notateechanow

I just stopped by to say hello. Apparently we're all having a busy spring but it must be successful if no one has started new threads......How are you all doing? I think I'm finally comfortable with my band and will forgo a fill at my next appointment. I get hungry, but when it's reasonable to be hungry--like after not having eaten for 5-6 hours. I don't have any issues with sliming or PB'ing, so I think I must be ok. Soon I expect to be in the 250's....and am officially into a size 16, without having to lie down to put it on. I haven't seen the 250's since 1992. I can't wait! Stop by and say hello!

I thought of you the entire time I was at my doctor on Tuesday. I needed a fill, but because it was #4 and my doctor has been fairly aggressive in filling, I worried I'd end up with going too tight! Anyway, it seems like everyone I've talked with has had an unfill at some point, and I didn't want to have to do that as I'm going away for the Memorial Day weekend and I know they wouldn't know what to do in Aruba if something should happen. So.....I chickened out and only got .7 cc this time! My Physician's Assistant told me she didn't think .5 would make a difference and worried 1.0 would be too much...so we did the womanly thing and compromised. So far, so good. (Granted, I've only had cottage cheese and pudding!) But, no issues with any liquids yet. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better and that you've kick-started your weight loss again. Maybe I WILL get a good fill after my vacation....I sure could use a kick! :party:

Don't give yourself that much credit, Cerrin! You're definitely NOT alone in eating again after the PB'ing. In fact until I refocused my thoughts, I'd PB then go back to the table again to eat more.....sad, I know. Defies logic, but then again, this is all a learning experience for me. I'll get there eventually. :thumbup:

Jacqui, I just had the funniest visual of you running to the restroom with a glass of water!!! If I'm truly stuck, water won't go by the food--it just flushes out whatever is stuck. But, as someone mentioned earlier, I'm not PB'ing, I'm simply stuck. I'm not heaving vomiting and the food hasn't gone through enough to even mix with gastric acids. I will see my surgeon again today for a fill (maybe...) and will let you know what he says about the "flushing" I do....

Are you feeling any better this week?

2 pounds a week? wow..they should have given me a lot more in my band in that case!!! I've been doing about 7 pounds a month, I think....Oh, I guess that works out then. When I look at my weight, though, I lost more the first month, not much the 2nd, then more the 3rd and 4th....Still and all, this hasn't been easy. However, even if I only lose 5 pounds a month I figure that's 60 pounds in a year--halfway to what I'd like to lose. I'm ok with taking 2 years to lose it all. :biggrin:

Looks infected, but you should see that dr. to be sure, particularly if he's hot. :welldoneclap: Throw some neosporin or other ointment on it and leave it alone. Good luck! :Banane53:

I apologize for sounding rude, but I have to question the woman's intentions on posting out here.....She hasn't returned to the website to answer anyone's questions on specifics (I recognize she has other things on her plate right now....) but if her intention is to educate people of the dangers, then do so fully, not with half of a story. I have to wonder why her husband would have to pay out of pocket for surgery and the ensuing issues. My insurance has paid for nearly everything. Is it because he was denied in the states and had it done in Mexico as a self pay instead? Clearly the man had co-morbidities that exacerbated his issues from surgery. There was a death recently of a woman from plastic surgery. She was denied by the first few surgeons she saw and kept looking until she found one willing to operate. At what point do we accept the responsibility for our own choices? No one forced this man to eat his way into obesity...and no one forced him to have surgery. Was the result what he wanted? Clearly not.....but get real. He made a choice and it didn't work out. We have to recognize that this is always a real possibility and that the surgery is entirely elective. I don't think we've been given the full story here.....

I'm guilty. I drink a huge mouthful of water when I'm near a place where I can get sick and intentionally make myself throw it back up. It comes right up without any effort, though I can't help but think I'm becoming bulimic voluntarily by doing so. I'm curious to hear what your doctor says. I'm headed in for a support group meeting on Monday night and will try to remember to ask the nutritionist. If I forget, will ask my doctor on Tuesday. I'm anxious to compare notes from different doctors.....

Isn't it funny how we forget about those "little" things our weight has prevented us from doing for so long?! I can't wait to be sub 250# just to be able to feel like I have a life again--no restrictions for being too large or too heavy. I just want to live like a normal person, whatever THAT is.....I want to live unencumbered, going to normal clothing stores, and live without worrying there's enough space for me to pass by a table without putting my chest in someone's unlucky face, etc. It's the reason I've started to workout every day and haven't stopped. I'm headed to fill #4 (maybe??) on Tuesday. I'm not sure I need a fill. Morning eating is still near impossible, but when I have lunch and dinner, I'm all set and able to eat without limits. I can now eat a burrito (in small, calculated bites) and bread....so I figure I'm due. I'm once again headed back to Aruba for Memorial Day weekend, so I scheduled my fill almost 2 weeks before I leave, just to be safe. Other than being able to eat more and feeling like you need to eat more, how do you know for sure when you need a fill???

Thank Goodness it wasn't a school day. I know how hard this has been for me, though I'm out of the classroom now. I can't imagine what a challenge it must be with those quick lunches--bringing your kids to the cafeteria, making a few phone calls, then gagging down 2-3 bites before having to return to pick up your kids! I'm not envious. Sorry to hear you had a tough 2nd fill. May the upcoming week be better. :Dancing_wub:

Ok, Jack..while I appreciate the quote and remember it well from my Weight Watchers leader....your audience is a bunch of people who've never been thin! I'm going to have to trust you on this one, but it remains to be seen for us! :thumbup: How long has your journey taken, and what did you find to be the biggest challenges? Were you always a great patient, or did you deviate from your doctor's advice?

Beth, I've found it's helpful to avoid the licks, tastes, and bites while cooking if I'm chewing gum or talking on the phone.... Also, have you tried the one servings of the 94% fat free microwave popcorn? Popcorn isn't bad for you nutritionally because it has a lot of Fiber, but you have to be careful with what you put on it. Do I remember my doctor warning me that popcorn might be an issue? It hasn't been yet. Were any of you warned to use a pill splitter when taking aspirin and medications? Have you needed to use it? I was given one in the hospital but have never needed it.....maybe it's time for a fill! :thumbup:

Fanny, I'm with you! I was watching my sister-in-law run a roadrace (5k) today with my 2 nephews and my niece. She wanted us to see her pass by at one point in the race, then go back to the finish line. Unfortunately, my 3 1/2 year old niece wasn't going to be making it without help! So I had to pick her up and JOG from one place to the other. I know that without working out, I never would have been able to do it. (My niece must weigh a good 40 pounds...) But, it also made me thankful I've lost weight. I realized how much harder it was to move with that extra 40 pounds. Oh, the little successes. :-)

Hi, Beth! Actually, the one saving grace for me (and probably the reason I was able to have surgery this year...) is that I'm not teaching any more. I've been a teacher for 14 years and finally left the classroom this year. I work in a position that allows me to make my own schedule--a quality control position, if you will--where I still do some work with kids but mostly with struggling teachers. I often model and co-teach, but mostly observe and conference, making suggestions for implementing change. I felt guilty going on about how other people could make changes in their lives and had so little control over this part of my life...so it was time for me. As far as going to the gym, it was something that I needed. I make time for myself to do this--as I do a bi-weekly manicure!--because I deserve that time to myself. It takes less than an hour. In fact, if you have a treadmill at home, you can do it in far less time! Get up a half hour before the kids do....get on when you've put them to bed....do it while they're napping, etc. You make time to fold laundry, make time for this, too. Initially it's tiring and will add to your stress, but anyone on here will tell you it adds to your energy. You won't want to do more than 20 minutes when you start, anyway, so you don't ave to make that much time. You owe it to yourself to do this. You've committed to having surgery, now it's time to stick to the diet as much as possible and complete the circle. Think of how much more weight you can lose if you give yourself every possible advantage!!! Good luck. You've lost a ton of weight! Keep up the great work!!!

Have you found a solution to your blisters yet? I've tried a few things--wearing 2 pairs of socks, with the first one on inside out, the second over it looking normal. It'll cut down on the friction. I also just read about some "blister" stick sold at the pharmacy. It looks like a solid deodorant and you rub it on. Hope that helps. :rolleyes2:

It might be fun to wait until the weather is a little more consistently nice and find a day/time when we could meet up to take a walk---do a walk and talk--to kill 2 birds with one stone. Sounds like we're all relatively close, within 40 minutes drive, and could find something somewhat central. Think about sometime in May. My schedule changes from week to week, but I can try to be flexible..... :blushing:

Wow...I have worn a size 12 ring, and though I have huge hands (I wear a men's XXL glove and am 5'10) but I would never consider not wearing a ring. I can understand your concern, but I have to tell you that it's time to take a long, hard look and figure out if this is the man with whom you truly want to spend the rest of your life. If so, you should feel comfortable telling him what you've said here, in the blog. I understand where you're coming from, in terms of not wanting to be the center of attention and not wanting your wedding to be less than perfect. None of us wants to face one of the biggest days of our lives feeling less than perfect. My serious suggestion is to consider telling your bf why you're stalling. As far as loving yourself, it's not about love. You have to RESPECT yourself, no matter what your size. Your size will go up and down throughout life. Love your man enough to share with him why you are hesitant to set a date. In the meantime, make a plan. Figure out how you're going to put yourself in a position to be happy and get married, or figure out why you're stalling. Your man clearly loves you. Give him that much respect. :rolleyes2:

Hey there, was reading through the website today and came across your posting. For what it's worth, my doctor's program charges a $500 administrative fee. Mine includes all support group meetings, the post-operative appointments, and the testing appointments--no co-pay required for those. I've had 4 post-op. appointments thus far, one for check up, three fills, and have yet to pay a co-pay. As far as the protein shake goes, is it required that you buy one directly from your doctor? If so, I'd be hesitant. I know this has been a long journey, but if you're committing to having someone cut you open, wouldn't you want it to be someone you can trust? My program nutritionist gave me a list of about 15 different protein shakes to choose from, all of which are available at local stores.... Good luck. :rolleyes2:

Said by the teacher who's already lost 46 pounds? Oh my.....we had surgery on the exact same day and I'm BARELY down 30 pounds. You are MY hero!!!

Wow...a couple of things here... First, it's totally normal to be more hungry when you workout, even without the band. Your body metabolizes food faster when you're moving around, thus making it work through your system faster. Be careful NOT to drink until at least an hour after a meal. That should slow it down a little. Also, have something small to eat if you are hungry after working out, but be sure it's something higher in Protein. Protein will stay with you longer and make you feel satiated. My doctor told me not to agonize over losing only 2-3 pounds in a month as we're still "looking for my sweet spot". He explained that until I'm where I need to be, I'm really just dieting without help. Sure, we all know that the band is/should be helping along the way, but it's not worth stressing over. Be sure your foods are solids....don't make the mistake I did of eating yogurt and cottage cheese because they're high in protein. They don't stay with you and are considered to be liquid. Eat solids slowly and let them sit in your stomach. I liked the funnel anaolgy. If you put food into the funnel (your modified stomach) and let it work it's way through, it's going to serve you far better than if you run the Water and push it through.... I haven't lost much weight, but I've been exercising. I thought you guys might find it amusing to know---NO LIE---my nutritionist told me to CUT BACK ON THE WORKING OUT!!!! Not something I ever expected. I was doing about 45 minutes of circuit training plus 45 minutes of jogging/walking a day, at least 5 to 6 days a week. Oh, and would it make you feel better to know that I lost 4 pounds that month?! Yes..only 4. LOL. Then, after cutting back, as directed, I only lost 3--just as I anticipated! I was an athlete in college and my body is accustomed to working out 2-3 hours a day. Granted, that was nearly 14 years ago, but once programmed....it's hard to get out of that. Obviously I don't have the time or energy to do that at this age. This is why my nutritionist told me to find some physical activity that would be something sustainable. Meaning, in 3-4 years time, I'll still want/be able to keep it up. Don't make life changes you aren't willing to maintain. They'll just set you up for failure and disappointment. Good luck to all of us! I hope that knowing we're not alone in our frustration makes you all feel as good as it does me. I appreciate your sharing. :smile2:

How did things go with your doctor? I have to tell you...I've been on vacation all week this week with not much to do (as you can see by my millions of posts!) but it's afforded me the opportunity to look more on the web for LapBand stuff, blogs, etc. We're not the only ones for whom this has been a struggle. There are so many out there who continue to struggle with this daily. One particular one I've been reading was a woman who said the same things you did, but one day it just "clicked" and she started losing weight--as my doctor told me, "slow and steady". She hadn't lost more than 60 pounds in a year, but seriously..what would you give to lose 60 pounds?! You'll get there..and when I find the website address for this woman's blog in my other computer's history, I'll PM you to have you read it. It was very encouraging. :smile2:

Yep. I get the shoulder/back/upper chest pain when I've eaten too fast or too large bites. Though, as I'm getting more accustomed, I've PB'd less and now get aches lower. I must be chewing better but still eating too much....

Because I am part of an HMO, my Primary care physician only needed to give me a referral for the bariatric surgeon. Once I met with the surgeon, he did the rest. Good luck!

You have to make the decision based on all information you can find. As with any surgery, all people react differently and heal differently. You cannot diminish the risks as the Lap Band is surgery, but for many, it is life altering. Be an educated consumer. You wouldn't buy a car without test driving, reading up on any recalls, etc. Scour this website and others. Be sure you know what you're getting yourself into. It hasn't been easy for ANYONE on here, but for most, it has been worth the effort. Good luck with whatever options you make. Welcome to the website. I'm sure you'll find people very informative. :thumbs_down: