cherluvsdan

Thank you for this post. I got stuck last night and when it came up, there was some blood. Scared the bejeebers out of me. I felt better after and no pain since, so I didn't call the Dr. I decided to do liquids fo a couple of days and see what happens. Your explaination of the broken blood vessels makes sense. Thanks!!

Congrats Kathy! You are such an inspiration! Reading your posts gives me hope that I can make it too! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

Hi Everyone! I haven't posted in a while either. I'm with you on the struggle over the holidays. There's food everywhere! My nemesis this holiday season was tamales. I LOVE them. I did have a couple of them (not at once). I tried to eat the filling first and eat just a bit of the masa. That seemed to work. Where I'm struggling is with eating slowly. I really try to wait 10 minutes between bites. I don't always make it. Especially if it's someting I really like. I'm not wolfing my food or anything and, so far, I haven't gotten stuck (thank goodness). I just really struggle to eat as slowly as I'm supposed to and I worry about stretching my stomach as a result. Anyone else having the same problem? How do you handle it?

Wow! I'm amazed at how my life has changed in such a short time. I was 360 at the beginning of this journey. Today I'm at 298. I know I have a long way to go. I'm enjoying the ride so far. I chose to share my journey with the people in my life. Now I'm so happy I did. I work in an office with a call center and now, a day does not go by without someone congratulating me on my progress. It's a real motivator--keeps me on track. I've had one fill of 5cc's in a 14cc band. Not feeling any restriction to speak of. I think, if I tried to, I could eat a lot more than I do at a sitting. I am just trying to protect my band at this point. I don't want to overdo it and stretch my stomach. I do worry about eating too fast, though. I struggle with that one. Mind you, I don't wolf down my food by any means, but I do have a hard time waiting 10 minutes between bites. I'd appreciate any advice on that one. What works for you might work for me. I guess that's it for now...I'm drinking a celebratory Latte (soy with 2 Splendas). First coffee since September...mmmmmmm

I started walking until I got clearance for more. Now I still walk and I use my Wii. I use EA Active, Biggest Loser, and my new fav is Dance Party 2. DP2 is so fun you forget that you're working out.

I got my band 10 days ago. I'm happy to say that I didn't succumb to temptation before my surgery. I went in feeling a sense of accomplishment and ready to embark on my journey. I'm thankful that I had a good surgery experience. My surgery was at 7:30am and I left the hospital at 10:45 feeling pretty good. We stopped at the pharmacy on the way home and picked up my pain meds. Spent the rest of the day just resting and (with the voice of my surgeon in my head) walking aroung every 15 minutes while I was awake. The rest of the week was pretty easy. I rested when I felt like it, walked every day, and sipped liquids. I was so surprised at the lack of hunger. I thought it must have been due to swelling, since I've been told that they do not put any saline in the band at first. Came back to work this week. Monday was the hardest (isn't it always). I still felt pretty sore and a bit tired out. Went home early. I'm on mushies now. Trying to follow all the rules. I've been successful so far. This hardest thing has been the instruction to eat only one bite every 10 minutes. Holy cow! It takes FOREVER to eat a meal. Have been trying to get creative with my foods, while still following directions. Had the best dinner last night. DH (who does most of the cooking-lucky me) made spaghetti. Ground turkey, Paul Newman sauce...mmm. I pureed the meat/sauce in the magic bullet and layered it in a small bowl with lowfat ricotta cheese, topped it with a sprinkle of mozzarella, and microwaved. Soooo good! Only had about 4 bites and was done. That's been the experience so far. I can eat about 4 or 5 bites and I'm done. Not Full. I haven't tried to push it. I just eat a bit and have been satisfied with the small portion. Which makes me wonder...did they fill my band afterall? I see the surgeon for my first follow up tomorrow and I'll ask. Or maybe it's just post surgery swelling and will wear off? I guess time will tell. In the meantime, enjoying the honeymoon. BTW...had to buy new bras yesterday. Between the 27lbs lost pre-op and the 9lbs since, my old bras were too big. HA!:smile:

It's Saturday, I'm at work for the last time before my surgery. Feeling ambivalent about that. I like my job (most days) and will miss my co-workers while I'm off. Tomorrow I start clear liquids. Have to get more SF Popsicles. I've munched through my supply during my pre-op diet. These have been a blessing. I really like crunching and being able to munch on a popsicle has kept me away from the Pringles (now banned from my house). Today, I'm struggling against wanting to get "one last" goodie before I start clear liquids. Yesterday a well-intentioned aquaintance brought me a little present from a new bakery that opened nearby. It was a chocolate dipped croissant and it looked and smelled heavenly. I have no idea how it tasted. I gave it to one of my co-workers. Yay me. She also brought me a menu from the place, which was worse that the treat. They have these things called papa rellenas (potato balls). OMG...I've been looking for these things since having them at a party 5 years ago. They're these little balls of mashed potato filled with seasoned ground beef, then lightly breaded and deep-fried...mmmmmmmmmm. I REALLY want one. Really, really want one. I keep trying to justify going over there and getting just one to satisfy the craving. I feel like, if I have just one I can stop obsessing over it. But I also realize that, if I allow myself to have one, I set myself up for allowing myself other things. I know it's best to just stick to my plan. I'm going to try.:cursing:

dmmjtj-Congrats on your surgery! Glad to hear you're doing well. I hope I feel as well as you do after my surgery on Monday! I have a question, though. You're taking Advil? I though we weren't supposed to take NSAID's.:eek:

Hi! I'm in Artesia and getting my band Monday! Would love to get in touch with local bandsters!

Dr Leport is doing my band on Monday. My insurance company sent me to him and I'll be eternally grateful. The Center for Obesity is a Center of Excellence and provides education and support throughout the process. If you like, I'll post again after my surgery! Good luck to you!

So my surgery is Monday! :tt2: I'm doing my pre-op diet which hasn't been too bad. My surgeon has me doing shakes + 1 meal a day. I go on clear liquids on Sunday. I've had a really positive attitude throughout the process, but today I need to vent. Where better than here, right? It's my birthday today. Can I just say that being on a pre-op diet on your birthday SUCKS!!!:thumbup: My co-workers all know about my upcoming surgery and have been really supportive. One of my close friends at work even gave me a magic bullet as an early b-day present when I got my surgery date. The frustrating thing is that I can't do the normal things we usually do for a birthday. Lunch out, then cake in the afternoon. I'm not missing the goodies. I've pretty much made my peace with the restrictions I'm under pre-op. I just miss the celebration. It's like it's not even my birthday. I think they just don't know how to celebrate without a bunch of junk food. :eek: OK..pity party over. DH is making me a Sugar-Free Jello mold cake for tonight. That'll be just as good as chocolate buttercream. Ok not really, but I can pretend.

I'm the 8th as well! Good luck to everyone whose date is this week. We're looking forward to your post-surgery posts!