LoneStarLoser

I was just banded October 3rd here in Austin, Texas. I was wondering if there are many support groups here for people that have had the lap band procedure? I know there is one at Seton on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Does anyone know of any additional ones. Lone Star Loser :biggrin:

I am in Austin, Texas. I was banded 10-03-08 and I have lost 75 lbs. I was just thinking about the Smashing Pumpkins. We were all so good about posting here. I hope you all are not like me and have gotten away from our strict diet. I still have 50 more lbs to go, but the summer has been real hard. Lots of parties and I feel so much better and look better too, but I have been cheating. I have got to get better and back to the diet. The good thing is that I have not gained anything. Gotta go. I have to bake a birthday cake for my grandson. (But I won't eat any) Dorothy

I can't wait until the water in my pool is warmer. It is still too cold. The days are great and warm, but the nights get cool so the water doesn't get warm. I love water exercises and swimming. I am going to try and get in to see my doctor next week for a fill. My last one was in January and I think it is about time for another one. I don't have enough restriction. Good luck to all of you. Lone Star Loser :glare:

Long2bThin, Thank you so much for this post. I too have stopped losing. But as you mentioned it is so easy to "get away" with things that you know you shouldn't do. My down fall has been alcohol. I stayed away from it in the beginning as told, but during the holidays I had some wine and it was okay. But then after the holidays, I still had wine. I was laid off from my job after 15 years and I was feeling sorry for myself. Who wants to hire an old lady? I am going to do what you suggested. I am going to remember how I felt post op and get that enthusiasm back. I know I can do it. Thanks again. Lone Star Loser

Hey Everyone. I'm doing well also, but I have stopped losing. I have lost 65 lbs., but I am getting discouraged. It is almost summer and I really wanted to be smaller. Bathing suits are expensive and I don't want to keep buying smaller ones. I am exercising at Curves, maybe I need to go there more often. I may need a fill, my last one was in early January and I am finding that I can eat a little more without any problems. I'm just afraid to get too much fill. I'm not giving up. I feel so much better now. I have gone from a size 26 to a tight,(not too tight) size 18 and it feels great. I have given all my FAT clothes away. Take care everyone. Lone Stare Loser

WATER. Drink more more water. It is good for us. REALLY. I feel better when I have lot's of water. Lone Star Loser

Carry a bottle of water everywhere you go. When you want to stick something in your mouth, DRINK WATER. It fills you up and it's good for you. Rememer, yesterday is gone. Start new today. Lone Star Loser

KarenK. I bought me a bike yesterday too. It looks a lot like yours. It's a pink Schwin Retro. It looks like one from the 50's. Big tires with wide side walls and a bracker on the back to passengers. But I won't have any passengers. The weather here in Austin Texas has been great, it's 75 degrees now, so I have been out riding around the neighborhood. I have only fallen once. And that was in the driveway. But I have it under control now. Not too bad for someone that has not ridden a 2 wheel bike in over 20 years. I had a 3 wheel, (trike) motorcycle, but it is completely different. It really feels good to be able to get out and exercise that thise. I would ride up to curves except I go early in the mornings and it is still dark. Someone might hit me. Good luck to everyone. Lone Star Loser

Edwina63. You are going to be just fine. It is just the fear of the unknown. But it is really not unknown. I had my surgery Oct. 3, 2008. All went well. I am 54 and I had no problems. Like Stacyiam said, have plenty of liquids on hand. I found that warm liquids felt better. Cold drinks seem to restrict me. But everyone is different. Just think, in just a few months you will be thinner and healthier. Month by month goes by and you get slimmer and slimmer and by next year at this time, A NEW YOU. Take care. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Lone Star Loser. Austin, Texas

Kaelin's G-Ma. Sorry to hear about all the negative things in your life, but you are doing well on your weight loss. I was on a plateau too, but as of today, I have lost 63 lbs. since Oct. 3, 2008. I will keep your Mother and foster child in my prayers. What is wrong with kids these days. It makes me wonder if they would have made it back in our day. I truly believe that we just have to put our faith in the Lord. Most of all. Take care of yourself. You can't care for anyone else unless you are fit and able. God Bless, Lone Star LoserKaelin's G-MaKaelin's G-Ma

Julie.ann, You look great. I was banded on Oct. 3, 2008 and I have lost 63 lbs. I feel GREAT. I still have 60 lbs to go, but I am 54 years old but I feel 30 years old. Good Luck and keep going. We will be lookin' good in the summer. Lone Star Loser

Thanks everyone for the info. SickNTired, thanks for the link. I going to look at it now. Lone Star Loser

I hate to sound stupid, but what is NSV? I have been trying to figure it out but I am slow. I just don't want to lose out on anything. Thanks, Silly "Lone Star Loser"

I have sleep apnea also. I didn't have any issues. The hospital did ask me to bring my own cpap machine so if they needed it in the recovery room they would have one set to my needs. I did not need to use it though. I hope that with my weight loss that I will not have to use it much longer. I have lost 60 lbs and have 65 more pounds to go. Good luck with your surgery. Lone Star Loser

8 years, WOW. That's great. It has only been 3 1/2 months for me. So far, so good. Although I have gained 2 lbs of the 60 lbs I had lost. Do you still exercise? Are you very active? I go to Curves at least 3 times a week and work out with my Wi Fit on the other days. I still have 65 lbs to go to get to my goal. Thanks for the posting. Lone Star Loser

Hello Everyone. I was banded Oct. 3, 2008. I had lost 60 lbs, but I have gained 2 lbs back. Nothing has changed in my eating habits and I am getting discouraged. I don't have another support group meeting for two weeks. I am going to go back on the liquid diet for a few days and see if that will jump start me again. I am very happy with my weight loss, but this is how it always starts. I start gaining again and I give up. I have worked too hard and done to much to not be losing anything. Thanks for listening. Lone Star Loser

Of course I use butter tubs, cottage tubs, etc. I got tired of buying expensive containers to just lose them at work, school or people taking food home from my house. Small butter tubs are just perfect for making sugar free jello. I also take them to my Mom's house around the holiday to bring home left overs and I don't have to worry about returning them. My son comes over for dinner and I can send food home with him and not worry. But believe it or not, he brings them back. They are great for camping and preparing things ahead and just throwing them away and not having to wash them. I use Liquid Protein that comes in a container that looks like a big test tube. My DH uses them to store drill bits, screws, etc. I think everyone should reuse anything possible. Oh, kids love to play house or picnic with them. Thanks, Lone Star Loser

Hello everyone and congrats on the weight loss. I would like to join this challenge. I have set a goal of losing 10 lbs before VD starting today, Thanks, Lone Star Loser

Getting the Lap Band was the greatest thing I have ever done for myself. I look at myself in the mirror and can't believe it is me. I feel so much better. My knees and feet don't hurt like they used to. I have lost 60 lbs and have about 65 lbs to go. I am 54 years old and I already feel like I am 30 again. I have so much energy. I exercise at Curves at least 3 times a week and work with my Wi Fit the other days. Exercise really does help. I am not and have never been an exercise person, but it really helps me. I just feel great after I go to Curves. Even if you don't exercise, just walk, anything to get your heart rate up. Walk the dog, walk around the block, anything to burn calories. Good luck. If we can answer any questions just let someone know, that's what we are here for, to help one another. Lone Star Loser Austin, Texas

I have 3 fills and have not be numbed. Why get stuck twice? It really isn't bad. I think it is all in our head. Sticking a needle into our tummy. Its not bad. The port is not that far under the skin. But my Doctor, is great too. She has found the port easily each time. I go this Thursday for my 4th fill. Hopefully I will get the restriction I need. I am not complaining, I have lost 60 lbs. I was banded October 3, 2008. I wish I could get the restriction I felt right after surgery. I am so happy that I did this. I have ordered clothes for the summer, two sizes down. I found them on sale. I ordered shorts, blouses and capri's that were on sale for only 2.88 each. Try just one time without the numbing. I really believe that you will be surprised. Good Luck to all. Lone Star Loser

edwina63, I just love Jerry. He was so funny with his little fake food. I really felt comfortable talking to him. I am so sorry to hear about your job. Did you say earlier that you worked for Dell. I work for Dell and I am on a 60 day job search, ending Jan. 30. I have been there for 15 years. It really sucks. But I have come to grips with it. It will take me a long time to get a job with all the benefits I worked so hard for. Will you still have insurance to cover the surgery? I hope so. You can always get Cobra to cover it. Good luck with your visit with Dr. Marquez. Usually it is about 2 weeks after that visit because you have to go on the pre-op diet for two weeks. Keep us posted. Lone Star Loser (Dorothy)

I am with Dell-Humana EPO and I have not had any problems with the fills. I was covered for 90 days after the surgery. Lone Star Loser

Edwina63. You are exactly right the psych eval is just to make sure that you are committed to the life style change and to make sure that you are doing this for the right reasons. It sounds like you want control of your life again. You have probably read on the forum that the only thing people regret is, NOT DOING IT SOONER. I am happpy that I did it. Yesterday was Christmas and even with all the good stuff on the table to eat, it didn't bother me a bit that I shouldn't eat it. The only bad thing I had was just 1 bite of a cheesecake. And just that one bite satisfied my craving. Good Luck. Lone Star Loser (Dorothy)

Hi Edwina. I live in Austin. I believe that Dr. Marquez is in the same group of surgeons that my doctor is. My doctor is Bridget Brady with Southwest Bariactics. If Dr. Marquez is in with that group, I think you will be happy. Every doctor there is so nice. I had my surgery in Austin at Seton Hospital on 38th Street. Where did you go for the weight loss seminar? Seton also has a Support Group that meets once a month that really helps. I was banded on Oct. 3, 2008 and I have lost 52 lbs. Good luck with your appointment. Hopefully everything goes well and you will become a Bandster. Good Luck, Lone Star Loser

Yes, my throat was sore. It is from the pipe they put down your throat to help you breath. It doesn't last long. Your throat is just irritated because it was dry. Just keep drinking warm liquids. Glad to hear you are doing well after surgery. Lone Star Loser