juno610

Still here! I've kinda hit a rough spot lately. A bad time to disappear, I know. I've gained 4 lbs. I haven't been able to exercise because of that stupid asthma attack (but I start back tomorrow finally!). I also have been a little down about being sick and eating too much ice cream (i know, i know). So, hopefully I get back on track, and everything will turn around. I have an appointment with my nutritionist next week, and I'm also planning on going to talk to the psychologist again. I mean to take full advantage of my support team! Maria

Look at this candy wrapper and tell me the first thing that comes to mind!! It just cracked me up and I wanted to share with some folks who would get it! http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2007/05/09/twix-pb/ Maria

I am very glad I had it done. Even if I don't lose another pound at this point (unlikely), it's been enough to make me feel like a normal person again. I feel great! There's a few things that I can't eat anymore that I really thought I would miss (like rice and potatoes), but I don't find I miss them at all. There are fleeting moments when I think, "gee, some rice would really go great with this," but I usually find I'm not hungry enough for it anyway. It's a totally different ballgame when you are satisfied on less. Hope that helps!

I took two weeks off because I work on my feet all day and do some light lifting. I do not, however, have to climb fences. I think if that were the case, I might take 3 off if possible. I was feeling mostly back to normal by two weeks, but still had some port pain. I'd be afraid that the extra stress on your core muscles with the climbing and stretching would be too much. Just my 2 cents!

Hi Terry! Back in high school, I was told I had exercise induced asthma, but I never had an attack, AND I was very active (cheerleading, dance, basketball, whatever!). I've always had horrible sinuses and I'm very susceptible to respiratory infections. This asthma attack was completely out of nowhere. My new allergist is treating me as if it is chronic, so I am on Zyrtec, Advair, and Nasocort daily. I do admit I'm feeling much better, and my allergies are totally in check. I did do a little shopping for my trip. I got a couple new shirts and a new pair of jeans (even though the weight is coming off slowly, I'm changing shape, so I'm down another size!). I actually fit in my smaller clothes from my last tropical trip 2 years ago, so that saved me some cash! When is your trip? We leave in a mere 3 weeks!! I can't wait Maria

Have you checked out the doctor listing on obesityhelp.com? That might be a good starting point for your search.

Tonya - thank you! And you look fantastic! I should post some pics soon too. Enterprise - hang in there, friend! It's hard to have stress at work and sick kitties too. Just know I'm sending good thoughts your way. Well, I think I need another fill, but I'm going on vacation the first week of June, so I'm going to wait until after that. I still have my moments, so I don't want to be dealing with an unfamiliar situation while in the Bahamas. On the downside, I was hoping to lose 10-15 more pounds before then, but this asthma business has really put a dent into things.

Good morning! Hey Audree! Good to see you back here! I thought I'd post some of my NSVs, seeing as that's been the topic lately... 1. Down 2 sizes in pants. Wow! 2. Can hook my bra on the inner-most hooks. 3. No longer huff and puff while putting on socks or tying shoes. 4. Can make it up a flight of stairs without wanting to die. So far, so good! I agree with Tonya -- exercise is so important. I can't wait to get back to it. I've been away from the gym because of a big asthma attack and some other health issues. I gotta get healthy! Maria

Have you checked out the Lap Band FAQs and References folder? There is a thread in there with links to all sorts of clinical studies. I'm not sure about how long term they are, but they should still be helpful. There is a woman on a yahoo group who has had her band for 8 years and she's still doing great! Hope this helps! Maria

Hi Amaara, welcome! First, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. I can't even imagine! Second, I wanted to say that I can see how you might see WLS as a "surgery-induced eating disorder", but I assure you it is nothing of the sort. To use your examples, I definitely do not obsess over every calorie. I don't have to! My hunger is dimmed, so I don't even think about it half the time. I do have to make smart choices though. I can't let myself get full on a twinkie, because that would just defeat the purpose. That's not to say I don't have a little cheat from time to time. I also do not puke whenever I eat too much. Usually I'll slime and have to spit into a sink/toilet for 10 minutes, but puking... no. Actually, it's rare that I eat too much anymore. Once you learn what full feels like (and trust me, it's a lot different when you're banded), you learn to stop there. And it's not hard. Getting food stuck and having that over-full feeling is not fun. Finally, don't let the amount of calories you might eat bother you. You have to focus on quality food choices, knowing that there are treats still in your future. I know it's hard to understand, but it is an amazing change. I really didn't get it until I had my band. No one can tell you whether or not surgery is the right option for you. You have to decide what's best for you. I hope I haven't been too preachy here. I just wanted to tell you what my experiences have been. Please explore these boards-- there's so much good info here. I wish you the best of luck in your journey! Maria

Yes, all the time! It's so embarrassing. Sometimes I gurgle after every sip of liquid! I work in the EEG lab at work, and we keep it pretty quiet during the tests so the patients can relax. My coworker and I were trying to be quiet but laughing our behinds off because every time I took a sip of water my throat would go gurgle gurgle gurgle. Wierd! Mine hasn't woken me up yet though! Maria

Tonya, good for you!!! Congrats!! BFL is a great program -- think how smokin' hot you will be with all those muscles!!

Well, I've had an exciting weekend. My mom and I deep-cleaned and rearranged one of my extra bedrooms on Friday. Apparently, all the dust we kicked up was too much for me, because by 10, I was feeling sort of short of breath. I just went to bed, not realizing what was happening. So, I wake up Saturday, and it's getting worse. I go run some errands, and at one point, I even considered calling 911 from a parking lot. I was so out of breath and hyperventilating after walking to my car that I thought I was going to pass out! So, I make it home, and I call my surgeon. I was coughing a lot too, and I was afraid for my band. She heard me wheezing over the phone and said I better get myself to the hospital. DH took me up to the ER and sure enough I was having a major asthma attack out of nowhere (apparently my teenage asthma is back). I spent the night at the hospital getting steroids and breathing treatments. Doing much much better today. No exercise for a week though! It was pretty scary! Anyway, on the nasty hospital food, I managed to lose 3.4 lbs! Maria

I told my surgeon that I followed these rules before my second fill, and she was very pleased with me! She said it was exactly the advice that she would've given.

We just talked about this at my support group meeting last night! The psychologist was running the meeting (she is so fabulous - love her!), and she did say that many people are tighter around TOM. A lot of the girls there agreed that they feel that too. I love my meetings. Last night it was all women and it was just like sitting around gabbing with a bunch of girlfriends. Maria

Just checking in... I must say I've been doing pretty good with the exercise. You can all check out my journal and kick my butt if I miss a day! LOL! On the other hand, I'm still frustrated with my lack of weight loss. Especially with my crazy exercising over the past two weeks! I think I may need another fill, though I hate to admit it. I've been eating about 1 cup at meals, which I know is too much, but that is what fills me up. Anyhoo... a big welcome to the new peeps. Glad to have you here! Maria

Gina, I felt the same way. For the first few days, I only served myself 2oz at a time, and it took me 30-40 minutes to get that little bit down. I was lucky if I got 30 oz in for the whole day. Hang in there!

My best bets so far have been string cheese and chunks of diced turkey. I buy kettle fried breasts from Costco and dice them up. They are super moist and yummy - even when cold! Of course, they need to be kept refrigerated.

Hi Cheyanne! Welcome to the board. Don't be shy -- there's lots of good info to be found here. Good luck with your journey!

Once I got the rules down (slow eating, small bites, etc), eating was not a chore. Sure, there is some adjusting, and you need to be ready and willing to deal with it. I feel like I have to learn all over again after each fill, but in general I would definitely not categorize eating as a chore.

Hi Judy and welcome! It's kind of hard to answer your questions specifically because everyone's doctor and insurance situations are different. I can tell you what my experience was though. I had my first consultation with the surgeon Nov 8, 2006, got my surgery scheduled during the beginning of December, and finally had surgery Jan 22, 2007. So, not too bad of a wait. Because of my insurance, I did not have to have referrals to the psychologist, etc. My surgeon just wrote the scripts and off I went. My doc did require I go to a seminar, but I also live very nearby. Maybe your doc will help you with an alternative? Again, with the liquids, all docs have different rules. For me, I did four weeks of Optifast liquid and bars before surgery. After surgery, I did two weeks of full liquids, which included thin Soups, gatorade, juice, Water, milk, etc. I must say again -- these were my specific instructions from my doc. You should always follow the guidelines set by your doctor. Hope that helped! Maria

Today my goal is to eat some veggies. I noticed I've been mostly eating fruit with my meat. I need some ruffage! 11am: 1/4 cup chicken salad, 1/2 cup corn 4pm: 2 hard breadsticks with garlic/cream cheese dip 7pm: 8 tortellini (meat filled) with tomato sauce Exercise: Full body weight training, 30 minutes on the treadmill, 3.2mph/3.0% grade

Today my goal is to eat some veggies. I noticed I've been mostly eating fruit with my meat. I need some ruffage! 11am: 1/4 cup chicken salad, 1/2 cup corn 4pm: 2 hard breadsticks with garlic/cream cheese dip 7pm: 8 tortellini (meat filled) with tomato sauce Exercise: Full body weight training, 30 minutes on the treadmill, 3.2mph/3.0% grade

I'm setting a little mini goal for myself. I'd like to lose 16 more pounds before we go on vacation in June. I need to start looking a little more closely at what I'm eating, so here goes... I'm trying not to label meals as breakfast, lunch, and dinner because I'm trying to get out of the habit of eating because it's "time." 10am: 5 bites of cherry almond chicken salad 1pm: 1/2 cup curry chicken salad, 1/2 cup grapefruit slices 6pm: 6 cheese ravioli with tomato sauce, 1 marshmallow egg 9pm: 2 glasses wine Exercise: 35 minute on the treadmill. 3.4mph, 3-6% grade intervals

I'm setting a little mini goal for myself. I'd like to lose 16 more pounds before we go on vacation in June. I need to start looking a little more closely at what I'm eating, so here goes... I'm trying not to label meals as breakfast, lunch, and dinner because I'm trying to get out of the habit of eating because it's "time." 10am: 5 bites of cherry almond chicken salad 1pm: 1/2 cup curry chicken salad, 1/2 cup grapefruit slices 6pm: 6 cheese ravioli with tomato sauce, 1 marshmallow egg 9pm: 2 glasses wine Exercise: 35 minute on the treadmill. 3.4mph, 3-6% grade intervals