alicatcyclist

Hi Erika, It's good to hear from you. I went to my first visit with a personal trainer today and all I can say is "Ow". She wrote up an exercise plan for me which includes upper body & lower body weight training 3 days a week. Did I mention "ouch"?? LOL I just woke up some muscles in my body that have been snoozing for years. I did some abdominal exercises and now I am very sore at my port site. I must admit, it also felt good getting back to the gym. I go to Weight Wise in San Antonio and their gym is designed specifically for bariatric patients. The machines are larger and more durable. It is comfortable as you are working out with other's who have had some type of weight loss surgery. I am also planning to workout with walking/lite jogging 4 to 5 times a week. (or cycling if it's not too hot which it has been so far)!! As far as my eating habits, I am still struggling. After all of the working out I went to Taco Bell and had a bean burrito. A friend of mine pointed out to me that before the band, I would have had 2 bean burritos and a tostada and a large soda and you know what? I would have. So I am just happy that I can't eat as much as I used to. Let me know how things are after your next fill Erika. I will also keep you posted. We have been banded for 2 months now so we can't expect perfection overnight, huh? We will get there!! :laugh:

Hello to all of my April 1st bandsters. I know it has been a while since I have posted. I need to make it a habit to come in here every day like I did before my surgery. I have hit a plateau also but I know my food choices have not been so great. I have had one fill about two weeks ago. I was told that there were 3cc's added on my surgery date. My first fill was 2cc's. I know I am not eating as much as I used to but I can eat a whole junior burger without skipping a beat. I am kinda getting back to my old eating habits and not stopping to chew and still...no problems at all getting my food down. I am scheduled for my second fill next week. I also have an appointment with a personal trainer on Saturday. I am hoping my next fill will give me better restriction. I realize the band is only a tool and I have to do my part but gosh, where is my restriction? On a brighter note, I feel so much better with the weight I have already lost. I have lots more energy and it can only keep getting better as I make better food choices and continue to exercise. I can walk lots longer than before. I went on my first bike ride last Saturday and rode 18 miles. Woo Hoo. Then I put in 11 miles the next day. I need to get an extension to lift my handlebars so that I can be more comfortable on the bike. My goal is to ride in the Bike to Beach in October which is an organized ride to raise funds for MS. It is a two day bike ride and covers over 150 miles. So here is my other question. Why am I able to endure the hills and heat on a bike ride but have such a hard time turning down a cheeseburger? Ugggh!! I guess we all have our strenghs and weaknesses in this process and making healthier food choices is going to be the hardest part for me. I hope all of you are doing well and having much success. :thumbup:

Hello my fellow April Fools Day Avengers. Wow, were we the first ones to kick off this bandster party or what? LOL I have to go back to work tomorrow so today I am shopping! Woo Hoo!! I also have an appointment to do my hair today. I started the soft mushies stage yesterday and I feel so much better with lots more energy. I am almost feeling back to normal, with the exception of some tenderness at the port site and gas problems here & there. Where are all of the other April Fools Day Avengers? Let us know how you are doing!! :frown:

I go back to work tomorrow so today I am going shopping and I also have an appointment with my hairdresser at 3:30. I finally started the soft mushies stage yesterday so today I have so much more energy. I am excited about trying on new clothes....for the first time in forever!! :frown:

Noella: Wow, you will have plenty of time to recover. I like the way they do things over there in Aussieland. Is your time off counted as sick time or vacation time? It seems like we are too rushed here in the US. My surgery was an outpatient procedure, I was in and out of there in less than 5 hours.

Congratulations Cheryl. You did awesome!! Wow, you are getting soft foods already? I've been on a clear liquid diet since my surgery on April 1st. I think I will start the next stage one day early as I know my body is in need of more Protein. Way to go!! Woo Hoo!!

Wow, that sounds like such a wonderful experience for you. Welcome back and get plenty of rest. I can't imagine traveling like that after the surgery. I was banded on April 1st and went out in the car yesterday and felt every single bump in the road. Keep getting your liquids in. It takes time to beat the head hunger. Believe it or not, I have not been hungry at all. Not one little bit. So strange for me but I hope this feeling continues. I've lost 10 pounds so far. :regular_smile:

Thin Minnie: Aww, sorry you had to go back so soon. I hope you get some rest today. I think the most important thing right now is to let your body heal and prevent throwing up so that you will not have any complications. Here's another big hug from one Texas gal to another!! HUGS!!! :regular_smile:

Dogluver: Hang in there. I think the first 3 days post op were the hardest for me. I was banded on the April 1st and today actually went on my first outing, to the local GNC store. Thinminnie: You went back to work already? Wow, I am due back on Monday but I think I might wait a few more days. I think at least a full week for recovery is what my body is asking for. How did it go? What kind of work do you do? Big Hugs!!

Congratulations Kim!! It sounds like you are doing awesome. I also had a dry mouth and a bit of a sore throat right after surgery but it went away. Woo Hoo!! Let's continue to encourage each other. Go April Avengers!!

Hang in there Erika, you will make it through this. Wow, four weeks on liquid sounds tough. I wonder why different surgeons have different post op instructions? I kinda got a little hungry yesterday but the feeling passed. I had myself a banana popcicle and that did the trick. I am on all Clear Liquids and they recommend sugar free popcicles and such but darn it....I needed that banana popcicle and it was yummy!! LOL The second week I can start on the full liquid diet. I am so looking forward to having something with substance. Hmmm, I have been looking forward to having some grits with cheese. That is on my menu plan, I promise!! Doesn't that sound delicious? (I am from the south...what can I say...born in North Carolina and raised in Texas) LOL Here is a sample of my week 2 menu that I am so looking forward to: 8:00 am - grits with cheese 10:00 am - 4 oz sfree pudding with 1/2 scoop Protein 12:00 pm - 4 oz cream of tomato Soup 2:00 pm - 2 oz applesauce 4:00 pm - 4 oz milk iwth 1 scoop protein 6:00 pm - 4 oz baby chicken & apples or 4 oz pureed spaghetti 8:00 pm - 4 oz yogurt with 1/2 scoop protein And here is even better news. I have a t-shirt on that used to fit so snug and showed all of my fat rolls. I am now wearing that same tshirt and it is fitting me better, almost kind of loose. That makes me so happy. I know we are having to deal with the aftermath of surgery but one good thing that I don't miss is the feeling I used to get after I would binge on junk food and fatty foods. You remember that miserable feeling you would get with no energy, feelings of guilt and just overall not feeling good about yourself? I don't have that feeling anymore. Woo Hoo!! I have a better energy about myself since my surgery and I am looking forward to my new beginning. I can't wait until I am healed. I just want to go outside and Water my plants and enjoy the sunshine. :frown: I know there will be lots of ups & downs along the way but I'm certain that the journey is worth it. Are you with me April Avengers?? :tt1: