gentlespirit

I'd love to look like Sara Rue or Mia Tyler...they are both gorgeous. But I also like Queen Latifah and would be happy if I get to the stage where I have a body like hers. That's probably more realistic, but it's fun to dream! Emily

Congratulations! It'll be here before you know it. A heating pad, V-8 was a staple for me, prune juice or milk of magnesia to "get things moving" if necessary, and I second the others' suggstion of sugar free popsicles...they really seemed to soothe. Emily

I think the work involved for me is mostly mental. I have to work on making good food choices to put into my small capacity pouch. I have to work on resisting the craving for sweets, which go down WAY to well if I give in! I have to work on paying attention to the difference between head hunger and pysical hunger. I need to work on exercising at least a little...I'm up to walking about a mile a day, when before I did as little as possible, and I'm actually looking forward to the walks. I consider that huge progress, even though I need to keep increasing it. But through it all, the band keeps reminding me about making better choices, resisting sweets (for the most part), etc. I haven't yet had the PB or sliming experience, but I'm sure at some point I will and it will reinforce the lessons I'm learning. As others have said, it's a learning process... Emily

I always have several books going at once...just finished reading most of the Catherine Anderson books...if any of you like c ontemporary romances, hers are great. I love that her characters often have some type of disability or challenge...I'm sick of "perfect" people. I'm also going to start re-reading "Searching for a God to Love" by Chris Blake. Emily

Heather Gurl is right...Atkins is not a no-carb diet. I was really concentrating on the Protein before my first visit to the dietician ,and she was not happy with that. She said we really need to be balanced...protein is important, but so are some carbs and veggies. Having said that, I still eat my protein first to make sure I get it in before I get full and then go on to the veggies and a small amount of carb. I drink Atkins shakes for Breakfast every morning on the way to work...I've never been a big breakfast eater, so this works for me. I prefer the vanilla ones, then strawberry. I love chocolate, but their chocolate royale shakes aren't as good as the other flavors IMHO. Emily

I'm SO glad everything turned out OK. She's blessed to have a mom who is so on top of things. Our children are the most precious things in the world! Emily

Elizabeth~ Thank you for what I thought was a well thought out and timely post. I've also noticed a lot of new people here and some seem to think this is just a piece of cake. Don't we wish it were that easy! I think it's important to remind all of us that any surgery always carries an inherent risk. I think we forget that even with the excellent medical care available, things DO happen. I appreciate your voice of experience from both sides of the question...banded and caring for bariatric surgery patients. Emily

Congratulations and welcome back! Crossing my fingers that it all goes well this time around. Emily

I bought a 2 1/2 quart Water bottle like people keep in their refrigerators and fill it each evening before I leave work (I like it at room temp). Then I fill the glass on my desk and try to drink a glass every hour or whenever I think about it. I don't usually have trouble getting it all in during the day, and then I drink in the evening some, too. My skin looks better than it ever has and I have gotten accustomed to the water intake so that I no longer have to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes. Emily

I chose the lap band because I just was not comfortable with the thought of re-routing my insides. I also know people who have had gastric bypass done and are now regaining the weight quickly. They lose quickly because of the malabsorbtion and the restriction of the quantity they can eat, but they have lots of problems with nutritional deficiencies, etc. That just doesn't sound healthy to me. With the band I can eat a balanced diet...just not much of it. I'm out 4 months and have lost 30 pounds and am very satisfied with that. This will take longer but I just feel it's a healthier route. I still get hungry just prior to meal times, but I can eat about a cup of food and am completely satisfied. Not stuffed to the point of discomfort, but not hungry anymore, either. The lap band still requires us to make good choices in what we eat, and I'm struggling with that...too bad it doesn't make us allergic to chocolate!! That would make my life much simpler :confused: We also still have to deal with the head hunger vs. physical hunger issue, and that's a tough one for many of us. The best thing you can do to educate yourself is to spend time here reading the posts and using the search feature to find answers to your particular questions and concerns. Good luck with your decision! Emily

I used the Atkins protein drinks, too, and although I felt washed out from the surgery, I didn't feel ill. You can get 18 (I think) grams of protein in one can and shouldn't have a problem getting it down in small sips. Hope you're feeling better soon! Emily

I love the Morningstar Farms sausage links and eat them quite often. Good Protein and not too bad in the other areas. Also like the burger cumbles and use for chili, spaghetti sauce, etc. Haven't had the chicken patties for ages but used to like them, too. I also use Worthington brand canned meat analogs but they are hard to find in some areas. I also eat refried Beans and salsa a lot cuz it's easy when I come home from work tired and not wanting to cook. Emily

Congratulations, Kathy...that's an awesome NSV!!! I can't wait until I'm in the same place. Emily

I love Max Factor Stretch and Separate mascara...I hate clumpy lashes that look like dead spiders, and this gives me long lashes that aren't clumpy! Emily

Penni~ You look beautiful! It must be so frustrating to have lost the band and be struggling again...you are lovely inside and out! Emily

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Some people are real pigs! I loved Mary's comment about "I'd rather have too much than too little" and looking at their crotch!! But I probably wouldn't have had the nerve. I think Wheetsin is right and totally ignoring them was the bst thingto do. They wanted to see you respond somehow, and you denying them a reaction was the best revenge. Emily

I was told to aim for a cup per meal, and that's worked pretty well so far. Sometimes I go a little less or very occasionally a little more, but that's my rule of thumb. At first I hadto measure it out, but now I'm pretty good at estimating. I don't think we can get the nutrition we need on tiny tiny amonuts. Emily

I don't think she's the kind of "friend" you need now. Sounds like she's more interested in telling you her "stuff" than making it a two-way street. Sometimes we just outgrow people and need to move on. If she's really important to you (which it doesn't sound like), you could try educating her, but I'd guess she won't be interested...too self absorbed. Emily

That's not a little NSV...that's a big one! Congratulations...way to go! Emily

Congratulations on the fantastic job you're doing!!! Way to go! Emily

Congratulations!!You're right...we all know what you mean. Way to go! Emily

My PCP wrote a letter of support for the surgery "To Whom It May Concern"; then my lap band surgeon included it when he wrote the letter of medical necessity to the insurance company. Emily

Welcome, bandedmama! Sooner or later we all have to vent about something, and the great thing about this forum is that we can and people understand! Most of us are pretty non-judgmental, since we tend to be judged by others regarding our weight. Hope you're feeling better and ready to tackle the journey again! Emily

Has anyone heard from JulieK as to how she's doing? I'm worried about her. Emily

JMoe~ Call your doc as soon as you can...maybe he can up the dosage of Lexapro or maybe you need a different antidepressant. Sometimes it take time to find the proper one for you...I was on Prozac several years ago and it quit working after being great for 3 years. Now I'm on Lexapro, and it's working for me, but it didn't work for my sister. They have a lot of different meds they can choose from, so don't give up hope! Some of us have a hard time with changes in our routine/circumstances. And Vines is right...kids aren't necessarily the most stimulating company, no matter how much we love them! There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to have more in your life than "mommyhood"! Hope you're feeling better soon! Emily