notateechanow

I thought about making an appointment with Phyllis to get back on track, Heidi. It certainly can't hurt. (Think Faulkner, though!! It's only 1.5-2 miles down the road without the headache of the parking!) I think I'm going to wait until I can eat again. I'm really tight and initially thought it was a PMS thing, but it's lingering....now I'm thinking it's stress. I'm good for one small meal a day with liquids for the rest of the day. As far as working out goes---I've finally made a self imposed rule---no working out if I don't have food in me. It kills me and my workout if I haven't eaten. I'm losing again now. (go figure) I'm going to get back on the treadmill this afternoon. You'll figure it out Heidi---when you're ready to. :thumbdown:

The parking across the street is definitely more expensive. I parked there for my first year or so because I didn't know about the other place. Definitely more reason to go to the Faulkner instead!!!

I'm still at the same weight as I've been for over 6 months, but noticed a strange thing...I tend to get rid of a few extra pounds when I DON'T workout. Counterintuitive, I know, but true....I'm working to find the correlation and figure out what is wrong with my workout and eating when I'm working out. I'm not a believer that muscle weighs more than fat. I have to be careful that I'm not eating more OR maybe that I'm getting the right nutrients when I'm working out...... Frustrated, but still happy I've embarked on this journey. I'd still love to drop another 25, but not so sure it's realistic at this point.

I've finally gotten myself to a place where I think I'm ready for plastic surgery. I'm still not totally sure what I want done and also expect it will be entirely self pay. Problem? The plastic surgeon my lap-band surgeon recommended is scheduling a simple consult for FEBRUARY!! Issue? Yes. I just want to know what the possibilities are, how much money I'll have to save, and when I can expect to get this done. I don't want to wait that long! I would expect that the consultation could be scheduled now, even if surgery can't be til early next year....am I crazy? Can anyone recommend a plastic surgeon in MA with whom they've had good luck? Thanks for any advice!! :cursing:

Phyllis and another person at the Faulkner were asking for Jay, too.....Jay---you alive and well?????? What's up???

Any better today??

Anyone going to the support group meetings this week?

How was Planet Fitness??

Maggie, I can't tell how long you've been at this, but I loved your advice for Janice. I'm nearly at my 2 year mark and am struggling. I came online today because I'm really frustrated. Your post really helped to re-focus me. I think I needed to be reminded of the specifics again. Thank you! Congrats on breaking your plateau. Headed to the gym now to enjoy my day off. Paige

Wow. Sounds like a crummy week at the Brigham. Sorry to hear you've all had such bad experiences. K8, I too have had a lot of problems with him being able to access my port---but not because it's hidden. Mine actually protrudes! Mine is tilted, apparently from doing a lot of ab workout?! Regardless, he asked if the NEW PA could do it last time and I flat out said no. LOL. I didn't want to be her practice dummy with my port being tough to access. I had my first fill in like 8 months earlier this year and it was SUPER painful. It doesn't hurt as much when you go regularly. I don't know why that is....but it does get better. I also screamed because it hurt so much, which prompted Dr. R to ask, "Did that hurt?" Um......no. I typically scream when I'm having fun. Hello?! I told him that the old PA was far more gentle. I may have insulted him, but he needed to know that. I miss Carla!!!! As for the issues at the Brigham, I haven't been there since July. I've been going to the Faulkner because it's just so much easier to get in and out of----particuarly now that it's Red Sox season. If any of you can manage to go there instead, it's just 2-3 miles down the road and far less aggravation. I know Dr. R has been running late recently. In fact, he said something about having to increase his office hours the last time we talked. I think they may be double booking or something. I waited 45 minutes the last time, and he's never so much as been 2 minutes late! I felt bad because he's so type A and it clearly bothered him. Don't know why he's so busy. Maybe because people like me---1.5-2 years out are still taking up his time! Seriously, consider heading over to the Faulkner next time.....hope your day/week improves!!

I thought it was a strange texture. I tried adding it to mashed potatoes and it made them watery, though I don't know why. The container said not to add it to anything over a certain temp, and apparently I did. I wasn't impressed by the price and shipping costs....ended up using the two containers of unflavored with a crystal light drink mix. It didn't change the texture of it or really do much to the flavor of the drink. But I didn't re-order because I wasn't all that impressed. If you can order with other people to lessen shipping costs, it might be worth it.

You might try different extracts, too---orange, lemon, and coconut are my favorite! They don't add sugar or negligible calories.

Way to go, Cerrin! I, too, fluctuate horribly based on where I am in my menstrual cycle. I actually take a diuretic when I'm desperate. I just can't deal with being so tight.....and end up with reflux at night. I'm usually good for 2.5 to 3 weeks a month, but that one other week is miserable. I also stay away from sodium laden foods.... Keep up the great work! Slowly, but surely, you'll get there....

Not sure what part of NE you're in, but I'm just outside of Boston---keep me posted on what you find out for reasonably priced yet skilled surgeons! :smile:

The schedule was changed for the Faulkner for October because of the holiday..... :tongue2:

You'll be fine without weights for 6 weeks---really you will! The time after surgery is important for you to heal. Your port needs to properly adhere and your incisions need to heal. It was far more painful than I anticipated, but I didn't take any pain medication because I didn't take any time off from work. (I had to be able to drive the 1-1.5 hour commute!) Sounds like you'll be in good shape. I felt funky for a few weeks after surgery because of how my body reacted to the anesthesia, not from the surgery. Good luck with yours. Don't push the 6 week hiatus. You'll need that time off. Rest up!

I just worry that people can be overwhelmed when given too much information. Clearly you're not one of them---which is great. I've been to many support group meetings and always feel badly for the newbies whose eyes glaze over and seem to be entirely overwhelmed by information we give. I didn't mean to demean you with all of the information you're giving. While people on this site may have reported hair loss, no one at any of our groups in the past two years has ever mentioned experiencing it--and we've definitely discussed EVERYTHING! :biggrin: I think the important thing to remember (as reminded constantly by my surgeon) is that you're supposed to restrict how much you eat, but hopefully not what you eat. You should be able to resume a normal diet--following "the plan"--after you've healed from surgery. With the exception of fills, you should be back on solids and not need to supplement your intake with extra protein ideally. I'd strongly recommend that you get started with the treadmill sooner, rather than later. Even if you're doing stuff at the gym now, your cardiovascular health is tremendously important during this journey. I think you'll find having the treadmill right at home to be a huge contributor to your success. I know I did. Good luck with all of it.

Oh, my goodness, YES, Mini!!! I completely agree. I was just "chatting" with Mimi on PM (so as not to completely ruin your strand here...) and I think the completion of my journey is when I can truly feel ok with myself naked. I'm not looking for perfection. I realize I have abused my body for more than 30 years. I unfortunately wear the scars of that. It saddens me to have worked so hard and to still feel so insecure, if not worse now....the skin that is all stretch marks and sags never did this before, when I was fat! Who knew you could get stretch marks in some of the places I've found them....I think I need to do a little more work on the inside, before making my appointment for a TT. :biggrin:

Mimi, Are you self pay? I'm trying to save up as much money as I possibly can, just in case. My frustration now is that I can fit into smaller clothes, but I have horrible muffin top or my big legs get in the way. I just want my legs tightened up.....though they don't look bad. They're in the way! I haven't had kids yet. I'm still single and prospects for having any right now are slim---but not sure it's worth having a tummy tuck before that---just in case?! I'm gonna skip the arms. I know I can deal with that. Thanks for responding. :blushing: Sorry you don't feel like your family is more supportive. I think sometimes it takes someone else who has been heavy and lost weight to truly understand....

Your comment about the thighs is one of the biggest reasons I'm apprehensive to have PS. I worry that I will wish I had my thighs done....followed by a dream of having my breasts lifted and maybe augmented, too. Where does it end?! I'm hesitant to even go for a consult because I'm worried I'll be the poster child for the women addicted to Plastic Surgery.......

Wow....talk about being type A, huh? :blushing: Don't waste your money on buying too much. Seriously....your taste in things will change once you're banded. What you like today will not necessarily be something you like or can tolerate next week or even tonight. As far as "absorbing" enough protein goes---listen to what your nutritionist says. They see hundreds of patients a month. They've been through this. They will be your best guide. I have to say, there is a point where too much info is just that---too much info. You--as a Lab Band patient--won't need liquid B. A multi-vitamin and calcium are all that they recommend. You won't have problems of malabsorption once you're back on solid foods---that is an affliction suffered by GB patients, not LB patients. I really think you're over researching-----people who are already banded----what's your take here?

Usually you're all set if your PCP is willing to refer, but don't hold me to that. As far as the info session goes, it isn't all that exciting. They tell you the basics, you get a folder of info, and they tell you how to get started...... Good luck! I went to the session in October 2 years ago now....the start of my new life. Hope it works out for you.

Heather, Congrats on the new baby! I'm pleased to see I'm not the only one who goes back and forth. Sometimes I feel like I see my surgeon more for unfills than fills! I'm constantly going back and forth. I have tracked religiously to see some consistencies to figure out what I'm doing wrong or why my body seems to keep fighting this---someone at my support group was talking about bodily fluids and how the band tightens when you retain them. It got me thinking more about what I've eaten--soup, pre-packaged meals, etc, and how retaining water could really affect the tightness of my band. Her surgeon hypothesized that the band is tighter in the morning due to the placement of fluids in the earlier part of the day---obviously if you've been prone all night, they're in your torso and surrounding your organs. As the day progresses, they tend to dissipate and move downward. (This would also explain why exercise seems to loosen my band....) So....with that considered, it all makes sense to me finally! I'm staying away from the salty (and hidden salts!) foods that I crave during PMS. I've always been so sensitive to sodium laden foods, so I'm not surprised... Hope that helps!

I had my laptop because I brought a movie and headphones. They do have free wi-fi, BUT I had my ex bring my laptop in AFTER surgery. I didn't have anyone at the hospital during my surgery....so I didn't have anywhere secure to put it during the surgery. The hospital will suggest you not bring valuables to surgery as they won't be responsible....So...have someone bring it to you, if possible. Good luck!

I think some people just don't know how to say something and not imply that they thought you were huge before. I run a summer camp, so I only see my staff for 6 weeks every summer. Two summers ago I was down about 50-60 pounds. No one said anything. This past summer I was down 115 pounds. Still, no one said anything. However, at a funeral this summer, two different mothers of staff members both told me that their kids (who work for me) couldn't believe how different I look and how much weight I've lost. I think a lot of people just don't want to offend us, so they say nothing. Take heart, you didn't do this for them. :mad2: