Band_Groupie

Blogs are for anyone to journal whatever they want...it's not the Forum and they can say whatever the heck they want here. Hey, I've read both your blogs today and nothing you said is harsh, it's just real, and even if it was harsh to anyone, it's your journal/blog...say what you want. BTW- I think very few of us here aren't food addicts. For me, what was key in your wording was 'the band isn't working'...come here to the blogs and whine all you want (I certainly do it all the time), but don't blame your band for things you know are your fault (doctors issues and complications are a different story). Whine away if you know you've screwed up...we'll give you support here to get back on track and I know it's helpful to journal the 'I screwed up' parts of our journeys as well (I've screwed up things from the very beginning, so I know it helps to share that and everyone here has helped me to keep going). Tell me you went to your family reunion and ate your cousin and I'll be there for you, just don't blame it on the band. I usually walk away from the blogs that blame the band...if people want to lie to themselves in their own journal...so be it. If, however, you put it on the Forum where you're asking for opinions though, watch out, because you'll get them and you've opened the door for me and others to tell you it's not the band's fault. JMO. Thanks for the blogs Wendy! -BG PS- You all now have permission to b*tch slap me if I ever blame my band when it's my fault....you've all got your hands at the ready, don't you?

Go girl go!

I'm assuming you have a copy of your insurance policy and have reviewed all the requirements. The surgeon's office (person who works with ins. for approvals) is a great source for everything you need to do. Good luck tomorrow...and weigh in 'heavy' if you're at all close to the cutoff (read HERE)...I've never heard of a '100 pound' requirement, but your BMI and comorbids seem to meet all the ins. requirements I've seen. Best wishes! -BG

You're so right...it's all about getting healthy no matter how you do it! I've never had a problem losing large amounts of weight, just keeping it off. I've chosen the LB to help me get healthy and stay there. It's all a personal choice and we each know if/when we're ready and for what kind of help. Good luck to you on your journey and keep on blogging. -BG

Ditto what Wendy said...great post! Very inspirational! -BG

Mimi- How many calories are you getting in per day? I heard you have to be around 800 or at least less than 1000 cals. for starvation mode (and it will stall your weight loss as your body metabolism slows way down). I don't think you want to be in S. M. once you're back on solids, so I'm wondering what the office said about that? Just curious. Wow, I wish I would have had a fill by 5/22! My first fill is tomorrow and I'm sure it will be way longer than 2 weeks before I get the second one (my doc is very conservative). But I will go in begging for as much as I can and will schedule the next one as closely as they'll let me. I'm glad I'm not the only one paxie! Good luck today and let us know how it goes...I'll be following you in tomorrow (42 days post-op...you win LOL).

I'm not sure how old you are, but as long as the surgeon says you're a good candidate then age isn't a problem. I just turned 50 (the week I was banded) and I've met several people in their 60's here. Good luck! -BG

You look fabulous girl! Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to us all! -BG

Good luck tomorrow! You'll do great...see you on the other side! -BG

We’re still working outside. My neighbor and good friend’s daughter came around selling plants for cheerleading. I was done planting, but I bought 2 more flats of plants. Yesterday we went to pick them up along with a few bags of mulch (yeah, those 8 yards weren’t quite enough) and a few more items we needed. Deja vu …another planting and mulching weekend…groan. I married my DH for his sense of humor…he still makes me laugh. My youngest-13, DS2 is his Dad in the making with jokes (he can always get me laughing), but unfortunately he also picked up on the practical joke trait…I hate practical jokes, so of course they torment me with them. All day long yesterday DS2 was ‘getting me’ with practical jokes. I’m turning on the hose and a trickle comes out…it happens now if there’s a lot of water running elsewhere (had to have our water pressure turned down after it blew out our first water heater). I’m yelling to DH to see if someone’s in the shower and the dishwasher is running. You guessed it, DS2 around the corner snickering while he holds a fold in the hose! I’m setting up the sprinkler, you guessed it…on comes the sprinkler in my face! Practical jokes are a family specialty. The first time I drove down for the weekend to meet DH’s parents his dad he tormented me with them. I poured my cereal and went to get the milk…came back and my bowl was gone…the snickering soon began as I was puzzling out where I left it…that was just the beginning…one shoe missing, etc. His dad is now 80 and he’s still pulling them on me…there’s no hope that DS2 will ever outgrow this. DH has been doing these to me for years…he sees an opportunity and he’s all over it…he’s very quick witted…that and sneaky. Luckily when others are around I’m not the only mark. We were all driving in one of my sister’s vans and she stopped to get gas. We had the same make of van and DH was sitting in the way back…he knew there was a wire back there that is a backup in case your lever that opens the gas door breaks. She finished filling up and closed the gas door…you guessed it ‘POP’ the door opens up…her windows were tinted so she couldn’t see that we were in all hysterics watching her close it over and over as DH was quietly pulling that wire ‘POP’! He’s done almost the same scenario on his sister as we all watched from the window in the house…POP the trunk keeps opening on his car as she’s putting something in it (electronic opener). My Mom, the gardener is always bringing me plants. When we first moved here she proudly brought us a May Apple plant. I'm thanking her and DH makes this huge deal out of how nice it is and that we need some cool shade plants for the woods behind us and sends her back into the woods to plant it. We soon hear "VERY FUNNY!' (I didn't know it, but he did, the woods was full of May Apple plants). Once my sis and I went into the bathroom while DH was getting gas. We came out and got back into the car only to realize it wasn't our car! DH saw the same car waiting in line behind him and quickly got gas and moved around the corner to watch it all unfold...pure evil! The only thing worse than a practical joke is scaring me…I HATE being scared! He’s gotten me really badly many times, but I put the kibosh on that after one particular incident (I don't think I shared this yet). We were newlyweds and living in our first apartment and both working day jobs. I’d forgotten something I needed at home and went home during my lunch to get it. Well, I had to go so I went into our one bathroom and had a seat. I’m doing my thing and I suddenly hear a loud moan and two arms come around from either side of the shower curtain right next to me reaching for me …so NOT FUNNNY…I could have had a heart attack! He had forgotten his lunch that day and came home to eat it and heard me coming in…sneaky, the man is sneaky…and now I have two of them at home.

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book ed for Lap Band Book

Well said DB...the foundation is important! Xavier, I've never eaten a whole pizza, but only because that's not my thing, now..junk food and chocolate, I've got a long list; a whole bag of cookies, chips, big bag of M&M's, a can of Pringles in a hearbeat, I could go on and on! I think I ate most of the batter for brownies once...*hangs head in shame*. Yep I have to keep from laughing sometimes at the 'I ate a cookie...should I call my doctor now?!' threads. I remind myself that it's all relative and that must be a lot for that person (they must have never been a binge eater ). Obviously I'm not one of them as I'm posting about being super pleased that I 'only ate 2 small pieces of pizza' LOL...maybe someday I'll be thinking one cookie is a huge deal...wouldn't that be something! One small step at a time...

You can get a copy of your insurance policy's bariatric section just by making a phone call and asking them for it. It will outline all the requirements you have as everyone's are a little different. I started my required 6 mo. diet/exercise program Nov. '08, was approved the beginning of April and had surgery 4/22/09. I had to go through the following tests: sleep study, cardiologist, psychologist, pulmonary, nutritionist, a consult with my surgeon and a pre-op class. Good luck and keep asking questions! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS DB on reaching Onederland!!!!!

I'm so sorry for all you troubles lately, but congratulations on your approval! Every doc has a different lifetime diet/rules. I'm allowed carbonation after 12 weeks, but I'm not a pop drinker, so this isn't a big deal to me. That said, I think I'd give up a lot more to get the band if needed...if someone offered me skinny for life for a few Diet Cokes a day...well, I know what my choice would be. There's also a Tutorial right here on LBT with pics, click HERE. Let me know if you get stuck...I had no clue what a 'blog' was when I signed up here LOL.

Boy, I'm so sorry this has been such a struggle for you. It sounds like your docs office isn't very supportive...'yell' at you....tell you you're 'a failure'??? Seriously?? I'd be yelling back. I've been here long enough to know that some need there bands alomost or completely full before they get to restriction...and if they refuse to give you more I'd ask them for a fill with contrast to check for a leak! Your docs job is to help you to get restriction...that's why you got the band...if that's not happening it's not your fault! Hang in there and know that you have rights as a patient...there's no reason if you're paying attention to your stomach/restriction and exercising that this shouldn't work for you. Keep us posted! -BG

You're on your way! Just stay positive and you'll get there! It's a long journey for some like me, but so worth it...I'm down almost 40# total pre and post-op and surgery was 4/22. You're on the right site and the right path. Side note; DH grew up on the base at Landstul (sp?) near the Ramstein base...his dad was an Army doc. He still tells wonderful tales of his childhood there...wants to go back someday to visit...next big trip hopefully! Keep us posted! -BG

30 pounds is awesome!!! Here's to 40...what a great birthday present! You can do it...fill by fill! -BG

WELCOME to LBT Stephanie! I know you'll find lots of help and support here...good peeps! Your story sounds like many here) only it took me 20 more years to get as smart as you! Hey, I think my DD got her ear tubes at your work place (20 years ago LOL). We lived in Mt. Washington then (DH grew up in Anderson). Welcome and happy countdown!

You're NORMAL! I've been through an even bigger surgery and I was still scared (and excited)! It's all so worth it! If you're feeling really scared the day of, ask the nurses right away if they can give you something to help 'take the edge off'...many here have done that...just a little med to help you stay calm. The team knows everyone is nervous and they'll be great at helping you through it. -BG

It's the start of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals tonight and this town is rockin'. It's a rematch...with a new ending! Go Pens!