Great2BThin

Jessica, glad surgery went well. Welcome to this side of the band. Use the next couple weeks to focus on recovery and follow your docs instructions to the T. There are many variations for post op diets and instructions. One of the best pieces of advice I got here when I got confused was, follow the advice of the one who will take care of you if there are complications,that means your own personal docs instructions. The biggest variances are in the post op diet and when you progress from liquid to mushies to solids. Congrats!

I am back from therapy and lunch with Grandma. Driving went fine, I just had to keep the seat much further back, I left it in DH's position (he's 6'6) and I was pretty good, had to lean more forward but my leg was happiest with the seat further back. I really went up in my bend at therapy today, I was 105 degrees last Wed. and only 98 a week ago on Monday, today I am at 117 degrees. The normal goal for total knee replacement is 120, he thinks I will get beyond that at least 130 and I was at 130 on that knee before surgery, so that's great. I am tired now though and going to take one of Apples, recharging naps here shortly. apples, great photo, I was thinking that has to be about the same year we got married and then saw your later post about 1979, yep the same year as us. My kids were born in 1981 and 1983. You look very much like your wedding photo after all these years too! Eva, loved the photos of your yard. Deb, whatcha reading in the photo? all about geodes? LOL Did they ever crack that one open to expose the crystals? I bet it would be beautiful. apples, I hope I can do some more cleaning up at the going out of business sale. I am actually getting to the point though that I don't need many more clothes. DANG IT!! I've been so anxious to wear my new stuff that I've been dressing up from the waist up in my new stuff and pairing them with my workout type pants. LOL Knee is still pretty swollen and uncomfortable in regular pants.

Apples, I go back to work on Feb 1st. By then the gym should've calmed down some. Of course, dogs count for social interaction, that is most of my interaction these days. LOL And I can say and do anything and they think I am the greatest, smartest person in the world. They always approve and such good listeners, and they seem to know when I am down or don't feel well and are right there to offer their comfort. LOL I work part time in the rec center in our development, I help open it in the mornings at 515am and am off by 830 so I sortta have the best of both worlds. I work a little for a little and I mean little extra money, yet I am home most of the day as well, just usually need to try and get a nap in due to the early hours or get to bed by 9. It's cold here too but a little warmer than it's been or is going to be, today in the 40's. Then later in the week the teens and supposed to snow tomorrow or Wed again. The last snow hasn't melted yet, I feel like I am back in WI or MN, where the snow doesn't melt all winter. Usually in CO we have our snowstorms and then they melt a day or so later. We've been below average cold for a few weeks now. Bright and sunny though. Usually I'm okay as long as the sun shines and we are lucky here, we have more days of sunshine in a year than many places in the country do. Well DD checked at that Ann Taylor Loft store that is closing that I got all the bargains at the weekend after Christmas. It's by her fiance's house. They are open til the 23rd, getting more stuff in this week to mark down, sounds like I need to make at least one more trek there possibly 2 before teh 23rd. She was all excited, there was a beautiful winter coat there that she has eyed all winter but it was $200. She asked me to check on it when I went and got my bargains but it was one of the few things there not marked down, well it was yesterday when she went. She got it for $50 and they had 2 left and one just happened to be her size. She said it's sad when my favorite store is becoming her's. LOL We have several of the same things as she bought other stuff too, just in different colors and stuff. Too bad we aren't the same size. She's a 4, don't think I'll ever be that small.

WEll I am up extra early too, what's up with that? DDs fiance rang the door bell at 630, guess he thought we were all up. Actually DH's alarm was just going off and DD was up downstairs but i don't always get up these post op knee days. He brought her coffee and warmed up her car for her this morning. How sweet! LOL Today is my first day at driving. I think I will be okay. I have therapy at 10 and then am taking Grandma to lunch after that. I am glad I am not working this morning. I am sure the rec center is very busy with all the new year resolution folks returning to the gym in mass for a few weeks. Funny by Feb 1st it starts to dwindle already.

Eva, the wedding is March 26th. She is inviting about 160 not sure how many RSVPS we will get yet as some of them I know won't come, they live far away etc. I wondered when you said you cut down a tree as I don't recall AZ having a whole lot of trees. Glad you got your yard cleaned up. WE won't be doing any yard clean up for a few months, but look forward to spring already. I couldn't believe it, Target had all their swimsuits out already.

Back from meeting the florist, the centerpieces, etc. for DD's wedding are going to be fabulous. He's doing lots of extras for her as a thank you for all the work she has referred to him. Stopped at one store on the way home and am now resting with my leg up. FreeSpirit, maybe I misunderstood your post, but it sounds to me like you were expecting the band to do all your work for you. It just doesn't work like that and am sorry if that was your understanding before surgery, hopefully you had lots of pre op classes and info. The band is a tool that helps in our weight loss immensely but we still need to do the work, the band just gives us better results when we do the work. But I still have to do the exercise, I still have to tell myself no when I want to eat too many slider foods, I still have to make healthy choices. However, when I do that, the band is amazing. I lost 126lbs in one year. I ate 1/2 cup portions and 80% of that was solid protein. I too at one point had a problem with reflux, it occurred not too long after a fill. It was determined I was too tight and had .50cc taken out and the refulx went away. To me it sounds like you are too tight, hopefully that is all that is giving you the reflux. I think that because you can't eat the solid proteins and have resorted to sliders. However, as Laura said, it's also a sign of a slipped band and other complications. I hope you get it checked out soon. Good luck to you and I hope you get the answers you need.

Jewel, I just wanted to be sure I got on here to wish you best of luck in the morning on your surgery. YOu are doing fantastic. I think the low carb diet is very popular amongst bariatric surgeons. Most of us have followed something pretty similar some of us eat a few more carbs than others, but it's all very individual and what works for you. My husband is going to follow a low carb diet to lose about 25 lbs. for a few reasons. First being, that is how I eat most of the time as well so it will be easy but also it's what he likes. Other than pasta which will be hard for him to limit he's more of a meat eater. It sounds like you have done a lot of your research and homework before surgery, you've done fantastic on your pre op, I think you will do fantastic post op as well. Be sure and come post as soon as you are up to it after surgery to let us know how it all went.

Allie, I like your craft store plan as a diversion from the cooking. Both are creative outlets and I hope you find the craft or stitching that will take those creative juices you have flowing and fulfill them. I've been thinking more about food lately too as I recovery from my knee surgery. Not sure if it is just wanting some comfort foods, the idle time I have or what. So far I am doing okay. I do have some knitting, but just can't focus on it. I find with taking my pain pills I can't focus well on anything as I also loaded up on books but they are all going unread. Hope you get your feeling back, that would be weird. Good luck on the next surgery. I am really anxious to hear about that one, that's the one I think I would need the most if I ever did any plastic surgery.

Ouch, Arlene, I bet that was awful. That is a big fear falling. One of the main reasons I still used my crutches instead of the cane they said I can go down to now yesterday for the funeral and all. I felt more sturdy on them with the ice in parking lots. Had a pretty good nights sleep last night, still wake up a lot in the night with pain. I think I must get in uncomfortable positions for my knee and put pressure on it in weird spots. DH is going fly fishing today to try out his new fly rod I got him for Christmas. I am meeting the florist for the wedding with DD today, was supposed to be yesterday but had to rechedule due to the funeral. Think we are actually supposed to warm up a tad, by tad I mean into the 40's from the 30's. Maybe we'll get a little meltage action on the snow.

I forgot about this too. I actually reached my goal weight and changed my screen name from Long2bThin to Great2bThin in June. I had my goal for this challenge as 169 but my doc said I was good at 180 so stopped losing there and have been maintaining quite well. I have a range of 176 to 185 to stay in between. I'd like to float closer to the bottom of the range but tend to at the higher end but not over. For now I am okay with that. Maybe after I am recovered from my 2nd knee replacement surgery in 3 months and I can exercise again I will get to the low end.

Must've been August when I was there. Actually think it was late July. We walked around some lake front area and rode a ferris wheel I remember at night and it was still hot and muggy, but I had a good time. Glad you came back Meredith! Missed ya! How's the house buying going? I hear those tax credits expire in April, will you be able to close on a short sale by then? Sorry you feel you had a set back, but you did great, in holidays past, would you have gained a lot more than 2 lbs? I get what you are saying about the mindset though. I do the same thing, I think it's the all or nothing mindset I tend to have. Great words Cheri! I tried to have the same attitude about the holiday sesaon More about the memories and not about the food and all this in spite of the fact I was in knee pain from surgery, I still say it's one of my best Christmases ever. Do you really think I am overdoing it? I feel like since Christmas I've tried to take it pretty easy. Today was the funeral and that was rough, but I took my crutches and sat a lot. Came home before the dinner to take more pain pills and a nap then went to the dinner tonight. I did go to Walmart yesterday but drove an electric wheelchair. That was dangerous, didn't know what I was doing! LOL Seems like I've had some place to go every day but am trying to ration my trips out. Tomorrow have to meet with the florist for DD's wedding, am sure he's going to need $$ now. LOL But I will learn to be more careful, sure don't want a revision or anything to happen. What made your DH need a revision, was it this soon after surgery?? Hope your new medication works for you! I am usually pretty sensitive to meds too. Apples, love your decorations, I have a Santa collection too, mostly ones DH has carved me however. Also have a village, I do the new England Dept 56 village. I thought the other day I had about 10 tubs of Christmas stuff whenI posted butg after taking it down tomorrow I think it's muchcloser to 20. Laura, is there something that is bothering Nelson more right now and he is biting his nails out of frustration or nerves? Eva, enjoyed the photos! And enjoy your rebounder! That sounds neat! I used to work for QVC when I lived back east. Deb, that is about the number of calories I ate. Well gotta take some more vicodin and turn in for the evening.

UGH, I'm not sure about summertime in Chicago, but I'd do it if meant meeting others, summers are just so hard to get away though. But dang it so is Feb. this year for me. I hope this is the first of many gatherings so I can make one. In the meantime I will have to live with 1 degree of seperation in that I met Apples and Apples will be there. Wasn't there something about 6 degrees of seperation awhile back something to do about Kevin BAcon?? LOL Apples, never put cream cheese or sour cream in my mashed taters. For 5#'s of taters how much of these do you put in? Bake at about 350 for an hour then? I might try this next time I need mashed potatoes for company. Well pain meds are kicking in (I take a full dose of 2 vicodins at bed time) time for bed. busy day tomorrow. Apples, the funeral is for DH's uncle.

Apples, can I come to dinner. Sounds yummy. What are make ahead mashed potatoes? Sounds convenient, I always have a hard time timing them getting done at the right time. Well think I found some clothes to wear to the funeral tomorrow. I know, I know, I got lots of new stuff recently, probably is my knee is so swollen it doesn't fit comfortably into non stretchy pants. I have a pair of wide leg black slacks that will do as long as it doesn't swell too much. All I've worn since Dec 16th are workout/yoga type pants and many times have the one leg rolled up above my knee. Both kids are riding with us to the funeral so we are stopping for breakfast beforehand. Laura, like the pictures, I like how you share so much of your life with us via pics.

My lots of deaths lately. I am going to a funeral myself tomorrow. DH's uncle died on Christmas day. The funeral is tomorrow morning at 1030. He was diagnosed with cancer in July and 66 yrs old. He just retired a year ago. He wanted to make it til Christmas and he died that evening at 8pm.

Arlene, one of my favorite verses. I like all of Philipians actually so much of it helps me a lot. Just got home from Walmart and getting another tub for Christmas stuff. We have over 10 but never counted, that counts outside stuff too.

Arlene, I love it, out with the toxins whether they be food, people, whatever. Time to take care of us! Happy New Year everyone! I stayed up til 1030 mountain time but was awoken at midnight by fireworks and it was time for some more pain pills so that was my party. LOL Slept til 8 this morning too. We are working on taking down all the Christmas stuff. DH is doing most of it, but I've packed a few of the tubs. Looks so bare and dusty in here. Anxious to get it looking normal again.

Well I saw the ball drop on Fox News at 10pm here, it's midnight out east. I can go to bed now! Happy New Year! Thanks for the love, friendship and support in '09 and looking forward to more of the same in '10.

Lobster was delish! BUt I couldn't even finish one tail. Did dip in butter though. How much can a dip be? LOL Okay so it was drenched in butter. LOL We had twice baked potatoes with them and i ate about 1/4 of it and about 1 spear of asparagus. It felt good to be able to indulge w/o indulging, I was satisfied on my much smaller portions. DH didn't complain about getting my leftover lobster either. Though he says tomorrow he is going on a diet to lose 25 lbs before DDs wedding which is in 3 mos. He's actually asking for my help in ideas on how to do it. I suggested he eat more Atkins like as he likes his meat and I concentrate on protein so much and he likes that idea. So we are purging the house of carbs. And he has all his game meat from hunting to eat and is totally happy with that, maybe my grocery bill will go way down too. DD and DSIL2B just left, we played a few games of Farkle first, we've had more fun with that silly dice game. I've yet to win a game and am known as the queen of farkles. LOL My leg is really aching tonight, last knee too after a few weeks I got such deep aches in my leg that just throbbed and that's what it's doing now. I just took 2 pain pills so not sure I will even make it up til 10pm to see the ball drop on cable.

Happy New Year! Just got home from the dr and the pharmacy, I asked for any refills and other RX's today so I could fill on this years insurance and maximize my benefits. Others had the same idea and the pharmacy was busy and going to close at 5pm, but I got them. Dr visit went well, I have more to go on my extension than my bend this time, other knee was the opposite. Also first my INR or is in I & R numbers for the coumadin blood test last week were too high at 5 so they cut the coumadin down and now the nunbers are too low at 1.6 so gotta up them again, only have to take that for another week so am glad about that. Well DD is here and started cooking, looking forward to my quiet evening and my lobster. Have a great evening no matter what your plans are tonight and stay safe!

Goodness you gals were busy last night! Three pages to read! Love it though! HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE EVERYONE!! No matter what your plans are, be safe! For me I am ecstatic that this is the first New Years where my resolution isn't to lose weight! Sure last year I was down a lot but still not at goal so it was still to reach my goal weight. This year if I were to make one it would be to continue maintainance and learn to accept myself. I am making great strides on both accounts. I declined the invitation to the NYE party and DH & I are staying in and having our lobster. Talking about loving it when our kids like to spend time with us. DD had asked me to pick up lobster tails for her and her fiance for tonight as well when I was at Costco yesterday. She was going to cook for them at his place but they decided to join us instead. That was a nice surprise. Plus she will do the cooking! They will leave later for his brothers place for a get together but still will have them for a bit. I didn't even ask them they asked if they could join us. DH is hoping to get off extra early today, if so we will get lunch (it's nugget day! LOL) and then I have my knee doc appt this afternoon. I am sitting here listening to the last of the Chrsitmas music on Directv and will take down Christmas a little later today or tomorrow. Janet & Linda, the pics look great! Tracy, welcome! Which dr did your banding? I was banded by Dr Snyder at Rose in Denver. Good luck getting that first fill, mine was at 6 weeks as well. I must've had quite a bit of swelling until then too as I never really went t hrough that bandster hell folks talk about after the swelling goes away and before the first fill at 6 weeks. Deb, congrats on the 50!! Judy, glad you are deciding to stay with us again, I missed you. Linda, enjoy your girls day out! I want to see the Morgans movie too. Sons, I have one of the lazier varieties too. He was great yesterday in taking me to therapy and the store, etc. but then grumbled when i asked him to bring the stuff in from the car that I got at Costco, said can't dad do it when he gets home. Well I had my lobster that I wanted to get in the fridge etc. At least he is having moments of more maturity. LOL Funny, he get so many kudos for being such a hard worker at his jobs, away from the house etc. DH & I always look at each other like are they talking about the same DS that we know? LOL

Hobbies, mine would have to be McDonalds. LOL Still try and get their nuggets once a week but I am finally after a year and a half of being banded starting to slowly lose my love of them. No wonder McD's stock hasn't been meeting expectations. LOL Body parts, I am the owner of 2 new knees. And Linda has a new hip, in addition to Phyl's new knee. We got lots of new parts since you've been here Judy! LOL That would be great, Judy, if you can meet the gals in FL. I won't be able to make it due to my trip 2 weeks after that. I will be there in spirit though.

Judy, I wondered what happened to you, you've been missed here. You took the first very important steps, you went back to the doc, acknowledged the problem, took a step to solve it in the unfill, and you came back here for support. There's no judgement here, just lots of us glad to see you back and happy to help in anyway we can. You have now learned that a too tight band isn't the way to go. Keeps the good stuff out but lets the bad stuff slide right through. The magic of the band is finding that sweet spot, sometimes that takes awhile. Some folks go the I gotta be so tight route and as you found out that isn't the answer. Others are so afraid of the smaller quanities that they never get the fill they need to help them be successful. I think you've learnt that now. Keep a food journal and really weigh or measure your foods so that you know if you are getting the proper amount of solid proteins and calories, that helps immensely to get back on track. Of course, there's that dreaded E word, exercise, and post here frequently, I know it helps keep me focused. And no matter where I am struggling or succeeding these gals here understand like none other. Good luck to you and glad to see you back!

Apples, I sure hope it wasn't twins!! Just got home from therapy where I got my bend now to 105 degrees, I can't believe how quickly this knee is progressing vs the other one. Maybe because I didn't wait as long? As Linda says with her hip,that she wishes she hadn't waited so long. I felt that way with my first knee so it helped make the decision to get the 2nd knee done sooner easier. I peeked at the report my therapist gave me to give my doc tomorrow and he says i am doing excellent with excellent effort. Also, I can graduate to either one crutch or a cane now, didn't today with the ice outside I felt I wanted the extra security of 2 crutches. Also went to Costco and got the aforementioned lobsters. And a new digital camera, I broke mine on Chrsitmas eve so no pics on Christmas, BUMMER! But I need one for our Isreal trip and DD's wedding. FSIL (future son in law) recommended a specific camera and they had a great deal and rebate on it at Costco. You guys are too funny about the teddy. I'd look so sexy in it with my knee brace on to go to bed. LOL I actually don't own a teddy but do have a pink camo nighty. LOL I was complaining once that DH would pay more attention to me if I was in camo (it was during hunting season), I saw these at Bass Pro and couldn't resist. He liked it. I don't own a lot of those type things as I was too embarrassed by my body before and now well I've been too busy buying other clothes, until recently didn't even have bras, panties or socks that fit well. Jewel, when is your surgery again? is it Monday? Please post and let us know asap afterwards how it went. I took one pain pill after being home and really didn't need it, thought it would help me sleep. Hated how they made me feel I never took another one. You should be good going back to school the next week, just becareful in your lifting. Linda, still have my Christmas up. I always hate taking it down, though think DH will do most of it for me this year. We usually wait til New Years day. But I've started gathering things and putting them in the spare bedroom. Seems I always forget something and find it after all the tubs are put away, something like a hand towel in the bathroom or dish in the kitchen etc.

Happy Birthday Cheri!! Enjoy your day with your kids! I am awaiting DS to come pick me up to take me to knee therapy. If that goes well and I'm not in too much pain he will take me to Costco to get some lobster tails for tomorrow night. I have decided to stay home from the party and just have a quiet night at home and we are going to have lobster. my friend is disappointed but understanding of my knee and my not coming. I'd never make it til midnight anyway but would probably over do it and tire myself out trying. then on our way home from Costco I have 3 huge trash bags of clothes to drop off at Goodwill, gotta get this years tax receipt you know! Apples & Eva, hope you are both feeling better this morning. Leah, welcome! I bet that's hard switching docs in the middle of the pre surgery process but better to find out now that you prefer a different one than after surgery. Witch, kindda hard to help w/o further info. sorry you are struggling and if you care to share more there are many here that would be glad to try and help. Janet, have a good day back at work after your day off. Sometimes we just need those lazy days at home to recharge.

Janet, back away from the scale! This too shall pass and I know that deep down you know it will. You are so devoted to the gym that you will get it off in no time. Plus when we eat outside I normal we tend to retain water as well. Glad you had a nice relaxing day. Linda, good luck with that fill, if I remember right you said you had an 80 mile drive to get one so might be good to wait for good weather for the drive. Veggies, I forgot about zuchini and other squashes I do those sometimes. I too like them soft. Nap today was only about 2 hours. Felt good though. Tonight we had the food tasting for the food for DD's wedding. Good thing, no one liked the chicken so we are having another tasting for the 2nd entree. We loved the pot roast. Felt good that a 'tasting' was a meal for me too. LOL