PhotoNut

I tried. OMG I tried. I wanted Cracker Barrel so badly that I was going insane! But I have a watch Dawg who wouldn't let me. *sobs* I know exactly how youre feeling. It's almost a dread of losing the foods you love so much. Try to ease your mind by remembering that you aren't going to be deprived of these things forever. Only for a short time. You can do this for a short time, right? Lord knows how many times I did it for a short time. But the sweet thing about this time is - youre going to have your band to keep you from falling back to square one! And Leener, you're only giving yourself more weight to work off with the band. You know this. Instead of thinking about your lapband journey beginning the day you get your band, perhaps decide that today is the first day of the band journey. You'll feel so much better by the time you get the band! I promise! *hugs* Oh, and buy a cowbell. Run around the house playing your cowbell whenever youre temtped to eat! LOL I've got a fever!!!

It's also for digestion. This is how the nutritionist explained it to me. The whole stomach contains acids which break down the foods before they pass on to the intestines. Since our stomachs are now divided, the upper portion (or pouch) has only a small amount of acids in it which come up through the banded area from the lower stomach. Therefore, the foods don't get broken down as much as we are used to before they move along. I don't think our food passed through the banded area prior to this process with the stomach acids, so even though we chew, chew, chew this does not mean the food will just pass right on by leaving the pouch empty in no time at all. If that were the case, there would be little point in telling us not to drink with our meals. I hope this helped.

I'm still laughing over that one!

I had my first fill today. I've been promoted in the Qualified to Post ranks! Woot! By the way, I was so freaked out when he said he thought I could use an adjustment, that I almost cried! I was afraid it was going to hurt and I was afraid of choking on my own spit afterwards (oh yes, I've read the horror stories). But I'm HAPPY to say that it didn't hurt at all! And I feel great. And I'm on 48 hours of liquids. (Ok, so that's not such a happy thing) AND at this rate I'm going to be under 200 pounds before I turn 50! Yay!

Men are so much better at getting down to the facts, aren't they? Thanks TommyO. This is what I've been thinking but couldn't figure out how to say it without offending anyone. You did an excellent job. Running for office anywhere? I'd vote for ya! Why don't you put your "gagging" question in a new thread? I'm curious to see what the others think about this.

Here are a couple: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14996 http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14199 and this one is very worthwhile too: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3498

Woohoo!! Celebrate success! Unless youre running around singing "Neener, neener, neener.. I've lost more weight than yo-ou" then should feel free to sing out about your victory! It's a hell of a battle and everyone who experiences even the slightest victory should be excited and eager to share with all of us so we can gain (or regain) hope for ourselves!

Ok, I just got a "conctact happy" from Heather.. but now I'm exhausted.

So just to be sure I'm understand this... only those of you who fall within certain guidelines should be posting answers to questions or giving advice. Ok, so who determines what the qualifications are for answering questions and giving advice? And who decides who is qualified to set such guildelines? Haven't we all come here because we are fat and want to change that? Do you really believe that just because someone doesn't have the band yet, or is newly banded, they have nothing worthwhile to offer yet? There are some people here who have had the band for a year and have lost less than me. Are they more qualified to offer answers and adivce than me? There are some people who PB'd the first week they had their band. Are they more qualified to answer questions about PB's than someone who actually listened to the adivce of their dotcor and has never PB'd? Some new folks show up here, with the band already in palce asking what a PB is. Is it really that horrible for someone who's been banded, or not, that has been learning from others what a PB is and how to avoid it to answer a simple question? I have only been banded for six weeks, and I have answered a lot of questions on a wide variety of topics. Not once have I seen a "more qualified" bandster correct me on a thread. Should I assume that I was giving uneducated advice but none of the "more qualified" bandsters corrected me? This communtiy of obsese people represents hudreds of years of weightloss experience. Just because they weren't a long term success doesn't mean they don't know the basic principles of weightloss. Each of us brings to this board our own experiences and our own stories of what works for us. And we share them in hopes that they just might help someone else. Why is that wrong? I am a part of this community just like the person who just created an account, and just like the person who has been here for three years. This is an open forum for everyone to share on. And while I understand the sense of ownership by those who have been here a very long time, I would ask that you please try to remember that this place wasn't created for just a few. The world of bandsters is growing and a lot more of us are coming, and I hope they all bring lots of energy and excitement about getting healthy. I fully intend to keep answering questions and giving advice. And if the information I give is incorrect, please correct me in the thread.

Diane! I was out there, somewhere. Sorry I didn't see it, you should have PM'd me. But Cissy got ya taken care of, so its all good. And OMG girl. You look fabulous! Woohoo! You must be feeling great! I'm so happy for you and everyone else that's doing so well. It's so encouraging to see this kind of thread! *does the happy dance*

Welcome to LBT and congratulations on your weight loss! That's just super! I've only been banded 6 weeks and it's so encouraging to see folks like you show up a year +/- out and proclaim that they still love their band. I hope you have some before and after pictures to show! Oh and I hope it's normal to be obsessed with the band. I sure am and hope to remain so. It's my baby now, and I'm happy to be obessed with something positive. Like Brad said, better the band than food!

Pattman has told me that his wife is having problems with her band and is coming to this board for support. Just a heads up y'all. I would hate to have her arrive to see us laughing about her private relationship with her husband on an open forum. There is already a lot of hurt going on there. I have already *bonked* Pattman on the head for this in a PM. Dork.

OMG What a priceless and hillarious image!! LOL

Sunta, sweetie, you'll be just fine. Look at all of us here. We all went thru the surgery, and while it's not always the smooth sailing that some write about, it's certainly not overwhelmingly bad. Just a few days of soreness and you'll be moving on. Do try to relax and think about the facts. You're not going into something that will make life a living hell for you, and it is reversible should you ever decide you don't want the band. My eating has changed drastically, but it hasn't been the nightmare I thought it was going to be. I figured I would be greiving over the loss of my beloved breads and pastas and quantities.. oh I loved to eat a LOT at one time, but you know what? That has been the easiest part of all. The change has happened naturally because the band takes care of the empty cavern I called my stomach. *big hugs* Come on girl, you'll be fine. There isn't anything to fear, you're scaring yourself far beyond what you're really facing. Tomorrow will be the start of a new journey for you. I've only been on my journey for six weeks now and I'm feeling great. I can actually walk on my treadmill for 20 mins now! I have been sedintary for years. Walking to the bathroom hurt. I have lost 39 pounds since I started the prediet. Every day is growing more and more exicting, because I believe I can finally achieve this now. And I believe you can too. The after surgery diet isnt nearly as hard because you will be full, not hungry. The swelling will give you restriction right off the bat. Trust me, you'll be amazed at how little you care about eating when you get home. *smiles* Chin up, you can do this! *hugs you again*

Aww.. Marcella, I know that many of us have the after surgery panic where we wonder what in the world we have done to ourselves. I would guess it's not surprising to see this happen with someone close to us as well. It sounds like he loves you very much and is just worried about you. Maybe you could try to calm his nerves by showing him more information about the band, if he's willing to listen. As has been pointed out in many threads, weight loss is a huge emotional thing and not only for those who are trying to lose the weight, but also for those that love us. Fears of the change can be hard for any of us to deal with. Communicate with him, see his love and concern for you, try to calm his fears, and I'm sure you two will get past this together. No, youre not a bad wife. *big hugs*

Perhaps it would help if the Dr didn't start out by insulting people and making racists remarks. *shrugs* That's the only one I ever spoke out about. And since then I have spoken with him via email and we even had a good chuckle. *shrugs again*

Sunta?! Tomorrow! Yay!! I'll be thinking of you! Be excited, not nervous. You'll do just fine and we'll be waiting to hear from you when you get home, to give you a big weclome to bandland cheer. Happy that all went well for you, Marcella! Grats on your band!

*sings* Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Donali.. Happy Birthday to you!! :clap2: :happybday2: :clap2:

Ok, I see where this is going. You did indeed point fingers, Betty. You quoted me every time. Enjoy your board girls. Enjoy your butt f'ing, your fights, enjoy being buds who defend each other even when wrong. I don't care. Like I said, I'm not going to fight with anyone. Nothing that's going on here, in this thread right now, is important enough for me to get upset about. This isn't why I came to LBT. I'm moving on now.. to other more intelligent and worthwhile threads. And by the way, I'm not so sure this is what Heather hand in mind. Could be wrong, but just call it a hunch. TaTa

And excuse me, but in all due respect to you as a moderator, Betty.. I responded to someone by stating that if they don't like it here they can move on, when they were the one who said they are sick of LBT, talking about butt f'ing, attacking Christians, putting up dildos as avatars with the title Masterbater under it in direct opposition to the cross and Jesus Saves.. and SunnyKim just said "But oh well im not here for anyone to validate my lifestyle i say if your offended LEAVE!!!!!!!" and I'm the one being told off? I'm confused. Would you please explain to me why I'm being singled out here?

Yes I did say that, based on what she said here. I don't want anyone to leave. That's simply rediculous. Lisa is an adult with a very sharp mind who can clearly decide what she wants to do. I just wish the angry attacks at people would stop. I wish she could move on, whether that be here on the board or off, that is up to her. But this is really becoming distressing and I don't dig it at all. And I had no problem talking about what was said in a PM with you, Lisa. (And that was in an email by the way.) You never acted like it was a big secret. As you said, nothing was revealed. It wasn't my intent to reveal anything. Merely to point out that coming from someone who enjoys this kind of thing, I don't see why you are so angry and making such harsh attacks on people.

I didnt tell her to leave. She said in her first post that she didnt think LBT was the right place for her. I was only saying if that's how she feels then she should do so without attacking everyone first.

Including DeLarla. You once told me, Lisa, that one of your favorite things to do at LBT was start wars on threads. You said you like getting people pissed off and secretly have your friends join in to support your posts to keep the fight going. And, until you crossed a thread that you didn't like, you also told me that you were sick of people who complain about what's in a thread. If they didn't like it, they should move on. You applauded me for my "Wake up Call" thread, which was pretty much saying the same thing as the "Temptation" thread. So, coming from you, I think your rant is very hypocritical. If you don't like what people have said in their threads, then move on and leave them to their opinions. I have to admit a slight amount of disappointment though. You started this by clearing pointing to Dawg and now you're batting your eyelashes so innocently.. "Why are you defending Dawg? That wasn't about him." I call bullshit on you now. Everyone could see clearly who you were aiming that at. You've even told me personally that you don't like his attitude because of that thread. Prior to which, we were the "Cutest couple in LBT". I will not fight with you or anyone else on here again. But I will call BS when I see it. If you don't like this place, move on. But stop blasting people because they want to get healthy and not discuss butt f'ing. Geesh.

Lisa, it sounds to me like you are flat out upset, pissed off and scared that youre gaining weight back. The disappointment in the way things went for you with your band (which wasnt the fault of the band) must be overwhelming. And the fear of gaining the weight back has to be pure hell. I can understand that, and both Paul and I have talked about how badly we feel for you and others who have gone through similar issues and had to lose the band. I think that Mikey said it best in Lou's thread when he said we all take in the information we read here and process it through a filter. That filter being our own hurts, pains, fears, and current struggles. I think when you read Dawg's post about keeping temptation out of the house, your filter caused you to hear something very different that what he put out. Several people heard that post quite differently and have benefitted by it. I'm sorry it upset you so badly, but I know my husband and he is not someone who thinks he knows it all, nor was he looking down his nose at anyone. He was trying to offer help to others by sharing what works for him. You were very right when you said you were about to hurt people you considered to be your friends. You did exactly that. But then, it doesn't really matter does it? You don't give a damn anyway. You have every right to be angry about what you've gone through, and right now you're lashing out at others because of it.. which is ok I guess. You can always make new friends. I only hope you get your anger worked out before you turn it on yourself. I mean that sincerely, no sarcasm or underlying jabs in there at all.

Jack - you are just too funny for words! LOL Everyone - Thanks for the cheers! Got up this morning to one more pound gone. I keep reminding myself that things will slow down soon. So for right now, I'm riding the wave! Ooo! That reminds me of when I first met Dawg online some 8 years ago. His chatroom name was Fatguy and his title was, "Slap it and ride the waves" ROFL That's my man! (er.. was my man, he's looking sooooo good!)