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I am from Newark.

Hello... Ben from Newark... good luck on your weight loss.

Ben from Newark, Had several fills, lost the weight I needed and the tt done... If I can do it, everyone here can too... goodlood luck and continued success.

Congrats on your loss and decision for the surgery... how is your recovery going? I had a panni and lipo done, but am still in pain. I have had lots of fluid build up, any complications for you?

Spirit, I was frustrated when I plateaued too, however I remembered how I was losing weight faster on stage 2 (I actually stayed on that stage for a longer time than I needed to) and went to pureed foods, and I broke through that barrier. I think I will be doing that more frequently so that I can lose weight regularly/gradually. Give that a try, and let me know if it works for you too. Also, since work is getting frustrating, try boxing, hit the speed bag and heavy bag works great for stress relief. Best of luck, Ben.

Did you get the Realize Band? Yeah me too.. I look forward to stepping on the scale now. Also, I have noticed my children are very supportive and conscious to what they eat, how they eat it and when they eat it... They are drinking more water (with sugar free flavored drink mixes like I always do) and they look forward to bike trips and swimming. :smile2:

I've decided to puree/process my foods:scared2:. I find that what I used to eat in one sitting I now can make it stretch for about a day. I just make sure I have 2 protein shakes, vitamins, lots of water, and jello throughout the day and I'm fine with that. My Dr. said make sure I have enough protein if I'm going to do this:thumbup:. I've also started lifting weights and riding the bike to go along with the laps I swim at the pool. What exercise are you guys doing and what seems to be working for you all? Oh BTW I'm still hungry, I think I'm going to ask for another fill. Ben

I've had a fill and I'm still trying to figure out what full feels like.. I think, so far, that it may be heartburn? I had some soup and a salad at work (about 2 8oz cups soup, and same 8oz cup salad) I felt like I had heartburn after eating that, so I guess that's prob my new full feeling... any how I'm going back to just processed/pureed food, it works better for me for weight loss.

Me me me... 03/25/09. How is it going for you all? Ben

I've finally found you... I too was banded on 3/25/09 and am curious to see how it's going for you all since that day? Just a bit about me. Im married, father of 2, 5'11" and looking forward to weighing around 200lbs or so. I live in Newark, NJ and am trying to get to the gym as much as possible. I am swimming 2-3 times a week and biking when the days are nice. I eat alot of what I used to, just smaller portions, and oh btw, I am sill processing my foods... It seems to work better for me as far as controlling my hunger and I've noticed a drop when I do this so I go with the flow on this. I am taking suppliments also such as whey protien shakes, creatine shakes. Multi-viatamins, Vitamin d, and lots and lots of Water, except that I like the Walmart brand flavors (sweeter than crystal light imho). Well thats it for me for now. Ben

I missed this post altogether, but I suppose it's better late than never, right? How are you guys doing so far? Im not doing too bad just need to get more self control I suppose for this to work better for me.

Emep, 25k... wow that's awesome, I cant wait till I get to that point. I am still feeling a little pain around the incisions that I decided to wait a bit more till I ride. I however am in the pool now and will be doing that daily, hopefully. My goals are to do a fully self supported bike tour, especially in your area... It is so lovely up there, everything is so clean. If I had my way my whole family would move up there in an instant. thanks for the update and keep it coming I'm getting so motivated with this thread. Ben

BM09, Im feeling fine, I had LOA up to the 13th, but I had scheduled vaca. till the 19th. I return to work on the 20th. I knew that I should get some time to recover so that I would be able to work without any ill effects. I have maintained this weight (295lbs) for about a week, Im just waiting for the incisions to heal a bit better before I get to do some more rigorus excercises. I will be going to the pool today to see if I can take that. I really want to start riding bike. Im looking forward to the stage 3 then 4 diets, right now Im blenderizing everything, and Im getting tired of doing that. I know it helps but geez, Im so limited to what I can eat, I still get hunger pains. The dr, told me I have to be on solids for a while before I can get the band inflated, yet another reason to move up the stages. Ill be ok I suppose, I have a good support group to help me. Keep me posted on your progress. Ben

Hello, Not on the 4th but 25th. How are you doing? have you lost lots? how goes the diet? Ben

Hello and welcome, congrats on your decisions to make this change for the better and kudos on your support group, that will make it so much more easier for the both of you... gl and keep us posted.

Emep. I cant wait to get on the bike too... Perhaps this weekend I'll go for it as I am just 1 week post op. Today at the Dr's visit I was cleared to start exercising with caution I take it easy. I got the kid's bikes down, am gonna tune them up in preparations for family rides. Also, I hope that this summer I visit your Montreal, I really love it there and look forward to visit and bring along my bike. Ben

Hello LSN, Thanks for your positive feedback and outlook on things. My surgery was 03/25/09 and today I was at the Dr's office who graduated me to stage 2 foods... so I went shopping and had me some other choices... I am happy... I think I can be at this stage for some time without too much complaints. I plan on losing more weight while on this stage so I am not in a big rush to get out of it. How are you doing on your weight loss journey? Ben

How did you do on your first week? I cant wait to get my band filled Im still getting hunger pains.

My cousin did the same thing with walmart but it was a paintball gun, the gear, everything minus the balls but he bought those at the paintball park anyhow... hehe btw what did you ride? huffy? mongoose?

congrats and welcome to the group.

Hello Wendy, Welcome and gl on your weight loss... Ben

Gl and welcome, I got banded in 03/25/09... (where is the March Band Mates at?) lol... Ben

Hello, I know for me the time flew fast and before you know it your in the OR. I just got banded 03/25/09 but I know that the band is not inflated at that time and that I should visit the Dr about one month after to get it fitted. From what I've read and the Dr has said to me, it may take up to 3-4 adjustments in the 1st year to get it just right. Gl with your weight loss journey, research everything and if you do go to Mexico be very careful, it is crazy down there from what I have seen and read in the news. Ben

Hello everyone. Got Banded on 3/25/09 and cant wait to start biking... I bought a few bikes and will be riding them to find the one that's just right. I plan on riding daily a few miles mainly around the park, but on weekends off take a longer trek eventually leading to a fully self supported tour. For now Im gonna take it slow till I heal up a bit, then with diet, bicycling, swimming, etc I plan to lose weight to hit my goals. Good luck everyone on your weight loss approach, with your current diets, and hope everyone feels well. Ben

Karl, thanks for your support. I am having dreams of food and the smells are killing me. your on stage 2 diet already? I am still on liquids :thumbup: I wonder when I can go on stage 2, I think one week post op... I have my Dr's appt on Thu. I cant wait to eat somthing other than Jello. Im living off of diet snapple, Jello, Water, Crystal Light... thats pretty much it. I was not told nor did I research the whole process... I didnt know about air, but luckily for me that was not too bad. Now I just worry when I pass some of what may follow... sorry to be gross, but it is a concern. I fell ready to move onto stage two and bcuz of this site I have seen a larger selection of foods/menu that I can do. I am also looking forward to excercising, I want to really work off this weight. To me, the band is my enforcer that limits my intake, I was a concientious eater wheras I said I have to eat this food or it would be a waste of food, there are starving kids in Africa you know... that sort of person, and Being Latino doesnt halp much. I never entered a food eating contest but ate as if I were in one all the time, I was good too, I may very well could have had a chance in the pro circuits I suppose. anyhow, thanks for your reply, I will keep track of your progress and be as supportive of your goals as you are to mine. thanks again, Ben