btrieger

Thanks for the hairball info. I've tried a few as well as different cat foods that said hairball control on them. To those with questions about losing weight with the band: There are absolutely no guarantees that you will lose weight with the LAP-BAND®. It is not a magic wand or pill. The LAP-BAND® and fills do not lose a single ounce for you. Fat is burned and weight lost by burning more calories than you consume. The LAP-BAND® is simply a tool that makes you feel satisfied with less food/calories if you eat right and have sufficient restriction. Every ounce you lose will be because you earned it. Not because you have a piece of plastic in you. Keep reading the forums here and make note of how many people are barely losing at all. The majority of them keep waving their magic wands and can't figure out why the fat isn't melting away. If this is not what you thought, please read as much as you can prior to being banded. There are more subtle ways to put this but that's just not me. :sad: And also note that everybody that is losing weight with the band is using another tool that is available to everyone, a positive attitude. This is far more important than the lapband but they work great together. Good luck!

I did 4 straight weeks of it and just stopped today. 3 pre-op and 1 post-op. I wasn't hungry for one second nor was I dizzy or weak except when I stood up too fast. The chocolate and strawberry are delicious. The vanilla is ok but kind of bland. All it takes is determination and a positive attitude. Do not think hunger or you'll bring it upon yourself. Think of the final result. Good luck!!

I had my surgery last Tuesday. The day before that, a local news reporter in Oregon died of an infection she got during lapband surgery. I thought about it for a second but was not concerned. How many times a day to you get in a car? Are you paranoid in the car? Do you have any idea how many people die in car accidents every day? You have to look at the big picture. There are many careless idiots on the road that can cause an accident. Surgeons are trained professionals with years of training and experience. I am more comfortable going under the knife than driving home from work.

Good job!! Once you get in the groove you will do it without even thinking about it. If you have one of those days where you just can't get in the mood, compromise and only do 15 or 20 minutes. and always take a couple of minutes when you are done to realize how much better you feel and thank yourself.

All you had to do is ask Check out the last post in this link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/ If you need more help just let me know. Good luck!

Hi all, Went back to work today and it sucked. Nothing different, work always sucks after a week off but it pays the bills and health insurance. I haven't got fancy yet. I forgot how little time I had to prepare meals because I am on the internet all night 6:30 am - 2 dannon yogurts 9:30 am - 3 oz scrambled eggs 12:30 pm - Optifast shake 3:30 pm - Optifast shake 6:30 pm - 1/2 can crush tomatoes; 3 oz mozarella; fennel seed;oregano; garlic powder and italian spices I threw it together without looking for a recipe. It actually tasted like pizza without the crust. Gloria, if I had a DW and she said she was going Mass. DW would be XW in a hurry. Grew up there; spent 5 years in the military and like a complete fool, I moved back there. I finally got out of there 3 years ago and never going back. I should have left the pukey cat there. It was 76 degrees and sunny in North Texas today!! Somebody posted earlier that they were going to completely unfill their band every summer in one of the threads today but didn't say why. My curiosity is peaked!

I looked for it as well. Coincidentally, I have the same surgeon as Leigha.

I've been banded a week and the biggest surprise by far is the lack of pain.

There are quite a few people in this forum that post the Democrat propaganda. Unfortunately, they believe it. I am a member of the Libertarian Party and get my share of Libertarian e-mail as well. It's no wonder that so many people have absolutely no clue what is really going on.

I was carrying an excess 195 pounds when I asked my surgeon if it would be possible to lose every bit of it with the lapband. He gave the same response we all hear, "most patients lose 50-60% of their excess weight" but he also added, "those that put in the extra work required lose 100%." He assured me that hundreds of his lapband patients have lost all of their excess weight and kept it off. That's all I needed to hear. I personally think that those that are successful are the ones using both tools necessary. The lapband, as it should be used and a positive attitude. The latter being the most important. Without a positive attitude you won't follow the rules for the lapband. I lost 50% of my excess weight in the 5 months leading up to my surgery. If your friend is right, I had surgery for nothing. If she is a close friend, try and help her gain a positive attitude but don't let her turn yours negative. Good luck!

Good luck and remember, no running until the doctor says it's ok!

It's going to be sunny and high 70s tomorrow and my drive will suck worse because I've been off for a week enjoying the good life. Looks like kitty may have an accident. :thumbup:

I had surgery less than a week ago and wouldn't know it if I didn't have the scars to prove it. My story is pretty much the same as Jen's. No pain at all. The gas was very uncomfortable but that last less than 3 days.

Congrats!! Buckle up, those 4 weeks are going to fly by.

Welcome aboard Robin. Buckle your seat belt. Those 5 weeks are going to fly by. I don't know about doing anything with grace here but we do it with honesty. A positive attitude will see you through surgery and beyond without much pain. Matilda pretty much summed the rest up. Aside from the forums here, there is also the "Blogs" button at the top-left of the page where you can read of others' experiences and log your own.

I'm sticking with the Optifast shakes and have had a few fat free yogurts. They were on my surgeon's list as liquids. I can start on pureed/mushie food tomorrow. Post-op is a week from tomorrow.

98.6 this morning but I round it to 99. Either tomorrow morning or Wednesday I will hit 100. (99.1 gets rounded to 100) Then my next milestone is 243 (122 down). 244 pounds is the lowest I've hit on a diet in the past 15+ years. I'm in no hurry, just cruising along. I know that a month long plateau is due and am not going to let it get to me.

I've been there on so many fronts. My mom was a little more conniving though, she'd get us fighting between ourselves because she was afraid we'd gang up on her if we got along. You're on the right path. You need to look out for yourself and your kids first. If you have time to read, I suggest checking out a couple of books by Harriet Braiker: Who's Pulling Your Strings? How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life The Disease to Please: Curing the People-Pleasing Syndrome You can get a brief synopsis of these books at: Welcome to Dr. Braiker's Website Good luck and take comfort in knowing there are others out there that know every mom and dad aren't June and Ward Cleaver!!!

First off, congrats on the weight loss! You've got too much time and money invested to give up now. A positive attitude is really required. I know how hard it can be to think positively but if just one of you can manage to do it the energy may shine through to the other. Then you just watch out for each other and thwart any negativity that manifests. I would confront the surgeon's staff in a positive manner. Find out first hand if they really are judging you. If they aren't, you've killed that demon. If they are, let them know how it is affecting your over all health. They may be thinking of you as just another patient. Opening up to them may make the sympathize. Also, follow all of the rules or let the surgeon know which ones you are having an issue with. Doctors can't help patients that aren't totally honest with them. Please don't quit and I wish you luck in whatever you end up doing!

Y'all have convinced me to give mine another shot. Thanks!!

Congrats and welcome!! I doubt it will get you in faster but it can't hurt to try. Good luck!!

Keep moving; take Gas-X and let those farts rip! You're almost out of the woods. Day 3 was the worst for me.

Don't be a stranger to them. You can still pop in to say hi and show off the new you.

Good luck!! There's nothing to be nervous about. You'll be posting tomorrow afternoon telling us how smooth it went.