Kat817

Welcome to LBT---this is the place to be!!! Ask any questions you may have...get aquainted with some of us, so you can get a feel for what banded life is like, and decide if it is for you. For me it was the answer to many a prayer! I too had some serious co-morbidities, but had some problems with an insurance requirement of 12 conecutive months of Physician supervised weight loss attempts, with nutritionist consults....I ended up in a car accident when I was at 10 1/2 months into the 12...and because of that they wanted me to start the 12 months over. I appealed, and was denied...twice. I required knee surgery following the accident, so my 12 consecutive months were going to be pushed back further and further. In the end I self paid, using the settlement from my car accident. It was well worth it!!! My original intentions were to take a loan out against DH's 401K. Now instead of being part way through another attempt at 12 months---I am 7 months out of surgery and almost 75 pounds less!!! I fully understand your health issues with the hysterectomy, I had uterine/endometrial lining cancer. I did 6 infusion chemo treatments, and 6 months of oral chemo, as well as a complete hysterectomy. That was 5 years ago...in fact the 28th of December I will make my magic number of 5 years with no recurrance, I will be considered "cured". I love my band---I hope you come around and research it fully--and make an educated decision....it is something you do much better with when you are aware and ready to work with the band. Once again---Welcome!!! Kat

Did the Dr. ok his eating actual food this early? It seems awful soon, like there wasn't much healing time. But as long as he is following his own Dr.'s recommendations---she knows better than I do!!! I didn't have much restriction even with my first fill, but the 2nd did the job!!! Kat

Eileen--sounds like you need a strep test, and some antibiotics maybe....be careful, strep is nothing to mess with!! Anne--all I can say about your B&B is OMG!!!! I would have had serious issues as well. But you have a great attitude, I am afraid I would have let it ruin my weekend...terrible fault! Address list was sent out last night...let me know if I missed anyone! Kat

Would love to try to drive down for the meeting, but it is my granddaughter's 2nd birthday....so will be here celebrating! Hope you all have fun!!! Kat

Welcome Lori!!! Yes you did happen upon a really great support site--I have found it invaluable!!! I hope your surgery and recover are very easy on you. Mine was! Walk a lot, it helps with everything! Be sure to come back and let us know how you are doing!!! If you have any last minute questions, don't hesitate to ask!!! Once again---WELCOME!!! Kat

Restriction is when your band is tight enough that you feel that the amount of food you can eat is being restricted by the band. When the band is loose, food passes through fairly quickly, when the band tightens down, it restricts that food, so it stays in the pouch much longer, thereby reducing the amount you can eat by quite a bit. It is referred to as "restriction". It enhances weight loss, because you feel very full on a very small amount of food, and you stay feeling full for a longer period of time. Welcome to LBT---and don't worry about a question sounding stupid!!! Asking questions is how you learn, and around here, we DO have a language all our own!!! I ask so many when I first got here, I am surprised they let me stay!!! LOL Feel free to ask anything, people here are really helpful, and they have soe valuable information they are always willing to share. I LOVE this site!!! Kat

I think you have it in the right area, it has just been a very busy time for people, not nearly as busy as usual around here. And there could be more like me...my DH bought new computer junk at the Black Firday sales, and promptly screwed mine up, took us 2 days to straighten it out again!!! So I was AWOL!!! As for my weight loss--I am thrilled with it. I am 7 months out, and am 74 pounds down as of this morning! I ate with the family for Thanksgiving, and did not gain a bit! In fact even with all the extras, I lost 1/2 a pound. While I know that is not a lot...it is a loss..over Thanksgiving!!! I have managed to lose weight dieting before, albeit, nowhere near this amount of weight. But I alway felt deprived, and hungry, and due to those issues, I promptly gained it all back plus a few extra pounds. This band is amazing!!! I have no hunger, I have control, I can make wise choices, because I am not frantic about food. This surgery has been a blessing! I KNOW without a single doubt, I would not have lost and maintained any loss in the last 7 months without it. I have zero regrets about the surgery! Weight loss following surgery have been great....I am pleased, my Dr. is pleased...and he feels I am right on schedule. He watches my body fat ratio, encouraging me to exercise, and lose the fat not the muscle, and he is pleased with my losses. If you don't get a lot of responses, bump your question occasionally, which will bring it back to the top. Good Luck on your upcoming surgery---I fully believe you will be thrilled with the results!!! Kat

I DID IT!!!! Finished the challenge...and an extra as of yesterday!! We had an excellent Thanksgiving, I actually got several of the family to go walking with me after dinner. We put the grandbabies in strollers, and took off. We met all kinds of people out doing the same thing!!! Then my SIL and I actually went to KMart that evening, she wanted to buy a new tree. While there I lucked into one of the new Tickle Me Elmo's for my granddaughter. Then DH and I were up and in line before 4 AM for Black Friday sales, and we managed to get all the things we went for. I think I shivered off a few hundred calories!!! I managed to actually lose a half a pound over the last couple of days...as opposed to gaining, I am thrilled!!! Had a rough weekend, a man we knew committed suicide, leaving behind a wife and 3 kids. Then went to Church Sunday and found out a little 14 yr old girl we have watched grow up, had attempted suicide as well. It just saddens me. Today the DGD and I are off to do a little shopping. Then we are going to finish putting up the tree. It is in the stand and it ispre lit, so I am just waiting so she can "help". I love being the Granny---spoiling is such fun! We are going to be baking and candy making over the next couple of weeks, hope I am not tempted to sample too much! Glad you are feeling a little better Boo, hope you are following suit Efficka. Sorry y'all have been sick. Will be hitting Curves this afternoon, if I can manageit after shopping with the baby!! Do we have any changes in store for the December challenge? Kat

Carlene referred to Pineapple Juice as the "human Drano" on another thread. I don't remember her exact words, or how she exactly worded it...just remember something about it. I know I will keep pineapple juice around, at least if you have to use it, it tastes ok. I have heard of people drinking meat tenderizer...YUCK!!! Pass the Pineapple Juice...Please!!! Thanks for the reminder of that!!! Kat

Mine worked in Mexicali....nerves are VERY normal---if you can't sleep now, you will make up for it following surgery with some anesthesia to help you!!! It will all be ok---I did it!! And if a wimp like me can do it--so can you!!! Kat

Well, not sure anything I have to say will help---but wanted you to know someone was out here listening to you!!! It looks like you are getting close to goal, and maintaining your weight. I would see about even another small unfill to see if that will help with the night coughing, and reflux issues. Have you tried upping the exercise since upping the fill is not an option? I have heard different percentages of the amount of excess weight that is "normally" lost through lap band surgery, and you may have met that point. Have you discussed any of it with your Dr? I am just totally impressed with the fact that you have lost and maintained the loss!! But I understand being so close and yet so far from your goal!! I hope you get some more insightful answers than mine....Good Luck, and congrats on the great job!!! Kat

Hi everyone! Anne--I PM'd you--but DO NOT worry about the "dropping the ball" I am just glad you are back and OK!!! That was one of the big reasons I wanted to go ahead with it, so we would have contact for one another. Welcome back!! Betty--the late Halloween party sounds like a blast---care to share what any of the food really was??? Cassie--glad you are doing well, take it as easy as possible going back to work! Eileen--feeling better? Hope so! Not sure what the big deal over Elmo is--but I will say we took him out and played with him for a few minutes. There were just us 4 adults here, and he had us all laughing!!! He falls on the floor, and bangs his hand, and kicks his feet, and giggles, then stands up by himself. I was glad to find him, because she LOVES Elmo...she is having an Elmo birthday party next weekend. I would have never paid the hundreds of $$$ I have heard they are selling for online tho. Cindy--you will love the Trans Siberian Orchestra, my DD and I went almost a year ago---and will go again if the chance presents itself! Dianne--Have a blast in Cancun. We went once, it was a party all the time--be careful, and have fun!! Sherry--I want some pretzels!!! I love the sweet/salty combo!! Beannie--get everything taken care of? Pat--where ya hiding at??? You are going to pop in here and be fully done and ready for the holidays now aren't you??? Mandy--your lap throw sounds like it will be something she loves now, for the Disney Princesses, and treasure later because Mom made it special for her. You are such a good Mommy!!! Makes me wanna squeeze ya both! Chris--who ya gonna be kissing under the mistletoe??? You haven't been around much....come on & tell us!!! Patty--Are the boys getting excited? What's on their lists this year? Darcy--we miss your posts---stop in for a visit! Well ladies, I just got my computer up and running again. I was not lying, DH about did it in, it is still not "normal" but I am online, so it is improving! I am afraid we are going to have to do as Cindy did and just suck it up and buy a new one....hate that!! It was a little tense around here last night!!! LOL We got the outside lights up today, and the tree in the sled/stand, and some beads strung on it. I need more ribbon, so will take the granddaughter shopping in the morning, then we will finish it when we get back. Then I have the rest of the house to decorate. Then I need to get busy wrapping....only a couple more things to buy tho...for that I am grateful! Well I managed to drop a pound in spite of the huge amount of food I ate!! I did make much healthier choices this year, and my "huge" amount of food this year didn't make a dent in what I put away prior to being banded! Well I am off to bed. Will take a minute and get our addresses sent off to y'all. Heck that makes me think, I have not even begun to get cards ready!!! Oh well, another item on the already loooong to do list!!! Take Care All--to any I missed, pleae forgive me...my mind is failing fast!! Kat

Good Luck to you! Hope it all works out for you! Kat

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!! Wanted to let you all know I will be sending out the address list, either later tonight or tomorrow. my DH bought a new router and an additional DVD burner, and went to install it all, and none of it worked...he had DS heling him, and they hurried....big dummies!!! Anyway, he is going to be working on it, and I am not sure exactly when I will get them out!!! So any of you wanting to be included on the address exchange, get me your info, and I will add it. Then I will get it to you all ASAP, so if you want to mail Christmas cards early you can. Mine....are still in a box, somewhere in the bowels of the extra bedroom along with all my gifts for everyone, and clothes that no longer fit...oh the room is in sad shape!!! I will get them done tho!!!! Mandy I too did the Black Friday, DH and I, that's where he found all his great computer buys that are giving me such headaches!! I went after digital camcorders for the kids. I had a horrid experience in Best Buy, they were so unorganized, even had the fire dept there, they had too many people in the store for fire code, and had blocked aisles, and exits. It was mass chaos!!! If not for DH we would not have got the camcorders. As it was we went with those and some DVD discs, on our list. He got the camcorders, I got the discs, and he moved a stack of printers that was 10 foot high, to get us (and 10 others) out of a stuck aisle!!! The night before, after we recovered from all the food, my SIL wanted to go to Kmart to get a new artificial tree, so we went, and while there I got a TMX Tickle Me Elmos for my granddaughter!! I had all kinds of people try to buy it off of me as I left the store. Felt like I might need bodyguards!! We also found a deal on an MP3 player for the motorcycle. So it was a good shopping deal. I too need to start wrapping...I need to get so many things done...tree up, so the gifts have a place to go. Get all of them ready to send off...think that should take priority. Maybe I need a list, but I'd likely lose the list under another pile of things to do!!! Ok, I am off to look around a bit before I am exiled off of my computer while the boys play tech!!! Wish me luck. If I never come back...come looking for my DH I really love him, but if he screws up my computer I may hurt him. Kat

I'm sure it does have bad things for you, like everything else. But now we eat so much less...it should not be too bad I wouldn't think. I have not had any of the FF cool whip, but my Dad eats it with everything!!! He uses is to sweeten and cream up his oatmeal ( I know...silly man!!). My only word of caution on any of the diet things is watch the sugar alcohols, talk about tummy distress!!! They can blow you up like a balloon!!! The word "gas" does not even begin to cover it!!! Kat

Sometimes it takes more than one fill, and sometimes the fills take a few days, even a week to fully "kick in". I have several "signals". I am one of those, who gets a runny nose (nothing serious, just sniffly) when I am full. No one knows why, it is supposed that it is something related to the slimes if you over eat, something with mucous production. If I continue with another bite or 2 I get the hiccups---loudly, wherever I am at!!! So I try to eat slowly, so I feel the signs before my body TELLS me!! I can't really tell you how it feels, but it is a tightness, like if I take in anymore I am going to have that golfball feeling. If I am eating fast, and feel that, I am best off very quietly spitting the last bite I took out into my napkin, so as to avoid being overly full. Each and every time I have hurt with a PB (which have been VERY few), or more common, close to PB--it is because I have been eating too fast, and missed the signals. I would say I did not get to this point of restriction until my 2nd of my 2 fills. The first one I only felt if I ate WAY too fast or too much. Even then, it took quite a bit. At that restriction, my Dr. had me eating small bites, chewing thoroughly, and only eating for 20 minutes maximum. Since the 2nd fill, sometimes I eat longer than 20 minutes, but still eat much less, just because of how slowly I eat. My DH always beat me eating before, and still does, even though he eats many, many times what I do!!! Good Luck---you will reach a good restriction with patience and good habits...sometimes it just takes a little longer. And you will learn to listen and feel for signals your body gives you with time. It isn't a race, and you will get there...have faith!! Kat

Choose your Dr. wisely---do not take a name and run with it, this IS surgery--one where complications can and DO happen. It is not something to take lightly. Research the surgery and the surgeon completely. There are people on here who will hawk not just their own Dr, also some who work for Dr.s and make it to seem they are patients. My suggestion to you is to "pretend" if you will, that you are deciding this surgery for your own Mom or your daughter. You are responsible for making the safest and wisest choice for them. Sometimes we make less safe decisions for ourselves, than our loved ones. You are just as important...make it a wise decision. We can tell you how our surgery went, and even who did it. How our experiences were with that Dr....but nothing stands up to your own close scrutiny in the decision. Good Luck Kat

:happybday: :happybday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY!!!! HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY!!!!:happybday: :happybday:

Welcome Rene'! Congrats on your surgical date, the time will pass quickly, so make sure you gt everything ready!!! Hang out, and ask any questions you might have---we are a good support team here. It is kind of slow with the holiday, but hang out...it is so much easier with a good group of people who know all about what you are talking about band wise!!! Once again--welcome!! Kat

I too had excellent treatment by Dr. Aceves, and would gladly recommend him!! There were others more expensive and others less expensive, but we knew others who had used Dr. Aceves before us. It was a great decision! Kat

Find yourself a good book, run yourself that bubble bath in the big tub...just breath deep, and relax. It is something you have not been able to do in awhile. Keep in mind the entire time, you may be being watched. A man who snoops in your computer, is a man capable of hiding a "nanny-cam". Decide what you feel like eating, and just work on spoiling you, and recouping. The stress will return when he does, and he may have his dander up, thanks to his family...so rest up so that you can take the high road when he flies off the handle. It takes a little bit to get used to the abandoned and lonely feeling, but you do get to where you enjoy the freedom, the ease of doing what YOU want when YOU want. The 4 days will go by quickly. Get lots of rest. Make your DD's favorite dinner to come home to. I know we should make new habits, rather than food things, but for her do it! And renew your resolve not to fight with him. Just hang in there---I'll be thinking of you! Kat

There may be Dr.'s who will do it, I personally have no idea. Most have similar guidelines, but there are of course exceptions. The band is very successful for many of us, but it is not the easy way out. You still have to work hard with it. Heck most of us on here are thrilled when we work to get down to where you are now!!! If you have any questions, then try the weight loss clinic--it can't hurt. Otherwise you will just have to look around at the websites, and chat with a few offices, to see if you can fit into the established guidelines at different Dr.'s. Good Luck Kat

Not too sure, you may have to re-register. Maybe someone who knows more about it will see your post if I bump it up again!!! Good Luck! Kat

I would bet that when you can begin to exercise, your weight stall will change. It made a big difference in mine. Hope you feel up to doing some simple workouts soon!! Kat

Pat---Have you been looking at my "to-do" list???? Kat