1019Joanne

Good Luck - this is the beginning of the best thing you can do for yourself! Take good care of yourself, walk often, and congratulations!

it's ok to worry - this is a big, life-changing event for you! However, this is the best gift you can give yourself...you are giving yourself a new life, as a thinner, healthier woman. I was banded on 10/19/09 - and I have lost 60 lbs...I could never have lost that amount in 5 months without the band! I feel so much better - I go to the gym, I exercise, I am in a new size of clothing...but most of all, I can be with my family and not get tired out, not feel like I am holding them back, and I FEEL GREAT! It's all going to be ok - one day at a time!

walking helps get that gas moving - keep up with the gas-x (I used the strips and they worked wonders) - and I agree with luckydog - be good to yourself! Best wishes on this journey!

I was banded on 10/19 - and if you have any questions, or just a shoulder to lean on, please feel free to contact me! Good Luck!

I love the memory garden idea. My thoughts are with you and your family. Spring is a time of new life, and new beginnings. Hang in there

Congratulations on taking time for yourself - we all have committments (work, family, friends,etc) that take time away from us, and I am so proud of you for taking this huge step to a better life for you! This is an awesome place to get support as you make this journey - Best Wishes!

Good for you! You have been cheering us all on for quite some time now, and I am happy that you realize that we are all here for you, too. I think we have all been in a place where we were not happy with our lives and our bodies. This journey teaches us all about ourselves, and about how to deal with one another. Best Wishes!

Congratulations! Onederland! what a wonderful word!

Saturday in the Northeast area of the country was not a very nice day, however, the morning found us on a train into New York City - my daughter's dance team was competing at the Manhattan Center Theater, so rain or no rain, off to the big city we went! I am always in awe when I arrive at Grand Central Station - and usually, I head right for the taxi stand...however, with 17 of us traveling together, a taxi was not an option....so, umbrelllas up, and off we went! Off walking into Times Square...and then down 8th Avenue to 34th Street and the competition. I was very proud of myself for not only walking all that way, but leading the pack! This would have not happened pre-band! The competition was amazing, and after, we walked back to Times Square for dinner, and then back to Grand Central...we were all soaking wet (major downpours, chilly temps and high winds) and the rain-soaked clothing added extra pounds to the walk. However, I walked...and walked...and walked...and never fell behind, not once did the group have to wait for me, and not once did I feel like my weight was holding me back from enjoying a day in the city with my friends! I am so looking forward to another day in Manhattan - however, I really would like it to be a warm, sunny day this next time around!

Saturday in the Northeast area of the country was not a very nice day, however, the morning found us on a train into New York City - my daughter's dance team was competing at the Manhattan Center Theater, so rain or no rain, off to the big city we went! I am always in awe when I arrive at Grand Central Station - and usually, I head right for the taxi stand...however, with 17 of us traveling together, a taxi was not an option....so, umbrelllas up, and off we went! Off walking into Times Square...and then down 8th Avenue to 34th Street and the competition. I was very proud of myself for not only walking all that way, but leading the pack! This would have not happened pre-band! The competition was amazing, and after, we walked back to Times Square for dinner, and then back to Grand Central...we were all soaking wet (major downpours, chilly temps and high winds) and the rain-soaked clothing added extra pounds to the walk. However, I walked...and walked...and walked...and never fell behind, not once did the group have to wait for me, and not once did I feel like my weight was holding me back from enjoying a day in the city with my friends! I am so looking forward to another day in Manhattan - however, I really would like it to be a warm, sunny day this next time around!

Try to drink around your meals, and by this, I mean stop drinking an hour before you eat, and start again an hour after. I seem to take a water bottle with me everywhere I go - Target has this awesome water bottle that has hashmarks that you can turn as you refill your bottle, so that you can make sure you are drinking enough. As for your question as to whether or not I miss drinking with meals, the answer is sometimes, usually if I am out to eat, since the first thing the server asks is what you would like to drink! Good luck with everything!

don't forget that your stomach is hungry...if one meal a day has ended up coming back up, your body is hungry. This is not going back to step 1, it's jut your body telling you that now is the time to eat right-sized portions, and get back on the bandwagon. Hang in there!

yes, that is EXACTLY what stuck is like - and I have to add that you were lucky to not have the steak come back up. Stay on softer foods for several days, and just be good to yourself - give yourself some time to recover. I have had a hard time with steak - no matter how much I chew, or how small I cut it up, steak and I no longer get along. When you are new to the band, it does take a little while to find out what foods you are good to eat, and what you need to stay away from. Good Luck - hope you feel better soon! Joanne

It's ok to be overwhelmed at this whole situation - I understand. However, this process is a journey, and every journey has its hills and valleys. Take a little time out for you - sounds like your life is crazy, just like mine. Set aside some time out of your day, keep a journal of how you are feeling (even if its on here) - I have my thankful journal - I have to write at least five things I am thankful for each day before going to bed at night. Some nights it looks like five lame little items, and other nights it can be pages long. But just make sure you take good care of you, too. Hang in there - this is a life changing (for the better) journey, and that is going to take some time, patience, and shoulders to lean on. Happy Saturday!

having just come home from my first flight after being banded, I can tell you that I so understand how you feel! I was so happy to have the seatbelt buckle and not cut into my thighs....and to have some room to pull the belt tighter and to not overhang into the seats next to me....it was an amazing flight. well, flights. to and from, and a couple of change overs just for good measure. keep up the good work!

look at you! WOW - congratulations! Keep up the awesome job!

I have come to realize that in order to get the most out of this journey, I need to get moving - really moving. So, I joined a gym. Seriously, I JOINED A GYM! It's really is funny! Who knew! Me in a gym, and the best part is - I LIKE IT! I walked in the first day and I am sure I looked like someone who did not belong there. After a tour of the center, and some careful instructions from the trainer who made me feel so welcome, I started on a machine. Little did I know then that this machine was going to change the way I look at exercise. This machine - the elliptical - is truly my new BFF. Don't get me wrong, I use other equipment in the gym, but the elliptical...it calls my name. It makes me stronger, it makes me believe again that this change in me is possible and is real. After struggling the first several times and managing to get through 8 minutes on level 1, I am now chugging away for 30 minutes daily at level 7, and that is after I ride the bike for 30 minutes, or before I do the 30 minute circuit workout....and sometimes, I do all three in the same visit. One of the other good things about the gym, is that I bring a friend with me...and not only does it make the workout go that much faster, it's even more fun. I have a list of people who want to go with me - seriously, AND four of my friends have also joined the gym since going with me! Here I am...me...the woman who has lost 55lbs since surgery, and now, I go to the gym...5 days a week. and I like it! I never ever EVER thought I would be talking about my new best friend and having it be an elliptical machine - however, this life I am leading has changed more than just how much food I can eat and what I can eat - it has literally changed ME, and changed for the better.

I have come to realize that in order to get the most out of this journey, I need to get moving - really moving. So, I joined a gym. Seriously, I JOINED A GYM! It's really is funny! Who knew! Me in a gym, and the best part is - I LIKE IT! I walked in the first day and I am sure I looked like someone who did not belong there. After a tour of the center, and some careful instructions from the trainer who made me feel so welcome, I started on a machine. Little did I know then that this machine was going to change the way I look at exercise. This machine - the elliptical - is truly my new BFF. Don't get me wrong, I use other equipment in the gym, but the elliptical...it calls my name. It makes me stronger, it makes me believe again that this change in me is possible and is real. After struggling the first several times and managing to get through 8 minutes on level 1, I am now chugging away for 30 minutes daily at level 7, and that is after I ride the bike for 30 minutes, or before I do the 30 minute circuit workout....and sometimes, I do all three in the same visit. One of the other good things about the gym, is that I bring a friend with me...and not only does it make the workout go that much faster, it's even more fun. I have a list of people who want to go with me - seriously, AND four of my friends have also joined the gym since going with me! Here I am...me...the woman who has lost 55lbs since surgery, and now, I go to the gym...5 days a week. and I like it! I never ever EVER thought I would be talking about my new best friend and having it be an elliptical machine - however, this life I am leading has changed more than just how much food I can eat and what I can eat - it has literally changed ME, and changed for the better.

I think we just get to a point where we just want to be banded! We have all been through so much already, and this pre-op stuff is just the last hurdle to jump before the proceedure. I remember walking into my pre-op appointment with a list of questions that I had - all from this site - and getting more answers (and then comparing to what was said on here! LOL) I am wishing you all good things! this is the best gift your can give yourself!

Hang in there! Tea is a great healer, and helps with the tightness, too, I have come to find out! Feel better soon!

I love to fly...I really do. I did not like having to put my seatbelt on while flying, though, since it barely fit and when I managed to get the belt buckled, it was so uncomfortable. I was ashamed to ask for a belt extender - I would rather be uncomfortable than call attention to my largeness. However - last Thursday, I boarded a plane to Dallas, and as I buckled the belt, and tightened it in, and had about four inches of slack. I literally sat in my seat with tears of joy rolling down my face. My daughter managed to snap a photo of the seatbelt for me, and every time I look at it, I am in awe of this transformation of me.(I attached the photo below) I still look like me, at least I think so when I see myself in the mirror, but the me I see on the scale is most certainly a lighter me. I think my brain forgot how well the belt fit on the way down to Dallas, since on the way home, I stretched it out to the point where it is all folded over (right at the very end) and then had to pull it tighter....ahhhh. I cannot even put into words the joy in my heart. My flight was four months after my surgery - 52 pounds lighter, and so much happier.

I love to fly...I really do. I did not like having to put my seatbelt on while flying, though, since it barely fit and when I managed to get the belt buckled, it was so uncomfortable. I was ashamed to ask for a belt extender - I would rather be uncomfortable than call attention to my largeness. However - last Thursday, I boarded a plane to Dallas, and as I buckled the belt, and tightened it in, and had about four inches of slack. I literally sat in my seat with tears of joy rolling down my face. My daughter managed to snap a photo of the seatbelt for me, and every time I look at it, I am in awe of this transformation of me.(I attached the photo below) I still look like me, at least I think so when I see myself in the mirror, but the me I see on the scale is most certainly a lighter me. I think my brain forgot how well the belt fit on the way down to Dallas, since on the way home, I stretched it out to the point where it is all folded over (right at the very end) and then had to pull it tighter....ahhhh. I cannot even put into words the joy in my heart. My flight was four months after my surgery - 52 pounds lighter, and so much happier.

Happy Birthday - you look amazing! I wish you much happiness this year! Keep up the good work!

I am also hitting the gym 4-5 days a week, and I have found that if I mix up my routine, it helps me. My gym offers a 30 minutes workout area in addition to the treadmills, step machines, and eliptical machines. Today, I did 10 minutes on the eliptical, then to 30 minute work out and back on the eliptical for another 10 minutes. Tomorrow I will just walk the treadmill for an hour, and then Thursday back to eliptical and the 30 minute workout. Many local gyms will also offer a free session with a personal trainer - which might also give you a work out plan. Best wishes!

Starting at size 26/28 pants 3x/4x shirts Current size 18 pants, xl shirts I feel like a new person! I walk by mirrors and double take,because I cannot believe that the person I am seeing is really me! Need to work making it to the gym 4 days or more a week. I knew going into this, that getting banded was going to be a marathon, not a 50 yard dash, and the this journey reminds me daily of how much work this is! Congratulations to everyone - you inspire me!