lisalee

Sandi- Hi! It's nice to meet a veteran lapbander. I had mine put in in August 2006...kept up on the postings for about a year then dropped out. Still have my band and have maintained a 67-68 pound wt. loss (okay, so it's not what some have lost). Feeling discouraged after meeting with the nurse who focused on the last 22 pounds I need to loose... We are so hard on ourselves aren't we? Anyway, I was rummaging around on the site tonight thinking I need to get refocused and find some other old timers...then found your posting. Nice to see you are doing so well so many years out.! Lisa

Oh, and did I mention that people I haven't seen in a long time don't always recognize me? How funny!

Hi girls...I've been gone a while, very busy with life but it looks like everyone has done great! I finally have slithered into a size 12. It's very unreal but I can say I feel great physically and don't really have any significant complaints about my body except saggy boobs. (and smaller ones, how weird.) My sister and I are running a half-marathon in January in Houston. Just a year ago I couldn't run a half a mile without collapsing. Needless to say I am very pleased so happy belated bandiversary!

Doesn't bother me a bit. They have those in IKEA parking lots here. I just look at it as another reason to park a little further away and burn a few more calories by walking :eek:

I think it's because it is usually greasy, buttery or fattening. Or overprocessed. It just slides down easier! No weight loss for me this week. Something's happening though, my clothes are getting looser. I'm exercising a lot more now since joining a gym. Oh, hey! Not many more days left and we will begin celebrating our bandiversaries! Can anyone believe it's been a year? Wow!

GonnaBSkinny....congratulations and welcome! Your life is about to change in so many ways and it is such a wonderful journey!

April...I have never had the barbie doll part of my stomach make me feel nauseated and Lord knows I can't burp much from it. I bet it's your big stomach reacting to something. Maybe something you ate or a bug. If you're feeling "yucky" it's probably a bug. When you had your slip did you even know it? I can't remember what you said. I don't blame you for being paranoid but I bet it's nothing. Hope you feel better!

Dcprincess...often times I feel undeserving and it seems unreal that I have lost weight. I had an epiphany last week when I realized that "yes, I had lapband surgery but no one put an exercise band in me!" Really, the band has helped get me started but the continual success in exercise and fact that I continue to run in 90+ degree weather here in Texas is MY accomplishment and not because of that band of silicone. I like to mull over that from time to time. BTW I ran in Houston last weekend early in the morning and even at 0700 it was HOT. Way to go with your exercise down there! I had a strange experience several months ago. I was out with some friends in a club and was feeling pretty tipsy (not something I usually do anymore!) Well, I went into the bathroom and when I looked at the mirror I felt real strange. I hardly recognized myself. Surely it was the alcohol speaking but at any rate it was a freaky experience. I wonder if we have all failed to have good body images even before our weight gain years ago and consequently it was what got us to where we are today. I had a very good friend (also a shrink) tell me that I was ignoring my obesity because it protected me from being hurt by others. When I finally came to the conclusion that I could no longer continue to be overweight just the admission that I was truly morbidly obese was an extremely painful experience. I cried for days after I scheduled my surgery. I guess I was fearing losing another (in)effective coping mechanism. Dcprincess, have you ever thought of posting side-by-side pictures of yourself somewhere you can look at them on a regular basis? I just might try that myself....although I find looking at the former pictures very depressing. I just think of the years I put up with lugging all the weight around! Anyone else have any ideas?

Diane, I know the feeling....why do we do this to ourselves?!!! I happen to be someone who grazes. Mind you, my home is stocked with healthy food. It's the junk that people bring to work that gets me. Yesterday I had a piece of cake for breakfast, some frosting midmorning and a piece of cake for lunch. Yes, I brought healthy food to eat but it didn't find its way out of the fridge. Down one pound for me, I think. I'm at 171 this week. Seems like all of this running in the heat would help...but I know the snacking is just plain bad.

Karey....I hear you! I had 84 emails waiting for me this morning at work....and it's the weekend!

Mommi-hammi....I also discovered that my band tightens up after flying! Funny huh? The anesthesiologist's bill really had me worried for a while. I was so concerned I was getting hidden bills that were not explained to me. When I got the confirmation letter that my bills were all forgiven, I filed it for safekeeping and never had a problem again. Oh, and I can chug water!

Hlyndes....I got a bill after surgery (I was self pay) for another $500 or so from the anesthesiologist. Turns out it was a mistake. I just called Dr. Spivak's office and they cleared it up for me. BTW....I asked the anesthesiologist's office to send me a copy of my paid bill (just to be on the safe side) and they did. I filed it away w/my records. The steri-strips should stay on until they fall off. After a week or so and showering they will just curl up and drop off. Mommi-hammi....I have a finicky band too. I can eat bread this week but come bad weather or the time of the month I tighten up and can only get soft foods down. Not real sure what to make of that and I'm going on my year anniversary. Still learning...

Three words.....yum, yum, yum!

MOM! Haven't seen you in forever but it looks like you're doing great! MimIn...do your clothes fit differently? I think that would be one of the questions I would ask myself. It doesn't seem that if you haven't changed your behavior or exercise habits that going from losing mode to gaining mode would be so drastic. I would think instead that if you kept up the same behaviors that things would even off....not that you would gain it back and certainly not lose anymore. Does that make sense? BTW I ran 5 kilometers in 90degree weather last night (8PM) and got on the scale this morning and it said I had dropped 3 more pounds. I really hope it wasn't all Water but I did drink 2 1/2 liters of water when I finished. I'm crossing my fingers that it will stay down come Monday. Just needed to brag a moment

I'm a Texan too! I live north of Austin about 1 hour and was banded by the blessed Dr. Spivak in Houston September of 2007....I'm coming up on my bandiversary! Carey, I've lived in Texas for 21 years and all over the place. The only hard part I find about it (I have lived in Portland, Oregon too) is the heat in the summers and usually everything turns brown. Other than that there's great TexMex food, a lot of history, mild winters and mountains, desert, piney woods and the gulf coast....all within a days' drive. Oh, did I mention Mexico and Louisiana aren't too far away either? TexasBecky...I waited 6 weeks for mine, just cuz I couldn't get in any sooner to see the doc. Eight weeks does seem a little long but each doctor has his preferences.

Hi all, I dropped in here a few weeks ago and love to lurk...I can relate to so many of your struggles and feelings! Someone mentioned a book a few pages back about dealing with body image issues....can someone tell me what it is called? I envy you Oregonians....I was up on the coast in May (Reedsport/Winchester Bay area) and felt like I could run forever. The weather was so great! Tonight I ran 5k in 90degree weather...that is at 8PM because it's too darn hot to run any earlier in the day in Texas. I hate to wish for life to go faster but I can't wait until it cools off in October! Thanks Y'all!

No loss for me this week. I ran, hiked, went rock climbing, swam, fished and did a lot of house cleaning. All I got was sore knees, a suntan and a clean house (and a small catfish!). It will come off though, I know. It just doesn't want to do it on Mondays

Down one pound today to 172. I hope it's not just water loss from running last night!

Diane....I am green with envy. I haven't been under 170 pounds since I was like 21! For some reason I am struggling with fatty food cravings this week even though I am pretty restricted. I did make myself get out and exercise despite the heat. I am eating everything wrong...and I know better. I have managed to make it through two chocolate free days though.....I've said on this thread before how every office I am near at work is stocked with the evil stuff. If I eat one bite that's all I eat for the day.....so I decided to completely abstain if at all possible. That doesn't explain the pint of HagenDas I absentmindedly ate last night at midnight (but it was lowfat....?) I just hate myself....yech! Sharon, I am in Temple......are you nearby? Welcome to our thread and congrats on your up and coming band! While it may sound like I am complaining we all have our up and down days. I wouldn't trade my band for anything. I hope you are as pleased with your journey as most of us have been here. It's a new and wonderful world!

How do you chew soup anyway?!!!

I have a friend who has GERD or gastroesphageal reflux disease. She upchucks (sorta like we Pb) the offending burning irritant from her esophagus and spits up a little. Funny story, I was out eating dinner w/her and her family. Later I went out to smoke a cigarette and noticed slime and food in the bushes....but I knew I hadn't done it....it had me quiet confused until she confessed she had spit out the offending food. Whew! I though I had an amnestic PB! I guess I will start using a "GERD" problem if that comes up. It's a little less awkward than explaining a PB.

Diane...you have me laughing my jelly belly off! Maybe we should start our own thread..."sexy or saggy?" Bjean....hip, hip, hurray for you! I know how wonderful that feels!

BJean.....no criticism from this corner! I have had the wrong attitude for most of my 37 years....it will not change overnight...or over a year. I too do the same things from time to time. I still fight w/my band at times too. About 80/20% like you. And yes...the motivation comes in 10 pound spurts! MimIn....are you at goal? Or do you still want to lose 15 more? You look great either way! Katt...egg drop soup....now that is weird! How did you deal w/the questions..."are you ok?" and "what's wrong?" Lifelongband....you're welcome! I too am on again and off again here but this is a great thread and great bunch of people. Diane...attitude has so much to do with it. I agree. After encountering then losing a possible relationship w/a guy (for a variety of reasons) I found myself eating destructively, and falling back into diet sabotaging behavior. I love the web page you have mentioned and referred to it many times in the past. I remember telling my doctor who was pleased w/my weight loss of 50% excess weight, "But I am above average....I will lose more weight!" While we are all better off for the weight lost, the band certainly doesn't cure the body image issues we have! I can't tell whether my weight of 173 at 5'5" is unattractive to men or sexy. I guess it depends on the man. Most women say I look "thin." That's because none of them can see my gut hanging out and droopy boobs (sorry Nile if you're reading this!) Body image sure is subjective. I remember being this weight at 21 and having skinny and fat days. I think I even covered myself up more w/baggy clothes then than I do now. With all that said....I'm still weighing in at 173 this week. No weight loss for me. It's that TOM. Maybe things will start back up again next week...I hope!

Diane, congrats by the way! I wanna hear all the details!

Cassandra...I am so glad to have my band! It has been an interesting learning experience. What I thought for so long was inadequate restriction is really not. Like I have said in previous postings, I could have lost more w/better discipline. It turns out that cookies, chocolate and cake just slide down easier. When I eat what I am supposed to I fill up much more quickly. Does anyone ever get "stage fright" when eating in company? Or out in a restaurant? It seems when I am around people and try to eat that it is much more difficult and I get full after about 2-3 bites. Later, if I come back to try to finish my barbie doll portions, I am able to complete it. Sometimes it seems like I need to warm up my band before I can eat a proper amount which keeps me from starving later. This weekend I spent time with friends of the family. I felt weak and shaky because each time I sat down to eat with them it just wouldn't go down. Now back at home I can eat without difficulty. They know about my surgery and asked, "Are you OK?" Weird huh?" I am at 65% of my initial goal of 100 pounds to lose. I fully intend to drop the next 35% over the next year. Then plastic surgery here I come!