"with the band"

DiSanders - my bit of wisdom for your weekend.... You are a gem in your own rite...no one can be as beautiful as the precious gems that are your eyes - the sweetest spirit that is your soul. In the eyes of your beloved...you are the sun and the moon and the streams of the earth. Beauty is knowing that someone looks upon you and sighs with love. Beauty is how we conduct ourselves - with pride and self esteem. Know that you are so uniquely special - that you will feel like the gem that you are. There is no size that replaces self-esteem. Love yourself enough to feel for yourself the way you would feel for your best friend if she was in your shoes. Take care Diane - My Genre - Hope all goes well with your surgery - you will be fine - and we will be thinking about you and waiting for you to check in and give us an update. Take care - Nancy

Since starting my first pre-op diet 3 weeks before surgery (July 5, 2005) I have went from 238 to 196. That is really good for me. I lost most of that the first month after surgery during the terrible time of liquid diet, mushies, and soft foods. Since then I have been a couple of months only losing around 8- 10 lbs. more. I have started to exercise to get more momentum going - and that is helping - but I didn't have a fill yet (Surgery was July 25, 2005) and I am trying to make it without a fill. I have also never experienced a PB and hope to never experience it. Nothing gets stuck so far (Thank God) and I still do not eat the way I did pre-banding. Right now I feel like I can try anything - but I don't want to much of anything. Like yesterday - I stopped to get one of the hot-n-ready little ceasars pizzas for $5.00 to go. I wanted pizza. I went home with it - ate one slice - felt full and then called up my kid to come over and take the rest of it home for him and his girlfriend to eat for dinner. That one piece was enough - that would never have happened before the band. I am trying to do the right things - I am keeping my mind on the knowledge that the band is a tool - and I intend to use this tool to it's full advantage. Take care - I hope you feel better and I hope that you find the right ticket to get where you want to be with the band. Good luck, nancy

Yes - call your surgeon about the breathing problem. Could be you are stressed from the surgery itself. You should feel better within 3 days or so. I think a shower is fine - might be the thing to calm you down and make you feel a little better. Welcome and let us know how you are doing. Take care - we will be thinking about you. Nancy

Please - please - consider lap-banding over the gastric bypass. You are the perfect candidate at your height and weight. If you hang around the boards here and look at the people's posts and their weight losses and starting points - you would see that you have a great chance with the band. You would be better off with the band than any other treatment. From all of my research - I knew that was best for me. Take care - nancy

Try practicing a liquid diet like you will have to before surgery. Might as well know if you can do it. I tried campbells Soups - eating 1/2 can for a serving. Try stuff that is super lo cal - but slow eating. Good luck, nancy

I tried to attach some before pics on the before and after pics thread and somehow I have links - not pics....can you help me out here? Thanks - Nancy

Yep - It's SloopyFeatherNose here..... Very fun. Nancy

vinesqueen - what program do we type it in that will work with the word count page. I started - I have 938 words so far. Can't wait - like I have any time - Let's see - I'm packing up a 4 bedroom house - and moving to Illinois - I have tons of paperwork, business crap, and stock to go through....I have every size clothing known to man to go through and distribute to people....I have tons and tons of antique glassware to wrap and box....I have a Dear Hubby who wants me to be there for him every minute the poor man isn't working overtime..... BUT I HAVE TIME TO PLAY THIS GAME......Thanks Vinesqueen....I love the edge. Nancy

Whipple - great stuff. I understand completely. Beautiful way to put it out on the table. Thanks for the insight. nancy

The best part about the band for me is the daily hope that I live with that I lived without for so many years. Just waking up every day since surgery I can tell myself - I have the band now and I feel like I can fight this fat storing process that my body is so good at. I really do feel full. I feel like I can eat what I want to and still I don't feel the need to overeat. I really do think it gives me the edge I always needed but didn't have. I luckily did not have to pay - but just having a surgery so drastic was quite a decision. I am glad that I did it. I have lost 43 lbs. to date and I can walk so much better than I did just 6 short months ago. That is great for me. Having the band is something I never imagined. Now not having it - I would feel so lost. Ask yourself the big questions and you will know the right answer for you. Good Luck, nancy

The best ever!!!! Sure has saved me numerous times on this site - without Penni - my participation would be limited as I would become frustrated not being able to join in. Thanks so much Penni - you are just too sweet. Your kindness is truly recognized. nancy

I am so sorry for you Francesca - it sucks - but I do understand being happy that insurance is covering everything. That is great. Let us know how you do. Nancy

Glad to hear it went so well for you. I haven't had a fill yet - but hope when I do that it goes like yours. Take care and good luck with your band journey... nancy

I think pain from bending over was one of my 1st complaints and my doc said that was normal because of the muscle healing where they sewed the port in place. I had a hard time with this cause I am always bending over to pick stuff up..... Nancy

Cancun 2005 238 lbs. January 2006 186 lbs.

All I can think is that you need to discuss it with your nutritionist - your lap band nurse/counselor and your lap band doctor. The more you communicate with them the better chance they have to help you with this plateau and/or gain. Good luck and take care - Nancy

Hope you are feeling better real soon. Take it easy and let your body heal.......there are better days to come. Take care - Nancy

Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you..... Happy Birthday Dear PinkMary..... Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!

Absolutely beautiful - you look so happy - so serene. Way to go!!!! Nancy

Good for you - I am so happy for you. Getting a job is not the easiest thing to do for some of us. Take care - Nancy

Kat72 - Don't be nervous - you will be fine and all of us will be praying for you and wishing you well. Think positive thoughts - get a lot of rest and read peaceful books, watch comedy on tv and do things to bolster your spirit and your mood. All of this will get you into the right frame of mind for a peaceful surgery. Don't let your imagination run away with you - I know mine tried to - but really - you will be good to go and it will be fine. Take care - we are here for you. nancy

WElcome Amy, Lap band would be perfect for someone at your weight. I started at 238 and I am already down to 195. That is good for me. I imagine your loss would be rather quick and the best part - lap band helps keep off the regain that is so typical in people who lose weight. If you have any questions - just type it into the new thread and post them. Take care - nancy

You poor thing....I will pray for you to get better real soon. I am so sorry for all the troubles you have gone through. I am sure things will get better. Thanks goodness you were in the hospital so they could be sure to take good care of you. Nancy

Thought I would share one of my favorite poems with you guys... Soul Refrains Indian Princess at your door Goddess, Angel, loving soul. Time transcends and passes slow lost and found within this world. Rushing waters filling deep hearts recover, silence beats. Somewhere time has blurred the edge and all I've felt and all that's said. Makes me ponder, holds me inward, takes me through this wind and thunder. Hearts remember, time can't filter, eyes that shine and connect together. Forgotten embers still on fire fills my soul and takes me higher. Calms me through these Soul Refrains holds me close and knows my name. Echoes stirring all I know surrealistic moments of time takes hold. Music lingers...slyly, sweetly the movement beats the body's tempo. Indian Princess, I remember... Glimpses; that your eyes have gazed to see. nancy jean

I want some of what you all are on..... TOO FUNNY!!!