sue11

Mer... You're too funny! Can wait to see the dog's outfits...oh ya, and yours too! LOL Wish I could have made it last night, but I was on Mom duty again. Sue

Mer... Such is our life now...Whooo Hoooo!!!! LOL :biggrin: Can't make it tonight...hope to see ya soon! Sue

shome... Congrats to you too...sounds like things are going well. Take advantage of the next few days and baby yourself, you'll be glad you did (and probably regret it if you don't) :cursing: Sue

We need to PARTY!!!!! CONGRATS GIRL...at goal and looking GREAT!!!! Love Ya! Sue

Famous Dave's...YUMMMMMMM!!! You're almost there...it's all down hill from here. I had the same feelings...If I can do this, I can do anything! It was such a boost to my self esteme to succeed at the liquid diet. Be proud of yourself, and know that even if you have little slips now and then, you CAN and WILL do this!!! You've got a great new tool now that will fill in those gaps that used to lead to giving up, it's a new ball game now (yes, I'm watching the Mariners...LOL). Sue

PS...St Joe's is in Tacoma

010308... I was banded by Oh May 07. You are in "Bandster Hell" and we call it that for good reason. Total denial in the diet, but no restriction. I talked with nutritionists and others, and I don't want to tell you to go against your Doc's advise, but I did add a couple things after about 2-3 weeks post-op. I little teaspoon of peanutbutter in a Champion Chocolate protien drink blended with ice, and it's amazing how much more satifying it is...so yummy! I also made some splitpea soup and blended it to have in my last week or so...a real life saver! I didn't eat alot, 3/4 cup twice a day, but I felt so much better, hunger, energy and it really helped with my "water in water out" problem. I really don't agree with restricting to less that 800 calories/day, you throw your body into starvation mode. If I drop belwo 1000 calories, I plateau big time. Oh is the most restrictive of any doctor I've heard of. It gives you a great start on the weight loss, but I did seek the advice of a nutritionist and made some adustments to his diet. Sue

Hi Dawn... The next St Joe's meeting is thiss Monday the 16th @ 6:45. Hope to see you there!

shome... Welcome and congrats! I've got some good news and some bad news. Let's just get the bad news out there. You may not have restriction right after surgery. I didn't have any restriction until my 3rd fill, and am doing really well with my 4th fill (which was in November). Most of the bandsters I've talked with are similar, though many feel some restriction with thier 1st fill. I know I'm sounding like a downer, but there is good news too. I have talked to bansters who NEVER feel hunger from the day of surgery, I'm so jealous of them, but they really, from the day of surgury don't ever feel hungry. The really good news is that these 1st couple days are the worst, and once you get through them your hunger REALLY decreases dramatically. So, while you may not have restriction after surgery, it will get better, and in just a couple days, so hang in there! It's worth every bit of effort you put in. You will NOT regret getting banded! Sue

PS...Good luck on the fill...No restriction still?

Hi Suzanne... I think struggles with self motivation would be a common for the majority of us...I've always struggles with it, in my weight and many other areas in life too. I just want to do it my way...don't tell me what to do! It's the attitude I'm working on releasing. I think life in genereal is easier when I'm not always trying to fight for my own way. I find when I'm fighting for my way I'm usually fighting what's best for me. OK...I'm done giving myself a pep talk (incase you didn't notice, all the above was a mini-sermon to myself!!!) Hope to see you this week...I never really know if I can make it until I'm actually in the car heading over that bridge. Sue

Mer... I was disappointed that I had to leave early last night, I would have loved to chat a little with Dave, he seems like a sweety! Sue

Kjay... Welcome! I was banded 1 year ago at St Francis (Dr. Oh) Which Doc opened the new office at Evergreen? Sue

Juicy... Jump in, go to the support groups, there's alot you can learn while you are waiting. Glad you're here...get all the info you can and you will really hit the ground running! Does your insurance require a long term diet plan or something? How frustrating! By the time we get to this decision we already know what doesn't work, we're looking for a new tool. Hang in there! Sue

Punkytres... We looked for you this AM...hope we didn'w miss you. Sue

YES! We will be walking in the AM. The forcast says rain in the AM, so we will probably be at the Tacoma Mall. We meet at about 7:45 by Starbucks (we park by Jamba Juice). If it ends up being nice we really like to be outside at Chambers Bay. We get there about 7:55. I'll send you a PM with my cell...give me a call in teh AM and we'll make sure we're heading to the same place and don't miss eachother. Wear your walking shoes, we go about 2 - 2.5 miles, not super fast, but at a good clip. See you there! Sue

Punkytres... CONGRATS on the baby! That's so exciting. Just think of all the good things you've learned and all the progress you've made. Now you've got to concentrate on good healthy eating habits. Let that beautiful baby be your motivation, eating healthy for you means eating healthy for your baby. You're going to do great! By the way I'm in UP, right on the edge of Lakewood. I go to support group at St Joe's on the 3rd Monday of the month. I also get together with a friend who was banded at the same time, we walk on MWF, at the Tacoma Mall is it's cold/rainy or down at Chambers Bay when it's nice. You should join us some time. I don't think I could make it without others to listen to my victories and my gripes...I'm just not that independant...I need the support. Sue

Hey Tacoma area people...St Joe's Support group tonight...BE THERE!

Finally...I got to move my ticker. I've only lost 1# in over 2 months, and have been doing the "bounce" with about 4 #'s since. Hopefully this means I can break through my plateau. I knew things were going to slow down, but I'd still like to loos another 15#'s, that puts me just within "Healthy" on the carts, that's my goal. Sue

Hey Suzanne!!! Great to hear from you! Thanks for the encouragement. I can't believe I did liquids for 7 weeks! Yesterday wasn't too bad, today...all I can think about is FOOD. I do feel the decreases of carb craving, I'm still craving nuts (salty & crunchy), but I know that's the head hunger...I just want to munch. I've already layed out my tuna and cottage cheese for tomorrow...I can't wait. And I'm drooling justs thinking about the Choco/peanutbutter protien shake I've got planned for tonight...yum! I should be able to make it on Thursday...but who knows what all will happen between now & then...the life of a mom!?! Sue

Wish me luck...I'm starting a 5 day carb-craving breaker tomorrow. Back to liquids...then protiens... I'm craving carbs so bad, and I feel so much better if I just leave the sugar alone, so I'm going to do this pouch diet to get my pouch and my cravings in order! Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test I'm kind-of looking forward to my chocolate protien shakes...yum! (we'll see if I'm still saying that in 48 hours LOL !!!) Sue

Maggie... Everybody stalls from time 2 time. Sit back and take serious look, maybe chart your calory intake for a few days. Are you following the "rules", are you keeping the protien up and carbs down, are you EXERCISING. If you find that there are ways to kmprove, make those changes, if you feel your doing/eating pretty much what you should then change it up. Make sure you are eating enough (avoid starvation mode) and change your exercise routine. If you find that your really struggling with the food/hunger part then it probably is time for a fill. Remember...we all stall at times, it's to be expected. Your body is probably just re-adjusting. I find that when I stall I'm often still lossing inches, measure yourself again...that might give you the inspiration to move on. Hang in there, you're doing great! Sue

Hey all you Tacoma Area People... Don't forget St Joe's support group tonight! See you there!!! Sue Mer...Sounds great, I know I have a few "issues"

I definitely get tight at TOM. Lately my TOM has gotten irregular, and my last cycle was more than a week ago and I am still PGing. I think I may be heading into menopause and that's the cause of the irregular TOM, it stayed fairly regular durring the fist 8 months after banding, so I don't think the band is the cause. But it's been wierd this month, I only had 16 days between TOM and now my restriction has lasted over 10 day (usually only 2-3 days). I haven't had a fill since November, but I'm tighter than I've ever been. Sue