summer134

It's so good to check in here every once in awhile and see how well people are doing that were banded the same time I was. Great work everyone! You continue to be an inspiration! Lap2Fab - so sorry about your sister. I'm glad you're feeling better being able to eat though! Take care, all!!

Congrats and best of luck!!

Yeah for you! Relax, walk and sip sip sip

Awesome!! Ahh that was such a breath of fresh air when I passed that mark. Congrats!! Keep up the great work!

Awesome first week!! Keep up the great work!

I agree with dee -- seeing everyone's victories are such a motivation!! Congratulations to you and keep moving in the right direction!!

That's a great attitude to have! Time to step up and take control of your band. Motivation is the key! Good luck!

Congrats and welcome to the club! Best of luck on your new journey!

Just take a deep breath and relax. You're only seven weeks out from surgery so you're still probably healing a bit and just getting started on your journey. Even at 247 you're down 15 pounds which is something you should CELEBRATE!! Everyone loses at a different rate and has a different journey. Do the things everyong says -- count calories, exercise, drink your water. Your weight is going to vary from day to day, and even throughout the day. It'll all even out for you. Good luck!

Congrats! Best of luck in your new journey!!

Like another poster here, my doctor said it was okay to drink carbonation so I do. Haven't had any troubles. I'd talk to your dr and ease into it if you want.

Congratulations! Keep up the great work!

Two years ago today I made the best decision of my life and entered the life of being a bandster. Two years later I have more energy, am an active member of a gym getting ready to try boot camp for the first time, have run my first 5k, am healthier in my eating habits, have more self confidence, and am down about 105 pounds. Sure I probably could have lost more but looking in the long run I've averaged losing just at a pound a week which is amazing to me! Never did I dream how happy I'd be with this decision and how proud I am with myself for sticking to this. It's not an automatic weight loss -- it's a tool to help and I have had to work at it to lose. I have about another 40 pounds to lose for my first goal to get into One-derville and then I think I will start looking more at skin removal surgery because even with the slow loss, I have excess skin under my arms, in the tummy area, and my thighs. But that's down the road. Now is just a happy day! Hope you all are having as great of a day as I am!

Benadryl spray. Saved my life with all those itchy incisions!!

Hey Nickynat -- awesome work!! That is such a great accomplishment!! I am sitting at a little over 100 pounds lost and am so happy. This band has been the best decision of my life and I look forward to continue working with it until I reach my goal weight! Thanks for checking in!

Congratulations!! Oh what a good feeling that is! Keep up the great work!!

I didn't read that closely enough -- just took it off a liquid diet site. Most dr's say no to carbonation right away. However, mine allows it now if I can handle it (I'm nearly two years out though). Sorry for the confusion

Each doctor has a little different routine to follow. But for now, on a full liquid diet you are usually good eating the following things: Water Fruit juices, including nectars and juices with pulp Butter, margarine, oil, cream, custard, and pudding Plain ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet. Fruit ices and popsicles Sugar, honey, and syrups Soup broth (bouillon, consommé, and strained cream soups -- but NO solids) Sodas, such as ginger ale and Sprite Gelatin (Jell-O) Boost, Ensure, Resource, Sustacal. and other liquid supplements Tea or coffee with cream or milk and sugar or honey Ask your doctor if you can include these foods in your full liquid diet: Cooked, refined cereals, such as Cream of Wheat, cream of rice, oatmeal, grits, or farina Strained meats, like the ones in baby food Potatoes pureed in soup Once you're able to move onto mushies/soft foods you'll be able to add more foods and they will taste WONDERFUL ... tuna/ham salad type foods, potatoes with gravy, etc. Oftentimes people get so sick of the food they are currently on and move on to solid foods and it can hurt more than help. Keep going!

It has to become mind over matter. I know how you're feeling. By the end anything liquid was just terrible to drink down. Seven more days and then you can move on. Please don't move on to anything more solid though as your stomach is healing and you don't want to chance hurting yourself by eating solids too quickly. Try changing flavors up and keep going. It will SO be worth it in the end!! Good luck!

I think it's important to take a deep breath and realize that this is a lifelong journey and not a quick fix. And even more important -- you can't compare your weight loss with anyone else. Each person is going to lose weight at a different pace ... some more quickly than others. The goal is to stick with it and be in it for the long haul. You're doing a great job - especially for not having a fill yet. Good luck and keep going!

I had a breast reduction several years before my lap band surgery and honestly it was one of the best decisions I've made. So much more comfortable -- no sore back, no bra straps digging in my shoulders. I say if you want it and can afford it (insurance paid for most of mine) ... go for it!!

What a great way to look at things!! I started at 345.7 and am currently at 240.8 ... that's just over 30% lost!! Wow ... that's awesome to think about! Grerat work everyone!!!

I honestly can't believe that I am writing this post! After having surgery and getting on this board, I would always see people posting about hitting this huge milestone in their weight loss and I knew that it was a goal of mine, but really didn't know if I'd ever make it. But here I am, 20 months out from surgery and 102.9 pounds gone!! It's been a long haul -- losing some weeks, gaining some weeks, hitting a plateau. But I can say I'm really going in the right direction right now -- working out with a trainer twice a week and just started the Couch to 5k program, eating better, and just got another fill to keep going. I look at the number of pounds gone and still can't believe it. Hope everyone out there keeps going -- it can happen if we let it!! Have a great day everyone -- I know I will!!!

Welcome Courtney! Hope that you have a great consult with your doctor! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!! Good luck with everything!!

Thanks everyone! Such a great feeling that we're all in this together. Judych -- Couch to 5k is a program that I found online ... you can google it and it will pop up. It's a nine week training program to get you ready to run a 5k. I'm only on week two and going to repeat this week as I've had an off week exercising with the holiday, but my trainer said it looked like a really good program to get moving more on!