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Holla fellow bandsters! Yes you read that correctly. I have not only survived Hell week, but I believe I have thrived! That's right, 1 week ago at this very moment I was home watching TV and safely banded. I don't remember much of anything else that evening, that's why they make anesthesia so good and narcotics. I took quite a journey this week. I was dealing with the obvious issues after surgery, but I also did a bit of "spirit surgery" if you will. When your incapacitated for a time you have no choice but to think, because you can't do much else. If my brain had a disclaimer it would read: Do not enter without parental supervision. Today was minimal pain, I took 1 pain pill all day. I had my coffee this morning. 40 of strawberry protein, that's 40 oz of liquid, not exactly sure how much protein. My Crystal Light Pink Lemonade and I drank an Energy Wild Strawberry Crystal Light and did not get my headache, which had become my 9pm uninvited guest every night. I finished it off with a small bowl of cream of chicken soup and it was fabulous. I am not restricted yet, but I was full and content. Fingers crossed. I thought about pain, I thought about food, I thought about fat, shopping, clothes and the extreme heat. I thought "What the hell have I done?", then thought "I wish I would have done this sooner." I thought about education, I thought about government, sex and relationships. I thought about death and sickness, then I thought about life. I thought about swimming, showering, scars and plastic surgery. Protein powder and chicken broth, religion and meditation, rain and storms, vacations and casino's, friends and lovers, marriage and divorce. I thought about stages of motherhood, I thought about my children, and your children, boys, girls, babies, and old people. I thought about pets and people, good vs. evil, guilt and shame, honesty and integrity and words with friends. You catch my drift, I shan't bore you with more words with different letters. I have gratitude for this forum, it actually helped calm my pain and craziness. You know what they say, "If you see CRAZY coming-cross the street!" We know most of us not only invite it in, but beg it to stay and set an extra place for dinner. My personal experience is just that, just as your experience is your own. When we bring these together we are an encyclopedia of knowledge, on this topic at least! I have learned that not only is everyone's experience different, it is also the same in many ways. Even though most of us have had the same "procedure", the doctors have given different instructions to you regarding your surgery, whether it's the road leading up to it or the weeks following the surgery. The important thing to remember is sort of what we should know already, just because someone else has been advised to eat or drink from a specific or nonspecific menu, doesn't mean it will produce the same result for you. Yes kids, that's why we always check with our Dr. before doing something different than their specific instructions. Now that's a disclaimer. I see my surgeon Thursday afternoon and because of you good people of the page, I have come to the conclusion that more than likely I will not receive a "first fill" as the lady indicated when she called to schedule the appointment. (you guys rock) After all, it will only have been 9 days since my surgery. I also had a large hernia repair, (Dr said large, not me-I prefer petite words) Why the heck stress my body more while I'm still in healing mode? Besides, I have only been somewhat hungry maybe twice all week. Not because I was sick, or nauseous I didn't have alot of those symptoms. Because I had already started my journey months before in January when I saw my Dr. for the first time. I never had that "last buffet" or felt like I had to eat "as much as I can-while I still can" frame of mind, I don't know why because I sure have done that before, several times as a matter of fact. Every time I committed myself to a new "diet", (yeah, yeah I know don't call it diet, it's a lifestyle change) I would give myself license to eat, I didn't do that this time, I thought about it, I had the choice and I chose NO. That's when I knew I always had the power, if I needed a bread twisty around my stomach to remind me then so be it! I will not be ashamed and start my journey with that burden, nor will I think about it as my cross to bear. I think of all these younger people getting to start over and it puts joy in my heart. Tomorrow is Independence Day and I couldn't have picked a better holiday to come next. This 4th of July will find me thinking about our troops both here and those not here, walking my dogs in the morning, going to a movie with the boys in the afternoon, deciding where to watch fireworks, and knowing that my Independence Day will be every day for the rest of my life. Onward and Upward my friends, Happy 4th of July and as always, Lo & Behold..... Velvet

Week 14 Last week’s weight – 207 This week’s weight – 205.2 Total weight lost this week – 1.8 lbs Total weight loss since surgery – 41 lbs Average weekly weight loss since surgery – 2.4 lbs per week Happy to write that I broke the 40 lb mark this week and I am closer to my goal of being under 200 lbs by the time we head back to school in August. I’ve been walking pretty consistently every morning (3 miles) but now that I am in a normal summer routine boredom has kicked in a bit (which equals eating more for me). I am going to have to watch that in the coming weeks. I’ve started making green smoothies in the morning with kale, bananas, and mixed berries (plus other stuff). I actually don’t mind the taste and feel that I am getting some healthy items in my diet (not that I am eating unhealthy but it is nice to know that I am getting a decent amount of fruits and veggies in one serving). My Non Scale Victory (NSV) this week was fitting into a bathing suit top that I haven’t worn for years (but I spent a lot of money on and didn’t want to give it away – miracle suit top $$$ in size 18W). My Lands End 22W suit is way too baggy now. Until next week!

I haven't posted in a while, but this month has been going pretty good. I feel GREAT! Well, besides my hip. I hurt my hip jogging but I bought some better shoes with more cushion and a new Ipod. I am excited to get my jog on. As soon as I get it set up today, I'm going to hit the pavement. I'm down 60lbs and this blows me away. I am half way to my first year goal. I am also 15lbs away to my post baby weight. Next stop, pre baby weight! I am fitting into my old clothes that I haven't fit into in the last 5 years. I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe. I just got my 3rd fill and I am at 7cc. I am going home at the end of the month to see my family. It will be the first time that most of them have seen me since right after my surgery. Well, cheers to month 4. Here we go!

Hey everyone my name is Ashley and I am a 21 year old female from Indiana. I currently am 5'7 and 285 lbs with a BMI of 31%. I will begin my banded journey on July 19th, 2012 and could not be happier to finally get this weight loss trip on the road. All my life I have been considered the "bigger" girl. Although I have always been VERY active, I have ALWAYS been overweight. I currently work EMS and live a very on the go lifestyle. Being as young as I am I dont have very many people to turn to that know what I am about to go through. Most of my friends tell me "Im beautiful the way I am and I dont need to change that", but they have never walked in my shoes. I hope to hear lots of advice and support from people who have been there and done that.

Full release at my 6 week post-op visit today! I am approved to go back to work with no restrictions. I weighed in at 228, day of surgery weight 251, pre-op initial weight 269, total loss 41 lbs, 23 since surgery. Better than that, I'm wearing clothes that I haven't been able to fit in for two years! I'm really excited about my weight loss so far.

So today is officially 7 days since my surgery. One week. Every day seemed to pass by slowly, but I can't believe it's already a week. I thought I would never get here! The good part: yes I have already started loosing weight! yay! weigh in at the doc's office manana. Also, no pain when I am just relaxing. I have been off pain meds for several days The bad: I knew what the diet would be like before I went under the knife, but it is so much harder than I thought it would be. I never imagined wishing for crackers and cereal as much as I do now. As you all know, the first week is jello, popsicles, and broth. I cannot wait for the end of week 2! Also, sneezing sucks, lol! As a promise to myself and who ever is reading, I will share all the good and bad about living with the band and how it has changed my life. BTW, who am I? 25 yo 5'1" F med student (1 year left!!!) who weighed 227.5 (BMI 43) as of 6/21/12. I have fought with my weight for all of my life just like many here. I feel like I've tried it all. Fad diets. Weight Watchers (which did work while I was honestly doing it). Calorie Counting. It's just when I am not honestly putting all my energy into dieting, I gain it all back. I don't have any medical problems. I have seen what obesity can do to a person from the medical, familial, and personal stand point and I didn't want to find myself 15 years from now in a hole I can't get myself out of medically. I want to enjoy being young. Wear a swimsuit on the beach without being embarrassed. When I have kids, I want to be able to run around with them and not be worn out. When I see my patients and tell them about healthy eating and lifestyles, I don't want them to think, "yeah, like she knows!" I know I will always have a battle with my weight, but won't it be nice to fight while I'm a healthy weight because I took a leap of faith that this surgery would be the right choice for me? Yup, it will be nice.

Well, I have not blogged for a while, since I did not feel as if I had anything to write about, but have been following all your posts...I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU ALL!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. Now for the drum roll part, 2 of my daughters and I went shopping yesterday and ended up looking for a dress for "mother of the bride" (my youngest daughter is getting married Sept 1st). We started with sizes 20 and went down from there (I was a 24/26 when I first got my surgery). I ended up getting a size 14 much to my excited surprise and felt absolutely beautiful. Woo Hoo Me! Well, it's the 4th and I gotta get and get things ready for the big day. Anyway, I will post pictures later. Keep it up fellow bandsters. Zil

Letter to myself: Dear Keke, You didn't quite get through your first day without a struggle, it's okay. Day 2 will be better. The only person you can dissapoint is yourself, and you are pretty hard on yourself. Remember all the times you couldn't do things with your kids because your weight held you back...swimming, hiking and just walking around a theme park. Your kids missed out on a trail walk at the Grand Canyon because you couldn't do it. We drove the strip in Vegas because you couldn't walk that far without your knees hurting. Couldn't explore Lake Tahoe and drove through all of Yellowstone. That was a trip of a lifetime and your weight didn't just affect you, it affected the whole family. Day 2 is here, what are you gonna do about it? Stay strong, stay positve and stay faithful. You can do this, it's your life.