Kat817

Glad you fared well, and enjoyed your party Betty!!! Cassie, my cousin also got married at Christmas time, and it was an absolutely beautiful wedding---they said their vows in front of a huge Christmas tree in the front of the church, and rather than stand right with them, the attendants stood in pairs up the steps around the tree. They wore Emerald Green with white fur stoles. They had a tree in the reception with those hollow ornaments on a nearby table to write wishes or advice on little gold and silver slips of paper, put them in, pop on the top and hang it--for all the guests. The wedding cake looked like a stack of silver and gold gifts. It was such a wonderful time to work with!!! You will have a beautiful wedding! I am going to be shopping all the after Christmas sales, and buying up all the gold things I can!!! I am giving my parents a 50th Anniversary party this coming June, so I thought I might find some pretty gold items at the after Christmas sales. Candles, dishes, ribbons, maybe some table runners, or that type of thing. Mary sorry you have this crud too. I hear you on the asthma! I had not had to use my Advair for almost a year, I am using it again, as well as my albuterol, in nebulizer form. Will see my Dr. in a week or so, and see if I can quit. I just heard about the raids this morning, we have family in from out of town, and I had not heard any news yesterday. I also heard that Peter Boyle died... it is sad. Well I will check back with the rest of you in a little bit, I need to get myself and the house cleaned up a bit in case the family shows up early!!!BBL Kat

Oh Yeah Felicia---I forgot! WELCOME!!!!!! Welcome to LBT!!!! We are glad you are here!!! Kat

I personally had 99% good and one was the dissenting 1% bad! Many times they hear WLS and assume it is bypass, or like the old non adjustable gastric band--and both have had plenty of bad publicity. I always tried to emphasize that this was adjustable to fit my needs at the time, and was also fully reversable if I react in a negative way at any time. I am a cancer survivor, and some ask me if I were to relapse if I could get proper nutrition, so I always let them know in that case, I could get a complete unfill and eat normally. I would say you tried being up front with them, it did not go well, so when you get ready to make that move, and go for the surgery, keep it on the down low. If between now and thenyou get a chance to educate some of them to the different surgeries---maybe try talking to them....but some people would rather stubbornly stick to their guns, and you can talk til you are blue in the face, and never change their minds. Just do what you decide is best for YOU. They are not living life 100 pounds overweight. They have not likely tried every diet known to mankind....this is not about them.... You have the right attitude!!! Come hang out with us---we understand!!! Kat

Now I am looking ofrward to seeing what kind of cartoons Mandy finds each day!!! Dianne---hang in there, and see if the new meds help, this will pass, but it may take a few days. Til then, just get through each moment, and come here and tell us all about it...we do care! 5 foot club OMG!!! I wish I had been going from the beginning of my weight loss, I would have so much more impressive numbers!!! I know what my inches lost have been, and I am well over 40...but since I have been going to Curves it is only like 14". Added to the weight loss, and Body Fat Percentage, I have made the Top Diva's board they put up....wooohooo!!! Hey as long as it is coming off, I am going to be happy! I need to watch it, I sure have been able to eat more lately, I am still not feeling hunger, just seeing my ability to eat is increasing so I have to pay attention, or I overeat. Cindy--hope your party is something you will always look back at with happy memories. Beannie---haven't found time to lay around, but have takenit easier. Trying not to overdo it. I have company in from out of town...so have another full day tomorrow. Lucky for me they are staying with my folks---so I don't have the house full! Betty--how did your party go? Eileen---sorry you can't come out and play yet!!! Cassie--you feeling any better? Sherry--thanks for the sweet message!!! I finally got off the plateau I was on, and then promptly got sick, and dropped 6 pounds in 2 days....now it hasn't moved in 3-4 days again!!! At least it isn't going up drastically!! a pound or so up and down, I bounce it for a week or so, then they drop by a couple---I lose weight so weird!!! In 3 pounds, I will no longer be OBESE. I will simply be overweight! I am trying to decide when to do my next set of pics. I said I would do them at 75 pounds, and never got it done...now I can wait til I am only overweight, or wait the 9 pounds until Onederland! I hear those last 10 pounds to that goal are the hardest...figures! Mary, Anne, Patty, Pat, Darcy, Chris, anyone else my tired, old brain missed tonight---hope you are all ok----will catch you on the next go round!!! Kat

Maybe it is just a differently answered prayer!! Everything going ok since being banded other than the sudden aversion to chocolate? Kat

Cassie, I would see about an appointment with my Dr. plus try going back to liquids for a day or so. You may have irritated the esophagus and pouch when you began eating, or with something in particular you ate, and now it is begining a cycle of the pain anytime you eat. You may require some prescription antacids...let us know! Kat

I agree with DrewsLou---time to go directly to the top----cuz I have no idea!!! But how annoying....stalked by a webiste!!! Let us know the results! Kat

I was put on a high protein and extremely low fat diet for 7 days prior to being banded. My Dr. on the other hand said the combination of high protein/low to no fats would shrink the liver, make it more pliable, and make placing the band a simpler operation. He either guesses well or something, he told us it looked like I had followed the diet better than my SIL, and he was right on the money. She had been told it didn't matter...so refused to follow it. I don't know if it did or not, but you are right in knowing it will make the days immediatley following surgery easier if the carb/sugar cravings are already gone! Basically it boils down to the fact that it is never to early to start eating healthy! Congrats on getting a date---it will be here before you know it and you will be off a new adventure!!! Kat

Roberta and I must have been sweating away at Curves at the same time........thousands of miles apart!! I too got my work out in this morning. Was not sure whether to do it or not, my cough is intensifying today again...I think it just has to get cleared out. I don't feel any worse for having done it anyway!! We have company in....so my eating is bad. Will have to get back on track over the weekend,whenit is just me here at home! Or I won't be hauling my own butt into Onederland let alone helping anyone else!! I hear these last 10 pounds are the hardest. I have sat at 208.5 exact for 3 days now. I said I would take pics at 75 pounds off, well I didn't get around to it, then got sick, so put it off some more! Now...I don't know whether to take them...or wait like 3 more pounds and take them when I am no longer OBESE...simply overweight, or whether to wait for the 9 pounds and take them as I enter Onederland. Any opinions? DH said I could go buy me a trampolene---so thinking I just might! We were talking about an exercise workout they were showing on one of the morning talk shows involving one. I had never really thought of buying my own! I jump on our DD's on occasion, and I have lots of fun, and it is a change of exercise. I don't have any kids around of the dare devil age...so that is not an issue. Well I have some sewing to get done....last minute fun! Will check in later!!! Kat

I agree with what your seminar/Dr. said. It is a life style change, one we all were fully aware we needed. The difference is being able to actually DO IT with the band, and NOT being able to without it. I could diet for periods of time, but soon I would either fall off the wagon, or feel deprived and binge. With the band--those things canstill happen, but I kow I can start up tomorrow and be right on target again. The early stages of being banded do require you to have just as much input into the dieting issue as with any other diet you have been on. You have to follow a certain plan of food, etc. But for me, about the time I would have given up---I got my first fill, or adjustment. It made me begin to see food differently and eat differently, but that combined with the fact that the weight was coming off quickly...was enough to keep me going strong. Then I went for another fill, a month later. To put this in perspective, I was banded the end of April, had my first fill in June, the 2nd in July---so 3 months out, and my band began to work, like I had only dreamed about!!! I have restriction! I am not hungry! It is very easy to make good food choices when you are not starving! I still deal with head hunger...but it too gets easier, as you see your health and your body making such huge changes! As for the exercise, yes it is important...but it is not something I personally took too seriously for probably the first 50 pounds! By the time I lost that I was able to move so much easier, and found it not to be a struggle. I noticed I felt better after getting my blood pumping, and my muscles moving. Now I actually (shhhhh don't tell) enjoy exercising!!! Who would have EVER thought that???? So in response to what they told you---it IS true. And for a short while it will not be a lot different from the dieting you do now...but if treated properly, and if you see your Dr. as he requests for adjustment to the band, so that you can reach optimal restriction....then the band kicks in, and it makes it a whole new ballgame! One I am ever thankful I am in!!! Read up, ask any questions---I think you will see, that yes we do work on getting the weight off---but we all have something we had lost prior to the band...we have HOPE....and it's working! Good Luck in your research----that is the smartest move you can make towards making a band work for you!!! Knowledge is Power! Kat

Hi Mandilou---welcome to LBT. If you are interested in being banded (and I highly recommend it to anyone who will listen!!!) this is a great site for information, and to get all the questions you have answered. Nothing is too silly---we have talked about pretty much everything and it's relationship to the band!!! There are some awesome people here on the site, and they have boundless knowledge, and are so good at sharing. sit back, read, chat with us, and make a well informed decision!!! Once again---welcome, we look forward to watching you begin your experience with banding! Kat

I AM BACK!!!!!! Today, I did Curves!!! Plus when I got out of Curves, I picked up my DGD, and my Dad had aired up my exercise ball for me, and so we come home and did a new Baby and Me Ball Video. Ok, she is not MY baby, and the baby in the video, is about half her size....but we had lots of fun!!! She thinks me picking her up and us bouncing together is bigtime fun!!! So I ask my Mom if she remembered if there was a weight limit on the ball when we bought them....because I was going to do this video...and explained to her I would be adding the weight of my DGD. She just kinda raised an eyebrow and told me that "Kinsey only weighs 20 pounds....and you have lost considerably more than 20 pounds from when you first got this ball and used it". Oh Heck Yeah!!! She is so right!!! So we come home and played exercise! Betty---I LOVE the idea of a summer get together!!! I would like to make it in Feb. but it would be very iffy. My DH was out of work for several months with all of his health issues this last summer/fall. We have tried our best to survive it without dipping into our retirement, but it has made for tight budget times. By this summer, we will be back on track, and back to normal---and it would be so much easier!!! Like you---the thought it there, and now I am psyched!!!! Now, now, now everyone I said Psyched, not PsychO!!! Will be back to read up on everything else soon. And will adjust my signature to show I am working out again!!!! Kat

Oh great Jimboss----I needed that song stuck in my head all day!!! I am going to be wandering the mall, and suddenly wail "No- No-No-No...." young kids will think I am some crazy bag lady,and their, also shopping, parents will just know I have been pushed over the holiday edge!!! Some people go around singing "Jingle Bells"...not me!!! Kat

Hi Gabi.... well you may still be hungry, yes, until you get your fill to a good spot, then the hunger should go away. I have had 2 fills, and am NEVER hungry now. My Sister in Law has had 3 fills, and an unfill, and filled again, and still feels hunger, but not as badly she says. When you get to a proper fill, it will help---A LOT!!!! For now, eat a reasonable amount, and then get up and try to find something to do, to take your mind off of food. If you were to have screwed up your band, you would be having severe reflux I would imagine. Although an erosion I understand causes no pain. I cannot answer that, as I do not know the asnwer, but your Dr. should. He may not be a talkative man, but he should be willing to answer direct questions. Make a list of questions to take with you to the appointment. As for not being allowed carbs, yes you can have some, just keep them limited, and only after filling yourself with mostly protein and veggies. Relax, and try to eat healthy foods in a healthy way, and try to remember how you felt before you lost all the weight to give yourself inspiration not to eat wrong!!! Good Luck! Kat

You have received all good advice I believe. My Great Grandma used to tell me "To change anything you have to change something." It was one of her favorite phrases...I used to always ask to hear it and then ask her what it meant!!! She explained to me that in order to change anything--whether it was your attitude or a tire on the car, you had to change something. You HAVE to start somewhere to execute any kind of change in the end. So if it was your attitude, maybe you would start by smiling at your Mom in the morning (don't forget I was a kid!!!), if it was the tire needing changing, then maybe the something to do, would be to get out of the car!!! Anyway---maybe a baby step....concentrate on one meal. All day may be overwhelming. So in the begining, one meal, say breakfast, you will not binge, you will not purge....you will just eat a healthy breakfast. You don't have to worry about lunch or dinner or snacking or anything, just follow band rules for breakfast. When you see you can do that, you can add another baby step. If you keep making baby steps, you will still get where you are going! And you will be moving in the right direction until you can see your Dr.'s. Glad you decided to share, so we can try to help!!! Just let us know! Kat

Wow!! What kind of bad things? The biggest difference in the 2 is the amount of protein and the amount of fat and calories. Slimfast was off limits to me during pre-op due to the fat content I believe. Ask your Dr. You are paying them good money---they ought to be able to answer a few questions!!! You might look into some unflavored protein powder to mix with your Slimfast if you need to bump the protein. I would imagine it too will end up where most of our protein shakes did---blech!!! Tiring, when that seems it is all you get!!! But these pre -op and post-op diets will soon be behind you, and life will be easier!!! Good Luck, hope you find out some answers!!! Kat

*****HI JACK***** Julie--rather than turn it in, why don't you ask around here and see if any other frequent flyer would want it. It can be like a baton in a relay, as each person shrinks out of it, they can pass it on!!! ****Back to GREAT NSV's*****

I LOVE most of Nora Roberts. There are lots of special books out right now pertaining to Special Christmas stories, not all romance--but all uplifting and full of hope. I am sure you can find a great assortent especially this time of year!! What a nice thing that is for you to do!!! Kat

Hi Gaby, I read through the posts, and thought of something that may be part of the problem. Suzie mentioned it, but I thought maybe it needed to be carefully detailed. Each bite of food you take should be a small bite. Like would fit onto a baby spoon, not an adult spoon. Then you need to chew it VERY well.....and when you think it is nothing but mush, then swallow it. If you eat properly, by making sure most of the food you eat is protein, followed by vegetables, and eat it in the manner described, you will be able to get by nutrition wise. Eating small bites, and chewing well, should allow you to eat more than 3 bites. Something else to think of is that you may feel full right now after 3 bites due to some swelling due to eating so soon following a fill. It doesn't sound like the swelling si too bad, since you can drink food past it. When you get that feeling that you need to drink to push the food through, it is your signal to STOP!!! Then you will remain full feeling for several hours, eliminating the want for sweets and junk food...you will already be full. This will allow the last of your weight to come off. Plus as you lose more weight the band will loosen up again, and you will be able to eat a bit more. You can get in proper nutrition eating less, if you pay attention to WHAT you eat. Take some time to read through the different threads, and you will gain valuable information. You have done an awesome job for not having any info, and no fill---I am impressed!!! Now get back to basics, and you can get the last of your weight off easily!! Kat

I on the other hand am kicking myslef for getting rid ofold clothes that I never hoped to wear again.... But I have a couple of NSV's!!! 1. I used to hang dry a lot of my clothes, because I could not allow ANY shrinkage. I now dry EVERYTHING I own!!! And some of it I dry actually trying to shrink it!!! 2. I am going to have to buy new boots...mine from the last 2 years, are just plain old too big. I used to have to be very careful not to zip my calf in the zipper. This year I can slide my hand down inside the boot with my leg, and even the foot part is just sloppy on me. Yea new boots!!! Merry Christmas to me!!! Look forward to hearing everyone elses NSV's!!! Kat

Hi everyone!! Well it looks like I have survived this cold!!! The cough is still giving me fits, but otherwise I feel much better today. Not sure if I will get any exercise in yet, may give it another day before breathing deep like that. It is snowing and cold, wet & nasty here, so all good reasons to stay in by the warm fire! A friend from the other thread I chat on, recommended childrens Mucinex, and it has been awesome...the adult version is not band friendly. I will get busy and get started on my exercise, I really will--just don't want to breath that cold air yet! Betty---along with everyone else, I love the new YOU!!! You look so much younger, it is incredible!!! I bet DH loves it too! Would love to come to the Seattle Splash, not exactly what is in store following Christmas---but going to be thinking about that! So glad your group jump started your enthusiasm!! Julie--I am managing to drop some weight, but I think it is because I have to FORCE myself to eat right now. So....I have been behaving very well! The only thing I have worried about was the sugar content of all the juice I have been drinking, but figured It was more important...and luckily it didn't hurt. I have tried to keep my numbers up. I don't know if starvation mode is true or not, but I quit losing if I eat too little or drink too little. Go figure!!! Hi Fit George---sorry so slow in introducing myself---thought I'd wait til my whine passed!!! Welcome!!! Amourette--lookin' good girl!!! Bet they are really shocked when they see you in person---good luck!!! Let us know their reaction!!! My Mom messed up my plan, she told in her Christmas letter, how proud of me she was, that I had lost almost 80 pounds. I am pleased she is proud (gotta love her!!!) but I was planning a shocking picture next year....oh well, I know most of them will never expect it to still be gone by next year!!! I DO have a diet history!! Susan--wow---your pictures look amazing!!! I am ready to do my next set, as soon as I look decent, right now I look like I felt yesterday!!! In 9 pounds I hit Onederland....and in 4 pounds, I am no longer OBESE!!! I may wait til one of those milestones. I was planning some pics at 75 pounds, but ended up missing it...will get them. You look so different to me! You and Julie keep it up!!! Roberta--good to see you again. I have only flown twice since my banding, and both times were without incident. Neither were over 5 hour flights tho. We are headed to Hawaii next Spring, that will be longer...hope it goes ok. Delta Dawn---very impressive weight loss girl!!! Keep it up! so glad you are joining us! So, Judi---opened any gifts yet???? We wanna see!!! Ok I need to go get some dinner started, I am sure DH is going to be wiped out tonight, he went back to work today. He and I were sick at the same time, that hardly ever happens!!! He still tried to take care of me, he is a good guy, guess I'll keep him! Thanks for all the get well wishes...you guys are the best! Kat

Hi everyone---I am going to attempt to catch up here!!! I feel almost human, except my stomach muscles feel like I have done thousands of sit-ups....all the coughing has me sore!! I haven't been working out, so maybe the cough is my workout.....ok, well it was worth a try!!! Cassie--WOOOHOOO Congrats girlie!!!! Engaged!!! And what a special time of the year! Did he have a big special proposal and everything??? Do tell! Dianne--I wish I had magic words to make it all better for you. Cindy's description was very vivid...it fits my situation perfectly! I was raised in a small area with all 4 of my Grandparents close. Over a period of several years I lost them all, one each in November, December, January and February. So it seems like everytime I turn around it is the anniversary of one of them. Maybe it is a big let down, after having your wonderful Grandmother with you and now her not being there. Everyones insights seem so possible...hormones are hell! I began perimenopause in my late 30's. Partly because I had hormonal problems going on, but no one thought it was too early at the Dr. so there may be something to that theory. Whatever, you always have us to come to and whine, and we will try to help you through --we love you and hate knowing you are feeling blue. Beannie--will say a prayer for your parents health. It is worrisome, when they get down, you never know if they will let you know if something "feels" wrong, or if they will spare you. At least with children you can get on to them, not so with parents! I think your gift baskets sound like a good plan. Mary--sorry you missed your company party. I know without a doubt your kids are more important, but it just sounds like the ex was being an ass! I bet that does not come as a surprise to you!!! Hang in there, time helps! Eileen---fire & kids, now there is an interesting lesson! Seriously---someone had their head someplace inappropriate when they made that call!!! I didn't get any cleaning or anything done besides cough this weekend!! I just finished the house. I now have clean sheets on every bed in my house, and it is clean. Of course tomorrow the granddaughter comes back!!!! I have a few gifts left to buy, shirts for the girls, life savors books for ALL the kids, big & little, and jammies for the granddaughter. Then I will be done. Have some candy to make, but it is snowing today so it is not good weather, it stays too sticky! So I am playing on my computer instead!!! Sherry--how goes the perfume hunt? I have some I wear on occasion, but the one my DH prefers is a stronger scent, so I mist the air, walk through, and we are both happy!!! Chris--what kind of fun surprises do you have for your nieces for Christmas??? Mandy--Did you survive Walmart? I thought about going today, but it is snowing, and wet and cold---and the fire is so warm, and my sweats so cozy---here I am!! Any signs of more mice??? I'll loan you Bailey---he is a good Mouser, close him in the basement, bring him home when they are gone!!! He is not afraid of dogs, I think it is because he hasn't found one he can't whoop yet....mean ol cat!!! J/K I understand the allergies! Betty--your block sounds like the perfect place to live!!! I get along well with most of my neighbors, others we merely nod at---but in reality they are more likely to make a sit com out of my neighborhood as opposed to a post card!!! My neighbors to the south are Mr & Mrs Hoity Toity, they have nothing to do with any of us, we are all seriously below them. And my neighbors directly to the north are serious but functioning alcoholics!!! We do not need an entire neighborhood watch, if Connie is around, she sees it all!!! Patty--have your feet met the ground yet? I am so doggoned excited for you!!!! Soon all the battling to get it done will be a distant memory, along with a lot of pounds!!! Wooo Hooo! Cindy---all those birds are coming your way...6 geese a laying, partridge in the pear tree, turtle doves.....watch where ya step!!!! Count down is on!!! Darcy--let me get this straight, you invite people in to your home, you feed them, make them feel welcome AND you give THEM gifts??? I am so going to the wrong parties!!! I always take a gift....tell us what you made! Anne--did DH make it home ok from his trip? Was he gone for months and months? Is that why WE haven't seen you??!! Jules--Thanks for the heads up on the junior Mucinex, it really did help, and was not awful tasting. It is a relief knowing it is there to take when needed, and is band friendly!! Get some guys, keep it on hand!!! Ok--- off to change out laundry.....I am caught up I think...whew!!! Kat

Telly---maybe your hair is just trying to decide if it is on the right person anymore or not!!!! lol Let us know how it goes!!! My hair is falling so fast, I have left DNA evidence everywhere!!! Hoping it stops soon. Kat

Susan...if you think it is amazing to hear us describe what it is like to be "normal" around food-----just wait til you feel it for yourself!!! This surgery can make it happen!! It is a definite difference, when life takes on more meaning than food. And for me, food had taken precendence for years. I would plan one meal while still eating another. When we would decide to go out to dinner, I would let my mouth water thinking of which option sounded yummiest. Now I am one of the worlds cheapest dates!!! Take me for a .69 cent taco, and I am good to go!!! There is a saying of Eating to Live rather than Living to Eat. It may seem an impossibility at this point, but it is fully possible! You WILL be able to go to those parties, and you will relax in a way you are not able now. Because of that you can "see" things you once missed. I know---I did it! Over Thanksgiving, my DH's group at work had their usual pot luck dinner. I dreaded them for years. I was always one of the biggest there, the only other being his direct boss, a man who is also well over 6 feet tall. I would feel self concious the entire time. Worrying over 2 things. #1, I worried what everyone was thinking about me eating--already fat and continuing to put it away. Trying to eat at a normal pace, so I didn't look like a pig. Every move scrutinized. And yet, in the back of my mind was a lurking #2. Wondering if there would be anything left of what I made to take home so I could eat in peace. Gee I wonder who made that Pecan Torte...oooh there is cheesecake....on and on and on. So while I was concerned about the impression I made on these people, I could not control my thoughts about this food obssession! Now fast forward to this year. I made a big roaster full of dressing, and 2 pies. I was NOT the biggest woman there, not even in the top 5...maybe more! I didn't care!!! Was too happy not being the biggest to worry about that! I got in line with my DH, not worrying if we got in line too fast---or if we waited too long. Got a plate with less than half the food I would usually get, and even then, knowing I could not eat even a third of it! We sat with a group of people and suddenly I realized I was IN the conversation! I was not worrying about how I looked to anyone! So I began looking around, and I saw people having a great time, laughing with their mouths full! Teasing one another, a young mechanic blushing almost purple! And as I scanned around the room, my eyes rested on one of the secretaries, perched on the edge of a chair, eyes not focusing on anything just eating kinda machanically, and I knew what I had always looked like...she was the old me. She was nowhere near as big as I had been, but the look was one I 'felt'. I let myself smell all the different things this year...I knew I could eat any of it, just not a lot of it!!! I have already had my first piece of fudge this year!!! But one was enough. It goes through the band without issue, it is just enough in my head finally. So as I said...before this incredibly long rambling post...... if it amazes you to read about being normal around food...just wait til you see howit feels to LIVE normally around food!!! Life is GOOD!! You'll see!!! Kat

The best advice I was given, and it is no secret, was to see your Dr. regularly, without fail. Be honest with your Dr. and let them work with you and your band to adjust you to proper restriction. We all went to a lot of work to get these bands, and to not have them work at their prime, is not helping us! Once I reached good restriction, which for me was with the 2nd fill, back in July. I have not had any hunger....zero! It is a whole new ballgame to decide what is healthy to eat, if you are not starving!!! Even tho, I have not had any adjustment since July, I have seen my Dr. 3 times. I know when we feel the time is right, we can adjust it again...right now as they say.....If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!! See your Dr., let him help your band work for you!!! Kat