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I found Tommy and Mikey's comments very interesting. I have to disagree with Tommy a little though, which is unusual because I typically think he is right on the money with all of his opinions. He really is awesome. Anyway, I am an emotional eater and a self hater and the band is perfect for me. As Janet pointed out, RNY patients lose the weight in spite of their typical eating disorders but two years down the road they haven't changed a thing about why they were fat in the first place. Many put the weight back on and are stuck with the results of a surgery that will be with them for life. The band reminds me daily that I have to be careful about my food choices and it prevents me from punishing myself with enough food to make me sick for hours after eating it. I noticed on Inamed's site that they say people with sweet tooths aren't good candidates for the band because sweets are typically in foods that are easily gotten around the band. I can see that being a real deterrent. Mikey, men are not alone in that feeling of "I should have been able to do this on my own." I struggled so hard with the guilt of having to spend $26,000 (something we might never see again) for my band. I still have to eat smaller portions, make better choices, turn away from foods that make me fat, get exercise, and drink Water. Why on earth couldn't I just do that on my own? It was a tough one to get past, and only my family's reassurance that they couldn't think of a better way to invest that money helped me go through with it. I felt weak and selfish. Now I just feel grateful to them for loving me so much. And now I see myself as being in training. I'm not weak at all. I'm going through a boot camp of sorts, where my old self is being broken down and retrained to become something stronger. I can be proud of that. I now understand that when I reach my goal, it will be because of MY hard work and dilligence.. not because someone took away all of my choices and made it happen for me. Anyway, Wssmith, I wish you the best in finding what's right for you. For me, I would never do the RNY. The surgery is far too risky, the sideaffects are far too bad, and the long term success rate is far too low for me to make such a choice. But each person has to decide what's best for them. I would, as many have suggested, find a different doctor and get more professional opinions about the options. That meeting sounded oddly biased.

Hey Darcy.. I hope all goes well with your fill. Hang in there girl and keep us posted on how it's going ok? Nobody -has- to report their weight if they don't want to. Heather's idea for this thread was for it to become what each person needed for them personally. For the ones who do want to track their weight changes, I'll make updates to the first page on Wednesdays. Laura and Kim - y'all are making me jealous! I want to go walking with you too!

Congratulations! What a wonderful blessing whether it be a Natalie or a Nathan. *grins* Best wishes to you and your family!

Dawg and I eat the Healthy Choice meals and I love Gorton's frozen fish fillets (unbreaded). It so fast to cook 1/2 cup of frozen veggies while the fillets are cooking in the microwave for 7 mins. What a meal! They have Lemon Pepper, Garlic Butter, and Blackened (too spicy for me without a drink). We checked out the sodium content on these meals and its relatively low.

Slightly off topic, but not really.. is everyone aware of what KFC does to the chickens they raise for those delicious buckets of golden goodness? It's horrifying and I doubt I'll ever eat there again. No telling what the fast food industries are doing to cows in order to pump out the millions of burgers we as a nation eat every day. *sighs* Sad, very sad. And I'm not a vegetarian or an animal rights activist. Those poor horses. If you want to get really shocked. They are hiring women in China to get pregnant so they can take the unborn child and use it for stem-cell research. Now there's something to cry about.

Best of luck to you both! Can't wait to welcome you both to Bandland and to watch your progress! *hugs each of you*

Happy Bandiversary! Five pounds from your goal? I'd say that's something to be VERY proud of! Great job, Jess!

ddiedre - Where is your port? I get these same feelings of pressure at night and I believe (for me) that its the port. Perhaps the skin is pulling against it or something. My body is changing so much, I'm not surprised when I find that what used to be comfortable is now uncomfortable. teresa - I also worried all the time that my port had flipped over. My surgeon assured me that it can't. I've seen the term "flipped port" used here but I believe it wasn't actually flipped over, or upside down, but rather a couple of stitches had come loose and that edge of the port was pressing up against the skin since it wasn't held down anymore. Wheetsin's right.. you'll fee the port more when you're on a hard surface. Mine also feels like it catches under my ribs if I've been slumping and sit up straight. Weird feeling, isn't it?

I try to avoid snacking. I figure if I'm hungry, I should be eating something worth eating. If I'm just wanting to eat for the sake of eating, then I see that as old habits that got me in trouble in the first place. For example, yesterday I popped a Pop Secret popcorn mini bag, only 100 calories. I ate the bag all by myself and then at my lunch right after! I was shocked to find that I was even more hungry after snacking! I won't be doing that again! I try to eat 4 meals a day, and never eat after 7 if I can help it. My first meal is only Cereal (Fiber One w/ skim milk) so it doesn't last very long, but my other meals keep me satisfied for four hours. Oh, and a word of caution.. Be careful of the sodium in string cheese. Our daily intake shouldn't exceed 2,400 mg per day. Very bad on blood pressure and makes the scales think you are fatter than you are! heh

I have the hardest time drinking Water from a glass. And an even harder time drinking any tap water! Yuck. We buy bottled water in the 16.9oz size bottles. We can get a case of 35 Crystal Geyser water for about $4.00. Four of these bottles exceeds the 64oz goal. I can't stand the pop-up tops that squirt in your mouth when you squeeze the bottle, so I buy the ones with the twist off tops. It's so easy to down 1/2 of the bottle in a few swallows. I have gotten myself in the habit of always having a bottle in my hand. When we go out, I grab a fresh one for the car. No matter where I am there is always a bottle by me. Also, the more you drink the more your natural thirst will return. Many times we are thirsty and don't even realize it, often times mistaking thirst for hunger. Anyway, keep a bottle with you contstantly and you won't have any problems getting in your 64oz.

Another week begins, and I can't help feeling as if I'm wishing away this year. I will be happy when I can think about something other than losing weight and what food I'm eating. I'm ready for the band to become a PART of my life rather than consuming my life! Last week Verleen came over every day and we went through the house cleaning everything we could touch. This week, we are working on closets, bathroom drawers, dresser drawers and the like. Possibly the garage if the weather gets nicer. What a treat it is to see the place looking nice again. Mom came down over the weekend. On Friday, we went to Red Robin and wow, what a great experience that was. Here is my post about the NSV: Wow, I have something to share! Yesterday, I picked up my mom from the airport (she's in town for the weekend) and she wanted to go out for lunch. Err.. I haven't been out to eat since I started the pre-op diet. I was a nervous wreck. I knew I wasn't going to eat anything I shouldn't but my fear was that smelling and seeing all those foods I used to be addicted to would bring back the cravings. Being a people watcher (my all time favorite hobby), I knew I wasn't going to be able to avoid seeing people enjoying what I couldn't have. Eating out used to be my way of life. Well, we walked into Red Robin and there they were.. all these people feeding on huge burgers. I watched in amazement as they somehow unhinged their jaws to fit their gaping mouths around these monstrous globs of food… Their cheeks bulging as they smiled and chewed with mayonnaise covered lips. Every plate of food I saw delivered to the tables seemed heaping with enough to feed 3 people. What I expected to trigger longing and cravings actually was excellent therapy - for me. I ordered iced tea with lemon and a cup of chili - no cheese, no onions, and no crackers. Mom ordered a bowl of chili. The server looked at us like we were nuts.. “That’s –all- you want?” *laughs* When the food arrived it was served with a large round soup spoon, I requested a regular spoon. Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our chili, and we sat in Red Robin for 3 1/2 hours drinking tea and enjoying a wonderful visit. As I walked out, I felt an enormous victory in my life and I remembered so many of you saying "Make your dining out time about the people you are with, not about the food." I smiled and walked out feeling so good, rather than being disgusted with myself and feeling so uncomfortably gorged. What a huge victory in my life! ---------------------------- I figured that would be quicker than typing it out again. So, the next day Kelly and David come over with Ethan. Mom, Ryan, Irina, Paul and I were all there. Kelly suggests going out to dinner. We ended up sending mom out with them alone and spent time with Ethan. We had a great time. Before Kelly and David arrived, I had commented that it felt strange not to be cooking a huge meal for the family. I usually do during get togethers. I guess we found out that we can do something different and still enjoy our time together. It was a wonderful evening. We weighed on Saturday morning. I'd lost 1 pound, and Paul none. The next day, Paul had lost 2 pounds and I stayed the same. Today, *groan* I weighed again and had gained 1/2 pound! Paul took the battery out thank goodness. We start weighing with the Gone for Good Club on Wednesday. I hope I weight 263 so I can keep up my 2 pounds a week! I hadnt been drinking my water. I stopped walking, although I was being a lot more active cleaning house and stuff. And Ive eaten more chicken the last couple of days - sweet n sour chicken to be exact. I wont be doing that again for a while.

Another week begins, and I can't help feeling as if I'm wishing away this year. I will be happy when I can think about something other than losing weight and what food I'm eating. I'm ready for the band to become a PART of my life rather than consuming my life! Last week Verleen came over every day and we went through the house cleaning everything we could touch. This week, we are working on closets, bathroom drawers, dresser drawers and the like. Possibly the garage if the weather gets nicer. What a treat it is to see the place looking nice again. Mom came down over the weekend. On Friday, we went to Red Robin and wow, what a great experience that was. Here is my post about the NSV: Wow, I have something to share! Yesterday, I picked up my mom from the airport (she's in town for the weekend) and she wanted to go out for lunch. Err.. I haven't been out to eat since I started the pre-op diet. I was a nervous wreck. I knew I wasn't going to eat anything I shouldn't but my fear was that smelling and seeing all those foods I used to be addicted to would bring back the cravings. Being a people watcher (my all time favorite hobby), I knew I wasn't going to be able to avoid seeing people enjoying what I couldn't have. Eating out used to be my way of life. Well, we walked into Red Robin and there they were.. all these people feeding on huge burgers. I watched in amazement as they somehow unhinged their jaws to fit their gaping mouths around these monstrous globs of food… Their cheeks bulging as they smiled and chewed with mayonnaise covered lips. Every plate of food I saw delivered to the tables seemed heaping with enough to feed 3 people. What I expected to trigger longing and cravings actually was excellent therapy - for me. I ordered iced tea with lemon and a cup of chili - no cheese, no onions, and no crackers. Mom ordered a bowl of chili. The server looked at us like we were nuts.. “That’s –all- you want?” *laughs* When the food arrived it was served with a large round soup spoon, I requested a regular spoon. Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our chili, and we sat in Red Robin for 3 1/2 hours drinking tea and enjoying a wonderful visit. As I walked out, I felt an enormous victory in my life and I remembered so many of you saying "Make your dining out time about the people you are with, not about the food." I smiled and walked out feeling so good, rather than being disgusted with myself and feeling so uncomfortably gorged. What a huge victory in my life! ---------------------------- I figured that would be quicker than typing it out again. So, the next day Kelly and David come over with Ethan. Mom, Ryan, Irina, Paul and I were all there. Kelly suggests going out to dinner. We ended up sending mom out with them alone and spent time with Ethan. We had a great time. Before Kelly and David arrived, I had commented that it felt strange not to be cooking a huge meal for the family. I usually do during get togethers. I guess we found out that we can do something different and still enjoy our time together. It was a wonderful evening. We weighed on Saturday morning. I'd lost 1 pound, and Paul none. The next day, Paul had lost 2 pounds and I stayed the same. Today, *groan* I weighed again and had gained 1/2 pound! Paul took the battery out thank goodness. We start weighing with the Gone for Good Club on Wednesday. I hope I weight 263 so I can keep up my 2 pounds a week! I hadnt been drinking my water. I stopped walking, although I was being a lot more active cleaning house and stuff. And Ive eaten more chicken the last couple of days - sweet n sour chicken to be exact. I wont be doing that again for a while.

Welcome to LBT, Candice. Do a lot of research before you make your decision. Find a surgeon who offers good after care and know what questions to ask long before your surgery. To start you off, check out these two very good threads: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12541 http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15595

Hiya Sandy.. I'm not in NC but the group has adopted me. *grins* Welcome to LBT! You have a great bunch of folks in NC. I'm sure you'll feel more than welcome in no time at all.

Eight weeks out here and the memories of the pre-surgery fears and the post-surgery pains are still very fresh in my mind. Even so, I would do it again in a heartbeat. This band is helping me learn to modify my eating habits and food choices. Notice I said "helping". The band won't miraculously remove 100 pounds from you, but it certainly is a wonderful tool that works great when put to use. It may not last forever, but while I have mine I plan on using it to the fullest while retraining myself so I can maintain a healthy lifestyle from now until I die. Yes, yes, yes, I if I knew then what I know now.. I would still make the same choice!

So far today: I will walk a minimum of 1/2 mile on my dreadmill every day. (Done!) I will drink 64 oz. of Water every day. (Done) I will take on one achievable project in my house per day. (Done! Did laundry and started cleaning out closets.) I will NOT sit on my arse all day doing nothing but fighting head hunger out of pure boredom! (I'm doing great in this area. Feels so good to think about more things than food and being online!) I will NOT eat while doing distracting things, which causes me to eat too quickly and not chew well. (I'm about to give up on this. Bleh)

Yahooo!! Yay! :rockon: :cheer2::rockon: :cheer2: Way to battle the devil and his side kicks dressed in green uniforms! :boxing: (hopefully none of you have daughters in GS - I dont want to offend anyone! LOL)

This made me laugh! How cute :eek: Penni, thanks for all the great info about the meals. I'm going to talk to Dawg and see if I can get him to try it out. Is there a contract or is it just month to month? Ok folks, today Im back on track. Ive started taking my calcium suppliments along with extra C and E. I will walk on the dreadmill and drink my Water like I'm supposed to and I have a friend over who's going to help me get my closets organized. Should be a good day!

I hear the whey protein isolate drinks are great. They are a bit more expensive, come pre-bottled and are like fruit flavored drinks.

Here are some threads that contain all the info your looking for: http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm I don't think you need to worry about this just yet. Most folks dont get their first fill until six weeks after surgery. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15595 http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12541 http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14814

Mine too! LOL We are so weird! :clap2:

Absolutely Molly! Welcome to the club! Most of us have posted a short bit about ourselves so we can get to know each other better. If you have time, please post about you! :eek:

Wow, Diane! You would probably make a million, be a guest on Oprah, and have your own half hour infomercial! Then you could afford to have all the cookie enduced fat liposuctioned from your body once a month! Sweet! You are such a Goober, but I love ya! *laughs* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The Gone for Good Club does not endorse the Girl Scout cookie diet. (Unless it works. Then, of course, it was probably our idea!)

My port is just under my ribs on the right side. The incision is just under and a bit to the left of the port, and is the largest incision of the five that were made during the procedure. I'm surprised that you can't feel yours. Mine stuck out like a lump and was the most sore of all the lap band incision areas. In fact, it still sticks out quite a bit. Sometimes it surprises me when I slide my hand over my stomach and my fingers catch on the port. Creepy!

Everyone gets nervous and scared as the time draws closer. Some more than others, but generally everyone does to some extent. There is a lot about to happen to you. There is surgery, which has it's risks, although the lap band surgery is very safe compared to many operations. There is also the thought of making a complete change in your eating habits (hopefully - the band is not a miracle cure for obesity, you have to make some serious changed in order to succeed). And there is the fear of failing even with the band. I can tell you that many people here have had these fears and are now very happy and relieved to be on the other side of the surgery date, banded, and losing weight. The fears are usually much worse than the reality. There is the discomfort of the surgery. Some recover very quickly, while others take a few weeks. But the time flies by so fast! The food changes aren't all that hard to comply with, and the trade off of looking and feeling so much better is SO worth it all! I've been banded for 8 weeks now. Doing great and have lost 42 pounds (last weigh in). I don't feel like I've been deprived of anything. I don't regret my decision, and I LOVE this band! :eek: I strongly agree with Molly. Do lots of research prior to your surgery. Read everything you can get your hands on - there is a ton of info and opinions here. As you read and learn, jot down notes to ask your doctor. Answers to questions often put our minds at ease. Best of luck to you! You'll be fine. :eek: