Paulax

So awesome Liberty, you are an inspiration. Sorry about your stressful year, that must have been hard on you. continued success.

Checking in. I am a July 21 bandster. I am still on my clear liquid fast. Weight is dropping off. I am finding it hard to celebrate my loss as I can't even believe I got that heavy in the first place. But I am very pleased that it IS actually coming off. Day 18 on my fast. Every day is a new challenge. Some days I am fine, some days I find it very difficult. Yesterday was pretty easy. Had some real grumbly moments. My broth or one cranberry juice a day helps quieten that down. Not ready to run a marathon or anything, but am able to do my daily housework and cooking chores with no pain or trouble. Will start my short walks soon. Hope all my July buddies are doing well...

Day 18 here for me. I actually can't believe it has been 18 days. That means in 2 days, I can start the count down from 10. DH picked up some Miso Soup for me last night. It was so nice to have something different. Yesterday was relatively easy, compared to other days I have experienced. So onward I go. Marie, I have been weighing myself every morning and have slipped into some bad old habits of weighing myself during the day. I haven't done this for years. I guess it follows my almost disbelief that I am dropping weight finally. I haven't seen a drop of more than 5 pounds in YEARS. So hovering just above 255, I am hoping to drop 5 pounds this week. I don't think I can ask for any more weeks of a 10 pound drop. I am finding it hard to Celebrate my loss because I can't believe I got so heavy in the first place. But I am sure glad of my decision. Josette, I made taco meat for the family yesterday and I was licking the spoon, :nervous just to get a taste. I drink Water and broth all day and if I get physically hungry, a Cranberry juice helps, 100% no sugar added. I have also started on sf Jello. Marie, you can buy sf jello in single servings somewhere.... might be nice to have at work. I think I found them at Walmart, or Superstore. Can't remember now, but I am going to look today. Cheers to all surviving along with us on our liquid fast. Paula

Now that made me laugh. My dh took a bit to come round. When he suggested that I eat a bit less and exercise a bit more, I told him that he had a NOVEL idea and that he ought to write a book. Surely, he'd be a billionaire from such unique advice. Sorry honey, but some of us are just made differently and if a bit of exercise and eating a bit less would have done it, I'd have been skinny years ago. I had to say, I am not dumb, I am not lazy and I do not have a flaw in my character. We are just all made differently and unfortunately, I gain easily and hold onto weight for life. True too that my dh is thinnish and my 3 young kids are all of healthy weight and I make sure our food is fresh and healthy and that we all get a lot of exercise. Sigh, sucks but this is my struggle. hugs all

That is why I posted this thread Josette. We need help getting through this very tough stage. But I have to say it has been worth it and it WILL be worth it. I just imagine that my stomach was in such shock after the band placement that it wouldn't mind a rest from digesting. Stomach muscles churn and squeeze and churn while digesting food. This movement can jeoprodize the healing process. So that is why my surgeon insists on a clear liquid fast. And that is exactly why I am determined to complete my fast. Please hang in there with me. We can suffer this together. You will have some hard days and you will have some easier days. But I think to give our stomach a real good chance of healing we must follow our surgeon's advice. My banded friend reminded me of our sacrifices when we got pregnant. We watched what we ate and drank for 9 months to give our growing babies the best chance possible. That is how I am looking at this. And this is such a shorter amount of time. We will be eating food for the rest of our lives, we just need to work hard for these short number of days. I am on day 18 now. 20 pounds plus gone. I have some real hard times, but when I go to bed having had a successful day, I rest easy. I also look forward each morning to stepping on the scale and seeing progress. Good luck and you can come here and complain, and cry or yell out your success. We are here for you maaaaaaaaaaaan!

Well, your weight loss is awesome. You must be adhering very well to your food plan. Congrautations on being 1/2 way there. I think that is photoworthy. Awesome accomplishment!!! My dear banded for 2 years now friend, took a before photo of me. I will post them on the main board when I am 1/2 way there, then again at goal. Great idea!

LOOK AT YOUR STATS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Girl, you must be looking so great! Are your pictures on the main board? You mean my growlies will get better? I though they might just get worst as I am imagining my stomach waking up finally saying, 'Hey, wait a minute here happened?' ha! Thanks for the support Melody! I look at your stats and can only hope.

Yes, well I don't blame you my dear. Your weight loss is awesome. Your choices are well thought out and good for you. I had a second (gynecological) surgery so I am recouping from that and that makes me stay pretty inactive, so I am happy to go on with my clear liquid fast. If I had to go back to work, I'd probably have done the same as you. Yes, I know what you mean about the 24 hour grumblies. If that happens I will drink more broth, but damn it is boring. But what a weight loss. The most I have added is milk to my coffee. Puleese. If I can't have a bit of milk. Keep up the good work my dear. I am so happy with my results, I can' t tell you. You must be too. Oh and don't forget sugar free Jello. That kind of makes me feel as though I have had something.... Oh ya, and have a great first day back at work. What kind of work do you do? Hope it isn't too physical.

I am only 2 weeks post op and I would do it again in a snap. For the first time in my life, I feel hope.

sigh, yes mouse, the food channel sometimes does satisfy me in some way. I am still enjoying cooking wholesome foods for my family,then sucking on my chicken broth. ha! I think I might mix it up a bit by going and buying some Wonton Soup and drinking the broth and/or buying some Miso soup, which I love. That might stir it up a bit. I think I miscounted, today is day 18!!! Lost a day somewhere. So 18 is almost 20 and 20 is almost 30 ha! The scale keeps dropping so I am happy enough. The food will be ther after the 30 - 35 days right? The same food that I am craving now. So how are all my other liquid fasters doing? chime in. I don't want to feel alone here. :nervous

That is so awsome BJ. How truly exciting.

You are my hero! Congratulations and you must have worked very hard! You are a true inspiration! Thanks for sharing.

Excellent post mouse. I want to thank you for your positive contributions. You are one bandster who sticks out for me, as I am relatively new to the board and very new to the band. Thanks for sharing your dear, sweet, considerate supportive and helpful self...... Paula

Day 16 and I feel physically hungry at times. If I drink my broth during those times, I fell better after, so must focus on that. 16 days means I am more than 1/2 way there. Went to Walmart today and looked at the Slimfast drinks, but I am not ready to go off my surgeon's recommendations yet. So will drink my Water and watch the scale dip again.

THE food COMMERCIALS ARE DRIVING ME NUTS!!!!!!!!!! I am starting week 3 of my clear liquid fast.

That does suck, but your time will come.

I can only speak because I have a banded friend who put my hand on her port, YES, you should feel the port. I haven't tried, because I am a chicken and my incision is still scabbed. :shiver: That is the only thing that really bugs me is feeling the port. Oh will, I had better get used to it.

Oh I am not surprised to see this thread. I DREAM OF GETTING RID OF MY CLOTHES. I don't even care what the scale says, my dream is growing smaller and donating the 'fat' clothes to charity. I have sizes all the way down, so won't be shopping too soon. Congratulations on your liberation. It must feel AWSOME!

Aw shucks, thanks it was nothing.....lol!

Yep, I am trying to look at this restriction as a blessing. The weight loss IS amazing.

You look AWSOME! and how exciting to be pregnant. Such an exciting year for you and dh.

Congratulations and speedy healing.

Thanks Celeste, very supportive comment. Day 15, that means I am 1/2 way there. Don't know whether or not to laugh or cry. Had a real tough time last night. Made some sf Jello, that was new and nice to add. Yes, sick of broth already, but will try other ways of sprucing it up. Garlic, basil, juice.... But I am happy as the scale keeps dropping. Now can someone tell me WHY I am watching the food Network?????

Kiana, I once heard that the best doctors have the worst bedside manners. So I bet your doc was AWSOME. lol! Yes, I look at these difficult days as a blessing really. I was abusing food and abusing the beautiful healthy body I was given. I will be happy to finish my 20 more days.... Cheers

lol@ dead goat's breath. My guess is that it is ketosis. I just rince and spit, rince and spit. Here is a good explaination of ketosis. http://www.lowcarb.ca/tips/tips011.html