Band_Groupie

179.5 today!

Alright Andrea!!! There's something awful about that word...'morbidly'.

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

What a difference a day makes! See that grin on my face?!! I woke up to a loss this morning...180 lbs. for the first time in a long time! Yeah baby...I'm headed back to the 70's (let's hope soon!)! I had a follow up with the Urology Specialist today downtown at Magee Hospital (the one who put me on Vesicare...working great still BTW!). I first saw a nurse who I'd not met before. After 'suiting up' and leaving my sample, the doc finally came in. She started with 'I saw you walk by my office and didn't even recognize you!! I had to ask the girls if I had a new patient today they forgot to tell me about!!' Then she went on and on about how great I looked and asked me all kinds of questions. The best part was when she must have looked up my age. She explained to me that they just had a group of medical school students in yesterday and in medical school they teach the students to describe the patient's (I think she called it) apparent age...do they look older, younger or about their actual age. She went on and on about how much younger I look than my actual age (just the thing that someone who just went through the trauma of turning 50 needs to hear). OK, I'm gloating here and she was probably laying it on thick as she complimented me at least a dozen times...I was embarressed actually, but it made my day, make that my week. I can count the number of NSV's I've gotten from people outside my family on one hand (sad, but I expected that as people generally see you lose slowly and I've lost weight before), so I'm allowed to revel in this a moment. OK, gloating over...but I've still got that stupid grin on my face! I had a little bit of a down day yesterday, but today turned me around...I'm Doing A 180!!!

Whoops, sorry Larry, I mis-read this. POST-op diet...I wasn't hungry at all for about a week...the important thing isn't nutrition, but staying hydrated immediately post-op. I had a 3 week post-op liquid diet of CLEAR liquids and some skim milk ONLY (most resticted diet I've ever seen here). I made it through until the last few days I cheated with some protein shakes. This period is SO important not to cheat at it's the easiest time to cause band complications including slippage. Your internal stiches holding the stomach around the band need time to heal and this can take 6 weeks or more. That kept me in check. Best Wishes- BG

Thanks so much, that was really helpful. I've yet to meet anyone my height at goal, so this was great. I was 160 (for a day LOL) about 10 years ago and I definitely had some excess weight then (yeah, that puts us in the healthy BMI range), and I remember looking good in the 140's back in my 30's...so perhaps the 140's will be attainable again! If you can do it, I'm going to go for it! Under 150 seems like a dream right now...but I'm a 'dream big' (or maybe that should be 'little' LOL) kind of girl! Thanks again! -BG

LOVE the new 'do'!!! You look great GF! -BG

Hey, those fill diets at least keep the WL moving down! YAY fills! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS!! Getting a date is the best! -BG

I'm not sure why you think it's supposed to be 3.75, but you think you have 2.5cc? Regardless of the numbers your doc shouldn't just base your fills on how well you're losing...I lost during Bandster Hell when my band had 0 fill. My doc looks at WL, but he also asks me how much I'm able to eat, if there is anything I'm unable to eat, and am I having any troubles with PB's/stuck/etc., and most importantly if I am eating the recommended amounts and following all the other rules AM I HUNGRY BETWEEN MEALS. All those things should help determine a fill. I always went in armed with my case on all these things and then let him determine the amount. I have 5.9cc's in a 10cc band and reached my Sweet Spot only with the last fill...and many others in my April group have more than that in the same band. Good luck. -BG

CONGRATS!!! -BG

CONGRATS!!! -BG

If you've tried liquids for a few days (after your last unfill) to let the stoma swelling (from the vomiting) go down and you're chewing well and following the rules, but are still vomiting...then get back to the doctor for another unfill post haste! You don't want to end up with a slip, or worse. Best wishes! -BG

Hey, no one celebrates every little 'moment' I can come up with here more than me...if there were cakes given out at all my celebrations we'd all be fat forever. Keep looking for those positives! -BG

Queen- Hope you're feeling better and wanted to thank you for all the positivity! I'm about 5'9" too...many moons ago, when I got married I was too thin at 132- looked anorexic (can't imagine even being able to get to 120!). What weight do you think you look best at...and I'm wondering if age plays any part in setting a goal weight? I'm not sure where I'll end up, or does your body decide for you LOL? Just trying to set a good goal. Thanks! -BG

Arkansas- AWESOME!!! A black belt!!! Too cool! Tracking is a lot of work (I think I could tell you when I had BM's at this point LOL) and I don't intend to do it forever, but I always learn something from doing it when I need to. Kath- I've always cranked the music and danced while I'm cleaning...too funny. I'm off to...exercise!

Hey guys, I'm a newbie to this board too and am glad to see some 'old timers' still here for advice. We do have different issues and motivations than the younger crowd. Deb- I blogged here this week about getting started with exercise, so I'm right where you are. lpg- Sorry, I can't help much as my doc didn't have a pre-op diet, but he made up for it with the hardest post-op one I've ever seen here. I've heard from many that the hunger gets easier after about day 4 so stick with it...it's so worth it...you are so worth it. -BG

Wow 100# in a year! Great job! Onederland is going to be here before you know it! -BG

Yep, each day can be a little different, jus make sure you don't get an adjustment that will keep you from eating. Congrats on the great WL! -BG

Thanks gals for all the SV's and the NSV's...now I can count them on more than one hand! Oooo and 179.5 today! Onward!!! -BG

OK Andrea, are you sure you're hungry? You're losing at about twice the rate I am! Congrats on the 9 pounds...awesome!

Salty- Congrats on the banding! Great first blog...keep sipping! -BG