Lap_dancer

This is a really good story. I think it covers what we go through after the band. I would never want to put myself in the shoes of someone who was so far below my present weight and pfffft them into thinking 'give me a break, are you serious?'...no friend, I am sure for you the feeling of being unhappy with your body is equal to mine. What I would add is that surgery comes with many risks and this procedure is for those of us who have tried endlessly to lose weight, some of us for many many years, to no avail. You are very close to goal and you may not even realize it. I would suggest switching it up to Protein shakes, keeping certain you intake 40 mg. of protein at the least, daily, and see what happens with your body. Don't try and worry about counting calories or keeping track of points or whatever, make it as easy for yourself as possible, then see what happens. If after three months you haven't lost an ounce, you could have another medical condition. Rule out any other problem before banding yourself. Best of luck.

I know many of you have tickers at the bottom of your page to track dates, WL, and so forth; I found a website that does that and more. I found Medhelp.com when I was looking for a place to post my pain cycles. I have Fibromyalgia and all that goes with it. When I was adding the trackers I found: Pain Weight Mood Food Anxiety and my CFS/FMS What I began noticing were patterns in my weight loss and pain; patterns in weight fluctuation and specific types of foods. I discovered some foods were triggering my FM while others showed a tendancy to help my body MOVE :blushing: and weight loss. I hope you find it helpful. WWW.medhelp.com

Waterlily said it for me, I'm on the tight side but manageable. IMHO it's best to save the office visits for real emergencies like maybe you can't keep food down, are vomiting and that type of thing.

Wait. Go for the 'last supper' the night before you band. Order whatever you want but make sure you follow the physician's orders on when to stop eating for the surgery time. ENJOY! It's an awesome journey.

I am so happy for you. Congratulations! My daughter found out she is pregnant for the second time two days ago. She has chosen JACKSON for a boy.

Hello my friends: Stopping by to say HELLO!! Long time no see and long time no visit. To Tracy: Hello my friend and best of luck with your surgery. I am so very glad I had mine done. To answer your questions I think the purpose of having the shakes is because that first month you are getting use to that new feel for eating. The safest and sure way you will get that necessary protein in your body is a shake. Don't think the rest of your life you will drink shakes..unless you want to.. by no means. You just want to be sure you are staying on the healthy side and not eating under the protein guidelines. Update to me: Still have the Fibromyalgia confirmed by three doctors, still looking for pain relief, weight loss has been a slow crawl surely because I'm loaded on pain meds and my metobolic rate is soooo slow. OTHERWISE I feel great and happy to be here. I have hope in a new doctor today who is doing 36 lab tests on me one will take three weeks to get back. He said sometimes we have other conditions that mask or present as something they are not and we get misdiagnosed. I am purposeful in getting a good remedy to my illness and dream of the day I reach a healthy happy body moment. Until then, onward we all go. To those reading this after I post, HELLO, I miss you and please know I can't wait until my next trip to Colorado and Red Robin. Take care. Patty in Florida

Wish I could be there!!!! Someone please bring a camera I would love to see some smiling faces posted here from Red Robin.

Dee I thought of you instantly when I was being photographed. It was awesome, just awesome. I can not wait and can imagine the level of excitement prior to my surgeries. I want to tell you all one thing....those of you who know my story know the very first doctor I saw was a nightmare. He tried to talk me into having a gastric bypass. He then yelled at me and said if my husband was not supportive, he would not do the procedure. He further said I was too big for his table. Room 130. He is no longer doing bypass surgeries. He was head of the department for that at a hospital here in Florida that no longer does those surgeries. I have no idea where he moved to since 2006. BUT, guess what room the plastic surgeon I just saw was in? Right oh! Same location as the first one I saw. 130. Talk about going full circle. My husband and son were so excited, but being he men they were just going to drive me there because of my weakened state...right? Son and hubby were in the waiting room when I came out. We left, in the hallway I was almost doing cartwheels..almost. But they both were really happy in an about as excited as they can get without giggling like school girls. OH and today I turned 50. What a present.:biggrin:

Went to plastic surgeon today. He was like a sculpture with a hammer and chisel. He told me I was the 'perfect candidate" for three procedures: abdominoplasty, my...something..boobies, and the arm brachiplasty. He went into detail on how he would do the procedure actually TOUCHING my stomach..OMG the last doctor wasn't even directly looking at my body, and wrote down the game plan. The girls in the front office are working on the stuff for insurance, should know in one week if insurance will cover. They act like NO, my primary care doctor acts like 'sure, no problem" so I'm actually excited to see who is right. I have a plan B, plan c and so on. If we get authorization by next week, I'm going in as soon as he can get a slot on the surgery schedule. It is quite possible that in two weeks I will be in the hospital for my plastics. Good thoughts aye! He was very very supportive of my efforts and took sufficient time to compliment me on getting as far as I have. I gotta tell you, that feels really good to hear that. I'll keep you posted friends.

I had shoulder pain that moved from left to right or slightly up and down. LollyMoe have you the advice that worked for me.

I simply cannot chow down either. Not in the cards. Trust your instincts and if you are pleased where you are then stick with it. Headwork is just as important as seeing the other results including weight loss. Happy Birthday Girl! Today is my mother's birthday too. I bought her a non-food gift, a Van Gogh silk scarf. My gift to you is POWERFUL positive thoughts for continued success. You have brilliant blue eyes and I cannot imagine a strong woman like yourself not succeeding at what you set you mind to. Congrats on both the loss and the gain of another successful year. Welcome to sweet ONEDURLAND! My goal intensely is to see that in 2010. Oh sweet KM, you are keeping the chart going and going on vacations and keeping your chin up for family who is doing not so good. BUt I think it is beautiful that your grandfather who was never really religious is talking to God now. Spiritual people say that as life on earth fades, some become surrounded by things in the afterlife, what they see they respond to. I just feel like that is beautiful. Never under estimate shopping the internet. I did probably ninety percent of my shopping online. I guess the NOW factor is good to have knowing it is done. Be well friend. I am glad you are getting to make some trips north. It does one well to see family.

PS: I have a clavical! It appeared with muscles and tendons, shadows and shape about two weeks ago. First to notice was my husband.

Hey Friends: I've missed you. School began and of course I got lost in the sand. BUsy busy busy. Between work and juggling my Fibromyalgia and meds, it's been all I can take. Still losing, posted a new photo from Thanksgiving. Had no problems at all passing the cakes and pies up. Just no room in that pouch of mine. You know Dr. K gave great advice when he said eat that protein first, no liquid, wait, chew chew slowly. I practice that like Yoga and it has served me well. I read Dee's update on Facebook. That stinker went out for a market run to pick up a few things, tired her out, and she is resting. She reports of a HOT DOCTOR. Woo HOO. That was all. I am anxious to hear how she is doing. If I had her number I would call her. Anyone have her phone number? I miss you all. I noticed on the Weather channel you're getting snow. they said Vail is prime right now. Everyone keep safe on those roads. Wear your seatbelts and watch out for the other guy. I'll be back soon to post here. Life is calming down and I do need to make time to share with you all and likewise, hear what news you have to share here. Happy week! Patty in Florida

Hey everyone: Wishing you a happy week. Down two more. Didn't post it.

Marie I'm happy you are back at center. Way to go.

BQT- I am a self pay. I came to this website and searched the threads looking at names and prices. I looked for experience with the procedure and also what kind of doctor they are with their regular practice. I can tell you I went with Dr. Kirshenbaum, he is a Laparoscopic surgeon (that's the type of surgery used for placing the band). I can tell you I have fallen in love with Denver, CO (smile). I figured if I was going to pay for it myself, I'd also like to go someplace where it's nice to visit, a mini vaca. GREAT EXPERIENCE, I'd do it all over again. He's very patient, not rushed, methodical. I like someone who answers my questions giving me more info than I asked for. Staff in the office are a great bunch. I didn't feel like a number. Overall satisfaction is a 10 Call Dr. Kirshenbaum's office, ask for "Natalie". She can answer pretty much any questions you have. LUCK! -Patty in Florida

I love this! "I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." Jack London American Author

“We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams...” Arthur O'Shaughnessy "There will always be dreams grander or humbler than your own, but there will never be a dream exactly like your own... for you are unique and more wondrous than you know!" Linda Staten "Dream as if you'll live forever... live as if you'll die today." James Dean

Oh,...and docs are open to anyone on the web. We've used so many of them in conferences, communications. The best form of compliment is copycat, or something along those lines. In other worlds, my FM (fibromyalgia) is barking. I'm coming out of the tunnel and feeling better but lost two days. Not hard to lose weight when you are sleeping.

Patty is giving you a thumbs up. This makes anyone supervising the challenge, handsfree to not have to scroll back and check weight losses. I like the spread sheet as well. This looks like my timesheet I track at work.