Who'sThere

So interesting that I find this thread today... A girl I work with came by today to get something for her graduate class. I mentioned that I was on my preop liquid diet and explained to her what stages I will go through after surgery before I can eat relatively normally again. (My blender, Protein powder, etc. were still lying on the dining room table where I haven't unpacked from vacation.) She commented on how hard it must be and how she could never do it. I replied that this was what people called taking the easy way out. She totally got it that this still requires serious work. That made me feel really good! I just wish everyone understood.

Oh, no! I have some pretty big tatas, and I feel totally naked without an underwire bra. For me there is SUCH a big difference. I asked my surgeon about my bra getting in the way of my port. He showed me where my port would be, and he said is shouldn't be a problem at all. I never thought about it actually bothering my band!:rolleyes2:

Hello, y'all. I just got back from the beach, and let me tell ya, it was certainly a different vacation. We arrived on Thursday, and knowing that I had to start my pre-op diet on Saturday, all I could think about was FOOD! I wanted to be sure I ate all the things I wouldn't be able to eat for a long time. (I had to say my good-byes, you know.) That night, we went out to eat at Margaritaville. Well, there was a 2 1/2 hour wait. Who the heck has the patience to wait that long? Not me! So, we ended up eating at Planet Hollywood instead. I ordered a Steak and a loaded baked potato along with a strawberry daquari. Well, the daquari was great until I realized my glass was cracked. The crack didn't go all the way through the glass to either side, but the hubbs (overprotective, but in a loving way) didn't want me to drink any more of it for fear there may be glass in my drink. (As if I wouldn't have already found it...the drink was 2/3 gone!) He started squeezing the glass, and I was scared to death it was gonna break! Thankfully, he insisted the waiter bring me a new one since I couldn't finish that one. That was a nice perk! The steak was okay. I was disappointed that it was just okay. I really wanted a filet, but they only had sirloin on the menu. So, I ordered it medium well. It came out very well done. Did I eat it anyway? You're darn skippy. (We don't send our food back for fear of what might happen to it in the kitchen as a means of retaliation.) I didn't want to simply have it taken off the bill because, damnit, I wanted a steak! So, I ate most of it anyway. The only thing that was perfect was the potato. But, hey, how hard is that? You bake it, open it up, slap on some butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon. Do that and I'm a happy girl! We didn't order dessert. I knew exactly what I wanted as my treat! Krispy Kreme, get ready! The hubbs and I ordered a dozen, 1/2 the way he likes them, and 1/2 the way I like them. As he says, "Doughnuts are evil." Yes, they are. From then until breakfast the next morning I ate all six of mine--two raspberry filled, two chocolate glazed, and two originals. TO BE CONTINUED

Hello, y'all. I just got back from the beach, and let me tell ya, it was certainly a different vacation. We arrived on Thursday, and knowing that I had to start my pre-op diet on Saturday, all I could think about was FOOD! I wanted to be sure I ate all the things I wouldn't be able to eat for a long time. (I had to say my good-byes, you know.) That night, we went out to eat at Margaritaville. Well, there was a 2 1/2 hour wait. Who the heck has the patience to wait that long? Not me! So, we ended up eating at Planet Hollywood instead. I ordered a Steak and a loaded baked potato along with a strawberry daquari. Well, the daquari was great until I realized my glass was cracked. The crack didn't go all the way through the glass to either side, but the hubbs (overprotective, but in a loving way) didn't want me to drink any more of it for fear there may be glass in my drink. (As if I wouldn't have already found it...the drink was 2/3 gone!) He started squeezing the glass, and I was scared to death it was gonna break! Thankfully, he insisted the waiter bring me a new one since I couldn't finish that one. That was a nice perk! The steak was okay. I was disappointed that it was just okay. I really wanted a filet, but they only had sirloin on the menu. So, I ordered it medium well. It came out very well done. Did I eat it anyway? You're darn skippy. (We don't send our food back for fear of what might happen to it in the kitchen as a means of retaliation.) I didn't want to simply have it taken off the bill because, damnit, I wanted a steak! So, I ate most of it anyway. The only thing that was perfect was the potato. But, hey, how hard is that? You bake it, open it up, slap on some butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon. Do that and I'm a happy girl! We didn't order dessert. I knew exactly what I wanted as my treat! Krispy Kreme, get ready! The hubbs and I ordered a dozen, 1/2 the way he likes them, and 1/2 the way I like them. As he says, "Doughnuts are evil." Yes, they are. From then until breakfast the next morning I ate all six of mine--two raspberry filled, two chocolate glazed, and two originals. TO BE CONTINUED

Basically, here's the scoop. There were several threads started concerning what those being banded in July 2009 would be called. Several ideas were tossed around, and on this board, it was determined we would be July Jewels. However on the board that is broken down by years and months, someone had actually started a poll where we could vote on a name. Most folks, at least at first, didn't realize there were duplicate threads. So, on the other board where there was actually a poll, the name Freedome Fighters won over July Jewels but like 1 vote, I think. Apparently, some folks decided they wanted to keep with the name July Jewels, while others decided to go with the majority. Thus, there are two names floating out there. Personally, I was partial to (and voted for) July Jewels, but since I like to go with the flow, I consider myself a Freedom Fighter since that was a majority decision. (I thought the poll was a great idea!) I really don't think it matters, though. All that matters is that we support each other in this journey no matter what we call ourselves.

I am going to buy some really cute new PJs to wear to surgery. I also want to get my hair colored. I really wanted to get a pedi, too. However, my surgery instructions say to remove all nail polish. I know that I'll need to have it off my fingers, but do you think we can leave it on our toes? I hate to pay for a pedi and then have to take the polish off. (I like to get mine done french with a little ladybug painted on each of my big toes...I'll post a picture...too cute!) I suppose I should just call and ask, but I thought I'd see what y'all had been told.

Well, I started my pre-op diet today. Unlimited Items: S/F Jello, popsicles Zero calorie beverages broth Soups Limited Items: Regular Jello or Popsicles (3 per day) 100% fruit juice, Gatorade, or Powerade (16 oz. per day) Skim Milk (three cups) High Protein, Low Carb supplements (1-2 per day) So far today hasn't been too bad. I'm at the beach on vacation (leaving tomorrow), and it's so hot I don't really want to eat anyway. However, I know that the seven hour drive home tomorrow will be hard because I will want to snack in the car. I will just have to drink, drink, drink, and stop to pee, pee, pee!

Okay, since we are all admitting our fears, here is mine. The last time I REALLY tried to lose weight I was very successful. I lost 100 pounds in about 7.5 months. The problem is I lost the weight too fast (of course I gained it back just as fast). I had SERIOUS trouble with low blood pressure, and at one point, I actually almost died. I was in the ambulance and my husband was pleading with the EMTs to take me to a different hospital than the local one because I had been there quite often and they treated my symptoms and sent me home. They never got to the cause of the problem, and I kept having to come back. (I was passing out from seriously low BP.) I heard them tell him I wouldn't live long enough to make it to the other hospital which was about 30 miles away. Everyone envolved knows about this history and I think it will be monitored carefully and taken care of. I am just afraid psychologically that I will psych myself out of doing as well as I can because I may be subconsciously still afraid of losing weight and getting so sick again. I don't think this will cause me to self sabatoge, but I can't be certain. I KNOW I have to do this or the consequences could be just as bad. I am so very close to being diabetic, and I know if I don't get this under control once and for all, things could be even worse. I'm also glad we have a place like this to vent. I can't talk about this to my husband. He is really supportive, but he HATES any kind of surgery, so he says that he won't relax until I'm awake after my surgery. If I throw this at him, he will have even more to worry about!

I got this today at Sam's Club for $55.68 plus tax. I haven't used it yet, but I have watched DH try it out. (I've been doing graduate research which is due 4 days after my surgery.) He has really worked up a sweat. Also, he bought Punch-Out (a boxing game) and really got a good work-out from that too. The leg strap was too small for him too, so he put it on his calf. It didn't work perfectly, but it was better than nothing.

When providing my 5 yr. weight history, just how obese do I need to be? My 04 weight was 193 on the page the doctor's office copied for me (BMI 34.2). I'm sure I was heavier later than year. This was in March after I had been sick. In March of 05 I was up to 258 (BMI 45.7). Do you think that I should ask the doctor to look for a page in my chart that shows a higher weight just to be sure, or do you think I should be okay? If anyone has had a similar situation, I would be really glad to hear. BTW, my BMI is 50 now, and I have UHC John Deere Select.

I have a preop liquid diet that I must follow for 10 days prior to surgery. It is full liquids/lo-carbs for the first 9 days and Clear liquids with a bowel prep the day before surgery. In the meantime, I have to admit, I'm eating many of my favorite foods. However, I'm not pigging out on those things. For example, I went to Carino's today and got potato Soup and Bowtie Festival, but I didn't finish it. As for exercise, I bought a used treadmill. I have walked on it twice so far. I also bought a Wii and the Wii Personal Trainer. I hope to start getting active one small step at a time.

Well, here's my take, for what it's worth. If everyone took a look at the 5 year weightloss statistics of every weight loss program before trying it, no one would be on ANY weight loss program. If any of these programs were great, long term solutions, we wouldn't need the band. Granted, the band is a much more drastic measure than programs like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and even fentermine. However, I have tried everything else, and this is my one last hope! If I can keep off 1/2 of whatever I lose for five years, I'll consider that a victory! It will be far better than what I've EVER been able to accomplish. Don't get me wrong, I fully intend for this to be a complete lifestyle change, and I hope to maintain 100% of my weightloss for life. I'm just saying that for me, it is definitely worth a chance no matter what the studies show! I plan on being a "results not typical" bandster anyway.:tongue:

Congrats! Have you found the July 2009 bansters' forum yet? We are the Freedom Fighters! We'd love to have you!

Okay, so my surgery is just over two weeks away. I plan to document my progress with lots and lots of photos. Perhaps this makes me vain, but I want to look as good as possible even in the hospital, so I thought I'd buy some cute new PJ's for my surgery day. Well, I went to the Lane Bryant outlet. I found this really cute pair of PJ pants, pink with different colors of flip-flops on them. (Have I mentioned I LOVE flip-flops?) Well the tops that were supposed to go with them were tanks. I DON'T do tanks. My arms look really bad. (I've never seen anyone else other than my baby sister when she was born at 10 pounds who has rolls on their arms. Sadly, I do.) Anway...I found some cute tops that would match, but the largest one they had was a 22/24. Well, I have some quite large ta-tas, so I must have a 26/28 top. I know that this particular store often has extra stock in the back, so I thought I would ask a clerk for some help. BIG MISTAKE! I found a lady and explained to her that I needed a 26/28 in any color of that particular style of top. (All the colors in the collection would've matched the bottoms.) She looked at me for seriously at least five seconds without saying a word. The she said, "Well, I guess I can go look in the back for you." I go to the counter to wait and watch the lady walk over to a different style of top and she literally hollers back, "They have your size in this one. What about it?" This top had no sleeves either, and I'd already looked at it. I said, "No, thank you. Just forget it." The lady at the counter could tell I was miffed. She asked what I needed, and I said, "I'll just take the swimsuit." (I had already fought and won that battle.) She said, "Please allow me to go look for a top for you. What do you need?" So, I let her look. In the mean time, the other lady came back and said, "We don't have your size in purple." I wanted so bad to say, "Geeze, lady, don't you listen?" I had already told her I would take ANY color. Anyway, they didn't end up having any of the tops in my size, but I did appreciate the other clerk being willing to help. It was clear that the other lady did NOT want to be bothered. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I used to work retail (that's how I put myself through undergrad school.) and I would NEVER have treated a customer the way she treated me. This is just one reason people judge us "fluffy" folks as being lazy. Laziness, rudeness, and arrognace really get under my skin. This lady was two for three!

Congrats! Here's hoping you don't have to wait too long!:tongue:

Yes, IndigoGirl, thanks for the advice. I must also say, "You go, girl!" Your ticker looks great! I can only hope that mine looks as good in two years! Thanks again for the support. Don't be a stranger!

Okay, I just have to ask. What is Lilly? I also noticed it in your signature. You make Lilly sound great, and I think I want it too! LOL!

Yes, the are just jerks! I have, as one might say, kissed a lot of frogs. I had low self esteem, and I was grateful for any attention. Lucikly, God sent me a prince. My husband didn't even try to kiss me for like three weeks (and more than five dates). When you find someone who truly appreciates you for who you are, it will be very much worth the wait! It sounds like you have more sense than me, but I'll just tell you anyway...don't kiss too many frogs while you're waiting. You'll regret it!

My daddy used to make popcorn in an iron skillet every Sunday night after church. You'd better believe I'm glad I can't make it myself. As a matter of fact, anything on Food Network is beyond my capabilities. The fast food commercials are what kill me. I always get tempted to call the hubbs to bring some home. (And unfortunately, I usually do make the call.) I love what you say about being an addict. That's me! Now, I just have to learn to deal with it, and I am confident the band will help!

Yeah, what she (Wendy) said!

Okay, so my surgery is just over two weeks away. I plan to document my progress with lots and lots of photos. Perhaps this makes me vain, but I want to look as good as possible even in the hospital, so I thought I'd buy some cute new PJ's for my surgery day. Well, I went to the Lane Bryant outlet. I found this really cute pair of PJ pants, pink with different colors of flip-flops on them. (Have I mentioned I LOVE flip-flops?) Well the tops that were supposed to go with them were tanks. I DON'T do tanks. My arms look really bad. (I've never seen anyone else other than my baby sister when she was born at 10 pounds who has rolls on their arms. Sadly, I do.) Anway...I found some cute tops that would match, but the largest one they had was a 22/24. Well, I have some quite large ta-tas, so I must have a 26/28 top. I know that this particular store often has extra stock in the back, so I thought I would ask a clerk for some help. BIG MISTAKE! I found a lady and explained to her that I needed a 26/28 in any color of that particular style of top. (All the colors in the collection would've matched the bottoms.) She looked at me for seriously at least five seconds without saying a word. The she said, "Well, I guess I can go look in the back for you." I go to the counter to wait and watch the lady walk over to a different style of top and she literally hollers back, "They have your size in this one. What about it?" This top had no sleeves either, and I'd already looked at it. I said, "No, thank you. Just forget it." The lady at the counter could tell I was miffed. She asked what I needed, and I said, "I'll just take the swimsuit." (I had already fought and won that battle.) She said, "Please allow me to go look for a top for you. What do you need?" So, I let her look. In the mean time, the other lady came back and said, "We don't have your size in purple." I wanted so bad to say, "Geeze, lady, don't you listen?" I had already told her I would take ANY color. Anyway, they didn't end up having any of the tops in my size, but I did appreciate the other clerk being willing to help. It was clear that the other lady did NOT want to be bothered. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I used to work retail (that's how I put myself through undergrad school.) and I would NEVER have treated a customer the way she treated me. This is just one reason people judge us "fluffy" folks as being lazy. Laziness, rudeness, and arrognace really get under my skin. This lady was two for three!