julieburns

I just posted some new off topic topics that could have easily been sent as PM's. Sorry to have forgotten about this way.

Have only seen a few posts from you. I hope you are able to spend as much time as you can with your mom. How is she? Any treatment going on? I care and pray for you and your family regularly. Keep the faith.

I was thinking about you the last few days. Now that time has passed and your are finding that life must go on I just wanted to say I care and hope you and your family are coping as well as can be expected.

Just wanting and update on your sissy's health and recovery.

Good info for maintenance of our weight loss. This is sooo important to success in the long run.

:lb9: Try not to worry about potential side effects that may be negative rather all the positive things you will get in return for your investment!!

How cute and what a good memory. :lb10: on your weight loss and recovery.

I think just going back to the basics will help. By this I mean 3 meals a day that are planned ahead of time, a snack or 2 if needed, lots of water and a walk a day. Now that you are home I hope you will find it easier to plan your meals and exercise every day. 15 pounds is nothing to take for granted at in 6 weeks. That's just the right pace averaging not quite 2 pounds per week. You don't want to lose any faster no matter how much you have to lose because the skin will not have time to tighten up again as you lose. :lb10:

Great post. I like to have my meals planned out for the day as well, even the week. This will help for sure.

Does anyone have trouble taking the biotin? I mean like after you take it you burp up a nasty taste?

=D> =D> =D> =D> I'm happy for you that this phase is going well. You'll be surprised when your hubby's b-day comes and you really don't feel like eating very much of what you've been craving for days on end. It's great.

:lb10: :lb23: :lb24: Kudos to you. Yes this was a victory for you. Keep up the good work. This is a great example of how to make the band work for all lifestyles, even fast food.

What I have gained (bad term maybe) from reading this thread is that we all must face our individual food/eating issues and allow old habits to die maybe not in our timing, but in His perfect timing. This is a LIFESTYLE change for sure. I am struggling myself but it's not the band's fault, it's my choices. For others who are making the right choices your body will lose weight but again maybe not as fast as you want it to. I love this forum for the sense of belonging and being part of something so many others struggle with. To everyone who is struggling... :lb4: And once again as mama always said, "This too shall pass."

Are you following the "rules"? How many calories per day? Is it a possible band issue or really your own eating issues not allowing weight loss? You sound defeated but there's a tone that it might just be you are not following the bandsters rules. I hate to give the band a bad name if it is not the band's fault. What were your expectations prior to surgery? Take a long hard look at you "issues" for lack of a better term, and do some soul searching and be honest with yourself about what's really going on. I am certainly not trying to make you feel bad or blame you please understand that, just trying to help yo problem solve this situation from and unbiased viewpoint. Start reading this forum actively every day if you are not and it will give you brand new insight perhaps. Don't give up on yourself by all means, You deserve to let this band help you lose weight. I urge you to cal the OCC even if you can't afford to go there for a check up it's vital you speak to one of the professionals there to help you deal with this. Take care and know I care, as we all do about an unsettling situation for anyone.

So happy your fill went smoothly. Dr. So is so nice, he did mine too. And for the record no they didn't weigh me either. I guess they know we are all scale groupies so there is no need. It's our responsibility once we get the band to make it work for us. Here's to good restriction for you

But just to clarify the surgery is NO WHERE NEAR the pain of childbirth!! Not even close.

Do not allow your sister to try and sabatoge your plan, or thoughts about what you are doing for your health and life. Remember you have a child who does not want mommy and/or daddy to not see them graduate or get married. I do encourage you to be your mothers advocate. You may be the only one who see's this outright cruelty and she needs you. She is a victim of your sisters inability to care for her as she need to be cared for. Think about it, no sewer, no water, that's less then prisoners have!! And to possibly not have necessary medication for her health issues!! We are in the USA and this does happen all too often but thank goodness for your mothers sake she has someone, you, who can stand up and make a difference in her quality of life. You've got to do this Kim, you'll never forgive yourself if you don't stand up to your sister and get your mom into a healthy living situation.

:lb9: :lb10: I wish you well in your recovery time. Remember each phase of this journey is a unique one so try to enjoy each phase as it comes, whether it be weight loss or plateau with NSV'S. Enjoy your liquids. Try different things to keep yourself with a variety and you won't get too bored.

Yes it is normal to get diarrhea on liquids, some people also have constipation. Add Benefiber to whatever you drink to bulk you up. This stuff is so great, it dissolves completely and you have absolutely no idea it's in whatever you add it to. I was skeptical but it is so true!!

My experience is pretty much as the others have explained it. With eating and if you have restriction you are aware of the full feeling, and overeating or going too quickly certainly has its consequences. But on a day to day basis like when I am at work I don't "feel;" the band itself, perhaps what it is dong to help me feel full is all.

This is a great comprehensive tool!! I just bookmarked it for quick reference. It's GREAT!!

Glad everything went well. Your surgeon sounds like he knows what he is doing. I am happy for you Cathy. Words of advice from someone who knows......be careful, go slow, and chew, chew, chew. Don't want to risk the painful PB's!!

Michelle.. :lb10: :lb24: :lb21: :lb13: What courage you have to post these, but what an inspiration for me and others I am sure. I couldn't sleep tonight , up at 4 am and just thought I'd take a peak at the forum. What a great post to find...you look FABULOUS!!! Thanks for all your inspirations in so many ways!!

I feared the IV also. As a nurse I put them in all the time but when it's me it's different. I also have terrible veins with memories of being stuck 5,6,7 times to get IV's in so this was what I was nervous about, not the surgery itself. Anyway the nurse got it in on the 1st try with no probs. I found out they use a very SMALL size IV needle and remember it's just tubing that stays in the vein. Again it's a very small one which makes it much easier to get in anyone who has bad veins. Hope this helps give you some peace of mind. Have a great trip, I'm so happy for you!!

:lb10: :lb21: How cool to have your date!! I traveled alone and had a fun time , really. I looked at it as a time totally for me to do whatever I please and enjoy this mini-vacation. The hotel is lovely and the pool is way cool to lay around and relax after your surgery. Of course there's always shopping if you must!! Your trip will be here before you know it so just enjoy this prep time. Whether your husband gets on board right away or not, this is the beginning of a whole new healthier, happier life for you. :lb4: Hugs to you as well as prayers for you and your husband to come to a resolve on this without much difficulty.