UT LB Loser

You should go on a liquids only for a day. Then do mushies for a day. Getting stuck is somewhat common after fills. Just pay attention to what caused it and chew better!!! Have you tried drinking pineapple juice? That seems to help me get unstuck. Your band may be a little swollen after the fill. It gets better, I promise!!!

Wish you the best. Hope you don't have any issues with GB!!! Goodluck!

Don't be so hard on yourself Ceradad! You started!!!! I don't know if you have ever seen the following: DFL>DNF>DNS (Dead Freaking Last is greater than Did Not Finish is greater than Did Not Start!!!) Your time may not show up any where, so in effect you may be considered as last. You DID finish!!! And you certainly started!!! You know where your training needs focus for next time. Great job!!! The swim portion has been talked about by me more in this thread because of the mental part. It does take the physical ability to swim, but the biggest hurdle is the mental aspect. "How do I deal with the panic?" The thoughts will come, but am I prepared to deal with them before they cause me to abort. Have a great day knowing you are part of the 3% of people who actually make an effort and change the world!

Congrats, TRIATHLETES!!!!!!!!!!!

You really might have a backup plan. A friend of mine had a fill then had to have an emergency unfill the next day because of the extreme pain that it caused over night. She was fine once she went back to the Dr office. Just my opinion.

You guys are so ready!!!! I am jealous and wish I was doing one tomorrow too!! Have you ever heard of Yankz? They replace shoelaces in running shoes. I have some and absolutely love them. Every triathlete should have them. They make transitions so fast!!! Imagine slipping on your shoes and having them as tight as when you tie them. Here's a link: :::::::: Yankz! - Sure Lace System :::::::::: Your local running shoe store should carry them. Report back as soon as you are done racing!!! Good luck and JFDI!!!

I live close to SLC. I notice you did your surgery in CO. Do you have a Dr. or clinic nearby to handle your fills? You will definitely want to find someone close. My band has helped me regain control of my life. Hope your experience is as rewarding!!

First of all, congrats on your decision to change your life!!! If you still have doubts, let me share my exoerience. I KNEW that I would develop larger health issues than I already had if I didn't do the surgery. I knew there were chances of complications. I believed there was a good chance I could lose a fair amount of weight if I did the surgery. I could go on and on with what I knew. I would still be thinking the same things, dealing with the same doubts and still be less than happy with myself if I hadn't moved forward. I believe in JFDI, which means Just Focus and Do It! Since my surgery, I have changed the meaning just a bit... Just Freaking Do It!!! I just freaking did it and am so freaking happy I did!!! Just freaking do it!! You'll be so happy you did!!!

I listened to the nurse for the first 2 fills. I did liquids the first day and mushies the 2nd. Never had any pain or discomfort at all. On the 3rd fill I did mushies then soft food the 2nd day. I have done just soft food after fills since the 3rd fill. I asked why the change in diet after a fill. The reason I was given is there is possible swelling around your band from the fill. You want to be careful not to make the swelling worse. I've paid close attention to the foods that cause any difficulties and certainly avoid them all around a fill. You know your body best. Do what is comfortable for you and don't stress too much!!!! Good luck!

You might have to find another Dr. He obviously is not in control of his staff. That won't change if he did your surgery. My Dr. only employs nurses and staff that have had the surgery. They all understand the issues that we are facing. Keep your chin up and find a Dr. who will take you seriously. Many Drs. are in this business because they want to make differences in peoples lives. He must not because of who he employs. My band has enabled so many wonderful changes to happen. I am in control of my life again!!! Good luck!

You definitely want to arrive early! Setting up your transition area and familiarizing yourself with the layout of the transition routes will really benefit you. Depending on the number of participants, finding your bike can be challenging. Make sure you know which row you are running toward. I've never tried the helium balloon trick, but it would definitely help!! Also, make sure you take care of restroom needs. The excitement may have you going more often Saturday morning! Once you get there and get set up, do your best to relax and enjoy it! You will meet the coolest people and have a great time!!! Do you remember what they call the last one across the finish line at a triathlon? The same as the first.. A Triathlete. You'll be joining the ranks!!! Congrats!

1- First of all... the worst part for me was the shot to deaden the area. I now do it without the local anisthesthetic. I can't even feel it. The nurses are so good. I honestly don't feel it! 2- If you follow the instructions post fill, i.e. liquids for a day and mushies for the 2nd day, you'll be fine. Do whatever the nurse tells you. If you chew well already you have half the battle won. Restrictions are our friends. In time you will find the perfect restriction for you. The first few fills will not make much difference. At least that was my experience. 3- I am never full after two bites. That wouldn't be my ideal fill.My ideal is eating what I want, just alot less of it. I was pretty tight in the mornings when I got my latest fill. Now I eat a small bowl of cereal. Not everyone can or will eat the same things. Use your band as the tool to regain control of your health. I am not on a diet. I just eat less and don't notice any discomfort there. I love my band!!!

3 days ajoneen and ceradad! I'm sure you're excited!!! You are exactly right, ajoneen! FOCUS! JFDI (Just Focus and Do It!!!). You can and WILL do it! If you believe you can or believe you can't, you are right!!! You both know you CAN!! Good luck!!

Another guy from Utah passed away this weekend while swimming in an Oly Tri up in Burley Idaho. He is the 3rd from UT this year. It was in the Snake River. Conditions were reported to be very smooth water with a slight downstream current. They were swimming downstream. Not sure what happened. He crossed his arms and cried out but when the boat got to the area he had gone down already. I certainly don't tell you all this to put fear into you. I do believe though that we all need to think about panic and learn what not to do, just in case. As for me, I will not do an open water swim again without a wet suit. My swimmer still drowned with one on, but he would have sunk if he didn't have it on. Also, when practicing in the pool, we all need to think about our breathing and make certain we don't breathe any water, EVER!!! Coughing up water is much different when you have the bottom of the pool to create resistance. In the open water you are just bobbing with no resistance against your cough. Deal with the mind games before you compete. Then you will have resistance to panic. Panic kills!!!! All that being said, I'm getting back in the open water on 8/23!!! I can't wait. It truly is a blast. Good luck Cerada and Ajoneen!!! You'll do great!!! And be addicted!

Way to go Kagoscuba!!!! I told you so! It is addicting!!!!!!! What did you think of the other triathletes? This is the most inclusive bunch of folks that I've ever met. They all understand exactly what you're feeling - they're feeling it too!!!! Was your swim in a pool or the open water? There is definitely a difference. Congrats on your time. What were the distances of each leg? When is your next one? I promise, now things will be measured by "Before or after my first triathlon". "Hi, my name is Chris and I'm addicted to triathlons!!! I'm never giving this addiction up!"

That's cool, Jon! As I said in an earlier post, we really can inspire people to do things that they hadn't ever contemplated. I'm no longer doing this just for myself. I'm doing for all my friends who still think they can't. Whether you believe you can do something or that you can't do it, you are correct!!! The first thing you need to change is your mind. The physical change comes afterwards. I am writing a book. It is in it's rough draft stage. It is called, "Problem? No Problem!" I will have it done and hopefully published by the end of the year. It deals with alot of the things we have discussed on this site. It won't be long, but will be full of easy, rewarding self-help. Each of us has the answers to whatever questions that manifest themselves as "Problems". I'll let you know when it's published.

Are you sure you want to do it this Kagoscuba? There is an inherent risk you are taking. The risk is that you will now become completely addicted to TRI-ing. Perhaps the training you've already put in has caused this sickness to come upon you. If you choose to do it, GOOD LUCK!!!!! Then you'll join us in our sickness. It is the best sickness I've ever had. I wish I had an event scheduled for tomorrow!!!! Remember, if at first you don't have speed... Tri, Tri again!!!!

I ran the best 5K yet today at the Pioneer Day 5K in Provo, Utah. I ran it in 35:25. I had a goal to do it in 36 mins. Crushed that goal!!!! It really did feel good. The course was awesome. There was one hill that kicked my butt. I did walk a few times. I know that I can improve on this time as well. Last night, my brother and I went up to the site of the next Triathlon on 8/23. We drove around the bike course and surveyed the run course. I am very excited for this one!! This whole journey I am on is a BLAST!!!!

I used to love my soda pop. I never believed I could give it up completely. I said I would TRY. Once the headache was gone from the loss of caffeine, it was easy to stay away from. Now I am so glad that that addiction is removed from my life!!! I am done TRY-ing, now I'm TRI-ing! The first 30 lbs I lost were due to giving up pop. If you stopped, by all means never start again!!!!

How are all you Merry Bandsters? I am doing fantastic!!! I've done 2 triathlons since 6/21/08. My Tool (LB) has really helped me change my life. I hope you all are doing well. This thread doesn't see much action anymore. We all must have moved on with life. Hopefully all of the initial set backs that many had are only ancient memories. Best of luck!!

Laura, Did you run the 1/2 marathon last year? I just stumbled on this thread. Hope all went well. Are you still training? I have done 2 triathlons since 6/21/08. This is the greatest thing I've ever done. What a rush!!! Take care.

Here are a few pics from last week's triathlon.

I did interval training this morning. Ran just over 2 miles. Rode 15.2 miles this afternoon. It is hot here. That may be the reason I felt like it kicked my tail. Then again, my iPod shuffle battery died 2 miles into the ride. I guess I should charge it once in a while. Good music sure breaks up the training and motivates me. I love a hard rock song when I'm riding. Autograph's "Turn up the Radio" is a favorite. Anything by Ozzy gets me going as well. I really love running to Meatloaf's "I'd do anything". I have added a training tab to my LB Goals spreadsheet. I am tracking my Swim, Bike, and Runs as well as the courses I'm using. I really should have been measuring this all along. My first mile this morning was under 12 minutes. Concentrating on the run was a wise move!! I think I will see a big improvement in Thursday's 5K time. Hope you are having a great weekend - I AM!!!!

Hey guys, I have come up with a great new saying, and I did it all by myself!!!! Here goes.... "If at first you don't have speed, Tri, Tri again!!!" If you quote me, make sure to give me props!!!! :-)