PrtyAntOvrYt

Non-Scale Victories To shop in normal size clothing stores Not constantly thinking about food Not looking at my chubby face in the hairdresser cape Not wanting to be lazy all the time Not needing to sit in the “special” seat at special events Feel fun and confident in my bathing suit To be able to tie my shoes easily Hopefully not spilling as much food/sauces on my front while eating No worries when sitting in a movie theater No worries when going on a airplane trip Being able to find nylons/pantyhose that don’t roll down Crossing my legs and not feeling awkward Being able to buy a pair of thigh-high boots that actually close Walking to the parking lot after working my 12 hr shift without feeling like I was dying from the pain in my feet. Going to a conference and not fearing the chairs will have arms on them. Buying one meal at a resturant and eating it for 3 days. Not having to check my blood sugars 4 times a day and having my fastings less than 90 on a daily basis.

yes, no straws! I cry daily at the thought of it! today, I got some ice water and just automatically put my extra long, bendy straw in it! then it hit me! I was a very sad girl!

a Farewell to donuts? I've been missing straws. I am going to write a poem, "Farewell to Straws" I had no idea, I'd miss those babies so much! dee~

Yes Michelle it was just lovely! thanks!!! j/k! I can't wait to see you all at RR. dee~

Hi Lizzieann, Yes, Dr. Kirshenbaum uses the AP band. I am banded with the AP Large. Congrats on your upcoming surgery! You're going to love it! I am! dee~

Sorry to hear about that! I was very swollen and had the same difficulty. Just take very small sips until you feel better. Don't gulp or it will hurt. I had to set my timer to get my sips in. I'd forget. You don't want to get dehydrated. Also try some popsicles. About 4 days in, I ate a popsicle and it filled me up for such a long time! I was shocked. I think the 3rd and 4th day was the worst for me. It gets better with each day. Use a ice pack on your tummy to help and try to walk. I actually, didn't have any gas pains. Ice helped with my pain a lot! I used frozen peas. They mold so well. Good Luck Dear and Hang in there!

Congrats for being halfway there! That's great! AND it's worth a celebration! :eek: I graduated from HS in 1980 also. Where are you from again? I can't remember. Hugs, dee~

Hey Pretty Lady! Actually, I've been out and about and I saw you from your window! Al Fresco, huh? Nice day for it! One month out and I'm feeling pretty good! The lump is still there, but I think it's getting smaller, I'm hoping anyway. Dr. K ultrasounded it and it's just fluid. We decided not to drain it now and hopefully it will absorb. I measured myself and my waist has decreased from 58.5 to 54.0. The chest hasn't decreased at all! The Hips and thighs have gotten smaller too! I was thrilled!:eek: I'm back to not losing again. I went back to work and my ankles and feet are swollen from all of the standing! I cannot wait until I've lost enough weight that I don't have to endure that! It's going to be the best NSV I'll ever have!:cool2: I have now exercised everyday for almost 2 weeks! I'm up to 10.50 mins now and feeling pretty good about it! I make myself do it first thing in the morning and then an hour after dinner I go for another 10.5mins on my recumbent bike. I love that bike! It cost me an arm and two legs! Difficult to ride it now that I'm missing those limbs, but I was worth it! Well, I'm looking forward to Red Robins! Yeah!!! Thanks for keeping us on track with our monthly gatherings! Love ya, dee~

Well, I'm the opposite! I am not tooting, I'm burping! A lot! I'm so embarrassed at times!:confused:

So Anita are you telling us that you are now a musician every night? Playing a tune for the hubby? j/k

Mal, I'm glad you got your fill. I hope this is your sweet spot. I'm also glad to hear that Tom is a good egg! It's comforting to know that he's joined the Dr K A-team!

I would stick to the one month if I were you. I know that soft tissue takes 3-4 weeks to heal. But if you really want to start, give Natalie a call, I'm sure she knows the answer. Good Luck! dee~

Welcome Ami! I'm so happy for you! I knew you'd love Dr. K and his staff!! They are very nice! Yes, I do remember being hunched over for a few days. AND the bra business, my girls weren't made to be out and on their own, so I purchased a 'night bra' from Lane Bryant catalog prior to surgery. Being banded at the same hospital where I work made me feel very uncomforable being wheeled to my car without a bra on! Just not a pretty picture!! If you have to cough or sneeze brace your tummy with a pillow. It will help a little. I was fine until about 5 days post-op and then I had to cough really hard and it was torture! I'm glad you're home and safe! AND I'm happy to have you on the Loser's Bench sitting right beside me!

Great Mal! You got your fill!!! How do you feel this morning? Do you do softs or liquids after a fill for a meal or two?

Lap, I know exactly what you mean! My daughter and I used to always eat on the run. She commented the other day, "I love that we set the table and sit down to eat each meal." Even breakfast! It's fun, we chat and laugh and talk about our day. Just like normal people!! HA! Did you miss my question about your hubby's toothbrush? IF you accidently dropped it in the toilet would you have a hard time kissing you again? See ya! dee~

Let's do it Michelle! We could take a picture of ourselves! AND include it in the card! What do you all think?

That's a great idea! AND I'm sure Dr. K would love it! Thanks Liteweight for letting us know!

Anita!!! You are the Bomb!!! Congrats!!! :tongue2::huh2::laugh::smile2: I'm so happy for you!!!

Yup Virdi, It is messed up! That's why they made the band adjustable. If they weren't supposed to adjust it, why did they put a port in! Didn't they used to have a band that didn't adjust? The Malone Band was a band that didn't adjust and a lot of people had problems with it. It's not used anymore. Michelle! A good doctor is as good as a good therapist! I have only been to therapy for myself once. I have been to therapy for my marriage many times. When I was in college studying Psyc and Social Work/Counseling (yes, I was a nerd with a triple major) I went to therapy because that was part of the requirement of the B.A. I found it so helpful. I was such a mess at that time. I think I really need to go to therapy again! The weight loss and the ending of my marriage is just a big struggle for me. The ex is trying to reconcile. Thanks for the hug, I needed it!

I just wanted to address something in reference to fills. I didn't have one yesterday because I still feel restriction from swelling due to surgery. BUT when I do need one, I will get it. I talked to a new bander on another site and she was saying how disappointed she will be if she has to have a fill. I may be wrong, but I don't think there is anything wrong with getting fills if you need them. There is nothing to be upset or ashamed of. If we could do it without restriction we would have never gotten the band in the first place. The Band is there to help us and it can't help us if we don't allow it to -- by getting the fills when we need them. This poor girl was banded on the same day as me and her doctor told her her goal is to get NO fills! And she can consider herself a failure if she has to get more than 2 fills. I do not know why this doctor would say this, it makes no sense to me. Am I wrong in my thinking? I'm so thankful that Dr. K is not like other doctors. Many other doctors give me the impression that they say and do things to make all of these poor obese people feel worse about themselves. I'm sad for this girl and others who are mistreated in this way. What does everyone else think? I am going to get as many fills as I need. That's why I have this band in me! Not for any other reason! Thank you Dr. K for not making us feel bad about ourselves! dee~

No reason to be jealous Cara! MY BMI is pretty high, so I most likely still have swelling from surgery. You'll do great too! Initially everyone does really well, then your weight loss slows down. I expect that to happen so I won't be surprised, but I'm going to try my best to stick to the game plan. Am I assuming right that your surgery is in Aurora? If not, I'd consider staying closer to the Parker facility. I stayed at the Fairfield Inn when I first moved there in 2002 and it was nice. But that was almost 6 years ago. Things might have changed. I think LapDancer has stayed at the Best Western. Maybe she can give you more information. When is your surgery? AND Congrats on giving up smoking! That is great! You're going to be a whole new person on your journey to good health!

Yup, you're right Sister!!! Next Thursday is the RR gathering! See you there! Love ya, dee~

Hi Liteweight! I saw that show also! I have found that even a tiny bite of something I've been craving gives me that satisfaction and then I'm fine. I reason I said cheesecake is because I love cheesecake and a tiny bite is heaven! Well, no fill for me! I saw Dr K this morning and he and I talked about how it's been going for me. I have lost 15lbs since my surgery and I really haven't been hungry between meals. I bought these beautiful little red measuring cups from KitchenAide and I fill a 3/4 cup to 1 cup with my food and eat that. Then I've found that I am not hungry again for 4-5 sometimes 6 hours later! Last night, I wasn't hungry for over 6 hours. I'm only allowing myself to eat when I'm hungry. On Sunday, I only had 2 meals. I'm eating my Protein first and adding veggies and a small amt. of good carbs. Also Dr. K said he attended a conference for the Band and they really encouraged patients to measure their food. I do it, because if I am loving the food, I might be tempted to overeat. This way,I prepare my cup fill and that is all that is on my plate. When my nose starts running (my soft stop) I know I'm done and I stop eating! It keeps me on track! Dr. K previously told me that people with high BMI's like myself sometimes have swelling for awhile and don't need a fill right away. *** oh yeah, Paula the NUT is having a Supermarket Tour. When we meet at Red Robin, I'll bring the flyer that Natalie sent me. It looks like fun and a good way to learn! Well, I'm going to the store to buy a new Water bottle! I love water bottles! I found the best 32oz water bottle at Safeway! It's so compact, I can fit it in my "Good Karma Nursing Bag" and take it to work. I gotta have a gimmick! Just like my pretty measuring cups! I know, I'm a nerd-a-zoid! see ya! dee~

Smsmith, I haven't been banded long, but I think it will be totally doable. You don't have to give everything up. You can occasionally have a treat. It's not as strict as the pre-op diet. If you want a tiny chocolate kiss to help with a chocolate craving you can have one. It's eating things in moderation. AND we are all human - there are times when we might indulge in something really yummy. You'll find however, that it feels so good to have control of your eating. I love that part of being banded. If I want a tiny bite of some cheesecake, I can have one. I'm satisfied and I don't have to eat the entire thing. Just think, our lives are going to be so much better! Mine already is! And tomorrow is my 1 month anniversary!

Anita, March 6th is the day I have on my calendar! Hope you can get it worked out so that you can be at Red Robin! We're probably not going to recognize you!!!