Band_Groupie

5 incisions; stitches inside, glue on outside and a clear waterproof adhesive patch put over each one to help healing. Worked great.

JT- So glad to hear that everything went well!! Hope everything heals fast and you're back to normal soon! Hopeful- I take Benefiber every morning (and I didn't before the band). I found I wasn't getting in nearly enough fiber compared to the recommended amounts with the small amounts of food we eat.

181.5, .5 loss, but I'm sure I gained that tiny bit back this weekend (went out to PSU to visit DS1 and for the game). Hope everyone had a great weekend!

I’m always amazed by what I start off thinking I’m going to write and then what I end up writing about here. It’s the thing I like best about blogging…not only do you get your feelings/questions out, but it’s often a total surprise. Today was no exception. I started off wanting to explore something that came up in my last blog…the fact that at the same time I hate to look at my current self in the mirror, I don’t feel fat…in my head…and how could I still be constantly surprised by photos of me? ‘Nuff said about that!!! As I went looking for a photo of a fun house mirror (to illustrate my body dysmorphic disorder...or maybe it’s just my split personalities) I found this out: DRESSING ROOMS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE ‘SKINNY’ MIRRORS!!! Oh yes!! They’re scamming us!!! I finally am having a good day clothes shopping! I look like a size 16 in my size 22 jeans at the store, so as I’m skipping happily around the dressing room I decide to buy 3 pair, and come home to find my size 22 butt looks like an elephant wearing dolls clothes. Here’s how they do it…tip a mirror forward and you look short and fat, tip it backward (even slightly) and you look taller and thinner. And to make it worse, some stores even use slightly curved mirrors…oh yea, just like the FUN HOUSE ones! It’s all an illusion…it’s a house of mirrors!! Is it illegal…no…they make no promises that you’ll look the same at home as you do in their dressing room. I’m sure I’m the last one on Earth to find this out. As I found article upon article upon this I was finding an increased hatred of dressing rooms. Remember my ‘love’ of dressing rooms anyway (one word…sportsbra…or maybe that’s two words); then I also found the results of a study on women and dressing rooms: 64 percent said trying on clothes in public lowers their self confidence 10 percent have cried in dressing rooms about the way they look 40 percent of the women have bought something that was too small, hoping it would look good once they lost weight 14 percent of the women have refused sales help so they wouldn't have to reveal their size 41 percent have started working out after a shopping trip and the best one of all… 15 percent have accidentally ripped or gotten stuck in a garment that was too small I’m just glad I’m not alone…and I’m staying OUT of dressing rooms for awhile…at least until I KNOW I’m skinnier…I have enough body distortion issues.

DD's been busy so last night DH insisted on taking me out to get a new pair of jeans for our trip this weekend (off to see DS1)...apparently my old high-top relaxed fit Mom jeans are baggy in all the wrong places. The kids have been telling me daily that my pants are too big. Finding a perfect pair of jeans is hard these days!!! Do you want waist-high, mid-rise, low-rise, curvy, skinny, tummy panel, stretch, straight-leg, boot-cut, and don’t get me started on all the colors, wear marks, and decorations. Then I had to decide on length…I’ve lost an inch (down to just under 5’9”) so now regulars are too short and longs are too long. Well, I sent DH on to the other store to pick up a prescription while I got to work. He was back about the time I finally decided what I was looking for and I knew I had work fast and be out within 30 min. (he didn’t get the shopping gene). I took about 8 pair into the dressing room…all too big? I tentatively came back out and sent DH to grab some 14’s…THEY FIT!!!! OK, the size 14’s now are more generous than when I last wore 14’s many moons ago, but THEY FIT!!! My 16’s, I’ve been wearing, I’ve been back into twice in the last 10 years, but 14’s…I believe that was several children ago. Size 24 to a 14...awesome. I ended up with some dark blue (no wear lines on the front- the horizontal lines across my hips and thighs made my widest part look wider), plain pocket (I don’t need decorations on the back pockets drawing attention to my bum), mid-rise (no more ‘Mom Jeans’), straight leg, 14L’s (hope they shrink a tiny bit). OK, they’re not the coolest pair of jeans, but I’ll have plenty of time to look for those…maybe, just maybe…when I reach a size 12! The nicest part came as we got back in the car (within 30 min. I might add). DH said ‘You’ve been working so hard to get the weight off, you needed a pair of jeans that fit you…you look great!’ A nice NSV... Well we're off tomorrow to PSU to see DS1 and I can't wait to see him. We're all going to the big game (OSU-PSU Look for us, we'll be the only ones in Red as it's a PSU White-Out) and yes, DS1 and his buds have been tenting in Paternoville all week (he says he's freezing). It's been killing me that the fraternity has kept him there on the weekends we had planned. If it wasn't for DH I would have packed up and gone out there just to see him between classes...I know, I know...time to let go a little. Saturday is my Blogiversary...so stay tuned!

JG- I'm so sorry about your MIL and so glad you made it home in time. ((hugs)) JT- Good luck with the GB. You're a surgery pro now so I'm sure you'll do well. And holy cr*p! You're headed for the Century Club soon!!! Now there's one good thing about the surgery...you might lose some more weight *trying to find the silver lining* Keep us posted!

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

YAY ONEDERLAND!!! That coat is cute...and TINY! You're absolutely beaming!!! Great job GF!!! No more Twoterville...EVER again! -BG

I made it with one of those art/drawing programs (I think it's called Serif...sorry, it's on another computer, but I can check the name if you want it). A gal on another site had one with drawings of '10 pound bowling balls' to represent her WL. She gave me the name of the program. I didn't want to copy, so I did a search for other things that weigh 10 lbs....the human head came up LOL! Took me forever, mainly by trial and error, but I'm tech-challenged...I'm sure any drawing program would work as long as it has an export feature so you can move it here. Thanks!

Yeah, I've blogged the same thing many times 'Body Dysmorphic Disorder"...I've been thin longer than fat, but I also thought I was fat at 150-160# and I was 5'10". Taking 'before' pics was hard, but it helped me see how I really look now (believe me, I didn't think I looked nearly as bad as I did...hiding from the camera for years was probably a big mistake). The pics will help you see the changes as you get thinner and appreciate the hard work. Take measurements too. -BG (former Drill Team gal too)

Absolutely worth it...I'm a long-term yo-yoer. Most of us go through the 'last meal syndrome' eating before we're banded. I'd suggest though that you spend a few more visits with the psych to see where you are in this process first. If you question that you'll have the committment, then that's an issue because anyone can 'eat around' the band and not lose weight...you don't have to diet anymore, but you do have to be committed enough to follow the rules and pay attention to when you're 'satisfied' (not 'full'). Best thing I've ever done for myself. Best wishes! -BG

Lizzy if you do a search on the Home page for LB vs. Realize you should find lots of threads there. I'm sure you would be successful with either band. I did my research and picked the LB- Allergan (liked the segmented inner band, the fact that it stays round, etc.). Good luck! -BG

Great job Angie! I hate that PB gal too! -BG

Glad I'm not alone. Get the candy OUT!!! I'm still hanging strong, but this is tough!!

I jinxed myself...we each carved a pumpkin for Halloween and I did the PBing Pumpkin as planned (pic attached & my front door/porch). Yesterday I had my first PB in a long time (peanuts got me). I made DH buy all the candy...guess I should have been more specific to buy things I don't like, because he bought lots of chocolate (I'm a chocoholic). I haven't eaten one...yet. I put all my favorites in the bowl to give out first on Halloween, but there's still a whole bowl left. ...it's sitting in the kitchen... ...and I swear... ...it's calling my name!

I totally agree...we all lose weight differently and at our own rate. I'm stalled now, and these plateaus are part of any WL (trust me I've lost big weight many times). I hear your frustration, and I do sympathize...I'm not exercising regularly at all, so it must be even harder for you not to see the WL. Sometimes you just need to shake things up to trick your body into losing again. I just blogged today about adding calories because after tracking I found that I wasn't eating enough and wasn't getting in the protein I should. I certainly don't intend to track things long-term, but it does help you to see what you're doing right, or need to work on. When you say you "miss real food", I'm not sure what you're eating, but I eat the same things as my family (except desserts and some starches). Are you eating solid, lean proteins or shakes? Come here and wherever you can for support...we're here to support each other, not to judge, but to help. Just know that you're not alone!

You can do it...199 is a motivating number!! -BG

Click HERE (LBT thread on Greek Yogurt). I love the stuff...it's replaced reg. yogurt and sour cream for me. I doctor it up all kinds of ways...just this week tried adding the Knorr Veg. Soup mix as a dip for veggies and I love the preserves with it.

Did insurance cover the revision? Which brand did you get? Congrats on the WL! -BG

Hopefully the insurance/billing person at your surgeon's office will be able to answer your questions. Mine was very knowledgable. -BG