Mellelou

Hey there ladies....let's not lose focus. We are all going to face the most stressful time of the year - but we need to remember we can face it together!! I just had my first fill - and THANK GOD for the numbing stuff!! I had a lot of scar tissue - so he had to work at getting into the port - but all is good and the scale is moving again. I'm now down 45 lbs since May - 25 since the banding on 9/24. I really want to drop another 10 before Christmas - but realistically I'm thinking 5 is more attainable. My biggest fault has been the lack of exercise. I haven't done a bit - and do not feel motivated in the least to do so. I know it would make the scale move quicker - but.....UGH Maybe Santa will bring me the Wii Fit for Christmas!! Maybe that would get my butt moving??? Have a great holiday everyone - and try to remember - Thanksgiving isn't about eating - it's about being with family. Fill youself with the glory of being thinner and let the pie stay on the plate!! Hugs to all Melody

GILTA - ROCK ON SISTA!!! Dress looks great and you look so happy! You should be quite proud! Things have been going well here....weight loss is slow, but until I have a fill I expect it to be. I"m now 4 weeks out (tomorrow will be one month) and I've lost 18 lbs. I have an appt with O'Malley for the 13th and hope to have my first fill then. I am spurred on by the students and other faculty noticing my weight loss now. (Total of 38 lbs since starting). I too got to buy some new clothes, one pair of pants being an 18 - down from many 24's. My shirts are 18/20's now - down from 22's. Im targeting a size 14 - regardless of my weight - I have a size goal....since I've always carried my weight differently than most. I anticipate that at about 210lbs, I will reach my size 14. So - I guess that's 38 down, 65 lbs to go!?! Best wishes to all - and keep keeping on! We ROCK!! Melody

Welcome & Congrats on the wedding! I was in a rush as well as I needed to get banded in the summer due to being a college professor....BUT although things went quickly - things also "happen". I started in March, and due to the one doc being out - my surgery was delayed since my doc (OMalley) had to take on other cases as well as his own. However - it still was a 6 mo process - which I guess is pretty good time! I made arrangements - and made the new timeframe work for me. Today is 14 days after surgery, and I'm down 14 lbs - for a total of 34 for the process - I'm THRILLED!! Best wishes to you! Gilta - Nectar is a protein supplement that is supposed to be very fruity like crystal light with 23 g of protein per 8 oz. However - I learned GNC does NOT carry it - so I have to order it online. In the meantime, I am using something like Nectar that GNC does carry - but they only have one flavor and I'm already sick of it!! Who woulda thought pureed food could taste so good?!?! This isn't bad at all! Can't wait for a fill so the weight starts dropping like it did that 1st week again! Melody

Wow - Sounds like a bunch of frsutration this week....is everyone staying full with protein supplements? Are you using Nectar? I have to go buy some as the supplement I orignally bought doesn't taste good to me and I hear good things about Nectar. If you are using it - what flavors do you recommend? The office was having problems getting me in for my follow-up appt and ended up just sending me the next menu as they didn't want to make me wait. My first fill will be November 13th (I think). In the meantime, I think I can make it through these pureed and soft menus. I went to the casino this weekend and at one point a very large woman sat down next to me and inhaled a juicy cheeseburger. I have to admit - it smelled WONDERFUL - but I also realized I viewed the world with different glasses now....I see people doing horrible things to their bodies and wonder why I never saw that for myself. In the end, I had to leave my machine (that was hitting well too I must say) just to get away from the disgust I was feeling. I don't want this feeling of disgust to last as I want to have empathy for those that struggle as I have - but I think my disgust may have actually been my own disgust with previous behaviors and I was projecting them on her. What a very emotional moment for me....who would have thought it would have came at a casino!?!? Anyway - I'm getting by - the weight has slowed down - but I'm still hopeful at this point. 11 days out - 12.5 down since surgery, 32.5 overall. Hope your week goes better ladies - remember....we want this - we need this - WE CAN DO THIS!!! Melody

Anyone else amazed at the results! I was told how the weight just drops off but I guess I didn't fully believe it until now!! 11 lbs in 8 days for me!! I start pureed foods today - any suggestions for yummy purees out there? Melody

Holy cow! I really can't get over how the weight just drops off!:cool2: I am 8 days out and have lost 11 lbs so far! This is great! I start pureed foods today so I'm looking forward to some chicken!!! Any suggestions on some items that taste good pureed? Melody

Ok - I'm psyched - I have an interview today and I just put on a dress suit that I haven't worn in about 2 years! I've lost 8 lbs so far since surgery last Wed, but a total of 28 since I started the journey. YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!:biggrin: Melody P.S. I start on pureed foods on Thurs - haven't received menu in the mail yet - what am I in store for??:dita:

Not having any issues with "eliminating"...but I've been eating quite a variety of stuff (Jello, pudding, popsicles, cream Soup, etc) So it's gone through quite well! Took a solo trip to store today and did well....I'm heading back to work tomorrow but I teach at a local college so I guess sitting in class talking isn't much different than sitting at home talking! More later - best wishes! Melody

Hey ladies! It's great to find some common ground. I only wish I would have found you all sooner - but I only found this site after the surgery!! Quick question - are you all including weight lossed prior to surgery on your weight tickers? Or is your weight lost just since being banded? Feeling pretty good today..took a solo trip to store for some sugar free pudding/light yogurt/fat free cream soups/jello Thank god for the cream soups! They are getting me through! I am going to go back to work tomorrow but I teach at FLCC so once I get in the classroom I can sit to teach - no different than sitting at home I guess! More later! Again - thanks for being there! Melody

Hey there! How cool it is to find others banded right here in Rochester! I live in Farmington and just got banded at Highland on the 24th. I am doing well so far - having lost 20 lbs prior to surgery, and 5 since....for a total of 25. The pain of the incisions seems to be my only problem right now - nausea has not been an issue and so far eating has been ok with 99% fat free tomato soup being my savior (everything kind of tastes funny right now). Can anyone tell me when to expect the incision pain to let up? Again - so psyched to be able to share this with others that understand!!! Thanks! :thumbup:Melody

Hey there - I am new to the group....but I just got banded on 9/24. I am hoping the pain from my incisions stops soon as that seems to be the only trouble I am having. I had my surgery in Rochester, NY (as I live in Farmington, NY) and my surgeon didn't use stitches or staples - just internal stuff with sterie strips. I have been taking my bandaids off one by one to see how things look and so far so good. My surgeon has me on a pudding/yogurt/cream soup/protein shake diet until I meet with him again. So far the cream Soup (99% fat free - no chunks) works the best. I only took pain meds through Thrusday as Tylenol is giving me the same results. Luckily - I never experienced the nausea (but never have from surgery). I'm looking forward to sharing this adventure with you all! Melody