vlynnfogg

Just a quick update...Billy is doing good...Has only one spot that is tender, other than that, NO pain...not even any gas...I keep telling him I am going to use an air tank on him and blow him up cuz it isn't right for him to not have that experience...He is going back to work on Sunday...His job isn't real strenuous so I think it will be fine...he will work that day and off on Monday, so that will give him a break...He has been walking a lot, in fact he walked a mile with me this afternoon... Getting really busy here so close to the end of school, so if it is a while that you don't hear from me, it's not because I am not thinking of you all, just extra busy... Good Luck Priss...tomorrow is going to go great...you'll see...

Hi ladies... Billy is doing great...made through surgery fine (with exception of some problems with his BP dropping right after, but OK now)...he was 3rd out of 4, so it was about 3pm before we got home...he weighed and from the time he began losing (which is in Dec. when he started the preop with me) til now, he has lost 31 lbs...I am SOOOO proud of him and he feels good too...of course, he really doesn't have much more to lose, but he needs this to help him keep it off...I don't look for him to need maybe 1-2 fills...we'll see Thanks for all of your concerns and well wishes to Billy...Of course, with most men, no one has ever been in more pain, or had worse than them, so he is a little hard to deal with right now, but that too will pass...I am glad I have to go back to school tomorrow, and he will be here alone and have to go it on his own...hahahah Noticed the difference in the website, too...thought something was wrong with my computer...

Hi ladies...It is a relief to know that we all are thinking the same things... lo2us...like Lisa, you won't want my clothes either...I don't even want my clothes...I would be ashamed for anyone else to have to wear them either...I have made BIG plans for mine...(perhaps a match might be a clue)...I haven't bought myself new clothes since my surgery (with the exception of a bra and that is something I just have to have fit right)...I am determined to wait and buy a whole new wardrobe when school starts this next year, so I am trying to hold out...I think I have worn the same clothes for 3 years if not longer...so I am looking forward to that privilage... Billy is doing fine...down 24 lbs...of course, he will probably lose faster because he is male...I will try to put a ticker on here for him, cuz he probably won't get on here..he is not computer literate and certainly not a talker (wouldn't believe he is a deacon at church)...I have let him know you guys are thinking of him and he appreciates it...Thanks... Gotta Go...hoping to get to play softball tonight...Later girls...

Hey Priss...don't ever be ashamed about being nervous about something as life-changing as this surgery...it is worth being nervous about...I totally understand about "is it the right choice"...I worried too, but I promise you will look back and say "YES", it is the right choice, if you are unhealthy, miserable, and ready to do something about it...and, I think you are... My husband has his surgery on Wednesday...He is starting to get nervous, too... Well, haven't been as faithful to the plan this past week...so, no real weight loss to report...I really haven't been cheating or anything, just not keeping up my end on the drinking H2o and exercising...the end of school is nearing and seems like with summer softball, soccer, and teaching, it is easy to find that I don't really have time to do my exercising (of course, this is just an excuse I'm sure)...I am hoping that I will get back into the swing of things with the warmer weather and with Billy being enthusiastic about doing more...maybe that will help... Have you guys noticed a point that you can tell the fill isn't what it used to be?...seems that about 4 weeks is when I start getting the munchies and cravings...needless to say I am ready for #3...

Thanks Lisa...I knew what you were saying about the train...no offense taken at all...I don't need to be so quick to change my ticker, I think I have already gained a pound this week...don't want to weigh now...I am proud of each and every one of you and how much all of you have lost...It makes it worth trying everyday to know that all of you are working along with me for the same goal...Thanks for being such wonderful encouragers....

He went about 2 months ago for his initial visit and they did EVERYTHING that day...nutritionist, psych, sleep study (take-home), physical, etc...so we have just been waiting for insurance approval...I had told him the physical wouldn't be much and that all they did was had me lay back and felt of my abdomen and had me take deep breaths and stuff, there was no need to get excited cuz it wouldn't be anything (he has a phobia of having to take his clothes off and wear a gown)...I had him assured they didn't do anything...WELLLLLL, they wound up doing more on his exam than me and he DID have to strip and wear the gown...needless to say he wasn't too happy with me that day...LOL :heh: I am doing the liquid/1 salad to some extent...sometimes I have to find me a little something else in the day, but it usually isn't much more than a couple of crackers or something...it still isn't pleasant, but I only have about 5 days left... By the way, his name is Billy...we have talked about the "vacation" thing...He said we would go on an Alaskan Cruise when we lost down to our goal wts...BUT, we went on vacation last summer to Maine and we are still paying on that one, so it will probably be awhile before we can go...besides, we aren't good at going anywhere without our kids...we would rather go somewhere they can go to...go figure, we're nuts about our kids...

Same here on the Initial Visit... I had Dr. H and my husband has Dr.K...L and S are right about every person being different...some things they did with me they didn't do with my husband and vice versa...They did a physical on him where he had to breath into a machine for like 10 min. and it printed a readout of his BMI, FAT%, etc...and the # of calories he needs in order to lose a certain amount a week, etc...they didn't do that with me...He also did the nutritional visit, which didn't take long, because he went with me when I did mine, so they counted that as his, we talked with both Betty and Amy about payment arrangements and responsibilities, the doctor met with us and asked if there were any questions...that was it...Don't worry, you will be well taken care of and very well informed before you leave...I will try to keep from moving my train for awhile...(my son is a TRAIN nut...that is why I have trains)

Hey girls...Reading about all the things you guys are afraid to eat and thinking about the number of times I have already eaten them...didn't have any problems...even with broccoli...like you say, just the tops, but both cooked and raw...make sure you chew, chew, chew really good...BREAD is about the only thing that I cannot have...gives me problems everytime, so I try hard to stay away from it...its not worth even the joy of eating it when it causes me so much pain...till my second fill, though, bread didn't even bother me...Like Lisa said, make sure your hamburger isn't dry...that's what makes it hard to get down...Good luck to you lo2us...hope you get a date soon so you can join us in this adventure...

Sugarbear...don't get discouraged about the lack of restriction, it will probably take you a couple of fills to get any and keep it...I would be surprised if they give you a second fill when it has only been a week since the last...I understand about the feeling like you are over-eating, I did this too...remember, your band really doesn't have a lot in it...even though you have had a fill, the band will absorb that little bit and you will still not have any restriction, that is why it takes a few times to get the feel you need...It is like blowing up a mattress, the first bit of air fills the wasted space first before you actually start seeing results...I doubt you are "over-eating", just eating more than you are expecting to be able to with a band...it is still possible to eat more, you have to make yourself cut back...I had a long time that I didn't lose, or very little and that is what I found I was doing...I thought that I would know when enough was enough and found that I could eat most of a hamburger before I even thought about it was too much...never really got sick either... I have started losing again, but it is mostly because I decided to work harder at it (and the second fill has given me a little more restriction)...I cut back my portions (even though, I want more and can eat more, I stick with only a half cup of food) and I am watching what I am eating (no bread, pasta, sweets, etc...)too...the second fill hasn't given me a lot of restriction, but enough that I am beginning to say, I know this is enough...you are going to do this and succeed, give yourself time...I look at if I am losing it slowly, I am going to get into the habit of watching more closely the amount/what I am eating rather than if I were to peel it off quickly I might take for granted that I can put it back on just as fast as I lost it....Hope I am making sense and not just rambling to you...I pray for each of you everyday and wish all the best of luck...My husband is doing great...has lost 6 lbs in his first 5 days of Pre-op...had lost 15 lbs before he started while doing what I have been doing...

Hi all...Happy Easter!! Sugarbear, don't be afraid of your band...you are going to be fine...just eat slowly and chew a lot and you won't get anything stuck...those are the only two reasons that can cause this, so if you work on it enough, you shouldn't have any problems...I was sceptical to start eating solids too, but that quickly went away when I figured out that I could eat just about anything I wanted... Good luck to you Priss, my husband is on the liquid diet now and will be having the band on April 18th. He did the diet with me when I had to do it, and now he is having to do it again...I am trying to be on the liquid with him, but it is difficult...I am going to do this for him, though, because he did it for me...

Hey everyone, sooo ready for the cold weather to go away.... CONGRATS, Sugarbear...24lbs is a great loss...don't brow beat yourself on losing "only 7 since surgery"... that figures to be about 2 lbs a week and that is what you want to set your goal at.... remember your "tool", it is not a miracle worker, so don't set a goal that you know is hard to meet...aim for the 2 lbs and be proud of every goal you accomplish...even if it does seem slow, those 2 lbs will eventually add up to 10, then 20, then 30 and so on...I know, cuz I did the same thing...Lots of love to you and very proud of your loss... lo2us...hope to hear you have a date soon...the only pills I take are very small, so I don't have any problems with them...Tylenol is about the biggest I take and it doesn't cause me any problems either...I appreciate the dedication you have in trying to get this done, regardless of the financial obstacles you have run into...it will be the best money you have ever spent...I keep trying to tell my sister this, but she has gotten discouraged and pretty much given up on any other alternatives...she is 32 and probably weighs a good 300 lbs...I really worry about her a lot, but there is no way I can pay for her to have it done...(I would if I could)...Please don't stop trying... Hello Lisa, Hippmom, Hopefulchurch, and anyone else I may have forgotten...(there are so many, I can't remember all the names)...Wishing all of you the best of luck this week on your weight loss... We should set a group goal to try to lose a certain amount, or exercise a certain amount, or something that we can all work toward a common goal and "cheer each other to success" (this is one of the expectations in my classroom that my students have to recite everyday)... Talk to you guys later...

One quick note...whoever was doing the sleep study...ask for the "STAR DUST" Sleep Study...it is a machine that you can take home and do overnight at home and not have to go through the hospital, etc...I did this one and my husband did it...its just a little box that you turn on and a tube that you breath into at night and it monitors your sleep...now, if it comes back that you have severe problems or anything, you may have to do the other, but I would think this would be cheaper and easier...Just ask Betty or the nurse about it...

Lisaransom1...I am thinking of you today...I don't know how it is to lose a child, but as hard as it may seem, there is peace above all in knowing you have great friends to see you through...My deepest sympathy to you and your family...This is the best thing I have done for MYSELF...I too gained weight with the birth of my children and then 4 years ago I had a "bad" injury that almost caused me to lose my leg (due to infection)...It took a year of extensive medication, antibiotics, IV antibiotics, 4 sugeries, etc...to battle it, so there was no activity or exercise and I put on a LOT of weight...My highest has been over 260...I understand how you feel...it can tear down your self-esteem in a hurry...This works and it works in a good way...you won't starve...you won't feel like you are depriving yourself (of course we think we are, because we are used to getting to eat what we want and however much we want)...you WILL see results...I hope you get to do it for YOUR sake...As far as my job, the band has only made my life easier...Teaching Kindergarten, I do a lot of sitting in the floor, on my knees, squatting, bending over, etc...I can do that now and not have to come up for air or need a chair lift to get up...It is wonderful...I am in a happier mood, because I feel good (physically and mentally)...I am looking forward to next year when I can do so much more, (since I plan to keep losing)...Question: Does anyone see a difference in their marriage relationship since having the band? In a good way of course...

Hi, lo2us...believe the "it really hurts" part about the bread...I didn't seem to have trouble with it until after my second fill and about twice is all it took for me to figure out I didn't want bread anymore...it feels like a hard ball in your throat and chest that won't go down and won't come up either...not worth the feeling of getting to eat it so I don't...Pasta hasn't really ever bothered me, but I don't eat it because of the starch in it...I went for my post-op checkup 2 weeks after surgery, then my first fill was 6 weeks and my second fill was 6 weeks and my next checkup it will have been another 6 weeks. Hope this helps...Like Lisa says, everyone is different...you may be able to tolerate more than some of us have, it just depends upon how your body responds to the foods...As for work, I had my surgery on Thursday and went back to school (teaching) the following Monday...No problems at all...got a little tired, but wasn't too bad...NO LIFTING for at least two weeks...then be careful after that...

Hey all...hope everyone has enjoyed the rain and the sunshine... Thanks Sugarbear and Lisa for the praises...I think I have really figured this stuff out and what works for me...I have cut down on my portions and am really watching what I am eating (NO bread, pasta, crackers, sweets,etc...(with the exception of the Sonic Cherry Limeade that I am drinking right now) and trying to limit myself to about 40 carbs a day plus trying to get in a lot more protein)...Drinking my water a lot better, Thank God for Crystal Light Lemonade...LOL...I lost 6 lbs this week doing this...gonna try again this week and see what happens...I have 9 lbs to get to my "100 something"... My husband got approved for surgery and is scheduled for April 18th...he is really looking forward to that, so I guess it's pay-back time...I will soon be going back on the liquid pre-op diet...since he did it with me...So NOT looking forward to it, but that is LOVE I guess...LOL... Hopefulchurch...I know you get hungry and all...just remember, you are still trying to break bad habits and make new ones...stick with it no matter what...it will go by quicker than you realize... I think about all of you often and am really proud of each of you and your successes...God has blessed me by giving me all of you as my support and I thank Him daily for that blessing... Love you all, hang in there, will post again soon, VlynnFogg

Congratulations Paula on a successful 5 days postop... It will get better...just keep on hangin' on...

Hello to all..just wanted to share my encouragement... I have worked really hard this week to really watch closely what I have been eating and the nutritional value...found my carb intake is higher and my portions aren't acceptable (more than the recommended 1/2 cup)...so I have tried to follow those rules more closely than I have been and.... I weigh on Sundays...(need all the help I can get)...weighed again tonight and have lost 5 lbs already this week...I think I have found what I have been doing wrong...hopefully anyway... It has made it more clear that there is a reason they set these rules and expect us to follow them exactly...the one who will benefit is ME!!! Found this scripture today that I want to put on my refrigerator...thought I would share with you guys... Prov. 23:8 "You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments..."

Lisa...Thanks for the advice on "rearranging"...that makes since... My mother had the gastric bypass done about 25 years ago...when it first came out...she had to do it the old fashioned way...anyway, she has told me that her doctors always told her that plateaus are your body's way of catching up with itself when your losing...so hopefully that is what is happening... I haven't measured myself at all so I guess I will do that and see what happens...it would be encouraging to see inches falling off as well as pounds...

Thanks guys for the advice... Hippmom, I wouldn't have thought eggs would be hard, but glad to know it is a possibility...Thanks for the advice...I really think my problem is that I am not slowing down enough...I guess I have taken for granted that before my second fill, I had never gotten sick or anything...I thought that I chewed and took small enough bites... now that I have my second fill, I realize that my "small bites" and "chewing" isn't so perfected yet...I am gonna HAFTA slow down and not get in a hurry about eating... Welcome to you Lois...you have found a GREAT thread, hope you stick with us...I have gone to other threads too (December Bandsters) but this is the one I always want to go to first and the others just seem to be extra information for me...Lots of neat friends here... My next appointment is April 23rd. I go to support meetings in Idabel, OK...would love to get to meet some of you all too...would be good to put a face with a name...

Thanks Sugarbear...I appreciate your being so sweet... I just need a little venting today, I suppose...I am going to work really hard this week and do ALL the right things and see what happens...I was hoping to lose another 10 pounds by Easter, but doesn't look like I am gonna make it...maybe I will settle for 5 pounds...Anyway, I have figured out one thing...Me and bread don't get along...the last 3-4 times I have eaten any form of bread, it has made me sick...it isn't pleasant...so NO MORE BREAD for me, that's for sure...the pain isn't worth the pleasure of eating it...Does anyone else have trouble with bread or with any other foods?... Hello to ALL of you guys...I haven't gotten to keep up as much as normal with being busy trying to finish the remodeling project and all this Spring Break...am so NOT ready to go back...Looking forward to Summer break now!!! Good luck to you who are new to the band...it is so worth the efforts and hope I haven't discouraged anyone with my whining...I know the only person who can change my ways is ME...just need to get down to business... Have a Good Week!!!!

Hey guys...in need of a little boost of encouragement...a little (maybe, A LOT) discouraged today...my "weigh" day...NADA, ZILCH, NOTHING>>> actually showed I gained a pound... Help me figure out what I am NOT doing (or not doing enough of)...I have really worked to drink the water this week (at least 60 oz a day), I have exercised at least three days this week plus yard work and remodeling work, I had only one bad day this week of eating more than I thought I should have...we took the kids to the lake and had a picnic and I had a 2/3 of a hot dog and some chips... WHY AM I NOT LOSING?????? HELP...

Hey Paula...I understand the "away from home" syndrome...My daughter has started her third year of summer softball...which we are all in to...and my son is playing his first year of soccer...so with practices and games, there won't be much time for being at home...the good thing is my daughter is practicing at our school's facility and we have an all-weather track behind the field, soooo for the two hours that she is practicing, I haven't no excuses for not getting in my walk at least two days a week...hahahah I am from Broken Bow, or a little community called Hollycreek (this is where I teach Kindergarten)...still Broken Bow district, though

Welcome, Hopefulchurch...just want you to know that we are all here for you and are welcoming you to our little "internet" family...ANYTIME, you feel down or "moody"....let us know, maybe we can help...I think we all handle things differently...I wasn't really moody, but I would get frustrated at myself because I wanted food so badly, sometimes I didn't think I could go through with it...I, too, realized how much of a "food addict" I really was... One thing you are going to have to do though, is think POSITIVE...Make something good out of a stressful situation...don't think about NOT being able to eat certain foods, but come up with new and healthier things you can eat and try...there are lots of things there, you just have to figure out what they are... And, whatever your frustrations are, we have all probably had the same ones...we will be glad to hear you and help if we can...GOOD LUCK!!!

Hey all... Glad to be reading alot of your posts...I am experiencing the same thing with the scales not moving as much as I woud like, but I do know what part of my problem is...it is that I don't exercise and drink the Water like I should...so nothing to blame, but ME!!! I do know that you can also NOT EAT ENOUGH...your body needs at least 800 calories just to function, so you actually need to be eating between 1000-1200 calories to lose weight...if you don't get in enough calories, that is when your body decides to hold on to what you do take in (starvation mode) and won't allow you to lose weight...so check this out and see if that might be part of the problem...certainly not mine, of course.. My March goal was to exercise more and drink my water...I am actually finding that I am drinking more since I started using the Crystal Light lemonade packets...I also am working harder at getting out to exercise, so we will see...

Sorry guys that I haven't been communicating much lately...trying to remodel a bathroom while out for Spring Break...Thank God I am not doing a whole new house, I would go nuts... Sugarbear...I felt a little restriction at first after surgery, but I think it was more due to the swelling and such because that quickly went away...I started getting hungry again, and wanting to eat more...to a point that sometimes I wondered if I had done something to the band because I didn't think it was working like I thought it was supposed to...when you start eating mushies and solids, you will feel a little restriction, but don't be surprised if it isn't much and that it eventually goes away...after my 2 fill I have felt a lot better, with restriction, but also when I eat, a little goes a long way...I don't have the urge to munch like I had before the fill...I lost 2 lbs this week, but I believe my problem is that I am not doing as much exercise as I was before...so, I am trying this week to walk every day and see what happens...I find myself finding reasons to NOT go walk or exercise...I know, bad habits...on a good note, I have found that I am craving water more, since I started putting the Crystal Light lemon flavor packets in it...I actually find that I have drank a lot and didn't realize it...Yea for Me!!! Blondy...Enjoy your pregnancy...it is the one miracle that YOU are God's assistant in...What an awesome chance of a lifetime...You will truly be blessed, I promise!!! Keep us updated on due dates, names, etc... Paula...it is common to not get much restriction, if any, after your first fill...I promise you will notice a difference with the next one...think of this six weeks as a test...you know you don't need to eat as much, even though you can or want to, make yourself NOT do it...WILLPOWER is the KEY!!! Lisa...have you had your fill yet?...can you tell a difference, or is it just me?...I think you are doing great...Keep up the good work!!!