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Hi Leslie! Thanks for the message...it is nice to find people going through the same stages as you are! I am still scared about this stretching the pouch thing! I am only on the "pureed" which is really a modified pureed, for a few more days and than I can move to some more "chunky" stuff! I can eat mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, tuna/chicken salad ( very mushy), scrabbled eggs, cottage cheese, and than all of theliquid/broth stuff from the first 2 weeks! I am so excited to start eating normal stuff. I am just to scared to try stuff. I read so many people on here who have tried stuff before they were supposed to and do fine, but I am a person where I stick to the rules, I walk about 40-60 minutes a day too. I am eager to try something else like the eliptical, but at the same time I am scared to pull or tear something. Did they tell you any major restrictions? I am so glad you found me! Stay in touch so we can keep up with each others success!!!

~Kristen

Shonia, So glad to hear you are doing good right after surgery! You will be sore for another week of so, but it goes away! I know you are looking forward to some real food, but just do what the doctor tells you! I am doing good so far. I have lost 49 pounds since surgery on 2/13/09. I have had my ups and downs with food too. You just have certain days that things don't agree with you and your band, but they are easy to overcome! Think about the results! That's what I do.

Keep in touch...take care...follow doctor's orders! Laura

I can't believe it's only 12 days away! I start Optifast on Monday. I was supposed to do it for 2 weeks, but since I am 2 hours from the dr, he said I cant just pick it up at my last pre-op on Monday. But I started to the gym last week and have been watching what I eat, so I am losing a little already. How about you?

Hi Ejmdiva,

I was also a Dr. Mel patient and am currently pregnant with baby #2 (13 weeks tomorrow) I am wondering what doc you use now? I have seen Dr. Mozia for fills, but he doesnt do lap band surgery and I would feel more comfortable with someone who knows the whole procedure. Thanks so much and congrats on the baby.

Hi Shelley! I have been at 49 for about 1.5 months. I am stuck right now too! I got a fill last week and I can tell a difference. Hopefully this will help give me a little boost! And yes, what you are talking about happens to me too! And the doctor says its normal! I have my moments and a lot of it depends on the situation when I am actually eating. I have to sit down and relax and not RUSH! That always gets to me! I just can't eat fast! Please keep me posted on your progress too! Take care! Laura

Hi there! I'm having a heck of a time figuring out the private messaging feature, so apologies for just responding now. Things are going well. I weighed in last night at 199.8 (OMG, I haven't seen this site of 200 in 6 years!!!) I had my surgery on 10/21, so total lost since then is 13.2 lbs. I've been told that's "atypical", so I'm expecting not to be losing much more in the coming weeks until my first fill which won't be probably won't be until mid to late December. Maybe Santa can bring me my first fill for Christmas LOL!

How are you feeling? Are you back to work? This freaking puree stage is killing me, but I think a couple of great friends on here that are going through this at the same time will get us all through.

Thanks for adding me to your friends list!!!!

Karen

mushies are two weeks after. guess what! You start mushies on thursday!! happy happy joy joy!!!

Hey saw your post on a blog. I was banded last week. How are things going? How long before your on mushies! Good luck and Congrats!

You look GREAT!! I am now Post Op- I had my surgery on 10/30/09 and doing good. I lost 14 lbs on my 2 week liquids and I got so excited about that. I can't wait for the change in my life. Take Care & keep up the good work.

Yeah - I didn't realize I had this problem (never really had to have band-aids and tape I guess). Oh good! So did you start mushies the day after 2 weeks post op or do you start them at 3 weeks? I'm confused by that.

I have to pay the final part of my downpayment this week... and they say my date will be in December? I am so excited... only $100 and less than 2 months to go!! Been trying to do this for about 4 years now...

Hey Vikki!!! I feel your pain!!! I'm getting my fill 11/5 and hear everything will change after that! Like you, I'm not restricting myself with portion control. Second helpings? Yes, please! I've been skipping bread and trying to make good choices, but sometimes I am just out of control! I haven't gained anything either (whew! My doctor has a temper and I think he would be pissed!) I've been going to a gym 4-5 times a week and I workout hard for about 30 minutes. I walk on the treadmill, and do strength training. (However, just hearing about your schedule made me more exhausted.....how do you do it?!!!) It's got to be really hard trying to find that perfect high protein, low carb, no sugar, blah, blah blah meal when you're on the go like that!!! We're going to be fine! It's always great to hear from you!

Good luck on the 2nd! You will do great! Almost 3 weeks out and I feel wonderful...hope you have an easy time.

Hi Moma,

Sorry I haven't logged on to the site until today. It's been a busy couple of weeks! My surgery date is Nov 2nd and that is 2 days away!!! I was busy with last minute doctor appointments and keeping up with work at the same time. How are you doing? Have you gotten your date yet?

Thanks for the comment. My workout routine started as promising myself at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week. If I did no more than that I wasn't allowed to get down on myself. I slowly started adding in weights. I would work on my abs and get a good routine for that. My cardio strarted getting boring so I would change it up with spinning and zumba. After about 8 months I had the gym make me a weight program to follow and I did that for about 8 weeks. It also got me more comfortable around more weight machines.

I have always stuck to my cardio 3 times a week, and one day I do arms, one day I do legs and one or two days a week I do my abs. I'm not hard core, but I give myself a good workout.

I started working out (again...I've started and stopped a million times before) about 6 weeks after surgery. Hard to believe it has been a year ago!

Congrats on the 15 lbs!!!!! that is awsome. the return to work went well, but I am exhausted!!! i am so glad to have the weekend to recover. I think next week will be better. Good luck with your return on monday!!! let me know how it goes. Have a good weekend. Leslie

Hi! I'm doing great! I'm in my 5th week post op and there have definitely been ups and downs! Once I was on the soft foods, I cheated a bit and had to get my head back in the diet mode. I work out regularly and am back under control! I can't wait for my first fill on 11/5!!!

The pregnancy is a bit depressing. I worked so hard to lose the weight; I am really struggling with my growing belly... which REALLY upset's Dr. C. He said "I remember when you came in here and this was all fat... now it's all baby". I am so tired of people asking if it's twins... No I'm just fat! While I'm very fortunate not to have gained any weight. I already look like I have a basketball in my stomach and I'm only 10 weeks. The comments from my co-workers etc... is very disheartening. On a positive note... 8 lbs is FANTASTIC! Congrats! You are doing so wonderful. I will keep my fingers crossed and you in my prayers about your weight loss prior to his birthday party. Are you exercising? What are you eating? How are you feeling aside from the adjustment discomfort/sickness? I hope you are doing great and look forwarding to keeping in touch!

Hey girl…I know it has been like forever. I am sure you are well in to the 30 or 40 pounds gone by now . I on the other hand have finally gotten restriction as of a week now and am only down 22lbs total. I am so hoping that I will start to see a big difference. I had been struggling with the exercise as well between work, school and traffic but made sure I got at least an hour of cardio/weight lifting 3 times a week. I am taking a 2 week break before my next class starts so I have been doing some form of cardio everyday…even decided to try hiking...hehe. We definitely need to meet up…maybe on a Saturday we can go for a walk or something and do lunch. PG county has so many parks with trails and paths. I hope you are doing well and have restriction. I went to the doc yesterday and passed on a fill…its weird but all of a sudden I am tight and loving it…lol. Wait till u see us next summer . Talk to you soon.

Hope your surgery went well. I had mine on January 12, 2009 and started at 288#. I'm now down to 215# and feel great! I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, back pain, and pre-diabetic. It all went away! I'm telling you all this, because I remember the first six weeks are the hardest and had to keep reminding my self why I did it. Just remember its a journey and this is just a tool. You still have to workout and exercise. If you have questions let me know. Every week it gets better and better.

Hey,

I seen we are going to be banded on the same day. I think a blog will be a great idea and I will do my best to get mine started soon. I am with you about the pre-op diet, however I started mine a week early and I have already lost 6lbs. That is motivation. Lets keep in touch. Amanda

Good luck tomarrow, I hope all goes smooth. I went today and was put on the 1200 cal. diet, I have to lose 15 pounds in about 3 and half weeks, I hope I can lose that much.

i started on mushes yesterday! it was my post-op apt and he said I'm good to go on mushes then after about 2 weeks i can start real food again. right before surgery my surgeon came and and said so do you want the lap band or the realize band? i was like ummm ( because i was thinking i was getting the lap band) he said that he likes the realize better so thats what i ended up with. also just so you know after you have the surgery there is a card you can get from your surgeons office or lap band journey.com or for me the realize success. com it lets you order off the kids and senior menu at restraints. its pretty neat. just wanted to share that with you. and I'm sure you can have a few bites from Thanksgiving dont think it will hurt you much!!!

Hi! How are your mushies going? It's so exciting after those weeks of liquids! If you like sweet potatoes, they were like a staple food, also, rachel ray showed a recipe for mashed potatoes using a few potatoes and the rest cauliflower....ive got to try that! It looked really good! Good luck!

Well thanks for the add! Great job on your weight loss! I'd say 30lbs in a month is something to be proud of! Mine is really not as bad as others I have spoken with. 2 meals are protein shakes which I adore! My fave is one I invented chocolate-cherry-banana YUM! The 3rd meal is soup, snacks I can have sf/ff yogurt, pudding, or jello. And the fact that I dropped 8 in 6 days, shoot I must be doing something right : )

I took my son for a walk before we ran errands earlier. It was only about 20 min. but hey i was walking as fast as my fat butt would let me and pushing his 26 lbs in his car, lol. Well I have already had a c-section so I don't figure this pain to be near that. My goal is 145 or a little lower and I am only almost 5'3". So I am really going to try to push being stricter on this last week. I go get bloodwork done on friday. How long would you say I would have to go without picking up my 18 month old?

HUGS, Starla