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WELCOME WELCOME!! I share your excitement about beginning the LB journey. Just be sure to ask every single question you can think of at the seminar and read the materials they give you. Check back with us for clarifications and encouragement. Jo Ann

Not in Katy but in New Territory, if something gets going I'd like to hear about it. Thanks, Jo Ann

Truth is I haven't traveled yet. :typing: I am an independent consultant and the universe arranged it so that I've been doing all my work on the phone and via email since the trip I didn't take.. I'lll start back on the road in about 2 weeks. I could travel now if I needed to and would be just fine. I see people saying they went back to work in a week or so, but they seem to be talking about desk jobs. For car travel, IMHO, I think 2 weeks is a minimum and maybe 3 is better. I know I just started solid foods this week and I am grateful to not have to deal with ordering mushies in public. Also, the gas I seem to get while driving has greatly lessened. Check with your doc and be sure to tell them the kind of work you are going to have to do once you've put the 500 miles on the car. Good luck on getting that surgery date! Jo Ann

Hi Katie, The information you've been given about weight loss in the early days is excellent, so I have nothing to add there. I have one quick question about chewing. I'm surprised to see that you are chewing food at about 2 weeks out from surgery. I know each doctor has their own post surgical eating plan, but I'm curious about how long your doc had you on mushies? Thanks, Jo Ann

Welcome Yasmina! Do a search for the Canadian Local Support Group. There are several very active threads with Canadians. I'll bet they can answer your questions. Good luck! Jo Ann

Awesome! You brought tears to my eyes -- much less pain , turning over in bed, and the best of all -- "skinny butt!" I'm as proud of you as if I hatched you myself! :whoo: Thank you for taking the time to share the win. On my anniversary I want to be able to do the same. Jo Ann

make others notice their yearnings LACEY

I was cleared by my doc's office to travel 5 days post surgery, and I could have if there had been an emergency. But I canceled my trip because while I was cleared to fly, no one said anything about flying and then working. I couldn't stand up straight without bending over for more than 10-15 minutes gas was still a big issue - primarily shoulder pain I couldn't get any type of bra on :cry I thought about being wedged into an airline seat with no wiggle room, painful gas and who knew what else would happen? Oh and being on mushies When I'm on the road, I'm expected to be 100% there for my clients, no less. I told the truth about my expected stamina and postponed the trip. Unless your boss is agreeable to you just lying there on a gurney --- you might seriously consider postponing that first trip. "Been there, done that!" Jo Ann

Sheri, The most well meaning people will ask you if you can't do it by pushing back from the table, drinking more Water and exercising more. Those that are threatened by any change in the status quo will often times say the same thing. What makes it so hurtful to hear is because this is the same thing we are asking ourselves over and over again. Many of us who decided on the lapband did so not because we didn't know how to lose weight, we did it because the weight always found us again! It wouldn't stay lost. I wanted to have some support for my determination to get control of my weight and to maybe have a life where I could be supported in keeping appropriate portion control without having to eat the same low-fat, low carb foods forever. Ultimately, the decision is yours and maybe the initial support may have to come from your parents. But don't forget you have found the LBT and there are way many of us who would be honored to support you. :clap2: Best of luck and keep posting on this journey. Jo Ann

Just because someone calls, it does not mean you have to answer the phone; that's what caller ID is for! :doh: And if she comes to the door, stop her at the door and say, "It's not a good time for me right now." Do not explain or apologize. You do not owe her an explanation. She'll get the idea. Your having to move means that she is in charge of your life -- I thought you were. Good luck

Good comments. I wish I had said that! :biggrin1:

I'll jump on the bandwagon and post my October goal for 10 lb. as well!

Hi there! I was self pay too. Dr. Spivak did not tell me to go on a diet before my surgery, he just told me not to gain weight between our appointment and the day of surgery (about 3 weeks later). I did not tell him I was going on a cruise the next week! But you know, with just a little more control than usual and a policy of I can have anything I want - a taste at a time - I came back from the cruise 2lb. under! Could it be that you have a fear of success, instead of a fear of failure? What if it all worked out? Would you have to find new stuff to blame for being unhappy? Every one of the posts I have read, hints at our fear of failing on this method. Well meaning people have said to me, "couldn't you just eat less, drink Water and exercise on your own? Then you wouldn't have to pay out all that money. We know that if left to our own devices, we could probably lose the weight (usually about 30lb.) for me, but it always comes back and brings new friends. Plus, I was looking for a life where I got help with portion control, my biggest concern. And I didn't have to give up something forever. If my band won't allow bread, maybe it will help with my carb addiction! :clap2: It was the best plan for me all around. Keep talking to me, maybe we can sort this out. You can go on Private Message if you like. Jo Ann

Lana, I am one month into my process and you are right, every minute is not always paradise. Keep in mind that if everything is going perfectly, most people do not post, so you are probably going to see a higher percentage of negative comments or problems on this board than there are in the general population of bandsters. It's important to get into your head that the band itself is not the answer; it requires you to partner with it. The band, even unfilled provides enough restriction for many to lose weight even while healing. Even people who admit to falling off the wagon and eating things they think they should not, have to admit that they cannot eat in the quantities they did before. That might be worth 1/2 the cost of the band, right there. The weight for most people does not drop as fast as it does for the gastric bypass, but I appreciate that I have the power to maximize my results by doing the things that help in a healthy lifestyle; drink Water, exercise (even walking) on a consistent basis and be conscious of what actually goes into my mouth in terms of portion size. I feel like an active participant in my life and well being. Personally I could not imagine standing Dr. Spivak up 3 times, he is such a pleasure to be around. But I think we all have fantasies of bolting just before surgery! What exactly is it that happens that makes you back out just before surgery? Are you in touch with that yet? Let me know and we can talk some more about it. Stay in touch, Jo Ann

I haven't heard any restrictions about flying. In fact, I was scheduled for a plane trip the week after my surgery. When I call the Dr. office they told me it would be no problem, people have flown 2-3 days after surgery. I cancelled that particular trip because I felt it was too early post-surgery for me to fly and get back to work too. But as far as I know, you should not have any troubles on a plane. Jo Ann

Sorry about the migraine -- it must have been a killer! But congrats on your BIG NSV with the old fave pants, it had to have been a thrill. Congrats also on your scale victory since banding. WTG! Jo Ann

You rock girl! I like your plan for the near future and you are off to a great start on the first day of the rest of your life. Just remember the 6 P's -- PPPPPP - Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Best Wishes, Jo Ann

I've been banded since 8/28/06. I couldn't wear a bra at all until about 9/18 and then only on last set of hooks. Realized that I was really uncomfortable still with underwire bra and got some wireless ones. They are kinda tight too. Do you think this is still post surgical swelling or what??? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks, Jo Ann

Hey, I had a new thought. If you click around the ADA web site you will find this link that talks about nutrition and recipes. Click here: Nutrition & Recipes - American Diabetes Association BTW, my surgeon recommends eating three meals a day

Dear KMMWK, You have asked the $64,000 Question about portion sizes and how to recognize. I've attached the comments from the American Diabetes Association on portions and how to estimate. I don't have much restriction and it's a good reminder for me too. Click here: food & Portion Size - Weight Loss Matters - American Diabetes Association You mentioned that you ordered your meals in. Good choices are always chicken or beef with no sauces, avoid Pasta meals, get lots of fresh veggies and have salads with meat added, as a few suggestions. A good habit to get into is immediately dividing your meal into two portions and putting one of those away. Make all your food decisions off the 1/2 that is in front of you. Good luck, Jo Ann

Cool! Thanks.

Congratulations! Sorry about the pain. Day 2-5 for me were all about sore tummy muscles, like having done too many crunches. Then it faded away. Other soreness might well be related to laying down for a long time or it could be gas. Get out of bed and onto your feet and walk up and down the hall or around the room, several times a day. Use a heating pad if an area feels really sore, but keep yourself moving. It will make you feel a little stronger each day. Good luck, Jo Ann

Dear Mourning, I'm sorry this is a hard period for you right now. All of us have to have the showdown soon or later between "head" and "stomach" hunger at some point to get to our goal weight and you are right in the middle of it now. AND you are making it much harder for yourself to be successful , by skipping 1-2 meals every day. You are legitimately starving from no food all day, but your head is telling you when you do finally eat that you deserve a treat since you went without for so long. How to break this cycle? As an old friend told me....PPPPPP! Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. 1. Use pay day to stock up on things that work like breakfast bars or protein drinks -- whatever you need to have to get you going in the morning. 2. Buy some food you can keep in your desk, like the tuna pouches or chicken pouches; they even have salmon pouches now. Include the individual cups of applesauce or fruit in light syrup. You don't even have to leave your desk to have an appropriate lunch when there is nothing to bring from home. 3. I grew up where seconds were always normal at dinner, so I feel deprived if I can't go back again. What's been working for me this time is to use a smaller sized plate and put the proper sized serving on it and eat it with a baby sized spoon (to avoid golfballs). Then I go back and get a tiny piece of the protein, and it feels like I had my seconds and also like I got away with something. 4. Have a plan for what to do when your money runs out and all there is dear MIL's meals. 5. Forgive yourself when you slip and fall.... If nothing else, be meticulous about water and exercise of some kind. It sounds like you are very down in the dumps. If this feeling is persisting for a while AND you keep hearing yourself say or think, "It's hopeless," or "Nothing's going to work for me," these are classic signs of clinical depression and no one has to live with that. Get yourself to a Dr. and tell them candidly how you have been feeling. There may be some trial and error to get the right medication for you, but you can put an end to these hopeless, worthless feelings. Please check back and let us know how you are doing. LBT is about supporting each other and giving a helping hand over the rough spots. Hugs, Jo Ann

I was taken with your signature line about being a proud member of the ABC and I put one in my signature line as well. Thanks for the idea. Jo Ann