juno610

Hi gang! My turn to check in. Hi Audree! It's fill time for me too. I go on Thursday. Tonya! Holy canoli, woman! Your pics are awesome! Reminds me I gotta take some. I'm glad I measured at least. Sheila - I just looked at your siggy numbers. Nice Job!! Well, as for me, things are going pretty good. I finally lost another pound, which was nice. I slimed for the first time today. I was eating a meatball for dinner and I think I just took too big a bite. No PB though thank goodness. It was pretty gross though. I had to keep getting up and spitting in the sink. Yuck! This Thursday is not only fill day, but also my one month bandiversary. I'll have to measure and post the results! Maria

I had horrible back pain too. I agree with the above poster about the operating table. My surgeon told me it was probably muscle spasms from being on the hard table and having my arms strapped out to my sides. Mine lasted at least a week, so hang in there. I hope you feel better soon!

Hello I'm about 4 weeks out. I'd be happy to talk with you. Feel free to PM me, if you like. Maria

Hello and welcome! I was banded one day before you :mad: How are things going? I'm on soft solids now, and everything is working out pretty good so far! Maria

Thanks Tonya! I am happy to add that the scale finally moved again this morning, and I am down another pound. Whee!

I like all the ideas about exercise. Bandida -- you are doing awesome! I started walking on my treadmill 15 minutes a day about 4 days a week. This week I'm trying to increase. I've been using the incline a little to help get my heart rate up -- now I just have to get my duration increased. I'm not allowed to lift weights for a couple more weeks. Can't wait! I love muscles!

I admit to cheating a bit on my numbers. I count my starting weight as the weight I was when I started my pre-op diet. I lost 16 during that 4 weeks and an additional 10 after surgery. So, I'm not so ahead of the game either. :confused: Maria

I burp, but much less frequently and much less forceful than before. I won't be entering any belching contest anytime soon.

Most important pre-op: Be patient! Make the most of any pre-op diet you are assigned (if any). I cheated a little bit, which kept me sane, but I probably could've knocked off a few extra pounds. I'd probably do the same thing over again though. I figured a few smaller cheats here and there kept me from one giant binge. Most important post-op: Pace yourself. Small amounts at first. Very small. Eat slow! I'm on mushies and I notice that if I eat too fast I don't let my brain catch up to my stomach and it hurts a little.

Hi Jude! Congrats on your banding :mad: Maria

Chin up, my friend! I lost 10 the week immediately following surgery, but I haven't lost an ounce since. Have you started mushies yet? It's seems so wierd to me that even eating 800-1500 cals a day, I am still not losing anything. When I start to get discouraged, I just remind myself that I am healing right now. Plus, I trust my surgeon and if she says it's ok, then it's ok. I'll keep you in my prayers!

Sherrilynn -- so glad you are feeling better! lapbandhopeful -- Congrats on the 11 pounds. It's nice for motivation, isn't it? My abs hurt for 2 weeks, so hang in there! I still get a little pull on my left side if I twist or reach too much. Got to be careful! :mad:

MEATLOAF!!!! Here's a recipe from Cooking Light that is our go-to for turkey meatloaf: http://food.cookinglight.com/cooking/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=665201 Here's another one that we made just recently, Barbecue Meatloaf: http://food.cookinglight.com/cooking/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1160599 Cooking Light.com has a ton of meat loaf recipes. We've made a few others and they have all been good, but the above two are the ones we make most often. Maria

Hey band family! Just wanted to check in really quick. I'm working more than usual right now because I'm training to run EEGs. Fun stuff. Anyhoo, I'm doing pretty good -- almost done with week 2 of mushies. I cannot wait to make a meatloaf next week and eat some vegetables in solid form! LOL! My weight is holding steady, which I am glad for. Later gators! Maria

Hi Lucy, Certainly call your doc with any concerns. I did not have a problem with heartburn, but my surgeon did say it was a common occurrance. She suggested Maalox Multi, which would help with gas and heartburn. Good luck to you! I felt much much better the second week. My hiccups still hurt like the dickens though! Maria

Yay! Group hug! (((((((Group)))))))

Audree -- You should never feel bad for doing good! I love to see how well you are doing. It really keeps me pumped up to keep on track because I see that it CAN BE DONE! Plus, I love your pep talks Never leave us! Maria

Sheila - it looks like you are doing great too! That is awesome! I agree with you about being positive. Attitude makes all the difference!

Checking in... I went back to work today. It was actually kinda nice. I thought I was going to miss sitting on my ass day in and day out... LOL! But, it felt good to move around. I do stress testing at a hospital, so I'm on my feet about 75% of the day. Luckily my back did not act up at all! The best part is -- my scrubs are HUGE on me! I need new pants ASAP! I wanted to hold out a little longer, but I looked pretty ridiculous today, so I'm going to try to find some cheapy pants to get me through. 20 more pounds and I'm getting a few new scrub "outfits". And for anyone who thinks scrubs are forgiving... forgettaboutit! They are the worst -- no stretch at all. I am so happy to have room in them again! 5jacks - get off the scale, babe!! It'll just make you nuts! Give yourself a break. As long as the clothes fit better and the jewelry is loose, you have nothing to worry about. The body is a complex machine, and weight loss is even more complicated. The weight changes you are seeing are most likely due to fluid fluctation. It happens to everyone -- most just don't notice because they don't weigh very often. Maria

Ladyleo - glad to have you back! 104 degree fever is not fun -- whew! I have to admit, I kinda like the liquid tylenol. LOL! :confused:

Yes, give up the juice and gatorade pronto! I also stopped drinking milk and Maalox (because of the magnesium). My diarrhea let up around day 5 or 6. Don't be surprised when it turns into constipation!

Not sure I really have an answer for you, but my mom gave me a big tube of Strivectin. It's supposed to be the best stuff. PM me in a few months and I'll let you know if it worked! :confused:

Hi Colleen! Best of luck to you! You'll be a bandster before you know it! Exciting times :confused: Be sure to let us know how you did! Maria

Glamourgirl: The 6-month time period may be in reference to the fact that many insurance companies require a 6-month or 1-year physician supervised weight loss attempt. As for surgeons... Check out Dr. Deol at www.michiganbariatrics.com. She is so great. Her whole team is wonderful. PM me if you have any questions about her. Maria

Welcome home! I was sore for a good week after surgery. It got a little bit better everyday, so hang in there. I did take my tylenol with codeine for the first 3 days, but after that the regular tylenol served me fine. I stopped taking that 5 days out.