Cherrybomb

Anyone using a standard pedometer/cal counter during their exercise? How accurate are these things? I'm sure the bodybugg type of device works great, but I just bought a much cheaper pedometer and I dwonder how accurate the cal counting can be.

I'm all set to go. I paid up (gulp) and received my instructions. My surgery is next Thursday at 11:30 pacific time. I should be home after four hours or so. For the first two weeks post-op I can have anything that I can suck through a straw. The following two weeks, I can have "baby food" consistency food. I toured the facility, which made it all very real. Doctor wants me to lose five more pound if I can, so cross your fingers for me. I'm going to amp up the exercise this weekend.

I was doing great on the pre-op diet (all 700 calories of it) but I've hit the wall these last few days. This week is my last week at work and it has been stressful, plus lots of "let's go out for lunch to say goodbye" kind of stuff, so I've slipped more than a couple times in the last couple days. I'm not stressing about it because I've lost 10 of the 15 pounds the doctor wanted. I can't imagine he'll cancel my surgery next week over five pound. But even so, I am getting back on the pre-op diet bandwagon tomorrow and on Friday I see my doc for my final pre-op appointment. One week to go!

I'm getting banded next week but I'm already planning my post-band exercise. I have a great mountain bike that I never use, so I thought it about time to dust it off and hit the road. Any advice, websites, or forums I should check out for someone just starting out? How soon after banding did you start riding?

What was your average monthly weight loss in the first 6 months? What about after a year?

My procedure is an out-patient surgery. I expect to be back home after four or five hours. Interesting how different everyone's experience is with this surgery.

I just bought a pair of Sarah Jessica Parker BITTEN jeans that are prominently hanging in my closet as inspiration (I hope to be strolling the pumpkin patch for our jack o'lantern in them). Anyone else have a little inspiration hanging in their closet?

:hungry: Wow, these have been the longest four days of my life. My surgeon has me on a 700 calorie diet to lose 15 pounds. I'm currently sucking on a teaspoon with a dab of peanut butter on it because the hunger is really getting to me. I'm two weeks away from surgery; hope my will power holds out!

I wish my pre-op diet were that interesting, Laurend. I get four medi-fast shakes (90 cals each) and one diet frozen entree a day. I've supplemented that with some sugar free jello and popsicles but that's it. Two weeks never seemed so long...

My new life kicks off today, quite literally. I start the pre-op liquid diet today and I'm giving my two week notice at work. I'm a little scared at both prospects, but I'm trusting my instincts that both of these major life decisions will work out for the best. Here's to bold choices and new beginnings! :nervous

Who has experienced this with the band and how do I avoid it? I'm scheduled for banding in a couple of weeks but this has me freaked out.

I checked out Lauren's Hope and American Medical and I decided to go with American Medical. Thanks for bringing up this important topic.

That's a great response. I'll file it away for when I am asked the same question.

BreadLady: of course you can stay! :-) Just tell us all about it so we know what's coming our way. BTW, I love the ideas on the rewards - the massage idea sounds mighty nice to me. Anybody have the list of things that we should have on hand for post-surgery (like liquid tylenol)? I don't have a list going yet.

Has anyone travelled to a country where they didn't speak the language while on the band? Did you have any problems eating while there? I'm curious because I hope to do some travelling when I reach my goal, so if I need to become multi-lingual I better start studying now!

Anybody have some fun rewards in mind (other than great health, of course) for when they reach some milestones? I'm already planning my family vacation to Disneyland for 8 months post-surgery. And when I hit the 100 mark, I'll be getting a little bling-bling to mark the occassion. What do you have planned?

Getting off soda is my first goal. I'm stocking up on crystal light to help with the switch. Then I'm going to try cutting down on carbs. I start my liquid diet on the 18th and having done a strictly liquid diet for 9 months before, needless to say I am not excited about the shakes...Oh well, bottoms up.

What are you all doing to prepare yourselves, mentally or physically, for the surgery? Anybody starting to exercise or cut calories (for those not already on liquid diets) or are you "living it up" before the surgery?

Any one live south of Seattle or north of Tacoma? Even though I'll be going to NWWL in Everett for my banding in July, I'd like to find a support group closer to home.

Please add me too - just got the word that my surgery is July 5. I can't wait to celebrate my own independence day!