Firebolt

How can I say no? From now until Valentines day, right? Okey-Dokey! Firebolt (Judy) name ............. starting# ..... current#........goal#......togo# Hollyberries.......... 298............ 298.............. 285........ 13 Momto1(Wendy)... 241............ 241.............. 229........ 12 Hungryforchange.. 227............ 227.............. 215..........12 Cagstorm (Craig).. 360............ 360.............. 345......... 15 Teresajo............. 252............ 212.............. 205.......... 7 Skinny_Jill............195.............195...............180......... 15 Foofy ................ 273.5..........249...............237 .........12 want2lose...........236.8...........236.8.............225..........11. 8 sades.................229.............199.7.............189........... 10.7 chiqui.................246.............231................220......... .11 MarieGabrielle.......268.............268...............256............ 12 Trixie...................264.............264...............244...........20 Firebolt................243.............224...............212...........12

Hey Annie, No, I didn't get your e-mail...who knows why. I even checked the spam box. Make sure to use this address: rogerandjudygrant@sbcglobal.net That one works for certain! As for the holidays - yep, I did ok. Ate a little more than I "should have", but not near as much as I "would have" had I not had the band! I agree, we should get together sometime & share notes. Maybe Panera for Coffee/Tea? I'm so glad to have found someone so close. Between you and Jess, we can have our own local support group - huh? Talk to you soon, Judy

Steph - that's awful! I too was looking at the scar pictures on this web site, and started to think mine looked yukky. I've tried a couple of things, but nothing is making much of a difference. I think it was Kristin who said that they are kind of a 'badge of honor' for us! Perhaps in a few months they will fade and look better (right now they are more obvious than my stretch marks - which may be a good thing!! Ha Ha). I'm really glad that RxTracy & Momto1plus1 told us about the Bacitracin. I think I'll toss out all of the Neosporin I have (and I have plenty with two kids running around) - and replace with the Bacitracin. Thanks for the "Head's Up" ladies!:clap2:

Hiya Rose - welcome! :eek: I agree that it does seem like a long time between fills. My doc is planning on about 4 weeks in between each fill (he anticipates 3-4 fills before finding the "sweet spot"). My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery, and my 2nd fill is scheduled for 4 weeks after that. Are you hungry? Do you have much restriction? If you don't feel much restriction & are hungry, I would call your doc and see if you can get in sooner. Perhaps there is another doc in the practice that can do the fill? Maybe they have a nurse that can do it? If you're not hungry, then don't worry about it. Some docs fill the band with a few CC's during surgery. You may have more restriction than those of us who had no CC's during surgery! Hang in there, and keep checking back. We're all here to support eachother! Judy

Marissa, I just looked at your ticker - 46 lbs down? Wow - You must be feeling so much better already. Are your clothes fitting differently? Please drop us a line and let us know how your feeling and some of the victories you've noticed now that you've dropped almost 50 lbs... You are an inspiration to all of us!:clap2: Judy

Hi Hungryforchange - looks like you're right! We are body doubles...Looks like we've even lost the same amt of weight so far! Guess we both got fed up with ourselves at about the same time - huh? LOL! It started at a size 22/24. How about you? Please keep us posted on how your doing & thanks for checkin' in!

Hey Ovahkummer - I'm glad to hear the tests are clear and you get your surgery on 1/3/08! What a terrific new years resolution for you! As for something I might do differently, I agree with Hungryforchange about the caffiene, if you drink it, cut back. Secondly, I woudln't purchase too much of the Protein supplements until you taste them and see how you like them. I've got a fridge full of Iso-Pure (which isn't bad, but the whey protein gave me awful bad breath). I now get my protein via regular food sources. Just get enough protein replacements to last during your liquid phase. Lastly, if you take the liquid pain releiver (which has codeine in it), be sure to have some Phillips Milk of Magnesia on hand (the codeine is very constipating and will make you even more uncomfortable). God Bless you as you prepare for this surgery (which you've done once!). Please know that you will be in my prayers!

Hi Friends, I just wanted to give you something to smile about. I had my first fill on Thurs 12/20. My Mom (who's having the surgery in Jan or Feb, and is a TOTAL HYPOCHONDRIAC) called me the night before "Aren't you scared" she asked. Next morning, she called again "Are you sure you're not scared of the needle?" she asked. Nope, no problem I said. Had my fill at 1:45 (it was a breeze, little local anesthesia & I coulnd't see the needle over my B**bs) My mom calls at 5pm. "So, how did it go?" She asks. "Oh, my Gosh - it was awful! It was the worst pain I'd ever felt. They had to tie my hands & legs down & they heard me screming in the lobby" I responded. Dead Silence on the other end of the phone! You *seriously* could have heard the proverbial "pin drop"!:heh: I finally let her in on the joke & let her know that it was nearly painless! I'm in more pain when I stub my toe! I hope that will bring a smile to your face & give you inspiration to those going for their first fill in the next few days!

Welcome aboard our little thread! Glad you found us...I hope you find as much inspiration & hope from our little group as I do! BandPal - What a fantastic twist on 'Twas The Night Before...I, too, would normally feel like a louse! I haven't lost any more weight yet, but haven't gained over the holidays. I also started walking again (I'd slacked off for a couple of weeks there). Glad to hear from each of you! Glad tidings for a New Year full of weight loss & control of your new lives! Judy:clap2:

:)Hi Ladies! I'm glad to meet you both:) Jess - My husband works in New Carlisle! Annie - We live in the same neighborhood! Thank goodness we've found eachother here on this terrific forum. I apologize it's taken me so long to respond back to both of you. It's been crazy driving kids everywhere during the holidays. Well, I had my first fill on 12/20 (right before Christmas) and have been fine. I had some restriction the first couple of days, but have been able to eat a good amount if I allow myself. I've lost 15 lbs, but all of that was the first 2 weeks after surgery. Other than that 15 lbs, I've been stable. I guess it's good that I haven't gained over the holidays. I think it's been the wine that I've been indulging in as well as going out to dinner when my folks were in town. I did go for a walk this afternoon (in between rain showers - I wish it would just snow!) What are each of you doing for exercise? How are you doing? Write back and let me know - again, so glad to meet both of you! Judy:clap2:

Hi Jess! Yep, I'm here in the Dayton Area (Beavercreek to be specific). I had my banding done by Dr. Schumacher at Sycamore (part of the Kettering Network). Surgery was on 11/20. I am having my first fill today. Where are you? How are you doing? When was your surgery? Who's your doc? Fill me in! As for groups, no - I've not yet attended any "meetings". I truly am getting most of my support from this web site. I can get immediate answers & tips, vs waiting for a monthly meeting. Write back soon!

Hi friends, I am so glad everyone seems to be doing well. We all seem to be at about the same stage & having very similar feelings. Tlwempen: I am so sorry you can't have meat yet. That's got to be a difficult challenge. Each Doc has different rules & expectations. I'm sure your Doc has a very well founded reason for not allowing meat until week 8. I have been bad to the bone friends! I am without much restriction & have found myself drifting back to my old, bad habits. Thankfully, I will get my first fill today, so that should help me through the holidays. I went to my Girl Scout Christmas Party yesterday. Geez, what temptation of good eats! I ate mostly Hummus & Pita, but I truly ate toooo much of it! One night I actually ate so much I felt sick. I don't want to do that again. I truly need my fill! It's Bandster Hell (as I've heard it refered to - We've done the surgery but don't have the restriction yet, so we are tempted to eat too much!) BandPal - You are doing fabulous. You are such an inspiration to me. I will keep thinking "french fries are clay", "Bagels are Clay", "Muffins are clay"...clay, clay, clay. Yuck. Thank God I don't work in a donut shop!!!!! Merry Holidays to each of you! Keep in touch! Love ya'll! Judy

I, too have been hungry and found that I can eat just about anything & as much as pre-surgery. I believe someone called this phase "Bandster Hell". You've done the hard part, but you're not feeling the benefit yet! Steph_CN - I too am getting my first fill today. Let me know how it goes, ok? For those who have to wait until Jan for their first fill - Hang in there. Remember, you've made a life change. It will come - Think of it as a New Years present (getting your fill!) Take care folks, Judy

Hi friends, Well, I made it back from Michigan & all of the snow & ice. I'm back here in Ohio where it's been raining & dreary. We did get some snow over the weekend & the kids had a great time making snow men (and women). I went to my first follow up appt on Thursday and the doctor cleared me for solid foods. Yaaaa! I went out that night to my favorite restaurant. The urge was there to totally blow it, but I did ok. I had a cheese enchilada & 5 chips/salsa. I was very satisified. Ok, now I will tell you that I also had a Margarita. But, when I added up all my calories & Protein that day...I did ok. Much much better than I ever would have if I didn't have the band! But, I really blew it on Saturday. Took my kids to the mall for Christmas shopping. Stopped & had lunch in the food court. We had Terriyaki chicken (which was fine), but I also ate the fried rice and veggies. All would have been ok in moderation, but I'm certain I ate too much (I didn't measure my portion, and just shared a plate with my kids). Mistake! Next time I will get an extra plate and measure out my portion size. I spent the rest of the day feeling way too full & uncomfortable. It has been so good hearing from each of you on the same journey as I. Each of us at about the same point in our paths to health. I really loved SkinnyJill's point about every pound lost is a pound gone FOREVER. So uplifting & true! Remember friends, this is the last "diet" we'll ever do. We're changing our lifestyles for the last time. We will prevail & success is a few months away. Just don't try to cheat like I did this weekend. I felt yucky and won't do it again any time soon! BTW - is anyone keeping a food journal? Oh, I am scheduled to have my first fill on Dec. 20th. I hope this will keep me from blowing it during Christmas! Take care & I'm praying for each of you (especially Ovahkummer!!) Judy

OMGosh - ROFLMBO (rolling on floor laughing my but off) What a visual that provides!:biggrin1: Welcome & glad you're here!

Ok, I guess it's my turn: My name is Judy (43 yrs) and am married to my DH Roger for 20 years. Two daughters, 12 & 11 yrs old. Dog (Scooter) & cat (Scruffy). I was born & raised in San Diego, California. Rec'd my degree in Information Science. Had both of my children there and then took a job with a company that moved the entire family out to Dayton Ohio. Company paid for the entire move! Even flew us out first class! I worked there for two additional years while my husband career started to take off (he's an engineer). Once things were settled, I resigned from my 9-5 job to stay at home with the kids. Once the kids were in school during the day, I took a job at our Church as the Church Secretary. I work from 9 - 2 and get home in time for my kids to get off the bus. They think I'm still a stay at home mom! I put them on the bus in the morning and pick them up off the bus in the afternoon - they have no idea what I do in between! After that, it's running them around. Two different Girl Scout Troops, Choir, Band, you know the drill...... I had fought the weight battle most of my life (chubby kid, chunky teen, and then all out pig when I moved out on my own). It got up to 180lbs. Finally went to Jenny Craig. Worked great for a few years. I lost 40 lbs and stayed very active at the gym. Then...it happened....I got pregnant twice in a row and never lost the weight from either pregnancy. I'd try to diet, but gained back more. So I'd diet again, and gain back more. I did Weight Watchers so many times I can't count. I started so many arobics classes & failed. Eventually, I simply gave up. Forget it. I'm just fat and will be fat the rest of my life. Wow - was I depressed. Well, needless to say, I'm newly banded (11/20) and back on the yellow brick road (or LapBandPath) as BandPal says! I'm so glad to have found so many friends that have had the same battles & troubles & rude stares & rude in-laws & rude boss's. Just wanna say "See Me Now" in the next few months - huh?:heh:

How lucky we all are to have Lapbandpal in our November group! Wonderful with words & quick on the recipe! I can't wait to try this one - Thanks Friend! Also, I just wanted to thank you on your words about re-dedicating the Temple. You are so "on target" about cleaning up this Temple that God gave us. I wish you a happy Chanuka!

Hey Crazee - do you like Iced Tea? How about Light Lemonaide? They have that at most of our local fast food restaurants. Let us know what works!:confused:

Hey Longhorn - Yep, it's got Kidney Beans in it. Can you eat them?

Hey Bandpal & Friends, I'm sorry I've dropped off the radar for a while. I'd felt rather crummy the last couple of days (honestly, caused by irregularity from the codeine), as well as generally sore because I'm no longer on the pain meds. But, I'm much, much better now - Thanks for checkin' in on me! It's Saturday, and I've travelled with my family from Ohio to Michigan to pay a visit to my Mom & Dad this weekend. It's currently snowing, raining & freezing rain outside (needless to say, I didn't get my walk in today). The weather is supposed to warm up some tomorrow (up to the 40's) so that we should be able to make the 4 hour drive home with out any problems. I did want to share with you that I was able to eat some Wendy's Chili - OMGosh was it good! My Dr. told me that this was one of his patients favorites when moving to the mushy food stage. Since we were travelling & on the road for 4 hours, we had to eat dinner in the car. I was able to eat 1/2 of the small Chili. I was also surprised that I was able to eat 2% String cheese. I chewed it really well, and it went down fine. I've also enjoyed scrambled eggs, baked potato, Lean Cuisine Mac & Cheese (1/2 pkg) & some Angel hair Pasta tonight. While I've added some of the mushies, I'm still doing 1-2 Slim Fast Low Carb drinks (they taste better to me than the unjury - which isn't bad, but I just like the Slim Fast better). However, like Hungryforchange & Marissa, I too think that some Humus sounds terrific. What do you eat it with? I normally eat w/Pita, but am afraid to try any bread right now. Fill us in on your secret, ok? Skinny Jill - Have you really lost 19 lbs already? You go girl!:clap2: HungryForChange - 9.5 already? Woah!:whoo: Marissa - 36 lbs since banding or does that include pre-op? Doesn't really matter - that's a phenominal weight loss so far...Keep up the good work!!:clap2: Tlwempen - Girl Scouts? You too? I've got two troops (I lead one and co-lead the other). Got my first meeting post surgery this Wednesday. Lord I pray I have the energy! Ovakumma - it's good to hear from you. I too, like Bandpal will standing outside the caboose waiting to pull you aboard! Towens - my port site also is the most sensitive at the point, but it doesn't burn. My MD located it right at "Counter Height". This means whenever I'm at my kitchen counter, it hits right on the port and OUCH! Ya, I remember right away that I've got a port there! Hang in there and let us know how you progress, ok? Karmen - of course you belong here. You have a band don't you? I, like you am going back to work on 12/3 - I'll pray for you if you pray for me, OK? I hope your job isn't too strenuous. Welcome to our thread & thanks for checkin in! PS - I love your avatar! MarilynC - Hopefully as you move to mushies you'll be able to get in more of that Protein. Have you tried the Slim Fast Low Carb? It's got 20 gms in each one. I think it tastes better than the whey powder too. CanadianComfort - We've haven't heard from you recently - how's it going? Talk to you all soon. I should be back in Ohio tomorrow, if I can get out of this snow/ice storm!

Firebolt - My surgeon found a tumor on my liver too, it was benign - thank God. (What a coincidence, huh?) I had a severe car accident almost 5 years ago in which I suffered many life threatening injuries - including a broken neck - so, my surgeon thinks the tumor was actually scar tissue from the wreck. Which makes sense and is quite relieving. Marissa, Thanks for sharing with me! It is very hopeful to hear someone else had the same problem and is doing fine! I did call the Dr. to get a followup on the biopsy. They said that the tumor was 'un-diagnosable', but non-cancerous. I have a followup appt on 12/6 with the Dr. I will grill him in more detail then. BTW- Welcome aboard! Glad you're doing well....

I have also moved to soft/mushie stage (I'm 11 days post banding). I have found something wonderful to share with you: :whoo:Wendy's Chili:whoo: Yep - My doc told me that this is one of his patients favorites when moving to this stage. Well, we went out of town this weekend, and I was "forced" to get something on the road. I told my family we just HAD to go to Wendy's cuz I could have the Chili. Ordered a small size. Ate 1/2 and was totally full (about 1/2 of a cup and it had 9 grams of Protein in that 1/2 cup - or 18 grams in the whole cup if you can eat the whole thing). It was a real treat after doing the liquids for a week. Another to share with you: 2% String cheese 70 calories & 8 grams of Protein. I chew it really well and seem to tolerate it well. Totally portable also. Besides that, I've had 1/2 of a baked potato w/low fat sour cream & cheese, cottage cheese & peaches (canned), Lean Cuisine brand Mac & Cheese (1/2 cup) & green Beans. Hang in there gang. Before long we'll be chewing fish & chicken!

Hi friends, It was so good to read from all of you today. I'm glad everyone is doing pretty well & hanging in there. I really appreciate Bandpal's details & hearing from TLWEMPEN, CANADIAN COMFORT & TOWENS. Someone asked (sorry, can't remember right now) how much liquids we're getting down. I've been keeping a food diary just to track, and I, too have just not been feeling any hunger. Here's been my average food intake: coffee (1 cup) Slimfast - Breakfast (16 oz, 20gm protien) Isopure (sipping through the day - 40 gm protien) Creamy Tomato Soup (1/2 cup - no protien, but delicious!) Light & Fit smoothie (while my family had Ice Cream) Water sipped throughout the day to get me to 64 oz (all of the above liquids DO count towards the 64 oz - Thank Goodness) Bandpal - I too, today felt that pang of "needing" something to eat. For me, I think it was more of a desire for texture than emotional. I just want to crunch on something! It feels like I want whatever I'm not supposed to have. I threatened to eat a scrambled egg, I almost ate leftover mashed potatoes, etc...My DH kept me on plan though. I finally just had some cream of mushroom soup blended in the blender. I've been trying to keep up on the walking. Try to walk about 10 minutes 3 times a day. I had a very difficult time sleeping last night - back pain. I've been sleeping on my back since the surgery, and have not been changing positions, which makes the back very sore. I am still taking the Tylenol w/Codeine, but probably have only 1 or 2 doses left. I called the doctor to see if I could get a refill, but they prefer that I try to relieve the pain w/Motrin (chewable). I'm hoping this will keep the pain at bay (I've also got pain from the Haital Hernia repair). Am I being a baby? Maybe by day 6 I won't need any more. I was so glad to hear from someone who mentioned at 2 weeks out she felt great & it was a real turning point. I hope it will be the same for each of us. Keep in Touch 11/20 Friends! Judy

Good to hear from Bandpal & SkinnyJill! I hope you're all resting & feeling better every minute. I've been a little more tired today. I took about a 3 hr nap. I've not had any problems getting my protien & Water in. Although I think I'm more sore today than yesterday. I just keep managing it with the pain meds. I've taken a few laps around my cul-de-sac the past two days, but have yet to get out there today. It snowed last night & it's pretty darned cold out there! I'll get my but moving before too long though! Hey Bandpal - I bet that coffee was the best you've ever had! I know that's what I couldn't wait to have. A cup of my coffee sugar free coffee creamer. Oh, it made my morning! Yipee! I hope TLWEMPEN, CANADIAN COMFORT, NEWLIFE35 & TOWENS are all doing well also. Drop us a line when you feel up to it, ok? Take care & be good! Judy

Hey there Ovahkummer - sorry it didn't work out the first time. You sound incredibly dedicated & ready to go. I'm sure the MD's will work out any potential complications & get the procedure completed for you. I imagine it must have been a huge disappointment. :faint:But, now your Dr.'s know what to do the next time. You just keep your chin up and keep up your positive attitude. You will prevail! You will overcome! Your time is now! Hang in there & let us know how your doing, ok? Judy