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Tracy! You RAN! Uh-oh...you are the next to get the running bug! That is AWESOME! :girl_hug: :eek: :mad: :smilingface (52): :smilingface (52): :smilingface (52): :smilingface (52): :smilingface (52): :smilingface (52): :smilingface (52): (Anyone else that runs, even for 15 seconds gets dancing bananas, too!)

GREAT NEWS!!! I reached my running goal today. I ran the 5K for next week in 32:00 today. Now that was at noon, not 8:30 a.m.! So, hopefully next week I can match it or do better. Tracew and anyone else considering joining this thread, Come on and join in! We are not exclusive. It started as all april '06 bandsters, but others have joined in. For us old folk bandsters from '06, we want to encourage ANYONE and EVERYONE to exercise. The benefits are too aewsome to keep them to ourselves! If this thread motivates you, then we are thrilled! The gorgeous JulieNYC started this thread, and I am her substitute while she is healing from a TT. Check out her progress and others on this thread and you will literally be blown away! I vote for Julie and Dawn on the cover of People magazine!

Betty, Happy bandiversary, happy bandiversary, happy bandiversary, :violin: :note2: :note2: :note2: :note2: :note2: :note2: :note2: :note2: :note2: :note2: HAPPY BANDIVERSARY!

I asked this same question a year ago! It is normal to have a weird sort of hiccup after surgery. It will eventually go away and can be unrelated to eating or drinking. Good luck!

Terri, Congratulations!! You are now an official "Bandster"! Way to go. Looks like you and I started out the same and have similar goals. I'm sending you healing vibes! Molly, I'm sorry you are having such problems. What is AF? Do you get anemic easily? Sheila, next week at this time you will be home, thinking, "That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be." All the nervousness prior to the surgery seems silly after you go through it. When you wake up post-op, an entirely new life will begin! Julie and Dawn, isn't it weird that we have become so addicted to running? Did you ever think that down deep you were really distance runners? Yesterday was my "bandiversary." I had big plans of running after work, writing in my journal and reflecting. Instead of retreating inward, I spent the day with friends. A huge part of my recovery is in becoming more socially honest. The last few years I have felt ashamed of my size and retreated from certain social gatherings. Partially, I blamed my friends for immersing themselves in a community and industry that only validated physical perfection. I viewed them as being materialistic and vain. And I told myself that I had more to offer because I was NICE. I also pretended that everything was fine and that I liked and accepted myself the way I was. The new friends I gravitated towards were deep, intelligent, and endured challenges. It is now very rewarding to see old friends, apologize and honestly share my flaws. I judged them unfairly and gradually disappeared from their lives. They loved me and felt helpless. Now I am reconnecting. Now I am reaching out, instead of focusing inward. Thank you, band! Okay, so now off to a musical concert! Easter....last year I stuck a spoonful of potatoes in the blender with milk (full liquid phase). That was decadent.

I was banded one year ago today (April 5). It is actually a pleasant memory. Am I glad I did it? OH, YES!

OK, KAT, I GIVE UP!!! YOU ARE Wonder Woman! How in the world do you do all of that, and play on the swings, babysit, and be the caregiver to all extended family members? All I can say is, "Wow!" My day began rather down...don't know why!? THEN, I pushed myself to run the track to get ready for a 5K next week. It is so helpful to be able to time laps and challenge myself. 1/4 mile warm-up Ran mile 1 in 10:00 Ran mile 2 in 9:30 Walked 50 yards, then ran mile 3 in 14:00 Walked and ran additional 3/4 mile for a 4 mile total. After I was finished, I climbed the stadium steps 5 times. Came home drenched in sweat, and happy as can be! I am CHARGED up! See? The exercise works!

Sheila, I have no business contradicting your mother. I didn't tell my mother because I did not want her to be afraid. I'm sure your mom is scared. The surgery is really not a big deal. It is so minor compared to the other problems obesity causes. Why spend your life in agony when there is help? Medicine is a great blessing of our modern day. Take advantage of it. As a mother, I would be afraid for you. But as a woman that felt compelled to have this surgery, I would not hesitate to have it again!

Calling all April Bandits of 2006: Let's come together and share our successes! What is your "Bandiversary" goal? What have you learned this past year? Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? What is your biggest challenge? What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? What is your greatest fear? What goals do you have for the future? How has your life changed? Has living with the band met up to your expectations? If you could talk to yourself a year ago, what would you say? Thank you, my friends for all of your posts and for your successes. I have paid particular attention to our April '06 group. I feel a kinship with you. Good luck and happy bandiversary!!! :happybday2:

picardy3: Thanks for a great post and reflection. I've only lost 40 lbs SO FAR, but it has changed my life. I am not living in fear of morbid obesity. As far as the exercise goes, PLEASE join our "APRIL Bandits' Exercise Challenge!!" There is something for everybody there. Happy Bandiversary!!!!! I hope you get those earrings soon! :happybday2: :happybday:

Kat, I think you could have a weight-loss ranch just by having us all come out and work for you. That would break my plateau! Wow! I am such a prissy girl with my little jogs around the neighborhood, manicures, light housework (when I don't have help), and annoying trips to the car wash. I better never complain again. My friend has a ranch (for pleasure) and I love to go pick the vegetables, cut flowers and pet the animals. But there are fulltime crews handling everything. You hop off the horse and hand over the reins. That's what I thought a ranch was. I am a brat! To all you newbies on liquids: if you get enough Protein, you will feel much more satisfied. Your cravings will diminish and your mood will happier. Double all of that IF you exercise!

Does that mean I can lick the chocolate, too?? Mmm...(I'm naughty, but those foil wrapped eggs are everywhere)

P.S. Molly and Tracy, great job on the walking! Keep it up!

Kat, you are one gutsy lady! I used to ride fairly regularly in the hills above Malibu. It is work just to ride trails. I can't imagine your life. Can't decide whether to run or go to the gym. Hmmm....

Miper70, my story is the SAME as yours! I had surgery with Ortiz and lost 40 pounds, but since Christmas I have lost nothing. I am NOT giving up, but patience is really being tested. I saw another doctor this week that told me many patients stall out and it gets much more difficult to lose. I know that exercise really plays a big factor. And we get used to eating with the band and then learn ways of eating a bit more, or the wrong things.

Julie, Julie, Julie!!! I'm practically giddy, I am so excited that you made it okay! WOW!! 12 pounds...unreal! That means you are well into ONEDERLAND! In fact, you will probably weigh less than me in a few weeks. I told you that you would reach my goal before I would. Haha. I think you are smart to stay on liquids. No sense risking a PB on top of the surgery. It makes sense that you would be tight. There must be swelling all around your abdomen. Ouchie! The drains are probably scary, huh? Guess what? On the day of your surgery, I had a consultation for a TT. Don't give me any advice, yet. In six weeks, let's see how you feel and if it was worth it. Thank you so much for posting. It must be difficult, but we all care so much about you and it brings a huge sigh of relief to know you are making it okay...and with NO Tylenol??? You are amazing! Ladies, I hope I explained the rules correctly. You can SPLIT your workout into TWO sessions in the day. If it is too much to walk for 35 minutes straight, you can break it up until your stamina is built up. Okay, APRIL BANDITS....BRING IT ON!!!

You are probably too tight. I just went through an ordeal and had a complete unfill. You should avoid spicy foods. Also, try three days of liquids to let any irritation unswell. If it still hurts, I completely agree that your body is telling you something. You might even be bleeding. It should not hurt to eat, if you are following "bandster rules." Take care!!!

We started a thread to help and inspire our new April bandits. Check out "April 2006 Bandiversary!!" thread. It has advice for newbies. Also, you are welcome to join in our exercise group. It is listed as "APRIL Bandits' Exercise Challenge". Both threads are in general discussion. ANyway, congratulations! It is very exciting!

Sheila, that is funny! Also, good job on dropping 30 already. Did you see "Napoleon Dynamite"? Ya know how he always says "idiot."? I have this very bad habit of calling myself an idiot. I sound just like Napoleon. It is part of my problem. If I did that to another person, it would be cruel. It makes me feel better that I am not the only person who chews themself out. So now I can say to you, NO!! You are NOT a f_ _ idiot!!! (I don't like the 'f' word either). You can tryi it again tomorrow, when it will actually count toward your goal. ELEVEN days!! I ran 4 1/2 miles! Half of it was uphill, so my time was not great. Gotta get back to the track and work on speed for the 5K.

At least she is not using drugs! Also, make-up can hide scars.

I cooked a pot roast, too. My family gobbled up French dip sandwiches while I chopped the meat up very fine and enjoyed it au jus! Julie, we are all thinking of you! You'll be back to work out before you know it. This initial recovery must be miserable, but once you start feeling stronger and are out of intense pain, your healing will speed dramatically. Hang tough, just like you have, running your miles chanting, "199, 199, 199!" When the pain is intense, count, breathe, put yourself in a beautiful place, and know that we are here supporting you. Bluehill, when you are up to it, post and let us know what is up. I hope you can join us. Susan, are you in? Amourette!!! Hey DOLL! You can definitely squeeze this into your schedule. Eficka, have you heard from her? Come on, gals, let's rock it!

The tomato soup has flour in it, what is the difference? When I was desperate, I crushed crackers into dust and put it in soup. It worked out fine. If anything hurts, stop immediately!

I think I am at the same...not sure cause I changed my signature and lost count. It is either 15 or 16. So we made BRONZE!!! Now we are goin' for the GOLD! I am running tonight! Weeeeee!

Hey, WASaBB, I actually went to COSMED to check out a TT for myself. Dr. Ortiz referred me there. I was in for a fill and just spontaneously took a taxi down to COSMED to check it out. Dr. Quiroz went to Columbia and also UC Irvine. He is very good looking and personable. I did look through his books and really liked the tummy tucks he had done. I am seriously considering it! The only downer was that these two women were also sitting in the waiting room. They looked like PS addicts! It freaked me out. But then I found out they were also there for consultations. It was a relief that Dr. Quiroz hadn't butchered them up. (I don't ever want to turn into a woman that can't handle any aging.)

Margi, you are very sweet! It is very exciting that you will join our banded group this month! I am going to post my reflections on my bandiversary date, April 5. I'mstill thinking about all that I have been through this year and what I would like to accomplish this next year. It is weird, it really feels like April 5 is a birthday of sorts. It was the start of a new life for me, one that I desperately wanted, but could not produce on my own. Not only has the band helped me, but the constant support on this board has made my success greater and sweeter!!!