Lap_dancer

We are all lucky to have had positive experiences. We can count ourselves the fortunate ones.

Poor Farrah. Sad sad sad, she looks like a caricature of her former self. So where did she(woman with the website) get all this work done and did insurance cover some of it. I wonder because I do have skin problems at my belly and under my breasts which I've been told is something they consider for approval. No problem then if that is the case. I'll need the stomach, full lift, breats, arms and inner thighs. But never was big in the first place just above where the hips are near the waist. I'd love to stand at the mirror and go..OH YEAH BABY. That would be fantastic. Where is this person's website.

I thought I was the token ORCA of the group. ....yeah, I have some friends to swim down the scale with...woo hoo...and I mean that it a I LOVE YA for knowing my pain kinda way. LA you look GREAT. YES I see it too. You look smaller all over. You have to be feeling better. I'm guessing when you get to be UBER BIG, they just make things drape like so if folks are bottom heavy, it fits, top heavy, it fits. It's going to be nice to see things FIT for me. Your little top looks so perky and bright. Great photos for before and after. And whoever has his arm around you, my husband has a shirt just like it. Take care. Patty

Dee there is another thread running on this site about plastics. I'm laughing and wincing at the same time when I read it. I'm with you. I do have about another "Deuce and a half " to lose. I'd love to shake my "shoo shoo" like I use to so I have every intention of going for the plastics and doing whatever I have to do to get to goal. I started off with a HUGE amount of weight to lose. My peak was 389. Yeah, walking was painful. My personal favorite was the pendulum walk....my stomach hung really low, down between my legs and swung when I walked. Interesting from a Big Ben kind of perspective. Big Ben is still Big but doesn't swing anymore. Woo HOO .................................................. Amie glad to hear you got a CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP ticket. wow. I'm happy for you. Best Western in Aurora off Mississippi has a discount. It's ten dollars cheaper for the medical patients. Best Western Gateway. Breakfast in the morning in the little reception room. Juice, coffee, fresh fruit, waffles, cereal...crazy loads of food that you mostly can't eat but it's nice to sip coffee and read the morning paper. They also have the news on in the room so people sit at tables and eat breakfast and watch the news. When you are alone it's nice company. They have a pool too. Have a good visit and fill. Glad you are seeing Paula. She snapped me back on track. I also made time for Natalie who I think is like an emotional cleaner with the HEAD WORK of the Band. I have really had a struggle with staying on a food plan consistantly. I'm doing much better and I think it is due in part to the consistancy of going back out to Dr. K's office and committing myself to doing that. A great group of people in that office. We are very fortunate. PR

I agree. My daughter just got back to Florida and has been gone for five months. She said I didn't look any different from Christmas. My heart sank. Then I was loading photos on my computer and I have several taken over the past year. When I showed her some of them she went WHOA! I think people who see you daily, and maybe remember you thin, think of you as fat no matter what until you get to be about the size you were twenty years ago. AND ANOTHER THING... When you are UBER BIG like me, It takes 50 pounds to drop a size! So I should have said " I wear a size TENT " when shopping before my surgery.

DEE! WOO HOO!! Look at them cheek bones Mama!!! Way to go! Keep it up and thanks for sharing. You look so happy. Taynuh way to go!!!!! You look excellent. I'm sure you're getting loads of compliments.

JSIL good luck with that. I wish you all the best. I was a cocktail waitress...loved it, worked a grand club and made obscene money. That was then, this is now. I'm starting to mentally prep myself for the multiple procedures I will have done. I'm not at goal, still probably a year out the gate from any surgeries but I'm seeing my stomach and breasts and arms and KNOW that I exercise alone ain't gonna do the job. Checkout the other topics on TT below at the quick JUMP forum. Click the box and you will see all the other topics and may find exactly what you are looking for on a previously started thread on the topic. AGain..LUCK!!

Moon is right about the vitamins. Also, if you aren't drinking a lot of H20/aqua/water...that can happen as well. Try drinking more water, room temp, start first thing in the morning, no straw, sip, and keep your water with you all day. You may find that deep color will change if not, call the doc.

Long2Bthin, best of luck on your decision. As a career obese individual, morbidly, my foremost thoughts are that we feel comfortable and confident with those we choose to have our medical procedures performed by. With all the weightloss promises and, as I often say, false hype of wonderous weightloss wizardry that I've encountered, I was mindful as I searched methodically for my doctor. I had done so much studying on the band that I wanted a doctor with solid experience. When I learned insurance wouldn't pay for my procedure here in Florida, that ended up being the most freeing experience I could have hoped for. Lucky you to live in the Denver area! You can check my signature line to see I picked Dr. Kirshenbaum. How I ended up with him was a web search that got me to pricing. When you are paying for the surgery yourself, you have the luxury of reading, jotting down names and numbers, calling and shopping for surgery. When I came upon Dr. K, he was the lowest priced doctor at the time and the WHY of his pricing is what moved me from Mexico to Aurora. (If you go to his website: link on my signature or www.lapbandrockies.com you can see his cost comparisons.) Bottom line was told to me by Marilyn, who is someone on his office staff ( I also did a test run of the office staff...more on that later ) Dr. Kirshenbaum priced his surgery to encourage people to stay in the United States because as you probably have learned, cost is greatly reduced in Mexico. The problem with Mexico is should you have a problem ( you can read one nightmare story on this website ) you have little recourse. Mexico operates under a different standard than we do here in the U.S. Secondly, I am an educator - 18 years. Education, knowledge and how that is communicated ranks HUGE on my list so I was very glad to see your seminar left you with feeling like you were informed. It should. When I spoke to Dr. Kirshenbaum, he sent me an electronic presentation so I could follow along with him on my computer, like I was having a one-on-one seminar from my living room. He speaks very methodically and carefully goes over what will happen. When I hung up, I was committed. My surgery was in Parker at Crowne Point. Gorgeous! Clean, open, modern and the comfort I felt from the time I checked in until the time I was wheeled out, was such that I was not afraid or skittish at all. Marilyn, the woman I mentioned earlier, has been with Dr. K for over 20 years. That's dedication and with the personnel rollover that can happen, seeing a new face every time you go in can be daunting but at Dr. K's office, there is a "home spun" feeling that I find very appealing. I don't like to feel like a number, I do like to feel like they know something about me and remember me after a few minutes on the phone or in the office. As you can imagine with all the media attention the band is getting now, his office is very busy. Despite being in high demand, I can tell you truthfully that once you are in and a patient, you get that special touch. Think about the post-op service/aftercare, convenience for you ( I fly to Denver every four months or so ) and then..the price. You will have this band, perhaps, the rest of your life. My best to you. Here are some photos I took of your amazing and wonderful state while I was there a few weeks ago. Patty This is Natalie and me. We found a spot during my visit that was quiet so I could talk to her. It just happened to be in a walk-in closet!! She makes time to listen. I have found that to be an unexpected benefit and also another tool that has helped me.

Part II Happy Sunday everyone: Just finished lunch. Boston Market chicken, baked, peeled the skin off, couple bites of apples and I was full. I've revamped my eating plan to an Occam's Razor Food Plan. William of Ockham: "entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem", or "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity". This entity (me) tends to flounder in the cumbersome thoughts of planning too much or trying to do too much at the same time. Simplest method works best for me. Simpliest solution is where I succeed. In talking with Paula we came up with some simple solutions to my food plan. One I'll mention in my protein choice, liquid, Profect Protein Beverage: Lap Band Rockies - Profect Protein Beverage 4-Pack Sampler They look like those shots that glow served in test tubes at the bar. Yeah. So one vile is 25 grams, I mix it with water and I've started ( 3 days) doing one for lunch and splitting one for snack mid-morning with water for a BOOST inbetween meals. I figure 12 grams of protein is better than 100 calories of nothing since I know my body responds well to protein. I am cutting out the 100 pack snacks. I'm not going to lie to you all. Last week I had purchased the cheese flavor brand of a 100 pack snack. Thought WOW, I love these. See, that is the problem. I don't simply love a food, I loooooooove a food. So rather than a simple addition to my food plan like normal people do, I ingest something that I LOVE and suddenly it becomes FOOD PORN and I'm having an orgy. I ate four bags of the 100 over the course of the afternoon. Next morning the scale was up (high salt content) 3 pounds and now I'm busy getting off ONCE AGAIN, what I had already taken off. That crap has got to stop. I'm just gettin' too old for this. I feel like an obstanant child. It's Sunday and I am now below the gain radar. Thank God. Planning now for the week. It looks something like this: Muscle Milk-Vanilla Cream (from Walgreens) 19 grams of protein with my morning coffee. Midmorning Protein-Profect 1/2 vile with water. Lunch: Muscle Milk or food or wait if you aren't hungry and eat at home after work. Dinner: Light item that fills in the gaps of the morning, greens, proteins, milk, cereal/flex to need Late: peach tea with protein sauce. ((grins)) .............................................. time for reading and meditation. A movie. A book. Ready items for work. Bed time.

SheilbiC. You got some great advice here. Hope it helps you. I'll agree with you that right now I feel extra tight. But before I think it is the band or my fill, I'm going back to me. Scientific deduction, what do I know? I know that I have a concern with food. I know that I have historically had a hard time eating properly AND slowly. I know I use to drink my meals down with loads of fluids. I know I ate too much fat to lose weight as I should have. ..when we can identify things that we know about ourselves that perhaps others don't (and really we are the #1 best source for our own food plan, habits and such ) WE have the power to better adjust the things we need to. I'm with you on the chewing. If I don't chew well, by the third bite I'm hacking and sliming. ............................................................................................... Hello Banditos: This is Sunday and as part of my plan with Paula, it is a day that I select to PLAN my food plan for the week. Sort of like jotting my planner full of the appts. I've schedule. More to come>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Here's a few days: Breakfast: Muscle Milk vanilla cream flavor - 19 mg. protein Kona Coffee, black sip for sip Lunch: Muscle milk Water- 2 - 33.2 oz. Propel Dinner: Chicken and Dumplings at Cracker Barrell, ate the chicken left the dumplings, corn muffins and biscuits for my very happy dog. Green beans, a small carrot, plain tea. Late: Peach tea, a shot of Profect protein .............................................................................. Breakfast: One vile of Profect Protein Blue Raspberry 25 grams protein, mixed with peach tea full to the top of a large Mason jar. Lunch: Boston Market baked chicken, apples Late afternoon snack: Sweet potatoes - 1/2 cup Dinner: Muscle Milk - Vanilla Cream ............................................................... Breakfast: Kona Coffee, black sip for sip with Vanilla Muscle milk Lunch: Pro-State64 Wild Cherry-15 grams protein, mixed with water water, water, water Dinner: Muscle Milk-19 grams protein Snack late night: Profect half shot with tea 15 grams protein ...........................................................................................

Oh I will step up here and add to your thread. I know absolutely that I have an addiction to carbs. I am very carb sensative and if I have too much carb intake in one day, I go into a spin. Emotionally, I start popping, my appetite goes up, and I want to GRAZE foods. I dare not mention the foods that set me off because if I am not out of a spiral I will obsess over the food until I eat a form of it that's what I mean when I say I have an addiction. I'm just like a drunk. How I handle this, take control of the situation, is I am accountable for what I put in my mouth to a sponsor through OA..yeah I joined Overeaters Anonymous. I stay way far away from my red light foods. Right now, to hold on to my food program I switched over to liquid intake for two meals. I LOVE fruity anything so I mix Propel flavored water 33.2 oz bottles, with one vile of Profect Protein Beverage which has 25 grams of protein and 100 calories. I know my body is getting loads of Vitamins and the protein it needs so there is no psychological game of me denying my body any calories (the old Bube' in my head says EAT! You'll STARVE TO DEATH doesn't work). Try Muscle Milk vanilla cream sold at drugstores. Again, loaded with protein. I had to cut the 100 pack Snacks from my food plan when I ate four in one day. Just too much treat and I got too much meat to be treating right now.

Vanilla flavored Muscle Milk. Four pack at Walgreens. Super high in protein. Give it a go.

OMG why would anyone feel bad???? BE EXCITED! Speaking only for myself, I know I have personal issues and issues that relate to my insecurities and doubts ingrained in me from years of not being told anything different. Sooo... therapy helps.

Great post to read here today. Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!! Great to see your words here. Had a hefty loss since my fill and I'm quite sure it has more to do with my diet than restriction. Low fat, high Protein. They opened a new Cracker Barrel about ten minutes from my house. OHHHHH I love Cracker Barrel. If you don't have one near you it is mostly southeastern U.S. style cooking. Corn bread, biscuits, sausage gravy, okra...you get the idea but the stuff I grew up with. Big menu, lots to choose from. So I went over the menu and selected my ever loving scrambled eggs cause there is nothing like Breakfast for dinner. Not real hungry for a hot breakfast at 6 AM anyways but by 5 PM I sure was. Dinner arrives and I had asked for chicken as my meat, it was breaded. This is a no-no because breading holds fat. But I had an itty bite and then another and boom...done. I looked at my husband and said, "If I eat this I'll end up killing myself tonight" and passed it off to him. Way too bulky and I was feeling that band the way I think we're really suppose to feel it. Plus, the mental WRONG affect had kicked in as well. Light dinner of breakfast, purchased two lovely candles from the gift shop I am home now neatly content. I really have a drive to get the weight off as quickly as feasible. Reading about all of the achievements on here is a shot in the arm for me. Thanks for always sharing your stories.

Anyone else gone through the wedding from hell planning? My daughter is engaged to marry her soldier sweetheart. The date was first Oct. 26th, then they switched it because his training wasn't going to be done yet. It got moved to Feb. 16th. Then today she came to me and annouced THEY didn't want to wait and wanted to marry October 26th. Meanwhile they want: Full on reception with party and booze. Big poofy dress wedding in a church*. *Going back and forth on which church to marry in* *Have not secured a reception hall or church* *Changed from reception hall to the Florida Aquarium* I have lost all the steam for a beautiful bridal tea, personal shower hosted by her aunt and bridesmaid and the wedding isn't even close. Venting but dang I am soooo fumed, exhausted and more than anything hurt that I can't seem to feel a joyful part of the process. I told her to just elope but her fiancee said no. ( I love him )

Everyone had a dream. Don't lose sight of yours.

Red Rocks

Remembering my trip west. Missing Morrison. I love that town.

I'm staying on plan today because in one week I have lost 10 pounds. I had my fill last April 9th, and since then have had great restriction. I'm staying on plan because there are no excuses when the nutritionist shows you the mistakes you have made in your diet plan. Change takes place when we make the change.

Second post: Today, Sunday-April 20, Yahoo has a front page story on what to eat. VERY good info. Five must eat foods for good nutrition added to your diet of high protein every day. If the story is gone by the time you read this highlights were green tea up to 4 cups (antioxidants), seeds and nuts-almonds, cashews (anti's) full of omega 3, whole grains for fiber - 3 servings (oatmeal), 25 grams of dark leafy greens like asparagus, broccoli, and a serving of low fat milk, Vitamin D, or yogurt ( 8 oz. )

:tongue_smilie: Goodmorning Friends Rep Option. If you look at the avatar (the picture that you selected to represent you here on LapBandTalk) below it in the same box are small icons. There is a white scale (of justice). Put your pointer over it and you will see it is the icon to add to someone's reputation. Click on it. The box opens to a small dialogue box. Type in whatever you wish to say about someone to add to their reputation. I clicked on John's to add to his rep for his 100 pounds. Once you click submit or okay or approve, there will be a little green box added to the rep counter. You can read your rep comments in your privacy section User base for this website. It's where you added your picture, your counter and private information to your profile. Hope this helps.

From my OA support group. Thoughts on commitment to your food plan and abstinence from binge eating: ..................................................................................... Yesterday morning I decided to switch up the evening routine, and made a few commitments (easy for me to make in the a.m.....when the day goes on, I lose enthusiasm) as to the evening. My commitments included coming home and getting dinner on plates (leftovers), putting away laundry, and putting on sweats and sneaks. I went to WalMart to get some 'hobby-like' things to do (2 puzzles and a drawing kit thing). I then took my committed one walk around the lake here by my house (roughly 1/2 hour) and I thoroughly enjoyed getting out into the sunshine and fresh air, watching nature, the people, and having a chat or two w/ HP. Needless to say, I was proud of myself and thankful!! I typically get home around 5p and do nothing. I am going to change this!! Even with a run to the store and a quick walk and a few "chores", I was home and back by 6:30p. I wish I could do it again tonight -- but tonight is coffee w/ my sponsor and then a meeting. Anyway, long way of getting to the fact that after I ate, I just wanted more and more (not of my dinner....and believe me, I ate a dinner that was more than enough). A little more than an hour later, I ate TODAY'S breakfast. And the troubling thing is.....I felt good....full, content, relaxed and loved (I know that's a weird way to put it, but I just felt "warm", maybe that's the word). So much for making breakfast in advance, the night before. Guess I won't be doing that again!!! So when I said my prayers today, I was saying I am scared......scared of going back to bad habits that aren't good for me......and then I remembered some quote that goes something like "if you pray, why worry and if you worry, why pray". So I re-adjusted my head and asked for help, asked "as if", and asked HP to hold me tight, that I KNOW he is there and I need not fear (again....acting "as if"). Wishing you all peace and abstinence today, just one day at a time.