JanetC

Oh, forgot to post! StrawartS is going to come as well, woohoo!! The more the merrier! If you're new & scared, please go ahead & come! We're at all stages of our journeys & would love to meet you! And I promise we don't bite... much.

We will miss you, Helen! Count on it next month. I'll try to post earlier.

Look through the pages, different doctors cut in different places. Some put one of the scars in the belly button! And some of it depends on your shape as well -- my husband's are slightly different then mine. (Plus he had 6 instead of 5 due to his size.)

Awesome, was hoping they'd find out somehow!!

Woohoo! Cannot wait to see the before, Stacey! Wow, PJ!!! Welcome to ONEderland!!! What a triumph! And 80 pounds gone, sweet! Keep up the great work! You all are motivating me for sure! I want some triumphs SOON!! Thanks for the push!

Oh my goodness, everyone's done awesome!! First, thanks Randy & Anita for your wonderful encouraging words! Love ya both! Can't wait for lunch! Grats Lisa!! 115 in 7 months? That's amazing!! And a new body to boot, I'm so jealous!! Feel free to email me pics & I'll post 'em: Janet at MikeyCunningham dot com (I'm spelling it out so spiders can't grab it -- supposedly that works, lol). Stacey, sweet pics!! You are gorgeous!!!!!! And you look like you've never ever been overweight, that's so cool! What's your secret? Wow, Northernsun, 92 pounds in a year? Congratulations!! That's so awesome!!!!! Congrats on the exercising as well, that'll make a huge difference, I'm sure! Tracy, good luck on your band journey, how exciting for you!!! Keep reading, it helps so much! Welcome, Tann!! We'd love to have you in our group! We have a couple of others from March, heh. Wow, 138 pounds & you're not at a year yet? You're rocking!!! Keep up the great work! Hey Cozzie! So glad you're still on LBT! 5 pounds to goal, that's terrific!! Congrats on a job well done!!!! So glad you've had a good journey! Now to go update the numbers... hopefully I don't miss anyone! :Banane43: (( Hugs to all!! )) Thanks for posting! Janet

Woot! I'm so excited! Hopefully we can drag some more folks out with us!

Wow!! I just caught up with the pages & pages I'd missed out on! You guys are amazing!!!! So much progress! I'm embarrassed to start posting again, lol, but I really need to. I started a "yearly check in thread" for us Febsters, feel free to pop in & say hi! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/feb-2006-bandsters-t29851.html?p=394417#post394417 (( Hugs!! )) Janet

Finally finished my pics... and worried that this thread is gonna be just me, lol. Where'd you all go? I came across Sunta's pics in the picture thread, you look amazing!! *sigh* Hopefully everyone's just out for the weekend.

I'm not where I want to be yet, but it's been 1 year, so I'm posting pics. I'm down 44 pounds from surgery date. Hopefully year 2 is even better!

Absolutely, Randy, lunch is a must!! I'll start a thread in the Texas forum. Glad you're still around here! I'm really wondering if my plateau is more mental then anything. I think that I'm uncomfortable losing beyond 250. I'm not really happy at 250, but I can stand it: I have sufficient clothes, I stalled here a while on the way up, I still have enough fat to "protect" myself while not having so much that I can't turn over in bed. And to be honest, as soon as people started noticing I was losing, I stopped. Sad, but true. So I'm trying to find counseling that is both cheap AND useful. And hopefully come to terms with myself so that I can let myself move on. Thanks for posting & give Ms Joy a hug for me! Hope to see you both soon!

The incision bothered me a touch while it was healing -- I rolled my pants down & wore a lot of shorts, but the port itself doesn't, at least not from external stuff. If I stretch or change my exercise routine then the port aches, and sometimes when I overeat it aches (weird, but true). Congrats on being nicotine free, that's awesome!

Hey guys! The prodigal has returned! Or at least is putting in a short appearance. I'm posting more in the new Feb 2006 thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/feb-2006-bandsters-t29851.html?t=29851 -- you can catch up with my current antics there. Mostly I wanted to post here 'cuz I miss ya'll! How's everyone doing? Wanna have lunch? It's been forever!!! (( Hugs!! )) Janet

Ok, I'll go. First, I'm sorry I disappeared!! I'm afraid I fell off the face of the earth. I got really, really depressed & cut myself off from everyone. Literally. Friends, family, job, church, the works. I'm just now beginning to pull myself out of the pit. It's been bad. I wouldn't say the depression was band related, though the changes from the band really didn't help, heh. I strongly dislike change! I think I'm still in mourning for my old way of life, even though I'm enjoying the changes the band has brought. Dunno, definitely a work in progress! I'm frustrated with my results. Starting at surgery weight, I've lost 44 pounds in the past year. Granted, that's amazing for the old Janet. I've NEVER lost 44 pounds & kept them off for more than a week! Actually, I've never lost more then 40 pounds! But I really was hoping for better. *Shrug* I trucked on down to 250-ish & just stopped. I've been right around 250 since Sept. Never below it, mind you, lol. My restriction is fine, not sure how much I have anymore (lost track). I can eat anything & everything, but have to do it VERY slowly & carefully. Some days I don't eat much, some days I can eat the world. I get really restricted around that time of the month, hate that! So, for my list: Weight loss so far: 44 pounds Inches lost so far: 53 inches Are you at goal? Not even halfway. How much further? *sigh* 110 pounds (Around that, not sure what my goal is.) Favorite NSVs: I can wear my wedding ring again. I put on size 18 pants the other day. (Couldn't close them, but got 'em over my hips!!) Would you do it again? Yes, in a heartbeat. Overall the changes have been good. I'm not happy with where I am, but I'm definitely not gaining, which I was before the surgery! High point: The beginning (honeymoon). I loved the hope. Low point: Probably my 1 year appointment. I really thought I'd finally broken 250, but I hadn't. Oh well. Before & "during" pics: I'm still working on sizing them, but here's my scar pics. It was hard to find the scars! Didn't realize how much they had faded. One NSV, I guess, lol, it seems my boobs are further away from the scars then they used to be, the port scar is now above my underwear line, and I have a waist now, woohoo! I've missed you all! Hopefully some of you are still on LBT & can forgive me for disappearing! Hope you're all doing awesome & getting all the success you deserve!! ((( Hugs all around!! ))) Janet

I just took 1-year post-op scar pics & honestly couldn't find my 3rd scar. I "found" it based on moles. (At least I think that's it, heh.)

Ok, so I have an issue and I’m hoping to get opinions, options, thoughts, suggestions… just your basic feedback. First, some history. I’m 6 weeks out from surgery. I’ve had my first fill (1.2 in 4cc band) for 1 week. I’ve PB’d once (my first bite of eggs post-op, lol). I’ve slimed once (eating too fast). Mikey (my husband) was banded 2 days before I was, so we’re healing together. I had gas pain post-op (he didn’t). The first 3 weeks were miserable… constant heating pad, Gas X, walking, etc. Week 4 was better… but then week 5 came. I do realize that technically I’m still healing… and that this MAY be CO2 from the surgery. But I am having MAJOR gas pains. When they hit really badly, the only thing I can do is curl up in the fetal position with a heating pad & cry. About 2 hours later (normally after a nap), it finally goes away, only to return the second I eat or drink anything. I’m unable to make myself burp. I wasn’t able to pre-band either. Mikey says that now it’s a new muscle to burp. I couldn’t figure out the old muscle, lol, how on earth can I figure out a new one! So if I want to burp, I have to wait for my body to decide to give it up. What a pain! My working theories (none have been proven to my satisfaction): 1. food allergy: I’ve tried going non-dairy… no result. Nothing else is really constant, unless you can suddenly become allergic to water! 2. Gulping air while drinking: I’ve tried sipping smaller sips, using a straw, not using a straw, using a small-necked bottle, a sippy cup. I haven’t tried a baby bottle yet, but I’m considering it!! I tried 2 days of eating ice only (no drinking)… still got pain… and was REALLY thirsty. 3. Gulping air while eating: Not sure what to do with this one. 4. Letting my stomach get empty: I’ve tried drinking 1 ounce of Protein every hour. It didn’t seem to help. 5. Getting over-full: I’ve started limiting myself to strictly 1C of whatever or less. It hasn’t seemed to make a difference yet. As of today, I’m keeping a journal, rating the pain… trying to see what’s triggering it. I’ll share the journal with you. If you have ANY ideas, please throw them out! I’m eventually going to my surgeon with this, assuming it’s not just me creating a mountain out of a molehill. I’m hoping this disappears magically on week 7… but in case it doesn’t: The format is time, pain level, what I’m doing / eating. Today I had zero Water. It was my “try without water & see if that helps” day. It didn’t. **sigh** There goes another theory! 7-9:30 0 9:30 drank AchievOne 11:00 1 -- shoulder only, slight 11:30 5 12:00 6, drank 2nd AchievOne 1:00 3, drank Isopure RTD Zero Carb 2:00 2 with twinges of 3, still drinking Isopure 2:12 5, bad twinges of 6-7 -- heading to eat chili 2:35 1, eating chili, little to no pain 3:30 3... hmmm, maybe too much chili? (1.5C) Maybe this is the pain of a too-full pouch? Except sometimes it seems to happen when it's empty 4:00 2 -- pain in stomach more then shoulder... like gas settling 4:50 4 -- shoulder, came on FAST 5:00 7 -- ugh, not sure what to do... eat? drink? go to bed? Took 2 Mylanta Gas chewables, going to bed with heating pad 5:30 4 (heating pad helps)... stomach now growling, but still in pain, lol, confusing! 6:15 7 Haven't made it to dinner yet, going now... fast! 7:30 4 At least it calmed down SOME! Took 2 more Mylanta 8:30 6 Ugh... at practice too, so no chance of food 10:00 7-8 Singing is a royal pain. This is definitely connected to the diaphragm. Breathing is agony! 10:30 7 Stopped singing, lol, so it hurts less. Taking Tylenol PM & going to bed with the heating pad. ZERO water today... I'm scared to drink. Thanks for any help, thoughts, experiences, etc. I’m trying to be all scientific about this, lol, but in reality I’m at my wit’s end. The pain is very wearing, as is being afraid to eat or drink… or not eat or drink, lol. Sorry this is so long & thanks!

I'm going to list all the opportunities for bandster socialization. Several of these are compliments of DFW Bandsters (a Yahoo group). Mikey & I have been attending them regularly. They're a fun group. The attendance varies from week to week, but everyone's been really nice. Basically, with these events included, we have something band related every Sat of the month except the 2nd one. Good times! Burleson Bandster dinner, Date: Saturday May 27, 2006 Plano Band Buddies Saturday lunch Date: Saturday June 3, 2006 Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Hosted by: DFW bandsters (Yahoo health group) Repeat: This event repeats on the first Saturday of every month. Type: Lunch Location: Aparicio's Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar 1001 E. 18th St. Plano, TX 972-423-6980 Aparicio's Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar is located 3 blocks east of Central Expressway on 18th Street in Plano, TX (or 1 block west of Ave "K". Restaurant sits on the immediate east side of the DART railroad treacks. food is delicious and the service is accomodating and efficient. The fellowship is the best!!! List of LBT-ers going (I'll let the Yahoo group know): 2 Janet & Mikey DFW LBT Dinner Date: Saturday June 17, 2006 Time: 4:30 pm Hosted by: Um, us!! LBT DFW-ers! Repeat: This event repeats on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Type: Dinner Location: Red Hot & Blue Restaurant 5910 N Macarthur Blvd Irving, TX 75039 972-402-0225 It's just NORTH of 114 on Macarthur. Yahoo maps is off, but not too much: the star is just on the wrong side of the highway. The restaurant was nice. Good meat selections, great adult beverages, fairly quiet, nice comfortable chairs. If you want us to move again, let me know! Also, if the time is getting too late, let me know. 3pm was just a little too early for dinner, and too late for lunch, lol. Though it was nice to be the only folks there! List so far: 2 Janet & Mikey Burleson Bandster Dinner Date: Saturday June 24, 2006 Time: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Hosted by: DFW bandsters (Yahoo health group) Repeat: This event repeats on the last Saturday of every month. Type: Dinner Location: Antonio's Mexican Restaurant 344K SW Wilshire Blvd. Burleson, TX 817-426-3460 Antonio's is on SH 174 (Wilshire Blvd) about a mile west of I-35. Exit I-35 at the Wislhire Exit (can only go to the west) and come west about a mile. Antonio's is in the Strip Mall on the right hand side (north) opposite the China King Super Buffet. It is in the center of the shops in the corner of the ell shape. List of LBT-ers going (I'll let the Yahoo group know): 2 Janet & Mikey Hope to see you at one or all of these events! Pics from yesterday's get together:

Congrats on your surgery & welcome to bandland! :girl_hug: Watch the Texas forum, we have lunches every month on the 3rd Sat... and we join the DFW Bandsters (a Yahoo group) for meals at other times during the month. We're glad you're here!

Wow Becky, great weight loss! I'm with you on not feeling the fill. I've been able to eat everything I've tried so far. I felt my new fill for about 2 days... and then it went away again, heh. Guess I haven't found the sweet spot yet! Though I sorta like being able to eat everything, so I'm not sure I want more fill! :rose: Michele, you poor thing! I'm so sorry you're too tight! I think you're doing the right stuff. The main thing is to try to stay hydrated, so tons of broth & hot tea, I've heard that hot stuff stretches the band a little. If you do try to eat something, see if you can get soup down. Hopefully the mushiness + the hotness will make it through the silicon fist around your stomach. Hang in there! Just 1 more day to go! I hope your doc can see you! And oh my word, look at your weight! Less then 30 pounds to goal, congrats!! I updated both Becky & Michele's numbers on the front page. Thanks for the updates, guys! :girl_hug:

Bump!! We'll be at the Plano dinner, would love to see some of ya'll there!

Congrats to DCMoore for winning the May challenge!! She's the only one that kept up with the points... for 2 weeks! Yeah, so I went overboard with the score cards (note to self: don't do that again!). Diane not only won the challenge, but got her weight under 250 & her BMI under 40!! Way to go Diane!!

I'm giving up keeping up with everything, at least for today. Welcome to all the new members! I think I even saw a male type!! Woohoo! I just updated the front page based on recent posts and/or your signatures. I added a chart at the bottom for our average pounds lost per week. If you get the chance, please check that I have your current values. If I don't, feel free to post them or send me a PM. Thanks! Love ya'll! Sorry I've been MIA... I've been mostly avoiding LBT. The flame wars made it a not happy place for me. I'm trying to decrease my BP, lol, not raise it! Mikey & I got fills on Tuesday. We're finally feeling them, at least a bit. We've definitely slowed down. I seem to HAVE to wait 45-60 seconds between bites now, or pay the price. Everyone sounds like they're getting some restriction! How are those fills doing? Anyone contemplating an unfill? Hope you're all controlling the speed & not PBing! Oh, and congrats to our first time fill folks!! Glad you overcame your fears & did it! That's an NSV right there!! Everyone have a lovely weekend! (( Hugs!! ))

Wow Vines!! I just read this entire thread, what a story!! Mikey said, "You mean I'm not the biggest?" LOL! Men! I totally understand where you're coming from... the quality of life that changes as our men lose is amazing! 30 pounds has made a difference for me & my Mike, can't wait to see what 100 or so will do! Tell Mike congrats!!

Lins12 pics side-by-side: You look awesome!! Great work!

Answering honestly, how many have sent this post to a mod as a troubled post? They may not read it & may not realize that it blew up in the last hour. It was fine & dandy for quite a while, give them time to react. And please remember that they don't live on here, this is not something they get paid to do... it may be hours before they do something. They may have hoops to jump through that we don't see. It took them 24 hours to do something about the other threads. Give it time. Please move along & let the post drop. If you don't respond, it goes away VERY quickly.