Any locals?

[lynnt1215 1]

I plan on walking tonight, around 6:30pm, just give me a call if you want to join me. Or post here. I can check during the day at work. Inside at the mall or on the path at 896/40. wherever.

I didn't walk last night and really missed it. Even though I did get lots of things done around the house!!!!

[lynnt1215 1]

I plan on walking this evening. Around 6:45pm at the mall. Anyone to join me, we can meet where we do usually. See anyone who can make it then.

Last night I did an abbreviated mall walk. Ended up doing some shopping too. Have to get something to wear this my nephew's wedding on the 18th. Found a few things, but not sure if I'll keep them or look around sone more.

Have a great day.

Congrats on the fills, HopeInApril and Paige, Friday is my fill :frown:

[hopeinapril 1]

Hi Lynn:

Sorry I haven't been able to meet you lately to walk. My schedule just hasn't allowed for it.

I really like the fill. I would imagine I will need more. I did not find the experience bad at all. They give you a numbing shot, then the fill. I could fell the band tighten a little. It wasn't painful, just a weird feeling. I'm back on liquids today. YEAH tomorrow I get mushies. I like mushies!

Good luck with you fill Lynn. Let us know how it goes.

[lynnt1215 1]

Went to the mall and walked 2.5 miles in 45 minutes...

Fill tomorrow, I hope!! Will beg if I have to!

Anyone walking tomorrow night. Not sure if I will, it will depend on how I feel after my fill.

[Delaware 0]

Lynn, Paulette, and Paige:

Hows the fill going?

[three sixty six 1]

hey everyone,

hope all are well. i've got 20 days till the big day and i have some questions...

1) i ordered two Vitamin supplements: (1) Centrum chewable, and (2) twinlab Calcium citrate chewables. Is that it/is that all I need?

2) does anyone have sam the dietician's email address?

3) is there anything else i should order? i bought the sampler pack at chrias so i'm going to be trying the unjury and Isopure this week, see what i like so i know what to order.

i'm gearing up! i finish school on wed. thurs i meet w/dr. irgau, then maryellen, then sam, then off to st francis for my PAT.

i ordered a double-high inflatable mattress for mom, who is coming to be with me (she lives on the jersey shore, where i'm from) for a whole week when i have my surgery. i feel like i'm nesting and getting ready to have a baby!

i'm going through a lot emotionally right now. i am mentally preparing myself as though someone i love very much is dying. i'm gearing up to mourn my dysfunctional relationship with food. i know this sounds over-analytical, but i really feel the need to go through this all the way. to make things more complicated, my only sibling, my older sister, is not supportive of this (lucky for her her "biggest" weight problem has been a size 14 - and that was for a month and she looked incredible at that size. she's been a zero, too. b!#ch). she thinks i am taking the easy way out. extra-unfortunately, i moved here to go to school, but i chose this school b/c of her living in the area. we're not even remotely close. i guess i was sort of hoping for her support in this so i could have family local for the journey. and that's not happening.

plus, i haven't told any of my friends yet. i feel like it's a really big deal, telling them, because of the way my sister reacted. i'm going to tell my two best friends from law school this week, after finals are over. i picked them to be my friends - and i didn't pick my sister. my friends will be supportive. i just know it. that's why they're my friends. my skinny, beautiful friends :thumbup:

sorry for the rant/outpour of emotion here. i guess i needed it!

-megan

[lynnt1215 1]

Three-Sixty-Six

Almost your time. It will be here before you know it.

Sounds like you are pretty well set. You will need more Protein Drinks, whether powder or Isopure. My te on isopure is I like it very cold, over crushes ice is best, but then others like it warm. A personal preference. Also if you don;t have a heating pad. I found it was great releif for the gas pains that seemed to concentrate in my shoulder.. as well as Gas-X for the gas pains.

I have some Protein mix Soups if you want. they are ok, but nothing great. They do give you a nice change rom the regular drinks.

If you do not have a go blender you may want to buy a "magic bullet" or some sort of generic make. It is great for making shakes and puree foods....

I am back on liquids then mushies, like Paulette and Paige, we are just after our first fill.

Yopu know anytime you need to rant and rave or just talk, want support or whatever. I /we are always there for support. So don't hesitate to ask for anything.

After your finals are over , hopefully ypu can get a few days to just chill and relax a bit.

How much time are you taking off from work fter surgery? Remember to listen to your body. It is the best tool for recovery. and of course walk a drink....

As for my fill.. I am doing great.. just sucking down the liquid for a few days, but no discomfort or problems

[Laura_MD 5]

three sixty six, I am very sorry that your sister is not being supportive of your life-changing decision. Most of the time, I have found that those who are least supportive or are "against" the surgery are the ones who know the least about it. They are accustomed to hearing about RNY type surgeries and assume that this is pretty close. She is very likely, just scared for you, and unable to express it. Perhaps some additional information will help.

I love the book "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" because it describes all of the procedures available along with the pros and cons of both. It also goes on to give you supportive information for dealing with friends and family before and after your surgery, and how to deal with things like head hunger, mourning your relationship with food, and all the new attention you get when you start to lose the weight. It was and is my bible for this journey.

As for this being the "easy way out", HA! This is anything but easy and I have attached an except from the WLS for Dummies book on that very topic. Perhaps you can forward it to your sister or share some of the info in it with her personally.

I am glad that you have your Mother coming to stay with you as you will need some support, more emotional than physical though. The surgery is pretty simple and the incisions are small, all I really felt was like I had just done 150 sit-ups for the first time in a while. I was sore but no real pain, except for the gas. Definitely get the Gas-X, yogurt also helps with that, and this stuff I found on the internet takes the awful smell out of the gas (the better I eat the worse I smell it seems), it's called Nullo (Nullo) and it is a social life saver.

I also STRONGLY recommend a stool softener! The combo of the pain meds and having less Water intake while you master the timing of drinking and eating, can reek havoc on your intestines. You don't want a laxative because you will lose vital nutrients too quickly, but a softener will help ensure that you don't have to strain. Straining is always a bad idea, but especially right after abdominal surgery.

I have also attached my list of tips and tricks for surgery, and a list of questions and things that I have encountered along the way that might help you prepare. Speaking of preparing, make sure that when you talk to your friends you take the approach that you are "informing" them of your decision (rather than asking for their permission). Sometimes if you leave it open ended, as if asking permission, they feel obligated to respond with their opinion, and since they have not had an opportunity to research it at all, they will rely on what they have heard in the media or 2nd or 3rd hand, and those are not usually the good stories. The result may be that you don't get the positive response that you want and need right now.

It would be great if you could have your information packet with you so you can show them pictures and explain how it works and answer their questions. You may even get some questions that you haven't thought of yet, and then you can find the answers together. Be prepared to fully explain your reasons for getting the band too, if they are and always have been thin, you may have to help them understand. Most people who have never had a weight problem, as you know, think that it is just a matter of willpower to eat less and exercise more. We know it is not that simple!

Hey, feel free to use some of our success stories too, I will attach my before and after pix for you if you want to use them. I am glad to help in any way I can. I faced the same situation with my family (my friends were great).

I have several family members that honestly needed it worse than I did but they were dead set against it. Until I lost the weight that is, now they are lining up, asking me questions, asking for help navigating the process etc. Most of their hesitation was borne from fear for my survival mostly, but some of it was fear that I would actually do well and either look better than them (they would lose their eating buddy) or, if they were thin, that they would no longer have that advantage over me (they would have "competition"). It is strange and most of them didn't even realize what they were so afraid of, until we talked about it.

Spouses and significant others are also often threatened by the prospect that you will lose the weight and not "need" or "want" them anymore. They fear that you will meet new "better" people and they will be bygones in your life. People tend to take advantage of, or take for granted, overweight people and we tend to let them. As we gain control of our bodies and our weight, we tend to take more control of the rest of our lives and have less tolerance for those who have taken advantage of us and we actually do "replace" them or outgrow them. I only tell you this to make you mindful of how the people in your life may be feeling as you embark on your journey to the new you, when they like the now you. You probably already know a bunch of this, even if it is just in the back of your mind, but it needs to be in the forefront of your mind as you try to get the buy-in of your friends and family because you really do want their support, even though you have us!:thumbup:

OK! I have rambled enough. It all kind of spilled out, but I hope it helps. Here are my attachments, let me know if I forgot anything.

Good luck,

Laura

Clinical Morbid Obesity Fact Sheet.pdf

Surgery Tips & Tricks.pdf

Lap-Band Questions.pdf

The Easy Way Out.pdf

Edited May 10, 2008 by Laura_MD

[hopeinapril 1]

Hi Everyone!

I have been out of touch for a while. Work is insane! My mom is in the hospital and looks horrible. (She is getting out the hospital this week!)

Lisa: The fill went great! I had no problems. I will need another one. I can already tell. I do have an appointment in 2 weeks, so that is exciting! Do you have a fill date? When they ask you why you are there, tell them a fill. They set up as if you are getting a fill. It was matter of fact for me. Let us know how you are doing!

366 - Sounds like you are getting everything lined up. It is tough when folks don't support you. I have only told 3 people in my life. I still choose NOT to tell many folks. It is truly your choice who you tell. Frankly, I chose the folks I knew would support me. As you said, you can pick your friends, you cannot pick your family.

You can always talk/vent here. I find it is a good resource. The people are kind and are good listeners.

[lynnt1215 1]

Paulette - glad all is ok. Has to be tough with work, your mom in the hospital, family and just plain everyday stuff. Hope you can join us walking soon

366 - you can always find support with this group. If we all use each other for support I think we all will have that much more success. It is great to have others to talk about the band, life and to vent our frustrations..

Paige - Where have you been. Las I heard was you had a fill, almost 2 weeks ago. hope all is ok.

Lisa and I have been walking as regular as we can, usually ast the mall, since we can walk later and not have to worry about it getting dark out.

I had my fill last Friday and after the few days of liquid and mushy I could really tell a difference. Eating so much slower and eating less...

I am heading out of town Friday - Tuesday for my nephew's wedding. Not looking forward to the 9+ hour drive, especially with the weather forecast of rain and storms. Also, am going to try and get some walking in, but not sure of the schedule for while out there....wish me luck.

[Delaware 0]

I got a FILL!!!!

[lynnt1215 1]

enjoy the liquid diet this weekend. LOL It really isn't all that bad. Hope you feel some restriction.

[Delaware 0]

You know the liquid phase does not seem all that bad this time around. I can handle 48 hours (31 hours to go!)! I am looking forward to some restriction.

[lynnt1215 1]

I am trying to keep active here in Cincinnati. lots of little things to do to help out..not alot of physical exerscion, but not just sitting around. And trying so hard not to be tempted by all the Snacks that are always out in the open

A bit chilly for my choice of outfits, but i am gonna show off my new body, even if it is a work in progress...

[Delaware 0]

Lynn, the walk today was boring with out you. However, I did it and feel better. Anyone else in the mood to walk? Let me know.