JudyAnticola

Beyond a doubt I am not sorry I did this, slow loss or not, it was a good move. I think the most important advice I can give the two of you is that you still have to work at it, but it really does give the added boost!!

Wow, everyone is moving to surgery so fast. Didnt it seem like it would never get here? You guys must be so excited! My loss is slow, but I am not exercising enough. I only will have two days of exercise in this week!

Linda, I noticed you lost more weight. You have already surpassed me for sure!

Linda, I noticed you lost more weight. You have already surpassed me for sure!

Linda can you call me about 7 am so we can confirm the weather situation? I am concerned that it will be too wet (if one can believe the weather). We usually walk in Buffalo because the group is distributed all over the city. If it is just Linda and I we could go anywhere. Como park is a little far for Linda but we could walk closer than Delaware Park most likely. NBuffalo Girl, we expect to be walking through into December. It warms up as we walk. We are hoping to walk until it snows.

Big GurlX, was not sure if you were joking about all the good food if you are having surgery potentially in December or January you need to be on South Beach or something so you lose 5% of your body weight before the surgery. Just want to make sure they told you that.

Big GurlX, was not sure if you were joking about all the good food if you are having surgery potentially in December or January you need to be on South Beach or something so you lose 5% of your body weight before the surgery. Just want to make sure they told you that.

Believe me Linda, it does not take long for your appetite to return, sadly! I have had a fill and am ready for another. I agree Band, there is a point at which that little nudge tells you to stop without one more bite--I do usually take the hint now and do not push it to the next bite. For the time being at least I am not sliming at all which is great, I hate that feeling.

I cant not wait to try the salsa and cottage cheese! I am not an egg eater so I eat banana bread for breakfast. I like your idea Val, as I love cottage cheese and salsa both.

The drinking thing is the hardest for me to embrace. What I do know is look at my watch as soon as I take my last bite and determine when I can drink, and make myself drink at that time. I have had so much nausea from dehydration. The other thing I do is if I am meeting my friends at a restaurant I show up early, that way I can drink before I order my food. It is going pretty well too.

Bloom and Band, Nicki has a problem in the morning as well, for her breakfast is about 10:30 am.

Band and Bloom-now first let me tell you I am not going gangbusters with weight loss, but with regard to PB and sliming--I eat too fast, I think I have finally modified that bad habit. Just keep trying to eat slow and smaller. You are eating good protein it seems. I have to tell you I have the most problems with protein. Cake goes down easily, LOL. Eggs should not be getting stuck though, so if they are talk to the Hoff, you may be too tight. Everyone else should chime in with their opinion, but I am pretty sure that when the stuff gets stuck it is either too big or you ate too fast. As a reminder, the clinic says if you get something really stuck, you need to go back to liquids for the next 24 hours, as your opening is swollen. Also, if you feel like something is stuck, stop eating, as you will only pile food on top of what is stuck, you could end up damaging your exophagus or even your band.

Bloom, did you get to the park? I was out of town and missed it, but I walked all over Austin, I can tell you that.

NBuffalo girl--I have never been able to get anyone to quote how many grams of protein you are supposed to have daily once you are off the protein. I have tried to pin the nurses down, but I do not have an answer. I eat my protein first, so I know I am getting enough. I am not getting enough vegetables.

Write down everything you eat or drink. If you are not losing then you are eating at least 1500 calories a day. If you are gaining then you are eating more than that. Remember, you have to eat 3000 calories to gain a pound! Write it down faithfully. Hoffman does tell me little portions many times a day. I do not think I have lost much since my fill, will check my weight on Weds. However, I do eat too much, too big and too fast.

Hoffman told me that coffee is ok, as a matter of fact, right after my swallow test I walked to the coffee shop in the main lobby and had my fix!!

I wont be at the park this week, am headed out of town for a few days. Maybe will see you the 25th!

I eat chicken wings and I have been losing 1-2 pounds a week. Moderation is all you need. I dont eat them often and I do not eat a lot, but the cool thing is I can eat them. What diet ever allowed that?

Bloom and Band and everyone else. I just saw Linda, she was tired but happy. She has the ice bag over her belly (we all remember that, right?) She had no nausea, lucky bum! She is already asking what time she can go home tomorrow! Actually last night she was able to go to a comedy show with her husband, cleansing ended early! She is on her way.

Synergy is the group from sister's Hospital. One of my friends, Maria, is one of his dieticians. She is very nice. I have heard about their exercise facility. Good luck. Let us know how long it takes you to go from start to finish.

It is the mannitol in the sugar free stuff that causes diarrhea. If you watch for splenda or other sweeteners you probably wont have that problem. As you say Band, it does come in handy some time. Vicki, I am going to Texas but when I get back we will get together again, ok?

Bloom, you said you were walking with us on Saturday, we are holding you too that!!

I will be there. Possibly Nicki too. Maybe even PJ the dog, not sure yet. Medaille is having a dog wash tomorrow, so I may take the pooch there for a clean up after the walk.

Bloom, I can not believe you dont think about eating all the time now. You are so lucky, it is all I think about. I am trying to think what was my first whole food after surgery. Hamburger I think and omelets. Now I eat everything in small amounts. Linda, be sure to check, I do not think it is clear liquids after surgery, just liquids, but I could be wrong. I drank protein with milk, banana and peanut butter. I also had the blended soups. Clear would be hard, because you are still hungry at that point. But check your book, I am sure they gave this information in the handouts. Bloom, do you remember? Is it clear liquid? I did like the designer protein. Both chocolate and vanilla, but I mixed with milk, so maybe that makes the difference. Ice too.

There are probably a lot of great surgeons out there, what sets Dr. Hoffman apart is that he is an incredible human being as well as a great surgeon.