greythope

Over the last several months I have noticed my nose and cheeks seems to flush much easier and I don't understand why. At the moment they are red hot and my nose actually looks red! I always prided myself in being the person who could be mortified with embarassment and the red would never show. However I have increasingly noticed this happening to me. Sometimes it is after I eat. This morning it happened just ask I had Breakfast (a quick snack of almonds while I worked). It also happened on Sunday but I was drinking a glass of wine so I attributed it to that. But even so, I have NEVER flushed from drinking before. I guess I am dealing with all new circumstances these days with my body. Many years of worrying about eating too much and now I had to make sure to eat enough and the right things to keep myself going through workouts and a busy life. Anyway just wondering if this is a symptom of something like a Vitamin deficiency, something else related to the band, or just something random. (please don't say peri-menopause, I am 35 and not ready for that!).

Hi Ladies! I am not pregnant that I know of, I will find out at the end of the month I guess...I've had the band 10 months, have lost 50 pounds. Anyway we're not trying but not being careful either. My goal was to lose 25 more pounds before we started trying (50 more to 'happy weight') but I am turning 36 in June and just think time isn't on our side. It it's meant to be, it's mean to be! Anyway, when I was pregnant with my son I was DEATHLY ill until around 15 weeks. OK that is a little dramatic. I wasn't in hospital but if I hadn't taken Zofran every single thing I ate would have come up and I might have ended up in hospital. I had bad side effects with it (imagine wishing you were dead and your intestines turning to concrete) so only took one a day to make it through work. I then threw up most everything I ate at home. I did a lot of dry heaving too. So this is my worry - if I am as 'lucky' as last time, how good is that band in there?! None of these gentle little productive burp throw-ups - we're talking night out on the town next morning type dry heaves that last and last. I had sore abs like I'd been doing crunches a lot of the time! Plus I had such terrible food aversions I couldn't eat anything remotely band friendly! I only wanted toast or waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches, McDonalds fries, and ice-cream. Can you imagine!! I guess my main concern is hurting myself. So if you've had this sort of experience I'd like to hear you and your band made it through. I was going to ask my doc at my appt. this week but didn't get a chance (that is another story I won't get into, let's just say 3 minutes of my docs time wouldn't kill him would it?!)

I felt pretty rotten. I mean really bad! When I woke up I felt like I had been shot and knifed repeadly I wouldn't have minded a few more days of pain meds. Everyone is different. I am fine now. Just take it easy and follow the guidelines.

LOL I know what you mean. But really is can be as unhealthy as any other behaviour in extreme. When I was like that I would HATE myself and feel like I wasn't worth being alive and was a fat disgusting cow when I'd miss a day. instead of being about getting health and strong I just wanted to be skinny. I saw about 15 minutes of 'The Biggest Loser' the other day. One of the model girls had a stress fracture in her hip bone. I am sure this is from over-exercise. I didn't get something like that but I did run through a lot of pain, my body telling me not to be running on a bad disk but I ignored it, made it worse. Now I leave the gym happy but not in extreme pain.

Ding ding ding - I think we have a winner! Sounds exactly like what it is. Thanks!

I guess Karen just remember it took a long time to gain the weight in the first place, we can't lose it overnight. And what's the point in being thin and fabulous if you have no life besides exercise? That's the thing I keep telling myself - my level of exercise AND my weightloss have to be something I can maintain. I am reading a book called 'binge no more' and it says exercise can go hand and hand with eating disorders. I am using it to keep my metabolism up, sure, but mainly it's to make my heart and my body strong to make me a healthier person who can live longer for my husband and my son.

Just a word of caution from my own experience. Prior to getting lapband I'd managed to lose 100 pounds on Jenny Craig and being a gym junkie. I used to make sure to plan exercise around days that would involve a lot of food, e.g. rode my bike 40 miles on Thanksgiving. Eventually I got to the point where the exercise obsession was unhealthy and I would cry and hate myself if for some reason I couldn't go. Even if I was dying of the flu I would be at the gym coughing and hacking. I didn't listen to my body and would run through pain on the treadmill. Eventually I made my back/hip problems worse and burned out. Needless to say the weight came back on since I stopped starving myself and couldn't maintain the strict schedule at the gym, particularly once my son was born. So now I am careful and working with a trainer to avoid injury and just being kinder to myself. I still love the buzz but am trying not to be obessive. We have that in our personalities so have to be careful to not make something healthy into something unhealthy. Excellent work though, you go girl!

I find I get a better cardio workout on the elliptical because I can push myself harder than on the treadmill. But I have some back problems, it might be different for you. The exercise bike is meant to be a great workout because it works a big muscle. I vary between the elliptical, the bike, and do strength training.

I did try to let the fizz go out before swallowing once when I took a sip of my husbands and it was just gross and didn't do any good. One silver lining is that even if we could handle carbonation, I think drinking diet coke enabled me to get more food down before. When I think of overeating there is inevitably a diet coke invovled. Even now when I take a bit of something I used to enjoy eating a lot of I crave dc to wash it down. Believe me I know how hard it is. I have been off of them since June 12th of last year and even if I never get to my goal weight I will still be in awe of myself for getting that monkey off my back!

I am having some reflux issues and made an appt. to go in Tuesday. Although this fill has been 'the one' I am not willing to risk damaging my stomach/band/esophagus for a bit of extra loss. It's so hard to stay sensible sometimes when we fight fight fight to lose the weight. But this is about my health I have to keep telling myself.

When it comes to life post-banding, I am am usually the one to say most things are OK in tiny amounts and it has worked pretty well for me. I love the way the band will allow me to have just tiny amounts and feel satified. EXCEPT for diet coke! I just can't drink it. Every once in a while I really miss it. I have taken a sip from my husbands. But I know if I had more than that I would pb it all up plus every thing else in my stomach. But if I could have a one, given how addicted I was (a 6 pack a day wouldn't have been a problem for me pre-band) I don't think I would risk it.

Hi Everyone Just wondering if anyone is having a similar problem as me. I was banded last June, FINALLY got the adjustments right 12/1, I have lost close to 50 pounds, 50 more to go. Anyway I am to the point now I have gotten aversions to many foods I used to like and would be healthy for me to eat now. For example I used to love grilled turkey burger patties (no bun) and a bit of cheese and avocado. Can't stomach them anymore. I feel this way about most meats now. I only eat poultry and fish but the crazy thing is I would LOVE a beef burger. I am still mostly OK with grilled chicken but obviously have to take it very slowly. This evening I gave my salmon to the dogs and had a Protein shake with strawberries blended in for dinner. Breakfast is tough also. eggs were always a bit tough for me, now they make me ill. Eating in the morning is tough anyway. I feel like I could eat a big breakfast but obviously physically can't. The Proteins I still like are dairy, nuts, and Beans. I crave things like burgers and breakfast sausage from somewhere gross like McDonalds but I won't eat them for health reasons and I wish I could be a vegetarian so haven't eaten mammels for years as a sort of half-way. Honestly sometimes I wish I didn't have to bother! But I know I have to eat, I need energy for my busy life and I like to work out. I got this surgery for my health, not my vanity so I am focused on the quality of my life more than the quantity and quickness of weight loss. I am also sort of sad because I also wanted to still enjoy food, just in smaller amounts, so my tastebuds going nuts is making me nuts! Another side of this is I am driving my husband nuts. I'm like a child (or how I was when I was pregnant - and no I definitely not expecting!) with these food aversions. He might as well just do his own dinner and not worry about me. I honestly feel like I just don't like a lot of foods anymore. It's like since I have to chew chew chew chew foods I have noticed the taste isn't actually that good. I'd rather have something simple like a 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich (I can do bread in small amounts if it's toasted with the crust cut off) for dinner than a grown-up meal of salmon and veggies. I am going to try to get more creative and see if I can't come up with some different options. Anyone else had this problem or any advice?

You either need to drink more or have something to eat before you work out. I didn't follow my own advice today and got really light head-headed during a training session. I think my problem was I didn't feel hungry. I guess I was always so used to REALLY feeling hunger during intense workouts from my pre-band days I didn't notice being low on fuel. I feel light headed. I made it through but instead of doing more cardio the trainer sent me home to have dinner. When I got home my legs were shaking and I just had to sit down. My husband brought me a piece of cheese and I was just about able to get my dinner together when it was ready. Ugh it was a horrible feeling. Next time I have a training session at that time I will make sure to get some fuel in even if I don't feel ready for a meal.

The weird thing is the main issues I am having are with meats I used to eat. It's rough when we're supposed to be high Protein diets when I am grossed out by what used to be delicious and is still a healthy option. I used to like tuna also and now can't stand the stuff. Things have to be cook in a certain way and have a certain texture. I do still like salads and vegetables, even with the extra chewing, so it's not all about slider foods. Honestly my worry is getting ENOUGH to eat protein wise. I want to also be satisfied and not resort to having a Protein shake for dinner like I did last night. I am starting a group therapy session for WLS patients that's supposed to help end 'disordered' eating so I am hoping to figure out what's going on in my head.

I personally can't tolerate beer or soft drinks. Soft drinks are worse. I did once sip about 1/2 a Shiner bock but this was in September before I got 'THE FILL' a few months later. It was just after Hurricane Ike so I think was more focused on the tree on my house than anything else so it might not have been the best time judge. I do miss beer though but it's worth it. I can drink wine just fine though although I do have to be careful as too much will give me reflux.

Dr. Parks delivered my son and was truly an amazing woman. She had an incredible amount of energy and good cheer all the time. She was pregnant with her twins at the same time I was pregnant with my son and nothing seemed to bother her or get her down even though carrying twins is rough work. I honestly think her incredible amount of energy and ability to soldier on (how much energy must it take to work an ob's crazy schedule and have twins?!) plus her general positive nature must have made her not realize how sick she was. It could have happened to any off us. What it comes down to is that surgery has risks - when Dr. Parks delivered my son by c-section it could have happened to me - but the benefits outweight the risks. In my case I know obesity would kill me so the risk of surgery was worth it, same with getting my son into the world safely. I am just so saddened by her death. She was just so amazing and her husband is a nice man. It breaks my heart to think about her little ones. Blaming her somehow for it happening is pure madness and mean spirited.

As I type this the husband is heading back to Ireland to go to a funeral with his parents in England. I am so useless on my own! OK I am perfectly capable, but I just prefer being together. It's so weird, he hasn't been back without me and while I am glad to not be making the trip, I am really sad too and it's making really miss everyone so much. Anyway, when he travels for business I tend to mope a bit and overeat or get terrible things like ice cream. Well I have been a model bander today. I had a sensible dinner with the little man and after I put him to bed I worked out! Yeah me I would have anyway but I feel like it was an extra effort since i'd already eaten and put the baby to bed. In a bit I am going to work on an album of shots from when we traveled to Italy for my sister-in-laws wedding. I don't know about everyone else, but it sure is good to keep your hands busy to avoid nibbling. I am a nervous nibbler so anything to keep me busy is good! I am at the most stressful part of the year at work and I am also surviving that. This would have been a day for feeding the snack machine but I didn't even feel like it. I also haven't opened a bottle of wine and popped some popcorn which also might have been tempting. I think I will have a 15 calorie popscicle and work on my album. May my resolve and lack of cravings last the week!

Ha - I was waiting to hear something really decadent like the wall of chocolate at PF Changs or the Laredo Dinner grande with margaritas! Seriously a chicken breast is OK and part of many people's diets. Stick to the liquids pre-surgery and you'll be fine. Don't bear yourself up and take comfort in that of all of this the pre-op diet was the hardest.

Beat a dead horse. Not rhyming slang. As in I think we've covered just about everything this topic can. To continue would be to beat a dead horse.

Let's see if this works: :deadhorse OK it didn't, it's an emoticon for beating a dead horse. Other than to further wind up people I don't know what purpose having this thread here or anywhere serves.

Well said Kizzie. Thank you Susan.

I logged onto say what a great post greyhoundmom had made - so positive. And then I saw the rest! Mekadig seemed to follow it up that way too. Honestly Long2bthin I don't think Meka was taking a stab at your age so I wouldn't get offended. I think Mekadig has made it more than clear when she's letting someone know her negative opinion, and that was not one of them!:biggrin: Everyone should just blow it off and stop worrying about it. I know we're all sensitive, me too of course but there is no point in attacking each other. Greyt sensible posts greyhoundmom. Must be the calming influence of your hounds around bringing all the good and sensibilities into your posts! :thumbup:

I set the alarm early, laid out my workout clothes but just couldn't get up. AM workouts are just not going to happen. So I will jump on when I get home while Finn eats and then take him swimming. Even when I worked out in the AM for a good long time I was comatose at work. I am just not a morning person. Plus I am hungry all day. But I will keep setting that alarm clock anyway. Trying doesn't hurt.

Wow I couldn't imagine going under the knife again so soon! I don't want anywhere near a hospital for a long time. Glad you're doing well afterwards. I've had a quiet weekend, very much needed. I am bad about exhausting myself and then being wrecked during the week. But I took it easy enough, no guests or anything. A bit of cleaning, a lot of laundry. I worked out yesterday and feel good today. I am hoping I can really keep it up and that it will help not only with the weight loss but all the other stuff. But my focus with isn't weight loss, it is all over well-being with weight loss being an extra benefit. I feel great already, I am actually surprised when I look in the mirror and still see a fat person! And you know what - I am not in pain right now! Partly because I took a very long nap and haven't driven all weekend, but I am hoping working out just enough, but not too much is doing some good for my back and hip joint. 35 going on 75!! Which is bizarre because I feel 21 in my head! Work will be stressful tomorrow I know and am not looking forward to it. It's my most stressful time of the year (I am working on benefit changes because the companies health insurance went up 40%!) plus some other ugliness I have to sort out between two employees who just won't get along. And my husband is probably going to have to go to England for a funeral and I am a mess by myself he needs to go of course. I would go but we can't even afford one ticket, he's going to use frequent flier miles. Thanks Cathy for the compliment. I want this to be a warm happy postive place. Don't we all know that making ourselves and others feel like *&^$ only sends us to the refrigerator?! It does for me! You know I can't imagine only eating 4 oz of food per meal. I guess I am going to lose slower unless I get enough fills to create that. It seems like you wouldn't get enough calories to live! When I lost weight with Jenny Craig and living at the gym my hair went to hell. I started losing it in the sort of male pattern balding way! I am making sure to eat some good fats to try to keep my skin, hair & nails nice. I still never eat enough to fill up a side plate but it sure as heck is more than 1/2 a cup! Anyway, I hope everyone has a good week. Depending how things go I am hoping to work out every day this week. Oh and my scale is mess up so I have no idea how much I weight but I think that's a good thing. Less obsessing. ************* Update - just jumped on the wii to see and since June 1st I have lost 23 pounds. Not too bad for someone who hasn't been startving herself and has very little restriction!

My mom and I always laugh about how exercise is the cure for EVERYTHING and how we know it's true but it doesn't stop us from wanting to kick someone for telling us no matter what the issue is, how we should work out to cure it. But honestly it is true for a lot of things. The chronic pain suffered by fibromyalgia patients is meant to be better with exercise. The strange thing for me is that even though the pains I have are still there it's like my body thinks they're soreness due to exercise and therefore not that bad. When I lived at the gym I thought all the pains were because of that. Now in fairness I didn't help it with running, but they seemed worse during periods of not exercising. So to me weight loss is just an added benefit of exercise, I need to do it to help physical and mental pains. I had SUCH a good day today and I think it's because I started it off with a workout. I got up and did Breakfast, worked out, and then went swimming with the wee man. The pool was perfect and I got a bit of extra workout swimming around the pool worried he'd jump in. Once we came in I bathed him, showered, and then cleaned. Got all the laundry done too. I was tired but had energy too. All of what they say about exercise is true, we just have to discover it on our own. Just found out my next door neighbour got lap band so I will try to see if she needs a walking buddy.