serenity55

Hi, I was just wondering if there is anyone here who is a member of Al-Anon? It's hard to believe that I've been a member for 20 years. Anyway, I'd love to hear from others. Debbie

BodaciousBev, Briefs199? Sorry if I got that wrong—RogerL—not even going to try to remember sbrown, buddhaBlair, I wish all of you the very best of luck. You have every reason to be excited, and scared. I remember my pre op days, and how terrified I was. I’ll be watching for all of your posts, and I wish you a speedy, uneventful recovery. Getting my band was the best thing I could have done!

Like you, I didn't want anything done to my insides. One of the great things about the band is that it is adjustable. Another is that it can be removed if necessary. I have had my band for 5 years and I would do it all over again.

JustWatchMe, I like your goal of getting in to shirts? Worn by your daughters. I have a pair of jeans that I haven’t been able to wear for years, and I’m determined to get back in to them. Thank you all for your encouragement. I really do appreciate it. I think that’s another thing that keeps me going, knowing there are bandsters doing the same thing I am.

I tried posting this in my blog, but am not sure it worked. I have been walking for the past month, I guess, walking every day, either on the track at work, or on the treadmill at home. It would be an understatement to say I dislike exercise, because I was disappointed so many times when I’d get on the scale and it didn’t move. I would also be lying if I said that weight loss wasn’t important to me. Maybe this is one of those aha! Moments, although I’m sure all this stuff was in the back of my mind. I am not walking just to lose weight. I am walking to have a healthier heart. I am walking to lessen the pain in my knees from arthritis. I am walking because less pain means going up and down stairs with ease. I am walking because I feel good after I do it. And you know what? It has kept me going. Know what else? The scale is moving in the right direction. My band works when I do my part. I will always love sweets, that’s what got me to my highest weight of 338 pounds. I am allowing myself to eat them, though not in the huge quantities I have before. Just for today, it is working for me. There may come a time when I know longer desire them, though I can’t see that. (LOL) I do eat fruit; I eat salads and veggies. I’m making a conscious effort to make better choices, and though I don’t always do that, I feel like my refocusing has helped me immensely. I have lost 11 pounds Saturday was the first time I weighed myself. That also works for me, otherwise I know I'd be nuts. :-).

I have asked myself in the past just why I’m doing this, because I just knew I wasn’t going to lose the weight. Today, I asked myself the same question and when I started to think the same way, I was able to stop myself. Let’s hear it for reprogramming!

Congratulations, Tom! Support groups have always been helpful for me; unfortunately, my surgeon's lap band group no longer exists. I have bandster friends, and I'll have to use this site group. Keep up the good work!

I was banded almost five and a half years ago. My story is similar to so many I have read. I started out well, lost 60 pounds, but have gained almost all of it back I am totally blind. I mention this only so as to not have anyone surprised when or if they should contact me. I'm open about blindness, and it's my hope that I can make friends as well as getting support. . I was diagnosed with clinical depression, and although I am taking medication, it simply takes the edge off . I love my band, and I know that it works. I’m looking for a buddy who has struggled, and has had at least 150 pounds to lose . I don’t need to be told to get rid of all the crap in my house. I don’t need to be made to feel more ashamed than I already am. I guess I just want someone who will be supportive and encouraging, someone to whom I must be responsible for getting back on track, someone who won’t mind sending or receiving emails a few times a week. I wouldn’t even mind forming a group of bandsters who feel the same way as I do .

Thank you, 2muchfun. I can exercise; as a matter of fact, I was for quite a while. I have been walking, we have a track where I work, as well as a work-out room, and I have a treadmill at home. I do eat healthy, but I need to "get back to basics". Make better choices. My band is fine. I can go without being hungry from the time I have lunch until I get home and have dinner. If I snack, I have fruit, but there have been lots of times when I eat sweets, and there's my problem. I know better. I know what I have to do. I just need to come here, the way I used to. Thanks again.

I feel like I've come home. On February 10, I will have been banded 6 years. I have had no trouble with my band, but like others, I am not where I had hoped to be, due to emotional eating. I got back on the treadmill today, and that felt good. My band works, I haven't been. That's going to change, because I still believe it's the best thing I could have done for myself.

Last March when I started my lap band journey, I had no idea it would end up as wonderfully as it has. I was denied several times, went to a seminar for other surgeons, and wrote letters pleading with my insurance company for this surgery. In October of 2008, my medical group was bought out by another one, and within three days I had been approved to see Dr. Philippe Quilici. The minute I walked in to the office I knew I was in good hands. I am totally blind, walked in alone, and was helped by one of the staff to fill out the necessary forms. I spent two, maybe three hours there, meeting the team. I was allowed to touch the model of the stomach, and learn what it looked like with the band in place. Although I can't be sure, I'm almost positive I was the first blind weight loss patient there. Dr. Quilici was very warm, and I felt that, even though he is a busy man, he didn't make me feel rushed. He asked if I had any questions, and didn't try to discourage me from getting the band. My surgery went without a hitch, and three months out, I think it was the best thing I've ever done. I have had no problems, and as far as I'm concerned, Dr. Q is fantastic!

Hi, The pre op diet isn't an easy one. Mine was all liquids and I didn't think I would make it. In fact, I'd decided that if I felt the same way one morning, (might have been fourth or fifth) I was just going to give up. When I got on the scale, I found I'd lost weight. That was one motivater for me. Another is coming here and talking, talking, talking. Maybe you can call your surgeon's office and ask if there isn't something you can do, add something that will help you feel full. Liquids sort of helped me, and also finding something to distract you from thinking about how hungry you are. Also, knowing that you will get your band soon, and te reason you're on this diet is to shrink your liver so your surgeon can place the band easily are other things you might hold on to. those are some of the things I did. If I can help in any way, please feel free to pm me. Hang in there! You can do this! Debbie

A friend told me yesterday that she'd heard all this talk about global warming wasn't true. I'm not sure where she heard this, but it was apparently on some news broadcast. I'm not sure what I believe, but I'd like to know what others think.

Hi all, I'm taking a very low dosage of Celexa, 40 milligrams. Right before I got my band, I stopped taking it, with my doctor's (not therapist) consent. Well, I tried crushing the pills, but they tasted terrible. Now, I'm a little over a month post op, and :duh!: it hit me this week, that maybe, just maybe, the reason I'm crying, feeling irritable, (hell, angry, too!) is because I should be back on the Celexa. My therapist said that I probably would need to take it for the rest of my life. I was fine until this week, probably because I was in the honeymoon phase. I'd hoped that I wouldn't have to take it anymore, but apparently, that's not the case. My question: If anyone is taking it, is it hard to swallow? Any and all experiences appreciated. (And please don't scold, I know what I did wasn't smart!). Thank you. I know there was more I wanted to ask. Maybe it will come back to me. Debbie .

Hi all, Here I go again! I'm trying to post. I'll be glad to go to the other site where it's easier to navigate and post--not that I've been able to do that yet. Michelle, when are you going to Disneyland? I thought you'd already gone! Show's what I know! Suzie, hope work was good. Seems like you recovered fast from surgery. That's fantastic! Tracy, thank you for the offer to help. I went on the other site and tried again to register, and this time it didn't say anything about having to match anything. Does anyone remember anything like that when you registered? And good for you with your positive attitude! You go sista girl! I did go on the other site, and I saw a thread with your name in it, Kat, and I think I saw Cindy's too. I started telling y'all a funny story about me falling in to a planter, losing the battery from my Walkman, knocking over my orange juice and my Water all in the same morning, but it didn't post. I have lots of funny stories about me and my blind friends and I plan to tell them all, at some point. Everybody stay warm, safe and dry. Deb

Evening everyone, I'm going to try to send this post, although I'm not sure what I did before. I haven't even read anything today, just came to where it says add reply, so I'm giving it a try. Tracy, I wanted to say that I'm glad your mother admitted that you were right about your sister. How many times have I heard people say they just ignore the elephant in the room. Your mom shouldn't even have had to witness one of her children having a meltdown. I hope everybody's doing well. I'm gonna try this again. Wish me luck! Deb

I give up! What do I have to do to send my damn reply I've been trying to post all day, and I guess this site doesn't like me any more, because it doesn't accept anything I write! GRRR!!! Anyway, thanks to everybody for support and concern. Not only did that guy say I played like a dream, but he gave me several long hugs. That was nice. I gave him my business card. You never know. I tried to register on the other site, and I guess you have to match characters or something? It said that the "string" I'd entered didn't match, so I'm going to have someone help me figure it out. *sigh* My Thanksgiving was nice. I went to my sister's. We had dinner, then went to a friend's house and she gave us food to take home. I had a spoonful of nasty banana pudding, and I thought of you, Cindy, because one of your first posts that I read was about making some. I'm going to try this again. Maybe it doesn't like long posts? I don't know!! Deb?

Hi! Good grief! I hope I'm doing this right! I hope everybody is doing all right, though it seems like you all are. Tracy, thank you so much for the emails. I'm going to check out the other site, because this is really frustrating, not blind friendly--or sighted either for that matter--at all. And what's with this "pip" thing? I have to down arrow to get to the actual posts, I can't just click on stuff. All right, enough bitching. I'm not even sure if I've read everybody's posts. I played for a fundraiser last night. A friend of mine sang, and I played for another guy who has the most beautiful voice! He told me I was a dream! Michelle, I wanted to pm you but since Kat didn't get Suzie's pm, I'm afraid now. I'm sorry to hear about your DD. Tracy I read that horrible letter from your sister, and there really aren't words to describe someone who could be that mean spirited. She really must be a very unhappy person, and your response to her makes you truly wonderful, even though that has to hurt. Kat did you get to see the movie? Suzie, only two days to be lazy? Hey Jenn, Angela, Shar, Ashley, Plain and Terri. Thank you all for the understanding about navigating this site. You really all an awesome group! Debbie

Hi everybody, Not much going on here. I'm going to have a pretty low key weekend. I think it's cool that y'all are meeting up in Texas. Michelle, are you going to Disneyland? I haven't been there in years. I went to Knottsberry Farm last year, and walked so much that I'd lost a pound when I got on the scale the next day! My foot hurts. I've been having stabbing pains, I guess, for quite a few weeks, sometimes out of no where. Today at work, it hurt so bad I could hardly walk. Looks like I may have to go to the doctor. It's on the right side of my right foot, like maybe there's a bone there. It's sore, and though it feels a little better now that I'm home it's still not easy to walk, and I have to go to the store tomorrow. That's just peachy, a blind gimp! Hahahaha!! Jenn, congratulations on the new job, and more money! That's always a good thing. Suzie, I can't believe you said the cold rainy day might slow you down! Did it? Everybody take care. Good night. Debbie

Evening everyone, Kat, we'll never get sick of you, and what fantastic news about VINE! Suzie, you're something else! You didn't clean the dining room, but you did all that work outside. And with that cast, too! Hey, Angela. Just like you, nothing's really happening here, just work, and now I'm really tired, don't know why. Michelle, what a pain. I hate ear infections. Hope it clears up and you don't have to go to the doctor. Jenn, hope you get some rest! Cindy, I'm glad everything went well. I think I'd be nervous if I was in your place. Yes, Tracy, keep posting! I lost a pound. Not much, but just maybe it's the start of something. Hi to everyone else I missed. I'm going to bed soon. Night. Deb

Hi y'all! Well I played today. A friend took me to the hospital--she went to visit her boyfriend. We saw a former coworker there who told us that her boyfriend, who is also a former coworker, was there having his gallbladder removed. When the guy showed up at1:00 I introduced him to my friend. When we went up to see her boyfriend I asked her if she thought it was all about this dude, and she said yes. He talked about the places he'd played. You know how you mention in passing that so-and-so did such-and-such. Well, I just mentioned the fact that he'd gotten some kind of award, and he just sort of took off. What was really good for me was just before I stopped playing, my friend said that people were leaning over the balcony listening, and others were walking by, nodding and smiling, and that doesn't include those who came up to tell me how much they enjoyed the music. I've been told the other pianist looks up whenever someone passes. As far as I'm concerned, I got the prime spot to play; the lobby seems to empty out after 1:00. So thank you all for making me feel like I did the right thing. Tracy, congratulations on losing that pound. Yeah, you're on the move again for sure! Kat, I'm glad you're on the mend! Being sick really bites the big one! Suzie, you're always a busy little bee! You take care of yourself Michelle, we're supposed to get a storm tomorrow, on the way to work. Maybe it's the same one. Feel better. Jenn, I hope you ate some pizza for me! Happy birthday to Zack. (I hope that's right.) :smile2:. Angela, sorry Mike has to work. Hope your day was good anyway. Ashley, sounds like you had a great Sunday. That's what they're for! Plain, I miss you. Hi to anyone else I missed. Have a good night everybody. Debbie!

Hi. I'm supposed to go do my volunteer thing at the hospital where I got my lap band, tomorrow. There's a guy who plays there during the week, I guess he's retired. He's called me a couple of times before to ask me if I'd mind if he played on a Sunday because the patients "asked for him to play." Today he called me and told me that he wanted to know if we could switch Sundays because Melissa Manchester's mom was back in the hospital--don't know if it's all right to mention names like that, sorry--and she "loved" the way he plays. Well, I played for her too, and she told me she would tell her daughter about me. My first reaction was to just give in and let him do his thang,and then I thought, no, screw that! So I called him back and asked what time he planned to be at the hospital. He said his "normal" time is 12:00 or 12:30. I asked him if it would be OK if he came in at 1:00 and I played starting at 11:00. He said that was "Perfect." I couldn't resist adding that Melissa manchester's mother'd enjoyed my playing too. (I didn't really believe she was who she said she was--you know, not that she was lying exactly, but, that the mother of some famous person was there.) It pushes buttons, ya know? Makes my already fragile self-esteem take a dive. But tonight I didn't let that happen. I told this guy that I know someone who's also in the hospital, and I'd like to play for him. (The truth is that the guy I know wouldn't be able to hear the music unless a nurse or friend or somebody brings him down to the lobby.) But I figure what the hell? For me to have given in would have felt like me accepting the fact that I suck as a musician. I decided not to do that Ok, now I'll go back and read about everyone's day. Thanks for letting me vent :smile2: . Debbie.

Evening. Jenn, heyyyy yourself!! Tracy, I agree with Shar; you have an excellent attitude. Years ago when I was in OA, I went down to 232 pounds and put myself down because I didn't weigh less. I'd give anything to be that weight now, but you know what? I will be. Slow and steady wins the race. Yes, I'll beat myself up again, but there's just something in me that keeps me trying. (Maybe it's that threat from Plain!) But I've been walking, and feel pretty good about that. It's amazing what spending time before work doing a little exercise can do. I'm staying away from the M&M's, but I did have a bite size Snickers today. Oh yeah, and what's this about peanut Christmas trees?! I'm pretty tired tonight, but taking Tuesday off helped me change my attitude, which is a good thing because it wasn't pretty! You'll probably get tired of me saying this, but you're a terrific bunch of people. So everybody stick around, and don't leave five minutes before our miracle happens. That miracle is us, individually moving ahead, and sharing every step with each other. OK, enough of this! Everyone take care of yourselves and your loved ones. :group hug: Debbie

I started my lap band journey in March 2008 and didn't get banded until February 2009. I was denied, several times, had to keep writing letters, and it was really frustrating, and depressing. I wanted to give up. But I kept coming here, and doing other things that would help me get ready for the changes I knew would come. I was already exercising, for example, and I started to practice chewing more slowly and taking longer. Sometimes it helps to take your mind off how far away it is. Look, it's November, now. The new year isn't really that far away. I know it's hard, but try to accept that the time will come. If you can't get banded until 2011, you're only going to make yourself feel worse by thinking about the fact that it's not happening sooner. Start a thread for people who might be getting banded the same time you're looking at, or join one if one is already here. I found it really helpful to talk to people who shared the same month as I did. Trust me, once you have your date, the time will go quickly. It did for me. You might find you have all kinds of emotions when your surgery date gets closer too. This is a good time to learn all you can. . And keep posting! That really helped me too Good luck! (Edited to say)-- (I see you've already done lots of stuff I suggested! Sorry, should have read that before I posted.) :embarrassed: Debbie.

Terri, my friend Ariane and I sometimes split the small bags of M&M's. It usually comes out to about eleven, and she takes all the green ones! I don't care! LOL! I just have to stay away from my coworker when he brings in those biig bags from Costco. I managed to do that yesterday. Yay for me! I also know what you mean about voting. I'll be soo glad when this is all over, because I too am sick of all the advertising. I hate the mud slinging! Probably won't be as glad as Kat, though! Debbie