JoannMarie

Hi Katydid! I will tell you - if I have learned anything from this forum, it's that I sure don't know much! You gals and guys are the ones on the line right now, I'm just trying to learn everything I can before I take that step. I have had some frustration, esp at the beginning of working with surgical facilities, feeling like this was never going to happen. It seemed at every step my timetable was postponed another month or so, and it was getting more than a little frustrating. But I am tenacious (DH says stubborn) and I have been more determined as I go along. This extra time has actually been a good thing for me - I've kept up with these threads, watched the progress and problems of a lot of banded people, and I know it has helped my understanding of the process and how people are dealing with it. Most of all I know all of you need support (me, too!) and encouragement (me, too!) to find your way on this journey. I don't know what it feels like to have the surgical pain, to PB, or to go through bandster hell, but I will find out soon, and I have a lot better understanding of dealing with those things thanks to all of you great banded people! As for advising my surgeon - wow - she kinda scares me just a little! I can't forget she is the one with the surgical tools and contol of the fill process! I am going to be a very good, compliant patient (who asks a lot of questions!) 47 days to go... Good luck to you Katydid.

Apples, I think you are right. This has to be an individual decision and depends on how the individual feels about her/himself at goal and beyond. Not a decision to be made lightly, because that surgery definitely carries some risk (don't they all). For some the tummy problem is also a skin/chafing/infection problem, and that would make the decision easier for me. In that case, insurance may cover due to the health issues involved. I think I may prefer sag to fat, though! I am willing to give it time to adjust and settle in. P.S. I love the additions to your signature block! Congratulations on reaching your goal!

Fluffy - from all these forums and experiences, I have learned one thing if nothing else. The lapband is not the "easy way out" - it is not a slam-dunk. Lots of people think it is, so if friends are asking, let them know it is not easy. I can't begin to understand just what everyone is going through for a few more weeks, but I do know it will not be easy to lose the weight. My belief is that this tool will help me get there - and help me stay there. Take baby steps if you have to - add in the extra Protein and set your interim goal at 20 - (just 3 more pounds!) and reward yourself with something you want when you reach it (obviously NOT food! heehee). A new CD? New walking shoes? A facial? something just for you. Set another goal of 20 lbs and another reward. You are going to get there. It doesn't matter how long it takes, the band will still be there to help you. You are going to get there! and you are going to stay there! Good luck!

I have also heard the PS likes for you to wait a year or so after goal to let everything settle in and skin tighten as much as it's going to. Maybe as you age and your skin is less elastic they figure they can do the surgery sooner? I don't know... Flowers, about your recovery from PS - check out a rehab facility. That was offered to me after my knee replacement since my husband worked full time. He was able to take time off to help me, so I recovered at home instead, but some time at that type of facility might be an answer for you when you are ready for this next step.

Beckyo - hope this works for you! So far it sounds good. Keep up the good work. I don't know if you lost weight pre-banding, but you are at 40 pounds in 4 months. 10 pounds a month is better than I have done on any diet since my 30's! (longer than I like to think!) You go, girl!

YOU GALS ARE GREAT!!! I love all your rewards - you are very creative. I am filing all this away for future reference! You never know when I might need one or two of these. (heehee) Apples - to what do you attribute the lack of flab? (is that a real sentence?) Have you exercised through all of this? My nutritionist says that is the best way to avoid the dreaded saggy skin. I want to know your secret. I sure understand the feeling about buying clothes. It's not fun and I avoid it as much as possible. But that is about to end! I can hear the sounds of hoofs right now and it ain't Santa's reindeer! That cute little clothes horse is on the way back into my life.

Ditto what Lori says. I don't understand that kind of caution. Why have a band if you can't use it? I think I would be checking to see if fills can be done anywhere else, but understand that isn't an option for everyone (also understand you have probably already thought of that!).

Elayne, just be sure to set interim goals and reward yourself when they are accomplished. It does not have to be expensive stuff, just something you want or would like to do. A spa day? A play or concert? Jewelry or accessory? Even a new hairstyle? I am also thinking about the final goal accomplishment - kinda thinking about a trip DH and I may take... (in my new leather jacket...)

Lori and Apples - Congratulations! You two are inspirations! Lori, just my preference, but I think I (personally) would wait and make that leather jacket my goal reward. If it fits you now, it will be too big very soon. I don't think leather jackets are easily altered... Just my 2cents. How 'bout your earlier comment about the diamond studs? You know, the 75th anniversary is diamonds - does that count for 75 pounds, too? (it would in my book!) I love seeing you reward yourself! Do you remember when your reward for special occasions was food? Along with your solace for hurt feelings, comfort for a stressful day, company for loneliness, etc., etc. What a difference hard work and the band have made in your life. It is great to have goals, and even better when you reward the accomplishment of those goals. You go, Girl!

Nina - you and I are TWINNERS! My date is Dec 4th too! I know it seems far away now, but I've had that date for over 2 weeks and I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Good luck!! :biggrin::thumbup:

DECEMBER 4th! I have a few weeks yet to go and trying to make the most of them! You said you adopted the LB dietary plan for your pre-surgery diet, I'm assuming you ate primarily protein, then vegies/fruits, then carbs? What kind of volume did you eat? I think that's a good idea for the next few weeks for me... I'd like a little more info.

Gosh, Elayne, you said that so well. I have Medicare coverage and Medicare requires the MMP (I think that's what it's called) testing, which is T-F test that takes about an hour to complete. It's the test you mention in your note. Coupled with a psych visit it took about 2 hours for the entire visit. This is definitely a life-changing event and I appreciate that the surgeon wants to know I am committed to this process and have a good chance for success.

Hi Tickitac, Welcome to this group. I'm afraid we may seem a little preoccupied tonight. Our mentor, IndioGirl, had a death in her family today, and will be away from LBTalk for a while. Please feel free to post and ask any questions that come to mind. There are several people here who can provide answers and support for you while Indio is away. Please don't give up on us!

Oh Phyl, what terrible news. My heart goes out to her and her family. Just this weekend she was working on her picture albums and talking about her family and her little brother. If you talk with her, please let her know how saddened her friends are to hear this news. Joann

Katydid - you are doing great! Go buy some new clothes! Do you have consignment shops and thrift stores in Western Australia? They seem to be everywhere here, and they can be a great place to shop for us as we lose weight and don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes we will not be wearing very long as we lose more weight. I hope you will reward yourself for all your hard work. You deserve it!

Lizalee - the author of Mindless Eating might suggest you put your lunch somewhere you can't reach it easily. Such as in a break room refrigerator, the back of a desk drawer you can lock, etc. If you have to stop and think about it, or walk somewhere to get it, you will be more likely to wait. Make it inconvenient for yourself. The idea of a string cheese wrapped in deli meat is great, too. When adding a snack, make it protein - and this snack is only 100 calories that will fill you up for longer than anything else you can add. This was suggested by the psychologist I'm working with at the surgery center (same guy who recommended the book). Hopefully your fill will help you through this, but when it's time for another fill and you can't get in to the doctor, you'll be going through the same stuff and will need some good techniques. Good luck!

Lori, happy for your continuing losses! You will be past this interim goal when you get your wallet! What's next? I should start thinking about rewards... hmmm...

Oh Phyl, I am not the least bit sad about Thanksgiving! My surgery date is a week later, and this will be a great opportunity to both enjoy the meal and look forward to the next day when I will start my pre-op diet! a funny situation... but a lot to be thankful for as always.

Hi Acadiamom, My friend has been sick for over a year prior to this diagnosis, which was just made about a month ago. She is already feeling much better and her symptoms are gone. She CAN eat lots of things that were causing her problems before, and is very happy about that. As for us, there will always be things she misses, but she believes that over time we all will find that food is less important to us, and our new bodies and new interests will become more important in our lives. She is a very positive person and I love being around her. Always good ideas from her! Psych also recommended WLS for Dummies - I have not read it yet. Also The Emotional First Aid Kit was recommended. He said Mindless Eating and Emotional First Aid Kit should be in MY library - others I could get from public library, but I should have those two and refer back as needed. The more information the better. Keep pushing your insurance. There was another poster on one of these threads who had United Health Care and was denied. She was successful with her appeal. Our good friend Phyllser on this thread once worked in this field - she was very helpful to the other poster (wish I could remember her name). If Phyllser is online she will check this thread and perhaps be able to give you more tips. Good luck in your journey,

I can identify! My lab work is scheduled for Nov 26 - the day before our Thanksgiving. I'll be preparing the dinner this year (with help from DH, DD and DIL) and will enjoy the meal and the day with everyone. But thinking about next year will definitely be on my mind. Having everyone here will be very hard - even with the help it is a long day. Next year will be a different story. I am excited about the coming changes.

and another thing... At the recommendation of the psychologist I saw for the surgery approval, I just finished the book Mindless Eating. Very good book with a lot of interesting studies (easily read, too) and very sensible conclusions/suggestions. I got it from Amazon at a good price. I recommend it for anyone considering lapband, as well as those who are banded. Even you successful veterans out there would find it useful and entertaining. You are already doing a lot of what is suggested, but it's fun to see why those habits are important. Turns out we are not alone. The eating cues we receive are the same for everyone, and it's how we respond to those cues that make or break us. We can do it!

Welcome to our new friends! I wish you great success. I am scheduled for banding on December 4th - it's been a long wait, which frustrated me for a while, but I'm beginning to realize how helpful it has been because I've had a chance to read and learn a lot about what my life will be like in a few weeks/months, and over the rest of my life. That is a big deal, and it can be scary! I was talking with a friend over the weekend (3 hrs in the car yesterday!). She recently has been diagnosed with a serious gluten allergy and is learning how to eat all over again. Do you realize how many products have gluten (including soy sauce, for crying out loud!)? We were discussing our dietary futures, and came to the conclusion that millions of people have these kinds of permanent dietary changes in their lives. Diabetes, Crohn's disease, siliac disease, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, on and on and on -- and morbid obesity. Other people make these changes successfully, and we can too. We even have a tool to help us. My friend, who loves breads of all kinds, pasta, and many of the foods that have gluten written in tiny letters on the label, does not have a tool. She has to watch everything she buys and question every server in a restaurant. Same with all these other folks who suffer from diseases such as hers. Let's consider how lucky we are and work hard to make the most of this tool - and make the most of our lives. Katydid - congratulations on your long-awaited loss! I hope you are feeling better. Little Bit - check out some of the recipes that IndioGirl has posted on this thead - back a few pages but worth the trip. She cooked chicken, beef, etc., to make her own broths. Much tastier and you can flavor the way you want. Susanr - is there an indoor pool in your area where you could swim, kick, or walk in the water? That's a good way to get started and is easy on the joints. Walking much is not an option for me because of my knee, but a gentle walk a couple of times a day will get you going if you can do it. You don't have to do much getting started, but just moving around will help you. Good luck to everyone!

Katydid, I think no one is responding because no one has the information you need. I'm really concerned because you have been vomiting so much. Please call your doctor Monday (it's Sunday night here, but already Monday where you are - right?). A little reflux is one thing, but continuing problems and the vomiting is more than just a little reflux. If it's food combinations or whatever, the doctor is the one that should be advising you. He needs to investigate this further, please be persistent about your care. Please take care and keep us posted. You are in my prayers.

Thanks for the information, Apples. It's good to know the doc thought it was the sleep aid in the Tyelonol. I was kinda half joking with the headache remark. Prior to the decrease of estrogen in my system I had severe migraines - due to cyclical hormonal changes. I sure know what a headache can be and absolutely do not want to minimize the effect they can have. Pain is pain and it's tough to deal with. I hope you have been able to get some sleep. It seems there are always lots of upsets to the system when we undergo the kind of changes you have had. Congratulations on your weight loss, though. You must feel fantastic about that! You have done a great job. I can't wait to join all you "banded people."

You're right Phyl. I have been out of town for a few days, and did not receive any emails for this thread or Janet's mentoring group. I've been gone several days at a time before but still received the emails. I'm wondering what was different. Ah well, one of life's mysteries. They should all be so easily fixed... Good luck to all of you who have just had surgery. I'm not looking forward to those first few days, but they pass and you will be feeling better soon. Flowers - the rash sounds really distressing. I am so sorry you have had such a stressful time. This should be the time for you to be able to relax and heal. I hope you will be feeling better soon and have Allstate under control. If you can do that, we will all be beating down your door for your secret! Seems like a real jungle out there these days. I've quit watching the news. I figure I have control over only those things I can actually change. These days that is not much. I try very hard to push the rest of it out of my mind and stay busy with activities that occupy my mind and my hands. I believe exercise - esp walking - can help with that, too. This time of year nature has such a beautiful palette for us to enjoy. I hope all of you can take some time to enjoy it. God bless,