June 2006 Band Crew

[Melissa Lea 1]

Barb465 --Right now Ballys has the best rates. I've been checking on the rates. That's pretty darn good for the strip in the summer months. Ofcourse if you went now it's cheaper but we aren't looking at now. I am searching for airfair too. I'm waiting for Southwest June schedule (they are only up to May right now). But $400 is the rate I have found. I too am planning on Flying in on the evening of the 7th and leaving on Sunday.

Pinkylee --I am probably averaging about 35 (sometimes 40) grams per day. But I am not able to get all my fruits and veggies in either. I've been taking Multivitamins. On a few days out of the week I take a Vitamin 2 times a day. I have been eating a lot more black Beans etc for the Protein. I will also throw some in a sald for more protein and not a lot of volume (in a salad).

Melissa Lea

[Pinkylee 7]

I try to remember a v8, but the sodium! I think I'm going to keep some steamed veggies in the fridge for a snack. I'm craving them now anyway. Do you eat carrots? Spiegel said no carrots and I took it to mean raw. They seem nice and mushie steamed to me, so I enjoy cooked carrots on occasion.

[Melissa Lea 1]

Yes I do eat some carrots. I have pretty much eaten anything and everything that I have wanted. Now granted, carrots, borccoli, asparagus, etc. are more difficult to get down. So when I do eat these foods (side dish or in a salad), I chew, chew, chew to baby food!! It really makes me slow down with my eating. But yes, you must be very careful. My doctor didn't restrict any foods except carbonated beverages (empty calories --they do go down).

Melissa Lea

[lucymann 0]

Barbara465 I will stay at Bally's - from the sounds of it we won't find much better rates anywhere else.

Ladypitboss I am not sure if I am having laser or radiofrequency energy ablation. Either way they apply heat which scars the vein and causes it to close.

Pinkylee I do have a lot of aching in my legs. Especially if I am on them for more than 1/2 hour or so. I love to hike and the pain can get intense if I am hiking for more than a couple of hours. I used to think it was just because I was so out of shape but my legs are strong now and I know it is the pressure of all that blood flowing the wrong way in my veins.

Regina I am praying for you and for your husband. I agree with both Barbara's on this - you should come to Vegas whether he does or not but also it is very difficult - really impossible - to make someone else choose to get healthy. I hope he does participate in the program. Do you have a support group in your area? If he went to some meetings with you I am sure he would meet other men who have had WLS and begin to realize that it is okay to admit that he needs help to accomplish this. We all had struggles with that one and blame ourselves for not being able to do it on our own but at some point we all came to accept that we needed help and help is there for the taking and we grabbed at a chance for a better life. It is true that our lifestyles change - it is true we can no longer eat some of our favorite foods and it is true that we can not depend on the comfort of food when things go wrong. But it is also true that our lives have changed for the better with being more active - feeling more energetic and more free of food addictions. Good luck to both of you and I do hope you make it to Vegas.

[warmmorningsun 1]

Hi everyone - long time no post!

I have been crazy busy with life, my little girl, wedding plans, etc. I've lost right at 38 lbs...slow in my estimation...but I honestly can't say I've done what my MD said to do with this band.

My new years resolution is to go back to basics...so I start tomorrow (I know, why not today?)

I would love to go to Vegas, but I'm getting married May 25 and we will just be returning from our honeymoon; I don't think work will be that forgiving!

So glad to see everyone doing so well

[Melissa Lea 1]

For Regina --

I was reading another forum on here and came across "ousooner" (LBT member --male) and his website http://www.nealslapband.com/ Maybe when the time is right you and/or your husband can read about this mans journey.

Melissa Lea

[ladypitboss 0]

Regina, your husband sounds just like mine. He will be 40 next month and his dad had his first heart attack at 40. Since being off work (which was the week after I had my surgery) he has put on about 30 lbs. He has bad knees which he hurt again today. He wouldnt qualify for surgery but I have got him working out with me and my 12 yr old dd. He loses weight quite effortlessly when he puts his mind to it. We worked opposite shifts for the last 7 years. It was really hard for him to get into any kind of workout routine. He also has sleep apnea which seemed to resolve itself about 40 lbs ago. He also never goes to the doctor. He dropped my car on his hand while rotating my tires and wouldnt let me take him in for xrays. He has even been know to sew himself up. LOL I can totally relate. But in the time since I have been banded he has been a champ at cooking things I can eat and keeping the junk out of the house. Christmas Cookies (Sugar free) that I made for him were my downfall the last month.

He worries constantly and has become quite depressed about being his fathers son. I have told him that I cant make him healthier. Only he can do that. He has to take charge of his life and do what he has to do to not end up like his father.

We struggled with the confidence issue once before when I lost weight. He worrys that I will get skinny and want someone else. I think every couple has to go through that. I know it has ended some marriages but I dont think most of those marriages were that strong to begin with.

I will keep my hopes up about Vegas. I would be good with going by myself and maybe sharing a room with someone.

Barbara4 if you are a regular out there then maybe you could contact a casino host and see if there is a break since you are obviously a good player and are bringing lots of friends. Just out of curiosity what games do you play? Just slots or do you get into the tables?

[barbara465 2]

My Dh has put on about 15 lbs since I got banded. I told him that wasn't in the contract. First he was eating my leftovers and then his private stash of whatever in the office. He is normal weight, but now has a little stomach pertruding. He is a diabetic so he needs to get this weight off and no more sugar. The house is getting cleaned out over the weekend of all food from the holidays!

Barbara 12 is probably in the know more than me about Vegas comps. I get them sent to me automatically and usually take advantage of free rooms and reduced rates. I've never contacted a casino host, but I guess there is a first time. I play the slots and not the tables. I've tried playing blackjack, but don't really find it enjoyable. I probably could play poker, but the slots don't require much from me.

Has everyone noticed the sagging skin. I swear just in the last few weeks my body has taken on new shapes. My arms are flapping in the wind and my stomach has a pooch as my waist is starting to develop. I am looking really weird in my clothes. From the waist down is getting better, but I have this roll above my waist that is protruding. It needs to go next!!!

I may have to break down and exercise. I picked up the curves brochure today. I just can't seem to get myself motivated.

[Melissa Lea 1]

Yes, I too have noticed the sagging skin mostly on my arms. I know that at the end of my journey will require PS to fine tune me. Exercise can help with some of the skin but with me I know a lot of my skin is past the point of return.

As for Vegas --I know nothing about comps/free rooms,never have been give that option. I'm not a big gambler so I don't rack up enough points. I like the shopping in Vegas (especially the outlet mall). I think Ballys has really good rates. I've never staid at this hotel but the rooms look really nice online. The only other option is to go through a travel agent but then you have to have a certain number in the group commit early in the game.

Ok --that's my 2 cents for this morning.

Melissa Lea

[christa94 0]

i seem to keep losing and finding the same 2 pounds! i need to go back to the Protein Shake and exercising. i think this will jump start me again. being 7 pounds from my goal is so frustrating. since i ate sweets during the holidays it is hard trying to get off of them. i have tons of stretch marks. but, i don't mind that. proof of weight loss!

[lucymann 0]

YES !!! I have noticed the sagging skin! My arms and legs and belly and hips and butt are all sagging. I look like a Shar-pei! I have been going to curves 4 -5 days a week since I was released from the surgery and my muscles are developing nicely but it really doesn't affect the sagging skin. At least at my age. I get a little discouraged when I see myself without clothes on because I look terrible. I had hoped to avoid PS but maybe I will have to give in and have some just to be able to stand myself.

[Leecelove70 0]

Hi all, I hope that 2007 has treated you all well so far.

Tomorrow is my 37th birthday and I can finally say that I am looking forward to this birthday so much, since it my first birthday that I will not be depressed about my weight!

It was last year at this time when I decided that I wanted to get a full physical and seriously look into WLS surgery. February was when I saw and met with my first Dr., who I did not decide to use.

Iam now 60 pounds down and it feels so great!

On December 30th was my brother's engagement party and there were relatives I have not seen in a long time and I got so many compliments on how great I looked -I was on cloud 9 all day!

I have really stepped up my exercise with walking almost everyday for 45 minutes after I put my son on the school bus in the morning during the week and giving myself the weekend off. Here in New York its been so mild in the 50's and 60's. I swear I do not think we are ever getting winter! lol

My husband gave me my Christmas/Birthday present of a makeup makeover at Sephora! It was so great and I now have cheeckbones !

I also can not wait to go shopping at the Avenue since I recieved so many gift cards for Christmas. Iam now almost into a size 20!

Having this surgery has changed my life and now almost 7 months later Iam can say " IAM LOOKING SO FOWARD TO THE NEW YEAR!"

LOVE AND HUGS,

LISA

[Pinkylee 7]

Good for you, Lisa!

Warmmorningsun, good to hear from you. Jog our memory. Is your engagement new since banding? Have fun planning a wedding where the photographer won't be an enemy.

Barbara4 I am struggling with the shape of my new body also. Clothes shopping is a challenge. I thought I was "between" sizes, but the fact is I'm a 14 in some spots, 16 in others and it better have a dropped or stretchy waistband! It wasn't easy, but I found a pantsuit for our anniversary. By the time I can button the jacket, the pants will definitely need altering!

Lucy, one of my life goals is to take a week long hiking vacation. Right now I'd settle for an hour walk. I'm also a little disappointed I still have major leg and back issues after losing 50 pounds. You've lost over 100? and still have issues. Goes to show losing weight isn't a cureall. I'm hoping to get back on fish oil capsuls and glucosamine (the liquid is yuck, but the pills are so large and I need 4 a day)

[Leecelove70 0]

Hi all I was able to scan my before pic taken one month before I had my first consul with my surgeon and and two after pics the first is Our Family Christmas photo taken on December 8th and the second was taken Christmas Day. What a difference in my body and face!

Here they are:

Pic 1. Before- Me in the Pink shirt 3/29/06

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Pic 2: After Family Christmas Card 12/8/06 -6 months post-op :

Pic 3 : Christmas Day 2006 - With husband Bill and son Andrew and 60 pounds down!

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Pic 4: Me at 37 Jan.6th,2007

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Pic 5- Me and my son Andrew- Jan.6,2007

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As you can see I have greatly change in my appearance !

Love and Hugs,

Lisa

[Leecelove70 0]

Sorry the picrues did not show i will try again at another time !