New Hope

Bright, I think they're just JEALOUS! I think you should seriously consider modeling. You would improve that field drastically!

Right now, you need to just concentrate on healing and not doing anything (physically or eating) that can dislodge your band. You may gain weight. But you will turn around once you're past this liquid stage. Just try to take it "one day at a time". This time is probably the hardest part and it will pass.

Sounds like you must be getting better if you're hungry. How long are you supposed to stay on liquids? Warm drinks are soothing and seemed more filling to me -- teas, broth. Jello makes you feel like you've actually eaten something. Popsicles are good. This time will pass. Please get plenty of rest and don't overdo.

Shireen, it will get better, day by day. So glad that you have your Band. Now you can start living a healthier, happier lifestyle. I know you won't regret it. Congratulations!

Wheeler, great weight loss! So glad to meet you! Hang out with us and have a few laughs!

I just want to encourage each and everyone to find something that you like to do -walking, bike riding, treadmill, belly dancing, work out machines, exercise tapes, etc. Try it a little bit, then gradually increase your output. You'll be amazed at how soon you will be doing an amazing amount of exercise. It all starts with one foot in front of the other, slowly, and not too far. Then as you feel better, you can increase your exercise. I didn't get to exercise tonight. Hubby's sick. I feel the difference. My legs feel like they're drawing up. I feel tense and aggitated. I should have gone on by myself. But I felt like I needed to be here taking care of him. Lisa, thank you so much for that gracious pat on my back. Yes, I was a pitiful, whipped down hound dog. My original screen name was 4x4x4 because that's exactly how I felt about myself. I don't think that I could have gotten any lower if I'd really wanted to. I have to give this board a huge amount of credit for helping me turn around physically and mentally. (Thus the name change to New Hope). Because I do feel like I have New Hope, a chance to lilve a normal, healthy, happy life. I'm very fortunate in that my husband rides w/me and keeps me motivated. My wish is happiness, serenity, and good health to all of us!

I can feel it on a bike seat now. I've had to get a "gel seat" to cushion my "little" buns.

Lavisa, which weight loss surgery are you interested in? Are you actually pursuing one now? Will your insurance pay for your surgery? Best of luck to you. Please try to get as much info. as you can so you can make a knowledgable decisions and know what to expect. Take care.

After reading this post, I had my PCP phone in a Phenegran RX to have on hand. Hopefully, none of us will have this problem!

Wow, everyone's kicking butt today! (except me) O.K., DO NOT GO NEAR THE SCALE! Lisa, "Sissy Dog" aka "Missy" loves to ride in the car. But she balks the minute she gets to the groomers. She's pulled out of her collar and I'm scared she'll run to the street. Today, I managed to get her into the groomers, then she pulled out of her collar and ran to the door. "I want to go home!" She was supposed to be an "outside guard dog." Yeah, sure! Thunder and fireworks, she absolutely hyperventilates and quivers so bad. Today, when I was coming back to the car, a guy was bringing his dog in and doing the same "bucking bronco" routine. I started laughing and told him they must smell the place. Worse than taking kids to the Dr.!

Wow, Shireen, I can't believe you're already able to sit and use the computer! We don't know how much they "man-handle" us on the operating table and I don't think that we want to. Believe it or not, walking and moving around as much as yo can will help you get over that soreness, help eliminate the anesthia, and help you feel better faster. Best of luck to you!

Day Two (Week Two): Breakfast - protein shake, 1/3 toasted bagel Snack - Snackwell Devil's Food cookies Lunch - 1/2 hamburger patty w/mushroom gravy, 2 tbl. cottage cheese Snack - Snackwell Devil's Food cookies Dinner - chicken parmesian, steamed zuccini Water - o.k. Exercise - Took 3 dogs to groomer. Wrestled 80 lb. "Sissy Dog" in the door. Good Deed - P/u breakfast tacos for groomers. Found out it was groomer's 4 yr. old daughter's birthday, bought gift. Oh, you should have seen her! Got her a blue shiny satiny "Cinderella" dress and tiara. She put them on and twirled around, saying, "Thank you! Thank you!" So precious! Warning - Do NOT buy Snackwell cookies! They're so good! Bad, very bad.

Well, I'm certainly glad to know those exercise balls are good for something! I figured it wouldn't take up a lot of room if I decide not to use it.

Congratulatons, Shawn. Great job!

Nana, you're doing amazing to just be out of surgery! Please do be careful! I was a chicken and didn't start bike riding until my 4 wk. post-op visit. I didn't ride 13 mi. all at once. It's taken time to build up to. I don't ride hard, usually 9 mph. But I've been trying to go 11-13 mph. (That's about top speed right now.) Bellydancing!! Now that's a unique exercise! Post pics! I bought an "exercise inflatable ball" and dvd yesterday. Has anyone used one of those?

I really think water is the big key. I went to the opthomologist yesterday, veins in eye inflamed. Guess what he recommended? Water, drink lots of water to help heal the eye. Seems like water just about does and cures anything. You might start checking out the sodium and fat contents of food you buy. Canned foods are always high in sodium (salt). Most frozen prepared meals are also high in sodium. Fast foods are notorious for salt. (Have you ever watched them use that big shaker at McDonald's?) I've changed my grocery buying habits now. Those are the two things that I watch out for. Salt makes you retain fluid and that's very hard on your kidneys. I don't add it to anything I eat. Most foods have plenty to begin with. Just be aware of what you're eating and how it's prepared.

That is a CHUNK of weight! Congratulations! With your new fill kicking in, you'll be zooming along even more!

Well, coming from the former "Queen of Coach Potatoes", I never moved outside of the house during the summer here unless absolutely necessary -- going to store, church, dr., etc. I think my "thermostat" is stuck on high 24/7. I never get cold in winter and haven't owned a coat in years. But several months before my surgery, I started to conscientously walk almost every day. Three times around our block = 1 mile. It was pitiful! I made it one time, huffing and puffing, my ankle tops feeling like they would "blow up" - they hurt so bad. Now I've started riding my bike regularly. I find it easiest to exercise right after dinner. Last night, I rode 13 miles - in our Texas heat. I never would have believed I'd be out moving in July and August! My ankles don't hurt like they did. I have arthritis and I've noticed I hurt even more when I don't exercise. I'm very fortunate that I have my husband as my exercise partner. A partner really helps keep you motivated. Just take Baby Steps - a block or so to start, then each time go a little further. You'll surprise yourself how quickly you'll progress. Best of luck!

Sending prayers your way that all your "extra problems" behave themselves during and following this surgery. I know that you will feel better just getting rid of the gall bladder. I was so tired of that sick, yucky feeling and the coming-n-going pain. That will all go away. Please take time for yourself and rest as needed!

Please keep some suppositories on hand. At the first sign of nausea, use them. They'll help nip that throwing up in the bud.

Yea, Kimberly, you're in the final count down! Wishing you an easy surgery and quick recovery!

Congratulations on your GREAT weight loss! I'm so happy that you're feeling so good. Believe it or not, your kids will love you just the same - heavy or thin. My kids are now 23 and 20. One's complimented me on my weight loss, the oldest hasn't even noticed. But I feel so much better and have so much more energy. Best of luck to you!

Leatha, Best of luck to you on Friday! Since this isn't band-related, will this affect your eating habits? I wish for you a smooth surgery, minimum pain, fast recovery, and NO MORE SURGERIES! I really think that you'll feel a whole lot better, right away! Please keep us posted. Take care!

Heather, best of luck to you on your search! The main thing to remember is that you're doing this for YOU! I do feel so much better emotionally and physically than I have in YEARS! I've cut my prescription RXs in half. I let being overweight keep me trapped in my house for years. My kids didn't stop growing up and wait on me. I've missed out on a lot of life. I can't go back and change that. But I can go forward, live healthier, and get out there and be part of what's going on. I wish you good health and happiness in whatever you do.

Day One (of Week Two) Breakfast - scrambled egg, veg. sausage patty Lunch - tuna salad Dinner - bratwurst, hamburger patty w/mushroom gravy, potatoes & broccoli w/cheese sauce, fat-free choc. pudding 8 oz. fat-free milk Exercise - 13 miles bicycling Good Deed - brushed and flossed teeth twice before optomologist visit