MissyC

:hungry: My mom and dad host a family reunion with my dad's 9 brothers/sisters and families every year. It is a huge ordeal, approx 75 to 125 ppl every year. This is our 14th year for the "annual reunion". Sometimes I look forward to it.....and sometimes I dread it. This year is a dread year because I work so much. I am actually working thanksgiving, but the party goes from Thurs-Sunday morning. Its a HUGE amt of work and prep every year. Most of the family stay at nearby hotels, but all of our houses have guests in every nook and corner, and my parents house filled to the brim with ppl all over the house/floor. As you can imagine, we have lots of fun, but it is lots of work for my parents and me and my siblings. Every year we have a small meal on Thursday, usually turkey...but low key. Friday is "theme day", Italian, German, Mexican etc. Most of the aunts and uncles bring food for that, we decorate for the theme, have music, food and dancing according to the theme. (This year is Italian, mom and I are making Cannoli, wish us luck...lol) Saturday morning is the annual tag football game, NO ONE IS ALLOW TO MISS...lol. You either play...or you cheer. Then on Saturday afternonn is our HUGE traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Typically 5-8 turkeys. 2-4 hams and the trimmings....you get the picture. Several years ago, my dad and uncles began frying the turkeys outside, with such large numbers, it works great, less mess/clean up and you can do several at a time. My dad or brothers will usually smoke a couple or turkeys or hams before hand also. During the 4 days, we usually have 4/5 crockpots with stews/soups. Today...my mom and sister cooked 6 pumpkin pies and 6 pecan. Tomorrow, I wll bake 2 sheet cakes and a batch of brownies. And the list goes on. Its all very organized, my parents have everything written down/planned, what to cook, when and what day to bring it. every menu for the 4 days is planned weeks ahead. My mom and dad have 2 freezers and 3 fridges in their garage where we store ahead of time. (They entertain alot anyway). For me, I don't think the temptation of so much food will be a problem, as usually I am too busy to eat, and I think the more food there is...the less hungry I am, or something. As you can imagine, when Christmas rolls around, our family goes for small, intimate and low key....just immediate family on Christmas eve. Its like a blessed sigh of peace. Whew.....get tired just typing about it. :)

I used the heck out of my "magic bullet" during my mushie and liquid stage. My doctor told me, if I could get it thin enough to suck thru a straw, the only things off limits were the "standard no-no list" ( ice cream, carbonated beverages, bread, stringy meats etc). So as far as I'm concerned, the skies the limit. If it sounds good to you, go for it, doesn't matter if someone else thinks it doesn't sound good. What about tomato soup? Add some spices to make it rich and thick.

Help welcome!! I am about to fly internationally for the 1st time. In 2 weeks I am going to be traveling from Texas to southeast Asia. I am very very nervous. (or just plain scared...lol). I have visions of leg cramps, blood clots and debilitating jet lag. I dread the flight itself which will be approx 26 hours in 3 jumps. The longest about 16 hours. I am still at about 225 lbs and I know this will be difficult, (but worth the effort.) Airplanes are barely designed for normal size ppl, let alone plus size. Does anyone have any experience or travel tips for long distance flights? Thanks for any suggestions to help prepare for this. Missy

I just finished a cute/funny novel called, "Must Love Dragons", by Stephanie Rowe. Just fluff, but entertaining with several laugh out loud comedy moments. I love books that make me laugh. Angie...I used to read F Micheals...Haven't read any of her stuff in a while.... I plan on checking out these...thanks for the recommendation. Jasmine..Susan Johnson is great! What trashy romance novel reading is all about. I love it!! Marimaru, it sounds like you and I like the same stuff. I love the Damphir series by Barb and JC Hendee. Can't wait for "Traitor of the Blood" to come out in paperback. And I am a fan of LKH also. Not as much of the newer stuff, but I still read her. (ps...her web site is creepy...some of her "fans" are scary ).

:eek: :rofl: That is so funny, I read that line, and just let it go over my head cause in my family, we "waller" all the time. thanks for the chuckle. And everyone, thanks for the tips.

This sounds like a lot of fun. I have be on 3 cruises and believe or not...2 of them have been with RC on Rhapsody of the Seas which uses Galveston as home port. Rhapsody is a beautiful ship. The social/activity director is a British guy who is very funny/entertaining. What is the last date for sign up? I probably couldn't manage it because I have a 2 week vacation coming up 1st of december which pretty much taps out my vacation days for awhile but you never know. I LOVE Royal Carribean. I have a couple of friends who cruise at least twice a year. They say by FAR, their favorite line is RC. The only other line I have been on is Norweigan, which was ok, but our cabin was way smaller for more money!! Bon Voyage and happy cruising to every one who is signed up.!!!!!

I have done a little research, and haven't been able to find a support group closer to Denton. If there is one available, I haven't yet located it. I believe that I probably NEED the interaction and proximity that a support group might provide. What does everyone else do to keep their momentum going ....so to speak???? Do support groups help? I struggle with my diet daily. Although I am certainly doing much better than pre-band, this has not been as easy as I naively thought it would be. My mother had banding 5 years ago, she makes it look so easy. She lost over 100 lbs in her 1st year, over 140 lbs total and has maintained that within 10 lbs or so. I still struggle with portion control as well as craving sweets and breads. I am considering joining weight watchers, which is somewhat ironic, because I had surgery thinking that I would never need to join WW .....again.......... Still trying....still hoping....but a little discouraged.

I have had a couple of other people recommend Martin's books to me. I think I will have to check them out.

Warm hugs to you. What a scary thing to happen. I can totally visualize something like that happening, I have a girl i work with who had a similar incident. We are complete night owls, because we work the night shift. So its not uncommon for me to be out and about at the all night drugstore or walmart late at night. What is it about parking lots at night that brings out the wacko's???? Glad you are safe.

I too think all of bandsters have these type symptoms from time to time. Wonder what the "defining" symptom is to confirm this diagnosis. JFKbeantown.....not to be a devils advocate or anything, but since you had great sucess for 4 YEARS!!! without problems, is there a chance you might want to get a second opinion before undergoing surgery?? Just in case this can be medically treated and might be able to keep band?? Just a thought. Good luck with all these challenges.

Wheetsin, Barbara and Letha: thanks so much for the tips. Even tho trip is still 2 weeks out, I actually started some initial packing today. I have to keep my personal stuff, (clothes, cosmetics, toiletries etc.) to one medium/large bag. Boy is that a challange. (note to self...look up overpackers anonymous). Thanks for all the great ideas. I have added to my reminder list with graditude. warm hugs. Missy

Its sad that people like that feel its ok to be deliberately hurtful and degrading to another human being. I feel that this individual has probably directed his anger towards more than one social or political issue that didn't meet his personal approval.

My doctors office ALWAYS uses fluoroscopy. He has the machine right there in his office. I sometimes am a little sore the next day.

Hi everyone, Its so nice to meet you all. I can totally see how some people are so hugely uninformed. My doctors offices was like a cattle branding....move em in...move em out. I rec'd essentially NO helpful information from them. They didn't question my knowledge base. I wasn't required to see a dietitician, a psych or therapist consult or anything. I have NEVER had a follow up call from an advocate. I only saw the doctor for about 5 minutes the week before the surgery. I am STILL upset about surgery day...I never saw the doctor the day of surgery...he was a phantom doctor. My family and I kept waiting for him to follow up in the recovery room or something. He never did...I never even saw him that day. The office did call 1 time about 3 days post-op to check on me. I saw a Physicans assistant on my first follow up visit. She asked, are you eating white bread or meat? And that was IT!!! So while they were all polite, nice and all....Sadly lacking in making sure they're patients know whats going on. They were nice enough, but offered no support or information. This doctor came highly recommended by the way, and was written up in TEXAS monthly as a top 5 bariatric surgeon in texas. Fortunately, I am 45, a nurse and a internet hound. I researched , read and prayed for a year before I ever called for an appointment and started the pre-surgery process. I had never had surgery before, and I was TERRIFIED of anesthesia. So I made sure I was well informed about what it was all about. Plus I had the advantage of my mother being banded in 0ct 2001. she is a great resource for me. (Even tho her band is totally different..another story). But anyway, I can see how some people would be ignorant of the whole process, and not have an idea what to expect or what questions to even ask. My cynical side is always amazed at peoples lack of "common sense." I can't imagine having surgery and not getting myself informed. I did not rely on other's to inform me...I asked questions and educated myself. Sorry I've written a book here....just thought I'd share my experiences. Even tho my wt loss is very slow compared to some, and I struggle to stay on track, it is most often due to my lack of will power, not lack of information. It is great to find this thread and compare journey notes with people on the same timeline as myself. Hope every one has a great holiday. :hungry:

Hello everyone, I was also banded in may 2006. Dr Jayaseelen at Medical City Dallas texas. Ya'll seem to be doing well. I find myself in the "slow loser" catagory, but I'm trying hard to stay positive and proactive in my diet. I feel like I need a fill, but the doctor would not give me my last one, because he said I had lost 8 lbs in 2 months and that was plenty, as my goal plan is 1/2 lb to 1 lb per week. The problem is, the majority of my weight loss occurred post fill during the week of liquid dieting. This was back at the end of Sept. I am hoping to get another fill the week after thanksgiving. I have lost 5lbs from sept 20th to today. I feel i am able to eat much to large portions to reach feeling full.

Another Texan here Dr Jayaseelan Medical City Dallas. Good luck!!!!!!!

You really need to discuss with your doctor your post op instructions, especially with a baby at home. You will probably not be allowed to pick baby up for awhile. I had a 10 lb wt restriction for 6 WEEKS!! I was not allowed to lift anything during that time. I couldn't even help lift my grandson's in and out of the car. As for pain issues, I found out I was a big wimp. It took me about 1 week to feel comfortable enough to move easily. It was ridiculous how difficult it was for me to roll over in bed and get in and out of bed. My port site probably hurt all the time for 1 -2 weeks and then off and on for about 4 weeks. Now I don't even notice it being there. I had 5 sites on my abdomen. And the port site is about 3 inches long.

I have never in my life had a relationship that lasted for than 4 years. I don't know why, But I believe that a lot of it has to do with my own self esteem. I literally sabotaged in many ways my last relationship 4 years ago because I couldn't believe that anyone would actually find me pretty. We actually fought over my self depreciation and negative self image. I am hoping to get past this. I have always viewed myself as ugly...I look in the mirror....I see ugly. But I AM WORKING ON IT. And I hope that someday....there is someone out there for me. (Before I'm too old...lol)

I have a secret crush on one of the doctors here at the hospital. He is 10 years younger, cute and really smells good when he comes cruising thru in the morning at 5am. lol :peep: :)

I am not a spitter,except for a rare a few times when I have tried to eat too fast or not chewed properly, I will use cup or napkin or whatever is handy. I try to be discreet. My mother, who was banded in Oct 2001, is a big-time spitter. She has the older "first model", non-adjustable band and this is very often part of eating for her. Even tho she is very careful and chews well. She is very discreet, and if you didn't know her....you would never realize she was spitting and not wiping her lips or taking a sip. She lost and has maintained a 140lb wt loss for 5 years now.

Its so encouraging be able to share with other folks having the same slow loser issues. I have lost all my wt mostly as a result of the post op and post fill liquid diet regimen. I have not lost any weight again in past 3 weeks. Staying on diet has been terribly hard. good luck to everyone. Missy

I too am a smell and texture junkie!!!!! And I just love food, the way it looks, smells and tastes and the memories associated with all my favorite comfort foods. I have been slightly overweight most of my life. Not obese but probably 10-15 lbs over. Since my mid 30's I have steadily gained, year after year. Trying and failing at countless diet and exercise programs. (But suceeding in achieving morbid obesity), what a lovely title. I was hopeless, depressed and starting to develop co-morbidities. So I started researching WLS. And here I am.

I am thankful for my faith in God. I am thankful for my terrific family, I have the best Mom and Dad. I am thankful that my Dad is a Cancer survivor and going strong. I am thankful for 3 beautiful wonderful grandsons who are my joy. I am thankful I can send my 3 amazing grandsons home after a crazy weekend...lol I am thankful I can still work, get around and make a living. I am thankful for cool weather after summers brutal heat. I am thankful for writers/authors cause I can't live without books. I am thankful for the comfort of pj's, and soft fluffy blankets. I am thankful for the rare occaisional Dr Pepper that I sneak. hehe I am thankful that my poochies are always happy to see me. I am ever thankful that I could go on and on.......

Just reading all these posts, and thinking maybe my secret desire to get another tattoo isn't so crazy. I have one on my foot which I love, but had myself talked out of another because I'm a 45 y/o grandmother. And I have wrinkles and cellulite. I am inspired to start looking at designs again. .....wondering where to put one........

I live in Shady Shores. I am wondering if anyone knows of a support group for lap-banders in the Denton area? I drive in Dallas as little as possible.