tflemon67

OMG, I'm FAT GIRL! I purposely run at 4:30 AM to avoid being seen by the "real" runners. I feel so inadequate but I love to run no matter how slow. I will keep my head up and not be ashamed what I choose to do is an accomplishment and I should be PROUD! Thanks for this, hitting the running path tomorrow in the DAYLIGHT!!

Good to know, I was banded on August 23rd and I do get hungry but fill up on very little. I'm not sure if my doc did a small fill at the time of surgery. I'm scheduled for my first fill September 25th, I will surely ask.

OMG, I'm FAT GIRL! I purposely run at 4:30 AM to avoid being seen by the "real" runners. I feel so inadequate but I love to run no matter how slow. I will keep my head up and not be ashamed what I choose to do is an accomplishment and I should be PROUD! Thanks for this, hitting the running path tomorrow in the DAYLIGHT!!

OMG, I'm FAT GIRL! I purposely run at 4:30 AM to avoid being seen by the "real" runners. I feel so inadequate but I love to run no matter how slow. I will keep my head up and not be ashamed what I choose to do is an accomplishment and I should be PROUD! Thanks for this, hitting the running path tomorrow in the DAYLIGHT!!

OMG, I'm FAT GIRL! I purposely run at 4:30 AM to avoid being seen by the "real" runners. I feel so inadequate but I love to run no matter how slow. I will keep my head up and not be ashamed what I choose to do is an accomplishment and I should be PROUD! Thanks for this, hitting the running path tomorrow in the DAYLIGHT!!

...and I just teared up reading that lol. Wow.
Thank you so much for posting. So inspiring and heart warming.

Choked up. Or maybe that's just the band restricting.

Wow, thank you for this. It has brought tears to my eyes.

As I was walking this morning - I saw the fit woman ahead walking toward me. "Just keep your head down....don't look her in the eye", I thought. I was hot with bright red cheeks and my hair was drenched with sweat and actually, I hadn't even been walking for very long. Here she comes and I can't help myself....I glance over and I see it in her eyes and without saying a word she spoke to my soul: "Don't you be embarrassed....keep going....you're doing great....I'm proud of you....you're worth it!"
I returned home and remembered a fellow writer who shared one of his writings titled "Hey, Fat Girl". I feel guided to share it with you with the intention it will bring you the inspiration it brought to me:
Hey, Fat Girl!
Yes, you. The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on the running track. The one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re slow, you breathe hard and your efforts at moving forward make you cringe.
You cling shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger loops on the gravel ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat so much that your hair is all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a time, and you look exhausted when you leave to go back home. You never talk to anyone. I’ve got something I’d like to say to you.
You are awesome.
If you’d look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice the reverence and respect I have for you. The adventure you have started is tremendous; it leads to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand new kind of freedom. The gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the gigantic effort it takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely set yourself in motion, in front of others.
You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.
You’re a hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones and put your head up for more than a second or two, you would notice that the other runners you cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate, stare in awe at your determination. They, of all people, know best where you are coming from. They heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up running and improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs alongside, who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to come back again.
You are a runner, and no one can take that away from you. You are relentlessly moving forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you are about to be amazed by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow, you’ll step outside and marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your own body, you will realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up for you. You are a true inspiration.
I bow to you.
~Flintland

Hey, guys. Just thought I'd let you know I ordered the sample packs of Unjury on the Internet. I just tried the strawberry Sorbet. It's 100 calories and 21 grams of Protein. The cool thing is that you can add it to Crystal Light and it's great. Sometimes I get really tired of the milky shakes. The vanilla and chocolate can be added to milk, but can also be added to coffee or iced coffee...it's a least a nice option. In the sample pack, you get two of vanilla, chocolate, unflavored, strawberry and chicken Soup. You might give it a go if you like to try something different.

I was banded Tuesday and my lungs are killing me and I'm coughing up phlem is this normal?

Officially 1 week post op and I'm glad it's here! A little rough the first week but it gets better by the day, believe that. Day 1, I would have never believed I would feel this good by day 7! Looking forward to 2 weeks post-op! Getting hungrier each day, my stomach actually growels now but it's quickly shut up with half a Protein Shake. By the half, I'm not hungry anymore. My first fill is September 25th!! I'm not regretting my choice, now to feel good enough to run again, tomorrow will be the test!

There are 3 August bandsters going in for surgery today. Remember we have a August 2012 Bandsters group you can join to keep up with everyone Good luck everyone
22AUG-ladygardner, pjenkinson1970, prettysmart1913, Kirsten 46038, 2bhotagain Congrats
23AUG-Missymobaby, tflemon67, LissaH, lisastill, JasonCanDoit!, starvinmanda Congrats
24AUG-Michele1975, EverythingToGain, LiveStrong41, krazykristy1998, yeya, Khpiglet, andrealeigh2116, tiny62 Congrats
27AUG-binab, mrslogan0612, BeeBlueheron, dwilliams, Kdubb Congrats
28AUG-slojo67, 67jax, pjenkins1970, wheldonmommy Congrats
29AUG- joann852, MusicTeacher, angelle Congrats
30AUG-yourshoesareuntied, trishkaczsassycass830, harleymelm, choosesuccess, whitedobe
31AUG-MissE44, Nanu, dean7115, kimmers2012, Livestrong41
Congrats to everyone

Ok so I was two weeks post op yesterday, obviously I have no restriction, can eat and drink
normally without any need to chew chew chew and am surviving on sheer willpower to not hit the nearest McDonaldas lol. Needless to say I'm hungry hungry hungry so unless my Dr is playing silly buggers and just told me he put the band in I'm guessing I'm in what you all refer to as bandster hell???
Either way it sucks and I don't get a fill for another 5 weeks!!! Grrrr

Surgery tomorrow morning (8/30) at 7:30am. Really excited but working today on my clear liquid only Pre-Op has really kicked my back-side. See ya'all on the other side!!!

......am I sore I was banded on Aug. 23 so I'm 6 days out and I thought since I just have a desk job I wouldn't have any problems but was I wrong. I guess all the up and down and sitting in my chair vs. relaxing/reclining has made my surgery area SORE. Not the stitches but my inside muscles.
Haven't had pain pills for about 2-3 days now but I think tonight before bed I might have to take one. Coming back to work might have actually been good for me because it has forced me to do more than being at home laid up afraid I'll do too much!
I've only had a couple (right after and a day after surgery) of "Oh my gosh, what have I done to myself" moments so that's good.
Still trying to get Protein in. I'm working on my second 20grms now. Not easy, let me tell ya! Not easy for me with the Water either. But I'll keep trying.
Now that I've tackled my first day back to work, SURELY the 2nd day wont be so bad. Will it ?
Love this site, it has so much information and people are so helpful and nice.
Ohh and the air/gas seems to be MUCH better today. Still feel it, but not like before so for that I'm thankful

This is Day 10 and I just walked two miles!!! It feels so good to be building back my endurance!
I am off work for the rest of the week and will continue my exercise and napping routine. sleep and exercise (and protein) heal a body good!

Oay, so I just started stage 2, which I was looking forward to because I was tired of Protein Shakes and yogurt. But it seems like so much food to eat. I tried eating the dinner portion, which my nutritionist gave me 2 oz meat, 2oz veggie, 2oz starchy veggie and I could only eat 3/4 of it. Is this good or bad?

Surgery went well yesterday. I had a hienal hernia repar wich I Hess is common. I am real tender in the belly and the shoulder/chest pain is brutal to say the least but is a bit better this morning. I got up and walked and took my meds every 4 hours last night. I'm having a hard time sitting up in a chair so I'm propped up in bed mostly. Drinking plenty of Water and trying to get in my Protein Drinks today. I'm glad to be on the other side for sure! Thanks everybody for your support. I'm sure I will have a lot of questions down the road.

All done.....off to the losers bench for me

There are 4 August bandsters going in for surgery today. Remember we have a August 2012 Bandsters group you can join to keep up with everyone I guess all the Surgerons calenders are full no one new to list... Good luck everyone
21AUG-cassiem93, pjsurratt, duckydoom, noragreen Congrats
22AUG-ladygardner, pjenkinson1970, prettysmart1913, Kirsten 46038, 2bhotagain Congrats
23AUG-Missymobaby, tflemon67, LissaH, lisastill, JasonCanDoit!, starvinmanda Congrats
24AUG-Michele1975, EverythingToGain, LiveStrong41, krazykristy1998, yeya, Khpiglet, andrealeigh2116, tiny62 Congrats
27AUG-binab, mrslogan0612, BeeBlueheron, dwilliams, Kdubb Congrats
28AUG-slojo67, 67jax, pjenkins1970, wheldonmommy
29AUG- joann852, MusicTeacher, angelle
30AUG-yourshoesareuntied, trishkaczsassycass830, harleymelm, choosesuccess, whitedobe
31AUG-MissE44, Nanu, dean7115, kimmers2012, Livestrong41
Congrats to everyone

Well, I've been on half-a-dozen cruises since my band... my first was about 9 months after banding.
Don't do anything outside of your normal plans. If you're due for a fill, get a fill.
The thing is, the average person gains about a pound a day on a cruise. Most cruises, I maintain pretty well... but it's not so much the band (though it stops me from eating as much at meals), as it is making wise choices. There is ice cream available 24/7... there are bars serving drinks almost 24/7. There are midnight chocolate buffets. There are restaurants and buffets willing to serve almost all day and night. You can get room service pretty much 24/7.
In other words, it's not the three meals that get you... it's the dozen between meal meals that do it. Just make yourself eat on the cruise like you would at home. Use common sense. At the restaurant, order an appetizer as a meal.
AND WATCH THE chocolate MELTING CAKE... it's wonderful, gooey, warm, with ice cream on the side, and has three days worth of calories in one small dessert that works very well with a band.
Go, enjoy the cruise... have a ball... but keep your head about you when you eat and drink, and you'll be fine.

call up your surgeon right away!

I was unprepared for the post-op experience and feared I had made a big mistake. I hugged a heating pad for a week after the surgery, and cursed everyone who told me it would be a breeze. Thankfully it passed soon enough. And seeing the weight come off makes it SO worth it!

and my libido is through the roof!!! Loving this!