beckn

Now this is what I am talking about! Thanks for all the positive replies and encouragement. I want to get this weight off now and am ready to do what I need to do. Yes, I know what is needed and now I have my mind set to do it. I am looking forward to hearing from you and hope I can be an inspiration to you as well.....we are in this together!! Also, does anyone know how to reset my PIN on the tracker so I can update it.

Hi Adorkbl, Thanks for your post. Yes, I am starting to do some light walking, about 30 min a day. I am looking forward to start some swimming now that the weather is getting warmer. I am also going to get my bike tires pumped up for some easy bike riding in the park. I have let my back pain keep me from too much exercise but I know that is important for health and mobility. I have to say that the two accidents kind of set me back mentally, but I am coming out of that and ready to take control of my life again! Like I said, it will be baby steps but slow and steady is a good way to go. I am also looking to improve my eating habits again. I kind of got off track over the winter but now I am willing to make the healthy choices I need for weight loss and improved health. I just need support and encouragement. I hope I can get it here and hope that I can be a positive influence for others. I am going to make an appt with my surgeon soon just to make sure my port is fine. I think it is because I haven't had any problems in that way. It was good to hear from you and I wish you all the best on your path.

Hi there. I was banded May 2008 and initially lost 85 lbs. I am 5'-4" and started out at 228. I got down to 143 and hoped to get to 135. I am 62 years old. I was doing well and then I was T-boned in an auto accident when a young man ran a red light. I sustained some back injuries. Then 5 months later a woman on a freeway on ramp rearended me when the car in front of me came to a dead stop. I sustained another spinal injury. Needless to say I have been dealing with lots of pain and mobility issues and many spinal treatments. I have slowly gained back 15 lbs due to decreased activity and exercise and then not following my "lean and green" program. Anyway, I am making a new start today with baby steps. I will start a light walking program and adding a protein shake meal a day. I haven't been on this site for three years and thought this would be a good place to look for support. I haven't been back to see my surgeon in a year because I am embarrassed over my weight gain. I feel like my port is okay but I should check in just to be sure. Any positive words of advise will be greatly appreciated. I don't want to hear any negative posts. I want to hear from others who have overcome challenges and helpful encouraging stories. It is really not all about the weight loss but how we feel about ourselves and how to improve our health and wellbeing. I know that I felt so much better when I was in my 140's. I want to get back to that weight. I look forward to hearing from you. Maybe we can help each other on our journey to health and happiness. P.S. My ticker is really out of date since I haven't been on to log in my weight loss. I tried to edit it but forgot my PIN. I can't figure out how to set up a new PIN and new information...any tips????

Hi There and welcome! I had my band done at Enloe on May 12th with Dr's Ludwig and Simchuk. My whole experience from the pre op time through surgery and now post op has been wonderful . If you can, come to the support group meeting on Wed the 26th of Nov from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Enloe Esplanade Building, corner of Esplanade and 5th Ave. It is going to be a good one. There you can meet some of the other banders. It is open and free to all. Best wishes on your journey and keep in touch. Becky

clv811....Barnes and Nobel works for me. The weekends are good and I also have Monday and Tues off next week. I have a doctor appt Monday at 8:30 but will be free after that. My only plan for Tues is to vote and then my day is open. Let me know if one of thoes days works for you. Also any other banders out there please join us. I would love to meet you all if I haven't already. I am one of the nurses you may have seen for your pre op labs and assessment. I hope to hear from as many as possible. The banders are my favorite patients. Becky

I just wanted to tell you that I am interrested in getting together with some other Chico banders out there. Maybe we can start thinking of a time and place and see what happens. Becky

The Thurs group meetings are the post op classes and you should go to thoes for sure. The support groups are on Weds. Double check that with Kathy at Dr Ludwig. Tomorrow, your appointment is for Dr Ludwig to look at your incisions and see how you are feeling. They will not be doing a fill yet, it is too early. A big weight loss is not expected at this appt because you are still healing and have some swelling still. The fills usually come at about 6-8 wks after surgery. They are not that bad, just a quick poke usually and it is over within a few seconds, no big deal. Right now you just need to concentrate on getting your water and proteins in......sip sip sip:thumbup:. They will be asking you how much protein you are getting a day and how much water you are getting and if you are having any pain. I live on Arbutus Ave off of Mangrove. Let me know if you want to get together soon and if there are any other Chico banders out there please chime in. I would love to meet with you too. It would be fun if we all got to know each other and to support each other between the Wed support goup meetings. I know, I can use all the help I can get right now to stay on track. Have a great day!

I have been able to buy some size 16's in the regular stores. I used to wear 18-20's. It was nice being able to buy some of the summer clothes at Costco which have not fit before. I have given a lot of my clothes away and hope to be giving some more away soon. I can wear some 14's now so I think I am losing inches as well as weight. I would love to meet for coffee some time soon. I am not sure when the next support group is. I think it will be Nov 12th but I am not sure. I'll try to call Kathy at Dr Ludwig's office tomorrow. I really need to start going to the group meetings to keep me on track and motivated. I hope you are doing well. Keep in touch. Becky

I do enjoy the 9:00 am water aerobic class when I can make it. I generally work 9:00- 5:30 or 10:00 to 6:30pm most days so I can't always make the class. I haven't been to a support group yet. I am going to try and make one this month. I was hoping that by just eating less I could reach my goal weight but it does take work...Lap band is not an easy way out, just a tool, like they said from the very start. It takes constant work. I am just happy that I have lost 30 lbs and have been able to keep it off so far. I want to work at getting to may goal weight so I can be healthy and happy with myself. I do not regret having the surgery and look forward to continuing with my weight loss journey. It will be nice to have local support from other banders in the area. All the best, Becky

Hi Cindy, It sounds like you are having gas pains. Are you chewing Gas X tablets? That really helped me in the first two weeks. I think the worst is over for you now. Just be really careful about what you eat right now. Instead of french fries try a little mashed potatoes. Yams and sweet potatoes are really good right now. I put a little butter substitute or plain yogurt on mine and it is very good. You really have to eat tiny bites and chew chew chew. That has been hard for me to learn because I have always been a fast eater and used to taking big bites. I use a small spoon and little plates and cups. It helps. This is a whole new way of eating for us. I have to remember to put my spoon down between bites and really concentrate on what is in my mouth. My biggest challenge right now is getting in a regular exercise routine. I belong to In Motion too and always enjoy going there. It is such a beautiful gym. I really enjoy just getting in the pool and using the kick board and my fins and just go back and forth. I just have a hard time making the committment to doing it. I hope we can encourage each other. It helps to have buddies. There are others out there that want to start a support group. That would be awesome. Take care and I look forward to hearing from you again. Becky

Hi Cindy, It sounds like you are having gas pains. Are you chewing Gas X tablets? That really helped me in the first two weeks. I think the worst is over for you now. Just be really careful about what you eat right now. Instead of french fries try a little mashed potatoes. Yams and sweet potatoes are really good right now. I put a little butter substitute or plain yogurt on mine and it is very good. You really have to eat tiny bites and chew chew chew. That has been hard for me to learn because I have always been a fast eater and used to taking big bites. I use a small spoon and little plates and cups. It helps. This is a whole new way of eating for us. I have to remember to put my spoon down between bites and really concentrate on what is in my mouth. My biggest challenge right now is getting in a regular exercise routine. I belong to In Motion too and always enjoy going there. It is such a beautiful gym. I really enjoy just getting in the pool and using the kick board and my fins and just go back and forth. I just have a hard time making the committment to doing it. I hope we can encourage each other. It helps to have buddies. There are others out there that want to start a support group. That would be awesome. Take care and I look forward to hearing from you again. Becky

Hi, yes count me in. I really need support with the holidays coming up!! Becky

Yes, you are correct. I thought that we may have met. I am such a show off with my surgery scars. You gave me your on line name and I put it in my pocket and it went right into the laundry:unsure: How are you doing? I just got back from a little trip to Portland and I was not very good with my eating. I didn't plan well and ended up doing impulse eating. I really need some support right now on getting back on track. I have an appt with Dr Ludwig next week and I know I will have not had any wt loss:angry_smile: It is my own fault because I have not been exercising the way I should be. Oh well, today is a new day and a new start. I am off to work soon. I am glad that we connected. Best wishes, Becky

The Chico meetings are the last Wed of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Esplanade Building ( I think I have that right, I haven't been to one yet and need to) I would feel better knowing that there are other banders there. I would like to hear from any of you that are attending. thanks, Becky

Hey Sandy, my band date was May 12th. It is nice to meet another bander from Chico. Are you going to the meetings and if so have they helped? I am kind of stuck and need some motivation, especially with all the holidays coming up. Any tips on getting good protein and staying within the calorie limit of 900-1000 a day? My hair is reallly falling out but I get sick of the protein drinks. I have been taking Biotin to help stop the hair loss. Becky

Hey Sandy, my band date was May 12th. It is nice to meet another bander from Chico. Are you going to the meetings and if so have they helped? I am kind of stuck and need some motivation, especially with all the holidays coming up. Any tips on getting good protein and staying within the calorie limit of 900-1000 a day? My hair is reallly falling out but I get sick of the protein drinks. I have been taking Biotin to help stop the hair loss. Becky

Have you Chico people been going to the support groups on Weds? I have not been able to make the group meetings because of work but I am hoping to start going. I heard that there were mostly gastric bypass people there and it would be nice if a bunch of us banders got together for support. Becky

Hey, I live in Chico and Dr Ludwig did my band. I had surgery in May. Welcome!!

I have been feeling a little discouraged lately too. I was banded in May and have lost about 28-30 lbs (it varies each day) I am kind of stuck and probably need a fill. I have had 3 fills. The first was 1.5cc, the second was 0.5cc and the last one was 0.3cc. I still have some productive burping when I eat too fast or eat bread. I have started exercising a little more but probably need to do much more. I guess I thought if I was eating less I would lose more weight. I seem to be drinking more alcohol lately and I know that isn't a good thing calorie wise. I have wine in the evening for back pain. I used to take lots of Ibuprofen for the pain and now I can only have Tylenol which doesn't do anything for the pain. I swam for an hour today and then soaked in the hot tub which felt good and then I walked my dog in the park for an hour. Now my back is killing me and I am having a glass of wine. Has anyone else had pain control problems since having surgery? I sure hope my weight loss improves soon because I am starting to think that this is all I am going to lose. Thanks for listening.

Desdemona, Thanks for the response. I know that I can do a lot more to boost the weight loss. I have been easing back into some of my old eating behaviors which is quite dangerous. I am going to start journaling and going to support meetings. I went through too much to let it slip away now. It is always so scary this thing with food. I wish I could conquer the mental issues with food. You are an inspiration. Thanks, Becky

wow, my weight seems pretty pittiful compared to all of you. It is my own fault thought because I have not been journaling or going to support group or logging in to LBT for a few months. You have all inspired me and hopefully given me a swift kick in the butt. I got my journal out and will start back in today. Thanks for sharing your journey and for all the great tips. I was banded in May and have had 2 small fills, not at my sweet spot yet. I see my surgeon in a couple of weeks. Becky:thumbup:

I find that the PBing happens when I eat too fast, especially bread products. It has happened when I let myself get too hungry and eat without consciously thinking about each bite. It has also happened in social situations where I am busy talking and eating too fast, again, not being conscious. I know when it is going to happen because there is pressure and then the increase in saliva. I usually just put a napkin up to my mouth and walk quickly to the nearest sink or bathroom. I try really hard not to do this because it isn't pleasant and I know that I am reverting back to my old bad habits of eating too fast and not being conscious. It is a learning curve and best not to beat yourself up about it. Becky

I haven't posted much because I have been busy getting ready for my son's wedding. I just finished making 12 necklaces and 12 pairs of earrings for all the bridesmaids ( yes there are 12). I love to make jewelry so this was a fun project. I used pearls and Sarwarski crystals. It is good therapy to keep from eating too. I haven't lost as much as others but I have always been slow at weight loss. I was banded on May 12th and have just lost 25 lbs. I have dropped 2 dress sizes though so that is good. I'll have more time to post after the wedding. Best Wishes, Becky

Hi all you banders over 50...I haven't checked in for awhile. I have had company and getting ready for my son's upcoming wedding. I am hoping to be under 200 by July 19th. I was 202 today so I think I am going to make it. I will have to bump up the exercise. I had my first fill on June 11th and have been doing pretty well. I have had a few pb's after trying to eat something I shouldn't. I find that I am now satisfied with much smaller portions and am concentrating on healthy foods. I did have a tiny cup of low fat frozen yogurt when my husband wanted to go to the Ben and Jerry ice cream shop for ice cream. He had a hugh portion of ice cream and I was happy with my little cup of yogurt. What a wonderful feeling that is. I still am afraid to have ice cream in my freezer because that is a real trigger food for me. I used to eat the whole half gallon in a day or two and then have to go buy another half gallon, eat some out of that so my husband wouldn't know that I polished off the first half gallon!!! That is insanity! I am just plugging along learning as I go and feeling really good about myself. My self esteem has improved greatly in all areas of my life. Well, Happy 4th of July to all. Best regards, Becky

Wow Janet, that is so impressive, what an accomplishment! You look beautiful. I have been hoping to hear from you. You inspire me to keep hanging in there. Since my first fill on June 11th I have lost a couple of pounds but nothing for 2 weeks. I can barely keep anything solid down no matter how much I chew or how small the bites. I have been doing mostly protein drinks. I have increased my exercise but still have not been losing consistently. I know I just have to keep trying and moving and staying focused. It helps to hear from others that have succeeded with the band. Becky