bandpal

I've been banded for four months and have had one fill of 3cc in a 10cc band (details below). It's been nearly three months since then. My level of restriction varies during the day. In the early morning I can ony drink hot liquids. If I take a nap, I'm pretty tight when I wake up. At other times things go down easier, but if I eat chicken or meat I have to cut small pieces, eat consciously, chewing slowly and pacing myself, or I get stuck real good, and boy, it ain't pretty. I've completely stopped eating bread, pizza or baked dough products (good riddance) so don't know what the experience of eating them is like. I guess I've got restriction. I've lost 21.13 kilo in four months with no pre-op diet; about 13 kilo in the first month and 8 since then. Guess that works out to .66 kilo or about 1.5 pounds per week for the last three months, after the big post-surgery loss. I'm happy with that, and I'm motivated to continue.

130 pounds... that sounds familiar! That's how much I had to lose when I was at my high weight of 286. I've since lost 46 pounds, over a third of the weight I need to lose gone in only four months. Believe me, if I can do this, then the devil better go out and buy himself a pair of ice skates. The way I feel now, he should make a date to go window shopping soon. You can do it, ColoradoChick!

Damn right, you will get there, Sades. I laughed too when my therapist suggested banding, but the thought that kept coming back to me was that I wanted a level playing field. Every time I tried to lose weight I felt like I was playing against the other team plus all the fans at a 45 degree angle uphill. Something had to be wrong if it was that hard, if I was that hungry. Since I've been banded, I've never felt the physical hunger that was an every day, every minute plague for me beforehand. That makes it easier for me to confront and tame the mangy pack of bad habits which grew in the shadow of that hunger. The challenges I've had in these past few months have been fair and reasonable, and I've risen to most of them with the help and inspiration of the people I've met here. You are one of them. By the way, I read this on another thread and just loved it. Pass it on: "I do not follow all the rules, all the time. But I follow all the rules some of the time, and try to do better every day."

ColoradoChick, Welcome! You are at the beginning of a wonderful journey, and this is a place to gain wisdom, encouragement and hope along the way. Good luck, and keep us all posted!

"I do not follow all the rules, all the time. But I follow all the rules some of the time, and try to do better every day." Maziemommy, those are the best words I have read in a long time. Thank you all for your wisdom, honesty, inspiration and hope. I'm in!

I was banded four months ago tomorrow. I've lost 46.5 pounds since then, with the encouragement and friendship of all of you here. With hope and faith in continued growth and accomplishment - Bandpal

Dear Firebolt, Marissa, MarilynC, Skinny Jill, Ovahkummer. Towens, Tlwempen and Longhorn (all steady posters to this thread going back a few months), I just want to say that I really miss this thread. Hearing your voices, voices that have been on this journey with me since Day One, has been a help and a comfort along the way, and it's unfortunate that we seem to have hit a lull in communication. Silence can mean many things; what does it mean for you? Is this a tough time? Or are you just breezing along? What challenges have you faced along the way? What milestones have you passed? What victories have you celebrated? Please share them and let the rest of us share in them and benefit from them! Wishing each and all of you happiness, initiative and some free time at the computer - Love, Bandpal

I want to share something with you. When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I used to make my self throw up after eating too much. I don't know if I qualified as borderline bulimic (I certainly lacked the appropriate physique), but it was something that I'd do fairly often. One night (I don't recall the exact circumstances – whether I choked on something coming back up, or caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror or whatever) I had a rare moment of clarity. I felt myself decide that I was done making myself throw up. I'm not talking about an intellectual resolution. I knew all about those. Overeating was wrong, after all. I was ruining my social life. I was causing my parents grief. Of course I'd stop. Right now. It made such good sense. We all know for how long those decisions last. But in that moment in my parents' bathroom I experienced a meeting of mind, body and soul such as which I had never known before. I just didn't want to do it any more. What ever I got out of doing it just wasn't worth it any more. And I have never made myself throw up after bingeing since. Ever since then (actually, for some good while before then, as well) I have been waiting for another moment like that – a moment which would lead me to walk away from overeating. Years of pain, guilt, anger and humiliation came and went. Divorce and failed jobs came and went. Weightwatchers, OA, Atkins, self help books, therapists, dieticians, came and went. But my moment never came. Once again, I don't remember the circumstances. But time after time in the past month, three months after having been banded and one month after my first fill, I have walked away from bingeing. Not because my cholesterol is high, not because there's diabetes in the family, not because I don't want to leave my four young children fatherless – but because I just don't want to do it any more. I think the physical consequences of bingeing with the band played a big role in bringing me to where I am now. I don't want to slime, don't want to hiccup endlessly, don't want to feel masticated food rise in my throat, don't want to feel that awful "stuck" feeling and know that what seems like the most natural impulse – washing it all down with a cup of Water – will only make it worse. I just don't want to do it any more. I won't say I've stopped completely – that I've never binged on things that are easy to swallow or chewed relentlessly on things that aren't, but it's happening less and less often. And when it does, the slower rate at which I now eat and the quicker rate that I fill up at make it harder to binge, and the thoughts which come to me – how I paid for this operation, how people are counting on me to succeed, and how hard I have worked along the way – make it harder still. So more and more, I walk away. I drink water. I go to sleep. I phone a friend. I take a walk. I drink some more water. Because I've had my moment. Bingeing just isn't worth it any more. I just don't want to do it anymore.

I say it's time to bang a shoe (or a boot, better yet) on the table over at MD Anderson. I like what Coltonwade said about being pushy - you need to be an advocate for yourself with the health people, or get someone else who can run interference for you. Thinking about you often - is there any chance of me getting to see you while I'm in San Antonio? (May 8 - 10) I hope we can at least talk on the phone then. -Bandpal http://www.russiablog.org/Krushchev-boot.jpg

I find this a wonderful checklist to look over when I am feeling off or not losing weight. It's from somewhere else on this site. Enjoy - hope things get better. - Bandpal How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted: You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: A. You may need an eating adjustment1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day 2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber 3. Are you avoiding all liquid caloriesa. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome” b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram(1) It’s also a stomach irritant c. fruit juice is just sugar Water 4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods b. You can’t just eat what’s easy c. cheese is glorified fat 5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals 6. Are you eating too much junk a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places 7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily 8. Do you always eat the protein first 9. Then the vegetables or fruits a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable 10. Is your portion size appropriate? a. meat or fish (1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards b. Vegetables (1) ½ cup – the size of your fist c. Starch (1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need much (2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, Pasta 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar c. They teach you to like things too sweet d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t 12. Avoid most diet foods a. Real food usually tastes better b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great(1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine (2) The body has no way to break down artificial fatsa. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body B. You may need a behavior adjustment 1. Are you eating only when you are hungry? a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait. 2. Are you eating three meals a day? a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks 3. Are you sitting down to eat? 4. Are you eating consciously? a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions 5. Are you eating slowly? a. Put the fork down between bites b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying 6. Are you taking small bites? a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork 7. Are you chewing well? 8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? a. Practice water loading between meals b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal 9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough b. Hard stop versus soft stop 10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. 11. Do not eat when you are not hungry C. You may need an activity adjustment 1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week? a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? 2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding c. Parking your car further away from the entrance d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash g. Playing with your kids D. You may need an attitude adjustment 1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey? 2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising? a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days 3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? 4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? 5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? 6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? 7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? 8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts (1) Obsess about something else b. Perfectionism (1) All or none, black and white thinking c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss 9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? 10. Have you learned how to take a compliment? 11. Are you giving up diet mentality? a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day b. Stop dieting c. Stop depriving yourself d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad” e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food 12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place? E. You may need a band adjustment 1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriateportion sizes but getting hungry between meals? 2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and largeportions. 3. You are having to struggle to lose 4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. F. You may need your band loosened 1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down 2. You are vomiting too much a. How much is too much? 3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night? a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods (2) Chocolate (3) Caffeine (4) Alcohol (5) Some fruits and vegetables a. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers (6) Peppermint a. Baking soda toothpaste (7) Carbonated drinks e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals f. If you smoke, quit smoking g. Reduce stress h. Exercise promotes digestion i. Raise the head of your bed j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist k. Stress increases reflux l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (1) Tylenol is OK n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications p. See your health care provider 4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest,especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack. b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise. c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention. (Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.) e. If your pain is severe

Dear 11/20'ers, Fond greetings to all of you, sorry for not having been in touch for over a month. First of All If any of you don't know, our friend Longhorn needs our encouragement and support – please see her thread, "A New Medical Issue for Me" under November 07 Bandsters. Congratulations All Around! Everyone who's posted here in the last month seems to be doing well – nice gradual weight losses all around – congratulations! What a contrast this is to the highs and lows of the white-knuckled, guilt-ridden days of yo-yo dieting, eh? Unbelievable... I have to say, I really feel as though this thing is changing me for the long term, not for the intense three week periods which were the longest amount of time that I could ever keep to a diet (now there's a four letter word if I ever heard one). Over a period of months now, I've been binging much less and only rarely for more than over a two day period. My food choices are much better and my serving sizes much, much smaller. I've almost entirely stopped taking second helpings. There is no comparison between the rate at which I ate before and now. I get full much quicker and stay full for much longer. Tell you what – for me, that's unbelievable. I thought I was incorrigible, and doomed to a short life of misery and death. If this keeps up I'm going to have to devote some serious thought to what to do with the next thirty or forty years… Go Ahead, Compliment me - I Can Take It! Along with my own weight loss, I've been enjoying closet shopping and the compliments I've been getting. Here too, something is different this time – the compliments aren't threatening, I don't obsess about getting them or not getting them and who has or hasn't noticed. I don't feel that "oh, I don't really deserve that" feeling, or feel that the compliments themselves are pushing me closer to falling off the wagon. Maybe it's not too late to grow up at the age of 48, huh? Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch... I'm busy at work, hosting my parents who are staying with us for the last week of an eight week visit (I drive them to the airport on Thursday and return the next day with my inlaws, who are in for two weeks) and starting to plan my two week trip to the States - I'll be in New York and in San Antonio for my cousin's wedding, first time in the Lone Star State! I'm taking along my five year-old daughter, which I'm very excited about. Food for Thought I saw an interview tonight with the Italian neurologist, Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini, who was the 1986 Nobel Prize laureate in Medicine and Physiology and who is still working daily in her lab at the age of 99. When asked for her secret for staying intellectually acute for so long, she unhesitatingly answered, "not thinking about myself". That's food for thought for me, tell you what. All the best, everyone - hope to hear often from all of you here, - Bandpal

Forget an elephant's penis - I'm just happy I can glimpse my own in the shower now! It's been such a long time...

Dear Kendra, We prayed for you in our synagogue today ("Kendra Bat Geraldine" - Kendra daughter of Geraldine) and will continue to do so every Saturday until you are all better and tell us to cut it out, already. Keep in mind that this is Israel, where all calls to God are local rate. Holding you in my thoughts and prayers and with best wishes, Bandpal

I am stunned and saddened to have come upon this thread, nearly a month old, and discover what you have been going through. I know you will face what life has brought you with the same calm, practical confidence that I have come to admire you for. Kendra, we have a prayer for healing which we recite in our synagogue every Saturday - names are read out matrilineally. If you could tell me your mother's name, I'd love to add you name to our list and pray for you. Love, Bandpal

Hi Turler, big welcome to LBT and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. Two comments regarding your earlier posts: I also couldn't imagine, based on my pre-band appetite, that I would be able to handle the liquid and mushie phase, and I can't tell you how pleasant it was to learn how easily my body can be satisfied now that I've been banded. What an empowering experience it is to know that, although I love food and ultimately do need it, I can indeed get by without it just fine for a week! That is an experience that has stayed with me ever since, and I honestly treasure it. While I once thought that my ravenous, insatiable appetite was an inseperable part of whom I am, I have been proven wrong - and I have never been happier about being mistaken. Although I also was eager to return to work directly after my surgery, I was persuaded to take advantage of the two weeks that were made available to me, and that turns out to have been a very wise choice. Although the actual degree of physical discomfort may have been negligible after the first few days, I was very tired and slept alot; I also enjoyed the opportunity to take small walks at my leisure. Most importantly, I used the time to get used to my new reality - preparing my liquids and mushies, using this site to gain insight and perspective, and getting to know my body, which I had despised and neglected for years, all over again. I wish the same for you. Welcome again, and best of luck!

I think I confused you, TxrArcher - I live in Israel now, and have since 1989 after having grown up in the Bronx. I respect you for rooting for the Giants - I say, always root for the team that beats you - if they go all the way, then you know you got beaten by the best. I'm going to bet that those cries of "go Giants!" from you and Longhorn are redeemable for one game only and expire officialy at its' end, but it's welcome support none the less. I'll be up at 1:30am (ouch!) for the opening kickoff.

Congrats to you too, TxArcher - you sound like you're going at it. I migrated across the pond in'89, but my native habitat is the wilds of the Bronx, in the shadow of Yankee Stadium where a certain football team which you might not be too fond of right now used to play. Hopefully this will not impede our new-found friendship.

Hi Everyone, As I See It At the risk of generalizing, it seems that many of us are within reach of the back door to Bandster Hell. Maybe we haven't found the elusive sweet spot yet (why does the Snitch from Harry Potter come to mind, fluttering in the air just beyond reach), but we are putting in the work, going for our fills, learning how to eat all over again through trial and error and maybe even seeing some NSV's or a little movement on the scale. Let me throw a Bible quote at you, since the Holy Land is my stomping ground: "Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid nor dismayed (Joshua 1:9)". I truly believe that there are great days out there for us, as long as we keep showing up and sticking together. Turning a Corner I have restriction after one fill. I have decided to blend my meals. I just don't have a supportive environment for eating slowly during the week, and I don't want to fight it. I'd rather get the food into me this way rather than dealing with the frustration of sliming and pb-ing in public. I think I'm done fighting the restriction and am ready to use it. I have roughly 3 cups of food a day along with a fruit between meals and clear Soup and herbal tea after dinner. Lately, the temptation to eat at night hasn't been there, and that is a huge relief. I feel I've turned a corner over the last few days and there's been weight loss as well; After having plateaued for a month, I'm down to 249 lbs (no longer morbidly obese!) from 286: a total weight loss of 37 lbs since surgery (I didn't have a pre-op diet). It is good to see the scale moving again. For All of You Firebolt, I strongly empathise with what you said about not wanting to count. I believe that some sort of frame of reference is necessary (cup size, plate size, serving size, or boundaries like not taking seconds) but I have to remember that the only thing dieting and obsessively counting my food intake ever did for me was made me gain weight, which is why I decided on the band! When you think about it, doesn't the band, with it's assorted gurgles, hiccups, and burps give us the best frame of reference at all? I don't mean to imply anything regarding what anyone else is doing. I only know that counting and getting into the diet mentality will only give me grief. Skinny Jill, good luck with Fill III. You are one determined, resolute woman; I would not like to be standing between you and something you want! Marilyn, despite your unpleasant experience after your first fill, I'm glad that things are moving for you, and that you've had some weight loss and pleasant encounters with smaller clothing. Boy, do you deserve it! Keep the good news coming! Marissa, I miss you - what's new?! Let's hear something from you!!! Longhorn, I loved your advice to Ovahkummer. Even when "giving in" to the hunger when restriction is not satisfactory, I've tended to eat less and bounce back quicker than before. I think that's better than assaulting yourself with diet frustration and guilt. Tlwempen, how are you hanging in there until your fill on the 18th? Towens, any more support group meetings? What are they like? Did you get in touch with your Doc after your second fill? And Ovahkummer - how was your adjustment today? I 'll close with Firebolt's words from a recent post of hers - she certainly speaks for me: "Again, I just want to say "Thank You" to each of you who continue to post & keep us informed. This is waaaay better than a "support group" that you only meet once a month. I feel like you guys are good friends now & we share so much together. " Love, Bandpal

Hi everyone - I'm at 113.2 Kilo this morning, down from 130, or 249 lbs down from 286 for a total weight loss of 37 lbs or 16.8 kilo since surgery on 21.11.07 (I didn't have a pre-op diet). It is good to see the scale moving again. I plateaued at 115 kilo for nearly a month. Bad habits are hard to lose but I am ready to stop fighting the changes the band has made and to start learning how to eat in a new way. The rewards come so quickly when we let them! Good luck to everyone, have a great weekend.

This is quite a journey we have embarked on together... we band of sisters and brothers, gurgling, sliming, and pb - ing our way to health, freedom and happiness across 24 time zones and six continents. How wonderful that we have each other to share with. I have restriction after one fill. I have decided to blend my meals, having roughly 3 cups of food a day, which keeps me satisfied; lately, the temptation to eat at night hasn't been there, and that is a huge relief. For today, Breakfast was cottage cheese with garlic and scallions blended with a little skim milk for consistency; lunch was a small plate of hoummous with a tablespoon of tehina topped with oilve oil and spices; and dinner will be 2-3 oz chicken with steamed carrots and a tablespoon of brown rice in the blender. For now I'd rather get the food into me this way rather than dealing with the frustration of sliming and pb-ing, no matter how long or how carefully I think I have chewed my food. This was very hard for me, and I found myself fighting back by pb-ing and then stuubbornly going back for more. I've felt really good over the last few days and I know there's been weight loss as well. I try to have one fruit between each meal - apples and pears go down well but I have to be aware of my bite size. I try to bite using my four front teeth only rather than stick the whole fork inmy mouth or wrap my mouth around an apple, and I have to make a conscious effort to chew slowly. When I eat at the table, two things work for me. I try to put my fork or spoon down between bites. This is a fun little game - amazing how hard it is at first - and it really slows me down. Another trick is to pck out the slowest eater at the table and to eat slower than they do (also fun!). In all things, the amount of food I put into my mouth is key - no matter how well I chew, some of the food will go down unchewed if I put too mych food in my mouth. For me, a good band -swallow starts with a small bite.

Notes From Lapbandland – Sunday, January 13th, 2008 Hi everyone, here’s hoping these first few weeks of 2008 are treating you all well. I haven’t posted for a while now, but have been logging in and reading your comments. Here’s what’s going on with me. Weight Down just a little this week to115 kg after plateauing at 116 for a couple of weeks. I’m not that concerned about it right now- after losing 14 kilo in a month, I guess my body needed a time-out. I haven’t been exercising, and have been having a difficult time with eating as well, so holding steady is something of an accomplishment. First Fill Celebrated New Years Day (just another basic workday here) by driving 3 hours to Be’er Sheva where I got my first fill (3 cc.) at Soroka Hospital. My surgeon held court in an x-ray room and kept the faithful moving along briskly; ten people went in and out before me at a clip of 5-10 minutes per patient. When it was my turn, I got a firm handshake, a view of my insides on the fluoroscope, a daub of local anasthetic and a needle in my chest, just below the breastbone (so that’s where my port was) and another firm handshake on the way out. At least I know how it all works now – next time I’ll go by myself on the bus. This time I went by car and had someone come with me to hold my hand. Difficulties First of all, I’ve had the normal post-fill issues, which I am one hundred percent grateful for. I deserve to learn how to eat all over again; need to learn how the frequency in which I eat, the amounts that I eat and the manner in which I eat are way out of control. I’ve been learning the first two lessons since the surgery, but the fill has forced me to confront new issues: the speed at which I eat and swallow, and the size of the bites which I put in my mouth. Needless to say, I’ve had my share of sliming and “pb” incidents. It is frustrating, especially when I think I’ve been paying attention, eating slowly and taking small bites, and still get jammed up. I think I’m getting the hang of it, though, and for me it comes down to taking small bites. Smaller bites mean less to chew and a more thorough chewing of whatever I’m eating, and it also means that I’m eatiing at a slower rate. I try to use only my two top and bottom teeth to take a bite of something and not to open my mouth all the way. Excuse me if this is something you all knew already, but hey, better late than never. On top of that, there are the normal problems – emotional eating, night eating, eating from boredom and habit. It’s amazing- and frightening - how quickly I can make myself forget that I had an operation, came back from the hospital black and blue with staples and with a tube inserted inside of me. But, on the other hand, it’s not surprising; this is the denial that got me where I am. I never thought all this would go away. All I asked for, all I expected the band to give me, is a level playing field. I think part of the recent difficulty has been a kind of pushing back – a panicked attempt to rattle the bars of the cage I’ve been lucky enough to put myself in. I’ll be frank: at least once in the past month, I’ve gotten stuck, pounded the table in pain, slimed, pb’ed - and gone right on eating. I have a friend here who’s had the procedure, and she told me to look out for a period of mourning that I couldn’t go on eating like I had before. I guess that this is it – if I manage to get through it without actually gaining any weight and damaging the band, I’ll take the money and run. Thank You I really want to thank those of you who have been writing during this time. I appreciated hearing how everyone was doing even though I didn’t feel much like writing myself. I really feel that we are a group to come back to, and that what we can get from each other is limited only by what we are willing to share. I am grateful thatI have a place to turn to where people will understand this experience we are all sharing. Ovahkummer: Congratulations, welcome to the promised land! Towens: Good going on the fill, good luck with the weight, be patient. Tlwempen: Thanks for asking what’s up, eat some ham and pepperoni for me. I’m not Kosher but my wife and kids are… Firebolt; Hope the fills kick in, being hungry is no fun. Marissa: I loved the jeans story, your posts always leave me smiling.

<p> "T’was the night before Christmas" for Lapbanders </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> (With apologies to Clement C. Moore) </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> T’was the night before Christmas, I’d binged through the house, </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> I’d just emptied the fridge and I felt like a louse; My XXXL pants were hung on the chair, </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>sp;</p> <p> </p> They were getting quite snug, almost too tight to wear. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> So I put on my sweats, nestled deep in the blues, </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> < “I will never be thin”, to myself I did muse, And as deep in depression I dolefully sat, I accepted the truth: I would always be fat. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> When way up on the roof deftly landed two feet, </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> Landed ever so lightly, the sound so discreet, ;</p> That I just barely heard it, but wanted to see What the source of this sound could potentially be. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> Away to the window I stumbled and shuffled And got such a shock that my shout went unmuffled. For right there on my roof, standing thin as a stick And as fit as a fiddle was – that’s right - St. Nick! Well, I stuttered and stammered – “Santa, you look great, Please tell me your secret – how’d you lose all that weight?” With a wink of his eye he extended his hand, And he said, “Got two words for you, sonny – The Band!” He waxed and effused and enlarged on the topic, “A minor procedure – its all laproscopic! A half hour under, then they seal you with glue, And send you right back home, cause you’ve healing to do. A few days discomfort, some passing of gasses, You just drink Clear liquids – don't worry, it passes, Next full liquids, then mushies, that’s your post op plan, Then you’re chewing on solids within a month’s span. Don’t swallow too quickly, that’s really a bummer, Buy pineapple juice, it’s just like liquid Plumber, And if the band loosens, just hang in there until, Your doctor can see you and give you a fill!” Then he hopped on his sledge like a spry little sprite, And he headed off into the darkness of night, As he vanished, I started, and yelled, “Santa, hey – Where are all of those reindeer who pulled your sleigh?” He laughed, and replied, sounding quite overjoyed, “As of my last weight in, six are unemployed; With the weight that I’ve lost, I have need of but two!” Then I asked, ”and what present, St. Nick, am I due?” As his voice trailed off, I could hear him say, “Well, Have you got pen and paper? Take this URL And check in here often, he said with aplomb, ‘cause this site is a gift, it's: lapbandtalk.com!

Hi everyone - I posted this on the General Support Board but wanted to share it with all of you - thanks for your suppport and wishing you each and all a joyful day. - Bandpal "T’was the night before Christmas" for Lapbanders (With apologies to Clement C. Moore) T’was the night before Christmas, I’d binged through the house, I’d just emptied the fridge and I felt like a louse; My XXXL pants were hung on the chair, They were getting quite snug, almost too tight to wear. So I put on my sweats, nestled deep in the blues, “I will never be thin”, to myself I did muse, And as deep in depression I dolefully sat, I accepted the truth: I would always be fat. When way up on the roof deftly landed two feet, Landed ever so lightly, the sound so discreet, That I just barely heard it, but wanted to see What the source of this sound could potentially be. Away to the window I stumbled and shuffled And got such a shock that my shout went unmuffled. For right there on my roof, standing thin as a stick And as fit as a fiddle was – that’s right - St. Nick! Well, I stuttered and stammered – “Santa, you look great, Please tell me your secret – how’d you lose all that weight?” With a wink of his eye he extended his hand, And he said, “Got two words for you, sonny – The Band!” He waxed and effused and enlarged on the topic, “A minor procedure – its all laproscopic! A half hour under, then they seal you with glue, And send you right back home, cause you’ve healing to do. A few days discomfort, some passing of gasses, You just drink Clear liquids – don't worry, it passes, Next full liquids, then mushies, that’s your post op plan, Then you’re chewing on solids within a month’s span. Don’t swallow too quickly, that’s really a bummer, Buy pineapple juice, it’s just like liquid Plumber, And if the band loosens, just hang in there until, Your doctor can see you and give you a fill!” Then he hopped on his sledge like a spry little sprite, And headed off into the darkness of night, As he vanished, I started, and yelled, “Santa, hey – Where are all of those reindeer who pulled your sleigh?” He laughed, and replied, sounding quite overjoyed, “As of my last weight in, six are unemployed; With the weight that I’ve lost, I have need of but two!” Then I asked, ”and what present, St. Nick, am I due?” As his voice trailed off, I could hear him say, “Well, Have you got pen and paper? Take this URL And check in here often, he said with aplomb, ‘cause this site is a gift, it's: lapbandtalk.com!

"T’was the night before Christmas" for Lapbanders (With apologies to Clement C. Moore) T’was the night before Christmas, I’d binged through the house, I’d just emptied the fridge and I felt like a louse; My XXXL pants were hung on the chair, They were getting quite snug, almost too tight to wear. So I put on my sweats, nestled deep in the blues, “I will never be thin”, to myself I did muse, And as deep in depression I dolefully sat, I accepted the truth: I would always be fat. When way up on the roof deftly landed two feet, Landed ever so lightly, the sound so discreet, That I just barely heard it, but wanted to see What the source of this sound could potentially be. Away to the window I stumbled and shuffled And got such a shock that my shout went unmuffled. For right there on my roof, standing thin as a stick And as fit as a fiddle was – that’s right - St. Nick! Well, I stuttered and stammered – “Santa, you look great, Please tell me your secret – how’d you lose all that weight?” With a wink of his eye he extended his hand, And he said, “Got two words for you, sonny – The Band!” He waxed and effused and enlarged on the topic, “A minor procedure – its all laproscopic! A half hour under, then they seal you with glue, And send you right back home, cause you’ve healing to do. A few days discomfort, some passing of gasses, You just drink clear liquids – don't worry, it passes, Next full liquids, then mushies, that’s your post op plan, Then you’re chewing on solids within a month’s span. Don’t swallow too quickly, that’s really a bummer, Buy pineapple juice, it’s just like Liquid Plumber, And if the band loosens, just hang in there until, Your doctor can see you and give you a fill!” Then he hopped on his sledge like a spry little sprite, And headed off into the darkness of night, As he vanished, I started, and yelled, “Santa, hey – Where are all of those reindeer who pulled your sleigh?” He laughed, and replied, sounding quite overjoyed, “As of my last weight in, six are unemployed; With the weight that I’ve lost, I have need of but two!” Then I asked, ”and what present, St. Nick, am I due?” As his voice trailed off, I could hear him say, “Well, Have you got pen and paper? Take this URL And check in here often, he said with aplomb, ‘cause this site is a gift, it's: lapbandtalk.com!