Bempowered

That's awesome! Congrats on your success. I'm down 56 lbs now. I feel wonderful. We have a lot in common. I had a breast reduction too. Only mine was 6 years ago. They had come back a little with the weight gain but are back to the size they were post-reduction - Thank Goodess! My goal is to loose 25 more lbs and I'm hoping I can do that by my one year anniversary. Wish me luck and much success as you continue your journey! Take Care!

Hey!!!!!!! How are you??

Hey!! Wow, you're right, it is nice to finally see someone who also had Dr. Bautista. I think he is great. I've had no complications related to the surgery and the weight is coming off slow and steady! I've had to get used to the slow and steady! I've been too lazy to keep up with exercise though, but am determined to do better in that area. I was still quite sore one-week post op but to this day, I've not regretted my choice. Hope you are doing well, and if you have any questions as you go along the way, I'm here to help!! Are you working with Mya or Jeanine at the doctors office? I'm with Mya. I'm going back in for fill #2 this week.

Congrats!! Great to hear. My weight loss is at a stand still. I'm holding at 20 lbs. but right now I don't even feel like I have a band. It's pure willpower. I'm a little nervous about the fill. I go for my first on the 16th. Did you notice a big difference? I can't believe you're getting your second fill, it seems like you just had surgery! I'm starting a couch to 5k program in a couple of days. Hoping increased exercise will get things moving!

Hey!! How are you doing? Did you get a fill yet?

Congrats on your successful journey! I had to write you after I saw you're from Mechanicsville. I'm from Tappahannock!! It's kind of "different" seeing a success story from someone who lives so close! Keep up the good work!

I've had this weird "urge" to run for several years now and printed countless C25K programs. I just downloaded one to my IPOD and will be hitting the treadmill this afternoon. I walked in the Komen 5k in D.C. on yesterday and was a bit jealous of the runners. Participating in this race is an annual event for my family, but next year....I'm running! So let it be said, so let it be DONE!! Thanks for the motivation!

Hey!! It will probably be another week or so before you feel "right". I felt the sensation of fullness quickly for the first couple of weeks. Now, however, I feel absolutely NO restriction. At this point, it's pure self control. I'm away at a conference this week, so things have gotten quite difficult. I'm just trying to stick to eating protein first. I did have an apple martini though. Yummy. That's so wrong! I've been released to a regular diet now. I'm finding that there in nothing on my typical menu that is intolerable. My doc says this may change after my fill which is scheduled for June 16th. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. My understanding is that this is the roughest period because you aren't filled. Keep up the good work and stay motivated. This time next year girl...you'll be lethal. That's my plan, and I'm sticking to it! :-)

WOOHOO!!!! Congratulations!! Contact me after you get back home to let me know how you did! Yeah I can't believe I lost that much either. I've gained a few back since I'm back on solid food though. That's a bummer.

Hey Cherelle! Hope you had a good day today. I am still feeling lots of emotions. I'm having serious anxiety because I can't eat what I want, so that continues to be a battle. Just trying to take it day by day. I'm almost two weeks out and physically I feel great. Just still a little sore around the port site. I was hoping I would never have to get a fill (wishful thinking) but right now, I'm feeling that bandster hell everybody speaks about. I have no restriction and am afraid I'm going to start gaining. Again, day by day. I plan to start walking for 30 minutes per day in a couple of days. I hear that helps. Keep in touch. Anything I can do to help, I'm here!

Let's just say the first week I hardly got any liquids in. My stomach just felt full all the time. Today is the first day I really felt hunger. I got a little worried about that because I'm on pretty much a regular diet now. I feel great today, so hope that continues!!

Thanks! How have you been? Are you feeling back to "normal" yet? I was wondering how long it takes to get there.

Hey! I'm doing a little better today. I'm still extremely sore at my port site. I came home with an On-Q pain cathetar (hope i spelled that right) and my hubby pulled that out of my belly this morning. If I had done it, I might have passed out! I'm trying to walk, walk, walk as they say. My biggest problem is that I can't seem to get in the required diet. I'm supposed to be on an all clear liquid diet including the shakes and I am hardly even getting the water in. I certainly don't want my hair to start falling out, so I'm gonna try harder tomorrow to atleast get in the slimfast high protein shakes and the water. Wish me luck! I was surrounded by people with food today because of Mother's Day and that was really hard! The smell just about drove me crazy!

I am definently staying optimistic. With all the restriction I've lost 5 lbs since the day of surgery! I tossed the percecet and am strictly on tylenol. I go for follow-up on Thursday. What brand/flavor cream soup are you using?

Hey Smilan! Yes, I'm finally banded. I just got home from the hospital a little while ago. I'm not in too much pain, but the gas is horrible and it hurts! Once I get past that I'll be okay. Glad to hear that your doing well!

I know! I am really getting nervous. I almost tried to talk myself out of it today! But no turning back. A door has been opened and I am for once walking through it!! Can't wait to get to the other side! How are you coming along?

Hey!!! Our dates are approaching quickly. How are you doing? I go for pre-op and physical on Thursday, then I'll have to start the liver shrinking diet....not quite looking forward to that!

Congrats! You look great!

Back to work, wow! Time has flown by. I had a 4-hour surgery prep/nutrition class yesterday and go for pre-op testing and my physical on Thursday. I imagine I'll have to start the liver shrinking diet after that. Not looking forward to that. Glad to hear your doing well and that the pounds are coming off! Keep up the good work!!

HI! I see that your getting banded in May, I am too on May 7th! Good Luck and I hope all is going well for you!

Hey Smilan! How's it going?

Hi! Welcome to the May 2009 group! I see you're from VA, I am too!! Have you had surgery yet?

Thanks. I finally got the nerve and the time to figure out how to get that up. I have less than a month and I'm starting to feel like a big old chicken. Lots of anxiety, not enough to change my mind, but anxiety all the same. I'm spending Spring Break out and about with my kiddies this week, so I'm sure by the end of the week I'll be totally convinced. It's typically when I'm out with them that I feel like, whoa, something has got to change and quick!!

Yeah, it's awesome!

Yeah, I'm excited and nervous all at the same time! What day is your surgery?