Band_Groupie

CONGRATULATIONS! It's so great to get a date!! -BG

My doc also got rid of the mushie stage...somewhere between when I started and when I was banded (he said that's the new thinking, so I think it will be more common). He had me on clear liquids and milk for 3 weeks and then I was allowed to gradually add food back. The gas isn't an issue with the turnips (your pouch has 2 exits for gas, and my doc allows carbonation even). The real thing you need to watch when adding food for the first six weeks (besides the chew, chew, chew) is the amounts...you don't want to pull any stitches while they're still healing. As long as you take small amounts, you'll do fine. Trust me, your band will let you know. -BG

Allie- You look GREAT!!! Your before/after's are incredible! Enjoy the new you, you deserve it after all the hard work! -BG

RIGHT! You'll have to put yourself at the top of the list for awhile to be successful at this, so get used to it. This time it's all about you! You deserve this, so don't feel guilty!!!

177 today...moving a little again (finally lost another head this week, but it took 2.5 months). JT...100 pounds is SO COOL...that's my fantasy. You'll be in the Century Club soon!

Me too JT! ...and don't think I didn't notice...12 POUNDS FROM GOAL!!! Awesome!!! ...are you sure you need a fill LOL. WELCOME to the April group Crimson! That's some GREAT WL! You can also join us with Friday Weigh Ins, also under the April '09 forum if you'd like. -BG

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OK, first; I sympathize, I'm very protective of my fills too and hunger after the band sucks. NOW...put on the BG 'rose colored glasses' and look at this from a different perspective...you DO NOT want a fill right before Christmas (I know, not because you want to pig out, but who wants to go through a post-fill diet then and there's a new learning curve with each fill...too busy for that at Christmas)... and more importantly...a few more weeks is NOT going to be a huge deal; you won't have to worry about the same things with New Year's and...most importantly...YOU'RE 14 FREAKIN' POUNDS FROM GOAL!!!!! IN 8 MONTHS!!!! WHAT'S THE RUSH LOL!!!

1) Not being on another 'diet' (I've lost weight much faster on diets...been there, done that for 20 years...I never feel deprived). 2) Being really 'aware' going through this journey (ie. I could eat more, but I don't need to. I could get more fills and be so tight that I can't eat certain things, but I don't need to- I can still eat anything, just small amounts). 3) Support...my blog and my friends that support me here on my blog have been invaluable.

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! -BG

Sounds like you're doing better. Congratulations on the banding! -BG

Wow, sounds like a (mainly) great week off (minus the family drama...funny how relationships change). Hope your back-to-work week is good! -BG

Hey Angie...sounds just like my new computer (family got me)...oh, and I'll let you know when I get the walking thing set-up (I signed up, but I forgot my pedometer isn't loaded into the new computer, so I'll have to wait until DH is back to get the measuring and loading done-traveling all week. -BG

You're a work-out machine! Good work! -BG

Do a search on the home page under complications for 'port revision'...it does happen, but from what I've heard the recovery is so much easier than the whole banding. Best wishes. -BG

Congrats! You've taken the first step. What a great way to start the New Year! -BG

I hope you all had a great long Holiday weekend (or week)! We sure did! It was great having DS1 home for a week. DH just left to take the PSU boys back to college so it was a wild morning today getting things together. DD just took DS2 out for lunch, a movie ('Planet 51'), and some Christmas shopping…as the youngest, he loves having any kind of private time with any of us, so I was really happy that they wanted to spend time together. I'm left to unwind here and get out some decorations for Christmas, but that's another story. We enjoyed each others company and time together this week…played lots of games, went shopping on Black Friday (OMG the crowds this year!), etc. I'll have to say it was wonderful being home. We had some great moments together. DH wanted to pick out the turkey, so I asked him to get a small one since it would only be the five of us. DS2 went with him and they picked out a 22 lb. turkey…ummm….what didn't they understand about the word 'small'?!!! Here's the rational I was given 'The deal was on the turkey's that were 18 lbs. or over and there weren't any that were 18-20 lbs…..Why pay more for a 16 lb. turkey when we can get a bigger one for less?!!!' Can you tell he's not the turkey chef? Ah well…I had to increase the amount of stuffing so it wouldn't be lost in the turkey and get dried out, but other than that it wasn't a problem. I had DD help me 'dress' the turkey so she could learn how and there was lots of squealing 'Ooooo gross!!!!' as we removed the giblets to make the stock for the gravy, put butter between the skin and the meat, stuffed the cavities, sewed it closed, and bent the wings backwards (it took us at least 5 min. to ram that giant bird into my huge roasting pan). The meal turned out perfectly thanks to everyone pitching in at the end and everything came out at the same time as planned. I asked all the kids to tell me their 'Thanksgiving favorites' as I was planning the menu. I noticed as I was bringing everything in to the buffet that, other than the turkey, there was nothing low cal or healthy about the meal…turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole w/fried onions, yam casserole in brown sugar, cranberry sauce, assorted olives, crescent rolls and butter, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. OK, I guess it's not supposed to be a healthy meal, but next year I might add something healthy to the list…maybe some pumpkin soup or something with fruit? *Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book I'm so thankful that I had my whole family together and that we were able to stay home and really just enjoy each other…it was a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

Ditto the second opinion...where does he tell you the food will sit while it's providing that 'full' feeling for hours (which is why we got the band) before it goes through the stoma?!! The only place that's left is your esophagus. Sounds like you need a new surgeon. Best wishes! -BG

My baby boy (DS1) is home from college for the week and the holidays have begun. He was sick as a dog before he got home, but besides the cough, he’s better now. I made a Dr.’s appointment for him this morning and he’s getting his last flu shot (swine). DH and I got our swine flu shots finally on Friday. DS1 and I probably both already had the swine flu, but they said we should get the shot anyway as there’s a possibility it could have been something else…either that or we’ll turn into swine. 　 We had a great weekend! We had our first fire in the fireplace and the Yule log is still around after 2 nights of fires. The kids made our traditional annual Gingerbread house (no, not this one, but pic attached)…a little early, but they were looking for something to do together. DH and I shared one of those ‘looks’ while they were busy icing and decorating, where we were having a ‘kid moment’…our babies are all home, it’s the Holidays, and they’re all working together happily and laughing. 　 I set the Thanksgiving table and buffet to get everyone in the mood (pic attached). The fridges are full of things waiting to be made. Yes, I’m cooking…stop laughing…no, I mean it, stop!…I’ve got recipes and I promise to follow them. I’ll have to tell you though that the refrigerated pastry crust for the pumpkin pie came in a two pack and it’s very tempting to get creative with that second crust…(in case you didn’t read my cooking creativity moments READ HERE). Let the festivities begin!

Hmmm...I'll have to look at that. I did a LOT of research on the heartburn and many sites mentioned the enzymes helping. I know there are many here who use them when they get stuck and I know they help breakdown proteins, but I've never seen anything saying they're acidic or bad for the esophagus...I've been using them for 7 months or so. I'll look into it.

drowsy- Your boys will LOVE this, and you can even get prebaked kits at the craft stores to put together. We've been doing this with our kids every year since my oldest was 2 and now she's 22 and still looks forward to it...they had a blast!