Kat817

Whenever I need to jump start weight loss, my best bet has been something along the line of Atkins induction phase, high protein, low fat--no carbs. It gets old quick, but it always drops me several pounds in a hurry! Now be careful on this, because of the way it changes how your body burns fat, it makes your breath AWFUL for a few days!!! Not something you want to happen with your formal function coming up. I agree, DRINK lots of water, help flush out what you are losing. How much are you hoping to drop in 9 days? gonnabeskinny---it is normal, to have a pause in the weight loss, your body is in shock, it likely thinks it is starving. Try shakes with high protein, maybe you can get by with less than 10-20 a day. You can also drnk liquid protein(I used Zero Carb isopure from GNC)---and the protein will curb the hunger a bit. Before your first fill, your body is healing, and any weight lost is simply a bonus, and most will regain some of it when food is re-introduced. Be careful not to injure yourself by doing too much too fast---your port was sewn into muscle, and needs time to heal. Once the healing process is done, you can get down to business and get the weight loss started. You are in what is referred to as "Bandster hell"....an empty band, and being unable to eat----the good news is , it does get better, and easier! Hang in there, it is not a miracle, none of us loses 50 pounds overnight----but the band sure does make it easier to lose anything!!! Oh and I would follow my Dr.'s eating plan, you need to know if you can eat, and tolerate food prior to the first fill, so you will have proper comparison! Good Luck all! Kat

Are you on medication for it? I was on medication until following my surgery. I was advised to stop it the day before and not to take it the day of surgery, but they made arrangements for me to be able to have it the next day. As it was, we played it day to day, and I have not needed it since. In the begining it was borderline, and I made the choice to not take it, but as the weight dropped, so did it. I now run right smack dab in the middle, of normal!!! 128/72 this evening! I used to take 2 different meds, and over the years have tried several, and increased dosage, as it continued to rise. If for no other reason, this surgery was a success! Good Luck---I agree with lovabully (welcome to you btw!), avoid the salt, and do what you can to relax....the headache is likely a combination of the BP, as well as the diet changes. And hey, with what yo will save on food, you can pay the charge and for your Blazer!!! Not trying to make light of your troubles, I really am sorry, it does seem like the old saying "when it rains it pours" is true for you right now. Hope it all settles down, and that you have an uneventful, surgery and recovery!!! Good Luck! Kat

I too have a bag full of clothing....everything from workout pants (2X-3X), to dresses (22-24). Lot's of tops, sweaters, some pants. I am tall 5'9"--so they are long! If someone is interested, PM me, and I can get more specific about what I have or send you a cell number and I can describe it. Would love to know someone or eventually several someones are getting use out of them! Come summer when I unpack all of that, I will have even more! Kat

Hi all, Julie--I would just hazzard a guess about the weight difference being from the muscle vs. fat issue as well as the fact that your bones etc. change when you are carrying all the extra weight. My former PCP told me that....but I don't know how much difference it would make. He told me that the BMI chart might not be as good of a way to decide my final goal, as watching my numbers (blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, etc.) and how I feel, that carrying a large amount of excess weight, permanently affects the density of our bones, and that our future weight will reflect that. No one has mentioned it since, so I cannot tell you anything about the validity of the statement. Might be something to look into. Meanwhile, wear the jacket with pride, and begin looking for a good tailor! Have it altered to fit you---you deserve it, as well as knowing your Dad gave it to you with pride. Way to go!! Well today I got my time in, chopping wood!!! DH and I split wood. I am talking with an axe, full roundhouse swings!!! Also used a wedge and a sledgehammer. I have always in years past, let that be his job---but the combination, of me feeling so much more energetic, and me worrying about him overdoing, pushed me to get out there and do my share. Then tonight, we began a light free weight lifting program, DH and I. He used to lift with regularity, but of course couldn't for awhile. We did mostly upper body tonight. Tomorrow my shoulders will feel both the wood chopping and the weights...but I don't think I overdid it. I also got a call, that the man teaching our Tai Chi class is back, so maybe I can begin that....it seemed like it was going to be fun. He had the college call us, when he left suddenly, but there was no explanation, come to find out, his son was injured in Iraq, and he was in Germany, with his family. Anyway, he is going to begin class again on the 22nd. Oh I know Roberta!!! This woman complains about the music, and the "change stations now" being too loud....and complains if we are all talking too much----it is easier to avoid her, and enjoy my time there!!! Going tomorrow, for weigh and measure---will be a low number this month, but next? Watch out!!! I am ready to get the last of this 45 pounds gone, and begin the TT process.....I still hate looking in the mirror nekkid!!! Clothes, it is getting easier!!! Boo--I am glad Roberta invited you too!!! I am glad you all have been so wonderful! What in the world would I do without you??? Just tonight on another thread, a girl was asking if it was possible to lose 55 pounds in 6 months---I told her to find her a support group---they keep your spirits and motivation up, and the weight down! I really am glad I have y'all keeping me in line!!! Susan---please let us know how you are feeling!! Hope everyone has a great week---good luck in court Julie!! Kat

It can be done. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to help acheive that goal. Now the closer you get, the harder it gets I am told---and finding out for myself!!! But you can get close if not....and the difference in how you feel, will make it all worthwhile. I mean I understand you want to lose 55 pounds, but if you lost 45 pounds, you would only be 10 pounds away---and just imagine how wonderful you would feel!!! My best advice is to look around here, find an exercise challenge, or diet challenge group---and hook up! You might find the same in the November bandsters group---just a group of people you can share the ups and downs with, and rely on for support. I am not sure what I would do without my special groups....they keep my spirits up, and my weight going down!!! Good Luck to you---congratulations on the upcoming wedding!!! Kat

Another happy Dr. Aceves patient here--happy to answer any questions. Kat

Thank-you Kare, Carlene, & Green---I know this is not my thread, or my problem at the time, but I have been there, and while in hindsight I know I made mistakes, I know at the time I was doing my best, as I feel "wonder" is. You have restored my faith in us as supporters.....I love when women can show support for one another rather than tearing one another apart. Something I have always felt men did better than women---supporting their own gender! Glad to know y'all are out there!!! Kat

Well there are no more Christmas decorations inside my house--they are all properly stored in totes, in the shed. We still have lights on the house, but to take them down DH has to climb onto the roof,and since it is still snow covered---we opted to wait!! We have several inches in the yard--the roadways are cleared, but the ground, and building roofs, and such are still snowy. We live in the NW corner of NM. In the NE corner, the cattle, and even the people are having serious problems. 15 foot drifts are all over, it literally buried cattle. We are feeding ours, more than usual, since grazing is out right now, but they are not in trouble like across the state. There are elderly people who have been unable to get out of their homes in over 2 weeks. Where we used to live, we would literally get snowed in, or mudded in, and have actually had helicopter drops of supplies!!! We were in an El Paso Natural Gas Company Camp. We were 96 miles from the nearest town! There was a camp of 30 homes, and another 10-15 mobile homes, as well as the company plant---it was a great place to grow up! We met with the family for breakfast today. We try to meet up 1-2 times a month, for breakfast, we just go to the local Golden Corral, that way each family group can pay for their own as we go in, and everyone can eat what they want. We don't have to cook, we all get to see one another, and there are no dishes to do!!! Then we have the weekend free to do whatever else. In my case, I went back to both my parents and to Ricks, and cut both Dad's hair!!! They were both pretty shaggy!!! Then I came home and shopped ebay while Rick watched football---don't we live the most exciting life??? It has been really nice, calm, relaxing, lazy.... Congrats on your raise Eileen, I hate that he gets you so upset prior to the meeting, that sucks! Rick starts his performance reviews on his guys this next week too. The company approved him for giving 4% across the board. He has that much to work with...now if he chooses to reward one with 5 and another with 3....he can, and will! But I don't think anyone is scared to go into the review with him. Hope everyone is hanging in there, and that the creeping crud everyone has had is over with! Hope Chris gets moved without incident. After you move you will have to give us all the jerks address and we will send him all kinds of goodies!!! j/k but isn't it tempting!!!! Well I am off to see how much more $$$ I can spend on ebay!!! I need to quit!!! Kat

Hi! Julie, like Blue---Yahoo, keeps giving me the run around too! I have a yahoo account, but it keeps trying to register me, when I enter my email, it keeps emailing me the same registration page, telling me I already have an account, when I log it in, it tells me I have no access to the lapbandchatter or whatever.....dunno what I am clicking wrong! Sure do hope you feel better soon---this crud everyone has is nasty! Boo-glad the nose is feeling better, and that you have options if it heals badly. I need to have mine done...I have a bad bump because of a break, but also a deviated septum, from injury----but I have avoided it! Betty---I think you look wonderful where you are at, but I have no doubt that you will continue to lose, it may just be time for your body to rest a bit. My fill Dr. told me to watch my body change during the weight loss lulls. He said that is when inches drop, and your body goes through adjustments, that no one really understands....but it has proved to be true with me! I measure alone and also at Curves, and even there, during the months I lose the least amount of weight, I lose the most inches!! Go figure!!! Roberta---it is a shame we cannot be at the same Curves---we could rock!! I have changed the times I go, because a woman who was there, and complained non stop (I say as I complain about her!!), was driving me insane. She only half a$$ed on the stations, and then on the rest stations she just swayed, she never stretches afterwards, and then complains about not losing well. She also insists on talking about her Pomeranians who she is forced to leave in the car. I need to resolve to be more patient, understanding and kind........bad me! Well I need to get ready for breakfast---meeting the family. We meet up every couple of weeks for breakfast out--so no one has to cook, and then we have the weekend free to do our family things. We had another snow storm yesterday, so I did Curves,a dn shoveled. Today---not sure what it holds yet, DH is off until Monday, so things are different!!! Will find something! Our high is not to be above freezing today, so maybe something indoors!!! BBL!! Kat

I didn't have this board or any other when I went through my divorce, I did however have wonderful friends, who thank God allowed me to vent and whine until the emotions passed. Not all of us go through things in the same way or at the same speed. And when we look at other people's lives, we can always see how to improve them, better than we can when we are trying to actually live through it. Wonderkidsmom, perhaps you need to move your posts to the Rants and Raves section, where other discussion is open rather than just lapband. I realize, you began discussing things here in a different manner, related to weight loss, than how it has ended up...just hang in there. While we may get frustrated at wanting you to do things our way--you are the one having to make these changes. Sometimes tho, anger and hurt spur you on to DO the things you need to get done. Maybe you can "use" the emotion some of these posts are going to cause you. I know it took awhile to get through my divorce, through the issues with the child, and the home....and I had way less years invested than you did. It sucked big time, but I got through it and so will you! Kat

I don't have the omnipaque---but have heard of it, I think they spelled it defferntly maybe omnipack----try several different spellings with the search tab, you should pull up some info that way---because I HAVE heard it referred to!!! Sure is good to know it is out there if we need it!!! Good Luck! Kat

In one sentence....... The best thing I have experienced since being banded is....feeling in control, control of my eating, my hunger, my weight, but mostly of my future! Gotta add---I LOVE IT!!!! Kat

Hi everyone--all is well here, DH is on a stretch of days off, and we have been busy, un-Christmasing the house, and odd jobs. It is snowing here again, so some of the honey do's will have to wait! will try to get back and do some personals....but know you will all understand actually spending time with him while I can---he works so doggone much! Miss You All!!! Kat

Amazing---what a scary thing for his children tho!!! Poor things must have thought Daddy was a goner! They will definitely remember the day their Daddy was someone else's hero! Nice story! Kat

My first thought when reading the original posting (not all the junk between) was that the deceased had more problems than his obesity. Could he have had malformations in his digestive tract, that caused some of his weight problems? Since they claimed to have been unable to find the top of the stomach, and had already had a failed attempt at lapband, it sounded to me, like he was not "normal" internally. It is not uncommon for people to be different inside. My Grandma sent many Dr.'s into a tailspin when looking at her scans---her heart was on the "wrong" side!!! But it worked for her for 80 years. Maybe he had always had the problem, and yes the attempted banding may have caused additional problems, but not knowing what his pre-op care prior to the original banding, or what his post op care following it was---who is to say what really killed the man? Kat

Leah--you are currently in "Bandster hell"! It will last until you begin eating solid food again, and can take in solids to maintain your fullness for awhile, and even then, until you get a fill, you may not feel much change. Dr.'s told me not to concern myself with losing weight at that point, that the band would be doing nothing---it is simply a time of healing. Continue with your mushies, trying to keep as high of protein in your diet as possible, it WILL help with the hunger. Limit your intake at one time to the recommended amount (my Dr. said about 2/3 of a cup per sitting). You just do not want to weight the pouch down, and put stress on the healing stitches, holding the band in proper placement. Tell the people at work, that you have no dietary restrictions at this point...and maybe if you answer them that way for awhile, they will eventually mind their own business!!! When you get your fill, it may or may not help a lot, it all just depends. With my first fill, I only noticed I could not eat as fast, and had to chew thoroughly. But with my 2nd, I got good restriction, and have not had another. That was back in July. I have never felt my port...it is buried deep in my muscle according to the Dr. who is doing my fills, in fact he had problems finding it in the begining. I have lost 80 pounds, and still cannot feel it. I have a low profile port---and it is hidden well!!! Stock up on lots of mushies, and healthy ones would be best---but shoot for good protein, and worry about healing more than losing at this point. If you heal well, your odds are much better when it comes to slips, I was told. Hang in there----we have all gone through the hell you are right now. Plus----one of the main stages of grief is anger. And right now you are grieving the loss of a good, reliable friend---food. It was always there, when we were happy, sad, bored, whatever, we could turn to food. And now suddenly that friend is gone---and some poor ass replacement, is there....liquids??? Mushies??? what the hell kind of friend is that???? Anger is normal---and it too will pass!!! Hang in there, come out and vent---it WILL get better!!!! Let me know if there is any way we can help you through this stage--- Welcome to both bandland, and LBT~ we are no different than you---and you will get past this!! Kat

Not personally---but there are lots of Texans on here, hang on, and someone will have something for you!!! If you don't get much response try bumping your question at another time, to get to new members, who might not be around tonight. Good Luck in your research and welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Not that we don't want you here---we do!!! And I am looking forward to once again experiencing the miracle of pregnancy and birth--vicariously through you!!! BUT---there are also pregnancy boards out there, like these boards, they set them up so you are in groups, by due dates, 1st babies, etc. My oldest DD was on one, and made wonderful friends, 2 of whom she has since had a chance to meet up with. You might look into it---I would bet they would have an area for difficult conceptions, or even in vitro babies. Might be fun for you! I remember they had a thing where they told her weekly what was developing, and gave her a size comparison. I remember she told me her baby was the size of a jelly bean, and then another time she told me when the eyelashes had come in. I never knew any of that with my kids!! I find it facinating! I am glad you are savoring everything---that is as it should be! Congratulations---and keep us posted!!! We are very excited for you!! Kat

Hi gals!! Well I went and saw Brent (my dentist) and he Xrayed, and saw nothing. He used the carbon, and had me bite and said my new crown was hitting really hard, so he adjusted it (ground a bit) and it feels better so far---I am to call him day or night if it continues or gets worse. Feels pretty good now, some residual ache, but improving I do believe! Thanks so much for all the concern!!! Roberta---put your pecan tarts in a nice bowl, or a basket, and take them to an elderly neighbor, or to the nurses at the nursing home, or the officers at animal control---let someone else enjoy them, and you won't feel so bad! I take things to the local girls at our Animal Shelter all the time!!! I also take things to my next door neighbors, who are both older---that's where the X-mas fudge from my MIL went!!! My battle today? M&M's for a quarter a bag at Target!!! I caved, and bought a bucks worth. They are in the trunk of the car until I either go to the kids houses or they come here!!! I do SF ice cream when the craving hits---because it takes only a spoon or 2 and I am done. Ice cream is DH's weakness---so he has it around all the time, as he can afford it! It was never really my thing as much, so now I keep some SF on hand, and when I want some with him, I eat a bit. And the cold, sweet, is quickly satisfying and I am done. I never eat more than maybe 1/4 of a cup---a few nibbles and I am done. I too have been to Curves today, stopped in on my way back from the dentist. I took my clothes--and just changed there. I had never done that before!!! But I was afraid if I let myself come home I may not leave again!! I have to say I am going to have to go to the dentist more often. Those girls went on and on about how much weight I have lost, and how good I looked, just made my day!!! Brent told me the last time I was there, I was all they talked about the rest of the day! And then told me the resemblence between my DD and I was uncanny--that I sure didn't look old enough to be her Mom. I told him he could have the rest of the day out of daycare for being so nice!!! I kid you not, he is tall, probably 6'4", thin, dark haired, handsome boy---looks like he just started shaving!!! He is married to his hygeinist--and they are so cute, they just make going so much nicer. He used to give me head phones, and a fleece pillow, because I was such a basket case---but he has brought me to a point, when they filled my tooth prior to putting on the crown, I let him do it without numbing me up!!! If they keep pumping up my self esteem I may go more often! Julie--you work so hard, I just know you will make your goals in no time. For the record, since we are telling!!! (Mine is in each post!!) I am 46, 5'9....married, 3 kids 27 (, 25(g),and 23(g), 4 grandkids-- boys 6 yrs. and 10 months, and girls 5 and 2 yrs. I live in northwest New Mexico. I opened and ran a day care for over 20 years. I started in my home, eventually moving and enlarging. When I sold it 5 years ago, we were in a 4 room, 6300 sq. ft. building, and I had my self imposed limit of 75 kids. 60 Full time, and 15 after schoolers. After selling, I spent 2 years writing child care grant proposals...and then decided, I was done!! Now I just play Granny! And hang with y'all!!! Talk to ya soon---I really need to do something around the house!!! Kat

If you do not want to tell anyone---don't. Go into your HR office, and tell them that you thought it would be taken care of with one surgery and sick time, but it is in fact going to entail another surgery with a possibly longer recovery time, and you would like to file for your STD. You should be able to fax the forms in yourself, and no one else needs to see them. As for the 2 laproscopic prcedures so close together, as long as you are healthy, I see no issues. Be sure to have enough protein on hand, it will help the healing. Let the family pamper you--it helps them to help you--don't forget that! Take it easy, and rest when you can until you get in to get that taken care of!! A burst cyst is very painful! Keep us posted on how you are doing! Kat

Just waiting for my Tylenol to kick in and I am off to bed. Hope all the car problems are fixed soon!! I hate that. My check engine light come on not long ago. We had a scan done on it, and it is some component of the smog control. It is not affecting the engine itself, it is programmed to have a sensor changed at 90,000 miles....so now I either cough up the $425.00 to have the sensor changed, pay $392.00 for the sensor itself and have DH do it...or live with the little light. Guess what I am doing??? Gives the car a nice orange glow!!! Will deal with it now that the holidays are over. DH wants to trade it in, I don't! My dinner feels like it is just sitting in my belly, not digesting. I did not overeat...I chewed well. 1/2 of an enchilada and some beans---should have been fine, but it isn't working. Or maybe the Tylenol is causing me to feel this way---who knows??? Going to have to try to do things Annes way and not buy any junk, it is so hard!!! I tend to still buy it, and then throw a bunch of it out---what a waste, I need to just not buy it in the first place! Glad you found us Sherry---I was missing you! ok, going to go do a slow walk on the treadmill, and see if it helps my digestion.....wish me luck! Kat

Sorry Boo, must have forgot to mention that---I have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow at 11:15. He is hopefully flying in today. Both the big airports closest to us have been closed, due to weather, in both Albuquerque, and in Denver. So flights in and out of our local little airport have been at a standstill as well. He is due in today----hope he makes it. If not, I will see the Dr. taking his calls while he is out. I just like mine!!! BUT he is so young I tease him about checking him out of daycare to take care of my teeth!!! Will let ya know...thanks for the concern! Kat

I tried it too---the 2 people chatting welcomed me, I responded, but got nothing further...tried a couple more times, with nothing. Then one of the gals chatting said something to the effect of " I hope Kat figures it out, she keeps coming and going". I had never left. Simply typed my responses, and enter....I gave up too!!! If any of you are the ones in the chat room---it wasn't you---I just gave up, figured it wasn't working for me! Kat

Awwww---such great pics!!! I wish I could have been in on the fun!!! Beannie---I see a big difference, in the neck, the arms, and the BELLY!!! No fair, no fair, no fair!!!!! Seriously tho---it is a big change! Cindy--I like the new do and the new glasses--you are looking so good! Jules--I am SO glad to put a face to the name!!! I am glad you enjoyed the time with the girls--I bet it was a blast! Dianne--beautiful---both you and the tree!! Whata pretty Christmas blouse!!! Show off the fact that all those pretty curves are in the right places!!! Keep up the good work everyone!!! You look great! Kat

Hi all, still fighting the tooth/jaw pain. Tylenol is making it livable. Eating is not good---maybe it is a blessing in disguise, get me out of the constant munching habit this way! It was hard to get to sleep, with it hurting, but once I would get to sleep, I could sleep until I tried to roll over or anything, then it would wake me, and I would have to try to ignore it until I could fall asleep again...did ok overall. I was not wanting the bouncing movement associated with Curves or anything this morning...sounded painful. I ended up returning a part to Maytag, and buying groceries. As I unloaded the car I realized what a beautiful day it was. So I put the groceries away, and went walking for an hour. I did more of a stroll, than a power walk. I didn't get my heart rate up much, I throb with my heart beat!!! But it felt so good to breath the fresh air, and to be out and moving. I may have walked even longer, but needed to get back and do some cooking. My friend Becky is due to make it in tonight from Texas finally--and I am making dinner for her and her family. She said the roads so far have had some real trecherous areas. I will be glad when everyone is home! I agree, Blue---isn't it wierd, how fast time goes by, and the outside changes, but the thoughts, and feelings inside, are the same way I felt 20-30 years ago!! I tell my kids things now, about when I was their age, and then I realize, that nope, I was years younger than they are!!! It is strange knowing I am getting older, even stranger seeing my children getting older!!! Susan--hope your back/hip feels better soon. My sciatic nerve causes pain right through my butt cheek, and down my leg---it is miserable. My DH refers to it as my psychotic nerve...because I get a little that way with it!!! Julie--it is hard for me to imagine being thin again. I was thin for years. Not getting a serious weight problem until my 30's, they were hard years. But it took a long time for me to realize how FAT I was!!! I figure the reverse will also be true. At DH's party, one of the women at the table knew of my surgery, and another did not. We were discussing it, and she finally ask about it, so I told her. She said she could not believe I had ever been real heavy. How wierd, I still think I am! She was quite interested, saying her Mom weighs over 330 pounds right now, and is 5'2". I told her to feel free to call me anytime, I'll be more than willing to share what I know, and my experience. Boo---Betty---big hugs---been thinking of you all!!! I started a thread concerning my MIL, I feel like she is purposely sabotaging me!!! That sounds kinda silly---but she is suddenly sending food over here all the time---something she never did before. And it is always the kind of food, I am not wanting to eat. Some of it, she says is because I won't cook it for DH. Not true. But anyway, some of it is not things he likes, and I do, and she knows it. Fudge as an example. He is not a chocolate eater for the most part--but me? Bring it on!!! She sent a HUGE tin full of fudge. Rick tells her no, so she sent my FIL over with it later!!! Oh well, I think I have a new plan of action with her....will see how it goes! OK, off to roll enchiladas.....will the fun never end???? Kat