingCalories270Total Fat4g Saturated Fat1g Trans Fat0gCholesterol10mgSodium700mgCarbohydrate47g Dietary Fiber2g Sugars3gProtein11gVitamin A 4%Vitamin C 20%Calcium 4%Iron 8% ------------------------------------------------------ Nutrition Facts for Lean Gourmet ~ chicken Alredo Florentine Serving Size: 1 package Amount Per ServingCalories250Total Fat7g Saturated Fat3.5g Trans Fat0gCholesterol40mgSodium690mgCarbohydrate34g Dietary Fiber2g Sugars3gProtein12gVitamin A 10%Vitamin C 0%Calcium 8%Iron 10% Some have higher fat than others but again, I'm only eating about 300 calories total to get 12g Protein and its satisfying to me and quick, which counts for alot for me.

Scrappy - big time congratulations from me too. Fenton - glad to hear you are back. We always take our own Shrinking Shamrocks "family" back no matter how long the prodigal son has been gone. For me on food, days vary but I'm around 1200 calories. Typical for me is B: cheese stick and/or 80 calorie Dannon FF yogurt. or 1 packet instant oatmeal with brown sugar Splenda. L: Lean Cuisine or other brands of microwaveable lean or light entree. I can usually eat most of one of these, sometimes not all. Snack before workouts: Protein bar D: Varies alot - I usually cook for myself - tonight I'm having homemade chili made with ground turkey. I like FF cottage cheese with crushed pineapple (own juice). Snack: Turkey bacon cooked crisp in the microwave - kind of like a beef Jerky like snack. or sugar free /FF Jello pudding Snacks or Jello Gelatin. Like I said it varies but I'm aiming for around 1200 calories and trying to do 300-400 calories worth of exercise at least 4-5 times a week.

Hi. I am getting ready to help host a scrapbooking presentation in our hospital's bariatric support group meeting in January. I've been doing searching on the internet for different funny weight loss jokes, inspirational sayings for weight loss, etc. I thought it might be fun if we share material to use in our scrapbooks. Here's some ideas to get started: 1. Christmas cards - cut out various design components from last year's old cards (if you keep them until the next year so you know who to send cards to again). You can find all kinds of pretty inspirational scenes and funny things too. One of my before pictures was in a Snoopy Christmas T-shirt so I'm going to see if I can find some Charlie Brown, Snoopy things to dress up my scrapbook page. 2. PowerPoint from Microsoft Office is a really powerful tool to help do lettering in different sizes, fonts. There is a whole library of free clip-art images that comes with the basic package of MS Office but you can go out to www.microsoft.com and download additional free clip-art images. You can do the same idea with MS Word if you are comfortable with that more. Okay, as you think of ideas to add and share, copy the last person's post and add the next numbered item so we can keep the list going. I know I never want to forget the journey that has brought me from severe morbid obesity to a normal and healthier life. :rolleyes2:

I am feeling like it might help me to take some B12 for some extra energy boost in addition to the daily multi-vitamin and a daily calcium chew I take. Was wondering if lapband patients are okay to take regular B12 pills and our body will absorb them fine. Versus - I think RNY patients have to take a sublingual B12 , which I think means one they can dissolve under their tongue so the body absorbs it better. If anyone can shed any light on this topic and how many mcg's you take, I would appreciate it. Also any special brand you like? I saw in the store the sublingual B12 were more expensive than the regular ones. Thanks.

For those of you who don't know, there is a nice plus size consignment shop out on Brice Rd. just north of Livingston Ave. and on the West side of Brice. I called today - Nov 10th to get an appointment to start doing some consignment with them and was shocked to find they are booked up with appointments until March 6, 2009! So I can't consign my fall/winter things I had already to take into them but I do have a big bag ready for spring. WOW - I had no idea I'd have to wait almost 5 months.:eek:

The November meeting was fun and I'm glad I was able to make it plus help out things with my Mom -- keeping everyone happy including me! I have a great picture of the 4 of us from Mt. Carmel that have been banded that I'll email out if you'll send me your email via a PM from this forum or whatever way to let me know you want it. Heather, that picture of us in the salmon pink winter coat you gave me is hilarious. When I look at you in that coat and realize that was 84 lbs ago, it gives me a great mental image of when I can be another 84 pounds down from where I am now, so that's great motivation. I'm promising I'll be ready to pass it down to the next bandster to enjoy!

Congratulations on the clothing sizes victories. I'm a "former 3XL and even 4X" lady too so now buying 2X and 22/24 things is a reward for me. Can't wait until I get down to the first item I can buy that isn't including the X in it!

Christine -- just know we are here for you! I can't tell you all how much it has meant to me to be able to share this journey with you also. My family and friends really can't relate because they've never tried to lose weight to the amount I need to so they don't know what its like to commit to maybe 2 years of weight loss effort with dedication - they think dieting a few weeks is tough! Try our shoes on! I too had a particularly stressful week actually month but I'm hoping I'm over the hump and I have actually crossed the -70 lbs lost mark so I'm really happy about that. In my case not married and no kids, just job stress, worrying about keeping my own finances and things afloat, my greatest stress is my mother who is 80 years old and can give me a guilt trip faster than a lightning strike if things don't go her way. Before I know I've done something she didn't like, or forgot something she said I promised (which I probably didn't promise but said Maybe we can....) she goes on a sulking period. Ugh! I finally brought out my need for emotional support to my ladies Bible study group and asked them to pray and things have turned around this week. I'm getting ready to head out and spend the day with her today so say a prayer for emotional healing for me and my family when you raise up prayers for you and your family. God Bless to all you Shrinking Shamrocks.

Yes, big change in the look and feel of LapbandTalk -- I have noticed they are dedicating more and more space to advertising of all kinds and that is a little frustrating to me but I guess since its a free forum for us as users, and it has been a blessing to me, I will tolerate it. I have no intention of buying anything from their advertisers though so I skip right on by and just focus on the part of the screen where the real forum goodies are -- the posts and encouragement from my fellow bandsters. Thanks gang!

Big change in the look and feel of the LapbandTalk forum!

Hang in there everybody! We are now seeing the whole concept in its 360 Degrees glory of what having a lapband means and that means me too. That I said last October "Yep, I'm willing to lose slower and steady and take time to get to my goal" was easier to have those words roll off my tongue a year ago than it is to see it trickling off at 5 lbs a month but Thank God -- it is coming off at the rate of 5 lbs a month -- I wasn't able to do that with WW no matter how dedicated I was so I really needed this tool. I'm coming out of the closet per se about having lapband surgery with more and more people now because at -70 lbs and getting new clothes, people keep asking if I've changed my hair style or giving me compliments on how I'm melting, etc. Feels good and if they ask, I'm being honest about what I'm doing but I've asked folks not to broadcast it out. That if someone asks them about me, tell that person I'm watching what I'm eating, working out alot, and come see me and let me know you've noticed to encourage me.

It is looking doubtful that I can make it Saturday due to needing to get my hair done way out east Columbus and see my Mom. Hope all goes well. P.S. Heather I think you were the one who gave me a great red OSU shirt with Ohio State in white felt letters and I have that on today and it looks great!