ljones4521

Lisa, I thank you so very much for sharing YOUR story with me as it gives me confidence. This journey can often be long, stressful and emotional. Two nights ago two babies passed away in NICU. One was less than a pound the other health complications. The latter appeared to be improving despite a near death brush 3 wks ago. Take care! SKYBLUE --- Thanks for the compliments. We had a great time posing for Jenny's 1 month birthday party pictures. Lisa

Kim McNeely, Congratulations on your pregnancy and your weight loss. I am not sure how you feel about gaining weight but I was a bit...well very scared about regaining the weight. It was emotional because I knew I needed to eat but at the same time I often forgot. Of course not on purpose but hte band was doing its job. After a few months I relaxed and tried to remind myself to eat often. I guess I must have been eating enought because my daughter was developing fine and I gained an acceptable amount of weight. To my surprise I lost all of the weight. As of today I have lost all of the weight gained during the pregnancy. Oh, by the way my married name is Neely so initially I thought we had the same name. Also, I was born and raised in Houston. I am considering returning to the area as it is so very expensive to live in the DC Metropolitan area. Did you see my before and after picture? I posted a picture of me at the beginning of my weight loss and then another at about 5 months pregnat. I thought it was hilarious. The tag line said, "This could be you" LOL. You know after we lose all of that weight out husbands become..."frisky" LOL. AGain, congrats!!!

Congrats Karlee...it will get better.

Hi ya'll, Please visit the link to read more about Jennifer Renee Neely http://www.lapbandtalk.com/birth-announcement-jennifer-t29814.html I see there is a meeting planned for Feb. 18. I can hardly wait becuase I have been out of the loop for so long. It is kinda exciting to be able to join the board again and sort of get back into the weight loss frame of mind. See you all soon.

Your'e very welcome. Glad I could help.

Before the pregnancy I lost 30lbs, now it is down to 20lbs loss so far.

I too was self pay. I had my surgery done in Acuna, MExico by Dr. Jose Rodriguez. I pail $7,500.00 not including air fare. Hotel was included. If I had it to do over I would probably go to that doctor in Mexico that is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. Acuna was a bit scary for me. It was very poor and looked like "Mexico".

Hi there, I too am pregnant. I am 20 wks now and so far I haven't gained too much weight. Last month I gained one pound for a total of 10lbs. Lisa

Hi gang, I too am pregnant. I am 20 weeks and have only gained 10 lbs. Last month I gained a pound. I haven't had an unfill yet. Perhaps as I get a bit larger I will have one. I made my OB aware of my condition but he doesn't seem to think this is important. I haven't been seen by a GI specialist yet (I was banded in Mexico). How have your OB doctors responded to your lap band? Have they monitored your nutritional intake or anything. My daughter is progressing as she should. Everything appears normal. BTW I had lost 30 lbs and was about 40lbs away from my goal weight. I don't feel discouraged because I haven't gained too much weight. I asked the moderator for an area for those of us who are preganant but did not get a response. I thought it would be nice to share unique experiences especially since we are not supposed to be concentrating on losing weight but instead on nutrition. In fact we have to increase our caloric intake. Please share how your doctors are addressing your lap band. All information will be appreciaed. I also have placenta previa and want to ensure all of my concerns are being addressed. Thanks Lisa

I have been away for a while. At first I was sitting on pins and needles waiting to find out if we were pregnant. We are. Now I am sitting on pins and needles waiting to see how much weight I gain. I have never before been concerned about gaining weight while pregnant but this time...well, this time I am freaking out. I want so badly to be think again. We didn't plan this and are still adjusting to the information but never the less after only 30lbs loss we are pregnant. I was really geared up to lose the next 30lbs which would have left me with my last big hurdle of 30lbs. Oh well. Now I am trying to figure out how am I going to get in the recommended nutrition. I'd love to hear from other bandsters who have found creative ways to get in the Protein, Calcium etc. Lately I have been having a tablespoon of Peanut Butter or I have been making shakes using non-sweet soy milk (loaded with antioxidants and protein). I haven't had any cravings which is truly a blessing. I have however gained 3lbs and I am only 6wks today!!

HI Theresa, How are you? I too feel so left out as I barely visit lapband anymore. All of the other members are attempting to lose weight where as I must focus on nutrition and possibly putting on a few pounds. I asked the moderator to provide a room for those of us who are pregnant but my request went unanswered. I am due in April. I haven't put on my pounds. In fact I believe I have put on less than 10 lbs. It would proabably be less if I could hold down Water. Last night I was able to drink and entire glass full and felt wonderful. Before the end of the first trimester I could stand the taste of water. I truly believe the band is assisting in keeping the cravings and hunger down. I forget daily that I am pregnant and I certainly am not eating nearly as much as I have in the past. Hey, that ticker is moving in the right direction! Good for you. Lisa

Today the family and I jumped on the bike and decided to explore the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda, MD. We arrived just in time to avoid the crowds. We unloaded the bikes in record speed and jumped on the trail. Like others on the board my mind wandered to you. I thought of your 35 mile trek and figured we could knock out the one way ride of 7 miles in no time. Well going was absolutely great. Wind was blowing through our hair. Efffort was minimal. The nightmare started when we returned. I had not realized we were traveling downhill that entire time! Again, my mind wandered to you. I kept thinking, "Telley, never said anything about inclines, hills, resistance etc. Where the hell did this come from. If I ever make it back to my car...." I never finished that thought :-). BTW the trail was completely dark (absolutely no light. We couldn't even see the boys in front of us) becuase the sun had set and the trees formed a canopy over the trail preventing any light from penetrating. Once we got back to the car we went for a bite to eat and had a wonderful time discussing all of the birds we saw, the river, the cars below, the fishing banks, the really scary ride back etc. I am so happy we went and just want to say, "Thank You" for bringing biking back into my life. I strive to accomplish 35 miles as you do. You are the WOMAN!:clap2: Lisa

Please help me. Several months I signed up with one of those web based management programs, ie. Spark Day, Fitday. This particular site allowed hyou to enter your measurements in detail. It even had a picture of the body and pointed to the location of the site you were to measure. I can't remember the site! Do you guys know of the site or any site. Any suggestions on the search string I should use in google? I can't figure that out either. Any help is appreciated. Thanks Lisa

I think I'll be able to make it. I won't know for sure until Saturday. I will post as soon as I know. Teresita, a special thanks for reminding me of the support group. I need to attend as I am really bumbed about my weight loss...or my lask thereof. I had a fill last week and I haven't lost anything. Really frustrated.

I say call from the car. I would be on the road. Worse case scenario you lose 2 full tanks of gas.

Sherri, When I too could only eat about 1/2 of a pudding. My kids loved it because all they had to do was hang around a few minutes and they would get another pudding. They were so funny they would bring me their favorite pudding (stating they wanted Mama to eat) and then hang around for the left overs. I never experienced any of the burning sensation so I can't comment on this one. Goood luck with your recovery.

We too eat our dinners together. dinner time is particuarly hard for my husband because he doesn't understand my eating so little. He absolutely hates it. He understands but then he doesn't understand. I've taken to preparing the foods on regular size plates to fool him. It doesn't really work but it helps. I take this time to be the one doing all of the talking, getting the condiments etc. The down side is my husband is the one who brings in all of the junk food. He always has something in the house. To him I should just ignore it, but it is diffiult becuase I much prefer to eat junk than to cook. I don't enjoy cooking. I try not to get too hungry when in the house becuase then I'll have some of his junk food. Fortunately, I don't eat nearly as much as I used to but still I'll have it.

Jack, I agree if I am satisfied I do not crave sweets or anything for that matter. MonaLisa, I am with you. I am addicted so if it is in the house I am more compelled to eat it. The good thing is it never occurs to me to buy the junk food.

I started all over with liquids as the doctor advised.It made sense to me as the fill could cause some swelling. I have been doing warm liquids since 7.12.06. I have also had yogurt during this time. I plan to do liquids/mushies until tomorrow and return to solids (fish) next week. Maybe by Thursday I'll try some chicken/hamburger meat. Keep in mind I am very conservative as I am self pay and don't want any complications. Hope this helps

I haven't the slightest idea what restriction feels like or my sweet spot. I recently (7-12-06) had a fill but I can't tell any difference. Granted I am not hungry. It is now 4:26pm and all I have had to eat is 2 cups of coffee. I don't know how much I can eat with this fill (this is my first fill) as I am still doing liquids. The funny thing is I don't 'want' anything. My family is anxiously awaiting an answer from regarding what's for dinner, but I just can't come up with anything. I am not hungry. So..is this the sweet spot? If it is then my sweet spot came after one fill of 1cc. At time of surgery I had 1.5cc put in to keep the band in place, but I think some of this seeped out as I used to feel burning around my port area.

The savings would be dependant upon the current price she has been quoted. Dr. Rodriguez in Acuna, Mexico is about $7000.00 or so. I think he is running a special. I just had my first fill (not with Dr. Rodriguez) and paid $200.00 total. I haven't had any complications. I stayed on the liquids for 2 weeks and then the mushies. I even decided not to have the fill at 6 wks as suggested as I wanted to make sure I was completely healed as I have no money for complications. Feel free to shoot me a line if you have any other question.

Have you considered Pilates. The exercises help to strengthen your core muscles (lower abdomen) which also helps with any lower back pain you might have.

Thanks for the article!

I too am happy she sat in your chair. You know she did it just to embarass her. Maya Angelou says, "Believe them the first time." I'd keep my eye for this one. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when you sat down and fit into the chairs. I am willing to bet she didn't expect that. CONGRATS

I try not to get hungry. That has been easier said then done the last few months but I managed to do a lot better than pre-banding. Now that I have a fill I am hopeful it won't be so hard. When I get the hunger pains I use that as a time to drink my Water while I prepare my next meal. The trick is to either have good foods available before the hunger pains get too intense or the meal nearly prepared. Once they get really intense I usually cave in but do it with moderation. If I am on the road I will grab something and take a few bites and then ask my sons to finish it. They can devour anything within minutes. MonaLisa regarding eating chicken. I know the breast can be pretty dry for some but I prepare my chicken with juice from a lemon and it always comes out very very moist. Actually, I don't know why it comes out so moist so I will share my entire routine. First I wash the meat with lots of white salt and a cap full of vinegar. The meat should feel squeaky clean. Rise the meat of all the salt and vinegar. Season as usual. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top. Preheat a skillet, lightly very lightly grease skillet (canola oil...just enough so the chicken doesn't stick as the breast doesn't have much fat). Cook until done. The lemon juice will turn the breast a very nice brown. This is the only way I can eat chicken breast now. Anything else is too dry and causes discomfort. Hope this helps