Band_Groupie

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254...........170..............84 Babe......................265...............265...........199.... .........66 Band_Groupie........172.5...........169.5..........158..............11.5 BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6.........109...... .......117.6 BobbieND..............224...............224.............175..... ........49 Brigette.................198...............198.............150.... ........48 crzytchr.................217...............217..............180.... ... ....37 DANA36.................233...............233..............160...... .....73 destined4thinness...215.5.............215.5..........150.............65.5 ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5...........130......... ...68.5 HummingBird..........204...............202..............150........ ....52 Jennih...................232................232..............130.... .......102 Lisa65...................174.5............174.5.............145..... ......29.5 lotzasunshine.........247...............246.4.............175........ ...71.4 newdicarlo.............187...............187................135...... . ...52 ol55andahalf........184.................184................144.............40 RandaPanda...........194...............194................150........ ....44 scoutmama............270................270...............180........ ....90 SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ...67 TARASGIRL.............305...............305................225........ ....80 TeriLu....................250...............215................150.. .... ......65 TIGGER71G.............224...............224................130....... ......94

Just an update...I blogged here about my shapewear purchase experience...if you're interested click 1/5/10 Body Shapers - LAP-BAND

I'm now 76 pounds down and it's time to buy some shapewear for special outings. I carry most of my excess weight in my lower half, so I want one that will control my thighs/bum, but don't want something that will create a 'muffin top' (or muffin thighs) either. I've read that the high waist ones (just below the bra line) roll down easily (I don't have a huge stomach). Anyone have a favorite brand/style that works well for them? Thanks! -BG

Name***********Starting****Current******Goal******ToGo Astrasmom.............254...............254.................170..............84 Babe......................265...............265..................199.... .........66 Band_Groupie........170...............170..................158.............12 BetsyB..................226.6.............226.6...............109...... ......117.6 BobbieND..............224...............224...................175..... .........49 Brigette.................198...............198...................150.... .........48 crzytchr.................217...............217...................180.... ... ......37 DANA36.................233...............233...................160...... .......73 ericanda1973..........198.5............198.5..............130......... .....68.5 HummingBird..........204...............202.................150........ .....52 Jennih...................232................232................130.... .........102 Lisa65...................174.5............174.5...............145..... .........29.5 lotzasunshine.........247...............246.4..............175........ ......71.4 newdicarlo.............187...............187.................135...... . ......52 ol55andahalf........184.................184.................144...............40 RandaPanda...........194...............194.................150........ ......44 scoutmama............270................270................180........ ......90 SNDYCNRD.............207...............207................140......... ......67 TARASGIRL.............305...............305................225........ .......80 TeriLu....................250...............215.................150.. .... ......65 TIGGER71G.............224...............224.................130....... ......94

Nope, I've got 3.5# to go to get into the 'Normal' BMI range. For me this journey was all about getting healthy and for me, that means a healthy, normal, BMI. My Goal weight is now 12# away, so even further into the Normal range and anything after that is just gravy...I'm sure my body will decide the number for me. I remember when I stopped growing in HS and I started putting on a few pounds, I was appauled when I got up to 152 (I was 5'9.5", I've lost an inch)...so I know that 158 is doable and it's not skinny. I'm losing slowly, but I'll get there eventually! Would I still be happy if I never lost another pound, sure, but if I'm truly in this for my health then I'm reaching for the stars and I'm working to get there!

Thanks gals (umm crzy...'smart'...no...read my PB blogs LOL)! -BG

Yes, collecting rust is a documented illness...I'm glad to see that others have caught this highly contagious virus as well (and I always make sure my tetnus shot is up-to-date)! Doodle- sent you a VM about the spools. Plants: These are DH's cacti that live on my patio when it's warm...the two (center single stem, and a double stem on the left) are Madagascar Palms (not really a palm-PACHYPODIUM LAMERII). I call the one in the middle 'Phallic Symbol' and I keep trying to kill it, but it won't die LOL. By Spring it won't have a leaf left on it, but after spending a week outside it always comes back to life- d*mn thing (DH gets such a kick out of this). I'm guessing you have a 'Crown of thorns' they get lots of small flowers that are pink, red, or yellow and they usually have lots of stems. The one on the right with lots of angled (three sided) stems gets small leaves as well, but I can't remember its name. DH bought them all since we moved here and they were in tiny 3" pots and less than 6" tall (so within the last 10 years)...so be wary, they grow fast (probably faster in a warmer climate! Each year someone gets stabbed moving them in and out of the house as you can see they're now taller than the patio door...I don't know what he's going to do when they hit the 9' ceiling! ...and yes, I hung those ornaments from them LOL. -BG

What a great NSV! I know the docs I saw would push the RNY more for the people with diabetes...one said it's because diabetes is so serious and the RNY cures diabetes so quickly. My doc left it up to me. Glad it's going so well for you! -BG

If you haven't yet, call your insurance company and ask for a copy of your bariatric policy (usually they can direct you on how to print it online). It should spell out exactly what you need to do. I actually found that the insurance expert at my doc's office was most helpful as the insurance wording can be vague. I had to keep my weight above the minimum 35 BMI until approval and not lose more than 5-10 pounds (so I had to be a 'failure' at the 6 mo. diet). I also had to have one comorbidity that counts (only the big 5 count), or to be over a 40 BMI, which I wasn't. Even knowing I met the criteria I was still nervous...there's nothing like finally getting that approval! Good luck! -BG

This is actually something I tried to find out before banding, because I saw so many posts here about reflux (I wasn't all that concerned about reflux, but I was about Cancer) but I've never found a study done on this. I'm no doc, so ask your doctor...I do know that reflux is very common after banding, probably the most common side effect (you'll see tons of posts here on it, but banding does cure some people's reflux they had before banding as well). I've been effected by the reflux too (never had it before) and while researching it I found out that some with reflux don't get the burning, but rather just a 'lump in the throat' feeling (called the globus sensation- you'll also see lots of post here about trouble swallowing or a lump in throat). I had both. Reflux over time can cause Barretts (sp?) esophagus which changes the cells in the lining of your esophagus into a precancerous condition and this can develop into cancer. The info. I read said that if you're having any problems with reflux during the night (burning, coughing, even vomiting) or if your band suddenly becomes tighter with reflux then you need to go in immediately for a slight unfill (luckily I had neither). Taking a PPI (like Nexium) long term is not recommended as they shut down the normal stomach acids completely. Esophageal dilation can happen if you repeatedly overfill your pouch and food stays backed up into the esophagus. Just being aware of these things and knowing what to do if they happen helps a lot, but it seems none of us were given this information. Like I said, I'm no expert, but this is what I've read. -BG

Woweeee! What a change! Congratulations!!!

Megan- Congrats on taking your first step! Have all your questions ready and make the most of your time there. Keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions! -BG

I'm assuming they tried a strictly liquid diet for a week or so to allow the inflammation to go down (if you're vomiting continuously it won't ever get better)? Reflux is also an indication that you're too tight as I'm sure you know (whether from the band or inflammation). I've read where someone had 'too small' a band for their anatomy once and they had to replace it with the larger size one, but I'm sure they should be able to tell that when looking at the 'flow'. Also read that it's possible sometimes a slip doesn't always show up with the fluoro if you have a slip that comes and goes (moves in and out) with eating (I'm wondering if they could do one right after you eat to see what it looks like?). Hmmmm.... So sorry you're having this problem! (I have bad post-nasal drip and some reflux, but I can't imagine this causing vomiting unless you're only vomiting when laying down (people vomit in the night with bad reflux). -BG

'Luck'! Take it slow, and remember...no lifting! -BG

Now there's a great goal! You can do it! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Hope your home now and starting to heal. Take things slowly and keep us posted! -BG

Call your surgeon today!!! You realize that this can be something more serious than just a too tight band if you let this go on. You're probably at the very least malnourished by now. Call them now and tell them what is happening please. -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Thinking good thoughts for you today and hope this note finds you at home and resting. Keep us posted on your progress! -BG

Woot!!! Look at that smile! ...and yes, it's time for a new ski ensemble...you're swimming in that one girl! What a great goal! -BG

I never drink protein shakes (except post-fill). I add soy protein powder to my morining oatmeal concoction (along w/added fiber). I eat lean protein first at lunch and dinner and sometimes have a snack on nuts or edamame. I find it harder to get in all the veggies and fruit because I'm eating mainly protein (so the protein is easy for me). Good luck! -BG

I've got perfect restriction and can still eat everything, including bread. I can eat 1- 1 1/2C at a time, but am satisfied with about 3/4 C per meal. I'm guessing a 6" sub would be more volume than that, so I'll agree that your restriction isn't tight enough yet. Remember though it's not about how much you can eat, but rather how little you need to eat to stay satisfied between meals. If you're eating until you're 'full' then you're overeating. Best wishes! -BG

Yep, I had the same thing...my outside incisions were glue only, but the last scab came off and an internal stitch (looked like a piece of clear fishing line) was suddenly sticking out. Doc just pulled it up a little and snipped it off...couldn't feel a thing. Really weird though LOL. -BG