Lap_dancer

Yup! Apple juice to keep you loose. You don't want to have a blowout but you do want to get things moving along. I would try some coffee with my breakfast, start drinking more water at room temp. I don't know what you are able to tolerate right now but bran based cereal could help. It may take a while to get things churning but the pain meds clogging things up is not abnormal and slowing up your meal content on top of that is also a factor. Just start adding some sure fire bombs to your intake. For me that is coffee, green tea..oye, the green tea, whey protein drink with a protein bar at breakfast. LUCK.

SHE SKIS!!! YAY!!! Awesome pic. ..................................... Anita I'm having a weekly FLUSH if you catch my drift. (winks) *Anita and I have this thing with our weightloss, we hold hold hold boooom* and spend a few days worshiping the porcelain alter.

This is one of my dreams!! Congratulations on realizing one of your goals.

Mal: My hubby is hooked on Harleys and his buddy has one. I can see the day he and I go riding on our own bike. Green said " am down 50 pounds and three sizes, surely it's obvious? I have a long way to go still, but really? Nothing? Either they don't notice or they don't want to say anything. Nothing stopped them (especially my father) from pointing out how fat I was on some occasions in the past" Honey look at my picture. It's SOOO obvious I have lost weight. Compliments or comments from my family are minimal to zero. Know this..it's not you it's them. Start looking to different areas for approval because I do know that need for some type of approval and in my family I suffered with self depreciating comments for years thinking I was so inadaquate ... know that I feel for you and understand where you are coming from. Keep it going you're doing awesome. Be your own best friend! BRANDY SAID: Well, I am here. I am going in to see Dr. K tomorrow afternoon. I am having very sharp stabbing pains in my left side and towards my stomach. They go up my side, up my back and then I have very bad heartburn. I can't even stand up straight. This only happens when I eat or drink. My port site feels really strange to me...almost swollen. I am taking Prilosec. I am scared to death that something is wrong. I will die, literally if something is wrong. Brandymom wishing you the best tomorrow at Dr. K's office. Feel good in knowing he is a great surgeon and methodical in his examinations. If it makes you feel any better I had funky pain going up my shoulder after surgery for quite a time. It eventually faded. I hope yours is minimal and easily treated. Folks I'm down to a size 20. I was in a 26-28 more on the 28 end when I started. My no loss of pounds last week is showing up this week. Can't wait for the official weigh date. Think I will stick to Thursdays like in the beginning. All for now. Patty

Dr. Schulman thank you for fielding our questions. It's very educating to read the questions and responses. I posted a question earlier regarding my breasts and stomach. It is difficult for me to exercise without having an "exercise hangover", that is, pain that requires I take medication for back pain and upper shoulder pain. My weightloss is down to a crawl and my portion control is fine thanks to the band. I don't know where to begin in looking for a surgeon, what to tell them and frankly, because I still have over 100 pounds to lose I'm afraid I'll just be told to lose more weight (my plan anyway). Should I suck it up, quit whining and deal with the pain or should I pursue reduction at this stage? Thank you in advance.

Brandymom I hope this morning brings that comforting surge of natural sedation after a bout with pain. Hope you are relaxing and finding that "feels better" sensation. wow. Just feel good in knowing our Doctor adds that stitch in his procedure to secure the band so we do not have easy slippage like some others do. Ador- OUCH! It sounds like it could be anything. My daughter had a gallbladder attack here so I know what she went through, the pain. Like Brandy I am wishing you a day of sleep and comfort and so sorry for your discomfort. ...................................................................................... I'm going to share with you all that I am exploring plastic surgery, specifically a breast reduction and apron reduction for reconstruction. Although my feet stopped hurting, my knees stopped hurting, my upper back still hurts and so do my trapezias between my shoulderblades that I've no doubt know it is caused from my large breasts. I have been asking questions about my body, my breasts, though they have gone down, are still huge. 46 DDDD. LIke all things I have discovered, when speaking in general terms of exercise there comes a point when you realize you cannot reduce TISSUE, fat yes, tissue no. I've described this as having two large salami's hanging off my chest. So reading and researching and fielding some questions to two seperate plastic surgeons who do bariatric reconstruction, I'm going in for an evaluation. I'm sure this will be one of probably two or three procedures I will have to undergo. The good thing is if I can get some tissue reduction it should make exercise and the after effects far less painful so that I'm not feeling like I am hurting myself everytime I hit the treadmill or do weightlifting. I found a surgery center at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida but they do not take my insurance as far as I can read. Still looking for a qualified doctor who deals with bariatric reconstruction. Wish me luck. Dee...my scales this week did not move!! I was so hoping for a number change but they did not budge. So no progress this week for me. Everyone have a grand weekend and I'll talk to you soon. Patty

It is such a small world. I have lived in Florida since 1981 but was born in Detroit and grew-up in Livonia. My nephew attends U of M ( GO BLUE ) and of course I have loads of family up there. I remember U of M for the Hash Bash (dating myself). Boo glad you are feeling better in retrospect ( Yes, 20/20). I searched his CV on the web and, dang, I think that was a fortunate pick for you so close to home. When you live away from Michigan, the one thing you hear about his the quality at U of M. To get a Prof? Again, DANG! I'm just glad that much of this is behind you, the toughest part is over now you are fine tuning. Again, thanks for opening up to the rest with your story. It helps.

Welcome Jilly! BA you look SO fine! You didn't look shabby before and now you fit and healthy. I LOVE Catherines and Dee that is the coolest story! Spanx are awesome too. But YIKES OH YIKES for the vomit woman. ARGH! Friends I am going to the doctor for an evaluation. I have much weight to lose but being SO big from the start, I'm finding that my breasts are longer and the pain is still there in my shoulders and upper back. When I exercise, the pain in my lower back lasts for atleast two days and I cannot sleep unless I take Tylenol. It's that nerve pain..you know? Not muscle pain but the nerve pain that radiates and hurts to even move. So I'm thinking that this is out of my league. I know my food plan is NOT the problem and if I increased my activity there would be a different story so I'm prepared for an alternative chapter to explore why I cannot seem to avoid PAIN. ( and I'm no weenie when it comes to pain)

Thank you Dr. Schulman. This makes so much sense to me!

Goodmorning fine friends. I've been hanging out at some other threads learning. I love this website. I hope everyone is doing well. I love to read that folks are just checking in, it's good to see your posts. @Brandymom- I find those nuggets from my Overeaters Anon group. I also joined a thought for the day for compulsive overeaters. Loads of stuff on the web. I share when I find one that hits home. Glad you enjoyed it. Green- Very good to see you here. I've missed some of your posts so it was nice to catch something from you. Mal- Girl, hugs your way. I have a special picture of you from RR and that first meet stays so close to my heart. Jlck98- Hello!! Forgive me but I will be calling you Lick, it's just the easiest thing I see when i read your name. Think of it as licking the battle of the bulge! Where is our Mini? Is she living life in love? Wondering how she is doing. Shelbi- Morning friend! Anita- Happy Summer vacation. Can ya dig it? ........................................................................ I am REALLY working my Overeaters Anonymous 12 steps full throttle. Each day I take a deeper step towards committment to staying clean from the things that trigger my appetite..not that I can really do things about it but you can drink and you can melt things down. I prefer a purer intake so I've really been doing some studying on food composition tackling it like school work. EXERCISE-I have not been going to the gym, I have been exercising. There is the battle in my head that hates exercise and there is the teacher in my head that knows the wiser thing to do. SO to combat that sassy whiney brat who hates to sweat, I've been overhauling my house. If you question that sustained cardio cannot take place anywhere BUT a gym please join me in my purging off all things cluttering my life. Following Suzie Orman, I'm de-cluttering my life to make way for the richness ahead. I joined a FREECYCLE group on Yahoo for my area and have posted offers for things FREE to anyone who would like to come get it. Out it goes to someone who wants in freeing up more space for quality of life. This is positively cathartic. I find making room for quality items and only things that are truly good for me inside and outside has brought such a change in spirit. I'm sweating like crazy, pink in face and waking up in the morning feeling things much tighter. Even my restriction seems to have increased (not that it needed to). I'm following some tips from Paula (sounds like a title for a Nutrition chapter from a Team K book ). I have to be honest, I thought the weight would come off faster but the trade-off are the lessons learned in PATIENCE. I'm shrinking, I know I am shrinking but the changes inside and outside are necessary parts to living a greater life. It's like moving from eating anything just to eat, just to feel full to selecting soft, dark green arugula leaves, chilled just right, with sweet slices of perfectly ripened Mango. Good conversation at dinner, relaxed, verses cramming it down and gulping bites. I find myself now desiring to refinish the oak dining room table, eyeballing some good table linens to set a pretty table..something I never contemplated before when i was in my carb haze. So the dust is flying over my house. Can't wait to weigh in on Saturday and see what the week brought. Everyone ROCK YOUR DAYS!

Hi Dr. Schulman: Thanks for offering your thoughts and giving us a chance to field questions. I peaked at 389 lbs. I carried most of my weight in my stomach so it hung very low off my body and against my thighs. My breasts were the second source of weight holding tanks. I'm now wearing a 46DDDD and although I notice some reductioin I still have the pain in my shoulders and back. Honestly, In ever pursued a breast reduction because I was fearful I would be told I was so fat I just needed to lose weight. I do experience persistant pain in my upper shoulders and have indentations where my bra rests. Although I have lost some size in my breasts they now hang longer. I was hoping to get some relief by now but to no avail. What are your thoughts on reduction at this stage of the game with another 120 pounds still to go? Secondly, my stomach, I have some loose skin and a pannus that has rubbed against my pelvic area for so long, it's reduced any stimulation I use to feel. Again, when is a good time to seek evaluation? Thank you in advance.

LUCK!!! Looking forward to hearing your report.

Boo Boo if it makes you feel any better, I would have gone with Professor Kuzon as well. His credentials are steller.

Hi BOO! I've got a two fold response for you on your question. "To Whom much is given, much is expected." and I'm sure you are probably realizing that being where you are and having so many come with much attention (deserved) for you. The Band: Any advocating that comes your way on behalf of obesity/healthy changes/Lap-Band you do the world a favor by sharing your story. *I just spoke to a woman I work in the same department, different worksites who is severely morbidly obese and now on oxygen 24/7. the compassion, the empathy one feels when you've been there is a story that can't be shared by someone who doesn't know. I say Go-Go-Go!! As for Dr. Kuzan and your experience. Girl, you are much nicer than I would have been. The second he started digging into my skin pulling out experimental staples is the second I would have grabbed a nut and squeezed hard...'how does that feel? You dig, I'll squeeze." Share the pain. What kind of doctor does that? I had staples post two c-sections and both doctors gently removed them after superficially numbing the surface of my skin. I would not promote any place that had a surgeon with poor skills, poor response to your question such as "who pays"...you have every right to get an answer from him be it "Let me work something out and get back with you" something besides a vague, "We'll talk later". Later as in later after I get the bill for 12 G's? Later as in when? If you feel so compelled to share your complications with Make Me Heal, by all means do so. As best I can tell it's a consumer site for all things Plastics related. You have much to share as we have all witnessed and your experience with plastics can save another consumer from the same experience or guide them atleast into asking the right questions. Either way, telling your story makes those starting the journey, on the journey, become more educated and informed.:rolleyes2: ........................................................................... How are you feeling? You are looking amazing but you were cute heavy so it's natural that you thin down nicely. ............... I have a "muffin" question. My pubic bone has an excess fat amount. What is the procedure called where they reduce the area and pull it back up? The fat from my PENN has pushed down on my pelvic area for so long the fat has shifted downward causing desensitization. Sex ain't what it use to be, almost as if the area is less sensative. No what I mean anyone? My stomach is looking so weird. I carried most all of my weight in my stomach so it hung down rubbing against the top of my thighs. I now have a Buddah belly. It's pulling back up again but the sides of my stomach are concave, the skin is loose around the navel and below and my girls, still big at 46DDDD/F, are beginning to lose some elasticity in the skin. When did you all go in for pre-op evaluations?

Thoughts for today Developing Self-Control 2008/06/17 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Self-control brings with it the good feeling of competency. Like a finely-tuned precision automobile, your life stays on course with the slightest touch of steering. The results of self-control are confidence and an inner sense of security. Self-control and self-discipline are also key factors in any success you hope to have in this life. Without self-discipline, you are unlikely to achieve anything of lasting value. The Apostle Paul realized this when he wrote, “Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25 GNT) Olympic athletes train for years in order to have a chance to win a brief moment of glory. But the race we are running is far more important than any earthly athletic event. So self-control is not optional for Christians. How do we gain true self-control? 1. Admit your problem. The starting point for developing self-control is to face what God has already said about me: I am responsible for my behavior. James 1:14 (PH) says, “A man’s temptation is due to the pull of his own inward desires, which can be enormously attractive.” Do you realize what that says? It says you do things because you like to do them! When I do something I know is bad for me, I still do it because I like to do it. I want to do it; it’s an inner desire. Do you want more self-control? Admit you have a problem and be specific about it. Begin praying specifically about your problem areas. 2. Put your past behind you. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal ….” This verse exposes a misconception that will keep you from gaining self-control: Once a failure, always a failure. Failure in the past does not mean you’ll never be able to change. Focusing on past failures, however, does guarantee their repetition. It’s like driving a car and looking in the rearview mirror the whole time. You’re going to collide with what’s ahead of you. Ask God to help you put your past behind you.

PANTING...huff huff HI FRIENDS. I went out yesterday for a first time BIG DAY OUT as in walking the streets of St. Pete and doing some all day outing. HUFF HUFF. But not as bad as before. Wow. So much more energy. I'm down 1.7 pounds. Had that big loss last week so this week expected a lesser amount. Still rolling. I'll post photos of my big outing. HUGS TO ALL. Patty

:tongue2: I have a British friend who is fond of agreeing by saying "Good on yer" So GOOD ON YER!!

Buster could have my Atkins shake if Buster wanted it. He could have my protein drink and a chewy cookie and whatever Buster wanted. The vaporizer was a great idea. Did you get any meds for him? I am hoping so. Mal my Eddie has food allergies. I give him Benydryl just like for adults. That helps. I would just keep Buster hydrated, water, anything pup wanted to nibble on...even the "goody" from supper...like steak good meat, I would give it to him. He should come around soon. Steam is good, keep him warm, put a soft blanket in there for him and make sure someone comes by to sit with him and rub his belly or scratch his ears whatever he loves best. LUCK and get well wishes to Buster. Love me, Big Ed's Mommy Violet's Petter BOO's lap to curl up in Georgia O'Kittee's source of kitty treats and provider of love to many fish in the aquariumS. We love pets in this house.:tongue2:

Greetings to all: I have been working my food addiction recovery since last summer. I think the misconception with the world is that we don't REALLY have a food addiction, we just need to pull away from the table. (*winks...yeah,right*). It's important to note that if you have a resolve that no one will make you give up a certain food, Lap Band or not, you might be in for a rude awakening. Sometimes that journey is one people must take on their own and slime and vomit and pain are needed to make someone realize that the very things they consume that got them to where they are can be the very same things that they still battle regardless of having the band. Like it is always said, the band is a TOOL. OA has been part of this tool pack I carry. I acknowledge and accept that food has an overwhelming power over me. That there are some foods that speak my name and I obsess over them. These same foods got me pushing close to 400 pounds, barely able to walk, unable to fully recover from surgery and restricted my life function to a breathless and apnea filled sleepless night. *Nothing should have this kind of power over you* I encourage you to explore OA. There are several Yahoo groups. There is an OA group on yahoo. There is an emotional issues and OA group that I belong to. One thing I discovered in trying to peel away the why of my addiction is a comment by a friend who found in her therapy group, 7 out of the 10 individuals in this group had been abused. And the journey goes on. If anyone has any questions or needs support, please feel comfortable contacting me. I am a safe and confidential source of information to help with OA questions. Patty

BikiniBeachy - Talking with Paula, the nutritionist, will help. Pre-op diet reminds me of a cleansing diet. Avoid fried foods, overprocessed meats or food products high in "shelf life contents" (my words). Stick to the natural...dark leafy greens (Arugala is my favorite), low fat everything, no skin on your meat, grilled is prefered, baked (turkey) is good. Think...low to no fat, if it grows in the ground and produces an edible for human consumption and isn't starchy, it should be good. Try replacing a meal, mine was my on-the-run meal, with a high protein shake or liquid protein fruity item. Start practicing portion control and habits like chewing your food very long until you feel the texture is mushy mushy. Slow down at mealtime. Reduce your drinking at meals. I say that because I thought all people drank a 32 oz. liter of something with their meals...almost 32 oz., so not drinking with my meal was really difficult. I've overcome it though with loads of practice!! Best of luck to you and as always, you can find meal tips on this website. Patty

Hey Bandaids. Reading your words tonight is a soothe for me. So much going on with me. First I think it is a great thing to go visit our compadres who are getting banded if we are in that neck of the woods. Next time I am out there, if the opportunity arises, I will copy what Mal and John, what some of the others have done. What a fantastic means of support. Shebie girl, be a vixen and kick your butt for the pizza and Klondikes. Doesn't take much does it. Man, I always say we are sometimes only a bite or two away from a relapse into food Hell. My daughter is in the hospital in Texas with a kidney infection. She waited too long to go to the doctor and so now she is in there for several days. The baby is fine. I'm watching things closely and seeing if I need to I need to head west sooner than July. Had a VERY nice dinner at my mother's house tonight. My sister was there. For those of you who know and for those who don't I haven't been speaking to my sister since last August after she flamed me for something I posted to my OA support group referencing a food challenge and emotional upset I was experiencing related to her visit and my own visit to my mom's house at the time. Overeaters Anonymous has given me a really strong voice and a way to protect myself from having a food binge. I protect it at all costs including cutting out members of my family from my life. This is the first time we have sat down at a dinner together in close to a year. It was a good time, a great memory and my son was there enjoying what he loves so much...family and sitting around the table at dinner sharing stories. That was what we had. So I don't know what the future holds for me and my sister. I know that she is toxic and since I am not willing to take any crap from anyone, protect what I know to be my raw emotions that I ATE over in the past but am dealing with now, at any cost including....cutting people out of my life who are harmful. Another event, my niece, my sister's oldest daughter, moved here to Florida for so many reasons. She lives about thirty minutes from me. We mostly text eachother and sometimes talk. She has shared some raw stuff with me. Well, she is pregnant. My sister doesn't know and neither does my mother. Hell if I will say one inch of a sentence to either one but I know one of her greatest FEARS...get this...greatest FEARS..was telling her mother, my sister. It makes me so aware of the pain we can cause our children that they would be fearful to be honest with us. Lesson learned. You all are such a great inspiration..daily. Wishing you all a GRAND week. To the educators out there ...hey hey hey... my last day of school is tomorrow!! WOO HOO. Happy Summer Vacation to the other APPLES on here.

Nancy what happened? Just curious.

<TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 868921" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2 align=middle width=125>dyannamelia</TD><TD class=alt1>Has Anyone Had Any Trouble With Watermelon </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Not a bit!!! Watch the seeds, suck the juice eat slowly like we are suppose to do. <TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 860839" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2 align=middle width=125>HarleyNana</TD><TD class=alt1>Call it what you want, but I KNOW my band has changed my "going" habits. Prior to the band, Correctol was part of my daily diet. Now 3.5 years later, the least bit of fat, ie..chips, cheese crunchies, and heaven forbid I should eat some of a bloomin onion, lol. Thank goodness my issues are the next day and not like diarrhea. My doctor, Lap-Band doctor not my MD, wisely gave me some superb advice when I called complaining that, basically, my back end had a "tail" if you catch my drift. Since then, I have a regular habit of using Bath and Body Works Moisturizing, Anti-bacterial soap in the pump (Coconut Verbena) added on to TP for a comfortable end to my visit with Johnny. In less than a week the pain was gone and things cleared up. Now for the dumping syndrom. There is a culprit in your diet that sets this off. Process of elimination (pun intended) will help you zero down to what it causing it. For me it is certain combinations of meat and cheese mixed with something else. If I have milk product with meat I can expect a TWO MINUTE WARNING...what we call it in my house (dumping). It's trial and error. Eventually you will hit a good combination in your diet that will slow this down. My nutritionist at my doctor's office recommends fitting an all vegetarian meal into your day once in a while. I've done that. That helps. I also drink Protein in Blue flavored raspberry mixed with Propel fit Water, Kiwi-strawberry for a fruit punch amped with 25 protein grams and loads of Vitamins. That is my favorite meal. I seldom have two minute warning moments these days and sitting doesn't hurt. Hope this helps!!:thumbup: </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hi Widow: Fatwidow and I'm Lap Dancer... what names we picked, aye? Money doesn't grow on trees for sure. How I reasoned my expense was like this: I think nothing of a home improvement loan, charging something on a card at 23% interest, buying a car, in other words, spending money or a large sum of money on a vehicle or house item but quabble with myself about spending money on me???? for my health? That internal voice that yells at the food hunger in my head really went Jerry Springer on my azz. When I had my mind made up, I had my MIND MADE UP. You remember something... it's YOU AND YOU on this highway of life. No one is inside your body in the driver's seat but you. You know how it feels to have your back hurt, to huff and puff all the time you are trying to keep up with everyone else. I just got it in my head that I was pissed off about it, pissed off at people trying to tell me what to do...and get this... the day before my flight left...DAY BEFORE...I was packed for Colorado..my mother called to tell me about a man at her church who worked at a hospital near where I live and they did gastric bypass and she knew several folks who had gastric bypass and they did GREAT...blah blah blah blah.:wink2: So my mental response was (grabs crotch..'I got yer bypass right here' ) Not really, I never did that. But I was thinking it. Go to a seminar until you feel 98% okay with your decision. I left 2% for a margin of doubt for myself because I'm always a little iffy on some things. Best of luck to you friend. I feel for you from the couch. Been there, still there to some degree but feeling so much better like I have a new person growing out of me. It's awesome.