sarahv

I've spent the last two nights pouring over the boards. So much good information here -thanks everyone. Not banded yet - but hoping to be soon. My question is this - can I sleep on my stomach after banding? I normally sleep on my stomach - one knee out to the side - but I was drifting off to sleep last night - would be possible if that was my 'port' side...... Anyone care to chime in on this? It may sound silly - but if I don't sleep well :notagree I am of no use to anyone.....

I am preband and was wondering about my daily Vitamin. I started working out and taking a diet pill and watching what I ate in February. In March when I'd lost all of NOTHING(!) I ditched the diet pill and opted instead to march on in my workouts and to start taking a multi vitamin (one a day weight smart) instead of the diet pill..... Well - once I am banded - can I still take them? I believe its the additional B Vitamins that assist in weight loss - but what if they don't fit through the stoma? How big is it? What if it tries to get through going sideways? Can you mash a vitamin? Sorry if this sounds dumb - but I really don't want my new best friend (the band) to surprise me with anything

I recently went for a 'physical' and my doctor advised a tetanus shot because it had been some time since my last one. I agreed, but not once did he mention any risk or side effects that this shot may impose. Well, let me tell you - for the next two days I had a headache and a pounding in my head. In addition, the afternoon after having the shot - I developed a fever (103). When I called the Dr. the nurse said that it probably wasn't (yeah right) brought on by the shot and I was probably coming down with something else... and advised me to take a couple of aspirin or tylenol and call them back if the fever didn't break. Fortunately, it did break and I felt better in the am(not great but better) The shot site is an itchy, hot lump at the top of my arm that hurts(not red and does not appear to be infected) to the point that I can't sleep on that side or lift it over my head. The whole instance convinces me more that the very vaccines that 'they' say are protecting us - are also harming us at the same time in different ways....

The one a days are good - I'm down almost 14lbs...The problem seems to be that once I get banded. They aren't a small pill - about average for a multivitamin, but big compared to children's vitamins.

I want to see Honey we're killing the kids.... And you're missing a GREAT show in INVASION (on after LOST!) We hadn't watched TV in ages and my sister taped 24 for me.... So, needless to say we're hooked. Our #1 is 24 - hooked on Jack and if they hurt Aaron, I'm going to be REALLY MAD!! #2 Lost - used to love Jack, now it's finding out what's going on!!!! #3 Invasion - Don't trust Underlay!! #4 Bones (downloaded from the interenet as it's opposite Lost = () Want to get TIVO or something like it so we can watch at our convenience - would also like to watch House, but it's on opposite something else (I think)

I just need to vent - First a little background - I'm 5"5' 262lbs(down from 270). I -like many folks here have tried every diet known to man. I'm pretty well versed on nutrition and calorie consumption as well as the anatomy of weight loss(and gain lol) So.... I'm at my health club today. On the treadmill very close to the end of my 40 minute cross country circuit and the heart rate monitor isn't ready my pulse right - so it's registering a 58 (not even when resting!!) and it has cranked the incline to 6.5 and I'm workin'. This woman who isn't overweight and not working out (I found out later, not even an employee or member) walks past me and I give her the head nod and smile and say hello. She smiles back and says "Breath... and maybe some water" OK - I know I'm sensitive about things like this, but I was annoyed!! First of all, I was workin' but I was not huffing and puffing like I was about to keel over..... I also got sunburn on Wed being at the park with my kids - so I've got more color in my face than usual. The more I thought about it - the more annoyed I got - so I decided not to think about it. Then she comes back. She walks up to me saying "Potatoes, rice, bread, sugar" I've got headphones on and was watching TV, so I thought I might not have heard her correctly - so I took one out of my ear and said "Excuse me" She said, those are the things you should try to avoid if you're trying to loose weight. Well - no sh#t Sherlock - you don't say.... So I told her that this was a life long battle for me and I was a professional dieter. When I told her that - she kinda got a funny look on her face like 'If you're a professional dieter, why are you fat' - but she didn't say it... I guess it just confirms all of my worst fears about going to the health club in the first place. Everyone is mentally deciding what I should do to loose weight and wondering how I ever let myself get this way in the first place.... After chatting for a few minutes - she left me with these pearls of wisdom - I should come here (the gym) everyday - and don't stop (I had told her that I worked out on and off since I was 10) I am sure she meant well - but don't judge anyone without first walking in their shoes!!! I know I'm not a bandster yet - but I love this place!!! Thanks everyone for 'listening'

Congrats!!! (I'm SO jealous! But VERY happy for you!!!)

Paula: I too hate the grocery store!! If it's available in your area - try Peapod... I LOVE it!! I get to shop in the privacy of my own home and have it delivered!! I probably spend a smidge more than I would - but I also buy healthier foods. I started ordering my groceries about 6 weeks ago - and would hate to 'go back'!! The delivery cost definitely is worth it (for me anyway) it's $6.95 if you spend $100 and $9.95 if you spend less than $100.... I save at least that by not having to shop with my kids!

I thought about tracking down her or even her boss - however, while almost every single person that works at the gym is very nice and friendly and never treats me with anything but respect - I'm afraid that in trying to track down a vendor and her boss - they wouldn't get it..... None of them are overweight and might not understand or worse yet agree with her. If they didn't understand or even agreed with her - I would be even more offended and get mad - and not want to go back - which would only undermine my success and determination - which would worse than making her feel bad. So - I am just taking solace in the fact that what comes around goes around and that someone somewhere has made her feel like she made me feel that day. If I see her there again - well - I got some great ideas for that from this thread. Thanks everyone for the support - I love LBT!! :biggrin1:

First of all, let me say it LOUDLY!!! YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!!! 40LBS IS NO FAILURE!!! Now is the time to dig your heels in are refuse to give in to the old way of thinking and the old trip-ups that contributed to your weight in the first place! There are no easy answers - no is no magic pill - you didn't gain the weight overnight - so it won't come off overnight. Start keeping a food journal and documenting everything you eat (and track your water) Sometimes it helps when you're putting it down on paper. I would also find a nutrionist or discuss it with your doctor. It's also possible that you've simply hit a plateau and need to really dig in and do a little extra to jump start the weight loss. Most importantly - DO NOT GIVE UP!!! You've gone through surgery and lost 40LBs. If you can do that - you can do anything!!! Everyone here is cheering you on and are here for your support whenever you need us!!

Maybe LBT is out of storage space (downtime the other day) and they need to free up space in order to not crash again. Just a thought.....

I want to be you!!! How about ... WORK N IT Workin' it - You're working your band and your new bod!!!

As it turns out - for me anyway - if I google my name... there are several more people out there with my name and even a song by Acoustic Alchemy. There are two younger women on MySpace.com and a web site that sells custom made jewelry - all with my name on them. It actually makes me feel better that if someone was looking - it would take them FOREVER to sift through all of the others before they found me.

Jessiebear: ROFLMBBO!!! Tooo funny!! You gotta love her don't 'ya?! How is she now that the Ambien is out of her system?!? Does she call you in the middle of the night!?? What did the lady that she woke up say when she called you back!??!

Thanks everyone for the ideas for next time and the support!!! The woman was actually a vendor doing a site visit - I guess there wasn't enough for her to do..... I believe I will just be moving to the back row of treadmills and keeping my eyes up away from the 'line of sight' for people walking in front.... That's why they put the TV so high on the wall - right!?! Happy Easter everyone!!

OK, My dd and ds have picked out the ones they each want!! They are adorable (my kids and the bunnies!!) My son also wants the Giant! LOL Thanks for sharing!!

I don't know where you live, but if it's like here (Chicago burbs) it's gotten much warmer recently. When it heats up outside you should probably up your water intake as well - since it takes more to keep us hydrated in warmer weather... I'll take words of wisdom from experienced bandsters here and say Sip, Sip, Sip!!

:asl: Go easy on the mod guys!! If you do some checking - all of that particular user's posts are almost identical and if you find their website - she works for them!!! So... Thanks to the mod for saying something - everytime I see one of Aracely's posts - I'm annoyed because I know she's marketing for them. Do you homework people!! And, if you're sharing personal experiences share away - if you're marketing - go away :uwelcome:

Wheetsin - I am also a big footed woman who didn't get boobs either = (( I LOVE Dansko shoes! They have a wider 'toe box' than most - so I didn't need to buy the wide width (for the first time ever) I bought them on Ebay, but they're also available at Zappos.com. They are very comfy!!

I bought Lap band for life a few weeks ago. I found it to be informative - in an infomercial sort of way. A good resource - but seemed like an advertisement. I also ordered WLS for dummies and it outlines all the different types of surgery available - not a ton of specifics on the band. In addition, I ordered The Real Skinny on Weight loss surgery which synopses says that it has the 'real' info on the band. I found that it had VERY LITTLE information on the band and focused on two by pass patients. I ordered Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding : Achieving Permanent Weight Loss in hopes that it will be another good resource. I plan on reselling the WLS for dummies and the Real Skinny book. If anyone knows of any other good books for bandsters - please speak up!!

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS strike again!!

All the revenue that the sugar producers have lost - is the same revenue that the makers of Splenda are protecting. In the quest for the almighty buck - many people stop at nothing - including deception! I just don't trust any government entity (FDA) to tell the whole truth. There are too many lobbyists and too much money being exchanged for the whole truth to come out. Just look at all the items the FDA has approved that they've had to go back and have taken off the market 6 months or a year later - sometimes longer after thousands of people have been hurt by the product.

Ok - the salt/sucralose argument. The problem for me would be the amounts that you ingest. I used to put way more splenda in a cup of coffee than salt I would use on any three meals. In addition - you don't eat floride. You brush your teeth and spit - they even tell you on the label - if you swallow more than a pea size amount to call poision control!!! No matter if they pull it from the shelves or ban it or not - I'll be doing my best to see my family ingests NONE of it - the same way we avoid aspertame.

This is all I could find - but it doesn't say anything about pulling it from the shelves..... yet http://www.food-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=6F5555F7-450F-4517-8AFD-84F3D4063607

Can't really say I'm surprised. I had all kinds of weird things that disappeared as soon as I started drinking water only and swore off the sweetener we affectionately call "the yellow packets of death" I only miss it sometimes =)