JourneyGirl

I haven't been online for a while. Sorry to hear of the frusteration that you had gone through but am very glad to hear that it seems to be over. YEAH ON BEING DOWN 20!!! How awesome is that?!?! My weight loss is going backwards, lol, very slow, so I know that 20 is a huge marker!!! Keep it up!! Wendy

I am right with you on this one. I have had a few binge moments over the holidays and wish I didn't. My first fill really didn't do anything and I can eat anything and everything I want. I was doing very well, going to gym 5 days a week and doing just what I was supposed to eating wise and making great choices. Then I had a few days in a row that I was committed to volunteering at my childrens school and couldn't work out. Well when that happens it is so easy to not go to the gym and now it has been 1.5 weeks since I have been there. I got a free 3 month membership at the gym w/ my doctors office. It takes me 30 minutes to get there so between 5 hours of driving and the price of gas I just can't do it as much. I may just join the gym that is 1/2 a mile away. Makes so much more sense tome and it will be cheaper then the gas money I am using. Today too, starts the next chapter for me. I just got back from my second fill. I have 5cc's in a 10cc band. I had my Easter binge and now it is back to business. I am also going to make sure that I am here daily. It will help me to be accountable and encouraged. Hope everyone is doing well. Wendy

Congrats!!! How did it go?

I wish that I knew the answers for you but I don't. I just wanted to say good luck and I hope it all works out for you!! Keep us posted.

Great post!! 1. Jeans are falling off my buns!!! 2. Wearing jeans that I couldn't button 2 months ago! 3. Shirts are big and frumpy looking now. 4. Shoes fit better, no more croc's (I lived in them). 5. UNDIES ARE TO BIG!!!!! (personally my fav) 6. I work out 5 days a week now w/ out exhaustion. 7. I am running with my children. 8. No more carbonated bev's of any kind. Only Water and an occasional decaf tea or coffee. 9. Don't crave sweets. 10. Don't crave carbs and don't eat them very much. 11. No need for refux meds anymore! 12. Dont' watch much TV, I prefer moving. 13. Intimacy is so much better now. DH even says so. That alone melts my heart!! <3 And to think that this is only almost 20 pounds. What it will be like as more pounds fall off! I am excited to see! Congrats everyone! And good job!! Wendy

I, too, have told lots of people. I didn't discuss it with anyone but my best friend (she had the surgery) and my husband(and our kids) until almost surgery day. It was not my families business. I didn't want to feel I had to justify my decision. Good luck in your journey. For those who may say that you (we) should try harder . . . this is harder work then I thought! But so very worth every ounce of energy that I put into it!!! So they can chew that! If you don't want others to know just tell them you are doing slim fast or something. They don't need to know your business if you don't want them too! Wendy

I am not a smoker so I can't help you on that but good luck. As for being put under it is really no big deal. I do understand being nervous, I was as well my first time. Mine were all done through an IV. They administered the drug and honestly I tried to pay attention as to how long it would take. I wondered if I would go "out" when they were wheeling me into surgery, would I hear them talking, or would it be before.... How long would I stay awake. It sounds like I am a nut, it is just something that I do each time. For the band surgery I was talking to the nurse, blinked and that was it. That was the last thing I remember. Next thing you know I am waking up in recovery. I think it was about 10 seconds, if that, after giving me the drug. If you get real nervous, just tell them. They will give you something to calm your nerves. Don't worry, you will be fine!! Good luck, Wendy

It is so normal and you are not alone. I second guessed and then canceled my surgery the morning of my Pre-Op! 2 years later I had it! I don't recommend doing what I did!! I will say that when I got banded (2/22/11) there wasn't a doubt in my mind. I knew it was what I needed and wanted to do 2 years ago too, but chickened out. We can all play the "what if" game with any situation in life. What if we walk out side and get hit by a car, what if we walk and have a great stroll? What if we get in a car accident going to school or the supermarket? What if we don't and see someone who's life we affect by the simple smile we provide them? What if you don't have this surgery? Where will your health go from here? What about all the reasons why you do want this surgery? What will happen to them? BUT..... What if you do have the surgery? What if it works? What if you loose weight? What if you get healthy? What if you extend your life longer? What if you feel good about yourself? What if you enjoy life? What if you hike the Grand Canyon some day? What if, what if, what if? Look at your "what if's" one more time. Answer them firmly and from there on if doubts creep in your mind, go to the other "what if's". What if I don't do this, what will happen to me? You can do this. You are not alone! We have all been there at some point. We are here to help and encourage you. Good luck, you will be great!!! Wendy

I was instructed to walk for the first 2 weeks after surgery. I could walk as much as my body would take without being tired or sore. I also could use the exercise bands (when feeling good enough to do it, I was fortunate, I didn't have any pain). At my 2 week post-op appointment I was feeling great and ready to work out and was told NO! And I wanted to start crunches and that was an absolute NO! It was explained to me that even though I felt great I was not to do any core exercises or stomach exercises. The post is sewn to a muscle and needs to "scar down" so that it will remain in place. Doing these types of exercises could hinder that. So until the 6 week post op visit it was walking/gazelle/ elliptical and exercise bands only. Check with your doctor on what s/he says you can do. I know you want to get going, I did too, but we have to let our bodies heal and patiently wait, no matter how hard it is.

Thank you!! That was easy, yet I couldn't figure it out! lol

I understand the worry. My husband had the flu a few days before my surgery. I left the house with the kids and stayed at a friends! lol Not that your oncoming cold is funny, it isn't. I would just call your doctor like you said and tell him what is going on. It may not be a big deal at all, and you may be able to take something for it now. Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Praying for this cold to leave and you to become a bandster tomorrow!!!

I know that it can get discouraging. Hang in there and try to be patient, even though I know that can be hard. I had gone a few weeks where the scale didn't move. I am not to my sweet spot yet, but this fill gave me some restriction, and am trying to eat less and really pay attention to what my body (stomach) is telling me. I have noticed that if my Protein intake isn't where it should be and my Fluid isn't then I don't loose, even 1 pound. Make sure those two things are where they should be and exercise and it will start to happen. Hang in there. You CAN do this!!

Congrats!! How exciting! I bet you are on cloud nine!! I too have a very hard time w/ Protein (meats). salad, however, goes down without a problem and I have one for lunch and dinner everyday! if you find something that works to get the protein down, please share. Again, congrats! Keep up the good work!! Wendy