Humming Bird

Well, I got my tiny .1 fill. We'll see how it goes now. It will be soup tonight and slow going tomorrow. I just hope it helps my hunger between meals.

Great News! That counts as a big NSV for you!

I would love to hit the 100 lb mark in 1 year. At my snail rate lately it's not going to happen. I am just happy the first 75-80 lbs came off fast. I know the rest will happen, just maybe not as fast as I want it to. btw, I think my hair is more orange. My grandson said it is a little pink. Either way, it's not what I wanted! I had it done on April 30 and have to live with it until May 28.....it sucks.

I got a tip from another banster months ago and it has helped me so much. Vitafusion fiber gummies from target. They are a very soft gummie that pretty much melt as you chew and they taste great. I eat one gummie every morning and it really keeps me regular. The normal dosage is 2 daily, but one works good for me.

Anne, each day of the pre-op diet that passes marks a day closer to banding day! You are so close now! HB, hummingbird, Crystl ........they all work great. Sometimes it bugs poeple that my name is missing the "a", but after 45 yrs. I'm used to it. Speaking of hummingbirds, They came back here to the city above the clouds! This always marks spring finally being here for me. We get many hummingbirds for spring and summer and other really cool birds. I make sure I feed them to keep them around. We woke up to snow yesterday morning. The sun melted it pretty quickly, but then it became overcast and rained off and on. We have had snow several times this past week and I am ready for some warmer weather. Today is a sunny day, so I hope to get outside for awhile. We went bowling again yesterday and my size 14 pants were feeling baggy in the butt! They are a pretty forgiving style/cut, but now it makes me want to go closet shopping and see if there are some tighter ones that may fit soon. Kids, gotta love 'em. As I have mentioned before, I have an 8 yr. old grandson who is the light of my life. He and my son lived with me until he was 6, so I am very attached. I still have him at my house several days a week. My son has full sole custody (long story). Well, last friday I went to a "fancy dress up tea party" in my grandson's 2nd grade class. The kids all wore oversized dress up clothes and the parents were encouraged to dress up for the tea party. It was very unorganized and chaoitic, but fun. They served punch and cookies and each kid introduced the adult that came with them and told something about that adult when they were a kid. Then they moved all the desks to the sides of the room and we all danced to oldies. After we were seated with our snacks my grandson whispered, "can you eat this stuff?" He doesn't really know the details about my band, but knows I can't eat some things. Anyway, it was a fun time and I hope it is a good memory for him. We danced a lot and the teacher took our picture. I get my hair highlighted every 11 weeks, but the gal that has done it for years had a shoulder injury, so had me go to a friend of hers this last time. She screwed it up so bad! I'm upset about it and called my gal. She can't fix it until the 28th. Many people have made comments about it. My husband even said something. This is the guy who still has not commented about my weightloss after 88 pounds! If he says something about my bad hair, it must be pretty bad! Yesterday my grandson said, "is that what they call dirty blonde?, because it only looks a little pink." GRRRR! pink!

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................252.7...........160........ .. 92.7 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............287.............225............ 62 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 HummingBird..........204...............176............150............. .26 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine.........259...............259..............199........ ...60 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............175..............150........ ....25 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............303..............217........ ....86 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............282..............225....... ......57 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

Welcome Ron. Everyone just calls me HB except for Mark. He calls me Crystl (my real name). I told him once and he didn't forget....nice guy even with the smart ass.

Like Christie, I'm lurking with not much to say most of the time lately. Welcome newbies to the thread. Bobbie! I knew you would find a job! I hope it turns out to be one you really like. To all you BB groupies, good for you! I know many people really love the BB (including the MIA BOB), but I just think it would be a waste of money for me. I don't log or track anything and so far it works well for me. I have a fill monday. This will be the first one I have in the afternoon instead of morning, so it might be interesting. I'm going to try not to eat much solid stuff before the fill, but will have to have something. I may just end up with another .1 fill, but am just getting too hungry between meals. I can't really jump on the shopping bandwagon too much yet. I need to get this surgery paid off first. I paid off my credit card and have now been paying big chuncks toward my surgery one. I think I have a balance of about $3,000 now. I am going to splerge a little and buy a log bed for my guest room. I have company coming toward the end of June and would like to have the room fixed up by then. I have been doing more closet shopping and found all sorts of "new" stuff that fits! Most of the stuff that fits well now is size 14! Woo Hoo!

I really enjoy watching. I don't care who wins, I'm just happy for all of them. I kinda hope Daris wins, but just because he is such a sweetheart and so darn cute.

Hang in there. You will figure out how to get it all worked out. It just may take you a little longer than your original plan. Do your best with staying away from bad food choices and hang in there. You have so much life ahead of you and this is just a little bump in the road.

That is just like telling an already pregnant teen that teens should not get pregnant. She already has the band. It's a done deal. If you think teens should not get banded it's not going to help this situation.

Erin, The fact is you STILL NEED a fill. Without restriction you will be so hungry. How much is it? There must be some way you can earn enough to go get a fill. Give yourself some credit. You have been living in "Bandster Hell" for 9 months? It sounds like it may be catching up to you. Your band is doing nothing for you at this point. Is there someone who need help around the house and would pay you? You could also speak to the Dr. who would do your fill and see if s/he will give you a break on the price. You may be surprised and it won't hurt to ask. Heck, offer to clean the Dr.'s house, paint, do yard work. I work for a dentist who does that for people sometimes in trade for dentistry.

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................255.6...........160........ .. 95.6 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................207...........150..... .......57 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............292.............250............ 42 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 HummingBird..........204...............177............150............. .27 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine.........259...............259..............199........ ...60 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............175..............150........ ....25 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............303..............217........ ....86 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............282..............225....... ......57 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

I never measure anything. My body tells me when to stop. Most things I can just look at and know if it will be more than I can eat. I got used to throwing away those last few bites. Eating very slow is tough sometimes, but my body also speaks to me on that one. If I don't chew some things well enough or eat them too fast I will be in pain or throw up. It's a tough lesson to learn sometimes. After a few episodes like that you slow down and chew.

How did you get fat? It's not as easy to answer as how did you get pregnant it is? I think it was many things for me and 45 years is a very long time. #1 Genetics. My father was 500 pounds and had his stomach stapled 2 times. He was 500 pounds again when the cleaning lady came and found him on the floor suffering from a massive stroke. It left him completely paralized. I guess he could only communicate by blinking. He died at age 63 from his obesity related illnesses. I was only 18 months old when he and my mother divorced and he was a deadbeat dad. I met him when I was a teenager. I did not grow up seeing his eating habits and my mother was very thin and ate healthy. So I am thinking genetics with that one. My sister is also obese. I was a chubby kid and did deal with teasing. I thinned out as a teen and was very mature for my age. That led to dating older guys and getting married at a young age. I had a baby at a very young age, but can not blame that for my weight. I only gained 19 lbs during pregnancy and it came off as soon as I had the baby. I ended up being in an abusive marriage. I divorced the jerk and started making it on my own with a toddler in tow. It was very hard because I was so young and wages were low for me. I got very thin because sometimes I could only afford food for my son and not myself. I couldn't afford cars that ran for long, so I did quite a bit of walking. I got too thin for my frame. I was about 128 lbs and size 7 jeans were baggy. I met the great guy I am married to now and he moved in. I was 21 by then and my son was 4. With 2 incomes we got on our feet quickly and I could afford food. This would be my #2 reason for the weight gain I guess. I ate because I could! Food was so darn good and going out to eat was such a treat. I treated myself a lot. I chose whatever I wanted on the menu no matter the cost or the calories. reason #3.....YO-YO dieting for years! I tried every diet on the planet and then some! Take off 30 lbs- gain 40 lbs, take off 40 lbs - gain 50 lbs .......... reason #4..... I gave up! I was FAT! There was no getting rid of it for good and no use trying. It only made matters worse! reason #5 ..... hysterectomy at a very young age. reason #6 .... fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndroms.......constant pain and no energy. I ate for energy. Fast forward to 2009. I weighed a whopping 264 lbs! Then I got banded! I have lost 86 lbs and now weigh 178! I want to get to 150 or lower and keep it off!

I agree with JoJo. It sounds like things are going to go much better for you. Look toward your bright future.:thumbup:

Whew....took me a bit to catch up! Hi All! Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Don't get too freaked out about anything yet. I know that's easier said than done. Sometimes it is nothing and they just want to make sure. I thought I was going to get a fill tomorrow, but they called today and said they had to change my appointment. I am so hungry between meals I feel like this is banster hell part 2! I don't even think my first banster hell was this bad. I can still only eat a very small meal, but it doesn't last long at all. Life has been busy busy busy and work kicked my ass this week. On Monday morning a dropped my VERY HOT curling Iron while doing my hair. Like an idot I tried to catch it and for a split second trapped it between the very tender underside of my wrist/arm and my body. I instantly realized what I had done and let it drop to the floor. By the time I was working on my 2nd patient I realized my arm had blistered and the cuff of my lab jacket was breaking it open. So all week at work I have had to keep a bandaid over it so my gloves and lab coat don't do more damage. I really hate bandaids for even a needle stick or paper cut , but I have had no choice. I take off the bandaid when I am not at work, but with it being covered (and wristband still rubbing) my burn gets soggy. It looks so bad.......flesh.....ewwwww. I think my entire thickness of skin is gone. I don't think it is infected or anything, but it just really sucks.

I thought Daddy said Sunshine was 24. Either way, she needs to grow up. I thought the makeovers went great, but not sure everyone will keep up the new look and styles. We don't get to pick the type of hair that grows out of our heads and some types will take more work.

Adjua....................347...............337...........240......... ....97 Amy.....................289................258...........160.......... 98 Angie64.................270...............270...........210....... ......60 Astrasmom............254...............254...........170............. .84 Babe....................265...............265...........199.... ..........66 Band_Groupie........172.5.............157.5..........0-148........0-9.5 BetsyB.................226.6.............206.8.........109...... ......97.8 BigMomma............209.................209...........135...........74 Bklynike...............258.................258...........150.......... .108 BobbieND..............224................205...........150..... .......55 Bree99.................259................234...........155..... .......83 Brigette................198...............198............150.... ........48 Bristlecone............157...............157............130....... .....27 crzytchr................217...............217............180..... ... ...37 Dana36.................233...............229............160....... .....69 daqui26.................274...............274............200....... .....74 DDGALARZ..............185...............185............150............ .35 destined4thinness..215.5.............215.5..........150............65 5 Diamondgirl81........317...............292.............250............ 42 ericanda1973.........198.5............198.5..........130......... ..68.5 Fourme.................189...............172............145........... ..27 HummingBird..........204...............178............150............. .28 jenibeni.................224...............208............165........ ....43 Jennih...................232...............232.............130.... ......102 Jeni 85..................185..............185..............150........35 KDEE....................240................240.............150...... .....90 kyleegirl01.............245................198.............160...... .....38 Lady LAP...............217................217.............125...... .....95 Lisa65...................174.5............165..............145..... ......20! Liz........................193.4............174..............155...... ......19! lotzasunshine.........247...............245..............175........ ...70 MaggieGT..............238...............236..............208.......... 30 newdicarlo.............187...............174..............135...... . ...39 Northernmist..........289...............265..............175.......... ..90 ol55andahalf..........184...............184..............144...... ......40 Peggy1.................308...............308..............225......... ..83 RandaPanda...........194...............175..............150........ ....25 RAYNE913.............234...............225..............160....... ....65 RobinAnn.............232.4...............210.4..............160...... ....50.4 scoutmama...........270...............270..............180........ ....90 shadst8................333...............303..............217........ ....86 skinny31................261...............240..............182..... .......58 SNDYCNRD.............207...............194.5............150.......... 44.5 sueinne.................220................212.............180.... ........32 Tabithan................244...............234..............190....... .....44 TARASGIRL.............305...............282..............225....... ......57 tdtucker................256...............256...............160...... . ....96 Teacher2010..........192...............183...............150...... . ....33 Tealeaves..............305...............289...............150...... . ...139 TeriLu....................215...............212...............150.. .... ....62 TIGGER71G............224...............224................130....... .....94 unshackled............277...............277................180....... .....97 Valerie.................190................190................150... . .......40

This was a post from a LAP-BAND® Dr. in a thread some time ago. I saved it because I like the way he explained things. Here is a link to that thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/i-dont-understand-110373/ All weight loss comes from calorie deficit (burning more calories than you consume). Burning more and consuming less is what causes weight loss. The band will not force you to burn calories. The band helps with the consuming less part. It helps with this in three major ways: 1. Reduced appetite - some surgeons argue that the band is an appetite reduction operation. It has been shown to reduce appetite hormones. Patients say they don't feel hungry - they don't feel like they are on a diet. The band reduces true physical hunger. Some of us struggle with emotional hunger, phantom hunger which is not cured by the band but reducing physical hunger is very helpful at combatting head hunger. Emotional hunger comes from deep rooted emotional pain causing negative emotion that is unfortunately temporarily cured by food. 2. Fullness on small portions - the amount of stomach above the band is small. You will feel full on a much smaller portion of food if the band is properly adjusted. The fullness feeling is not a "pat your lower belly" kind of fullness. Band fullness is a very high sensation - in the chest - the feeling that the last bite of food is somewhere near the base of the tongue and another crumb will not be physically allowed. 3. The impossible nature of overeating - let's say you feel full and not hungry but you decide that you will overeat anyway. A properly adjusted band simply will not allow this. A point will be reached where the system will reject anything more. The esophagus (swallowing tube) is a transport organ; not a storage organ. The esophagus has two buttons: down and up. It will try down first. If that doesn't work, it switches to up and you get to see the food again. We've been banding for eight years and we see three groups of patients in our practice: Group 1 - gold medal superstar patients who lose easily and steadily after band surgery and send us Christmas cards that will bring tears to your eyes. Group 2 - patients who acheive the same ultimate results as Group 1 but it takes longer with more office visits and more education and slower weight loss but we still get there. The race car crosses the finish line but it's on fire and badly damaged. Group 3 - patients that will be three years out from band surgery and only down 20 or 30 pounds. The three biggest reasons patients are in this group are: 1.) unsolved emotional eating 2.) zero calorie burning 3.) Quit, give up, stop coming to the practice for band adjustments, education, etc One of the best books I've seen on emotional eating is: "Shrink Yourself" by Dr. Gould. Many patients have told me this helps. The secret to curing emotional eating is to identify the root cause of this negative emotional pain and work through it. This is the most difficult aspect of successful weight loss.

If you have a tickle fit it will make your Doctor's day!:thumbup:

The world is full of all kinds. I like the way Leigha looks at it. Geez, some people ......... Don't let it get you down.

If my pouch is full of food for several hours I have trouble drinking enough. It isn't that the band restricts fluids for me.

Personally I would stay in the states. If something goes wrong down the road ........ There are some really bad stories here on LBT about going to Mexico. There are good ones too, but you really have no recourse if you go out of the country. Cheapest may not always be best. I went to Denver ($9950) www.lapbandrockies.com