coolcrystal

I'm addicted! I get on at work and at home... I love sharing with my hubby about stuff I learned about and stories. I also like showing him a few before and after pics and say "see honey, this could be me some day".

Thanks for all the support and info there!! Writing out these calories does help me to see what I'm eating, especially i didn't know that the chicken sandwhich from Chic-Fil-A was 410 calories and the waffle fries were 300, but, in the end, I still don't eat what he says I eat. I have a feeling he tells all his patients that. He had some calculator in his hand and I just think its wrong to throw everybody into one mold and say "you have to consume ______ calories or else you wouldnt' be this fat". I don't eat hamburgers anymore after eating a McDonald's burger one time made me grossly ill, just the thought of eating a burger makes me want to hurl, so I stick with chicken and pork mostly... and I rarely eat sweets as those make me sick too...

The entire visit with the Psychologist was, to me, a bunch of bullshit. We talked for about 40 minutes before the 700 question test, yes, 700 questions! and he basically just went over the same stuff the dietician went over. Exercise and food intake. But, he told me something that really bugged me. He told me that for me to be this weight that I must consume 4500 calories a day. I told him that I didn't agree and that I know I didn't consume that. He did that stupid thing doctors do when they dismiss you... and I knew at that point that he probably thought I was some lieing fat person who really consumes more than what they say they do, but I'm not. After leaving I immediately decided to keep track of what I eat. I wasn't going to change a single thing either. I'm going to eat just how I normally eat as not to change the results at all, because I wanted to see the truth. So far after three days, I average between 2,000 and 2,600 calories a day. Yesterday was a big calorie day with the 2600, because I had that stupid chinese buffet, but again, I didn't want to not eat what I would normally eat simply because I knew I was writing it all down. I even put the stupid mayo pack I used on my chic-fil-a sandwhich! and the cup of hot coco I drank.. can you believe that was 150 calories?? yep!, but I put that down too. I still have 4 more days left to go, but I have a feeling they will all be about this amount, because this is what I eat on a normal basis. When I'm done with this, I'm going to show him and say "see, not all morbidly obese people sit around pigging out all day eating 4-5 thousand calories a day". I'm so sick of people having this impression of obese people!! I sit right next to a vending machine at work and have never even gotten anything out of it! But, I'm sure people just assume that. My biggest worry is, if I'm 294 pounds and consume 2,000-2600 calories a day, will I lose much taking that down to 1200-1500 a day with the lap band? And, what if my metabolism is just big time slow?? and that's causing it... what can speed the metabolism back up...?

I'm at the end of my lap band journey... I have completed all 6 months of dr. visits, dietician, and done the psych eval. The entire visit with the psychologist was, to me, a bunch of bullshit. We talked for about 40 minutes before the 700 question test, yes, 700 questions! and he basically just went over the same stuff the dietician went over. Exercise and crap like that. But, he told me something that really bugged me. He told me that for me to be this weight that I must consume 4500 calories a day. I told him that I didn't agree and that I know I didn't consume that. He did that stupid thing doctors do when they dismiss you... and I knew at that point that he probably thought I was some lieing fat person who really consumes more than what they say they do, but I'm not. After leaving I immediately decided to keep track of what I eat. I wasn't going to change a single thing either. I'm going to eat just how I normally eat as not to change the results at all. So far after three days, I average between 2,000 and 2,600 calories a day. Yesterday was a big calorie day with the 2600, because I had that stupid chinese buffet, but again, I didn't want to not eat what I would normally eat simply because I knew I was writing it all down. I even put the stupid mayo pack I used on my chic-fil-a sandwhich! and the cup of hot coco I drank.. can you believe that was 150 calories?? yep!, but I put that down too. I still have 4 more days left to go, but I have a feeling they will all be about this amount, because this is what I eat on a normal basis. When I'm done with this, I'm going to show him and say "see, not all morbidly obese people sit around pigging out all day eating 4-5 thousand calories a day". I'm so sick of people having this impression of obese people!! I sit right next to a vending machine at work and have never even gotten anything out of it! But, I'm sure people just assume that. My biggest worry is, if I'm 294 pounds and consume 2,000-2600 calories a day, will I lose much taking that down to 1200-1500 a day with the lap band? And, what if my metabolism is just big time slow?? and that's causing it... Ugg...

It's finally over. The doc was actually really cool, but I had to take two tests. One was computerized and the other was filling in circles. Over 700 questions I had to answer. Many were repeated several times. But, I'm just glad it's OVER... now comes the approval process...

So, I'm sure many have posted this, but now it's my turn. Today is my last and final step in the whole lap band/insurance procedure. The dreaded Psych Evaluation. It's in the same office as my lap band doctor and so was the dietician, who, btw, was an obese lady. I don't think I've ever seen an obese dietician before. She had been lapbanded and was down to like 215 now, but I thought most dieticians were average weight, so it made me feel a lot better in that session. She wasn't looking at me like I was some food crazed maniac. LOL. Anyway, my friend came to this office to take her two psych tests and she said it will ask you in about 10 different ways if you are suicidal, but I'm not. I know this is how they find out if you've got issues, but I'm happy in my life, I just hate my big fat ass that knocks soda's over on people's desks and can barely fit into movie seats. Other than that, I have a gorgeous wonderful husband, kick ass supportive friends, and a great family and I'm happy and actually, I still think I'm pretty. I'm just so scared he's going to try to get me to say there is something wrong when their isn't. I read where one girl said that because there was nothing wrong, her psychologist made her come back because he felt she was hiding something... Like, "holy shit, an obese person that actually loves herself and is happy"... is that possible?? YES! I'm just physically uncomfortable... Anyway, so, my appointment is in an hour..... I guess I'll know soon. Maybe I do have an issue.. after re-reading this I sound like I suffer from severe paranoia. LOL

Yeah, I wish more people would post like this. It makes those who haven't been banded yet, less squeamish/nervous. Congrats!

I talked to my lap band doctor about this exact problem last week, because I also get sinus infections at least twice a year and he said that the mucus sort of creates like a plug in the stoma and that if it does, to drink pineapple juice which I guess sort of breaks it up and warm soups help too... I'm not banded of course, so I'm not the all knowing person on this, but I did ask him this particular question at my visit because I've read about others having this problem when they have drainage as well.

Chubby Cherubs is cute :-) But, I guess it has to be something to make us sound like we are losing, right? "Chasing Cupids". HA HA.. "Chasing Cherubs"... or The Vanishing Cupids. Or The Vanishing Cherubs. Vanishing = weight loss and how quick cupids are to shoot their arrows... ooh, Cupids Arrows is cute!! :-) Although, i doubt any of us want to be thin as an arrow, but it could have another meaning... such as, we are arrows shooting for a particular goal (of losing weight)... So far we have: *Lovin Losers *Non-chubby Cherubs *Losing Cupids *Vanishing Cupids *Vanishing Cherubs *Chubby Cherubs (prob. not what we are wanting) *Cupids Arrows I think there was one more.. but, can't remember.

I might be a February bandster, so how about something with Cupid in it, since it's Valentines month. Like Losing Cupid's. Or the Light Cupids.... Skinny Cupids..... anyway, something Cupids. I think that would be cool!!

I'm not banded yet, but was pretty proud of myself with my Christmas eating. Thanksgiving I was AWFUL and felt sick for two days. But, this time, I didn't get seconds at all. Only had one piece of my mom's homeade bread. I did do bad with the homeade christmas cookies though. I had about 4. But then I had about 5 small sausage balls for the breakfast. And a piece of fudge. And two small pieces of peanut brittle. and a piece of pecan pie ... all of this throughout the day of course... EEKK.. ok, I did pretty bad, BUT, considering that I use to eat double this before, this is good for me.

My sister-in-law gave me a beautiful silk japanese robe for Christmas... 4 sizes too small for me. She said she just guessed my size. And wanted me to try it on... ummm.. yeah.. it didn't even barely close.. so, that will be what I use to gage my weight loss. When that dang thing fits me, I'll be very happy.

Chickie, I do understand what you are going through. Before I was obese, I was called "Anorexic" and "skinny" a lot. People at my workplace would make fun of me and treat me bad. I think "anorexic looking" was the worse insult even above skinny for me. I was about 118 and though that's not anorexic weight, on me with my body shape, my bones did stick out and I did look underweight. when I got to 130 that stopped though. well, and of course now I'm really not told that. LOL

Does your doctor require liquids on your pre-op? Mine requires phase 1 of the South Beach diet. He says it does the same thing to your liver as the liquid diet does and thinks doing "liquids only" pre-op is silly.

Last night I went to my nephew's birthday party and my brother-in-law's sister was there and we were talking about watches being tight on us because we are both obese. I then said, "well, hopefully if I get approved for my band next month I can lose some weight and a watch will comfortably fit me" and she interjected with how she also wanted to get the lap band, but gave me a list of excuses. Here's how the conversation went: Her: I wanted to get that done, but there's no way I can do a liquid diet! I would just starve myself. (She thought you always just had to drink liquids) My rebuttal: Well, my doctor doesn't make you do a liquid diet before the band, he puts us on the south beach. And then you only have to be on liquids for like a week after and then mushies and then regular foods. Her: Well... but then I heard I can't eat sweets anymore. And, I have to eat sweets, because if I can't eat sweets then I'll go crazy, so that's why I don't want it. My rebuttal: You can still have sweet stuff, but the whole idea is to try and eat healthier, but my friend who's banded still has bannana pudding, icecream, cake, and other goodies on occassion and in little portions. Her: Oh... but, I take lots of medications and I don't think my doctor would allow it with all the meds I take, so it probably wouldn't be good for me. My rebuttal: pills aren't a problem with the band, unless they are huge and then you just cut them. When all that still wasn't good enough for her, she finally said, "well, I suffer from bi-polarism and severe depression, so I just don't think it would work well". At that I just didn't even think about even TRYING to give a good rebuttal. The chick obviously makes excuses for everything but, I must say, it was the most annoying conversation I've ever had with somebody!! SHe was just coming up with every reason in the book to stay morbidly obese, so at that point there was nothing I could say or do.:whoo:

Yeah, it is her decision in the end. I don't like the idea of having to give up my most favorite thing in the whole world, which is bread, but it has to be done. The thought of never getting to enjoy the wonderful deliciousness of Outback's pumpernickel bread dipped in butter just kills me, but I guess when somebody is tired enough of being MORBIDLY obese they do what they have to do. I just don't know why the chick even wanted to have this big conversation with me about it knowing she was never planning to have shit done obviously.

Congrats!!! You deserve that coach bag girl!! I think I'll go on a cruise when I reach onderland! :clap2:

sleep Tests suck!! I know I have sleep apnea, but with all that crap hooked up all over me, I couldn't even get to sleep. I got about 45 minutes of "sleep" laying on my side, because I can't sleep on my back due to the fat smothering me and my choking... anyway, my test just came back negative because I never slept enough for them to test. But, my doc said it didn't matter anyway since I was well over 40 BMI... I guess they had to check anyway. I think that sleep apnea test is a bunch of BS!! I had stuff taped all over me, including my throat, which my jugular was taped and kept throbbing and making my whole neck move because of the tape.. It was such a bunch of crap. I've had these done twice now and neither time I could sleep. How can they get a sufficient test done if you never sleep???

Since our bodies are so different.... It's probably hard to tell. My butt is 14 inches bigger than my waist, but here is a pretty good chart of what I remember: 110 -118 - Size 4 120-128 - Size 6 129-134 - Size 8 140-155 - Size 10 160-170 - Size 12 171-185 - Size 14 186-198 - Size 16 200-228 - Size 18 230-245 - Size 20 246-265 - Size 22 266-285 - Size 24 Current - 294'ish and between a 24 and 26 And now I'm like 294 and can still wear 24 in some things, like the jeans I have on right now are 24's, but sometimes I have to get a 26. I still have all my clothes from size 10 and I kept a few things from when I was a 6/8 that were my favorites.

Curious, has anybody here lost over 100 pounds and not needed plastic surgery aka, tummy tuck ? Has their bellies gone back down? Even though I'm 295, my body is shaped very oddly. Most people think I'm about 225 and they say I carry my weight well. It's so evenly distributed, but my waist is 13 inches tinier than my butt. So, I'm just curious if I did get the lap band, and lost over 100 pounds, if it is possible that I may not need a tummy tuck. Can anybody on here who's lost more than 100 pounds share what their bellies look like now if they haven't gotten a tummy tuck? I know it probably depends on the elasticity of ones skin, etc... but, I'm still curious. Thanks!

Heck, if I got to a size 16 or 18 around my friends, I would be skinny! Most of my friends are size 22 and above. I do have like two or three skinny friends but the rest are bigger like me.

Wombat, I can totally relate! I always start every 26 days... EXCEPT when a big event pops up. My wedding was St. Patrick's Day this year and I was SUPPOSE to start a week and two days before my wedding. Well, guess what... I started at MIDNIGHT the day before my wedding.. well, I guess that makes it my wedding day.. but, I was in the middle of my Bachelorette Party and I told my friends "i just know Im' going to start either tonight or tomorrow" and sure enough I did. Not to mention, we went on a cruise for our honeymoon!! My mom said it was the stress from the wedding making me delay it. My hubby said I was thinking about it too much. LOL.

My doctor doesn't make us do the liquid diet before surgery. He says he's had the same results with the first stage of the South Beach Diet. So, he requires his patients to do that 7-10 days prior to surgery. He did say that if you come back for surgery and haven't lost any weight then he won't give you the lap band. Because he said EVERYBODY loses at least SOME weight doing that properly for 7-10 days and if you come back the same weight then that means you didn't do it properly and he won't perform it. So, he didn't give a strict amount, but I'm guessing most people lose about 10 pounds on that diet.

OH man, after reading that, I'm starting to regret having told all my friends, family and boss. LOL. I've probably made it more public than any normal person would, of course.. I always say "if I get approved" so, they will never know WHEN I get it or if I even get it. Perhaps I won't tell anybody if I get it that way they won't have expectations of me!! My biggest fear about this thing is not losing any weight and hearing my mother in law's words replay over and over in my head - "I had a friend who had that and only lost 30 pounds.. she never lost anything else after that". Trying to discourage me!!

I can sympathize with you. In just a year I've gone from 250 to almost 300. I'm like 290'ish. I could get around pretty okay at 250, but this being almost 300, I hurt so bad. My fingers are so swelled up that my wedding ring is like digging into my finger and causing rashes... Just walking up the three flights of stairs I have to go up everyday kills me. The tendons in my knees snap and creek... then, what do I go and do??? This morning I stopped by Chic-fil-A and got a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit!! With a small sweet tea!! As I ate it I was telling myself "WHYYYY???".. but, I ate it with pleasure anyway. I think I'm eating even more because maybe I'm pre-mourning food that I won't be able to have later if I get the lap band. I say "if" because until I get approved, you never know what could happen.