cleo6666

If you use the phone at the hotel from your room it is VERY costly. My one call home to Seattle was $20!!! Try this....go to a gas station or convenience store and buy a phone card! I'm not sure how they work but I think you use a pay phone. Remember calling cards from the "old days?" I think it's like that. I got one for the last time I went down and forgot to use it but it was only a $10 investment and that reminds me...I need to grab it tonight and take it with me because my fill is tomorrow!!! If I remember, I'll post and let you know how it went. I stayed in San Diego so my cell phone worked great. Good luck!

I found this web site recently when I was reading the forum topics. It's fun. It's easy. It's informational. It's motivating. And best of all...it's FREE! You might find yourself a little "geeky" adding all the nutrients for food. Once you set up a food you eat everyday (like my latte from starbucks or my ham slices), you just click on it each time you eat it because you only have to enter it the first time! I even track my water this way. But what I find the most interesting is how I'm meeting my diet and exercise goals. You can even keep a journal. Ok, 3 posts from me a day is enough! Happy Loosing. ~M

Hi Lisal....I live not far from you by Everett :-h As far as "smooth" foods go, this is what I've found that has been a big help. I go to Emerald City Smoothies in WA. Granted, this is a place in my neck of the woods, but what it is is a vitamin store (mostly for the healthiest of body builders, jocks, etc :-) and they make smoothies. While I can't afford a protein powder for $50 bucks, I can afford a protein shake for $4.62. One of the drinks I get is loaded with protein. I'd have to eat a half of ham to get that much protein! Smoothies at a vitamin store, in my education"ing" are much better for you than like Jamba Juice. Not to pick on them, but they have loads of sugar and calories in their drinks. At my shop, they even have the Carbs/fat/protein listed right on the order board. My favorite, the sugar free banana lean out has 400 calories, 4 grams of fat and 50grams of protein. Shazam! The vitamin/nutrition stores are a great source of info for vitamins too. I bought liquid vitamins there after my surgery. They looked like puree spinach and tasted like fruit. Mmmmmm. And if you tell these folks your issues (like hairloss, constipation, trouble sleeping, etc.) they hopefully have tons of knowledge. Don't get me wrong. Supplements and health food store drinks are more expensive. But I get my $5 drink there, learn about vitamins and usually purchase locally somewhere else if it costs less. I feel healthier than ever. Now if I could just find the miracle weight loss pill! Hahahahaha ~M

Hi fellow Lap Banders! Once again, I logged in this morning to find not one, but 6 BOGUS new topics that have nothing to do with our forum! I just want to rant for a minute and get it off my chest... I"M TIRED of seeing topics about Brittney Spears Nude Models VIAGRA Home loans New Jobs Hot...anythings! Please put a stop to it OCC. I'd hate to see this website go from free to a paid subscription. I think we'd loose many banders who want to be here and deserve to be here. Please BOGUS topic abusers....GET OFF our site and go do you spams and unwanted topics elsewhere! UGH!

Hi Linda, :-h I live up in Mill Creek near Everett. I used to ride horses and showed for years at the famous Enumclaw fair. What memories. (wish I was at my 16 year old riding weight now...lol). Keep in touch with us WA Banders if you'd like. We are a rowdy and fun group. We all love food and we all love our band. And we are all trying to balance the two along with kids, spouses, friends, etc.

I am leaving tomorrow night for my fill and I expect the same thing to happen with me. Thanks for the heads up! I'd like to hear more about how you flew to Seattle to TJ in one day. WOW! I didn't know I could go into TJ straight from here. Michele P.S...Was there any sun there? I almost forgot what the sun looks like.

** Why is it taking you so long to do another fill? ** YES LETS KEEP THIS POST GOING ! Honestly...my friends give me crap all the time because they think my band is TOO TIGHT and I need a unfill. Forget that! I burp alot. I throw up alot. My friends say I "disrespect the band" by not eating slower and eating things I shouldn't. Oh by the way...I LOVE my friends . One of them has lost 90 pounds in a year and she looks amazing! The other one's sister in law was banded 2 years ago, so she know's what her sister in law went through. So it's not like I'm talking to people who know nothing about the band. They worry about me AND...I moan and b--ch about my weight all the time. I'm a whinny pee-pants sometimes. It's hard to see my friend loosing so much and she eats anything she wants. Sometimes she's never hungry. I don't get it. But I love her and she has a whole new lease on life and looks amazing in clothes. Maybe I'm jealous! I work out. In fact I've worked out more in the last month than I have in the last year. I switched gyms to one very close to my house. I even starting going in a 6 am so I could grab a quick 20-30 minutes of cardio. I don't sweat much when I work out which I think is really wierd. Even when I run at 5.0 and 6.0 on the treadmill. Granted, I don't run too long because I think I'm going to die or get a black eye! LOL Here's what I think one of my problems is...my FAT is turning to MUSCLE and we all have been told what???.... "Muscle weighs more than FAT" UGH! I got my fat "calipered" or what ever that is called and had it calculated to my weight. As of Tuesday I have 29 pounds of fat on my body and my lean muscle has increased. It's kinda neat calculation, but I'm not sure if it's gospel, if you know what I mean. So to answer your question...:-)...yes I do work out. In fact my son is trying to get me to go twice a day. UGH! As far as emotions go, I have years of "kid garbage". Most of it steming from my dad thinking I was FAT and never letting me forget. I love my dad, but the things he said to me growing up were painful. I'm married now to a wonderful man and I live in a gorgeous house. Being a single, overwieght mom, for 14.5 years sucked. I have a good job with great benefits and fantastic friends and a kicking family. My dad says he's proud of me and he adores my new husband. But deep down inside, do you know what I really want to hear?...... "Honey you look great! Have you lost weight?" There I said it. That's all I want my dad to say and I will feel better. Sad huh? ~M

bump...or what calkev say...LOL

Has anyone check out V8 juice? It's loaded with vitamins but also with sodium. I'm not saying to take this in place of, but if you don't really like veggies (I don't) it's nice to think you are getting some. Also, I was recommended to take a "whole food" vitamin instead of something like centrum. These are available in Health food stores. I'm not expert, but what I understand is that they are made from whole foods and they are supposed to apsorb into your system better. Negitive thing with mine are they are like huge horse pills. I take them in the morning on an empty stomach with water. I burp a bit after, but it always stays down. When I go into my vitamin/smoothie shop I enjoy talking to the people who work there. I told them about my band and they are very cooperative and nonjudgemental (yes they are all thinnies :-) I like that they discuss nutritional needs with me because with my lack of eating, I'm sure my body is missing so many of the nutrients it needs. I actually found a liquid vitamin right after my surgery that I took for a week that actually tasted good. It looked disgusting, like liquid spinach, but it tasted like fruit. Anyone try Aloe Vera Juice? I found this new product that was just intoduced in WA called AloCure that should be out on the market soon. If you are having troubles "going"...this helps. I like it better than laxitives because I don't get cramps. Taste good at first but yikes...the after taste needs some help. The bottle looks like a bottle of vodka though. I get funny looks in the lunchroom when I chug it out of the bottle. Hahaha. Ok, enough of my ranting. TGIF! M :-h

When I saw this topic....I thought it was for people who were UNDER 100 pounds now OR wished to weigh less than 100! I too would like to keep this topic going. As a lower BMI patient, I am really stuggling. I was banded at the end of July and I've been loosing aobut 5 pounds a month. I have to be honest, I thought it would be faster. I thought I'd eat less and loose inches faster. I read about people and how much they lost and I think..."WOW! Why isn't that happening to me?" So I'm glad that we all get a chance to read about others trials and successes. My second fill is a week from tomorrow and I have so many questions for the fill doctor. My burping, my puking, my digestive challenges...etc. My BMI is low. I want too loose less than many. What I guess I want to share is that I'm going through a lot of emotions since I got my band: My insecurties are still there. My body still looks gross to me. My sense of desire for intimacy has faded to zilch. I don't know why. I thought being smaller would make me feel sexier, it hasn't. Please continue this topic. I'd really like to exchange ideas and success stories with all of you. > Chow4now. M

Nita57 and I are having our fills that day. We will look for you and say HI! ~Michele :-h

Michele is in! When and where? I liked Bahama Breeze by Southcenter but if anyone wants to come farther north this time that would be fine too. If anyone is interested in coming to Mill Creek, I'll offer up my house and some wine Let me know ladies....and men! Micheley

Hi Linda, I'm Michele and I live north in Mill Creek near Everett. I waited less than 2 weeks in July. It worked out great. I hadn't been thinking about the surgery long, so when I called and they had a spot open soon I just jumped on it. I had my surgery in TJ with Dr. Ortiz, as did 3 other washington gals that I've met. We all got together in October for a meeting down in the Southcenter area. It was fun. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if we get you to come to our next one! :-) Please email me and we can exchange numbers if you'd like. Good luck booking your spot! And kudos to your decision to lap band. =D> Michele

Hi Diane, Nita from Idaho and I (from Seattle) will be at the clinic for fills on your surgery day around noon. Hopefully we get to meet you! Michele

Hey Becki and Nita: Kinda have email for both of you so here goes.... Becki: Are you flying Alaska? And if so...when will you decide on the day? I'd like to fly down with you and maybe share a room if you are interested. Most likely I will stay over just one night. Nita: The 19th actually works great for me. My best flights out of seattle are to leave Thursday night and go to fill Friday. It's less expensive not to fly the same day for me. With this schedule, I have to stay over one night which will cost at least $100 that I'd like to share. If I fly in Thursday night, I'll just take the shuttle for $5 to the airport and meet you when your plane comes in so we can hop on the trolley. My friday flight will be at 8pm, so I have plenty of time! Let me know your thoughts ladies! Michele P.S...The holidays were tough on me. Let's say I know my ticker hasn't budged.

Hi Clynn! Congrads! WOW what a success. I was banded in July and can barely stay at my 23-25 lost in 5 months. Good for YOU! I'm wondering...where in WA State are you from? I live in Mill Creek by Everett. Happy New Year and Happy New YOU! =D> Michele

Hi Julie! What a great New Years gift you are giving yourself! > Find out who else is going to have surgery at the same time as you and see if they are bringing spouse and family. I would definately check with the clinic and see what they are willing to do for you for transportation with your daughter. When I had surgery in July, my best friend came with me. She ironically had LapBand surgery in the US in Nov 2005 and she has lost 80 pounds. She's looks amazing. She came to my preops with me and then we went back to the Lucerna together. The next morning The clinic picked both of us up and while I recovered, she hung out at the clinic. The surgery doesn't take long I believe. They took her back to the Hotel and back to the hospital in the AM when I was discharged. It's very comfortable AND if you have a laptop....bring it because they have WI-FI. It was really nice. I believe the hotel has free WI-FI too. If your daughter likes that...it's a great was to burn time. Since my preops were the day before surgery, when we got back to the hotel that afternoon, we took a taxi to Revolution Street and did some great people watching. Very fun. I would have gone alone, but I'm 40 and a firecracker. I wouldn't send my 15 year old son there alone just because he doesn't have the street smarts. Hope that helps. > Michele

OK....not sure when Nita is flying in but...If I get in on Thursday, stay the night and go for a fill on Friday I can fly out Friday night still. Leaves at 8:43 pm. If you fly in around 11:10 Friday....we could all meet at the airport and posse down to the clinic. Fills are fast, but I know we have to coordinate them. I would love to take the trolley but if there are surgery patients scheduled already...maybe we can ride down in there van. I'll check. So much to consider, huh? Do you...???? 1) Have an appt already 2) Have a flight already paid 3) Have your night at the Lucerna paid My hotel in San Diego is KICKIN'! With the nicest down pillows and comforters ever. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......:-)

Nita, Denise, Kristi! I might be interested in joining you for fills on the 19th. I need to save $$$ too! I'd love to take the trolley but if the van's rolling...it might be quicker On another note....I might be able to get a hotel room in San Diego near the trolley that is "beautiful" for $100 a night at my gov't rate. I've stayed there 2 times already and it's gorgeous. The hotel picks you up at the airport when you come in (or show up at the airport) and they take you back from the hotel for only 5 bucks. It's nice and the room sleeps 4! Just a thought. Michele

I too am having a lot of problems with gas and burping. It is driving my family nuts and can be quite uncomfortable. It seems like the only time I get rest from it is when I sleep. It's been going on for about a month now. I'm not sure if it's my diet or maybe I have some slippage????? I can't stop burping!!!!! Concerned...... Michele

Kay you need to slooooooooooooooooooow down. That's about as simple as it gets. Sometimes that is tough, I know for a fact. I was a single mom for 15 years and I was always on the run. Here are some tips (that have worked for "me") that might help in an emergency: 1. When eating out, always know where the restroom is. You might need to visit it. Don't be embarrassed. 2. Keep a roll of paper towels in the car. It's helped me out before. Might want to keep a plastic sack too. 3. Know that the 2 words "excuse me" will be a huge part of your vocabulary. Best of luck with your new band! Michele

> Welcome! We might have different doctors but we are all still "lapbanders". This is a great forum and you will learn so much about living with your band. I just past 4 months since my surgery and I'm still experimenting with how my band works. Some days are tough. Most days are good. Nothing right now compares to how good it feels when my pants are looser or I get compliments. What a great feeling. Keep visiting. Michele

Right now I am mostly struggling with the pain in my shoulder that comes and goes and seems to be worse at night, but that could be because I am trying to sleep and more aware. Hi Newly Banded, I was banded on 7/26/2006 and yes I remember the shoulder pain. It was mostly irrritating because it was a new pain I'd never felt before. I guess it's the gas from the surgery that creeps up to that location. Mine came and went but didn't stay longer than a month. When it was gone, it was like it never happened. I'd rub my shoulder, which seemed to make it feel better. Maybe you have someone who can rub it for you. I found that to be very relaxing when my husband helped. A warm bath always feels good too. > Michele

Renee, don't be discouraged! You haven't even been banded for 2 months yet and believe me....I KNOW how you feel. I was banded on July 26th and I have yet to move the scale in the last 2 months. In fact, I even went up a pound or two. The lapband isn't magic. Boy how I wish it was! I too paid out of pocket and it felt like the biggest purchase I ever made other than buying a house. Sitting her 4 months later and not having a significant weight loss is really hard. Some people tell me it is because I had a low BMI to begin with. It's still frustrating. People will tell you over and over that it is a "lifestyle" change having the band. I get it told to me often. :-) Hang in there and stay positive. Oh and drink lots and lots of water!!!! Michele

Thanks for the advice ladies. I'm actually doing a lot better lately. My scale isn't moving, but I'm not getting sick and I really like that! It's still a daily challenge to figure out what goes down well and what doesn't. I guess that is just part of lapband living! It's snowing and cold in Seattle. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! Michele