July 2011 Bandsters!

[BandedApril 0]

Great advice! It is very discouraging when the scale doesn't move (or doesn't move in the right direction), but we have to remember that being healthy -- mentally and physically -- should be the goal, not necessarily a number on the scale.

I wish everyone a ton of success and HAPPINESS!

I would recommend to all (including me!) not to compare your weight loss with others. Each own's body is very different from the other, and our organisms will react different too. I know it's great to post weight loss because it makes us so proud and we want the entire world to see (notice I have my own ticker , but don't be discouraged if you notice someone loosing them really fast and you are not. Live the PRESENT, take each day with joy and purpose and always remember that each moment presents a new opportunity to learn and be better!!! Good luck to all!!! I wish you a very healthy journey!!

[MissMay 1]

Yes, I do see that we're on the same track. I have been down at 130ish (back in the Phen-Fen day) and I'm OK at 140 - it's been so long! I'm about 5'3" as well. I too was curious as to how others determined their goal weight. Was it BMI or just "a feeling." Heading in tomorrow to get banded at 7 a.m. Hoping to report back great success.

May

Thanks everyone. MissMay, you and I could be twins for weight loss! LOL.

I'm shooting for 120, but I'm going to see how I look/feel at 140. I'm well endowed in chest so not sure super skinny is best look for me. I'm only 5'3" but have athletic build. How is everyone else determining their goal weight? Maybe I'm not being realistic...

[jersgirl 1]

Hi All,

Ok, I made it through the surgery this morning. My incisions are feeling fine, but I have the worst heartburn sensation I have ever had in my life. I have been eating tums and gas ex and walking all over trying to see if I can get rid of it at all. Is this normal? I wish I could burp or something is how it feels. I am eating ice chips and Jello. Thanks for all of the encouragement also, I really appreciate it. My doctor said the surgery went really well and didn't mention that my liver was huge thankfully.

[chutney 0]

Well put! The tickers should just be a reference point for us all, not to instill competition. Age, appetite, exercise and diet are all factors!

I would recommend to all (including me!) not to compare your weight loss with others. Each own's body is very different from the other, and our organisms will react different too. I know it's great to post weight loss because it makes us so proud and we want the entire world to see (notice I have my own ticker , but don't be discouraged if you notice someone loosing them really fast and you are not. Live the PRESENT, take each day with joy and purpose and always remember that each moment presents a new opportunity to learn and be better!!! Good luck to all!!! I wish you a very healthy journey!!

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

Well, 5 days of no movement on the scale. I don't really care, to be totally honest. I just want to have my energy back. I'm hoping that my blood tests next week will help me and the doc decide which supplements I need to be taking. I'm over the exhausted phase, down to one nap a day, but I'm sill feeling like a slug. I'm not allowing myself Snacks, only three meals a day as Allergan recommends. I still think about food all the time, but the only way I know I'm really truly hungry is a grumbling tummy. I try not to let that happen, because when it does, I'm usually very tired and need food immediately. I'm able to drink more Water and that is helping.

I'm officially on solids now. I haven't tried steak or anything like that, but basically my diet is back to regular foods. If anyone is interested, my daily food diary is available at myfitnesspal.com. Just send me a friend request if you're on there. I can't say that my choices are always the best, but I'm trying to change a lot of really poor eating habits. It is a lot of fun tracking my foods and holding myself accountable for every bit. I have no pain or discomfort at all. 2 out of the 4 incisions are almost completely closed. No bloating or gas feelings, but I rip a few good burps after meals.

I'm continuing to write daily (sometimes more than once a day) on my blog. I really enjoy doing it. Sometimes I write about recipes (I'm a sucky cook), sometimes it is about emotional struggles, but it is always about stuff I'm thinking about.

Hope everyone is doing well post-op. Tomorrow marks 3 weeks post-op for me!

Amy

[Serifa 10]

o.k. all my post-op friends, I'm scheduled for surgery on Tues, 26th. Need advice ...

I am struggling with my job, bully boss, 12% pay cut, etc. and have been looking for another job for a while. Today I got a call for an interview at a place I applied at two months ago. I really want this job. The problem, they want to interview me next Friday. Only four days post op. Wow, will I be alright? I said yes, my plan is to have my sister take me and wait for me.

Could those of you that had the surgery go on an interview (dress up and all) four days after surgery? They say perseverance is key, I should win huge karma bucks for this one!!!!

[Colee85 1]

I'm 3 days out and today I walked around in the heat to run a few errands. I was EXHAUSTED afterwards but you should be fine for a job interview! Grab a bottle of Water and put yourself in the go-getter mindset. Most interviews run about an hour...so that's an hour you have to pretend that you didn't have a major surgery and you aren't weak and in a slight amount of pain. :0)

o.k. all my post-op friends, I'm scheduled for surgery on Tues, 26th. Need advice ...

I am struggling with my job, bully boss, 12% pay cut, etc. and have been looking for another job for a while. Today I got a call for an interview at a place I applied at two months ago. I really want this job. The problem, they want to interview me next Friday. Only four days post op. Wow, will I be alright? I said yes, my plan is to have my sister take me and wait for me.

Could those of you that had the surgery go on an interview (dress up and all) four days after surgery? They say perseverance is key, I should win huge karma bucks for this one!!!!

[Kate rules 43]

I overdid it today and lifted my 4 year-old up when he fell and hit his head. He is 40 pounds and I'm not supposed to lift over 10 pounds. I'm a little sore but nothing major.

I feel better that I got off the three pounds I put on post-op but worried my first goal won't be met when I hoped it would be. Really wanted to get 9 pounds off in next six weeks but fill isn't for another 4 weeks and I feel almost no restriction. I feel that 1.5 pounds per week isn't an unreasonable goal - 5200 calories per week, 800 calories per day calorie deficit. I'm scared that I've plateaued because I lost weight before surgery.

I know I'm not the only one freaking out - I just needed to get all that out. Why am I so insecure?

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

I think that dropping so much during my pre-op week (16 pounds) kind of fooled my head a little bit. Every day I lost...and now, well....I'm not. I think my body was in such a state of shock after the sudden drop that it is now in a protective mode. I'm not gaining, I'm not losing. But I did have a non-scale victory - NO MORE PRILOSEC!! I've been taking it for TEN YEARS. Now....GONE. Woot!!

Amy

I overdid it today and lifted my 4 year-old up when he fell and hit his head. He is 40 pounds and I'm not supposed to lift over 10 pounds. I'm a little sore but nothing major.

I feel better that I got off the three pounds I put on post-op but worried my first goal won't be met when I hoped it would be. Really wanted to get 9 pounds off in next six weeks but fill isn't for another 4 weeks and I feel almost no restriction. I feel that 1.5 pounds per week isn't an unreasonable goal - 5200 calories per week, 800 calories per day calorie deficit. I'm scared that I've plateaued because I lost weight before surgery.

I know I'm not the only one freaking out - I just needed to get all that out. Why am I so insecure?

[Kate rules 43]

That is so awesome Amy!

I wanna smash my glucose meter.

Anyone else have medical goals?

[Kate rules 43]

Forgot to say good luck MissMay! Let us know how it goes/how you're doing.

Kate

[MissMay 1]

Congratulations Janette! I'm happy to see that you felt well enough to post after your surgery this morning. I'm very nervous about the heartburn sensation - "the gas!" I have my heating pad ready and I am prepared to do a lot of walking around. Best wishes on your recovery. My surgery is tomorrow morning.

May

Hi All,

Ok, I made it through the surgery this morning. My incisions are feeling fine, but I have the worst heartburn sensation I have ever had in my life. I have been eating tums and gas ex and walking all over trying to see if I can get rid of it at all. Is this normal? I wish I could burp or something is how it feels. I am eating ice chips and Jello. Thanks for all of the encouragement also, I really appreciate it. My doctor said the surgery went really well and didn't mention that my liver was huge thankfully.

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

I had full labs drawn right before surgery, and I plan on having them drawn regularly to see the effects of my new diet. I was prediabetic with high cholesterol....I can't wait to see those numbers go down. That's one thing that won't change - it can only get better! Once I meet with my PCP next week I'll post some more details on my blog.

Amy

That is so awesome Amy!

I wanna smash my glucose meter.

Anyone else have medical goals?

[Bandedkarebear 0]

Congrats girl! You have tons of support on here so no worries!

would LOVE that -- add me as a friend and you can private message me ! we can def do this together !! I have no real support team so it is great I am meeting some really nice people here

[LisaB68 1]

Hey Jersgirl,

The appearance of heart burn is completely normal. I have never had heartburn or indigestion in my life, but had to live with that feeling for 10days or so after surgery. I have read so many other posts that say the same thing. It seems to be the co2 that is pumped into us at surgery and it will find its way out - I could't burp or "let air" to move it out, I had to bide my time. Just remember, as soon as you think you can't take any more of this feeling, it will be gone!!!

Lisa

Hi All,

Ok, I made it through the surgery this morning. My incisions are feeling fine, but I have the worst heartburn sensation I have ever had in my life. I have been eating tums and gas ex and walking all over trying to see if I can get rid of it at all. Is this normal? I wish I could burp or something is how it feels. I am eating ice chips and Jello. Thanks for all of the encouragement also, I really appreciate it. My doctor said the surgery went really well and didn't mention that my liver was huge thankfully.