Doxie

I was wanting to try the Syntrax nectar Protein but I don't want to shell out $$$ for something I might not like...plus they have so many flavors. I'm not a chocolate lover and I think strawberry Protein shakes taste fake and nasty and vanilla is only slightly more tolerable. The fruit flavors appeal to me, I hope they are as good as the reviews I read say they are. So I googled for samples and came across this site: Vitalady.com - Protein supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks! I ordered a few. She carries several brands and has samples packaged for each. I had to restrain myself so I only ordered the syntrax nectars and Isopure samples for now. I see more that I might try in the future. They are $1.99 each.

Knowing what to expect from reading others experiences here is very helpful. I wasn't scared at all and knew the only thing I would feel is the initial poke to numb the area. After I was numb the Dr pushed and felt about 3 times and then stuck it in. I could sense the pressure from his probing but didn't feel anything. This morn I was drinking my Protein shake as usual on the way to work and all the sudden I couldn't take another drink, I only had half of it. Then I only had 1 egg where I have been eating 2. It's so weird, I can't feel any difference but I just reach a point that I can't take another bite or I would be sick ~ it's hard to describe and kinda cool, not feeling hungry like I was and being completely satisfied with just a small amount.

so thought I'd update the rest of the day. S (12:30) 1/2 protein shake about 4 I was out shopping and got hungry, I was at the PX so I thought maybe the Taco Johns would have a pinto bean bowl but they didn't so I got a plain beef burrito, I had half then and then had the other half for dinner about 6:30. Still satisfied and it's bedtime now.

Wed: B: Protein shake s: 1/2 package oatmeal L: 3 oz can chicken, 1/4 cup diced cooked carrots, 1/2 cup potato soup D: 1 cup potato soup Thur: (so far) B: 1/2 Protein Shake S: 1 egg, cooked in microwave L: 1/2 can cream of chicken soup S: I'll probably have the other half of the protein shake D: ?

I went for a check up today and got my first fill. The Dr was very pleased with my weight loss (11 more pounds since my last appt. on 15 Dec) and said it was up to me whether or not to get a fill. I told him I had been getting quite hungry and could I please get a smidge .... so he put in 2cc's. I go back in 3 weeks to see how it's going. It was no big deal...only felt a small sting when he gave me the numbing shot. Then I sat up and took a couple of sips of Water and then I was out of there. I like his scale better, I came right home and weighed and mine was 2 pounds more. My highest weight was from my first visit to his office. I'll see if it's still off after my next visit. I'm using his as my official weight anyway.

I dug out all my various exercise dvd's and I popped in Leslie Sansone's Miracle Mile. I was a little disappointed that I could only complete 3/4 of a mile but hey ~ it's a start and I'll be doing much more than that soon enough.

Gotcha added; what is you end goal, if you have one?

Got you added Cali... We have quite a nice sized group.

woo hoo Pete~ way to go! You look so much taller in the second pics.

Good idea Goose.... I didn't do traditional exercise, I took all the clothes out of the closet so I could add the supports for the shelving (in 3 closets) then went through the clothes in my bedroom before hanging them back up...and then finished unpacking 4 more boxes of clothes and hanging them up or folding for drawers....I was pretty worn out by the time I finished. I figure I got in lots of lifting and some bending and walking back in forth from the closet to the bed and back again....oh and climbing up and down the step ladder to put sweaters up on the shelf. I can walk in my room now. Just a few more boxes of bathroom stuff and most of those are small. That's the next project.

i do mostly too, China....sometimes I will click on the new posts button at the top of the page and just quickly scroll through to see if anything looks interesting to read but generally I just come here.

Are you sure you would want to do a spreadsheet....how about just a thread here in our forum, similar to the one in the food forum but just for us and we could start a new one each month. If you do a spreadsheet, that would be lots of updating and it could get overwhelming. Why don't we try a thread first and see how that works?

Hey Pete, My hubby went to basic and AIT at Ft Dix too, but a couple of years before you. He got there on New Years Eve 1987 so started off 1988 at Dix. He just had his anniversary....21 years. He lost quite a bit of weight while he was there too, but alas, it didn't stay off. He says he's going to lose some weight and work out lots while he's deployed this time...here's hoping. I also will be cooking for two so when he does get back, there won't be lots of food for seconds (or thirds) and that should help too. My routine has developed into: 5:30 - shake on the drive to work 7:30 - half an instant oatmeal or yogurt with splenda or cottage cheese 9:45 - lunch ~ Soup or tuna, chicken and veg...something soft 12:30 - the other half of oatmeal or sometimes the rest of lunch if I couldn't eat it all 3:00 - off work and then I drink another shake or have a Protein rich snack 6ish - dinner I know some say not to have more than 3 meals but I could not make it through the day without having the extra small meals/snacks. I go to bed between 8:30-9 so I don't want to eat much later than 6. It seems to be working...I'm not losing lots but it's still heading down slowly and until I get my first fill next week, I'm very happy that I'm not stuck or gaining any as some do during this time.

I took my one month photos today. Hard to believe it's been just over 4 weeks already. I'm feeling good and seem to be having more energy. I was working on purging my closet before I finish unpacking (we moved just before my surgery). I managed to get the living room/kitchen pretty much done before surgery, then I was recovering and couldn't lift or move much, then Christmas so I'm finally getting to my bedroom. How are all the other first weekers doing? I can't wait to see the changes another month will bring....

Well, here I am ~ one month out. I am scheduled for my first fill on the 7th. I can't wait, I've been getting hungry. I still can't eat as much as I could before ~ YAY ~ but after just 2-3 hours I'm so hungry again. I had thought of more to say but now can't remember....isn't that how it goes? I took my 1 month pictures and I can see a little change,

Well, here I am ~ one month out. I am scheduled for my first fill on the 7th. I can't wait, I've been getting hungry. I still can't eat as much as I could before ~ YAY ~ but after just 2-3 hours I'm so hungry again. I had thought of more to say but now can't remember....isn't that how it goes? I took my 1 month pictures and I can see a little change,

thank you, I finally got it.

Does anyone know how I can combine my before and during photos as one photo? I have Adobe photoshop. It's been a month since banding so I took new photos today. I can actually see a little change.:tt2: Thanks in advance...

Super Huge thank you to Pete for all the updating....and for doing the formulas. I copied the sheet and made one for each month so they will be ready to go. And thanks to China for the idea and welcoming and cheering everyone on!

There is a group for 20's, here is the link: Twenties - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

Hi all, My goal for Jan is 10 pounds. As all of the HH (holiday hotties) post their goals here, I will add them to the spreadsheet. As you weigh weekly I will update it. There is no set day to weigh, I labeled it start, week 1, week 2, etc. I'll probably weigh in on Sat's, Pete weighs on Fri so whatever day works for each of you. Here's the link for easy viewing: Holiday Hotties ~ How Low Can We Go in 2009 - Google Docs ***I added it to my signature too***

I saw that, looks good. I have a question, to all, not just Pete.... why does everyone always count pre-op loss and then loss since surgery? Isn't the total loss all that matters? Just curious why so many count it this way...any thoughts?

I can add a Dec sheet if you want...I was just starting fresh with the new year. The main (or first sheet) is to track your total from the start, I'll add a sheet following for each month's goals. I already fixed your display. I still have some tweaking to do, it's a work in progress and I can only get on the computer during my breaks....I am off tomorrow so I will work on it tonight and tomorrow..

I think it might be a good idea just to have a few people with access. China has been the initiator of the challenges so maybe she could be the main one with Pete (and then me or someone else) as back up. Here are the columns I was thinking of for the monthly challenges: goal, 1st week weight, weight for each week (10th, 17th, 24th, 31st) and then total lost. Should we do a weekly weigh-in such as each Sat?

Anyone can be authorized...don't even need to have a gmail account.