JanetC

TGIFriday's 1001 MacArthur Park Dr, Irving, TX 972-402-9487 Map Join us at Friday's for fun & friends! This is approximately 30 miles from anywhere in the metroplex -- as central as we could get it. If you can come, please post numbers (if you're bringing family / friends). I'll call Friday's on the morning of the 22nd with numbers. (It's just an estimate, so if you didn't RSVP but can come, get there! ) Thanks! List so far: 2 Janet & Mikey 2 Didi (Diane) 1 banded_for_life (Keri) 2 MyKdsDad (Randy & Joy) 1 Kim_8 1 divanita2006 (Anita) 9 total so far Edit: Sorry for deleting the other thread... I couldn't edit the subject line & didn't want to confuse folks, so I decided it was safer to delete it, even though we lost the RSVP messages. How dare Jack Astor's close on us! I'll send PMs to those that are signed up, just to be sure they know about the restaurant change.

We're about to head out the door... I called the restaurant & warned them 15-20 folks. See you there!!!

I think the "pouch" is her upper stomach. It looks a bit distended to me, but I don't know what "normal" looks like, so who knows. You can't see the lower stomach because there's nothing in it. (Or that's my guess) These pics are fascinating!

LB, so sorry you're having these issues! And everyone else on the thread! (Heh, I'd missed the 2nd page!) For those learning to slow down... here's what I did last week. It seemed to do the trick (finally!): 0. Get a watch or clock with a second hand. 1. Take a SMALL bite -- try cutting a small bite, then cut it in half! 2. Chew to goo -- then chew a couple more times, just for luck! 3. Swallow 4. Put your fork down & watch the 2nd hand... 5. AT LEAST 30 seconds with your mouth empty! 60 seconds is better when learning 6. Repeat steps 1-5 for EVERY bite! After time, you may learn that with some foods 30 seconds is enough. For some you need the full 60. Sometimes I can sneak by with 15 seconds, but I have to watch it. Good luck!

Lifting a prayer for everyone above (wanted you to know your words aren't going unheard).

I'm with you Dianechef! You never know whose life you're effecting. Both you & Paula touch my life every day. I've never told you that, heh, so you'd never know. I look forward to your posts... I enjoy watching your struggle with your body image (ok, enjoy is the wrong word, but you know what I mean). Ya'll are ahead of me in your weight loss & banding experience, so I like watching what you're going through & hoping that I can deal with it with as much grace as you have! To try to list everyone who has effected me would be impossible... some only post once or twice, but those posts made me cry, or laugh, or think, or smile, or take courage, or get up & exercise... you never know what effect you're having! So to everyone out there... thanks for being a part of my LBT family & for making my life a richer, fuller place! I'm a complete addict!

Awesome!!! I was hoping you'd see this! See you there Debi!

Bariatric Eating has a lot of different RTD (ready to drink) options. I've found Isopure Zero Carb RTD at Vitamin Shoppe. They're at some GNCs to, though not my closest one. I highly recommend the Isopure Zero Carb & the AchievOne -- they taste sorta like Starbucks Frapaccinos (sp). They DO have caffeine, so careful! The New whey liquid Protein is like Jello shots, sorta gross, but you can do it. 25g of protein in 3 oz of "liquid", lol. Can't beat it! Unfortunately, RTD protein is about $3 per bottle, give or take .50. But if it keeps me from grabbing that bag of chips, it's worth it!

(( Hugs all around )) Folks, I love ya'll. I respect your opinions & your right to feel as you feel -- angry, betrayed, alone, whatever. No qualifications. Change hurts. Period. People fear it! And statistics show that most folks can undergo 2 major changes per year without having major stress issues. If your surgery was this year, heh, you've had 1 of your changes! If you've lost more then 10 pounds this year, you've had a major change! For most of us, our change quota is full up. We're working with raw nerves. Could everyone please: 1. take 3 deep breaths 2. stand up & stretch 3. take 3 more deep breaths 4. sit back down 5. repeat to yourself: LBT loves me & I love LBT 6. remember that no one here is out to get anyone!! 7. if you're still feeling picked on or singled out, go back & repeat 1-6 We all feel strongly about our board... it's our friends, it's a part of our world. It's what we KNOW... and change to it is scary. It doesn't really matter if you want the change or don't want the change... someone feels JUST as strongly as you in the opposite direction. So slow down & remember that words hurt & that we love these people & don't want to alienate them! Love ya'll! Janet

I haven't worn a bra since surgery... *sigh*. 2 of my scars are on my bra line & it HURTS! I'm hoping when I finally get the girls smaller I can find a bra that doesn't hurt (once I can buy bras in stores again). I wear a wife-beater tank to make me feel like I have underwear on, lol. It does nothing for gravity, but at least I don't walk around blushing! Underwear: thong of some sort... something cheap from Target (they had some stretchy 9s, wooohooo!!) I wore thongs on a dare 10 years ago... and fell in love! Anne, I NEVER wear nylons! They're the devil! Yeah, they do great things to my legs & stomach, but ewwww!!! The heat! The agony of pulling them on! The itching! (And Mikey doesn't like 'em -- so I married him!) And for those of you I have lunch with in a couple of hours, quit laughing!!

No problem with the English, Betje! Though your food sentence was a touch confusing. Did you mean that you only eat meat? No veggies, Soup or munchies? Or that you only eat soup, munchies & veggies... you don't eat meat? I have a bunch of questions to look at as possible issues: Have you been journaling your food? If not, you might start there as a place to look at what's slowing you down. If you have been journaling, what is your average calorie intake? Are you full between meals? What is your fill level? Are you eating mushies/liquid/soft foods at all? How are you doing fighting sweets? Do you exercise? If you do, what is your average? How many times per week, for how long & what intensity? Are you getting all of your fluids in? Minimum of 64 ounces? Are you taking your Vitamins & Calcium? Are you getting enough Fiber? Are you regular? When you were gaining, did you pause at 225 for a while? How long? If you have access to a nutritionist or physical trainer, make appointments with them for a check-up. It never hurts to just make sure you're on the right track! I'm guessing this is just a plateau. You've done awesome with your weight loss!! Your body may just need time to get used to your new weight & get ready for another push. Take a status check & make sure you're doing everything right. If you are, then just ignore the scale for a bit & focus on your NSVs (non-scale victories) -- clothes that fit better, ability to do things you couldn't before, etc. Good luck & congrats on the 61 pounds gone forever!

Color me jealous, Julie! Except for the wax part, heh, I'm too scared to try one! Congrats on the no chocolate & the SEVEN days of exercising! That's awesome! And a pound to show for it too! Woohooo!! Man, Stacey, I really hope your side ache is something easy to treat! Or that it magically goes away! I'm sending you some white light healing vibe. (I'm not sure exactly what that means, lol, but I'm praying you get better!) Does anyone think that we hit the same plateaus on the way down that were there on the way up? I mean, I paused in my gaining phase at 225 for a LONG time... several months. So I expect to pause at 225 on the way down too (assuming I ever get that far). Hopefully not for months! Anyone else experience that too? My scale broke, so I'm not sure when/if I paused after 225, heh. Guess I'll just have to play it by ear! I do find it really interesting that we all seem to hit plateaus about the same time... it may have something to do with post-op healing... or calorie patterns... or monthly cycle... or motivation. I wonder. (I'm all about analysis, does it show? )

Bummer, Keri! Hope it doesn't cost too much to get fixed! See you next month!

(( Hugs!! )) I'm so sorry you've had to go through this! Be good to yourself & give yourself time to heal! You've got a great attitude!

Hey Moe! Sorry you're having the pain too! I talked to my surgeon Tuesday (4/18). He said, "You're 9 weeks out now, so it really shouldn't be left-over swelling or pain from the surgery. And to be honest, I don't know why you have this pain. Keep an eye on it & let me know if it gets worse." Of course, I'd just told him that it was better then it was, which may have been a touch misleading. I REALLY don't like making a big deal out of stuff. And it IS better... mostly because I'm getting better at dealing with it. I eat as soon as I feel the twinge... and often can catch it before it gets above a 5. But those times that it does go to a 6 or 7... augh! I'm not giving up on my band, heh, so if the pain's coming from the nerve being irritated, it's just going to have to give up & deal with it! I WILL win this time! Let me know what your CT scan says!

Hey Becky! Wow, 1600 calories at rest. I was hoping for more! It sounds like you've got it all under control & know exactly what you're doing! I had my 2nd fill 4 weeks after my first, so that part is ok. About the travelling... that's a personal thing. For me, I chose to get a tiny fill (.4cc). So it's just a touch more... I don't really feel any difference, except I seem to be getting a bit fuller on less. Nothing huge. Perhaps you could get your doctor just to do a touch-up fill? Just so you don't really have a huge difference in restriction while travelling? It's really hard to say, though. How long are you going to be gone? Could you get a fill as soon as you get bacK? Let us know what you decide -- and how long you'll be gone! :happybday::whoo::hug: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMMY!!!!:happybday::whoo::hug: Heh, I think you let the number slip a few posts back, but I won't bring it up if you don't! :cake: Isn't it exciting to think that for your birthday next year you'll be skinnier then this year? It's so thrilling to me to think my 40s are going to be better then my 30s! Woohoo!! :cake: Enjoy your chocolate cake! Hmmm, I'll have to find some so I can support you with your celebration! Hope everyone's having a great Friday... and a terrific weekend! Oh, and Michelle, if you're already on the way to Disney, hug Mickey for me!

Jenna, you crack me up! VQ, sure, take a break from LBT... take time for YOU! And when you have time later... when things are working more your way... when you want to tell someone of your success (be it in school, work, family, dancing, or whatever)... know that we're here for you & will cheer with you, no matter what!! "NEVER give up, never surrender!" Take time to breathe... and come back when the fighting urge is there! You are loved!! (( Crystal!! ))

Awww Penni!! (( Hugs!!! )) Hang in there & do one thing for yourself today! Pat yourself on the back as you do it... get a massage or a manicure or choose an orange instead of a hamburger or something! Hug yourself & say to your image in the mirror that you love yourself! You know you're loved by us... be good to you & hurry home! :Banane56:

I think once the dust settles & we get back to living, things will be fine... with or without changes. Yeah, we hate to have things change. Some will hate to see it stay the same. After all is said and done, once we know the rules, we'll learn to work within them. If we can't edit, perhaps an updated GFG stats page is sent to a moderator weekly & they do the edit? If it's just a "select all" "paste" function, it wouldn't take them too long. I know it may not be as easy as what we do now, but it will work... there are ways & we'll find them. For our Feb thread, I'm planning on just updating "inline" & then creating a new thread once a month. It's different, but it'll work. Bottom line... I haven't paid a penny for the wonderful use of LBT. I love the friendships I've made & the advice I've found & all the knowledge I've gained. I want to make life easier for the moderators & owner. Whatever they need to do... I'll find a way to live with it.

Private Janet sheepishly checking in. Sorry to be AWOL, Sarge! Been out having the poor me's! (Been sick.) Back & reporting for duty!! Hup 2 3 4!

Welcome DAA!! We're glad you're here! Jump in & join the fun! I can still edit my post (for 24 hours), so I'll throw your info into the list just above your post. :Banane56:

I don't want to come down on any side of any fence, heh, but I would like to note that in both threads ("Is someone deleting large threads" & this one) that only about 5 voices are being heard. I know that the moderators & owner have to do what they decide is best for the majority of the board... but I hope they'll perhaps take a poll before deciding anything for good. We can always learn to live within a new ruleset, but change is painful! Oh, and on a side note, I love your new/old icon, StrawartS! :Banane56: Tres sexy!

They've been changing some settings on the forum & right now we can't edit posts after 24 hours. So... I can't edit the front page! I'm thinking that maybe we should have a new Feb thread every month. That way the stats will be at most 4 weeks old, heh. I'll post updates throughout the thread & then update it totally once a month. Sound ok? Anyone have any better ideas? (I've been wracking my brain.) Jan 24 Gentlespirit (Emily), Dr. O'Brien, Sioux Falls, SD (? pre-op) (-27), Fills: 3/7 Jan 31 Xann77, Dr. Rumbaut, (-0 pre-op) (-14.5), fills: 3/17 (1.33), 3/27 (only .5 in band - evaporation. Now at 1.7cc), 3/31 fill ok!! (2cc) Feb 1 sky56, Dr Sasse, Reno, NV (? pre-op) pthrlisa, Dr Stephen Marshal, Peoria Surgical Group, IL (? pre-op) (-8) Feb 2 pugmum (Kelli), Dr. John Feng, San Francisco (? pre-op) msks Dr Malley, Overland Park, KS (Kansas City Metro) (? pre-op) (-12) Skinnyagain? (Tonya), Dr Rumbaut, Monterrey, MX (? pre-op) (-15) tinainfortunaca (Tina), Dr John Feng, Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (2/1 223, 2/8 215) (? pre-op) (-25) Feb 3 wannabelean, Dr. Huacuz, Tijuana, Mexico (? pre-op) (-5) Fills: 1st absorbed, 3/28 Feb 6 Gadgetlady (Elisa), Dr. Brian Quebbemann, CA (10.6 pre-op) (-20.6) Gloria37 (Gloria), Dr Fielding, New York City, NY (19 pre-op) (-29) ReneBean, Dr. Louis Fox, Surgery Center of Richardson TX (36 pre-op)(-4) Fills: 3/21 Feb 7 Northernsun, (12 pre-op) (-45.5) Fills: 3/10 pj robinson, Dr Irani, Bakersfiled, CA (pre-op -14)(post-op -16)(total -30) Fills: 3/31 Feb 8 cashley, Dr Lusco, Louisville, KY (pre-op -5) (post-op -11)(-16) Fills: 3/21 (2.7/4) Jerseytammy, Dr Gritsus, Wayne, NJ (0 pre-op) (-45) Fills: 3/24 (3.5/10), 4/13 (6cc/10) Feb 9 Dancer, Dr. Stephen Hamn (0 pre-op) (-23.5) Fills: 4/14 (1.6/4) Feb 10 SkyeBlu (Skye) (Reno, NV), Dr Billy, Truckee CA (? pre-op) (-34) Feb 11 StinaNYC (stina), Dr. Fielding, NYC (-7 pre-op) (-22) Fills: 3/22 (1cc) Feb 13 Gwendolyn, Dr Wetherille (2nd banding due to slippage at 1 week) (-17 pre-op) (-37) Mikey, Dr Sewell, Southlake, TX (-13 pre-op) (-16) Fills: 3/21 (4.5/9), 4/18 (6cc/9cc) mommy2xp, Dr Christopher Edwards, Springfield, MO (-14 pre-op) (-5) PinkARinTX (Jessi), Dr Stephen Hamn (? pre-op) SherryW, Dr Jones, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (? pre-op) (-31) Fills: 4/12 (1.25/4) Feb 14 April10 (April), Dr Schmitt, Goodwater, AL (? pre-op) (-21) Kathybirdseye (Kathy), Dr Laura Machado, San Juan Mercy Hospital, Sacramento, CA. (? pre-op)(-27) Fills: 3/21 (1cc/4) prinnie, Dr Rehnke, St Pete, FL (? pre-op) (-55.5) sourflower, Dr Artuso, New Image Weight Loss Center, Dobbs Ferry, NY (? pre-op) (-15) Feb 15 dcmoore (Diane), Dr. Simpson, Phoenix, AZ (+2 pre-op) (-26, -22 inches!) Fills: none yet denog3 (Debra), Dr Carter, Arlington, TX (? pre-op) (-16) Janet, Dr Sewell, Southlake, TX (-2 pre-op) (-25) Fills: 3/21 (1.2/4), 4/18 (1.6/4) LBdancer (Lou), Dr. Schuster, Louisville, KY (3 pre-op) (-12) Fills: 4/7 Feb 16 ricanlady, Dr Patel, Atlantic City, NJ (10 pre-op) (-14) Rockman, Dr Svein Holsaeter, St Anthony's Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK (-16 pre-op) (-51) Fills: Feb 17 angiepUK (Angie), Dr Dillemans, Belgium, Heliogast band (? pre-op) (-12) Feb 18th asbrown (Anita), Dr. Rudolfo Sanchez, Monterrey Mexico (? pre-op) Feb 20 lisanjason (Lisa), Dr Kuri, Mexico (Home: Riverside, CA) (? pre-op)(-35) Fills: 4/4 (1.8) skbishop78 (Stacey) (-18 pre-op) (-32!!!) Fills: 3/7 (2.0/9.5), 3/14 (+.08 = 2.8/9.5), 3/28 (+.4 = 3.2/9.5), 4/11 (+.2 = 3.4/9.5) Feb 21 Jersey Gurl (Shirley), Dr Spivak, Houston (? pre-op) (-6) Julie*, Dr Patrick Forgione, Burlington, VT (-10 pre-op) (-24) kaobspm2 (Kayo), Dr. Pinnar, Reston, VA (-8 pre-op) (-8) Sunta, Dr Peters, Christiana Hospital, Delaware (-4 pre-op) (-22) Fills: 4/5 (1/4) Feb 22 Magic, Dr Vincent Frering, Lyon, France (? pre-op) (-10 kg / 22 lbs) Feb 24 nanster, Dr Spivak, Houston, TX (Self-pay) (0 pre-op) (-24.2) fills: 3/23 1.1 Sandybells, Dr McCollister, Crosby, MN (pre-op -21) (-36) Fills: 4/4 sizzles, Dr Kurian, NYC (-0 pre-op) (-25). Fills: 3/30 StormGirl (Dana), Dr Ortiz, Obesity Control Center (? pre-op) Feb 27 coogie36 (Christi), Dr. Daniel Huacuz, Tijuana, Mexico Ms. Vicki, Dr H. Spivak (pre-op -3) (-26) Fills: 4/6 (1.5cc/10) RoxanneRoll (Dena), Dr Spivak, Houston, TX (0 pre-op) (-12) Feb 28 DAA, HUP Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Noel Williams (-30) Fills: none yet Happy2 (Pat), Dr Scott Steinberg, Atlanta, GA (-0 pre-op)(-28) Fills: 4/14 (1.7cc) Feb 35 (3/7) DonnaB (Donna), Dr Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, MX (-8 pre-op)(-25) 5'9" Fills: none yet

LOL, only in my dreams! We'll be there tomorrow... coughing up a lung, I'm afraid. Hmmm, wonder if we should wear face masks! :Banane56:

** Crawls out of her hole. ** Hey guys! Sorry we've been MIA. Easter was... amazingly long! And then I got sick. Stupid flu. And I gave it to Mikey, poor thing. We're AWFUL patients! I've missed you guys! Let's see... news for us. We got our 2nd fills on Tues. Mikey now has 6 in his 9cc band. (Not sure why his is 9cc and not 10cc, but there ya go.) And he feels it!!!! Woohooo! I have 1.6 in mine... but it doesn't seem as "full" as my first one was. Oh well. I'm still learning to eat slowly, so I'm ok with not having more restriction. Oh, the nutritionist snagged me on the nachos, lol. She asked how long I was eating for. "An hour and a half, more or less." "WHAT!?!?!?! Ok, Janet, I need you to cut that back to 30 minutes, heh. If you're still hungry an hour later, then you can eat again, but for no more then 30 minutes!" **sigh* Yeah, you guessed it, that cuts my portions down a LOT, heh. Evidentally I was giving the food time to drop into the lower stomach by eating so long. :mad: Go me! And now to catch up with ya'll. (Sorry these are so old, lol, that'll teach me to disappear! Stacey: Heh, I'm glad you're addicted to the ice cream cones & not the Blasts! Michelle: I'm so with you on the head hungries! And the fighting myself to allow myself to eat less. Twisted! But we're going to win!! On your band... there's 2 possibilities. You could have the 10cm band, which holds 4cc OR the 10cc band. The 10cc band is the Vanguard. All told there's 4 different sizes, I think: * 9.75 cm (4cc capacity) * 10 cm (4cc capacity) * 11 cm (9cc capacity) * Vanguard (10cc) I believe the most used band is the 4cc, 10cm band. Some doctors use ONLY the Vanguard... so it really just depends. With 1.6, if you have any restriction, you probably have the 4cc band. At least I know Mikey & Tammy didn't feel that little in their big bands. Becky: Have you thought about having your metabolism checked? I just read about your growling stomach. It's possible that with all your working out that you're eating too little. It's also possible that you're not, heh, but you can't really know unless you get tested. I haven't had mine tested, but I want to! I'll do some research online & see if I can find locations to have it tested. Since you belong to a gym, it's possible that they'll do the testing for you. Pat: Wow, congrats on your fill AND the weight loss! 8 pounds? That's awesome!! My "full" feeling lasted about a week with my first fill, heh. I'm hoping it's longer with my 2nd. Julie: Awesome!! Someone else not eating chocolate! The more the merrier! There's strength in numbers! With the personal fitday, it saves a file with your profile. You can download the program itself multiple times (I downloaded it to both Mikey's & my PC), but if I want to see his stats, I have to get a copy of his profile... or go to his PC. If you travel a lot & like to access your info via the web, the PC version might not be for you. For me, it's perfect... I only do my food analyzing at my desk... always the same spot. DonnaB: Nice post! Heh (the one with all the quotes). You were RIGHT on the nail with the nachos! I appear to enjoy the numb feeling they bring. I'm fighting to really live life & not just exist from numb-to-numb. :cool: Stacey: Congrats on being chocolate free on Easter!! Way to be!! Michelle: It sounds like you may have a large band (10cc). Either that or your fill hasn't kicked in yet. I know for some it takes a few days. How are you feeling now? Any more restricted? Tammy: Congrats on restriction!!!!!! That's awesome news! And thanks for the prayers of clouds! We did SO much better then we did at Christmas! The little weight we've lost & all the exercise is paying off, woohoo!! We still couldn't walk on Monday, but we recovered WAY faster then in Dec. And I avoided chocolate like the plague! :cool: So no fish for me!! Weeeee!!! :cool: Nanster: I'm so glad you're feeling restriction now! Sounds like you're all set for some major life changing! :cool: Stacey: Thanks for the numbers from your doc! Ours isn't big on rules, so I've been having problems knowing exactly what we should be eating. Our nutritionist keeps pointing at a plate & saying, "Eat that." Pft! Michelle! Yay!!! Since I'm so late catching up, I'm getting your "no fill feeling" and "yes fill feeling" in the same post, heh. Glad to hear you're doing better! Diane: Wow, great results with no fill! How'd your doctor appointment go? Heh, my results are less then yours & I've had 2 fills. :Banane56: You rock!! Sherry: Congrats on the 6 pounds!!! Wooohoooo!!! Julie: You go with the exercise! Great job!! How's the 12 day challenge going? Can you still walk? :cool: It sounds like you're learning good eating habits... I'm feeling guilty there, lol. Stacey: How's your bladder infection doing? I hope you got some meds for it! I know what you mean about eating from feeling poorly. I've been eating my head off all week! :cool: Welcome Christi!!! We're glad you're here! We're having a DFW get together tomorrow, if you're in that area. If you're down Houston way, they're having a get together in May that Mikey & I are going to try to drive down for. Check out the Texas forum: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=64 Tammy: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! on the 5 pounds! Wooohooo!!! Now get to moving that bod! Even just 2 min of walking up & down the hall. Start small & work up! Michelle: Wow, sounds like you're really learning some great stuff! How's the not drinking with meals going? I fight that one too. :eek: And congrats on fitday... and welcome to the club of fitday addicts! Stacey: LOL, I know this is wrong on many levels, but I have Mikey put the wrappers from new stuff on my office chair. So when I come in I have a stack of cans, boxes, paper, jars, you name it, lol. If I want to sit down comfortably & quit smelling weird smells, I have to put them into fitday, FAST! It seems to do the trick. At least once it's in it's in for good... and we do seem to do food in trends, thank goodness! On the side pain... I've had side & back pain with a bladder infection before. Has it gotten any better with the meds? I suppose it could be gall bladder? I'm not sure where that is, lol. Hope they find what's up! Pat: Wow. You spoke the words I've been thinking every meal. "I don't wanna stop eating!!!" I'm proud of you for stopping when you didn't want to! Hope I can learn from you! Stacey: OMG!! Are you ok? I didn't know Icees have carbonation! Evil!! Hope you're doing better today! Julie: Congrats on the clothes fitting better!! Woohooo!! Keep up the walking! Got pics of the spring concert? Sherry: You better to? Sounds like last night was hard on the Febsters! Hope you got through it without sliming or PBing!