JoannMarie

Apples - I commented on that picture on the other thread and asked if that was really YOU!!! Then I come here and find out it is!!! You are gorgeous, girlfriend! I don't like to stay alone either. It never used to bother me - raised the 3 kids with DH traveling quite a bit for his job(s). Now I just don't like it at all. The dog is no help. Jack is the typical sheltie - bark like crazy at a stranger, but as soon as they would be in the house, he would be taking them on the tour, showing them where the silver is kept, etc. Right now he is afraid of the large orange exercise ball that resides on the sunporch. It moves around the room when the furnace is running and he can't figure out how it moves with no legs... He has many wonderful qualities, but courage in the face of dangerous orange exercise balls is not his true strength. He is a lover, not a fighter.

Apples - I love the new profile picture! Is that really you??? teehee.

Thanks, Apples. I discussed the flights with my doctor at my last fill. She also had never had a complaint about tightening during and after flying. It may not be a problem, but one of the flights is 10 hours, so I have some concerns. Obviously not enough to keep me home! Just about 46 days to go and I am so excited to see DD and her family - esp that little boy who is just so busy, and the new little boy due to be born on or near Easter! We use the Skype software to talk by webcam, so we get to see the 22 mo old and all his trucks, planes, etc., and he gets to see us. We all look forward to those visits. He blows us kisses, but I WANT THE REAL THING!! They are due back in the States this summer - don't know their next posting yet, but as long as they are in the lower 48 I don't really care - heck of a lot closer to us than S. Korea! A 3-5 hour flight sounds really good right now.

Susan - I can't find you on FaceBook either - there are 347 results from a search for Susan Powell! See if you can find me...

Judging from your tickers you are all losing pounds faster than I am. I am really not concerned about losing a little slower - I know it took a long time to put it there and it will probably take a while to get it off. I'm actually down about 27 pounds since pre surgery diet, and I am pleased with that loss. I have been doing my aerobics for exercise, but not as consistent as I could be with it. My arthritis in right knee and foot has been acting up with weather fronts going through, and I have just not been up to stressing it further. That is part of the Catch22 I've been dealing with for a long time, and the pounds off will help me increase the exercise - I'll get the circle going again... A good - healthy - day to everyone!!

Congratulations on Onderland, Long! You are inspiring to all of us! I'm finding myself with less restriction - started about a week after 2nd fill (Feb 6th). Losses have slowed down in the last week - even up about a pound, and I've been feeling a little discouraged. I find it's so easy to relax my attention to portions, etc. Back to careful measuring of food and Water intake the last few days and the scale is down a little bit this morning. I feel very waterlogged in the mornings, though I am getting in about 70-80 oz of water a day, and avoid oversalting. I go for 3rd fill next Monday. I expect it will take that one, and maybe another one or two before I reach my best level. The month of April and first week of May I will be out of the country and don't want to lose ground. HOWEVER! - Apples - I am a little concerned about the long flights. I absolutely don't want problems in Korea - I don't think they do this surgery in Korea and won't know what to do with me if I show up needing medical help. I may forego the scheduled 4th fill and depend on measuring and being extra careful in order to avoid problems so far from home. My daughter and her family eat VERY healthy and I don't think I will have problems just simply being very careful with choices and portions. I need to do that anyway!! 25% band, 75% me -- right?

I'd love to join y'all on FaceBook - Joann Haley Farley. Katy, you have many friends here who are praying for you and your new surgeon. You are a strong woman and you have survived many difficulties in your life. I pray for your continued strength in meeting this challenge. I'm so glad you have found a doctor who talks to you honestly about your situation. Despite the seriousness of your condition, I can see the relief in your words that you finally have answers to your questions and a plan to fix the problems. God bless you, dear - we are all praying for you.

There was a news story last week about research showing the number of healthy 90-year-olds has increased amazingly in the last 20 years or so, believed to be due to emphasis on healthier eating and exercise as we age. Lucky US! That gives us an extra 20-30 years to enjoy our slimmer, healthier bodies. And that is the key - enjoy ALL of your years. I guess that's why I don't worry in case I turn out to be a slow loser. What's the rush? Every pound lost is a pound healthier and I intend to make the most of them. I wish this had been available to me years ago but it wasn't. I am blessed to have this opportunity now and very thankful for it. Best of everything to all - eat healthy and get in some exercise today!

I have noticed my restriction seems to go away about a week after a fill (had 2 so far). I've been reading some other threads that tell me it takes more than 2 or 3 - some have not had "good" restriction until about the 4th or 5th fill. My surgeon says she can't put in too much, or the sudden difference will be much to tight and I won't be able to get anything down, so they have to take it in steps. My first fill was 3cc, second was 2cc. I go in next Monday for my 3rd fill. I don't feel much restriction now, and weight loss has stalled again. I logically know all this - but I still feel discouraged tonight. Tomorrow will be better... Everybody - have a good week, eat healthy and exercise.

Hi All, Sounds like everyone is doing okay - all of us are at different stages in this adventure, but we can all come together on this thread and talk about the issues we have. I learn from each and every one of you - love you ALL! Janet - I don't DARE fall off the wagon with you around! and I guess if I did I would not have to admit it, since your advice to someone else in trouble would fit my issue, too! It's good to be away for a while and then come back and read lots of posts at one time. You are right, Janet. We are more alike than we are different. Such a variety of personalities, talents, education, careers, families - but we are alike in our relationship with food. It's comforting, soothing, stress-relieving, a friend when we are lonely, something to do when we are bored, and so many other things to us. It's been all of those things to us most of our lives. It's hard to find replacements after all this time. Janet has the right idea - start a hobby or pick up one you left behind in a former life, read a book, go for a walk or do an exercise tape, play with the dog, get on the computer - just get your mind working on something else and your body in gear. The goal here is a healthy lifestyle. Thanks for all your "tough love" (emphasis on the "love"), Janet.

Deb - I know I would be going crazy if I were that close to goal and not losing anything, but I have a couple of questions - how tall are you? You have lost almost 100 pounds - is it possible your body is happy where it is right now? I am new at this, but on several threads here and read A LOT. I have heard/read that you will stop losing at the point where your body is comfortable with it's weight - several people at or around goal have mentioned that. If you feel you are drifting away from the dietary rules of lapbandland, Phyll (on this thread) and others have done a 5-day pouch test, instructions for which can be found by googling it. Many feel it gets them back on track with the program. There are lots of folks on this thread who have much more experience than I do with this lifestyle change. I hope they chime in with some thoughts and suggestions for you. p.s. - I'm in full agreement PLATEAUS SUCK!

Yes - my SIL is Army. They have been in country for about 1 1/2 years, will be reassigned this summer. It looks like they will be posted in the States. Army life is old hat to SIL, but DD is new to the whole thing - they married in April 2006 and she moved from successful career to Army Wife. She likes it and is very happy being fulltime wife and mommy. They miss home a lot - having babies makes a difference. DH and I are looking forward to the visit - but not the long flight! From our door to theirs will be almost 24 hours with a few hours of layovers in Denver and San Francisco, and then a 10 hour flight to Seoul. I hear some people have tighter restriction during and after flying - have you experienced that? I'm a little concerned about it.

Lynn, what kind of band do you have? I have the Realize band and the doc's PA told me their port takes a little longer to heal inside due to the way it is attached. It no longer hurts, but if I lean over a table or bend just so I get a little twinge that reminds me it is there. I've been doing crunches with my exercise program, and I can feel the port when I am doing them (just a twinge) and this morning I notice it is there. Is yours very painful? - this long after your surgery it should not be hurting a lot. I would call my surgeon and ask about it if mine was hurting a lot this many months after surgery. Katy - bless your GP. I am so glad he is looking out for you. I hope he has found someone who can help you get these problems solved. Please keep us in the loop - many people here care very much for you.

Hi all, Janet - glad you are back and had a chance to visit with your aunt. When my great-aunt was 95 and in assisted living she felt a lot like your aunt probably feels. All of her siblings, many of her younger family members and most of her friends were gone. She had never married, so she did not have those relationships. I know she was very lonely those last years. Hard for a strong, resourceful woman who had always had many friends and relatives and a fullfilling career. Her mind was as sharp as ever, which was pretty darned sharp. She sure had me pegged when I was a teenager - drove me nuts with her advice to my mother about how to handle me! How did she know all that when she never raised a kid???? I know your aunt appreciated your visit and had a good time with you. I don't know if I have any good ideas for PJ - my food plans are probably pretty boring to most, although I do try new recipes and consistently adjust old ones to fit the lower fat and lower calorie ideal. I find carbs are not my friends. I still eat a few, because I LOVE them, but I know I tend to retain Water after eating potatoes or rice, and it slows my weight loss down - not just water weight. I always have a high Protein Breakfast - either a scrambled egg with a little cheese and chopped Canadian bacon - sometimes a single piece of real bacon, sometimes just the scrambled egg. A couple of mornings a week I will have 1/3 cup Greek yogurt (I found it! at Costco) with 1/4 cup high fiber Cereal, a few walnuts and 1/4 cup skim milk. For lunch I have 3-4 ounces of protein - canned tuna, salmon, left over meat from previous dinner, sliced low fat deli meat, etc., and add a small amount of green vegie or sliced tomato, bell pepper, etc. For dinner, I have 3-4 ounces of meat protein (chicken, turkey, fish/shrimp/scallops, beef, pork, etc.) I have had no problem with eating any meat as long as I chew it well and go slow. Again - a green or yellow vegie (no corn in this category), about 1/4 cup; and a couple times a week a little potato or rice. I have no excuse for the starches - my DH does not care if he has any starches, though he does eat whole grain bread (which I have not). He would not mind at all if I eliminated the potatoes/rice completely, but I just have not been able to do it. I do keep the amount small, but I would probably do better without it. I usually have a snack in the evening - SF puddings are my favorite, and I add a few walnuts. Sometimes I will have a couple of tablespoons of peanuts instead of the pudding, and sometimes 1/3 cup Greek yogurt (leftover from breakfast) - with a few walnuts. I try to add just a litle extra protein in the form of low fat cheese, a few walnuts, chopped hardboiled egg, etc. to almost everything I eat. I know it is a few more calories, but I find I lose better if I am pushing the protein with that little extra. (Plus - walnuts are SOOO good for you!) My 2nd fill was pretty restrictive last week, but is a little less so the last few days. I am due for #3 on March 2nd, and #4 March 20th. From reading the LBTalk Realize forum, I think it takes a few more fills with Realize to get to the proper restriction (as always, different with each individual). I should be at the right level after #3 or #4. That's okay with me, as I need to do my part, too, and I am learning a lot right now. I AM satisfied with 1/2 - 3/4 cup of food per meal. I just have to pay attention, stop at the first signal and wait a few minutes for my brain to catch up. At that point I know I am satisfied and go on with life away from the table... Right now I CAN physically eat more food than that, and unfortunately I will do just that if I am not paying attention (and have potato on my plate!). haha.

It's my understanding that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin products, ibuprofen (Advil), and others) can inflame the stomach. It stands to reason our new pouch/stomach would be at risk, too. You should check with your surgeon to see what he/she recommends for headaches and other aches and pains. I was told I could take either Celebrex or Mobic for my arthritis (both prescription). I am taking Celebrex and have been for years with no problems. I am finding that I have many days when I don't need it (yay). I hate taking meds and will be happy when I can put the bottle in the cabinet for just occasional use!

I had 3cc with the first fill, and 2cc with the second fill last week - so a total of 5cc. My doctor has not said what the next fill or subsequent fills will be, but I assume smaller amounts as we go along. Next date is Mar 2, then again Mar 20. DH and I are leaving in early April for several weeks in Korea - our DD and her hubby are expecting their second little boy in April, and have a 2 year old - so we will be busy helping with the new baby adjustments. Doc and I are making sure I don't have a fill too close to travel dates in case I need to ease back a little. I don't think they do this surgery in Korea, so I'm just a little nervous about that. I'd rather have less of a fill and just be careful with food - than to have any problems while there.

Good to hear from you, Skittles. I think you are entitled to that nap if you feel like it! I'll be 67 in a few months - don't often take a daytime nap yet, but I like to sit down and read in the afternoon. I'm feeling good and have pretty decent restriction after the second fill a week ago. Funny, though - both times it has been best in the first few days, then seems to ease up some. I am proving to be a sporadic loser as usual - will stay the same for a week or more, then lose a couple of pounds. I am hopeful the losses will not stall, but every time I have one of those slowdowns, I start to worry about it. It's hard to remain confident in the ultimate outcome. I don't mind the week part, but when it gets to 1 1/2 or 2 weeks I feel like I am losing ground, not losing weight! I just keep up my exercise program and am careful with my food - and try not to think about it. My doctor wants to do at least 2 more small fills in the next 6 weeks. DH and I are going to Korea to visit with our DD and SIL - and be there for the birth of their second little boy (helping to take care of the 2 year old). We're leaving in early April, and I will be gone a month. Doctor wants to make sure I have a fill about 3 weeks before I leave, then see how things are going when I return in May. She has a good plan for me - the more I get to know her the better I like her. It's good to hear you are doing so well. Congrats!!

Hope you have a great trip, Janet! This cruise talk is making my mind wander off to warm beaches and ocean breezes. Rude awakening when it snows tomorrow...

Katy - great news. I am thinking good thoughts for you! You have gotten some very good advice from Lompocbander in her note. I hope this will resolve for you very soon.

I did not get a lot of restriction with that first fill, but the second one has been much better. I know sometimes it takes several to get where you want to be, and for many people it is necessary for them to have small fills periodically for the whole weight loss period. Glad to hear you are doing well after these fills. I was told to be back in 3 weeks, so I will be there ready for that needle (esp the first one that numbs me!) I am definitely a needle-wimp...

Welcome! If your ticker is correct you have lost 49 pounds since banding - was it August 2008? If so - that is almost 50 pounds in 5 1/2 months - about 8 pounds a month, 2 pounds a week. I think that is an excellent loss. I don't know what kind of vitamin supplements you are taking, but many of them are available in chewables or liquids. I've not been crazy about the liquids - they just taste so supersweet to mask the real taste. I am taking the costco brand childrens' chewable Multivitamin (similar to Flintstone's) and they taste okay, price is right. I also take a childrens' chewable Omega 3 (fish oil). My B Vitamins and D vitamine are small round tablets, not a problem to swallow, or they are small rectangles and I use a pill cutter to halve them. For Calcium I am taking the Viactiv chewables, which are either chocolate or caramel. I love the chocolate, and I was able to find the sugar-free type (also Costco's brand). I have read you can go to Bariatric Advantage website and they have a selection of vitamins, but I have found mine at - TA-DA - Costco. (bet you already figured that out...) I am sure you could find them at any full service drug store, Walmart or Sam's Club. Keep up the good work!:thumbup:

JoannMarie, I'm happy to hear that your eye surgery went well. As far as doctors talking to each other....... from what I've gathered no-one tells a surgeon what to do! He doesn't seem to be in a hurry to do anything, yet he wants the results asap. Now I find that he will not even be here in Perth next week. He will be operating up north in Karratha, so I can't even see him until Friday the 27th Feb. Meanwhile I'm just slightly "Packing it!" Yeah - I think we have some of those surgeons here, too. It's the "God" complex some surgeons seem to acquire. I've been lucky there - the surgeries I've had were not done by that type of person. Livin4Jesus, The closest I can get to determining the time difference between us is a sad memory. My daughter woke me at 11pm to tell me to turn the TV on. It was the Twin Towers disaster. It was 9am in New York and I sat horrified watching in disbelief. Our daughter in S. Korea is 15 hours ahead of us in KC (central time) Sept is still DST in New York so you are probably 16 or 17 hours ahead of KC in western Australia. No matter - if I call her at 10a.m. here I wake the whole house up! DH is esp guilty of that mistake, but she has done it a couple of times to us, too! We will finally get used to it right about the time they return to the States this summer. Katy, you are in my prayers today and every day. Close your eyes and breathe deeply - you have a lot on your plate (so to speak) and you need all the relaxation techniques you can think of...

Just checking in... It's good to hear most are doing well - I know things have slowed down for several of you. I did not get really good restriction with my first fill in January, and probably should have called for an earlier appointment for the next fill, but decided to tough it out. I don't think I'll do that again. My second fill was last Friday and I am very happy with the restriction I have now. I can still eat any of the foods I've tried, but the amount of space available in there is greatly reduced! I have to be a lot more conscious of eating the protein first, veggies second, as there's no room for extras. I am having trouble with getting the vitamins and medications down. I've cut whatever pills/tablets I can cut, taking chewables where possible. I found if I have a cup of hot tea or coffee just before I begin the vitamin regimen they go down a bit better. My biggest problem is Preservision, which is a vitamin combination I take for my macular degeneration, as strongly recommended by my ophthomologists. It is not esp large, but larger than my others and tries to get stuck. I had my second laser surgery on my eyes Thursday - this time the right eye. The left eye looks fine and the problem should not re-occur. This has been a real scare for me, as the problem could have been very serious and led to blindness in a matter of hours if an attack had occured. My recommendation to everyone is to find a very good ophthomologist and see him/her regularly. I go to a university eye clinic for my macular degeneration. A resident found this particular glaucoma damage to my optic nerve (from a previous mild attack) and called it to the attention of the attending physician who referred me immediately to their glaucoma specialist. It is not the normal glaucoma that affects peripheral vision and is treated with eye drops. The laser treatments were a little nerve-wracking (your mind is SURE this hurts), but relatively painless. The eye was a bit scratchy the rest of the day both times, but by the next morning was completely normal. Drops for a few days and that's it. Amazing - and I am very thankful. Katy - my heart goes out to you. I pray you can get this problem taken care of very soon. Having gone through this situation with my eyes and getting it resolved so quickly, I am very aware of the serious issue of TIMELY medical care. I worry a lot about what kind of "universal" medical plan our government is about to create for us. A lot of people come to the US from Canada to have surgeries and other treatments done if they live close enough to the border. It might help if your doctors talked with each other and did not leave you hanging in the middle of it all. Do they consult with each other? I wish all of you a great day today!

Welcome Penny, It sounds like you are doing just fine with your post op routine. I was banded in early December. My loss has been pretty good, altho I lost very slowly in late January. I had my first fill Jan 9, second fill last Friday - Feb 6. I should have gone ahead and scheduled a fill a week or so sooner, but decided to tough it out. I think I could have had a better month if I had had this fill a little sooner. I am nicely restricted now - can eat anything with no problem, but I am filling up quickly and I know I can't add anymore when that full signal flares. It is making me more conscious of eating the Protein first, veggies second to make sure I get the necessary nutrients. I am becoming a big fan of this band of mine. I wish I could have done this a long time ago, but better now than never! It is great to have a chance at a healthier life and enjoying these retirement years so much more. My DH is a very active 69, loves hiking, biking, 4-wheeling, etc. I always enjoyed those activities with him until the combination of severe arthritis and excess weight began to take its toll. I have been on that merry-go-round for several years and I am looking forward to breaking that vicious circle up. We are starting to make plans for spring and summer activities... Good luck on your journey and welcome to this thread.

Hi All, I had my second fill today. 2cc added to the 3cc I received last month (Realize band). It went well - I have been stopping at the restaurant across the street from the surgery center to have some lunch - I figure if I have a problem I can go back to her office and have a bit taken out... I'm allowed mushies after a fill, so I have a cup of clam chowder to check everything out (after drinking Water in the office). It's better than driving back home - 80 miles - then discovering I can't get anything down. I am very noticeably tighter, but not having a problem, just eating much less. That's the idea, right?? I even notice it when drinking my water. gurgle, gurgle... I am a little upset with myself that I did not call for an earlier appointment. I know I could have had one, but I thought I would tough it out. DUH... I know now to get the fill when I am struggling with eating "just a little" too much. I believe that is why my loss has slowed down. At any rate I'm feeling good about this fill and looking forward to better losses in the next few weeks. We have our teenage grandkids with us this weekend. GD will be 18 next month and graduates from HS in May. Last week she was 4 years old and fell asleep on my lap. GS is 14 and starts HS next year. I believe he was riding his tricycle down the driveway just the other day. Wow - they sure have been busy. I am glad our youngest DD is just getting her family started. We'll have a couple of babies to play with for a few years - more than a couple babies if DD and SIL have their way. Glad to hear everyone seems to be doing well. Apples - hope you are having fun. I've been hearing weather reports from FL that sound more like KC! Still not as cold as MN, though!