DivaStyleCoach

Hello Notorious Novembers! It was a tough week - I started putting more solid food into my eating plan based on what my doctor told me, and I only lost a pound. Total now is 25, 10 pre-band and 15 post-band. I know I need to work out - and I've gotten back in the gym this week. Walking is okay, but because I've been doing it pretty steadily, my body doesn't respond the same way that it used to. I guess I've gotten stronger and more aerobically fit, though I know my strength level is down somewhat because I'm not lifting weights. I understand and sympathize with those whose weight loss has slowed down - mine too. I also have not had my first fill (I don't think they put any fluid in my band at insertion) and won't until early-to-mid January. The head hunger is still here and sometimes it's really hard to make good choices. I find journaling helps - writing down everything that passes through my mouth helps keep me honest. Trying to get in my protein and limit carbs, etc. I am drinking my water - thankfully - but still drink a bit during meals, which I know is not the best for me. I'll keep plugging along and try to keep the small losses coming until I get my first fill. My goal is to lose 10 lbs a month, which would put me at my goal by September 2009. That would be awesome - I want to be one of the banders that reach their weight loss goal in one year. Everyone stay encouraged, and know that as our bodies adjust, we may hit plateaus with weight loss, but we are doing infinitely better than if we had done nothing different...:wink:

My first checkup was great...this week I checked my weight, and I'm only down a pound (25 total for the entire journey). I wanted more, but then, that's my personality. :biggrin: I want it gone yesterday ...now that I can see the end of the 'obese life' I want it to be done and over with so I can get on with the new, healthy life I've planned for myself. Realistically, it will probably take the better part of a year. :biggrin: I'm shooting for a healthy 10 pound loss per month - I feel it's doable if I watch my calorie count and work out like I know I should. Winter is tough - my walks outside are getting a little harder due to weather. The only do-or-die walk I take is with my dog every morning. He can't take a day off - that's when he does his 'business'...and he's a great reason for me to get off my lazy duff and get out the door, no matter what. I do like the gym - that's one of my saving graces...even when I was younger, and eating WAAAY too much, I had the gym and physical activity to help keep me under some semblance of control. :thumbup: When I stopped being that active was when the weight really came on. That, and having children. I was heavy when I got pregnant with my son Ron, but only gained 15 pounds under doctor's advice. My son weighed over 9 1/2 lbs, so I did really well. Of course sitting around at home and gaining 50 lbs after he was born did NOT help...:eek: Now I'm dealing with the head hunger, but it's getting a little better every day. I've transitioned out of mushies and am getting slowly acclimatized to "regular" food again. I still don't do well with sandwiches, and I think I'm still drinking too much during the meal - though it's way down from what I used to do. It's a process, and I've got to be patient with myself. I have currently lost more weight since beginning this process than at any time in the previous 5 years...I've got to remember that, and not be too hard on myself.:wub: I decided on this process BECAUSE it did not promise "instant" results and BECAUSE I had more control over the process. Now I just have to relax a bit and let the process continue to work for me...

My first checkup was great...this week I checked my weight, and I'm only down a pound (25 total for the entire journey). I wanted more, but then, that's my personality. :thumbup: I want it gone yesterday :biggrin:...now that I can see the end of the 'obese life' I want it to be done and over with so I can get on with the new, healthy life I've planned for myself. Realistically, it will probably take the better part of a year. :blushing: I'm shooting for a healthy 10 pound loss per month - I feel it's doable if I watch my calorie count and work out like I know I should. Winter is tough - my walks outside are getting a little harder due to weather. The only do-or-die walk I take is with my dog every morning. He can't take a day off - that's when he does his 'business'...and he's a great reason for me to get off my lazy duff and get out the door, no matter what. I do like the gym - that's one of my saving graces...even when I was younger, and eating WAAAY too much, I had the gym and physical activity to help keep me under some semblance of control. :wink: When I stopped being that active was when the weight really came on. That, and having children. I was heavy when I got pregnant with my son Ron, but only gained 15 pounds under doctor's advice. My son weighed over 9 1/2 lbs, so I did really well. Of course sitting around at home and gaining 50 lbs after he was born did NOT help...:scared2: Now I'm dealing with the head hunger, but it's getting a little better every day. I've transitioned out of mushies and am getting slowly acclimatized to "regular" food again. I still don't do well with sandwiches, and I think I'm still drinking too much during the meal - though it's way down from what I used to do. It's a process, and I've got to be patient with myself. I have currently lost more weight since beginning this process than at any time in the previous 5 years...I've got to remember that, and not be too hard on myself.:cursing: I decided on this process BECAUSE it did not promise "instant" results and BECAUSE I had more control over the process. Now I just have to relax a bit and let the process continue to work for me...

Good morning Warriors, Checking in...went to the gym last night for the first time in waaaay too long. I have been walking (mornings with DDog) and at lunchtime, but after my "just" 1 pound loss last week, I decided to get my butt in gear, or as Jachut would say, I shut my gob and decided to move my ass... 30 minutes on the ArcTrainer elliptical (doesn't use arms, but burns the legs) and another 20 minutes on the treadmill, using speed increases and incline increases to form my own workout. I think I'll check out the cardio coach and mp3 downloads - I KNOW I need to do aerobics for my heart (since I've had some troubles and it runs in my family) but I would rather lift weights. I don't do it fast enough to count as "circuit" training, so aerobics will continue to be a part of my routine. Nice reading everyone's posts - those of you who are regulars really inspire me, and a big welcome to all those joining the challenge for the first time. Though I'm not the strongest or the fastest, I've been MUCH more consistent since posting my workouts on this thread. Even if all I do is walk I will do THAT every day so I don't feel like a slacker...

PJTP that I'm starting my day with a smile because of y'all...thanks a bunch!

Hi Fellow Notorious Novembers, I'm doing okay - the transition from mushies to more 'full food' has been easy - too easy! I only lost a pound last week, and I'm not really happy about that!:tt1: I think I need to put the Protein shakes back into my plan, though my doctor's office wants their patients to eat 'whole food' rather than depend on shakes and such. My head hunger still rages on - it's an effort to eat according to plan, especially when I'm not feeling a LOT of restriction. I do realize when I'm getting full, and I stop eating. I know I'm eating fewer calories - the clothes are getting looser and I have more stamina. The stairs from the train station to the street level used to have me huffing and puffing, now I run up the stairs and am barely winded at the top. As a type II diabetic, I was hoping for more (and faster results) with my blood sugar numbers - they were really low the week after surgery, but have been increasing pretty steadily since then. I'm back on the Lantus insulin, but only taking one pill instead of two different ones, so that's good. I'm plugging along - the only other struggle I'm having is that I'm COLD all the time! No matter what I do, unless I'm sipping tea (or heaven forbid, hot chocolate) I'm ALWAYS cold! Hope that passes soon - and I'm investing in sweaters and turtlenecks until it does!:tt1: Nice to see everyone doing well - let's keep it going!:whistle:

'Morning People!:whistle: Back after a short absence, and wow - 5 pages to read through this morning! Fanny - I'm so glad you're okay...had a 'close encounter' with a semi several years ago during a rainstorm...he swerved, I was already in the left lane passing him, and rather than hit the concrete barrier in the middle of the freeway, I stood my ground and he crushed and split the right front fender on my beloved Jaguar XJ6. I got off the freeway when I could and shook like a leaf for at least 5 minutes. He didn't stop, and I didn't have the presence of mind to get his plate. My insurance covered it, but WOW...what a scary episode! :whistle: Lulu - I'm so sorry to hear about your dog :whistle:...we had to let our 16-year old Black Lab go to heaven about 2 years ago when the hip dysplasia got so bad he was in pain all the time and snapping at us...not at all like this dog - he was the sweetest guy ever. It still brings tears to my eyes - my DH had to take him to the vet - I was hysterical and cried for several days. We'd had him since he was a puppy - the only one of the group that came out from under a chair to "investigate" us when we came to check them out at their original home. Beth - thanks for sharing that video with the horse. What talent! Now that one with the baby powder...I'd still be kickin' his butt!:tt1: I'm doing okay - only lost a pound last week - :whistle: - but the transition from mushies to "real food" is going well. No fill yet - that's coming in January, so I'm trying to keep in control until then...wish me luck!:tt1:

'Morning Friends, Missed most of the show yesterday because I was in class, but I agree that Ed probably water-loaded to be the one in the bottom with his wifey. Still can't stand Vicky - wish I was able to vote HER off! DH and DD screamed so loud for Michelle when she weighed in that I knew something BIG had happened. Already voted for Ed a bunch of times - and I agree with Glou - they should go back to singles next time - the couples thing just doesn't work for me. I think they should be able to give out 1 pound penalties to people who act the way Vicky does...she's one that I simply don't care whether she succeeds or not; I don't want to see any updates from her, and if she never crosses my TV screen again, I'd be thrilled. Of course once the show is over, she'll try to capitalize on her 15 minutes of fame like that disagreeable Omarosa did after getting kicked off of Trump's show.:tt1:

Hey Warriors, Checking in to say I've walked every day this week, but no gym time - last night it was the trains that got me...by the time I finally arrived at the train station where my gym is, they were closing :thumbup: Have to settle for the walks right now - back to the Iron on Monday if the trains and buses cooperate. Will go on a longer walk on Saturday just to test myself...maybe hit the gym in my home town as well. Loving the accountability of checking in here every few days (or everyday) and seeing what others have done - y'all help keep me motivated.

Fellow Notorious Novembers - Hi! Banded on Nov 17th, had my first post-op checkup and doing well. Weight loss to date is 24 lbs, including 10 pre-op. Things are moving a little slower now that I'm on mushies, and since I'm healing, I don't feel as much restriction. Gotta step up the exercise to keep my weight loss moving at a faster pace (I am trying to lose 10 lbs per month on a regular basis until I reach my goal) and being careful what I eat. So far, mushies have been easy - hot cereal for breakfast, soup or chili for lunch, and a similar dinner. Chicken has gone down easy, haven't tried pork yet, and well-cooked beef is okay as long as I eat very small bites. Tried deviled ham (made ham salad) and that was okay, but sometimes the crackers I like to eat it with cause me trouble... Biggest thing I miss is bread - it doesn't go down very easily, unless it's crackers in my soup or something like that, because they get very soft. Found out I chicken soup! Experimenting with different soups - mostly clear and occasionally with veggies because they are so soft. I miss my protein shakes to a certain extent, because with them I KNEW I was getting my protein in...now I have to plan it more carefully. My latest NSV - wearing a "standard" XL top and skirt from Spiegel - something I NEVER would have tried before my band surgery...:thumbup:

Hey Ladies, I think we should plan to meet somewhere tropical and exotic during the summer of 2009 or 2010, and plan to wear our skimpiest, sluttiest bikinis, and do a 'Lap Band' parade down the beach!:tongue2: Who's in?

PJTP - I am wearing a "normal" size XL from Spiegel today! :w00t::blushing: I bought some smaller clothes in anticipation of the drop in weight from the surgery - before banding, I would never have tried it - not even with an XXL! Today, I decided to 'try on' the clothes to see how much farther I needed to go to get into them safely...meaning no buttons threatening to pop and no seams looking stressed. OMG - they fit me this morning! I am so excited I could scream - so I had to come here to share...I knew y'all would understand... Ceradad - I :frown: cops and men in uniform...my very first semi-adult crush was on a cop. I was part of a teen program in high school that had us training to be 'Police Cadets'...Officer McDonald was the hottest thing walking - all the girls wanted him. He was so kind, professional, and that uniform!!! Married a sailor for some of the same reasons - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE men in uniform! Those 'choker whites' (their summer dress uniform) make them look sooooo good! My DD has a thing about men in uniform as well (go figure)...when she was young, we'd go to the base to go shopping and she'd call every guy in khakis "Da"...made for some interesting conversations and a couple of temporarily-upset girlfriends until I explained that baby girl couldn't tell them apart until she got up close:lol::sleep2: I respect our men and women in uniform - being part of a military family (Army / Navy / Marines) plus having random crushes on cops will do that for ya. It's a job I don't think I could do - it takes a special type of person to take the abuse that they do and keep coming back every day, no matter what! The "goodie patrol" hasn't started here yet - though a co-worker did bring in pies early this week - I resisted! My hubby uses Facebook to keep up with old shipmates and his family in Michigan - it's pretty cool... Everybody have a terrific day...and weekend!:tongue2:

Hey Ladies...y'all are too funny!:wub: People at work have started to notice that I'm losing - one of my coworkers has the bypass and she's been the most supportive and complimentary - gotta love her! My hubby notices little changes as well, and my DD. No one else knows I had the surgery in my family, plus we live a few states away, so by the time I see them again (maybe in the spring of 09) I will be much farther along. Had an NSV today - my size 18 pants are fitting beautifully - no pulling, gapping or binding. Can't wait to get to size 16's, which I haven't seen since high school! Congrats to all those moving through the phases - I am just starting mushies this week after 2 weeks on liquids. I did start cream of wheat last week (thinner than normal) and have the clearance from my surgeon to go back to my regular workouts, which I'm really happy about. Can't wait to buy smaller clothes (just a few things at a time while I'm losing) - I'm virtual shopping the sales and by the time the post-Christmas sales come along, I'll have a GOOD reason to shop!:whatchutalkingabout

Just checking in with all my busty sistas!:cursing: I'm two weeks out from surgery, and I must say, my surgeon did a good job with placement - my port is just a little lower on my torso than where my bra band hits, so no problems as of right now. I was a little sore the first few days and wore a non-underwire bra, but I'm back to the wires with no real problems. I do hope I don't lose a LOT of my bustline, though I know realistically that losing 100 pounds WILL make a difference. I'm hoping heavy bench presses and weight work will help build muscle underneath the soft tissue and help the 'girls' stay up! :thumbup:

Thanks, Susan :cursing::girl_hug::thumbup::girl_hug: It does feel great!:wub::tt2::cool2: And I :hurray: the little woo-hoo smiley that's running back and forth - where do you veterans find all the cute smileys?

PJTP - I am having a terrific morning!:cursing: Congrats on being 'carded', BBK - that must have felt great! Traffic woes - I had to drive to work the past two days and I'm soooo glad I'm back on the train today! I HATE driving in rush hour traffic - people abandon their courtesy and goodwill and drive like maniacs! I have a fairly powerful car, and can drive in triple digits if I need to, but dang - every single day?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!:wub: I stay out of the fast lane unless I'm passing - I don't want to be in the way, and I don't want anyone else in my way when I'm trying to pass...plus you get noticed by the state troopers less when you're in the slow lane :thumbup: My dad drove semis and a taxi for a while - talk about an *ahem* adventurous driver! My mom said she wore holes in the floorboards of the passenger side of our family cars because she was forever 'putting on brakes' when riding with my dad. My hubby says I inherited his driving sense...:hurray: Though I grew up in Michigan and CAN drive in snow and ice, I don't particularly like it...the SUV drivers who think they are invincible make it dangerous for those of us who know that no matter WHAT vehicle you drive, you lose contact with the road and it's all over... NSV - My size 18 pants fit beautifully this morning...no pulling, no gapping and no stress. Looking forward to dropping down to 16's for the first time since high school - maybe by the end of the month!:cool2: Have a terrific day, everyone!:tt2:

Hey Notorious Novembers!:scared2: Had my post-op appointment yesterday - was cleared to start mushies and ease into solid food over the next 2 - 4 weeks. First fill appointment scheduled for January 6th. Kaitiana - we were banded on the same day, November 17th, and will get our first fills on the same day as well. Now that I'm eating more 'bulk' I need to measure what I'm eating. I like soup, so it's easy to just do that, but I know that isn't necessarily what's good for me. I've been cleared to go back to the gym and lift weights again, so I'm excited about that... I have a goal to hit 230 by January 1st - it's going to be interesting. I'm not feeling a lot of restriction as I heal, and my 'head hunger' is roaring...but I can do this - I have my band to help!:cursing:

Hey, People! A heartfelt early Happy Birthday to BBK! My boobs are currently a 42H - I think I can stand to lose a little, but if I drop below a DDD (F) I'll be a little perturbed...since I have a tendency to get keloids, I don't know of plastic surgery is in my future:sad: Fanny - give yourself a good shake and then enjoy your man...the responses you've gotten are terrific - you and your guy are obviously enjoying each other, and if he's attracted to your mind / personality / heart / spirit, then no matter WHAT shape your body is in, you're MILES ahead of those relationships built JUST on the physical. My DH has always told me he loves me like I am, however, he's busily planning all the *ahem* adventures we will have and the sexy things he can buy me as my weight drops and my body changes. He's not even that perturbed (sp?) about a possible loss of boobs - he's really a leg man and loves mine. I'm more worried about losing the 'girls' than HE is! :tt2: We've always been compatible in the mind / heart / sense of humor / spiritual realm, so the physical is a bonus... Jury duty - hate it! Called once when I lived in Michigan, once since coming to CT - now that I mention it, I'm probably jinxed and will be called next week or something...:smile2: Lots of office parties scheduled this month - including a hoity-toity event at the New Haven Lawn Club...gotta figure out what I'm going to wear, since I don't know what size I'll be! :wink2: And - PJTP that I resisted eating the Cherry pie that was sitting out in the breakroom...I'm not scheduled for solids for another two weeks. I :cool2: my band!

Hey Band Family, Ceradad, Luluc - thanks so much for the encouragement - you two are my idols on this thread, because you are so consistent with your exercise. You definately challenge and inspire me! Saw the doc for my post-op yesterday and got clearance to go back to the weights....YAAAAY! He's frustrated because the nurses tell his patients different things than HE says. He just said to watch the 400 lb squats - luckily, I'm not quite lifting that much yet (note the sarcasm) so no worries there. I'll take it easy on ab work for the first couple of weeks and not try to match my pre-surgery poundages right away, but I'm so happy I can go back to the elliptical trainer and lifting!:smile2: Walked yesterday with DH, DD and DDog, no walk in the afternoon because of post-op appointments and Senior pics with DD. Back on the stick this morning - walked with family this morning, will walk at lunchtime and then I have the band support group tonight. Will keep checking in - y'all keep me motivated and I HATE posting that I didn't do ANYTHING, so I will definately keep moving. Welcome to all the new posters - you are definately in the right place for positive reinforcement and accountability. New goal - 230 by January 1st! :wink2:

'Morning Fellow Bandsters! Heather - You are in my prayers - I hope you are feeling better and back to 100% soon. I'm sorry you've had such a tough time lately, but I know you'll be fine!:cool2: My first post-op appointment was yesterday. Saw the same intern / med student that was there for my surgery, plus a resident, plus my surgeon, Dr. Duffy. Nice to see familiar faces...I'm doing well - the scars are healing nicely without any trace of puffiness so far (I keloid). I'm happy about that. :tt2: Other than a little residual soreness where my bra hits the incision points, I'm pain-free. I'm cleared to do any exercise I want - just no 400 lb squats :wink2: which I wasn't doing anyway (yet)- and I'm thrilled with that. Dr. Duffy is frustrated that the nursing staff at the hospital gives out different post-op instructions than HE does - they have told people not to lift anything over 10 lbs...Dr. Duffy says that means you can't lift your arm...HA! He's not happy about the mixed messages and instructs all his patients to listen to HIM only...sure makes it simpler! Recieved instructions on easing into more solids - a 4-week timetable for what foods to add at what time. They prefer that I get most of my protein from 'real' food versus shakes or drinks, so I'm going to follow instructions and see what happens. I'm happy to be cleared to get back into the gym, and hopefully eating 'real' food will help me keep my energy high and keep me building muscle while helping me to feel satisfied because food is bulkier than a liquid protein drink. I'm due to go back in roughly 4 weeks, at which time Dr. Duffy says he'll do my first fill. I'm hoping to continue my weight loss until then - I'm feeling less restriction every day, and that kinda scares me. I have a goal to make 230 by January, and I'm not going to let my 'fat mind' get in the way!!! Nice to see my fellow Notorious Novembers checking in and doing well...let's keep up the success!:smile2:

'Morning Ladies, I'm so glad to hear from you, Tina, and to hear that things are going well for you and your hubby. Don't stress yourself out about the holidays - with the year you've been through, it's no wonder it hasn't been "top of mind" so to speak. Something in your message caught my eye: Isn't it just too strange? I've seen the websites that my husband bookmarked, and the women on those sites look NOTHING like me - NOTHING! Even at my worst, I think I was better looking than them - they look like circus freaks with very oversized breasts and butts and I just don't get it. He's been a lot better - we talk more, he has stayed off the sites, and no more unusual phone calls. I'm still healing - in more ways than one - and he's still on probation. Like you, I'm still kind of expecting that something may go wrong. I think that will be the biggest hurdle - my expectations. That old saying "Be careful what you wish for" comes to mind...not that I'm wishing for him to mess up, but by having it on my mind so much, the energy is out there in the universe and I definately DON'T want to attract that! Hang in there Tina - I pray that things continue to improve for you and your hubby. Have a wonderful holiday season, and please keep checking in to let us all (your virtual sisters) know how you are doing.:smile2:

'Morning Friends... Can I just say that Vicki (the beyotch) brings out the very WORST in my personality? I would definately be kicked off the show for threatening and then kicking the sh*t out of her...that whole stunt about her being afraid to drop into the water was such BS! One more time she has to be the focus of all the attention - and why did ED have to be the one to jump in and save her sorry butt? If I were Heba, I'd watch my back AND my man...I wouldn't put it past the beyotch to try and make trouble in their marriage. Good thing there's only a couple of weeks left... Renee and Michelle were absolutely hands down my favorites this season - along with Colleen. No one else really captured my imagination or my heart like those ladies. Renee looked totally AWESOME in her 'after the show' moment, and I hope she wins the 100K prize. Now Michelle's got Jillian all to herself (Saints preserve her) and will have very few distractions to keep her from pulling an Ali and winning it all. I just don't see Heba or Ed doing it, and I pray that the twerp doesn't do it either. If I have to see her cankles one more time, I think I'll throw up. Can't wait for next week and then the big finale...I really was disappointed in this season overall - too much game play, not enough good hard work. I don't want to be like most of the people on the show - with the exceptions I've mentioned above.

PJTP...2 weeks banded and loving it! Head hunger sucks, but I'm working my way through it. Nice to "see" everyone again - I missed y'all! Had a LOT of reading to do to catch up...healing nicely, though sneezing still hurts like a b*tch! Going for my first post-op appointment in a few minutes...will post soon with results. Happy to be down a total of 24 lbs since I started the journey (self-imposed pre-op diet). Looking forward to a MUCH healthier 2009...:biggrin:

Monday was my two-week anniversary of being banded...I go for my first post-op appointment today. :biggrin: The banding experience was a good one - I arrived at the hospital a little early to ensure I wouldn't mess up the schedule. My check-in time was 9 am. I checked in and was sent up to the post-surgery floor shortly thereafter. I changed clothes and talked with the hospital staff. The nurse who took my info was the same one I saw when I had my pre-surgery blood work done - nice to see a friendly face. :car: I watched TV for a short while and reflected on that day being my last one as an 'obese' woman...though I know the weight will not magically disappear, I know that after surgery I will be on the road to a healthier me. I was (surprisingly) a little teary - I didn't expect that at all! My hubby was on the midnight shift and we live an hour away from the hospital, so I drove myself there and parking in valet parking. Hubby planned to take the train into New Haven the next morning to get me, and then a taxi or shuttle to the hospital. Once my transport arrived, things went fast. The orderly (cutie pie with shoulder length dreadlocks) :wub: and I joked about trying to get tickets to the Obama inauguration and our lack of dollars to do so. I arrived at the surgery floor and met the OR nurses and the anesthesiologist who would be with me during the operation. My surgeon also checked in with me and everyone was all smiles and confident - they really eased any leftover nervousness I had. Surgery was at 10 am and when I woke up I was in recovery. That was around 12 noon. I had a coughing fit shortly thereafter :eek: - felt like I was coughing for 5 minutes, though I'm sure it wasn't that long. I am glad the anesthesia hadn't worn off yet! :eek: It took a few hours to find me a bed - I guess they were quite busy that week, and I slept off and on while waiting. They found me a bed and moved me there. I was able to move myself from the gurney to my hospital bed and proceeded to sleep the rest of the day away. Apart from the occasional visit to draw blood or check on me, the staff left me in peace. I got up at 4 am to walk - I had slept so much that I couldn't sleep for a few minutes, but by the time I did two laps around the floor, I was ready to go back to bed. I think I used the morphine pump a few times, but not often - it made me really sleepy. The next morning, I felt pretty good. I hadn't urinated yet, so they were a bit concerned, but after they gave me some water, things started moving again. I guess I was a bit dehydrated - though with the IV, I'm not sure how THAT could have been true! I was scheduled for the 'swallow test' that morning, so I couldn't have anything to eat until after that. I was ready when they came to get me - got up out of bed with no trouble and walked to the gurney. Down to the radiology suite I went, and the XRay tech was terrific. The stuff they gave me to swallow was pretty bad-tasting (the brown stuff) but that was followed by white liquid that tasted like a vanilla milkshake - not bad at all. All was well with the band, and I was returned to my room. I got to "order" breakfast, and settled on broth, tea and jello. They weren't sure about the jello, but it went down very easy. The broth tasted very good as well. :scared2: Shortly thereafter, my hubby arrived, I checked out and went home. I slept most of the drive, and had already filled my post-op pain medicine prescription, so I was ready. Felt a bit weak (no food, I think) and slept a lot the first couple of days. I did get up and walk each day (slowly at first) and by day 4 was back out walking the dog with my family, though someone else had to hold his leash (he pulls a bit). My incisions are healing well, and I have very little discomfort. :thumbup: It's a bit odd to feel the port, but not painful. The first couple of days at home I noticed the 'head hunger' and wanted to eat EVERYTHING! :biggrin3: The stories about restriction and pb'ing (Projectile Burping) on the site helped keep me honest. I followed the 'don't lift anything over 10 pounds' rule and was glad I did! Picking up anything even remotely heavy was uncomfortable. :eek: I continue to walk every morning - at least a mile with my family as we walk the dog. I also walk during my lunchtime at work and went back to the gym last night for the first time. I did 35 minutes on the treadmill, but won't do any weights until I'm cleared by my surgeon. I've got my first post-op check-in with the doctor's today, so I'll post again afterwards. I've been eating well - strictly liquids the first week, a bit of thin cereal the second week, and lots of sf Jello, popsicles (for when I want to chew something) and pudding (thin). Broth and clear soup are good too. Hope all those who are recently banded or scheduled have an easy recovery like I did - no gas pains in my shoulders, no difficulty with anything, really. :party: I'm down 14 pounds since surgery, a total of 24 since starting the pre-op diet, and really enjoying being banded.:wub:

Monday was my two-week anniversary of being banded...I go for my first post-op appointment today. :glare: The banding experience was a good one - I arrived at the hospital a little early to ensure I wouldn't mess up the schedule. My check-in time was 9 am. I checked in and was sent up to the post-surgery floor shortly thereafter. I changed clothes and talked with the hospital staff. The nurse who took my info was the same one I saw when I had my pre-surgery blood work done - nice to see a friendly face. :car: I watched TV for a short while and reflected on that day being my last one as an 'obese' woman...though I know the weight will not magically disappear, I know that after surgery I will be on the road to a healthier me. I was (surprisingly) a little teary - I didn't expect that at all! My hubby was on the midnight shift and we live an hour away from the hospital, so I drove myself there and parking in valet parking. Hubby planned to take the train into New Haven the next morning to get me, and then a taxi or shuttle to the hospital. Once my transport arrived, things went fast. The orderly (cutie pie with shoulder length dreadlocks) :wub: and I joked about trying to get tickets to the Obama inauguration and our lack of dollars to do so. I arrived at the surgery floor and met the OR nurses and the anesthesiologist who would be with me during the operation. My surgeon also checked in with me and everyone was all smiles and confident - they really eased any leftover nervousness I had. Surgery was at 10 am and when I woke up I was in recovery. That was around 12 noon. I had a coughing fit shortly thereafter :eek: - felt like I was coughing for 5 minutes, though I'm sure it wasn't that long. I am glad the anesthesia hadn't worn off yet! :eek: It took a few hours to find me a bed - I guess they were quite busy that week, and I slept off and on while waiting. They found me a bed and moved me there. I was able to move myself from the gurney to my hospital bed and proceeded to sleep the rest of the day away. Apart from the occasional visit to draw blood or check on me, the staff left me in peace. I got up at 4 am to walk - I had slept so much that I couldn't sleep for a few minutes, but by the time I did two laps around the floor, I was ready to go back to bed. I think I used the morphine pump a few times, but not often - it made me really sleepy. The next morning, I felt pretty good. I hadn't urinated yet, so they were a bit concerned, but after they gave me some water, things started moving again. I guess I was a bit dehydrated - though with the IV, I'm not sure how THAT could have been true! I was scheduled for the 'swallow test' that morning, so I couldn't have anything to eat until after that. I was ready when they came to get me - got up out of bed with no trouble and walked to the gurney. Down to the radiology suite I went, and the XRay tech was terrific. The stuff they gave me to swallow was pretty bad-tasting (the brown stuff) but that was followed by white liquid that tasted like a vanilla milkshake - not bad at all. All was well with the band, and I was returned to my room. I got to "order" breakfast, and settled on broth, tea and jello. They weren't sure about the jello, but it went down very easy. The broth tasted very good as well. :huh2: Shortly thereafter, my hubby arrived, I checked out and went home. I slept most of the drive, and had already filled my post-op pain medicine prescription, so I was ready. Felt a bit weak (no food, I think) and slept a lot the first couple of days. I did get up and walk each day (slowly at first) and by day 4 was back out walking the dog with my family, though someone else had to hold his leash (he pulls a bit). My incisions are healing well, and I have very little discomfort. :thumbup: It's a bit odd to feel the port, but not painful. The first couple of days at home I noticed the 'head hunger' and wanted to eat EVERYTHING! :confused: The stories about restriction and pb'ing (Projectile Burping) on the site helped keep me honest. I followed the 'don't lift anything over 10 pounds' rule and was glad I did! Picking up anything even remotely heavy was uncomfortable. :eek: I continue to walk every morning - at least a mile with my family as we walk the dog. I also walk during my lunchtime at work and went back to the gym last night for the first time. I did 35 minutes on the treadmill, but won't do any weights until I'm cleared by my surgeon. I've got my first post-op check-in with the doctor's today, so I'll post again afterwards. I've been eating well - strictly liquids the first week, a bit of thin cereal the second week, and lots of sf Jello, popsicles (for when I want to chew something) and pudding (thin). Broth and clear soup are good too. Hope all those who are recently banded or scheduled have an easy recovery like I did - no gas pains in my shoulders, no difficulty with anything, really. :party: I'm down 14 pounds since surgery, a total of 24 since starting the pre-op diet, and really enjoying being banded.:wub: