mdrai

Me, too! I'm a sweater -- no, not a piece of clothing! -- a person who sweats at the slightest rise in temp or activity (I blame it on my Dad's genes!). Anyhoo, I've been FrEeZiNg all week! Crazy! But if cold = weight loss... bring it on! I'll just get me a blanket!

Hi Mary, my RL name is Michelle... but I'll answer to anything! Sounds like we're following a similar lc-based plan... I'm not going to let myself get into the ice cream game, tho... too much temptation. I like the portion-controlled popsicles... Do you have to follow a liquid stage pre-op? I actually have a "formal" plan from my nutritionist... I'll pm it to you if you're interested. Even with all my good intentions & behaviours, I must admit that THIS TIME OF DAY IS THE HARDEST! 4pm 'til bedtime... ugh... the "eating hours"... snacks, making dinner, eating dinner, cleaning up from dinner, dessert... my dh even just called to see if we wanted to go out for dinner (my ds's soccer practice was cancelled due to rain)... I was like "Uh, hello? Do you not listen to a word I say? Do you not remember that I'm prepping for surgery?" and he's like "Whoops!" Men! grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Ok, really, I am leaving for the day. Really. I mean it. Bye!

I'm in Maryland... no Fudruckers here, but I think there are some nearby in Virginia. Personally, I'm glad they're waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over there! MEW -- what is your date? I'm May 29. 31 days to go. I've started the pre-op diet and am doing really well following it (ok, slight snafu last night but NOTHING, NOTHING like what it would've, could've been if I'd not been working so hard on this!). I'm drinking an Atkins shake for breakfast, eating something lc/sensible for lunch (usually chicken or tuna, today I splurged & had a left-over Nutrisystem meal that fit into the nutritional guidelines of my nutritionist), then I "test-drive" one of the protein pack items I ordered for a mid-afternoon snack (the part of the day where I usually cave in on all previous diets) (yesterday I mixed a pack of unflavored unjury protein powder into 60-cal pudding... mmmmmmm; today I made a low-carb chai tea latte with 8 oz of micellar(sp?) milk, you get the picture), then another Atkins shake for dinner, a sugar free popsicle for dessert (reward!), and at least 64 oz of h20 a day. Phew! Hope that's not TMI! LOL! I'm being so strict because I meet w/my surgeon in 1.5 weeks and I want to be DOWN in weight... I was 317 when I last saw him in Feb and I'd love to be down at least 10... then I'll have one week where I *could* (the old me definitely WOULD) look at it as a "anything goes" or a "farewell to food" tour week, but am DETERMINED to keep to this lc plan... then it's 2 weeks of liquids leading up to surgery day. My private dream goal is to be at least 299 (295 would be even better) on surgery day. But I realize that may be a bit overly ambitious. But a girl can dream, right?? Any amount LOWER will be amazing! Wow, I sure am going on and on... what's up with that? I guess it's just that I'm excited and you guys are the only ones I can really go on & on about it with... I know you understand & have been where I am... people in RL often don't get it, ya know? Well, the weekend is almost here and I must get going... have a great weekend, everyone!!!

Thank you!

And don't forget about me... the rogue "April" bander who's not getting banded 'til May 29! I know there's a May bander group, and I did go over & check them out & while they do seem like nice enough folks... I really feel like I know & luv all of you... your pain is my pain... your victories mine... and so I'm going to stay put here w/my "big-sis banders" to live, laugh, and learn with... K? Thank you!

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

WOOT! Yay Tracy! Happy to hear from you and so glad that all went well! You are exactly right when you say that we are so much more prepared than those who don't know about this site! I really am just so thrilled for you! YOU"RE BANDED, GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I know you think you're "superband girl", but please TAKE IT EASY and REST... use these 4 days to HEAL... have dbf go out & get a movie & watch it at home -- don't push it!! ((hugs))

(I tried to edit my immediately prevous post but when I clicked on "edit" it was wacky -- smilies are in between every letter! Crazy!) So... edited to add: NOT that I'm not thrilled to read everyone else's posts, too!!!!!!!

Anyone else keep refreshing to see if Tracy's posted??? I'm editing a chapter (boring) right now for work & my treat for each 5 pages done is to click over & check... how weird am I??? But I'm so excited for her... can't wait to "see" her post!

Welcome, Flowergirl!

Congrats Becky & Adorable!!! ;)

T-r-a-c-y... ohhhhhh T-r-a-c-y... come out come out whereever you are! Wish your dbf would post for you... silly boy! I have to believe that you're snuggled up in your hospital bed... or better yet, walking all over the place preaching the good word of the band to everyone & anyone who'll listen! Hey... they're all sick people, so they can't run away from you real fast! LOL! Wishing you pain-free dreams...

Kity~~ Oh good, I was worried there. I thought I'd have to fly out to Ca for a Springsteen intervention! and yes, I think "100 times" gives us new insight into you! Having a good day... day 3 of pre-op eating... it's ok... I keep my goal in mind, which is to be down at least 10 lbs by my surgery pre-op... that's keeping me honest! Then I'll go on the 2-weeks liquid diet in prep for surgery... which will definitely keep me on track, cuz' I don't want to get there & have them say "uh, no!". Then it's the band for life! :lunch:

Kity~~It's not just the tune, it's the words too, but I just changed the word "badlands" to "bandlands"... it's by Bruce Springsteen! Please oh please tell me you're familiar w/him?? He's one of my all-time favs (him, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet...)... my #1 song in life is "Rosalita"... it's so rockin' & energized & I have such great memories of dancing & dancing to it in my carefree youth... I've even told my dh that I want it blasted out at my funeral, as I don't want everyone sobbing around, I want them to be celebrating my life & enjoying my fav song.

Fantastic! Congratulations!

C'mon now everybody... let's sing it loud & proud for our Tracy... out there on the table somewhere getting her band -- (sung to the tune of Bruce Springsteen's "Badlands"): "Band-land, you gotta live it every day, let the broken hearts stand, as the price you've gotta pay... we'll keep pushin' 'til it's understood, and these band-lands start treating us good... whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa... BAND-LAND... whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa... BAND-LAND!" Guess I woke up in a rockin' kind of mood! Hope Tracy's rockin' her band! Have a great day, everyone! :rockon:

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy!!! I am SO excited for you!!! Your "Head Start on Spring" has arrived -- it's finally HERE!!!!!!! All best wishes for smooth sailing for you tomorrow... know that we're all out here thinking of you & sending you good thoughts!!! ((hugs))

The only one I've tried so far is the Icy Orange. It's pretty good... after I drink it I swear I feel a little film in my mouth though... maybe it's aftertaste?... but it's not nasty. I'd buy it again.

It's like Christmas in April here! My protein sampler pack just arrived, and I feel like a kid @ Christmas unpacking the bag and checking out all the different powders & potions. The next couple weeks will be interesting as I sample my way through them all! Will share my results with the hopes of helping others.

((hugs)) Jennifur! On another note... has anyone had any problems editing your signatures? I've tried a couple times this a.m. and I keep getting a message about I have to have fewer than 500 characters and 6 lines... well, I do have fewer than that w/the edit! frustrating. I'll e-mail that alex admin guy I guess. FUNNY cartoon!

Just popped in to give my .02... Laura, if you are in so much pain, why wait until the 9th? If the doc can help, why not see him today? Or at least call and talk w/him. You really sound miserable and I feel for you... why prolong it?? JMHO!

Wow Kat, thank you for sharing your story with us! Congratulations on you bandiversary! You are so inspirational and I appreciate your keeping an eye on all of us. You're our guardian band angel! I'm loving reading about all the nsv's going on, too! Pants going up & down w/out opening, no fast-fooding, and 1/2 portions providing satiety. Fantastic! I know there are more & more to come! I can't wait to watch everyone have these incredible moments... to me, they mean even more than scale numbers. Today is Day #1 of pre-op eating for me. 5 weeks from today I'll be getting banded! Having all of you as trailblazers is an amazing blessing. Thank you! Have a great day, everyone!

Good morning & best wishes to all who are being banded this week! I love seeing all the pictures! Everyone is so beautiful already -- can't imagine how amazing we'll all look in a year! If I can figure out how to post a pic, I will, but don't hold your breath! lol! Ok... reality dawns TOMORROW. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks 'til my surgery on 5/29 and 2 weeks 'til my pre-op appointment w/my surgeon. I must admit that this weekend has been a "last supper" weekend for me... I told myself that I could eat anything I wanted through tonight, but tomorrow morning it's ON -- proper lc band eating for the rest of my life! I won't titillate you w/the odd combos of bad food that I've indulged in... suffice it to say, I haven't left any old favs out. And yes, I do realize that I will be able to eat most of these things again, but I feel like it won't be the same (the same way that got me up to 317 -- duh! -- how stupid AM I?)... anyway, I'm just being honest w/myself & you guys. BUT on a good note, I have ordered the "proteins trial pack" from bariatriceating.com, + the unjury trial pack, + purchased 1 each of the Isopure drinks... so will use the pre-op time to test & tweak & prepare for post-op life. I am planning on following a high pro, low carb basic, some may say austere, program... + add in exercise... to jump start the weight loss & keep up the motivation. On that note... Tracy... what was your pre-op plan you were following again?... mostly liquid Protein w/tuna or an egg each day? Can you refresh me on that? Thanks again for keeping rogue May bander me in w/all you fun April girlies... I really feel like I'm getting to know each of you and even talk about you in my real life -- you're all inspiring not just me but others as well! You rock!

That just doesn't make sense, does it. I'm sorry. I was denied the first time, also, but provided additional documentation & received approval 2 days later. Do whatever you have to do to get the approval! Good luck!

:update: Ta Da! Surgery Date set for :) :DTUESDAY, MAY 29 @ 7:30AM! :D So even tho I'm a May bander, can I still stay & play w/ya'll??