beckiet

Suzzzie, don't be so hard on yourself...we all have had moments like this. You're right when you say tomorrow is another day....and you should be proud that you didn't go ahead and eat the whole container like you would have before...that's a positive. I haven't had to deal with a potluck yet except for my grandma's family reunion early in August and mom and I made sure to bring things I knew I could eat...but I did cheat a little and had some of my grandma's wonderful carrot cake. We're banded...we're not urge-less yet...we still have cravings...it's moving on from those cravings and binges and getting back up and starting again. You can do it...I know you can...you've been an inspiration to me and many others on this board...and I"m proud to say I've gotten the wonderful chance to meet you as well.

Everyone looks great! Missy, your children are both gorgeous.

I haven't taken any recent pictures. This one is of me last year in June with my co-workers...I'd lost down to 250 pounds, but quickly gained back up to 283 by preop.

I'm all for challenges! I think they help me realize/visualize where I need to be and need to be doing...count me in, please. Name....Challenge start wgt....current wgt.....chall. goal.....To go Huntersmom... 174...................174................159...... .....15 SWEETY.........202...................202....... ... .....180............22 MJsafari..........268...................268.... ... ........238............30 captdanbo.......211....................211..... ... . ....185............26 PaulaD............216....................216... ... ........199............17 Stefanie42467..206...................206....... ... .....175............31 Suzzzie. .........346....................346......... .....315............31 glindab............277....................277.. ... ..........250............27 MM.................242....................242.. ... ..........227............15 finallythin.........254....................254. ... ...........225............29 BeckieT...........259....................259... .............239.............20 My BMI Ticker goes by the office scales, but for this challenge I'm going by my home scale. Started out at 283 at preop. Ideally, my original goal was to be 50 total loss by Christmas...so this, when achieved, will put me at 6 pounds more to go.

Welcome, jojo7. Way to go! 50.5 is wonderful!!! I have the same motivation...my 3 1/2 year old and my 23 month old. All: Sorry I've been quiet lately. Some more than normal stress in my life this past week...but the NSV for me is that I didn't turn to food. I made it past it (my cousin's wife was killed in a tragic accident at their home). I normally would have turned to my good friends, Chocolate and Chips & Dip. I think part of it is this 2nd fill really seems to be helping, givine me the restriction I need.

Judy's wonderful...and she's so upset with herself if she thinks she's hurting me even in the slightest. I had some scar tissue making it difficult this morning...but I told her it wasn't painful...just a weird feeling. We'll do better next month! And really...6 pounds a month is great! In 12 months, that's 72 gone if you can do that steady. And my 2 pounds? Well...I'm trying to look at the mirror more...I love the changes I'm seeing there so far.

Suzzzie, me too! I had only lost 2 pounds this month though...congratulations on the 6!! I yo-yo back and fourth with 3 pounds as well. Hopefully this new fill today will help. I notice I am burping more today than normal. I have 2 cc's now in a 4 cc band.

I had my second fill this morning. Poor Judy...the needle just didn't want to find the right spot and she felt horrible...but we finally go it. Another 1 cc in...for a total of 2 cc's in a 4cc band. Hopefully I'll feel some restriction this time. Sadly, I've only lost 2 pounds since my last visit. I've been doing a yo-yo thing with 3 pounds back and forth the entire month. So, Clear liquids today, liquids tomorrow and mushies on Sunday. I do notice I'm burping more today already. Anyone experience that?

Sounds great, Suzzzie!! I can't believe we've been banded 2 months already...just wish the scale were moving faster for me, but I do see a difference when I look in the mirror...I need to remind myself to have my mom measure me in the morning when I drop off the kids. Rhonda: What hotels did you check out? Do they have any room/show combos? There was so much I didn't get to see this year...it was our first time out there...

I may be coming by myself as well...would be happy to room with someone. Monday-Wed would be fine by me...would give two full days before that to be with my kids. April is also fine...weather was nice this year when hubby and I went middle of April.

Suzzzie, We're actually doing it here at work, at the newspaper. The new huge glass printing facility...in a large hallway. It is fun...something I probably wouldn't have done before...but I remembered how I liked the Richard Simmons Sweatin' To The Oldies workouts...and thought I'd give it a try. I have a bad ankle...broke it in four places 6 years ago and developed a dystrophy in it. I thought the only exercise I could do was water aerobics...but this isn't hurting my ankle any. How are you doing?! We need to get together sometime.

Is it too late to join? Sorry! I just started a Zumba class...once a week due to budget....but I'd like to be part of this challenge if that's okay. Right now... for classes I've done 120 minutes...they're 60 minute classes and I've done two so far...three more to go...so that would be 300 minutes total for the classes. I'd probably make my initial goal at 400 then...I want to do more exercise on my own but right now we've just moved and I'm still getting things unpacked...unless I can count that time? lol

It's a dance-exercise class, using Latin dances like samba, merengue, even bellydancing etc. https://www.zumba.com/index.cfm I was scared I wouldn't be able to keep up, never done those dances...but I love it! There are some moves that are difficult for me but I do my own version of that step and keep going. So, part of my overall goal right now, or immediate goal, is to get a DVD of it and do it at home 2-3 days a week to supplement until I can afford to go to the Tuesday session as well.

Reeburgdon: I completely understand! I haven't posted in a while...I've been down. I am almost maintaining my weight...gaining losing same pounds right now and not getting anywhere. I go in for 2nd fill this Friday and am also hoping it helps with getting some restriction. I've also started a Zumba class...I love it. Only one day a week right now, but next sign-up I'll do two. I am seeing inches going away though...at least in the mirror. I need to take some measurements. And my clothes are looser. Hang in there...you're not alone.

Rhonda, Went to Vegas in April for the first time! Liked it. I'm game...just let me know when and I'll take the vacation tme. ; ) DH and I stayed at the Sahara...and used the monorail to get around. Sahara was quiet as it was on the North End of the Strip. We went to several of the hotels and saw a show or two.

o2bthin: What do you consider a full meal? Don't make yourself suffer. I was banded on 6/15 and for example, last night I had some homemade "chicken pot pie"...made with whole wheat pasta strips instead of in a pastry shell...and made some desert with some FF chocolate pudding, Free Cool Whip and some raspberries. I am chewing everything very, very well. It's a matter of how you look at things sometimes for me. I'm not eating as much, haven't had my fill yet...but since pre-op I've lost 21.2 pounds. One more thing of advice, maybe...shake things up a little...try different flavors of things if you haven't (a different flavor yogurt, crystal light, pudding, etc.). I've noticed in the past that shaking my diet up a little like that often helped.

ja9va: Way to go! Another pound is great!!! Suzzzie: Have you tried Skim Milk when you're thirsty like that? I've found that if I've had all or near all my required water for the day, that milk sometimes hits the spot when I'm still thirsty. I, too, had had a slight weight gain back...like 4 pounds...but I've now lost it plus another pound. NSV ahead: I even turned down Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake that a coworker brought in yesterday. Didn't even want it...and I LOVE Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake. Still battling the infection...it was almost gone and I think it's coming back. I've called the doc to see what they want me to do. UGGGH. And my first fill is a week from today. vbmenu_register("postmenu_515003", true);

ANY help is greatly appreciated. I had my post op yesterday and everything was fine, my port incision area was just a little puffy...today it stands out from the rest of my belly big time (by an inch maybe). I'm not in pain...just sore. Please...help. I don't want to go to the emergency room...and have had no problems with my surgery until now. I can't find a weekend number for the doctors office.

KT: Thanks! I appreciate it. I had really thought it was just a bad, bad bruise up until this weekend. Glad that it ruptured outward instead of into my bloodstream...and I have been feeling great with all of this...except for the pain when anything touched or breezed near my port site. Suzzzie: See my PM. I think as long as yours isn't warm to the touch you're probably ok. It definitely wouldn't hurt to call the center though and let them know about the pain you've been having...they may want to see you just to check it out. One thing I forgot to ask: Have you been doing hot most packs on it? That might help.

Hi, all! Thanks for the support. Well, after thinking it was just bruising and swelling (I bruise super easily) I found out this Sunday that it was an absess. I woke up Sunday with my PJs wet...then sat up and saw blood. Went to the ER, had a CAT scan...still some absess near the port site. Went to Doc today and was taken off work for a week due to open sore and possibility of more infection. Otherwise I feel fine. My nerf football is gone; my pain is gone...my tummy's looking normal except there's still some poofiness and some redness.

Suzzzie: Way to go! What an accomplishment!! Those 28s will feel perfect here in no time. Musicalmomma: Sounds like that's a good predicament to be in...not enough of the smaller sized clothes yet...but treat yourself. You've lost 37 pounds! You deserve a smaller clothes buy...I'm going to try to do something special for myself every 20 pounds and at big milestones (50, 75, 100). And I have a friend who was banded in Feb. and her birthday is a month before mine so we have a deal...in September between our birthdays we're to have a shopping spree...$1 for every pound we've lost and we're going to a local thrift store to get us some new clothes. She's lost 25 so far and I'm at 18.7 faithmd: Don't be discouraged...we all lose in different places. I've seen my loss in my face and unfortunately in my bra size...I'm still wearing same pants (mostly due to swelling/hematoma at port site). lo2us: A great NSV! One I'm looking forward to as well...I'm hoping that's one benefit of the band that I'll see. Way to go!!! My NSV? I started back to work Monday. When a coworker of mine walked in she took one look at me and said "Beckie, you're already losing! You look great!" I actually think she meant it...I don't believe she was just being polite. I've had 5 others stop by to see how I'm doing and all have commented that I look like I've lost already or that I look great.

Hi, Suzzzie! Sorry I havent' replied...been off the computer for a few days. I went in today at 10:30 for my post-op...same results as yours...healing good...and I've lost 17+ since pre-op one month ago! :omg: :faint: I'm back the same day for my fill...9am. Have a great Friday evening. It's my first night back home since my hubby is off this weekend so he can lift the kiddies. Take care everyone!! Beckie

Suzzzie, Not 100% sure it is for full liquid diet...but there werent any large pieces after I pureed it a bit. Nice and creamy then. I'm even considering baby ibuprofen...that's liquid. Who knows.

LauraG my doctor says full liquids on days 3-7 post op. I'm lucky his list for that includes: skim milk; strained low-fat cream soups; tomato soup; liquid protein supplements; lite or fat-free yogurt; soy milk; veggie juices; milk shakes; egnnog; ice cream - low fat, low-sugar brands; custards; low-fat, low-sugar puddings; sherbert; fruit ice; nonfat frozen yogurt. I've been tolerating and loving it. For breakfast i had some Yoplait Whipped Strawberry yogurt...it was amazing!! No pieces. For lunch I had a Campbell's By The Hand Velvety Potato soup...blended a little extra and a fruit popsicle. Congratulations, Suzzzie!! I quit taking the Lortab Monday as well...was way too sleepy. Tylenol works but am wondering about Ibuprofen.

FarmerE: Glad you liked the smoothie! It's one of my favorites. I'm going to try it a little differently today...I received a sample of Green Apple Nectar in the mail...Also, last night I took a High Protein Vanilla Boost and added some No Sugar Added Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream and made a shake for dinner. Was wonderful and had 20 g. of protein or so. Insubordination: I left a message to make my appointment, but haven't heard anything...hopefully they'll call back soon or I'll call them at 1. I'm having pain there too...really that and the shoulder pain is all the pain I'm having. And I'm still wanting to sleep. You're courageous to be going back so early...I took this week off. I needed the time away from work but I wasn't sure how I'd do either. Insubordination: Thanks! I hope it sticks as well. Breakfast this morning was some delicious Black Cherry yogurt...without the cherry pieces. I find that at "meal" times I'm only eating like 1/2 carton of yogurt or 1/2 serving of soup and 1/2 serving pudding. If my mom's scales are equal to my house scales, then I've already lost 5 pounds...but I don't know...I'll weigh again on hers this Friday. Suzzzie: Take it easy. You deserve the rest. I'm sure your work will understand if you take a few more days. I do deskwork...but I took the week off and I'm glad I did...plus it gave me some time with my munchkins and away from the hubub at the office. Keep your chin up and remember that we have a smoothie date sometime! ---- This is an amazing group....lots of support and I want to thank you all! My coworkers sent me some lovely flowers yesterday...they all know about the surgery and have all been very supportive. I may take a few more days off...not because of the surgery but to clean my house and stuff if I feel up to it (right before the surgery my husband and I found a house in the school district we prefer, in the town my mom lives in, and have put our house on the market yesterday and had a person come look at the filthy thing last night). I've got to get it cleaned...I've got some friends coming over this weekend to help do the "dumpster dance" and they told me I could coordinate (tell them what goes in the dumpster).