Lori_K

Congratz Tara! You are doing terrific! It's so good to hear your victory story . . . that's awesome weight loss for a month! Keep up the good work . . . and I agree, knowing when to stop eating is very hard . . . but you did it! You go girl!

I've been missing Gibson as well . . . I hope everything is ok with her, and she comes back to us soon! I miss you Gibson!

Thanks Becca! Hopefully the next time I won't be so nervous. I hope some more weight does drop off this week, I'm really gonna take it easy and do liquids and mushies . . . but oy, those plateau's are awful! Not looking forward to another, but at least with a few experiences with them, it's good to know they don't last! *hugs sweetie!*

ROFL!!! This made me laugh out loud here, Becca you are so funny! :eek: Yup, I've had that fear (and embarrassment!) of going through a turnstile . . . usually had to squeeze in sideways, and try NOT to look at the people around me . . . so embarrassing! I tell ya, I'm never gonna treat an overweight person bad. I'll havta think on a funny story I've had . . . right now I can only remember the rude things people have said. But I like the way you think Becca! It's so good to be able to laugh at our selves. :tt2: These stories are great!

Becca!!! This is awesome, you did fabulous! :eek: And you look so cute! I'm really impressed, you continue to be an inspiration for me! :thumbup: No criticisms whatsoever sweetie . . . the video is perfect as is! But you asked for suggestions/critique, the only thing I might change: instead of getting up and leaving at the end of the video (and leaving your audience looking at an empty chair) is to stay seated, and end the video with your beautiful smile! Just my humble two pennies *Applause * Applause * Applause * for your terrific work on this video!

Thanks sis! (ack, I'm still shy about it, LOL.) I go for my first fill tomorrow (March 26th), I'm nervous but also excited. Time to make this lap-band work! Did you go to your seminar yet? Let me know how it went! *hugs*

Just Keep Swimming! -- Dory the Fish :cursing: Simple, but it works for me. :biggrin: I really like this though: "Some succeed because they are destined to; most succeed because they are determined to." -by Anatole France. Thanks for that LilMissBand-Aid! :tongue2: I might just have to fit that in my signature, you are right, it really is inspiring . . . and I'm determined to succeed here! Great Quotes all!

Awww, thanks Queen of Hearts! Your picture is gorgeous too! Actually, I think all of us here are some fabulous looking people! I love the sharing of pictures. Yeah, you're right Queen of Hearts! I'm hoping one day I'll actually like a picture of me, and not hide when the cameras come out - both of my hubby's sisters are photographers, not professional, but they've taken classes and ALWAYS have a fancy camera with them. Makes me shiver! :wub: lol. One day, hopefully, I won't though. We'll all get there! This is just the beginning! *hugs*

Well, like most "overweight" people, I *hate* pictures of me. This picture is of me and my loving hubby, on his birthday. This is about a year before my lap-band surgery, not my heaviest but very close. I hate the double chin! Hubby says my face looks even better right now, after 24 pounds of weight loss. I can't wait to lose more!

I'm here in this group too! (Thanks for posting this Angie!) :frown: Although I'm able to resist what I'm not supposed to eat (didn't touch that Cadbury egg I was gonna save from my son's Easter basket) I am eating more than I should, I'm eating too much of the things I'm allowed . . . just to darn HUNGRY! :frown: I get my first fill in 3 days, I can't wait! I know it probably won't be much restriction, but hopefully it'll give me back some more incentive to eat less. I'm gonna be a very slow loser until I get rid of this hunger with some better restriction (although I have made the scales move finally! :frown:). A grumpy stomach is so hard for me to ignore, and always my downfall of other diets . . . I just want to feel full after a meal! The junk I can resist, it's the hunger that's gotta go. (And Amy, since when do you swim alone girlfriend! :wub:)

Congratz Blund, on your upcoming Birthday Banding! :smile: What a special birthday present - The beginning of a new life! I hope everything goes wonderfully for you! :cheers2: Make sure to treat yourself to some birthday cake :cake: (if you usually have it!) before your pre-op diet (if you'll be on one). Congratulations again, I'm so happy for you!

Ok, just curious here. I know doctors do things differently, but I just wanted to see what is common here among us Victorious Valentines. So - did you have your first fill (or will have your first fill) 4, 5, or 6 weeks after surgery? (or other?) Thanks all! :drool:

Thanks all for your great replies! I'm getting my first fill at 4 weeks, and I just wondered what the "norm" is. Still seems so many doctors do things differently, but then there's not always one way that's perfect! (Gibson, I agree with Jax, you didn't get a band for it to sit there . . . even if you're losing weight, you should still get a fill to help you with hunger . . . that's part of it! I hope you can get a fill soon sweetie, and warm hugs from me too!) I'm really looking forward to my fill date . . . bandster hell is hitting me hard, and the scales are still not moving. I'm now tracking my foods and exercise on FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal (GREAT suggestion, Jax! Thank-you!) and I'm hoping this will help shed some light on what I might be doing wrong. I also see my dietitian in 3 days, so I'm hoping that will help too. Just keep swimming all! I just love the family feel we have here in the "double V's"! :sneaky:

The Good! The weather here in Michigan was mild today, sunny, still chilly but no wind, so I managed to get outside for my exercise today! Fresh air, YES! :drool: Had a lovely brisk walk. I can't wait for the dang snow to melt, and the green growing stuff/Spring flowers to come in! Normally I love the snow, but we've had more than our share this year . . . enough is enough! Anyway, the walk was sweet And, I saw my doctor today! I'm still doing great, I still can't feel my port or anything (doctor says I might eventually). Not that I want to, it just seems strange to me . . . I expected to feel something. I got the rest of my steri strips removed from my incisions, I'm healing well! It feels so awesome to be doing good so far. I worried so much before I got the band, about how my body would react to it. So far it seems my body has made friends with the band! :laugh: And best of all . . . I HAVE A FILL DATE! :w00t: The Bad! (vent warning!) I'm counting calories, carbs, fats, and Proteins religiously . . . exercising everyday (and increasing it), following my diet without any extra stuff . . . and still the scales are being sluggish. :frown: I don't understand it. Keeping my calories under 1000 and Protein about 60-80 grams/day. I *think* I'm doing everything right, just can't get the weight to move. And yes, I'm bad (sigh), I'm a "scale watcher" . . . maybe that's my problem! :sneaky: It's just frustrating, because I am doing good on my diet. I'm really still in the "mushies" progressing to soft foods stage. It would make more sense if I enjoyed something yummy that I'm not supposed to have, but honestly that's not the case. I guess I can only hope I can make my weight loss ticker move again soon! I probably need to increase my exercise to an hour a day, and stay active as possible. (ok, vent off!) :wub: The Ugly! I am officially in "Bandster Hell". I'M HUNGRY! As stated above, I'm sticking to my diet, but it seems every day it's harder. The hunger beast is back! It's gonna be a tough two weeks until I get my first fill. And, to make it worse, I went shopping today to buy things for my son's Easter basket. I'm trying to stick to a bunch of small toys and gifts (with some candy) in the basket, hoping to cut down on the amount of sugar he's getting, and spare him my obese fate. Good to start them young! But while shopping, I passed by all the Easter candy. Oy! :frown: All those major tempting Cadbury Cream eggs, Peeps, Hershey's chocolate eggs, gourmet jelly Beans . . . gah! I'm a big choco-holic, I really had to practice some restraint. I bought some things for my son's basket, plus I got a dozen of the small-sized Cadbury cream eggs (my favorite! I wait every year for these!). They only came in a dozen, so I'm gonna save one or two for myself and give the rest to hubby to take to his work. If they stay in the house, they will be quickly consumed by the chocolate-crazed woman here! :tt2: At least these are just small ones, I hope I can treat myself to just one or two! It's really amazing at the enormous amount and variety of Easter candy the stores have to offer! (ramble off) So, my adventures for the day . . . anyone else having Easter candy issues?

Hi Nancy! I bet you're excited about your upcoming surgery date! After a long process and all those pre-op visits, it's so wonderful when you actually get a surgery date (it took me about 10 months). :tongue2: I was super-pleased with the excellent care/surgery I received from Dr. Krause and all of the staff at Beaumont hospital - I'm sure you'll get the same great care! :drool: Best of luck to you! If you ever have any questions, want to share experiences or just talk, feel free to post here or private message me anytime. These forums are indeed wonderful! :tt2:

I used to weigh myself in the morning and before bed too! But I noticed that I'm a pound or two *heavier* at night . . . it used to freak me out, thinking I gained during the day! But then the next morning it's back down again. I know it's bad watching the scale so much, but it's also interesting . . . are we heavier in the evening for some reason???? :smile: (I did give up weighing myself at night! I didn't like seeing the "weight increase") :wink:

* I can't wait to actually buy clothes that didn't come from Lane Bryant! * I want to go horse back riding again, without looking like I need a draft horse to carry me! lol :thumbup: * I want to go to the beach and not have anyone staring at me. * have more energy and get involved in more activities (volunteer) * I agree with Jax - I want to feel less self-conscious, and I want to be a Lap-Band success story!

Babedoe4---------------March 6th Becca------------------March 6th Shinyhappymommy------March 6th Enchantedruby----------March 7th Ponomimi---------------March 10th Jaxbanster--------------March 11th Angie4b1g--------------March 11th CynthiaMcc-------------March 12th Marathinner-------------March 12th Sadie-------------------March 13th Happy One--------------March 13th NewCreation413--------March 13th purplecandle..............March 13th......so ready for it!!! Sharon160--------------March 17th mhazelrigg--------------March 17th terri guilford-------------March 17th LoupNocturne-----------March 17th Applesmith--------------March 18th Viridesence-------------March 18th gweniviere--------------March 19th....and looking fwd to it! Danielle......................March 19th AndyisBanded----------March20th Michelle9003-----------March20th Absofsteel--------------March21st Nurseoffaith------------March 24th Coolcrystal-------------March 25th Beachbum0519---------March 25th Nicolek-----------------March 26th Mel119 (Melinda)------March 26th Rhapsody♥ ------------March 26th Princess21--------------March 27th Taismommy-------------March 28th Marathinner................April 2nd (FILL #2!!) Jennyxo----------------April 3rd StLouisGal--------------April 3rd LilMissBand-Aid---------April 10th Misspeesh95621--------April 11th tskelli-------------------April 16th

I think I belong right here in the "plateau group" with you ladies! Yes, I'm experiencing the same thing ailbhe . . . I'm currently stuck at 22 pounds. Later this week I'm supposed to be starting to introduce some "regular" food, so maybe things will start changing then. Just keep swimming all! :thumbup:

Becca, that's a sweet story! Sounds like the Webkinz are really popular with children, and it sounds very cute/computer educational for them. My son is 11 years old, but he has autism, so mentally he's quite a bit younger. Perhaps it's his autism, because it's *really* hard to introduce something new to him (children/people with autism can really get set in their ways). He does like tigers though . . . if he's gonna enjoy a plush animal, it's gotta be a tiger. He still sleeps with one. :thumbup: I might just get a webkin, and try and sit down at the computer with him, and see if we can learn this together. I know it would help his skills. :thumbup: Becca, Angie and Jax . . . I agree with all of you, any weight lost while on this lap-band journey, should be included in the weight lost ticker! My ticker starts when I began my pre-op diet, about the second week in February. So maybe 22 pounds isn't bad for a month . . . I just got used to that almost a pound per day when on the pre-op diet! But honestly, if that kept up, it would probably be too fast. Jax, thanks for your excellent advice! It makes me feel much more relaxed when I hear that this plateau is normal, and others have experienced it. Yes it has been driving me crazy too, lol. Maybe I should try to consume more calories . . . I might have slowed my metabolism down. Not too much though, I don't want to go back the other way! :wink: And I will try to change up my exercise. Thanks again for the help! *warm hugs!*

I just love you girls :smile: it's always so good to come here and get some encouragement, and not feel so alone with the tough spots! *warm hugs* Angie - good going and congratz to you for passing up on the candy! Isn't it amazing when you start counting calories/fat, then you look at something like that candy bar . . . and it's like WOW . . . at 250 calories, there's a quarter of my daily calories gone! And I'm with ya too . . . I probably woulda grabbed that candy bar before I had this surgery. I love my lap-band! Becca, I really appreciate the help and kind words! You amaze me with your weight lost! You are impressive! Then I think what's up with me? :blushing: But your encouragement feels so good . . . it's nice to hear that most do reach a plateau at this stage. I hope the weight will start falling off soon! Maybe I'm building some muscle . . . I've been such a slug sitting at the computer for so long, that it's hard for me to think of myself as a "muscle builder", lol! :tt2: My husband has noticed that I can keep up with him easier (Mr. tall and long legs) . . . I used to huff and puff and ask him to slow down. Now it's so much easier! So with the frustration, there's much happiness too! I really am enjoying all these changes . . . thanks again for your support! :smile: I saw the Webkins at Hallmark today . . . they are really nicely done! So cute. Great idea for an Easter basket! Unfortunately, my son wouldn't like it . . . he's a truck/plane/train/vehicle loving kid. I would love to put a cute fluffy webkin in his basket . . . but nope, not gonna happen! :thumbup: Hugs! :tongue:

Great thread! I love to hear these NSV's! :smile: Today I wore a favorite sweater that I haven't been able to put on in a long time . . . but I was able to get it on today without a problem! It felt so nice! And my wedding ring was getting tight, I honestly was afraid to wear it, thinking it might get stuck :blushing: But today I slipped it on without a problem! WOOT! Keep up the good work all! :thumbup:

Finally, I'm a Bandster! WOOT! (This is long, sorry all!) My surgery story, 2-21-2008. First, I have to say, from the moment of my admission, to when I was discharged, Beaumont Hospital treated me like a V.I.P! They are getting a letter from me very soon, thanking them for their kindness. I was very nervous already, and people who are nasty (or intolerant of nervous people) make me even more nervous & upset. But everyone was super, very gentle and gave excellent care. I was admitted at 6am. Went to a pre-op room (can't think of another name for it!) and had all the usual questions, they started an IV, drew blood, etc. I made sure to tell the anesthesiologist I get nauseated with anesthesia (in fact I told a lot of people I get nauseated easily, lol) :tongue: and since they don't want you throwing up, they gave me lots of drugs to prevent it. So far, I've experienced NO nausea at all, which is a blessing! The nurse anesthetist came in, and she was awesome - told me she was going to take good care of me, and she's been doing this for 35 years (another nurse made me laugh by saying she started at age 2, lol). The Nurse anesthetist gave me some "I'm happy to be here juice" (as they called it) before they took me into the operating room. Yep, that worked, LOL . . . I got "loopy", and had no anxiety being in the OR at all! Bring on the surgery! :tt1: ROFL! I don't remember much from there . . . they started hooking me up, and the next thing I knew I waking up. Anesthesia is a wonderful thing! OK . . . my waking up experience wasn't the best, probably the only real difficult part of my journey. I still intubated when I woke up (had the breathing tube in) and that was really making me feel gaggy. I was awake but couldn't move. There was a guy who had some kind of "stimulating" device (I don't know the word for this) who was "shocking" my fingertips - it felt like electric zaps in my fingers, kinda like when you get shocks from static electricity. It hurt! I wanted him to quit it, but I heard him say "not yet, she's not even twitching". (I think they were trying to determine when to pull out the breathing tube.) BAH! I tried to twitch my fingers but I couldn't. I struggled to open my eyes and let them know I was there, but my eyelids felt like lead. Finally I was able to open my eyes, and the guy stopped with the shock stuff immediately and the nurse anesthetist took my tube out. Relief! This "bad part" really only lasted 30 seconds or so, but it was enough, LOL. I woke up feeling very sleepy, had a headache, my throat was sore from the tube (plus a VERY dry cotton mouth) but no other pain. I was moved into the recovery room, where every passing minute (or so) I felt better and better. Since I'm an "overnight" patient, I had to wait for a hospital bed. The hospital was full to capacity - so I had a looooong wait, waiting for someone else to be discharged. I believe they would have tried to move me out of recovery after a half hour, but they had no place to move me. :huh2: I waited in recovery for 5 hours until I finally got a hospital bed. (My surgery was at 8am, over about 9:10am.) It really wasn't bad waiting, they treated me so nicely, the nurse anesthetist came in and checked on me, my surgeon came in and said I did REALLY well! No complications at all. Best of all - he said my liver was nicely shrunk, and it didn't get in his way at all! :tongue: He said I must have done a really grand job on my pre-op diet. I was all kinds of proud then, LOL. I didn't get any pictures, but it was nice to hear that I have a very trim liver. So for those still on your pre-op diets - please stick with it!!! :w00t: It really helps! And if anyone is in the south-eastern (Oakland county) part of Michigan, I'd highly recommend Dr. Kevin Krause as a surgeon. :thumbup: He is so nice, easy to ask questions of, and a gentle guy with tons of experience. While still in the recovery room - I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom. The nurses kept telling me how wonderful I was doing (I don't think recovery nurses are used to seeing their patients walk, lol). But then I was there for so long. They said my "color" was really good, and I looked like I should be reading a book, lol. They did give me pain medication once or twice, mostly for a terrible headache, that they said was from the anesthesia. No nausea, no pain in my stomach. I wondered if I had a band there at all, lol. :tongue: OK . . . finally moved to my room - Beaumont has a floor dedicated to Bariatric excellence. And they were. I was treated so well. I was up and walking around, still only some dull discomfort in my abdomen, but no real pain, nothing like my gall bladder operation (thank-you to the wonderful ladies here in this forum who mentioned this!). Hardest part was getting in and out of bed, but I went slow, and even then it was still only soreness. There was some dull "achy-ness" in my shoulders (from the gas in surgery) and I just tried to walk it off. Friday morning 2/22 - I had my "upper GI" . . . I drank some clear liquid contrast (small amount) while they got pictures. Easy easy. Stuff tasted icky, but no where near as bad as the chalky stuff they give up with a regular upper GI. Test was no more than 15 minutes, if that. My band was fine! Then I was able to eat my first meal - clear chicken broth and a popsicle for lunch. I managed half of both, then I was full. No nausea. Since I tolerated that, they said I could now go home, and slowly progress to a full liquid diet. I went home about 2pm on Friday. So my hospital stay was about 32 hours, almost a day and a half. I came home, showered, got into some comfy pj's, and SLEPT! lol. I'm still feeling pretty good today, everything just went beautiful, much better than I expected. All in all, a very good lap-band surgery experience! :smile:

*hugs* Yankee Sis! I'm doing fabulous, thanks! 2 weeks out of surgery, and I don't feel like I've had surgery. I don't feel my port or band at all. So far so good! I can only hope this continues, but then I haven't had a fill yet . . . I think that's when the true test comes! Yes, I'm hungry, I think I've entered "Bandster's hell" . . . not healed enough for a fill, but my stomach has healed enough to be hungry. I have to fight it it and stay on the plan my dietitian outlined for me. I'm still doing "mushie" foods, and it gets a little tiring having to puree everything, but I don't want to sabotage how far I've already come. The hunger part is hard, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel, I know one day I'll get a fill. :smile: So for now I'm toughing it out and hanging in there. Also hard is that the scales seem to have really slowed down. I want out of the 230's, but those last 2 pounds are not coming off! I have increased my exercise, but still the scales are being stubborn. I have to remind myself that right now, this is a time for healing . . . more weight loss will come later. When the weather gets nice around here, I know the weight loss will pick up again . . . when I go outside for a walk, I tend to stay out there MUCH longer than I stay on my treadmill. I did 40 minutes today on my treadmill, and it gets easier each time to do more, but it's just not the same as being outside! :tongue: BIG CONGRATZ! :thumbup: to you for going to a seminar! That's the first step, and that's the only way to do this, just take it one step at a time. You'll do awesome! I know it's hard giving up food, it is for me too . . . I made hubby a chocolate brownie with chocolate frosting birthday cake this week. It was so hard baking that and not being able to eat any of it, but I did it! I didn't even lick a spoon. It made me feel good to be able to resist. Something that might help . . . stop looking as food as your friend? It's what made us miserable in the first place, friends don't do that! :tongue: You just gotta look at the wrong foods and say "I don't need you". Make new friends . . . better health, energy, feeling and looking good! Besides, not all of "diet" food is bad . . . there's some good stuff and yummy recipes! :thumbup: Ok, enough chatter from me :tt2: I'm proud of you for doing this too! If you ever need anything, you know I'm always here for you. :smile: love 'n hugs!

LOL Amy :cursing: . . . you're so sweet! I'll start packing my itty bitty bikini . . . ROFL! Ack, I don't think I'll ever wear a bikini again! From my gall bladder surgery, I have 3 small scars . . . now 5 from the lap band . . . plus a c-section scar. Oy! :eek: I told my hubby that I could soon play connect the dots on my stomach :thumbup: . . . he teased and said I have my own personal constellation on my stomach :thumbup: . . . If I didn't love the man so much, he'd be dead! rofl, jk. However, some San Diego rays of sunshine would be good about now . . . send some this way, ok? :thumbup: And oh, I've been meaning to ask you! Is that your dog in your avatar picture? He/she is beautiful! What breed/name? I love dogs :thumbup: I so want to get a dog, but everytime I mention it, hubby gives me "the look". He's not a big dog fan. Not that it's gonna stop me eventually though . . . a dog needs to be walked everyday, and I need that, so it works! *hugs!*