TerriDoodle

Good Morning! - Looks like everyone is moving along and doing well. I can tell those of you who are still looking forward to fills & restriction....you WILL feel it, I guarantee it! Maybe not right away or it may take 2-3 fills, but you will feel it!! If you recall, my story was much like ShineOn's ...I went for my 2nd fill and they told me most of my 1st (1.5cc) had disappeared; so they filled me to 2cc with thicker (Omnipaque) fluid. The NP acutally told me that she bet I was back for a slight unfill. I haven't done that yet, but sometimes I think I should. While on our little vacation, I PB'd twice on chicken. So that's a total of 3 times since I got that 2nd fill....and all on chicken. (How does a person live without chicken???) But before I go back for an unfill, I'm living more closely by the rules to see if that helps at all. What I'm trying to say is, THE BAND IS THERE AND IT WILL WORK!!! After being filled go very slowly. Try risky foods gently and wait a long time between bites before taking another risky bite. TracyK...yeah, for some reason getting a fill (and going back to fluids?) gets the scale moving for me too. Oh, and by the way all you sweet girls....thanks for noticing the losses on my pics. I am glad I took those now...they are a motivator!! I wish I had taken my measurements pre-op, but I didn't. In the last month I've lost 5# and 4 inches tho... not bad. I really love working out. I can't believe i'm saying that. But anyway...CONGRATS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE JUMPING ON THE EXERCISE WAGON THIS MONTH!!! You will NOT regret it! Keep it going!

I've been kinda watching my resting heart rate because it's a good measure of how your health is improving (or not!). In the past few years like when I take my BP at home or at the dr's office, I've never noticed a heart rate below about 72. I've measured it the last 3 nights and am getting readings in the high 50's and low 60's!! I suppose it's a result of my recent love affair with exercise....but WOW....so soon and with such good results?? I've only been at it about 6 weeks! Lets see.... 10 beats/min = 600 beats/hr 600 beats/hr = 14,400/day 14,400/day = 5,256,000/year 5,256,000/year x 30 years = 157,680,000 heartbeats saved Hmmm...I think I just added 6 years to my heart's life! :biggrin1: Could that be right??

Gotta go catch up with everyone...hope you are all doing well! Just got back from a long weekend on the Guadalupe River and it was awesome!!! Took my progress photos today... finally able to see some progress!

I have no idea. I guess the worst that could happen is that she could get a horrible infection or infect the band fluid. Nevertheless, it's possible she truly is disturbed -- judging by the disjointed thoughts and horrible spelling. I looked at her other posts and she apparently has been doing this since june of 06...or says she has, anyway. Back then the other members got all over her but she wasn't phased. Yeah, sounds more like a reflux type reaction if no food came up... YIKES! Salsa can be hazardous??!? Bummer. Ibchelle - WOW you are melting!! No, can't say that fills have exactly done that for me, but they have helped! Haydee - I'm tighter in the mornings, too. Even cottage cheese has a problem going down. So I've learned to (guess what?) take small bites and eat slowly!! I've really got to do that every single meal now. You'll learn!!.....maybe!

I LOVE Dr. Spivak...not only because of his wonderful staff and very pleasant manner, but mostly because of his extensive experience. It allowed me to feel 150% confident in his ability and his pre-op and post op plans, which are quite liberal compared to other doctors. I've heard a lot of complaints lately about Speigal so I'm glad I didn't go with him. I had surgery at Park Plaze but my first fill was at the Surgery Center....and from what I could tell they were wonderful. Nice, small facility and very professional. You're definitely on the right track

For most of us carbonated beverages, beer and champagne are forbidden foods. I was pretty nervous about it at first but I have had absolutely no problems giving them up and rarely miss them. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from getting my band!! NO WAY!

Mazie -- I couldn't imagine what you were talking about so I did a search and found the post you're talking about! OMG! That chick must be nuckin' futs!!!

Yes, Michelle -- pain is normal for a few days. Take your pain meds if you're too uncomfortable; that's what they're for! I was in a good amount of pain (and taking meds) for 5 days. Are you doing breathing exercises? I know it hurts to breathe deep, but keep doing it and it will feel better after 2-3 breaths. How do you feel emotionally??

My trainer has me on the following schedule:Monday - Cardio warm-up; Legs & abs Tuesday - day off Wednesday - cardio warm-up; Chest & biceps Thursday - 45 mins cardio Friday - day off Saturday - cardio warm-up; Triceps & Back Sunday - 45 mins cardio On my weight training days I try to do more than a warm up on cardio; after weights I get back on the X-trainer or bike for 20 mins or so. My routine usually takes about 45 mins....so 45 mins. 5x/week. That's my goal. Subtracting my vacation days that'll be 19 sessions for June.

Who has met their exercise goals for this month? Who will be making goals for June? I hate to be a nag, but I strongly encourage you to set goals for yourself. They don't have to be big, just tiny little goals at first if you want to ... absolutely no shame in that! Actually, small attainable goals are the best to have anyway! A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step. I am very proud that I only missed one scheduled workout at the gym this month. My efforts are really starting to pay off! I already feel so much stronger, and best of all I am really enjoying it. Yesterday I really had to make myself go...just put one foot in front of the other 'til I got there...and ended up having one of my best workouts. I just so got into it and sweat my tail off! ...actually got off on that 'runners high' you hear so much about. It was way cool. People, I am telling you that this is a 180 degree turnabout for me and if I can do it, you can do it!

Well, my hat's off to all teachers!! I have always appreciated the very tough job that you all have/had...I wouldn't do it for $200,000/year, much less the ridiculous salaries that you are generally paid. You'll be happy to know that ever since kindergarten I've taught my children that they are to respect their teachers....that they are 150% dedicated to their students' interests or they wouldn't be there at all. That they could probably work at Walmart ( much easier job) for the same money with those hours. My son is a junior and my daughter is in 7th grade....to this day I have never had any complaints from teachers about their behavior. In fact, quite the opposite. Hopefully, something I taught them rubbed off. We've had quite a few learning issues with my son over the last few years and his teachers have all be so supportive with us...exchanging countless emails and phone calls at times....and always willing to help in whatever way they can. I love teachers and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your tremendous dedication. :love:

Mdrai!!! You're doing so good!!! I can't believe youtyped all those keystrokes coherently! I remember when I got home and checked in here, I was seeing double and couldn't type worth a HOOT! We'll 'see' you tomorrow, eh?

This is so me. It has to be the very strangest phenomenon of this weight loss journey. Just goes to show you that that primal instinct part of your brain is hard at work 24/7 at trying to 'ensure your survival', eh?

Hi Teach! We missed you!!! Yeah, I was wondering what the heck ya'll were doing going on vacation right after surgery! But I thought maybe ya'll had a nice quiet cabin on a lake or something...not shopping and dining! How in the world did your DH do it?! Poor baby! I'm sure you took very good care of him and the walking actually did him good. I'm glad your home too! Give our best to DH and tell him we're thinking of him. I notice your ticker says ***200***!!!! :cheer2: :cheer2: You've almost caught up to me and that makes me REAL jealous! But, then again, you ARE the Violet Mascot!! When are we gonna see some B&A (progress) shots of you??? You must be noticing huge changes in the mirror! MDRAI - We're pulling for you today!! Can't wait to see you on the other side!!!!!! Oh, this is so exciting!! Almost as exciting as when TracyK got banded! I've got SO much to do today! We're leaving for a mini-vacation in 2 days. Going to the beautiful Guadalupe River to meet up with lots of our friends for a long weekend. The kids have a blast and the old folks get to kick back and enjoy all means of debauchery. Well, we do a lot of cooking and cleaning, too! I have to go to the gym and get a leg workout and cardio. Come home and finish packing up my fat clothes to give to my friend who lives in Galveston...then drive down there to deliver them to her...come home after dinner and try to relax a bit with some beading. In between I've got about 4 loads of laundry to do. Ya'll have a great day! XOXOXOXO

What Jachut said.

Best of luck to you!! It''s all good!

Pamela - I vote for getting the fill, too. You won't feel any different immediately after...but please do be careful on your Knotts trip. If you do decide to wait, that's good too....but like HH said, you can do a lot of 'damage' between now and then! Mdrai - Lots of good post-op advice here! One I read about today for the shoulder pain is to put a heating pad on your diaphragm! ...that the pain in your shoulder is referred from your diaphragm (?) ...so that's another thing you can try. Do the breathing exercises, take the Gas-X 4x a day and move whenever possible. DO NOT overdo it. Take it easy for 3-4 days!

Michelle - that sounds like a great way to keep your mind busy. we will all be thinking of you...check in when you can!

About my PB... We were at my sister-in-law's new house helping her clean. I had been snacking on canteloupe but was still building quite a hunger. Somebody brought in some hot fried chicken and it was all over! I thought I'd just eat some of the breast meat ....but it turned out it was just too dry. And I must have taken bites that were too big and too fast. (sound familiar? gawd, when will I learn??) I was about 4 bites into it when the pain gripped my chest. I stopped eating but it was clear that this wasn't just a golf ball. I tried relaxing, going about my business, etc. but it just kept getting worse. Then the sliming began and there wasn't room in my esophagus for all that slime. Fortunately everyone was busy around the house and didn't notice that I went to the bathroom for several minutes. It all came up and I felt much better...but for those 15 minutes that I tried to keep it all down were miserable!!!!! Then, of course I was still very hungry. Yes, this second fill is totally different now. I really have to be careful. Tiny bites and going slow are the major factors...along with not allowing yourself to get too hungry. I think it was Jenn who said that she isi fine for hours then all of a sudden feels like she could eat everything in the house...that's me too....and is what gets me into trouble every time. Lunasa - Congrats on being such a good girl at the wedding! I'll bet you had a blast! Dynamo - I've been feeling stuck with my weight too. I was however down another pound today which puts me at a 3# loss so far this month. Less than a pound a week. We've heard it a million times though...when you're working out STOP paying so much attention to the friggin' scale! It's hard though, isn't it? I haven't taken measurements yet this month, but I know my inches are down...I can just feel it everywhere. How about you? [edit: I went back and checked...I actually have lost 5# this month! better than I thought! Yea me!] TracyK & Laura - I think you're just having another mini-"farewell to food tour", don't you? I went thru that too when I wasn't restricted. That's what the band is all about....to force you to behave....and you will. You're doing fine in trying your best to get back on track and to make healthier choices. What else can you do? My doctor's philosophy about the post op diet is to NOT diet. To eat the foods you normally enjoy, just less of them. (I LOVE my doctor!) So that's what I do. I may lose more slowly but don't feel so deprived. I also keep pretty good track of my calories at thedailyplate.com so i don't get too out of control. I'm off to take my mother shopping today then coming home to clean out my closets -- what a painful experience that is. Ya'll have a wonderful day!

Had my 1st PB today :drum: Most unpleasant.

Laura - What is this business about eating pancakes, PBing and then continuing to eat pancakes??? Uh, isn't that a big no-no?? How many times have you PB'd since you got the band? I'm guilty, too....of not taking small bites and eating too fast since my 2nd fill. Things do change quite a bit when you get filled and I'm finding I have to RE-learn all the rules like I did immediately post-surgery when I treated my band like gold. (Hell, it costs a lot more than GOLD!!) Just be careful and use this time before your fill to practice good habits....you'll be glad you did! Christy - That IS good news about your port...I'm glad that they're still able to get to it easily. Are ya'll gonna have to fly to Mexico everytime you need a fill? Or have you found a local dr. to follow up later on?

Idon't know where you live, but the only thiing I would worry about is getting follow up care here in the US if/when you need it. Seems like I've read more than a few posts about having trouble finding local docs to follow-up on Mexican surgeries.

Well, it's just what I've read on this board. That a PB really irritates your pouch and esophagus and you need to give it a rest, otherwise you may have a tendency to PB again...vicious cycle thing. Hey! We thought about doing the same thing! That would have been wild to meet you there! We have to help DH's sister move tomorrow. Fun.

Yes, of course there are risks and you should definitely get educated about those so that you can do everything to prevent them...many are preventable. There is an entire section of this board dedicated to complications and you can do a lot of reading there. HOWEVER!...it is one thing to educate yourself about complications and it is another thing to focus on them. That's kind of a catch-22 about being here....many of us as we approached our surgery dates started freakiing out more and more about the possibility of complications because it seemed as though they are frequent. But they really aren't! It's just that people with compliccations tend to seek out a forum such as this more than the ones who are sailing right through without any problems. Y'know?? So, educate yourself and talk to your surgeon about the statistics....then come here for support if you find yourself getting nervous as the day approaches. Honestly, I don't know how anyone gets through this process without this board. It's wonderful!!!

Ok, so if I eat a 10# wheel of white sharp cheddar from Wisconsin, just sliced and eaten straight from the wheel, preferably at room temperature, I should, in theory, gain only 10#?? Where do I go to purchase a wheel of cheese? How much is a flight from Houston to Wisconsin?