general_antiope

Wow, that is a great idea Florida. I may do a tankini instead. Scars. lol. I have lots of them. Did you buy a goal weight bikini or did you get one that fits?

Woo hoo!!!!!!!

Jim, you're in a great program! I've been with Dr. Ren-Fielding (Dr. F's wife) for 8 years! She's replacing my disconnected band on 2/4, too I'm going in at 11 am. See you in recovery!!

Good luck!

Added

Hi Cynthia! I'm doing well. For some reason, knowing I can have some solids has totally calmed me down. I'm also letting myself be hungry. I'm so quick to feed my face, I am practicing just trying to separate my brain from the panic of hunger. I tracked my food intake yesterday and it was way too low. I got in about 600 calories. My goal is 1000 calories, 40 g protein, 35 g fat. I'm not worrying because I've eaten less while banded, one day won't kill me, lol. But I was a little happy I got through it without blowing it. The first two days of all liquids were white-knuckle days. How are you doing?

Abbie, welcome! I made the group before I saw we had threads here. But I'm told that the groups will be getting a face lift in the next few weeks so it should be easier to navigate and follow. THere's about 20 of us right now in the Feb group.

I want to look good in tailored clothes. I want my belly flat again. I want my confidence back! I'm tired of seeing my picture or reflection and feeling so depressed. My husband is always saying "you're pregnant" or "you just had a baby" over the past 6 months when I express my unhappiness, but I'm tired of that. I want to get to my pre-pregnancy weight by May (40 lbs...totally doable) and down to goal (another 50-60) by the end of 2013 (also totally doable). I think these are realistic goals based on previous experience. BUT, I'm not going to obsess on the scale. It will take as long as it takes. I know I'll get there.

I think I've had those before....did the doc say they'd be OK after being banded? I had a hard time with chewy stuff. Do they melt?? She asks hopefully. lol.

I personally find liquid diets nearly impossible for me. I hate to admit this because it's not good form, but even when I was banded, after every fill I was supposed to be on liquids for 2 days, then mushies, then solid. I *never* was able to stay on liquids. Mushy, fine. But I need the weight of food in my belly psychologically, I guess. There are lots of non-starchy vegetables I'm allowed to eat on my liquid-and-veggies diet. Spinach Broccoli Onions Mushrooms Carrots (I was surprised at this) Cauliflower Tomatoes (I eat cherry tomatoes like crazy) Not allowed: Fruit Corn Peas Potatoes

Added our new members!! The day before each surgery i'll be putting up cheerleader threads for our new bandsters

I called the nutritionist yesterday because I was failing at night on the liquid diet.Granted, I was still eating low fat, but I NEEDED solid food. I do so great during the day, feel 100% on the diet, then by 3pm I'm done. The funny news is, I was supposed to be on a 14 day pre op, not a 7 day...and I can have certain non starch veggies. I just bought a bunch of frozen steamables and fresh veggies and some Special K Protein Shakes. YAHOO!! Eating steamed cauliflower now and so, so happy. That liquid diet was brutal. I'm on maternity leave so I'm at home all day with my little girl...commercials about McDonalds and TGI Fridays were killing me. I've lost a couple of pounds so far, lots of "evacuation" and dropping Water weight. I feel good. I really feel good. I got a big packet on what to do post op and then mushies. This is all so familiar, I'm actually looking FORWARD to putting roasted chicken thigh meat in a food processor for the mushy phase, lol. They even said we can have blended meatballs. YEAH!

Onamission2012 I never heard of physicians requiring compression hose on the patient's dime! That's crazy.

Hi Alex, I'm finding it a little confusing to navigate the site and thought I'd ask for shortcuts or other ways people use LBT. I looked under the help topics (the forum) and could not find what I am looking for. For example, what are the different ways I can: 1. Review responses to posts (anything other than "notifications"? is there a "view replies" link or something else that shows by topic?) 2. Quickly get to the group view. (also, is there a faster way to get to the Group Discussion view? The default view of a group has one at the news page, and people don't realize they can post topics if they click on "Group Discussion." How do we more quickly land there instead of lots of clicking?) Many thanks! kate

Hi there - when I am on the mobile app (I use iPhone) I see the threads of the group I created (February 2013 Bandsters) but when clicking on the topic I get a permission error that I am not authorized. Ideas?

I've been there. I would get angry when men would notice me, I'd pick up 16s or 18s and be completely baffled when they didn't fit in the fitting room. Holding up a pair of 14's looked like a magic trick. It took months for my self perception to catch up with reality. It's very normal. A tip: Buy yourself a few wardrobe basics in the size that fits you. That helps make the transition...Love yourself, don't withhold well fitting clothes til you hit your goal. Target has great inexpensive things...and Kohls. Pants, tailored shirt. You'll feel great. Even if it's jeans and a T shirt!

Yep, the math will always owe you

So yesterday I had my pre op work. It's a 3 hour drive to and from NYU where I choose to be banded. It gives me lots of time to think, and I'd like to share some of my thoughts with you all. (and myself) I'm so ready for this. I'm excited, but in a different way than the first time. I was not a perfect bandster the first time and it's important to recognize our paths will all be different. Maybe my experience will help some of you. I ended up blogging it if you're interested http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blog/455/entry-25331-the-rearview-mirror/

All normal feelings! Breathe It is today. Tomorrow is coming.

I know how you feel! Being worried is good - there is so much to learn after the surgery, and your experience will be different in some ways than anyone else's. It's a new relationship. You're getting married You said "I will" to the band and it's going to hold you to it. I'm really looking forward to watching everyone's evolution.

I've learned that the Groups area does not work on mobile or iPad apps, so that helped

Updated!

Yeah!!!!