PhotoNut

Think my arse has a chance of looking like that someday? *looks around behind and makes a face*

You are wearing this... and complaining about how low riders feel?? From what I've seen, a bit of thong showing with a sexy tat on the lower back is all the rage. Be sure to wear your top to short to cover that up.

Exactly why Big Paul keeps emphasizing the importance of a complete program in order to succeed. I believe I was misunderstood when I said that I believed that others here who have had WLS had the same attitude about this as me. I didn't mean that if I can do it anyone can. I meant I thought it was a deeply serious emotional and intellectual decision and commitment to saving our lives. This is so true and very wise advice. While some may need to link arms with another to have a buddy to walk along with, others may need a kick in the pants. And, likewise, some are gifted in gentle support, while others are take a more straight forward tough-love approach. Like you said, it's best to read it all and pick out what works best for you. And please, try not take offense to things which are said that might be helping someone else. So right again. There is no simple answer. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't ask the questions. This is how we learn. And knowledge is power. Thanks for your input Donali. It was, as always, given with thoughfult insight and a truly kind heart. *hugs*

*takes a deep breath* I have to confess that I am sitting here overwhelmed and in tears by all of these posts. Thank you all for sharing such deep and honest feelings - even those of you who have been angered by this thread. If it has made you stop and think, if it causes you to pause before you give in to the same demons that have beaten you down for so long, then I have done what I hoped to do. I too had given up on living. My feet and ankles were so swollen I could hardly stand to walk on them. In fact, I didn't walk, I waddled. Still do. My hips, back, hands, neck.. everything hurt. My double chin covered my neck completely. I watched in horror as I saw ME being swallowed up by this blob of fat, and eventually I couldn't see me at all anymore. I heard about the band about a year ago. It was a fluke, landing on Anne Wilson's (from the group Heart) site about her lapband. I remember thinking, 'Oh my god. Could this be something that can truly save me?' After a year of researching it, praying and hoping for some way to be able to have such a gift, a series of events fell into place and the next thing I know.. here I am. Banded. My prayers were answered. As I started into the pre-testing phase, Dawg and I promised to stay away from fast food. Everyday I was plagued with the thoughts and smells (yes, smells) of Cracker Barrel's roast beef dinner. I would wake up in the middle of the night and I could swear I could smell the roast beef. I was almost in tears over the mental torment. The day I went to see the nutritionist, I dropped Dawg off at work and I knew where I was going.. Mc Donald's. I fought it all the way there, as I pulled in, as I drove through, as I ordered the Breakfast biscuit, and as I ate the damn thing, I fought it. I swallowed down every bite, even tho it was not even as good as my brain had been telling me it would be. And with every bite, I swallowed tears and self loathing. I wanted the band so much. I wanted desperately to be saved. To live. And here I was, on my way finally - with a damn sausage egg biscuit in my hand. *sighs* That was the last time I have allowed myself to be weak. Have I wanted pizza? Oh yes. Much the same way I fought the Cracker Barrel dinner, I have smelled that pizza and craved it with everything inside me. But I knew that if I allowed myself -- permitted myself -- gave my self leeway for excuses -- opened the door an invited in those demons yet again, that I would have lost the battle in my head. I would have admitted that this is a losing battle that will never be won and I can not afford to do that if I want to live. I know how much food means to all of us. It's why we are here. You can lable it what you want, you can point to what you want as the cause of the problem. And you can forgive yourself for every time you screw up. But the facts remain. Our bodies don't care what caused or causes it. Our bodies don't care how many times our heads and hearts forgive ourselves. If we continue to abuse ourselves, there will be a price to pay. And that price scares the hell out of me.. not just for me, but for YOU (points at each person reading this). I only want each of you to be free. That is what prompted this thread. Not malice, or snobbery, or judgemental finger pointing. God bless.

Like he said, Human nature is a horrible thing and since we are all humans (with perhaps a couple of exceptions *snickers*) I guess this might take a while to achieve. So.... *passes out glass cleaner and paper towels to everyone*

That album *coughs* CD rocks! Always has, always will. Nothing like Locamotive Breath turned up to "rattle the windows" volume to get your day going. I can't wait for my treadmill to get here. Move over Richard Simmons! Susan's going to be Walking to the Oldies!

Someone should invent bacon flavored chewing gum.

*sings* Aqualung my friend, don't you start away uneasy. You poor old sot, you see it's only me. Do you remember.. December's foggy freeze, when the ice that clings onto your beard was screaming agony.. hey! And you snatch your rattling last breaths with deep-sea-diver sounds, and the flowers bloom like madness in the spring. What? Different Aqualung? *snickers*

*chuckles* I wasn't looking at names, it was meant to be generic examples you goober. *hugs* And someday I hope I reach a point where I can handle a splurge, right now I fear it.. not only because of the PBs but because of this endless fight against the addiction I have. I know what you mean about the victory! I stuffed a big ole spanish olive in my mouth today AS I was preparing my tuna lunch. As I was chewing it, I realized this was just a habit of mine - grazing while doing food prep. I spit out the chewed up thing, not because I'm a "perfect bandster" but because I realized I didn't even want it and I was falling for the same old decietful crap that got me fat in the first place.

I am new to banding but, like many of us, I am not new to dieting and I know exactly what you mean about the old habits creeping back in. You're right, the band is the focus of my life now and I pray it stays up there in the top three most important things I focus on in life. Because if I slip again, where will I be? I will be 50 this year. Half of my life has passed with me feeling like crap and being embarassed of myself. Missing out on so many things because of this weight. I don't want to do that anymore. I want a shot at being free of this before it's too late. I don't forgive myself for being overweight. I made my choices and I knew the consequences as I made them. Now I want to make other choices because to me it is a big deal. It is my life. I won't be forgiving and easy on myself if I slip up. I don't have time to pamper myself along anymore. Perhaps my problem here is that I was expecting the same attitude from others who have chosen WLS. Thanks for your comments Megan, you helped me see that perhaps I'm seeing things thru the eyes of a newbie that has been a bit niave.

You certainly will be getting prayers from our home. Bless your heart for being so thoughtful about this when you must be going thru a heck of a time. And indeed.. how courageous you are to hold your head up and walk right back in there to have your band replaced. Good for you! *hugs*

Sam.. Paul is not implying that you are harming your kids. Nothing of the sort. When he did the gollum thing he was joking around about my joke about grandma trying to kill us. And he is saying that FOR HIM he can't allow himself treats because for HIM it's much like the addict or the smoker who is trying to quit cold turkey. Having a little now and then is not an option. Please try to see that this was not meant as an attack on you. You are not taking it in the spirit in which it was written. Text can be misinterpreted so easily. Please give the benifit of the doubt here? Sincerly, Susan

Butch - You made me cry because you are so right. You touched the core of my fear my friend. *big hugs*

Sammee - Please, some of this was tongue in cheek. We never meant you were being anything less than a caring parent, nor did we mean to imply that you are harming your family or their friends. Please, don't be angry. We were more bashing on the foods that get us all, not on you. *hugs*

Ah Sammee.. *wipes her eyes* this made me laugh so hard. I'm sorry. The bit about the MIL trying to kill the kids (laughing so hard I can hardly type) was a joke. *big hugs* Im sorry you got crappy cookies. Feel free to pass them on to the kids. *huge grin*

That's correct. Although Ive only been banded for a month now. heh But again, this isnt the point. I see people who come here and talk about eating out everyday. They are disappointed because they aren't losing weight or they are miserable because they are PBing every bite they take. But they aren't stopping to think about what they are putting into their mouths. I am astonished that AFTER SURGERY people are still forcing themselves to eat food that will sabotage all of the efforts they put into getting banded and they are risking tearing their stomachs or harming their esophogus (I really should learn how to spell that). I'm not talking about a once in a while thing. Im talking about gross negligence against our own bodies. (made up example) People ask - do I need a fill? I can eat a whole large pizza by myself. Should I be able to do that? My question is - Why do you know you can eat a whole large pizza by yourself??? Why are you even trying that??? *sighs* Maybe it's jut me who gets so astounded by this. And of course I sit here and think.. Will I do this too?? Was the $26,000 I just invested a waste of money because some day I'll just stop caring and go out and eat a large Quarter Pounder meal? And people, cheese burgers over Quarter Pounders is nothing to be excited about. They are both loaded with fat and carbs that are going to keep you from succeeding. Im sure this is just my fears. Someone *fwap* me.

I know that we all face the family members who just DONT GET IT and keep bringing their offerings of love and good feelings. But MY point is why do some go out in search of the food that will harm them and then sit down and force themselves to eat beyond what they know they should eat to prevent band/stomach damage, PBs, and weight loss failure? Fine the MIL brings Cookies. Look at your family and tell them Grandma is trying to kill us with kindness and then throw it in the trash. If it's not good for you, why is it good for someone else? LOL (I'm kidding about the Grandma is trying to kill us bit)

I can see that. You don't have a band in. I'm talking about people who have the band in place. Good luck with your rebanding. And why are you feeling sorry for yourself? You are a brave person who is determined to live a long and healthy life. Be proud of yourself and get excited about being slender and feeling great about yourself. Nothing tastes as good as seeing a healthy YOU in the mirror feels.

Quick! Get her banded before she gets fat! *grins*

Sweet, good job Jenna

Jenna, I went thru the fear thing too. Damn near panicked about it for days. But when faced with this question I knew it was time to set aside my fears and get smart. You say you fear erosion. Something that (according to the stats in the states) is a rare thing. Long term problems from this rare thing are even more rare! But you would be willing to face "other types" of WLS surgery? Sweetie, you have already undergone the safest surgery there is. You have the safest, most logical weight loss tool there is already installed and working perfectly inside you. Please don't have it out just because something might go wrong. I see others on this board who are awaiting test results which could change their lives in very serious ways. Would we advise them to go ahead and end it all now -just in case- they get bad news? Heavens no. I think the wave of nerves about erosion is calming now. Take a nice long deep breath. Put some quiet thought into this whole thing. *smiles* Erosion usually means some discomfort and band removal. From what I've seen, the worst side effect of the erosion is losing the band itself. Be happy you have yours. *big hugs*

Yay! Glad to hear you are breezing thru on the hydrocodone! LOL Keep that bottle nearby, take it easy and get lots of rest. And welcome to Bandland!

Oh dear.. didn't your doctor give you a list of foods you could eat at the different stages of your healing? You are in stage one, week 1 - 3. This is liquids time, as soon as you can hold down Clear Liquids you can try to add in full liquids, such as milk, proetin shakes, slim fast, tomato Soup, cream Soups, and yogurts .. nothing with chunks though. Weeks 4 - 6 you move to soft or mushie foods. Baby food, cottage cheese, pureed meats, flakey fish, anything soft and mushie that is easily chewed to nothing before swallowing. I have tuna with 2 tbs of fat free dressing in mine to make it more moist. Take small bites, eat slowly (15 mins per meal) and chew, chew, chew. In week 6 we begin to add more foods, but one at a time so if we have any problems we can identify which food it was. Although, from what I hear, you might have trouble with chicken one day and the next day be fine with it. I keep my servings to 1/2 Cup. Note: This is what MY doctor has ME on. If you can contact your doctor you might ask what he or she recommends. If not, this is a fairly good rule of thumb that you should be safe following. And you should be getting in about 60 grams of Protein per day. Most people experience problems with pastas, soft breads, hamburger, steak and dry turkey or fish. Bread type products tend to be gooey in the stomach and stick together making them hard to get through the band. Hamburger and steak are tougher, stringier meats that often can't be chewed into small enough pieces. You can try any of these after your six weeks, but just be aware that they are known to cause PBs in a lot of people. Make sure your chicken, turkey or fish is very moist. Some use sauces on the meat for moisture.. if you do, be aware of the calories you are adding on. Hope this helps. And again, check with your own doctor first. It is always best to follow what your doctors orders for you.

Sports drinks designed to rehydrate you might be good. Of course lots of Water. Protein Drinks are thicker. I blended 1/2 a banana in my strawberry whey Protein and then stirred in a vanilla slim fast shake. Very thick and I don't think the protein will run through you so easily. Protein is VERY important right now, helps those muscles heal and fights infections. Grats on getting your band! How are you doing with it so far? Still sore?

I'm not sure I understand. *snicker* Yes, yes, I am the class smartass.