JulieNYC

This isn't a surprise to me, Betty, given our symbiotic internet family. (Wink). I'm really thinking about you and Alan this week. I can't wait for your post telling us all that he's sailed through surgery and recovering even faster than anticipated. Dawn, be super nice to your knee. You're already ready for your race. Don't push your training from here to 9 days from now. These 9 days are nothing -- the past 3 months are what got you ready. Really protect your knee. Don't run through any pain at this point. If you can't run at all until race day, that's totally fine. You WILL finish the race just with the training you've done. I know you'll probably feel fine by tomorrow, but just please go easy. I so want us all to be longterm runners. So many of my friends are former runners who ran through the pain and now can't run. I don't want that for us. Anyway, congratulations on the scale moving again! I must confess, I'm flat out jealous. I've been expecting Onederland all week and the scale hasn't budged. The good news is that when it does, it'll probably go down 2-3 lbs all at once (knock on wood), but I'm still growling at it every morning as it scowls 202 at me. I really think once it says 199, I'll never care about the scale so much ever again. That's probably short sighted, but it's the way I feel right now. Boo, I ate at Hale & Hearty yesterday -- split pea -- yum! I can't wait to do our Phoebe run together around the Reservoir. When can you come to NY?

Well, the concert was fabulous. It was a teach and listen type thing at Lincoln Center. The first violinist and the conductor gave some instruction about the motifs to listen to in the piece, then the orchestra played it, then they took questions from the audience. An hour and a half for all 3 parts of the evening -- perfect for me. My attention span for classical music isn't much longer than that! So, I didn't make it to the gym last night, but I made it tonight for exactly 40 minutes of elliptical. Tomorrow I meet with my trainer, then Saturday morning I run 4.9 miles in the SNOW with all the other crazies doing this weekend's Central Park race.... Hope yall had a good day.

I'd take the pills, assuming your band doc is OK with you taking pills at this stage of your recovery. Bandster hell is the worst period of being banded -- you feel like you just had major surgery to help with your weight but you're in a holding pattern until it kicks in. I agree 100% with everyone who said this time isn't about weight loss. You shouldn't beat yourself up about anything that happens during this period (I gained about 7 lbs between going on solid foods and getting my first fill). That said, if I had another tool (like a pill) to help me at least not gain for the short term until I got a fill, I'd have done it. No matter what, you're going to do great. Your fill will be here in no time!

WOOHOO! Way to go! That's fabulous news.

Michele, I'm so sorry for your loss and the stress you've been under. I know the exact temptation you feel (i.e. to make it feel better by throwing up). I find that if I get in that cycle, going back to liquids for about 3 days to let things settle down really helps. Then, when I move back to mushies, then solids, my stoma isn't irritated at all and I can tolerate solids perfectly. I really have to give it a full 3 days for things to settle down, but it really works. Good luck to you.

Betty, I'm with you -- moving Alan up is a good thing. The sooner this is behind you and he's on the mend, the better for you both. Let us know if there is anything we can do for either of you. Think -- this time next week, the worst will be behind you. I got my run in today. Probably taking tomorrow off -- going to Lincoln Center for a concert. Not sure what concert -- I'm tagging along with a friend. Nite.

Go Sherilynn! That's fabulous! Keep up the good work -- especially the dancing.

Boo, I'm so thankful you're ok. Cudos for acting on your instincts so quickly. Is your doctor worried about the blood, or is the unfill likely to allow it to heal up just like new? I'm so glad you got an unfill so quickly. Pshew! Are you on liquids now for a couple of days? Bland foods, so as to not irritate any open stomach wounds? Waterlily, We're so glad you're with us! Feel free to set your own challenge and meet it -- it doesn't have to be the main challenge -- any goal that you set and strive for is just perfect. Kat, You're so right -- we haven't heard from Roberta. I sure hope everything is ok with her asthma. I'm sure she's fine but I'd love to know how she's doing. I had a good day workout wise. I met with my trainer and got a good workout. Tomorrow I'm running on the treadmill, then no more running because I'm doing another race this coming weekend. I wanted to get in one more before my surgery and there's a 5 miler I think I'm up for in Central Park this Saturday, so I signed up before I could chicken out. I'll have to walk some of it (the first 2 miles are uphill!) but I think I can finish. I don't care so much about the time, just finishing, so I should be fine. Onederland is still as illusive as ever. Grrrrr.

OK, Betty may be my bandster-mom, but YOU, Boo, are my new best friend. Wink, Julie

CJ, Would you mind sharing with me how your recovery was? Is there anything I'm not thinking about that would really help me along? Your lapband surgery is going to be a breeze! For me, post-op day 3 was the hardest. Not so much pain (worst in the left shoulder) but just fatigue. It was a pretty easy recovery for me. I'm so excited for you! Boo, Thanks for your well wishes! My race went phenomenally well. I'm deciding whether I want to do the 5 miler next weekend, or whether that's just too much for now. We'll see, once I see how I've recovered from this one, tomorrow or Tuesday. COME ON ONEDERLAND....

Name..........................Starting…...…..Current….…..Goal…....To Go Juliegeraci......................238.............. ...... 238.................228.............10 Lapbandit.......................231............... ......225………….199.............26 Waterlily........................300.............. .......288.................264.............24 Roiansmom....................299.................. ...299.................270.............29 Libra...............................248........... ..........241.................228.............13 JulieNYC........................212............... ......202.................185.............17 Elisabethsew...................282................ .....276.................264.............12 PeaCeJ............................338............. ........338.................318.............20 RidinMyHDDream.........297.....................290 ................281...............9 Babygirl1234..................260................. ....253.................240.............13 Leecelove70....................228................ .....228.................200.............28 Josette.............................351........... ..........351.................335.............16

Tina, I have a few things going for me that contributed to my fairly speedy weight loss. First, I'm really short -- not quite 5'2. So 358 lbs was a BMI of 68, which meant my body really didn't want to be that heavy either. Losing weight in the BMIs of 60 was pretty easy for me once I couldn't binge eat anymore due to the band. Second, I'm single and, thus I live alone, which means I don't have to keep anything (food wise) in the house that I don't want in the house and I don't have to cook dinner for anyone but a bandster (me). That cuts out a lot of the daily temptations and helps me keep my calories low. Lastly, I'm otherwise healthy, which means I don't have metabolic challenges (other than the yoyo dieting problems we all have) and I'm physically able to get in a lot of exercise (usually 45 minutes of cardio about 6 times a week). I joke with some other bandsters that I'd trade their slower loss for a good husband, if they're offering. My single life makes it easier for me to focus on me, and, thus, to lose quicker than average, but that's only the plus side of something that has minuses as well, you know? You'll get there -- I have NO doubt. Meanwhile, I'm crossing my fingers to hit Onederland this week. That seems SO WEIRD to me. SO WEIRD.

Thought I'd give an update shot (11 months post-op, to the day)....Sorry for the cell phone shot. I'll take a better quality pic in a few pounds when I reach Onederland!

I finished my second 4 mile race. It was much better than the first one both because I had one under my belt and because it was 30 degrees warmer. It was perfect weather for a race (high 50s). The times aren't posted, but I'm pretty sure I finished in the 11 minute/mile range, which means I beat my last time by at least a minute per mile, which was better than my goal, so I'm happy. During the hard part of the race (mile 2.5-3, which is uphill) I just kept chanting "199, 199, 199!" It'll be here soon. I hope you are all having a good day. The weather here is glorious, so I'm going to shower and get outside. I took a picture with my cell phone the other day on the request of a friend who hadn't seen me in a while. I thought I'd share another "Before" and "Now" with yall too....(Betty, I know you've already seen it, so apologies for the duplicate!). Take care, Julie

My fave at that stage was a lipton cup-a-soup (tomato with croutons) with 1/2 cup cottage cheese blended in. Thick and yummy. Refried black Beans with enchilada sauce blended in with a little fat free cheese melted on top is yumm-o as well.

170 Betty, WOW! Just a few little tenths of a pound and you'll be in the 160s. Can you believe it?? So cool. Alan can't stay in the 160s -- he's a 170s guy. You're going to be the skinny minny in the family in no time. I'm glad Alan felt like getting out for a walk. That the angio was such a snap for him is surely a good sign. Amourette, you're going to get through this. You're coping just fine and don't put any pressure on yourself. It's just hard is all. Hang in there.

I had a pretty good day today. I've gone down another pant size, which is always fun. My Mom had bought some pants at Old Navy on clearance and she didn't think -- I guess -- that a "low rise skinny cut" size 16 pant might be a long shot for me. Anyway, they fit today! Not that I should be wearing "low rise skinny cut" anything under non-lycra-under-garment circumstances, but they did fit. Got in 45 min on the elliptical today. It's elliptical again tomorrow and Saturday as I don't want to run before Sunday's race. Nite all,

I was banded 4/10/06 and am down 155 lbs. I'm having plastics later this month and am so nervous/excited about that part of the journey. I'm starting to feel like myself again for the first time in a long time. I've had no complications whatsoever (knock wood). I found my sweet spot back in June on my third fill and have coasted since. I love my band and am so happy I did this, nearly a year ago.

Drink something warm if you can -- that will probably ease the residual pain some, if not all the way. I do hot mushy food more than liquids until I feel better if I've gotten stuck -- tomato Soup with cottage cheese in it, or something like that. Liquids would be even better, but mushies are probably ok, IMO, since you didn't actually throw up. Feel better soon.

Name..........................Starting…...…..Current….…..Goal…....To Go Juliegeraci......................238............. ...... 238.................228.............10 Lapbandit.......................231............... .....226………….199.............27 Waterlily.........................300............. .......288.................264.............24 Roiansmom.....................299................. ....299.................270.............29 Libra...............................248........... .........241.................228.............13 JulieNYC........................212............... .....203.................185.............18 Elisabethsew...................282................ ....276........... ......264.............12 PeaCeJ...........................338.............. ......338.................318..............20 RidinMyHDDream......... 297.....................290 .................281...............9 Babygirl1234..................260................. ....253.................240..............13 Leecelove70...................228................. ....228.................200..............28 Josette............................351........... ..........351.................335..............16

Thanks for telling us, Boo. I set my DVR to record it and will check in with you tonight.

Well, the update for today is I got the recliner chair rented (actually my step-mother did -- thank you Step-mom!) It's the kind with the controller that lifts you up to get out of it more easily. She had a TT and used something similar, so I'm excited about it. I think it'll be the right thing. Also, the hospital admissions called to verify my info, so this is starting to feel real. Last night I had a crazy dream that I came out of sugery, recovered for a few days, then took the bandages off (imagine a soap opera type reveal) and they'd not removed my apron -- they'd just stapled it to my thighs! Crazy dreams.

Bluehill, I'm so glad you're on the mend!! That's just GREAT! Almost as great as taking a shower, then getting home. I know you'll be so relieved. Will you be able to post pics of your new woodwork? Kat, Believe me, I understand the importance of Onederland, but I wouldn't worry about it (not that you seem worried) or get a fill -- I think you're on the perfect track and you'll get there the healthiest way of all. Remember not so long ago when you were stuck at about 209 for several weeks? Then, like 6-7 lbs came off pretty easily, it seemed. I think that's a common pattern and your body will catch up with all your fabulous weight training over time. I know you know this. I'm really convincing myself too, with all this talk! I got in 40 min on the elliptical tonight after I walked home from work (2.5 miles -- I should walk to and from work more often). So far so good in March. I've got another 4 mile race on Sunday, so no more running until then....

NJ Girl, Awesome that you've scheduled an unfill. I think you're going to do great things at 1.8. When you can eat more comfortably, your exercise will really take off. I can't wait to see it! Go, NJ Girl! Amourette, This is so hard, but you are BRAVE. I'm enthralled by your courage with dating. I know you're hurting, but you were up for the challenge and though you got hurt, I know you'll get yourself back out there again and you'll ultimately find the right person for you. Someone who understands you and cherishes you for how beautiful and special you are. I always think back to this episode of the TV show, Friends, where Ross is explaining to Rachel (who is in love with Ross, but he doesn't know it and is involved with Julie) that she deserves someone who gets up every morning thanking his lucky stars that he's with Rachel! You deserve that too and you will have it. Eficka, Congratulations on beign 30kg down. That's so fabulous! Boo, BOO -- can you hear us?!!! Your BP is so low I wasn't sure you were alive. You're such an athlete! Woohoo! Betty, Yes, we're long-lost family, with all these things in common. You're my surrogate WLS-Mom. Hey, are you consistently lighter than Alan now? As soon as he's recovered, he's going to pick you up and twirl you around. I'm nervous for you and his surgery, but it's going to be great to have it behind you. I don't usually advocate this, but let's just go on and fast forward a month, ok? Wink.

Molly, In case this helps, I have a "rule" that if I'm going to eat unplanned food, I have to log it in sparkpeople (my preferred version of fitday) BEFORE I eat it. I'm not forbidden from eating anything, but I have to be accountable for it. Doing so in advance gives me the chance to back out once I see the damage I'm doing to my daily caloric intake. I can't say I do this all the time, but I do it most of the time and when I do, it keeps the scale moving. I don't know if it'll work for you or not, but I thought I'd offer it.