ginarn1

I set mine at 1100 calories (which I never reach) I usually 800-1000 calories a day. If I do below 800 or above 1000, I just don't lose eigher way. I set my weight loss at 1.25 lbs per week. Which I always go over. I din't want to set it too high and disappointed. You can do whatever you want for goals.

Well, I am officially a groupie. I got my band (arm band that is) 3 days ago, and I am addicted!! I have been reading your posts for 2 months. I love seeing the numbers. Especially after I go to the gym.

I know. There is no good asian food in RI!!

Awesome!! You can do it. I know it will be hard, but you just remember it's 1 WE. I had my first fill today. 0.5cc. I have to do liquids for 2 days. I didn't have to do a liquid diet pre-op, every doc is so different. My nutritionist did recommend it anyway. I was like...oh yeay right. Don't think so. I did the Optifast liquid diet thing. I was all set. Keep everyone posted.

Hi all- How's it going in pre-band land? I got myself a bodybugg this week. 3rd day wearing it. I love it. It is helping me see what I am burning, and how much more activity I need to do to keep on losing. Hope all your appts. are moving along.

For me it's anything carbs: bread, rice, crackers, potato. Of all things tonight chicken. I have to be so careful. The biggest issue is how fast I eat. I can't let myself get hungry. If I take more than 1 bit, any don't chew it up to nothing, it's coming back up. It hurts too!!

There is also Dr. Pohl in Johnston, he does surgery at Roger Williams Medical Center. I had Dr. Beth Ryder, she is in University Surgical with Dr. Roye. She has been nothing short of amazing to me! I have had a couple of bumps, and she has been available, and empathetic through everything.

There is also a group at Miriam Hospital, meets once a month a different day. I have been to the one at RIH a couple times. The thing is it is almost all bypass (RNY) patients. Only 1 or 2 other band patients. I find this web site more helpful and supportive.

Hi Alison- Getting close, you must be excited! Are you having a RI doc? or Boston? It sounds like you'll be banded before summer!!

Hi Gina #2... or I'll call you the other Gina. My appointments took me 2 months. I squeezed them in tight. Took 2 half days at work, and tried to do multiple appts. on one day. I know how you feel. I thought this surgery for almost 2 years before I did it. Then when you decide to do it you want it NOW, yesterday even!! It will happen. I notice some docs do their appts. slightly different. I had to do 3 nutrition appts., did not have to see my PCP, no sleep study because I had one 1 year prior with no sleep apnea. They are all slightly different. It will happen. Enjoy things while you can. Although I would do it again in 1 second, there was a couple of days I was thinking what on god's green earth did I do. Psychologically, it is a little harder than I expected, but getting easier all the time. Yesterday was 8 weeks for me. Went out to dinner Sat. with some couples for the first time. Had my first "PB" disguisting. I ate too fast, was socializing, and barely made it to the bathroom before it all came up, and it hurt, and I was scared! I thought that only happened to other people. It is so hard to change your brain after 35 years of overeating. Keep in touch!!

Hi- I thought nobody was out there. I was banded 2/14/08. It's going well. The first couple of weeks were a little difficult. I had alot of post surgical pain. Esp. form the gas from the CO2. I am a nurse, so I knew what I was in for, but, wasn't prepared for that. It seems people really run the gammet on jumping jacks the next day to 6 weeks of being miserable. I had my 6 week follow up, and was still very restricted and not ready for a fill. But, just the last week or so I am hungry for the first time. I have lost 28.5 lbs. Just that much has made such a huge difference in how I feel. I was 227 going in, so that 200 lb mark was a big deal for me. As I write this I am making some organic Cookies for my 2 dogs. My husband wants to go to this local coffee shop for a tea, but I just can't be around all the cases of Desserts. I guess I'll have a glass of Water instead. Some days feel so easy, and some are so hard. Today is a hungry day. I just keep trying to take it one day at time. Keep in touch on your progress.

Good luck!

Hi- I guess I'll be the first to post. Anyone out there in RI? It would be nice to have another local to chat with. Banded 2/14/08.