beversman

Cindy -yes awesome post... and you're so right. "And if you're going to use the argument that only those bandsters banded for more than 2 years can say anything positive about the band (because of the stupid honeymoon analogy....I knew I was happy in my marriage the first MONTH...and I've been married almost 20 yrs now), then by the same "rule," you can't say anything postive about ANY OTHER WLS unless you're 2 years out. After all, many RNYers are *thrilled* the first and second year...and then, in the 3rd year, the weight starts creeping back. Or the Vitamin deficiencies start showing up. Or they develop strictures." People that are trying something new are in no better position to judge their progress than those of us just starting out on the band. Who knows what the future holds for any of us? You hit the nail on the head! :-) In the end, we are all in the same boat...

Amen. and look there is actually testosterone on this site.

And that is the honest truth. Yeah, I will be happy to see 180 again. Heck 230 is my first goal. I always get stuck at 235 when I've dieted in the past. So, when I get past there for the first time. I am going to be real happy. Then 199 is my next goal. No more 200's!! Then 180 or 175... that just sounds so freakin light compared to what I am now... By the way everyone - They just had a big new report on CBS New with Katie couric about the Lap Band. Wow. People are starting to become a bit more curious about this thing...

bkwalling -- All I can say is Atkins. No sugar of any kind. NO CARBS of any kind. I can almost garuntee you will lose the weight. Combine that with a pre-op liquid diet and I think you will be fine. I also have read on this site that many doctors will still do the surgery as long as they see you made a BIG effort to lose what they asked. It is a test to make sure you want to do this. It also is going to shrink your liver to make the surgery safer for you. It is only a few weeks. You CAN do it. --------------------------------------- Luckgirl -- Most others on this site agree that all you need to say (if you dont feel like revealing the surgery) is that you are eating less (which is true) and excersing (which I assume will also be true). And heck... once you get the surgery why not start taking the stairs?:faint: You will get some sexy calves why you're at it! :-) I think it is totally possible to tell the truth without telling ALL... if that makes sense.

Ok, sounds good sweetie. You keep doing what you do. It must work for you. Have a wonderful day. :-) God Bless

I know what you mean Dawn. I was looking at my year book from high school, and I was not really that over weight. I was fairly normal teenager. I just didnt feel good about myself, and like you said... it just ballooned from there, and now here I am. Anytime I have the opportunity to work with children... I always try to pass that wisdom on to them. They are normal beautiful and to enjoy life. If I had just broken out of my shy, ackward shell then... things would have been so much different in my life.

I feel bad for you. You should try being a happier more positive person. You've done great job with your weightloss, and there is no reason for the hostility. I like purple ponies not pink by the way, and for the record... you shouldn't single people out. You know nothing about me. I would appreciate it if you didn't see it your job to judge. I did not judge you. Everyone has the right to form their opinion... just as you did when you started out. It is not tact nor honesty that was lacking. It was respect. I certainly hope to find everyone happier, more postive, and welcoming in the future. Good luck to you and your continued journey. I wish nothing but the best for you. Have a wonderful day. BTW - thank you jules :-)

There is no reason to be upset. I am simply giving this person another way of looking at things. Just as you are giving her a different view. As someone considering the band, you can't be focused soley on the negative. Many people have had very positive experiences. I know what it is like to feel as though something is wrong with me. I know what it is like to feel like a failure. So, do not think for one second I was passing judgement on anyone. That was your own interpretation. My post was also the result of what others on this site have told me. I went to the complication thread and was scared to death after I saw the trouble some people were having. This is what other long time members on the site told me to ease my mind at the time, and I was simply passing on the idea to someone else. I respect you and your opinion. I in no way singled anybody out nor did I say anybody was wrong. If you felt as though I said something inappropriate I am truly sorry. However, there is no need to be so negative towards any of us newbies who are just starting out. Especially when I was only trying to ease someone elses mind... My offering comfort to someone else in no way called either of you a failure nor did I say that I was not listening to your advice. Those were your words... not mine. I'm dissappointed that you would react in such a way. I've really enjoyed reading both of your posts during my time here and apprieciated your points of view. I wouldn't have thought that either of you would be so short or sarcastic with someone.

Regarding the negative feedback you're seeing here. Keep in mind. Most of the people that seek out a site like this either NEED help or are having trouble. People with no worries and no problems are just less likely to be here sitting at the computer looking up this information. I am getting banded at the end of December, and i've learned that is something you have to bear in mind when you are reading threads on this site. If you've never had a problem with your band, you wouldn't be as likely to be online looking for help. :-)

That sucks! stupid mail. I have had more than enough trouble with the regular US Post Office... I wouldnt even want to imagine dealing with the military aspect of it. Hopefully you will be able to do it a couple of weeks after your original date. December 22nd is a good day! I will share. We can freak out together that way during the days before surgery.

They also make sugar free cool whip, it only had 2 or 3 grams of fat per serving in it... everything else is zero. So, you can do no fat -- small amount of sugar. OR No sugar... small amount of fat...

Glad I could make someone smile. :girl_hug: I figure you have to find ways to make the best out of bad situations.

the liquid diet shrinks the size of the liver making the surgery easy to preform... and in turn less risk for you. BUT there are plenty of other people that Ive seen on here who did not have to do the pre-diet. It depends on your doctor.

Im another "cyster." Found out I had it in 2002. My doctor never gave my any options, but I found out this is a great way to treat the PCOS... loose the weight... restore some order to my endocrine system, and get rid all of those NASTY side effects... I hate PCOS. That is all there is to it.

How did all of my December girls and guys handle Thanksgiving? Did you eat like it was your last meal?? Or did you find other creative ways to enjoy your favorites? My liquid diet starts on December 8th. So, fortunately I got to eat whatever I wanted. I kept myself under control though. Funny thing was, at the end of the meal, I realized there wasn't any of it that i would really miss after my band. It was food, but it wasn't anything incredible... just food. My mind makes food seems so much better that what it really is. :hungry: My mind makes my foods into "super heros" that can make a bad day turn good in a single gulp. Truth is, the food is never as good as what I think it will be, and it doesn't solve a single problem. I am going to try to keep that thought with me through the next couple of months. "That food is never as good as I imagine it will be. It can NOT perform miracles!"

As long as you take it as prescribed... those symptoms will only last a about a week or two. Annoying yes, but if you truly need the medicine, you will be fine in a couple of weeks. I take it, and I'm fine.

Yeah, another Indiana girl. I'm in SE Indiana. Good luck to you. :-)

You need to check out Matrix chocolate (Protein powder). You can get it online. Ebay (or a few other web sites) It comes in a purple 5 lb. bag. It is the best tasting product out there. You just have to be sure to mix it correctly. (for hot chocolate) You use one scoop in the bottom of your cup. Add 1/3 cup of COLD Water Mix until smooth THEN add the hot water That way it comes out perfect everytime (with no lumps). Another great way to get protein is ANY whey Protein. You can it get at GNC (or online). It is a tasteless powder that can go in your Soups, coffee, anything semi solid (mashed potatoes) -- depending on what stage of the diet your at. It adds 17 grams of protein with no change in flavor or texture. You can even add it to Matrix for a huge protein boost. Saw one of your posts asking about slim fast... and that stuff tastes like crap. Thought I would share this since it acutally tastes like something that can be enjoyed, not just tolerated. Have a good day!

Go for it you Lap Band hottie. :-) ha Seriously, you should. You've done an incredible job and deserve it.

I eat very fast too... i will have to think about it with every bite. I am most worried about the liquid pre-diet... with no help other than sheer will power... Oh, i know I can do it. It is just not going to be fun :-) I also worry about the surgery itself. I've never had surgery before and that worries my a bit. As far as being able to lose the weight once I get started. I am good at that. I am just happy that I will finally have a way to keep it off.

Yes, don't give up girl. Ask your doctor to introduce you to others who have the band. Keep talking to people on here. You've already made it though the tough part, making the decision to have the surgery. You just have to hang in there. You had the bravery to get the band. I know you're brave and strong enough to work it out. Stay strong baby girl. You CAN do this.

Happy thanksgiving to you too Dawn! Welcome aboard :-)

yep, i'd say new crock pot... :-)

I was that child. Same wieght and everything. So, I know what she feels. FIRST! Don't let people freak you out and make you think that your daughter has some kind of horrible mental condition. People tend to over react when they hear something like this. I work with children. She is having a common reaction. Trust me. More young girls feel this way that you can imagine. Many times they just never tell their parents. So, it is good she came to you. That was asking for help. Now, don't make the mistake of repeatedly telling her she is depressed and that she needs help to feel better. Many mom's (like mine) make the mistake of getting too emotional -- telling their daughter things like "they are trying to help! That she is depressed! What else can they do to help?" Don't say that. Whatever you do. You need to approach this in a more INDIRECT way. She needs to know there are plenty of young women who have felt that way, and that she will get through it. There are plenty of ways to make that better for her. Finding out that you ARE depressed (or that people think you ARE) can make the depression even worse. You do need to make sure that you are affirming her self worth. Don't just tell her she is pretty. Mom's always say that. You have to go the extra mile to make sure she feels she is doing her best to look good. I think growing up an overweight child has actually made me a much better adult person. We know how it feels to be treated badly. So, we are much more caring and compassionate with other people. I used to tell my mother that I wanted to die. That started in Second Grade. We had a very small school. So, once you were dubbed "the kid to pick on," it pretty much stayed that way until you graduated. Part of my problem was that my mother never showed me that you can be big and still be fashionable and pretty. She never showed me how to do my makeup and didn't take me to get my hair done in a cute fashionable way. I've still never had a massage or a manicure. You know things like that can make life tolerable. They make you feel better about you. THEN, she can look at a surgical option. I finally decided when I was in college that I could care less what people thought of me. I "transformed" still a big girl, but the skinny girls were jealous. The guys loved me. That comes from confidence. Make sure she has nice clothes that fit. We big girls always like to wear things that are 3 sizes too big for us. We think it covers something up. Take her to get her hair done with some cool funky highlights. She needs to know she IS pretty and EVERYONE has the limitation of "working with what we've got." Make sure she knows how to do her make-up. To look nice. sparkly pink eyeshadow and do wonders on a bad day. And let me tell you, I am NOOOO girly girl. I grew up on a farm and I am still a tom-boy. Just don't underestimate what a little bit of eyeshadow and lipgloss can do for your day. When I feel bad about myself, and I look in the mirror disappointed at what I see... I can look at small things -- like my eyes, my hair -- they are pretty freakin' cute and that helps.Once her image is uplifted -- that will help her mental state big time. Get her out there. Help her find things to be proud of... Big girls can be gorgeous too.

Yes, this time of the year flys past. I know December 22nd is going to be here before I know it. That liquid diet is going to kill me though. :faint: I start that on December 8th. It is going to be rough. This sounds gross, but I have been trying to figure out how to devise a Turkey Stuffing Slurry of some sort... lol. That is my favorite part of this season - stuffing! I will have to get it out of my system on Thanksgiving. ha