June 2006 Band Crew

[socalgal3 4]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip Regina! That is a great photo of you both, thanks for sharing with us! Welcome back!

I cancelled my 2nd interview that was scheduled for today. I thought long and hard about it, made a list of pros/cons and prayed on it. It just wasn't the right time to move. I have a girl coming to look at my apartment this Friday, so I may have a new roommmate. (My other roommate met a guy and is moving out after only 4 months!). I hate having a roommate but it is a financial necessity for me right now. I also put in 5 applications for part-time jobs and had to take a drug test for one today. One good thing is we hired 2 new people at my main job today which should significantly reduce my workload. I hope everyone is having a good week.

[Poodles 0]

Regina, I am so happy that you found your sister. You two look so pretty.

I have an appointment with Dr. Maese tomorrow. I don't know exactly what I am going for, but I am grasping at straws. I know that he does flouro and can see the band, so I hope he says it is all good... because I do not think I can do the RNY. I just can't... So, I have to decide to live with the pain, or quit. So, I figure I will give it another round with a fill and see how it goes.

Dr. Barker wants to do an EGD on Saturday, but my first EGD says that the band is in the right spot, pouch is not dialated, and no erosion. That was the end of July... and why would they lie? I know it would be easier to say the band failed, but WHAT if I just don't get it??? What if I just don't know how this thing is suppose to feel, and it is suppose to hurt and that is how it works???

Well, I have been unfilled for a few weeks now, and have not gained, but I sure am hungry. I hear Dr. Maese is agressive, so I will see what he has to say about it... and see how full he fills me. At this point I am thinking: The band has to work, I don't care how bad it hurts, if it doesn't work, I have no options. If it does not work, I will just be fat.

[rroswelltx 1]

Good Luck today Poodles, let us know what happens. I don't think living with pain is good though!!!

Thanks to everyone for comments on the pic.

Hope everyone is doing well!

[socalgal3 4]

As a rule of thumb, shoot to eat your target body weight in grams of Protein daily. For example, if you're a chubby 200 pounds and want to be a lean 180, then have 180 grams of Protein a day.

I read this today on MSN and almost fell over. I've been struggling to get my protein in at 60g. How on earth does someone eat 180g of protein a day???!!

Anyway, Poodles-the band is NOT meant to cause you pain. That is just ridiculous. I hope this doctor has some solutions for you. There was a lady on here who was banded by my surgeon and lost like 15 pounds in 3 years. I think her screen name was marys. Maybe PM her. I think she ended up having her band removed. I sincerely hope that it isn't a case of "band failure". It is sad to think it can't work for some people. Keep us posted.

On another front, I had a lady a work say to everyone out loud in the office that I was "wasting away". I suppose that is a compliment, but it sounds rude to me. Like I was just flown in from Darfur or something. Another woman said I was looking "fit and trim" and that sounds more like a compliment to me. I guess I'm just being sensitive and I shouldn't complain that people are noticing, but can people just think first? I know, nice problem to have, but I think sometimes people think it is nice and it just isn't!

[Poodles 0]

Well Maeses office is full of losers (in my opinion). They failed to notify me of a billing change and tried to charge me 200.00 for an office visit that should only cost a copay of 35.00. Then they said they started charging for an outpatient procedure instead of a specialist visit. So, they cost me a half day at work, and I did not get a fill.

Called SCOR and they said they would only charge 35.00, but can't get me in until Nov. 1st.

I cried and cried... then my hubby comes home and says, well I don't know why you are upset. It is like a stay of execution. You are miserable filled.

But now, I don't have any more input as to where my band is, or what to do. I have already canceled my EGD, because I will not do a bypass. So, here I sit...

Socalgal: congrats on your progress. How is that for a compliment...

[socalgal3 4]

Thanks Poodles. I didn't mean to be a hypersensitive whiner. I had been getting more comfortable with comments on my weight loss, but I wish it wasn't such an issue.

I went to a free Pilates class after work. I have tried it once before. It didn't feel too hard while I was doing it, but now my muscles feel lightly fatigued. The class was 1 hour.

I'm sorry today didn't go as you expected Poodles.

It's almost FRIDAY! TGIF and have a HEALTHY weekend everyone!!

[Pinkylee 7]

Poodles - I'm relieved you've taken a stand against gastric bypass. Your negative feelings towards it are definitely a clear sign. Extremely gradual fills may be the best way for you to go.

Regina - What an amazing story. You and your sister are both beautiful. Congrats!!!

Socalgal3 - Have to tell you when I read your post on upcoming move it didn't "feel" good. At any rate - I'm stuck on weight loss again. At least I'm not going back up! By the way, you look hot!!!! I've got to allow a little more hunger in my life - I have no excuse.

We will also be moving soon - it's been a hectic week with a few more on their way, but the future looks bright.

[socalgal3 4]

Where is everyone? I got my Water, Protein and Vitamins in today, but no exercise. Have a healthy weekend people.....wherever you are!!

[Poodles 0]

I am in the "dealing with the hunger" zone. I admit without my fill, I am hungry. It is weird though, I am STILL tight in the mornings. I can eat something soft, without pain, so that is good. I can eat bread now, which is bad. Going to try and get on Atkins tomorrow. Have a turkey breast in the crock pot... my first in over a year... I am crossing my fingers that it will work, because turkey can get me back on low carb in a heartbeat. (I dip it in Alfredo sauce, put it in salads, pretty much do anything with it.)

Since I have to wait until November to do anything fill wise, I think I am going to try my best the way I am. Since I still have restriction to a degree, I am going to use what I have. The biggest plus is I am pain free...

[Leecelove70 0]

Regina: Wow! What an incredible story! I love happy endings and you brought tears to my eyes! You and your sister look so much alike. You look so beautiful and may I say "Hot"!

I had taken a break from the board since my husband had a minor set back in his recovery from penumonia/asthma- he went back to work Monday only to have a terrible asthma attack Wednesday and was sent back to the emergency room at work. They did some test and they came back negative. They said he came back to soon and they have him out until next Wednesday.

Iam hangin in there and trying to keep my spirits up!

My son with his cute 5 year old ways and contagious laughter has been a great help.

We are getting ready for Halloween here and Andrew is going to be a policeman! He picked the costume himself with all the gear to go with it. I have to say he looks so adorable and I would not mind getting arrested by him !

Iam doing well on the weight front even thought I have not actually weighted myself in awhile I feel it in my clothes. They are very lose fitting. This is always a good sign in my book!

I just got my hair cut and my Mom and husband have told me that my face looks alot thinner. Iam also getting alot of compliments from my neighbors when they see me take my son or pick up my son from the school bus, or just walking outside.

Iam not sure if I have made my Halloween goal of getting under 200 pounds yet. If I have not, Iam not going to get upset about it since it has been a very stressful time for me and I will be happy if I lost any weight at all!

All I know is my 38th Birthday is January 6th and I will be starting out the New Year under 200 and that will be somewhere I have not been since 1990!

I WISH EVERYONE THE BEST ON REACHING THEIR SET GOALS BY THE END OF THE YEAR- WE CAN DO IT LADIES!

Poodles: I hope all goes well for you, Iam thinking and praying for you. Good Luck and May God help you make the right choice!

TO ALL:

Have a great weekend and a good week!

Make healthy choices!

Love and Hugs,

Lisa

[Pinkylee 7]

Lisa - it's never easy to deal with illness. I'm so happy you are still losing through all the stress!

Poodles - Maybe this is your new band life - restricted enough not to "go crazy", open enough to be pain free. At least you can find some kind of "normal" now. Yeah!

Socalgal - I've been bouncing again. I was at 190.0 this a.m. Gotta "bust it" to get the next 10 pounds off.

Things are crazy here. Lots of company and "events" plus a move that will happen - ready or not!

Guess I have a choice - handle stress with liquid/mushie calories, or buy some Protein Drinks and hang in there. Wish me luck with that sugar bowl!

[barbara465 2]

Reginia what a beautiful story. And may I add how awesome you look!!!! You can really see that you two are sisters.

Had a great trip to California. Got stuck 3 times. It still shocks me how I can eat and eat and then get hung on something easy. Oh well no PBs and after 30 minutes or so it goes through.

I'm not doing well on exercise or weight loss. I can't do anything now until after the first of the year. Then I plan on having some tests and see what is going on so I can get some fills.

Poodles I would get as many tests as you can so you can see what the deal is. Maybe they will find something that can be fixed so you can get fills. I would explore that before giving up on the band.

Hope everyone else is doing well. I've been out of touch here lately.

[Melissa Lea 1]

Hey everyone! I've been kind of out of the loop the past week.

Poodles, sorry you didn't get your fill. I do believe that everything happens for a reason. I agree with Barb4, get as many test that you can to better make your decision for your weight loss plan.

Barb4 --welcome back from Cali. I hope you had a great time. Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with your band. I hope that they are able to find out what's going on once you are able to have the test completed after the new year.

I'm working very hard to avoid all the Halloween candy that is out there. I've decided that I am not even going to try one because I know you can never stop at just one. At least that is my plan. We will see how that pans out as we get closer to Halloween.

I hope that everyone else is doing great.

Melissa Lea

[avilla 1]

I have been away from the site for quite some time and am hoping that coming back here and having to account for my actions might help me along...I got to a loss of 77 lbs and then dont know what happened...It kinda feels like I hit a brick wall....I just keep losing and gaining the same 5 or so lbs no matter what I do...I even went in and had my fill checked and he got me as full as I could go...I would absolutely love to lose another 30-40 lbs...I can pretty much pin point when I stopped losing too, I had to start working 2 jobs and ran out of time to work out like I use to...I know, there lies my problem and I probably just needed to write it out for all to see...I have just got to find some time to get back to taking care of ME!! Well, I just wanted to pop in and cry for a few minutes...I am so proud of how well everyone is doing!! Keep Up The Great Work Everyone!

[rroswelltx 1]

Avilla, welcome back. I too am struggling losing the same 5lbs back and forth so I feel your pain. It is so easy to stop excersising and so hard to start back up, I am failing there too. Hopefully we can regain our momentum soon, and jump back on losing towards our goal. Good Luck and come back and vent whenever you need too!!!