C.N.

Just wanted to check in. To date I have lost 35 lbs and it is so great getting in clothes I could no longer wear. I really have a hard time wanting and doing exercise. I did walk today about 1 mile with my dog. It was brrrrrrrrrr cold. Ate leftovers for supper - so didn't have to cook and that is always good. Glad you started this thread, its nice to hear from everyone. C.N.

No splenda isn't made with those nasty alcohols. I really have to watch what is in some stuff -because the alcohols - especially sorbitol causes me such trouble. C.N.

Like the imagery of the sacks of potatoes. Think I will use it from now on. C.N.

Hi Bonnie and welcome. Congratulations about your upcoming surgery. Wanted to respond about several things in your post. -Liquids after preop did for me become a little difficult toward the end of the week. But, what gave me strength was knowing I was doing the right thing to let my band heal. I didn't want anything in my power to hurt recovery. -Secondly, the band is a tool. For me I was always fooling myself with "I am going to start my diet tomorrow" or "this one time won't hurt". With the band placed it is "now" and the one time might hurt. So, for me - it has been great. I am now 6 weeks out - 34 lbs. off. Can't imagine carrying 34 lbs. of fat with me. So I am grateful. Look forward to your posts.

Hi Merry Losers! I have been meaning to post this question for some time now. I will be asking at my doctor's office on Wednesday also. Just can't remember all that I want to ask. I even write it down. C.N.:smile:

Sugar is the Devil - is Right. What a great reply Poodles. Sugar also sets up inflammation at the cellular level. Now that I am off of it - I don't ache anymore. It is such an addiction - once off you cannot have any. I am tempted to try the L-Carnitine. Just as a preventative measure. As Poodles posted - Stevia works very well. Don't try it in oatmeal though. Has anybody else had success with L-Carnitine?

Unfortunately, I can't let my DH know. He is such a numbers person - I am afraid I would never reach an acceptable weight for him. He has this number in his head that I should weigh - for 30 years now and I never have measured up. One time before I had my son - I had reached 139 and had an anethesiologist tell me I better stop loosing weight. Well, it wasn't enough for him. 135 was the number. It has plagued me for a long time. So no I don't tell. C.N.

Utah, From what I understand the band can effect a (diapragm?) nerve and it manifests itself as left shoulder pain. I did have this pretty often up until recently - I am one month out. What seemed to help me was a heating pad over the shoulder. I sat many nights with it. Good luck. C.N.

Jen, Glad to hear that things are going better. I think so many of the thoughts are so typical of most of us. Hold on to - it does get better - within a few days -all at once you will notice your day is pretty good. I think day 6 was a turnaround day for me. Rest and take care of yourself. C.N.

I just colored mine yesterday. I am 4 weeks post-op and hadn't heard anything about not being able to.

AudrucIan Thanks for the recommedations - I will have to look into these too. Just found out I could use something several days ago. Sounds like everyone starting using it much earlier than me. Hope I haven't lost precious time. C.N.

greeneyez Thankyou for the offer of shipping the Bio-Oil. That was so kind of you. I was so surprised to see an add for Bio-Oil in a magazine the other day...so we have it now in the U.S. I will be looking for it. You are only a few days banded now 1/15/08. I hope you are starting to feel better. C.N.

AthinnerDenise Hope you are feeling better this morning and you are past that pain. I purchased some Papain enzyme for this type of thing. Haven't had to use it yet because I am just one month out and haven't been real daring yet. I don't look forward to when it happens though. Michelle- welcome. What do those people know anyway. Your feet and ankles thought it was a good idea and so did I at age 53. Frisky-haven't tried the crackers yet, but the petit toasts work for me and I understand that because the crackers are so dry they won't make a big glob in your stomach. That's why I have heard if you do try to eat bread - make sure it is toasted. C.N.

Another idea in addition to the infant feeding spoons is cocktail forks. The 3 tine ones. The other day I went an purchased some for myself and they seem to keep my bites small. C.N.

Yes it is really hard to have a full meal eating 1/2 cup. That's how much I am eating. It usually is 2oz. of protein and 2oz. of veggie. I am so not used to seeing it on my plate. But, I am satisfied with the amount. As far as the bread is concerned - I have found a product called petit toasts. They are at Fresh Market here in VA. They are like really small bread (cracker size) that are really like a cracker. They work for me. Good luck in finding out what can work for you. C.N.

Mrs. Krzyz Have you started doing situps yet. I was told I could - just listen to my body. I was band 12/12/07 also. Just wondering what others have been cleared to do. Great weight loss. You go girl. C.N.

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Utah, From all the responses to your post, I guess we all can see that this IS a normal response. After years of dieting, overeating, and especially sneak eating - I can no longer fool my band. That is a good thing. We want to feel better and food is not the solution. I find having hobbies really help me. I am not exercising enough right now and really should be. But, I have had your same thoughts. Especially when I see my portion sizes. The mourning comes and goes. But, so does the positives. Like thinking my feet and ankles are thanking me for not having an additional 30 lbs to carry. I am flying next month and know I will fit better in that little seat. Gosh, I bet you are getting into some clothes you couldn't of before. Your wallet will be thanking you. Getting banded was a tough decision for me. Like you it was just one more diet. Never worked. I left the best for last. My husband is thrilled and our relationship is better. Here's to wishing you better days. I know they will come for you. C.N.

Jaymie, I know when I am PMS'ing my appetite is so much stronger. I feel for you - I have had days where I feel as though I am in mourning over the loss of food. Seeing what others eat (how much) and what you have on yor plate is so foreign. But we'll get it. Hang on to that terrific weight loss. This too shall pass. C.N.

Wow! One ounce is really meager. How often are used supposed to eat the one ounce? I follow a nutritional plan pretty much like Stephanie and keep to 1/2 cup per meal. I just realized that 1/2 cup doesn't always mean the same as 4 oz. Or am I confused? 29 lbs. gone / banded 12/12/07 C.N.

:)Good morning, Went to my 3 week appt. yesterday and I am down 24 lbs. They also advanced my diet to real foods - although there are some exceptions. What stage were/are you at 3 weeks? I tried a mini-ground sirloin burger last night. Could only eat an oz. That really wasn't such a great pick. But, it had been so long and I luckily haven't had a problem. But the burger didn't go down so well even after small bites and really chewing. Hope you fellow Merry Losers are well. C.N.

Hello to all of you 50's bandsters. I am 53 and I have one son who is 22. Banded 12-12-07. Still catching on myself. Seems I don't have the same amount of energy that I had preband. And - that wasn't much. How about all of you? C.N. -

I was sorry to read your post. I know how disappointed you are. Please come back and let us know how you are doing. C.N.

tmarie07, I have made a really small salad using baby spinach. I really wondered what might happen too - but my husband loves his salads and it was time I started making them again. I chewed and chewed and chewed. It takes a long time to chew things up. But, at this point - prefill - I had no problem. C.N.

Livn4Jesus, I had an arterial blood gas done. It was a typical pre-op workup. They do usually do them from the wrist. Mine went very well - I am pleased to say. But, I don't know your pain tolerance. Respiratory Therapy generally does them. I drew them myself years ago. Each patient is different. C.N.