JoannMarie

Hi All, Just checking in - I was in DesMoines for a large quilt show over the weekend. Had a lot of fun with my quilting friends who went with me, saw beautiful quilts and shopped the vendors. Lots of trouble with my ankles, back, and right knee - December can't come fast enough to suit me. I am so anxious to improve these joint problems. Walking is bad, standing is worse, and in crowds of people you just can't get the walking rhythm you need to make it any easier. It was rough. It made me more careful about the money I spent, though - I always had to decide if I was willing to carry whatever I was tempted to buy! Sounds like everyone is plugging along. I hope your episode is well behind you, Apples. That sounded really scary. It did sound like an allergic reaction - is there a substitute for liquid Tyelonol? I'm not sure I would want to try that one again. Think I'd rather have the headache. Y'all be good now.

Welcome FStop! Congratulations on receiving your date! Goose - hope the cold is doing better. They are so annoying. Hope everyone else is okay. I've been out of town for a couple of days and have a lot to catch up on.

Hi Tammy! Don't be shy, just jump right in...

I'm glad you are here, Mary. I've found this group to be very supportive. I'm still waiting and learning, and my LBT friends have been a wealth of information about day-to-day living with the band. I hope everything works out for you and you have your band soon. God bless you.

I guess I'm a little confused (nothing new there...) Nina, are you having the lapband surgery too, or just Don? I came on board after Don had been waiting and posting for quite a while, but I wasn't aware his wife was also being banded. Sorry to be asking someone to repeat information, but I'm a shamelessly nosy gal and just can't stand not being in the know! I wish both of you the best of luck, no matter who's being banded!

Welcome Goose! Okay - I guess as of now the name "Holiday Belles" is out! Remove that one and add in "Holiday Hotties" instead. Your are right, guys absolutely can be hotties! Sorry to hear about the postponement of your surgery date, but we're glad to have you in our December group. Also sorry to hear you have a cold. That's miserable - I just got over one myself. Try Mucinex (sp?) for the congestion - I was surprised at how well it worked for me. Glad to have you join us.

Gail, you have certainly had more than your share of sorrow these last few weeks. My heart hurts for you. You remain in my prayers. May God bless and comfort you and your family. Joann

Lori, it's 70 pounds. It doesn't really matter what Mom says. I know you want her approval - haven't you always? But this was your decision, you have the full support of your husband and your daughter (I'm not sure if you have other children?), and you are successful to the tune of 70pounds, more than halfway to your goal. If you were my daughter I would be overcome with pride and joy for you - in fact you are my "LBT" friend and I feel that way. Just love your mom, her reasons for being negative actually have nothing to with you, but with her own feeling of shortcoming. My mother-in-law had issues like that, and it was hard to deal with until I understood more what her own life had been like. Families are like that, ya gotta love 'em as they are and go on with your life. That's exactly what you are doing. Can your husband deflect some of her negativity? He is so supportive and happy about your new healthy lifestyle... Not suggesting he take her on, but just have his arm around you, a big smile on his face, and his usual words of praise! God Bless!

Hi Tas31. Welcome to this group. I am not on Optifast now, but I have done that program in the past. In fact, I've done a couple of the liquid diet programs. They work great, but they are very hard to stay on long-term (and that's what I did). The last time I lost 40 pounds in 5 months. The last 2 months of that program included vegetables and fruit and I still lost, though not as quickly as with the liquid only. It is just as difficult to keep that weight off as any other diet - in fact probably harder. I began to slowly gain very soon while still in maintenance, though I was still exercising and tracking my food. I continued in the classes for 5 months after the diet - everyone in the class was gaining slowly no matter what they did. For me it was not a long term solution - obviously, or I would not be planning for the band. I think our bodies hold on to every scrap of fat for as long as they can, and when we go back to a diet that provides real food, the body says, "well, thank goodness she came to her senses and is feeding me again, now we can get back to where we belong." and the ride begins again.

Marilyn, what great news. I'll bet things start moving very quickly for you now. Bless your heart, you have been through it all, haven't you. You will remain in my prayers. I hope to hear soon that you have a date with a laproscope!

Some of the ideas I had: Winter Wonders Holiday Belles December Stars I think we should keep it fairly short and I was thinking about using the holiday and/or winter theme... Any other ideas? We could also wait until we have more folks getting their December dates. No hurry - we have a few weeks.

Another great NSV for Lori!! well I guess it does relate to the scale, but MORE to the husband/scale! Good information for equipment purchase, Lori. I have not used other ellipticals, so I didn't realize there would be that difference. Does yours have the arm exercise option? The one at the gym does not, but I think that might be helpful, esp as one has to exercise with more intensity as weight is lost. I've seen the Nordic Track at costco - it looks darn good.

Hi again Ellen, I have access to both machines, a recumbant bike here at home, and the elliptical at the gym. I do like both, but I think I get a better workout on the elliptical. Right now I am primarily using the bike since it is here at home and so convenient. I have not been exercising regularly for several months, and trying to ease back in gradually. I will have a program set up - using both machines plus weight training - by the time I am banded in early December. It is my promise to myself and my first priority, as both mental and physical preparation for my new lifestyle. I have learned that from all you banded people! Good luck checking all this stuff out.

Hi Kathy - welcome to December! I think most of us have come to this decision after a lot of research and consideration - at least I hope there has been a lot of both. It's not an easy decision, but the research I have done has convinced me that it is right for me. (I would not presume to make that choice for anyone else!) I hope you begin to feel more comfortable with your decision. Probably as you feel comfortable, your husband will feel better about it, too. I agree mental preparation is very important. I've become an avid LBTalk fan in the last few months. I think we hear a wide range of comments and encouragement here, and it helps me a lot. I worry a little about pain and discomfort, too - but immediately my mind goes to my knees and ankles, and I know that pain is a lot more of a problem for me because it is with me all the time and is only going to get worse if I don't lose weight and keep it off. That's just me, of course, and has been part of my own mental preparation. Good luck to you on your journey. Hope you stick around and play with us...

Hi Ellen, My 2 cents: I've had one knee replacement, and the other one now needs replacing. Both my former orthopedist (now retired) and my current one have told me not to use a treadmill. They recommend the elliptical trainer or recumbant bike with no weight, but as fast as I choose to go (still doesn't get anywhere!). Neither of these pieces of equipment bother my knees to use them. Prior to my first replacement I had been using our treadmill about 45 min to an hour a day. After several weeks my knee just gave way with me one day. When I saw the doctor he said using the treadmill had accelerated the arthritic damage, and walking/treadmill would no longer be my primary exercise. Fast forward about 3-4 years post replacement I decided to give it a try - nice and slow - again, just 10-15 min with no incline. After a few workouts that familiar ache began in my other leg. 'nough said. Along with the elliptical and bike, both docs recommended Water aerobics and/or walking in the water, and weight training with minimal weight on the knees. My plan is treatment with cartilage injections until I have lost considerable weight and then have the right knee replaced if still necessary. I know getting the weight off will improve my chances. I don't know what other doctors recommend - just what these doctors have told me. In spite of what my husband says, sometimes I do what I am told. Good luck!

I hope your found an October group to play with!

Hi Carol, I agree it's kinda hard when everyone has been banded and we're just looking in. After a while I decided to go ahead and respond anyway. I figure they can get to know us a little before we are in their boat with them. I did not talk a lot with the surgeon about pre surgery diet. She did say I would be on liquids for a week before surgery, but did not elaborate about what kind of liquids (I suspect the clear ones!). I am calling their office this week to get a little more information about that so I can have everything on hand. They have not mentioned any weight loss prior to surgery. I am watching closely and practicing the small bite/chew-a-lot techniques. My weight has been pretty stable for the last 6 months after going up some after my knee began to give me fits. I'm also starting an exercise program - slowly right now, but pick it up as I go along. I would like to have habits in place before December. What's your pre surgery diet plan?

Oh yum... Sounds like a fun time. When are your folks coming? or are they already there? Have FUN, LORI!

Wow! I'm so excited someone answered my post! I was a little disappointed to be waiting another 2 months, but it's been this long, I guess it can be a little longer. I finally put a ticker in my signature block - chose a winter scene since the big day is in December. I haven't heard from you for a while. Have you been on other threads, or just got tired of being the one without the band? I confess sometimes I feel just a bit envious of the folks that are on their way, but I know my day is coming - and now we know when! Yay for us!

Thanks Pati, I'm not concerned about a December response just yet. I think most people are still being scheduled for October and November. I'm just the first one there. Somebody will be checking out that month before too long and they will find me there waiting for them. Did you find the October thread okay? There are probably several groups you can hook up with.

Considering that most quilters now use rotary cutting techniques to cut their fabric into strips, many quilters jokingly call themselves "strippers." On this thread we now have a number of "strippers" and "hookers." I hope we will not be leaving newcomers with the wrong impression... PS-I like knitting, too. Since most of my quilting is machine work now, I still need something to do with my hands and knitting fills the bill. I've made some killer felted bags and purses!

Cori, this is exactly what I'm going to do! A friend I worked with for 8 years shopped this way all the time, and she had a great figure and a constantly changing wardrobe. She spent Saturdays shopping the consignment shops with her mom, and had a great time - and designer fashions that changed all the time. In the 8 years I worked with her, I don't remember her ever wearing the same outfit twice! Once she got started with this method, she was basically exchanging her clothes each week (or month, whatever the time-frame was), because she was putting the older outfits on consignment and purchasing the newer outfits at a much reduced price with the money she was paid by the consignment shop. She had an interesting - kinda Bohemian - style, and an ability to put great looks together - it was fun to see what she would be wearing each day! Anita, I want to be like you when I grow up! Go shopping and make it FUN!

Great picture girls! Looks like you had a fun time!

Elayne, that's quite a bit more than I had for Medicare, too. I had the surgical consult, psych consult, nutritionist, sleep studies (2), diet history, referral letter from my pcp, surgical board review, and that's about it. Other than that I'm just waiting for my turn...

Gail, I am so sorry for your loss. Please take your time and be kind to yourself. You need time to rest and heal.