VABandster

KAYDOT....yes, I am with you on the sore tummy thing!! I can't sleep all night on my tummy like I used to b/c it's still too painful.....but my chiropractor will be happy to hear that b/c he said that tummy sleeping is the worst thing for your back! So at least something good has come out of it, if not a good nights sleep LOL I can't imagine how hard its been for you to go to all those parties!! I only had to go to one this season, and then a few Family Events, but even those were hard!! Glad to hear you're doing so well with it!! I often wonder how hard it is for an Alcoholic to go to parties like that when we think they're centered around food, I'm sure they think they're centered around alcohol... Bandiva...I'm with you on the no restriction! Although I went out to a Japanese Steak House last night (the kind of place where they cook the food right in front of you), and ordered Fried Rice to go w/my Scallops and veggies...but found the rice not as easy to eat, so I gave almost all of it (and my noodles) to my teenage boy, who will eat anything and everything (and still has 8% body fat...ugh...I hate that kid sometimes! lol). But I agree w/you...I am really trying to NOT eat carbs (i.e. bagels, bread, spaghetti, etc), b/c I know that I'm a carb addict to and it's a slippery slope once you start eating them! Luckily I'm due to get my first fill on Friday! I just hope I get SOME restriction! When are you getting your first fill?

Jillrn....LOL.....I know that feeling!! Although sometimes I'm burping at odd times, like not even after I've eaten! Sometimes its in between meals when I'm walking or if I'm drinking my water...but I have also had that same experience of feeling really full and then burping and feeling so much better! As for the scale not moving....i'm with ya there too!! Mine has been REAALLY Slow given how many (or little) calories I"m taking in! Couple of thoughts: 1) Have you had your thyroid checked? 2) Are you drinking water? and 3) Are you pooping at all?? These can all be possibilities as to why the scale isn't moving...otherwise, you just gotta hang tight and know that one day you're gonna wake up and see the scale start dropping something fierce!! You can always call your Dr. too and discuss it w/him/her and see what they say about it.

TRANSFORMER...Where in VA are you?? I live in VA too!! Right near Dulles Airport! Maurdan - I don't think it matters when you joined the group. This list wasn't meant to be 'exclusive'....just smaller so that we could all keep up b/c as you've seen on the Dec. bandsters list it can get VERY Busy! Anyways, welcome, and please do speak up!! Ok guys...have a question....BURPING.....if we burp after a meal, does that mean we ate too fast or something? I'm just trying to figure out if its a good thing or bad thing! Nat...yes, you can change your screen name w/out changing your account, just go to your account and you can edit it.

Lucky, Yeah, I still feel some tenderness in the port area as well, but I don't think it will affect getting a fill since the fluid is going to the band, not the port. I can't Wait to get my first fill next week!! I am able to eat like a cow again, although am really using my willpower NOT to b/c I don't want to gain any back that I've lost so far! If you get your fill, let me know how it goes!

Hey Guys...I don't have a lot of clothes (have always been too embarassed to go shopping!)...but I do have some 24s that I'll be ready to give away here w/in the next week or so! So if you're interested, let me know and we'll see what we can do about arranging for shipment!

NAT....thanks for the tips about an Elliptical...you're right, you do get what you pay for....I guess I just need to start shopping around! And I'd definitely be happy to send some of the Clothese from DrewsLou your way! She said she has 6 bags, so I'm sure I won't be wearing all those clothes!! And don't worry about the slip up...it's gonna happen from time to time!! The thing to do is just not let it happen ALL The time like we used to, right?? Isopure...I bought a big huge tub of it from GNC...and used it during my liquid phase! It was expensive but definitely worth it, although I have to say after having it every day for 2 weeks, I'm a little sick of it, but I will probably go back to it b/c it is the only thing I've found that keeps me full from Breakfast to lunch lately! MYSTIQUE - My goal is about the same as yours....170! I haven't seen that number since early college days...many years ago! Ideally I'd love to see 150s, but if I get to 170, I'll be doing a Happy Dance! TRANSFORMER...I had a "cheesecake" moment today! I bought my kids McDs for dinner b/c I wasn't in the mood to cook and thought to myself "well, the french fries are mushy and I could definitely mush a cheeseburger in my mouth before swallowing"....but then I thought to myself 'should I really do that??" and said "no friggin way!" and passed! I came home and had a south beach meal instead! Woo hooo for me!! I was so proud of myself for passing on something I normally would have stuffed myself with! BK...you are an angel adopting kids!!! I adopted my step kids when they were 2 and 5 and have been the only Mom they've ever known. And despite my divorce from their dad, I still share custody of them 50/50 and get them every other week! Your boys will be the light of your life, I'm sure!! Please keep us posted on how everything goes. Ok. I think I've caught up w/everyone....if I missed anyone, I appologize!

As far as things coming out the end ....I had 'mushie butt' the first week and then the 2nd and 3rd weeks definitely had the painful struggles to get something solid out! I thought I was gonna die! But...I got through it. I've started adding Flaxseed to my yogurt in the AM and that seems to be really helping! It has lots of fiber in it! I feel so badly for you guys who have to do 3-4 weeks of liquids!! I was a lucky one and only had to do one....but I know for sure w/the hunger I have now there is no WAY I would have lasted that long! You guys are Troopers!!!! Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Shesha...Just think about how GREAT you're gonna look when you get to goal!!! That'll make all the other things pale in comparison!

NAT....Way to go on the losing inches!!! I should measure...it would be much more satisfiying I know than stepping on the metal devil! (the scale) Dawn.....I haven't had food dreams (Yet)....but I've been trying NOT to think about foods that I'll Never have again! I am telling myself I can have a little of everything 'someday'.....which may or may not be true...but it helps me not feel like I'm going to be Depraived of anything b/c that has always led me to overeating in the past. Maybe you could put a little jelly in your mouth and pretend its a jelly donut? Hope you all have a good day!!

Hey Guys! Geesh, I leave for a few hours and have so much to catch up on!! NAT...this is where you're supposed to come to bitch!! We're all going to be feeling in the dumps at one time or another...and we're just here to support one another or at least die trying! KatDot....omg Girl....You So do NOT have "shelf butt"!! I'll have to somehow figure out how to twist myself around and take a pic of MY shelf butt to show you what a proper one looks like! Chubby...I'm obsessed w/the scale too.....I know I shouldn't be....but I can't help it! I think I just need the encouragement that it gives that Yes, I AM doing the right thing, ya know?? Plus it also helps keep me on the "bandster diet" when at the moment I feel like I could eat a House!!! Tonight I had fish and greenbeans and a few bites of crab dip and my Dates ice cream sundae! I felt like such a COW!!! I can't wait to get my first fill next week! I'm amazed that so many of you are already exercising!! I love the elliptical (am thinking about buying one, but most of them only carry weight up to 250...so I guess I have to wait til I'm down under that?), but I thought we were supposed to wait 6 weeks for exercise?? Maybe that's just the excuse I'm giving myself to procrastinate Ok, I'm sure I missed other people and comments I wanted to make, but I gotta get to bed. Talk to you all tomorrow!!

LuckyGirl...I'm with ya on the needing a fill already!! Today all afternoon I was STARVING!!! I had a 'date' tonight for dinner and couldn't believe that I ate a few bites of crab dip, my Trout and some green beans!! UGH!! At least I ate my protein/veggies first...oh yeah, and I had a bite of his ice cream sundae! I felt like such a pig even though I know it REALLY wasn't that much food, it felt like it! I'm getting my fill next week thank goodness!! I will only be 4 weeks out but I'm glad I don't have to wait til 6 like most people!

LOL...Marjon...I love your "lift off" analogy! It's perfect!! I didn't tell anyone but a few friends and immediate family for the same reasons as you....I don't want people "inspecting" me and my food habits!! Even tonight, when I went out on a date and ate way more than I should have (Definitely time for a fill!).....I felt almost guilty, b/c even though I was eating fish (protein) and veggies.....I know it was more than 1/4 cup worth and it just felt so indulgent, but I also felt like my friend was wondering how the hell can she eat all that? I Dunno..maybe I'm just paranoid! Skye...I had my phone consult before I booked my date and flight and all that....so don't worry, you'll be fine! It'll all work out! If you have any questions, let me know and I'd be happy to answer them!

BK...that's a good one "Learn to understand my Band"!! That should be one of my resolutions too!! BMan - Yep, I have the ass you can set a drink on!! But not for long! Thanks for posting that Video of the Fill.....Doesn't look too painful!

DrewsLou!! I am in need of 20/22s!! My 24s are starting to get baggy! I'm going to be out in CO next week for my first fill...maybe we could get together and I could take some off your hands? I'll have my sisters car on Friday the 12th, so I can come to you if it's convenient! PM me and let me know!! It would be great to meet you in person! Maybe we could meet for 'lunch' *for me it'd be Soup since I will have just been filled*

Annie, Geesh, that sucks...but hopefully like you said the losing weight will help you heal faster!! Sending you good healing vibes! Itsuptome....I tried 1 shrimp (although I was scared) and made sure to chew chew chew it and it went down ok. Still haven't tried beef, but I have had some issues w/Chicken and Turkey giving me that golf ball feeling. It was NOT pleasant!

OH geesh!! sounds like quite the story (but definitely a fun one!)!! How long will it take to recover? Hopefully not too long!

You're very welcome! Oh...cortisone shots!! They suck going in but MAN are they relief for heel spurs!!! When mine were bad I went in and got the shots and didn't feel pain for like a week!!! Hopefully yo'ure feeling better now! :eek:

BMan, Typically you do get all messages via email, but you can set it so you view everything on the web too. Like I said, it was an easy thing to set up....if we don't want to use it we don't have to.....but I'll leave it open for now. If we decide not to use it I'll get rid of it in a week or so. We can always reopen it in the future if we want.

LOL....Well, it'll be as fun as it always is!! This guy is not ready for a "serious" relationship at this point, so we're dating, but not BF/GF, if that makes any sense!! I figure we'll date til I lose more of my weight and feel more confident about dating..probably bad of me I know, but if he's not ready for something serious, then I"m not gonna push it ya know?? Skye....Let us know when you get your date!! It'll definitely feel more real once you have an actual date! Marjon, how's the pre-op diet going??

I definitely need to measure....I put on a shirt today that goes over my butt and prior to surgery it was always "snug" and I could totally see my fat ass sticking out. Well, this morning when I looked in the mirror I realized my butt doesn't look so much like a "shelf" anymore!! Woo hooo! Yeah for me! LOL progress...no matter how small...is important!!! So I went ahead and set up a yahoo group and am going to try and post the Html link for it here. I have set it up where I have to approve members (cause we don't want just anybody to be able to join) :eek: but once you're a member, you'll be able to post pictures (we can see each others progress), post files for either weight loss tracking or receipes or whatever we want and messages will also get posted immediately! Hope to see you all there! http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/steadies/join

ps - Now I just have to hope I actually do STAY a STEADY LOSER!

Steph, You can set up a yahoo group so that the moderator doesn't have to proof every post and they do get posted (almost) immediately. I wouldn't mind setting up a group if you guys are interested! I'm already the moderator of another yahoo group, and it's not hard to set up! Thanks for inviting me here! I feel like I'm in the "in" crowd! lmao!

LOL! Nathalie! You're words were FANTASTIC!! I was just thinking this AM about how I have not eaten McDonalds food in over a Month!! For me, I used to eat it at least once a week, so that is HUGE! And I thought "wow...that's a lot of Fat I didn't put in my body...YEAH for me!!" These are the things we need to think about, and realize that we're doing our bodies good (just like the Milk commercial!). Thanks for that Kick in the A** booster talk! I definitely needed it. I had ice cream last night...which, while I didn't eat an entire pint like I normally could have, I know it is a big no-no for me, so your comments were perfectly timed! Thanks!! and enjoy that Protein Wad of Goo!

Lisa, It doesn't matter when you join us...we're just glad you did! My "Place" of surgery was in CO, but I"m actually from VA (just so people know)

Joe, Good luck getting back on track.....have you gotten a fill recently? I wonder if that would help? Just a thought from a newbie bandster