TerriDoodle

CMarie -- I came here to post almost the same thing!! I was banded 4/4, weight at surgery was 212 and I"ve lost 9 pounds since then (in 12 days). It's kinda freakin' me out! I know it will come to a screeching halt but just wanted to check in to see of others in this range had the same experience! I have joined a gym and am committed to regular exercise, so I hope this is what keeps the scale moving!....but surely not at a pound a day!! LOL...Wouldn't THAT be nice?!

Julee - I apologize!! I didn't read your post properly. You're afraid you won't be able to follow the 'bandster rules'!...not of the surgery itself. Forgive me. Let me just say that, for me, when the weight starts melting off that it helps tremendously when you realize things you have to give up. But, really, the 'sacrifices' are not all that hard...because the band helps with that!! Food (for me) has taken on a whole new significance....in the fact that it's NOT nearly as important to me as it used to be. You will soon find that your focus is on other things. I love all the extra time I have now...not preparing, eating, worrying about FOOD!! It truly is a new kind of freedom and I'm lovin' it.

LUNASA, DYNAMO AND ((JENN)) - I am thinking about you guys so much today!! Sending lots of good vibes and I KNOW you'll do well. Know that we are all with you in spirit. XOXOXO!!!!!!!! Jullee -- Poor baby!! I don't know how many ways I can say it....or how many times you can read it from others who have been banded....YOU'LL BE FINE!!! I know how you feel--we've all been there. But please try to have confidence in all those posts you've read from people who have gone before you! It's not that bad....REALLY! 2-3 days and the worst is over. Have you read anyone who said, "OMG this was horrible!!! 100x worse than I ever imagined! I almost DIED on the table!!" Nah. We're all alive and kickin'!! AND LOSING WEIGHT AND FEELIN' GREAT!!! I wish I could give you a big hug!! Don't forget to breathe!! Tracy - LOL... I can't wait to see how you do next week. You've been like a ROCK to all of us and your anticipation level must be through the roof right now. How do you think you'll hold up??

Of course I already know without asking that exercise is the "key"....but not necessarily for everyone! Just curious if exercise truly helped you get past a plateau, helped you lose steadily all the way along, or, if you didn't exercise, are you struggling with your weight loss? I would prefer "exercise" to mean "vigorous, heart-pumping, sweat-inducing exercise" at least 3x a week. Just a show of hands, so to speak.... yes, regular exercise has absolutely made the difference between losing at a steady pace and not losing Yes, it has helped, but it's still a struggle to get the weight off No, not really. I'm losing, but very slowly, and exercise doesn't seem to make a significant difference. No, it doesn't seem to matter what I do....I cannot get this number to budge! (and I AM following all the bandster rules...honest!)

Back to normal today!!! Absolutely back to my old self again...BUT 11# lighter! Weight today 204 Total: 894 Fat:48 431 49% Carbs:64 224 25% Fiber:8 0 0% Protein:56 225 26% Activity - 45 mins on treadmill @ 3.0 and 10 mins on bike at target HR for 200 calories

Back to normal today!!! Absolutely back to my old self again...BUT 11# lighter! Weight today 204 Total: 894 Fat:48 431 49% Carbs:64 224 25% Fiber:8 0 0% Protein:56 225 26% Activity - 45 mins on treadmill @ 3.0 and 10 mins on bike at target HR for 200 calories

Ditto to everything Pamela (Kity) said!!! Ok, well, i was going to wait 'til I finished this WONDERFUL book i am reading to tell ya'll more about it, but I can't wait. The book is written by a life coach and talks about how to make lasting change. The topic of attitude is really important and I love this part of the book that covers that topic: "...The benefits of where you're headed need to be clear. Just as you need a powerful 'what', you need a meaningful 'why'. [define your goal and be clear on your motivation.] A strongly emotional why makes meaning out of the drudgery you may have to go through and gives you a reason to persist. In thinking about your 'why', muse on this: why you may have been pushed into action by hitting bottom, ultimately you need something positive that you want to go toward. That's the insight from organizational consultant Robert Fritz, who's made it his life work to study conscious change. Fritz discovered that while we can motivate ourselves in the short run to make changes by scaring ourselves--I've got to stop smoking or i'll die--in the long run, we must be headed toward something positive we want to create: I want to live long enough to see my daughter's children; I want to be free from addiction, etc. That's because when we motivate ourselves positively we are operating in the same way as the forces for creation in the natural world and thereby increase the possibility of success. Fritz is no New Age flake; his ideas are firmly rooted in the laws of physics. If you are interested in learning more, dip into his book, The Path of Least Resistance. Psychologists have discovered a similar thing. Trying consciously to remove a negative mental image or habit actually reinforces it. That's because if you give yourslf a command such as "Don't think of donuts," there's actually a part of the brain that is trying to obey by constantly scanning ("Are you thinkiing about donuts now? How about now?"), which of course results in you constantly thinking about the very thing you've vowed not to. But if you create a positive image of what you want to go toward, that's what the brain begins scanning for instead. Finding positive motivation also engages your emotional brain to work FOR the change, not against it. It is the nature of the emotional brain to seek pleasure. So the more emotionally pleasurable your positive motivation, the more it will help you achieve your goal...." This is from the book, [ame=http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0767920082/ref=s9_asin_title_1-hf_favarsnfggenpx_2267_p/104-7375875-5443924?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=046HX1NNXNNT3DJBRDSE&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240701&pf_rd_i=507846]This Year I Will...How to finally change a habit, keep a Resolution, or make a Dream Come True by M.J. Ryan[/ame] . If anything from the passage above resonates with you, I suggest you read this book....it is SO hitting home for me. I am PUMPED!!!

Frankly I would report his a** immediately. I wouldn't necessarily seek any kind of 'disciplinary action' at this point, but it needs to be in the record. If you don't report him, at least keep your own detailed records. AND make it clear to him that conversation makes you very uncomfortable. The guy sounds like a jerk to me.

Perhaps it is not so important to focus "WHY", but to ask "WHAT CAN I DO to reach my goal?" Asking "why" gets you stuck in rumination. Asking "What can I do...." engages the creative part of your brain, the one that spurs excitement about future possibilities and provides momentum for continual forward motion, rather than backward.

Liquid diet ideasCOLD AVOCADO SOUP Cold Avacado Soup, In a blender puree 2-3 ripe avacados, about 1/4 c prepared mashed potatos, juice of 1 lime, 1/2 tsp cumin and 2-3 cups organic chicken broth.

Liquid diet ideasCOLD AVOCADO SOUP Cold Avacado Soup, In a blender puree 2-3 ripe avacados, about 1/4 c prepared mashed potatos, juice of 1 lime, 1/2 tsp cumin and 2-3 cups organic chicken broth.

I was at day 5-6 before I started to really feel like I could work again (desk job). I went back after 7 days off (from Wed-Fri) and those three days were HARD for me! Not so much the pain, but gassy and upset tummy feeling. Very tired at the end of the work day. I wish I had taken 10 days off for my surgery.

just 10 days post op - B: 3/4 c cream of wheat w/ butter L: 2 scrambled eggs S: 1/2 of a lite-n-fit yogurt smoothie D: 3 oz snapper, 1/2 c crawfish bisque, a few bites of loaded baked potato (and MAN did that taste GOOD)

My food was kinda wierd today, so I'm not even gonna mess with Fitday. If I had to guess, I'd say I probably had 950-1000 calories today. Had a ton of water and went to the gym as well. Activity treadmill - 32 mins at 3.0 mph recumbant bike - 10 mins at target HR So, I think my net cals for the day were at about 750-800. Still at 205#.

My food was kinda wierd today, so I'm not even gonna mess with Fitday. If I had to guess, I'd say I probably had 950-1000 calories today. Had a ton of water and went to the gym as well. Activity treadmill - 32 mins at 3.0 mph recumbant bike - 10 mins at target HR So, I think my net cals for the day were at about 750-800. Still at 205#.

Autumn - I am just a few days behind you and I think I am feeling the exact same thing as you. Mine is good in the morning...and gets worse as the day wears on. So we must be doing OK, just need to be a bit more patient.

Laura - We'll be thinking of you!!! Teach - Wow! Sure sounds like you got off scott-free!!! I'm very happy for you!! Tracy - That must have been disheartening to see bandsters struggling. The thing that you have to keep in mind is that there is a small percentage of people who do not lose weight with the band....for whatever reasons. We all know that you can "eat around the band" if you want to. Point is that we have to KNOW GOING IN that this is going to be 75% work on our part and 25% work on the band's part. Not everyone is as fully informed as we are, or getting good support....so of course that group exists. It's normal. But I think that we can be determined to not be one of them. It's a decision and then a commitment to do whatever it takes to make your goals happen. I don't think that anyone of us in this April group is under the delusion that this is gonna be an effortless walk in the park, do you? I think we all seem to have our heads on pretty straight. Let's just keep on keepin' on....but be very realistic about what lies ahead....and be here for each other.

Actually, urine IS sterile, but not after it has been exposed to the elements. Just a little trivia for ya. :mad:

TINY - Of course it's normal to have pain! You're only 2 days post-op! It took me a good 5-6 days to get over the hump. Are you taking your pain meds?? They DO help....take them! coughing and sneezing are the worst!! Are you doiing some breathing exercises, too? 5 or 6 really slow deep breaths, as deep as you can, every 2 hours or so. Teach - I looked at the link you sent and WOW...aren't those the coolest?! There's a store very near my work that sells the line, I'll go check it out! You'll have fun with that purchase! You sound like you're feeling pretty darn good! Are you? Michelle - My hat's off to ya, girl. I HATE to cook! Rach - OF COURSE you can join us!! There's quite a few folks on this board who have had vv high BMI's that have had great success ...DeltaDawn and JulieNYC come to mind. There's oodles of support here for as long as you need it. Welcome!

:mad: Boo -- All I can say is that I am incredibly impressed. That trophy must mean the world to you!!! Maybe you should build a case for all those that are to come?!

Sara! Those charms are BEAUTIFUL!! And....YOU ARE DEFINITELY WORTH IT! This is a once in a lifetime journey and probably one of the most important requiring a lot of commitment and hard work on your part. And as for justifying the cost, that shouldn't be a problem at all. Think of all the food you aren't paying for now!! Jenn - Glad to have you back! You're younger than me, so you probably won't be as sluggish as I was. Sounds like you've got it all worked out real well....so that makes me feel way better! Wow....only 2 more sleeps!!! I'm really excited FOR you!!! :) :)

Julie - MAJOR congratulations to you!! Lots of blood, sweat and tears this last year...but LOOK AT YOU NOW!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!! What an inspiration you are to all of us! Thanks for your time spent on this board!

Sheila - I remember going thru that just a few short days ago and I'm in a totally different place now. Getting past the pain and soreness ....then watching the scale move down...really really helps with all that. Just hang in there girly-girl. Ok, I'm really, REALLY in the exercise challenge now, people! Joined a gym yesterday and went for a nice walk on the treadmill today. Don't know if I'll meet my goals for this month, but I'll give it a whirl! Now I'm off to try to find julie's tummy tuck thread :wave:

I joined a gym and hit the treadmill for 35 minutes tonight...even broke a sweat and everything! :clap2: Feel so much better now than I did when I got off work. Other improvements are that I have just about weaned off of caffeine entirely. I used to drink 4-5 cups of coffee and 1-2 glasses of iced tea/day. Even the smallest amount has been upsetting my tummy this week and I found that I really just preferred plain old water. Once I get completely off, I will try my best to stay off. It just makes me hungrier. Now that I am past most of the pain and almost past most of the fatigue, I am really, really getting pumped about all of this....the 10# drop doesn't hurt either. This is looking like it's going to be a very, very good year. DH came to me this evening after work, when I was VERY tired, and asked what he could do to support me. I said, "Unload the dishwasher." He laughed and later watched me unload it. 10 minutes after that he was out for his poker game. I went to the gym. :ermm I mean, why did he bother asking? I was serious when I said that....all I really needed at that moment was a little help around the house. Pretty disappointing. He did say that he can already tell in my face that I've lost weight. Cool. So can I. Activity 35 mins on treadmill @ 2.8 mph Nutrition Total: 869 Fat:55 496 58% Carbs:35 111 13% Fiber:7 0 0% Protein:60 241 28%

I joined a gym and hit the treadmill for 35 minutes tonight...even broke a sweat and everything! :clap2: Feel so much better now than I did when I got off work. Other improvements are that I have just about weaned off of caffeine entirely. I used to drink 4-5 cups of coffee and 1-2 glasses of iced tea/day. Even the smallest amount has been upsetting my tummy this week and I found that I really just preferred plain old water. Once I get completely off, I will try my best to stay off. It just makes me hungrier. Now that I am past most of the pain and almost past most of the fatigue, I am really, really getting pumped about all of this....the 10# drop doesn't hurt either. This is looking like it's going to be a very, very good year. DH came to me this evening after work, when I was VERY tired, and asked what he could do to support me. I said, "Unload the dishwasher." He laughed and later watched me unload it. 10 minutes after that he was out for his poker game. I went to the gym. :ermm I mean, why did he bother asking? I was serious when I said that....all I really needed at that moment was a little help around the house. Pretty disappointing. He did say that he can already tell in my face that I've lost weight. Cool. So can I. Activity 35 mins on treadmill @ 2.8 mph Nutrition Total: 869 Fat:55 496 58% Carbs:35 111 13% Fiber:7 0 0% Protein:60 241 28%