DynamoMini

BJean - what you are telling me is that we all have to fight to lose, no easy pathway. I was hoping not to feel hunger and for sure, not to surrender to the trigger foods of before, but I can see there is mental work that I have to do, everyday to change my lifestyle and eating habits. 40 pounds is a tremendous victory - you can do this. We have to believe that we can do this thing. Today I have said, "I can do it!" at least 20 times. Part of getting my tush outta the toilet - focusing on gratitude. I get negative really quickly. I appreciate the info about fills. We'll see how they rock my world. Hugs, Michelle

Okay Jen, You go to www.TickerFactory.com and follow the instructions. Then add the ticker website to your signature. I am going to add a ticker to Onederland to my signature. That way I have a more tangible goal to look at. Kim2bhealthy - you are my hero, I know it takes really hard work, probably harder than ever before and a belief that you CAN DO IT! Hooray for you and the wonderful progress you have made. My goodness in less than a year. Your bandaversary is around the corner!

Hi! all you SHRINK'N VIOLETS Anyway, I am halfway to doing what I set out to do today. I weighed in, and have lost 1 pound since last Monday. Better down than up. I worked out for 40 minutes and tried a yoga class, that i couldn't do because bending in the middle won't work for me two weeks post op. I ate one egg and 1/8 cup of cheese and had some coffee this am. Now I'm making a protein shake after two bottles of water. Hugs to all of you - I just know we can do this! About the alcohol, I think the crystal light idea Tracy had was a good one. Go gently!

OMG Jen - You are soooooo right there! You know we can do this. You can do this! I don't know about the diet coke. I do know that carbonation is a no no, but somehow you are tolerating it, until an aggressive fill? hey - what do I know. I did weigh, I lost one pound since last week. Good for me. And I did exercise 40 minutes aerobic, tried a little yoga, but bending the middle won't work two weeks post op. So now I will write down what I ate so far. Breakfast - 1 egg with 1/8 c cheese 2 cups coffee with coffeemate two bottles of water - now I am off to make a protein shake for a snack. Best wishes to all - and just know we can do this (I am talking to myself there - yes, i can do this!!!!) Michelle

I want to join the countdown to Onederland! I seem to be stalled, two weeks post op and stuck at 208 - 210 depending on the scale and time of day. I have been eating real food, chewing, but some off program types of eating like M & Ms, so I will commit to this thread. Let's keep posting. It is a hard hurdle to cross and I sure could use the encouragement Hugs and best wishes and we march into ONEDERLAND!

Now - the relief I was hoping for seems up in the air. Does everyone have trouble getting a balance of restiction without being strangled? My first fill in 5/17, I am a nervous ninny about it. I want restiction, but not strangulation. Should I be scared? 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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

Have any of you felt that your band around your stomach is like a hug? I have this wonderful feeling of warmth when i think of my band. Like a little extra love from within hugging me and loving me like I've never been loved before. I really am not on drugs you guys! Smiling here in the snow of Colorado, Michelle

Tracy - happy surgery and quick healing! You have a great attitude and that will take you far. Smiles, Michelle