Band_Groupie

One word...DON'T! Read 2/11/09 What kind of CRAZY "Sport" is this?!! - LAP-BAND®

Google 'globus sensation and reflux'...reflux is the most common side-effect of banding and sometimes the tight/lump in the throat is the ONLY symptom, and some get the usual burning and some both. If this sounds like what you have, keep a close eye on this as it can escalate quickly and if you develop any problems during the night (burning, coughing, vomiting) or increased tightness it's a red flag that you need a slight unfill right away. Best wishes- BG

Strange- I didn't recognize you! NICE new Avatar...looking good girl (...nudge, nudge...compliments!). You do look GREAT!!! -BG

OK, exercise...I feel better. Going out now for the second time today...no end in sight...

I've seen the 1/2 C/meal posts too and I challenge the fact that anyone can get in all their nutrition needs with SOLIDS (like we're supposed to eat with the band, but everyone needs to do what their doc says and what works for them) in all the food groups; not just Protein, but fruit, veg., dairy, etc. They may be able to get in enough calories with 1/2C (ie. high cal peanut butter), but I've never seen anyone who meets all the nutritions goals eating 1/2C. My NUT said up to 1 1/2C lean solids (with target amounts for each food group) for 3 meals a day, no Snacks. I eat 1/2 C at Breakfast and generally 3/4-1.25 C (so usually about 1 C) for the other two meals and I even have a hard time getting in all the fruit and sometimes veggies (protein is easy for me).

Not necessarily. My class said after the chopping/food processor it has to be more of a liquid than a solid...ie. if I put nuts through my chopper then I have chopped nuts, which aren't a mushie and even if I put it in the food processor and got it to peanut butter you put it on a spoon and turn it upside down...it stays there. Most things you can make into a mushie and others you can add some liquids to to convert them to a mushie...ie. you can get chicken to a mushie with some cream or broth (ie. baby food meats). *I bought a Magic Bullet and it was invaluable (love the lids/cups that came with it you can continue to put in the microwave or fridge) This is more important just post-op; after fills you'll know how thick you can tolerate.

Does the book come with a head-band? Thank for the suggestion...I'll check out the book (let me know how you like it). The brain and emotion piece of this are the hardest part. Heather...Haven't you seen the million and one threads on here 'I FAILED MY BAND'...this is nothing new to your doc and he may give you a lecture (personally I'd be questioning my doc a little if he didn't say anything because that's his job to keep you going and to help you get there), but mostly he wants to hear that you've committed to work on this so be proactive...walk in with a plan, tell him about the book, etc. Things are rarely as bad as what we expect. ((hugs)) -BG

170...2.5 this week! I'm headed for the 60's again! Have a great weekend all! I'm off to shovel...again....-BG

I'm sending snow to all of you! All the schools are closed here (and Pittsburgh has LOTS of snow-plows so this rarely happens). We shoveled twice last night and there's now several inches waiting for me this morning...and it's still coming down...4-6" expected today. Can I count shoveling as an aerobic exercise? DS1 is an hour away in the mountains for a 2 day ski trip...I'm wondering if they're going to get home today (have to get him back to college this weekend)! STAY WARM PEEPS! -BG janet- all internet pics, I just do a search

There's a Pregnancy and the LB group here under the Home page...check out the Threads there. Send me a message if you need help finding them and WELCOME to LBT. -BG

The Sweet Spot, as I see it: LAP-BAND

You can 'copy' and 'paste' the picture of your ticker here whenever you're proud of it! Congrats on the 5 pounds! -BG

Great job....60 lbs. is awesome! -BG

Here's what put my mind at ease. You need to ask yourself how healthy you are right now (besides the obesity). If you're a relatively healthy person, then your chances of dieing on the table are very very slim...keep in mind this is an 'outpatient procedure' at many hospitals. Yes, things happen, but the mortality rate mainly involves those that were already 'dieing' and unhealthy and took the risk. The docs I picked here are known for taking on the cases that the other hospitals won't do (I had three Centers of Excellence here to pick from) like revisions, the super obese, etc., so their mortality rate was a little higher, but all their deaths were people that were already very ill. Now all that said, I was so excited to get my band, but anyone who tells you they weren't at least a little nervous is crazy...it's normal to get 'cold feet'. Hang in there; you'll do great! -BG

Might be reflux developing (citrus, spices, alcohol, etc. make the burning worse). It's a very common banding side effect so keep an eye on things.

Well, you have my number 1 (when people tell you your stomach gets bloated...well, even my biggest pair of drawstring sweats bothered me). Hmmm... 2. My new Magic Bullet 3. SF Popsicles (when you need something that crunches) 4. Heating Pad (helps the gas pains) 5. The hospital 8oz. cups w/ounces marked on the side (to measure Fluid intake) 6. Anti-nausea medication (don't leave the hospital without an Rx...just in case) 7. FF Refried Beans....mmmmushies! 8. Greek Yogurt with SF preserves 9. Lots of frozen fruit (to make the Protein drinks palitable) 10. ...well, this should have been #1...LBT (for all my post-op questions and support)

'Shaper Monologues'...ROTFLMAO Yeah L- I'm all about comfort now...and xavier; I remember laying on the floor in college so my roommate could help me zip up my tiny skin tight (shaper) jeans.

I just had to share…I’m an idiot…OK, you knew that. For those that read yesterday’s blog, a quick update. I was trying on some pants and decided to see how my new body shaper worked under my new too snug size 12 pants (see pics, helps the muffin-top, but I can't tell the difference on the thighs...sigh). So I’m doing my aerobics and working up my usual sweat getting the shaper on…a tug here, a jump there…my crotch is still hanging low, so I go to tug it up… GUESS WHAT?!!! My finger happens to find a hole in the freakin’ crotch!!! I’m serious!!! I’m still in hysterics laughing. OK, I’m not sure how you would manage this hole in the bathroom, or whether they intended it for that use. I looked online, as their tags on it don’t mention this, but online it says a ‘split crotch’…no details on it‘s purpose (I‘m sure they‘re not going to make any promises on use for liability/embarrassment reasons). OK, it’s really not a hole as much as it is two pieces of overlapping fabric…and they overlap more than 2”…you know me, I’m a tester… Yes, I did…well….not really. I got so far as to take off my panties (which raises the question…are you still supposed to wear your panties under these contraptions?) and put the d*rn shaper back on and I sat on the pot. I could use my fingers to get the hole to be pretty big, but not big enough for me to even…ehemmm…risk trying. *Warning TMI (OK, I‘m a little late with that one, sorry)* I’m a ‘dribbler’…after that bladder sling surgery it takes me FOREVER to pee…and after I started the Vesicare pills it now takes an act of God, some serious meditation and prayer, and at least 10 min. So not only would I have to start doing aerobic workouts with my fingers daily to work up to the point where I could sit there for 15 minutes holding this open with them, but I’d have to pee so badly that I’d have a ‘normal stream’. So here’s what I need for my ‘study’….I need a 20 year old, who hasn’t had any children to give this a try and report back to us (I‘m sure I would have figured out a way to do this when I was in my 20‘s…and out to the bars drinking). In fact I’m sure one of you reading my blog had done this, but prefers to remain anonymous…feel free to PM me and share your experience/technique (I can then post for you anonymously). You know me though…if it’s stupid, I’ll be doing it at least once…let‘s just hope it‘s not like my ‘Horrific PB Event‘ when I‘m out to dinner (and decided I could PB between my legs while sitting on the pot)…I know, you‘re all placing your big money bets now…especially after you have that ’Ah-Ha’ moment when you remember I said ’I’m only going to wear the shaper for special events.’

You FEEL beautiful because you ARE beautiful!!! WOW! You continue to astound me girl! You're going to be in that Century Club soon! -BG

YAY!!! It's Christmas all over again!! Well, that make the wait worth it! -BG

You're doing perfectly on the 6 mo. undiet! I'm sending you more cold air...want some snow? -BG

11 out of the past 12 days...snow. 4 more inches tonight...4 more tomorrow. Please send sunshine! That is all.

Great job on the WL...and you can come cook for me anytime! -BG

Step away from the cookies....now get a large glass of flavored water and go find something to clean or organize for 15 min. If you're still hungry get some lean protein...some nuts are a good choice...at least fill your pie hole with something nutritious. No one expects you to be starving, but it's time to start learning the difference between head hunger and real hunger...it's the hardest part of this for me (I need a head band...so let me know if you figure this out!). You can do this! -BG