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Ok, so obviously I was really optimistic yesterday when I posted! I think I was so excited that I was on a "high" until last night. It was so hard smelling the dinner that DH was making DD (pita pizzas, which I love!). I stayed in the living room while they ate until DD threw a fit and wouldn't eat til I sat with her and helped. She's feeling changes and she doesn't like them! (She's 2.) I did great though, didn't even lick the sauce off of my fingers! Then later really started to feel the effects of the lack of food and such a small amount of calories (800). Got dizzy/lightheaded and just generally not feeling very well. This AM is more of the same plus a little bit of a headache. Hoping it doesn't go into a full-blown migraine. I won't be able to take my meds for it and I'll be in trouble. On a good note (and just crazy!) since WI yesterday at the sugeon's and this AM, I've lost 2lbs!!! :thumbup: That's just nuts!!

Amanda, I feel for you. I also started my 10 day ALL liquid diet today as well. I can have 800 calories worth of shakes and that's it! NO bars, broths, nothing except non-calorie drinks and the shakes. So far, so good today. It helped that I was busy with appointments with the surgeon and pre-surgery tests. DH did need to eat lunch after we were through and I drank iced tea while he sat and ate. He felt really bad but I was totally fine with it. I think what helped is that I'm so excited about surgery today. With all of the pre-op stuff that I did today, it's made surgery that much more of a reality. We'll see what happens tomorrow. We'll be fixing dinner for my in-laws tomorrow so I'll have 4 people eating while I sit and drink a shake. I did just discover a potential problem though. We usually keep a bowl of cheddar goldfish on the coffee table for DD (she's 2) and I will grab a few periodically throughout the day (I do keep track and post them on daily plate) BUT I didn't realize how much of a habit it's become until just a bit ago when I started to grab some. It was NOT mindful and I was NOT hungry!! I'm determined to not 'cheat' on this but how much am I doing that is not mindful but just habit? I'm going to have to really pay attention! Scary!! :thumbup:

I haven't had surgery yet (25th) so not sure if I can join this thread! Started the 10 day all liquid diet today. This week I lost 2.8lbs. for a total of 19.2 since starting in March. Exercise this week was "mommy and me" swim class Monday - Thursday with 2 year old DD! Not sure if I can count that but I know she keeps me busy in the pool!

dwrd, I don't know about any one else but I totally got that. I thought it was great that you shared how you managed to be eating out and doing so well to stay on your pre-op. It also helped me b/c going out scares me now. BUT I'd forgotten broth soups. I can just ask the server to give me a bowl of broth. I see my surgeon in the AM and I'm going to ask him if I can have broth on my pre-op. I hope so or I'll not be able to have anything til I get home tomorrow and we could be in the city all day.

I am hoping/going to work really hard on, NOT going off plan. I start a 10 day ALL liquid pre-op diet tomorrow and I'm nervous about it. In a weird way kind of excited too because that means that I'm that much closer to surgery. By the time I get off liquids after surgery, I'll have been on liquids for nearly 6 weeks! :biggrin: I try not to think too hard about that one though! I figure for a little while after surgery it'll be easier just because I'm hoping I won't be hungry at all. But the before and the very end of it, I'm a little worried. Lanakila, I agree with you on how we word things. Good foods, bad foods, BEING good or bad about our choices, shoulds, cheating, etc. doesn't help us in anyway. Reminds me a few years ago. I'm a secretary (well not so much anymore, I'm out of the office but I do the books at home now) and was pretty active on a church secretary message board. Someone mentioned about how they know they were JUST a secretary and I "slapped" her hand over it. We're not "just" anything! How we word things is a good indicator of how we really FEEL about ourselves or something important. Most of the time we don't even realize we're doing it. We need to be more self-aware. Thanks!

For our desktop (PC) we use IE but only cause I'm lazy and hardly use it anymore so I haven't changed it. DH doesn't know what he's doing and freaks with the updates so I hesitate to change it for that reason too. On my laptop (Mac/work related) I use Safari. Started using Firefox and then started having problems with it after it had worked great for awhile. Got tired of everything freezing up on me so I'd have to Force Quit everything and start over. Very frustrating so I went back to Safari and haven't had any problems since. I did prefer Firefox once I got the hang of it but don't like that it got temperamental on me!

[/font] Wow she's had a lot going on in 6 months! The 1st one sounds like her port flipped which can happen and is usually not a big deal to fix. It is stitched to the muscles and sometimes the stitches will pop and it will flip. The excess vomiting doesn't sound like it's due to the band, per se, BUT you need to find out why she's vomiting so much. Is it her meds? Is is the way (and what) she is eating? If she's eating too fast, not taking small bites, chewing til it's practically nothing, etc., then she needs to re-train herself and fast. Unless there is an underlying problem or the eating situations above, there should not be much in the way vomiting, if any at all. Has she had any fills? Maybe she's too tight and can't get anything down. If her surgeon is not taking this seriously, then it may be time to find another surgeon. What kind of experience does he have? Success/failure rates? I'm not entirely sure it's the band, if she has underlying issues. The problems WITH the band could be just a result of what else is happening with her. Please don't be too quick to blame the band. Now, if the surgeon is a quack and he doesn't know what he's doing, then you can blame it on him, but it really still isn't the bands fault. I wish your mom all the best. Please post and let us know how she is doing and what you two find out. We may not like that there are complications, but we know better and we like to know what is happening to others in order to help ourselves. Hang in there!

HI! I've been so scattered-brained lately with all the excitement, I forgot to come back here and tell you all the news! I am having surgery on AUGUST 25TH!!!!! I meet with the surgeon on Friday and I also start an all liquid, high Protein diet that day. SG, you start class tomorrow night! I graduate! I've lost 17 of the 23 pounds that I needed for the 10% (we'll see what the total is after tomorrow night). Surgery doesn't care unless I gain weight, which I will NOT do. I personally want that 10% before surgery. So, look for me. I usually sit with 2 other gals in front to the left side of the room. My name is Michelle and am in the green group. See you tomorrow night!!

I haven't needed a touch up that I've noticed. I think it depends on the color. I have a dark blue since I have blue eyes. I've almost always worn dark blue eyeliner so that's what I went with. My artist said that if I wanted to, she could go over it later with a dark brown or black and cover it up. I haven't felt the need. I would think if you had a darker color, then you would need touch ups more often. Also, with my color, IF I wanted too, I could add something to it if I wanted more drama. I don't have need of more drama though so it's never been an issue. Thanks for the make up tip. I'll have to check it out. I do have the problem of redness on my cheeks, nose and somewhat on the forehead. I think I have Rosacea but I've never been diagnosed. I need to get to a dermatologist to find out for sure. Does she have a yellow tint that would cover some of that up, or even it out? I'll google her and see what I come up with! Best wishes on your surgery tomorrow, Vegasgirl!!

I had my eyeliner "done" about 5 years ago. I LOVE IT! I live in the mtns near the central valley of CA and it gets hot here. I hated not going out w/out eyeliner but it'd always end up smudging. I did learn to put it on BEFORE foundation tho and that helped but now they're permanent and it's wonderful. This summer I actually haven't really worn any make-up at all. Foundation once in awhile if it's not too hot, just to even out my skin-tone. But I don't think I've worn any mascara at all this summer. I don't have issues with my brows so I didn't have those done. There really wasn't any pain, she used a numbing cream on them, it tickled more than anything. Same as when I got my butterfly tattoo on my left ankle! That day and the next AM I just used ice on my eyes for the swelling. Same with the follow-up appointment.

Wow! Thanks for the tips! I'll be starting my ALL liquid diet Friday but I also have to go to the city (an hour away) that day to meet with my surgeon to get instructions, etc. We'll need to eat out that day and there's an Applebees near the office/hospital so that will be a huge help. I forgot they had french onion soup. Maybe I'll even bring some of my whey Protein and add some. Oh, wait, I might not be able to get it mixed. Never mind!

I think I'd just keep calling her until it's done. Be nice about it but let her know that your mom has made arrangements (ex: bought plane tickets already) to come in to town to be with you and things will get really complicated if she's not on the ball. You could even be a little apologetic if you feel it would help, you know, you are just SO excited and nervous and really just can't wait and are trying to make sure you're doing your part, etc... But I'd definitely be calling her more to make sure she's DOING HER JOB!! Hang in there!

To the person(s) who tried to break into my truck, in the middle of the afternoon, in broad daylight, in the Home Depot parking lot, where there are lots of people coming and going: What was the point? There was nothing in there unless you were going to break the entire dash apart in order to get the stereo. Did you really think that prying on the casing around the door handle would open it? Or was that just to provide enough damage that we aren't going to go through insurance and now have to pay out of pocket to fix the body panel that you bent and the metal handle casing that now needs to be replaced? Or did you just REALLY like my truck and decide you needed a new one? I like my truck too. LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE!!!!! My husband and I have worked hard for the things we have, we LIKE the things we have. We have JOBS in order to PAY for the things that we have. We don't STEAL them from others! Signed: Really PISSED off that you didn't keep your grubby hands to yourself!! Okay rant over. Thanks, that happened Friday and I feel better now. BTW, anyone know of any good car alarms out there that won't cost us a bloody fortune to buy and have installed? In our area they are now cutting catalytic converters off of vehicles, mainly lifted trucks (like MINE) and SUVs b/c they're easier to get under. So after this little episode, along with the vehicle break-in in our own drive-way, while we were home, in the middle of the night back in May, and the converter thefts, we're thinking we need an alarm. That PISSES me off too! :whatchutalkingabout

I just discovered greek yogurt. It is soooo good! My local grocery store only has on brand in about 4 flavors including plain and they all are any where from zero to full fat! I bought the other flavors after using the plain for a recipe and falling in love with it only to then find they were low, medium or full fat, not zero like the plain! Kind of frustrated me. I'll use it as a snack for DD or in something but I really thought I'd found a yogurt that I could eat AND like. I may have to take an ice chest every time I go to the city (an hour away!) and shop at Trader Joe's and get it there. I know they have several different brands/types.

I'm right there with you. Trying not to freak myself out and yet I tend to "go there" without meaning too. I've been married to my DH since I was 19, almost 21 years, and we have a beautiful 2 year old DD. We adopted her when she was an infant and in fact picked her up directly from the hospital when she was 2 days old. We waited a long time for her and went through a lot before becoming her parents. It scares the crap out of me that something will happen and I won't get to see her grow up, she'll lose her mama and DH will have to deal with all of this. He's a fireman, so he'd have to hire a live-in nanny, make sure she sees "my side" once in awhile, raise our daughter on his own basically, etc. I KNOW he could do it. He's very capable and fully involved with DD on every level BUT dammit, I want to be there too! I mean, that's the whole POINT of the surgery! I just turned 40 (7/26), my surgery date is 1 month after my b-day (8/25). I'm doing this b/c I'm starting to have problems on top of starting with a BMI over 40. I don't want to be 50 and can hardly move, on multiple meds for high BP, can't walk b/c of the spurs in my foot or can't breathe b/c my asthma has gotten out of control, etc. I'm doing this to take action before it's too late, to get healthy for me and my family, so my DD doesn't have to listen to the kids tease her about her fat mama (I know, my mom was fat most of my life), I want to be able to take her on trails and hikes, to Yosemite and keep up when we get out of the truck (we live JUST south of there, like 20 minutes from the gate!), go camping and NOT spend the entire time in a chair while DH and DD are off having fun, to just plain be active on a daily basis! She wears me out! This is as much a defense againt exhaustion as it is for health!! I'm planning on writing letters as well, DH, DD and my mom. I haven't done it yet b/c I'm having a hard time with the idea of it but yet really wanting to do it as well. Crazy in the head, I tell ya! So, after all of that, yes, I'm going through the same thing you are. Next week will be busy as I'll be getting ready for surgery the following Monday and that will help some. I have work stuff that needs to be done ahead of time, things to show the secretary, in case something does happen or I'm just out of commission for longer than we thought (I'm our church's bookkeeper, I do all the payroll, employee taxes, bills, etc.). I have things here at home that need to be done as well. And I'll need to pack a small bag for the hospital. I'm thinking that on Friday or Saturday, I want the 3 of us to go do something, away from home, for the day. Maybe a trip to the park (Yosemite), we haven't been in awhile and it will calm me. Okay, need to go. Sitting here tearing up regarding the topic. First time I've done that! Need to get some work done before DD gets up anyway. Take care and hang in there. We ARE doing the right thing, for us and our families. It IS natural to be a little freaked out, it IS surgery after all. We WILL be fine and we AND our families will be the better for it. Sorry for the length! I "talk" too much even in cyberspace!!

Lots of best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery. Take care... and follow doctor's orders! Keep us up to date when you can!

Yep, doing the same thing. Not so much the food tour but I'm starving! Or it seems like I am! I think it really started when I got my surgery date. They told me over the phone that I would be on a 10 day, full liquid, high Protein diet (starts the 15th) and since then, I've been soo hungry. I know it's a psychological thing, although my stomach doesn't help with the growling it's making (feels like the lion on the dumb band ad!). Another problem for me is that they also told me in that phone call that they would cancel my surgery if I gained ANY weight! Okay, does that mean an ounce, a pound, 5, 10? Has me in a panic since I tend to fluctuate some on a daily basis anyway! Also wondering if I'm not sub-consciously sabotaging myself, which also scares So, yes, I know where you all are at b/c I'm there too!! Can we term a new phrase? Pre-op HELL!! Oh and if I think about it too hard it freaks me out b/c with the 10 day pre-op liquids and the 4 weeks of liquids post-op, that means almost 6 weeks of liquids only!!!! UGH!!!!

I know Kaiser has one but I couldn't tell you how often it meets. I think it's on Tuesdays at the Clovis center (not positive though). It's open to more than just Kaiser members. We talked about it in class. I 'graduate' from my nutrition/weight management class on Thursday and they give you the specifics of the support group then. If you want, I could let you know what I find out. Let me know.

It's happened to us. Our nephew registered at Wal Mart for Christmas one year. What drives me nuts if they give us a "list" for Christmas or b-day and then buy him everything on it so that if we buy something from the list, it's been doubled and they have to return our gift. I make them do it. I refuse! It stinks for a little kid who is so excited to open his gifts and then it's something he just opened 2 hours earlier! What I've done so far for our DD is, if they (family) want a list, I will give them one. I will also give a different list to different people so stuff doesn't get doubled up. Or if we're buying something (like her kitchen for her b-day), we let them know in case they want to chip in or buy accessories for it. BUT that's only AFTER they've asked what we're doing for her and what do we need/want or what can they do! We're trying to keep things at a minimum for her and not much in the way of electronics (NO video games!). For her 2nd b-day party in May we did the "no gifts please" thing. She still got a few things and some money that went into her account. She really doesn't need much. If she needs clothes I tell the grandmas when/if they ask or like I said earlier, the bigger gift/chip in kind of thing IF they ask. Otherwise, everyone knows we're trying to keep the toy thing minimal and tend to abide by it. My BIL's wife is the one you have to watch. For DD's first Christmas (7 months old) she bought her a doll that DD couldn't play with for another year (18 months or older!)! It sat in the LR, in the box, until DD was old enough to play with it and she hardly touches the thing, unless it's to beat it up or throw it. The evil part of me purposely left it in the box in the LR (so everyone could see it when they were over) and thinks it's funny that DD won't play with it. The wife was SO excited about the dumb thing! She's the type to think she's the perfect ... whatever and she pays more attention to my DD than she does to her own son, which TICKS us off. Thank goodness they live an hour away and don't see them often. Although we love our nephew and the BIL is great, there's a whole slew of issues with the wife. Anyway, I think the whole gift/party/whatever is getting out of hand. HAS gotten out of hand. We try to keep the party stuff minimal. We DO NOT give out gift bags (puuuleeezzzeee!) at the party. We were going to do her last b-day party at the park so the kids could play but we got rained out and ended up at the house but we are involved now with soccertots and they have an indoor arena/play area that we could have her party at next year and that would be fun. How original! Cake, ice cream, friends and PLAYING!! WooHoo!!

I do have to say that the lapband ads are what started me on this journey. I only knew of the more drastic bypass as my mom and sister have both had the surgery (and both are doing great!) but I knew that wasn't a road I wanted to travel and figured that I would not be having WLS. Seeing the ads gave me another option. BUT that just meant I needed to research it b/c I had no idea what all it entailed or meant. Only after lots of research and finding this website and getting involved have I been able to get to this point. The other advantage I am blessed with is my insurance does the surgery and pays for it otherwise it would be out of my reach completely. I have said this before and will say it again, Jacqui, Wasa, LJM and others have valuable information/advice and I can't understand why people can't at least listen to it. Whether they take it to heart or discard it, there is no reason to get nasty about it. They are imparting their wisdom as having been there/done that and it's important for us to hear it. And L2bT, I can't believe someone PM'd you! I read a story on here the other day of a gentleman losing almost 200 lbs in 1 year (how exciting!)! What's too fast or too slow? Especially when we all have different body types, exercise regimens, diets (meaning food intake, not "diet"), etc. See, I don't understand that kind of nastiness! It just makes no sense to me. Why lower yourself to that level and try to bring someone else down? What is the point of it? <shaking my head> I hope that those of you who have paved the way for the rest of us continue to post and impart your wisdom and advice. I know that I need to read it, even if doesn't always pertain to me, it's important! And most of the time I can take something from the post in order to help me on my journey. Thanks to all of you who post! Newbie or old-timer!!!

I read that too. I was a little (a lot!) shocked by that! Then she was asking about what she should be eating. Obviously there wasn't much in the way of pre-op/post-op information given and no research on her part. That is scary! I'm glad you were able to talk to her and she realized where she could be headed with this if she didn't do her research.

Hehe! Try being infertile and going through all the tests, exams, etc! Sometimes I felt like telling everyone to form a line!!! :thumbup: LOL!!! Seriously had to go back and look again b/c I just didn't pay attention the first time! Sooo funny!! I have my surgeon's appt., ekg and chest x-ray on Friday. Kinda figured the x-ray was just a general check of everything. Does everyone have to have an x-ray? I have asthma too and wonder if maybe that's the reason for it. It'll be interesting to see what pops up. I had bronchitis a few weeks ago and can still feel a slight heaviness in my chest so I'm hoping they don't freak out about it. I'll have to let them know about it so if they see something, then they aren't thinking I am coming down with it. It seems so far away but yet it's getting so close now! Friday's appt then start the 10 day pre-op liquids on the 15th, then surgery the 25th!

Everyone has made such great points. I like that we're all giving a reason behind our thoughts. That's very helpful. About 5 years ago I started WW at 250 and lost down to about 185ish. Was feeling pretty good. Then we started an IVF treatment (2/2004), failed (5/2004) and immediately started the adoption process (6/2004). Between the pain (physical), the emotions with the grief and excitement of starting a new process I stopped paying attention. Did kinda okay for awhile, then we brought our daughter home from the hospital when she was 2 days old (5/2006) and it all went out the window! We weren't cooking, eating out/take-out ALL the time and just trying to figure out the whole parenting thing at our (advanced!! :wink_smile: ) ages. By the time I started paying attention again, I'd gained back up to 240. I'd since been playing with the same 10lbs until finally started getting serious and losing for my class that started in March (Kaiser has you go thru a 20 session class to try to lose 10%). My start weight for class was 236. I REALLY liked being back under 200. I felt more comfortable in my own body. There is a pic of me on our fridge that shows a side view when I was 18. DH (then fiance) had taken it (candid shot, didn't know it). I'm standing at the mirror in the bathroom. I look GREAT! I was about 120/125 then, I think. I keep it on the fridge b/c I want to be that person again. Okay well, I can't BE her again (and really DON'T want to be 18 again!) but I want to feel great and look fairly great and just be comfortable again. Not worrying about what the clothes are doing (shirt riding up or shorts getting stuck between the thighs, etc!) or can I even make it up the hill or sit in a small chair or is the table too close to the booth seat, etc. Anyway, I like the 10lb increment and go from there. Like I said, everyone has such great thoughts on this. Sorry for the rambling. :thumbup:

Mindy, you make some good points. I was looking at your stats. I'm 5'3" too and 140 would barely be in the "normal" range. That's one reason I chose 130 as a new goal as I wanted to be MORE in the "normal" range. I'll have to think about what you and your Dr said. I'm wondering if just being glad to get somewhere, if we don't end up settling for it and stop working so hard. Okay, stopping now, I'm about to start rambling out loud!! Thanks for that though. <wandering away> Hmmmm.....

I don't think you're crazy at all! Why not put 199 as your initial goal and then revise from there? I have seen people say they do that. As for myself, I fooled with the BMI calculator til I got into the healthy range and picked that as my goal (140, BMI 24.8) and then decided to drop it down to 130 since I really want to get as close to that as possible. I graduated HS in 1986 weighing around 120. At 40, I really don't expect to see that ever again but it'd be nice to get close. I may decide to change it back up to 140 but we'll see. My highest weight was, I think 260, documented is 250 but I'd lost weight before I'd gone to the Dr and saw the 250, so really, anything anywhere near a "normal BMI" is going to make me happy! And who knows maybe I will get back in to the 120's!! Wouldn't THAT be shocking!!!! :cry_smile: