Band_Groupie

JMO...run, don't walk to another doctor. Yes, his manner giving the seminar doesn't mean he's not a good doctor, but at least in my city, there are lots of great docs to chose from...let's face it as long as they've done plenty of these procedures successfully and your healthy it's not likely you'll die. This isn't like other surgeries that I've had where you do the surgery and never see them again. You will be seeing this doctor for years. Aftercare was at least, if not more important to me as the surgery itself and having a doctor you trust, like, and can talk to is a big part of that. I attended 3 different seminars (two were centers of excellence), not only did I learn some different things from each, but it helped me to pick my doc. The doc at the first seminar I went to was an egotistical a$$...we almost walked out. It was actually the place I initially thought I would pick. Even if they won 'best bariatric dr. in the city' did I want to see that a$$ when I'm having complications or problems with fills. This process is so emotionally linked anyway, why would I want to chose a doc that I wouldn't feel was supportive. Seminars cost you nothing (at least here), so try some other places. If you need a 6 mo. diet you can get started on that right now with your PCP and going to other seminars won't put you back in time at all. Shop around! Good luck!

WARNING- Possible Spew Alert! Yea, a pic is perfect...one of my Dr. Suessy poems he might have a little trouble with... Left goes the port, Or I'll take you to court. Sew me up pretty, Wanna be itty-bitty!

LOL! You sound just like me...and I know just how to suck my stomach in, and stick out my chin so my double chin doesn't show, and tilt my head just so, and then place my three children in front of me...so that's why I look good in that pic. LOL...I don't care how skinny your face was before...30 pounds makes a difference! LOL...You'd better learn to take a compliment girl because you'll be getting lots of them (fat people aren't used to compliments on our bodies)! You look fab! -BG

Spew Alert...LOL! Porthole...Ohhh! Good idea! My doc is from former Czechoslovakia and he's only been here 5 years, so it's got to be a joke he'd get.

Wishing you Luck! Hope it does the trick and you get some restriction back! -BG

The men aren't actually reading this, so for you ladies...As I’ve told you, I have the option of selecting either band type and I also have the option of selecting my port site. I told you about my surgeon’s consult in Jan. where, after doing my research, I told my doc that I’ve selected the LB and then we discussed my port site. I’ll remind you I selected a left of center, between my belly button line and my ribs…no third boob for this gal…3 boobs worked for Picasso, but not me…with my C-cup boobs, it would be the only one left at goal weight. So on our way home from the consult I announced to DH that I intended to mark my port site on my tummy before surgery…he just chuckled…he’s used to ‘my kind of crazy’ (But now I have those papers from the Psych saying I’m not! So there!). My doc doesn’t get many requests for a different port site but it’s important to me (bad left side so I sleep on my right, and I’m right handed) and his default is the right side, so I don’t want him to forget (I have enough trouble with sleep). I’ve been thinking on and off about my tummy artwork (that’s what we artists do) and how I could make it funny without insulting my doc that he’d forget (he DID tell me to remind him). I was reading some blogs lately that got me thinking; Banded Ben’s surgery date and trying to come up with a joke on the operating table so he could escape…too late, he was out. So, I was thinking maybe I could write a joke, or a funny poem on my belly to point out my port placement…welcome to ‘my kind of crazy’…yes, this is what goes on in my head. Wendytip’s post yesterday about people’s incision photos on LBT (I agree, eeewww), got me commenting about making different ‘connect the dot’ pictures with my incisions and washable markers and posting them here (NOT). But maybe I can do a dot picture for my port site? So, why am I making this confession and sharing this now? I had second thoughts…what if the Sharpie isn’t sterile, or it messes them up and they refuse to do surgery because I wrote on myself? I’m not crazy enough yet to call my surgeon and ask. Today “The Doctors” was on as I was doing the laundry…the plastic surgeon on the panel was talking about how a Sharpie is his best friend for surgery! Hey yea, we’ve all seen those Dr. 90210 shows where they’re marking all over the woman’s bodies with a Sharpie. I’d forgotten about that! So I ran to the TV to listen. The question was about whether a Sharpie is sterile or not...WOW…my very question! Apparently Sharpie’s have a lot of alcohol in them, and even if they weren’t sterile the Betadine they smear all over you sterilizes everything. OK, I’m going for it! Now I’ve got artwork to plan! My practical jokes always backfire on me, so I hardly ever attempt them…they’ll either think I’m nuts or laugh…we’ll see what happens…if I wake up with a third boob, it backfired.

That's awesome...I'd take third place anytime for that! You deserve this after your long recuperation! Have fun planning! -BG

We have more fun! DD turned me (L'Oreal) brunette for the first time this winter (I said I got twice as smart), but I'm back to the blonde I was born with (which might be mostly gray, but I'll never know)

So glad you got good news! I had my hyster. pre-band vaginally (for incontinence). They gave me good drugs to come home with, and by the time I was done with them I was turning the corner. I was very tired, but it wasn't too bad for me. Others her have had this done recently...if you don't get replies about post-band try another post with 'hysterectomy post-band?' in your title and they'll see it. Good luck to you! -BG

Yum! I'm definitely doing all these! You're looking GREAT in your outfit (pre-sunburn?)! Thanks Lena!

I feel a Sweet Spot coming on! Good for you! Congrats! -BG

I saw part of an interview with her last night (might have been ET). She was playing with the kids in the backyard and even she said her first 6 were already being effected by knowing about the other 8. She said her oldest daughter especially has been acting out and is sad and angry, so her plan is to give this daughter a 'special day' each week. Let's see 14/7 days...they'll each get 1/2 a day...oh, but what would happen with the other 13?

Good luck tomorrow acrowell78! Let me know how it goes! kennedy- Here's some motivation for you...I saw a girl here denied for gaining 1 pound over the 6 mo. I also saw one who made it all the way to the hospital and her surgeon cxld the surgery until she lost some weight. So let's diet together now! It shouldn't be hard for us to at least stay about where we started, if not, lose. I call my DH Mr. Skinny Ass...he can eat anything, buy some new foods that you like that are healthy and EASY to fix so there's always something to grab. And guilt is my middle name (it comes with growing up Catholic)...just send it all my way and I'll carry the guilt for you. March on...and get to that gym! It's the beginning of our new life and we have to get in shape to enjoy it!!! Keep me posted! -BG

As you know, I've only had to lose a little weight on my 6 month diet (OK, stop cursing at my ‘plight’, pity-party going on here). This weekend I started thinking about how I’m now close to the end, and I’m terrified of going straight from barely a diet to a pre-op diet with no preparation. I’ve done my research, but I haven’t been able to put much into practice. So here’s what I decided yesterday at my 5th Monthly weigh-in…I’m going to start a more strict diet…Woot! OK, it’s the ONLY time I’ve ever been happy to diet…ever! I’ve never been one of those dieters that goes into a new diet feeling happy about it. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t enthusiastic and optimistic, and I wouldn’t say miserable, just not ‘happy’. You know those people…they’re at their 50th WW meeting still happy to be on the diet, even if they’ve only lost 1/8 of their excess weight. Not me…I’m enthusiastic, but I’m the one who by the first WW meeting has already plugged into my calendar how many pounds I’ll lose each week and when I’ll be at goal so I can stop the diet (and I do just that). Yeah, I get that’s probably why I’ve never kept the weight off. I did GREAT at a few diets I’ve been on and have lost major weight, and did fair at all the others, so I can follow a diet, but not for one moment was it a happy experience. You’d think in all the hundreds of pounds I’ve lost over the years would have created a few happy diet moments…nope…even when I’d lost a ton…I felt like I was starving the whole time, so happy about dieting…nope. My ‘body dysmorphic disorder’ (found that one on the internet) doesn’t help either. For some reason even with major weight loss I’ve never felt great about it. Eight years ago I was on Atkins and lost down to 160 for my youngest sister’s wedding I was in…I HATE my photos from her wedding…I think I look fat. Here I am about 90 pounds heavier than that, and I feel exactly the same...I don’t ‘see’ any difference, and I don’t feel any fatter than I did then, so actually, I guess you’d say I see myself as thinner than I am now. I’ve got plans to work on this…it’s called a camera…if I can see the changes, I’ll embrace the changes. So yesterday I started the LB rules/diet. By the time I get to my pre-op diet, in about 6 weeks, I’ve made the decision NOT to call this a diet. Diet’s have an ‘end point’ for me, and the Lap Band doesn’t, so I’ll officially be starting a lifestyle change. I started using my tracking site yesterday and I had trouble even setting a date for my goal weight, because I was back to ‘end point’, so I gave myself 2 whole years from my surgery to lose the excess weight. My plan is to set more aggressive short term goals, so when I lose faster than that graph I can always feel good about it. I’ve also made the decision to eventually eat as ‘normally’ as possible so I don’t feel deprived. Oh, I’ll follow all the rules (remember I’m a good dieter), but I’m hoping at this point not to be one of those Lap Banders whose still drinking daily protein shakes and counting every calorie a year out. How in the world does that get you away from a food obsession? That’s not a way I can live, and I need a lifestyle change…something I can live the rest of my life with. I get that I’ll be doing whatever works at the time, so for now, while I need to learn all the rules, I am counting everything; my measurements, calories, carbs, fiber, protein, fluid intake, timing of fluids before/after meals, exercise, and I’m measuring the food amounts so I’ll know what ‘a cup of food’ looks like for post-band. I’m just happy to be starting these changes now…FINALLY!

Glad you're home and recovering! Three surgeries at once...you should get a prize or something...oh yea, you did...The Band (surprise inside)!! Best Wishes. -BG

I intend to make different connect the dots pictures with mine and post it everywhere! Just came here to say...HOLY C@#P girl!!!! You're new photo is awesome...what a big change already, not that you were'nt beautiful before, but WOW! How much have you lost?!!!!

LOL...yep, I'm a mess, but I intend to be one HOT MESS soon! Yea I've got a lot left to learn, don't I, but I'm not afraid to ask for help...HELP! And if there's anything I'm a professional at, it's dieting (glad to meet another professional!). Come to think of it I think this is the only time the past 30 years that my weight has been stable within a few pounds...and I have insurance to thank for that...can't wait to get off this roller coaster! "Everywhere on here"? Really? You must have just (luckily tee-hee) happened upon me because I only average a post a day, all I have time for is trying to keep up with my blog up and I try to read/answer as many others blogs here as I have time for. Great peeps here, all the support I could ask for...so important when you don't have others you're sharing this with. Thanks for the support! I'll be joining you soon! -BG

Nevermind, I figured it out (blonde moment). Sorry, I can't figure out how to delete this either.

Welcome to LBT! Please come back often and let us know how you're doing! -BG

You'll find a lot of both here, but keep in mind those that are happy and are at goal probably aren't as well represented on this site, because they're out living life and not thinking as much about their LB anymore. So the % of those not happy here is even higher than it really is...and even at that, you'll find way more people happy here than not. Welcome to LBT! Hope I'll be joining you the end of April (toes crossed). -BG

As you know, I've only had to lose a little weight on my 6 month diet (OK, stop cursing at my ‘plight’, pity-party going on here). This weekend I started thinking about how I’m now close to the end, and I’m terrified of going straight from barely a diet to a pre-op diet with no preparation. I’ve done my research, but I haven’t been able to put much into practice. So here’s what I decided yesterday at my 5th Monthly weigh-in…I’m going to start a more strict diet…Woot! OK, it’s the ONLY time I’ve ever been happy to diet…ever! I’ve never been one of those dieters that goes into a new diet feeling happy about it. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t enthusiastic and optimistic, and I wouldn’t say miserable, just not ‘happy’. You know those people…they’re at their 50th WW meeting still happy to be on the diet, even if they’ve only lost 1/8 of their excess weight. Not me…I’m enthusiastic, but I’m the one who by the first WW meeting has already plugged into my calendar how many pounds I’ll lose each week and when I’ll be at goal so I can stop the diet (and I do just that). Yeah, I get that’s probably why I’ve never kept the weight off. I did GREAT at a few diets I’ve been on and have lost major weight, and did fair at all the others, so I can follow a diet, but not for one moment was it a happy experience. You’d think in all the hundreds of pounds I’ve lost over the years would have created a few happy diet moments…nope…even when I’d lost a ton…I felt like I was starving the whole time, so happy about dieting…nope. My ‘body dysmorphic disorder’ (found that one on the internet) doesn’t help either. For some reason even with major weight loss I’ve never felt great about it. Eight years ago I was on Atkins and lost down to 160 for my youngest sister’s wedding I was in…I HATE my photos from her wedding…I think I look fat. Here I am about 90 pounds heavier than that, and I feel exactly the same...I don’t ‘see’ any difference, and I don’t feel any fatter than I did then, so actually, I guess you’d say I see myself as thinner than I am now. I’ve got plans to work on this…it’s called a camera…if I can see the changes, I’ll embrace the changes. So yesterday I started the LB rules/diet. By the time I get to my pre-op diet, in about 6 weeks, I’ve made the decision NOT to call this a diet. Diet’s have an ‘end point’ for me, and the Lap Band doesn’t, so I’ll officially be starting a lifestyle change. I started using my tracking site yesterday and I had trouble even setting a date for my goal weight, because I was back to ‘end point’, so I gave myself 2 whole years from my surgery to lose the excess weight. My plan is to set more aggressive short term goals, so when I lose faster than that graph I can always feel good about it. I’ve also made the decision to eventually eat as ‘normally’ as possible so I don’t feel deprived. Oh, I’ll follow all the rules (remember I’m a good dieter), but I’m hoping at this point not to be one of those Lap Banders whose still drinking daily protein shakes and counting every calorie a year out. How in the world does that get you away from a food obsession? That’s not a way I can live, and I need a lifestyle change…something I can live the rest of my life with. I get that I’ll be doing whatever works at the time, so for now, while I need to learn all the rules, I am counting everything; my measurements, calories, carbs, fiber, protein, fluid intake, timing of fluids before/after meals, exercise, and I’m measuring the food amounts so I’ll know what ‘a cup of food’ looks like for post-band. I’m just happy to be starting these changes now…FINALLY!

Cream of Mushroom is my favorite soup! I always have asparagus in the fridge, but I think I heard it's too fiberous for the mushie stage. Can't wait for tomorrow!