Southern Missy

As far as mushy foods go, have you thought about: sweet potatoes Stove Top stuffing cottage cheese Think of it like this, it could be the liquids stage -- where everything seems to be SWEET!!! :crying:

I started running (couch-2-5K) after he released me at 2 weeks. I did this every other day. I don't do the program itself anymore -- I just do my own thing (still running) but I highly recommend the Couch-2-5K program if you are a novice like me. It is a great way to start out and is extremely helpful in keeping the weight loss steady. Whatever you decide -- Just keep moving!! :thumbup:

Yay Jason! The day has finally arrived. We'll all be thinking of you today!! :crying:

Just so you know... I did ask my surgeon that question because I am the mother of 4 children and the stomach bug usually passes through our crew at least twice a year, if not more. His answer was that if I did, I did and it probably wouldn't be a big deal. :banghead: So -- not really a good answer, huh? BUT, as a person who also caught EVERY SINGLE THING they did, now I don't. The last 2 times they had the bug earlier this year, I made certain to wash my hands after every contact with them and to spray down every single thing they touched (couch, remote control, telephone, cup) with Lysol before I would touch it. They would be offended that I didn't want to get "germs" but now they just laugh and so do I because I don't get sick! Of course, I have been exercising a lot and eating better so that probably also contributes to my well-being. HTH!

Yours and mine both -- although I don't always appreciate it like I should! :eek: Even the kids get in on it now. Like Nana said, it's all about pacing for me as well. I've learned to take the 1st bite and then sit and wait and my 5-year-old never fails to ask if I am stuck. I tell her no, I am just waiting. Because if I don't, then I will get stuck. It's like it gets air bubbles in between bites unless I eat slowly. The hiccups thing just started last week but it is a pretty cool indicator (much cooler than a PB anyway!)

Aubrie, I am so glad to hear someone else say it -- Lately, when I have had enough or am bordering on maybe one bite too many, I have started getting the hiccups. I'll hiccup and look at my husband and say, guess it's time to put down the fork! I also have the same feeling when I get stuck ...not fun!

Shawna, Hope this is the fill for you -- something must be working cause I see your ticker is on the move again! Awesome job! Not to be gruesome but WOW what a difference a crap makes! I have been so constipated lately. I can only attribute it to the decreased intake because I really don't lack in the fiber department or water for that matter. I decided today I had had enough so I trucked off to Wal-Mart for some glycerin suppositories (that right there tells you I was desperate) and some MiraLax to start taking on a regular basis starting tomorrow. Anyway, took care of business when I got back and then this evening, after I got out of the shower, I decided to weigh and had lost 1.5 pounds. Not sure really why I thought you guys would want to know this other than the fact that maybe some of you soon-to-be-banders might need to have something on hand to aid with constipation -- I didn't have any problems postop but here lately it has really been an issue.

I would normally agree 100% (I usually gag with each swallow) but, this time, knowing what I was doing it for, I didn't have the near the trouble getting it down that I usually do! :smile2:

As excruciating as the wait is, it really is over before you know it! Just look how far you've all come -- you're almost there! Hang in there!

Man, I wish I could come to the meeting!!! :biggrin: We are so broke right now, though, and just affording the gas to get up there is too much this month. Maybe next month, though! I was just going to tell my girls, Wendy, Diane, Fordgal, as well as anyone else .. if you want to see what ugly looks like, um.., I mean if you'd like to see a recent progress pic, I posted mine on the big board. Seriously, the 1st set is the night before surgery so that meant nothing in the hair or on the face. The 2nd was taken this week when I was all down and depressed because the scale hadn't moved. :tongue_smilie: However, I'm proud to say that my little monthly friend moved on and took 3 pounds with him! Whoo Hoo! Although Wendy and Shawna both have pics on here, this is my first time and it feels a little freaky putting your pic out there for the world to see! Oh, well. Where IS Wendy? It's not like her to go so long without posting.

Been having a down moment, especially with my good "friend" TOM visiting but since I'm 1/3 of the way there, I'd say it's time to post. Don't look at the hair...

AWESOME Job, Liz! I also am celebrating! I have officially lost the 1st 40 which is 1/3 of the way there! :biggrin::biggrin::thumbup::biggrin2: Keep up the good work everyone!!

HA! Actually, yesterday was my bday and, as usual, when eating dinner with a group, I ate too quickly and spent the remaining half of the meal in the bathroom. WHEN WILL I LEARN??? I have not had one single PB since the 1st week of getting used to this fill until now. Grr.... Wendy -- How is the fill? Everything okay with the band? Bama Girl -- Any news from Naomi yet?? I tell you guys, YOU are the saints for putting up with that office staff. :biggrin: That was one of the main reasons I decided not to go with them.

SugarB: I am on week 4, as well -- probably going to be there for a while! :thumbup:

That is EXACTLY how I feel. Wow! You're right, in the midst of it, I'm telling myself what a freaking nut I am but when I'm done, I just am filled with this huge appreciation for myself and the fact that I was capable of doing it. I had never run before either nor had the desire to before LB but I just felt that I had to pull out all the stops because if this wasn't going to be successful, it wasn't going to be because of me!

Crzy, Thanks for the input and the explanation. Also, makes no difference what you do, just that you're doing something -- AWESOME JOB for making the effort to go to the gym!! This was sort of my last ditch effort to lose weight and I was determined to go at it with everything I had. That's why I am terrified of not being able to run...it has been working and I just don't know if I could take a setback.

Well, I was a little concerned that the elliptical wouldn't provide as good a workout as the running... ahem... (waiting while those who have tried it before, pick themselves up after ROFL their A***S off!!). Man alive, 15 minutes of that and I felt like I had Jello for legs!! And yes, Heather O., it was definitely less stress on my hip. I think I will try it every day for the rest of this week and see how my weight loss progresses. Then, I will definitely know for sure that I am not going to mess up a good thing! You just hate to change something that you know works, KWIM?!

Leslie, Thanks so much for your reply! I know what you mean about the dark hair.. I feel like my scalp is gleaming white! I did get a hair cut last week, though, because when it's shorter, I at least don't shed as much. Emily... if you'll look in the fitness threads, there is a Couch-to-5K thread that will tell you all about it. Basically, the short version is that it is a program that uses a combination of running and walking over several weeks which is supposed to take you from being a couch potato to the ability to run a 5K should you so choose.

First, CHEERS -- I have to pat myself on the back (which I now can reach a lot easier) for the 39.5 pounds I have lost. WOW!! :glare: I am 1/3 of the way there! Here, however, are some of my fears that I hope you brilliant LBTers can help me with: 1. My hair is thinning. I could be overanxious about it since I have spent my life with incredibly thick hair.. the kind of hair that is hard to put in a ponytail, the kind of hair that when you part, you still can't see scalp... well, now I see scalp and a small furry animal lives in my shower now. Somehow when I envisioned thin, bald just wasn't part of that picture. I mentioned it to my surgeon who said he didn't think it was from surgery (yeah, right) but I didn't have this problem until I had surgery. :sad: 2. I have been doing Couch-to-5K since I was released postoperatively. I attribute the majority of my weight loss to it. However, for the past week, I have had a catch in my hip that is only relieved by Tylenol. I skipped my workout yesterday and my hip, after 4 days, felt fine. I know it is because of all the weight on my joints but I am literally SCARED TO DEATH not to be able to run. Besides that, I actually kind of (like) it... (even scarier that I can say it out loud) . I asked the trainer at my Y what she recommended and she said the bike ....blah. That interests me about as much as sticking my head in the toilet. I thought about trying the elliptical but wasn't sure if that would be any easier on the hip or not. I'm starting to get depressed about it, though. Anyone have any ideas? I sure don't want to push and possibly do damage that puts me down for an extended period of time. Thanks for reading and I welcome ANY and ALL suggestions!

Absolutely! For the last 4 years, no matter what I did, I was unable to lose weight. Now, in just 2-1/2 months, I have managed to lose nearly 40 pounds -- talk about amazing!! I had some reservations and moments when I questioned whether this was the right thing to do but it has definitely been worth it with absolutely no regrets -- none, nada, not even one! Only you can make the decision but as far as I'm concerned, it has given me my life back. Good luck to you!

Just don't forget that if you are ordering pills you will need to consider the size. I came to the realization today that I will not be able to swallow Tylenol tablets and will have to stick with the liquid Tylenol... that's after getting stuck twice. Every prenatal pill I ever used was HUGE! Just my 2-cents, though!

Hey Allison! Like you, I rarely have time to post, a couple of times a week. I do cruise by daily but only have time to read a few posts. I have had 4 fills and think I may be at my sweet spot. The best thing I have done to keep my weight loss steady is the Couch-to-5K like Watchout is talking about. I just do each week until I feel comfortable with it before moving to the next. DH just told me tonight that he noticed I am running a good bit faster than the first few weeks. Of course, the first few weeks, he was walking and we kept up with one another... tonight I passed him 2 or 3 times. :wub: I can't wait to get to ONEderland -- you're SO close! Right now, I'm just taking it 10 pounds at a time!

Di -- We must have posted at the same time! I know what you mean about burning the candle. Whew! I'm ready for it to slow down around here. Quite unusual for me, though, I use the exercise to help me de-stress. It's pretty funny because now when I get mad, I want to go run. At least you haven't gained during all this! Way to go!

Shawna -- WOW, what a difference! You go girl! Maybe this will be the fill that helps you. My MD wasn't pushing for fills because I was still losing weight but I told him that starving after 2 hours just wasn't acceptable because I was having to survive on willpower. I've done a lot better with it than I thought I would but I think that's just because I have been so excited about finally losing weight. It literally has been about 4 years since I have been able to lose weight....&*#@ PCOS! I still haven't decided if this is it, as far as fills go, for me or not. I think I am there but it's really hard to tell because I'm not sure if I'm still swollen or not. eggs ... gotta love 'em. About the only way I can eat them is if DH makes them because he adds milk or something that makes them supermoist. Otherwise, they ain't going down! Good to hear from you girl! Keep up that Water -- we certainly need the extra hydration around here! :biggrin2: