JulieNYC

At 245 I don't think you'll need an extender. But if you do (as I do), all you have to do is ask for it once. Then "borrow" it and travel with it until you're smaller. Then leave it on the plane the first time you fly and don't need it. We all know that stealing is wrong, but I can't tell you how much easier carrying my own extender makes traveling for me. For me, it was worth it (and I'll return it to Delta in a few lbs!)

Hi April Bandits! I'm Julie in NYC and I was banded on April 10th at NYU. It's been a breeze so far, except for being hungry. For those on liquids, I highly recommend tomato soup with cottage cheese run through a blender. I'm not a cottage cheese fan because I don't like the consistency, but it works well and keeps you fairly full when run through the blender. Also, for anyone battling shoulder pain, I found that one of those "IcyHot" Patches that you get at the drug store, peel the backing off and stick it on the shoulder worked WONDERS. After 2 applications, my shoulder was perfect again. I move to solid food on Thursday and I'm nervous about it because I want to lose weight and I know that will be hard on solids with no fill until May 30th. Take care and keep in touch,

Molly, I think you're spot on with your theory on scale accuracy. I'm hoping to get past that with my new scale purchase that guarantees accuracy for weights more than 100 lbs more than me. Time will tell as it's supposed to arrive on Wed. Take care,

Julie-NYC's Gone for Good Club Spring Challenge Hi all, I'm new to the band and new to the group. This sounds like fun! I was banded on 4/10 by Dr. Fielding at NYU. I'm down 18 lbs and looking to make the most of my first 6 months. I can't think of a better way than through this challenge! Take care, Julie-NYC Points earned for Rule 1 For each day that you drink a minimum of 64oz of Water, you earn 1 point. You may earn a bonus of 5 points for a perfect month. 4-26_n/a_4-27_1__4-28_1__4-29_1_4-30_1__5-01_1__5-02__1__5-03_1__Week's Total__7__ 5-04__1__5-05__1__5-06__1__5-07__1__5-08__1__5-09__1__5-10__1__Week's Total__7__ 5-11_1___5-12__1__5-13__1__5-14__1__5-15__1__5-16__1__5-17_1___Week's Total__7__ 5-18_7___5-19__1__5-20__1__5-21__1__5-22__1__5-23__1__5-24_1___Week's Total__7__ 5-25__1__5-26__1__5-27__1__5-28__1__5-29__1__5-30__1__5-31__1__Week's Total__7__ Bonus earned_____Grand Total____35__ Points earned for Rule 2 For each day that you exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes, you earn 2 points. You may earn a bonus of 5 points for a perfect month. 4-26_n/a_4-27__0__4-28__0__4-29__2__4-30__2__5-01_2__5-02__0__5-03__0__Week's Total__6__ 5-04__0__5-05__0__5-06__2_5-07__2_5-08__0_5-09__0_5-10__0__Week's Total__4__ 5-11_0___5-12__0__5-13__2__5-14__0__5-15__0__5-16__2__5-17_2___Week's Total__6__ 5-18__0__5-19_2___5-20__0__5-21__2__5-22__2__5-23__2__5-24_0___Week's Total__8__ 5-25__2__5-26__2__5-27__2__5-28__2__5-29_2___5-30__2__5-31__2__Week's Total__14__ Bonus earned_____Grand Total___38__ Points earned for Rule 3 For each day that you do not eat foods that contain flour or sugar, you earn 3 points. (sugar substitutes are allowed) You may earn a bonus of 5 points for a perfect month. 4-26_n/a_4-27__3__4-28__3__4-29__3__4-30_3__5-01_3__5-02__3__5-03__0__Week's Total_18__ 5-04__0__5-05__3_5-06__3_5-07__0_5-08__3_5-09__3_5-10__0__Week's Total__12__ 5-11__0__5-12__0__5-13__0__5-14__0__5-15__0__5-16__0__5-17_0___Week's Total__0__ 5-18__0__5-19__0__5-20__3__5-21__3__5-22__3__5-23__3__5-24_3___Week's Total__15__ 5-25__3__5-26__3__5-27__3__5-28__3__5-29__3__5-30__3__5-31__3__Week's Total__21__ Bonus earned_____Grand Total___66___ Points earned for Weight loss For each pound that you lose during the challenge, you earn 1 point Beginning weight 4-26: 340 Weigh-in weight 5-3: 334 Weigh-in weight 5-10: 332 Weigh-in weight 5-17: 332 Weigh-in weight 5-24: 329 Ending weight 5-31: 326 Total lost during challenge: 14 Total points earned for Rule 1: 35 Total points earned for Rule 2: 38 Total points earned for Rule 3: 66 Total points earned for weight loss: 14 Total Challenge points earned: 153 (or 158 if I get the bonus for Rule 1, which I did every day including the first day, but I hadn't seen and signed up for the challenge yet!)

I love this thread so much that I just had to make what is my first post on this forum. Yea for a place for people who have more than a pesky little 100 lbs to lose! My name is Julie and I was banded on 4/10/06 at NYU. My start weight was 358, I'm 5'2, which is a BMI of 65.5. I am down to 340 as of last Friday -- probably lower now but I'm trying not to scale obsess. Speaking of scales, I just ordered one that goes to 440 on Ebay for a reasonable price. The same company has one that goes to 540 as well. Search for "obesity scales" if you're interested and once mine arrives, I'll post on how accurate I find it to be.... For now, I don't notice a lot of changes since banding. I'm quite hungry but sticking to my mushies and 1000 cals/day. I've got my first fill scheduled for May 30. The only change I have noticed at all (which is actually kind of a big one) is that I don't break out in a sweat with simple movement any more. A few months ago even walking 2 or 3 blocks with friends would get my temperature up, despite serious time at the gym. Now, even though winter is over, I don't seem to be having that problem. I can't wait to be able to fly comfortably. My family is a long way away and I'd like to see them more often and not have to worry about always planning ahead enough to make sure I have an aisle seat. Take care all, Julie-NYC