lauraq

Good for you Meagan. How cute is he?????

I LOVE YOUR EMPLOYER! Good luck.

Jem - you sound like the rest of us. We all have this addiction and I've tried the boots with my big calves...it's time to put all that behind you and go forward. You are so pretty already...my gosh...you'll be a knock-out! Congrats on your decision. laura

Way to go - we'll all be rooting for you! - laura

Thanks - you look great BG.

You look great. Yes, you do have a jawline. Way to go!

Well, you are off to a great start already. The pre-op diets are hard, but keep your eye on the ball. It will all be worth it. Just know that all of us on here are going through the same thing, and you are never alone. Best of luck to you, and take care ofthe puppies. Your family will survive!

I think I'm learning to get used to this new way of living and eating. I can recall very few times in my life where I actually felt full. I wasn't even sure anymore how that was supposed to feel. Now when I eat, I feel full. And when I don't eat, I feel hungry - another new feeling for me. I think I just ate all the time...mindless nibbling, huge meals...and I never allowed myself the opportunity to develop hunger. So, that's a new feeling for me as well. My scale today shows 212.2#. My preop visit weight was 239.5, so I'm very satisfied with a 27.3# loss. I can feel the difference in my clothes, and when I have to walk long distances at work. I have yet to be noticed for having lost weight. And I've kept my surgery private from most of the people I work with, so there's no pressure there. My family has been tremendously supportive. Although my husband still thinks I need to eat more. On the Mom front, the discovery is that she has a large (at least lemon-sized) tumor in her left breast. We have found that it has been there since December - she kept it to herself as long as she could. After the initial anger at her for not sharing that with anyone, or at least trying to get medical attention (she is a retired nurse), I've resigned myself to the fact that she is so very, very private - that anything like that - including doctor's exams, mammograms, etc, - would make her feel violated in some way. So, since she chose to keep the cancer to herself, there is not much I can do now except try to get her the best treatment I can. If it's too late, then we will deal with that, and make sure the rest of her life is happy and wonderful, surrounded by family. I hope all of you get your mammograms, despite how we feel about our bodies. Thank you for all the support. I am in awe of what all of you amazing women have been through, and continue to go through. --Lauraq

I think I'm learning to get used to this new way of living and eating. I can recall very few times in my life where I actually felt full. I wasn't even sure anymore how that was supposed to feel. Now when I eat, I feel full. And when I don't eat, I feel hungry - another new feeling for me. I think I just ate all the time...mindless nibbling, huge meals...and I never allowed myself the opportunity to develop hunger. So, that's a new feeling for me as well. My scale today shows 212.2#. My preop visit weight was 239.5, so I'm very satisfied with a 27.3# loss. I can feel the difference in my clothes, and when I have to walk long distances at work. I have yet to be noticed for having lost weight. And I've kept my surgery private from most of the people I work with, so there's no pressure there. My family has been tremendously supportive. Although my husband still thinks I need to eat more. On the Mom front, the discovery is that she has a large (at least lemon-sized) tumor in her left breast. We have found that it has been there since December - she kept it to herself as long as she could. After the initial anger at her for not sharing that with anyone, or at least trying to get medical attention (she is a retired nurse), I've resigned myself to the fact that she is so very, very private - that anything like that - including doctor's exams, mammograms, etc, - would make her feel violated in some way. So, since she chose to keep the cancer to herself, there is not much I can do now except try to get her the best treatment I can. If it's too late, then we will deal with that, and make sure the rest of her life is happy and wonderful, surrounded by family. I hope all of you get your mammograms, despite how we feel about our bodies. Thank you for all the support. I am in awe of what all of you amazing women have been through, and continue to go through. --Lauraq

Best of luck to you. You won't regret it.

Peace girl - you absolutely can go into starvation mode. I have felt the same way until today.

I was banded on the 29th in Austin, Texas. I'm so jealous of you burpers - I want to burp, but can't seem to. The worst problem I've had is the left shoulder pain in the evenings. I went back to work yesterday (nurse) and was exhausted. Anyone who can get longer than a week off needs to do it. I've had family issues (see my blog for details if you want to know) and I think that has me mentally drained to where I haven't thought about eating much .....BEFORE TODAY!!!! I was hungry all day - was able to tolerate some souped mashed potatoes, and that was the best.:biggrin:

You guys are amazing. Keep up the good work.

Today was a good day. I had a little more energy until late this evening. Less shoulder pain...finally. Less soreness overall. I ate soupy mashed potatoes today which tasted amazing, but I was full very quickly. What a concept! I walked 1 mile with my DD2 and friend this evening and could hardly make the last lap. There was a high school summer workout program going on at that time, and I tell you...teenagers don't know how wonderful it is to have those athletic bodies. I wish they could fast forward a few years to motivate them to keep it up. I wish I would have. I take my mom tomorrow for a physical to look for cancerous lesions on her body to make sure she doesn't have a melanoma. Then Thursday, I have a post op visit and she's having a body scan. I'm praying that maybe all the bad news we heard last week might have some miracle cure. I'm trying to keep my mantra going - "God's grace is sufficient." We can make it through many bad days with the grace of God - I think I am finally realizing that. Hope all my June 29th band buddies are recovering nicely. Have a good night all.

Today was a good day. I had a little more energy until late this evening. Less shoulder pain...finally. Less soreness overall. I ate soupy mashed potatoes today which tasted amazing, but I was full very quickly. What a concept! I walked 1 mile with my DD2 and friend this evening and could hardly make the last lap. There was a high school summer workout program going on at that time, and I tell you...teenagers don't know how wonderful it is to have those athletic bodies. I wish they could fast forward a few years to motivate them to keep it up. I wish I would have. I take my mom tomorrow for a physical to look for cancerous lesions on her body to make sure she doesn't have a melanoma. Then Thursday, I have a post op visit and she's having a body scan. I'm praying that maybe all the bad news we heard last week might have some miracle cure. I'm trying to keep my mantra going - "God's grace is sufficient." We can make it through many bad days with the grace of God - I think I am finally realizing that. Hope all my June 29th band buddies are recovering nicely. Have a good night all.

My 2 week pre-op diet was high-proteni, low carb. I put myself on liquids the week before but the doctor only required clear liquids the day before surgery. It seems like everyone's pre and post op diets are different. I am 1 week post op and other than gas, things have been smooth sailing surgery-wise. Of course, we will all encounter some ill effects from poor decisions - that's what happened to me last week. So, good luck to you on August 6.

You go girl! Rock those skinny jeans.

Hi LJ - I think we did chat. Yes, my port site hurts more now than it did last week. I go back to my doc on THursday. I worked today and was really wiped out when I got home this evening. At one point when I got up, I thought I was going to faint. Now feel better after a shower. Does your shoulder still hurt?

Your family sounds like mine. Food is the main attraction. You'll be looking good.

Thanks Diva - that would most likely be me snacking on the sweets. Thanks for the warning and congrats on the weight loss. Keep it up. - Lauraq

Today is one week since my surgery and I'm back to work. I thought for sure everyone would notice something different, but only one person asked me if I had lost weight. Of course, in scrubs it's hard to tell any body-type. Overall, I feel good - just a little shaky today. I was at a meeting at lunch and felt some rumbling in my belly and barely made it to the restroom for my first poopy-do in 5 days. So, that feels amazingly better. I was a fool early in the week with those Gas X strips - I was taking 1 at a time not realizing that I could take up to 4 - that really seemed to help. My diet consists of soups, puddings - not enough protein - I need to work on that some. My steri strips fell off and the incisions look OK. On the home front, I'm waiting for an appointment for my mom to have a PET scan to start a metastatic workup, looking for an orgin of the cancer that appears to be in her eye. She is doing well and my daughters are pampering her by fixing her food, cleaning her house, and watching movies with her. We will get through this - God's grace is sufficient. I hope all my other June 29 lap band buddies are doing well. WE have a lot of work to do, and I look forward to seeing how everyone is doing. A special thanks to my band buddy "imaluckydog" for being available for me Friday when I was in a low spot. Thank you so much. And to those of you who have gone before, keep the info coming. Even what might seem trivial to some is "lapped-up" by some of us. Have a good week.

Best wishes for a healthy new life. You went out with a bang!

Hello Fellow 6/29 bandsters - My biggest problem today is the gas. I feel bloated and tight. Thanks for the info on Phazyme - I've been using Gas X strips without any relief. Haven't taken any pain meds since yesterday. Let's all get well!

Today is my 5th post-op day and I woke up feeling pretty good. I had a bad experience yesterday with the shoulder pain, and gas pain. We went to my sister-in-laws for swimming and a little celebration. It was a stupid thing to do, but I mushed a little bit of potatoes and had a little sliver of mushy cake, and thought I would explode. I got up to excuse myself and was washing dishes, then felt myself getting sweaty and light-headed like I was about to faint. So, I went outside and got some air which helped a bit. Then I started the dry heaves. Nothing came up but some air, so is this the proverbial PB I've heard so much about? If so, I really want nothing to do with it ever again. Now my chest feels a little sore but the full feeling is gone. I weigh 214.8 this morning, down from 239 1 month ago. I can wear my wedding rings again which is very special to me. My brother is having a cook-out tonight for his birthday - I have to have a little more self-control around the food. Has anyone felt like they want to take what is available just to make it look like you're a normal eater?? Does that make sense. It's hard to explain why I just have a tiny bit on my plate without having to go into all the details, which I don't always want to do, I did have a good day with my mom yesterday. I fixed a meal for her because she doesn't have an appetite with this cancer news. I went to the store for her, and ran a few errands. She cried a little (highly unusual for her) and I think felt a little better, Have a great day.

Today is my 5th post-op day and I woke up feeling pretty good. I had a bad experience yesterday with the shoulder pain, and gas pain. We went to my sister-in-laws for swimming and a little celebration. It was a stupid thing to do, but I mushed a little bit of potatoes and had a little sliver of mushy cake, and thought I would explode. I got up to excuse myself and was washing dishes, then felt myself getting sweaty and light-headed like I was about to faint. So, I went outside and got some air which helped a bit. Then I started the dry heaves. Nothing came up but some air, so is this the proverbial PB I've heard so much about? If so, I really want nothing to do with it ever again. Now my chest feels a little sore but the full feeling is gone. I weigh 214.8 this morning, down from 239 1 month ago. I can wear my wedding rings again which is very special to me. My brother is having a cook-out tonight for his birthday - I have to have a little more self-control around the food. Has anyone felt like they want to take what is available just to make it look like you're a normal eater?? Does that make sense. It's hard to explain why I just have a tiny bit on my plate without having to go into all the details, which I don't always want to do, I did have a good day with my mom yesterday. I fixed a meal for her because she doesn't have an appetite with this cancer news. I went to the store for her, and ran a few errands. She cried a little (highly unusual for her) and I think felt a little better, Have a great day.