tripletmomma2000

I am having some fairly serious anxiety with regard to other people mentioning my weight loss. From my highest weight, I am nearly 100 pounds down. But although I feel I can share that with YOU people, I don't like sharing that information with the general population. I don't mind telling my mom, my husband, my BFF how much weight I've lost, but I don't like telling colleagues, my BFF's parents, my cousins, neighbors, etc. And they KEEP asking. I've lost/gained 50-80 pounds quite a few times, and when people start talking to me about my weight loss, I start to get uncomfortable with the conversation, and I generally start gaining weight again..... which then stops all the conversation. But now, it's different. It's not going to happen, so I need to figure out how to know in my heart (like I know in my head) that I am not responsible to other people for my weight... I am only responsible to myself. I guess that was part of the problem, was that when I said "I've lost 60 pounds" it made me feel accountable to who I was telling that number to, and I couldn't handle the pressure. Recently, though, I feel like I've been weighed/measured/evaluated when people ask me how much weight I've lost. I don't like being represented by a number, but it's the question that I get the most, and I'm having a heck of a time trying to figure out how to answer it. When I do answer "I've lost 60 pounds" the next question is "How much more do you want to lose?" It keeps going around and around, and by the time that I can rip myself from the conversation, I just want to dive into a vat of ice cream. So my question is this..... does answering the question like this come off as a lie? : I honestly don't know how much I've lost. I used to be a slave to the scale, and in the end, it was always my demise, and I'd gain back all the weight I've lost. So now, I'm just trying to be healthy, and I'll know once I get to where I'm healthiest what my weight is. Or do I just say something like "I really don't like to talk about numbers" I honestly never thought that one of the biggest struggles I'd have during this journey is with answering questions that I think are prying. I might be a little sensitive to it as well.... being a mother of triplets, the questions/comments when they were babies were incredible! I can't tell you how many times a complete stranger would walk up to me and say "wow... triplets! If it were me, I'd kill myself". Thanks for letting me vent!

I haven't heard of beliteweight.com before, but I've heard of Dr. Webber as well as Dr. G (my lap-band surgeon) Dr. Webber also has an excellent reputation. Both do their work at Harper Hospital. I was VERY happy with my experience at Harper, and couldn't recommend it any higher! Dr. G's staff rocks too!! Jamie is my favorite nurse there! Karen

Well, gang... I have finally hit my goal of 175 pounds! I cannot believe I've lost 200 pounds during this journey! I am going for an arm lift, boob lift, and tummy tuck on June 17th! (no.... insurance isn't paying a thing...... bastards!) I have a few "before" pix on my blog, I intend on taking a bunch a few days before surgery so that I have a good photo journey as well How is everyone else from August 2009 doing?!?

Had my surgery 8 days ago..... doing well will recovery. Having some allergic issues to tapes and some meds, but otherwise ok. Will answer more questions when I have more energy

I also have the "Allergan Large" band, that holds 14cc. My doc started at 4cc, and although I "felt" it, I didn't really have restriction. The next time I went in I got 2cc, and again, I didn't really feel it. I got 1cc, 1cc, 1cc, 1cc (I have a total of 10 in my band) I would say, that I started feeling GOOD restriction at 7cc. I think there was about 2-3 months between 7cc and 8cc. I sat with 8cc for about 10 months, and then went to 9cc for about 4 months, and then to 10cc. I've had 10cc for about 8 months now, and still feel like I'm in the green zone. Love this band!

Well, I'm all set with my "first" round of plastic surgery: Arm Lift Boob Lift (no need for implants...... whew!) extra consideration to skin hanging "between" boobs and arms Tummy Tuck with muscle tightening (and a bit of a vag lift? who knew they did such things?!) My insurance blows chunks, so they're not paying anything. My bill for this will be about $17,600 (if I opt for the $400 overnight stay..... probably will) My surgery is scheduled for June 17th. My surgeon said I needed to be within 20 pounds of goal, and I am totally THERE. I'm super sensitive to most all narcotics, save Vicodin (thank GOD...) I'm taking 3 weeks off of work...... is that enough?? I'm a graphic artist, so I'm on the computer all day.

If it slips, the first thing they'll try is to completely un-fill you, and see if it works itself back to where it belongs. If that doesn't work, they'll go in and either take it out, or move it back where it belongs. There are widely varying ideas about the percentages of complications. I've heard 2% of all patients have complications, and I've heard 40%. Do your research, and make your decision, and then make PEACE with your decision.

I am about 20 months out.... I wouldn't trade ONE day, not ONE..... I am down almost 200 pounds, I am having a tummy tuck, boob lift, arm lift on June 17th. I had ONE problem since getting the surgery, and that was getting a fill, and then two weeks later, it got tighter yet (which does happen, sometimes an overfill isn't realized for a few weeks) and I have .5cc taken out, and it's been smooth sailing since. PB = Productive Burp Stuck = Happens before Productive burp Stuck is essentially when you haven't chewed your food well enough, or the texture is wrong (read: dry meats, doughy bread, etc) and instead of sitting in your pouch, it gets stuck where your band is around your stomach. The first time it happened to me, I told my mom it felt like I had swallowed a shoe. Generally, there is some pain, and your esophagus/top of stomach will contract to try to make that food move. Your saliva in the back of your mouth will change in consistency to normal "spit" to a thick slimy substance, to try to help lubricate what's stuck in your band. After some time, people will either PB (productive burp) and call it PB/Slime....... meaning a bucketload of slime came up with it, or it will go down. I had a secondary procedure done with the Lap--Band®, called fundoplication, and some people who have fundoplication cannot vomit or PB. I am one of those. I cannot vomit at all. I've had stomach flu twice since getting the band (I have kids...... it happens) and I can hear my stomach contents trying to come up...... it doesn't happen. Generally, it takes the express route the other way. In addition to PB...... I actually get what I call "warnings" where I will get some slime in the back of my throat, and a tight feeling by my band. I know right then if I STOP and WAIT, that in a few minutes, I can start eating again, without incident. I've learned to listen to my body very closely! Mostly..... for me..... the band helps keep me eating CONSCIOUSLY. I pay attention to every bite, I make sure I chew, chew, chew and chew some more! No more mindless eating for me!

well, SHIT! What about croutons? Can you handle them, since they're crumbly/crunchy? How about those little melba toasts (generally in a Chex Mix kinda thing?) I'm just looking for something that will help you satisfy your bread "need" I eat bread very, VERY rarely..... mostly because I have gluten sensitivities, but I can understand you missing it. But as 54Shirley put so eloquently: That flour, and Water turns to glue. That Glue will forever stick to you. The last time I had bread was at macaroni grill, I had a small piece, and I schmeared it with the oil they had on the table. I got stuck that was a few weeks ago. Before that, I think it was a crouton I can't eat crackers either.... they get stuck. However, I do eat "savory rice crackers" from Trader Joe's.... those go down without any issue. Good luck!

Could you have stomach flu? If you aren't feeling well, it might be that? I find that if I get "stuck" I don't feel nauseas..... I just feel STUCK.

I have always loved bread too..... I have some wheat issues, so I don't eat it a lot, but I find that these work for me: Arnolds (Orrowheat) Sandwich Thins. They come in a few flavors, and you can definitely eat it with a burger. I usually make a nice sandwich though...... sandwich thin with a sprinkle of red wine vinegar and a smattering of olive oil, then I add some lunch meat, a slice of cheese, and a stack of lettuce. If the bread is somewhat moist from the oil/vinegar & lettuce, it seems to go down better. Gooey white bread? Never, ever goes down nicely..... I've even used these sandwich thins as grilled cheese...... super yum! I also will use a tender chicken breast, a slice of pepper jack and romaine lettuce for a nice chicken sammy! Instead of pining for products you can't eat anymore, start looking for the ones that you CAN! You'll be a lot happier xxxoo

My first fill was 5cc, then 2cc a few weeks later, then 1cc, 1cc, .5cc, and .5cc to total the 10cc that I currently have. Six fills total. I really trust my doctor's office, and they've never steered me wrong! I actually asked for another fill, they gave me .5cc while saying that I didn't need it, and don't you know, I went back 3 weeks later and had it taken out. I was over-filled and miserable. I learned my lesson!

It doesn't really matter that you've had the salmon before at that restaurant, the band can be a fickle thing, and one day it will let you eat salmon, and the next day, you're sliming and stuck over the same dish! I have found that specifically with salmon, it needs to be exceptionally tender and moist for me to be able to eat it. If it's the slightest bit dry, it will NOT go down the hatch no matter how masticated it gets. I have found dipping sauces, whether it's oive oil, or in this case, perhaps a nice cucumber/sour cream sauce may help keep it going in the proper direction. Speaking of fish..... only "flaky" fish works for me. I can have catfish, bass, tilapia, no problem. I love all seafood, but find that shrimp is just too firm for my band. I can eat chicken.... sometimes. Same with pork. I can't eat beef or lamb unless it's ground, and even then, it's a crap shoot. I have found that mixing with certain other foods HELPS..... sauteed vegetables that get really soft, like zucchini, bell peppers, onions.... they get a little slimy when sauteed, and those go right down, no problemo! Funny..... I get stuck at many meals with my kids. I think they are definitely a distraction, but since this is life we're trying to live here, it keeps me balanced

My port has always been palpable through my skin..... and now, it totally sticks out. I'm having it moved when I have TT surgery in June, so it's not so "out there" I actually find myself playing with it..... so it's a good thing that I'm having it moved

The band has worked for me....... and I have totally worked the band. I have followed the rules completely. I haven't drank anything carbonated, I don't eat slider foods, I chew, chew, chew (and even still, I get stuck sometimes) I listen to my body, I eat at scheduled times, I try to exercise, and I eat normal sized portions. I have had to completely dedicate myself to this...... and once I've lost all the weight, I have to completely dedicate myself to maintenance. This is a total lifestyle change, and the band has helped me right along the way. You'd have to pry my cold dead hands off my band in order for me to give it up. I could certainly eat past this band if I wanted to. I don't want to. If I'm having a craving you know what I do? I drink flavored Water....... I'll drink one of those 16.9 ounce bottles, and take a quick walk if I can get out. 10 minutes later, I usually have beaten the craving. You CAN do this...... I know you can!

I would definitely try to find a local lap-band doctor, and get a small un-fill. Generally, they bill you, and with all medical bills, you can always just send $5.00/month until it's paid off (generally, if you send them something every month, they won't send you to collections) I had to get a small un-fill 1-1/2 weeks ago, so I can totally understand where you are right now! I totally agree with Melody, get yourself some Atkins Protein shakes, make them good and cold, and drink those until you can get that un-fill! Don't be miserable if you don't have to be!

I can't believe that I'm in the final stretch, and only have 20 pounds left to lose! I would never, EVER believed that I would be back in Onderland, yet, here I sit! I was banded in August 2009, and it's almost Christmas 2010. I think by June 2011, I will be at goal I'm so thrilled, I could cry! Come visit my blog, it's where I've posted pictures BTW....... June 2011 is when all the reconstruction begins! Getting arms, boobs, tummy, and lower body lift done. Then, June 2012, the inner thigh lift! OMG! Still in need of other bandster friends as support Karen