New Hope

Jonathan, best of luck to you! Please keep us posted on your surgery date. Glad you've thought this out and considered your aftercare needs. There's a lot to think about! You've already begun your journey to a healthier you!

I'm repeating this mantra, but it's not sinking in.

Whatever band dr. you choose, check him/her out thoroughly...their experience placing bands (how long doing this/# of bands), their office staff (how easy to contact, get an appt.), their follow-up care, availability (in event of problems), hospital used (it's rating) -before you do anything. And please research about the band so you get as much info. as possible to help you make an educated decision and know what to expect from your life as a Bandster. There's so much to learn - before and after banding. Best of luck to you!

Yeah, just to hush him up!!!

And cute as a button, too!

Rachel, I was the Queen of Couch Potatoes for years. I was never athletic. But after banding, I started walking...a little at a time. It was good ole summertime here in Houston. Once around the block (1/3 mile), huffing and puffing, ankles feeling like they would explode with pain, sweating like a pig (glamorous pic, heh?). Gradually increased up to 3 miles. Then started bike riding...little at a time. Have since taken part in two 20 mile benefits. Hiked 4 and 5 hours up and down the Rocky Mountains in October. I never could have done this previously (or would have even tried!) My ankles don't hurt any more. Biked 3 times last week - 10 miles each. And you're a heck of a lot younger than me, girl! You'll be blaring past me in no time! Just take baby steps...you'll get there.

One thing good about doing your own cooking is that you can control the type of ingredients that go into a recipe. I haven't added salt to my cooking for years. You can choose low or fat-free, egg beaters, low sodium.....just to name a few.

Paula, this is the first day since you started this challenge that I've done halfway decent on my waterload! Boy, those bad habits are easy to start and very hard to break! Now, if I can do this good on stopping carbs.

If I try to eat and drink together, I pb. That keeps me honest!

Where's the nearest Band Boot Camp? I need a refresher course --- bad!

Well, you little cheaters, I have been adjusting my stats as they climbed! This week, down 1 1/2. I like the idea of January 6 to "get right". That'll give me time to polish off this crawfish fondue recipe from Miss Betty. And Greg, where's that Speedo pic? You're leaner, you're meaner, now go for it!

Donali, it's about time you showed your cute little face! How are you doing?

Are you self-pay or using health insurance? There are tons of lapband drs. Where are you wanting one located at? There are several Dr. Spiegel patients here.

Did you realise that whole Adam and Eve thing boils down to Adam was too lazy to fix himself something to eat?

I still do this!!! That is security to me, more than $$ in the bank. But now I try (most of the times) to have healthier stuff in them. I used to bake all the time. Now that stuff is just about down to none. When you look in my frig. now, you find a huge selection of drinks as opposed to the previous junky-junk.

Katie, I got in bad habits over the holidays. But I'm trying to get back on track too. One of the things that I'm getting back to doing is keeping a container of tuna salad made up in the frig. So when I'm starving, I'll grab that instead of the junky-junk. Another is Cranberry Lite mixed 50/50 with water. It tastes great and helps me get my waterload in. (But not w/meals or 1 hour after.) So those 2 things and more consistent exercise are what I'm trying to get back to doing.

Hi, Vines, how much are you wanting to lose? If you're a good cook, that's great! You'll just learn to readjust your thinking and try to avoid the fried foods, pasta, salt. I grill a lot of meats, steam vegetables. When you go out to eat, split a high price dinner w/your DH. (Shrimp brichotte and fajitas is one of my favorites.) You'll save $$ and get plenty of good food to eat. And a big Congratulations to your DH! Super weight loss! He has to be a tremendous example for you. And he'll be your Band Buddy!

Shrinking, why don't you join our Weekly Scale Challenge? It will help save your sanity just weighing one day a week. Our weight fluctuates. It's hard at first to break out of that habit of constant weighing. But once you get used to it, it really helps. Just pick a day and then hide that scale for the rest of the week.

Hey, Double Congratulations!!! Graduating from College and 18 pounds gone. You should be very, very proud of yourself!

Katie, you are so right about dry foods! I had my only "sliming" episode on a dry chicken strip. Yuk! Do be sure your foods are moist. If needed, use a dipping sauce or gravy (and don't overdo, because those might be high calories). Can you make tuna salad w/your tuna? Tuna right out of the can is pretty dry.

Samy, hope you have an uneventful surgery and quick recovery. 2005 is going to be a great year of good changes for you!

Sheryl, how much weight have you lost since you've had your band? Please give yourself credit. Thankfully, you've had your band checked out and it's good to go. I've been a "slacker" through the holidays, but thankfully my band has kept me from going totally berserk. We have a Weekly Scale Challenge and a Water Challenge here. How about joining in? It really helps to check in here regularly for support, encouragement, and a place to "confess" all your little bad things. We understand because we're fighting the same demons. Best of luck to you!

It would be wise for you to schedule an in-office visit with this surgeon before you go any further. Ask him all your concerns and ask to be given written documentation to validate whatever he tells you. You must have total trust and confidence in your doctor and his staff, because this is an ongoing relationship between your band dr. and yourself. Best of luck!

It begins with a single step. And you've already begun your journey to better health. Start with a very short routine (walk, bike, exerwork-out). Baby steps, then gradually increase your time, and before you know it you'll be breathing easier, legs and ankle hurting less, and pushing yourself a little harder to see what is on the next block. Best of luck to both of you!! I know you can do this!

Please check out everything that you can about any surgeon that you plan on using before you even schedule your surgery....his banding experience (how long, how many, complications?), his aftercare, his office staff, the hospital (it's rating),etc. Anything you can think of - check it out. If you're uncomfortable with him now, please research and get some facts. You have to look out for yourself. This is a support forum and we aren't financed by any surgeons or fill doctors. We share factual information (good and bad) to help each other. Please come back here and post what true findings you uncover. Best of luck to you!