DonnaMarie

Sherri.. so sorry you are going thru stuff.. but please, get some help or find someone to listen.. Dr. Phil always says you can't change what you don't acknowledge. You are the destiny of your own life.. I have you in my prayers.. Ericsmom.. YAY for you! You are doing so well.. I haven't lost alot in the pound department but I have lost tons of inches.. gone down about 2 sizes. I say that I havent lost alot but I guess 40 is!! Sometimes I am just too hard on myself. I go and get my fill tomorrow and I am also hoping I get the restriction I am looking for. He used a bigger band on my and I only have 3cc so far.. He said he would like to see me at 5.. maybe this time he will.. I am all ready with my protein slim fast shakes.. I also forgot to announce that I am getting married in May! It is my second marriage and his first. He is the best when it comes to support and it has been a long time coming for me. I have had MANY bad choices when it comes to men over the years. Mike is so caring and helpful. I can see us making a great life. We are eloping in Vegas! Very Exciting! Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and made it what they wanted it to be! I worked for half of it.. my job is ok but I am back in school to become a teacher. I want to teach kindergarten or first grade. Night and hugz to all! Donnamarie

Hey everyone! I go for a check up on monday.. and a fill.. definately.. cuz I can eat.. I don't have tons of restriction and I need it. Haven't been the best when it comes to eating but I am back on track.. I will let everyone know how well I do at the weigh in.. I dont weigh myself at home.. take care!! Hugz, DonnaMarie

Yay Leona! Looking good chicka! I had another fill on Sept 18th.. up to 3cc now.. but I have the bigger VG band. I lost 6 more lbs. so have lost a total of 40 since my highest weight this year. YAY ME! As far as exercise, I am volunteering at a local stable..manual labor..it is a riding program for handicapped children and adults. It is a great cause and a free work out! I volunteer 3 times a week.. works out great.. if you are short on cash to join a gym etc, try volunteering somewhere.. seriously.. try to find something that will make you active.. you can go to volunteermatch *dot* org and they will help you find something in your area.. that is where I found my place. Hope everyone is well! DonnaMarie

:update: :update: :update: Hello everyone! It has been so long since I have posted but here I am. I am going for fill number 2 on Sept. 18th.. and I need it. I can eat but am trying very hard not too. I have been successful about 85% of the time. (overeating that is) No PBs as of late so that is a great thing. My clothes are getting so big and loose and I have fit into some jeans that I haven't worn in a long time so I am happy about that. Have not been on a scale for awhile so will wait until I go for the fill. As for my life, things couldn't be better! I am getting married next year! Probably in the fall. I am very happy about that turn of events. Yippee! This is my second marriage and his first. Neither of us have children but will be getting on that wagon shortly after we get married. We both would like 2 the Lord willing. That is all for now guys.. working early hours this month so have to hit the sack. Nite Nite! Love, DonnaMarie

2.5cc isnt that bad of a fill.. depends on what band you have. I just had a 2cc fill and I have the bigger VG band.. so I would ask the doc what size band you have.. Sorry about the painful episode.. I got turkey stuck once and thought I was having a heart attack! YUCK.. HUGZ.. DonnaMarie :biggrin1:

I had it too! and I stepped on a cat or 2 while running to the potty.. lol It goes away.. no worries! DonnaMarie:biggrin1:

I am a little bruised as well in my port area but I didn't get numbed. I don't have any issue with needles.. but I must say, He stuck me 6 times!!!! But it really wasnt painful. I have the larger VG band so I am probably going to need another fill. He already scheduled me for Sept 18th. He put 2cc in me but I am not sure how much mine totally holds. The first day I felt really restricted but not so much now. But then again, I have been on just liquids for 2 days per his request. I am on regular food today. I will let ya'll know. My boyfriend finally comes home today. He was gone for a week.. guy's vacation in Maine. I wonder if I will look any smaller to him when he sees me? And trust me, he notices things like that. lol Wierd I know! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Hugz, DonnaMarie:)

Had my fill today and what an experience that was! lol I was my doc's "guinea pig" cuz he never did a fill before.. after sticking me like 6 times, he found it and I was filled.. they put in 2cc.. he said I have a VG band and will probably have to have another one in a month or so.. I lost a little weight which was good he said since I was wide open. He said he doesn't get very many patients who lose wide open so I must be something right! So that was very nice to hear! I have been trying so hard. So today I am on liquids and he said puddings are ok too but eat very very slow.. the fill wasnt too painful.. just annoying cuz he couldnt hit it right away.. He told me when he was done that I wasn't a "virgin" anymore.. I laughed and said "was it good for you?" and he laughed and said he needs to keep it down cuz people will think that something is going on!! LMAO.. He said he didnt want to go to jail! LOL It is great to have such a nice Doc! Hope everyone is doing well.. HUGS, Donna

I totally get what you mean.. my co workers bring stuff too and it seems we are constantly celebrating something with pizza etc. Only thing that I can suggest is stocking up your desk with Snacks that you CAN have. That is what I do. Even though we have changed our habits and have had the surgery, doesn't mean everyone else has to change too. It does seem insensitive and I agree with your feelings but unfortunately, we gotta deal with our own issues cuz no one else is going to do it! Hugz, DonnaMarie

YAY Tim!! :clap2: I felt the same way about sleeping on my stomach/side.. that sucked for me! But thankfully it didn't last long. Congrats! And welcome to bandland! DonnaMarie:D

Marc, I am reading this for the first time and I think there are people here in the lapband community who feel the same as you.. at least in different aspects. I lost my Dad 3 years ago to complications from Diabetes and I was diagnosed at age 27 just like he was. I watched him die for 7 years. Losing his sight, losing his ability to walk, losing his kidney function and then finally losing his life. He was only 61. That is when I decided to not follow the path he did.. I decided to close the chapters of my life (divorce, failed relationships etc) and start fresh. I literally did some visualization exercises where I closed the book! lol This site has helped me so much! In the planning stages, the pre op diet, my surgery and now the weight loss phase. There are so many loving, caring, educated and helpful people on here. I am so glad I found this site! Regardless of your circumstances, we are all here for you. And I don't know if you are religious or not but I am a christian and I was taught to love everyone! Short, tall, fat, skinny, gay, straight, male, female. You are making a fantastic first step and my prayers and thoughts are with you! DonnaMarie

I had Depo for only 1 cycle and did not like it. I gained alot of weight on it. I do remember though that it took a long time for me to get my period back and have it regular.. so I wouldn't fret.. It will come and you will be like, DAMN! lol I go for my fill Friday. Not really nervous about it but looking forward to some restriction. I don't really have any now. But I am still measureing and using ALOT of self control which I didn't think I even had! DonnaMarie

This happened to me 2 weeks post OP.. the doc said as long as it isnt red or hot, you are ok.. They sew the port to the stomach muscle and it makes the muscle really tender.. turned out, I just pulled a muscle there.. I was fine in a couple of days.. HTH, DonnaMarie:biggrin1:

:gluck: :gluck: :gluck: :gluck: You are gonna do so fine! And when you leave the hospital, you are gonna be like, "I was so worked up for nothing!".. Be excited!! Not scared!! But I was a little nervous too.. Hugz & Prayers for a speedy recovery! DonnaMarie :biggrin1:

Keep trucking girlfriend! You can do it! I have people at work that try to get me to eat and quite frankly, I think it is becuz they forgot I had the surgery. Just the other day we had a party at work with pizza, pasta and salad. About 4 people came up to me trying to get me to eat. I just said, "no thanks, I brought my lunch".. sometimes if you don't make a big deal of it, they go away. lol Just remember that you are in control of what you eat, not them.. and if they are persistant, remove yourself from the location.. seriously.. we all made a huge step in our health and NO ONE is going to stop us! Hugz, DonnaMarie :biggrin1:

:update: :update: :update: :update: Hello everyone! I go for my first fill on Friday. My Doc had told me at my post OP that I have a larger band so finding my "sweet spot" might take some time. I know I can eat quite a bit now being wide open but I just choose not too. I eat alot of protein, veggies, and low fat dairy. I tend to stay away from scales because I would be a "scale addict".. I don't even have one in my house. I might get one though.. Dont know.. lol I have noticed my clothes getting looser. I know I am losing alot of inches. Especially in my face and upper body but my tummy is getting smaller too. My hips are not as wide. I noticed at work, I am not tight in my chair anymore. (I do customer service and sit all day) I have also started my exercise and am on week 2.. I try to walk every single day. I get up early and walk, shower, and then go to work. So far so good.. I enjoy it and have talked to some really nice people on the sidewalk! I also just bought my first house and moved here in May so I am still meeting new people. But the best thing of all, was the other day.... My boyfriend said these words to me.. "Honey, I can really tell you are losing.. you look really good and I am proud of you." I swear, I wanted to jump him right then!! I am very lucky to have such a supportive boyfriend. He is all for what I am doing.. He eats all the good for you food right along with me and taste tests the recipes that I find for variety. Allrecipes.com is the site I like best! Hope everyone is doing well.. from what I read on here, you are! Thanks for letting me ramble on.. Hugz, DonnaMarie:biggrin1:

Wow.. that is icky.. now I REALLY don't want fast food.. THANKS! lol

OMG Tim.. It is soo not a test for how you are going to be after surgery. I ate like a HOG before my surgery and I was supposed to be on the diet. I tried but I was starving. I mean, comon, you stomach is larger and you have to fill it! Now that I have been banded, my mind just did a 360.. granted, you have to think about food all the time but it is different. I tend to WANT to eat healthier. And fast food doesn't appeal to me at all anymore. Seriously.. I watched that movie Super Size me and ever since then, I am like.. no thanks. I have come to the conclusion that I have a food addiction. And it is best to just eliminate the triggers. I have read some people on here go to Taco Bell and just get the pinto Beans etc. NO THANKS.. I just stay away completely. I was banded on July 5th and I have not had bread, rice, Pasta since before that and I really dont miss it! I have had some roasted potatoes and mashed potatoes and the occasional saltine but nothing else. Sorry for rambling but what I am trying to say is, after surgery, after the soreness and all the work, I have come to the conclusion that I put myself thru this, I am NOT going to cheat... Good Luck and don't worry.. You will be FINE! DonnaMarie:)

You go girl! You should be proud of yourself for admitting it! I too have had issues with food.. my food shame is I would go to a fast food restaurant and order 2 small sodas to make it look like 2 people were eating all the food I ordered! VERY sad!! You are NOT the only one and I have a feeling that you are going to be successful.. cuz you are doing the first step and being honest with yourself! DonnaMarie :Banane27:

BETTER!! woo hoo!!! Definately.. wont go into details but I swear I am now a shape shifter and I have only lost 26 lbs so far.. *grin*

My company allows 4 weeks with pay.. so I took it all! I am glad I did cuz I was absolutely fine and on regular foods when I returned to work. I was in serious discomfort for about a week.. and then after that, felt like a pulled muscle.. then I actually pulled a muscle during week 3 so I am glad I had another week to recover from that! DonnaMarie :Banane27:

Hiya! Have you thought about doing a journal to see the types of foods you are eating? Sometimes we eat foods that go thru the band really quick and that can slow weightloss and or stop it.. also, make sure you dont drink while you eat cuz you will make it go right thru.. That has been something that is very hard for me. I am a big drinker. I do take mini sips to cleanse the palate but I dont drink tons like I used to. Just a thought. I have found that when I slow down, chew well, and eat "fill me up" foods, I am full and full quicker.. Hope that helps some.. DonnaMarie :Banane27:

Hey everyone! I am still doing well. I haven't been on a scale in awhile but 21 lbs last I checked a week or so ago. I can tell by looking and by clothes though.. I saw a friend of mine a couple of days ago and she said I looked great! That made me feel good. I too can tell I need a fill.. I go on Aug 18th.. my doc told me last visit that he used a medium band on me instead of a small band cuz the small band would have been too tight. He said that I will more than likely need a fill this next visit.. I know I do cuz I am hungry more but not eating remotely close to what I used to.. it is wierd.. it is like it isnt that important anymore. I hope this lasts! I am going back to work Monday. Thank goodness for excellent benefits! I had a month off with pay! I am kinda getting bored here sitting at home so work will be good to get into, plus I will be busy and not want to munch. hee hee! Hope everyone is doing well and I will check in with you guys soon! Luv, DonnaMarie:)

Good for you VLP! It is always nice to have an uneventful surgery! Update on me.. I lost 5 more lbs. woo hoo! I am on regular foods no problem. Staying away from pasta, rice, white flour products for the most part. I do have fat free saltines with tuna sometimes for lunch and stuff. I can notice in my clothes and everyone says they can see it in my face and alot of people say I look so different. I don't see it and my bf doesn't see it but then again, he and I see me everyday so it may be harder to tell. He does say he sees my clothes getting loser. Some shirts look like clown shirts. Today I am wearing a pair of tailored capris that were soo tight on me and now they are very loose. Even when I sit down! I am going to a family birthday party today and will be surpized to hear what everyone says. They all know I had surgery and have been WAY supportive. One little setback I had was last week. As I was getting out of the chair, I pulled the muscle around my port. OUCH! I was a hurting camper for like 3 days but back to normal now. I was so scared I ripped or tore something that I called the doc and they said that it was more than likely a pulled muscle and to take it easy and take tylenol. That is all for now gang. Thought I would check in. I am glad everyone is well and soon we will have our August thread for July bandsters started! Can you believe it? Time flies! Hugz, Donna Marie

Aww sorry some of you are feeling bad.. I am 11 days Post op and feeling wonderful! no pain! no gas!.. Hang in there ladies.. As far as the nauseousness, I stopped the narcotic pain meds completely when I was still in the hospital. I started taking liquid tylenol (extra strength) and it took the edge off nicely.. Best thing to do for gas, WALK.. it loosens it up and you will be lettin it fly in no time! lol sorry if TMI.. *grin* Hang in there! I am happy to be finally in mushies!! Better than liquids! Hugz, Donna Marie