DynamoMini

Woofay aka Anita - I appreciate the "don't be so hard on yourself." I forget. Yes, only a handful of M & Ms, just to finish my son's stash. What reasoning???!!!! Yes, today is MONDAY a good day to begin anew, not that any day isn't a gift. I am also going to log what I am grateful for. I forget somehow in my self loathing, how great the gift of my life is. Thank goodness we have each other to complain to, relate to, celebrate. I love you guys, Michelle

Good morning SHRINK'N VIOLETS , Well, the weight loss has stopped because I have been eating more. Regular foods, I am hungry both in my head and in my body. The amounts are still smaller, but I am struggling. Today I commit to: 1) logging my food 2) exercise 3) writing in my pain journal 4) weighing in I will do those things, I can do this, I just have to STAY the COURSE and not give in to lifetime habits of self indulgence. All that said, have a wonderful day. Let's do a gratitude list and number one is my band. I have a tool that will help me enable my goal of health and vitality.

Hi Shrinking Violets! I like the name, unfortunately, I may not be shrinking as quickly as the rest of you. I had an unfortunate eating day. No restriction nor did I use my diet muscle. So i commit for tomorrow - 1) Weight in 2) Exercise 3) Log my food 4) Write my painful thoughts in ( Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life workbook I am following on the B2G website) I'll report in, We can all do this. I can do this. Send me good vibes. Hugs to all of you, Michelle

Misty - I am having the same feelings - no restriction! I am looking for stuff to eat, like tonight I had a filet and 1/2 c mashed potatoes, then another 1/2 cup. I didn't even feel really full afterward. This is crazy. Then I had a Dreyers Strawberry pop and the rest of a protein shake. That is a lot for me and all of it after 6 pm. I won't lose weight like this. Oh and I didn't tell you about the handful of M & M's. I am disappointed with myself. I seem to do great then go nuts! Comitment- 1) I will exercise again tomorrow. That usually gets me on track somewhat. 2) I am weighing in at Slim 4 Life, I still have a few months on my contract and think that weighing in once a week is a good thing. I get on my own scale every morning, but that is really nuts. I have stopped losing weight. No kidding! Hee...hee 3) I will log my food intake 4) I will log my painful thoughts Just those four things will help me stay on track! So, you are not alone dear Misty, I'm in it with ya. My fill is the day before yours. I hope he fills me up. I need not to feel hungry in my head or body. I know the headwork is mine. I am up to Chapter 6 of Get Out of Your Mind and into your Life workbook started on the B2G website. Today when I was in eating pain, I should have logged it. I will tomorrow. Anyway, it is what it is. I really admire all the people that have dropped 100 pounds. I want to be there too. I want to be them! Hugs and good healing, Michelle

Ms Jen - I love that you've become your own cheerleader. Keep those positive people around you. Do it for you! You will emerge beautiful from the inside out. I think the trick to the headwork is self love. I know that I didn't even see myself as I looked in the mirror. My sense of self was soooooo distorted. i've been doing all this therapy, acupuncture and rebalancing that now, I really see me. It was a relief, even though I was fat, to really see myself, and have a wonderful warm feeling toward me. The band is like an internal hug around my stomach. Another self love tool. Hugs and good wishes to you, Michelle

LapDancer - Is a four egg omelet something you used to eat? If you are satisfied? Then it is a good thing with 24 grams of protein. This may be out of turn, so discount it if it is, and tell me to get lost - My question to you is why is your husband commenting on your portions? Do you want him to? For me, that would make me nuts. I am my own worst critic, I don't need someone on the side making me crazy. Good luck with this, I feel protective of you. I think you should be able to lose weight if you are truly on 1100 calories. That would make sense to me. Hugs and be gentle with you, Michelle

Denise822 - I am interested in how much restriction you feel with each fill. As I haven't had my first one yet, I really don't know what to expect. Could anyone out there enlighten me? I hope I feel the restriction like I felt four days after surgery. I was in a really good place, very small servings with no hunger pains. I bet you will find the next fill really helpful. Good luck, Michelle

Okay - just switched pages and lost my email response. So oh well. Shesha - if you come to Denver for the free fix, let me know and I can help you out. I am retired and have time and the means. PM me. Sorry about everybody's nose - I seem to be able to eat quite a lot and have to use my dieting muscle and I am only two weeks out. Dr. K said I didn't have any restriction, my first fill is May 17th. I am healing GREAT! Maybe too well. I am chewing and trying to follow band rules of eating. It is a whole new world for me - that's for sure. By the way I love cheese. Spot - Seattle is one of my all time best cities. My brother and his family live there and I will probably visit this fall. Be well, and I hope nobody else's port flips - that is a new one for me to worry about. Ugh! It is a glorious day here in Colorado. Sunny and between 75 - 80. Barefoot weather! Hugs. Michelle

Welcome kacee - this is a great thread for information, more information, and a chuckle or two. Good luck with banding. I am 57 and sailed through the surgery two weeks ago. I am thrilled. margi - I have been using AES protein powder mixed with soy or skim milk and either pudding, or frozen strawberries, bananas etc. I get a big bag from Costco, but I know that Vitamin Cottage has it too. It doesn't cost that much that way and with the milk or soy you are adding at least 6 - 7 grams of protein. I am now eating again, so I have an egg in the morning with a little cheese, then the protein shake (between noon and 8 pm), maybe a salad with chicken then a meat with a veggie. I feel good. So I am going by that. I don't have much restriction now, and will have my first fill May 17th. So being a newbie - take everything I say with a grain of salt and a smile. Hugs to you all - it's a glorious day in Colorado, Michelle

BJean - you cracked me up. Yeah - when did we become one of them?????? Water is a great place for hurting knees and hips. You really do get a work out. I have worked with a trainer for two years. It keeps me honest, motivated and poor. Actually my trainer is wonderful and we take an hour session and split it into two sessions, so I work out with her two (30 min)days a week and do aerobics (40 min) five days. She wants me worked out before we do the lifting stuff. Now I have moved to bands because they are better for my wrists and knees. I am gaining the same muscle mass, but not injuring myself. It is easy to hurt yourself at the gym, and a good trainer knows what to do to help you. It is worth it, to me, to have someone measuring my progress (part of the the "get Michelle" healthy team), but you may be self motivated and a session or two might be enough to knock out a routine. The weird thing is is that I miss exercising when I don't. So I guess it is good. Hugs to you all - I am worried about the 6 month plateau - but then it is a lot better place to be than where I am now, which is 18 pounds shy of the top weight. So enjoy your strole in the park - then you will start down the hill again. Michelle

Me too - with the pooping. I finally had a salad yesterday and then a normal poop! I was so happy not to be doing the baby smelly, farty poop. Ok.....ok.....ok...... Tooo Muuuuch Innnnnnformation! But if we don't tell who will? So glad to see all the newly banded people doing so well. Don't be in a race to do and overdo. I think it is a time to be sweet with yourself and let your body rest when it needs to. I do think that the walking gives you a sense of well-being. I am still having trouble stretching my torso to reach because of the incisions. It has been 11 days since surgery. Anyone else? I am so worried that my incision will pull apart since it is only glued together. Especially the port site, everywhere else is pretty healed. Hugs to all and healthy recovery to those just banded, Michelle

DrewsLou,Anita,Jenna and Misty and any of you that I haven't named - I hope to see everyone at the May 8th meeting at 6:30 in Dr. K's office. I taught religious school the Saturday after surgery and I was lucky it was only 3 hours and I had help. I think this is big surgery and you need to give yourself the time to heal. That said, I am eating regular food now, chewing like crazy and not feeling a lot of restriction. Only if I woof something down too quickly without chewing do I feel the golfball. I am scheduled for my first fill on May 17th. I think it will be just in time. So far I have been sticking pretty close to high protein, low carbs, but I can see the old "eat everything in sight" habits creeping in. Well, talk with you later. Thanks for being here! Michelle

LapDancer and Sunny Sea - Hi. Glad the traumas are working out. I am scheduled for a fill May 17th. Dr. K says there is little restriction because I can eat regular food one week out of surgery. I am working hard to keep to the plan, protein shake, and lots of water. I have resumed exercise, at least the aerobic type. I hope that helps. The weight loss has slowed big time. But then, I am eating more. You figure out when you'll be in town, then I will work around you since I am here. Smiles, Michelle

Interesting topic - I had a complete hysterectomy at 45. I went on HRT. When I was 52 I had lung cancer surgery(carcinoid and encapsulated - the "good kind") so my doc took me off HRT. I do have osteopenia, which is probably due to going off the HRT. I don't know. I have been exercising 2 years now, so that is supposed to help. We'll see where the lapband leaves me. I am hoping for continued improved health for my knees, etc. I tell you, there doesn't seem a perfect way to get through this life. I feel very blessed they found my cancer (through an Xray for pnuemonia symptoms - not related). Who knows what would have happened if they hadn't taken the tumor out? I suppose we all get to our ages through lots of experience. :faint: So far the band has been a very postive one. I am eating solid foods, but carefully chewing and spending lots of time with meals. My first fill will be in three weeks, so I'll have to see how that goes. My doc said to just stick with a South Beach type diet and use a protein shake daily until the fill. Hugs to ya, Michelle

Good luck to all of our bandlandsters! Today's YOUR day!<HR SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> Brennens - 04/26 BeckyNtN - 04/26 JDarnwest - 04/26 Flax - 04/26 Adorable - 04/26 TracyinKS -04/26 You will find that your band is your friend. Like deep within you there is this hug, loving you. At least, that is what it has been like for me. Get through the healing, ice the tummy, and rejoice. If I could do this ...you can do this! :clap2: Hugs, Michelle

I am planning on coming to the meeting in May. I just got back from seeing Dr. K. He scheduled me for my first fill on May 17th. OMG. That is a good thing I think. He says since I am able to eat regular food already, there probably isn't much of a restriction yet. Oh well. I have still been doing well around 1100 - 1200 cal per day with 50 grams of protein. I am working out again. Yea! 40 minutes on the EFX machine. It feels good to be active again. Hugs to all of you - I can't wait to meet you in May. We'll have to have out B2G names on too! Yuck....yuck. Michelle

Hi Connie - Yes, I am eating high protein/low carb, softer types of foods. I am scheduled for my first fill on the 17th of May. Dr. K said my incisions looked good, and probably not feeling much restriction with the band yet, I am healing well, which is a good thing! I had my first fish yesterday. Yum! I am drinking one protein shake per day, which gets me to 50 grams of protein. I think that is good enough for now. Maybe June will be better for a Colorado get together. I will be gone June 19 - 26th to NYC for a wedding. Fun. Hugs, Michelle

Good luck everyone getting banded tomorrow! Wishing you a speedy recovery! I have noticed the golfball in the throat thing when i gulp too fast or swallow before chewing enough. I think taking smaller bites will be essential. I am really clocking my meals now. Really trying to get it up to 30 minutes. It is a NEW WORLD for me, the quickest gobbler around. Hugs to you all wonderful April bansters!

Anita - You might want to ice if you are still swollen. I iced like a fiend the first week after and I don't have much swelling now. I sympathize with having to make dinners for others. It sucks, and does really make you realize how much random eating we all do. You might want to have your protein shake next to you to sip as you cook. Maybe? A friend invited me to dinner tonight and we had salmon, one little baby round potatoe and green beans. It was a feast after liquids. I just really chewed, chewed, chewedand everything was fine. Amazing how little was satisfying. Spot - man, my heart goes out to you. You have to believe that you will be banded at the right time. Don't keep doing the "last supper" (I did that and put another 10 on that I had to drop) but go on the Atkins for the month. At least Dr. K is reasonable about it, some docs require clear liquids for two weeks before and after surgery! I couldn't believe it! Hugs to you all and hope to see you at the May meeting!!!! Michelle

Denise822 - I am happy with my weight loss so far, but I am only one week post Op. Could you up your protein to see if you could jump start again? I was really excited that I could do my usual 40 minute cardio on the EFX machine today. That was the first time I went to the gym since surgery. I hope that the exercise and high protein/low carb diet takes the weight off. I am down about 18 pounds so far. Best wishes, BTW BJean the snow has already melted! Michelle

It would be so much fun to get together at a park or restaurant. I'm in just not from June 19 - 26. My .02. Hugs all you hardy Coloradoans, Michelle

Well, I am going to the gym for cardio today. I will use the EFX machine and pace myself. Wish me luck. I won't push too hard, but was up to 40 minutes uninterrupted cardio presurgery. The EFX machine is like the elliptical without hands, it fits my shrimpy height better and doesn't hurt my knees. I would walk outside, but we had a spring snow storm. Hee...hee. love those Rocky Mountains! Michelle

Congratulations! To all being banded today. Tracy - you go girl! A quick and easy recovery and transition into Bandland to all of you!

Julee71 -Wow! Losing weight seems to be an individual thing. Some bodies just drop and you're one of them. Enjoy it! Wow! Wouldn't it be great if it stayed consistent? For me - I lose more slowly. Oh well. Ok, yes, I'm jealous! I really want it to stick this time. Anyone else feeling that way? Kinda scared that this won't work either, but then the scale is moving down and my motivation is really present. Sorry to air my worries here, but where else could I? Best wishes to all of you going to be banded. A quick recovery and a healthy life.

So sorry Laura you are having gas pains. I think the warm liquids might help, some people say heating pads help. I was lucky and didn't really have the gas pains. I'm burping a lot. Gross! I hope you are feeling better soon. Best wishes to you!