Catherine55

Thanks so much, you guys!!! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I'm down another pound this morning!! This is so great b/c it took like a week to get off the last .4!! It was so nice to see all of these great messages (and the poem and song lyrics people put on my blog)! I really feel fantastic and am so greatful for all of the support I get through this site!! xoxoxo, Catherine

Thanks!! I am so happy about this!! Nellie (and all new bandsters), if you haven't taken your measurements, be sure to do it right away! It's so great to be able to see the inches go when the scale isn't moving all that quickly. With 24+ less inches on me, I have to admit that I am a LOT more comfortable and look a lot leaner!

Woo-hoo!! I made it into the 170s!! I'm at 179.4 as of this morning. I'm going to try to get further into the 170s this month, but am thrilled to finally be here! Catherine

I don't have any problem with popcorn, but I either chew or don't swallow the hard kernel part that sometimes is still on certain pieces. I haven't really had any pickles, but I'm sure they are fine. I eat green pepper now and then, and it's totally fine as long as I chew it well. Catherine

On my dr's schedule, you would be on mushies right now. Not sure what your Dr. has as your plan. So, following my dr's plan, you could enjoy things like: Yogurt; Scrambled eggs; guacamole (if you mush it up and take out any big chunks of onion, etc.) mashed potatoes salmon Soups cottage cheese Jello frozen yogurt I hope that helps! Catherine

Welcome aboard!! I hope that your surgery goes really well. I know that lots of people who are diabetic get banded -- my guess is that your doctor will tell you that it's OK. But it's probably more important for you even than for other (non-diabetic) patients to stick to your pre-op diet scrupulously. Sounds like you are doing great! :thumbdown: Best wishes, Catherine

I still struggle with that one, and I'm 9 months post-op!

I like those drinks SO much better than shakes. Seriously, the shakes are gag-inducing. I have a huge container of shake mix and really need to throw it out b/c I am never going to use it. . unless there is a famine and it's either that or starve to death!

Your post made me think of something -- this isn't 100% responsive, but it's not a bad thing to think about. A few years ago, I saw this great Dear Abby column -- it was of this woman who was in her 40s or so and who was saying that she had always wanted to be an attorney, but now she feels like if she goes, she'll be like 45 by the time she graduates. Abby was like. . . well, in 3 years, you're going to be 45 no matter what. You can either be 45 and someone who never realized her dream of being a lawyer, or 45 and a lawyer. I loved that post. Anyway, I know that waiting seems so frustrating and the time seems like it's so long. But, that time is going to pass regardless, and after it does, you're going to be banded and doing great! I know the Dear Abby thing wasn't exactly on point, but I hope you get what I mean -- time is passing no matter what, and as it does, you're doing something to put you in a better place! Best, Catherine

Based on what you said, it sounds like your husband is acting more from fear of change and wanting to control you than from actual fear for your safety -- but if there is a chance that's not the case, would it help for him to talk to your doctor? $2,000 is a small amount to pay to avoid things like diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, sleep apnea, etc. -- not to mention to be healthier, more energetic and just plain better looking! I'm 38 as well. I had my surgery last October and, based on the last 8 months, it's the best thing I've ever done for my overall health. I'm in what may be the best shape of my life (though I still have 25-30 lbs to lose) and feel fantastic. I hope that you are able to get this worked out with your husband. Best wishes, Catherine

Good for you (re motivating to go)! And, good luck tomorrow! I hope you have a very easy surgery and recovery! Welcome to band land! Catherine

Greytz makes a good point. Also, after you are banded (espec. during "bandster hell"), you are going to be able to eat pretty much anything you ate before (though in smaller amounts). I did not cheat on my pre-op diet. It was hard to gear myself up to be able to do that, but I kept thinking about how my liver would be slopping around during surgery if I didn't, and how that might either (a) cause me not to be able to get banded; or ( result in more pain post-op (because of the extra manipulation of my liver). Try to stay on the straight and narrow now. You're almost there! Catherine

I think that you should follow your doctor's advice. It's so great that you are losing right now without real restriction. When your weight loss slows, you can just go in and get a fill then. It's good to lose slowly b/c it gives your skin a chance to shrink a bit more as you lose. Congrats on your loss! Catherine

Mine is on the right, about 3 inches above my belly button and a little to the right. I don't really notice it at all.

Best wishes for a safe surgery and an easy recovery! You are going to be banded by the time you read this -- very exciting! Welcome to the world of actually feeling good about how you are doing with your weight! :thumbup: Catherine

Welcome! I hear you on Protein shakes -- they are just so gross!! This board is a really great spot for getting support, venting or just learning more about what being banded is like. Congratulations on only being 8 days from band day! :thumbup: Best, Catherine

Hi, MayMom! I had my surgery in October of 2008, too (Oct. 23rd). I've lost 49.6 lbs and it sounds like we both have around the same amount to go! I really like this board -- it's a great site, and is a good place to get support. Nice to meet you on here! Catherine

When I got to just under 30 lbs (so, just before Onederland), I started seeing a difference and feeling like I looked like my old self. Now that I'm almost 50 lbs down, sometimes I look in the mirror and it surprises me to see someone much smaller than I was expecting to see! That is the best kind of surprise! :thumbup: Catherine

BTW, lest you have any doubt, check out the tickers of all the bandsters who have responded! Big Poppa is down 150.5 lbs! (Should we start calling him Lean Poppa?) :thumbup: ThinkinHealthy is down 77 lbs! Restless Monkey is down 67.6 lbs! I'm down nearly 50 lbs (49.6)! And, you're already down more than 20 and you're barely out of the gate. Stupid doctor. Oh well . . he's only human! Catherine

Don't even worry about that! You lost so much more than I did pre-op and are doing great! Sounds like your doctor is just socially retarded (seriously). The people who don't lose longterm with the band are people who either (a) can't get good restriction due to either a problem or because they don't get a proper fill; or (:thumbup: who "cheat" the band by drinking milkshakes, eating ice cream, etc. So, if you're going to stay on top of your fill situation (and it sounds like you are) and you aren't going to pig out on "slider foods," I think it's safe to say that you have a very exciting road of weight loss success in front of you! Welcome to Bandland! Don't give that negative comment a second thought -- shake it off and, in a few months, that doctor will see that you clearly aren't in that minority of people who don't lose with the band. HMPH! :drool: Best, Catherine

I literally just posted a response about that "last meal" feeling, so I'm going to paste it below. I felt the same way you do before my pre-op diet -- and wished someone would have told me all this. So. . here is what I wrote to the other bandster-to-be. . . Don't worry! First of all, you don't have to give up the food you love -- you just will enjoy it in smaller quantities. That is the beauty of the band. I wish someone would have told me this before I had surgery b/c I was all stressed about getting in my "last meals" in ahead of time. . . After your surgery, when you are back on solid food, before your first fill, you are going to be able to eat pretty much just like you did before surgery. Of course, you shouldn't pig out, but I will say that I found it really reassuring to know that if I really was DYING for a bagel or something, I could eat it then -- or even have my band unfilled and eat it at any point later on. That said, I don't want to do that, so I eat sensibly. But it is comforting to know that I could if I really wanted to. BTW, that post-surgery/pre-fill period is the time everyone calls "Bandster Hell" -- and most people either stop losing during that time (it's only about 2 weeks - - don't worry) or even gain a few pounds. Once you get your fill, that weight comes off pretty quickly. Also, I am at my "sweet spot," restriction-wise and can eat a bit of thin crust pizza, tortilla chips, guacamole, probably could eat a taco (though a soft flour tortilla might not go down that well) and I'm sure I could eat fried chicken if I was so inclined. The hoagie wouldn't work for me though b/c the bread is too gummy (tough to get down). So, don't stress! This is a big change, but it's not like you'll never be able to eat anything you like again. :thumbup: Congratulations on your decision! I hope you are as happy to be banded as I am. I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I hope that is helpful! :drool: Best wishes, Catherine

Don't worry! First of all, you don't have to give up the food you love -- you just will enjoy it in smaller quantities. That is the beauty of the band. I wish someone would have told me this before I had surgery b/c I was all stressed about getting in my "last meals" in ahead of time. . . After your surgery, when you are back on solid food, before your first fill, you are going to be able to eat pretty much just like you did before surgery. Of course, you shouldn't pig out, but I will say that I found it really reassuring to know that if I really was DYING for a bagel or something, I could eat it then -- or even have my band unfilled and eat it at any point later on. That said, I don't want to do that, so I eat sensibly. But it is comforting to know that I could if I really wanted to. BTW, that post-surgery/pre-fill period is the time everyone calls "Bandster Hell" -- and most people either stop losing during that time (it's only about 2 weeks - - don't worry) or even gain a few pounds. Once you get your fill, that weight comes off pretty quickly. Also, I am at my "sweet spot," restriction-wise and can eat a bit of thin crust pizza, tortilla chips, guacamole, probably could eat a taco (though a soft flour tortilla might not go down that well) and I'm sure I could eat fried chicken if I was so inclined. The hoagie wouldn't work for me though b/c the bread is too gummy (tough to get down). So, don't stress! This is a big change, but it's not like you'll never be able to eat anything you like again. :thumbup: Congratulations on your decision! I hope you are as happy to be banded as I am. I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Best wishes, Catherine

Don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat! I've been doing a crazy workout for the last 7 weeks (Boot Camp. . 3 times a week, plus running on the weekend) and it really stalled my weight loss. That said, I've been losing inches. Especially since you are pre-op, I DEFINITELY recommend that you take your measurements and put them in a chart or spreadsheet. When the scale stops moving, it is a HUGE consolation to be able to see that you are still losing inches! Plus, it's really interesting to be able to see where you are losing and how much smaller you are getting as you lose. Don't worry about the scale for now -- you are doing great! Catherine

Yes -- you totally can drink after the surgery! You just have to watch the calories. . and be sure not to overdo it (throwing up would be a problem). Best wishes for your success! Catherine