OH Juli

Hi kids. It was 8 weeks ago that I had surgery and yes I actually feel 100% now. Yesterday I ran 2 miles and today I completed a full 50 minutes of spin class. I'm back to tracking my food again. My goal is to keep it around 1200 give or take 100 calories. The bigger news is that I interviewed for a new position today that uses my exprience with food service and my MBA. I hope they offer me enough money to jump. I've always got something going on huh? Bless you all for all your encouragement. I really appreciate it. XO.

If I can drag the kiddo away from the pool I'll do my best to be at this one. I'll actually be in town! :crying: Brag all you want about that 5K Bill. That's completely bragworthy! What a great accomplishment!

I know that OSU has taken someone from up Findley...but she had complications with her original band. But check them out for fills. I'm sure each group has a different policy.

I'll get my pictures up at some point. I'm just not in front of cameras very often. Jeni, You'll be fine. You'll heal well. XO everyone!

J I had to say I had a few weeping jags too. I think it's part of the process. Yes, life feels better when you are finished with them, I agree. Love those doggies and rest. I would do a big day then a rest day when I was at your point in the recovery. It wasn't planned like that but it just turned out like that. Maybe that will be your pattern too. XO and love those puppies for me. I heart doggies and don't have one in my life right now. :purplebananna: Soon though, I hope.

I started seeing one when I decided to have the surgery. It took 14 months of waiting to get the surgery (many insurance snafus) then I've continued to see her ever since. All kinds of things pop up with this from how I feel about myself, how other see me, etc. And she's been very helpful. I honestly feel she's done as much for my success as the surgeon who placed my band.

My clothing gets given away the minute it's too big. Always. There's no reason to hang on to them. I HIGHLY recommend people to get involved with counseling when you consider any huge life changing event. I think it's a great idea that you are thinking about it. The words of my therapist ring meaningful and helpful over and over again. And even if you only kind of sort of think therapy is a good idea, it's not going to hurt to give it a shot. Good luck.

Hi gang. I'll say in my pre band days you could find me in the refrigerator in the middle of the night eating cold left overs. After banding before I got to the right restriction I was able to eat at night and have no issues. I had to fight the wars you all are fighting. I found that hot tea (caffiene free) was soothing and special and would keep my mouth from seeking food. But there were times I'd eat before bed time and be fine. It was hard just like you all are describing. However things changed when I got my last fill about a year ago. I would get reflux if I ate after 7pm when I went to bed around 11. I needed 4 hours for the food to go down. I'd still do tea at time. If I ate anyway I'd wake up with reflux or vomiting in my mouth. It took three days of choosing food over reasonable behavior before it sunk in that sleep was the better option. Am I saying that you need to be that filled? No, but maybe if you are still seeking the perfect fill level that's something that consider. My point is that if you have the night eating monkey on your back put into place survivor tactics like chatting or planning a healthy mini meal/snack for your harshest times. I'm amazed that I still struggle with food "issues" this far into the journey, but the reality is that I feel I'll have issues with food until the day I die. It's just a matter of how well controlled I have them. Good luck!

Jeni, I'm a tough cookie when it comes to exercise. But I'm a big ol' baby when it comes to plastic surgery. Spinning is actually really hard. Give it three tries before you give up on it. By the third time you'll be able to stay on the bike (maybe not doing the full intensity) for the full time. Let me say, I just got back to strength training yesterday. My pecs and my biceps are aching! Tomorrow is when I go back to it! I can't wait.

Glad to hear you are doing so well! Keep us posted. My belly button oozed a bit too. It's looking great now. Some of that is to be expected.

I clicked the link. Looks like a good time but you are on the other side of the country! I wish you were closer I'd do it in a minute! I have to say the name of one of your challenging teams "menstrual cycles" made me laugh out loud.

Tammy That is frustrating. It sounds like you have a plan though. Waiting 8 weeks, while it is a pain the butt, it's something to focus on. You know try to go for those filling foods that are low in calories if you can get them down. Lots of fruit and veggies and lean Protein. I know we all know how to diet. We are professionals. I don't mean to tell you what you already know. I just want to support you! Come here and share your feelings often. We'll help you stay focused while you figure out your band difficulties. XO

The winds are terrible right now. I don't know what gives?! BG, look for a ride around 6/6/09. I'll be up there and we're going to do some mt. biking that weekend too, to get ready for the Muddy Buddy Part II. I'd love to ride with you. Nothing huge, less than 40. Traci, Thanks for the compliment. I just got my degree this weekend, that was Zoe hugging the stuffing out of me.

There was a good deal of skin cutting with breast reduction. The only lipo I had was on the sides. My breasts went from a H/I to a D. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks everyone for your kind words! I'm not brave enough to post half nakkit photos.

There was an bunch of skin cutting with my surgery. A TT typically is hip bone to hip bone with maybe a vertical incision. I had a 360 around me with a vertical incision. Plus my arms plus a revision to my breasts. 8 feet plus in incisions all together. Ouch, ouch, ouch

I'm thinking about you, girl. Sending all kinds of positive thoughts your way!

My tummy is flat, though the sweater doesn't do much to show that. This was taken yesterday.

The tummy tuck hurts 10 times more than my breast reduction 7 years ago or the revision he just did.

Niki that's great news! Greg you'll make that goal, I know you will! Congratulations to everyone!

Let be the old woman to chime in. If you think you can't cut back on drinking or don't want to cut back on drinking you have a bigger problem than your weight. You might want to look at alcoholism. I'm over shooting it I'm sure, but it's something to consider. But like others said, you'll not be drinking beer, but a few mixed drinks and you'll be good to go. Things to consider with the band: you can't chug anything, so you'll be sipping. If you're sipping you won't drink as much over time. You're tolerance will go way down shortly after surgery. Carbonation kind of hurts so you'll only do it once or twice. The old lady will leave now.

Sue I think I'm unusual with my draining. They do call me the "Seroma Queen" at the surgeon's office. I got some chuxs for the bed. They are plastic on one side and absorbant on the other. not fun to sleep on but they save the sheets and are disposable. I'd say don't worry about the mattress until you have an issue. All As for my issue, I didn't get a drain put in. I'm going to continue to drive 1.5 hours one way twice a week to see my surgeon to get drained. I'm off for 10 more days, so we'll see where we are at the end of next week. I hope to have slowed way down by then. Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. I'm shooting into work for a minute today to gather some information for the Race for the Cure. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and yeah, I admit a little, I'm looking forward to being seen too.:cool2:

Mrs. H, I'll be posting pictures eventually. I hope to take some this weekend when I graduate. Glad to hear you're moving forward with your recovery. Keep us updated. Jeni, Get to that spin class. You may not love it, but you trying new things is the key to staying motivated in the gym. My5, Howdy! Please actively participate! I love that you are teaching a Zumba class. That's completely amazing! Janine, My belly was big. I was kind of apple-ly. Do I miss it? No! Do I notice it missing? Yes!!! It's so weird. Hi Carol! Catch you all soon!

Jeni- You just need to "GIRL UP" and do it. Come on!!! Go and do it.