pmcfarm

Hi team...boy are we all doing good!! I had my 1st fill 02/03 & it went without a problem (my NP numbed the area so she had flexability in locating the exact spot on the port without my being uncomfortable!!). My biggest HATE is 24hrs. of CLEAR liquids...no problem managing full liquids or soft/pureed foods. No real feeling of restriction yet, but measuring helps with that (I stay at 1 cup). Got my monthly reminder of not weighing at home (my TOPS meeting is Wednesday morning) and I'm OK with that. I am just so grateful that God not only opened the doors, but His spirit is only a whisper away when I stumble & fall. And, God has also provided this site of prayer warriors for support!! MarilynC. :crying:

Hi everybody...well I'm a bit behind on my posting. Finally finished everyones posts from mid January and it sounds like we're all doing great with a few little bumps & detours to remind us no journey is a srtaight A to B route. Well, tomorrow is my 2nd post-op appointment and it's planned to do my 1st fill. I think it's time because this last week I probably could really overeat if I wasn't measuring my food portions (and believe me that's only for my own personal accountability). DH bought me a 1/2 cup measuring glass (Anchor Hocking from Walmart...looks like a double jigger). We live in a very small rural community & for years DH and I have eaten 2-3 meals a day at the local family owned resturant...now I have my very own small luncheon plate & they have been such a great support (and now that I'm approaching 2nd childhood...they give me Kids buffet prices!!!). Everybody remember, even when we hit a bump, life is still good! Hugs to you all...MarilynC:smile:

Hi everyone, seems like everyone is doing pretty well. I have been trying to focus on smooth transitioning from one food plan to the next, without making too many radical changes at once! No problems so far, my weight loss has slowed down a bit (probably food choice related...solid, mushy, solid, mushy cycling...tomorrow will be better!!) Tomorrow is my 4 mo. follow-up lung CT to look for any changes in my "thingies". My weight is down 29# since Thanksgiving...I'll keep it slow! I'm trying to get back into daily speed walking (easier said then done... I have a new walking partner and she doesn't do "speed"...she's my 3 yr. old Shelty and preferred speed is "slow" to accomodate sniffing!!). Well, I'm off to "play" in my sewing room. Our weather is turning COLD... after several days of 80's in the past several weeks, my poor confused Maple trees are covered with new leaves (they didn't learn from last year!!). Even my overly furred babies won't spend more then a few minutes outdoors. MarilynC.

Barngal, I think all of us have had mental questions about failure...maybe I should just say I have...Yes, there may be slip & fall times, but we just get up and move on. We'll use our new tool and we will succeed... because we really want to & because we can come here & get kind, loving support. This site is our safety net!!

Hi mmnairn. I have and am holding you in prayer...hope all goes well with your surgery and your up and walking by now. Hydration & walking are the 2 keys to minimizing pain & gas and quicking the healing process!! I went for my 1st post-op appt. today and the staples were removed and my diet was advanced to soft/mushies. DH took me to Cracker Barrel for dry grilled catfish with 1 tbsp. mashed potatoes & 1 tbsp applesauce and I was satisified. Sometimes I find myself expecting to still be "hungry", but I'm not! Well gotta go... I am going to get up early tomorrow to practice one of my upcoming New years resolutions...to spend 30 min each day in my sewing room working on something for ME (the housework will be there when I'm through PLAYING). MarilynC.

Gerber strained meats really aren't bad...I do use a bit of salt, pepper & onion or garlic powder. Gerber strained fruits are not bad in yogurt & cream of rice or wheat. However, forget Gerber strained veggies...NASTY!! Actually, my treats are my protein shakes... try this one: Crystal Light Cherry/Pomagranite with Cookies & Cream powder (GNC), 12oz. water, 1/2-1 cup ice!!! I think my weight is down 20+ lbs. since Thanksgiving... slow but steady. Will check back soon. Do we have a band count yet for the month?? MarilynC.

Gigi...I will be holding you in prayer!! Where are you in FL? I live in O'Brien, FL and was banded in Ocala. MarilynC. PS. being banded on 12/26 isn't nearly as crazy as 2 wks. BEFORE Christmas (12/15)... Christmas dinner for me was ham & sweet potatoes (as in Gerber...to meet full liquid requirements!!!LOL)

Hi to all December Hotties...hope all of you were blessed this Christmas. I've only been on once since my surgery on 12/15. only because the past 1-1/2 wks. have been crazy busy. My recovery has gone smoothly. This Monday is my post-op visit & hopefully they staples will get removed, I also move from full liquids to mushies/soft foods. I am amazed at how 1 gulp of fluid will instantly teach one to ALWAYS sip-sip-sip!!! Actually I'm also grateful for the first time in my life my "head hunger" is recognizable & controllable. God is good & His mercy & grace will always sustain us. MarilynC.

Hi team...my banding yesterday went very well.Minimal pain (med x2). Lots of walking. Cath x2 (thanks to Keigel excercises...sometimes they work toooooo well), this morning my bladder finally woke up from surgery and began to perform well (with a little help from Lasix). Surgery went lap not open (very few adhesions & liver decreased well) Now figure this out...clear, sugar free/fat free liquids since Sunday...I weighted when I came home & I gained 1# but my clothes are bagging & sagging!! And, so the journey continues...Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers. I will be praying for all the Dec. dates...banded & to-be-banded. MarilynC

Hi team...well my band day is finally here!! It is 2:30AM and I am leaving for the hospital (2-1/2 hr. trip) accompanied by DH & DDog. Thanks to all of you have prayed & are praying for me. China, my twin, I will be praying for you! MarilynC

Hi everyone...well my filter is in (after 7 hrs. of postponements due to emergency fit-ins)...4-1/2 hours of travel time. Mom got safely to airport...6 hours of travel time. Tomorrow is my pre-op at surgeon & hospital (the scheduler said plan to stay "most of the day" & I refuse to wonder what that means...)4-1/2 hours travel. By next Tuesday DH & I will have traveled 22-1/2 hours of non-vacation time!! One bonus is I now know where most of the rest stop bathrooms are...LOL. Think I'll call it a day. MarilynC

Hi everyone! Sure is a blessing to know all this months banders are doing pretty well. Tomorrow is my filter placement day, Wed. is return my mom to the airport day, Thurs. is pre=op day, Fri. is Christmas with DD & DSIL, Sat.&Sun. are officially designated days of rest for surgery on Mon. My DH has designated this as "National Insanity Week"!! Protein shakes aren't too bad once I got a gourmet formula: 1 pkg any flavor 'On the Go" (any brand) SF drink mix, 1 scoop unflavored dry protein, 10-12 oz. water, 1 oz. SF DaVince syrup (I match to drink flavor) & 8+ ice cubes. Got me through a 3 day family reunion this past weekend with a consistant wt. loss. Ok all of us scheduled for 12/15...speak up & look forward ...Last count I think we're quads or quints!! MarilynC

JoannMarie, I'm so very glad your surgery went so well. Your recovery in part is a reflection of your very positive attitude. Still holding you in prayer, not only for your continued progress but also in praise & thanksgiving for all the support you have and are providing for others!!

Joann...well tomorrow is your big day. DH & I will be holding you in prayer, more importantly God will be holding you in His strong, protective arms. MarilynC

Joann...you are so right about looking to positive mentors on this site. As a nurse, I know that every surgery/procedure has potential risks, but for many of us all the side effects of obesity poses a far greater risks. The band just gives us the ability to eat much less and feel full without overeating...but the choices of what & how much to eat is ours not our bands. MarilynC.

For anyone having problems with yukky protein shakes, I decided to use unflavored whey protein (GNC) with any flavor Crystal Light on the go (or OceanSpray powder, etc) DaVinci SF flavored syrups & icecubes. Gives you lots of choices! MarilynC

China...I think we are all struggling as we get closer to our surgery dates (you & I are surgery date twins). My surgeon said 2 weeks of modified South Beach phase 1 diet 1 month before surgery (and the 1st week my modifications were hit & miss, 2nd week was by the book). Sunday I started 2 protein shakes & 1 SB type dinner (I'm choosing to do Lean Crusine or WW frozen dinners...less temptation) until 12/13 then clear liquids on 12/14 & surgery on 12/15. Each morning I thank & praise God for the doors He opened & His ability to keep me on track...it has been a very long road with lots of bumps! Remember the very best gift we can all give to all Holiday Hotties is unceasing prayers. MarilynC.

Hi China...you and I will be sharing the same date 12/15 only mine is in FL

Hi...I use the 4 oz. Ball quilted jelly jars (bought at Walmart for about $4.00/dozen....in the canning section). Use in freezer or microwave. MarilynC

Hi everyone...this is just a test to see if my weight bar is working. MC

Hi trina4ufl : we live near each other...I live in O'Brien, FL a small rural town between Lake City & Live Oak to the south. My surgery is 12/15 in Ocala. Good luck on getting a Dec date. MarilynC

Hi everyone...I'm new to this site, most of my posting has been on Christian bandsters. Finally the end is in sight. My surgeons office called today and I'm scheduled for my IVC filter placement 12/09 (to prevent another pulmonary blood clot), pre-op appt with surgeon & hosp 12/11 and SURGERY on 12/15. I am to start South Beach Phase1 now, Phase2 in 2 wks. & 2 protein shakes with 1 SB meal starting 12/01...clear liquids the day before surgery. I can do this only because God has opened the doors & has carried me through in the past!! Any group name is good for me. MarilynC (rural North FL)

Sharmom...welcome. You have come to a really safe haven. What you are experiencing is probably normal because you are in the middle of a major lifestyle change and that takes time. When your feelings begin to get overwhelming...give yourself some time to come online here. For me, just writing is sometimes all it takes to put my feelings back together. I will be praying for you and your family. Thank you for letting us share your feelings. MarilynC

Hi everyone...Banding update: my IVC filter placement is scheduled for 12/09, pre-op appt is 12/11, & SURGERY is to be 12/15. Today I restart South Beach Phase 1, 12/01 I start 2 protein shakes & 1 SB meal a day. I can do this....through my Father who opens all doors and carries us through the rough spots! JoAnne we can be band sisters!! MarilynC:thumbup:

Hi friends...I'm back at home after 2 weeks in Iowa (I was supposed to fall in love with Iowa so DH & I could move when DD & DSIL move in 3-5 years...NOT gonna happen, we'll visit May-September). When we had snow flurrys Saturday, DD was soooo excited & I remembered why DH & I live in rural North FL (4 seasons NO snow). Update on WLS status: the nurse called me in Iowa and told me I needed to do 2 wks. of trmt for H. Pylori titers (thankfully no endoscopy needed). Tomorrow I am to schedule dates for my inferior vena cava filter placement, per-op meeting & surgery, I'm hoping for mid-December. DMom (age 93) announced tonight she thinks she'll come up the day before Thanksgiving and stay for the family Christmas reunion the 1st weekend in Dec. (mom doesn't approve of this type of surgery & says I do not appreciate her gift of life etc. in my former life I would have backed off, however, my current mantra is "my body, my business" so I choose not to discuss it with her). God has blessed me with life, my spiritual rebirth and now soon to be physical rebirth. He is so good & so protective. And all He asks is for our love and trust! I pray always that He will bless & protect each of you. MarilynC