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I bought "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band" by Robert W. Sewell, and Linda Rohrbough. I got it at Barnes & Noble. I really liked it. I know there are other books but I haven't read any of them. Best wishes!

Thanks, Lellow. I didn't think about that. DD is usually asleep by 8:30-9:00. I'm so tired I usually just crash on the couch with the laptop til I drag myself to bed. Maybe I'll feel better if I just walk straight to the treadmill instead. Are you still exhausted all the time? I have no energy at all. I drag all the time. I'm taking a B-Complex w/B-12 sublingual, I wonder if I need to double it by taking another dose in the afternoon with the other half of my supplements? DH is a fireman and works a 72 hours shift (8AM Mon-8AM Thurs) so it's just the 2 of us when he's gone and we have no family here or childcare so I don't get much of a break for anything. My mom says give it 6 months but I don't want to wait til February to finally get some energy! I hear others, (poster above, for one) saying they've got all this energy now and yet I just drag! UGH! I will try the after bedtime though. Thanks. I always think of doing it before she gets up but I can't drag myself out of bed. DD always wakes ME up! LOL!

I have a treadmill here at home. I'm pretty hit and miss right now. It's hard to get on it and keep my 2 1/2 yr old DD OFF! I was able to get on for a bit today and she did pretty good. I'll try again tomorrow. It felt good and I was happy with myself for actually GETTING on it! I used to go to curves but they don't have childcare and I don't have any available so I quit. I'm not much of a gym person but maybe later. My mom became a gym rat after her bypass surgery 5 years ago. So who knows what I'll do! We do have a small gym here in town but I don't know anything about it.

I was wondering about some things with those of you who have Kaiser N. CA. I heard that there are 3 different facilities doing LBS and depending on where you are in N. CA depends on where you go. Can you tell me where the facilities are? I know of SF but that's the only one I hear of so far. I'm actually in central CA but am in the N. CA group. My GM sent me a referral to the seminar which is next month. Is that enough to start the process or does he have to refer me again after the seminar? It kind of happened fast so I feel like I'm playing catch-up and not sure what the game is! What happens after the seminar? And what happens at the seminar? I understand it's a general gastric surgery seminar and they talk a lot about GBS. Do they spend just as much time talking about LBS? About how long is the seminar? I have a sitter but I had to tell her that I didn't know how long it would take, add to that, I'm also driving an hour each way to get to the seminar. How long are things taking? Do you have to do all of your appt.s at the facility that you're doing surgery at or do you do some of it at your local facility? Thanks in advance for all of your help. I'm nervous and really like to know what's going to happen before I get there. This is something I've been thinking of for awhile but never really thought my GM would actually help me with it. When I was in to see him last week, we were talking about it and I told him how frustrated I was and actually started to tear up {I hate doing that!}. Asked him what he thought about LB and he asked if I've really thought about going that route and I said yes. He looked at his BMI chart and the fact that I'm over 40 BMI and starting to have problems {already on diuretic for BP, knees are making noises they shouldn't and I'm almost 40 yrs old}, said I'd be a good candidate for it. Anyway, his nurse made a reservation for me for the seminar before I left the office so I'm going to go and see what's what. Am I supposed to get something in the mail before the seminar? I just thought of that. Thanks again.

This is just bizarre. I haven't changed my signature/ticker b/c I just don't want to!! I gained back the exact 2.7 that I'd lost last week. Then this AM I'm up another whole pound! How is that even possible?!?! Is my scale freaking out on me? It's about 5 years old. Could it just be "going" on me? I've been sooo tired (still have no energy since surgery and I have a very active and in full-blown terrible, 2 year old!) so the exercise is more hit than miss but this week has been just wrong with the weight stuff. I have restriction, yet can eat anything, just a lot less of it. I don't know, maybe I ate too much sodium this week without realizing it and I'm retaining too much Water again. Got a flu shot at the beginning of the week. Don't feel good today, headache, stuffy nose, tight chest. I don't know, I have no answers. I'm frustrated. Actually I guess more sad than anything else. Feeling like even with surgery I can't get this weight off. I've always been a slow loser but this is nuts. UGH! Should've probably just blogged this instead of bringing all of you down. Sorry about that. Have a good week everyone.

Singapore!! How exciting! I don't think it's shallow at all to want to look and feel your best at a wonderful family event! What a great motivator! We all need motivation at times and I don't find anything wrong with your using your brother's wedding for your motivation. Good luck! I'm pulling for you! And have a fabulous time at the wedding!!!

Welcome! I was banded on 8/25 as well and I'm exhausted! My mom has had several surgeries and she says 6 months. UGH! Yes, that means February! There is a gal in my support group that had bypass (it's a combo group) the month before and she says she is just now starting to feel like she's got some energy now. A gal I went through the whole process with and was bypassed the same day I got my band says she can't believe all the energy she has. I'm just wondering if it's different for all of us, just like the rest of the experience! It doesn't help that I have a VERY active (mind, body and soul) 2 1/2 year old DD either!! I'm tired!! LOL!

Yep. Happened when I lost 60lbs on WW too. It's 73 in my house right now, I'm sitting only a few feet from the woodstove and I'm still cold. I have a sweater on too! Monday, finally got comfortable feeling. Headed off to bed and checked the temp. It was 80 in here!!! LOL!! Good thing DH wasn't home. I had the stove crankin' and didn't even realize it!! I was just happy to be finally ALL warm! There's always at least some part that is cold. Right now it's my feet (w/socks). Earlier it was my face. I'm going to bed. I've got the flannels on the bed. It's warm there!

Oh Wheetsin! She's beautiful! And you can't usually say that (and MEAN it) with a brand new baby! Congratulations to you and your hubby!

I started Depo shots at the first of July. I'm still regulating on that. They say it takes a few shots to get to completely no periods. I'm having weird stuff going on and figure it's a combo of just starting the Depo and having surgery in August and losing the weight. My estrogen levels are out of whack! I go for my 3rd shot tomorrow. Looking forward to it. Each shot has made things better than before. I've always had horrid periods, lots of bleeding, pain, bloating (upwards of 5-7lbs worth!), and migraines. UGH! The migraines! My periods lately have actually been weekly. Bloat, breakthrough bleeding, PMS w/migraines, etc in a week. It's like a regular cycle but shorten the whole entire thing and stick into a week. Very strange. Oh and then do that every week! It doesn't take much to throw my system out of whack so I've been trying to be patient.

I will admit and not happily, that I did cheat. I'm not proud of it and I wish I hadn't, tho I had my reasons. I was put on a 10 day liquid Protein shake diet of no more than 800 calories a day. I started on a Friday. By Monday, I was shaky and faint (getting the little sparklies that tell you you're going down). I was home alone with my 2 yr old til Thursday AM and terrified that something was going to happen. I opened a pouch of Tuna, mixed a minimal amount of LF mayo in it and ate about a 3rd of it. Felt SOOOO much better with that little bit, I did it again Tuesday, and Wednesday, finished it off. Thursday, DH came home and I stopped the tuna and stayed only with the shakes. That was the only food I had for the 10 days and I was soooo scared that I'd messed up my surgery. Restless Monkey had just gone through her NO Band surgery and I felt so bad for her and that I might be joining her. In all honestly, I did feel that I had to have a little something in order for safety BUT I really am upset that I did it at all. It really isn't worth the stress. I went in to this determined to follow the rules and I broke them the first week it mattered! I have since followed my surgeon's rules. Only through the grace of God, my liver was fine and I had the surgery the following Monday (August 25th). I will NEVER recommend that people cheat on the diets their surgeon's have put them on. I will NEVER say that b/c I did it and had no problems, that it's okay. It's NOT okay. You MUST follow your surgeon's instructions. If you're having problems, call or e-mail your surgeons and ask them for guidance. mjlalways, since you have a medication issue, please talk to your surgeon about working with it. It MAY be okay for a little bite of something but maybe it's something he'd prefer over what you've been doing. Best wishes!!

I take the Barleans Fish Omega daily to get my omegas in and it's wonderful! Tastes like lemon curd! Yummm! I don't know if the strawberry swirl flaxseed oil works for keeping you regular. I do know it's good for you just for your general health. You'll have to do some research. I for one, am buying some dried apricots next time I'm at the store!

Last week: 196.3 This week: 193.6 Total loss: 2.7lbs! WooHoo! I got rid of the bloat (it'll be back tho, always is :eek:) AND I got my 2nd fill on Tuesday. I'm more restricted as far as volume goes. Just don't need as much as I did before my fill. I'm also lasting longer between meals. innotu, I'm with you. I think I swallowed my food whole before banding!

Had my 2nd fill on Tuesday and he had a hard time finding it. I could feel the needle and the port. UGH! The 1st fill was fine but this one wasn't. What was really bad was my 2 1/2yr old was with me. The 1st time, she was fine. This time, and I think it's b/c it took so long, she started crying. Poor thing. Here I am, in pain, laying on the table holding her hand and trying to comfort her while the dr is searching around inside me with the needle. Finally, he found it and got it done. I'm bruised and swollen. UGH! I went in so casual b/c the 1st time wasn't a big deal. Don't get me wrong, it hurt but this time was way worse. Now I'm not looking forward to next month! It'll help if DH's vacation coincides with my appt b/c he'll either be able to be there and help DD or they'll be home and I'll go on my own. My dr felt bad that DD was crying. He was trying to tell her that I was really okay. I had to tell him that before he came in, DD kept getting onto the table, laying down and pulling her shirt up to expose her tummy. She said she was going to get a needle too! It was cracking me up! I think she changed her mind though! Poor thing! She made me carry her all the way out to the truck too.

Oh. That makes a lot of sense. Good to know! Guess I should be paying attention to these things more since I have a 2 1/2yr old that'll be on these things before I know it (or am ready for it)! Thanks, Susan!

lu, that's funny! I'm so scatter-brained lately that I can hardly remember what the scale said this AM, let alone 2 days ago! And the scale in front of the fridge would drive me nuts! I'd be constantly tripping over it in our kitchen (it's on the way to the kitchen door)! And my 2 1/2yr old would have a field day!

I weigh daily BUT it's only official on Fridays for our weigh-in thread. In all honesty, I'm just plain curious. I expect fluctuations AND I retain Water really easy and tend to bloat so I can actually fluctuate a couple of lbs day to day. That just happened today in fact. Yesterday AM was 195.something (that's how much I actually pay attention), at the surgeon's office yesterday afternoon was 196 then this AM was 193.someting! Could make you crazy if you let it. :biggrin:

I'm so GLAD you checked in to let us know how you're doing! I've been wondering how you are. And Katie, take all the time you need. We're not going anywhere! Lots of hugs and prayers still coming!!

For me, filling up too fast would make me sick! My first (last) fill was 1.5 to the 1.5 already in there from surgery (10cc band) and I swelled up with it. I barely consumed anything for almost a day and half til I felt better and finally had dinner 2 nights later. I go again on Tuesday for my 2nd fill and I know what to do now to help myself. Doc recommends full food after his fills but I just can't do it.

I voted no but almost voted, what is it! LOL! I HAVE heard of it BUT really have no idea about it! Seems just a little too public for me but that's also probably how little I know about it.

Pete, I'm so sorry. I'm sure both of you are in shock. Hang in there, do what you BOTH need to do for your family and make sure both of you are on the same page with things. Ask her how she feels about continuing with surgery plans. Make sure your lines of communication, ESPECIALLY with the sticky things or things you just DON'T want to talk about, stay open. Both of you need to talk about what's going on in your individual heads (yes, Pete, that means feelings too! ). Stay open to each other and pull together. If you keep talking to each other about anything and everything during this time, you will weather it fine. Things break down when the communication stops. I'm a huge advocate for communication ALL the time but it's really important when it feels like things are falling apart. Take care! Let us know how the interview goes. Your family is in my prayers.

My doc says regular food at next meal, soft if you're having problems but I have to do liquids then soft. I had my first fill on a Tuesday and 15 minutes later wasn't feeling very well. Tried to eat several hours later and did but it didn't feel good. Next AM I knew I wasn't going to get anything down. First I didn't want anything and second, I was feeling nauseous. Did drink some shake but the rest of that day took it easy with food. By the next day was feeling MUCH better but stayed with soft foods til dinner and then was fine. I think I'm just sensitive and swell. So after my next fill on Tuesday, I'll drink shakes and then do soft foods til going back to normal by dinner Thursday. Sorry it's long but wanted to give you my scenario so you're not shocked if you don't feel good (I was!). It's okay.

Last week: 195.5 This week: 196.3 Gained: .8 Is anyone else having issues with bloating since surgery? I've ALWAYS had issues. If I don't drink enough, I bloat. TOM, I bloat, etc. Seems just about everything makes me bloat but since surgery, it seems worse. I'm on a diuretic for BP and am STILL having problems with bloat. The other day I bought some caffeine free Water pills to see if that helps but I keep forgetting to take them! I go on Tuesday for my 2nd fill. I have been slowing down my eating but it's still a little too fast. I have to watch the clock while eating. I'm hungry faster but am not eating til it's time to eat so I'm hoping this next fill will help.

Thanks, Rob! I had my surgery in August in Fresno. It was great and only an hour from me instead of 3 1/2!!

I'm still eating too fast. I'm having a hard time slowing down. I am working on it and it's getting better but it's still too fast.