TexasBecky

I'd like to start with a goal of losing 8 lbs. in September. Tomorrow is my one month bandiversary and I have to wait 8 weeks for my first fill, so I'm completely on my own (no restriction throughout September). I don't want to set myself up for failure, but I want to stay motivated and I think about 2 lbs. a week should be doable.

Glad to see so many of us getting active. September is going to be great. I'm hoping for a little bit cooler temps around here! Today I went for a 30 minute walk. 12/21 days of mindful exercise

40 minutes of walking this morning! 11/21 days of mindful exercise

38 minutes of walking this morning. 10/21 days of mindful exercise

Judi, I finally broke down yesterday and made a commitment on the exercise thread. Start with a very small commitment - something totaly doable - like one ten minute walk. Build on that. The exercise will give you more energy and motivation to keep eating right. We can do this!

Today made 9 days of mindful exercise for me! 9/21 days of mindful exercise

Ok, I'm in too. I've been walking almost everyday so I might as well make a formal commitment to at least 21 days of mindful exercise. I started a log on Aug. 20th and so far I've gone for at least a 25 minute walk 8 days. I did 40 minutes today and it is sooooooo hot here. WooHoo! 8/21 days of mindful exercise

You look beautiful and so happy! You should be really proud of yourself and try not to be so self critical. This is a huge accomplishment. Try to soak it all in as you keep working on getting to your personal goal. You've done a fantastic job.

I was banded by a UTSW doctor at Zale Lipshy Hospital. I'm on mushies until Sept. 4, but no fills until 8 weeks post op, unfortunately. I haven't heard anybody else say their doctor requires 8 weeks. It seems like so long because I am so hungry. My appetite returned within about a week after surgery. I'm using my will power now, but I know I don't have an endless supply. I have been walking almost everyday and am up to a couple of miles at a time. That seems to help keep me motivated. If I'm going to get out in this heat to walk, I don't want to waste my effort by coming home and eating too much. This is definately hard work, but with a big payoff in the end. Hang in there.

Did you try the link called How to get a ticker in your signature? Go to the LBT homepage and Click on a Topic toward the bottom of the page called LBT Forum Suggestions, Feedback & Questions. There is a thread there called How to get a ticker in your signature with step by step instructions.

I've been banded since August 2. I have had the same experience as far as my appetite coming back very quickly. I feel like I could eat anything I wanted at this point, but I'm sticking with the mushies. I advance to solids on Sept. 4 after I attend another nutrition class. I have to wait eight weeks for the first fill though so I've got another month of relying on will power with no restriction. It gets harder everyday but I am not going to blow this. WLS was a huge step for me and I don't want to screw it up. Good luck to all. We can do this.

Claramae, Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I am almost one month out now and feeling really good. I think if you follow your doctor's instructions you will be able to lose weight. Just take it one day at a time and you'll do great.

Hi everybody! I hadn't checked in here in a while because I've been busy getting banded! Yeah! I'm off to a good start but at least a year from goal so I really don't belong on this thread. Its just that I like to hang out around positive role models and you guys are the best! Congrats Julie, you are almost there. Wow, Wow, Wow! I'll keep reading what you all have to say because you inspire me so much. You all keep up the good work and I'll be watching and cheering. For now I'll just slip back over to the August '07 thread where I really belong.

Hey SES, welcome and best of luck to you. I think it is wonderful that you are going to resolve the weight problem now rather than later. I've spent my whole adult life going up and down the scale and always being consumed (and controlled) by weight issues. I wish this had been an option for me years ago. You're off to a great start. Keep coming here for all the support you need. You can do this. Becky

Thanks Alex and PammyCakes. Those are good suggestions and a reminder to think outside the box is just what I needed. The doctor's office just gave me a list of example mushie foods and I was thinking of only those foods. You are so right about the options. If I start "looking with new eyes" I know I can find some interesting variety. We don't have Trader Joes here but we do have some great food stores. I just need to get out and look around. As usual, ya'll have been a great source of ideas and advice. Becky

Great thread - you Crazy Ates are an interesting, smart, and fun group. EVERYBODY CALLS ME: Becky except my parents and my sister - they insist on Rebecca MY PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS INCLUDE: Hubby of 30 years, 25 year old son who graduated from Texas A&M (gig 'em Aggies!) and 20 year old son who just left for his junior year in college. Empty Nest until Christmas break. Woo Hoo! MY NON-HUMAN FAMILY CONSISTS OF: none since our sweet Mini Schnauzer passed a couple of years ago. I LIVE IN: In the burbs outside of Dallas OCCUPATION(S): I was a health care administrator for many years but am now a happy homemaker who is also back in college for my teaching certification. Two more weeks until school starts back for me. This phase of my life is a whole new adventure and I'm loving it! AVOCATION(S): Love to read, learn new stuff, watch movies, shop, cook, travel, and laugh my butt off (if only it were that easy). Speaking of laughing my butt off, Judi your TJ Maxx experience with Posh had me howling. Ya'll should check out her blog.

Hang in there FallsToFast. I don't think you're a wimp. I felt pretty awful the first couple of days. Things improve pretty quickly though, so I'm sure you'll be feeling much better in a few days. Rest and follow the doctor's orders and you'll be fine. BTW, great weight loss pre-op!

I was just advanced to the mushie food stage at my 2 week post op visit on Thursday. Unfortunately, my hunger has returned completely and I won't get a fill until 8 weeks post op. I'm eating a lot of soups, mashed potatoes, and now tuna and chicken salad made very fine in the food processor. I've lost 23 lbs. since I started the preop and hope I can at least maintain that until I get a fill. I know the focus now is suppossed to be on healing and not losing, but I'm off to a good start and would like to keep the momentum going. This is the hardest phase so far for me because I am really hungry, but still very limited on the things I can eat. I don't mind mashed potatoes and gravy, but how am I going to lose weight eating that kind of stuff? I know it is just another part of the journey, but I can't wait for that first fill. Becky

Awesome job! Keep up the good work.

There sure are lots of us happy in Texas! I'm in Dallas and had my 2 week post op visit yesterday. I'm down 23lbs. so far and anxious for my first fill. Dr. Watson at UT Southwestern waits 8 weeks for a fill though. Did any of you have to wait that long? TerriDoodle, You do look skinnier!

I hope everything is smooth sailing for you and that you have a great experience the second time around. Let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel like it. Becky

Judi, you'll be surprised how soon you start feeling better. Get up and walk around the house as much as you can. I actually started feeling better when I backed off the pain meds and got my head clearer. Sip, sip, sip fluids and get as much protein in as you can. Hang in there and feel better soon, Becky

Kim, I have done exactly what the doctor told me to do. He stressed all liquids, with no cheating, for two weeks so I am trusting that he knows what he is talking about. I've used the protein powder in my liquids everyday too. I had also started walking a couple of weeks before the surgery. I think that helped me be a little stronger before the surgery and I started back walking short distances in the hospital the day of the surgery. Maybe I've just been lucky but I think what I've done has helped. Good luck to you!

My doc said no lifting restrictions - that I can do whatever I feel well enough to do. Well, that is not too much today. I felt better yesterday than I do today, but I'm sure I'll be feeling good in a few days. I am not hungry today and finding it hard to get in all the fluids I need, but I'm working on it. Good luck to you.

Hi All, I was banded on Thursday, Aug. 2 at about 1:00pm and got home from the hospital at about 4:00pm yesterday. So far so good. I'm not feeling great, but from what I've been reading here, each day will be better. I have alot of all over body aches from the surgery. My neck and shoulders hurt the most. I guess that is from my head being pulled back during the surgery. I am only able to sip a little liquid at a time and have no hunger yet. They had me on I.V. fluids in the hospital so I didn't have to worry about my intake, but now I've got to get in a minimum of 36 ounces a day and I feel like that will be a challenge. Based on the way I feel now, returning to work on Monday would not be a very good idea. Thankfully, that is not an issue for me, but I suggest that those of you who can plan to take a whole week off should. This is alot to adjust to. I am excited about the future with my band and glad the surgery is over. I'll check back in when I feel better.