Camel_Cracker

Wow, it really sounds like you're having a rough time over there. I understand how it is to be away from your husband for a long time, mine was working out of state for about 4 months. At first, I was depressed, moping and unmotivated, then it occured to me that I could use those weeks and months he was gone to transform myself. By the time he got back I had lost 20 pounds and he was loving it :biggrin:) I'm sorry that you're missing so much sleep. That probably has something to do with not being able to exercise like before. You need a way to get that excess energy out. Since you can't take your son to the gym with you, maybe you can start doing physical activities with him, which would be a win-win situation for exercise and bonding. He may be resistant at first, but my bet is that he is really craving posive attention from you. Try taking walks/hiking/biking/throwing a ball or something together. To help you at night, try sticking with a regular sleep schedule, spay your pillow with relaxing smells, take a warm bath, meditate/pray, read a book (a really boring one), while you're in bed, instead of recalling the negative events of the day try to focus on at least one good thing that happened. If you can't think of one, just remember that there are people who love you and are concerned about your well-being. As far as your in-laws, the best advice I can give you is to make your foe into your friend or avoid the old cooters. Your son might be acting out because of your husband's physical absence. You didn't mention how old he is, but I'm assuming he's around 15 or so. Teenagers are hard to raise, I'm not a mother but I'm a teacher and was a teen once myself :scared2:) I think your son probably knows you're disappointed in his choices, but still needs to know that you love him and would probably like for you to be proud of him. He needs to know that he is not an honored guest in your home, but a member of the family, who has to work like everyone else. His job, as a child is school and to help around the house. Maybe there are mentoring programs in your city like Big Brothers that could pair him up with a male role model while your husband is out of town? Something that always boosted my self-esteem was doing charity work. You know what his interests are... if he likes animals, maybe he could volunteer at the animal shelter, walk a sick/elderly person's dog or helping out at a veterinary clinic. If he likes nature, he could pick up litter in the park or help an elderly person with their garden (maybe even make some cash). Kids will live up or down to the expectations we set for them. I know you love him, just make sure that he knows that as well. Again, I'm just throwing out some ideas and thoughts running through my mind. I'm no expert, but really feel your stress and concern. I hope you can use some of my advice, and if not, just know that someone out there is praying for you. I wish you and your family all the best Crystal

Ooooh I thought I was the only one! I have been getting the "free panty" coupons from VS for years and have always given them to smaller people to use because the only thing in VS that fit me was the fragrance products. Last month when I got the coupons I said what the heck, and bought a pair of pink VS panties to put away for my future thinner self, but when I got home I tried them on just to see how they fit, and by golly they FIT, a little snugger than most of my underwear, but They were my first clothing item from Victoria's Secret. You know what though? My underwear from Lane Bryant were so much sexier :biggrin:)

Wow, it's even harder to control yourself pre-band because there's no restriction, so good for you. The tips we talk about in weight watchers are to Plan ahead for your calories, eat before you go, BYOfood :biggrin:) drink plenty of water, browse around before you choose and to remember that nothing tastes as good as being thin feels. You may feel a little deprived while everyone else is eating all of your traditional favorites, but you will be SO proud of yourself afterward if you can keep some control of the situation. You can do it!

I have also taken a small sip of my husband's soda and did NOT like it! It burned my mouth and tasted like thick syrup. Even though I waited for the carbonation to dissipate in my mouth before I swallowed, I burped several times afterward.

Hello! I'm only 2 days away from being banded and I am going crazy with worry. I have sniffly sinuses which have caused me a slight sore throat from drainage at night. I know that it is from the A/C blasting at night and sleeping with my mouth open, but I'm still scared to death that I'm going to drive 7 hours to the doctor and be turned away for surgery.... after 2 weeks on a preop clear liquids diet. Will the surgeion operate if I have allgergies?:tongue2::smile:

I have noticed that I cannot eat soup with my meals, It makes me PB, as drinking with a meal would. Should I just have soup for the meal, which usually satisfies me for a few hours? Are we supposed to even eat soup? What about cereal? Solids and liquids should be separate but does that apply to eating cereal with milk? Just pondering over here.... any input?

Just as an update... I was light-headed and week for a week and a half after the donation... weird!

My rabbit died... He worked hard in his short life, but I guess he was in poor health and in need of a responsible HMO.

Does anyone else get a tight band during their menstrual cycle? I lost 6 pounds this week after a 3 week plateau... coincidence?

I don't think I mentioned my thighs... I won't miss their massive size, nor the blackheads and darker skin on the inner-thigh. I am excited because I had to move my car seat forward 2 clicks to reach the pedals. I used to drive with the seat all the way back

You said that you're having the barium swallow and the machine.... if it's like my doctor, he has me stand and lift my shirt, injects my port site with lidocane (TOTALLY Numbs me), then shows me my port and band on the monitor, then injects as I sip the barium. It doesn't taste that bad.... no worse than maalox- chalky. There is absolutely no pain, and the doctor determines how much to put based on how quickly the barium passes through the port. I actually look forward to my visits and you are fortunate to have the barium fills... they are more accurate.

Are you sure you didn't switch that? As far as I know, the Realize band is totally empty when placed and you can't be filled for 6 weeks. That was my experience. :thumbup:

I will have some apple juice... when I sit down and stand up I get very light headed.

This is an old thread, but this is an issue I'm currently concerned about. I got the OK from my surgeon to donate blood, so I went in this week and donated. My BP was normal, iron was good, but since donating on Thursday,2 days ago, I have dizzy spells, light headedness and don't feel as energetic as I did before the donation. I gave double red platelets so that could be why? I was an excellent donor pre-op,jumping up and feeling totally normal after donation, so I think this is because of my decreased diet. I am trying to eat extra protein and hope this goes away soon, I missed 2 workouts because of this.

I had the realize band on june 13th and have had no pain or negative side effects. The band holds 9cc and by my 2nd fill, I had 7cc in my band, and now have great restriction. I didn't loose until my 2nd fill 3 weeks ago, but am now down an additional 11 pounds.

Wow.... things have really changed for me since my last message 9 days ago. I have not missed a day of cardio exercise..... Have done my Curves workout 7 times since then, and walked in the park all of the other days. I am doing much better with my diet, and OMG!!!!!I Have so much energy! I dont really crave the carbs anymore.... thank God they make me sick! I didn't know healthy foods could be so filling. And the real news is that I've dropped 10 pounds.... Hallellujah! This thing really works (if you work)!

My insurance wouldn't cover ANYTHING, so I was self-pay. I would take that test a hundred times over if it meant saving the huge monthly payment that I shell out. :redface: I hope everything goes well with your test.

Amen... I only told my best friend at work (my instructional assistant) and the school nurse (just in case) and my secretis safe with them. When they comment on my weight loss, I smile, thank them and don't offer any explanations. If they insist, I tell them that I have cut down my carb intake, increased my protein intake and am working out at Curves. No lies

I stayed overnight in the hospital after my surgery because it was in Mexico as a self-pay, but probably could have gone straight back to my hotel. The advantage for me was that nurses came in every hour and doped me up via IV :thumbup:.... or was that anti-nausea meds? All I know was that after they injected it, I slept easily

Please see ticker.... sigh.. I will try harder :wink_smile:

I think today's the 13,... I was probably being stitched up this time 3 months ago, Friday the 13th. I wish I could brag about all of my weight loss, but unfortunately I have not followed the exercise or diet plan, and have only lost 5-6 pounds post-op, plus 20 preop. As I mentioned in another post, I have rejoined WW on the COR plan, and have gone back to Curves to work out for the 3rd time since surgery. I owe it to myself to make this work.... ::wink_smile:: Congratulations to all of you for your success!

I was banded 6/13 and have had 2 fills now, the first was 5 cc one month post-op, the second was 2 more cc 2 weeks ago. I am now with great restriction at 7cc. I was PBing almost every time I ate because I was eating fast, too many big bites and choosing the wrong foods. I haven't PBed in a few days since I went back to Weight Watchers on the COR plan. I guess I need more accountability and I always felt that at WW.