JulieSlu

Any recommendations? Please?

Hi Angie! My sister lives in Union Grove!

Good morning my WI friends. I live in Phoenix now, but I was born at Waukesha Hospital and lived in Pewaukee my first 10 years. My license plate here says "Cheesehead" in an abrreviated form. My motto is "Cheesehead by birth, Packer fan by choice"!

One thing that is helping me is a workbook that others are going through on a different board. It is "Get Out of Your Mind & Into Your Life". I would recommend it. Slow going at first, but it is good.

It was great to meet you and Candi too! How fun that we were all there at the same time. I really should update my pic. Maybe later today. Yep, yours needs updating too, your face is also slimmer. You are welcome on the advice. You are doing great though!

Stick with the diet your surgeon gave you first and foremost. Are you on solids now? If so, measure your protein out and eat that first. I have to measure mine since I have no concept of how much I am really eating if I don't.

Ok, found my card, it is late afternoon. When is yours?

Hi Ava! I feel good. I think I could have done better so far, but I am trying to concentrate on the future and doing better now. I think I see Dr. Simpson tomorrow also. I will have to call and check. I am pretty sure I see him this week in the afternoon.

Good morning SElaine! Some changes have been harder than others. I know that for me the weight is coming off fairly easily. What is harder is getting my head to adjust to it. I knew going in that I would have to be determinded to get the weight off, and I am. I guess I just did not know that I would need some adjustments in my head. I know this may not make sense, but I have had a relationship with being fat most of my adult life. It insulated me and kept others away. I am taking down that barrier and now have to adjust my thinking about myself and how I see myself. I would have the surgery and do it all over again in a second. I am a stronger and healthier person, emotionally and physically, in a second.

How are you doing now Ava? Dr. Simpson was my surgeon also.

How is it going for you and your husband? Do you have your surgery day? I am wishing for the best for both of you.

Christina, I have been away from this board for a long time, so I just saw this thread. I just wanted to say that I wish you the best on your journey. Only you, your family and your doctors can decide what is best for you. Also, please know that (to me) it seems the horror stories get more attention because those of us succeeding with the band don't tend to yell it from the mountain tops. Your friend probably needs a fill and should contact her doctor.

Hello to everyone! I had surgery in October 06 w/Dr. Simpson. I really like him and his staff. For those of you who want other options, there is exciting news...AIGB which is in Texas now is expanding to the Scottsdale area. Watch for the advertising as the seminars should start the end of the month. :Banane43:

From one Julie to another.. a big hug. I can hug you and cry with you. I am in the midst of my own storms but I will be glad to help you stand through yours.

I may not post much, but I do read all of the time. This is a great place to know others who are on the same journey.

Hi Penni! I am still a newer bandster, so I may not have a lot of advice, but I can offer a ton of support. Is your band still too tight? Have you tried going back to mushies to let things settle down? Do you chew to goo before swallowing? I guess my only advice is to go back to the basics. Start back with mushies to let things settle down, then be aware of how much you are eating and how fast. Be sure to not drink for at least an hour after eating to help with the full feeling. Much support to you.

Mary, My husband was/is much like yours. I was a self pay. He did not want me to have the surgery. I finally figured out why. It was because he is afraid that once I loose the weight I will want to go find another guy. He likes me fat because other guys don't look at me and my self-esteem is low. I have lost 45 pounds since my banding and am feeling so much better. I lost the equivalent of a large bag of dog food. There is no way I could carry one of those around all day, and yet I was. You have to make the right decision for you. For the first time possibly in your life you will need to put you first. If you are not used to that, it is incredibily hard but extremely worth it.

Hi gals! I live in Phoenix and had surgery with Dr. Simpson. I have not had a fill yet, but may soon. Jack, you are way too funny. My boss lives in NJ and he can travel an hour and be in another state. Here you can't even get across the city in that time.

My sister and I got matching tatoos of a penguin when my Mom died in August. They are between the ankle and knee on the calf. They are fairly small, but people are always amazed that I have one. I am the assistant to the CIO of a major children's hospital. Unfortunately, my tat looks like the Linux penguin which the guys I work with are thrilled about.

Diana, I think there are different seminars. The first one is where he talks about the surgery in general. I did not go to this, but since I self-paid I think they allowed me to skip it. The seminar we are talking about is really a class. They teach you about post-band class and you have a consultation with the nutritionist. This one you must go to before surgery. I am now on day 10 post surgery. I have lost 20 pounds and feel wonderful. I had tried every diet and every pill available. For the first time I feel like I am in control and have a tool that works. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will do my best to answer them.

Ok Surgery story: My neighbor/friend Debbie picked me up at 8:15 and we went to the surgi-center. When you walk in there is a huge waiting room that is really clean and beautiful. It looks more like a living room in a huge house. The Admitting Area was just one small office. So, I went in and signed all of the papers, got my wrist bands and went out to wait. We were the only ones there. I was just telling Debbie that I had a book so it was ok for her to go when the nurse came to get me. Her name is Kelli and she was really nice. So, we made sure they had Debbie's phone number to call when I got out, gave Deb a hug and went to pre-surgery. I got my beautiful gown, but before I put it on they asked me to trace the bottom of my bra (so that the incisions won't rub). Sat back in pre-surgery for awhile. One of the women from the class came in towards the end as she was his next surgery. Her attitude is the complete opposite of mine. She is sitting back and hoping it works. Anyways, the anesthesiologist (sp) came in and talked to me for a bit. He is a hotie. Then my doctor talked to me for a bit too. They wheeled me in, my IV stung, the hotie said goodnight and next I knew I was waking up in post-op. In post-op I got some ice chips, then walked to the restroom, got changed, drank a few sips of water and left. The only snag in post-op was the blood pressure cuff had slipped and it gave me one heck of a bruise. It was pretty much that simple. I know surgery is never simple, but a laparoscopy is so different than open surgery. Debbie dropped my script off on the way home. It is for liquid Vicodin. I used some last night, but doubt I will need it today.

I am home and feeling pretty good. I bit sore at my left shoulder and port site, but overall good. I even went for a walk outside.

Yep, it is tomorrow. Yikes, I get a little butterfly in my stomach when I say that. Don't forget to PM me that other info ok? I'll let you know how it goes. I am ready mentally and physically. Tell me more about your new job, ok?

Me too. It is coming up so fast. Went grocery shopping today with DH and got food for the first few weeks. I was thinking about my work week thinking that I would work Mon, Tues and Wed then I realized duh, I will be in surgery on Wed. Only working two days this week. Wow, just typing that makes my heart go faster.

Christy - thanks for keeping me entertained during the meeting. It was great to meet you. As far as your question today I say giddy up!